treated of penaunce and extreame vnction Than also the electoure of Brandenburge Ioachim sending his ambassadour Christopher Strasie a doctour of the ciuill law offered his duety and obeisance And certainly thāmbassadour spake manye thinges at large of the great good wil of his Prince They answer again how they haue taken much pleasure to hear his whole Oration especially that part wher the Prince submitteth him self wholy to the counsell and saith that he will obserue the decrees of the same For their truste is that the thing which he hath nowe presently spoken that same will he perfourme in dede After the deathe of Ihon Albert whiche had the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge both wealthy and large the gouernement was committed to Fridericke sonne to thelectour of Brandenburge whome the Colledge had desired for their archbishop but the matter was impeached and could not be broughte to passe at Rome And because thelectour Ioachim was before of the Protestantes religion as it was openly knowen that same was a great let Wherfore to auoid the suspicion this ambassadoure was sent who fawning vpon the Prelates omitted no poynt of exquisit diligence Ther was peace concluded at Wittenberge And all beit the siege was not leuied immediatelye yet were there frendly metinges betwene them the xii day of Octobre And the self same time Duke Moris constraineth the Chats a people in the countrye of Hesse which wer iii. yeres past by themperours sentence taken frō the Lantz graue being prisoner to be sworne vnto him by the consent of the Lātzgraues sonne by reason of the league of inheritāce as he saith which is betwene the house of Hesse and Saxon so that for default of heirs males the one house should succede thother And no man doubted but this concerned the iniury of themperor that had geuen the sentence and some new commotion and all mē marueled what would be th end therof but in the Emperors court was in a manner no talcke of it and made as they knew not therof At this time was the Duke of Somerset vncle to the kinge of Englande apprehended the seconde time and with him the Lorde Paget the Lord Gray and certain others Than had Ihon the Duke of Northumberlande the chiefe rule and gouernemente The cause of his apprehension was as it is reported that the Duke of Northumberland said howe the other laid wait for his life For this by a law newly made was deathe amonges them About the eight day of Octobre the Bishop of Rome created Cardinall George Martinuse bishop of Wardin of high authority in Hongary the common people named him Monke because he was of thordre of Paule the first Hermit How the French ambassadour was commaunded to attend for an answer at the xi daye of Octobre so that the king would acknowledge the counsell I haue tould you before Certes he came not but yet in the Counsels name was setforth a wryting to the king First they recken vp how they loked for most ample things at his hands and that for sondry causes but at the comminge of this messenger and after they had red his letters they conceiued an inward sorow for that they are fallen from their expectation and yet forsomuch as they are neither touched with the gilt of conscience nor haue geuen none any occasion of displeasure they haue not yet laid aside thold hope they had of him wherfore thopinion which he hath conceiued as though this counsel were called for the priuate profit of a few can least of all take place in so worthy a Sinode For the causes of calling this Counsell were propounded not only of this Bishop but also of Paule the thirde verelye that heresies mighte be roted oute the schole of Discipline amended and peace be restored to the Church is not this plaine inoughecan ther be any more godly or Christianlike thing be done For now are heresies spredde not only throughout Germany but in manner in all Countries which great calamity the counsell is in will to redresse This is the very cause and this is also the end of all theyr doyng and all thinges are referred to this poynt Let him therfore permit the Bishoppes of his realme to further so godly a busines For he neaded not to feare least they might not be suffred to speake frely that they thought For lately was his ambassadoure bothe quietly and patiently heard whan he told no ioyfull newes Than seing a priuate man was heardwith such a lei tie why should any man beleue that the same shuld be denied vnto publike parsons such as are placed in so high dignity how be it though he send no man yet shall the counsell neuertheles haue bothe his dignitye and authoritye for that it was lawfullye summoned and now for iust causes restored And where he signified that he would vse the remedies that his progenitoures had done before they supposed he would neuer procede so farre as to reuoke those thinges which were taken away abolished in times past to the great commodity of the kinges of Fraunce and seing that god hath so highly auaunced him and indued him with so great benefites they truste verely that he wil do nothing wherby he shuld seme vnthankeful ether towards God or to our mother holy church let him only haue a respect to his progenitors to that same title and surname of most christen king Finally to his father king Fraunces who honoured the former Sinode by sending thither his bishoppes and ambassadors Men of most excellent learning he oughte to walcke in these fotesteps which are both fresh and domestical and follow this exāple and remit priuate displeasures for the common wealthes sake Themperor and the Bishop had exhorted the Swisses that they shuld be at the counsel but it was in vaine and the Bishop in dede treated with them by Hierome Francke as before is saied but the French king gaue charge vnto Morlet that was his ambassador there that he shuld indeuor to perswade them all that they send no man thither Morlet fineding some difficultye herein sendeth for Uergerius an expert man in such affaires out of Rhoetia and axeth his counsel He both furnished him of argumentes and shortly after setforth a boke of eschuing the counsell Morlet beinge thus instructed came vnto thassemble of Baden and there alledgynge his reasons perswaded not only them which had longe sence forsaken Papistry but also all the residue of the Swisses euen as he desired Wherfore none of them came to Trent Out of Rhetia cam thither at the Bishop of Romes commaundement Thomas Plāt bishop of Chur but whan the Rhetians vnderstode by the aduertisement of Uergerius what the bishop of Rome intended howe he would by him recouer his authority amonges them he was called home againe The Spaniardes which wer in the land of Wirtemberge were sent for about this time by themperor and sent into Italy to serue in the warre of Parma By theyr departure
enacted that mighte helpe the Common 〈◊〉 for the which cause he hathe sent thither Cardinall Campegius 〈◊〉 man of excellent vertue who can enfourme the Princes of his carefulnesse and 〈◊〉 towardes the Common weale and deuise with him priuately of the meanes of peace and quietnesse whereunto he exhorteth him 〈◊〉 gyue his mynde for the same thyng concerneth the prosperitie and dignitie of al magistrats And how he beareth a great good will vnto Germany hauynge good hope that they wyll not fall from their auncient vertue but helpe to eschewe publike daungers Wherfore he requireth him to shewe all good will and fauoure to hys Legate of whome he shall heare all thinges more at large At the sixe and twentie day of Ianuary the Heluetiās called a conuocation at Lucerne There was a decree made that no man shoulde mocke or contemne Gods worde whiche had bene taught these thousande and foure hundred yeares nor the Masse wherein the bodye of Christ is consecrated to his honor and comfort of the quicke the dead that suche as be of lawfull age to receyue the Lordes supper do cōfesse them selues to the priestwise in the Lent season that al men absteine from fleshe on daies forbidden and in Lent also from egges and chese That nothing of Luthers or any newe doctrine be taught priuely nor openly That suche as cary about the reliques of the holy gost the virgin Mary or of S. Anthony be not laughed at and that they do obserue all other olde customes they that offende herein to be presented to the Magistrates punished Whē Cāpegius was cōmen to Norinberge Duke Friderike was departed thence wherefore he wrote vnto hym the laste daye of February and sendinge also the Bishoppes letters he lamenteth that vnhappye chaunce that he can not speake wyth him presently hauyng many thynges to talke with him from the Bishop of Rome whiche can not so well be done by letters and messengers and be of suche sorte as maye abyde no delaye But seynge it will be no better after muche gretyng made in the Bishops name and his own he saieth that albeit the reporte be great that he should be a fauorer of these newe spronge vp Heresyes yet can not the Bishoppe hitherto nor he be so perswaded for the manyfold and excellent vertues which they perceiue to be in him And especially for that he hath bene euer a great fauourer of Religion and of the Apostolicall Churche whereupon he will not truste the iudgementes of others nother leaue the good opinion that he hath of him before he shall see cause and know it him self Germany hath bene wonderfully altered with in these fewe yeres cōcernyng Religion but he vnderstandeth howe muche the commō people do differ from the nobilitie and Princes the rulers of the lawes amonges whom he is as principal aswel by his own as also by deserte of his aūcesters which haue euermore done great honor to the church of Rome Wherfore the Bishop requireth him that in these daūgerous dayes he woulde after the example of his elders declare his vertue of stoutenes not onely in mislyking this lybertie of the people but also in extremely punishing the same for vnlesse theyr licentious boldnes and malapertenes be restrained it will bring the lyke miserie and confusion into Germany that it did before tyme into Boheme and Hongary which are not yet quieted For they that do stubberuely contemne the sacred Lawes and Ecclesiasticall Magistrate will also vndoubtedly worke their violence against the Ciuil Magistrates whom they loue not Manye are nowe glad to see the Pastours of Churches and the Courte of Rome thus troubled and dispised whiche perceaue ful litel what daunger they them selues stande in But the Byshoppe whiche as the master of a shyppe sitteth watching at the Healme doeth foresee this storme approching and hath sent hym to warne all the Princes and him especially to beware of this tempest which is like to distroy not onely the citie of Rome but also Germany it selfe And for the same cause also hath sent letters by him and willed him to treate diligently with him of all these matters to the intente the tranquilitie and quietnes of Germany might be recouered For he is purposely sent to lifte vp them that are fallen and to receiue vnto grace such as are penitēt Whereunto albeit he is not very fit yet trustynge vpon his gentlenes he wil attempt it with al diligence wherfore seing that he hath taken this wery and painefull iorney he praieth him that he maye not want his helpe and fauor herein And that he woulde write agayne shortly what he thinketh best to be done And he will do for him againe what he can in the worlde After in the Counsell of the Princes he fyrste declareth howe that no man was willyng at Rome to take this voiage into Germany at the last was he appointed as one that may thanke the Germanes for all his promotions hauing two thinges to treate of Religion and the Turkishe warre And fyrst he marueleth muche that so manye greate and worthy Princes can beare with this alteration suffer the same Religion Rites and Ceremonies wherin they were borne brought vp and theyr fathers also and progenitours dead in to be thus defared and set at naught Which thing if it be not spedely reformed wil styre vp doubtles great commotions and rebellion of the people agaynste theyr magistrates This the hyghe Bishoppe fearing and consyderyng hath sent hym to deuise a way with them howe to remedie this matter Whose diligens herein if it be refused which as a good father and pastour wissheth well to all his Children and shepe there is no cause hereafter to laye any blame in him As touchynge the Turkes he denieth not but that there was money gathered for the same purpose and brought to Rome which albeit it was not employed all that wayes yet may not the cōmon welth therfore in this calamitie of time be neglected what hurt that cruell enemie hathe done it is not vnknowen for by the negligens and cowardise of our owne men he hathe taken the Rhodes and the chiefest foretresse of Hongary The Rhodes endured an harde siege many monethes and at laste wantynge all thynges necessarye whan they saw no aide would come they yelded the like chaūce was in Hongary Which if he should subdew wholly and bringe vnder his subiection it is to be feared lest they wyll become our enemies muche worse than be the Turkes But vnlesse this contention procedynge of this new doctrine be fyrst taken away the other part of the common wealth can not in his opinion be well holpen Hereunto the Princes answere that wheras he beareth this good will vnto Germany they are glad that he came thither and amonges them all they wyll chose certeine to conferre with him supposing that he hath some order prescribed him of the Bishoppe and his cardinals which they haue willed him to folow knowyng the matter so
fourthe daye of August they put vp also an other wherin the pouertie cōplayned that they were in all cities and townes ouermuche burthened wyth beggyng Freres For that whiche should be a helpe vnto them to susteyn their life was preuēted caught vp by them and not only that but often tymes also there came to their handes throughe flattrye great landes and legacies to the losse and hynderaunce of many wherfore their deuyse was that they should not be suffered to make anye moo Freres when these are dead and to permytte them that wyll take an other kynde of lyfe vpon thē to depart out of their cloyster with some annuall stypende And the rest to be geuen to the poore mens boxe Moreouer they thynke it not reason that the clergie should be frelye exempted from al charges and paymētes for that priuilege was graūted them in tymes past by the lyberalitie of kynges and Prynces but yet at such tyme as they were both fewe in nombre and had but small lyuynges But nowe that they be so many growen to such a welth there is an other consyderation to be had for the cause of their inunitie beyng taken away the benefite also employed taketh place no longer for they do enioye the benefytes and commodities as muche as other men or more for the whiche tribute custome and all other mony is payde agayne to haue ouermany holye dayes whiche hynder the people sore wherunto they are bounden vnder great penaltie and do not only leaue their necessary workes vndone but also in those idle daies offende God diuerse wayes They thynke it also mete to abolish the lawe that is made for the choyse of meates to leaue vnto all men their owne ceremonies tyll the counsell and in no wyse to stoppe the course of the euāgelical doctrine But after the byshoppes vnderstode the Emperours pleasure they woulde not proceade in matters of religion but thought in this great dissention bet wyxte the Byshop and hym to deferre the thynge tyll some better oportunitie serued when there arose great stryfe among the men chosen whiche were contrary in Relygion the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue all consultation layde asyde ment to go home and commaunded their company to make them ready to take their iournaye That seyng Ferdinando the Archebyshop of Treers and others consyderynge what daunger it were in so peryllous a tyme yf they shoulde thus breakynge of in displeasure conclude vppon nothynge but departe wyth grudge and malyce Founde the meane to Salue this wounde For wherof the commotion in the yere before and what dissention so euer is nowe in Germany sprange vp altogether of the controuersye that is in Relygion they thoughte good to remedye the thynge in tyme. Wherfore to appease certen mens myndes at the laste they made a decre that for the establyshynge of Religion and mayntenaunce of the common peace and tranquilitie it was necessarye to haue a lawfull counsell eyther prouinciall or generall to begyn within a yeare at the furthest And to the entent there shall be no let nor delaye in the same to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour to entreate hym that he woulde consyder the myserable and troublesome state of the Empyre and to repayre shortly in to Germany to holde there a counsell And touchyng the decree made at Wormes thei were contented that untyll the counsell were begonne all men shoulde so demeane them selues in their prouinces as they woulde yelde an accompte of theyr doynges bothe to God and to the Emperour Before this decree was made the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue enter in to talke with the Ambassadours of Strausborough Norenberge and Auspurge whiche they sawe fauoured the Gospell concernynge a league that for as muche as they knewe not what the Byshoppes and theyr adherententes intended if it fortuned anye to stande in daunger for Relygion that one myght helpe an other And for as muche as they had a good opinion of them of Frankeforth and Ulmes they woulde not refuse to breake wyth them also in the matter The Ambassadours make aunswere that they had no commission touchynge anye suche matter neuerthelesse they would wryte home ryght diligently The Duke of Saxon had his preachers George Spalatine Iohn Islebie and the Lantgraue had also his The residewe of the Princes requested that they might not preache for feare of any sturre but it was in vayne Fardinando also calling before him the Ambassadours of all cities and accomting vnto them the benefites of his auncesters and the house of Austriche exhorted them to be obediēt to the Emperour and not to be caried away by the counsell and perswasion of others They decreed also here to sende ayde to the kynge of Hungary but at what tyme the assemblye was finished which was about the ende of August the Turke was entred into Hungarye and had vanquyshed kynge Lewis in battell who was also slayne in the chase At this assemblye were all the Prynces electours sauinge onlye the Marques of Brandenburg The Emperour this sommer maried Isabell daughter to Emanuell kyng of Portugall syster to Iohn whiche had succeded his father What tyme the assemblye was at Spyres thetwelue townes of the Neluetians or Swycers kept a disputatiō at Badene Thether came the chiefest diuines of the byshop of Romes syde Faber Eckius and Murmer And the byshop of Constance Basill Courtes losanna sent thither their Ambassadours There were theames set vp whiche Eckius defendeth ryght boldely That the very body and bloud of Christe is present in the Lordes supper that it is a trewe oblation for the quicke and dead that the vyrgin Mary and other saynctes must be prayde vnto as intercessours that Images ought not to be taken downe And that after this lyfe there is the fire of purgatory Oecolampadius and others did impugne thē Zwynglius was absent and in his letters to the Heluetians he declared the cause of his absence and confuted the opinions of Eckius by writing For Zwynglius dred bad measure suspecting bothe the men and the place They concluded thus That all men should perseuer in the same religion that they haue obserued hytherto and receyue no newe doctryne but followe the authoritie of the counsell The byshop of Constaunce had a litle before caused one Iohn Huglie a priest to be brent at Merspurge for that he woulde not allowe the byshops of Romes doctrine in all thinges When Lewys the king of Hongary was thus myserably slayne Ferdinando contended that the kyngdome was dewe vnto hym by a certen composition but he had an aduersarye Iohn Sepuse the vayuode of transsyluania Of the whiche dissentiō when all the nobilitie states were deuided there arose warre right noysome and hurtfull to the Germanes other nations that dwelled nere For afterwardes the Emperour of Turkes receyuing the Uayuode into his fayth and protection established hym kyng as his tributarye and client and had Buda delyuered vp
appeale to a general counsell in the same maye all griefes be decyded and I requyre that the same maye be called so shortlye as may be Where he speaketh of two lightes he followeth herein the wordes of Innocentius the thyrd which applieth the two great lyghtes that God created the one to guyde the day the other the nyght to the byshops and princelyke dignitie But that whiche ministreth Godly thinges to be muche more excellent then that which gouerneth polytike matters only And loke what different is betwyxte the sonne and the mone so great a diuersitie is there betwyxt the office of the high byshop a kinges office Whan Cesar had made this aunswere to Clemēt he wryteth also to the coledge of Cardinalles the sixt day of October signifiyng that he is not a little sory to heare that byshop Clement is confederated with the French kyng who reneweth warre agaīst him afreshe how the bishop hath sent him letters of defiance which he supposeth were writtē by their cōmon assent wherat he marueleth not a little considering there is no kyng that beareth more loue and affection to the churche of Rome than he Witnes Parma Placence whiche being cities of the Empyre and plucked from it of late he hath not withstanding restored to the churche all be it he was by no ryght bounde so to do And the princes and states of Germanye cōplayned vnto him at Wormes of sondry iniuries done by the courte of Rome and required a recompence but he for a singular loue naturall inclination towardes the churche of Rome passed ouer their requestes with deaf eares And where as great sedition and trouble ensued therupon through out all Germanye and the Princes there had appointed another counsel he for the indemnitie of the bishop church of Rome countremaunded the same vnder a great penaltie and to appease their myndes he put them in hope of a general counsell to be holden out of hande Wherfore the byshop hathe done hym great iniury whiche hath done so muche for his sake that he hath by the same meanes lost the good wylles of the princes of the Empire he desyreth them therfore to admonyshe the byshop of his duty that he appointe a counsell and perswade hym to incline his mynde to peace rather then to warre whiche if he refuse and wyll differre the counsell that then they would call it for if the christian cōmon wealth susteyne any losse or dammage eyther for the want of a counsell or for long delaye of the same it ought not hereafter to be imputed to him After the newes came out of Hongary of the great ouerthrowe there the prynces set forward their Ambassade appointed at Spires to the Emperour with the great spede And for the more expedition they intreate the Frēche kyng to graunt them a saufeconduicte to passe into Spayne through Fraunce whiche he graunted prescribing them a certen tyme to passe in and toke an occasion hereby to wryte vnto them the .vj. of Octobre That for the losse of Hongary the death of Lewis the kynge and the daunger that approched Germany he had conceiued an inwarde sorowe in his minde and nothyng lesse lamented that the publique wealth also peryshed through ciuile warres it was not surely lōg of him that Christome is not quiet but this to be the Emperours faulte who refuseth al honeste and reasonable conditions of peace And for so much as he is neither moued with the cōmon losse destruction nor with the moste vnworthy death of his brother in lawe king Lewis nor yet with the miserable estate of his owne sister now a wydowe nor cōsidereth not in what daunger standeth Austriche they shal do wel according to their dutie if they can exhorte perswade him vnto peace to kepe loue amitie with kinges that dwell nere hym and refrayne this vnmeasurable couetousnes for this should be more honorable for hym than if he styll endeuour to get other mens landes and possesse all him selfe alone his progenitours kynges of Fraunce haue often times fought many battelles with the ennemies of christentie the same myght nowe be done with their powers ioyned in one if the Emperour be so mynded wherfore in case they can deuise to bring this thing to passe he wyll bestowe on the Turkyshe warre al his force and him selfe also but if not no man blame hym if he assaye to recouer by force of armes suche thynges as by good wyll he can not for it stādeth him vpon rather to seke for peace which is nerer the Turkes daunger thā he is Whan Cesar was aduertysed of these letters the .xxix. of Nouēbre he writeth to the Princes and first he rehearseth howe mercyfully and gently he vsed the Frenche kynge prysoner howe he set hym at lybertie howe he gaue hym in marriage his eldest syster to hym in degree of succession the seconde And where as he all thynges beyng quyeted as he supposed was takynge his iourney into Italye to the entent he myghte bende hys whole force agaynste the perpetuall ennemyes of the Christiane Religion he breakynge his fidelitie and makynge a league wyth Byshop Clement and certen others and deuydynge emonges them the kyngdome of Naples whiche they had alreadye in hope conceyued to be theyr owne Renewed mortall Warre By meanes whereof he coulde not delyuer the countrey of Hongary from the violent fury of the Turkes being forced to defende his owne limites And where as he pretendeth to lament the death of kyng Lewis and destruction of Hongary it is a playne dissimulatiō to the intent he myght by some meane put to silence such as founde his letters and do constantly affirme that the Turke attēpted this warre through his instigation When he was in Spayne and synce his retourne home also he confirmed by his letters the obseruation of conue nauntes but for as muche as he hath his kingdome liyng in the middes of all Europe he is carelesse and seketh warres contention therby to make his profite Besides the wrytinge before mentioned there came forth in the French kinges name an Apologie in his defence declaring the causes why he stādeth not to the peace of Madrice Wherunto an answere was made in the Emperours behalf at large For as muche as the Turke had Buda with a great parte of Hongary oppressed the people miserably being a great terrour to Germany Certē princes of the Empire consulted at Eslyng to write spedely to the Emperour intreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly as might be in consideration to the great daunger that than hanged ouer the Empire in these letters written the .xix. of Decēbre they make mentiō of the Ambassade that they were determined to haue sent vnto hym but because they should haue trauailed through Fraunce the kynge wold graunt them saufe conduict but only for .iiij. monethes wherof one was past before the Ambassadours should mete together the time wold be much shortned Therfore to
Emperour his vncle The chiefest consultation in this assemblie was about the Turkyshe warre And whan newes came daylye by letters messengers howe the Turke had sent before great bandes of horsmen to the Ryuer of Danubius and also the Ambassadours of Austriche and of other countreys nere had declared in what daunger they werein they decreed to geue their ayde so as al the states of the Empyre shuld ayde not with mony but with soldiours Wherfore the .xxvj. daye of Iuly ended this assembly and al men prepared them to warre At the Ides of Auguste the Duke of Saxon Prynce electour ended his lyfe and Iohn Fridericke his sonne did succede him Whan Solyman the Emperour of Turkes was come to Belgrade he taketh the waye on the left hande and attempteth the towne and castell of Giunte in vayne being manfully defended by Nichas Iurixe after that he sent forth Captaine Cason with fiftene thousande horsemen to spoyle the countrey who inuaded the countrey as far as Lintzie aboue Uienne and destroying all farre and nere leaueth no kynde of crueltie vnpractised but in his retourne he fel in to the lappes of our horsemen which were made out to kepe hym from the spoyle and so beyng fought with in sondry places to his vtter destruction at the lengthe hym selfe was slayne Solyman tournyng more and more on the left hande marcheth vnto Gratin a towne of Stiria Whiche thynge ones knowen the Emperour beyng than at Lintze taketh aduisement what was beste to be done At the last it was determied that he should encampe with his whole armie at Uienna abydyng his ennemie there Thus in fyne Solimā retyreth without any notable exploict done The Emperour had intreated the Frenche kyng for ayde but he made him aunswere as the Emperour that tyme reported that Germanye was able enough to resyste the Turke alone The kyng of Englande also wrote agayne somewhat doubtfullye The byshop of Rome Clement sent hym ayde by the conduicte of Hipolitus a Cardinall of the house of Medices The Swycers beyng requested by the Emperour would not for all that styre one fote This yeare was sene a blasyng Starre in Septembre and Octobre before the sonne rising After the Turke was retyred with his armie the Emperour mislykyng their aduyse that thought good to pursue the ennemye dischargeth his armie for that wynter was at hande and from Uienne toke his iourney into Italy And being at Mantua he appointeth in his letters wrytten to the states of the Empyre that his brother kyng of Romaines shall gouerne the cōmon welth in his absence he was for weightie causes gone in to Italy and there woulde treate with the byshop of Rome concerning a counsell as it was decreed at Ratisbone He wylleth all menne therfore to maynteyne the peace whiche was of late proclaymed and be as obedient to his brother as they would be to him selfe Departyng from thence to Bononie he entred into talke with Clement the seuenth deuysynge amonges other thynges of Religion and a generall counsel He maketh also a legue with hym and with the resydue of the Prynces in Italy in wordes to mayntayne the peace and quiet of Italy But in verye deede to kepe out the Frenche men The Embassadours of the Frenche kyng were sore against it but the byshop admonished them not to be so ernest priuely signifiyng that it should not long endure for the Emperour had brought with hym a great nombre of Spanyardes which the byshop wold fayne haue dispatched out of Italy And for this cause made the league obser 〈…〉 g the occasion of tyme. The Emperour shortly after sayled into Spayne in the moneth of Marche And not longe after that the byshop of Rome sendeth a legate into Germanye Hughe Rangon byshop of Rhegio And whan he came to the Duke of Saxō accompanied with the Emperous Ambassadour he made a long oration the effect wherof was this How after muche and long conference had betwene the byshop and the Emperour about the controuersie that is in Religion in fyne they concluded that for the remedy therof there is no waye better thā a generall counsell wherof they perceiued the Prynces of Germany to be also very desyrous And this to be the cause of his message euen to declare vnto hym and the other Prynces how both the byshop and the Emperour are determined to haue a counsell free and common for all men suche as the olde fathers were accustomed to haue in tymes past whose myndes vndoubtedly were gouerned by the holye ghoste prouided alwayes that suche as shall repare thyther make faythfull promesse to obserue the decrees therof for els should all their labour be spent in vayne if they should make lawes whiche none woulde obserue and kepe As concerning a place both for holsome ayre and plentye of victuall commodious the byshop thinketh either Placence or Bononie not vnmete for the purpose or els Mantua whiche is a citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany of a goodly situatiō and plentiful of all thynges necessary of the whiche thre it shall be lawfull for them to chose one Whereunto if the kinge of Romaines he and other Prynces of Germany woulde make some reasonable aunswere Than the byshop consulting also with other kynges would cal the same within this halfe yeare to begynne within one yeare after to the intent suche as dwel very farre of may prepare thē selues to take their iorney Whan he hadde spoken this and more he deliuereth certen Articles comprysed in wryting to the Prynce Electour from the byshop of Rome Afterwardes the Emperours Ambassadour speaketh on this wyse For as muche as in al former assemblies the recōciliation of religion hath bene hetherto attēpted in vayne is supposed that by a coūsel the matter might be pacified therfore hath the Emperour of late obtayned that same of the byshop of Rome that is to say that it be holdē after the same maner time place as his Ambassadour hath declared And therfore is he sent of the Emperour to beare witnesse that the byshop of Rome is content to haue a counsell and because his Ambassadour hath spoken sufficientlye of the whole matter he nedeth to saye no more but to desyre hym to credite his tale and make hym a frendly aunswere The Duke of Saxon sayeth that because the matter is weightie he wyll take delyberation this was at Weymer After a fewe dayes the Duke aunswereth that where the Emperour and the byshop haue agreed vppon a counsell he is exceadinge glad for the state of the common wealth doth chiefly requyre such a one as oftētimes the Emperour hath promised the Germanes wherin the cause may be duely examined according to the prescripte of Gods worde Whiche if it might be he would nothing doubte but that all thinges should go wel he wil both pray vnto God to graunt this and also admonishe the people vnder his iurisdiction to do the lyke he will applie his whole studie hereūto
not alter their purpose they were bannyshed the town Luther in his letters to them of Lipsia called Duke George the Apostle of Sathan whiche thinge breade muche trouble For Duke George did accuse hym before his cosyn the Electour of Saxon howe he had not only rayled on hym but had also styred vp his subiectes to rebellion The Prince Electour in his letters charged Luther withal and amonges other thynges sayth that vnlesse he can make his purgation herein he must of necessitie punyshe hym Wherfore vpon this occasion Luther wryteth a booke wherein he confuteth this accusation declaryng howe he gaue them counsel not to resiste their Prince commaunding them not to doe wickedly but rather to suffer death or exile whiche concerneth no rebellion For that is to be ascribed vnto them that teache howe the Magistrate shoulde be resisted by force of armes and they are sedicious in deede of whome also Peter the Apostle hath prophecied but this belongeth to the profession of the Gospel to be condempned as seditious Christ hym selfe was for this cause put to death moste vnworthy as though he would haue bene kyng of Iewes and haue made the people to rebelle against the Emperour After to the same booke he adioyneth an epistle wherwith he doth comforte those banyshed men of Lipsia admonishyng thē to take their exile paciently and also to geue God thankes whiche hathe graunted them his constancie of mynde and perseuerance I shewed you of the league concluded betwene the Emperour and Clement the seuenth but when the Emperour was retourned into Spayn Clement at the request of the Frenche kyng toke shipping and arriued at Marceilles in haruest tyme and for the more intier frēdship he marrieth his niece Katherine Medices vnto Henry the kynges sonne Duke of Orleans a younge Prynce of fiftene yeares of age And because the occasion serueth I purpose here to speake a litle touching the house of Medices and Syluester Euerarde Iohn were the first accompted of that name whiche were all Senatours of Florence but the fyrst that ennobled that house was Cosmus who was the rychest marchaunt not only of his owne citie but also of all Italy His sonne Peter had two sonnes Laurence and Iulian. And Iulian had a sonne borne after he was dead called Iuly who was afterwardes Clement the seuenth Not withstanding that they reporte diuersly touching his byrth Lawrēce had the sonnes Peter Iulian and Iohn Who was made byshop of Rome Leo the tent Iulian had no chyldrē Peter expulsed out of Florence and at the lenght drowned in the mouth of Lyre by reason of a tēpest left a sonne named Lawrence who married Galla of the house of Bolonois and by her had this Katherine of whome here mention is made Clement which made his abode at Marseilles a moneth and somewhat more to gratifie the kyng and his nobles made foure frenche Cardinalles whome he perceiued to be moste in fauoure with the kyng Odet Chastilion Philip Bolon Claude Gifrie and Iohn Uenerie byshop of Lisiens No man doubted but this affinitie pretended an alteration of the state of Italy and many marueled at the vniqualitie of the mariage In so muche that Clement hym selfe as the report goeth was doubtfull and woulde not beleue that they ment good ernest before the mariage was solempnised Within a fewe monethes after the Lantgraue goeth to the French king the cause wherof was this In the yeare of our Lorde 1519. Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberge was driuen out of his countrey by the confederatours of the Sweuicall league for takyng of Rutelyng a towne imperiall whiche was in confederacie with them Which Prouince first the Emperour had of the rest and after in the diuision of the inheritaunce Ferdinādo receiued it of the Emperour In the assemblie at Auspurg certen princes were peticioners that the Duke whiche had bene eleuen yeares in exile might thā be restored But it was in vayne for the Emperour reciting the causes from the beginning for whiche he was exiled dyd create his brother Duke there openly of that countrey Wherfore the Lantgraue being a dere frende and a nere kinsman to Duke Ulriche thought to attempte some thing at this present but being disapoynted by certen which had promysed theyr ayde he differred the matter vntyll better oportunitie serued And nowe in the Emperours absence cōsidering how the Sweuicall league made for eleuen yeares was dissolued he goeth into Fraunce and layeth to pledge the Countrey of Mount Pelicarte vnto the kyng for a summe of mony in the name of Duke Ulriche vpon condicion that if he redeme it not within thre yeres to be than the inheritaunce of the realme of Fraunce Besides this some of money the kyng also promysed him to lende hym another som in hope that the lande should not be redemed At this tyme fortuned a wonderfull alteration in Englande and the occasion was this Henry the seuenth kyng of Englande had two sonnes Arthur and Henry Arthur maried Katherine daughter to Ferdinando kyng of Spayne diyng without ishewe Henry the father who coueted much that this alliaunce with the Spanyarde myght continue by the lycence of the byshop of Rome Iuly the seconde deuyseth to marrie this Katherine to his other sonne also whiche was kyng after him who departed the yeare of grace 1509. Wherfore Henry the eight of that name after he had maried her his father beyng dead and he nowe of manye yeares sufficiently establyshed in his kyngdome propoundeth this scrupulositie of his conscience to certen byshoppes and calleth in questiō whether it were lawfull to marrye his brothers wyfe and of longe tyme abstayned from her company The byshoppes hauynge priuate talke with the Quene by the kinges assignement declare vnto her that the byshop of Romes lycence was herein neyther good nor lawfull She aunswereth that it is to late nowe to examyne the licence whiche so longe synce they had allowed She had dyuerse tymes miscaried of chylde and brought forth none that prospered sauynge one daughter called Marie The byshop of Rome committeth the hearynge of the matter vnto two Cardinalles Campegius whome he sent into Englande and the Cardinalle of Yorke After longe and muche debatyng whan the kynge was put in hope from Rome that sentence should be geuen on his syde Campegius in maner at the same instant that iudgement should haue passed by the byshop of Romes admonyshement began to drawe backe and fynde delayes The cause wherof as men suppose was that through the death of the Duke and captaine Lawtrech and distruction of the Frenche armie about Naples that Androwe de Aurie the moste experte man of the sea forsakyng the Frēch kyng was fled vnto the Emperour All the whiche thynges chaunced so at the same tyme that the byshop was afrayde to offende the Emperour being nephewe to Quene Katherine whiche had suche lucky successe in all his assayes in Italy Wherfore Campegius in fyne retourned without
sayeth howe he wil go to kyng Ferdinando abiding there for their aunswere He had been before in Saxony and had spokē with Luther at wyttemberge And in his retourne to kyng Ferdinando he met with the Duke comming from thence homewarde The Protestauntes were appointed before to mete at Smalcalde the sixte of December for other matters Wherfore the .xxi. of the same they framed an aunswere for the byshops of Romes Ambassadour whiche they saye is not so exacte as the thynges requyreth yet for as muche as he desyred to haue the same with expedition playne manifest And first howe they haue declared their myndes concerning a counsell both in diuerse assemblies and also two yeare synce to the Emperours and byshop Clementes Ambassadours For they also wyshe to haue a lawfull counsel for the preseruation of the cōmon wealth and common saluation of all men and haue required this of the Emperour ioyntly with other Princes who also thought it nedefull hym selfe doubting not but all good men do desyre suche a counsell as may helpe and profite the common wealth For it greueth many good men that the true and holsome doctrine is through the wicked crueltie of certen men euery where oppressed the members of the churche tone a sondre and open crymes mainteined but suche crueltie becommeth not the Rulers of the churche Wherfore if euer there were any nowe is moste nede of a counsell that bothe the olde accustmed vyces maye be roted out and also vniuste violence and crueltie be restrayned and the churche from henceforth set in due ordre They therfore wyll not fayle the common wealth herein but wyll ryght gladlye come vnto suche a counsell as in sondrye assemblies of the Empyre hath bene agreed vpon Besechyng God that all the doinges there may redounde vnto his glory and the saluation of men And wher as the bishop hath chosen Mantua to be the place they truste assuredly that the Emperour wyll not in this poynte swarue from the decrees of the Empyre and his owne promyse also in as muche as it was prouyded that the counsell should be holden in Germany For where he sayeth it is daungerous keping of the same there the truthe is farre other wyse for what peryll can be there where all the Prynces and Cyties are obedient to the Emperoure onlye Where the Cyties be so ordered that they defende straungers from iniuries and saue them from all peryll Therfore oughte it chieflye to be kepte there to the intent that matters in controuersie might duely be debated that men might frankely speake and iudge vpryghtly and feare no force nor faction but saye theyr myndes freely Two yeares paste Clement the seuenth promysed a counsell with conditions verye captions And nowe the chiefest point is craftely left out touchyng the lybertie of the counsell and more of the treatie and partlye referred to the Byshop of Rome whose office they saye it is to call and ordre the counsell Nowe is the byshop whiche hath so ofte condempned theyr religion and doctrine their opē enemie But in case they should permitte theyr aduersary to geue iudgement than coulde not the counsell be free wherein by the aduyse of the Emperour and other Prynces Mete men should be chosen out of the whole numbre whiche accordyng vnto Gods worde might heare and determine the cause For a counsell is the iudiciall seate not only of the byshop of Rome but of all other states also for it is to be proued by the examples of the primatiue churche and also by holy scripture that Prynces and other states haue in tymes paste been admitted in counselles for the hearyng of matters But wheresome woulde haue the byshoppes power to be aboue the authoritie of the whole churche it is agaynst all reason and full of tyrannye For it belongeth as well to the Emperour and other ciuile states to set in foote in counselles and to chose experte men especiallye in suche causes where the byshoppes errours be impugned that is to wytte false doctrine and Idolatry for this thynge is permitted also by the byshop of Romes lawe And feinge that this is the vniuersall cause of all men and concerneth the whole common wealth it is the Emperours parte and other Prynces to forsee that vpryght iudgement be had For both other byshops of their owne people and also byshoppes of Rome haue in times paste bene condempned for Heresy and obstinacie of the Emperoure and the churche together And at this tyme there is contention of manie weightie matters whiche the byshop doth defende not in wordes only but also by wycked and cruell decrees punishyng most sharpely suche as obey not the same For as muche therfore as he is an aduersary and susteineth the one halfe of the sute the thinge it selfe requireth that the whole church the Emperour other kinges take in hande to prescribe an ordre for the deciding of the matter wherfore as they haue done euer so they requyre nowe also that the matter maye be handled vpryghtlye accordynge to the examples of holye wrytte and the olde primatiue churche And if it so maye be they wyll not be behynde with theyr partes trustynge that truthe shall come to lyghte and the glorye of our Sauioure Christe be aduaunced and tranquillitie be restored to the Churche but if it be otherwyse there is no doubte but greater commotions wyll arryse therof than hytherto hath bene seen for their partes they wil at no tyme neglecte the common wealth And as they can not forsake nor shrynke from the true doctrine so lykewyse in all other matters they will do all thynges for peace and concorde The kyng of Fraūce whiche was fully determined to make warre in Italy sent Ambassadour Williā Bellaye to this assemblie at Smal calde Who the .xix. daye of Decembre had there an eloquent oration And first he excuseth the kynges seueritie in punyshynge certen of his owne subiectes whiche not withstanding was nothing preiudicial or hurtfull to their cause of Religion though some euill tongues dyd reporte so no more than it was displeasure to him what tyme they with all their force did suppresse the rebellion of their commons and punyshed the Anabaptistes doing yet nothing without iust cause wherfore he distrusteth not but they be men of such wysdome and grauitie that they wyll of no lyght reporte conceaue any euill opinion of so noble a kynge that is their frende who was nowe for vrgent causes not here to be spoken of constrayned against his nature to vse extreme punishment lest hauing so large a Realme he should through ouermuche lenitie set open the wyndowe of wickednes to the temeritie of manye And touching their religion and doctrine the kyng wyll not take vpō him the persone of the iudge but in dede lyketh many thinges well the rest he leaueth vndiscussed After this he goeth about to wynne theyr fauour and confuteth theyr opinion whiche had warned them to be ware of forayne
Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within thē selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtheraūce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religiō and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who cōmaunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion cōprysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innocēt persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned mē of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse cōmissions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the
offices of Cardinals and Bishoppes be distinct and diuerse and agree not in one person for the Cardinalles were ordeined for thys cause onely that they should remayne about you most holy father and neuer departe from your syde and should gouerne the vniuersall Churche together with you But vnto Bishoppes it belongeth to fede theyr flocke committed to them of God which in dede can not be done vnlesse they be present with them as we see the Shepardes be with their Shepe Moreouer the thynge it selfe doeth harme by that example For with what face or audacitie shall we redresse the faultes of others which are most apparent and best sene in our fellowshyppe For they may not thinke that because they are placed in dignitie they may therfore take more libertie no but let them vnderstande that they oughte rather to vse more temperauncie for because they ought to shine before others in life and maners neyther must we folow the Phariseis whiche made lawes and themselues kept them not but Christ who florished in word and worke This libertie also is a great let to good Counsels whan the minde is before possessed with lust and Auarice Besydes this diuerse cardinals frequent the courtes of kynges to obteyne of them Bishoprikes and for this cause are so addicte vnto them that they dare vtter nothynge frankely And woulde God this waye were inhibited And the Cardinals otherwise prouided for that they might honestly fynde them selues and theyr families and that Equalitie were obserued herin that the yerely reuenewes of all were egall Which thinge semeth vnto vs not harde to be broughte to passe if we could forsaking all couetousnes folowe the fotesteppes of Christ Whan these faultes are redressed and mete ministers in the Churche appointed it is chiefly to be loked to that the Bishoppes do inhabite amonges theyr owne people for they be the husbandes of the Church But what more heuie or sorowefull sighte can be shewed than euerye where to se congregations forsaken and flockes destitute of Pastors deteyned in the handes of Hirelinges Therfore oughte they to be extremely punisshed whiche leade their flockes to deserte and to be excommunicated or outlawed onely but also to lose theyr liuinges for euer vnlesse they craue pardon of you within a short tyme. For by auncient lawes it was decreed that a Bishoppe might not be aboue three wekes absent from his congregation We se also that very many Cardinals are absent from Rome and do nothynge that properlye belongeth to their office We graunt it to be expedient that certeine of them be resident in theyr owne prouinces For by them as by certein brauÌ„ches and rotes of trees stretched out farre and wide in the Christiane worlde men are kept in theyr dewtie and dewe obeidience of this our common wealth but yet were it requisite that the most parte of them were by you called againe to Rome For so shoulde they bothe execute theyr office and also theyr presence shoulde be there bothe honourable and profitable to the courte of Rome Moreouer in punyshynge of crimes and vices there wanteth a greate seueritie of discipline For suche as haue offended and deserued punishment fynde a meane wherby to conuey themselues out of the iurisdiction of their Bishoppe or iudge ordinary or in case they cannot do this than go they to the master of the Pentionaries and fyne with him for a pece of money And that do they chiefly that are of the clergie which thing doeth offende many Wherfore we beseche you in the bloud of Christ wherewith he redemed washed and sanctified his churche that this licentious libertie may vtterly be abolished For seyng that no common wealth maye longe endure wherein synne is vnpunished howe muche more ought the same to be looked to in the Churche Emonges the Monckes also are many abhominable Actes committed wherefore we thinke good that their Colledges and Couentes be dissolued not sodeÌ„ly or through violence but so that no maÌ„ from henceforth be admitted into that order For so shall they by litle and litle decay And afterwardes may honester men be placed in theyr houses Neuerthelesse we thinke mete that all yong Nouices which haue not yet professed religion by a vow solempnely made be presently remoued from thence There muste also be diligent hede taken that they be mete persons which are set to here confession And herin ought the Bishoppe to haue a vigilante eye but chiefly that there be nothinge done for money For the same free gyfte which we spake of before concerneth not you onelye but all others in like maner Moreouer in the houses of Nunnes and sacred Uirgins namely â–ª where they be gouerned of Monkes are many and that open crimes committed after a most filthy and detestable example therfore must the ouersight of suche be takeÌ„ from the Monkes coÌ„mitted vnto others of whom no perill or suspicion can be had Now wheras in many places and chiefly in Italie certen wicked opinions are disputed not onely in vniuersities but also in churches it deserueth muche dispraise Therfore the Bishoppes muste be charged that in suche places wheras vniuersities or Scholes be they admonish the teachers that they propounde no suche thynge herafter but instructe and bringe vp youth in vertue and feare of God nor that they haue any open disputations of matter of diuinitie but within theyr priuate houses Likewise muste Princes and Magistrates be admonished to giue commaundement to the Printers that they set not forthe all sortes of bokes but suche onely as be permitted There is commonly read in al scooles a boke of Colloquies compiled by Erasmus of RoterdaÌ„ wherin be many thynges whiche may beate in to younge and tender myndes vngodlynes and infecte the frayle and bryckel age Therfore this and suche other lyke bookes must be bannyshed the Scooles Further more where it is permitted to Monkes that haue professed Religion by a vowe to put of theyr owne wede and putte on other apparell we thinke it not well done for the garment is as a badge of the monasticall vowe Therfore if they ones forsake theyr cootes let them be depriued of theyr lyuinges and all ecclesiasticall function Also suche as cary about the relyques of saincte Anthony and other lyke are in our iudgementes worthy to be vtterly abolyshed for through innumerable superstitions they brynge the ignoraunt people in to erroure and playnly abuse them Oftentymes also they aâ—e permytted to marrye whiche haue taken holy orders but this ought to be graunted to no man but for vrgent causes as whan the whole stocke and defence of a Realme is brought to one man And because the Lutherians permitte all men to marry without respecte therfore must we more stifly resyste the same Nother may they be suffered to mary together which are at the seconde degree of bloud or affinitie vnlesse it be vpon moste weyghtie considerations but suche as are further of maye haue more lybertie graunted them and that to be done without
Turke This is nowe only the surest and fittest meane to establysh the cōmon wealth With these letters he sent away the Ambassadour about the eyghtene daye of October For asmuche as the Duke of Longeuille and Martyn Rossen had leuied their armye in the dominions of the Duke of Cleaue the emperialles by the conduiet of the Prince of Orenge inuade Gulicke and distroye the countrie with fyre farre and wyde and take by composition Dure the chiefest Towne in those parties For Gulicke Mounten came to the Duke of Cleaue by his mother At this time also the Emperiall armie in Hongary no exploite done when they had attempted in vayne to wynne the Towne of Pesta retourneth home and through infection dyed many thousandes Duke Maurice of Saxonye serued in thys warre voluntarily a yonge prince aboute xxi yeares of age who on a certen daye ryding out of the campe and but one mā with him meting by chaunce with certē Turkes foughte with them and hauing his horse slayne vnder him was smitten to the ground Than his sernaunt being a gentel man borne lay downe vpon hys lorde and with his body couered the Duke and defended him and bare of the stripes so longe vntill certen horsemen came and rescewed the Prince And so he saued hys lyfe but his man hauing receiued many woundes was caried into the Camp and dyed shortly after Thus ended the warre in Hongarye The bisshop had sente ayde of thre thousand footemen whiche wer led by Alexander Uitellius At thys tyme also began hote warre betwene England Scotland the occasion wherof was ministred a yere before for that the Scottish king when he had promised to mete hys vncle the king of Englande at Yorke to make an accorde touching theyr limites being diswaded by hys mother and certē of his nobles came not And it fortuned that the Scottes had this yere in the beginning of december a great ouerthrowe at a place called Solymosse In the whiche battell were taken the most part of all the lordes in Scotelande For the which losse the kynge toke suche thought that retournyng home he dyed within a fewe dayes after which was the day before the Ides of December when the eight day before the quene had brought him forth a daughter Mary whiche thinge also did greatly augmente his sorrowe for that he wanted an heyremale For in the yere before he had loste two sonnes in sondri places within the space of foure and twenty houres And he had to wyfe Marye daughter to the Duke of Guyse of the house of Lorayne When the Scottes werre in thys calamitie the Frenche kynge sent them monye and munition After the kynge was dead the gouernement was committed to Iames Hamelton Erle of Arrayne whiche was the kinges greate cosyn The next place vnto hym had the Cardiuall of S. Andrewes most addickte to the kynge of Fraunce I shewed before how Henry the Prince of Saxonie had for him selfe and his sonne Maurice entred into league with the Protestantes But after his death Duke Maurice being moued herein sayed how hys father coulde not bynde hym neyther wolde he be tyed to the bondes of his father Whē Henry Duke of Brunswicke was expulsed as before is sayd he accused the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue and theyr consortes to the imperial chamber Who being afterwarde cited in the moneth of December do refuse theyr iudgemente in all thinges and sendinge ambassadours thither declare this vnto them and also do protest that they doe not refuse a lawfull and ordynarye Iurisdiction but take exceptions to the Iudges themselues which are all of a contrary relygion which prayse the decree made at Auspurge twelue yeres past and haue confirmed the same by an othe which for the same cause dissent from them exceadingly and beare thē greate mallice whiche take them for heretikes and thinke them vnworthy to haue any iustice ministred which by sōdry preiudices haue oft tymes vttered and bewreyed this theyr hatred In the conuentiō at Regenspurg it was decreed that the chamber would this yeare in the moneth of Ianuary be refourmed This did the Protestantes allow so that men also of theyr rellgion might be admitted to be of that nombre which thing Themperour graunted them and king Fernando renewed after in the assemblie at Spier and appoynted the moneth of Iune for the same reformation and by this meane obteined of them ayde for the Turkishe warre For yf it had ben otherwyse they tolde him that tyme plainely that they wolde not only beare no charges frō henceforth touching the iudges of the chamber but also wold refuse hereafter to obey theyr decrees When therefore nothinge was donne hitherto they as before is sayde sending Ambassadours doe refuse theire iudgment And agayne the iudges after in a wrytyng set forth dooe reiect that same refusall They agreed in theyr last metinge at Norrinberge there to assemble agayne about the Turkish warre the xiiii daye of Nouember but the matter was differred And in the most sharpe time of winter the Duke of Cleaue besegeth and recouereth Dure What tyme the Frenche kynge beseged Perpignan there arrose a rebellion at Rochel an hauē towenin Pantois verey famous and situated in a place right commodious It was ones possessed of Englysh men but it was rendred Frenche in the tyme of Charles the first sonne and heire to his father Iohn The cause of that commotyon was for a garison placed there by the king vnder the gouernemēt of Iarnacke the Admirall his kinsinā And in other places also there aboutes they were vp for a tribute of Saltepittes and droue awaye with reproche the kinges officers and treasurers that came thither So soone as the kinge vnderstode it he sente thither a new garrison of horsemen and footemen Iarnake also taketh from them all they re munition and armure and kepte the gates with watche and warde The laste day of December followyng the kyng hym selfe came thyther and the next daye settyng in place of iudgement whan both the Townes men theyr neyghbours aboute them laye prostrate before hym and besought hym of mercy Albeit sayeth he what tyme I and my thildren were occupied in moste weightie affayres for the defence of oure whole Realme and of you al you forgetting your dewtie that you owe vnto vs haue made a rebellion and an vprore in suche wyse as we haue iuste cause to punnishe you and for the estate of oure person and enormitie of your offence myght dryue you to fyne Yet for that we accompt it no lesse honorable and prayse worthye for a prince to extend mercy to his people than it is honest for hys subiectes to remain in their duty againe because we set more by this your submission and wyllyng myndes than by the rigour of the lawe we doe intende to forget the iniurie that you haue done vnto vs and to haue a consideration not so much of your errour and trespasse as of
many thinges of the Roades invasions of the Turkes craueth aide After this immediatly the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue with their confederates addressing their oratiō to thēperour you know saye they moste victorious Emperoure howe we haue offered oure selues euer syns the beginnynge to declare before this moste honorable Senate the cause of our defence taken agaynst Henry of Brunswicke And be yet also of the same will and mynde doubtyng not but when the matter shal be hearde there shall appeare vnto you weyghty and iust causes wherfore we were dryuen to it of necessitie and that it is not lawfull for hym to be present here in the counsell of Princes Howbeit because we see hym put hymselfe in prease to occupie a place in thys most noble consistorye moche agaynste oure willes in as moche as we can or maye we doe protest that wee neyther take hym nor acknoweledge hym for a Prynce of Thempire neyther will that any right of oures shoulde through hys presence be diminished Wherunto the Duke of Brunswicke aunswereth streyghte waye by hys Chauncelour The Duke of Saxō sayeth he the Lantzgraue and theyr fellowes breakyng both gods law and mans law infringing the statutes of thempire and the faythe publicke by violence and open wronge haue spoiled me of my countrey For the which cause I haue accused thē to the Iudges of the chāber And seeyng it is so they ought to haue no place in the Senate of Thempire and yf they had any they haue nowe lost the same by committing that acte and are worthye whose companye all men shoulde eschewe But if it so be that I muste nedes syt by thē in comon counselles I protest that I do neyther attribute this place vnto them nor will therfore that the same should be preiudicial to my case The Protestantes were verye desyrous euen than to haue recited the cause of theyr enterpryse and the whole matter in wrytynge leste hys complaynte shoulde appere to be trewe or settle in mennes heartes But Thēperour by Fridericke Palatyne and by Nauius required them forasmoch as the day was farre spent that they wold differre it affirming also that he wolde assigne thē a day for the pourpos and so they followed hys mynde And because as the Princes sat in counsell it fortuned that the Lantzgraue sate next to the Duke of Brunswicke the Prince of Palatine Iohn Suner for the auoyding of stryfe arryseth out of hys place and sytteth downe in the myddes betwixte them bothe protestyng before that the same shoulde bee no preiudice to hym or to his familye Yt was thought he did it at Thēperours request The day before the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue had intreated Fridericke the Paulsegraue and Iohn Nauie that they wold so deuise with Themperour that the Duke of Brunswicke might not come in the comon assemblie but it could not be obtayned Themperour alledging that he might not be excluded vnlesse the causes were fyrst declared The Frenche kyng knowing for certētie that Themperour wold make a greuous complaynte on hym to the Prynces determineth a most honorable Ambassad Iohn Bellaie Cardinal Fraunces Oliuer chauncelour of Alensō Affricane Malley presydent of Diuion whan these wer commen to Nance a Towne in Lorayne they remayne there lookyng for Themperours saufcondict For the king had sent before to Spier an Heraulte for the same cause with letters to Themperour and seuerall letters also to the Princes Electours wherin he required saufe conduite for hys Ambassadours And when he came to Spier about the ende of Februarye in hys rich cote of armes as is accustomed he was stayed by Granuellan vnto whom he delyuereth the kyng his maisters letters written to Themperoure whan he myghte not otherwyse doe and declareth the cause of hys comyng requyring that Thambassadours which are not farre of maye accordyng to the law of Armes haue saufconduite beyng cōmaunded to tary within and dilligētly watched that no man should come to speake with hym the fourth day after he was dismissed with most sharpe wordes that he had played a fond part and was in daūger to haue lost hys head whych durste presume to come thyther For the kynge beyng enemy to Germany hathe not to doe with in the lymites of Th empyre neyther is he worthy to enioye the law of Nations let hym retourne home therfore and tell the kynge thus Howe ther is no cause that herafter either he or any other may comefor him And nowe in dede this fault is forgiuen and perdoned more of themperours clemencie than of his desert but let him take hede from hēceforthe or els he wil not escape vnpunnisshed For he hath don against the law of armies neyther was it laweful for hym to haue comen into Themperours habitation without his leaue and permissiō And touchyng the letters whyche he sayeth he hath the kyng hath so well deserued of the Christen publicke weale and chefely of Germanye that in thys present state of thynges Themperour neyther wyll nor ought to receyue them lest by hys accustomed maner of writing and promises eyther he or also others myghte be disceaued This aunswer was delyuered vnto hym wrytten in Frenche And thus was he sent back with the kynges letters wrytten to Themperour and Prynces and certen horsemen were sente with hym to conduite him to Nance To this were not the Princes made priuie And many thoughte it was done agaynst the custome of th empyre Thys thyng knowen the Ambassadours were in a pecke of troubles and toke great thought how to retourne home without daunger and vsing the counsell of Authony Duke of Lorayne they went a waye secretly in the nyght season and so retourned into Fraūce Whylest they yet remayned at Nance Christine the Dukes daughter in lawe was sente to Spier that the thing which neither he could nor certen others that might she which was Themperours Nece by his sister through her intreaty teares and by a certen commendation of her kind obtayne but yet was this in vayne For Themperour was wholy bent to haue warre And hys counsellours sayde he muste so doe to mayntaine hys estimation and dignytie The Duke of Lorayne albeit he was addicte to neyther had long syns couenaunted with them both that he myght be a newter yet for asmoche as the warre was to be kepte vpon hys frontiers and sawe howe that coulde not be done without hys greate losse domage was verye carefull for peace The .ix. daye of Februarye certen Priuces through Themperours motion wryt letters frō Spire to the Bisshop of Roome partely commendyng hym for that the laste yere he adioyned hys force with Themperours to rescue the Castell of Nice partly requiring him that for as moch as the enemye is now reparyng his nauie at Tollone to repare agayne to Nice and to win that Castell which shoulde be a greate shame and a sore anoyeaunce vnto Italy the Churche of Roome all the common welth he which is the
made with his father And although the Emperour by letters and intermessēgers did greatly disswade them yet they neuerthelesse for that they thought it more expedient for their pourpose assente ther unto first in dede those that are of the Romishe Religion and the Lepontians and Ualesians and after also they of Basill the Schafusians wherat many men marueled greatly by reason of those forsayd proclamations and executions For moste men supposed that they ought not to enter into league and societie with him whiche so cruelly persecuted the true Religiō and cōdemned their churches and doctours by name But they of Bernes and Zurick followyng the counsel of Zwinglius as I haue shewed you in the third and sixt boke abstained frō this league The conuocation of Lipsia is before mentioned But where many sayd and complained that the Romish Religion was by litle and litle restored Duke Maurice the fourth day of Iuly addressing his letters to his lieftenauntes sayeth how he heareth that ther be many which partly for ouermuch carefulnes partly being so perswaded by others feare least the olde errours should one after an other be restored And that certen ministers of the churche with other busy braines and troublesome persones are not fre from this sclaūder He hath verely at sōdry times heretofore declared by opē wryting what his minde and purpose is and for those sclaunders doth repete the same againe to the intent he may shewe testifie that he hath an especial care of Religion Wherfore he desireth those which either for lightnes of belief or through the perswasiō of others do feare an alteration to lay al feare aparte and geue credit to this his wryting and testimonie And as cōcerning them that bring vp suche reportes let them not thinke to escape vnpunished if they so continue Howbeit out of the decree lately made at Lipsia were gathered certen chapters by his commaundement which should be taught and preached Let them inquire therfore and learne to vnderstand whether the ministers of the churche do followe this fourme or whether they reprehend the same in their sermons What so euer it be he commaūdeth thē to aduertyse him and if any doubtes shall aryse to repare to that diuines of Wittemberge and Lipsia and that these thinges be declared vnto the people In these daies departed the Lātgraues wyfe mother in lawe to Duke Maurice whiche pined awaye through care sorow for her husbandes imprisonment About this time the people rebelled in England for two causes One was for landes cōmons enclosed For the people complayned that the Nobilitie had taken in much groūd whiche before lay cōmon had inclosed imparked the same for dere for other priuate vses The others in Deuonshire demaūded thesame also but they were chiefly offēded with thalteratiō of religion wold haue the syx articles wherof is mētioned in the .xii. boke to be restored What tyme therfore they flocked together in armure and the matter was ful of daunger neither would admonitions take any place The kyng and his coūsel though moste vnwilling sende forth a force against them and disconfite thē in sondry places and certen thousandes were slayne The French King espiyng this occasion which gaped after Bolain that was lost prepareth an army spedely and partly by force partly by surrendrie taketh certain castels and fortes by sea coaste betwixt Bolain and Caleis and by that meanes putteth the soldiors of Bolain to an extremity The Lordes of England toke this misfortune most greuously and because the Lorde Protector the kinges vncle had the gouernmente the whole faulte was imputed to him that he had not in time furnished the places with things necessary This blame and enuy increasing daily the protector in the beginning of Octobre was by common assent of the nobles appreheded at Windsore where the king was at the same time and brought to the Towre of London prisoner The Lords afterward declare vnto the people the causes charge him with euil gouernement of the common wealth and setforth a proclamation of the same in Print wherunto for a further testimony euery mā subscribeth his name amonges the which Ihon Earle of Warwicke was principal In the meane while that the French king attempteth these thinges against the Englishmen themperour leadeth about his sōne throughe Flaunders Henault and Artois and sweareth the people to be true and loyall vnto him After they both retourne to Andwarp about the .viii. daye of Septembre There was themperors sonne receiued with Pageauntes and showes most sumptuous not only by the Townes men but also by marchaunts straungers Spaniardes Italians Germanes and English men After this accōpanied with his aunt the regent he goeth also into thother prouinces receiue theyr fidelity by an oth I tolde you before of the Senate of Strausburge how they sent an ambassadour to the Emperour to abate the controuersy they had with theyr Bishop wherefore by themperors permission there were chosen certain arbitrers on bothe parties Whan they were met in the monthe of October after long disceptation the Senate permitteth the Bishop .iii. Churches that he may establish therin Religion according to the decree lately made Moreouer he receiueth the Cleargye into his faithe and tuition The Bishop againe couenaunteth and graunteth to the Senate the Colledge of Saint Thomas for the maintenaunce of the schole and the rest of the churches The Cleargy also payeth to the Senate an yerely tribute some of mony in other thinges they obtain their immunity and fredome The Emperour setforthe proclamations against them of Maydenburge as I haue declared before and called on the states in Saxonye for aid many refused not so that thother states not only of Saxony but also of thempire would do the same The menne of Lubecke and Luneburge by consente of themperors deputies going to Maidenburge assaied to make a reconcilemente but all in vaine At that tune did no man impugne them openly but for so much as they were outlawed they were euermore in daunger nether might they withoute pearill of life and goods depart out of that city For it was lawful for euery man to trye fortune against them Therfore the Senate where they had before cōplaind of thiniuries of their neighbors by publicke letters Now they setforth another wryting vnto al men in general but chiefly to their next neighbors and say how they are selanderously reported as though they should arrogantly and proudly demeane thē selues against themperor thempire and that they should forsake peace wryte many contumelious things but herein they sustain great wrong for they do acknowledge Charles themperor for theyr supreme magistrate and haue opēly proclaimed that nothing be said a misse against him or any state nether is there anye other cause of displeasure say they than that we professe the Gospell and word of God for thother slaunders are deuised and forged by theyr enuemies howe desyrous they be of peace it
may be deuised But that was yet in vayne Moreouer he releaseth by his letters the Princes bounde and pronoūceth them fre from that bonde Wherfore whan the Lantgraue sawe no hope he was fully prefixed to make an escape if he might and deuiseth sondry meanes with his seruauntes whō he had sent for out of Hesse some of them Gentlemen of good houses But they being afrayd of the daunger sought delayes At the last he perswadeth two Conrade Bredesten and Iohn Rommelie which all the waye from Hesse vnto Machlin layed post horses whiche he might leape vpon and escape But the matter came to light by a certen man of his who had told one Frendely at Machlin that within a fewe houres his maister shuld be at libertie The same going from one to an other was reported to the captaine of the garde in the very same moment and instant that he should haue fled in Than was al that matter dashed and two of his seruauntes were slayne out of hand others taken and beheaded and he him selfe caried to a straiter pryson The Emperour when he knewe therof toke it most displeasaūtly and wryting his letters to Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg signifieth that this so bolde an enterpryse apperteineth to the iniury of hym and his dominion and saith he wil be sore auenged of them that haue geuen him either aide or counsell herein The copie of these letters they sende to William the Lantgraues sonne and amongest other thynges they saye that in case there be any suche parte played from henceforth they wyl stande no more bounde to them Yet neuerthelesse Duke Maurice seuerally comforted them and to deliuer their father promyseth to spende not only his goodes but his life and bloud also And than sayeth ther shal be a tyme conuenient to yelde him selfe whan the state of thinges shal be suche as the displeasures of certen are lesse to be feared The .xix. daye of December all the fotemen and horsemen of Maydenburge that were not appointed to the watche issue out of the citie at after midnight that they might oppresse the stoute courage of their ennemies in a vyllage not farre of The enterpryse was very daungerous for that they must passe through theyr ennemies campe But yet it chaunsed luckely for before the ennemy could be armed thei had taken the Uillage and set it on fyre in diuers places They had all put ouer their harnesse white shirtes as the maner is in Camisado So many of their ennemies as resisted wer slayn which wer many noble gentlemen Diuerse fought out of the houses but the same being set on fire they were burnt Uery many of the Nobilitie wer taken and immediatly brought into the citie with two hōdreth and lx horses On the morrowe as sone as the daye appeared they retired home warde and by the way met a troupe of horsemen whiche were led by the Duke of Megelburge who at the laste geuing the charge whan the horsemen pressed him before and the fotemen gaue the onset at his back was takē and brought into the citie euen he whiche had first begon the warre In these dayes also came out of Spaine to Auspurg Maximilian of Austriche the Emperours sonne in law created king of Boheme in his absence called home by his father king Ferdinando betwene whom and the Emperour was than a great contention about the succession of the Empire for the whiche cause also the Emperour was sayde to haue sent for his syster Mary who retourned thither in the moneth of Ianuary that she might be a meane where she had departed from thence in September before For the Emperour who knewe what commoditie it were to annexe Germany to his inheritaunce coueted to establishe his sonne whiche should reigne ouer so many large and diuers Regions with this as a sure fortresse But kyng Ferdinādo hauing the same respect thought that nother his nor the expectation and commoditie of his children ought to be diminished herein Moreouer Maximilian who was a Prince of great towardnes could speake sondry languages especially the highe dutche and in Prince like maners excelled was very muche fauoured and beloued of all mē Those letters wherby the counsell was denunciatour as before I haue said the Byshop promulgat at Rome at the latter ende of December In the whiche are many thynges whiche myght offende mens myndes of the which sorte is that he sayth it is his part to gouerne counselles that he calleth hym selfe Christes vicar that he will haue the action continued and not repeted from the beginning that he chalengeth to him self the place and authoritie of the president that he semeth to call thither only mē of his own order These thinges also the Emperour whan the letters were deliuered hym is sayde to haue noted right well to haue required of him that suche thinges as were somwhat rough might be altered fearing as it was thought least the Germaines being affrayde of these thinges as mariners be of Rockes would either refuse the sommoning or els fynde some let or delay in this busines which he with so great labour had brought to passe I wyll not affirme this to be true and suche maner of coūselles ar wont to be kept secret But if it be trwe it is manifest that he obteined nothyng For the same fourme that I spake of the Byshop published not one worde altered Yea there be some that suppose he dyd it of a sette pourpose that he might feare awaye the Germaines from the counsell that they should not come there or if they came he might haue them intrapped by certen snares Certenly Paule the thirde was reported to haue vsed this policie as I haue sayde in the ix boke that after he had learned by his espialles what the Protestauntes could beare and what they refused calling than a counsell he would vrge and propounde those thinges chiefly where with he knewe their myndes to be moste offended as a man may aso perceiue in this bull of Iulius whiche is framed after that same of Paule the thirde In these dayes Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburge offer conditions of peace to them of Maydenburg requyre them to render them selues and shewe their fidelitie vnto them to their Archebyshop Thus if they wyll doe they shal be permitted to haue and retaine the Religiō and doctrine exhibited in times past at Auspurge there shal be nothing deminished of their priuileges lawes and lyberties the fortifications also of the citie and goodes shal remayne safe and no violence offered vnto any man Moreouer they promyse to make intercession to the Emperour that he wyl abolysh the sentence of publication verely vpon these conditions That as other Princes and cities so they also may humbly desire pardon and deliuer him .xvi. pieces of ordenaunce and an hondreth thousand crownes to the end they may inioye their goodes already confiscated And that somme of mony they saye they
sore afflicted and seing the matter is thus for so much as he dealeth so sharply roughly with him which is theldest sonne of the church he protesteth as he saith is likewise done at Rome first that for the most troublesome tumultes of warre he may not send the bishops of his realme vnto Trent again that he taketh not this for a publike or general coūsel but rather for a certain priuate conuention which is not instituted for the profit of the common wealthe but for the vtilitye of a few Finally that nether he nor any man within his realme can be bounden to the decrees therof but declareth also furthermore that he wil vse suche remedies if the case so require as in a like matter his progenitors haue accustomed he will be euer of a sounde and sincere mind towardes religion and the Church of Rome neither wil he cōmit any thing worthy of iust reprehension but in as much as he is burthened with thiniuries and hatred of certain without his desert he can not otherwise do at this present Therfore let thē take this protestation in good parte and Communicate vnto him the doctrine or testimony of this action to th end he may certify other Princes and people of Christendome concerninge the whole matter But wheras he saith he wil vse the remedies of his progenitoures thus it standeth like as in all other Regions so also in Fraunce if any Bishoppricke or Abbotship be vacant such as are called Chanons or Monkes had fre election to chuse them but the meane benefices which were not electiue as they terme it the Bishops and Patrones bestowed Moreouer all maner of sutes and controuersies touching benefices or matters of the church wer decided within euery prouince But bishops of Rome as Couetousnes increased began to subuert those elections and by reseruatiōs and graces expectatiue as they name them haue deriued all the gaine to Rome and to them selues called also to Rome all sutes euen the fyrst instaunces as they call them And the beginning of this alteration chanced in Fraunce in the time of King Lewes the ninth but he resisted stoutly and in the yeare of our Lord M CC. lxvii made a law that thold custome shuld be reteined nether that any tribute shuld for that cause be paid to the bishop of Rome This law was verely of force many yeares but at the lengthe the violence of the bishops preuailed against it and so far as christendome stretcheth they published those foresaid graces and reseruations and were very chargeable to all men vntill the Synode of Basill toke away this kinde of pillage and restored the aunciente lawes of contributions and elections and prohibited firste frutes to be paid This decre of the counsel the King of France Charles the seuenth by thaduise of his Counsell did ratify and in the yeare M CCCC xxxviii confirmed by Proclamation But Eugenius the fourth pronounced this counsell to be frustrate and of none effect as I said in the first boke and the Bishops that succeded him reiected that decre and said it was Scismaticall and in dede Pius the second sendinge his Ambassadoure to Lewes the eleuenth sonne to Charles the seuenth moued him earnestly to abolish that same confirmation and the king asketh counsell of the Senate of Paris the moost famouse of all Fraunce which in a maner consisteth wholy of lawyers They repeting many thinges of great antiquity declare what the bishops of former time what the Counsels and finally what his progenitors Clodowey Charles that great Phillip Deodate Lewes the ninth Philip le Beau Lewes Hutine Ihon the first and laste what his father and grandfather haue herein determined and except thauncient lawes be obserued it wil come to passe say they that al thecclesiastical ordre shal be brought to confusion and that Fraunce shal be lesse populous whan so many shal run to Rome and shal be so much impouerished that churches and many such other sumptuous buildings in France shal be neglected and fall to ruine And as touching the mony matter vnles your fathers confirmation of the decree at Basill maye be of force there shal be caried yerely out of Fraunce vnto Rome ten C M. Crownes For to let other thinges passe in the time of Pius the second now bishop there haue bene vacant at the least twentye Bishopprickes which haue paid euery one of them aswel for their first frutes as for other charges vi M. There haue fallen abbotships about lx and euery one of them haue paied two thousand of other benefices haue bene void aboue two hondreth whiche haue paid v C. crownes a piece Moreouer within your realme are an hondreth thousand parishes and aboue out of the which an infinite quantity of gold hath bene gathered by that same deuise of the bishop of Rome Walke therfore in your fathers fotesteps swarue not from the decre of Basil Certainly this was the counsell of the Senate but the king being ouercommen with the Bishops either authority or policy would neades abolish the confirmation the chief worker of this matter was Cardinall Baluen in great fauor with the king whom the bishop of Rome had corrupted how be it both the kinges procurer and also the vniuersity of Paris whome it much concerned resisted with a stout courage and appealed frō the bishop to the counsel Afterward Lewes the twelfth had great emnity for the same cause with Iuly the secōd and the matter was brought into the counsel of Laterane and Fraunces the firste that succeded Lewes concluded at the length with Leo the tenth vpon certaine conditions at Bononie after he had taken Millan verely that when a Bishoppricke or Abbotship were vacante the Couent in dede should not haue thelection therof but that the king shoulde within .vi. monethes nominate some man to the Bishop of Rome whome he thought worthy of that office This same therfore is the thing amongs others which King Henry now by his ambassador signified vnto them of a remeady For kings are on this wise wōt to bridle the bishops when they are at dissention with them and so to put in practise the confirmation of the decre of Basil espectally at this time when their thondrebolt is not so greatly feared as it was in time paste And for so muche as the Realme of Fraunce is both most large and rich also Rome can not without great hinderance want the reuenues therof And that which he signified here that he would do the same did he not longe after as you shal hear The same remeadye also in times paste vsed the King of Fraunce Phillip le Beaw against Boniface the eight For wheras he commaunded him to war against the Sarazens and refusing his excuse forbad that he shuld take no mony of the churches within his owne Realme which the King was driuen to do for the necessitye of his warres and vnlesse he obeyed the same did suspend him out of the Church he assembleth all
The same do the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg and the case was comen to them al. Which they notwithstanding for that it was long or they came followed and vrged chiefly and therfore they intreated diligently the thre Archbyshops Electours and the Cardinall of Trent a great-frende to Duke Maurice and the Emperours Ambassadours that for the common wealth sake they would both be wylling them selues and also perswade the rest of the fathers herein For none of the Ambassadours would go to the legate Crescentius or any of his fellowes legates least thei should appere to attribute to them any thing But bycause they were sent to followe the Emperours mynde satisfie the decre of the Empire therfore they vsed his Ambassadours which was their high chief magistrate for their intercessours And at this present time came newes the within a few daies Duke Maurice wold come to the Emperour Whiche made al men to be of better hope a great deale more willing In this moneth was beheaded at Lōdon the Duke of Somerset vncle as I said before to the king of Englande with him certē of his frendes as Michel Stanope sir Rafe Fane sir Myles Partrich knightes And some reported that the same was done by the procurement of the Duke of Northumberland They that were of the wittier sorte began euen than to feare the good king whome after his kinsfolkes were dispatched out of the waye they sawe was more open to daunger treason For after the Duke of Somerset was dead the Duke of Northumberland put to the king newe chamberlaines amonges them his own sonnes kinsmen Whan the daye of the next session was now at hand the Emperours Oratours sending for thambassadours of Duke Maurice declare what thei haue done with the fathers in their cause How thei haue obteined a saufeconduict such as they wyshed for How also thaction may be discontinued differred vntill they come may be present at the same For that al nations people be not there assembled that lieth not in the fathers to perfourme The counsel was lawfully sōmoned And although al mē come not yet standeth it neuerthelesse in his ful strength dignitie that suche decrees as are made should be reuoked let them consider them selues howe vndecent a thing it were For it belongeth to the reproche and infamie of so great an assemblie Let Diuines come only They shall both be in all matters hearde and also intreated moste gently And if any thyng offende thē or be done without reason if they see them selues ouermuche aggrauated they haue free libertie to departe whan they wyl They desyre them earnestly that they would geue some thynge to the tyme and not to couet to haue all thynges graunted thē in this one moment Whan they shall come to the action than may dyuerse thinges by occasion be obteyned whiche appeare nowe very harde The fathers they saye be very desyrous of a reformation and wyll not fayle to doe their dutie and longe sore for the Diuines comming vnto whome they wyll shewe all good wil fidelitie and haue thynges to propoūde of great importaunce and desyre that they may begynne to the intent that by this occasion they may come forth also That whiche they requyre moreouer touchyng the submission of the Byshop of Rome they desyre them some thyng to qualifie The fathers do see and perceyue that there is som what in that high dignitie that may be reprehended and ought in dede to be redressed But yet must they procede after some fine deuise The Emperours mynde and wyll is that all thinges should be ritely and lawfully done But they finde by daily experience howe fayre and dissemblingly they must treate with the Byshops legates For verely they must vse a singular dexteritie and deale with them by policie Wherfore let them nowe contente them selues with suche thinges as are graūted which are surely not without their great trauell obteyned and fynde the meanes that the Diuines may make haste And than will they neyther in publique nor priuate cause omitte any parte of their dutie And whan they were come hytherto they deliuer vnto them the saufeconduicte Whiche they byd them reade and after to sende it them againe This was the .xxii. daye of Ianuary And thus sending them awaye in the selfe same momente call for the Ambassadours of the Duke of Wirtemberge And first make an excuse touching the fourmer tyme by the moste weightie affaires of the fathers But nowe if they haue anythyng to doe they be ready to further thesame They sayd how they haue had a long tyme nowe thinges to propounde and to be hearde with spede Assone as they were dimissed they sende for the Ambassadour of Strasburge and speake to the same effecte He declared briefly wherfore he was sent by reason of Coletane vnto whome he had not spoken before For this present he sayde he had nothing els to saye and how he loked dayly for letters frō home For immediatly after that Duke Maurice Ambassadours were come he was commaunded to wryte home what their cōmission was and to attende what the Senate would haue done further more Howebeit he required thē in the meane tyme that in those matters whiche the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice had preferred vnto them they would so vse them selues that they myght come forthwith to open treatie They saide againe howe they had certen thinges to do with the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice and of the Duke of Wirtemberge Whan any thing shal be done they will let hym vnderstāde that he may signifie the same to his citezens They verely do greatly wyshe for a concorde And the Emperour also applieth his whole endeuour study to the same They desire very muche also that thaction might beginne and doubte not but God wyll assiste that moste honest enterprise Whan this was done the Ambassadours of Saxon Wirtemberg Strasburge hauing cōference together do way that fourme of saufe conduicte whiche they had receiued And for so muche as they had wrytten out before euery chapter of the decree of Basill the all men might see especially suche thynges as concerned any weightie matters it was not hard for them by and by to discerne in what places this dissented from that Whan they had therfore perused it ouer streight waye they perceiued that the chiefest places were partely altered and partly omitted For in the saufeconduicte that in times past was geuen to the Bohemers are these thinges amongest others That they shuld haue also authoritie to decide matters That in al matters of cōtrouersie the holy scripture the order of the primatiue churche suche counselles interpretours as were agreable to the scripture should be in stede of the iudge That they might vse their owne seruice at home That nothing shuld be done in contēpt or reproche of their doctrine Wherof the first the thirde laste were cleane omitted And the second and chiefest thing in dede was sore altered
the meane season the souldiours aswell those that defended Maidenburge as they that beseged the same wintered at Mullusie and the places there aboutes and did muche hurte to the Northusians and them of Herfurd And whan themperor demaunded the cause therof of Duke Moris which had of the whole war bene generall he was answered that this tumult was for want of paiment of their wages For this he prâ—â—â—â—ded the cause wher in dede they serued him and secreatly were bounden to him by an oth And that he might the better perswade the self same time he sente ambassadoures throughe Insprucke to Trent whiche might obtaine a safeconduit for the diuines that should come and propound certaine other thinges in the counsel Afterward he commaunded the diuines to follow whiche goinge as farre as Norinberge taried there loking for letters from the foresaid ambassadours as before is mentioned he sent also other ambassadors to the Emperoure Christopher Carlebice and Ulrich Mortise which should tary for his comming in the borders of Bauier whose aduise and counsell he might vse in the treaty Furthermore he commanded a lodging to be prepared for him at Inspruck and he him self toke his iourney and whan he had gone two or thre daies iourny on his waye sending from thence to Insprucke moste gentle letters and alledging a certain cause for an excuse returneth home again and thus tracting the time whan he had driuen it of from day to day In the beginning of the spring time hauing called backe his men in due season he began to take musters of his soldiors which in the winter time he had gathered very secreatly and addressing his letters vnto all the states of thempire saieth Ther is nothing in this world to him so deare as concord but he wisheth chiefly for an agrement in religion according to the doctrin of the Prophets and Apostles wherof our aduersaries haue many times put vs in hope both priuately and also by publike decrees but nothing is performed and they do not only constre a misse those promises and decrees but also do abrogate the same and take them cleane awaye This also haue they spoken vnto certen that vnlesse they followe their procedings let them not trust greatly or leane to former promises For at what time those promises wer made the state of time was other wise but now they must obey or els such as refuse muste be punished and not contented with these wordes they haue stirred vp also forein kings against him and other princes of his state and profession and haue inuented sondry causes to bring them in hatred whilest they blame vs for religion or certen other things wheras the thing it self declareth that they care for no religion but haue alwaies had an eie how throughe thoccasion of dissention in Religion they might aspire to the gouernment For now is theyr craft sene of all men whiche they vsed that they mighte wholly rote oute and abolishe the true Religion in former yeares setforth and expounded at Auspurge For this is the matter wherfore they haue in all places exiled the preachers and ministers of the Church oute of the limites of thempire and tarye neither for the decree of a lawfull Counsell nor yet of the Bishoppes of Romes neither and begin the thing by and by with execution Wherfore althoughe he with force of armes shoulde repulse 〈◊〉 him and his this seruitude of minde and conscience there oughte no man to blame him How be it for so much as this thing apperteineth to Gods glorye who alone can both auaunce and defende his worde he committeth the whole matter vnto him and prâ—yeth God to graunt him constancy in the true knowledge of him vntill his liues end An other thing wherof he intendeth to speake is coÌ„cerning the Lantzgraue his father in law For certainly v. yeares since was he and Ioachim the Elector of Brandenburge put in hope in themperors name that if the Lantzgraue mighte be perswaded to come to submission and humbly to craue pardone of the Emperor that themperor shoulde than require no more of him besides that which was conteined in the pacification than conceiued but would frendly let him depart wheruppon they sent for him by theyr letters geuing their faith vnto his sonnes that if any thing chaunced to theyr father otherwise than well they would abide the same fortune So therefore came he vppon this faithe vnto Hale and asked the Emperor pardon And afterwardes supped with the Duke of Alba til it was far in the night very pleasantly and what time he would haue returned to his lodging beyond al mens expectation he was deteined and caried to prison wherin he hath nowe remained in a manner fiue whole yeres not without exceding great misery and although both his sonnes his nobilitye and subiectes haue confirmed the pacification Albeit that he him self the Marques of Brandenburge and Wuolfgange the Paulsgraue became sureties for him that vnles he perfourmed couenaunts they wold deliuer him into his custody albeit that according to the forme of couenaunts the mony he was condemned in is paid his artilerye and munition deliuered his Castels and fortes rased Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke and his sonne sette at libertye the letters of confederacye exhibited in so muche that nothinge more can be required yet coulde neither the suite of him and the Marques of Brandenburge nor the lamentable teares of his wife whiche pined to deathe for sorowe nor the Prayers of the people or intercession of other princes preuaile any thinge vnto this daye For he hathe ofttimes spoken to themperor and because diuers men haue had a sinistrall opinion of him he hath intreated him most earnestly to haue some respect to his honoure and estimation and that he would graunt him this for the benefits which his elders had done vnto his Progenitors and for his deserts also towardes him and king Fardinando and that he woulde sette him at libertye but all these things could moue him nothinge yea he constrained the captife to answer to matters in the lawe out of prison and to plead his cause lying in fatters which can be done by no lawe especiallye in matters so waighty to speake nothing in the meane time how suspiciously and howe rashly he handled the matter after a straunge example such as neuer was hard of in Germany that verely vnder this pretence of the law he might by little and little tourn both him and his children out of all theyr landes and possessions and bring them in suche distres that they shoulde be no more hable to maintaine theyr state and dignity which thinge that it come not to passe toucheth him very much by reason of the alliaunce and hope of succession that he hath with the house of Hesse This thing in dede might be thought a wonder were it not that these craftes and pollicies are manifest in the sight of al men whiche doubtles tende vnto this ende that the same Monarchye that hath ben now
in the league 33 The liberty of the Swisses eodem The Masse to be abolished eodem Themperour hath war with frauÌ„ce 34 The death of pope Leo the tenth eod The Turke taketh Belgrade eodem The Lady Mary assured to themper 35 The Sectes of Bohemers 36 The Pope writeth to the Princes of Germany 37 The Watre of Treuers 38 The Popes letters to Strasburg eod The stocke of Adrian eodem The disputation of Zurick 39 The request of Adrian to dispatch Luther 39 The sinne of Rome spread ouer all the world 40 The meane to let Counselles 40 The answere of the Princes 41 The maner of a free Counsell 41 Two Friers burnt at Brussels 43 The Ceremonies of disgreding eod The death and workes of Hutten 44 The aunswer of Duke George eodem The eating of flesh eodem The Princes aunswer to CaÌ„peius 46 The decree of wormes repeted eodem The Pope is well monyed eodem The Swisses are assendid with them of Zurick eodem The Marchaundise of the Clergie 47 The aunswer of them of Zurick 47 The decree of Norinberge 48 Thomas Moouer a Graye frier 48 The lamentation of Luther 49 The Golden Rose sent to the kynge of England 50 Themperour blameth the princes eod Themperour defendour of the Romish Churche eodem The duke of BurboÌ„ne besiegeth Marselles eodem The beginning of the Rusticall war eod The papistes fight for their belly 51 To serue foreyne Princes is vyle eod The crafte of Papistes eodem The pouerty and boÌ„dage of the Swissers 52 The Riches liberty of thesame 52 The Comotion of the vulgare people 53 Their Demaundes 53 The Duke of Wittenberg attempted Warre eodem The slaughter of the Boores. eodem The great cruelty of the Boores. eod The warre of the Boores in Loraine 54 The slaughter of the Boores. 54 The cruelty of tharchbishop of treu 54 The death of Frederick duke of 56 The Princes make a power 56 The slaughter of the Muncerians 57 The vnreasonable laughter of muÌ„c 57 The dewty of a good Magistrate 58 Thautors of rebellion are without excuse 58 The best way to ouerthrow the popes auctoritie 58 The practice of the Deuell 59 The popish kingdome not long eod The demaundes of the preachers eod The Boores vse godly titles 60 The state of a Magistrate wherin 61 The Christian Lawe eodem The Christian profession is hard eod The nature of veritie 62 The craft of the deuill to oppresse eod The aunswer to the Boores dema eod Tythes must be payde eodem The false title of the Boores. 63 The rayser of tumultes 63 The part of a wise man 64 The dutie of a Magistrate eodem The ende of tiranny eodem Their can be nothing worse then 65 The popes letters to them of Paris 66 The kinges letters for Faber eodem The story of Pruse eodem The chief point of luthers doctrine 67 Thomas woolsey cardinall a butchers Sonne 68 The peace taken at Madrice 68 Themperours letters 69 The Turke inuadeth Hongary 69 The beginning of the prot league 70 The popes benefites to themperour 71 Themperours aunswer 71 The kingdome of Naples 72 The pope and thempâ—ar two great 72 The Pope is a waryour 72 Themperour confuteth the French 73 The princes letters to themperour 73 The beginning of the Anabaptistes 74 The French army inuadeth Italy 74 The power of Bernes 75 The duke of Burbon condemned at 75 The prebendes of Constance dep 76 The victory of the Gospell eodem The English French ambassad eod The French king offreth themp eodeÌ„ Themperours answer to the French 78 The Papistes forbidden to Preach 79 The ambassadours of thimperiall chaÌ„ber to Strasborow 79 The Bishoppes letters 79 The masse put down at strasborow 80 They of Basill take armure 80 The Masse put downe 80 The assembly of Spires 80 The ambassadors of Strasborow 81 The decree of Spires 81 The decree of wormes 82 Thoriginall of protestantes 82 The peace of Cambray 82 The Turke besiegeth Uienna 83 The sweating Sicknes 83 Two Clerkes burnt at Collon 83 The protest ambassadors to theÌ„p 84 Themp. aunswer to the protestantes 84 Thambassadours appeale 85 The honesty of a Bishoppe 85 The ChaÌ„bre writeth to Smalcald 86 TheÌ„perors Coronation at Bonony 86 The diuines of the protestantes 86 The princes that wold not haue masse 87 The Duke of Saxons office eodem The turkes victory in HoÌ„gary eodem The turkes cruelty eodem ThaÌ„bassadour of Austrich his comp 88 Thinges refused in religion 89 That the Masse is a sacrifice 89 The warre of florens 90 The pope in league with theÌ„p eodem The Turkes power eodem The protestantes were laboured eodeÌ„ The Bohemers borne withall 91 TheÌ„p oration to the protestantes 91 The ProtestaÌ„tes answer to themp 91 Themperour to the Protestantes 93 The protestantes spite no man 93 The drone bees desire to be restored 93 The answer to the coÌ„futation of zwin 94 The decree of Auspurge 95 The Church oppressed with tiraÌ„ny 96 The papistes are accused of aerag 96 The Lantzgraue made a league with Strasborow Zurick and Basill 96 The league of the protest at smalcald 97 The pope is a Sayler 97 The prot letters against FerdinaÌ„do 67 The causes of creating king of rom 98 The protestantes letters to the king of England and Fraunce 99 The protestantes appellation 99 The bishoppes of Denmark resist 100 The lawes permit the inferrour magistrate in some causes to resist the. 100 Tharchbishop of Treuers departeth 101 The aunswere of the French kinge to the protestantes 101 The amytie of FrauÌ„ce Germany 101 The auÌ„swer of the king of EnglaÌ„d 102 The duke of Saxons doubt of the. 102 The Palsgraue tharchbishop of 102 The Appellation of the Marques 103 Therles of Nassow Nauenar come to the Duke of Saxon to intreate 103 The intercessors and protestantes 103 They of Zurick discomfited 104 The death of Swinglius 104 The death of Decolampadius 105 The assembly of Regenspurge 105 The dukes of Bauier misliked the. 106 The annswer of the duke to the in t 107 The crafte of the Papistes 107 The number of Protestantes 108 The assembly at Regenspurg eodem The Turke inuadeth Austrich eodem The death of the duke of Saxon. eodem The slaughter of the turkes 109 The pope serueth the time eodem The Popes policie eodem The duke of Saxons answer eodem The protestantes answer to the pope 110 The couÌ„sell are swarued from their 110 Themperours part is to defend rel 111 The Pope is plaintife defendant 111 The Popes snares eodem The Pope slieth to the CouÌ„sell eodem The craft of duke George to find of 112 The inconstancy of pope Clement 113 The vniuersitie of paris Sentens 113 The death of Cardinall Wolsey 114 The tragedy of the graye friers 114 The game players carried to paris 115 The condemnation of false Friers 115 The victory of the Lantgraue 116 The liberality of the French king 117 The Lantgraues letters to theÌ„p eodeÌ„ Themperours aunswer eodem The punishment of the Godly
it the alteration that hath chaunced in this our time is most notable of all others The Romain Empire whyche should both be the last and also much greater then the rest the prophet said shuld be deuided and brought from that huge and vnmeasurable great quantity to a right small thing as it is now manifest whiche only consisteth within the limites of Germany and hathe bene manye times in great hasard and daunger partly by reason of domesticall euils and partly throughe the factions of forain enemies But at the length God hath geuen vs such an Emperour as a more mighty hath not bene these many hondreth yeres For vnto him haue descended mooste ample realmes and prouinces which as they be most ritch and welthy so also be they mooste commodious for the doing of thinges in sondrye places bothe by sea and lande And like as he him self excelleth in power all other Emperors of Germanye that haue bene sence the tyme of Charles the great so also by reason of the thinges that haue chaunced in his time and gouernment is he most famous and notable But amonges all other thinges the alteration of Religion hath the chiefest place whiche with the beginninge of his raigne toke her originall For at that time whan the Emperour Maximilian departed out of this present life that matter had not ben in hand aboue .xiiii. monthes but what time the Princes electours chose this manne Emperour in a manner the self same time Luther beinge prouoked came forthe to reason the matter and disputed openly with Eckius at Lipsia and than fell men to theyr study on ether side Wherefore thempire of this man ought to be considered dilligentlye and waied with the memory of former times For god hath at euery time stirred vp certain great princes more no table thā the rest whē ether the state of religion or comon welth shuld be altred of the which sort was Cirus Alexander of Macedonie Iulius Caesar Constantine Charlemaigne Also Ottous of Saxonie and now he of whom we speake Charles the fift And certenly this alteratiō is of such sort wherof we now make mention that no man that knoweth the thing perfectly can thinck theof without great maruel and wonder For the beginning was ful small and in manner to be contemned and one man alone susteined the malice violence of all the world And yet might he him self haue ben appeased and quieted in case his aduersaries would haue taken the condition which at the beginning he offred them For he promised to kepe silence so that they would do the like But when they refused that and prescribed him a recantation and herein perseuered and he said that vnlesse they could first shewe his erroure he coulde not chaung his opinion the dissention increased the matter was brought before the counsell of thempire now is come to such a great maner as we se And by what meanes it came so to pas what thing the Bishops of Rome what the vniuersities what Kings Princes haue at tempted how he him self hath pleaded his own cause before themperour and counsell of princes how diuers men of excellent learning haue ioyned them selues with him howe the matter again hath ben debated in thassembles of thempire howe meanes of reconcilement haue bene assaid how oftentimes the Bishops of Rome haue bene in hand with the Emperour and other Kinges how oft they haue put them in hope of a reformation and of a counsel what persecution and burning ther hath ben what leagues and conspiracies haue hen made how this same religiō hath ben setforth not only in Germany but in other places also how diuers haue reuolted and others remained constant what tumultes warres and battels haue risen by this occasion these I say so great and sondry things to leaue vnspoken and not to commit them to memory by wryting I think ther is no man but would iudge it blame worthy Moreouer it is not to be passed ouer in silence what was the state of the common wealthe during this mans Empire by the space now of six and thyrty yeres what wars he hath kept what commotions and tumultes haue ben in the meane season and what things haue chaunced in all realmes and prouinces Neuerthelesse thordre that in this argumente shal be obserued hereafter shal be declared For like as this Emperor raigneth ouer moste large and ample dominions so hath he had also most strong and puissant enemies Wherfore the matters haue ben wonderful great that haue chaunced in this our memorye and duringe the raigne of thys Emperor And therfore certen yeres past diuers worthy and wel lerned men when they chanced to talke of such matters began to perswade with me that whosoeuer had chanced in these dais especially touching the cause of Religion I shuld put in wrytinge And here vnto dyd exhort me not for that I could do this best or for that ther wer not others much more mete for this purpose but because they saw me delite much in that same kinde of exercise and therefore supposed that through acerten natural inclination to the thing I should not bestow my time and labor amisse I my self doubtlesse who knew wel enough what a daungerous sea I muste enter into and how that case required an other maner of man endued with a greater wit eloquence Albeit I was almost in despair that I could bring the thing to passe yet vanquished by theyr auchority which had that opinion in me I determined to assay the thing And beginning from the time that Luther began to inuey against the selling of pardons brynging the matter still vnto the disputation of Lipsia appoynted by Duke George that same that I hadde so composed I sente vnto them that were my setters on at Woormes where that time was the counsel of thempire ten yeres past to read and peruse ouer They afterward by their letters by mouth also did more importune me that I should procede but not longe after ther chaunced a sorowfull time to Germany whan there arose warre which as it was a great let and hindraunce to study learning so did it also disturbe and let all my purpose doings For nether could I procede as I desired many times must I tarye and make delay but so sone as I was relieued from those euils especially those iii. yeares paste I imploide all my study and trauel herein and neuer reasted till I came to thend wished for And surely this worke is made chiefly and principally concerning Religion neuerthelesse for obseruynge an order I thought good also to put in polliticke matters Now as touching the whole narration after what sort that is euery man by reading shall easely perceiue Nothing becommeth an history better then truth sidelity And doubtlesse I least any man should finde lacke in me in this behalf haue traueled diligently For I haue written nothinge by lighte reportes or by hear say but I haue compiled my worke of publick records
do one for another we shoulde also comforte the sicke therfore he which for so many causes was so greatly bouÌ„den vnto him had for his sake gathered this litle boke beyng not otherwise able to comfort him signifiyng that like as in mans body if the head do ake it greueth the rest of the membres taking the same to apperteine priuatly to euery of them so nowe that he lieth sicke the people not with oute iuste cause are all in teares and mournyng For the greatest part of Germany doth depeÌ„de vpon him and reuerence him as their chiefe ornament and refuge Afterwarde he maketh a booke of confession where he teacheth that we ought not to leane to the trust of confessioÌ„ but to the promise of God whiche forgeueth oure sinnes And that firste of all we muste confesse vs vnto God that who so confesseth him muste hate sinne and couet to amend his life That therehersall of euery sinne particularly is not necessary nor possible to be performed with diuers other things and last of vowes wherof he wrote a seueral work afterwardes In an other certaine boke he had said that he thought it expedient if by the authority of the counsel it might be permitted that all men shuld receiue the whole supper or as they vse to speke vnder both kindes Which saying for that it was contrary to the decrees of the last counsel of Laterane did offend many and among others Ihonbishop of Misene who coÌ„maunded to be taught throughoute his dioces that the whole supper was comprised vnder one kinde and condemned Luthers boke whiche thing he vnderstanding maketh answer in such sort that he layeth not the fault thereof in the bishop but in certaine other vnlearned and troublesome persons vnto whome he saith that this wishe of his that such a decre might be made by the counsell deserued no iust reprehension no more then if he had wisshed that by a decree of the counsell it might be lawfull for pristes to haue wiues whiche Pius the seconde Bishoppe of Rome saide and wished Wherefore he oughte not to be blamed for wishyng the same He graunteth this to be a Decree of the counsell of Laterane But yet neuertheles the same to be contrarye to the fyrst and eldest counselles and the aunciente maner of the churche Agayne we dispraise the men of Boheme because they receaue vnder bothe kyndes wheras we kepe vs to the one halfe onely and yet haue they to make for them the institution of Christe and the maner obserued in the churche from the Apostels time til it was now of late daies And we haue nothing to aledge against them but the counsels of Laterane whiche is a lighte and verye weake reason for what maner of couÌ„sel that was it is wel knowen euen laughed at of the Romanes theÌ„ selues And thoughe it were of neuer so greate aucthoritie Yet for as muche as they can not proue the thinge by any reason of more antiquitie it is but a very mockery But concernyng the counsell of Laterane thus it was Iulius the seconde when he was elected Byshoppe promysed by a solemne othe with in two yeares space to holde a generall counsell this was in the yere of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundreth and three But whilest he made warre one while against the Frenche kynge another while against the Uenetians and nowe with the duke of Farrare and nowe with others and troubled all Italy Nine Cardinalles departed from him and came to Millan and called a general counsell at the Citie of Pisa the .xix. day of May the yere of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth and eleuen to begynne at the kalendes of September folowyng the chiefest of these was Bernardinus Cruceius William of Preneste Fraunces Cossentine wyth whome were annexed the Ambassadours of the Emperor Maximilian and of Lewes the Frenche king which intended by the same counsell to depose him from his bishopprike which he had got by briberye And nowe for as muche as he had broken his othe in that he had bene Bishoppe so many yeres and called no counsel nor pourposed to do they could suffer the christian common weale to be no lenger deluded And because these letters coulde not saufly be conueighed vnto him they set them vp in all his Townes in Italy admonishinge him to appeare there in parson at the daye appoynted Iulius vnderstandynge the matter maketh answere the fyrst of August That what time he was Cardinall he desyred nothing more than a generall counsell whiche is well knowen to kinges and princes to the whole College of Cardinals For euen for this cause was AlexaÌ„der the syxt sore offended with him And that he is still of the same minde also Howe be it that the state of Italy hath of late yeres bene so troublesome and was so lefte by Byshoppe Alexander that there coulde be no counsell called in suche aduersitie of time After he coÌ„futeth their appoyntment for the shortnesse of time and the discommoditie of the place For Pise was a Towne torne and defaced with the warres of former yeres and all the countrie aboute layde waste Neyther that men can safely repayre thither by reason of the warres betwixte the Florentines and them of Seue Moreouer howe they haue none Authoritie to call it and that theyr causes alledged be most vntrewe Wherefore he commaundeth vnder the paine of excommunicatynge that no man obeye them Then called he a Counsell agaynste the nexte yeare to begynne at Rome vpon the ninetenth daye of Aprill in the Churche Laterane Where vnto subscribed one and twentie Cardynalles For this they saye is euer the Byshoppes policie when they are afrayde of a Counsell to appoyncte an other in some place mete for theyr purpose After this he warneth the Cardinalles that were agaynste hym to leaue of theyr enterprise and come to Rome offerynge them pardon but after they would not come he bannished them the xxiiij of Octobre and namely those thre which I spake of as Heretykes scisinatykes and traitours sendynge the copie of theyr prescription to Maximilian and alother kinges And because many Byshoppes of Fraunce had ioyned them selues with these Cardinalles he bannisheth them also vnlesse they forsake them and within a certeine tyme make their pâ—â—gation Againe when the cardinals had diuerse times rised him to the counsell in vaine and had sytten eyght tymes they suspends him from al as well ciuill as Ecclestasticall iurisdiction commaunding all meÌ„ ingenerall that hereafter they obey hym not Thys was in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundred and twelue the one twentye of Aprill The same tyme at Pauie was Philippe Decius a Euntian excellently well learned who set forthe a Booke in the defence of the Cardinalles cause againste the Byshoppe of Rome Afterwardes Maximilian forsakyng the Cardinals made a league with Iulius and with Fardinando kinge of Spaine and sent to the Counsell at Rome Mathew Lang Byshoppe of Gurce which at the sametime was
depraued And the same that they did touchinge theyr concubines ought nowe to be euery where receiued for lawfull wines In the meane tyme Luther who had kepte him selfe closse cercertein monethes retorneth to Wittenberge fearinge lest the duke should it take in euyll part he writeth vnto him in Marche signifiyng that where as he is retourned without his commaundement he dyd so of no euill wyll or contempte he knoweth that some will beare him in hande that the same shall be daungerous for his grace for asmuche as he is condemned bothe by the Bishoppe of Rome and themperour Whose powers bothe are great this did he consyder before longe and ofte but there be three causes of his retourne fyrst that he was oftentimes requested by sundrye letters of the Churche of Wittenberge to retourne whose desyre he coulde not but accomplishe for that the same people are properly committed to his charge of God ought not to be neglected And albeit that some are muche offended with this refourmation of doctrine and reporte euill therof yet knoweth he moste certenly that this his profession is vnto God most acceptable Secondarely in the tyme of hys absence throughe the crafte of the Deuill who can not abyde this lyght of the Ghospell there was styrred vp trouble in his churche whiche vnlesse he him selfe were present coulde not be well appeased which matter was so great and weightie that it might be in no wise neglected for if the thinge might haue bene dispatched by letters he coulde righte easelye haue forborne Wittenberge Thyrdely he sayeth he feareth and doth in maner foresee a wōderfull great tempest in Germany which so racklesly doeth contemne this present benefite of God For many in dede do embrace the trewe doctrine but in their liuyng they sklaunder it abusynge the libertie of the spirit after theyr carnall appetit Others be wholy gyuen to quēch and oppresse the worde they rare not howe whiche contempte of his word God must nedes punnishe with one plage after an other as he did in times past the Iewes and theyr citie Hierusalem Wherefore it is his part and suche others as he is to admonishe all men hereof with their whole force and diligēce for albeit they should trauaile in vaine and be laughed at yet may not they therfore leaue theyr office vndone seyng that it pleaseth God who hathe committed vnto them the cure of soules wherefore he prayeth him not to be offended that he is thus retourned beyng neither called nor commaunded of him for sythe it is altogether Christes cause his trust is that he shall sustayne no displeasure or perill for his retourne The trouble whiche in his absence he sayde was in his Churche was this Andreas Caralostadius in the meane tyme that Luther was absente preached contrary doctrine and disorderlye styrred vp the people to caste the Images oute of the Churche For the which cause Luther beyng called againe of his frendes dispraiseth the rashenes of Carolostadius shewyng that fyrste the Images should haue bene remoued out of the peoples harts being instructed that God is not pleased with Images but with faith onely And then if they should be taken away the same to be done by the Magistrates and not by the tumulte and rage of the common people The same tyme began a secte of them that saide they had talke with God who had commaunded them that sleyng all wicked men they should begin a new world wherin onely the holy and innocent people should lyue and beare rule These kepte them selues priuelye in that parte of Saronie that lyeth by the riuer of Sala whose opinion as saith Luther Carolostadius also fauoured And when he could not bringe hys matters to passe at Wittenberge beynge defaced by Luthers aucthoritie he went from thens vnto them Of this sorte of men was Thomas Muncer whiche styrred vp the people against theyr magistrates in Thuringe and Franconie as shall be recyted in his place Luther hearyng that in the lande of Boheme there were some whiche in common assemblies counseiled to receiue agayne the Bishop of Romes aucthoritie or elles there shoulde neuer be ende of contention and controuersies he wryteth vnto them in the moneth of Auguste that their name was in times past odiose and hated of him before such tyme as he knewe the Bishop of Rome to be Antichriste But nowe syns God hath restored to the worlde the lyght of the Gospell he iudgeth farre otherwise and so hath professed in his workes in so muche that nowe the Byshoppe and all his Clientes are much more offended with him thē they are with them His aduersaries haue many tymes saied howe he was fledde into Boheme and in dede he hath ofte wisshed to go thyther but lest they shoulde call his iourney a runnynge awaye he hath altered his purpose And nowe is the matter brought to suche a passe that there is good hoope howe the Germaynes and the Bohemers shall professe the gospell the same Religion together Where many be sory that they be deuided into sectes they are not greued without iuste cause but if they reuolte vnto Papistrie they shall not onely not take awaye theyr sectes but increase and swarme in the same For there is no where mo sectes than is in the Romishe kyngdō as is to be sene by the graye Freres which differ much amonges themselues And yet are all suche thinges done and mainteined by the Byshop of Rome whose kyngdome throughe mens discorde is nourished and establsshed For this is the verye cause whye he setteth Princes together by the eares and seketh alwaies to styrre vp matters of grudge and displeasure Wherfore let thē take goodhede lest whilest they go about to abolish those lesser sectes they fal into more pernicious as al those Romish be vtterly vncurable Frō the which now thorow Gods benefit Germanye is latelye delyuered And howe there is no better medicine to take awaye euill than if the Pastours of the Churche woulde setforth the doctrine of the Gospell purely and syncerely And in case they can not reteyne the weake people in theyr dewtie but that they wyll reuolte at the lest wyse let them indeuour to kepe styl the Lordes Supper wholy and the memoriall of Husse and Hierome of Prage vndetiled For it may be that the Bishop will attempt to take these two thinges from them chiefly Wherfore if any of them relent and graunr the tyrant bothe it shall not be well done of them Howe be it though 〈◊〉 Boheme do reuolte yet will he set forth and commende the doctrine of Husse vnto all posteritie Wherfore he praieth and exhorteth them 〈◊〉 perseuer in that state of Religion whiche they haue defended 〈◊〉 with muche bloud and valeauntnes neither through their 〈…〉 yng blemishe the gospell that nowe florisheth And all beit that al thinges be not wel established amonges them yet will not God fayle them but whan he seeth time he will styrre vp some faythfull minister to reforme
they did infringe theyr liberties and priueleges diuerse waies howe they had appointed maryed priestes and Monkes as Capito Bucer others to haue the gouernement of their Churches that they receiued the Lordes supper vnder both kindes that they had rasshely cast the Images out of theyr churches For the which cause two of the chiefest counselors of thempire Friderick coūtie Palatine and Philip marques of Baden in their letters written frō Esling in the moneth of Ianuary admonishing the senate to leaue of theyr chaūge restore eche thing to his place Diuers of the Swices namely the Schafusians they of Basill where Oecolampadius then taught begā by litel litel to giue ouer theyr displeasure towards them of Zuricke but in maner al the rest could by no meanes be pacified And whā the Captaine of Turege wherunto Zurick belongeth had taken a priest in the night was cariyng him awaye he makinge an outcry calling for helpe of his neighbours reised vp a sodē tumult and euery man gote him to his weapons Whan they of Zuricke had suffered this and many other iniuries the fourth day of Ianuary they wrote theyr letters to al theyr confederates and felowes complaining on this wise Christ say they cōmaundeth that to him that stryketh thee on the one cheeke thou shalte offer the other And we folowinge this his doctrine haue suffered many thinges and that patiētly But now sith ther is no ende nor measure of iniuries we are inforced to flie to that same which Christ him self vsed And if we haue done any euill we desyre that the same may be taught shewed vs. Undoubtedly for as much as we susteine suche hatred and malice and are euery where euill reported of all men the thynge it selfe requireth and constreineth vs to to make answere Wherfore we wil declare the cause of al this malice confute the sclaunders and shewe howe we be affected towards our common countrey And fyrste in dede wheras Fraunces the Frenche kyng had made great and long suite to enter into league with vs and had your consent therto we notwithstandynge that you were ofte in hande with vs did vtterly refuse the same And that for diuerses causes but chiefly for that the maner liked vs not to witte that we shold sende our strength and souldiours vnto straungers which for money should be hired to warre on them that neuer did them harme to bring vp suche an euill example and maineteine them in Idlenes whiche if they should die in the warres theyr wiues and childrē should come to extreme miserie For we iudged it an vusittynge thynge to oure owne great losse and hynderaunce to serue the kynges torne and to brynge our countrey men into suche a bondage to him And therefore haue we iudged it best to retaine and kepe the same libertie both of bodie and goods which our elders with great valeaūtnes and blouddy handes haue gotten vs wyth like vertue and constauncie And this is al the matter this is the very cause and as it wer the welspringe and begynnyng of all the displeasure for if we woulde haue ratified the league we thinke there should haue rysen no displeasure at all For when you were often tymes in hande with vs that we should not forsake your league we shewed you our mynde that was to kepe amitie with the kynge accordynge to the composition of peacetions of our olde league that was made for the wealth and preseruaalready established And moreouer that we would obserue the condition of our common Countrey And because we perseuer herein we haue gotten displeasure abroade For syns the lyghte of the ghospell sprange vp we haue shaken of our shoulders that moste weigtie burthen whiche the Bishoppe of Rome and his adherentes had laide vpon vs abolished manifest errours This occasion haue some of you taken of late and by your Ambassadors sent haue intreated vs that we should conuerte and amende And we aunswere thereunto as before that we worke after the prescripte of Goddes worde if any man can shewe vs that we be in errour we will alter our purpose if not surely it is more reason to obey God than men Than stode vp Egly the Captein of Lucerne threatenyng vs that vulesse we forsake the doctrine of Luther and Zuinglius the Lucernates Uranites Switensians Unterualdians Tugiaus and they of Friburge will sit no more in counsel with vs from henceforth And not longe after that they had confyrmed this thing amonges them selues by a law the Captaine of Turege had taken in the night season Iohn Oxeline a preacher of the ghospell in hys owne house and caried him away prisoner Which vnto vsis a double iniurie in that our owne man is taken out of our owne liberties And whereas many ran oute the same night of al parts at the outcry and did many thinges wickedly all the blame was layde vpon vs and our men that happened to be amonges them Nowe the seconde matter that you charge vs with all procedeth of that assemblie whiche Ferdinando Archeduke of Austriche helde the last yere at Regenspurge with the rulers of his countrie also with the Bishoppes and suche others as hate the doctrine of the Ghospell But what they endeuor and go about it is not vnknowen verely to make dissention amonges vs and to plucke vs a sonder Which thinge greueth vs the more that you will credite suche as in time past you haue knowen at the leaste some of them to be lewde and wycked parsous whome we also vnderstandyng theyr craft and treason haue banished out of our limittes Euen they nowe for so muche as we woulde gyue no eare to them are fled vnto you and accuse vs nowe as though we had brokē the league that was made with the house of Austrich They say how we sent aide to them of Walsute against theyr Prince Ferdinando but that is vntrew For wher 's the Walsutensiās were in daūger for theyr Religion and could not be suffered to speake for them selues a fewe of our men against our knowledge ran thither to saue the harmeles men from iniurie and violence Whom so sone as we knew therof we called backe againe Therefore is the grounde of theyr accusation vntrewe And Ferdinando haue any thing more to shewe that the league should be brokē let him bring it forth and he shall be aunswered in suche sort as al men may plainly see whether parte hath kept couenauntes Where therefore you haue had secret talke with Ferdinando his Ambassadours a part from oures we can not a litell maruel for if you treated of tholde league than ought our mē to haue bene made priuie to the same but if it were of Religion whye than deale you not with vs after the same conditions which we haue many times offered you The report góth that you haue conspired to destroy the secte of Luther whiche althoughe it were trew yet for so much as we are ioyned in league aswel with him as
All theyr requestes wer euery where a like beginning in Suelāde and passing so vnto others reaching from Thuringe and the borders of Saxonie vnto the toppe of the Alpes and into the coūtrey about Salisburge whither after the rebellion appeased in Frāckonie came also the armye of the Princes confederated and distroied and banished many amōges whom was theyr captein Geismer who passed through the Alpes by streyght passages with a part of his hoste to the Uenetians of whom he had an yerely stipende and dwelled at Padwey wheras after he was slaine by treason And this was th end of the Bowres warre in the whiche were slaine in one sommer at the least fiftie thousande The Princes that were of the confederacie and league of Swelād so oft mentioned werethese Cesar as Prince of Austriche and his brother Fernando tharchbishop of Mentz the Palsegraue the Bishoppe of Salisburge Bamberge Wirciburge Aistet and Auspurge Wylliam and Lewes brethren Dukes of Bauar Otho Henricke Philip brethren Counties Palatine George Marques of Brandēburge and Albert his nephewe Philip the Lantzgraue of Hasse diuers others both of the nobilitie and Clergie Moreouer the most part of all the cities in Sweuia and amōges other Norinberge About the eight day of Aprill the Masse was put downe at Zuricke by the commaundement of the Senate aswell within the citie as without And in stead of that was instituted the Lordes Supper Lykewise all Ceremonies abolished the Doctrine of Godes worde taketh place and a lawe made againste Fornication and adulterie and Iudges appointed to heare the causes of Matrimony ✚ The fyfthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common We ale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fyfth Booke MUncer by his newe doctrine teaching goodes to be had in common inflamed the rage of the people hauinge Phifer to his companion Duke Fredericke departeth the princes assemble against Muncer Who perswading the people to resist is discomsited and after executed Luther had written against him toy e senate of Misshuse the requestes which the wurs made at the beginning are here recited Wherunto Luther answereth sheweth their disordre exhorting the magistrate to destroy such wicked men Themperor vnderstanding these troubles appoynteth a counsel at Auspurge Carolostadius exiled from Wittenberg goeth about to make his purgation Luther marieth a nonne ʒ winglius and he meete at Marseburge to conferre of theyr controuersie of the Lordes supper Whilest the French king was prisoner Pope Clement receiuing letters from the kynges mother solliciteth the parlamente of Paris to make persecusion Faber was constrained to flee wherof the king wing aduertised causeth such suites and actions against learned men to surcease the common welth of Pruse is altered from the Knightes of Germany to a Duke donie and receiueth the Gospell AGreat occasion of this terrible Warre came by rashe lewd preachers wherof Thomas Muncer was principall who leauing of the preaching of the Gospell set forth a new kind of doctrine in Alstet atowne of the Dukes of Saxonye in Thuringe and taughte not only against the byshop of Rome but against Luther also contendinge that bothe their doctrines were vyle and naught the byshop byndeth mens consciences with straight and ouer harde lawes whiche bondes he saide Luther in deede hath lowsed but offended in the contrary parte in geuing ouermuche libertie and not teaching those thinges that are of the spirite The bishops decrees we maye fafely contemne for that they helpe nothynge vnto saluation whiche to obtayne saith he we must first eschewe open crymes as murther adultery blaspheming of gods name the body must be chastened and made leane with fasting simple apparel the coūtenaunce must be framed vnto grauitie speake seldome weare a long beard These such other like thigs he called the crosse the mortifiēg of the flesh a discipline wherw t he that was furnished he said must get him out of cōpany thike oft of god what he is whether he hath any care ouer Whether Christ died for our sakes Whether our religion be better thā the Turkes Moreouer to axe of God a sygne wherby he maye testifie that he careth for vs and that we be in the true Religion And albeit he shew not a token by and by yet must we neuertheles procede praie still yea expostulate and braule with God that he dealeth not well with vs For seyng that the Scriptures promiseth that he will graunt such thinges as be demaunded it is not righte that he doeth not exhibite a signe to a man that seketh the true knowledge of him This expostulation anger saieth he is of God well accepted for that he perceiueth herby our earnest minde and zeale And than no doubt but being thus instantly sollicited he will declare him selfe by some notable signe and quenche the thirste of our minde dealinge with vs as he did intymes paste with tholde fathers He taughte moreouer that God opened hys minde by dreames wherin he builded the foundation of his intēt and loke whose dreame he could interprete him would he praise openly in his sermon And when he had by this meanes allured many to him then began he to take stipulation of them and wrot theyr names that promised him by an othe to ayde him in his pretensed mischiefe For he said he was commaunded of God to distroy all wicked Princes and subsistute new in theyr places He taughte moreouer that all thinges should be cōmon al mē of like fredom dignitie wherupon the cōmon people leauīg theyr daily labor toke such things as they neded of others that had store euē agaist their wils The dukes of Sax. had banished him what time he begā fyrst to preach seditiously thence wēt he to Norin frō thēce to Mulhuse wherhe altered the senate droue out the Mōkes entred into theyr possessiōs takig vpō hi not only as a preacher but also as a Senator determining al matters as he list For he sayd how he had all thinges shewed him by reuelation loke what he said was to thē sacred holy These partes plaied he for the space of two or thre monethes And whē the Bowres were vp in Swelande Frankonie to the nūbre of fourtie thousand had discomfited a great parte of the nobilitie taken spoyled fyred many holdes castels as before is mentioned thē began he to set hāde on seing the time seruing so well for his purpose he cast felde peces in the Gray friers and gote a wonderfull numbre of people out of the Coūtrie thinking to get some thīg He had of his counsell one Phifer a bold and a desperate felow which was much gyuen to dreames and visions in the nighte who dreamed that he sawe in a certeine stable an innumerable sorte of Myse which he put to flight al This toke he as that God had cōmaunded him to lead forth his armie
as it is reported in the Campe before the cytie of Ptolomais After wardes dyd they subdue Pruse lande when Frederick the second was Emperour And after they had kept warres of long tyme with the kynges of Polande beyng vanquyshed in battell they became subiect geuyng their fidelitie by an othe to Casunire kyng of Pole the father of Sigismund From the first maister to the Marques Albert of BrandeÌ„burg were thritty and thre This Albert being chosen the yeare of our Lorde M.D.xi. kept great warres for two yeares together with Sigismunde kyng of Polle And in the yeare M.D.xxi. there was a trewce takeÌ„ for .iiij. yeares In this tyme Albert sued oft to the Emperour and the states of the Empyre for ayde and commyng to the councell at Nurrenberg wherof we haue ofte tymes spoken had his place amonges them as a Prynce of the Empyre For the cause of the warre was that he wold not be sworue to the kyng But what tyme the Emperour was empeched with the Frenche warres and the Turke inuaded Hongary and Germany was so tourmoyled with the sedition of the communaltie that no ayde was to be looked for from thence and the tyme of the trewce was expyred he maketh peace with the kyng of Pole geuyng hym him his faythe as to his suprome Magistrate receyue the doctrine of the Gospell alteryng the order he taketh Pruse for his own And he that before was maister no we by the kynges assente is called Duke of Pruse And shortly after he maried Dorothe the daughter of Frederick kyng of Denmarke and foundeth the vniuersitie of Conningsberge called the kynges mount Wherby he had the displeasure of all the order for al be it he kept the countrey and was supported here in by the kyng of Pole yet by a common assent was chosen in his rowme Walther Cronberge which shold represent the auncieÌ„t name and dignitie who after in all assemblies complayned vpon hym greuously Againe he defended his cause by wrytyng declaryng howe he was dryuen by extreme necessitie beinge vtterly forsaken of the Empyre to submytte hym selfe vnto the kyng There is an epistle of Leo the tenth to Sigismunde and Alberte exhorting them vnto concord and eyther to committe their matter to his legate whiche he wold sende or to the counsell of Laterane for that it is moste conuenient that the coÌ„trouersies of Princes shold be decided and determined by generall counselles ✚ The syxthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the syxth Booke LUther wrote to the kyng of England and to Duke George but thei both reiected the same Christerne kyng of DeÌ„marke had moued Luther to do so the sycknes of the Frenche king duryng his imprysonment hasted the treaty of Madrice The king being deliuered his two Sonnes were geuen as pledges Whylest the estates were assembled at Spyres aboute matters of Religion the Turke entreth into Hongarry A disputation was hoïoen at Baden in Swycherlande Pope Element and the Frenche kynge make a league The Emperour and the kyng complayne sore the one of the other Rome is sacked by the Duke of Burbon The Frenche kyng sendeth Lawtrecke into Italy The secte of Anabaptistes beginneth A disputation is kept at Bernes for a reformation A contention betwyxt Ferdinando and the Uayuode Paccius is beheaded at Andwarpe The Emperour and the Frenche kyng offer them selues to the combat The Masse is abolished at Strasburge Troubles at Basyll for relygion The CaÌ„â—ous Papistes make a league with Ferdinando An assembly is holden at Spyres where the name of Protestauntes hath his begynning Ciuile warre emonges the Swychers a treate of peace at Cambray Uienna beseged of the Turke The sweatyng sycknes The Protestantes make a league YOu haue heard heretofore howe the kynge of Englande wrote agaynst Luther and Luther agaynst hym But when he had hearde certen thynges that sounded muche to the kynges coÌ„mendation delighted with that reporte he writeth to hym with great submission Doubting not but he had sore offended his hyghnes by setting forth his booke neuerthelesse he dyd it not so muche of his own accorde as by the instigation of others And where as he is so bolde to trouble hym with hys letters at this present it proceadeth of his Prynclyke humanitie whiche is hyghly commended of manye Moreouer for that he vnderstandeth howe the bookes set forthe agaynst hym were not of hys owne doynge but wrytten of certen Sophisters whiche full craftely tooke an occasion And speakynge here by occasion of the Cardinall of Yorke he calleth hym the plage of Englande And that he heareth moreouer to his great comforte howe that his grace mislyketh that naughtye sorte of men and gyueth his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe Wherfore he besecheth hym to pardon hym that one facte And that it woulde please hym to remembre that syns he is a man mortall he ought not to beare ennemytie immortall And if he shal commaunde him he wyl confesse his faulte openly and commende his pryncelike vertues in an other worke After he exhorteth his maiestie to gyue no eare to sklaunderous tales that reporte him to be an heretyke For the chief point of his doctrine is how al we must be saued by fayth in Christ whiche bare the punyshement of our synnes on his necke shoulders and al his body who dyed for vs rose agayne reigneth with his father for euer And this to be the doctrine of all the Prophetes and Apostles This foundatioÌ„ ones layde he teacheth the dewty of charitie what one ought to do for an other howe we must obey the magistrate and applye our whole lyfe to the profession of the Gospel If there be anye errour or wyckednes in this doctrine why do not his aduersaries shewe it hym Why do they condeÌ„pne and banyshe him beyng neyther examined nor conuicted where as he writeth against the byshop of Rome and his adherentes he doeth it for that they teache contrary to Christ his Apostles for their owne gayne and lucre to the intent they may coÌ„maunde all men lyue lyke gluttons in all voluptuousnes for vnto this ende tende all their denises and doinges whiche thing is so well tryed and knowen that they them selues can not deny it but in case they wold amende their liues and not leade this idle beastly lyfe to the losse iniury of manye the stryfe myght sone be quieted Diuers prynces and cities in Germany haue embraced his doctrine acknowledging it reuerently to be Gods benefite and he woulde gladlye wyshe that he myght also be accoÌ„pted in that nombre And where as the Emperour and certen others do attempte thynges agaynsthym it is no newes For Dauid hathe prophecied longe synce that kynges and other people should conspire and imagine many thynges agaynst the Lorde and his annoynted reiectyng his lawes and commaundementes So that when he considereth suche places of Scripture he maruayleth
into his handes The Frenche kyng whiche was retourned home leauing his children for pledges in Spayne sayde the conditiōs of peace were vnreasonable Wherfore sendyng Ambassadours to and fro the byshop of Rome and the Uenetians enter into league with hym the effect wherof is this That for the defence and quietnes of Italy they shall fynde an armye of .xxx. thousand fotemen of men at armes and lyghthorse men syxe thousande They shall also prouide an Nauie of two and thirtye galleys with Shippes of bourthen that what tyme they shall haue vanquyshed the enemy in Lumbardye and Italye they shall muade the kingdome of Nayles both by sea and lande which beyng ones wōne to remayne in the power of the churche of Rome yet so as .lxxv. thousande duckates be payde yerely to the Frenche kyng which claymeth a tytle in it That the dignitie of the house of medicees be maynteyned in the citie of Florence The Frenche kyng leaueth the Duckdome of Myllan to Fraunces Sfortia whome the Emperours men besegyng in the Castell of Millan constrayned to rendre and promiseth him his owne ayde and the Swycers to helpe hym also a wyfe in Fraunce of the bloud royall yet vpon this condition that he shal paye vnto him therfore yeare fyfty thousande crownes and fynde his brother Maximilian whiche is prysoner in Fraunce After this the byshop of Rome wrytyng his letters to the Emperour recyteth his benofites towards hym what goodly offers he refused at the Frenche kynges handes for his sake howe that when the kynge was taken he gaue a hondreth thousande Duckates to his captaynes vpon certayne conditiōs that he hath vttered vnto hym oftentymes the coūsels of his enemies that what time his men dyd besege Frances Sfortia in the Castel of Millan and certen men of great power moued hym to ioyne in league against hym he would not heare them For all the whiche thynges he is full euyll recompensed For his souldiours haue wrought suche iniuries shame and mysery to hym and the churche of Rome as hathe not bene hearde moreouer that neyther the condicions are fulfylled nor his money restored how it appeareth what good wyll he beareth hym whiche woulde not make hym prinie vpon what conditions he concluded with the Frenche kynge that he vtterly reiected his suite intercession made for Sfortia howe he sent the Duke of Burbon frō the siege at Marseilles to reyse vp a newe kynde of warre in Italye for the whiche causes he is of necessitie constrayned to make a league with suche as loue the quiet and wealth of Italy Wherfore if he wyl also be content to embrace peace well and good if not he shal not wāt force and power to defende Italy and the common wealth of Rome In this league was comprysed the kyng of England and with great promyses was desyred to be the protectour therof Unto this epystle Cesar aunsweryng at Granato the .xviii. of September reaccompteth his desertes and benefites done vnto hym Howe that by his sute and meanes he was made byshop of Rome howe before that tyme he gaue hym an yerely pension of ten thousande duckates out of the reuenewes of the Archebyshop of Toledo when he was legate to byshop Leo notwithstandyng that he had conspyred against hym with Albert prince of Carpes to haue dispossessed hym of Naples and Sicily When the Frenche men were dryuen out of Italy by the conducte of Bourbon he could not deny him but that he myght warre in Fraūce or els where to recouer of the Frenche kyng his owne he graunteth the kyngdome of Naples to be holden of hym not withstandynge in case sayeth he you should make any warre there you shoulde thereby lose all your right and tytle for euen for the same causes that the Cliente loseth the benefite graunted for the selfe same also doth the Patrone lose his prerogatiue Before the kyng was taken you entreated of a peace but it was to the intent you might haue inioyed the Dukedome of Millan And therfore the Uenetians and Florentines withdrewe their ayde through your motion from my captaynes against their league For the Frenche kyng confesseth openly howe throughe your prouocation he entred into a newe league before he went out of Spayne And I knowe by certayne reporte that you haue dispensed with him for his othe wherby he is bounden to me Furthermore you haue moued warre before the letters wherein it was proclaymed were vnto me deliuered seking not only to dryue me out of all Italy but also to depose me from the dignitie of the Empyre For all this am I able to proue by the letters of Ferdinando Daualle Marques of Pistare whome you would haue entysed in to your league promising hym the kyngdome of Naples I haue tytle to Millan by mo wayes than one yet for the quiet of Italye I suffered Sfortia to enioye it And whan he was greuously syck I would haue placed in his steade the Duke of Bourbon for that I sawe it pleased you well and dyuers others in Italy And the cause why Sfortia was besieged in the Castel of Millan was that he had committed treason against me by ioynyng in league with you wherof beyng detected he would not delyuer to my captaynes the Castelles of Cremone and Millan neyther make his pourgation nor come to any talke in the matter Your request was that I should forgyue hym altogether whiche I neyther coulde nor in deede ought to doe lest by an euyll example I shoulde gyue an occasiō vnto Clientes to offende against their patrones Touchyng the peace concluded with the Frenche kyng I kept nothing secret from your Ambassadours for the condicions be suche as I would not haue concealed for they tende to a publique peace and to the resistaūce of Christes ennemies But se the vnworthines of that thing Ther commeth more money yearely to Rome out of my Realmes and prouinces than doth from all other nations That is to be proued by the requestes of the Prynces of Germany what tyme they complaynyng greuously of the court of Rome desyred a reformation Whose cōplaint at that tyme I neglected for the zeale I bare to the churche of Rome Whiche thynge considered and for as muche as I haue geuen you none occasion of offence I do instantly requyre you to lay down your armies And I wyll doe lykewyse And seynge we are bothe appoynted of God as two great lyghtes let vs endeuour our selues so as the whole worlde maye be lyghtened through vs and not that by reason of dissention there should aryse an Eclypse Let vs regarde the publique weale and attempt to dryue out the Turkes to quenche the secte and errours of Luther For this appertayneth vnto Gods glorye and hereof ought we to begynne and after to debate other controuersies you shall haue me ready vnto all these thynges which if I can not obtaine but that you wil nedes perseuer to play the man of warre I do proteste here that I
my selfe beyng very yonge gaue the repulse to Maximilian whan he moued warre against vs wold haue done the lyke to his enemy also but that he contendeth with me rather by craft and subtyltie than he doth by power and manhood Hytherto haue I borne with this iniury as I might But thinke with your selues moste noble Prynces howe greuous a thynge it is to be cast downe out of the hyghest degree of power dignitie to the state of a priuate man I suppose there can none be found so mylde and patient that sufferyng so many iniuries woulde not loke about hym on euery syde for all the ayde he myght get Wherfore seyng that at no tyme synce I receyued the gouernment of the commō wealth I haue refused any conditions reasonable nor wyll not yet doe and had rather doe any thyng than styre vp cyuyle warre and myne aduersarye proceadeth obstinately I doe proteste that it ought not to be layde to my charge as blame worthy if for myne owne defence I seek the best meanes I can For in case the common wealth doe susteyne thereby any dommage that maye not be ascribed vnto me that hath soughte all wayes to haue peace but to myne ennemie whiche inuadeth an other mans Realme through great iniury He hathe layde dylygent wayte in all wayes and passages that nothynge be conueyed vnto you Notwithstandynge I suppose you haue hearde howe he forsoke his brother in lawe kyng Lewys vnto whome beyng ofte and earnestly requyred he sent neyther men nor munition nor any other ayde agaynst the violence of his ennemie And why for he loked after his death to be kyng Moreouer the common ayde of the Empyry appoynted for Hongary he sent to his brother to disquiet Italy Where as I sent to kynge Lewys at the same tyme my brother with three thousande men of myne owne costes and charges and woulde haue bene at the battell my selfe had I not bene commaunded by the kyng to remayne in Transiluania My brother dyed in the battel ryght valeantlye Ferdinando promysed by an othe that vnlesse he dyd fyrste recouer Belgrade and certen other castelles of the Turkes he wold not take vpon him the gouernment but his fayth fayled herein for the Turkes haue inuaded further destroyed and spoyled the coūtrey and haue wonne the castell of Iaice the chiefest fortresse of all Bosna Whiche Castel kyng Matthias with a great losse of his men recouered in times past of the Turkes mine vncle Emerick defēded the same afterwards induring a long sege the kinges haue fortified synce that time to their exceading great charges now lost by our valeaūt captaine that made so many goodly promises and I thinke not lōg to he wil for very necessite cal vpon you for ayde as though he stode in daūger for the defence of Germany but his mynde is an other waye For he intendeth not to warre vpō the Turke vnto whom he is cōtent to pay tribute yearely hath sent his Ambassadours thither for the same purpose but he myndeth with your men and money to helpe his brother in Italye to destroye me and brynge the Realme of Hongarye into bondage And seyng the matter is thus I most earnestly beseche you to forsee that this priuate iniurye donne vnto me turne not to the great hynderaunce of the common wealth And after a whyle he wrote also to the Emperour muche lyke to this in effecte exhortinge him to appease his brother And thus much for the defēce of his case but Ferdinādo grounded him self vpō the cōposition whiche themperour Maximilian had made with the Hongarians and their king Ladislaus in the yeare M. iiij C. xci by the whiche it was prouided that if Ladislaus died without heire male that then Maximilian and his heyres descending in of the right line shold possesse that kingdome Wherfore whan Lewys the sonne of Ladislaus was dead without issue as I tolde you before Ferdinando nephewe to Maximilian by his sonne Philip and Archeduke of Austriche and moreouer hauīg maried the syster of kyng Lewys affirmed the kyngdome to be his by good right And this selfe same tyme the Lantgraue of Hesse and the prince electour of Saxony mustering their mē prepared thē selues vnto warre the cause therof was this One Otto Paccius a Lawer and a gentle man borne one of the chiefest councellours about George Duke of Saxony by occasion of talke admonyshed the Lantgraue to loke to his owne thynges For nowe of late had Ferdinand the Marques of Brandenburge the Cardinall of Mentz and Salisburge George the Duke of Saxon William and Lewis Dukes of Bauer and certen byshops as Bamberge and Wirciburge made a league to destroye him the Duke of Saxon electour and Luthers religion And for the more credit of the thing he shewed him the copie of the confederacie promysing hym also the principall Whylest they leuie their Armies make preparation for the warres all men marueled muche wherfore it was and what would come of it some sayde one thynge and some an other as in suche cases is accustomed Whan they had all thynges in a redynes sendyng abroade their letters and messengers into all partes thei published the copie of the cōfederacie which was brought vnto them and wrote also vnto them whiche were thought to haue made this league and sent their Ambassadours to knowe what their intent was But they al pourged them selues euery man seueral and sending abrode their letters affirme it to be a forged matter and that it can not be proued And Duke George the Lantgraues father in law vrged him chiefly to bryng forth the partie that tolde hym whiche if he did not he wyll thynke none other wyse but that it is his own deuyse to styre vp stryfe and disturbe the quietnes of German ye Their fyrst attempt shoulde haue bene to haue set vppon the byshoppes that were next them and therfore they toke vp and waged men as many as they could get vpon suche a soden But when Paccius coulde not shewe the dede it selfe according to his promyse Than the Lantgraue begaune to waxe colde in the busynes And at the laste by the mediation of countie Palatine and Richarde Archebishop of Treer they dimysed their armies vpon condicion that the byshoppes shoulde paye vnto the Lātgraue for the charges of this warre a hūdreth thousand ducates the Archebyshop of Mentz fortie thousande Wirciburge as muche and Bamberge twenty thousande Afterwardes what tyme the Ambassadours of the prynces did mete at a day prescribed whom in dede this accusation did touche Paccius whome the Lantgraue there presented was conuicted of falsihode Yet by his meanes put at lybertie whan he had wandered in straunge countreis certen yeares at the last was beheaded at Andwerpe When the matter was thus pacified the prynces confederated of the Sweuicall league accused the Lantgraue that he had done wrong and iniury to their felowes And where a new sturre had lyke to haue growen vpon the same
the Swycers Zuricke and Bernes agreed in one Religion the Lucernaites Urites Swites Unternaldians and Engians whiche abhorred moste this doctrine make a league with kyng Ferdinando Clement byshop of Rome the .xiij. day of Aprill sendeth Iohn Thomase of Mirandula to exhorte the prynces to warre against the Turke And al be it that he hath susteyned great losses of late yeares yet promyseth he to assiste them with ayde and to doe his endeuoure that the Emperour and the Frenche king being accorded the counsell may begynne immediatly to the intent that Germanye may embrace again the same religion that other countreis do In this assemblye the Senate of the Empire woulde not permitte Daniel Miege Ambassadour for the citie of Strasborough to sitte in counsel for by cause the Masse was abrogated before this counsell imperiall not withstanding that they were intreated to the contrary wherfore Iames Sturmius Ambassadour for the same citie sayed vnto them that in case they were thus displaced contrary to the lawe custome of the Empire let them not loke from henceforth that they wyll beare any part of charges But all might not preuayl and Ferdinando hym self aunswering the intercessours bad that any other citie that obserued the Emperours decrees should be substituted in the place of the other After a longe dispute of Religion the fourmer actes of Spires were repeted and a new decree made on this wyse They which haue hitherto obserued the Emperours decree let thē obserue the same styl vntyll the generall counsell and bynde the people to do lykewyse but suche as haue altered their Religion and can not nowe departe from the same for feare of sedition let them staye from henceforth and alter nothynge besydes vntyll the tyme of the counsell Furthermore that their doctrine whiche teache otherwyse of the Lordes Supper than the churche doth be not receyued nor the Masse abolyshed nor that in suche places where this newe kynde of doctryne is anye man be letted to go to Masse that wyll The Anabaptistes also such as defende their opinion obstinately shall suffer death the ministers of the churche are commaunded to teache according to the interpretaciō receiued by the church referring al disputable questions to be in the coūsell decided Moreouer that all states kepe the common peace none to hurte other for the cause of Religion neither one to take the defence of an others subiecte they that shall do otherwyse to be accompted in the numbre of outlawes This decree resisted the Prince electour of Saxony George Marques of Brandenborge Ernest and Frances Dukes of Lunenborough the Lātgraue counte Anhald who the .xix. of April recite openly in wryting the causes why they doe not consent thereunto And firste they doe repete the decree of the former assemblie whereby euery man hathe his Religion permitted him frely vntyll the counsell from this maye they not departe nor infrynge those thynges whiche after great delyberation were for a common quiet establyshed and with their sygnetes and othes also confirmed They woulde in deede be glad after the example of their progenitours to do all thynge that myght content the Emperour and as for their goodes and lyues also they wyll spende them wyllinglye in his hyghnes seruice but this present cause coucerneth the euerlastyng saluation of all men Wherfore they desire them not to be offended with them for that thei herein dissente from them for like as the former decree was made by the common assent of all so can not the same be broken with out all their consentes They wyll not be against that they shall in their own countrey establysh what religion shal seme good vnto them beseching God to illuminate the hartes of all men with the light knowledge of his truthe And where as there hath bene dissention and controuersie about religion certen yeares it was declared in the counsel at Norinberge who haue bene the authours and causers therof as well by the confession of the byshop of Rome hym self as also by the requestes of Prynces and states of the Empyre which were delyuered to the byshoppes legate to the numbre of foure score wherof notwithstanding as yet no redresse is made And that of al consultations this hath euer bene the ende that for the debating of controuersies and refourmyng of vices there is nothyng better than a generall counsell And where as the same left a parte they haue nowe decreed that suche as haue chaunged their Religion and can not nowe without muche trouble forsake the same shal alter nothyng from henceforth that can they neither cōmende nor allowe vnlesse they should discredite the doctrine whiche they haue professed hitherto as both true and Godly graunt moreouer that they ought to leaue the same if thei might with any tumulte or vprores And what thynges els were that thā to denye gods worde whiche is taught them purely and syncerely whiche were the moste heynous offence that coulde be committed For they must confesse it not in wordes only but in very deede also Moreouer what an hynderaunce this abnegation would be and howe muche preiudiciall to the fauourers of the Gospell it is easy to coniecture As cōcernyng the Masse it is ryght well knowen with howe strong and inuincible testimonies of holy Scripture the preachers within their dominiōs haue confuted the Popishe Masse and in steade therof instituted the Lordes supper according to the institution of Christe and the maner by the Apostles obserued wherfore they can neither admitte this part of the decree neyther permitte their subiectes to heare Masse whiche is abolyshed For though the byshop of Romes Masse were neuer so good and godly yet if they should haue in their churches two cōtrary Masses al mē may wel perceiue what grudge dissentiō would there vpon ensewe Moreouer where they do prescribe what they shal commaunde their owne subiectes and what lawes they shall make with in their owne dominions they can not a lytle maruell consyderynge that they them selues would not suffer any man to doe the lyke with them Furthermore what thyng is taught in their churches touchyng the presence of the body and bloud of Christe is so euydent to all men that it nedeth no further declaratiō Notwithstandyng as they haue sayde oftentymes so thynke they it good now also not as yet to make any decree against thē that teache otherwise for that the Emperours commissiōs teach the Latin beneth maketh no mentiō therof And agayne for as muche as the maynteners of that doctrine are nother called nor hearde whiche in so weyghty matters is muche to be considered that nothyng be determyned at any tyme and they not hearde speake whome the matter doth chiefly concerne And where as they saye that the Gospell must be taught after the interpretations approued by the churche that is very well but all the stryfe is which is the trewe church But seyng there is no doctrine more certen than Gods worde and besydes that
and penurie were powred vpon Germany the same tyme all at ones The same tyme at Collen Peter Flisted and Adolphe Clarebacke two learned men were imprysoned for that touchyng the lordes supper and other opinions they beleued otherwyse than the papistes The Senate of that citie hath authoritie to leade to pryson suche as be offendours but the Archebyshop only hath power of lyfe and death And it maye be that whome the Senate hath condempned the Archebyshoppes officers may acquite and set at lybertie but these men being deteyned in pryson halfe a yere and more were nowe at the laste condempned of both partes and brent to the great lamentation and compassion of many Some layde the blame therof in the diuines that were preachers whiche cried out daily that Gods wrath must be appeased with the deathes of these wicked meÌ„ for whoÌ„ he plaged vs with a newe kynde of disease This Adolphe was a well fauoured maÌ„ learned and eloquent And as they were lead to the fire they declared the maner of their beleue and comforted one another by the testimonies of scripture in suche sorte that all men had their eyes mindes fixed vpon them I shewed you before how Luther Zwinglius differed in opinion touching the Lordes supper And bycause there was muche contention about it the Lantgraue found the meanes that the learned men on both parties should mete at a certen daye at Marpurge to conferre vpon the matter frendlye Out of Saxony came Luther Melancthon and Ionas From the Swycers Oecolâ—padius Zwynglius From Strausborough Bucer Hedio From No rinberge Osiander And besydes these many graue and well learned men but Luther and Zwynlius only did reason the matter But after that this forsayd disease was then comen thether they brake of the disputation by the commaundement of the Lantgraue concludinge thus That for as muche as they consented in all the chiefest pointes of their doctryne it was agreed that froÌ„ henceforth they should abstaine from all contention besechyng God that he woulde shewe foorth hys lyght also in this controuersie and set them at a concorde And thus they departed frendly In the beginning of Octobre you haue hearde howe the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about a league three yeare synce at Spires and nowe after this decree was made they intended the same more earnestly wherof a draught was draweÌ„ at Norenberge and after debated further more in other places but because they were not all of one opinion touching the Lordes supper it was long before they were accorded wherfore they apoynted another assemblye at Smalcalde at the eyght day of Decembre What tyme Cesar was arryued in Italye Erasmus of Roterdame who for the alteration of Religion and for the auoyde of suspition was gone from Basyll to Frybourg a towne of kyng Ferdinandos in the moneth of Nouembre set forth a booke intituled against them that falsly boast them selues to be Gospelers but toucheth in dede the whole nuÌ„bre For emonges many other thinges he sayeth he knewe not one of theÌ„ whiche appeared not to be made worse then he was before This was aunswered by the deuines of Strausborough whome it concerned most and them of Basill but chiefly Bucer When the Emperour was comme to Bononie Fraunces Sfortia whiche was before in league with the byshop of Rome and the Frenche kyng after he had pleaded his cause before hym was by the intercession of Clement the vij restored to the Dukedome of Myllan vpon condition to pay hym nyne hondreth thousande crownes the one half the same yeare the resydue within ten yeares and the Emperour for a pledge reserueth to hym selfe Comes and the castell of Millan vntyll the payment of the first yeare be made ✚ The seuenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the seuenth Booke THe Ambassadours of the Protestantes sent to the Emperour do appeale from the answere he made them at Placence where they were stayed Wherof being aduertysed the Protestantes assemble at Smalcade Stausborough entreth in to league with thre cyties of the Cautons The Emperour returnyng from his coronation commeth to Auspurge where the Protestantes offer their doctrine whiche their aduersaries go about to confute and the meane whyle certen are nominated to accorde it The Emperour perswadeth with Princes of the Protestantes who notwithstanding the threatnynges euyll wordes and replications there made and the scaunders wherwith they were charged persisted in their sayde confession and hauyng geuen their last aunswere departe home Eckius and Faber forgyng of confutations against Strasborough and other townes are lyberally rewarded The compacte of Pruselande was here made frustrate The notable decree of this assemblie at Auspurge is red The Ryuer of Tibre ouerfloweth at Rome Melanchthon being heauy for this decree is comforted of Luther who was come nere vnto Auspurge Bucer went to agree hym and Zwynglius Commaundement came to make Ferdinando kyng of Romaynes whiche the electour of Saxony and other Prynces resiste I Saide before howe the Protestantes sent their Ambassadours to the Emperour Those were Iohn Khinger Alex Framentrute and Michaell Cadene of Norynbergh which goyng as far as Genes vnderstode there of the Emperours commyng out of Spayne and afterwardes the nynthe of Septembre at Placence make theyr waye and meane by Mercurine Cattunarie who was made Cardynall the daye before by Henry Earle of Nassow Alexander Schweissie and Alphouse Ualdese a Spanyarde The Emperour appointed to heare them the .xii. of Septembre Not withstanding he warned them to compryse their requestes in writing and to vse no long circumstance for because of his sondrye and moste weighty affayres Whan they came before him at theyr day he admonished them eftsones by an interpretour to knit vp the matter in fewe wordes They in lyke case as they had in commaundement repete in ordre the decree of the Empyre made thre yeares past that is newlye taken awaye by an other decree whiche if it shoulde be of force great trouble would come therof Wherfor the Prince electour of Saxony and his fellowes and the Cities also ioynynge with them dyd there proteste openly that they would not consent to this decree And their request is that he would not take this thyng displeasauntly or in euyl parte For they wyll do nothyng vntyll suche tyme as there shall be a counsell but that whiche they truste shal be allowed both before God and hym also offeryng them selues in the meane tyme after the example of their auncesters to doe any thynge for the wealth and dignitie of hym and of the Empyre eyther to serue in the warres agaynst the Turke or in any other charge they shall be put to Moreouer they beseche hym that in case it shall be reported to hym otherwyse he would gyue no credit therunto but trust vnto this information and conceaue no displeasure agaynst theÌ„ vnlesse they
hande The next day after they were gone the Emperour calleth before hym all the states and first he commaūdeth the Ambassadours of the cities by Truckesse that they shuld not departe before the end of the Assemblie after that declareth what had bene done with the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes and because the cities of Strausborough Constance Memmyng and Lyndaue had exhibited a seuerall byll by them selues he sheweth howe he wyll treate with them in lyke case After are debated other matters of the Empyre chiefly of the Turkyshe warre This tyme at Rome the Ryuer of Tiber ouerflowed exceadingly to the great terrour of the citie by reason that the wynde blewe sore against the streame droue backe the course of the water from the sea wherfore it did much hurte A lyke deluge and more cruell was in Hollande and Zelande where the Sea brake in ouer the walles that are made to kepe it out in those parties and drowned al the countrey farre and nere Finally the xiiij daye of Octobre whan al the states besydes the Protestauntes were called and assembled in the courte the decree was red to the Ambassadours of the Cities who requyryng a Copye were sayde naye but it was repeted ones or twyse When al for the moste parte had allowed it they of Auspurge Ulmes Hales and Franckeforth desyred further delyberation the eight day after the deputes of the Duke of Saxon his fellowes declare vnto the Archebishop of Mentz whiche is chief emonge the Prynces that if they maye haue their Religion quiet vntill the counsell they are also contented to become cōtributaries with them for money and ayde towardes the Turkyshe warre wherfore the next daye beyng called into the courte there was red before them a certen tenure of the peace wherin they only were comprised whiche had consented vnto the decree made where about rose a contention the Ambassadours affirming that it concerned them nothynge at all or if it did howe it ought to be vttered with playner wordes to take awaye all ambiguitie They said how they would moue it to the Emperour After two dayes the Emperour sent for home to his house thē of Strausborough and their fellowes and before all the states commaundeth the confutation of their doctryne to be red openly a wrytyng long and tedious and also where it touched the Lordes supper ful bytter and sower The authors therof were John Faber and Eckius And for because the argument was odiouse they left out no kind of excusation wherby to kyndle the Emperour and Prynces agaynst them the ende was this For as muche as in their Religion they professed an opinion contrary to al the reste and allowed that moste heynous errour of the Sacramēt had also cast their Images our of their churches abolyshed the Masse and plucked downe Colleges builded in tymes past through the lyberalitie of kynges Emperours maynteyned sondry sectes and dispersed their bookes wrytten of suche matters throughout Germany therfore he requyreth them eftsones to come to amendement and receyue agayne the auncient Religion for otherwise wyll not he fayle to do the thing which his office requireth They aunwer not long after that in this confutation they were charged with many thinges that were vntrue for in ther cities is nothyng done out of ordre but the same is extremely punyshed wherfore seing thei be clere in cōscience the cause weightie the cōfutation ouerlong can not be aunswered before they make certificat home to their cities they desyre fyrst therfore to haue a copie secondarely that credite be not geuen to this accusation before suche tyme as their pourgation be heard and examined In all other matters they wyll do any thyng for his sake The Emperour sayeth he wyll take aduisement and the fyst daye after she weth them by the Marques of Brandēburge how they can haue no copie For that was for weightie causes denied of the Duke of Saxony and all disputatiō of fayth is nowe prohibited But if they desyre to be reconciled and retourne agayne to the churche he is content that they shall heare the confutation red agayne ones or twyse but he chargeth them to professe the same kynde of doctrine that al other Prynces and states do and to gyue ayde against the Turke for vnlesse they forsake theyr stubburnes he wyll worke by the counsell of the byshop of Rome and other kynges as shal become hym After this they make a further sute to obtayne a copie and the same not graunted to haue peace and quietnes in their Religion tyll the begynnynge of the counsell and therin to haue their cause decided and they wyl in the meane time geue theyr ayde against the Turke so farforth as their power wyll extende or els could they graunte nothing The Maques promysed them to be a petitioner for them to the Emperour At after noone was red vnto them a graunt of peace wherein were only conteyned suche as receiued the decree as was rehearsed before to the deputes of the Dukes of Saxon and his fellowes wherunto they aunswered in lyke case that the same touched them nothyng and desyred to knowe further of the Emperours pleasure herein In this meane whyle had they of Ulmes Auspurge Franckeforth and Halles forsaken the decree made as concerning Religion and vrged sore to haue a cousel But Faber and Eckius craue a great rewarde of the Princes for makyng the confutations and had it And promyse from hēceforth to bestowe theyr trauayle in the defence of the Romyshe Religion For they and dyuerse others sought preferment by the meanes of Luther and in dede Faber was afterwardes by kyng Ferdinando made byshop of Uienne Wherupon Erasinus of Roterdame was wont to say merely howe poore Luther made many ryche In the meane ceason the Saxons and their fellowes put vp a supplication to the Emperour intreating hym to establyshe a peace throughout the Empyre that no man be put in trouble or daunger for Religiō But where this coulde not be obtayned they wryte an Epistle to all states makyng a brief rehearsall what thinge hath bene done desyryng that the names of their Prynces be not put in to the later ende of the decree emonges the reste And for as muche as they haue sued for peace in vayne they saye howe they can graunte none ayde to the Turkyshe warre More ouer where it is prouided in the decree that they only shall haue place in iudgement and counsell chamber whiche allowe the decree made they requyre that the same may be chaunged and amended for els can they beare no parte of the charges whiche the chambre requyreth What tyme they had thus denounced they departed the next daye beyng the .xij. of Nouembre I shewed you in the fyft booke howe Marques Albert of Brandenburge was by the kyng of Pole made Duke of Pruselande But the Emperour beyng sued vnto by Walter Cronberge disallowed all that treatie or cōpacte as made to the dammage of the Empyre and
the .xiiij. daye of Nouembre pronounceth it to be of none effecte The fyft daye after in the Emperours presence was the decree recited before all the states and after a long discourse of the handlyng of all matters the Emperour decreeth that they shuld no longer be suffered that teache otherwyse of the Lordes supper than hath bene obserued hytherto that in the Masse eyther common or priuate nothyng be altered that chyldren be confyrmed with chresme sycke folkes annoynted with oyle consecrated that no Images be remoued and where they be taken awaye to be restored that the opiniō of them that denye man to haue fre wyll be not receyued for that it is beastly and also contumeliouse against God that nothyng be taughte any where agaynst the authoritie of the magistrate that the opynion that fayth only iustifieth take no place that the Sacramentes of the church be in numbre and place accustomed that the ceremonies of the churche rites obsequies for the dead and suche other be obserued that benefices vacant be imployed vpon mete persones that suche priestes and men of clergie whiche haue maried before this tyme be depriued of their benefices whiche immediatly after this assembly shal be geuen to others But suche as forsakyng theyr wyues wyll retourne to their olde profession and be absolued the byshop may restore by the consent of the byshop of Rome or his legate But the others to haue no refuge in any place but banyshed or extremely punyshed that the priestes be of honest conuersation their apparell decent and commonly that they auoyde all sclaunder That the preachers exhorte the people to heare Masse to praye to the virgyn Mary and other sainctes to kepe their holy dayes and fasting dayes to abstayne from meates forbodene to releue the poore to tell the Monkes howe they may not forsake theyr profession and ordre briefly that nothyng be altered in Religion they that shall do otherwyse to lose bodye and goodes that where as Abbeys be pulled downe they be reedified and what soeuer hath bene taken awaye from the clergie to be restored that the wonted ceremonies and rites may be accomplyshed And suche as be followers of the olde Religion dwellyng within the lymites of the cōtrary parte and allowe this decree shall be receyued in to the protectiō of the Empire and shall flitte whether they lyste without any hynderaunce that the byshop of Rome shal be called vpon to apoynte a counsell in some place conuenient within syxe monethes that afterwarde the same may begynne as shortly as may be and at the furthest within a yeares space that all these thynges be ratified and establyshed Al exceptions or appellations made to the contrary to be voyde and of none effect And to the intent this decree may take place and be obserued as cōcerning religion the force and power that God hath geuē them shal be wholy applied hereunto and their lyfe and bloude also spent in the same quarell Duryng this Parliament Luther by the commaundement of his Prynce was at Coburge in the borders of Frankony to the intent he myght be nerer Auspurge in case the matter requyred his aduyse or counsell And though he were absent yet to the intent he myght some what further the commō benefit he wrote a booke to the byshoppes Prelates in that assemblye wherein he sheweth what the state of the churche hath bene vnder the byshop of Rome what wicked doctrine what shamefull errours And with moste weightye wordes admonisheth thē of their dutie chargeth them to be of cruell bloudy mindes and agayne exhorteth them not to let slippe the occasion nowe to redresse their euyll He sheweth them howe his doctrine is agreable to the bookes of the Prophetes Apostles and proueth that is in vaine what soeuer they consulte or imagine against God In this malyce threatheninge of the Emperour and Byshops Melancthon was discouraged and careful in his mynde not for his owne cause but for posterities sake and gaue hym selfe wholy to pensiuenes wepynge and mournynge But when Luther knewe therof he comforteth hym with sondrye letters And for as muche as it is no mennes matter but the cause of almyghtie GGD he admonyshed hym that layinge al thought and care a parte he caste the whole burthen vpon hym And why sayeth he doest thou thus afflicte and tourment thy selfe If God hath geuen his sonne for vs why do we tremble and feare why doe we syghe and lamente Is Sath an stronger than he Wil he that hath geuen vs so great a benefite forsake vs in lyghter matters Whye shoulde we feare the worlde whiche Christe hath vanquyshed If we defende an euyll matter why doe we not chaunge or pourpose If the cause be iust and Godlye why truste we not to Gods promyses Certenly the Deuyll can take no more from vs but our lyfe But Christ liueth and reigneth for euer in whose protection consisteth the veritie He wyll not cease to be with vs vnto the Worldes ende If he be wyth vs. I beseche you where shall he be founde If we be not of his churche doe you thynke that the byshop of Rome and our other aduersaries be of it We be synners in dede dynerse wayes but yet for all that Christe is no lyer whose cause we haue in hande Let kynges and nations fret and fume as muche as euer they lyste He that dwelleth in heauen shall laughe them to skorne God hathe gouerned and maynteined this cause hetherto without our counsell the same shall also from henceforth bryng it to the ende wyshed for Touchyng lawes and traditions of men that you wryte of the aunswere is not harde For both the fyrst cōmaundement and al the Prophetes also doe cōdempne suche maner of workes They may be a bodely exercyse but if they come ones to worshyppyng it is idolatry As for any agremēt it is in vayne loked for for neyther can we depose the byshop of Rome neyther can the true doctrine be in safetie so longe as Popery shall endure In that you wyll haue the Lordes supper to be communicated wholy and geue no place to your aduersaries whiche holde it to be indifferent you doe well For it is not in our arbitremēt to decree or suffer any thynge to be vsed in the churche whiche hathe not Gods worde to beare it They crye out that we condempne the whole churche but we saye how the churche was violently taken and oppressed with tyrannye when the communion was deuided in the middes and therfore to be holden excused as the whole Synagoge was excused that in the captiuitie of Babylon it kepte not the lawe of Moses other ceremonies beyng by force prohibited that they coulde not doe it Take hede in any wyse that you graunt not to the byshops ouer muche iurisdiction lest more trouble ensue there of hereafter All this treaty of a concorde in doctryne is cleane agaynst my mynde For the labour is spent in vayne vnlesse the byshop
of Rome woulde abolyshe all his kyngdome If they condempne our doctryne whye seeke we an vniformitie If they do allowe it why do they mainteyne their olde errours But they condemyne it openly Wherfore it is dissimulation and falshode whatsoeuer they go about they labour sore as it appereth about their ceremonies but let them fyrst restore the doctryne of fayth and workes Let them suffer the churche to haue Ministers that wyll doe their dutie They requyre that Monkes maye be set agayne in possession let them restore to vs agayne so manye innocent Godly men as they haue murthered let them restore so many soules destroied through their wicked doctrine let thē restore those great rychesse gotten by fraude disceiptfully let thē restore Gods glory with so many contumelies dishonored Whan they shall haue made satisfactiō for these thynges we shall than talke with them vnto whome the possession belongeth Where as Luther and certen others differed only in opinion touching the Lordes supper whiche the catholykes reioysed at and the rest muche lamented Bucer by the Duke of Saxons procurement went from Auspurge to Luther for an agrement and receyued suche aunswere as he mislyked not in so much as he went thēce to Zwynglius and the Zwycers to the intent they might be ioyned nerer in mynde and opinion When the state of thynges stoode thus all was full of displeasure The Lantgraue maketh a league for syxe yeares with the cities of Zuricke Basill and Strausborough that if any be attempted with force for Religion they shoulde ayde one an other This was concluded in Nouembre The same tyme the Emperour addresseth his letters to the Duke of Saxon commaunding him to be with him at Collon the .xxi. of Decembre for certen weightie affayres of the common wealth Whiche after he had receiued the same the .xxviii. of Nouembre the same daye came a messenger with letters from the Archebishop of Mentz wherein was wrytten how the Emperour had required hym to cal to an assemblie to Princes Electours to create a kyng of Romaynes Wherfore he cited him to appeare at Collon the .xxix. of Decembre for this appertaineth to the byshops office as before hath bene declared Whiche thinge ones knowen the Duke of Saxon dispatchyng his letters to the Lantgraue and to all other Prynces and cities that were Protestantes prayeth and exhorteth them to mete at Smalcalde at the .xxii. of Decembre Neuerthelesse in the meane tyme he sendeth spedely to Collon Iohn Frederick his sonne and with hym certen of his priuie counsell to be there at the daye appoynted by the Emperour By whome he declareth how this citation of the archebishop of Mentz is not rightly nor orderly done how by this creation of the king of Romaines the right and libertie of the Empyre is infrynged and also the lawe of Charles the fourth broken wherfore he wyl not allowe nor ratifie their enterprise After that all were assembled at Smalcalde they deuise a league not offensiuely but defensiuely Unto this subscribed immediatly all the Princes and moreouer Albert and Gebart Erles of Manssteld Maidenborough and Bremen But Strausborough Ulmes Cōstance Lindaue Mēming Cāpedowne Heilbrune Ruteling Biberack Isne do receiue it in such sorte as first to infourme their cities therof within syx wekes to make an directe answere what they wil do herein It was furthermore decreed to follicite by their Ambassadours the king of Denmarke the Dukes of Pomerane Megelbourg the cities of Embeck Northēme Franckfourth Brunswick Gotinge Minda Hannobria Hildesseme Lubecke Stetine other hauon townes When the byshop of Rome vnderstode what was that end of the assemblie at Auspurg he wrote his letters to the kyng of Pole others how he had trusted assuredly that the authoritie presence of the Emperour should either haue quenched or quieted Luthers heresie for vpō this hope for this cause chiefly he came to mete the Emperour at Bononie to the intent he might encourage him forward who notwithstanding of his owne accorde was wel willing for if this thing had ben brought to passe religiō had bene staied many mens soules saued which through this heresie are nowe in daūger then might remedy haue ben foūd against the Turkish fury but where as he vnderstādeth al well by thēperours as also by the letters of his legate how they can not only be in no wise reformed but are waxed also more obdurate he which through that wyll of God gouerneth the shyp of Peter in a time so tēpestuouse susteyneth the greatest part of the whole care for the same consultinge with his Cardinals cāfinde no better remedy thā the which his predecessours haue vsed that is a general coūsel wherfore he doth admonish hym synce the matter is brought to this issue that either hym selfe presentlye or els by hys Deputes woulde further so holye a cause For he entendeth so shortly as may be to appoynte one in Italy in some place conuenient These letters were dated the first daye of December The xxiiii daye of Decembre the Prynces confederated at Smalcalde wryte vnto the Emperour howe they heare it commonly bruted that he pourposeth to create his brother Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes who maketh great sute for the same But what authoritie and ryght the Princes Electours haue herein by the lawe of Charles the fourth howe when the Emperour is dead an other is to be chosen in the name of the whole Empyre it is knowen to all men Notwithstandinge he being alyue and in helth and no suche chaunce happened howe the Archebyshop hath cited them to Collon against the prescripte of the lawe and agaynst the custome of the Empyre They heare moreouer howe the residue of the Electours wyll come thyther at his requeste to accomplyshe the sute of Ferdinando as it were by conuenaunt and promyse for this report is spread farre and neare Wherfore they haue thought good to admonishe hym of certen thynges And al be it they had leuer abstayne from suche kynde of talke yet for as muche as they loue both hym and theyr conntrey and especiallye the lybertie therof which they haue receyued of their auncesters agayne for because now in this later ende of the worlde many thinges are done captiously and crastely they can not otherwyse doe Fyrst therfore he knoweth ryght well how circumspectly howe depely with what wordes and bondes he bounde hym selfe to the Empyre how he gaue his fayth by an othe that he woulde obserue the lawe Carolyne whereupon the lybertie of the Empyre chiefly dependeth howe he promysed cōfirmeth by an othe that he would neither him self do any thing against it nor suffer any other to do And certenly these conuenauntes may not be infrynged broken or chaunged without the consent and aduyse of all states But nowe in case during his lyfe and prosperitie a kyng of Romanes shuld be chosen and that his naturall brother makynge suite and labour for it
he seeth hym selfe howe directly it were againste the lawe againste the ryght and lybertie of the Empyre agaynste promyse and conuenaunt and the fayth that he oweth to the common wealth confyrmed by a solemne othe Moreouer howe incommodiouse also it were for hym and howe chargeable to the whole Empyre to haue two Rulers at one tyme whome they must obeye And because they woulde be sory if any suche thynge shoulde be layde to his charge for breakynge his fidelytie or also vnto them for their sloughtsulnes in defending the cōmon wealth therfore do they ernestly beseche him to impute this their writing to the loue of him their coūtrey and to the world that now is that he would call to his remembraunce thynges past and by his office and aucthoritie prohibite the creation of this new kinge that he woulde consyder well wyth hym selfe to how many euils mischiefes this thinge wyll hereafter geue occasion vnlesse it be forseen signifyeng howe they wryte also touching the same matters to the resydue of the electours trusting that they wyll worke for the profit of the cōmon wealth and do their endeuour that there be no diuision made amonges the states of the Empyre for the rest they will doe as muche for his sake as their habilitie and power wyl extende to Afterwardes the Duke of Saxon writeth his seuerall letters to the Prynces hys colleges that for as muche as he was somoned to Collon by the arche byshop of Mentz therfore hath he sent thither his sonne and certen of his coūsayle which shal do in his name that shal be requisite He requireth them to leaue of their enterprise and to waye with them selues what a preiudice and discommoditie this wil be vnto thē and al theyr posteritie for to breake the right libertie and honour of the Empyre he desyreth them also that in suche thinges as his sonne and counsellours haue to treate with them of they woulde so vse them selues as it may appeare and be perceiued that they loue the common wealth of their countrey The Duke of Lunēburge the Lantgraue Counte Anhald and the Erles of Mansfelde wrote vnto the Electours at the same time long letters of the same effect admonishing them righte ernestlye that they doe not suche an open wronge to the lawes to their countrey sayeng howe it is reported that the matter is handled with brybes and promesses whiche is also openly agaynst the lawe Caroline After this the laste of Decembre as well the Princes as cities before named by cōmon assent wryte their letters to the Emperour wherin they recite the treatie of religion at Auspurge how long they sued for peace what aunswer he made also what maner of decree was there made afterwarde And al be it he him selfe did mitigate the wordes of the Electour of Brandēburge affirming that he had made a compact with the rest of the Princes for his owne defence only and not to offende others Yet if that authoritie be committed to the chambre imperiall as the decree purporteth to whome can it be doubtful but that the same thinge apperteyneth both to force and violēce but seyng that both they and their aūcesters haue shewed many testimonies of great good wyll to him and his progenitours they beseche him in as muche as he hath mitigated the saying of the Electour of Brandenburge he woulde also qualifie in deede and take away the terrour of confiscation to the intent they may be assured that vntyll the ende of a Godlye and free counsell they shall nede to feare no violence The causes which the Emperour alledged to create a king of Romains at the first cōmunication with the princes in Collō were these First because that he had the rule of sondry realmes nations could not be always in Germany agayne for that the state of christendom was troublesome namely in Germany by reason of the dissention in Religion and for the violent power of the Turkes for the late sedition and rurall warre and for disobedience within the Empyre Wherfore he thought it very necessary and for the profit of the common wealth that there should be a kyng of Romaynes chosen vnder hym as it were an other head of the Empyre in his absence which should be wyttie cyrcumspect industrious of great power that loued peace and concorde and were skilfull in matters of the Empyre and in euery poynte suche a one as he myght repose his whole truste and confidēce in And he knoweth none more mete for that charge than his brother Ferdinando king of Boheme and of Hongary For his realmes and dominions are a defence vnto Germany against the Turkyshe oultrage The Princes electours after delyberation had intreate the Emperour that he woulde not forsake Germany but to sette and plante himselfe there but where he persisteth stiffe in his opinion conferrynge their counsels together The fyft daye of Ianuary they proclayme Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon as muche as laye in hym by his sonne protested that this election was faultie and shewed the causes why and that he coulde not allowe it Longe before they departed from Auspurge The brute was that Ferdinando should obtayne that dignitie Afterwardes they went all from Collon to Aquon where Ferdinādo was crowned kyng the .xvj. day of Ianuary and streightwayes were letters dispatched into al partes of Germany to signifie the same Cesar also commaundeth by his letters patentes that all men shall acknowledge him for kyng of Romaines and therof sent his seueral letters to the Protestantes This done from Aquon the Emperour wēt to Brussel in Brabant ✚ The eyght Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eyght Booke THe Protestauntes from Smalcalde sent letters to the kinges of Fraunce of Englande agaynst sondry false reportes and sollicite the kyng of Denmarcke and the cities by the sea coaste to entre into their league Into this league the Swycers are not admitted The kyng of Fraunce who is descended of the Almaines aunswereth their letters so doeth also the kynge of Englande About the strife of the creation of kyng Ferdinando An assemble was holden at Franckforth where was also debated the controuersic betwixt the byshop of Bamberge and George Marques of Brandenburge The Emperour appointeth a metyng at Spyre whether the Duke of Saxon being moued to come excuseth hym selfe Conditions are put in wryting whiche graunted the Protestauntes offer them selues to be there The fyue Cantons geue battell to them of ʒ uricke wherein ʒ wynglius is slayne Shortly after dieth Ecolampadius A peace is graunted to the Protestauntes vntyll a counsell Christierne kyng of Denmarke is committed to pryson The Turke inuadeth Austryche but he is thence repulsed The Pope by his Ambassadour sent to Duke Iohn Fredericke who had lately succedeth his father the conditions of the counsell The Duke and his associates
free and Godly counsell for to haue the controuersie decided by waye of disputation rather then by that sworde lyke as theyr requeste is so semeth it vnto him also to be both more honeste and profitable for the common wealth whiche shall suffer great misfortune in case the matter come to handstripes Where he speaketh of the familiaritie and alliaunce betwyxt Fraunce and Germanye thus it is The Germanes of Franconie bordering vpon Swaues in times past makyng inuasiō into Gawles subdued the people about Treers Gelderlande Cleauelande and so down to Terwen and Tourney and vanquyshed Amiens Beanuois and the Soissons setlinge them selues at the last in that parte of Gawles which is yet called Fraunce vnto this day the chief citie wherof is Paris And where as many of their kynges there reigned and enlarged their dominiō at the last the gouernemēt cam vnto Pipine also to his sonne charles which was after for his worthy actes called Charlemaigne All people saluted hym with the tytle of the Emperour Auguste he possessed Germany Italy and Fraunce Afterwarde his sonne Lewis and his ofspryng were kinges of Fraunce Wherunto kyng Fraunces doth ascribe his originall and sayeth howe he is lineally descended of the stocke of Frankons The same perswasions vsed he also what tyme after the death of the Emperour Maximilian he did seke the dignitie of the Empyre For knowyng that by an aūcient lawe no straūger myght attayne the crown imperiall he went about also to proue hym selfe a Germayne But in dede the laste kynge of Fraunce of the heyremales of Charlemaigne was Lewys the fifte who died without isshewe in the yeare of grace nyne hōdreth foure score and eyght whan that possession of that kingdome had remained in the same familie two hondreth and eight and thyrty yeares After his death the succession had descended by ryght to Charles Duke of Lorayne vncle to kyng Lewys But Hughe Capet Erle of Paris as they reporte whose mother fetched her petygrewe from great Charles discomfiting and takynge the Duke of Lorayne prysoner vsurped the kyngdom and left it to his sonne Robert whose heyres males continued afterwardes vntill kyng Fraunces Some there be that saye howe that this Hughe Capet was of lowe and base hyrth but the moste parte of the wryters of Frenche Cronicles recite his originall as I haue sayde heretofore Henry the eight kyng of England writeth to them agayne the thyrde day of Maye That he hath red their letters to his great cōtentation for as muche as they be inclined and bent that true religion remayning styll saufe and peace conserued the faultes and abuses of the churche and clergie maye be refourmed and all suche thynges redressed as haue bene eyther by the wyckednes or ignoraunce of men corrupted and depraued Moreouer howe he toke great displeasure to reade ouer the whole discourse of their procead inges That a reporte in dede went of them that was not very good as though they should maynteine certen franticke personnes whiche sought to disturbé and tourmoyle all thynges vpsyde downe But he gaue therunto no credite first for because that Christiā charitie doth so requyre secondly knowyng for certentie that suche kynde of sclaunder can take no place in mē of suche dignitie Nobilitie and wysdome And all be it he would neuer haue beleued anye suche reporte before he had certenly tried and knowen it to be true Yet for as muche as they haue thus pourged them selues he is glad for thys cause that he was not disceaued in his opinion and iudgement And where as they desyre a refourmation in that they doe agree with his mynde and the opinion of all other good men For the state of worldly thynges is after suche a sorte that lyke as mans body so also in the cōmune wealth and publique administration there is nede of continual remedies wherfore they deserue great prayse that can lay to such medicines as wyll so heale and cure the disease that they doe not brynge to an outrage the matter And doubteth not but that their endeuoure tendeth to the same ende Notwithstanding howe they had nede to take diligent care of that sorte of men who seke alterations woulde haue all men a lyke and brynge the Magistrate in contempt For he hath had certen of that secte within his Realme whiche came thether out of Germany And for because in their letters they mētioned of the obedience vnto Magistrates therfore he thought good to admonishe them at fewe wordes that they geue no man ouermuche lybertie For if they beware of this and seke a reformation they shall doubtles doe hygh seruice vnto the common wealth Howe he also desyreth chiefly a generall counsell besechyng God to styre vp the hartes of Prynces vnto this desyre And hath so good an hope of them in all thynges that there is nothyng that he wyll not ve glad to doe for their sakes And wyll be a peticioner for them to the Emperour that meanes of peace and concorde may be founde and wyll worke so herein as they them selues shall from tyme to tyme thinke best for theyr purpose When the daye came of their assemblie at Franckefourth the Ambassadours of the Cities as it was agreed vppon declare what they thought touchyng the creation of the kyng of Romanes And after long consultation they founde that it was not expedient for the title style of king Ferdinando to enter in to any sute or trouble For so long as the Emperour lyueth or is within the lymites of the Empyre the whole power is his And in his absence it commeth in dede to Ferdinando but as to the depute or lieutenaunt of the Emperour They haue at sondry tymes promysed to do what so euer laye in their power And nowe in case they should resiste the creation of the kynge many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne and therfore would beare thē the lesse good wyll and woulde also worke against them whiche els woulde haue done nothyng at al against the cause of Religion It is also to be feared lest suche as would haue ioyned them selues vnto this league wyll be affcayde nowe of this and withdrawe them selues For that which cause they may not be against the election of kyng Ferdinando but holde it indifferent as it is But if Ferdinando shall commaūde any thyng cōtrary to Gods worde they wyll not obeye it or if he attēpte any force then wyll they worke after the prescripte of the league and defend to the vttermoste of their power But the Prynces wrote vnto the Emperour and Ferdinando that they could not allowe that thing which was done against the custome and lybertie of the Empyre nor attrybute vnto hym the tytle of kyng of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon in his letters to the Emperour added this moreouer that if the matter might be lawfully vsed he would not be vnlyke his auncestours As concernyng the Swycers whome the citie would gladly haue receyued into
written vpon certen of his Prophetes whiche of learned men are muche commended At the .xxix. daye of December the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes mete agayne at Frankeforte to finishe vp the rest concernyng the preparation of their defence In the which assemblie the cities of Goslarie Embecke were receiued into their league a litle be fore that they also of Eslyng But George the Marques of Brandenburgh and the citie of Norinberg Campedown and Hailbrune were absent For all be it they professe that same Religion yet were they not of that league The Emperour in the begynning of Ianuary toke his iourney from Bruselles to go to Regenspurge for the assemblie before mentioned By the waye when he came to Mentz at the begynnynge of February the Archebyshop there and the Palsgraue intreate hym agayne for peace whiche the Emperour grauntinge vnto they aduertyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue wyllynge them to doe the lyke Wherfore by theyr letters sent to and fro they appoynte to mete at Schwinfurte a towne Imperiall by the Ryuer of Moene at the begynning of Apryll There dyd they begynne to treate of a peace whiche shoulde continue vnto the generall counsell The Prynces that were intercessours were there present and by ordre geuen by the Emperour do propounde these conditions That besydes the writyng exhibited at Auspurge touching Religion they should alter nothing teache nothyng nor publyshe any thing but remayne in those boundes vntyll the tyme of the counsell so as they haue nothyng to doe with the Zwynglianes and the Annabaptistes Neither that through the occasion of Religion they do allure vnto thē other Prynces subiectes and permitte any of their Ministers to preache out of their owne countrey that they abstayne from wordes of reproche that they disturbe not the iurisdiction rytes and ceremonies of the churche that they geue their ayde agaynst the Turke and obey the decrees of the Empyre whiche concerne the common wealthe and politike gouernaunce that they be obedient to the Emperour kynge of Romaynes And if they haue made any league againste the Emperour kyng or other states of the contrary Religion to abolyshe the same If they wyl thus do they truste how the Emperour and the king wyll leaue and forget all displeasure paste The Duke had sent thether his sonne Iohn Fridericke being him selfe sore sicke There was also Fraunces Duke of Lunenburg and Counte Anhalde agayn the Ambassadours of other Prynces cities whereunto came also the Nortusians and Halbestans of Swelande After muche debatyng the intercessours aduertise by their letters the Emperour of the whole matters who was than at the assemblie of Ratisbonne to knowe his further pleasure in matters Unto that demaunde whiche was that the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes should obey the kyng of Romains They wryte an aunswere to the Emperour what lacke they fynde and what they woulde requyre hym to doe therein and deliuered the same sealed to the intercessours the .xvij. daye of Apryll the effect wherof was that Ferdinando should not take vpon hym to be kyng of Romaines but in case the Emperour had nede of a coadiutour that than by the aduyse and counsell of the Prynces Electours he should so interprete the lawe Caroline makyng an acte therof for euer the it myght be done lawefully after this sorte That as longe as the Emperour lyueth there should neuer hereafter be chosen a kynge of Romaines vnlesse the seuen Princes Electours and sixe other Prynces of the Empyre ioyned with them iudge it so mete to be done And what tyme it shall appeare to be for the profite of the common wealth that than the Archebyshop of Mentz shall appointe the rest of the Electours syxe other Prynces to mete in a place conuenient for a further consultation to be had therin And whan they shall haue considered the whole matter diligently that than the Prynces Electours only with the kyng of Boheme shall haue authoritie to electe a kyng of Romaynes who so long as the Emperour lyueth shall gouerne the cōmon wealth in the Emperours name onlye and otherwyse to take vppon hym none aucthoritie or gouernment That the Princes and states of the Empyre be not bound to him by any fidelitie or othe except it be after the Emperours death And whan a newe kynge shall be created that he be sworne after the order of the lawe Carolyne and that it be not in the Electours power to alter the same He that shal be proued to haue done contrary to that othe or els be had in great suspicion therof and maketh not his purgation shal be depriued of all ryght of Electourshyp for euer Moreouer that there be not chosen three kynges successiuelye of one house of Prynces that none be chosen kyng of Romaynes except he be of some house of the Princes of Germany Suche thynges as are establyshed by the lawe Caroline concernyng the kynges election neyther the Emperour nor kynge of Romaynes maye chaunge Whan it shal seme good to the electours to create a king of Romaines that they shall not nede to signifie the same before to the Emperour Neither that it shal be lawfull for the Emperour in this case to commaūde the Archebyshop of Mētz to assemble the Princes electours but what tyme there shall appeare iust cause to electe a kynge of Romaynes duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that the Archebyshop at a certen daye call his company to Franckfurth And that it lie not in his authoritie to appointe the assemblye els where vnlesse his collegues doe vpon weyghtie considerations permitte hym that the Archebyshop of Mentz shall not demaunde the Crowne Scepter and other ornamentes of the Empire of them of Norinberge but by the consent of his peres Neyther that he diminishe anye parte of thre monethes which after they be sommoned is graūted to the Prynces to haue cōference together for it may be daungerous to the Empyre and cōmon wealth if one or two comyng not in tyme should be absent That whilest the Electours consulte at Frankeforth all others be shut out If any of those matters be infrynged that thē the Electours be not bonde eyther to repare thether or there to remaine and what soeuer is there done to be voyde and of none effect That neyther the Emperour nor king of Romans in Italy Fraūce or other places do permitte harmes of the Princes Electours to be borne before hym or their offices to be executed but by the Electours them selues or their deputes That the kyng of Romaynes do not solemnyse his laste coronation vnlesse eyther the electours or their deputes be present that neyther the Emperour nor kyng of Romaynes be a let to the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes wherby they may not come to the counselles of the Empyre there to propounde their matters for that this apperteyneth both to the lawe of nature and is also a thyng full of humanitie ciuile dutie That neither the Emperour nor kyng
of Romaynes in cases of the Prynces of the Empyre take vpon them any authoritie of determining but suffer the same to be lawfully decided in place where they ought to be That suche thinges as shal apperteine to the honour welth and preseruation of the Princes and of the Empyre and suche as the Emperour hath promysed vpon his fidelitie to obserue he doe maynteyne and in case any thynge be otherwyse done to refourme it and bynde the kynge of Romaynes by a lawe to obserue the same And if the Emperour woulde after this sorte expounde and confyrme the lawe of Charles the fourth the Duke of Saxon woulde not faile to doe his dutie when so euer the common wealth should requyre any suche consultation But in case the intercessours coulde not obtayne these thynges of the Emperour that they woulde not refuse any lawfull hearyng of the matter Yet so that in the meane tyme king Ferdinando should neyther take vpon him nor vsurpe any gouernement of matters of the Empyre nor authoritie namely ouer thē ouer Williā and Lewys brethren Dukes of Bauier And if this wyl not be graūted them that then the Emperour would heare thē openly in the coūsayle of the Princes and other states where they wyll declare vpon how weightie and iuste causes they disalowe this election And for so muche as for the refusall of the same they perceyue how they incurre not only with the Emperour but also with foreine kinges and natiōs in to the suspicion of rebellion they desyre muche that the Emperoure would not take it displeasaūtly that they should make theyr purgatiō as well within Germany as also without the lymites of the Empyre for this must they do of necessitie Where amonges other thynges it is sayde that the Electours should sweare after the ordre prescribed in the Caroline thus it standeth What tyme they be comen to Franckeforth when masse is done they go vp to the Aultar and there lay their handes vpon the holy boke as they call it and certen wordes beynge spoken take a solempne othe by the fayth that they owe to God and to the Empyre that they wyll chose a newe and hyghe Magistrate suche a one as they shall thynke moste worthy mete and necessary for that office so farreforth as thei can coniecture by their wytte and iudgement without any compacte bribe rewarde or promyse Where they accompte the Dukes of Bauier to be of their numbre this is the consideration They also misliked the election of kyng Ferdinando takynge their counsell herein entred into league with the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue and the Frenche kynge to defende the lybertie of Germanie And indede the kyng of Fraunce delyuered into cucustody of the two brethren Dukes of Bauer an hondreth thousande crownes to be alwayes in a readines if nede requyred The Prynces that were intercessours make aunswere hereunto the .xx. day of April Howe they treate of these matters for a concorde neyther had they thoughte that they woulde haue propounded these thynges For in that they haue chosen a kynge of Romaynes the Emperour yet lyuyng they haue moste weightie causes whiche were at the same tyme declared to Iohn Fredericke his fathers deputie there and if nede requyre may be yet more playnely expounded but synce this matter cōcerneth not them only but the Emperour also and the kyng and residue of their fellowe Prynces they wyll not make many wordes therof but leaue it alone to the intent they may come more easelye to the reconciliation of the rest Neuerthelesse if they be constrayned to make aunswere for their doinge they wyll not refuse iudgement herein and doubt not to approue their doynges in suche sorte that nothinge can iustly be layde to their charge But in case these thynges should be reported to the Emperour they feare muche that it should not only take no place but also let and hynder the whole treatie of peace Wherfore that both truce may be taken and a reconcilement may be had as wel for Religion as for the Election and that neyther be separated from that other they ernestly beseche bothe the father and the sonne Dukes of Saxon that they would consyder the thyng and forsake their opiniō And in so doing they doubte not but that the Emperour and the king woul put them in good assuraunce that this election shoulde not be hurtfull to them nor to their heyres and woulde shewe them besydes all the pleasure they coulde as well in matters of Religion as otherwyse For that Religion shoulde haue peace graunted and the matter of election remayne vndertermined they feare muche that this coulde not be obtayned Thus verely doe they frendly counsell them and requyre them to take it in that parte and so vse thē selues that they may perceyue their aduise is regarded and their diligence well imployed Hereunto aunswereth Duke Iohn Fridericke the fourth daye after that he loked for no suche aunswere of them For where they sayed lately amonges other thinges that the kyng of Romaines was elected for the welth and dignitie of the Empyre they oughte of necessitie to to aunswere to this poinct for the satisfiynge as well of his father as his fellowes who are perswaded that this electiō is not good nor profitable to the Empyre And where as they susteyne the persones of intercessours he had thought certenly that they woulde neuer haue defended the matter but haue left the same doubtful and vndetermined for such thinges as they haue spoken do not concerne them that be intercessours but ought to be referre dvnto that time whā these things shall come in comon consultation In dede at Collon what tyme the Emperour desyred to ioyne with hym his brother Ferdinando in the fellowship of the Empyre he adledged certen causes why it ought so to be But those semed not to be so great as therfore the lawe Caroline the ryght and libertie of the Empyre ought to be infringed At what tyme he and other of his fathers Ambassadours did aunswere them why it ought not so to be done Wherfore the thynge that was spoken in the last place nowe they repete agayne also that in case the Emperour wyll not admitte theyr requestes that then the matter determined in lawfull iudgement where the reasons of theyr refusall may be heard And seyng they treate of equitie he supposed they wold also in this case haue founde out some way and honest meane and profitable for the Empyre But in as muche as it is not so done in this cōtrouersie he wyll no further moleste them herein But vndoubtedlye his father and his fellowes wyll declare yet to the iniury of no man howe the lawe of libertie of the the Empyre are by this meane infringed he trusteth also that for so much as these thynges concerne the honour and preseruation of the common wealth the Emperour wyl not take them displeasauntly In the reste of theyr demaundes that same first poinct whiche is touching the
haue no suche councell as hathe bene promysed what sorowe and grief that thynge wyll be to mens hartes it is easy to coniecture Agayne if the byshop shall refuse the dewe examination triall of the matter it is to be feared lest the cōmon welth and state of the churche shall be tourmoyled with sorer tempestes thā it hath bene hitherto But where as the states of the Empyre haue in all theyr assemblies cōdescended vpon an vpright counsel they distrust not but they will perseuer also in the same vtterly refusing the snares and bondes wherwith the bishop intendeth craftly to catche thē trusting that other kynges Princes wyl do the like For the bonde that he goeth about is full of craft deceitfulnes neyther can there be true iudgement vnlesse the myndes of all men be franke free so that if he procede thus hold the counsel after his owne pleasure they wyll cōmitte the whole matter vnto God whiche doubtles will defende his owne cause doctrine Howe be it in case the matter should so come to passe that the byshop should be permitted so to do they wold take further aduisement what were thā nedeful to be done And if perchaunce they shal be sūmoneth se that they shal be able to do any thing for the glory of Gods holy name they wil come thither by saufe cōduict whā they are made wel assured or send their Ambassadours to propounde what soeuer the necessitie of the cause shall requyre neuerthelesse vnder that condition that they wyll in no wyse admytte those requestes of the byshop nor acconsente to any counsell that is contrarye to the decrees of the Empire For they can not see howe this interprise of the byshop can make for the contynuall peace of the churche and the common wealth Neyther is it also semelye for hym so to doe in case he would execute the office of a true Pastour whiche is to haue a care for all men and to feede them with the true doctrine of Christ Whiche thynges standing thus they desyre them to cary this theyr aunswere to the Emperour and the bishops and that the Emperour whom thei do reuerently acknowledge to be their chief souereigne appointed of God do not take the same in euyll parte but that he woulde fynde the meanes that the counsell myght be had according to the decrees of the Empyre and that the whole controuesie may be decided by vertuous men and nothyng suspected For certenly this appertayneth to his cōmendation and vertue to employe al his power and aucthoritie to the aduauncement of true doctrine and not to the establyshynge of theyr crueltie whiche nowe these many yeares haue persecuted innocent persones only for the profession of the Gospell and holsome doctryne For the residue they committe all that euer they haue vnto the Emperour neyther is there any other thyng whiche they wyll not be glad to doe for his sake At the same tyme with kyng Ferdinando was the byshoppes Ambassadour Peter Paule Uerger whome I spoke of in the former booke And because the byshop of Rhezo was an aged man and sickly Clement commaunded Uerger that in case any impedimēt happened vnto him he should supplie his rowme but he geueth hym an especiall charge that he beare alwayes in memory what his mynd and wyll is touchyng the counsell Let hym loke therfore that in no wyse he doe passe the boundes of his commission no not one fynger breadth nor that he dryue not hym to suche an exigent that he must of necessitie kepe a counsel though king Ferdinādo would neuer so fayne haue it so and vrged hym streightly therunto ✚ The nynth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the nynth Booke GEorge Duke of Saxon marketh suche as fauoured the Gospel and accuseth Luther to the Electour of Saxony his cosyn Pope Element meting the Frenche kyng at Marseilles geueth his Niece in marriage to Henry Duke of Orleaunce The Dake of Wirtenberge dryuen out of his countrey Henry the eight kyng of Englande putteth away Quene Katherine his wyfe and forsaketh the Pope The Pageaunt of the spirite of the graye freers of Orleaunce is recited The Lantgraue recouereth the Duke dome of Wittemberge The agrement betwene kyng Ferdinando and the Duke of Saxon and the articles of peace betwixt Ferdinando and 〈…〉 ich Duke of Wirtemberge are rehersed Clement dieth Paule of the house of Fernese succedeth persecutiō at Paris by reason of certen placardes the kyng pourgeth him selfe to the Germaynes therfore The Emperour taketh the citie of Tunnes Moore and the byshop of Rochester are beheaded Pope Paule by his legate Uergerius sommoneth the counsell of Mantua wherfore the Protestauntes metyng at Smalcalde sende their aduyse in wrytinge The Lorde Langey being sent thether by the kyng of Fraunce solliciteth them to a league and debated diuers matters wher vnto the Protestauntes made aunswere The kyng of Englande also sent thether to declare what woulde be the ende to attende for suche a counsell The league of Smalcalde is renewed into whiche are newly admitted sondry Prynces and Cities WHan they had made this aunswer they appoynted diuines and lawyers to delyberate vpon the action for the counsell to come and determined to set forth the byshops aunswere in prynte and communicate the same to forein kynges and nations Also to sende Ambassadours to the Iudges of the chamber who contrary to the Emperours proclamatiō graunted out proces against certen in causes of Religion whose iudgement vnles they surceased they would refuse Moreouer to sende an Ambassade to the Archebyshop of Mentz and to the Palsgraue which were intercessours And last of all to reporte vnto the Emperour the whole matter in wryting I haue tolde you oftener than ones howe Duke George of Saxony bare malice to Luther priuely and hated his doctrine openly And where as he vnderstode that diuers of his subiectes did holde opinion that they ought to receyue the Lordes supper after the commaundemēt of Christe he charged the Ministers of his churches to geue vnto all suche as after the olde custome at Easter confessed their synnes and receiue the Sacrament after the byshop of Romes lawe certen tokens whiche they should afterwardes deliuer vnto the Senate to the intent it myght be knowē who were of the Romyshe and who were of Luthers opinion So were there founde in Lipsia whiche is the head Towne of that countrey to the numbre of lxx without tokens They had consulted with Luther before what was nedefull to be done Who wrote vnto them that suche as beleued certenly howe they ought to receiue the whole supper should doe nothing against their owne conscience but rather suffer death Wherfore being thus encouraged they sticke vnto it and whan the Prince called them before hym geuing them two monethes respite to deliberate and they woulde
certen of the chiefest in all the citie that fauour red them moste and tell them what an heuy case is chaunced at theyr house yet do they not vtter what it is but entreate them to take the paynes to come to their seruice at night When they came and the seruice was begonne he that was a lost made a great noyse Beinge demaunded what he would and who he was he signified that he could not speake than is he commaunded to aunswere to their interrogatories by signe there was an hole made where by laying to his eare he might heare and perceyue what the coniurer sayde Than was there a table at hande wherupon being asked a question he clapped beat so that he myght easely be heard beneth Wherfore he was fyrste demaunded whether he were any of them that haue bene buried there After that rekening vp their names in order whose bodies had there bene buried at the laste they come to the Mayres wyfe there by a signe made he sheweth that he is the spirite of her Than they questioned with her whether she were dampned and for what deserte or offence Whether it were for couetousnes pryde or letchery or that she did not the workes of charitie or els for this newe sprong vp heresye and Lutheranisme Furthermore what she ment by this noyse disquietnes Whether that her body being buried within holy grounde shoulde be digged vp and caried to some other place Unto all these thinges he aunswered by sygnes in like case as he was commaunded wherby he affirmed or denied any thynge in so muche as he stroke vpon the table twyse or thryse And whē he had thus sygnified that Luthers heresy was the cause of her dampnation and that her body must be taken vp the freers desyre the citezens that were present to beare witnes of such thynges as they had sene and heard set their handes to it in wryting But they taking aduisement lest they should both offende the Mayor and bring them selues in trouble refused to subscribe Notwithstāding the freers take the pyxe with the hoste as they terme it and all the reliques of sainctes and cary them to an other place and there say their Masses Which thing is acustomably done by the bishop of Romes lawe what tyme a churche is suspended and must be hallowed againe And when the byshops iudge deputed whome they call officiall heard of this he came thether to vnderstande the matter better and associatynge hym selfe with certen honest men cōmaundeth them to coniure in his presence would haue chosen certen to go vp into the Uault to se in case any spirit doth appere there But Steuen of Aras was sore againste this thinge and exhorted them instantly it might not be sayinge that the spirite ought not to be molested And albeit the official did earnestlye vrge them to coniure before hym yet coulde he not bryng thē to it In the meanetyme the Maior makynge his frendes priuie what he would doe went to the kynge and enfourmed hym of the whole matter And for as much as that freers by reason of their priuileges refused to come vnto iudgement the kyng chose certen out of the court of Parliament at Paris to examine the matter and gaue themfull authoritie The same did also Anthony Prate Chauncelour and the Cardinal that was the byshop of Romes Legate in Fraunce Wherfore hauing no exception they were caried to Paris and constrayned to make answere but they woulde confesse nothyng Yet were they kept a parte and the Nouice whiche Fumeus a Senatour had at home with him being often tymes examined woulde vtter nothyng fearyng leste he shoulde after be murthered of them for sclaundering their ordre but when the iudges had promised hym that he should escape free should come no more in the Freers handes he declareth the whole matter in ordre and brought before the others aduouched the same They albeit they were conuicted and in maner taken with the deede yet refused their iudges and bragged of their priuileges but that was in vayne for they were condempned in open iudgement that they shoulde be caried agayne to Orleaunce and put in pryson And afterwardes brought openly to the Cathedral churche and so to the place of punishment where malefactours are executed and there shoulde confesse their owne wyckednes But euen at the same time chaunceth apersecution against the Lutherians which was the cause that the same sentence albeit it was to gentle for so great an offence was not put in execution For because the name of the Lutherians was moste odiouse they feared lest the punishment of these men should not haue bene so muche thought dewe for theyr offence as done to the reproche of the ordre And what soeuer misfortune happened vnto them many iudged that the same woulde be a moste pleasaunt syght and spectacle for the Lutherians And this ordre of Franciscanes was of the common people estemed holye And what time they were caried out of Paris certen women moued with pitie followed them vnto the gate of the vniuersitie with manye teares and syghinges After they came vnto Orleaunce and were bestowed in seuerall prysons they beganne to boaste agayne of theyr liberties and pryueleges and at lengthe after longe imprysonment they were discharged and set at lybertie without any punyshement Whylest they were prysoners they wanted nothynge but hadde all thynges ministred vnto them aboundauntly especially of women Had not these persecutions and fyrynges before mentioned letted the thing the kynge had determined as in dede it was reported to plucke downe all theyr house and make it euen with the grounde But in the Romyshe kyngdome were wonte to be very many spyrites For it was beleued certenly that dead mens soules dyd walke after they were buried Wherefore they shewed that eyther they were dampned or els for a tyme were tourmented in the fyre of purgatory and woulde sollicite their nerest kynsfolkes and frendes to sucour them And moste commonly requyred them eyther to performe their vowes and pylgrimages which they had behight to some sainct in their lyfe tyme or els to cause a trentall of masses to be sayd for thē Whiche thynge increased maruelously the opinion of Purgatory and brought the masse in to highe authoritie and was to the priestes gainful aboue measure But after that Luthers doctrine was spred abroad and knowen those spirites by lytle and lytle vanyshed cleane out of syght For Luther taught by the scriptures howe the soules of dead men were at quiet rest loking for the last daye of iudgement and that suche terrible noyses and visions were styred vp by the deuyl who letteth none occasion slyppe to confirme mens myndes with idolatrie false opinions and to quenche the benefite of our sauiour Christe Whan the Lantgraue had bargayned with the Frenche kynge in the begynnyng of the spring tyme he leuied his armie And than wrytyng their letters both vnto kyng Ferdinando they declared the cause
of theyr enterpryse And whylest Ferdinando referreth the matter to the trial of the lawe they marche forwardes with their armie and the fourtene day of May chauncing to mete with theyr ennemies which were twelue thousand foote men they shotte of theyr ordinaunce and put them to flyght besydes the towne of Lausene in the lande of Wirtemberge The generall of Ferdinando his armie was Philip Counte Palatine who at the same battell had his hele stryken of with a great pece In the chase many were drowned in the Ryuer of Neccar wher into they ran headlong for feare of their ennemies that pursued them Whan the battell was done all men for the moste parte of the Dukedome of Wirtemberge yelded them selues to their naturall Prynce Ulrichus Asperge situated vpon a verey hyghe mountayne standyng alone also Urach Tubinge and Nipha all stronge castelles of nature in fine rendred also Ferdinando the fyrst of Maye set forth a proclamation that no man shoulde ayde that faction but that al men should resiste them to the vttermoste of their power and had wrytten to the Protestauntes his seueral letters touching the same matter And likewise had the Emperour done a litle before and openly no man did assiste them And al men marueled to what end this stiring wold grow to About the tyme of this warre the archbyshop of Mentz George Duke of Saxon the Lantgraues father in lawe sought the reconcilement of kyng Ferdinando and the Prince Electour of Saxon. And at Cadamea town of Boheme the last day of Iune sauing one they concluded a peace with those cōditions For religiō no force to be attempted nor any sute in the lawe commensed and the same peace that Cesar hath made to be obserued Ferdinando in the Emperours place shall brynge to passe that the Iudges of the chamber shall surcease from al proces against the Protestauntes amonges whome notwithstanding neyther Anabaptistes nor Sacramentaries nor any other suche lyke sectes be comprehended The Duke of Saxon and his fellowes shall acknowledge Ferdinādo for king of Romaines gyue him that title Ferdinando shall againe within a certen tyme deuise so with the Emperour other princes Electours that a decree be made after this sorte Whan tyme shall hereafter require to make a kynge of Romaines duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that than the Electours do first assemble and consulte whether the cause be iuste and reasonable and if it so appere that than they do proceade after the Tenure of the lawe Carroline That whiche shall be otherwyse done to be frustrate And vnlesse this decree be made within ten monethes than the Duke his fellowes not to stande bound to these cōdicions and that within the same time the Emperour shall also cōfirme the Dukes succession in the possessious of his father progenitours Ferdinando shal also endeuour that the Emperour do ratifie such compactes of matrimony as are betwixt the Dukes of Saxō and of Cleaue Whilest thei treate of these matters they take in hande also an other peace making And the Duke of Saxon offereth for the Lātgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge as their substitute that they shal ratifie what so euer they should agree vpon After muche debating the Dukedome beinge wholy recouered they cōdicioned thus Ulrich the Prince his heires males shall holde the Dukedome of Wirtemberge of kyng Ferdinando as Archeduke of Austriche and so to be his wardes and clientes if it fortune the house of Wirtemberge to be without heyres males than the Princes of Austriche to possesse that region to holde the same of the Empyre whiche they shal be bounden therunto Ulriche to acknowledge Ferdinando for king of Romaynes to make no league againste hym That the Lantgraue and Duke Ulriche restore suche goodes as they haue gotten in this tyme of warre to their owners that they doe constreyne no man to chaunge his Religion that it shall be lawefull for suche as are fled for feare or for shamefastnes to retourn home And they that lyste to take theyr goodes and goe where they wyll The peces of ordinaunce that were for the defence of Auspurge shall remaine to kyng Ferdinando the kinges debtes for his own priuate affayres he him selfe shall paye but that which was employed for the cōmoditie of the countrey the Duke shal aunswere For suche landes of the Dukedome as are holden of the kyngdome of Boheme the Duke and his heire shall holde styl of Ferdinādo his heires as kings of Boheme That Philip the Palsgraue and the residue of the prysoners be let go without raunsome that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall submitte them selues aske pardon of kyng Ferdinando either in their own persons or by their deputes than Duke Ulriche to receiue full state and possession of kyng Ferdinando Ferdinādo shall entreate that the Emperour will also forgeue thē for the charges of the warre nothinge to be required on either parte that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall sende vnto Ferdinando out of their armes fyue hondreth horse men and thre thousand fotemen whiche shall immediatly go to the sege of Munster of their cost and charge there to promyse their fidelitie to Ferdinando by an othe and if nede requyred to serue him for a thre monethes For at the same time was Munster a towne of Westphalia kept by the Anabaptistes beseged as hereafter shal be declared Wherfore king Ferdinando requyred of thē this aide for the winning of the towne Whan the Duke had by this meane recouered the countrey of Wirtemberge made his peace with Ferdinando before the yeare was ended he repaied the French king his money recouereth the possession of Mompelicarte And the lone money the king forgaue him whiche was no small somme This peace making did Peter Paule Uerger the byshops legate toke not very well And in Clements name did expostulate sore with king Ferdinando that he had taken Luther princes into his amitie And he answered that he dyd it in cōsideratiō of the time for the auoyding of further trouble What time Duke Ulriche was expulsed his sonne Christopher being a child of .iiij. yeares olde was first brought vp vnder the tuicion of his vncle Williā Duke of Bauer after that he was remoued frō thence to Insprouek a towne of Ferdinandos in the countie of Tirol And whē after the Turkes retire as I sayde before the Emperour retourned into Italy he through the motion aduise of his frendes cōueyeth him self out of the Emperours traine repareth again into Bauier For being the sole only heire this was thought to be the deuise that he sholde haue bene lead into some straūge countrey made religious but after that his father was restored he wēt into Fraūce attended vpon the frēch king When the matter was pacified the Lātgraue sent a messager with letters to the Emperour in Spain the cōditions of peace in writing craning pardon for him self for duke Ulrich
from henceforth promiseth al due obediēce for him for the other This was in the moneth of Iuly And in Septēbre following the Emperour answereth hym by letters frō Ualentia how that he vnderstode the whole matter already by his brother Ferdinādo vnto whome he hath written his mynde in this behalf now sheweth him more by his Ambassadour by whō he may vnderstand of his clemencie and desire of peace and quietnes Wherfore he doth admonishe him to perfourme in deede the thinges which he hath promised in wordes vsing him self obediētly eschewig all troublesome coūsell During the warres of Wirtēberge Fraunces Sfortia duke of Millā taketh to wife Christine the daughter of Christierne king of Denmarck captiue the Emperours nece by his syster The Frenche kyng would haue moued warre agaynst hym But the death of Clement the seuenth with whome as I sayde before he had made a league was supposed to haue bene the lette and delaye therof For he being diseased in the stomack whan after the aduise of his phisicion Curtius he had chaunged his diet being an aged man dieth in this moneth of Septembre and had to his successour Paule the third surnamed Farnesius whiche shortly after made Alexander his young Nephewe by his Bastarde Sonne Peter Aloise and his Nephewe Ascanius by his bastarde daughter Constance bothe Cardinalles After that he calleth home Peter Paule Uerger oute of Germany to vnderstande the state of the countrey And he consulteth with his Cardinalles howe the counsell myght be differred tyll suche tyme as by their priuie practyse they might fynde the meanes to set the Emperour and other kynges together by the eares In conclusion they agreed to sende Uerger againe into Germany to make promyse of a generall counsell and that he should so handle the matter that their craft and subtiltie were not suspected as it was in Clementes tyme And that he should aduertyse the prynces howe the counsell should be holden at Mantua and there to entreate of the condicions And that he shoulde chiefly marke what forme of disputation the Protestauntes would seke to haue that one 's knowen he myght after prescribe vnto them suche lawes as he knewe they woulde not come there for the same He had also commaunded him to incense the hartes of Prynces against the kyng of Englande whose Realme he intended to geue awaye for a pray to hym that coulde get it And that he shoud see more ouer whether that Luther and Melancthon myght throughe anye meanes be broughte from their purpose Also certen Cardinalles and byshoppes were chosen to deuise some refourmation for the Clergie whiche in fyne was made and puplished as in place shal be declared Kynge Ferdinando was causer that Paule sent againe Uerger saying that he was a very fitte man for the purpose At this tyme was Andrewe Gritte Duke of the state of Uenyse a man of great authoritie for his singular wysdome and experience Who what tyme he liued at Constantinoble had a bastarde sonne called Lewys whiche being there brought vp frō his yougth where he had a good witte by his syngular industrie had attayned to great ryches and throughe his lyberalitie had gotten many Frendes first by the gentlemen of the courte and after by the meanes of Ibrain Bascha who at that tyme myght doe all thynges alone he was so well knowen with the Emperour Soliman that he was also admitted vnto his priuate talke Thus vsing the oportunitie of tyme through the beneuolence and liberalitie of the great Turke he came in to Hongary with great power dignitie to possesse that part of Slauonie that is next vnto the borders of Uenife to his own priuate vse to kepe the nether part of Hongary wherof Belgrade is chiefe for the Emperour of the Turkes He had a sonne named Anthony bishop of Quineueecclesia whom bishop Clement purposed for his father grādfathers sake to haue made Cardinall But in the meane whyle that Lewys was in hope of no lesse than a kyngdome and had in muche reputation of all men And that his father was glad exceadingly of the good and lucky successe of his Sonne by occasion of a grudge and a faction reysed againste him he was taken by his aduersaries and beheaded aboute the same tyme that Paule succeded Clement In this meane tyme beginneth anewe persecution in Fraunce againste them that were anye thynge suspected of Lutheranisme wherof in dede the occasion was this In the citie of Paris and certen other places and euen within the kynges palace aboute one tyme in the night season sondry billes were set vp against the masse and other poinctes of Religion And streight wayes inquyrie and searche was made and many were apprehended some by information and some by suspition whiche after they were racked were brent alyue and vnstrangled whiche was terrible to beholde For they beyng fastened to an engyne and lifted vp in to the ayre wer after let downe into the fyre from on hyghe and there fynged skorched were hoysed vp agayne and at the length the hangeman shoulde cut the corde and they fall downe into the fyre vnderneath them And suche also as were any thynge learned had their tongues cut out lest either thei should vtter the cause of their death or declare vnto the people the somme of their doctrine And for this busines was Iohn Motine the Lieuetenaūt Criminell a very mete minister For as he could moste craftely smel and searche them out that were any thynge at all suspected so lykewyse whan he had founde them in execution and extreme punyshement he passed in all extremitie Neuerthelesse at the same tyme came forth a booke in Frenche without the name of the authour against Romyshe marchauntes tempered with mirth and grauitie And first he sayeth howe that marchandise is a kynde and trade of lyfe neyther dishonest nor vnprofitable for the common wealth so it be voyde of fraude and auarice For of this kynde of men Christe toke his similitude what tyme he commaunded that the talentes receiued should be occupied that they might be made gainfull Whiche place in dede is to be vnderstande in a mistery for nothynge lesse becommeth the pastours and ministers of the churche than the lest suspicion of filthy lucre Notwithstanding almighty God being offended with the wickednes of men hath suffered to enter into his churche not only ryche and welthy marchauntes but also theues and murtherers For who wyll not call hym a thefe that eyther selleth an othermans goodes for his owne or counterfeited wares for ryght and true Is not the bier foule disceaued But this thyng hath chaunced vnto vs longe synce For in steade of true shepeheardes are crept in exceadyng rauenyng wolues And al be it that no mans witte or tongue is sufficiētly able to expresse theyr craft and subtiltie yet wyll I touche it a little Wherfore these marchauntes of whome I speake here are craftie beyonde
present the best thynge that is about the house But what greater iniurye can be done than to sell a thynge that is not his owne yea and to sell it vnto those that haue moste ryght to it and to sondry men one thyng Tel me I pray the who bought the belles hanged them vp Unto whō belongeth the churche flowre Is it their patrimony no forsouthe Why than do they sel the ryngyng of the belles and the church floure so dere and so oftentymes Perauenture they wyll saye it is the right of the churche I graunt but not of that churche whiche Christe hath washed instituted and iustified but of the same wherein they walke that is replenyshed with theftes robberies and all other kynd of vice For Christe commaundeth all these thynges to be geuen frely But it is a sporte and a pleasaunt syght to see howe the Rauens wyll stryue amonges them selues for the carion For when any ryche man is dead by and by come they flockyng and swarming gaping eche man for his praye full busely especially those that are called beggyng freers For the graye freers contende with the Dominickes and the white freers with the Austen oftentimes about the buriyng a kynde of people that is idle sloughtful and not only vnprofitable but also very chargeable and worthy to be whipped out of euery good common wealth These thynges that I haue sayde can not be denied and are sene dayly and yet is this miserable worlde so assotted and mortall men so blynded that they can not vnderstande with what spyrite they are moued Whan a benefice or prebende is fallen Lord God what busie suite what gadding and prickyng vp and downe what diligent inquisition is made to knowe the yearely value what it is worthe to be absent what to be resident vpon it what profites arryse of the christenyng of childrē of mariages pilgrimages reliques of saintes what may be leuied of buriynges habites and diriges by legacies and laste willes But the moste auauntage is gotten by suche sainctes as for some notable propertie and power are sore feared as sainct Laurēce and S. Anthony S. Roche and suche other angry sainctes whiche muste be pleased with vowes and great giftes But oh ye kinges and Princes why do you wynke at so wicked and detestable thinges Why do you so longe suffer so paciently so many great enormities They wyll in dede refuse to be reformed by you and yet doubtles haue you the rule ouer them whether they wyl or no. For God hath geuē you the sword and authoritie to punyshe And why do you not vse the same than and be auenged of this moste cruell kynde of extortioners God requyreth this dutie at your handes whiche if ye do neglecte he wyll not leaue it vnpunyshed Would to God you were as diligent in auauncing his glory as they are vigilante and circumspect in handlyng of their matters for they let slyppe none occasion They kepe so good watche that nothing can escape them hauing as many eyes as had eyther Ianus or Argus If they here the sound of the bel they runne thither streight if any welthie persone be sicke they put them selues in prease and will neuer awaye tyll they haue their rewarde At euery mariage wil they be and must blesse the brides bed and saye ouer it certen praiers chast and holy men I warrant you whiche liue a sengle lyfe moste filthely to the entent they may more at libertie play their partes in all naughtines And this whiche I haue spoken here of marchauntmen concerneth also marchaunt women called nunnes wherof ther be sondry orders But it can not be expressed with wordes what idolatry and wickednes all this rabble had induced At the last arryse thou O God auenge thy self for the glory of thy name into whose league or societie no man ought to presume to come And where as this foresayd buchery began in the moneth of Nouembre In Ianuary followyng the kyng came to Paris and to appease Gods wrath he goeth a pylgrymage to diuers sainctes with an vncredible nombre and concourse of people They worshyp at Paris sainct Geneuefa a virgin aboue al other sainctes Whose image was nowe caried about with great pōpe and solempne procession Whiche is neuer wont to be done but in tyme of extreme daunger whan either Gods wrath is pacified or that they muste fyght a great battell or els when they feare great penury and skarsitie of corne and wyne For than flye they vnto her as vnto the laste ancker and only porte of theyr succour And the people are perswaded that her helpe was neuer yet desyred in vaine in so mutch as some wyll saye howe God can do verey mutche but saynct Geneuefa is the sauiour of Paris It is caried of foure butchers by an olde custome whiche prepare them selues hereunto certen dayes before by fasting and prayer and there be officers appoynted to make rowme waye whiche is not done without great payne For when the image is borne about the people runne vnto it on euery syde with great deuotion and well are they that may touche it with theyr fyngers ende or els with theyr cappe or handkerchief so that the thronge and prease of people is beyonde all reason Whan masse was done and the kyng had dyned in the byshops palace by our ladies churche in the presence of his chyldren and the foreyne Ambassadours and al his nobilitie he made an oration full of affections testifying the inward sorow which he had conceaued of the presumption and naughtines of these wicked persones Than after he had made a longe discourse concernynge his obedience to the churche he exhorted them all to beware of the pestiferous secte for none should escape without punyshement that was taken with the maner And if he knewe any part of his owne body infected with this contagion he sayed he woulde teare it away least it should growe any further But to make amendes towardes God the same daye were syx brought forth whiche beynge fastened to the engines as before is sayde in sondry places as the kynge should passe by home to his owne house were burnt the fyre beyng kyndled at the same instaunt that the kyng should go that waye by and they beseching hym of mercie and pardon It is the custome of Fraunce to doe execution at after none And there when silence is proclaimed are redde the causes of his punyshemen But whan any man is executed for heresy if it be touchyng the iustification of fayth only without respect of workes or against praying to sainctes or if he haue affyrmed that Christe only is the byshop and aduocate of mankinde or if he haue eaten fleshe on dayes forboden whiche is death with them there is no suche thyng spoken of but generally is reported to haue offended the diuine Maiestie and bene cōtumelious against the virgyn Mary other sainctes and to haue broken the lawes of our
mother holy churche An therfore the people beleue that there is nothynge more hurtfull and wicked in all the worlde than this kynde of people And it is cōmonly seen there that whan they are burning in flammes of fyre the people wyll gnashe theyr teeth at them and euen in the myddes of theyr tourmentes wyl curse and deteste thē as wicked and vnworthy to loke vpō the sonne And where as the Turkes Ambassadours were at the same tyme in Fraunce and the kyng hymselfe had heard that he was for this same cause brought into hatred and suspicion throughout Germany And that this fyryng had offended manye the first day of February he addressed his letters vnto all the Prynces and states of the Empyre excusyng both the commyng of the Turkes Ambassadours into Fraūce by the example of others whiche haue sent receyued Ambassadours from the Turke in lyke case And also the burnyng of Lutherians saiyng that he was constrayned to be seuere against his owne nature wyll by reason of the rashenes of certen whiche vnder the pretence of Religion intended the destruction of the common wealth and so excuseth the matter as though it had bene for rebellion and not for Religion that these men were executed At the first beginning of the spring tyme the Lantgraue went vnto king Ferdinando as in the yeare before it was agreed vpon for a full reconcilement and there founde he Peter Paule Uerger newly come thither from Rome Who vpō this occasion did his message to the Lantgraue concerning the counsel before mentioned but he taking deliberation made him none other aunswere After that Uerger traueling to the rest of the Princes applied his busines with diligence And a fewe monethes after the Lantgraue Duke Ulriche also went vnto kyng Ferdināde For where as it was conuenaunted that they should both come and aske him pardon commyng at seueral tymes it was easely graunted Howe beit Duke Ulriche was sore offended both with the Lantgraue and also with the Duke of Saxon that they had consented that he shoulde holde his landes of the house of Austriche and was of long tyme doubtful whether he woulde ratifie the peace made or no at the lengthe by the perswasion of his frendes he went to Ferdinando according to the conuenauntes In the moneth of Aprill the Emperour tooke shippinge at Barchin and transported his armie into Barbarie And whan he had wonne the citie of Tunnes and taken the castell of Golete he restored the kynge of that countrey Muleasses being of Mahumetes Religiō whome Barbarossa the Turkes admirall had before expulsed byndyng hym to paye him tribute and after he had fortified the Castell with a strong garnyson he sayleth into Sicilie Unto this warre byshop Paule sent certen Galleis furnyshed by the cōduicte of virginie Ursine also did permit him to take tenthes of the clergie in Spaine Barbarossa through our mens negligence and ignoraunce steppynge asyde escaped And first he fled to Hippon and from thence to Argiers where he repared his nauie and returned to Constantinople In Englande were two notable men Iohn Fysher byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore knyght both very well learned For the fyrst wrote sondrye bookes against Luther and Moore also whilest he was Chauncelour whiche is the chiefest office there extremely punished suche as were suspected to be of Luthers doctrine They neither approued the kings diuorsemēt much lesse the act of Parlamēt which denying the byshop of Romes supremacie affirmed the kyng to be head of the church of Englād wherupōbeing both apprehended wher they perseuered obstinatly ī their opininiō th◠yere in the month of Iuly they were beheaded The byshop of Rome had made Rochester Cardinall whylest he was prysoner in the Towre which thyng was supposed to haue kyndled more hatred against hym Afterwarde about the ende of Octobre Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan died without issewe whiche gaue the occasion of a newe warre as shal be shewed hereafter In the meane tyme the Emperour came out of Sicilie vnto Naples and in his letters written the laste daye of Nouembre to the Protestauntes he sayd in dede that he wold obserue the peace of Norinberge notwithstandyng he was informed howe thei had taken churche goodes and did withholde the same and whan iudgement was geuen that they should make restitution they refused alledging the pacification of Norinberge which appereth vnto hym vnreasonable and can not but discontente and offende hym About this time also went the prince Electour of Saxony vnto kyng Ferdinando in Austriche and hauing dispatched his busines for the whiche he went thether in his retourne home at Prage the chief citie of Bohemy met him the byshoppes Legate Peter Paule Uerger who declared vnto hym his message touchyng the generall counsell whiche the byshop Paule intended as he sayed to holde at Mantua free Godly and lawfull without any condicions whereunto al other Prynces had consented for he had bene with them all namely in Germany Wherfore if he should nowe refuse it men woulde suppose that nothinge could contente hym When both the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando are willyng with the thing and the place and the byshop so ernestly desyreth the same that vnlesse he brynge it to passe he wyll doubtles be wery of his lyfe Therfore nowe the tyme requyreth that he should declare howe muche he loueth the aduauncement of Gods glory and the common wealth willing him not to let passe this presēt oportunitie whiche he should hardely at any tyme hereafter recouer And albeit he woulde nothynge further the counsell yet neuerthelesse should it procede and Christ they trusted would not fayle them Wher vnto the Duke of Saxon sayd whā he had deuised with his fellowes he wold make him an answere requiring him to deliuer vnto him such thinges as he had spoken in wrytinge Wherfore at the kalēdes of Decembre exhibiting a wryting he declareth thinges more at large and otherwyse than he had spoken before howe other Ambassadours were sent vnto other kinges and he vnto king Ferdinando the Princes of Germany how Mantua is the place agreed vpon by the Emperour other kynges that Germany is ful of Sacramētaries Anabaptists and suche other sectes that it is to muche daunger for other nations to kepe a counsell emonges them for they are for the moste parte Franticke and without all reason Agayne such as supposed that the byshop woulde gyue place in his ryght that hath bene of so longe time confirmed to be farre disceaued And they also that beleue howe the Emperour can holde a prouinciall counsell of Germanye agaynste the byshops wyll are as muche abused And where as they talke of a saufe conduicte and pledges for theyr commyng into Italy there is no cause why it should so be For Mantua is a Citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany and nexte the dominions of the Emperour and the Uenetians wherfore there is no daunger Finally he
byshop vsurpeth ouermuche authoritie whan he taketh vpō hym to depose kynges and Emperours whiche nowe he entendeth to put in practyse against the kynge of Englande albeit that the kynge also diuers Cardinalles iutreate him to the contrary The diuines say he is head of the churche by Gods lawe but when the kyng demaunded the place they could not shewe it He misliketh also the defence of pourgatory For of that wel spryngeth masse dirige and al theyr marchaundise But if the masse were taken away their combes were cut and they should no lōger be able to defende their authoritie And whā the kyng had graūted them certen monethes wherin they shold proue purgatory by Scripture they aunswered at the lengthe howe they oughte not to reache their enemies weapons whiche they myght vse against thē As touching monasticall vowes the kyng supposeth that it might be obteined of the byshop that none should be taken in yong and before the vowers were of type yeares and that it should be lawfull for them to depart thence whan they woulde and mary And thinketh not good to deface theyr houses but to conuerte them in to Colleges wherein yought may be brought vp in learnyng and vertue The diuines would in any case haue priestes to liue vnmaried but the king had deuised this meane waye that suche as haue maried wyues shold remayne so styll but the rest not to mary or if they did to absteyne frō the ministration of the churche For concerning y◠whiche is alledged of Paphnutius who in the counsell of niece perswaded the mariage of priestes the diuines aunswere that it can not be proued that priestes haue maried at any tyme Not withstandynge they wyl not deny but that they had wyues before they were admitted to the ordre of priesthod As concerning the lordes supper to be receyued wholye or vnder both kyndes as they terme it the kynge had conference herein with Clement the seuenth and trusteth also that it wylbe obtayned at this byshoppes handes that it shal be lawfull for euery man to receiue after his conscience Moreouer the kynge affirmeth that a hondreth yeare synce in Fraunce they receiued the whole supper not in the myddes of the churche but in chappelles as he had heard old men make relatiō And agayne the kynges of Fraunce do receyue the whole communiō And where as the kynge obiected this vnto them the diuines made aunswere that kynges were anoynted as well as priestes and that the Scripture speaketh of a Priesthode Royall And that the same whiche is lawfull for kynges is not to be permitted to others in lyke case Furthermore in mattins and other dayly seruice the kyng doth acknowledge that many thinges may be cut of and many taken cleane away And that Clemēt the seuenth committed the charge here of vnto Cardinall Crucei a Spaniarde whose boke of the same thing remayneth whiche the diuines of Paris haue condempned for heresy whiche be suche a kynde of men that wyll condempne not onlye the Germaines as wicked and erring in Religion but also the byshop hym selfe with all his Cardinalles and the case require it But seynge the whole matter is full of difficultie the kyng is altogether addicted to haue the churche restored to vnitie and concorde And how he hath talked herein with the Dukes of Bauier whom he fyndeth stiffer thā the diuines of Paris Finally he exhorted them to admitte no place of counsel but by the kyng his maisters and also the kyng of Englandes aduise whiche wyll consent both in one Moreouer how certen yeres past Lewys the Frenche kyng contended that it was not laweful for Iuly the byshop to appointe a counsel without the consent of the Emperour and other kynges And the kyng of Nauarre was than of the same opinion and where as Iuly did excommunicate them both Ferdinando kyng of Spayne by this title inuaded Nauarre And that the kyng is nowe also of that mynde and opinion neyther wyll he admitte any counsel vnlesse the place be sure and not suspected or apt for iniury and wherin a man may speake his mynde frely Besydes the talke before mentioned he was earnestly in hand with them to enter into league with the kynge And this was the principall cause of hys Ambassade But where they did except the Emperour against whom they sayde they myght attempte nothynge he departed without his purpose and to certen he spake in counsell how he marueled that they would neglecte so mightie a kyng and sayde the tyme woulde come wherin they would wyshe to haue redemed his frendshyp derely The kyng of Englande also Henry the eyght sent thether his Ambassade the chief wherof was Edward Foxe byshop of Hereforde who in the begynning made his relation For as muche as the aliaunce and kinred is great betwene the kynges of England the Princes of Saxō the kyng can not but beare muche good wyll towardes hym and hys cōsortes especially synce their chief endeuour is to set forth Gods true knowledge vnto others And al be it that for this cause only they haue susteyned great reproche yet doth he mislyke them neuer a whyt therfore nor iudgeth otherwyse of them than of suche good men as contrary to their dutie and without a reasonable cause wyll doe nothing and to haue this respect only that through the true preachynge of the Gospell Gods glory myght be aduaunced And of the same desyre is the kyng also whiche is sufficiently enough declared by the alteratiō that is now in Englād For by the kinges cōmaundemēt a great part of Errours are abolyshed and by commō assent of the whole Realme the byshop of Rome with all his deceiptfull iugglynges are frō thence cleane banyshed in lyke case as it is in Saxony And for so muche as the same desyre and good wyll is common to them both the kyng hath a wonderfull great affection towardes them that they woulde thus procede and professe al one doctrine for that should doubtles establysh a continuall peace and quiet And what commotions haue arrysen of the diuersitie of opinions the kynge vnderstandeth And the Anabaptistes by theyr example haue declared The byshop nowe pretendeth as though he would calle a counsel and certenly if there remayne any dissention and they doe not agree in their doctrine it wyl make much against them whan they shall come to the counsell Wherein notwithstandyng he imputeth not the fault to the diuines for the state of the churche was neuer so quiet but at some tyme there hath been dissention Whiche thynge is also proued by the example of Peter Paule Barnabas Therfore is an vniformitie to be sought for that maye be grounded vpon the sure foundation of Scripture And the byshop of Rome endeuoureth with all his myght to let that peace and concord Wherfore the kynge is of this opinion that so longe as his authoritie tyranny and crueltie endureth it is vnpossible to come to agrement
Ascanius Wherof Lewis inuaded the Dukedome and begot two sonnes Maximilian and Fraunces The Duke of Orleaunce had by Ualentine Charles Philippe and Iohn Charles was father to Lewis Duke of Orleaunce whiche was after king of Fraunce the twelfth of that name Philippe died without issewe Iohn Erle of Engolesme had a sonne named Charles father to kyng Fraunces who toke Maximilian Sfortia prisoner and subdewed all Lumbardie But Leo the tenth and the Emperour dispossessing hym agayne restored Fraunces Sfortia an exile Who being nowe dead kyng Fraunces to reclayme his ryght as he saieth and to be auēged moueth warre agayne For that after the death of Sfortia the Emperour had taken the possessiō of Lumbardie by Anthony Leua whō he left his depute there what tyme he sayled into Barbaria as before is mentioned Wherfore so sone as he had anye knowledge of the kynges enterpryse he leuieth immediatly all the power he myghte in Germanye and other places to come into Italy And coming frō Naples to Rome in the beginning of Aprill within a fewe dayes after his repayre he required that a Senate might be called wherin before the byshop and a great numbre of Cardinalles and the Ambassadours of foreyne Prynces he had a graue and a vehement oration against the Frenche kyng who breakyng league of an olde hatred and malice hindreth impecheth his moste worthy and Godly enterprises The ende of his oration was to declare that he was ready to fight with him the combat to the intent that through the priuate losse of one of them two rather than by publique domage of the whole worlde the warre might ones haue an ende Before he departed from Naples The Uenetians entred into league with him against the Turke the rather for that they hoped well that he would delyuer the possession of Millan to some priuate man For the states of Italy chiefly the Uenetians wouldneyther that the Emperour nor yet the Frenche kyng should enioye the goodly Dukedome of Millan And therfore in these former yeares they conspyred oftentymes one whyle against the Frenche kynge an other whyle against the Emperour that Fraunces Sfortia myght be restored of whome they supposed to stande in lesse daunger For the league which Clement and the Uenetians made against the Emperour ten yeares before was for this cause only Thinkyng that the Emperour hauyng displaced Sfortia would haue kept to his owne vse all Lumbardie whiche in dede they supposed would be to their great hinderaunce And where at the intercession of Byshop Clement sixe yeares past he restored Sfortia at Boloigne la grasse he got him wonderfull fauour and great good wyll At Naples also the Emperour finished vp the mariage of his bastarde daughter with Alexander Medices whome he had made Duke of Florence as I tolde you in the seuenth booke This Alexander was the bastard sonne of Laurence Medices which had to father Peter whiche was drowned in the mouth of Lire as in the last boke is mentioned You haue heard howe Uergerius was sent into Germany Whan the Emperour was arriued at Naples the byshop calleth hym home againe who returning with great expedition whan he came to Rome declareth his Ambassade how the protestauntes required to haue a free and a Christian counsell and that within the precinct of the Empyre in a place conuenient as the Emperour had made them promyse Of Luther and the rest there is no hope vnlesse they be dispatched out of the way And as concerning the king of Englande the Protestauntes wyll not assente to it and the reste of the Princes are very colde Howe George Duke of Saxonye affirmeth that there is great daunger of the Lutherians whiche can not be otherwise eschewed or auoyded vnlesse the Emperour and the Byshop make warre against them ryght shortly Whiche thynge whan the Byshop vnderstode he sendeth hym to Naples with all spede to recite these thynges to the Emperour especially concernyng the warre to be attempted agaynste the Lutheriās Aterwardes whā the Emperour was come to Rome he was earnestly in hande to haue a counsel called and coueted greatly to cary with hym the letters patentes of the same The Byshop said he was content notwithstāding he woulde chouse some citie in Italy and prescribe therein certen conditions necessary for the churche of Rome Hereunto the Emperour so that he woulde do it ones he cared for no more For he would bryng the greater parte of Germany to followe hym herein so therfore the Byshop chouseth out nyne of that nūbre to make the wrytte Those were Campegius Cesius Simonet Ginucius Cōtarene Poole Cardinals The Archebishop of Brunduse the Byshop of Rhezo and Uergerius thā made byshop of Modruse and not long after of Instinopulis All these together first in the Byshops presence afterwardes seuerally by them selues deuise the forme of Somoning the counsell You haue heard before of the Ambassadours of Englande with whome it was accorded at Smalcalde vpon certen conditions that the kyng should set forth the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they professed at Auspurge and maynteyne the same with them in a lawefull counsell if any suche shal be that neyther of them admitte the calling or place of a counsell but by cōmon assent Neuerthelesse if it may appere by certayne and manifest reasons that any suche counsel is like to be as hath bene declared to Peter Paule Uerger the Byshoppes legate that it be not refused but in case the byshop continue his purpose that than his enterpryse be letted and by open protestation be refused And lyke as the kynge hath ioyned hym selfe to their religion so lykewyse to ioyne with them in league also and to be called the Patroneand defendour of the same That common opinion of the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome to be vtterly reiected for euer If anye warre be attempted against other parte for Religion or other cause that no ayde be geuen vnto hym that inforceth the same That for the defence of the league the kyng shal paye one hundreth thousand crownes wherof the one halfe the confederatours shall and may employe whā nede shall requyre the rest of the charges to be borne of their own money whiche they shall contribute amonges them but if the warre shal longe endure and the force of the ennemy driue them to it thā the king to disburse two hundreth thousand crownes for as much as they if the lyke chaunce should fortune stande also bounde not only to spēd their goodes but their bloud and lyfe also And of this somme also the like consideration to be had as before and that it be not emploied to any other vse than to defende the league and the remainder to be restored whan the warre is finished That the Ambassadours shall wryte to the kyng hereof and whan they knowe his mynde to aduertise the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue therof that after a commō Ambassade maye be sent vnto hym Whan
the Ambassadours had sent these requestes vnto the king going than to Wittemberge they passed away the rest of the wynter there And in the meane whyle reasoned with the diuines there of certen articles but their chiefe controuersie was about the mariage of Priestes the Lordes supper the Popyshe masse and monasticall vowes But their chief desyre was that the diuines would approue the kynges diuorsement but they sayde they coulde not do it by the scriptures And whan they had alledged many thinges to perswade the matter and this one chieflye that the byshop Clement varied in his sentence and had declared to the Frenche king in priuate talke what he thought The diuines answered that in case it were so the king had great cause so to do But where they vrged theÌ„ to say the cause was most iust to that would they not grauÌ„t And now when letters were come out of Englande pourporting the declaratioÌ„ of the kynges mynde herein the Ambassadours do aduertise the prince Electour hereof And the .xij. day of Marche at Wittemberge whether the Duke was at that tyme come speaking first many thinges of the kynges great good wil declare how the most part of the requestes do content him if a fewe might be amended And albeit that in England all thinge is quiet neither is there any cause wherfore the kynge should feare any man and if happely any cause hath bene the same is now taken away by the death of his wyfe forsaken neuerthelesse to recouer and mayntayne the true doctrine he doth not refuse to deâ—ray the somme of money whiche they requyre so that the league goe forwarde and hereof wyll treate more at large with theyr Ambassadours And where they offer vnto hym this honour that he shoulde be defendour and paîrone of the league he geueth them great thankes and acknowledgeth their good wil. And although he vnderstandeth with howe muche enuie and displeasure the same is annexed yet for the common wealthes sake he could be contente if they can agree vppon the fyrst and seconde demaunde For vnlesse there be an vniformitie in doctrine he supposeth that this charge can not be greatly to his honour But he would chiefly wyshe that the learned men of his Realme and theirs myght be wholy of one opinion And where he seeth well that the same wyll not be vnlesse certen places of the confession and Apologie of their doctrine maye before through priuate talke be some thynge qualified Therfore he desyreth them instantlye to sende their Ambassadours and amonges them some one that is excellently learned whiche may conferre with his diuines of the whole doctrine and ceremonies and determine the matter And where he sheweth him selfe so lyberall vnto them he requyreth agayne that in case anye man attempte warre againste hym fyrste they wyll ayde hym eyther with fyue hondreth horsemen or els with ten Shippes well manned and fournyshed for foure monethes Further more that vpon his own charges they shall prouyde hym two thousande horsemen and fyue thousande fote men Finally that the sentence whiche the diuines of Wittemberge prononced touchinge the diuorcement made they wold approue also and defende in the next counsell The Duke aunswereth that for as muche as the whole matter concerneth his consortes he wyll make them priuie to it and vse their counsell in the same After the foure and twenty daye of Aprill was assigned for all to mete at Franckeforth both for this and other causes And firste they prescribe there a fourme for their Ambassadours to followe whiche should be sent into Englande wherein it was prouided amoÌ„ges other thinges that whan they shall come thether perchaunce coÌ„clude vpoÌ„ a league that in al thinges they do except by expresse wordes the Empire the Emperour vnto whom they are bounde by their othe fidelitie Ambassadour for the citie was appointed Iames Sturmius and the diuines were Melanchthon Bucer and George Draco In this assemblie were receyued into the league Ulriche Duke of Wyrtemberge Bernine and Philippe brethren Dukes of Pomerane George and Ioachime bretherne Countes of Anhalde Moreouer the cities of Auspurge Franckeforte Kempten Hamborough Haunobria they treated also of other thynges appertayning to the league and defence therof of the iudgement of the imperial chaÌ„ber It was decreed moreouer to sende messengers and letters to the Emperour thereby to aunswere to the Epistle sent them froÌ„ Naples And where as George Duke of Saxon for the exceadyng hatred he bare to Luthers doctrine was oftentymes at great coÌ„tention and sute with the Prynce Electour of Saxon this mans father and at the last an agrement was made and nowe broken againe by the sayde Duke George diuerse wayes The Prynce Electour declaringe the whole matter by his Ambassadours to his consortes in this assemblie requestyng to be assisted with their ayde and counsell in case he attempte anye force or violence After the assemblie brake vp the tenth day of May. And in the begynning of Iune the kynge of Englande hauyng coÌ„dempned his wyue Quene Anne of adultrye and inceste but vniustly as it is supposed and proued synce causeth her head to be stryken of after that she had borne hym a daughter calleth Elizabeth And with her were executed certen Gentlemen of the kynges priuie chaumbre Noreis Weston Brewton and one Markes whiche contrary to his conscience as it is reported for hope of preferement subscribed to a byll whereby he condempned both hym selfe and all the reste For where the Lorde Admirall Fizt Williams that was after Erle of Southhampton sayde vnto hym subscribe Markes and see what wyll come of it he subscribed and receyued therfore a rewarde vnloked for And also the Lorde of Rochforte the Quenes brother through the false accusation of that errant strompet his wyfe whiche afterwardes suffered therfore accordynge to her desertes Whiche doulfull tragedie toke cleane awaye the Ambassade that should haue been sent into Englande Whan the warre was hotely begonne betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng Paule the thyrde publisheth a wrytinge vnder his Bulles of lead the somme wherof is to call a counsell at Mantua against the .xxiij. day of May in the yeare followyng commaunding al Archbishops and byshops other heads of churches to be there at the same day vnder the penaltie by the ecclesiasticall lawes prescribed for disobedieÌ„ce Furthermore he chargeth desireth the Emperour kings and princes al others which either by lawe or custome haue interest to be there for the loue of Christe the coÌ„mon welthes sake to come in persone or if they be otherwyse letted thaÌ„ to send their Ambassadours with their full authoritie to remayne tyll the ende of the counsell that the churche may be refourmed heresies weded cleane out and warre attempted against the ennemies of ReligioÌ„ This was the effect therof whereunto subscribed sixe and twenty Cardinalles The seuenth of Iune kyng Ferdinando sent Iames Sturcelly a Ciuilian Ambassadour from Insprucke to the Swycers I
Byshop had lately appointed at Mantua And for as muche as the Emperour had oftentymes promysed them a free counsell in Germany and especially in the peace concluded at Norinberge and what this shall be they can not perceiue by the wryting they desyre hym that he woulde see the matter myght be indifferently heard and vsed In this same moneth the byshop of Rome publysheth an other wryting and sayeth howe in the meane tyme tyll the counsel begynne he wyl refourme the holy citie of Rome the head of all christendome and maistres of doctrine maner and disciplyne and washe it cleane from all spottes and vyce to the intent that his owne house being first well pourged he may after more easely take ordre for the rest and because the nature of man is full of imbecillitie neyther can he do so great a thing alone and also dispatche other affaires of the common wealth therfore hath he chosen certen Cardinalles whome the liuing God hath ioyned to hym as the coadiutours and companions of his cure and of office to be the workers of this necessary and holsome busynes the Cardinall of Ostia Sauseuerine Ginute Simonet and with them thre byshops whome he commaundeth all men to obeye vnder a great penaltie In the moneth of Octobre the Emperour imbarketh him selfe at Genes to sayle into Spayne The Frenche kynge came afterwardes to Paris and on new yeares day gyueth in mariage madame Magdalene his eldest daughter to Iames the fift kynge of Scottes who came into Fraunce in Autumne before And in maner about the same tyme Laurence Medices through treason in the nyght murthered Alexander Medices Duke of Florence of his owne kyndred and familie whan he had allured hym home to his house putting hym in hope to enioye a noble matrone that was his neyghbour who in beautie honest fame farre excelled others Who being slayne the gouernment came vnto Cosmus Medices which after by the Emperours consent married Elenor daughter to Peter Toletane Uiceroy of Naples At the Ides of Ianuary the kyng of Fraunce came in to the court of Parliament at Paris whiche thinge is seldome accustomed And there in a great audiēce he maketh a sore complaint of the Emperour and declared causes why the countries of Flaunders and Artois whiche the Emperour holdeth of the kynges of Fraunce as his elders haue done also ought to be called againe to the patrimony of Fraūce The speaker hereof was Capell the kynges aduocate and he named hym not Emperour but Charles of Austriche In the meane tyme the cities of Zuricke Bernes Basyll and Strausborough make sute to the Frenche king for such as were imprisoned for Religion intreating hym that the exiles myght be restored the kyng graunted partly vnto their requestes but yet accomplished not their desyre Wherfore whan they had receyued their aunswere the foure and twenty of February by Annas Momorantie the Conestable and suspected that the kynge through his impulsion dealt the lesse frendly with them the Ambassadours vsed afterwardes the helpe of the Quene of Nauarre the kinges owne syster a very good ladye and whiche bare a great zeale to the true doctrine In this meane whyle the kyng hauing mustred his men in the beginning of Marche leadyng his army towardes Arras besegeth the towne and strong castell of Hesdine whiche he had rendred to hym within a moneth At the selfe same tyme came to the kynge an Ambassadour from the byshop of Rome Reignalde Poole an Englysh mā borne of the bloud roial lately made Cardinal The cause of his ambassade was thought to be to worke some mischief against the kinge of Englande About the same tyme that the kyng of Scottes maried the Frenche kynges daughter the byshop had sent him for a present a fayre sworde riche well wrought and did exasperate him against the kyng of Englande For the byshoppes are accustomed on Christmas daye at nyght amōges other thinges with certen ceremonies to consecrate as thei terme it a sworde whiche after for an honour and token of beneuolence they geue or sende vnto some man to whome it lyketh them Sixtus the fourth was first authour of this custome as is mentioned in the booke of their ceremonies Afterwardes Cardinall Poole wrote a booke whiche he had intitled a defence for the vnitie of the churche And he addresseth his style and speache vnto king Henry and reprehēdeth him sore that he toke vpon him to be head of his churche for that title to be longe only to the Byshop of Rome whiche is the Uicar of Christe and the successour of Peter whome Christe appointed Prince of the Apostles For he it was only that aunswered how Christe was the sonne of God vpon hym as vpon a Rocke Christe buylded his churche And howe Christe prayeth for his fayth that he being conuerted myght also conuerte his brethren And that Iohn after Christes death did euer obeye Peter And what tyme they made haste bothe to Christes Sepulchre he wold not go in before but gaue him this honour The cure and charge to fede the shepe was committed chiefly to hym of Christ And the nette also ful of fysshe whiche many were not able to hale vp was drawen vpon the shore by Peter alone Than hath he a long discourse of the deathes of the byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore detestinge his crueltie Moreouer howe the kyng had afflicted all the states of his realme And into how muche mysery he had brought a moste floryshynge kyngdome what daunger he stode in of the Emperour for the diuorsement of his Aunt and subuersion of Religion and sheweth hym how he neyther can nor ought to loke for any ayde eyther of his owne subiectes or any other men whiche hath deserued so euyll of the common wealth And tourning his tale to the Emperour with many wordes stireth him vp prouoketh him and prycketh hym forewarde to auenge that notable reproche done vnto his familie and sayeth howe the Turkyshed seede is sowen abroade in Englande and in Germany signifiyng the doctrine that is contrary to the byshop of Rome Finally after many opprobrious wordes and sharpe rebukes he prouoketh hym to regentaunce telleth hym howe there is none other remedy but to retourne agayne to the bosome of the churche whiche ones he defended by setting forth of bookes greatly to his honour This booke printed at Rome bearyng no date was of long tyme kept close and at the last after manye yeares it came to one or two in Germany And he sayeth the cause of his wrytinge therof was for that the kynge had desyred hym to wryte his opinion And albeit that certen learned men in Englande whiche had done the lyke had lost their lyues yet could not he whiche was so muche bounde vnto hym dissemble what his opinion was neyther ought it to be imputed to hym as raylynge or cursed speakynge for he doeth both of his naturall disposition and also by a certen ordre
of life cleane abhorre that vice But in that he endeuoureth to reduce him agayne into the waye which deceiued by flatterers was strayed farre out of the ryght pathe he geueth hym a great benefite Kynge Henry had brought him vp in his yought in good letters and done very much for him But whan this alteration was in Englande whiche I haue spoken of and he myslyked it Paule the thyrde through the commendation of Contarene made hym Cardinal and sent for hym to Rome They that are familiarly acquaynted with him say how he knoweth ryght well the doctrine of the Gospell and suppose the cause to haue been why he wrote so against kyng Henry to auoyde the suspicion of Lutheranisme He caused the booke to be printed at Rome of his own coste and charge as they reporte And taking to him selfe all the Copies gaue it to reade only to the byshop him self and to the Cardinalles and others of his dere frendes for vnto such he wold be commended and feared on the other syde leste if it should be red openly of all men he should incure the rebuke and obloquie of them that had oftentymes heard hym speake the contrary ✚ The eleuenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eleuenth Booke THe Protestantes hauing declared to the Emperour by ambassade three poyntes Heldus cōming to Smalcald maketh them answer to the which they reply and vrge a fre counsel such as was promised vpon this the Pope sendeth the Bishop of Aste The Protestants set forth an Apologie vpon the refusal of such a counsel and writ therof to the French king The king of England writeth against this coūsaile of the Pope I Spake of the Citie of Auspurge in the nynthe booke and of the chaunge of Religion there for the whiche cause the Clergie being for the moste parte of noble house forsoke the citie Wherupon the Senate in a writing directed to the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and all the states of the Empyre declareth the cause of their doynges howe frendly they dealte with them how many thynges they suffered and howe scornefully they behaued them selues and howe often they went about to stire vp sedition in the citie Whereunto not long after Christopher the byshop aunswered for him selfe and the reste and after many contumelious wordes exhorteth the Emperour and Princes that for as muche as the daungers concerneth aswel them as him self they would loke to it in time You haue heard in the last booke of the Ambassadours which the Protestauntes sent to the Emperour in Italy to whom they gaue commaundement chiefly thre thynges to treate of First to confute the brute whiche was raysed vp that they shoulde haue made a league with the kynge of Fraunce and of England secondly that the Emperour would restrayne the iudgement of the counsell chaumbre thirdly that suche as were come into their league since the composicion of the peace at Norinberge myght inioye the same peace Whiche requestes the Emperour in dede hearde but being wholy occupied with warelyke matters he sayde howe he woulde sende his Ambassadour into Germany who should make them aunswere Wherfore at his departure from Genes into Spayne he sent Matthie Helde his vicechaūcelour into Germany Whan the Protestauntes vnderstode that by their Ambassadours nowe retourned they appoynte a generall metyng at Smalcalde the seuenth daye of February And because the daye of the counsell approched nere neyther was there any doubte but that the Emperours Ambassadour would haue some talke of the same they were agreed also to bring with them their chiefest diuines Wherfore at the daye assigned besydes the Prynces Ambassadours of the cities came thether Luther Melanchthon Bucer Osiander and diuerse other Whan the Ambassadour was come to Smalcalde the fyftene daye of February he speaketh thus before them all Howe the Emperour had commaunded hym to doe his message only to the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue But for as muche as they haue thought good to make their consortes also partakers of the same he is contente to followe their mindes herein he saith in dede that he knoweth not al the Ambassadours of the league wherfore in case there be any amongs them whom this answere of the Emperous doth not concerne there is no cause why they shoulde suppose that any treaty is made with thē but chiefly they of Auspurge which haue oftentymes sollicited the Emperour both in Italy and Spayne about Religiō and nowe also lately at Genes by their Ambassadour Unto whome the Emperour sayde howe he would sende his Ambassadour into Germany whiche shoulde make them an aunswere And they not abyding his commyng haue altered the state of Religion not without both the contempte and also making of the Emperour Therefore whan he came to Auspurge beinge constrayned of necessitie to chaunge his purpose he treated with them nothynge at all and hath wrytten to the Emperour the whole matter as it standeth After whā he had exhibited the testimoniall of his Ambassade he procedeth And where they had so diligently pourged them selues of the Frenche and Englysh league the Emperoure was ioyfull to heare it whiche doeth both credit them also cōmendeth their vertue that they haue so wittely eschewed the Frenche practises full of disceirfulnes Afterwards discoursing the warre of Sauoy and speakynge many thinges of the Frenche kyng sayde that he was not only a lette vnto the Emperour that he could not bende his whole power against the Turke but also that he consulted with the Turkes prouoked thē to inuade Cristendome And that this is also his daily practise to styre vp stryfe and ciuile warre in Germany and nowe endeuoureth al that he may to perswade them that the Emperour wyll not kepe promyse with them He desireth them therfore not to credite his crafty counselles For the Emperour to be of suche honour and vertue that he wyll not shrinke from his promyse And that may they well perceiue by mo experimēts than one As touchinge the iudgement of the imperiall chambre The Emperours commaundemēt was they should meddle with no cases of Religion But they aduertised him by their letters that there was oftentymes controuersies whiche partely concerned religion partlye not And therfore the Emperour cōmaunded thē that of such matters as thei supposed were sequestred from religiō thei should iudge indifferently For it were pitie but the lawe should haue his course And seyng the Emperour hath commaunded them to surcease from determining matters of Religion they ought to be contente there with And if the iudges haue done ought contrary to the Emperours decre they shall not escape free but shal be punished according to the lawe made at Regenspurge But the Emperour againe admonished them that they would do nothing rashely neither prescribe the imperiall chambre For this thinge is neither lawfull nor voyde of seditiō and
worlde condempned and excōmunicated Albeit that he contended Liberius to be one man emōges all others that sought to disturbe the publique quiet Yet neuerthelesse did he relent nothyng and than whan the Emperour had denied the same a long time after the errour of Arrius reigned but in fine the doctrine of Athanasius had the vpper hande and preuayled for euer And who is able to recite what bloud was spilte in the quarell of his doctrine And the condition of their Religion to be like vnto the same whether aconuenient place be geuen or otherwyse For a lyke cause also suche as were at the counsell of Basill refused Ferrare where as Eugenius the byshop had summoned an other counsell The Emperour Henry the seuenth had a great sute and cōtrouersie with Robert kyng of Sicilie had cited hym to appere to Pisa but the same was thought vnreasonable to the byshop Clement the firste whiche bothe defended the kyng also shewed reasons wherfore he was not boside to come thether nothynge so weighty as these of ours Therfore wher they no we refuse suche maner of counsel the faulte ought not to be imputed vnto them but to the byshop For so ofte as they haue referred their matter to a counsell they ment it of suche a counsell as the Emperour and states of the Empyre had decreed For they were not ignorant that in case the byshoppes might be permitted to haue the whole orderyng of the matter but that they would worke all to their owne auauntage and oppressing the true doctrine woulde establyshe theyr owne wyckednes And yet for all that doth Paul the thyrde so collour the matter with wordes to the Emperour as though he woulde vse the thynge vpryghtly and sincerely where he intendeth the contrary Moreouer what counsell they requyred thei haue declared by writing to Peter Paule Uerger the Ambassadour not only of Clement but also of Paule the thyrde And where as he sayth that the Emperours mynde is that errours and vices might be reformed there is none apparence therof at all in the byshops wryting For in case he intended a true and a nedefull reformation he would not haue cōdempned theyr doctrine before they were heard And albeit they distruste not the Emperours equitie and are so muche the more sory that they can not gratifie hym herein yet are they nothing furthered through this his good wyl and diligence For albeit the Emperour him selfe be present at the counsell yet is it well enough knowen what authoritie the bishoppes wyll permitte eyther hym or other kynges also to haue in suche maner of cases For the moste that they wyll graunte to shal be perauenture to vse their counsell in matters for as to determine any they wyll not permitte them but reserue that authoritie to themselues only to the entent that in case the Emperour and ciuile Magistrates went some thynge to farre they myght hereby as with a bridel hamper them in in fine determine al thinges at their own pleasure They desire therfore that the Emperour would not be offeded with them in that they seke to eschew these snares of the bishop where with he wold intrappe them For this is geuē naturally euen vnto brute beastes to shunne the place where they knowe they are layde in wayte for to be taken Furthermore it is commonly knowen howe the matter was handled in the counsell of Constance with the Emperour Sigisinūde For albeit he had graunted a saufeconduicte to Iohn Husse yet did the byshops deminishe his authoritie saying howe it was lawfull neyther for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them in this behalf wherwith the Emperour being vāquished gaue place to their authoritie whiche they chalenged to them selues not with out sighinge in their opinion but yet to the miserable destruction of hym who trustinge vppon the saufe conduicte fell into that calamitie Wherby it appereth euidently how muche the Emperour is able to helpe thē herein though he wold neuer so fayne after they haue ones intrapped them and enclosed thē as it were in a pinnefolde therfore must they worke circūspectly and yet for all that lest any thyng should be imputed to them they are ready not only to abyde lawfull iudgement but also moste earnestly beseche the Emperour to waye and pounder these so weightie matters diligently and to call a lawfull counsell in Germany wherin neither the byshop nor his consortes shall occupie the place of iudgemēt And if the byshop wyl let or impeche the Emperour in so doing and shal not permitte a sincere counsel to be holden in Germany they do proteste opēly that the faulte is not in them that the matter is not brought to a cōcorde What incommoditie also shall arise therof the same to be wholy ascribed to the Byshop in conclusion they requeste hym to make this same reporte vnto the Emperour and declare their good wylles and dutie to wardes hym Whan the matter was thus decided amonges them And Heldus had promysed them to make relation to the Emperour of all thynges the Protestauntes decree also howe to mainteyne the ministers of their churches in lyuing for the erecting of free scholes that their churches and common wealth might neuer want learned men last of suche thynges as concerne their league and defence As concerning the Turke they had aunswered the Ambassadour before that if they and theirs might haue quietues in other matters they would be glad and wyllynge to ayde the Emperour against hym but nowe the brute went howe kyng Ferdinādo prepared warre against John Uayuode and therfore requyred ayde In the whiche perplexitie lest haply they should not do theyr dutie to the common wealthe it was decreed in the absence of Heldus that the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sendynge abroade espialles of the common charges should get intelligence what thynges were a brewyng if the Turke entended to inuade Germany that they should than assemble agayne to consulte what eche mans dutie is herein Moreouer to the entent that all men myght vnderstand what iust cause they had to refuse the counsell they condescended to compryse the whole matter in wryting Whiche after wardes they set forth in print and speaking of foreine kynges and nations Paule the thyrde saye thei hath sent forth his bulles of late to sommō a counsel at Mantua to begynne nowe at the .xxiij. daye of May and alledgyng certen causes therof Moreouer he hath sente his Ambassadours to kynges and Prynces as well Germanes as others to aduertyse them of the counsell and to exhorte them eyther to come thither thē selues or send their protectours And where he moued vs also by his Ambassadour here vnto and so did the Emperour in lyke maner the thynge it selfe requireth that we should therfore declare what peryll and losse it were not for vs only but also for the whole common wealth of Christendome if men should obeye hym herein And notwithstandyng that the cause
of our determination is iust and reasonable yet is there no doubte but our aduersaries be of suche nature that they wyll blame our doyng constrewe it to the worste parte For to the entent they may bryng vs and our cause into hatred they wyll affyrme doubtlesse that we can abyde no examination nor iudgement and that we despyse al other nations amonges whome there haue often bene many excellent learned men This wyll they saye moreouer that it is wickednes to refuse the decrees of the counsell for that it is the hyghe iudicial seate of the churche whiche all men are bound to obey They wyl forge also as though we were ashamed of our doctrine or afraid to come to light or els that we sought contentioÌ„ where no nede is and can not endure â—n vniuersall quiet Nowe if this myght be verefied of vs in dede it were not only wicked but also detestable be heard of Wherfore we must of necessitie shewe the reason of our doynge and we truste than that all good men whether they be in Germany or other places wyll not only credit no suche thynge of vs but wyll also doe their endeuour that this moste weyghty cause of all others may be handled vprightly and that the byshop of Rome be not permitted vnder the forged and coloured name of a counsell to oppresse the manifest truthe by a kynde of tyranny For we shal declare that we do not only professe the pure doctrine but also respecte nothyng els but Gods glory and the preseruation of the common wealth and that there can be no obstinacie or frowardnes obiected vnto vs. And fyrst to proue that we do not contemne the iudgement of other nations or of the churche hereby it appereth manyfestly that al our care is lest the byshop and his clientes should take vpon them the authoritie and iudgement and that all thynges myght be decided by mete and no suspected persones Whiche thyng we trust that all Godly men would lykewyse wyshe for For where as in dyuerse countreis there remayne certen olde wrytinges and complayntes of the false doctrine vices and idolatrie that were than crept into the churche we doubte not but in the same places at this daye there be some Godly and learned men also whiche vnderstande the sounde doctrine although being oppressed with the byshoppes tyrannye they are constrayned to holde their peace These in dede of iuste deserte ought to be present at the couÌ„sel that they myght speake their myndes frely For it is not to be accompted a free counsell that is gouerned by the byshop and his fellowes whiche defende false doctrine by power and violence and of an olde custome make decrees contrary to Gods worde For Christe what tyme he instituted this highe iudiciall seate commaunded that all matters should be referred to the churche that requyred a reformation By the whiche selfe wordes he excludeth all tyranny and lordshyp It is also a sclaunder where they saye perhaps that we are a feard to come abroade and can not abyde the opeÌ„ light For in the assemblie imperial at Auspurg we professed our doctrine openly before the Emperoure and all the states of the Empyre Againe this selfe same doctrine is preached openly in our dominions and our learned men haue set forth bookes of the same and diuerse of our aduersaries do confesse that through our mens wrytinges sondrye articles are called agayne to lyght whiche laye before hidde in darkenes For nowe the true doctrine shyneth agayne of penaunce of faythe in Christe of the remissioÌ„ of synnes of good workes of true worshipping of the vse of SacrameÌ„tes of the authoritie of the keyes of Magistrates of the traditions of men and suche other lyke thinges Neither are we ashamed of the Gospell as Paule sayth but haue an especiall desyre that we myght declare our mynde in these thinges before al men And where it is also obiected to our preachers that they shoulde haue reysed vp agayne the heresies before time condempned neither should nede therfore further disputation or hearing it is false may be easlye excused before them that haue red our confession and the defence annexed to the same For the doctrine that we confesse is not newe but the verey consent of the primatiue churche as moste clerely doth appere Neyther haue we admitted any heresy or wycked opinion but our men haue restored the doctrine of the auncieÌ„t fathers which was oppressed by bishops and monkes It is vntrue also that is reported of vs that we shoulde delight in dissention for we are sory from the botome of our hartes that the ChristeÌ„ commoÌ„ wealth is thus deuided to haue a concorde desyre a lawfull counsell But for as muche as the byshop and his fellowes do coÌ„dempne the true and necessary doctrine and do tormente and persecute the professers thereof exhorting others to do the same we can not but mislike their cruel tiranny For God wil be honored through the confession of his name and it is wickednes for any man to ioyne hym selfe to the byshops tyranny whiche so rageth Moreouer it is manifest that we beare and susteine all maner of charges of the common wealth as the residue of the states do Whereby it is to be seene that we woulde also gladly accorde with others in relygion in case it were lawful Besydes this we vnderstande what dauÌ„ger hangeth ouer vs for the same For the byshoppes haue nowe these many yeares declared manifestly what they go about and how they incense kynges myndes against vs. And were it not extreme madnes to abide all these so great dauÌ„gers and to be at so great charges with out iust cause But we knowe assuredly that we owe this dewtie vnto God And that there is nothing to be so much respected as his commaundement and take God to wytnes that we seke for nothing els Nowe that we haue confuted theyr sklaunders we will come to the seconde part Emonges straungers many parauenture suppose that we of a certen curiositie haue impugned some light faultes which for kepinge of a quiet mighte better haue bene dissembled especiallye consydering that the state of worldly thinges is suche that in a common wealth be euer remaining some thinges whiche must be wincked at But the matter standeth farre otherwise For fyrst in dede errours and false opinions may not be dissembled with For Christ commaundeth vs to beware of false teachers Againe the controuersie is not about light errours but touching the doctrine of faith and the true knowledge of God which is the principall pointe of the Christian life and sincere worshipping of God which ought not to be passed ouer in silence but to be obserued purely and diligentlye taught in the Churche And it can not be denied but this doctrine was wholy extinguished and a newe brought in for it to the greate contuinelie of Christ Moreouer we do reprehende diuerse and sundrye errours and wickednes which others also haue espied longe before
the crime And for asmuche as the Bishop signifieth plainly that this counsell is instituted to confirme his Authoritie we besech al men that they wold not impute this refusal to vs as a fault blame worthy Finally the very place of the counsell we can not like for diuerse causes For it is fitte to offer iniurie and altogether such as should let the libertie of speche And besydes there is muche hatred conceaued againste vs in foreine nations through the sclaunders of our aduersaries as though Religion and honest liuing were exiled from among vs which perswasion when mennes mindes be thus prepared is not without great perill Wherfore it were very expedient for this cause onely that the counsell should be holden in Germany to the entent that straungers might see the order and maner of oure Churches and Cities And not throughe false sclauÌ„ders to hate the trew doctrine The weightines of the cause also requireth that many of vs should come to the couÌ„sell oure selues but to forsake our own limites is no maner way for vs expedient And seyng that for most weightie causes it was decreed that the counsel should be holden in Germany we se not wherfore we should depart froÌ„ the same Considering therfore that this case coÌ„cerneth the preseruation of al Christendome we beseche al kinges princes to geue no credit vnto oure aduersaries but herunto rather to applie theÌ„ selues that the trew knowledge of God might be restored For they caÌ„do nothing that shal more redound to theyr honor The Bishop laboreth to this ende that he mighte perswade theÌ„ to practise crueltie the which thei ought moste chiefly to abhorre For eueÌ„ for this cause are they placed in this degre of dignitie that they shold honor Gods holy name be a light vnto the rest through their good ensample to defende innoceÌ„t persons froÌ„ wroÌ„g violeÌ„ce And if there shal euer at any time be any lawfull counsell thaÌ„ shal we so defende our matter there that all men shall vnderstande how that our endeuours haue bene euer annexed with the preseruation of the common wealth In this assemblie were these The Duke of Saxon Ernestus FrauÌ„ces bretherne Dukes of Luneburge Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberge the Lantzgraue Philip prince of Pomerane the three Erles of Anhalde Albert Counte Mansfelde besides many Ambassadors of the cities with most large ample coÌ„mission For they were admonished what thinges should there be treated Before they departed thence which was the vj. day of March they addresse their letters to the French king wherin first they excused the matter that they had not satisfied his Ambassadoure in the former assemblie and shewe the cause also whie they sende no Ambassadours as nowe vnto him ThaÌ„ they desyre him to continew his frendshippe and seynge they haue set open to him all waies to come to a concorde in religion and yet haue nothing preuailed that he would recompence this theirendeuor with his fauor and beneuolence Fynally they declare what their mynde is touchyng the Counsell and desyre to knowe what he hathe also determined to do herein The kinge afterwardes maketh Aunswere at the tenth kalendes of Iune he accepteth theyr satisfaction and promiseth largely concernynge hys continuall amitie towardes them confutyng the sclaunders of his aduersaries in a wrytynge the whiche he sent with all and saieth that this is his opinion of the counsell and euer hath bene that vnlesse it be lawefull and in a sure place he wyll neuer allowe the same neyther doubteth he but the kynge of Scotlande his some inlawe will also folowe his mynde herin He a lytle before at the beginning of Maye was retorned home with his wyfe which after aboute Midsomer ended her life there In the meane time the Bishoppe of Rome deferreth the Counsell till the kalendes of Nouember and the cause thereof he saieth is for that Friderick the Duke of Mantua mindeth to fortifie his citie with garnisons of souldiours and to employe cost therupon which thinge hath happened contrary to his expectation and saith he is sore affraid lest many folowyng his decree are already commen to Mantua and happely beyng excluded are dryuen to retourne home againe for the which chaunce he is in dede very sory but yet taketh the matter lesse greifefully forasmuche as the thinge hath fortuned throughe another mans faulte and not his And not longe after the king of Englande in his owne name and the nobles of his Realme publisheth a writing That there is a Counsell called by the Bishoppe of Rome which he hath none authoritie to do and called at suche a time whan mortall warre is betwene themperour and the Frenche kynge and the place appointed at Mantua whither it is neyther saufe nor commodious for all men to come He in dede desyreth a Christian Counsell wyth all his harte but vnto the Byshoppes Counsell he wyll nether come him selfe nor yet sende hys Ambassadours For this is alwayes theyr facion that for theyr own lâ—cre sake they wyll in suche maner of assemblies oppresse Christ and his veritie And for his parte he will haue nothynge to do with the Bishoppe of Rome nor regardeth no more his Decree than the wrytynge of anye other Byshoppe Addynge that Counselles were wont to be called by the authoritie of the Emperour and kynges which maner ought to be restored especially at this tyme whan the Byshoppe hath so many graue personages to accuse him Yet neuerthelesse can he neither be reprehended without the daunger of a mans life nor accused presently but in a lawfull Counsel nether is there any prouision made for him or his by saufconduicte and thoughe there were yet manifest daungers shoulde let hym that he coulde not come for it is no newes to the Bishoppes to falsefie theyr faith and to sprincle and desile them selues with innocent bloude And albeit it should be lawfull for others to repaire thither yet were it no saftie for him whome the Bishop hath laide waite for whoÌ„ he hateth deadly whom he seketh to bring in hatred with other kinges for none other cause assuredly than for that his Tyrranny is exiled out of his realme and his yerely reuenewes taken away which thinge in very dede he taketh in most euill part and so much the worse for that he feareth lest other kinges warned throughe his example will hereafter do the like And nowe also is the counsell proroged vntyll the kalendes of NoueÌ„bre And yet not the place appointed where it should be holdeÌ„ and the faulte is imputed to the Duke of Mantua Is not this to delude the whole worlde The Duke of Mantua is surely blameles which wyll not receiue so great a multitude into his citie being vnfurnyshed of a garrison but all the blame is to be ascribed to him alone who doeth nothing syncerely but worketh al thinges by craft and collusion And now in case he shall assigne an other place for the purpose he wyll eyther appointe it in some citie of his
he also but performe this dewtie to the common wealth and is not a litle moued at these newes for the chaunce and calamitie of his natife countrey For this therfore and for other causes he went to kyng Ferdinando into Lusatia But he had both before his comming and when he was there also receiued letters and messagers touching the same thinges Wherfore in case he should not be resisted there is no doubt but they which lie nexte him should se shortly in theyr countrey that most cruell enemie For all the way from Buda vntill theyr frontiers is there nother Castell nor Towne fortified able to hold out such a power no mountaines nor streight passages to stoppe his carriage sauing onely the citie of Uratislauie and the towne of Lignice For as for of the situation of Morauie and Silesie and howe champion and fruietfull a countrey it is he knoweth well enough and nedeth no rehearsall And albeit he hath promysed ayde to kynge Ferdinando for the common daunger yet he seeth howe lytle suche maner of ayde is able to helpe for the greatnes of the case requyreth al the ayde and power of the whole Empyre But for as muche as the same haplye can not be obtayned without a generall assemblye and vnlesse ail Germany be quieted And agayne the present daunger wyll permitte no long delaye therfore hath he in talke moued the kyng that he woulde wholy dispose him selfe vnto this thynge onlye that a fyrme and sure peace myght be concluded Wherunto kyng Ferdinando had answered ryght honorably and promysed his endeuour and to further the cause to the Emperour so that he might vnderstande what he and his league frendes furthermore demaunded And seing it standeth thus he desyreth hym to geue his mynde hereunto and open vnto hym vnfaynedly suche conditions of peace as he thynketh mete to be intreated of And he hym selfe wyll deuyse and that in his owne name that Ferdinando shall preferre them to the Emperour in suche sorte as he trusteth that the treatie shal be commodious to the vniuersall worlde And nowe also maye the Turkes violence more easelye be resisted for as muche as Iohn Uayuode is reconcyled to kynge Ferdinando as the kynge hym selfe tolde hym in counsel for he would not haue it bruted abroad leste it should come to the Turkes care Certen yeares past and hetherto hath a great part of Hongary bene plucked awaye from Christendome through ciuile warres but nowe their myndes are appeased and all displeasure paste there is a goodlye occasion offered of well doynge Wherfore eftsones he besecheth hym that he would help the cause of the common wealth This Marques had maried the daughter of Sigismunde kyng of Poole whiche was nece to Iohn Uayuode by his systers syde and hereof came that frendshyp and familiaritie betwyxt them He had also than receyued the Religion of Saxony and set forth a booke of the same but kepte hym out of the league and was otherwyse wholy addicted to the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando and reteyned certen ceremonies and sought to quiet offences The Duke of Saxony signifieth the whole matter by his letters to the Lantgraue And the twelfth daye of Iune after they wryte bothe to this Marques of Brandenburg on this wyse Albeit the matter is of muche importaunce and altogether suche as they oughte to make their fellowes priuie to yet doe they see what discommoditie myghte come thorowe delaye especially consideryng how the Turke flacketh nothyng of his fiersenes and they haue also consulted ouerlonge how to quiet Germany and to withstande hym with all their powers for where he aduertised them by his Ambassadours that it were nedefull to resiste that moste cruell ennemie truthe it is and they confesse that the common wealth requyred no lesse But they stād in that case that they had chiefly nede of suche a peace as were honourable trewe syrme and nothyng doubtfull For in case they should spende theyr treasure on the Turkyshe warre the meane whyle haue vnquiet neighbours at home he seeth him selfe howe vnmete and hurtefull the same would be vnto them They for their parte are verye desyrous of peace whiche if they can not obtayne and therfore in doubtfull matters diminishe no parte of their power and in the meane time the cōmon wealth sustayne any damage there may no blame therof be imputed to them but all together vnto those that refuse the conditions of peace Moreouer they suppose that it should concerne the kinge Ferdinādo and others that border on the Turkes that relatiō were made of these thinges vnto all the states Where also hetherto there is no counsel imperiall called it is not for the profite of the commō wealth For though perchaunce the time wil not permitte that publique ayde should be decreed sodaynly and nede requyreth to craue ayde of some men Yet is the Turke of suche power that he is able to continew in warres many yeares And wil not cease tyl eyther he hath obteyned his pourpose or hauing an ouerthrow be cōstrayned to breake vp warres for a time Wherfore they thinke an assemblie of the Empyre to be very expediēt that both the peace of Germany therein myght be established and cōsultation had conserning the Turkishe warre And this later to be of so great force that albeit al thinges were quiet in Germany yet neuer thelesse a common assembly to be nedefull Nor it skileth not greatly if perchaunce kyng Ferdinādo can not well be there in the Emperours name so that Ambassadours be sent with full commission and authoritie Whiche thing if he can bring to passe the same shal be cōmodious for the Emperour and for all Germany Howe be it leste they shoulde in any point fayle the common wealth or hinder the cōmoditie there of they woulde haue in a readynes suche ayde as they for their partes are acustomed and oughte to finde to be alwayes readye to serue whan nede shall require Neyther doubte they but theyr fellowes wil do the same but vnder this condition that kyng Ferdinando immediatly obtayne for them of the Emperour a sure and vndoubted peace And the whiche all other Princes of the Empyre that be of the Bysshoppes Religion shall ratifie That done and the suites and actions of the chamber set apart their ayde shal be streight wayes ready But in case the Emperour by reason of his absence can not brynge all the Prynces heeeunto in time at the leste he perswade these to be of his opinion William Lewis Dukes of Bauier George Duke of Saxony the Archebyshop of Mentz Collon and Treuers also the Bishops of Salisburge Maydenburge Breme Bamberge Wyrtenburge Munster Auspurge and Aeslet But in case they can not be perswaded that then the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando doe confirme the same peace for them selues and for all their subiectes and make promyse do their endeuours that other Prynces also maye geue theyr assente to the same whiche in case they shall refuse to doe yet shall they neuer swarue
the king of Romains but stode to the conuenaūtes of Cadame Uienne that same Archebyshop of Londe was a Germayne borne and counsellour to Christierne kyng of Denmarke who beyng expulsed was also exiled and lost his byshopryke than came he agayne into Germany attended vpon the Emperour and afterwardes was made byshop of Constaunce Whylest this treaty was at Frankefurte certen bandes of Souldiours were assembled in Saxony and were commaunded by their gouernours to go lye in the countreis of the citie of Breme of the Duke of Lunenburge and others of the same Religion and there to remayne tyll the campe remoued It was kept very secrete at the first by whose conduicte or aucthoritie they were leuied but at length it was certenly knowen that they were mustred by Henry Duke of Brunswycke and his brother Christopher Archebyshop of Bremen They that were i 〈…〉 ried by them complayned in dede to the imperial chāber but it was in vayne The Protestaūtes afterwardes through their industrie lest they should do any more harme procured the same men to serue them whome notwithstanding they vsed to the iniurie of no man At the request of the Princes that wer intercessours Stephen Faber was set at libertie by the Lantgraue who gaue him passeporte He had sayde of his owne accorde that he woulde not retourne to his Prince for that he trusted hym no more But whan he was released he went streight way to him In this assemblie William Duke of Cleue by his Ambassadour did exhibite a wrytinge to the Protestauntes wherin he declared by what ryght tytle he possessed Gelderlande And prayed them that they would be meanes for him to the Emperour and to commende his cause also to the Emperours Ambassadours there The Frenche kyng had aduertised Ulrich Duke of Wirtenberge by his Ambassadour that he heard saye howe he through the motion of his confederatours was determined to make warre vppon certen Byshoppes in Germany But this pourpose did not he alowe and for his good wyll he beareth hym doth admonyshe hym that he do it not For if he did he should offende the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando vnto whome he was lately reconciled and bryng him selfe and al that euer he had into great Daunger The Duke geuyng him thankes for the good admonishement sayth he is sclaundered and howe he supposeth the same to be reysed vp by the Dukes of Bauier who hathe fasly sowen a lyke bruite of hym in Germany he desyreth hym to geue no credit to it For it is neither his entent nor yet his fellowes to styre vp any trouble or to attēpte any thyng by force of armes vnlesse they be constrayned And doubteth not also but when they shal heare therof they wyl pourge them selues herein Wherfore whan he had declared this to his fellowes at Franckefurte the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue the .xix. daye of Aprill addresse their letters to the kynge And saye howe they vnderstande by Duke Ulriche what reporte of them was made vnto hym but to be a sclaunder forged by their ennemies and euill wyllers For they entende to make no warre and how muche they desyre peace that can the Princes tell that were intercessours For albeit they are more wayes than one prouoked albeit theyr fellowes citie is outlawed and a league made of dyuerse for the defence of vniusle decrees though bandes of Souldiours by them hired for great and vnaccustomed wages are nowe spoyling the countreys of their league frendes yet are they quiet and styre not one whytte for they loue their natiue countrey and remitte all iniuries for the cōmon wealthes sake But their aduersaries are lead with a certen impudent hatred and followe no temperate wayes nor wyll admitte no lawefull reasonyng but seke only that Germany maye swymme with ciuile bloud And seyng it is thus they desyre hym not to credit these false reportes but to geue his ayde that the churche maye be quieted by godly meanes For this is properly the dutie of kynges to maynteine truthe and innocencie And where as they defende the cause of Religion it is done of none euyll pourpose but of a certen Godly dutie for they doubte not but that the doctrine whiche they doe professe is agreable vnto Gods worde whiche they maye in no wyse forsake About the ende of this assemblie the .xxiiij. daye of Apryll died George Duke of Saxony without chyldren For his two sonnes were departed before without issewe whereof the one had maried Elizabeth the Lantgraues syster and the other one of the house of Mandesfielde Wherfore Duke George by legacie maketh his heyres his brother Henry and his sonnes Maurice and Auguste vnder this condition that they alter not the state of Religion Whiche vnlesse they shall perfourme he geueth his whole landes to the Emperour and to kyng Ferdinando vntyll suche tyme as eyther he or his sonnes or the nexte kynsman of that familie doe accomplyshe this condition This wyl of his so made he sheweth first to the Nobilitie and cōmons of his countrie beinge nowe olde sickly and wylleth them to confirme the same by an othe neuer to alter this his last wyll But they fearyng leste it should be the occasion of warre betwene the kinsmē intreate him that he would be content to sende to his brother Henry For they truste that he wyll consente to alter nothing in Religion Whereupon Ambassadours were sent to perswade with him and whan they had alledged sondry reasons and especially sayd how there was muche ready Money and a great quantitie of Plate and goodly stuffe whiche should come wholy to his handes in case he would obeye his brothers wyll He aunswered them by and by thus Certenly your message semeth vnto me to resemble the same that is writtē in the Gospel what tyme Sathan promysed Christe the kyngdomes of the whole worlde so that he would falle downe and worshyp hym Doe youthynke that I sette so muche by any ryches that I would therfore forsake the truthe and pure religion Assuredly you are farre abused if you so thinke Wherfore whan they had this answere and were departed without their purpose before they came at home Duke George had lefte hys lyfe His brother Henry going immediatly to Dresda and other townes bindeth the people to hym by an othe which was the more easely done by reason he was in league with the Protestauntes Moreouer the Prince Electour of Saxony hearyng of his death hasteth home with all expedition that if nede were he myght ayde Henry The Princes of the Popysh parte for the losse of so sure a pyllour and so lucky successe of the Protestauntes were sore agreued especially the Archebyshop of Mentz and the Duke of Brunswycke as hereafter you shal heare Thus had Duke George a successour and heire cleane contrary to his wylle And he whome he hated moste of all men duryng his lyfe tyme namely Luther was sent for by the new Prince to Lipsia to preache and to alter the
a sedition at Gaunte Whiche citie is of great force and aucthoritie in those parties and hath oftentymes made many sore bickeringes for their lybertie with the Gouernours of Flaunders in whose dominion it standeth The Emperour hauing intelligence hereof where he firste had thought to haue gone through Italy into Germany he altered his purpose and determined to passe through Fraunce seyng the kyng required hym instantly so to doe and promysed hym all thynges franckely In the meane tyme the Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburge intercessours addressyng their letters to the Emperour of the pacification at Franckfurte had requyred hym to permitte a conference of learned men to be had at Norinberge But he sayde that the death of his wyfe and certen other affaires would not suffer hym to entende suche matters Whan the intercessours had sent a copie of these to the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and yet had not signified whether the Emperour had confirmed that truce of .xv. monethes The .xix. daye of Nouember an assemblie was appoynted at Arustet a towne of Turingia Here they consulted to augmente their confederacie for their nedefull defence in case the Emperour wyll not allowe the peace makyng at Franckefurte for well disposyng the churche goodes to sende Ambassadours into Englande touching the syxe Articles and to mitigate the kinges mynde to moue the Frenche kynge that innocente persones be not tormented for ReligioÌ„ Moreouer to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour so sone as they shall vnderstande of his commyng into Flaunders And for because certen of the confederatours were absent and other some had not commission to determine of certeÌ„ matters an other daye was assigned at Smalcalde at the kalendes of Marche wherin to treate of the reste Here were receiued into the League the men of Rigen a citie in Linonia whiche were at coÌ„tencion with their Archebyshop lyke as many others were in Germany Neyther wer they receyued vpon other condicion than to be defended in the counsel chaÌ„ber by the commoÌ„ procurers therfore payed to the confederatours a thousande and fyue hundreth crownes Henry Duke of Saxon was taken into the league two yeares before without any charge because he was but poore but yet vpon condition that if he were at any tyme enriched he should beare like charge with the reste Nowe therfore that he was auaunced to this goodly inheritaunce in this Assemblie they treated with hym touching the same whiche assemblie ended the tenthe of Decembre The Prynces were not there present but had sent their deputes And the Duke of Saxon had sent Iohn Dulcie and Fraunces Burcarte vicechauncelour into Englande in the moneth of Nouembre to be is his name present at the marriage betwene the kynge and the Lady Anne of Cleane for he had married her syster Sibille as is mentioned in the syâ—â— booke Wherfore vpon this occasion they were enioyned at Arnstade to treate with the kyng in the name of the ProtestauÌ„tes for these matters before sayd The Emperour receyuing a saufe conduictetoke his iourney with a small company in the moneth of Nouembre Whan he came to the frontiers of Fraunce borderynge vpon Spayne he met the kynges two sonnes Henry and charles which were come thether in poste and the Constable which was gone thether long before with a great parte of the nobilitie of Fraunce of whom being receyued and conduicted through the myddes of Fraunce the greatest cities whaÌ„ he came to Loche in Burges he mette with the kynge hym selfe who was than scarcely ameÌ„ded of a late disease After passyng through Or leaunce on Newe yeares daye rydynge in the myddes betwene the kynges two sonnes he entred into the citie of Paris and the Constable bare the sworde before him For no kinde of ioyful myrth and gladnes no honour or solemnitie that the mynde of man coulde delight in was left vndone Thether came the Byshoppes Legate Alexander Farnesius Cardinall who together with Cardinall Bellaye the Byshop of the citie Receiued the Emperour into the Cathedrall churche at Paris Where the Emperour remaining seuen dayes afterwardes departeth the kynge hym selfe accompanying hym into Uermandois and his sonnes brought hym as farre as Ualencenes a towne in Henaulte The kynge was brought into a great and almoste a sure hope to recouer Millan but it chaunced farre otherwyse as hereafter I purpose to declare What tyme the Emperour was with the Frenche kynge in Fraunce they sent both their Ambassadours to the Uenetians moste nobly accoÌ„panied The Emperour sent Alphonse Daualle gouernour of Millan and the king Claudie Hannebalde Lieutenant of Piedmonte These exhorted the Senatours with a longe discours to ioyne them selues in amitie with these two most myghty Princes and to put to theyr good willes and power to ouerthrow the Turke But they whan they had most honorably dimissed the Ambassadors considering the thing more diligently thought mete to reconcile them selues to the Turke with whom they had trewce already Wherfore concluding at the last to rendre vnto him Nanplia and Epidaurum they obteyned at his hande peace Some saye that the Frenchemen albeit exhorted them openly as did themperours Ambassadour yet secretly whispered in their eares that they should prouide for themselues not enter into such a daunger for the which they were fyrst like to smarte the king him selfe in an Apologie against themperour reporteth that the common wealth of the Uenetians of him destroyed was through his meanes releued and recouered Aloisius Bardnarius the Ambassadoure of the Uenetians sente to the Turke for peace 〈◊〉 as commaunded fyrst to offer al other conditions and reserue those two cities for extreme necessitie But the Turke which by priuie espiall knewe the determination of the Senate longe before did expostulate with him that he did not declare his commission plainely and directly And without those two places deliuered would not conclude Who beyng amased seyng the priuities of the common wealth were bewrayed full sore againste his will permitteth him to haue them at laste But whan he was retourned to Uenise and had declared the whole matter the Senatours greatly astonied after moste diligente inquisition apprehende certen and fyndynge them giltie cut of theyr heades One of them was fledde into the Frenche Ambassadours lodgyng the Bishoppe of Mompelier as into a Saintuary wherefore officers were sent to haue searched all the house But whaÌ„ they might not be suffered to enter the Senate commaundeth certeine great pieces to be fetched out of theyr ordenaunce house to ouerthrow the lodging Wherupon the Frenchmen consyderinge theyr owne daunger bring him forth vnto them The Senate afterwarde wrote vnto the kinge the cause why they so dyd lest he shoulde thynke his Ambassadour had susteined wrong When themperour came into Flaunders kyng Ferdinando comming out of Austriche met there also After the Protestantes Ambassadors as it was condescended at Arnstad who the xxiiii daye of February beyng admitted to the Emperours speach at Gaunt
welcome him into the low countrey pourge them selues of the euill reportes of theyr aduersaryes and complayne of the Duke of Brunswike and the Iudges of the Chaumber declare how desirous they be of peace and by howe many waies they haue sought it which they nowe desyre him to graunt and establishe for euer The Emperour telleth them before Granuella that after he hath consulted of the matter he wyll make them an aunswere And in maner about the same tyme that they sent this Ambassade to the Emperour they wrote also to the Frenche kynge reioysinge muche at the great good wyll and amitie betwene the Emperour and hym And with a long proces intreate hym in this cōsent of mindes to further the cause of Religion and publique quiet to the Emperour At the kalendes of Marche the Ambassadours of the Princes cities of Protestauntes met at Smalcald as was appointed with whom also came these diuines Ionas Pomerane Melancthon Cruciger Bucer And they were inioyned to deuise a fourme in wryting wherwith they shoulde thinke mete to treate with their aduersaries for the cōciliation of religion In this assemblie they cōsulted of such matters as were left vndiscussed at Arnstad as before is said In the meane time Dulcie and Burcarte were returned out of Englande the seuenth day of Marche they make reporte at Smalcalde of the state of Religion in England that for the decrees made the yere before there is no great punishement notwithstanding Hugh Latimer byshop of Woorcester and Shaxton byshop of Salisbury are deteined in prison for Religiō and as yet not released The Lorde Cromwell whiche is in moste authoritie doth appease and mitigate the kynges mynde and that also the kyng him selfe in familiar talke opened vnto them his mynde supposeth thus that the diuines of the Protestauntes thinke not rightly cōcerning the mariage of priestes the lordes supper vnder both kyndes and of the priuate masse requireth them to write vnto him of these other necessary questions at large alledging the causes and reasons of their opinions And he wyll see agayne that the learned men of his Realme shall wryte an aunswere that thus a waye may be made to come to the knowledge of the truthe Moreouer Cromwel and certen others thinke it mete and expedient to sende a great Ambassade to the kinge and Melancthon with them For if any meane agrement in religion might be had the kynge woulde bestowe a great somme of money vpon a league that he purposeth to make with them not onlye in the cause of Religion but in generall for the kyng marueleth greatly why they are confederated for Religion only for the tyme wyll come that they shal be attempted with warre vnder a contrary title And a fewe dayes after the diuines exhibite their wryting the some wherof was this Not to swarue from the steppes of the confession at Auspurge and the Apologie afterwardes annexed to the same Which sentence afterwardes all the diuines that were absent did approue by their letters sent thether This tyme came Henry the Duke of brunswick to Gaūt The day before the Ides of March thēperour answereth the protestātes Ambassadours by Cornelles Scepp gētly so so but yet in suche sorte as it coulde not be wel perceiued whether he would graunte them peace or not Wherfore the Ambassadours by the Emperours leaue going a litle asyde by and by retourne and desire hym to inhibite the processe of the Imperiall chamber and graunte them peace whereunto the Emperour sayde he had no more to aunswere them at this tyme he woulde take further delyberation This aunswere was recited at Smalcalde the tenth daye after And on Easter munday which was than the .xxix. of Marche came thether the Princes them selues That tyme was a certen contention and hatred betwyxte Granuella and Heldus which in fine came to this ende that Heldus being displaced departed from the courte and lyued a priuate lyfe For the other was aboue hym in authoritie and brought Heldus into hatred and obloquie for that he was ouer vehement in counsell matters and other affaires and had constreyned the Emperour thinkyng nothyng lesse to haue warres in maner against his wyll And whan Granuella had geuen certen manifeste instructions of his wyll and mynde to be inclyned to peace and concorde beynge requested of the Protestauntes he perswaded the Emperour also to the conditiōs of peace And he hymselfe at the begynning as though it had bene in his owne name sent to Smalcalde intercessours and Ambassadours Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles men of great wysdome and dignitie notwithstanding the first taried by the waye sore sycke Their demaundes were reasonable enough neuerthelesse they signified this that the Emperour was almost perswaded as though they cared not for Religion neyther desyred peace in theyr hartes but altogether sought to conuerte the churche goodes to theyr priuate vses delyghted in discorde bare him no good wyll but were more addicte to take their partes that were his open ennemies And these things were reported to the Emperour partly by their aduersaries partly by the Frenchemen as it is sayde for a certentie For what tyme the Emperour went through Fraunce and all thinges were lyke to growe to a perfite frendshyp then were certen thinges disclosed and the Protestauntes letters vnto the kyng shewed vnto the Emperour some do impute this to the kyng him selfe and other some to the Constable who was than of chief authoritie sought al meanes possible to quiet and agree the Princes and dyd beare the Protestantes no good wyl because of Religion ✚ The thirtene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirtene Booke THe Protestauutes make aunswere to the Emperour demaundes shewyng how they haue more regarde to Religion than to churche goodes They confute also the argumentes of the kyng of Englande touchyng the syxe Articles The Emperour hauing punyshed them at Gaunt sendeth letters to assigne a metyng for the protestauntes against whome speaketh Alexander Farnese the Popes Legate who had followed the Emperour out of Fraunce In the meane tyme the Frenche kyng made a league with the Duke of Cleane whose syster the kyng of Englande than refused At the assemble of Hagenawe certen poinctes of Religion were agreed vpon the resydewe were referred to the conuention that kyng Ferdinando assigned at Woruies Whether Granuellan sendyng first Naues came afterwarde also hym selfe and made an Oration And after hym Campeigius the Popes Legate The conference brake offe and all was differed to that Iourney of Regenspurg In this meane whyle Luther answereth a booke set forth by the Duke of Brunswycke where is spoken of the dere mantell of the Archebyshoppes The counsell beyng begonne at Regenspurge Granuellan presenteth the booke of the Interim The Duke of Cleaue commynge into Fraunce marrieth the
fore any communication be had or the waye prepared wherfore that whiche pleased all men at Franckefurte semeth nowe best vnto them also that in case a conuocation of Germany can not be had a communication myght be appointed For in their iudgement there can no better way be founde as they declared also of late to Counte Nuenar wherein they truste that holy Scripture euen by his commaundement shall occupie the chief place and that whan their aduersaries shall swarue from the same they maye be called agayne into the waye And albeit they maye not go thether without makinge their fellowes priuie to it and the tyme is so shorte that they can not assemble before yet whan the thing shal be cōmenced and that there shal be any hope to do any good there they wyll not let to come thether in persone Requiring hym that he would graunte the saue conduicte whiche he promysed not onlye to their Ambassadours but to their deuines also For as muche as they shal haue moste to doe in this matter laste they desyre to vnderstande his pleasure herein I tolde you before of Cardinall Farnesius he went with the Emperour from Paris in to flaunders scarsely yet come to mans state In so muche that the Emperour toke it in very euill part that the Byshop had not sent some man of rype yeares and counsell What tyme therfore they did consulte of Religion and the Turkish warre and Granuellan had spoken his mynde at the laste the young Cardinall in the presence of the Emperour and king Ferdinando said his fantasie inueighing chiefly againste the Lutherianes throughout his whole oration And amonges many other thinges he sayd it could not well be discerued whether were more against Christe the Protestantes or the Turkes For the one of them shewe their crueltie onlye against the body but the others drawe the soules also into euerlasting perdition Farnesius had ioyned with hym Marcellus Ceruinus byshop of Nicastre as gouernour of all his counselles who in the same legacie was made Cardinall This Oration of Farnesius coming abroade a fewe monethes after was set forth in prynte and Iohn Caluine made a comentary to it leste any man should mistake it At this tyme the Duke of Cleaue came to the Emperour to be at a point with him for the possession of Gelderlande but it woulde not be And therfore returnyng home agayne he began to consulte with the Frenche kynge For whan he was out of hope to recouer Millan the Emperour offering hym suche condicions as he woulde lyttle haue thought he tourned his mynde wholly from his frendshyp yet couertly and complayned that he was so farre abused And than began to mislyke the Constable whiche had put hym in this great hope was the cause that the Emperour passed through Fraunce and could neuer abyde hym after where before he did all thynges When he therfore sought all meanes priuelye howe to moleste the Emperour and the Duke of Cleaue was not able to susteyne so great a sute and displeasure alone they beganne to entre into mutuall bandes of amitie The Frenche kyng had a nece the lady Iane daughter to his syster Margarete Quene of Nauarre of eleuen yeares of age the greatest inheriter in all Fraunce both of an excellent beaultie and well brought vp vnto whose frendes the kyng made sute especially to the Quene his sister that she myght be maried to the Duke of Cleaue brought it to passe as shal be recited in his place At this tyme dyd the Byshop of Rome warre vpon the Perusians for that they refused to pay a certen custome for salte and other thynges that he had reysed vpon them And so brought the citie vnder his iurisdiction And for a like cause expulsed Ascanius a man of great power of the house of Columnois out of all his dominions The Cardinall Farnesius hauing done his commission seyng the peace did not take effecte betwixt the Emperour the Frenche kyng And also vnknowen to hym a daye was assigned at Hagenaw for the Protestauntes to decide their cause in he departed out of Flaūders came to Paris about the Ides of May. And at the feaste of Pentecoste in the Cathedral churche there he consecrated Anthony Uncle to madame Destampes the kynges darlinge Cardinall of Medone setting vpon his head a purple hatte latelye brought from Rome And salutyng the kyng by the waye he goeth with great spede to Rome Afterwarde kyng Ferdinando toke his iourney from Brusselles to goe to the assemblie at Hagenaw for it could not be holden at Spyres by reason of the plague Unto this assemblie the Frēche kyng also sente Lazarus Baysius by the aduyse of the Emperour for eyther of them dissembled theyr grief and the matter was hetherto handled with flatteryng wordes And the first daye of Iune the kyng of Fraunce set forth a sore proclamation against the sowers abroade of Heresie and the false doctrine of Luther and his companions And the twelfthe daye after the same was imprinted and proclaimed at Paris Aboute this tyme the kynge of Englande beheaded the Lorde Cromwell whome he had from lowe degree auaunced to hyghe dignitie and a little before made Erle of Essex he forsaketh the lady Anne of Cleaue and marrieth Catherine Hawarde Nece to the Duke of Norfolke The Lord Cromwell was the maker of the marriage with the house of Cleaue And where after the kynge loued Hawarde he was thought to be perswaded by hir that Cromwel whom she iudged be a lette vnto her matters might be dispatched out of the waye He was a man also not wellbeloued of the Nobilitie and was suspected as though he should seke the distruction of the Papistes In the meane tyme the Duke of Brunswicke accused moste heinously boeth the other Protestantes and chiefly Henry the Duke of Saxony that contrary to the wyl of his Brother George and condition expressed in his Testament he had altered the state of Religion that he molesteth the Byshoppes of Merseburge and Misene in their iurisdiction And that he kept to hym selfe the money that his brother lefte to the vse of the league to the some of .lx. thousande crownes Wherfore he admonyshed the Emperour to compell hym to doe his dutie whiche if he shall refuse to dispossesse hym of the inheritaunce after the fourme of the wyll And he wrought not this alone albeit he was principal but certen others also of the same confederacie Nowe wyll I speake of the assemblie at Hagenaw whiche began the fyue and twenty daye of Iune When kynge Ferdinando was come thether a moneth before A fewe dayes before the cōmencement the Protestauntes had spoken to the Palsgraue to the Archebyshops of Collon and Treuers to Ericus Duke of Brunswick and to the byshops of Ausburge and of Spyres euerye man seuerallye at his owne house that they would entreate the peace Ferdinando therfore at the forsayde daye callyng the Protestauntes before hym declareth
vnto them the cause of that assemblye And because the Prynces came not them selues whiche the Emperour thought verely they woulde haue done he wylleth them to she we their commission and aucthoritie After he nameth intercessours Lewys the Paulsgraue Iohn Archebyshop of Treuers Lewys Duke of Bauier and William Byshop of Strasborough When they were contente with them they beganne the treaty Thether came also the diuines of the Protestantes a great number Iustus Menius Pistorius Urbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blanrer Osiander Shirepsius and many others Melanchthō fell sore sycke by the waye These preached at home euery man to their company but chiefly what tyme al the Ambassadours mette together to consulte vpon any matter But Ferdinando whan he vnderstoode it forbade them the Ambassadours agayne shewed hym howe they preached not openly but only priuatly neyther was there anye cause why he should be offended The Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about to come in case the talke had gone forwarde and taried vpon the frōtiers to the entent that hearing newes therof they might haue bene there by and by The intercessours requyre the Protestātes to deliuer them in a brief somme the Articles that are in controuersy they say how they did exhibite the somme and confession of their doctrine ten yeares synce at Auspurge an Apologie to the same whiche they sticke vnto and to none other beyng ready to make aunswere if any man fynde lacke therin And for because they knowe not what thynge chiefly their aduersaries do reprehende therin they haue nothyng to exhibyte but the same is rather to be requyred at their hādes to shewe what they suppose to be contrary to Gods worde Whiche if they doe and that the matter come to disputation as was thoughte mete at Franckefurte they wyll not be against a cōcorde They shew them againe within a fewe dayes after that forasmuche as they dwel styll in their confession exhibited at Auspurge they doe fynde in readinge of the treaty there that certen thinges were brought to a conciliation and certen not Nowe that the reste also myght come to a reconcilement they wyll doe their endeuours and desyre them to vtter their myndes herein The Protestauntes agayne saye that there was in dede a talke of certen Articles but nothyng concluded nor anye agrement at al made there Thus the matter being debated to and fro where the Protestauntes requyred that they myght come to disputation and they againe sayd howe it was cōmaunded them by the king and the Emperour that they should procede accordinge to the treaty at Auspurge Kyng Ferdinando the .xvi. daye of Iuly callyng them al before hym forasmuche sayth he as the matter standeth thus that nothyng can nowe be determined and that chiefly for the absence of the Duke of Saxō the Lātgraue an other day must be appointed wher in the Ambassadours learned men of both partes shall mete of lyke number to conferre of the Articles professed at Auspurge And than after a longe controuersie betwyxt the kyng and the Protestauntes for the peace of them and all their confederatours about the restitution of churche goodes and the iudges of the chamber Ferdinando the .xxviij. daye of Iuly maketh a decree and reciting the whole matter appoynted the day for a cōmunication to be at Wormes the. xxviij daye of October vpon condicion that the Emperour be so content The Prynces Electours the Dukes of Bauier and the Duke of Cleaue and the byshoppes of Madenburge Salisburge and Strasburge are commaunded to sende thether their counsellours and the Protestauntes also theirs so that there be eleuen on eyther part And also as many Scribes to wryte diligently what euery man sayeth the conference to be had of the Protestantes doctrine professed at Auspurge and that request be made to the Emperour that he wyll call a counsell of the Empyre And in the meane tyme he commaundeth all men to obserue peace and abstayne from violence vnder a great penaltie appointed by the Emperours commaundemēt Prynces before mentioned at this assemblie were Christopher the byshop of Trent Henry Duke of Brūswycke but he went home before the matter was ended The greatest peace makers in this assemblie were the byshop of Collon and the Paulsgraue Electours and also the byshop of Auspurge For all the reste were extreme agaynst the Protestauntes Duryng this assemblie died Iohn Uaiuode kyng of Hōgary leauing behinde hym a younge sonne Stephen whome Isabell daughter to Sigismunde kyng of Pole had borne hym a lytle before whiche was a cause also that kyng Ferdinādo beyng aduertysed therof by letters hasted homewarde About this time also were certen townes and villages of the Protestantes set on fyre in Saxony there aboutes and burnt vp cleane This wicked acte was sayde to be done by the Duke of Brunswyck as shal be declared hereafter The seconde kalendes of Iuly Robert Barnes Doctour of Diuinitie was brent at London in Smithfield He was for a certen tyme fled out of Englande for the doctrine of the Gospell and what tyme he vnderstode howe kynge Henry gaue his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe he retourned home agayn and was after in the Ambassade sent into Germany and was one of them whiche treated with the diuines at Wittēberge touching the kinges diuorsement as is wrytten in the tenth boke But where as the kyng had exiled the name of the byshop of Rome but kept styl his doctrine this man whiche loued the truthe was chieflye by the meanes of the byshop of Wynchester this daye executed after he had protested hys fayth openly there in the place of execution And with hym also were brent two others of the same Religion And the same daye in the selfe same place were three others hanged vpon the Gallowes that helde with the supremacie of the byshop of Rome so that neyther rāke Papists nor ernest Protestauntes escaped punishement In the moneth of August ended his lyfe at Paris Williā Budey maister of the requestes a man of great learning and worthy to be had in perpetuall memory for this cause only that he and Cardinal Bellaye byshop of Paris did counsell and perswade Fraunces the Frenche kyng to do a moste noble acte that is to appoint great stipendes for the readers of tongues and good artes at Paris For out of this welspryng no mā can beleue what clere and plentiful ryuers flowe out not only into Fraunce but also into other countreis The lyke hath Henry the eight done in Englande both in Cambridge and Oxforde And Buden would be buried without any solemnitie This yeare was notable by reason of an intollerable heate and drought Than also was excellent good wyne In the meane tyme the kyng of Fraunce dispatchyng abroade his letters to all his byshoppes commaunded them to go a procession in all places For albeit he had peace with the Emperour whiche he would not willingly breake yet feared he greatly leste
is the head of the churche and of counselles yf in dede they omitte the same vnto whom agayne it woulde bee displeasaunte in case they should not do it for the same would styre vp great stryfe and offence not onlye in Germany but also in other countries This he doeth admonisshe them of bothe by the commaundement of the Bysshoppe and also of hys owne dewtye The same day the Princes make hym aunswere howe the Bysshop maye auoyde all offension in case he will call a counsell whyche hathe been so longe promysed Yf not the state of Germany to bee suche as they muste of necessitie fynd some other waye to salue the sore And therfore require him earnestly that he wold of hys wysdome and gentlenes so further the cause to the Byshoppe that a remedie might be founde Moreouer the diuines of the Protestantes doe confute those letters and reasons of Contarene by a longe wrytyng and proue manifestly how it apperteyneth vnto all prouinces to establishe gods trewe seruice and Religion This done themperour causeth a decree to be made and red the xxviii of Iuly he referreth the conference of the learned men and the whole treatie vnto the counsell to the Synode of all Germany or of the states imperial in hys Iorney into Italy he promiseth to intreat diligently the Bisshop of Roome for a counsell And yf neyther generall nor prouinciall counsell can be obtayned than wyll he call a convocation of th empyre within .xviii. monethes for to quiet the cause of Religion and will deuyse that the Bifshop shall also sende hys legate thither he chargeth the Protestātes that they attempt no new thing besydes the articles alreadye accorded and the Bisshoppes that they should clense their churches of theyr faultes and enormities In that decree were certen articles that Religious houses shoulde not be defaced that the churche goodes shoulde not bee put to prophane vses that no man should be allured to a contrary Religion of the iurisdiction and Iudges of the chamber Whiche thinges whan the Protestants dyd mislyke themperour in a certen priuate wryting declareth seuerally what his opinion is herin In the doctrine not as yet conciliated he doth prescribe vnto them no measure Monkes houses wold not in dede bee pulled downe but yet mete to bee reuoked to a godly reformation the lyke is to bee thought of the churche reuenewes no man that is of an other iurisdiction oughte to be intysed to theyr Religion and so bee mayneteyned but yet shall it bee lawefull for them to receyue any that will come vnto them vncalled furthermore the decree of Auspurge concernynge relygion and doubtfull causes of the same for a common quyet he suspendeth tyll the cause be determined eyther in a counsell or other assemblie and commaundeth that no mā shal be reiected of the Chamber for a contrarye relygion but that the lawe shal be ministred vprightly vnto all men What tyme they had these thynges confyrmed vnder themperours seale they promise hym ayde agaynste the Turke of whose commynge it was bruted daylye more and more And the Ambassadours of Hongary and Austryche were commen thither which with greate intreaty required ayde So was there a sodayn ayde of Almaignes sent into Hongary by the cōduict of Friderick countie Fursteinberg In thys assemblie Themperoure the thirde day of Iuly before al the states had a greuous complaynt of wyllyam Duke of Cleaue for the possession of Gelderland He exhibiteth also a booke vnto them wherin he declareth hys ryght tytle to the same and sayeth how he willed hym to haue ben there but he tooke a contrary waye signifyinge couertly Fraunce as before is sayd There were present the ambassadours of Cleaue which excused theyr prince and when they proceded to declare his title themperour xiseth vp and departeth The .xxi. day of Iuly the Princes and states all go to themperoure intreate him for the Duke of Cleaue and request hym that he wold receyue him in to the tuition of thempire permit that the case may be decided frēdly and promise to take paynes in the thynge and in case they cannot make an ende in it they beseche hym to make clayme to it and to recouer his right by the law Wherunto themperoure maketh aunswer by Iohn Nauie Forasmoche as this assemblie is called for the common welthes sake to th entent that all dissention and discorde taken a waye Germany myght be restored to quyetnes and herin hath moch tyme ben consumed and yet nothyng concluded by reason of contention and diuersitie of myndes vnto his greate griefe and hinderance of hys owne affaires he sayeth he marueleth greatly that in this on cause which is properly hys they can so wel agree Thus he sendeth them awaye not withoute displeasure The next day Raymunde the Frenche kinges ambassadour in a longe oration written reciteth the cause of expulsing Charles Duke of Sanoye who a few daies before had accused the kinge to the Emperoure and al the states Durynge this assemblie the Frenche kynge sendeth Cesar Fregose an Italyan of Genes and Anthony Rincon a Spaniarde exiled Ambassadours to themperour of Turkes who sayling on the Riuer of Po towards Uenise wer taken and flayne abont the kalendes of Iuly That time was William Bellaye the kynges lyeutenaunt in Piedmount who beynge sertifyed of the thynge as he was maruelous circumspecte and industrious immediatly aduertiseth the kyng and also the fyfte day of Iuly wryteth from Turryn to Alphonsus Daualus marques of Piscare than gouernoure of Millan and all Lumbardie that he woulde see that the kynges Ambassadours which wer taken might be restored whom he knewe for certentie that hys menne had apprehended or els for the same cause shoulde the trewes be broken which was made thre yeares past by thintercession of the Bisshop of Rome And he required they might be restored eyther for because at the first he knewe not els dissembling that he knewe not what had hapned to them The Marques maketh it very straunge as though he knew nothing of the matter and to pourge himselfe sendeth Counte Fraūces Ladron Ambassadour to the kynge Langeus in a certen epistle whych he wrote to the Marques the eleuenth of Iuly I would not doubte sayeth he in the counsell of the whole worlde to speake of diuine matters and that as aptely as euer did your kinsman and auncestre Thomas of Aquyne yf I were as experte in diuinitie as soom of youre familiars are perfit and priuie to this murther For Alphonsus hys graundfather called Indicus the sonne of Rodorick a Spaniard maryed a great inheriter of the house of Aquinas And this Alphonsus was cosyn germane to Fernando Dauall of Piscare a most worthye captayne The. xx day of Iuly the king answereth Alphonce by letters from Liner a Towne of Burges admonisshing hym to regarde hys honour and estimation and sheweth hym that vnles they be restored he can not neglect the iniury done to hys men Many
haue his good will and fauoure they offer all that they haue to maynteine hys prosperous estate and dignitie After they lament the vnfortunate state of the comune weale and theyr owne condition whiche haue so nere vnto them the Turke a most cruell enemie and also of late a conquerour wherfore they saye howe they muste looke for remedies chiefly that the wrath of God may be appeased who offended with mens synfullnes sendeth this great calamitie For in the whole body of the common welth is no parte cleane nor sounde al honeste discipline is cast a syde aswell priuate as common which is the welsprynge of all enilles but yet is the contempte of gods worde the chiefe cause why God doeth so scourg and plage vs. For it is to be seene they saye and proueâ—â—othe by sacred and prophane histories that God hathe often times greuously plaged great and most florisshing kingdoms not for these lighter sinnes that be graffed in vs naturally but for idolatrie contempt of hys word The people of Iewes wer led awaye captiue into Assiria and Babilon for contemnyng the prophetes for a newe Religion and worsshipping which they themselues had deuysed and at the length was vtterly distroyed Hierusalem quite ouerthrowne for crucifying the sonne of God The most triumphante Empires of the world in time past of Babilon Persia and Grece being now subdewed by the Turkes haue so cleane lost theyr religion lawes comoÌ„welth and all theyr dignitie for the selfe same causes that there is at this day in maner no tokeÌ„ of christianitie there remayning and wher partly they forsoke and partlilothed gods benefites they fel into horrible darknes and most filthy bondage Whether was this any sodeÌ„ alteration for the Turkes maintened warre sixe hondreth yeres and aboue beefore they conquered Grece Whiche happened than at the lengthe what tyme they beyng so ofte prouoked and warned wolde neuer amend but heaped vp sinne vpon synne Now yf a man should compare those kingdomes that wer of such power dignitie wherein florisshed so many excellente wittes with this very rude and beastly common welth of the Turkes he shall fynde that syns Noes floud there neuer chaunced a greater calamitie And yf they so stronge and mightye nations were not able to resiste so weake a people as the Turkes wer at the beginnyng god thus auengyng the synnes of the people what maye we looke for which in dede are gyltye of the same fault but in so much the worse case for that we be matched with anenemie that is strong out of measure we see how God doeth plage vs chiefly in these parties wyth warre famyne and pestilence The most cruell enemie hathe taken of late Offen the chiefe citie of the Realme he hathe brent spoyled the land of Bohema And what miserie haue we not suffered these sixtene yeres howe moche blod hathe bene spilte how many thousand peopele led a waye in to most miserable captyuitie for certenly now is the Turkes power so increased that he is far exalted aboue all other kinges And for by cause he obteyneth at oure handes in a maner contynuall victories he perceyueth him self to bee the scourge of God and that no man is able to escape his vengeaunce Seing therfore that our synnes be so great and many what haue we to truste vnto or howe shall we defende our selues agaynste him Assuredly there is but one only remedy All thinges are in the handes of god it is god that geueth and taketh awaye empires whiche woundeth and healeth who prouoketh vs to repeÌ„taunce by offering vs the knowledg of his word which thing in dede he doth euer before he plageth So sent he Ionas the prophet to the Niniuites and forgaue theÌ„ for that they repeÌ„ted So loked he mercyfully vpon Nabuchodonosor the kyng of Assirians followyng the counsell of Daniel And certenly moste myghty kyng we knowe none other meane or remedye than that Gods worde may be purely taught and the people exhorted to amendement of life to the entent that being ful of confidence they may boldely withstande the Turkishe violence for herein consisteth oure saluation that we serue God ryghtly Wherfore seing that manye errours are crept into the churche whiche in this our tyme are disclosed and that lately in the counsel of the Empyre diverse opinioÌ„s wer agreed vpon and for a certen tyme peace graunted for Religion and the Byshop commaunded to refonrme their churches We beseche your hyghnes to geue commaundement that the Gospell be preached sincerely especially that article of iustification whiche teacheth that our synnes are forgeuen through Christ only Agayne that men be excited vnto loue and charitable workes whiche are the true fruictes tokens of fayth Moreouer let them be made afrayd to synne and accustome them selues to geue God thaÌ„kes that of his mere mercy we are delyuered through Christ from synne death and hell and made inheritours of the heaueÌ„ly kingdome that such as desyre may receiue the Lordes supper after the maner of the primatiue church And that also the Byshoppes be coÌ„maunded according to the decree of the Empyre newly made to redresse that is amisse in the churche that they appoincte mete ministers to instructe the people and reiecte not the true preachers as they haue euer done heretofore And let not your grace thinke that we make this sute vnto you for that we either seke for any more libertie or intende at any tyme to disobey for we coÌ„fesse that our whole saluation consisteth in Christe only and that the knoweledge of the Gospell must be adourned with godly liuing acknowledge it our bounden dutie to shewe vnto you all obedience as farre forth as our goodes and lyfe wyll extende And seing it is so we doe humbly beseche you to suffer vs to enioye the benefite of this last decree and that suche as shall followe the fourme of Religion of vs before rehearsed be not indaungered therfore For so shal you haue faith full ministers of your churches whiche are nowe many vacant and boyde of any and men shall with more hardines warre against that moste terrible ennemy vnto whome for our ingratitude and wickednes God hath geuen so many victories and conquestes hitherto The nobles and states of Austriche that put vp this supplication were foure and tweÌ„ty men of honour and ten cities wherof Uienne was one and their next neighbours the Stirians Carnites Ferdinando hetherto aunswered that for calamities by them mentioned he is ryght hartely sory and doubteth not but these are plages sent for the synnes of the people and therfore hath oftener than once admonished the ministers of the churche that they should exhorte the people to amendement of lyfe Moreouer sayeth howe he was neuer against that Gods worde should be ryghtly taught according to the traditioÌ„ and settyng forth of the Apostles and such other interpretours as the churche hath receiued and allowed neuerthelesse he chargeth them that in
Religion they do alter nothing tyll suche tyme as the matter be fully determined by a generall or a prouinciall counsell of Germany or els by some conuocation of the Empyre And not to thynke that the decree of Regenspurge concerned them any thynge at all wherof the meaning is that the catholickes should remayne in the olde and the Protestauntes in the same Religion whiche they followed at the tyme of this reconcilement tyll some one of these counselles were appointed within eightene monethes and seing it is so he may not permitte his subiectes to do any thyng to the contrary They desyre him againe at fewe wordes that the true Religion of Christe maye be auaunced and that the good preachers be not brought in daunger for otherwyse let hym neuer loke to haue any victory or lucky successe as the Turkes hande A litle after this dyed the Bysshop of Numburge in whose steade the College chose Iulius Pffugius before mentioned but the Prince Electonr of Saxon contended that they myght not doe it withoute his consente and reiectyng the Flugins substituted in his roume Nicolas Amstorfe of a noble house a doctour of diuinitie of Wittemberg whome Luther stalled in the moneth of Ianuary and after set forthe a booke of the same in dutche wherin he declareth howe the flocke of Christe ought not to be cōmitted to Pffugius as ennemie to the pure doctrine Pffugius being thus repulsed complayneth to the states of the Empyre howe wrongfully he is put from his ryght The Prynce agayne aunswereth howe the gyfte belongeth properlye to the house of Saxon and reciting many olde presidentes of great antiquitie alledgeth amonges other causes wherfore he can not suffer him to bee Byshop this also for one that he is openlye againste the confession of Auspurge After the ouerthrowe in Hongary as is said before the Emperour calleth an assemblie of the states at Spiers by his brother Ferdinando to begynne in the moneth of Ianuary and appointeth ioyneth to him for assistaunce Hughe Monforte and Iohn Nauie The Princes that were there presente were the Marques of Brandenburge Electour Fredericke the Palsgraue Albert Duke of Megelburge Ernest Marques of Baden the Byshoppes of Mentz Wormes Spier Constance Hildessem the residue sent Ambassadours What tyme they were assembled the nynth daye of February kynge Ferdinando in the Emperours absence propoundeth as the maner is the cause of that assemblie whiche was in brief to consulte howe the Turke myght be kept out of Hungary for ayde touchyng the same After the assemblie of Regenspurge whan Iohn Gropper ambassadour to the Archebyshop of Collon was retourned home he cōmended Bucer exceadingly and sayde he was metest of all others to take in hande the reformation of Religion for he was bothe well learned a louer of peace and of a pure lyfe The Byshop therfore whiche knewe Bucer well enough before and thought to vse his helpe sendeth for hym in February to come to hym to Bonna where he was verey gentlye receyued namely of Gropper who intreated hym to goe with hym to Collon And so for that tyme was lycenced of the Bishop to departe and to come agayn whan he should be sent for as I wyll declare hereafter Moreouer about this time also was beheaded Catharine Haward in Englād and for that where the king had maried her for a mayde he founde that she had troden her showe a wrye He that had defloured her was gone into Irelande and had an office there but beynge called home againe by her whan she was Quene and taken into her seruice he was beheaded after her as were also certein others partly for concealement partly for lyke offence After her deathe the kynge marieth the syxte wyfe Catherine Parre that had bene wyfe to the Lorde Latimer and syster to the Marques of Northhamton To the assemblye at Spiers the Frenche kyng sent an Ambassade the chiefe wherof was Fraunces Oliuer Chauncelour of Alenson Who in the presence of all the states whan they consulted of the Turkyshe warre the fourtene daye of Februarye made a longe Oration in the begynnyng whereof he sekynge to wynne theyr fauour reciteth howe the yeare before the kynge vnderstandynge that the Turke woulde inuade Hongarye for the loue he bare vnto Germanye sent Ambassadours immediatly to him to perswade him if he myght to the cōtrary but the Emperours men toke them in Italy as yet it is not certeinlye knowen whether theibe dead oraliue wherby not only the truces is broken but also the lawe of armes And where as certein do encourage the Germaines to warre against the Turke in the defence of Hōgary and al Christientie alledgyng that albeit he be of great power yet maye he ryght well be vanquyshed by the example of Iohn Hunniades Matthie kyng of Hongary Scanderbeg lorde of Epirus and Tamberlane Emperour of the Srythiās al the whiche haue wonne honour at his haude as also they themselues did at Uienne a fewe yeares past and vse diuerse other perswasions to pricke thē forward he contrary wyse affirmeth that those whiche geue this counsell doe not well consyder the state of Germany howe full it is of dissention nor the daunger that of this warre myght ensue For a myghtyer or crueller ennemye is not in the whole worlde nor one that is better furnyshed of all thynges belongynge to the warres Neither can this warre be finyshed with one battell or two but euer requyreth newe and freshe men continuall and marneylous greate charges The force power of Germany is in dede exceading great but yet is the Turkes ten tymes greater whiche passeth litle of the losse of two or thre hondreth thousand men where if they should lose but one battell in what daunger should the whole countrey be in before they should leuie an other in this grudge dissention of mindes therfore his aduise is that they attēpte not warre against the Turke neyther seke to recouer that he hath already gotten in Hongarye for feare of a further mischief But in case he should at any tyme inuade Germany that it should stande vpon their honours to bende all their force against him stoutely to giue him the repulse otherwyse not to medle vntill suche time as they shal be fully throughly accorded in matters of religiō in like case as they be partly already namely in the chiefest articles of iustificatiō of faith workes for certenly without a perfit cōcorde the state of Thempire can not long endure especially the Turke stil inuading The Romains became lordes of al the world not so much by power force of armes as by a certē craft policie for loke what natiō thei purposed to subdue vnto their empire thei wold euer practise to weaken by ciuile discorde for a time wold maintein th one parte of the faction till at last thei had vanquished thē both By this meane were the people of Carthage of all Asia the French men and
of so great a mischiefe and wickednes Unto this Oration he annexeth a maner of praying against the Turkysh fury and about the ende discoursing the vice that reigneth in this our tyme in all sortes of men he sheweth howe Germany whiche is so corrupted and wholy infected can not longe continewe in prosperitie And this fourme of prayer he prescribeth Oeuerlasting father we haue verely deserued to be sore afflicted but punnyshe vs thyne owne selfe Lorde not in thy wrath and displeasure but according to thy great mercy for it is muche better for vs to falle in thyne than into the handes of men and our ennemies for thy merci is vnspeakeable and infinite we haue certenly offended the and transgressed thy commaundementes but thou knowest O heauenly father howe the deuill the Byshop and the Turke haue no rightnor cause to punyshe vs for we haue trespassed nothyng against them but thou vsest them as a scourge to whippe vs which haue mo ways than one al our life time styred the vp against vs. They I saie haue no quarell against vs but would rather that we should euer after their example offende the moste greuously that through idolatry false doctrine lyes disceiptfull and craftye iugglynge with murther thefte and extortion fornication adultery and sorcerie we myght offende the maiestie of thy name This is the thing that thei most wishe for and because we confesse and honour the God the father and thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lord and the holy spirite one and euerliuing God that same is our offence and wickednes for the whiche they so greuously hate and persecute vs. If we should forsake this fayth and fal vnto their lore thā should we loke for no displeasure at their hāds Uouchesaufe therfore to loke vpon vs O God the father and to send a remedy for they be more thyne aduersaries than ours whan they doe tormente vs they tormente the for the doctrine that we professe is not ours but thyne And Sathan can not abyde it but wylbe worshipped in thy place and thy worde set asyde goeth about to feede vs with lies And the Turke also in the steade of thy sonne Iesu Christ wold place his Mahomet Nowe yf thys be synne that we professe thee the father and thy sonne and the holy ghost to be the trewe and only God certenly than arte thou a synner whiche so teachest vs and requyrest this dewty of vs and whā they for this cause persecute vs they do hate and afflicte thee also Awake therfore my God and take in hande thy selfe to aueuge thy sacred and holy name which they defyle and deface neyther suffer thou this iniurie at their hande which punnishe not our synnes and vices but seke to quenche thy worde in vs and doe what they can that thou shouldest not reigne at all neyther shouldest haue any people whiche might serue and honour thee Nowe touching the ofspringe encrease of the Turkes because many haue written it nedeth not to note any thing therof in this place of a smal beginnyng they haue had a maruelous encrease Their first Emperour is accompted Othomanne aboute the yere of our lord a thousand and thre hōdreth whom after succedeth Orchanes Amurathes who fyrst transported his armye ouer the sea of Hellesponte into Europe and inuaded Thrace Than Baiazethes Cyriscelebes Moses Mahoniethes Amurathes Mahomethes Baiazethes Selime Solyman About this same tyme Alphonse Marques of Piscare before mentioned sendyng a booke to the princes of Germany accuseth and blameth the frenche kinge whiche in so troublesome a tyme of the comon welth goeth about to styre vp stryfe to thentente he might hinder the most noble enterprises of themperoure and al the states pretendeth a lyght and a forged matter for Anthony Rincon Ce. Fregose that should be intercepted vnto whom what thing hath chauuced he could not after long and diligent searche fynd out The Frēch Kinge whan he knew thereof declareth that he had an exceadinge great iuiurie done him to haue his Ambassadours so cruelly destroyed of this thinge hathe he ofte complayned sore to the Bisshop and to themperoure and hath requyred that he might be satisfysed herin but it was in vayne And seing it is so vnworthie an act he can not without the greate shame and dishonoure of his name neglecte it After the second of Maye addressing hys letters to the Senate of Paris to th ende sayeth he that god maye illumine our heartes and graunt vs the constancie of fayth and bring again those that ere into the way of saluation and sende vs peace throughe recompence for the iniuries that we haue susteyned by the vsurping of our right and the outrage donne to oure messagers and ambassadours or if in dispayre to haue peace we must nedes haue warre that he would graunt vs victorye our request is that the people go a prosession and pray in all churches And that by some fyt preacher the cause therof be recyted to the cōgregation Moreouer in case any ther be that thinketh not rightly of oure fayth and religion neither will promise amendement we commaund that he suffer openlye for his offence Not longe after he sendeth the Duke of Longuill to the prince of Cleaue who leauing ther a power in the somer season by the conduicte of Martyn van Rossen looked for an occasion to doe some exploicte In the meane season at the kalendes of Iune the bisshop appoynted a connsell at Trente agaynste the fyrst of Nouember at the which time he commaundeth to repayre thither Patriarches bisshoppes abbottes and suche other lyke which eyther by right or priuiledg haue interest to be presēt at counsels and are permitted there to speake their minde He exhorteth also themperoure and the French kyng that eyther they wolde come them selues or send theyr proctours to commaunde their bisshoppes to be there but the bisshops of Germany he inuiteth aboue all others for that for theyr cause chiefly and at theyr requeste is all this payne and trauaile taken In the moneth of Iuly the Frenche kinge with moste hatefull woordes proclaymeth warre against themperoure and in a wryting publysshed geueth his subiectes libertie to spoyle and distroy his contries by sea and lande by what meanes so euer they might A littel before the Duke of Longeuill and Martyu Rossen had made an inuaston into Brabant and were a wonderful terrour to men vnprouided and commyng vpon the sodayne had lyke to haue taken Andwerpe Louayne but wantyng thinges necessarie for munition they could make no battery and marching forewarde whiche way so euer they wente they diftroyed al before them with fyer and sword and extorted many And thus making theyr waie by force in August they ioyne themselues with the kinges sonne Charles Duke of Orleans which warred that tyme in the land of Luke In this force were foure hondreth horsemen sent by the kynge of Denmarke Besydes Danuillier Uirton and Iuey was taken also Lucemburge the chiefe
throughe mallice and hatred kindled amonges the states theire whole treasure shal be consumed in ciuile warre how fyt and profitable the same wil be for the Turkes there is no man but knoweth wel enough For howe harde a thing it is after that althynges be exasperated to quyet the matter it maye by dyuers examples be shewed They verely doe wishe for nothyng more than that a fyrme peace vpright iustice and publicke quiet might be stablished in Germany certenly of the dissention that is in religion arriseth al this grudg diffidence And that dissention springeth of that same wel for that the doctryne of the gospel and Gods trewe relygyon are prohibited for that errours and open crimes are not only not taken awaye or a mended but also for ambition and lucre sake are defended and maynteyned Therfore god beyng offended prouoked to wrath for thys vnthankfulnes doeth plage vs with greate calamities and will not cease hys hand so longe as we perseuer in the same They praye them therfore that they wolde applye theyr studye hereunto and at the lestewyse so trauell in this matter that for relygion sake there bee no trouble moued and that iustice maye bee ministred to all men indifferentlye but for somoche as that can not be as the state of the chamber is at thys present they requyre that accordyng to the olde lawes of the empire and Themprours declaratiō that iudgemente may be reformed and other iudges appoynted and actions to remayne in the same state as they were in before the refusall made and the iudges to bee charged that they obserue exactely the fourme of the reformation that shal be and attempt nothynge agaynst the peace makinges of former yeres For vnlesse the thyng maye thus bee ordered and that they may haue a sufficiente warraunte to haue peace they cannot consulte of the Turkishe warre althoughe they desyre to doe anye thynge they maye for the common welth The matter beyng longe and mothe debated whan bothe kynge Fernando and Themperours attourneis sayed howe the counsell was alreadye appoynted ar Trente and Themperoure also would come thyther And that the Iudges of the chamber coulde not be remoued without theyr cause were hearde and that the redresse is already decreed and shortely shall take effecte And howe they coulde not denye the Duke of Brunswicke by them expulsed makyng claime to hys owne to haue the lawe neyther that they had Aucthorytye to make any further graunte The Protestauntes shew them agayne that they neyther allowe that Counsell neyther wyll they come there neyther are they satisfyed in other thynges nor sufficiently assured neyther can they take any further delyberation Notwithstandinge Fernando and the other states make a decree for the fortyfying of the places nere to the Turkes dominion and for contribution monye for the same and appoynte the thirde daye of Iuly for reformation of the Chamber ordeynynge that it shoulde be redressed after the fourme prescribed eleuen yeares paste at Regenspurge appointing a penaltie for those that shall refuse to contribute their ayde accordyngly But the Protestantes agayne do proteste that they doe not assente vnto this decree because it was made withoute theyr aduise because there is no certen thing establisshed touching the peace law and because there is great pertialitie cōcerning the contribution When for Themperours cominge the matter was lyke to tende to a mortal warre betwene him the Duke of Cleaue The Princes electours and other states by theyr Ambassadours doe intreat hardely at the last obteyne a trewes of Granuellan not certē and determinat but suche as shoulde stande at Themperours pleasure so soone as he shoulde sette foote into Germanye whether he wyll approue or refuse it and in the meane season Sittarde a verey stronge towne in the frontier of Gulicke shoulde haue been in the Emperours possession vntyll he had declared what hys mynde were The intercessours promysed thys also that they wold send Ambassadours to mete with the Emperoure to in treate him in the matter And Granuellan put them in greate hope that theye shoulde receyue of hym a gentle aunswer Thys treatye thambassadours of Cleaue the chiefe whereof was Iohn Ulatten a noble man of birthe and well learned dyd well allowe and gaue thankes to the intercessours for theyr paynes taken but in the meane whyle was a battell foughten at the Towne of Sittarde the .xxiiii. daye of Marche And where as the Duke of Cleaue wanne the feelde partely by reason of this victorye and partly throughe the perswasion of the Frenche Kynge that fed hym with money he waxed obstinate forsakynge the treuce whan hys ambassadours were retourned home The newes of this prosperous battel brought spedely into Fraunce caused great reioysynge and at Paris by the Kynges commaundemente they sange Te deum The Dukes of Banier bretherne by theyr Ambassadours make intercession to the Protestantes in thys conuentyon and amonges other condicions they propounde thys also that all the Duke of Brunsewickes landes myght be committed to the custody of Themperoure or certen princes of Germany tyll the matter be further examined but herein could be nothynge determyned In this assemblye Christopher Bysshop of Auspurge dyed of a soden paulsey when he had appoynted to make a feaste on the nexte daye He was of the house of Stadious a man learned and peaceable whom Otto Truckesse suceded Here was a decree made but not entered of recorde as was accustomed neyther was it of authorytye It was longe or the Frenche Kynge receyued Themperours Letters wrytten to the Bisshop of Roome therefore nowe at the laste he aunswereth them at the full Where Themperoure wolde be preferred before hym as though he had well deserued of the church of Roome it is a mockerie and a vayne thyng For neyther are Themperours auncesters to bee compared with hys nor he hymselfe also with hym in thys behalfe certenly he is a good sonne and moche prayse worthye whose Armie dyd besiege vexe and take prisoner the father and good man of the house Clemente the .vii. and sacked the chiefe citie of the whole world and polluted the Churches and Temples of God immortall by sondry wayes and lefte there vndonne no kynde of mischiefe fylthy luste and crueltye who vnto this so greate an outerage gaue also hym selfe a prettye mocke what tyme he made vowes and supplycatyons in Spayne for the delyueraunce of hys father whom he moste streyghtely deteyned at home captiue But hys Progenitours kinges of Fraunce euer syns Charles Martell Pipine and Lewis haue studyed alwayes to auaunce and enryche the Bysshoppes of Roome He prayseth moche his owne dilligence and zeale to the common welthe but the thynge is farre otherwyse yf it bee indged a ryghte for throughe hys order and conduite haue many thousandes of Christians ben slayne of the Turkes within a shorte space in Hongary ones or twyse in the Goulfe of Uenise at Castelneufe after that in Barbarfa at Argiers Whither at
ouerthrowe at Argiers suffered Shipwreake was drowned And this opinion was so setrled in the myndes of the Cleauois that they would neyther credite them whiche sayed they had sene hym nor scarsely those that had spoken with hym The Prynce hym selfe also was lykewyse perswaded by acerten fatall credulitie The Frenche men were thought to be authors and forgers of this vanitie lest the Cleauois should releÌ„t and for feare of Themperours power fall to some coÌ„position Themperour receyuing this aunswer whan he had fortyfyed his camp and furnished it with all thinges the .xxiiii. day of August before the soÌ„ne rysyng he beginneth to make his battery and after geueth thassault especyally by the Spanyardes whyche were exceadyng preste and wyllyng They beyng often repulsed and hauyng loste many of their men neuer ceased before they had taken it by force The fortune of the Townes men was suche as is wonte to bee whan the waye and entrie is made by the sword Howbeit here was wont to be shewed the head of Saint Anne our Ladyes mother and thither came yearelye a greate multitude of people at the. xxvi daie of Iuly whyche is dedicated to that sainct But the Spaniardes being victours caried that head inclosed in golde with a greate pompe deuoutely into the graie Freres Churche lest it shoulde bee lost in that Ruine and burnyng of the Churche After the Towne was spoyled and distroyed by fyre Themperour Marchinge forewarde had rendred vnto hym Gulick and than Ruremunde a stronge Towne of Gelderlande situated where the Ryuer of Rure and the Mase mete For the sodein distructyon of Dure broughte all men into a wonderfull feare and perplexitie From Ruremunde he goeth to Uenlon Thither at the laste came the Duke of Cleaue to hym into his Campe accompanyed with Henry Duke of Brunsewicke and the Ambassadours of the Archebishop of Collon And what time he humbly besought Themperoure to perdon hym the Duke of Brunswicke also and the Ambassadours ernestly intreated for hym Themperoure at the last ryseth vp and appoynteth the Prynce of Orenge and Granuellane to prescribe lawes vnto hym Therefore vpon these conditions he was receyued againe into fauoure the seuenth daye of September He shall not departe from the relygyon of the Catholycke Churche yf he haue altered any thynge let it be restored that he promyse hys fydelytie allegeaunce to themperour to king Fernando to thempire that he doe renounce the league of Fraunce and of Denmarke He shall make no confederacie wherin he shall not excepte Themperoure Fernando and their heires He shall leaue the possession of all Gelderlande and release the people of they re othe And in case any place or places shall refuse to render that he shall than ayde the Emperoure to recouer the same The Emperoure agayne restoreth vnto hym the Lande of Gulycke latelye Conquered excepte two Townes Henseberge and Syttarde whyche hee wyll kepe for a tyme tyll he haue somme experience of hys fydelytie and Loyaltye Whylest the Emperoure wente agaynste the Duke of Cleaue the Frenche Kynge Marcheth throughe Champagne towardes the lande of Luke And sendeth for the Lady Iane hys Systers Daughter whyche was despoused and solemnelye Maryed two yeares before to the Duke of Cleaue to carye her to her Husbande She wente full sore agaynste her wyll as I shewed you beefore Howbeit she obeyed the Kynge her Uncle The Kynge appoynted vnto her Cardynall Bellaye Bysshop of Parys as a man mooste meete to perswade with her and kepe her companye all that Iorneye When she was commen nowe to the Soyssons to goe from thence to the Kynge woorde was broughte that the Duke of Cleaue was subdewed Wherwith beeyng greatlye reioyced she sawe then that shee nede to feare the thinge no longer and knewe what wolde bee the ende thereof Neyther was she deceaued at all For the Kynge at these newes was sore astonyed And so she retourneth home but he neuerthelesse procedynge taketh the Cytyo of Lucemburge aboute th ende of September and after delyberatyon had fortyfyeth it Aboute thys tyme also Henry the eyghte Kynge of Englande confederated latelye with the Emperoure sendeth hym a power of men by the conducts of Syr Iohn wallop Capytayne of Guisnes whyche Ioynynge with Themperoures Armye beesege the Towne of Landersey In the Moneth of October Charles Rosset a Lawyer was sente by the Emperoure to Mentz who there tooke order with the Senate Monkes and Clergie for the obseruing of the olde relygion bannysshynge the Preachers and others that were inclyned to the Protestantes vnles they shoulde reconcile them selues within a certeine tyme. Whan Barbarousse had beeseaged the Castell of Nice in vayne and that Themperoures power out of LuÌ„bardye also approched whyche was led by the Marques of Piscare he leuyed the sege and somewhat sooner than the tyme of the yeare requyred he leadeth backe hys Armie to wynter at Tollon for that Towne had the Kynge assigned hym commaundyng all the CitezeÌ„s and inhabiters to auoyde thence This yeare was moche dissention and trouble in Scotlande the mindes of the nobles beyng deuyded For those Lordes whyche we sayed were prisoners in Englande being libâ—â—ally dismissed of the kynge furthered hys cause as moche as they myght But the Cardinall of Scotlande who had great yerely reuenewes by benefyces in Fraunce and the Quene beynge Daughter to the Duke of Guyse tooke the Frenche Kynges parte After the death of the Scottish king Henry the eyght was wholy in this that the yonge Quene of Scottes might be affianced to Prince Edward his soÌ„ In the which thing those nobles that I spake of did him good seruyce And when they had perswaded HameltoÌ„ the gouernour they toke the Cardinall and besege the Quene in a certen castell and makyng the wrytynges confyrme the marriage But where the French kynge disturbed this deuyse And the Nobilitie also pitied moche the Quenes chaunce and the gouernoure reuolted to thother syde they brake theyr conuenauntes And the warres beganne agayne afresihe betwixt them and England as shal be declared herafter The kyng of Denmarke had also warre with Themperialles of the low countrye for Kyng Christierne that was captiue And he axed ayde of the Protestantes but they saye how thys quarel concerneth not theyr league for it was prouyded that in case he shoulde haue warre for hys religion that then he shoulde by their coÌ„mon ayde be defended When the Duke of Cleaue had made hys peace with TheÌ„perour he sendeth his Ambassadoure to the Kynge of Fraunce and renounceth hys league and requyreth that his wyfe maye bee sente hym for whose passage he hathe obteyned a saufe conduite of Themperoure The kynge aunswereth the Ambassadour howe there hath ben no let in hym that he hath not bothe had his wyfe delyuered and an Armye also sente but that it hath ben hys owne faulte which certifyed that ther was neyther open way for them to passe in those parties nor vitaile to be had What
soeuer he hath promised he hath lyberally perfourmed and sōwhat more also than he was bounden But he hath not donne well who forgettyng his noble lynage and estate hathe brought hym selfe into suche bondage As concernynge hys Nece he maie knowe what her mynde and her parentes is he is in nothyng further bounden to hym Whan Themperoure had establysshed thynges in Gelderlande in the moneth of October he came to Landresey with an exceadynge greate armye Thyther came also the French kynge with hys whole force and the thynge was none other lyke but to haue commen to a battell But when the Frenche men had vytayled the Towne they went awaye by nyght so pryuely that the enemy perceiued it not before it was day light Than at the length pursuing after them they ouer tooke the rerewarde slew many And because winter came on Themperour thinking good to attempt no further whan he had sēt a certen power to the sege of Lucēburg he dischargeth the rest of hys army Duke Maurice serued themperour at Landresey of hys owne voluntarye mynde wherby he gote moche good wyll and made the way to obteyne hys frendship In the winter season the Duke of Lorayne and certen others intreate for peace but that was in vayne Themperoure retournynge home from Landersey sent Fardinando Gonzage Uiceroy of Sicilie to the Kyng of England that he might incense hym more agaynste the Frenche kynge I haue oftentymes mentioned of William Countie Furstēberge he beyng made a straūger with the Frenche kinge made suite by Granuellan to come in to Themperours fauour And to declare hys fydelytie he leuyed a certen power of foote men in hys owne Iurisdictyon and wente in the myddes of wynter to Lucemburge and ioyned hym selfe with Thēperours Armie But when the Frenche men by the conduite of the Duke of Longouile had vitayled them within he departeth without any thynge doon after that many were dead for colde and honger I shewed you before howe the counsell of th empyre was appoynted at the last of Nouember Wherfore the Protestantes assemble together at Franckfourd to consulte before what thynges they shoulde treate of in the whole assemblye And where the matter was delayd by reason of the Frenche warres the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue in the moneth of Nouember addressyng their letters to themperoure do aduertise hym howe they wyll come to the counsell yf he hymselfe wyll bee there and graunte them saufecounduite for them and theyr league frēdes Wherunto Themperour aunswered frō Brusseles the x. day of Decembre that he would come doubtles and that in the moneth of Ianuarye and sendeth withall a saufconduite Howebeithe excludeth suche as are addicte to hys enemyes by promesse faythe or conuenaunte signifyinge the priuie espialles of the Frenche kynge Than in the begynnyng of Ianuary takyng hys iorney he commeth to Spire The .xxiiii. day of thys moneth was a great Eclipse of the Sonne in the daye tyme so that all men beheld it not without great wonder This yeare also were thre ful eclipses of the Moone A matter in dede to bee wondred at and the whyche as the astronomiers saye hathe not chaunced synce the tyme of great Charles Alexander Farnese Cardinall passyng throughe Fraunce spoke with Themperoure goynge towardes thassemblye and tooke hys leaue of hym at Wormes The cause of his ambassade was thought to be a treaty of peace This assemblie of Spier was exceading great For booth king Farnando and all the Prynces Electours which is seldome seene in maner all other Princes were there and amonges them also the Duke of Cleaue As the Duke of Saxony was comyng whych was the .xviii. day of February the Lantzgraue the Archebisshop of Colō Friderick the Paulsgraue and the Uiceroye of Sicilye went foorth and met hym Two dayes after the counsel began And Themperour propoundeth for what causes leauynge Spayne he is nowe retourned into Germany and hath called this conuention he hath sufficiētly declared by hys letters dated at Gene neyther is it nede to recyte howe moche he hathe euermore loued the Publyke weale that all thynges put in order at home he myghte warre agaynst the common enemye of Christendome but howe he hath ben impeached hytherto and by whom it is not vnknowen For thys last yere by the procurement of the French kyng the Turkisshe nauie is comen into the Sea of Ligurie and hath inuaded the countrey of the Duke of Sauoye a Prince of Thempire taken the Citie and hauen of Nice and with greate force beseged the Castell and vattered it ryght sore And albeit they were constrayned throughe hys Armye approchynge to leuye theyr siege yet haue they syns attempted other places of Th empyre and of Spayne also and are nowe wholy aboute to distroie all together Therfore is the matter nowe brought into an extreme daunger and vnlesse they ioyne theyr mindes and powers to helpe it it is to be feared lest Germanye shall acknoweledge and bewayle hys miserye al to late He hath often wisshed to redresse these euilles but the Frēch Kynge mouing warre agaynst hym insondry places he could neither retourne into Germanye nor Ioyne his power with theyres And that the Turke doeth so boldly inuade Germany that the warres also attempted agaynste hym haue had so euell successe hytherto the cause hathe ben fyrst that he hath ben aduertysed from tyme to tyme by the Frenche kyng of the dissention in relygion of the publycke and priuate dyspleasure of al degrees of the state of Th empyre and what thynges are donne therein Secondlye for that he seeth howe at the Frenche Kynges hand he fyndeth fauour and socour ready as it hath not been only declared by witnesse and letters but nowe also proued in dede For asmoche therfore as he styreth vp and armeth the comon and moste cruell enemye of all others agaynste the Christen publyke weale he supposeth that they shoulde esteme thys warre whyche he is constreyned to maynteyne agayste hym non otherwyse than if it were attempted agaynste the Turke trustynge moreouer that they wyll not onlye condemne hys practyse and enterpryses but also wyll assiste hym to thentente that beyng delyuered from the domestycall enemye he maye dysplaye hys whole force agaynste the Turke After thys expostulatyng that the ayd decreed for the Turkish warre was not sente accordyngly for the wante wherof the Turke hathe agayne thys laste yere preuayled and taken certen Townes and Castels in Hongarye he requyreth them that seeyng the Turke goeth about to wynne Hongarye that he maye after inuade Germanye they wolde consyder depelye so weyghtye a matter that they may haue ayde not oulye to defend but to inuade also to th ende thys moste noysō plage may ones be driuen away from theyr wyues children and natif contrie declaring moreouer how willing he is the thinges amisse shoulde be refourmed and emongs other the iudgement of the chamber The same day king Fernādo by hys ambassadours speakīg
yeres before as is declared And Sygismunde Kynge of Poole defended hym as hys Cliente And nowe what tyme an other was inuested as I haue sayed the kynges Ambassadoure proteâ—ted openlye that thys creation was vnlawfull neyther that it oughte to bee any derogation to the Kynge hys Master vnder whose defence and protection is the Lande of Prusse Whan the Ambassadours of Hongary had recited theyr misfortune and losse of the yeare paste they requyred ayde of Th empyre For nowe is the matter broughte to the verey extremitie and yf they bee nowe leafte destitute they must nedes doe as men are wont in matters desperat and for the which no man can blame theÌ„ they wil accept right harde conditions yea boÌ„dage it selfe rather that whilest other men sit still loke on they should fal into present destructioÌ„ How the FreÌ„ch kings Heraulte was sent away from Spier with his letters it is before declared whan the ambassadours therfore wer retourned home the oratioÌ„ which they should haue had before the states of germany they set forth in print In the beginning to get good will they say how bothe nations haue one the same originall neither can any thing chaunce vnto germany which apperteineth not as wel vnto Fraunce ThaÌ„ do they coÌ„fute the reportes of their aduersaries as though the king with an other warre should disturbe the coÌ„mon welth haue made league with the Turke vsing a certeÌ„ preface to appeace themperour And affirme how the former warre was begon for that the king could not obteine of the duke of Sauoie his mothers inheritauÌ„ce And this later for the kinges ambassadours which wer slain against the law of all nations And that the king hathe no league nor societie with the Turke but for marchandise coÌ„mon quiet such as the Uenetians PoloniaÌ„s others haue And albeit ther wer any league betwixt theÌ„ it wer not to be reprehended for asmoch as in times past both AbrahaÌ„ Dauid SalomoÌ„ Phineas the children of Tobie captaines of the Machabeis haue done the like After also themperours Honorius CoÌ„staÌ„tine Theodostus the yonger Iustinian the secoÌ„d Palaologus Leo Frederick the first second haue vsed the aide succour of nations of a contrary religioÌ„ And doubtles Fredericke the second was euen vpon the shoulders of the saracens caried again into Italy froÌ„ whence the bisshopes of Rome had expulsed him They know how great powers aide the king hath oftener than once promised to the Turkish warre Hereof also the Bishop and Senate of Cardinalles are good wytnesses The cause whye the Turke inuaded Hongarye was for the contentyon aboute the gouernemente And after was moore provoked by the war in Affricke for the taking of Townes And where of late the Turkisshe nauie came into the Ligurian Sea it is not to be imputed to the kynge neyther maketh it to the pourpose that Poline the kinges seruaunt was in the same For thinteÌ„t of Barbarousse was to searche and take Androwe de Aurie his enemie And when he could not fynde hym he beseged the castell of Nice and that of hys owne determination The kyng in dede hath taken trewes with the Turke lyke as he hath at other tymes shewed them which is honest hurtfull to no man for the which he ought not to be blamed consydering that the greatest men that be haue also lately muche desyred the same The state of the publyke weale is sore afflicted and for that is the kynge right sory And by this meane maie peace be recouered if Themperoure will restore to the Kinge that thinge that is his owne ryghte and in heritaunce Yf they can brynge thys to passe the kinge wyll spare neyther trauell cost nor perill to defende Germanye from all foreine violence In the fourmer bookes you haue hearde how the Duke of Saxon wolde not acknoweledge Fernando to be kynge of Romanes but in thys conuention that matter wente through in the moneth of Maye and the Duke promised to honour hym accordingly Themperour agayne ratifyeth the Marriage conuenauntes betwixte hym and the house of Cleaue whiche euer before he refused permitteth that in case the Duke of Cleaue fortune to dye withoute heyres malles that the Duke of Saxon whiche had maryed hys syster and his heires males should succede him yet vpon thys condicioÌ„ if before that chaunce they shal agree vpoÌ„ religion And for a further bande of amitye Fernando by Themperours consente promiseth to geue his daughter Elenore in marriage to the Duke of SaxoÌ„s eldest sonne yf a reconcilemente in religion may be had before she be marying able This latter thyng was kepte verey secret and closely couered on eyther syde so that neyther the Lantzgraue and hys fellowes knewe anye thynge thereof For the matter was done by a fewe counsellours and Themperoure vsed Granuellane Feruando Hoffeman the Duke of Saxon Pontane and Burcarte The King of DeÌ„marke also sendynge hys Ambassadours fell to a composytion with Themperoure where before he had kepte hys power all the wynter longe for the chaunce that myghte haue happened he semed to forsake the Frenche Kynges frendeshyp for the Turkyshe confederacye for somuch the Ambassadours dyd sygnyfye in famylyar talke with their fellowes Nowe wyll we retourne to the demaundes of Themperoure and Kynge Fernando The matter beyng longe and muche debated the tenth daye of Iune the conuention ended The States of Th empyre albeit they thoughte it muche to bee charged with double ayde yet supposynge that they shoulde the better warre agaynste the Turke yf the domesticall enemie were fyrste broughte vnto hys bewtye graunted to Themperoure monye to fynde foure thousande Horsemen and .xxiiii. thousande footemen for halfe a yere agaynst the Frenche kynge And with parte of that monye Themperouce departeth to hys brother Fernando to thentente he shoulde fortifye suche places as are nere the Turkes And for the Turkishe warre to come they agreed that moneye shouldbe gathered of euerye man throughe oute Germany all men to be seased after theyr landes and goodes and no man to bee exempted and enacted that no man shoulde serue any foreine Prynces especyally the Frenche Kynge and the Magistrate permitted to execut those that were taken with the maner Because the controuersy of relygyon could not in these warlycke affaires bee treated on it is differred tyll the nexte assemblye to bee holden in the moneth of December In the meane season wyll Themperoure appoynte certen good and well learned men to compile some godlye fourme of reformation and also exhorteth the Princes to do the lyke to the ende that throughe a Conference made in the next assemblye somethyng by common assent may be establysshed to be obserued vntyll a generall counsel to be holden in Germany or a prouincial Sinode of the same In the meane tyme let all men be quyet and styre vp no trouble for the dyuersitie of Relygion and that the Churches also of what relygion so euer they bee maye
inioye theyr commodytyes on eyther partie and parte of those goodes to be imployed to the fynding of the mynisters of the Churche of free Schooles and the poore the iudges of the Chamber shall kepe theyr place vntyll the tyme prefixed whan the same shal be expired than shall all be receyued into that nomber indifferently without respecte of relygion The decre of Auspurge and all actions commenced agaynst the Protestantes for doctryne sake the case also of Goslarie and Minden to hang in suspence vntill the nexte treaty The Anabaptistes to suffer punishement long synce for them determined Yet shall the magistrates assigne learned and godlye men to shewe them theyr errour and call them agayne to amendemente The Catholickes mislyked thys decree and resisted it withal theyr force But when the byshopes of Collon Munster held with the Protestantes also the duke of Cleaue and the Marques of Baden referred althinges to thēperours pleasure which after lōg disceptation had deuised thys way as a meane tollerable for both parties They being wel shortned of their nūbre say that certēly they wil not assent to it howbeit they will not prescribe themperour nor resyst hys authorytie but are cōtent to suffer it Friderick the Paulsgraue the Marques of Brandenburge Princes electours had intreated that it might be thus decreed The protestātes desired also that the duke of Brūswickes case might haue ben cōprised in the same decree but it could not be obtayned themperour vrged thē that eyther they should restore him or els permit vnto him the prouince by sequestration til the matter be tryed And therof he treated with the Duke the Lantzgraue when they were present and after theyr departure moche more with theyr deputies The Cities at the fyrst refused the ayde of the French warre by reason of theyr intercourse and trade of Marchandise But what tyme the Prynces had assented and the Frenche kynges cause was full of hatred they subscribed also thoughe sore agaynste they re willes especyally that were nere vnto Fraunce The Ambassadours of the Dukes of Luneburge and wirtemberge refused also but they were admonysshed priuately and chastened in woordes that they alone shoulde not lette the good will of the residewe Whan the Lātzgraue was ready to goe home and came to take hys leaue of Themperoure he had most gentle intertaynement And Themperoure said howe he wolde not trouble hym at thys tyme to serue agaynste the Frenche Kynge for thys cause only that he wolde not bringe hym into hatred but whan thys warre is doone he wyll goe streight waye agaynste the Turke and than wyll he make hym hys lyeutenaunte and generall of all the warre And whan he with a certen modestie excused and abased hymselfe as vnmete for suche a charge you haue done righte well or euer nowe sayeth Themperoure bothe for youre selfe and for the others And we doubte not but that you can doe vs also ryght good seruice with these wordes taketh hys leaue of hym moste Frendely He beyng full of good hope and ioyefull that he had Themperoure so moche hys good Lorde whan he had declared the same to certen of hys Frendes retourneth home Touching the sequestration after longe and moche pleadinge they agreed that all the landes of the Dutchie of Brunswicke should be committed to Themperoure as to the hyghe Magistrate tyll the case were heard and determined eyther frendely or by ryghte and lawe And that Themperour shoulde committe the gouernement of the Contrye eyther to the Paulsgraue or to the Electoure of Brandenburg moreouer to Duke Maurice or the Duke of Cleaue They that shall not abyde thys ordre to suffer the penaltye of breakynge the Publycke Peace That Themperoure doe aduertyse the Duke of Brunswicke to obeye the same yf not to punish him according to the lawes of thempire These condicions at the last Themperour propounded herin perseuered Thā did the protestantes ratifie the same as shal be declared herafter The assēblie being ous finsshed thēperour goeth frō Spier to Mētz Nowe was all his armie assembled in Lorayne vpon the borders of Fraunce And about th ēd of May he had recouered the citie of Lucēburg by cōposition In this warre ther serued thēperour duke Maurice of Saxonie the Marques Albert with ether of them a thousand Horsemen moreouer Counte william of Furstemburge Captayne of the footemen and Sebastian Sherteline all of the Protestantes relygion Whylest Themperour was at Mentz there was takē in Lorayne Huberte Erle Richlynge a Germane that serued the Frenche kynge beyng brought to Mentz he is condēned to suffer The Coūtesse hys wyfe whan she was comen thither and fel downe prostrate at Themperours feete coulde fynde no fauoure And nowe were all thynges prepared for the executiō At the length was procured Maximylyan the sonne of kyng Fernando whom Themperour had lately receyued he in th ende obtayned hys pardon and saued hys life In the meane tyme Barbarousse eyther for that hys bufynes requyred so orheyng perswaded by the kynge or els fearyng leste the Frenche Kyng should conclude a peace with Themperoure retourneth home and what so euer places by the Sea syde apperteyned to Themperoure or thempire he inuadeth and spoyleth But from the Bisshop of Romes landes he refraineth as it is most lyke by the French kinges perswasion Themperours armye marchynge forewarde taketh the Towne and Castell of Lyney three myles from Barrey And from thence goeth to Sandesyre a Frenche Towne standyng vpon the riuer of Marne which was kept with a stronge garrison ouer whom Mounser Landren was Captayne who so valeauntely the yere beefore had defended the Towne of Landersey from Themperour and from Thenglishemen Whilest these thynges are thus a woorkynge Anthony the Duke of Lorayne departeth out of this lyfe not so moch for age as for thoughte and care he tooke for thys nere and almoste domesticall warre whom Fraunces hys sonne succeded whiche had maryed Themperours Nece Christine as before is sayde In thys meane whyle the Kyng of England sendeth ouer the Sea to Caleis the Duke of Northfolke with one Armye who marchynge throughe Bollonois went and beseged Moustrell here Maximilyan Countiede Bure by Themperours accorde serued the Kynge of England And immedyately after sente an other stronge Armye with the Duke of Suffolke who layed sege to Bollogne and thyther came the king in person The Frenche Kynge had appoynted Gouernoure there Mounser Ueruyne a man of honoure Whan Themperour had enuironed Sādesyre with his army he maketh the Batteri the Bretch onse made geueth thassault at that Ides of Iuly but where the townes men stode to theyr owne defence moste valeauntelye Themperialles were repulsed and fyue hondreth Soldiours slaine Fynally in the seconde moneth what tyme Landrey the gouernoure was slayne with the fall of an House and the Gunners wanted pouder the Towne was rendred Durynge thys seege Renate Prynce of Orenge beeynge stryken with a greate Peece
Fraunce shoulde bee theyres or the kynge shoulde be at commaundemente who had three moste myghty enemyes Themperoure the Germannes and the Kyng of Englande ✚ The sixtenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyste ⧠The argument of the sixtenth Booke ¶ The Pope by letters admonisheth taunteth threateneth Themperoure hys sonne and maketh new Cardinalles The clergie of Colon resisteth the Archebishop Master Peter Bruly for preachynge at Tournay was brent quicke Whilest the assemble was at Woormes they of Merindolle and Cabriere named Uandois be sacked and burnt The Pope notwithstandyng the counsell by hym called burned with desyre to make warre agaynst the Protestātes Luther wryteth against hym and paynteth hym in hys collours Grignian is sente to the Protestantes to cause them to approue the counsell The Archbisshop of Colon is cited to Roome Open warre betwixte the Duke of Brunswicke and the Lantzgraue wherin the Lantzgraue had the victory the Palsgraue prince Electour receyueth the Gospell Bruites of warre are sowen agaynst the Protestantes a Colloquie was ordeyned at Regenspurge to dispute of Relygion which broken the Counsell of Trente is publysshed and the sessions beginne in the meane tyme Luther departeth oute of this presente lyfe WHan the warres were hotest the Bysshop of Roome at the eyghte kalendes of Septembre wryteth hys letters to Themperoure wherin he rebuketh hym sharpelye for vsurpinge as he sayeth hys authorytie and intermedlinge with the reformation of Relygion whiche neuerthelesse he dooeth not ascribe to hys owne nature but to the malycyous perswations of such euell men as he hathe lately made league and frendship with he threateneth him with thexamples of Dathan Abiron and Core whiche wolde haue taken vpon them the authorytye of Moyses Aaron And also of Kyng Ozias whom God strake with Leprosie for that he wolde attempte to burne incēse vpon the Aultar he telleth hym playnely that he hath nothing to doe with the reformation of Churches but the same to be longe vnto hys office chyefly whom God hath geuen authorytie to bynde and loose Than proueth he by ensamples that suche Emperours as haue aided the See of Roome and the Bisshoppes therof God hath euer rewarded with great gyftes and benefytes as greate Constantyne Theodose and Charlemaygne Agayne such as haue resisted them to haue ben punnyshed with greate misfortunes as Morys Constans Phylyp Leo Henry the fourthe and Fridericke the seconde whyche came vnto shamefull endes and were some taken some also slayne of their owne chyldren And that for suche disobedience not only kynges and Emperours but also whole nations haue ben plaged as namelye the Iewes and Grekes the one for crucifying of Chryst the sonne of God the others for contemnyng of hys vicar Moreouer he wylleth him to imitate the example of greate Constantyne who refused to be iudg in the Bisshops causes Notwithstandynge he coulde be contente to vse hym as a coadiutour in matters of relygion but herin to be head and gouernour he can not abyde hym Fynally he warneth him frō hence foorthe to treate no more of relygion in the assemblies of Th empyre but referre that vnto hys indgement and that he disanulle and abrogate all suche thynges as he hath through ouer moche fufferaunce already graunted to those rebelles and aduersaryes of the Churche of Rome or els must he be constrained to deale more roughly with him than either hys custome nature or will also can beare Yet wil he not neglect hys dewtie for the example of gods plage vpon Helithe prest is euer before his eyes Hitherto he hath vsed the clementie of a father but if thys will not serue he must feele another waye therfore let him consider whether it shal be more for hys honour to assist his olde age in recouerynge the tranqullytie of the Churche or els to fauour those that seke the desolation of the same It is thought that the Frēch king set hym on to wryte thus extremely who made the matter odious by reason of the Englysh league to incense the bysshop the more for herof cometh it that he wryteth of the Societie of euel mē For they both are wont to swe and craue hys frendship right busyly bothe by letters and ambassadours especyallye in tyme of warre and eche laboureth for hym selfe that they may bee to hym most acceptable Aboute thys tyme Stephen Bisshop of Winchester set foorth a boke agaynst Bucer verey opprobrious and bitter Wherin emonges other thinges he defendeth the sengle lyfe This yere the Bisshop created Cardinalles Christopher Madruce of the Trente and Otto Truckesse Bishop of Auspurge Germanes George Arminiack Iames Anuebald Frēchmen Fraunces Mendoza Bartholomewe Cueua Spaniardes to gratifye the Emperoure Fernando and the Frenche Kynge At the same tyme also he calleth a counsell whyche had ben hindered heretofore by reason of the warres agaynst the Ides of Marche in the yere following And because Themperour and the French king wer now at peace he vttereth greate gladnes and the writte wherewith he reneweth the connsel beginneth of that place of Scripture Letare Ierusalem-In these dayes also cometh foorthe a booke of Luthers touchyng the Lordes supper wherin he reneweth the olde controuersie and speaketh many thynges agaynste Zwinglius and the fellowes of the same doctryne Which was aunswered by them of Zuricke that ryght sharpelye I tolde you before of Clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon howe they with theyr whole force resisteth the Archebisshop in the reformation of religion But where as he procedeth they sendyng agayne Ambassadours letters requyre hym to leaue and attende the decree of the counsell yf not they must cōplayne to the higher magistrate and fynde remedy to quyet theyr conscyence and pacifye Gods wrath They are lothe to take that waye but yf he goo forewarde they muste nedes do it Whan they coulde not thus preuayle the .ix. daye of October they assemble in the head Churche of Collon and there recyte by wrytyng amonges other thynges what hath ben done at Wormes .xxiij. yeres past what Luther by the common assēt of all Princes was condemned of Themperoure what was decreed at Auspurge what at Regenspurge and what latelye at Spyer All these thynges neglected they saye how theyr Archebysshop Herman hathe gon a new waye to worke and hath sent for Bucer an Apostata and twyse polluted with incestuous mariage a sacramentary and a defendour of that opinion and to hym hath committed thecclesiasticall function and hath appointed euery where new preachers lewde and euill persons by them also was a fourme of a refourmation diuised set forth by the princes commaundement All the which thinges they haue euer to theyr powers resisted and ofte desired the Archebisshop that he woulde staye vntyll the counsell or at the leste vntill the conuention of thempire but all was in vayne And nowe forasmuche as the state of the prouince is lamentable
the law were ministred indifferentli and how that should be don it was in the last conuention at Spier decreed They for theyr partes are redy to accomplissh the same Therfore if these two partes may be decided they wil not refuse to consulte of the Turkisshe warre The reste of the prynces and states amonges whom were the archebisshopes of Mentz and Treuers do determine that the case of religion shal be referred to the counsell already sommoned and the chamber to be establisshed according to the auncient lawes of th empyre and iudgement to be geuen after the law written and that certē should be chosen out of the whole nomber to conferre of the Turkish warre To that of the Protestantes kyng Fernando the Emperours deputes make aunswer howe the decree made at Spier touchinge peace pleased them well enough than without exception where as the counsel was that tyme called and should beginne shortly after In to the Senate of the Chamber also shoulde mete men be receyued accordyng to the decree made at Spier And seyng it is thus reason wolde that they shoulde requyre no more but conferre with the reste of the Turkyshe warre They againe saye how it was inacted at Spier first that ther should bee no troubled moue for Relygion secondlye that thys dissention should be accorded through a godly and frendly disputation For vppon thys foundation resteth the peace of Germanye neyther wolde they haue founde any lacke at all yf the matter myghte thus haue remayned But nowe inasmoche as the Bysshop hathe called a counsell to let and disturbe this reconcilement wherin he alone with hys adherentes hathe power to determyne by whose decree also moste men affirme that the foormer pacification shoulde bee finished they haue nede of a further assurance howe they haue euermore refused that by solemne protestation the Bisshoppes counsell and haue many yeres synce set foorth bookes declaryng the causes of the same Nowe albeit there were non exception made of thys thyng at Spier yet in case they should haue warre with the Turke it is requisyte that first all thynges be quyet at home For the people must pay monye to thys warre But by what equitie or by what countenaunce can a man exact mony of his cōmons vnlesse he put them in a sure hope that they with there wiues children shal liue safely at home in their Religion For euen for this cause doe they warre agaynst the Turke that euery mans goodes the cōmon welth and trew religion may be cōserued But to warre with the Turke in the meane seasō to be in daunger at home what great differente is betwixte these two Therfore haue they iust cause to demaund a further suerty Cōcerning the chamber they are contēted as they haue sayed that it be established accordinge to the decree of Spier And touchīg the charges of the same they wil consult with the rest They contended about these thinges frō the begynning of Aprill til it was the .vii. day of Maye And than hearing that Themperour had taken his iorney king Fernando differred thē tyll his cōming and also requyred them in the meane tyme to consult with the residew of the turkish matters The princes were not there present neyther Protestantes nor catholyckes saue only the Cardinal of Auspurge The French kyng sent thither his ambassadour Grinian the gouernour of the prouince in Fraunce In whose absence arrose great persecutiō in those parties Ther be in the French prouince a people called Ualdois They of an aunciente custome doe not acknowledg the bishop of Rome haue had alwayes somwhat a more pure doctrine after that Luther florished gotte vnto thē gredely a more ample knowledge For this cause were they ofte cōplayned vpon to the king as though they contēned the magistrate wold make a rebellion For this kinde of accusation many vse nowe a daies more odious than trewe There is of them certen Townes Uillages amonges the which Merindolum is one Sentence was geuē against thē fiue yeres paste at Aignes which is the high iudgmēt place of the prouince that all should bee destroyed without respect that the house should be pulled downe the village made euē plain with the groūd the trees also should bee cut downe the place made altogether a desert Howbeit though it were thus pronounced yet was it not thā put in execution by the meanes of certē men that perswaded the king to the contrary amonges thē William Bellaye who was at the same tyme the kinges Lieutenaunt in Piedemount But at the last this yere the .xii. day of April Iohn Miners presidēt of the counsel at Aygnes calling the senate readeth the kinges letters cōmaunding thē to execute that sentēce geuen Which letters this Miners had obteined by the meanes of cardinal Tournō through a fyt sollicitour Philip Cortin Therfore where he receiued thē in the moneth of Januarie he shewed them not by and by but kept them for a tyme cōuenient to worke the feate When the letters were red certen of the Senate wer chosen to execute the matter when the Presidente Miners promised to assist for that in the absence of Grmian the gouernoure of the Prouince he ruled the common welth Now had he euery where by the kinges cōmaundemēt mustered men before for Thenglish warres but he vsed them for this his pourpos Moreouer at Marselles Aygnes Arles other great Townes he toke vp all that were able to weare armure Then had he ayde sente hym oute of Auingnon and the places there aboutes of the Bisshop of Roomes dominion Wherfore the fyrst impression was made not vpon the Merindolanes but on the countrye aboute the Towne of Peruse And at the Ides of April Miners garded with a company of nobles and captaynes commeth to Cadenet but in the meane season certen Centurious set vpon a village or two by the Riuer of Druence and there distroying al with slaughter spoilyng and fyrynge dryue awaye a greate nomber of Cattell The lyke also did others in sondrye places at the same time The Merindolāes seyng all burne rounde aboute them leaue theyr houses and flee in to the wooddes and with a wonderful feare reste alnight at the vilage of Sanfalese And than were the inhabiters there readye to flye also For the Bysshop of Cauallon deputie to the Bishops Legate had appoynted certen captaynes to go and slaie them The nexte daye they-go a little further and hide them selues in the woodes For there was daunger on euery syde and Miners had commaunded vnder payne of deathe that no man shoulde ayde them with any thynge but that they shoulde bee slayne withoute redemption whersoeuer they were founde The same proclamation was of force also in the Bisshop of Roomes dominions therby and it is sayde how the Bisshops of that Countrie did fynde a great part of that armie Wherfore they wente a werye and a paynefull Jorney carying theyr children
vpon they re shoulders and in theyr Armes and in theyr swaddling clothes that did many women great with childe And when they were commē to the place appoynted thither was alreadye resorted a greate nomber whiche had lost theyr goodes saued themselues by flyght Not long after it was shewed them howe Miners came with all his power to geue the charge vpon them This was in the euenynge And because they must goe thorow rough and combrous places they take counsel to leaue ther behinde the women and children and a fewe others to kepe with them and amonges them the ministers of the churche the residew were appoynted to go to the Towne of Mussie And this did they vpon hope that the enemye wolde shewe mercye to the multytude of women children beyng destitute of all succour What sighes ther were fetched what imbracynges and what lamentation euerye man maye easely perceyue Whan they had gonne al nyght long and passed ouer the great hyll of Leberon they might see many Uillages and Fermes set on syre After this Minerius diuidyng hys armye into two partes Marcheth him selfe with th one towardes the Towne of Merindolum And hauing knowledge by espiall which waye the Meriudolans were fled sendeth thother parte of hys armye to hunte them oute Before they came into the wood one of the soldiours moued with pitie runneth before and from the toppe of an hygh Rocke where he iudged that the Merindolanes satte vndernethe he casteth downe two stones afterwarde calleth vnto them though he could not see them that they should immediatly flee from thence And at the selfe same time came two of those that went to Mussie to shew them that theyr enemyes approched and so cause the minister and the resydew of them that were leaft with the women to Runne their waies shewing them a narrow way through the wood wherby they might escape all daunger These were not so soone gone but the Soldiours came streight waies in a great Rage drawing oute theyr swordes with a greate outcrye bad kyll these Heretickes Neuerthelesse they seyng no men amonges them absteyned from slaughter at that time But whan they had done greate outrage and spoyled them of they re money and vittayle they leade them awaye Theyr pourpos was to haue handled them more shamefully but beyng letted by a Captayne of horsemen which comming in the meane tyme threatened thē with punisshment and cōmaunded them to goe streight waye to Miners they forsake that filthye enterprise and leauinge the women dryue a waye theyr botye cattell The women were in nomber aboute fiue hondreth In the meane season Miners came to Merindolum fyndyng it without dwellers spoyleth and setteth it on fyre shewyng before that one very cruell example For fyndyng there one yonge man he commaunded that he shoulde bee tyed to an Oliue tree and shot in with dagges After he goeth to the towne of Cabrier and battereth it with hys ordenaunce and vsynge the seruice of Capitayne Polyne that brought in the Turkes nauie he perswadeth the Townes men to open theyr gates promisyng that they shoulde haue no harme But a whyle after whan the soldiours were lette in they were all slayne without respect had eyther of age or of womankynde Many fled into the Churche and some to other places dyuers in to the wyne sellar of the Castell But beyng brought foorthe into a meddowe and stripped naked they were slayne eche one not men onlye but also women greate with chylde Miners also shutteth a fourtye women in a barne full of straw and hey after setteth it a fyre and burneth it And where the sely women put of theyr clothes therewith to haue quenched the fyre and when they coulde not ranne to the great windowe whereat the hey is wont to be cast into the Barne to haue lopen out but there being kept backe with pickes and Iauelyns they were burnt all together this was the .xx. daye of Aprill This done Miners sent parte of his armie to winne the towne of Coste whā they were marching on theyr way they were found oute who I tolde you a lyttell before were fled into the wyne sellar of the Castell Whervpon was Reysed an outcry and as though there had ben treason the soldiours are called backe and distroy them all The nombre of them that were slaine within the Towne and withoute were aboute eyght hondreth The infantes that escaped theyr furye were baptised agayne of theyr enemies Whan all thynges were dispatched at Cabrier there was sente a power to Costa The lord of that Towne had denysed with the Citezens before that they should carie all theyr armure into the Castell and caste downe theyr walles in foure sondry places Yf they wolde doe this he promiseth them to obteine of Miners and that easelye that there shal be no displeasure wroughte there They beeinge perswaded folow his aduise after he departeth as it were to intreat for them going not farre he meteth with the soldiours They marche one notwithstanding and the firste daie they were yet repulsed The next day they assault it with a great violence and hauyng burned all the suburbes aboute it take it easely for that the night before many escaped ouer the walles by cordes After the slaughter committed they ranne into an orchard by the Castell there the women and maides that were fled thither for feare they rauissh euery one and when they had kept them ther inclosed a daye and a nyght they handled them so beastely that those that had greate belyes and the yonger maydens dyed shortely after In the meane season the Merindolanes diuerse others that wandered in the woddes and mountaynes being intercepted were eyther sente to the Galeis or slayne many also dyed for honger Moreouer not farre from the Towne of Mussie before named certen went and hid themselues in a caue vnder a rocke to the nomber of xxv but being bewraied they were smothered with smoke and burnt all so that no kinde of crueltie was omitted Neuerthelesse diuerse which had escaped this bouchery came vnto Geneua and other places nere Therfore whan report herof was bruted in Germany it offended the myndes of many And in dede the Swyses which were not of the popisshe relygion intreated the kynge that he wolde shew mercye to such as wer fled but the Kyng sayeth how ther was iust cause for hym to doe as he did neither ought they to be more carefull what he doeth within his dominions or how he punisheth offendours than he is aboute theyr affayres In the yeare before these men had sent to the kyng a confession of theyr doctryne comprysed in writing Wherof that articles were of god the father creatour of al thinges of the sonne mediatour and aduocate of mankynd of the Holy spirite the comforter instructour of all treweth of the church whych they saye is the fellowship of all gods electe wherof Iesus Chryst is head of
the ministers of the churche whom they wolde should be remoued vnlesse they doe theyr dewty of the magistrate whom they graunte to be ordeyned of God to defende the good and to punnysh the transgressours And how they owe hym not loue only but also tribute and custome no man herein to be excepted euen by the example of christ who payed tribute hym selfe of baptisme which they saye is a visible and an outward sygne that represēteth vnto vs the renewyng of the spirite and the mortifycation of the members of the Lordes supper whych they saye is a thankes geuing and a memory all of the benefit receyued throughe Chryste of matrimony which beyng holy and instituted of god ough to be inhibited to no mā of good workes which they saye we must obserue and exercise as holy scripture teacheth of false doctryne whiche because it leadeth vs a waye from trewe worshippyng they saye it ought to be eschewed to be brief the order and rule of theyr faythe they affirme to be the olde and new Testamente and doe protest that they beleue all those thynges that are conteyned in the crede of the Apostles Finally they desyre the kyng to geue credyt to thys declaration for incase he be otherwyse informed it is not trew and that they say they wyll proue yf they maye be heard That tyme was the king occupyed with affaires of warre and therfore the matter slept but whē peace was made it was renewed and through the prouocatiō of many brought to thys wonderful crueltie I shewed before of the Spaniardes whom Themperour had placed in Lorayne for the wynter season They after they had wrought moche euyll in those parties by Themperours cōmaundement depart thence in the moneth of Aprill and trauelyng by Strasburge whē they had there passed ouer the Rhm they goe through Sweuia into Austriche about three thousande footemen At thys tyme ended hys lyfe Lewis the Duke of Bauier the brother of Wyllyam hauynge no chyldren For so it was accorded that he should not marie for the kepyng together of thinheritaunce The Duke of Brunswicke and he were exceadyng great frendes For they were the chiefe captaynes of the league that was deuised against the protestātes And whan Henry of Brūswicke was dryuen oute of hys countrey he fled fyrst vnto hym After thys the .xvi. daye of Maye came Themperour to Wormes And the next daye after Cardinal Farnesius What was the cause of his commyng I am not able to saye but it was thought for certentie that he came to styre vp warre agaynst the Lutheranes He did nothinge openly and comynge from Roome he passed not throughe the lande of Wirtemberge but whan he had stayed a tyme at Dilling a Towne of the Cardinalles of Auspurge vpon the Riuer of Danubius he torned an other way Kyng Fernando had written to the Duke of Wirtemberge that for his sake he wold let hym passe sassye and shewe all the fauour that myghte bee he made aunswer that he had rather he wolde take some other waye neuerthelesse to doe hym pleasure yf he were disposed to passe that waye he wolde not let hym But he as I sayd tooke an other waye and came to Wormes one daye after thēperour Themperoure so soone as peace was made with the French kyng sollicited other prynces also to further and helpe forewarde the Counsell And for thys cause only sente ambassadours to the kynge of Polle requyring hym to sende hys deputes to the counsell of Trente who amonges other thinges sayed that for asmoche as Themperour supposed howe the Protestantes whyche had ben euen stubburne wold not forsake the cōfession of theyr doctryne exibited at Auspurge nor also obey the publycke decrees of the counsell the thinge it selfe requyred that kynges and princes should take the matter in hande and yf they doe not obey to bee auenged on them as the disturbers of the publycke weale and all godlye relygion And where as he amonges others hath the comendation of a godly and a christian kyng Themperoure prayeth hym to thynke vpon the Turkisshe warre subcribe to the counsell of Trente and yf the Protestantes will not beframed to amendement to assiste hym with hys ayde and counsell as also other kynges haue promised The king of Polle agayne made aūswer how he desyred that he myghte see that day whan chrystian kynges Prynces all ciuille warre and discorde layde a parte shoulde bende theyr whole power at ones agaynste the Turke For then wold he be none of the last And as concernyng the counsell and the Protestātes he wil doe all thynges that maye profite the publycke weale and trāquillitie of the churche neyther yf nede repuyre wyll in greate daunger fayle Themperoure hys Frende and alie The same tyme it was wrytten from Rome how the Bisshop notwithstandyng that he had called a Counsell and sente hys Legates thyther was so desyrous of warre agaynst the Lutheranes that hereunto he promised aide of xii thousande footemen and fyue hondreth horsemen And that priuelye also he hyred Centurions and Captaynes And whan it was shewed hym agayne howe the time was farre spent and no great good could be donne that yere and how they must tary for some better occasyon he declared the same immediately to hys captaynes and put them in hope of the next yere following On the morrow after the feast of Pētecost a Frere obseruaunt an Italian made a sermon before Themperour kyng Fernando Cardinal Farnesius the Bisshop of Auspurg and Granuellan and in hys sermon makinge a digression to the Lutherans when he had inueyhed moche and spoken dispitefully against thē it is tyme no we sayeth he most victorious Emperour that at the laste you doe your offyce certenly it hathe ben delayed ouer longe for the thyng shoulde haue ben don long since God hath blessed you with many great gyftes and ordeyned you defendour of his church Wherfore extende youre power and dispatche out of the waye that pestiferous sorte of men For it is not lawefull for them any longer to behold the sonne whiche doe thus pollute and confounde althynge Neyther say that you will doe it For it shoulde haue ben done already already I saye and long syns therfore may ther be no longer delay For how many thousand people do you thinke to be in daunger of euerlasting saluation through theyr madnes All the whych God shall requyre at your handes vnlesse you fynd the remedye It is sayde how Granuellan was moche offended with thys Trompete eyther for that he fayned so or els for that he sawe howe it was a warnynge to the Protestantes Not many daies after this sermō Farnesius departeth secretly by nyght and retourneth to Rome with great expedition In these dayes Luther setforth a boke in the vulgare toungue intitled against the Bisshoprycke of Roome ordeyned by Sathan in the which booke he aunswereth fyrst to the Bysshoppes letters wherby with so vehement wordes he diswadeth Themperoure from the reformatiō of
relygion lyke as you haue hearde before After those places of scripture which the Bisshop doeth vsurpe to establyshe hys supremacie he confuteth moste aboundantly and applyeth them to make agaynst hym Before the booke he set a picture whych by and by declareth the sōme of the argumente The Bysshop sytteth in an hyghe chayre with hys handes ioyned and stretched out in solemne apparel but he hathe asse eares And aboute hym are many deuelles of diuers shapes wherof some set a triple crowne vpon hys head with a tourde in the toppe of it others let hym downe by cordes into hell vnder neth hym hortyble to be holde some bryng wood and colle others as ryght seruyceable staye his feete that he may descend rightly and softely Not longe after came foorthe certene theames of hys whyche he had heretofore disputed of the three gouermentes Ecclesiasticall politycke and Oeconomike Whiche he sayeth God hathe ordeyned agaynste the furye of the Deuill but he vtterlye excludeth the Bysshop from all these for that he condemneth and oppresseth the Gospell for that he bryngeth vnder hys subiection all lawes and euen the ciuile lawe And in asmoche as he forbiddeth matrymony to whom it pleaseth hym Therfore he calleth him the beast which is named in Germany of the beare and the wolfe together There is nothynge sayeth he more fierce and cruell then she Wherfore when a token is geuen and that she is once hearde of streyghte wayes all men get them to theyr weapons to the intent they maye kyll her And yf hapely she should take a caue or anye inclosure and gouernour or Iudges of the soyle wolde exempte her or also defende her she shoulde be persecuted notwithstanding and he that should let or disturbe the hunters myght be slayne lawefully After the selfe same sorte must the Bisshop be resysted if he doe attempte and moue warre lyke a wyld and a rauenyng beast with what aide someuer he is mayneteyned For they that wil serue or helpe a theefe ought to looke for the rewarde of the thynge which they deserue Thā did he also sende foorth an other picture very fonde in dede but yet as it were a prophesye of the thyng to come The Bisshop in hys prelates apparell sitteth vpon a greate sowe with manye dugges whyche he diggeth in with his spurres hauyng two fyngers of hys ryght hand nexte hys thume stretched ryghte vp as the maner is he blesseth suche he chaunceth to mete with In hys lefte hande he holdeth a new smokinge tourde at the smell wherof the sowe lyfteth vp her snowte and with her wyde mouthe and nose thirlles catcheth after her praye but he in derysion blamyng the beast full bytterly I shall ryde thee saieth he with my spurres whether thou wylt or noe Thou haste troubled me longe aboute a counsell that thowe myghtest rayle on me at thy pleasure and accuse me franckelye Beholde nowe thys same is that counsell that thou so greatlye desyrest by the sowe he sygnifyeth Germany These tryfles of hys many mentaunted as vnsemely for hym and not verey modest But he had hys reasons whye he did so was thought to haue had a greater foresyghte in thynges And certenly in hys bookes are diuerse and sondry prophecyes wherof the ende prooved some trewe the residew as yet are in the hande of God In the meane season Themperoure taketh order with Granuellan and Nauius to be in hand with the protestantes touching the counsel and the Turkish warre but after longe decision nothyng could be concluded Grinian the french Ambassadour for because he vnderstode not the latyn tounge conprysed hys matter in wrytyng and vttered it by an interpretour the .xx. daye of Iune the somme of thys oration was to exhort them al to the counsell This Grinian was a nere frende to the Cardinall of Tournon who is thought to haue ben the occasyoner of thys Ambassade for he had ben with Themperoure at Brusselles as I sayde before and had treated of matters concernynge the counsell And than was it thus agreed that the kinge should sende an Ambassadour to exhorte them to the counsell whych Themperoure and he had already approued for thys was thought to bee a meane to make the Protestantes affraid At this tyme dyeth Fraunces Duke of Lorayne leauing behynde hym a yonge sonne Charles a chylde of two yeres olde The Duke had a brother called Niclas Bisshop of Mentz betwene him and the childes mother Christien Themperours Nece arrose a contention aboute the wardeshyp Al the Nobilitie fauoured hym more and lothed the womans gouernement but through Thēperours mediation they were bothe appointed gardins yet so as the mothers authorytie was chiefest In those dayes also departeth the Daughter of Ferdinādo which was maried two yeres before to the son of Sigismunde king of Polle But out of Spayne was brought glad tydinges of the birth of Charles Themperoures Nephewe the sonne of kynge Philip for the whyche cause the Spaniardes made greate Ioye at wormes But a few dayes after came worde that the mother of the childe was dead To Themperoure being at Wormes came the Marques of Piscare and broughte with hym certen of the chiefe inhabiters of Millan It was thought how Themperour was than determined to marye the Daughter of Kynge Fernando to the Duke of Orleans and therfore had sent for these men to vnderstande the state of Lumbardie whiche he had promised to geue hym for her dowarye Whylest Themperoure helde this assemblie the Duke of Brunsewicke goeth to the Frenche kinge That time did Fridericke Rifeberge leuie a certen power of footemen in the Borders of Saxonie for the king of England Henry of Brunswicke espying that occasion promyseth and perswadeth the frenche kyng that incase he wyll geue him monie he shall easely fynde the meanes to scatter thē again And so getteth of hym certen thousandes of Crownes but he neyther letted Rifeberge and cōuerted the monye receyued to warre against the Protestantes as shal be declared herafter Unto this conuentyon came no Princes as I sayde before but after Thēperoure was there the Paulsgraue Electoure came also and at the request of the Protestantes maketh intercession But whan Themperour saw how they wold graunt nothyng to the Turkisshe warre vnlesse they obteyned theyr requeste concerning the counsell and the chamber he sendeth an Ambassadoure to the Turke for trewes Gerarde Ueltuniche a man verye well learned and experte in toungues Duryng thys conuention the Senate of Mentz maketh inquirye after suche as by the olde custome had not receyued at Easter and banisshed them the Towne that were founde herein culpable I shewed you before howe the clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon had appealed to Themperoure and bisshop that they myght hereby hynder thenterprises of theyr Archebisshop but where he stil proceded and wolde not displace the preachers and ministers of the church whyche thyng they chiefly requyred they renewe theyr sute to Themperoure making of hym a greuous
restrayned wold take them cleane a waye I am constrayned to attempte war that I may reduce them to theyr dewtie And for as muche as I heare saye how they goe aboute all that euer they can to allure you others to their fellowship I commaund you fyrst that throughout your whole prouince you let proclame and doe foresee that no man serue in this war vnlesse he serue me and my captaynes suche as shall haue commission to shewe secondly yf any be gonne foorthe already to serue that you call them againe immediately and commaund them to tary at home and attende vpon our commaundement And suche as will not obey that you punnish them extremelye so demeane youre selfes that I maye perceyue that you loue the quyet of Germany except you thus doe know for certentie that it shal be to your great daunger losse of all that you haue These letters whan the Archebishop had receiued he published in all places and commaunded they shuld be obeied Besydes he gaue commaundement that they shulde praye in Churches that God of hys mercy wolde tourne awaye the greate daunger that nowe hanged ouer Germany At the same tyme the Protestantes sēd their ambassadours to the kinges of Fraunce and England newely reconciled making suite to them for ayde After the Duke the Lātzgraue had wrytten thus to Themperoure priuately as before is sayd at that Ides of Iuly they set forth a publicke writing also wherin they declare howe thys warre is made againste Religion and this to bee Themperours intent that vnder a serten pretence of rebellyō and as though he wolde punnysh but a fewe he myght plucke awaye the fellowes of the league one from an other and so muche the more easelie at the length subuert them all And hereof they bryng manye proues and reporte what kynge Fernando what Granuellan what Nauius and others spake priuately at Regenspurge verelye that the contempt of the counsell was cause of thys warre Moreouer they saye howe Themperoure sent commaundement to them of Rauensburge whyche had lately receyued the doctryne of the Gospell that within a few dayes they shuld for sake theyr enterpryse or els wolde he geue theyr Citie and Landes to be deuyded amonges the Soldiours but the Messager was called backe with the letters by the waye leste it shuld come forthe a brode that the war were agaynst relygion Forasmuch also as the byshop of Rome hath geuē sentēce against I the Archbishop of Collon for the reformatyō of doctrine hath depriued him of hys dignitie for that Thēperoure in a maner doeth threatneth the same doeth not that sufficiētly declare the cause of the war For it is a cōmon brure how theyr drift is that the Cardinal of Auspurg who hath set this matter a fyre shall throughe violence be substituted in hys place It is reported moreouer that when they bee vanquished bandes of Soldiours shal be placed in all partes of Germany whych in Themperours name shall see the decrees of the counsell concernyng relygion maynteyned and put in execution Furthermore it is wrytten by dyuers men howe the Archebysshop of Toledo chiefly and such other prelates in Spayne do geue a great summe of monye to thys warre which they wold not haue donne if it had not ben for religion It is wel knowen also what maner of decree was made at Auspurge .xvi. yeres synce what tyme Themperoure protested that he could not abyde thys secte and doctryne of Luther but that to distroye the same vtterly he wold bestowe all hys force treasure lyfe and blud also For yf they were once oppressed as God forbid than shuld it quickely appere whether they wolde spare thys religion and wolde not rather slaye the ministere of the churche inforce theyr wyues and their children and restore Monkes and Freers and all that relygious rabbell But Themperoure may not lawfully worke force agaynst any state nor bannish any man before his cause behearde nor bryng foreyn soldiours within the bondes of Germany or chaleng to hym self any inherytance or succession belonginge to thempire For he is bounden to these condicions and hath confyrmed them by an othe For yf it were lawful for him to doe otherwise the state of the publycke weale could not long endure And what cause of displeasure shulde haue agaynste them they cannot in the worlde perceiue For touching me saieth the Duke of Saxon what so euer dissention was betwene him his brother Fernando and me it was wholy quenched two yeares paste at Spier and for a nerer frendship the lady Elenore daughter to kynge Ferdinando was promised freely to my eldest sonne so that we could agree in religion The same did Themperoure than cōfyrme what tyme I shoulde retourne home from that assemblie he sent to me into my owne lodging Granuellan Nauius with moste large wordes offered all good wil and frendship to me and my children my whole countrey And what great cryme haue I commytted synce that time that he should intēd this crueltie against me But doubteles the matter is euē so as we haue shewed you before because we refuse the bisshoppes counsell we incurred displeasure But reason wolde that he shulde not imagine these thinges againste the house of Saxon For he knoweth how after the death of Maximilian mine vncle Duke Fridericke hauing the crowne imperiall offered hym through hys voyce and meanes gaue it vnto hym to omitte in the meane tyme many other benefites which the house of Saxon hathe imploied on the house of Austriche And in case he were offended for putting Iulius Pūugius from the Bishopricke of Nunburge I haue in bookes setfoorthe declared my ryght and tytle of Patronage and if Themperour wold appoynte indifferent iudges offered to abyde theyr iudgment Nowe concerning my owne parte sayeth the Lantzgraue I was throughly reconciled to hym fyue yeres synce at Regenspurge And for that I intended a fewe yeares past to haue warred on certen Bisshops and for that afterwardes I did helpe my cosyn the Duke of Wirtemberg to recouer hys owne all thys and what so euer I had haply don besydes agaynste the lawe wrytten or decrees of Thempire eyther priuely or apartely it was for geuen me and wrytinges made therof cōfirmed with handes and seales Therfore can not I deuise or imagin what should be the cause of thys grudge Againe whan I spake with him nowe lately at Spyre he shewed hym selfe so frendelye bothe in wordes and countenaunce that I could perceyue no sparke of displasure And it was couenaunted fyue yere synce at Regenspurge that if he shuld attēpt any thyng herafter agaynst the Duke of Cleaue that I shuld not meddle in the matter After he moued war agaynst him and I kept touche and promise And than what time he receyued the same Duke agayne to hys fauoure whiche was before Uerlone he perdoned all that had serued or assisted hym with ayde But yf he should take in euill parte our absence that we
of Germany bryng al other states into their subiectiō it is by many of their doings so well knowen that it nedeth no further declaration For verely vnder the swete name of Religion they haue allured into their cōfederacie the chiefest cities of Germany through their force furniture haue gottē the landes possessiōs of others How they now also go to worke compelle other Princes subiects to take their partes and disturbe many in their religion and inforce them to another kinde of lyfe cast also diuerse in pryson and fetters and threaten them cruelly and robbe and spoyle churches the thyng it selfe declareth For this is the very cause why they couet to haue them in their league that by this meane being made stronger they might the more easely accomplyshe their pretensed purpose he doubted not but they also perceiue these thinges and vnderstande ryght well what incommoditie or discommoditie they may loke for by their societie And seing the matter is thus and inasmuche as they ar not ignoraunt both of his good will also of the causes of the warre he trusteth that they wyl refuse their league and kepe their soldiours at home and call home suche are gone to serue into the warre vnder a set penaltie and doe nothing contrary to the auncient leagues and by the example of the residue obserue peace and amitie For this shall both redounde to theyr owne prayse and shal be to hym also ryght acceptable vnto the which letters they wryte again after the same sort as they answered thambassadour before and desire him to accept in good part their delay in answering And in asmuch as he affirmeth that this war is nether to oppresse Religion nor yet the libertie of the countrey they say how they will do again none other wyse thā shal become thē For if any be gone out of their confynes a warfare the same is done without their leaue and knowledge as oft times it chaunceth And their maner is not to call thē again that go forth without their licēce but what time they retourne home to punish them And as they did moue the Swisses so likewyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sollicited the Bohemers but thei made such aunswer as it appered wel that their myndes were alredy perswaded through thaccusation of king Ferdinando Whan they perceiued this by their letters about the end of August they wryte again and shewe them manifestly that this war is attempted against religion and sent vnto them the bokes whiche haue bene lately set forth concerning the same and require thē to worke no displeasure against them and last to signifie vnto thē what they intend to do About the same time also thei publish a wryting wherin they say how they are aduertised by them that are credit worthy how the bishop and Antichrist of Rome an instrument of the deuil authour of this war who in certen yeres past by his hired ministers set many townes of fire in Saxon hath now sent forth impoysoners to infecte their welles and standing waters to thintent that the same which war and that sword can not distroy these may dispatche with their poyson Wherfore they do admonish vniuersally al mē but chiefly their owne subiectes to waite narrowly that such men be apprehēded and being put to torture whan they shall haue tried their mischief that they suffer accordingly And within a fewe days after the Duke of Saxon his sonne Iohn William in his letters published geueth warning to his coūtrey that they take diligent hede to thē selues For lately not far frō Weynmar a town of Turing a certen Italian was taken of suspiciō who cōfessed that he diuerse others had money giuē them at Rome in the byshops name that they shuld with fiering poyson do as much hurt in Germany as they possible might Cōcerning their outlawyng how themperour sent a copy therof to the Duke to the Lantgraue I haue shewed you before Wherfore whā they had receiued it in their cāpe at Ingolstad the secōd day of Septēber in the defēce of their honor estimatiō they answer in a very lōg wryting That he so highly cōmendeth his zeale good wil to-many it is nothing but dissimulatiō for since the time he was first chosen Emperour he hath always sought meanes how to bring it in bondage For this was verely the cause why he leauing Spaine and his other countreis hath retourned so oft in to Germany and bene at so importunate charges Of like sort is the same which he speaketh of religiō For his purpose hath bene alwayes the hauing oportunitie he might oppresse the sincere doctrine For so oft say they as he graūted peace vnto vs our religiō he did it craftely for a time only vntil we had giuē money to serue the publique vses necessities of thempire After he called the decrees made in doubt into question helde the matter so long in suspence till he had made peace with the French king taken truce with the Turck that the bishop he espiyng a time conuenient had appointed the counsell of Trent concluded vpon a league but hereof wil we bring probations Fiue yeares past at Regenspurg he made a decree of religion and wher as in diuerse pointes we misliked the same he declared his minde more at large and gaue it vs in wryting sufficiently The same in other assemblies after his deputies king Ferdinando did cōfirme And yet two yeres since in the cōuention at Spier whan mention was made therof he sayd how he did remēber no such declaratiō The last yeare in the cōuention at Wormes the Byshop of Hildesseme said openly before al the Princes how themperour promised the catholikes that the decree of Spier shuld take no place after the Frēch warres A few monethes past when he went to the conuention at Regenspurg Granuellan spake it to me sayth the Lantgraue in the presence of the Paulsgraue of my counsellours the Ambassadour of the Duke of Wirtēberg how that decree of Spier was applied vnto the time And that now themperour can not longer mainteyn the same against the other states Sixe yeres past at Hagenaw king Firdinando whan he sheweth his commission to the catholiques said that vnto vs should no decrees be obserued For they were made for fear of the Turkish warre what time he had nede of our ayde What thinke you Was not this a goodly cause and a fetch to supplant vs our felowes They confesse the craft thē selues wherby they licked vs of our money Therfore it is playn that he intended alwayes the distructiō of religiō as the late cōfederacie declareth taried but only for a time to serue his purpos because he wold appere to haue the matter lawfully decided he was euer in hād with vs that we shuld submit our selfs to the bishop of Romes coūsel but why we might not so do it is
place and retourne into his old cāpe besides Laweging the daye before the kalendes of Nouember Unto the letters of the states of Duke Moris dated at Fridberg the .xi. day of October before sayd the Lantgraue answereth the xx day of the same moneth How he is hartely sory that warre should be attempted again those countreis and muche more that in common daunger they doe ioyne their forces together after the example of their elders And where they doe not consider that this warre is against Religion that semeth to hym great maruel seing that both the Byshops letters to the Swisses and the league made betwixt him and the Emperour and shewed vnto the Heluetians by the Byshops commaundement doe opēly testifie and plainly declare the same For since that league was made great forces haue commen to the Emperour out of Italy and all the Italians that are taken do affirme this certenly that they were purposely sent to warre against the Lutherians Moreouer their fellowes of the same Religion are in this war much more cruelly handled than any others with spoyling firyng robberies That the women maydens are wickedly defloured and yong chyldren infātes haue their handes and fete cut of euen for the hatred of this doctrine Where the Emperour hath warraunted them for Religion it is but dissimulation For in case he were demaunded whether he would that Luthers Religiō should be submitted to the authoritie and decrees of the Byshops counsell there is no doubte but the craft would sone appere Wherfore let them not truste to his promesse And where they are affrayd of themperours sentence of outlawyng them he marueleth greatly where they knowe that the same is not lawfull for hym so to doe vnlesse the parties had first bene sommoned and conuicte in iudgement But the greatest grief of all is that the noble house and people of Saxonie shuld be thus deuided For if they were of one mynde and would ioyne their forces together the daunger that is so feared might easely be repulsed He hath verely talked with the Electour herein but he is nothing agreable to that waye whiche they do shewe For if he should at the chaunge of fortune require the lyke of Duke Moris he doubteth not but that both he would refuse it and they also would counsell him to the contrary Wherfore he doth not lyke theyr coūsel and the worse for that Duke Moris hath lately writtē to them both how he was sory to heare it bruted that he shuld couet to possesse his cōsyns prouince For the reporte was vntrue and iniurious to him and therfore praied them not to credit the same Whan they had receiued these letters they were contented with that excuse and thought no more of the matter And if he shold now sease vpō his coūtrey thei se what men would iudge he desireth therfore that they would impeche the thing that it were not done For otherwyse not only forreyne warre but ciuill also wil ensue vpon the same For in case he susteyne any iniury by reason of the Emperours proscription neither he nor his fellowes which stande in the same case can not but helpe him And than what wil be the ende therof it is not hard to iudge Therfore let them indeuour that the houses of Saxō and Hesse be not deuided but that Duke Maurice doe assiste him and his fellowes For this shal be chiefly for his honour and welthe also He wrote the same day also to Moris of like effect and admonisheth him not to waye the Emperours proclamations and outlawyng but cal to his remembraunce what the Electour and he haue done for him his father For where as Duke George his vncle had made his wil that themperour should possesse his whole prouince vntil his brother did forsake the Protestauntes Religion he knoweth what benefit than he receiued of them both Moreouer where Duke George gaue vnto his father a yearly pension and that ther was some feare least he woulde haue denied the same for the hatred he bare to Religion the Protestauntes than promysed hym that if it so came to passe they would of their liberalitie gyue hym asmuche yearly Wherfore let hym surcease of his enterpryse attempt nothing in the Duke of Saxons prouince without his loue and leaue For otherwyse he shall not want his fellowes ayde The Ambassadours of Pole were in dede in the Emperours Campe and haue signified to the Duke of Saxon and him what they haue done But the condicions are of suche sort as they make nothing at all for peace And of lyke importaūce the councellours of the warre wryte to Duke Moris and his states and proteste that if any force be done to that Duke of Saxon they wyll not neglecte his iniury The Electour him selfe made them none aunswere at that tyme as shall further be declared hereafter The same day also the Lantgraue and the counsellers write to the cities of Maydenburg Brunswyck Breme Hamburge Goslary Hildesseme Goting Hanobrie Embeck Minden and to the Duke of Pomerane Dukes of Luneburg and to Prince Anhalde They shew them what daunger is toward Saxonie but chiefly to the Electour vnto whose frountiers the ennemies are comen already The beginning cometh of kyng Ferdinando who hath enforced the Bohemers vnto this warre Duke Maurice taketh his parte and pretendeth a cause for that the Emperour hath outlawed him howbeit they haue sende to Duke Moris that he should not medle for than shall not the Duke of Saxon wante helpe And in as muche as that whole countrie standeth in present daunger and the Duke asketh helpe of them they can not but ayde him And were in mynde once to haue delyuered hym part of their Armie which they haue together but because their ennemie is not far of are in good hope that the matter shall shortely be tried by a mayne battell Wherin all their welthes do consist they thinck it not wysdome at this present to make them selues so muche weaker For this is the fetche of their ennemie that being molested with other warres they should not auaunce their whole force against him And seing the case standeth thus they require them that in all their names they wold sende him ayd of fotemen so sone as they can to Wittemberg and Weinmar that also the rest of the money which is dew by the league they pay vnto the Electours sonne and counsellours for the case is cōmon to them all and whan their fellowes are ouerrunne the lyke misfortune wyll the soner chaunce vnto them I haue spoken before of the Bohemers They serued Fardinando in dede howbeit full sore against their willes by reason of an aunciēt league that they had with the house of Saxon. And agayn for that they said how this war was not nedeful many thought that the Electour also had wrong But Ferdinando brought them to it sent for a power out of Hōgary Silesie so that he might constraine them whether
in nomber in comparison of their ennemies had bene all either taken or slayne and so they let not to saye them selues afterwarde But themperour who knewe not what force they were of and supposed them to be many mo thaÌ„ they were was nothing hasty on theÌ„ And the same night commaunded he the fotemen to marche forward and followe him to the intent verely that he might haue foughten with them the next day But they as I said goyng secretly away by night were nowe come to their Army Wherfore the Emperour retourneth to his Campe and there made his abode two daies to refreshe his soldiours After because he supposed that they wold wynter in Franckonie a fertile and a plentifull countrey he thought to preuent them After therfore that he had taken by rendring Bophing Norling the cositie of Oeting and Dingelspulle he hasteth with great expedition to Roteburg a citie of the Empire standing by â—he Riuer of Duber The Lantgraue going to the Duke of WirteÌ„berg after he had deliuered his force to the Duke of Saxony retourneth home And at the kalendes of December came to Franckfurt But the Duke of Saxon although he wanted the Senewes of warre yet marching forwarde with his army he battred Gemund a towne in Sweden and hath it rendred to him and causeth the Senate to geue him a somme of money whiche was gathered of euery man After the twelfth daye of December he came with his Army before Frankefurt and getteth of theÌ„ nyne thousand crownes And imposeth to the Archbyshop of Mentz fourty thousand And proceding on styll he handleth the ryche Abbot of Fulden and certen others of the Romishe Religion after the same sorte The Lantgraue returning home sendeth his letters to Duke Maurice his sonne in lawe signifiyng that he wyll come to him so that he wyll assure him by saufe conduite For he woulde intreate a peace betwixt him the Duke of Saxon. Duke Maurice doeth assure him in dede sendeth him letters of the same but therin were so many conditions that he thought not good to goe but sent Ambassadours Herman Hundelsuse Henry Lersuer And all be it they laboured the matter ernestly yet could nothing be coÌ„cluded Whilest Maurice said he might not accorde wtout TheÌ„perours coÌ„sent the Duke of Saxon which had his army ready wold haue no delay but that he wold atteÌ„pt war against him Therfore whan there was no hope of peace the Lantgraues soldious retourne home Howbeit Recrode that brought fotemen of Almaines out of Fraunce as before is sayde remayned styll with the Duke Whan the Emperour was at Rotburg he sendeth away the Erle of Bure and gyueth hym in charge to fynde some meane to get Franckefurte After about the Ides of December wryting his letters from thence to Ulrich Duke of Wirtemberg Al beit saith he that for the war which certen yeares past the Lantgraue and you attempted against my brother kyng Ferdinando and taking of the Dukedome of Wyrtemberg reason would that I should haue punyshed both him and you extremely yet did I forgeue you al the iniurie and penaltie and shewed you all fauour And nowe of late about the begynning of this warre although your desertes were farre otherwyse in as muche as you exercise Tyranny not only vpon your owne people but also ouer certen states and cities of the Empyre neither will obey any lawe or iudgement I sente to you an Ambassadour a man of honour whiche shold declare vnto you the cause why this war is enterprised and also requyre you to sit quiet and than should you loke for all fauour at our handes But al these thinges neglected and not regarding the allegeaunce that you owe vnto vs you haue associated your self with outlawes and their confederates and haue incurred the lyke cryme of Rebellion as they haue done and first hast taken certen townes of my brother Ferdinando and of other states than of myne also and of the Empyre vpoÌ„ the soden with men of their owne faction And not content with that whan these thinges were a workyng you denounced warre against vs by a certen mallaparte boldenes and with moste opprobrious wordes haue hurte our fame and estimation goyng about to take from vs this degree of hyghest honour and dignitie and deniyng vnto vs the fidelitie streyghtways with your conspiratours durste leade forth an Armie against vs doynge outtrage vnto many clientes of my brother Ferdinandos and myne Wherby you haue fallen into the penaltie whiche is dewe vnto periured outlawes and conuictes of hygh treason And seyng it is thus and all be it we haue iuste and lawefull cause to be auenged on you moste extremelie accordynge to your demerytes yet for our accustomed clemencie and that the myserable people maye be spared We strayghtely charge and commaunde you that immediatlye vppon the syghte hereof you doe submitte vnto vs your selfe your countrey all that you haue in the world without condition or exception that we may ordre and vse the same at our pleasure For vnles you shall obeye the same we shal persecute the and thine with sworde and fyre For those letters whiche you sent foure dayes synce doe not content vs neyther be they sufficient to pourge or excuse thyne offence He sendeth a copie of the same his letters vnto his subiectes also and chargeth them to obeye hym no longer but sende Ambassadours vnto hym to know further of his pleasure he releaseth also their allegeaunce and othe wherby they are bounden to hym This if they wyll doe he wil prouide he sayth that they shall lyue in a better state hereafter If not he threatneth them with lyke punishement What time the Emperour wrote this the Duke of Alba was with his armie at the borders of the countrey of Wyrtemberg But Duke Ulriche was goyng to his Castell of Tuel standing vpon an high hyll without the Region and where the Emperours letters were delyuered vnto hym by the way the .xx. day of December he wryteth vnto hym moste humbly and with great submission For that he is brought thus into his hygh displeasure he is most hartely sory neither could there any thing haue chaunced vnto him more greuous And where as diuerse had intreated for him and he him selfe also acknowledge his faulte craued pardon he had good hope that his displeasure should haue bene appeased And the same hope he reteyneth styll for that he hath tried and experienced his clemeÌ„cy which he is wonte to vse towardes all suppliauntes For hereof armo examples than one shewed not many yeares since vnto certen Princes whiche happely gaue somwhat more occasion of displeasure than he hath done But in case he wold haue heard his Ambassadours he doubteth not but that he woulde haue wrytten muche more gently Wherfore he craueth his mercy and besecheth him for Christes sake to forgeue hym and not worke any extremitie against hym beyng a myserable Prince nor yet against his poore subiectes About this tyme came
people and pardon his offence so that he obserue conuenauntes and from henceforth omitte not to do his dutie After them came the Ambassadours of Memming Bibrach Rauensburg Kempten Isnen and making their humble supplication desyre pardon of their fault and that they haue offended him they saye it is to be imputed partly to their owne errour partly to the occasion of others And that they flie now vnto him for refuge as vnto the welspring of mercy and beseche him that he woulde forgeue them and restore them to their olde estate and to deminishe nothing of their priuileges and fredome The Emperour than byndeth them by an othe that they be faithful vnto him from henceforth that they obeye the same lawes that other states doe that they forsake the league of the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and ayde them with no kynde of thinge nor make no league against him from henceforth This done he taketh them to mercy and condēpneth the citie of Meming in fifty thousand crownes Before they came into the Emperours presence they desired to be assured not to haue their Religion chasiged But Nauius whom the Emperour vsed chiefly for interpretour in suche matters warned them in any wise to make no mention therof For incase they did the Emperour would surely ascribe it to a certen distruste they had in hym For at the beginning of the warre he declared his mynde here in sufficiently Therfore let them holde them content and requyre no further assuraunce And this was thought to be done for this intent lest if they should haue had a nay it might appere that an other thing were intended than the Emperour had published in his letters before But and if it shold be graūted them by expresse wordes the same shold offende the Byshop of Rome whose purpose was that by this warre the doctrine of the Protestauntes might vtterly be extinguished In these daies arose a rebellion at Gene against the house of Aurie the Prince wherof at the same tyme was Androwe the most expert man on the Sea that than liued and through the Emperours auauncemēt the chiefest of that cōmon welth The chief captaine and ringleader of this vprore was Counte Fliscane and in the same amonges others was murthered the Cosin of Androwe Iohannine Aurie a mā of a great courage And if the Erle of Flisca had not chaunced to slippe into the Sea and drowned it is thought that there would haue bene a blacke daye and muche euyll done But whan he was gone the fellowes of that conspiracie shranke away immediatly streightwayes after that Tempest followed a great Caulme The Emperour affirmeth the Farnesians to be the authours of this enterprise especially the Byshops sonne Peter Aloisse Duke of Placence as shal be declared in his place The sitting of the fathers at Trent whiche shuld haue ben at the ende of Iuly was adiourned vntill this tyme and the xiii day of Ianuary what tyme the fathers were assembled in the Cathedrall churche as their maner is they make a decree of the iustification of man and there are they condēned which affirme that since the fall of Adam man hath not had fre wyl that man is iustified by fayth only in that Christe imputeth rightuousnes and say that iustification is nothing els but a confidence in Gods mercie who forgiueth sinnes for Christes sake or saye it is necessary that a man beleue assuredly and doubte not but his synnes are forgeuen and that he is of the nombre of Gods elect and suche agayne as saye that a man is not able to kepe the commaundementes of God no though he be iustified whiche saye that iustification receiued is not kept and increased thorowe good workes whiche after baptisme affirme that iustifications lost is recouered by fayth only with out the sacrament of penaunce and saye that a penitent synner hath his offence wholy forgeuē and that there remayneth no punishement for the same neyther in this worlde nor in the lyfe to come through purgatory finally whiche affirme that these decrees are a derogation to Gods glory to the merites of Christe Whan the Duke of Saxō was coming with his Armie Duke Maurice fortifieth Lipsia with a garnison burneth the suburbes The same tyme came the ther aboue a thousand horsemen of the Hongarians The .xiii. daye of Ianuary began the siege but the townes men defending them selues moste valiauntly about the ende of the same moneth the enemy departeth without his purpose Howbeit the towne with the nomber of shot that went of as thicke as hayle was wonderfully rent and torne vtterly defaced The Duke of Saxon departing from thēce did not only recouer shortly after al that he had lost in the countreys of Thuring and Meyssen but also wan all Duke Maurice townes sauing only Lipsia Dresda He bringeth also into his possession the Byshoprike of Magdeburg and Halberstat making a composition with the Byshop Iohn Albert. The daye before he assayled Lipsia kyng Ferdinando commaunded the Bohemers that they shoulde take armure and goe ayde Duke Maurice They obeyed him in dede but after they retourned home without cōmaundement Wherfore the king at the ende of Ianuary cōmaundeth them again likewyse There did the commons of Prage whiche citie is of moste authoritie in those parties desire the Senate to sue to the king that he wold stay that cōmaundement which is both against their libertie suche as they can not honestly obey For there is no cause why they shuld haue warre with the Prince Electour of Saxon. And in moste thinges their religion is all one with his Moreouer he hath always shewed him selfe lyke a noble Prince and aided them against the Turkes Wherunto Ferdinando made aunswer amonges other thinges howe the warre was attempted against him not for religion but for rebellion And where they say howe he hath geuen great aide against the Turke the matter is far otherwyse For he sent messengers to the Turke a few monethes past which might procure him to moue war to Hongary and Boheme and that he shuld take no longer truce that he should infringe the same which he had graūted And to the intēt the thing might haue the better successe he would not fayle to inuade on the contrary syde Whan themperour vnderstode how the matter went in Saxony and was aduertised by sondry letters of Duke Maurice he sendeth certen bandes of horsmen and fotemen to ayde him at the leading of Marques Albert than cōmaundeth the forces of Spaniardes Italiās to follow wherof Sandey Marignane wer captains Marques Albert departeth frō Hailbrune with his cōpany the .ix. day of Ianuary Themperour also remoueth frō thēce to Ulmes by the way they of Liudaue Esling were recōciled to him Of the byshop of Rome it is told before how he gaue sentēce depriued tharchbishop of Collō of his ecclesiastical fūction Whā he thus did he gaue away al his right
irritated the thing it selfe requireth that with a certen humble submission he do craue pardon Wherfore let hym haue a respect to him selfe and his chyldren and to the common multitude and dryue not the nayle to the head neyther bryng the matter in to extreme daunger He wryteth also the same in effecte to the Duke of Saxonie The Emperour a lytle before that the Protestauntes departed in Nouember had appointed certen to leuie streight wayes a newe Armie and to make warre in the next partes of Saxonie leste the States and Cities there should ayde the Duke and the Lantgraue Ouer this Armie whiche was to the nombre of .xxi. thousande fotemen and a thousand and two hondreth horsemen he made general Ioyce Grunninge Gouernour of Selande They compell Conrade Erle of Deckelburg in league with the Protestauntes and the cities of Osnabruge and Mynden and the Erle of Lippen with certen others to obeye their cōmaundement and take the Castell of Ritberge and marche from thence to Breme This was in the moneth of February Here serued the Emperour Philippe Ebersten Erle Christopher Urisberger Frideriche Spedie Whan the Electour of Saxonie hearde of the Emperours successe addressing his letters to the Senate of Strasburge the .xiii. daye of February he signifieth vnto them howe he hath recouered his owne and wonne almoste all that Duke Maurice had in the countreis of Thuring and Meyssen caused his Nobilitie to be sworen vnto him hath allotted vnto him the by shoprick of Maidēburg And where as the Duke of Wirtemberg and the most part of that cities in vpper Germany haue compounded with themperour vpon conditions moste vnreasonable omitting the mention of religion haue promised themperour ayde against him his fellowes that hath chaunced vnto him beyond al expectation and is altogether repugnaūt to the maner of the league How be it he heard say how they remained constant that was great pleasure to him Wherfore let them holde on and fainte not doe as becometh confederates and if the thing require so let them defende maintein thē selues with the ayde of the Swisses and the French king his desire is assuredly to shew them alloue and fidelitie but he is letted by domestical warre wherin if God will make an ende to his cōmoditie they shal not want his helpe The Ambassadours of the states cities of Saxony be already assembled at Maydenburg with whom he treateth of those matters for the which the conuention was appointed at Franckfurt and his trust is that they will perfourme their dutie especially the cities wil not forsake the cōfederatie At the Ides of February cometh to Strasburge an Ambassadour from the Frenche kyng Mendoza a Spaniard an exile promiseth largely But the Senate had already decreed to send to themperour an Ambassade for peace And so he departed with out any thing done The Ambassadours to thēperour were Iames Sturmius Matthie Pharrer Marke Hagie The cause of their Ambassade was that going to Ulme thei should know for certentie vpon what conditions themperour might be cōpounded with Themperour had than of his counsel Anthony bishop of Arras For his father Granuellā was gone to Besanson Nauius the same time had chaūged his life for death In whose roume afterward succeded George Selde a Ciuilan to him were annexed by reasō of so much busines as was in Germany Iohn Marquard of Badē Harry Hasie who had bene consellour before to the Paulsgraue very lately to the prince of Bippount right expert in matters of Germany Kyng Ferdinando to the intent he myght styre vp the Bohemers that refused to serue as I saide before the sixte daye of February marcheth forth with Ferdinando his sonne and commeth to Letmerice a Frontier towne of Boheme What tyme he taried there a day or two for the nobles and states of the realme he had a longe Oration And for as muche as Duke Maurice desyreth his helpe he exhorteth them to put on Armure as wel for the auncient league betwene both the people as also for that they are thēperours clic̄tes And because diuerse say that their libertie herby is infringed he promiseth thē assurāce that it shal be no hinderaūce to thē in time to come The states whiche than were present say how they can determine nothing with out the consent of the rest They require him therfore so shortly as he can to call them altogether Certen others of them promise their seruice duty Those were gouernours of townes vnto whome the king gaue thākes and to the others declared at large how this was no time to stande in question when the thing it selfe requireth a present remedy against the ennemie What time the warre shal be finished he wyll not refuse to call an assemblie will deminishe no part of their liberties wherfore let them stande content and follow him At the length fearing his displeasure whan the king had taunted thē somwhat sharply thei gaue their assent also and in case thei serue not in persone they promise to finde others About the Ides of February the nobilitie and men of Prage writing their letters pray the king in so muche as he perseuereth in his cōmaundemētes after a new and straunge example that against the .xx. daye of Marche he wold cōmaunde all the states to be at Prage Or if he can not in case they do assemble than and determine some thing they desire him not to take it displeasauntly He again reciteth what was done at Letmerice and promiseth an assemblie against the .xviii. day of April and warneth them in the meane time that they attempt nothing neither assemble together in any wyse The fourth day after they had thus wrytten thei make a league to maintein their libertie After that Marques Albert was come into Saxony Duke Maurice assigned him to lie in the towne of Rochlice The reuenues wherof had the Lantgraues syster a wydowe daughter in lawe to Duke George That knowen Iohn Fridericke Prince Electour who was than at Aldenburge three myles from the same at the kalendes of Marche sendeth before Ernest Duke of Luneburge and Uolrate Erle of Mansdfelde with certen guydōs of horsmen and after them Recrode with his legion of fotemē by night He him selfe with the rest of his armie followeth after In the next morning before it was day lyght a few horsemen sent before to escoute did set vpon the watche and some they toke the rest fled into the town In the suburbes were foure enseignes of fotemen They accompanied with certen horsemen going forth as sone as day appered giue the charge But hauing the repulse they retourne back into the suburbes But whan the Electour was come with the rereward and shot of his ordenaunce into the town from the next hill by the fotemē also entring perforce fyred the suburbes Those forsaid enseignes of fotemen flye awaye by the brydge the horsemen also through the Riuer of Mulda
wherfore the fotemen which already possessed the suburbes go to the assault of the towne with a lusty courage wynne it spoyle it and taketh the ordenaunce from the ennemy Whylest these things were thus a working Marques Albert seketh whiche way he might escape and taketh the Ryner but he was intercepted by the Duke of Luneburg brought to the prince Electour The garrison within the town was six enseignes of fotemen They putting them selues into a ringe by the helpe of the other horsmen stand to their defence but vanquished with a multitude they were taken all and striped out of their armure And whaÌ„ they had made promyse not to serue against the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes of six monethes after they were so let go without rauÌ„som The horsemen poursuing after those .iiii. enseignes of footemen that escaped ouer the bridge did slea a great numbre of them which were all for the most part Italians and Spaniards Marques Albert had what of Kyng Ferdinando what of the Emperour as good as a thousand and fiue hundred horsemeÌ„ ten enseignes of foot men and .xiiii. field pieces Thei fought from the breake of the day tyll none The Duke of Saxon lost not many of his men amonges them Wuolfie Theodorick a man of a noble courage who beyng stryken with a gunne lefte his lyfe a fewe dayes after The nombre of them that were slaine within the town was accompted a thousand without the town and in the Ryuer thre hondreth After the conflict the Electour with Albert his prisoner retourneth to Aldenburg and after signifieth the whole matter into Boheme sheweth that he wil do nothing against the league and desireth to haue those punished which had attempted against his subiectes with sword and fyre The Duke of Wirtemberg had condicioned so sone as he might for his sickenes to come make his submission to the Emperour he commeth therfore to Ulme in the moneth of Marche â—han he was not yet recouered and sitting in his saddel by the Emperours permission in asmuche as he could not remoue nor bowe him self by his couÌ„sellors kneling for him he desireth to be pardoned of his fault promising from henceforth aldew obedieÌ„ce Whan themperour hereunto had made a gentle aunswere he departeth immediatly for the war of SaxoÌ„ he goeth to Norling Whilest the Duke of Wirtemberg on this wise made his submission there was a great resort and concourse of people which hauing therof knowledge before came thither flocking thicke and threfolde In those thre forsaid places of the land of Wirtemberg the Emperour had placed garrisons a good while before for the most part all Spaniardes ✚ The nyntenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the nyntenth Booke THe fathers of Trent make their seuenth sessions The Emperour hauing accorded with them of Strasburg marcheth forth with his armie Fraunces the Frenche kyng dyeth shortly after the kyng of England The counsell of Trent is diuided The Duke of SaxoÌ„ taken in battell notwithstanding his condemnation to death remayneth constant in Religion Wittemberge being rendred the vniuersitie is destroyed Suite is made for the agrement of the Lantgraue who coming to the Emperour is stayed prysoner Kyng Ferdinando appeaseth them of Prage A commotion at Naples by reason of the Spanish inquisition The coronation of the Frenche kyng is described The citie of Maidenburg is outlawed An assemblee is holden at Auspurg Peter Aloesse the Popes sonne is murthered The Duke of Somerset wynneth a great battell of the Scottes Whan the Princes of the Protestauntes were vanquyshed the cities were made afrayd Stryfe aryseth for the imprysonyng of the Lantgraue Request is made that the Fathers should retourne to Trent but the Pope and suche as were gone to Boloigne le grasse stode styf in their opinions in so muche that there is great disordre in the counsell of Trent THe third day of Marche was the seuenth Session of the fathers at Trent In this are condeÌ„pned al suche as either say there are fewer Sacramentes of the church thaÌ„ seuen or that al were not of Christes institution who deny that one is of more dignitie than an other who say they be only externall signes of grace or that rightuousnes is receiued through Christe faith who deny that grace is geuen through the receiuinge of the same who say that through Baptisme Confirmation and orders is not imprinted in the soule a spirituall token or marke that can neuer be scraped out or the al men haue lyke authoritie to minister the same or that the accustomed ceremonies of the churche in the administration of the same may be omitted or altered whiche say that the doctrine of the churche of Rome mother and maistres of al others concerning Baptisme is not sincere whiche saye that Uowes made after Baptisme are of no importauÌ„ce and are rather a derogation of the faith which they haue professed And say that Confirmation is an Idle Ceremony and was in tymes past nothing els but an instruction of youth and deny that the vertue and instinction of the holye Ghost is not present at Confirmation which ascribe the coÌ„firmyng of children not to byshops only but take it to be the fuÌ„ction of any other priest After this decrees are made of ecclesiasticall benefices That Byshops other Prelates of the church be lawfully begotten that they be of yeares maners and learning sufficient That no man of what estate or degree soeuer he be of do enioy do Byshoprickes than one and they that possesse many may kepe styll whiche of them they liste and within one yeares space shall put away the rest That suche as haue cure and charge of soules be them selues resident neyther let them substitute others in their place vnlesse it be for a tyme so as if they haue declared a cause of their absence to the Byshop and he hath allowed the same whose part it shal be to forsee that the people be not neglected and that priestes offences be punished and such vices as reigne amonges them be straitly corrected After was the .xxi. day of Aprill assigned for the next assemblie Whan king Ferdinando was come to Duke Maurice at Dresda the eight day of Marche he writeth to the Bohemers howe Iohn Friderick is prefixed to inuade them Therfore let them take hede to their matters and obeye Weittemulle whome he hath appointed his deputie in his absence The Ambassadours of Strasburg whiche as I sayde went to Ulme returning home where the Senate did not mislyke the conditions prescribed of the Emperour they are sent agayn to coÌ„clude throughly As they were traueling they fynde the Emperour at Norlyng there liyng sicke of the Gowte and the .xxi. day of Marche making their submission thei were reconciled The conditions were very tollerable For neyther the Emperour charged them with any garrison and was
Herbes Beastes Metalles Precious stones and by dayly vse and hearing did remember them He was wont also to deuise muche of the Mathematical sciences and to reason oft of the Scriptures About his table stoode alwayes the notable men of eche degree And in as muche as the talke was inferred of sondry argumēts it was harde but that one or other would alwayes propounde some matter And that might euery man do lawfully in case he were any thing knowen The example also and this desire of the kyng excited men vnto great diligēce that they might in reasoning before him deserue prayse In his owne tongue he was always accompted right eloquēt and graue Throughout Grece and Italy he had that sought and copied out for him the workes of olde writers And he made a goodly librarie whiche yelded certen notable bookes afterwardes The keper wherof was Castellan Alitle before his death he had sent to the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue for the mayntenaunce of the war to eyther of thē an hondreth thousand crownes and what tyme he departed the mony was scarsely deliuered About the same tyme also the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes retourne out of England into Fraunce that they myght finishe vp the rest of their matters And lyke as they found kyng Henry there whan they fyrst arriued so now retourning from thence they fynde king Fraūces extremely sicke Wherfore this happened also to the reste of the Emperours good fortune that those two moste mightie kynges which neither wanted oportunitie nor as many men than supposed wyll also to impeche and hynder his enterpryses died both in a maner at one tyme. That force of the Emperours whiche after they had oppressed certen noble men and taken the citie of Mynden I sayde went marching to Breme at the ende of this same moneth had such an ouerthrowe that he lost the chief captaine of the warre Grunninge gouernour of Selande And whan the power of the Bremers was increased by the accesse of Hamborough men Urisberger who after the death of Grunning had then the chief gouernment remouing his campe and fetching a long circuite about for the fennes that lay in his way began to beseige the citie on the other syde Thither came shortly after also Ericus Duke of Brunswyck whom the Emperour at the Ides of Marche sent away from him at Norlinge to the intent he should leuie a newe power of horsemen and fotemen and leade them into those parties The Emperour remouing from Norling to Norinberge went from thence to Egre a towne of king Ferdinādos in the borders of Boheme The king had at sondry times admonished the citie of Prage their weapons The residue of the states by them therof aduertised the fourth day of Aprill wryte againe That the cause why they haue put on armure led forth their armie is to defende their countrie from vniust violence especially in his absēce And pray him to intreate themperour that he war not against the Duke of Saxō but suffer that his case may be frendly debated They desire also to haue a parlament as the promise was At the which time the Emperour cōming to Egre and the. vi◠day of April whan Ferdinano Maurice were come that day before he writeth to all the states of Boheme and repeting briefly what he had writtē in the moneth before sheweth thē that he seketh only the Duke of Saxon. Wherfore let them bring forth their vitayle furnishe them of corne retourne home As concerning religiō they nede not to feare for in all this war he hath molested no mā for religiō At the same tyme the commissioners that were at Prage dispatching their letters into all partes warne the states moste earnestly that they would put on armure and come with all haste possible to desend their countrey for the matter is brought to an extreme daunger Ferdinando the eleuenth of Aprill aunswereth their last letters from Egre of lyke effecte in a maner as the Emperour did Therfore let them leaue their enterprise or els wil he fynde the meanes to represse their rashenes wel enough Where they intreate for the Duke of Saxon he can not a lyttle maruell For he hath not deserued so neither of the Emperour nor of him nor yet of the lande of Boheme Touching their request for a parliament he wyll doe herein as shall become hym In the meane tyme the Duke of Saxon taketh from Duke Maurice Fridberge and Misen a towne by the Ryuer of Albis And about this tyme the Fathers that were at Trente remoue to Bolonia la grace neither after that session wherein they treated of the Sacramentes made they any decrees at al. The cause of their departure as it is sayde was for that the ayre of this place was not greatly holsome after the opinion of Hierosme Fracastor Phisition to the Fathers of the counsell who had of the Byshop of Rome therfore threscore duckates a moneth The Emperour toke this matter moste displeasauntly and commaunded the Byshoppes and Diuines of hys dominions not to remoue from thence one fote Wherupon parte of the counsell was at Trente and an other parte at Bononie What tyme the Emperour marched from Norlinge to Norinberge the Erle of Bure whiche kept Frankefurte with twelue enseignes of fotemen and about foure hondreth horsemen being sent for came thither And whan he was come agayne to Franckefurt the .xii. daye of Aprill he putteth two to death wherof the one Iohn Uerden was of the same towne the other William Gelluse was a subiect of the Lantgraues The cause of their execution was for that they were sayde to be sent by the Lantgraue that they should bye of a Smyth the keyes of one gate that they should set the town on fyre in foure sondrye places that they should dryue in Iron nayles into the Canons and other great pieces so that they might not be shot of That whylest others were quenching the fyres they with the helpe of their fellowes should slaye the Erle of Bure and his familie the Consull and the Senate That they should infecte the welles of the town with poysō especially that which serued the Erles kitchin and an other whiche is in the Court. After came forth a wrytting pourporting howe they confessed in pryson this cōspiracie and perseuered in the same whā they were led to execution But the Lantgraue pourgeth hym selfe and affirmeth that synce that tyme that Franckefurt came in to the Emperours handes he hath attempted nothing and cōfuteth the crimes obiected with many weighty wordes he had at sondry times in dede cōmaunded Geluse to vnderstād which way themperour the Counte of Bure marched with their armie but that thing only But in case thei being vāquished by the sharpnes of the torture extremitie of the payn haue spoken that is false haue not iniuried others only but him also he desireth that the same be not wrasted to his disdayne and
refused to doe And sayeth he wyll not go one fote with him vnlesse he be drawen forth by violence Than Duke Maurice the Marques intreate him exceadingly and beseching him that he wold not refuse to go And to perswade him the more they take him by the righthād and in the presence of diuerse noble men make him promesse that they wyl not departe from the Emperours courte before he be deliuered And ryding forth with him to Numburg they go after to the Emperour to make suite for him Thre dayes after whiche was the .xxv. of Iune They sende vnto him Carlebice And where as they followe themperour no further they desire him not to take it displeasauntly For he hath vtterly forbiddē thē that thei shuld not For if thei do he wil send him into Spain Neuerthelesse if that C. fifty M. crownes were payd that he make him assuraunce to performe the rest of the cōuenaūtes thei perceiue so much that he shuld be deliuered within a fourtenight after how thei wil shortly ryde to thassemblie at Auspurg wil omit no ernest paines nor diligent suite for hym He which toke his chaunce most vnpatiētly saith that for the paiment of y◠mony rasing of his castels he wil deuise care for trusteth that loke what thei promise shal be performed After warde passing out of the borders of Thuring with the Spāiardes whā he came to Greuetalle he sheweth the Duke of Alba the letters of saufecōduit assuraūce by obligatiō he saith how thēperour graūted nothing to the intercessours but of perpetual imprisonmēt Why thā saith the Lantgraue what measure or ende may this captiuitie haue or wtin what time shal it be expired Although saith he he detein you prisoner .xiiii. yeres or lōger yet shal thēperour do nothing against his promise But he to the intēt he might soner recouer his libertie not lōg after paieth al his monie defaceth his castelles deliuereth his ordenaūce But the nomber of the battering pieces which the Emperour gate partely of him and of the Duke of Saxon partely of the Duke of Wirtemberge and the cities in vpper Germany was great And as it is reported to the nomber of fiue hondreth Wherof he sent afterwarde diuerse to Millan some to Naples and some into Spaine the residue he bestowed in sondry places of his lowe countreis belongyng to the house of Burgūdy as monumentes and tokens of victory The Lantgraues captiuitie Ebleb a noble Gentlemā that was messenger betwixt toke moste heuely and as many men iudge for very thoughte and sorowe died shortly after The Emperour had intended to warre vpon the citie of Magdeburg on the Riuer of Albis two dayes iourney benethe Wittemberge For they in maner only did not compounde nor agree with him But at the same time Henry the Frenche kyng toke vp men in Germany by Sebastian Uogelsberge about ten enseignes of fotemen That matter did the Emperour suspecte Wherfore both for this cause as it is thought also for that he supposed thei might be repressed by an other meane departing from Hale he toke his iourney into the hygher partes of Germany and the .xxvii. day of Iune he sēdeth the Marques of Marignaue to aide his brother Ferdinando with eight enseignes of Almaigne fotemen That tyme was Ferdinando at Letmerice attending for the oportunitie of tyme to worke his purpose And hearing of themperours successe taking of the Lantgraue at the kalēdes of Iuly wryting his letters to Prage he cōmaundeth them to be before him in the castell of Prage the sixt day of Iuly there to make answer After he came thither with his force he declareth in open consistory their whole doynges past and howe many wayes they haue trespassed against him and saieth howe they haue cōmitted the offence of treason and commaundeth them to answere vnto euery pointe There do they in most humble wyse submit them selues to his will and pleasure and desire him not to trie the matter with thē neither by lawe nor otherwyse Wherupō the king whan Ferdinādo his sonne August brother to Duke Maurice and certen others were suters for them the .x. daie of Iuly propoundeth these cōditions At the next assemblie they shal vtterly abolishe the league made pluck from it euery mās seale That they deliuer vnto him al their charters writings of their Fredom priuileges to thintēt he may correct some such as shal like him graunt vnto them again confirme thē That they deliuer also al the writinges cōcerning fraternities fellowships for that diuerse of thē haue ministred occasiō of trou Moreouer that they deliuer vp their Castelles and fortresses with all their iurisdictions and customes and againe all the wrytinges of the league that they haue both made with others and also with Iohn Fridericke That the same excise of Bere that was promysed for thre yeares be payed from henceforth continually That they bryng all their munition and warlike furniture into the Castell all their priuate armure into the towne house If they shall thus doe he sayeth he wil spare the multitude except diuerse whiche he wyl reserue vnto such punishement as they haue deserued and deteyne them prysoners for the commoditie of the common wealth Whan the matter was reported to the commons after he had released about fifty prysoners it was cōcluded Certen of the Nobilitie beyng sent for where they did not appere at the daye prescribed sentence was pronounced against them to lose both life and goodes Certen other cities and Noble men followyng the example of them of Prage do submitte them selues without condition But Caspar Pfluge whome the confederates as I said before had made their generall is condempned of treason and proclamation made that who so could bring him quick or dead shuld haue fiue thousand crownes in rewarde After at the next conuention whan they had disanulled their league brokē their seales he obteined of thē in a maner all that he had demaūded Whilest the Emperour triumpheth in Germany ther arose a sore seditiō at Naples the cause wherof was that Peter Toletane the Uiceroye would after the Spanish maner inquire of euery mans faith and Religion The citezens toke this vnpaciently whiche lothed the Spanyardes gouernmēt also before And after muche slaughter on both partes within the cytie the Spanyardes at the length preuailed by reason that they kept the fortes and Castell Wherfore some they put to death the residue they banyshed This Spanishe inquisition whiche is so vniuersall at this day was first ordeined in those parties by king Ferdinando and quene Elizabeth against the Iewes whiche after Baptisme kept still their lawes and ceremonies But nowe since the name of Luther was published a broade it is practised against all men in generall which be neuer so little suspected and that both sharply and sodainly In these selfe same dayes seuen Cardinalles of Fraunce by the kynges commaundement go to Rome and
the byshops in maner beare no authoritie And in this dissolute oultrage and coÌ„fusion of things innumerable thousandes are in daunger of their saluation Briefly through this same pestilent euill is infected corrupted whatsoeuer before was clere the states of thempire plucked a sonder do obserue no frendship amoÌ„ges them selues In these so many and great euils their only refuge is to the Apostolicall churche Wherfore they hartely pray him euen for the wealth of Germany that he would restore the counsell Whiche if he would there is nothing but he myght loke for at their haÌ„des But if not they caÌ„not see from whence they should seke remedy For stormes and tempestes arrise on euery syde whiche all to repulse God hath ordained the holy churche of Rome as a certen bulwarke and rocke moste strong Let him haue therfore a consideration of their requestes and thinke no lesse but it may be except he prouide for the contrary that some other meanes and deuises may be founde to dispatche this matter For the rest they pray him to take these thinges in good parte For their duty and state of tyme compelleth them so to wryte In these dayes also the Englyshmen vanquish the Scottes in a maigne battell and slewe of theÌ„ many thousandes at the conduict of the Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle The cause of the warre was the same that was before during the lyfe of kyng Henry that is to witte for that the Scottes would not geue their Quene to wyfe vnto king Edward as their promise was After this victory the Englishe nation wan a great part of Scotlande and enlarged their limites farre Concerninge the Emperours demaundes all men were not of one opinion For the Electours that were of the clergie do vrge the counsell of Trent without conditioÌ„ But the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue Duke Maurice and Marques of Brandenburg refused not the same sobeit it were fre and Godly wherin the Byshop should not be iudge and should release other Byshops of their othe and that their diuines also might haue licence to reason and the decrees already made be retracted But all other Princes and states were desirous that the counsell might be continued that the Protestauntes going thether by saufeconduict may be heard constrained to obey the decrees of the counsell Themperour hearing al their mindes the .xviii. day of Octob. answereth desireth them al to submit them selues to the couÌ„sell and treateth with the Paulsgraue and Duke Maurice seuerally that they shuld geue their assent And the Paulsgraue in dede was put in feare vnlesse he consented by reason of the late offence in the yeare before where as that sore was not throughly healed Duke Maurice again which both coueted that the Lantgraue his father in lawe shuld be deliuered And was also muche auaunced of late by the Emperour sawe wel he must nedes do some thing Wherfore whaÌ„ themperour had by messengers seÌ„t betwixt promised largely of his good wil towards theÌ„ and desired instauntly that they would committe the thing to his fidelitie they at the last the .xxiiii. day of October consente therto The rest were only cities whiche sawe what a daungerous matter it were to submitte them selues to the decrees of the couÌ„sell without exception With them did Granuellan and Hasie intreate longe and muche And the meane whyle it was bruted throughout the citie howe they were franticke and out of their wyttes that refused the thyng whiche all the Princes had than approued There were heard moreouer threatnynges that they should be scourged worse than they were of late In fine a meane was founde that both the Emperour was satisfied and they also assured For being called before the Emperour They saye it is not their parte to correcte the aunswers of Princes and delyuer hym with all a wryting wherin they testifie vpon what conditions they doe admitte the counsell The Emperour hearynge their tale aunswereth them by Seldie howe he is verey glad and ioyfull that after the example of others they referre the matter vnto hym and geue their coÌ„sent with the reste So did he attribute more vnto them than they desyred For they did not assente to the reside we but to auoyde displeasure they woulde finde no faulte with the sentence of the Princes And yet leste any thyng should be preiudiciall to them hereafter they declared by wryting in what sort they lyked the counsell that in tyme to come myght remayne a testimony of their myndes This was about the ende of October And the same tyme came thyther Kyng Ferdinando and after also the Electour of Brandenburge The Emperour therfore immediatly in the beginnyng of Nouember sent the Cardinall of Trente to Rome in poste to moue the Byshop to call agayne the Synode to Trente In the moneth of Nouember Christine wyfe to the Lantgraue his sonnes and certen choise counsellours in their letters wrytten to all the Princes and States of the Empyre declare by what meanes he was taken at Hale commyng thyther vnder saufe conduite And in as muche as all the condicions by the Emperour prescribed that could or ought to be perfourmed are accomplished the monie payd the Duke of Brunswick his son set at libertie al the letters of the confederates exhibited the oth of the nobilitie assurasice of the suerties made al his munition deliuered his fortes rased Moreouer in as much as thei are ready neither refuse thei to be pledges theÌ„selues vntil such time as the rest be fulfilled also they can not wout the gret grief vexatioÌ„ of mind se him in this miserable case For before he went to Hale he was in no suche case but that he might haue kept his castelles an honest tyme against the force of the ennemy And that also can the Emperours commissioners whiche sawe the thinges afterwarde testife But for the compassion he had of the people chose peace before war Wherfore they moste hartely praye them to intreate the Emperour in his behalfe and fynde the meanes that being shortly restored to libertie he may retourne home For in case he should be longer dâ—teined it would be doubtles to the vtter decaye of his health And to haue the better successe in their sute the Lantgraues wyfe came her selfe to Auspurg And both her selfe and also by Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburg solliciteth the Princes to sue for him Whiche thing knowen the Emperour before intercession was made the .xxv. day of NoueÌ„ber declareth to the states that he heareth what report is made vnto theÌ„ And in as much as the talke of men is diuerse he wil declare vnto them the plain truthe of the matter so reciteth from the beginning how ofte and by whome the Lantgraue had bene sued for And howe he aunswered theÌ„ al that he shuld yelde and submitte himself without condicion rase his castels and deliuer his munition and than he tolde Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg that he should
committed in charge the tuition of all counselles But you went so hastely away that you reiected suche as sayd how you ought first to aske aduise of the Emperour and Byshop And if you must nedes haue remoued at the lest you should haue obserued the decrees of holy counselles and haue remayned within the borders of Germany to the intent the Germaines whose cause was chiefly in hande myght come to the counsell safely But nowe haue ye chosen Bononie a citie in the middes of Italy and subiect to the churche of Rome whether you are assured that the Germaines will not come And therfore haue you chosen the same that to the decaye and reproche of the vniuersall weale the counsel myght either be dossolued or handled and vsed at your pleasure The Emperour therfore requireth that moste earnestly that you wold retourne to the same place whiche before contented all men especially synce all thinges are safe and quiet neither remaineth there any further cause of feare Whiche thyng if you shall refuse I doe here in the name and by the commaundemēt of the Emperour proteste this remouing of the counsell to be vayne vnlawful and the whole doyng to be voyde of none effect And do also testifie the answer of yours to be fond full of lies and the the cōmodities that hereafter shal insue to the cōmon wealth ar not to be ascribed to thēbut vnto you and affirme moreouer that you haue no authoritie to remoue the counsell And in asmuch as you haue neglected the publique health of men the Emperour as Protectour of the churche wyll take charge therof so far forth as he may by the lawes and and decrees of holy fathers Whan he had red these thinges he deliuereth the copie of the Protestation written and requireth that it maye be recorded for matter of recorde There Cardinall Mountane by the consent of the Fathers speakyng grauely declareth that they are not well vsed and taketh God to witnesse and saieth howe they are ready to dye rather than to suffer suche an example to be brought into the churche that euer the ciuile Magistrate should at his wyll and pleasure comptrolle the counsell The Emperour in dede is the eldest sonne of the church but neyther Lord nor Maister But he and his colleges are Legates of the See Apostolicke refuse not presently to rēder an accompt both first vnto God after also to the Byshop of their Ambassade And that more within a fewe dayes their Protestation shal be aunswered In maner to the same effect and about the same tyme Mendoza whan letters were come from the Emperour wherby he was commaūded to procede did proteste at Rome before the Byshop and Cardinalles callyng therunto as he was cemmaunded the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes ✚ The twenty Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the twenty Booke THe treaty is of a controuersie whether the lande of Prusse belong to the kyng of Poole or to the Empyre The Pope maketh an ample aunswere to the protestation before made by Mendoza Wherof the Emperour being aduertised leauing all hope of a counsell begynneth to set forth his Interim The Protectour of Englande wryting to the Scottes in ample wyse demaundeth their Quene Uogelsberge is beheaded The Emperour in his campe before Wittemberge gaue to Duke Maurice the ryght of Electourshyp and nowe createth him with all solemnities Bucer refuseth to subscribe to the Interim The Pope himselfe cōdemneth the Interim Lykewyse do some of the Electours and Prynces Certen also refuse it al though that the Emperour had caused it to be proclaimed The Duke of Saxon prysoner with great magnanimitie refuseth it The Lantgraue by letters set forth in his name maketh semblant to consent therunto to be deliuered Whilest the Masseis abolished in England the cities and townes of Germany are sollicited to accept the Interim and aboue all others Strasborough yea with threatchynges IN the fourmer bokes is declared howe Albert of the house of Brandenburge did homage to the kynge of Polle howe he altered the state of the cōmon welth in Prusse and was therfore outlawed of the chāber Againe howe the kyng of Polle in commō assemblies of the Empyre had oftentymes sued to the Emperour and other States that in as muche as he was his Cliente they would reuerse his outlawerie But where as nothynge was obtayned vnto this daye and in this great victory of the Emperour it was to be feared lest the matter should haue come to further daunger the kynge of Polle vnto this assemblie sendeth an Ambassade the chief wherof was Stanislaus Lascus He in the moneth of Ianuary deliuereth to the Emperour and Senate of Princes an Oration wrytten the effect wherof was this Howe the cause of Prusse had bene oftentymes debated But for as muche as it hath bene alwayes differred vntyll other assemblies he is nowe cōmaunded agayne to declare the same And the kinges truste is that inasmuch as they haue at al times made him gētle answers the cause it self being rightful they will haue some consideration and mynde of hym yet not not as Iudges but as Prynces worthy all honour and reuerence And first of all sayeth he I wyll speake diuerse thynges of the order of Prusse to the intent the thyng may be manifest In times pait the kynges of Polle gaue a great part of Prusseland to the order of knighthode in Dutche land vpon cōdicion that they might haue their seruice against the enemies of christendome But they very vnthankefull breakyng conuenauntes tourned their force against ther owne Lordes So had they oftentymes warre and oftentymes their conuenauntes were renewed Which by reasō of antiquitie it is not requisite to rehearse But that whiche in maner chaunced in our memory I shall recite Kyng Casimire father vnto Sigismunde subde wyng them in a great battell brought them to conditions of peace Than amonges other thinges it was accorded that from henceforth they should acknowledge the kynges of Polle for their Magistrate geuyng thē their fidelitie by an othe But afterwardes certen Maisters of that order brake conuenauntes geuynge them selues in to the tuition of others Of the whiche Albert of Brandenburge was one who being bounde by conuenaunt to doe homage vnto the kyng his Uncle within the half yeare wold not Wherfore the kyng albeit he loued peace yet was of necessitie constrayned to attempte warre And albeit they neuer ioyned in battell with their whole forces yet by Roades made fyryng spoyling and escharmoushing was much harme done in so muche that Alberte being to weake came vnto the kyng to take truce But at the selfe same tyme came a force of Germaines to ayde hym For the whiche cause he departed without concludyng the same and began to renewe warre But not long after beyng of them forsaken where he dyd but dissemble before than
was he constrayned in sadues to intreat for peace Whiche being ones concluded by the mediation of certen it was conditioned that he should geue his fayth to the kyng by an othe and doe all thynges as becommeth a faythful and trusty Cliente It is certen therfore that the lande of Prusse hath euer synce the memory of mā and from the tyme they fyrst receiued the Christen Religion both by the lawe of armes and also by sondry conuenauntes aparteyned to the Realme of Polle For if any others haue made any title or claime to it the same hath ben through the arrogancie wrong of the maisters of thorder who being through y◠kinges permissiō Germains borne haue about oftentimes to intitle others in the ryght of Prusse Whiche thing assuredly hath bred muche distention betwixte the Germaines and Polonians and caused also this same decree wherin Duke Albert was outlawed But what ryght haue they to outlaw an other mans cliente For in that he came not to iudgemēt when he was sited not of his iudges that ded he by the kynges commaundement vnto whome all the faulte is to be imputed in case there be any at all But if he should be outlawed for this cause that he acknowlegeth the king for his Magistrat that were very vnreasonable that any man should suffer punishemēt for doing his duty Wherfore most triumphāt Emperour and states most noble the king doeth hartly requyre you that this vniust and vnlawfull decree of outlawery prescription may be repressed Neither is there any cause why any man should thynke that the kyng would for any ambition or desyre to enlarge his kyngdome bryng Prusse vnder his subiection For he that hath refused most Goodly prouinces that haue bene frely offred him how should he come then into the suspicion of this matter Certenly that coūtrey is not so much worth vnto hym but that if he myght with his honour he coulde be content to forgoe it But sith it doth properly belong vnto his dominion he can not other wyse doe For the cause why oftentimes trouble cōtētion hath risē about it was euer through the faulte of the Maisters of the order as I shewed you before And God in dede hath often plaged their bolde enterpryses And these thinges knew ryght well most noble Emperour and king Ferdinādo your grandfather Maximilian who remembring the iniuries which he and his father Friderick receiued of them made a faithfull promyse to kyng Sigismunde what tyme they met at Uienne promised as well in his owne as in your names also that he woulde geue no maner of ayde vnto this order And this dyd Maximilian after no newe example but followyng the trade of his auncestours For both the Emperour Sigismunde metyng with kyng Ladislaus grādfather to the king my Maister did not this much only but also promised aide against them And the Emperour Friderick your great grādfather ioyned his force and power with Casimire the father of king Sigismund against Matthie kyng of Hongary and this foresayd order of one cōfederacie And although that kyng Casimire being let impeched with the warres of this ordre could sende themperour Fridericke that time no ayde of men yet did he ayde him with monie so much as his couenāt was Wherby it is euident how this order hath always ben enemies to the hous whiche hath euer bene linked to Polle with bondes of leagues and affinities Wherof king Sigismūde requireth you to haue some consideration For in case there be any of the same order that thinke them selues bounde to fight for the christian faith and Religion there is nothing for them to do in Prusse For all that be round about it doe professe the christiane religiō Therfore must they seke vnto other places where they may exercise them selues For now of many yeares Hierusalem is possessed of a barbarous ennemy for the defence of the whiche place it is said how this order was in times past instituted Constantinople also is kept of the same nation Here lieth their worke busines Or if this be thought ouer olde or to far of there are many strong cities of Christendome wonne lately Why do not these worthy knyghtes go thether that thei might either recouer that is loste or defende the rest frō the ennemy But if they delight more in ciuile warre than euery man may iudge howe vnworthy they are of that name But thus the case standeth this order hath bene alwayes without order For the whiche cause also they were expulsed not out of Prussie only but out of Boheme lyke wyse well nexe an hondreth and fiftie yeares past And yet hath no man hetherto desyred the same places out of the whiche they were expulsed as common and vacant to be geuen them But only Polle sement fit to be molested herein whiche ought moste of all to be fauoured For albeit that order hath offended many yet hath it done moste hurt of all to the Realme of Polle For sauing a few of the first scarsly were there any maisters of that order that did their duty but contrariwyse for the moste part leauing the Barbarous ennemies haue tourned their weapons against their Magistrate kynges of Poolle And not that only but haue brought into their confederacie also the Tartarians a cruell kynde of people and mortall ennemies to all Christians as is wrytten of Michell Cochmester Wherfore if any man would make the rekening cōsider the paines perilles charges warres tumultes battails slaughters desolations wherof this order hath chiefly bene cause of he shal find that it is hardly so much worth And the kinges desire is that there myght ones be an ende of these euils For if any man should attempte warre against Albert Duke of Prusse the kyng wyll not altogether sit styll and see hym take wrong for as muche as he is both Uncle to hym and Patrone There are threateninges and menaces brought to the kynges eares whiche doubtles he is sory to heare For he loueth peace and quietnes but chiefly the concorde of Christendome Howe be it in case any man shall attempte violence he wyll in dede vnwillyngly put on Armure yet for all that wyll he doe it to defende him and his He desyreth the frendshyp of all Prynces but chiefly yours moste mighty Emperour and kyng Ferdinādo and wysheth the same to continue for euer He hath often times heretofore intreated you by letters and messengers that the prescription decreed against Duke Albert might be abolyshed But where the same is not done hetherto he doeth not so muche impute it vnto you as to the aduersitie of tyme. But nowe that alwayes are made playne and lettes taken awaye he supposeth you haue occasion now to perfourme the thyng whiche you haue right franckely promysed whan not by one lettre or two you haue signified how that you were more ready in wyll than in power to gratifie hym But in case this order wyll not cease but steare vp warre and
complaintes hereof to the Byshops of Rome and Emperours yet haue they bene constrained to sweare And certenly Prussie remained in the tuition of the Empyre till Friderich of Saxon and Albert of Brandenburg were Maisters of the order For they would do no homage to the kynges of Polle for that neither the Byshop nor the Emperour had confirmed that cōposition of king Casimire And that in the yeare M. CCCCC the Emperout Maximilian in the assemble at Auspurge made a decree wherin he commaunded them to geue their fayth to the Empyre only And where after to appease the controuersie Maximilian had appointed a daye at Passawe in the yeare a M D. x. sending thether Ambassadours there could be nothing at all concluded Wherupō ensued that last warre Moreouer Albert him selfe .xxiiii. yeares past in the conuention at Norinberge as a Prince of the Empyre had his place amonges others and signed the decree there made Wherfore it is euident that the king of Polle hath no right to Prusse and that it was not lawfull for Albert to withdrawe him self vnto his tuition and protection Nowe where the Ambassadour reproueth my ordre of vnthankefulnes and breakyng of conuenauntes herein he doeth vs wrong and it is to be proued by olde wrytinges that scarsely haue any kinges of Polle kepte touche and promesse with vs. Was there euer wryting sene confirmed with mo Seales than the same wherby we accorded with king Ladislaus might there any more assuraunce be made And yet breaking the seales and wryting the warre was renewed against vs. This recompence had we of them for restoryng vnto them Sarmatie a great part of Lituania He named certen Emperours of fourmer tyme and sayeth how they were offended with our order But the truthe is farre otherwyse For Sigismunde did not only sequestre strife and geue sentence with vs as before is mētioned but also gaue vs ayde against the enemie Againe the Emperour Fridericke what tyme the people rebelled as I said before shewed vs all the fauour that might be and banyshed the cōspiratours and for the same cause helde an assemble of the Empyre at Norinberge in the which conuention a decree was made to ayde vs. The lyke good wyll and fauour did Maximilian she we vs. For he neither would that we should sweare to the kyng of Polle and therfore both in his owne name and also of the whole Empyre he wrote sondry letters to kyng Sigismunde and made than a decree for vs right honorable This oratour procedeth and in the waye of mockery demaundeth of vs why we do not recouer Hierusalem and such other like places surely I am not so cleane without experience but I could taunte againe neuerthelesse by reason of this honorable audience I wyll refrayne wil aske him but this question only First why the kyng of Polle doth not recouer those places which the Prince of Moscouia hath taken frō him within these fewe yeares Whiche are in comparison as muche as all Prussie Againe why in so great fortune he doeth not defende his owne limites from the dayly inuasions of the Tartarians Uerely these are plages for breaking his fidelitie He sayeth our order in tymes past was expulsed out of all Boheme Why he should thus saye I knowe not vnlesse that by this example he would shewe that they myght also lawfully spoyle vs of our goodes and tourne vs out of landes and possessions For the distruction of the tyme touched not only our order but pearsed also through out all the lande of Boheme and was extended vpon thē chiefly which followed the olde Religion what tyme great tumultes were reysed there for the doctrine of John Husse Dur order hath warred with kinges of Polle I confesse it but that euer they gaue the occasiō of warre I denie vtterly For they neuer attempted warre but either to defende their right or els to recouer their owne He sayeth we haue made leagues with the Cartarians This may well be verefied of them For it is manifest that they haue vsed their ayde against men that professe the Christen religion Againe the situation of the countrey declareth easely whether the Tartarians lie more commodious and nerer vs or them And that whiche he spake laste of the cities Danske and Eluinge is grounded vpon no reason For eyther citie is of our dominion belongeth to the Germane Empyre neither hath the kyng of Polle any other title there than that whiche he hath obtayned through the rebellion and treason of the citezens as it may be proued by sondry reasons And seyng these matters are thus moste redoubted Emperour most mighty kyng and States most honorable I besech you that the sentēce already geuē may be put in executiō For this to obtein at your handes ought both the equitie of the cause and dignitie of the Empyre and State of Religion and the honour all so cōmoditie of the Nobilitie of Germany The Ambassadour of Polle had prepared a contrary wryting but did not exhibit the same For whan the reasons were heard on both partes certen were chosen out of the whole nōbre to examine the matter whose determination was that the sentence pronounced against Albert should be maynteined But yet consideryng the great difficultie that would be in the execution of the same they referre all to the Emperour And shortly after kyng Sigil munde departed for pure age whan he had reigned .xlii. yeres He was sonne vnto king Casimire as before is sayde He had thre brethren Wherof Ladislaus was kyng of Hōgary and Boheme the father of kyng Lewys and Anne Iohn Albert and Alexander whan they had reigned in order after their father Casimire leauing behinde them no children passed ouer the gouernment to their yongest brother Sigismunde Unto whome nowe succeded his sonne of the same name who had maried the daughter of Ferdinando kyng of Romaynes I shewed you of Mendoza in the fourmer boke how he protested at Rome concerning the counsell Wherunto at the halendes of February followyng the Byshop calling a Senate of Cardinalles made this aunswere What tyme Mendoza thou saidest how the Emperour had commaunded thee to make protestation against the counsell thou madest vs right sorowfull But after we had more diligently wayed the letters of thy commission we were comforted agayne And first I wyll speake of the cause of our grief heuines For that maner of protesting is after an euill example and chiefly vsed of suche as are either reuolted wholy from dewe obedience or haue begon to wauer therin Therfore did it greue me exceadingly whiche haue alwayes borne a fatherly loue to the Emperour and as becommeth the pastour of the church haue euer desyred concord And it greued me and the Senate of Cardinalles so much the more for as muche as at this time we loked for nothing lesse For the Emperour hath made warre with his aduersaries and the ennemies of the churche and hath done it through the ayde of myne armie And
wyll geue no iust cause to be thought negligent in matters cōcerning the churche Neuerthelesse if it so fortune through the imbecillitie of mans nature I shall not be offended if my negligence maye styre vp and sharpen the Emperours dilligence to succour the Churche so that he staye hym selfe within the precincte and limittes prescrybed that is If he followe herein the rule of ryght and lawes of the holy Fathers Finally as concerning the chiefe point of your Protestation where you contende the remouing of the counsell to be vnlawfull in as muche as the effecte of all the controuersie theron dependeth I take vnto my self the examination therof by vertue of my power and authoritie and committe the hearing of the same to the moste worthy Cardinalles Parise Burges Poole and Crescent And commaunde that in the meane tyme whylest they do examine the thing no man what so euer he be attempte any thynge to the contrary And also charge the fathers aswell that be at Bo nonie as also at Trent that if they haue any thing to saye or alledge in this matter they do it within this moneth And lest I should seme in any point to hinder the commoditie of Germany I wyll not refuse to sende myne Ambassadours thether suche as may cure the infirmitie of their people if I shal vnder stande the same not to be vnthankeful to them and to the Emperour Besydes all this whan the iudgement is ended in case it shall appere that they did not wel to remoue vnto Boloigne I will deuise by all meanes that the Synode may be cōtinued at Trent And at fewe wordes will do what I can that in fine the auncient Religion may agayne be restored to Germany The Cardinall of Trent was before this retourned to Auspurge as I said Whan the Emperour than hearing his talke and also receiuing letters frō Mendoza dated at Rome about the ende of December sawe but small hope of the counsell the xiiii daye of Ianuary declareth the matter to the states in what case it standeth and how he hath signified to his Ambassadour Mendoza that he should make protestation at Rome concerning the remouing of the counsel After the same shal be done he wyll gette them the copie to wryte out And albeit the hope of the counsell is not vtterly to be neglected yet by reason of the long delay whiche is like to come betwixt he thinketh it to be requisite and necessary that in the meane tyme there be some meane founde to conserue the peace of Germany They haue in dede committed vnto hym the charge of this matter but he thinketh it expedient that out of the whole nombre be chosen a fewe good and well learned men to haue the doing hereof And he wyll also appoint certen to consult with them Wherfore he requireth them to be wylling hereunto and al affectiōs layde asyde to cōsider what commoditie it were for the cōmon wealth and euery of thē also that a reconcilement were made Let them call to remembraunce howe before this dissention Germany was the moste florishyng Region of all others and as a mirrour and a spectacle for al nations to beholde Let thē consider moreouer that where he toke so muche trauel pain that the counsell might be continued at Trent that he ded the same of his duty and of a singuler zeale to the cōmon coūtrey Therfore were dyuers chosen to treat of the matter but when they coulde not agre the whole matter was referred to themperour Wherfore he appointed certen to penne articles of doctrine ceremonies and reformation of the clergie Those were Iuly Pflugie Byshop of Numburge Michaell Sidonie Iohn Islebie Agricola who .xviii. yeares past had defended the doctrine of the Protestauntes with Melanchton and Brentius as is wrytten in the seuenth booke These therfore wryte a boke of Articles but very secretly and whan they had bene lōg about it and had printed it sondry tymes at length exhibite the same to the Emperour as I wyl shewe you hereafter Ioachim the Electour of Brandenburg whiche laboured sore for a reconcilement deuising first with Iames Sturmius intreated the Senate of Strasburg by his letters that for the cause of Religion they would sende vnto him Bucer For in asmuche as the Byshop had withdrawen the coūsell the Emperour had taken an other way and that there was great hope of a reformation Whereupon Bucer is sent who taking his iurney priuely about the ende of Ianuary whan he came almoste to Auspurg stayed there tyll the Prince sent for hym In the former boke is declared how the Englyshemen ouercame the Scottes in a mighty battell But where the Scottes would not relent nor chaunge their pourpose and trusted to the Frenche kynges promesses the Duke of Somerset Protectour of England and the rest of the counsell the first day of February wryte vnto thē a long exhortation vnto peace Albeit say they it were requisite that the beginning should procede of you whiche in the cause are inferiours and goe by the worse And albeit we possesse a great part of your dominion yet can we not but admonishe you of your wealth and preseruatiō The last yeare before the battel we prouoked you to peace and amitie and declared what our mynde was but that wryting was suppressed by your captaines and gouernour of your Realme and not suffered to come to your handes For so that they may do wel them selues they care full litle what chaunceth vnto you Wherfore if they shall now also vse the same disceiptfulnes not suffer you to vnderstande any part of our wyll and counsell in this wryting we do openly proteste that we haue omitted no part of our dutie Englande hath oftentymes kepte warre with Scotlande and that exceading great And there is no doubt but they that shall reade the histories or heare of the feates done would maruell muche that the people of one countrie and langage shuld be at so great dissention amonges themselues and woulde accompt it a thing chiefly to be wyshed for if the whoale Ilande might by some meane agree in one be ruled by one gouernement But al men do confesse that there is no redier waye here unto than by mariage And this way God hauing compassion vpon you hath shewed you and offered you a moste goodly occasion as it were into your bosome Your kyng whan he had broken his promesse had an ouerthrow in battell died shortly after whether it were for sorowe or for some other cause He had thre children two sonnes a daughter and they indede might haue ben a let so that ther shuld not haue ben made an attonemēt betwixt vs. But God toke thē away both in a maner in one day whan thei were infantes left but one inheriter a daughter borne a litle before the death of her father And vnto vs hath geuē a king of great exspectatiō Edward sonne heire vnto Hery the eight What do you
For albeit that al papistry in a maner was therin established yet for asmuch as certē things wer permitted to the contrary part they thought it first expediēt to make the bishop priuy Who after openet 〈…〉 themperor by cardinal Stoudrate these notes or any inaduersiōs That a priest which hath takē ordres shuld mary execute stil y◠holy ministry was neuer hard of that the vse of receiuing the Lords supper vnder both kinds is abrogated nether hath any māautority to permit that liberty sauing the bishop of Rome the sinode that the folowers of the old religiō are not to be boūdē vnto these doctrins but if any Lutheranes wil forsake their opinions thei are not to be refused That of the .ii. masses ought only to be vnderstād of the Lutheranes that the singing of Psalmes ought to be restored in al places that on holy daies they must celebrate the memoriall of the patrone of the church that suche as are priestes already or hereafter shal be muste abstayne frō Mariage that a spedy restitution of the church goodes and iurisdictiō must be made For the Robbery is manifest nether must they folow herein thordinary proces of the law but determin of y◠thing that is euidēt execute the matter by regal power Whē this cēsure was inferred tharchbishops of Mētz Treuers Collen vnto whō it was deliuered answer thēperor directly after the same sort especially vrge restitutiō declaring the same to be right necessary if christē religiō shuld be maintained in places wher it is abolished shuld again be restored Moreouer the cōmon peace cā not otherwise be established wherfore it is chiefli to be prouided that religious houses be wholy restored And in as much as the spoil extortiō is manifest they must go spedeli to work that gods seruice may withal spede be recouered Finally they desire him to take these things in good part with his protectiō to defēd the mēbers of the church The .iii. other electors wer not of the same opiniō especially the Paulsgraue Duke Moris yet ether of thē had causes why they shuld not gainsai themperor The rest of the princes whiche wer for the most part bishops answer in like maner as did the iii. Archbishops As for the cities ther was no great accompt made of thē Themperour therfore at the Ides of Maye calleth all the States before him And in the preface speaking of his zeale towardes Germany saieth we perceiue by manifest arguments by the thing it self the neither the peace can be established nor law iustice ministred vnlesse the cōtrouersie of religiō the first appeased which hath now many peares sturred vp thempire muche grudge dyssention hatred discorde ciuile warres This hath bene verely the cause why by many cōuētions cōferēces we haue often sought a remedy But in the meane time not only in Germany but also into other natiōs and people of Christēdome hath this same cōtageous infection pearsed in so much that ther appereth no more present remedy than a general coūsel which at the lēgth at your request we procured to be holdē at Trēt and moued you also at the beginning of this conuentiō to submit your selues to thauthoritie of y◠same And that y◠charge might be cōmitted vnto vs in the meane seasō to deuise some godly meanes wherby they might liue quietly the meane while in Germany which cōtētatiō and cōfydēce of youres was vnto vs both thā now also right acceptable What time therfore we gaue our selues wholy vnto this carefulnes demaūded your opinions we than perceiued not without the great grief of our mynde that the disagrement in religion was thoccasion of all the former euils And vnlesse it be foresene hereafter wylbe Wherefore we thought it not good to leaue the matter in that troublesome state vntyll the decree of the counsell but that it oughte to be broughte to some moderation especially sith that oftentimes new sectes did arise Whilest we were pōdering these things certain of high degre nobility desirous of peace louers of the cōmon weale exhibite to vs in wryting theyr opiniō cōcerning religiō promise due obeisāce We than receiuing y◠wryting deliuered the same to certaine good learned deuines that they shuld among thē selues consider al things diligētly which after they had perused it made report that y◠same being wel vnderstand did not impugne the catholike religion and doctrine nor the lawes and cōstitutions of the church two opinions only excepted wherof th one is of the mariage of priestes thother of the Lordes supper but said it was wel deuised to establish the concord of Germany which thing dousles vnto vs shuld be most of all acceptable for what more ioyful thing could happē thē to se al states in mindes agreable follow one the same forme of Religion And seing it is euē so we require such as haue obserued hitherto the lawes custome of the catholike church to their great cōmendation that they perseuer in the same alter nothing as they haue promised vs heretofore And those also which haue chaūged their religiō we desire most earnestly to passe with thother states professe the same religion that they do or els to cōfyrme their doctrine after the order of this boke in euery poynt to follow the steps hereof besides that to ordaine nothing but to stay within these boundes limites and neither by wryting nor preaching to attempt any thing to the contrary but obediētly to attēd the decre of a general coūcel that the same may be had as shortly as is possible we wil indeuor with al diligēce now ar occupied in this thing wholy how to cōceaue a forme for the reformatiō of the clergie Whā he had spokē thus by his secretary as is accustomed he cōmaūded the boke to be red Ther tharch bishop of mētz which occupieth the chiefest place amōg thelectors not seking what thopiniō of stats shold be ariseth vp as it wer in the name of al the rest geueth vnto thēperor for so much trauel pain care diligēce loue of y◠coūtrey imortal thāks in asmuch as thei haue already cōmitted the thing to his fidelitie now paines hath bē takē therin he saith it is reason that they should with most willing minds acknowledg thesame obey the decre This thāks geuing did thēperor take for a cōmon assent cōfirmatiō after wold admit none excuse as I shall herafter declare cōmaundeth the boke to be set forth in print both in latin duch also The iiii day after he declareth to the stats with how much labor cost he hath restored peace vn to Germany because the thing it self requireth that it be also prouided for in time to come he supposeth it veri mete necessari some great treasure of money beleuied and in certeine places be kept the common treasurie that if it fortune at
any time anye commotion to arrise within the Empire or without the same may be alwaies in a readinesse And when a fewe daies had passed betwene kynge Ferdinando raccompteth how he for waightie causes whiche they them selues vnderstand wel inough and nede not to be recited sendinge an Ambassade made truse with the Turke for fiue yeares wherof one is past And albeit he hath commaunded his men to do nothing to the contrary yet he requireth them neuerthelesse to geue him that aid which they haue already promised to the intent that if he breake couenauntes he may be easely resisted Again inasmuch as he doth fortifye his frontier Townes with stronge garrisons that he also be negligent in this behalf Therfore is he purposed to fortifye in all places and to kepe garrisons but for the intollerable charges of the warres in these former yeares he is not hable to sustaine so greate a burthen Wherfore he requireth them that whilest this truse shal indure they would pay the mony yerely to be imploid vnto these vses For this concerneth the quiet and preseruation of them all In the meane time Maximilian the eldest sonne of king Ferdinando departinge from Auspurge goeth into Spaine to take in Mariage the Lady Mary the Emperours eldest daughter his cosin Germane The Cardinall of Trent was sente wyth him and a fewe monethes before the Duke of Alba. At the ende of Maye the horsmen of Nalpes that before were in Norgouia come into the contrie neare vnto Strausburge and there remaine by the space of three Monethes and hardly can it be expressed how arrogantly they vsed them selues Many times woulde they come into the Citie neither wanted that thinge great suspicion Duke Moris not long after the Emperours decree was setforth departeth thēce But Marques Ihon of Brandenburge the brother of Ioachim the electoure goeth to the Emperour and kinge Ferdinando standinge by besecheth him to fauor him in this matter and speakinge somewhat of his seruice towardes him saieth that he vppon this affiaunce chiefly serued him in this last warre for that he had assured him touchinge Religion The Emperoure sheweth him howe this is the consente of the states imperiall and saieth that no man oughte to swarue from the same he replied againe that all had not assented and aunswered him plainly that he could not with a good conscience praise the same decree and still vrged his promesse and couenaunt Whan the Emperour might not preuaile he commaundeth him to departe whiche men suppose to be done for this cause least he should through his example and talke cōfirme the mindes of others Wherfore the same day towardes euening he taketh his iourney homewardes and in all his dominion altered nothing The Prince Electoure his brother who indeuoured alwaies to please themperoure made no assistaunce Nor yet the Paulsgraue hauing the Emperoure at the same time not his very good Lorde The Ambassadoures of the Cities suche as were of the confession of Auspurge when they were vrged did intreate that they mighte firste aduertise their Senates to the intent they might answer according vnto their mindes which thing was permitted them to do The Emperoure commaunded Wuolfgange Prince of Bipount of the house of Palatine which had his Ambassadours there to come him selfe And whan he came he doth instaunt him to confirme the decre He saieth he knoweth none other Religion saue that in the which he was borne and brought vp in vnto this day Wherfore he requireth him to haue some consideration of him and saieth he wil do herein whatsoeuer he maye with a safe conscience The Emperoure for that time letteth him so departe but afterwarde he vrged him sharply by letters and by messagers as shall be rerited in his place Whilest the Senate of Auspurge consulted the Emperoure placeth souldiours throughe out the Citie There was a righte famous Minister of the Church Wuolfgange Musculus he seinge Godlinesse go to wracke and the Senate tunorouse and could not approue the booke departeth from thence to Bernes in Swisserland At Hale in Sweuia was Ihon Brentius He was in greate daunger two yeres past what time as the protestantes retourned home the Emperour came vnto Hale and now was in much more daunger For then a little before the Emperour came thither which was in the beginning of Decembre certain Spanish souldioures comming into the Towne went straightwaies vnto his house and require to be let in or els threaten much cruelty Which beinge receiued did many thinges fierselye and arrogantlye Wherefore he biddeth his wife and his family hauing none other place to repare to to get them into the hospitall house of the City and a little after followeth he him selfe leauinge one at home to geue them vitailes and thinges necessary But the next daye commeth a noble man of Spaine which was of the Cleargy and thrusting them oute at the dores kepeth the whole house to him self and going into his studie searcheth all thinges There whan he had founde certaine letters wrytten to Brentius from his frendes concerninge the trouble of this time he seketh to procure him much displeasure whan he had vttred the same to his Countrye men Wherefore he followinge the aduise of his frendes in a cold and sharpe winter nighte conueieth him self into the country least by his presence he should hinder his Citezens But when the Emperoure was come thither and shewed clemency and semed to be nothing offended for anye kinde of Doctrine taught there Brentius at the last retourned thither and executed his srunction vnto this time that the Emperoure woulde haue all men to receiue the decree made concerning Religion For beyng commaunded as many other learned men were thorowout Germany to declare what he thought of that boke Albeit he vnderstode his owne daunger yet to thintent he might perfourme hys duetie to the cōgregation he pronoūceth the same to be contrary to the Scriptures and so declareth it by writing Which after that it came into the Bishops handes Granuellan in themperours name cōmāded thambassadours of Hale that they should finde the meanes that he might be brought bounden to Auspurge But beinge admonished by his freindes he steppeth a side into the countrey by And not longe after commeth to Hale a bande of Spanierdes the Captaine wherof goeth immediatly to the house of Brentius and seketh euery where diligently if he might find any pray to cary away but the most part of his stuffe was conueied by his frendes alies vnto another place Thus therfore he whiche had taught there xxvi yeares was exiled And his wife also thoughe she had a greuous sicknes whereof she died shortly after was banished withall his family Wherefore she pore wretch wandred vp and downe with .vi. children and knewe not where to become or to haue any refuge all men were so sore afraid of the Spaniardes And this thing augmented her disease sorow that she knewe not in the meane while what was become
to be alwaies referred to the counsell that there both partes being heard the determination might be made but in this boke are determined in a manner all articles of religion whithe if they should now admit without any due examination before had or the learned men of their part heard speake than should they be no longer in controuersy neither neade they the authority of the counsell and wher diuers Princes and states haue allowed the decree made it is no maruel for the same is for their commoditye for those haue al things permitted them safe and whole but they haue a fourme of religion prescribed them and are commaunded to forsake those opinions which haue bene euer in controuersy the matter neuer heard where notwithstanding in all assemblies that whole cause hathe bene referred to a generall counsell For certainlye to compel any man that he should do any thing against his conscience is a heauy matter yea though he be in errour before it be detected They suppose that ther be many good men on both parties which yet notwithstanding may differ in opinion and iudgement against whom no force is to be vsed but the matter to be decided by reason truthe and argumentes Wherefore consideringe that in all other thinges whiche do not concerne Religion they commit vnto the Emperoure whatsoeuer they haue they desire him that he woulde preferre vnto him this one suite of the Senate They know howe greate the Emperoures power is and what daunger they take vp on them in case he will attempt to try the matter by force wherefore vnlesse they were parswaded that God woulde be greuouslye offended with the confirmation of this decree it were starke madnes if they should not obey him herein There Granuellan whan he had repeted their former sayinges affirmeth how they at what time they were reconciled to the Emperoure promised to obserue such thinges as he should enacte for the wealth of the Empire of the which sort is this decre made by the aduise of learned men and by the moste parte approued therefore maye it not be refused forso muche as it agreeth and consenteth with the Churche and wyll they take so much vppon them that they should thincke to se more than the whole Church doeth And shoulde make a departure from the reast They ought not to haue altered Religion but by the common consent of the whole world wherefore if they haue none other commission let them know of their Senate whether they wil obey or no Where they say how they vnderstode it only of Politike gouernement whan the cause was committed to the Emperoure it skilleth not how they vnderstode it but howe the moste part of the states toke the thing Againe they saye howe they and suche other like Ambassadours were estranged and excluded in manner from all consultation neither were they called to counsell thā what time this cause was referred to the Emperoure wherefore they did not otherwise take it than before is sayed yea and certain Princes also toke it after the same sort what time they made their peace wyth the Emperoure they toke vpon them no obseruaunce for that they feared least the same should in fine be applied vnto religion which thing is not vnknowen to his sonne the bishop of Arras who then also in the Emperoures name promised that the whole cause of religion shoulde be referred to a lawfull Counsell but wher he saieth how this decree must be receiued as a common act of the Empire they do refuse no burthen of the common wealth but this presente cause do the concerne theyr soules health and life euerlasting and againe the whole burthen of the decre should reast vpon the godly people for the other multitude whiche contempne religion careth nothing what be ordeined but no man oughte to be constrained to imbrace his faithe they put no doubte in the Emperoure but he loueth peace and concorde yet neuerthelesse if this waye be taken that men shall be compelled againste their conscience to speake and do it is muche to be feared leaste so sodaine an aulteration do raise vp greate commotions That boke was in dede compiled of certen learned men of whome some had the knowledge of the truthe for the same dothe well appeare but certaine others haue intermixed many thinges which are not consonante to the scriptures and doctrine of the fathers as it is to be proued if place were permitted to speake it They haue made no separation from others but in the chiefest articles do agree with the true Churche wherfore they desire him againe that the letters mighte be deliuered to the Emperoure to the intent they might so aduertise the Senate For other thing haue not they in commission to say Than began he to speake more angerly and vrged them with the decree and made a digression to other thinges and saide howe the nobles in Fraunce made theyr boaste that they of Strausburge would not admit the decre which thinge was reported to the Emperoure and raised some suspicion the conclusion was that he said how the Emperoure required a plaine and direct aunswere and that no man is in dede to be inforced vnto any faith but that is to be vnderstand of such as are no Christians for those that do denye the faithe whiche they once professed may be compelled to it by the fire Wherevnto the ambassadoures aunswere what brute the Frenchmen haue raised they know not but certaine they are that the Senate hath as yet made no decree nor anye thing els done than this same which they now do sollicite seing therefore they refuse to deliuer their letters to the Emperoure they will no further intreat them but make reporte to the Senate by fire may a man be taken out of this life but can not be compelled thereby to beleue otherwise and thus ended theyr talke They had treated with the Ambassadours of other cities seuerallye in sort much like and menaced them with threatninges and assigned a day by the which they shoulde make answere and commaunded to tarye till they had aunswere broughte them from home but no such thinge was prescribed to the Ambassadoures of Strausburge Touching the monye which the Emperoure required to be leuied for chaunces to come the states thoughe muche againste their willes approued and promised also kinge Fernando euery yeare duringe the truse an hondreth thousand crownes but they desire the Emperoure againe that he woulde take awaye hys Garrisons and discharge his Souldiours which were placed ouer all Germanye and did much hurt both in towne and country and releue the pore that complained much thereof especially since all thing is now quiet and peaceable The Emperoure saieth there be vrgent causes wherfore he can not at this time discharge his forces and concerning the hurt done there is none to his knowledge for seing he doth paye them it is aagainste reason and his will also that they shoulde do anye man wronge suche lyke thinge hathe bene reported to
him heretofore but whan inquisition was made there coulde nothinge in a manner be founde Neuerthelesse he will do what he can to knowe the certaintye For no man shall escape vnpunished that hathe oughte offended At this time also the states do graunte that the Emperor maye at his pleasure constitute the iudgemente of the Chamber and ioyne vnto them other iudges for assistaunce And they them selues promise to beare the charges of the same Of the treatye begonne concerninge a league before saide the winedinge vp was this that the Emperoures prouinces whiche he hathe in Germanye and lowe Dutchlande and all that belonge to the house of Burgundy should be vnder the tuition and defence of the Empire and be contributaries vnto publicke affaires yet so as they maye vse their owne lawes and iurisdiction And that Germanye shall againe looke for the like aide and defence of the Emperoures Prouinces ✚ The .xxi. Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the syfte ⧠The Argument of the .xxi. Booke THe authoures of the Interim are rewarded which neuerthelesse many impugned whereof the Duke of Saxon is accused They of Constance were so vrged to admit the Interim that ambushes of fotemen were laied to surprise the Citie whiche at the laste receweth the Interim They of Strausboroughe make theyr purgation to the Emperoure A commotion chaunseth at Bourdeux The dispaire of Spiera is recited and the conuersion of Uergerius The Scottishe Quene transported into Fraunce Maydenbourge is setforth for a praye The Admirall of Englande is beheaded they at Strausboroughe are at contention with their Byshop They of Wittemberge are accused to be Adiphoristes to wit indifferent or newters A disputation in Englande touchinge the Lordes Supper Ueruine is beheaded in Fraunce Pursute against them of Maidenburge the death of Pope Paule and the horrible actes of the same The description of the place of election at Rome and the maner of chusinge the Pope Masse againe at Strausborough a proclamation in in Fraunce against Lutheranes Pope Iulius and his little Cardinall THe last day of Iune the conuention was dissolued In the. xix boke I shewed you howe the Emperor perswaded all men to submit them selues to the Counsell and that on his warrantise who wold se that thaction shuld be lawfull Nowe therefore a decre is made that the counsel shuld be continued at Trēt and the Emperour saith he will deuise that it be there recommēced so shortly as may be Which thing whā it shal be brought to passe he requireth that they all especially of the clergy of the religion of Protestants which come thither vnder his saufeconduit for he wil take order than the whole matter shal be godly and christenly decided and determined according to the holy scriptures and doctrine of the fathers all affections laid apart and that they thē selues also shal be hard speak so much as shal be thoughte requisite After are other decrees red as is accustomed especially that of religion a strait charge geuē that al men obey the same as was also before declared at the Ides of May the .iii. authors of the boke are before named of whō Ihō Islebie receiued for his paines taken a liberal reward bothe of the Emperour and also of king Ferdinando And Michel Sidonie afterward was made bishop of Merseburge in Saxony Wherof arose a iest how they defended the bishop of Romes oyle chresme as an holy thing and necessary to saluation to the intent they them selues might therby be the better gresed auoynted Not long after the Emperour sent his letters to the princes that were absent especially vnto those where he thought most nede was commandeth them immediatly to obey this decre And the tēth day of Iuly he wryteth to Erasmus bishop of Strausburge to see the thinge which he had brought to passe through his great trauel put in execution if he wanted conueniēt ministers to take them els wher The report of this decree was incontinentlye spread abrode farre and wide And the Uenetians make proclamation the .xix. daye of Iuly that whosoeuer haue any bokes wherin is any thing wrytten against the catholicke faith they bringe them vnto certen men within .viii. daies for after shall inquisition be made and suche as haue deserued shal be punished to the promotours they promise a reward and to kepe their counsel The Bishop of Rome hath his ambassadours there continually as in kinges courtes also They with the eies and eares of many do se and heare muche and oftentimes are causes that such decrees be made but yet the Senate of Uenise vseth this prouision that they suffer not the Bishops or inquisitors of Rome to geue sentence of iudgemente but ioyne with them alwaies their officers and lawyers which shall heare the examination and se that nothing be done malitiouslye or cruellye against any man within their iurisdiction This law made they in the yere of our Lord M.D.xxi. what time those inquisitours vsed great cruelty against pore men in the countrye aboute Brixia as though they had bene inchauntors and had medled with the deuil and now sence Luthers doctrine was depely roted spred abrode the same law is of force stil though the bishops gnashe their tethe at it and wold neuer so fain haue it abolished About this time did the French King send aid into Scotland against the English men and amonges others the Ringraue with a force of Germaines But the Emperoure banisheth the Earle of Bichlinge Huberte and Sebastiane Scherteline al in one wryting and shortly after the Ringraue counte Hedecke Recrode and Riseberge and also desireth all foreine Princes that they would not maintaine them but gratify him herein and biddeth them whan occasion shal serue to loke for the like at his hand The Ladye Iane daughter to the King of Nauerre which was affianced and Maried .vii. yeres before to the Duke of Cleaue as we haue specified is now ioyned in Mariage with the Duke of Uandome a Prince of the bloud royal Elenor the French Quene sister to the Emperor leauing Fraūce goeth into Flaunders Duke de Ammalle sonne to the Duke of Guyse whan he had bene a longe suter to the Emperoures Nece the Duchesse of Lorayne he marieth the Daughter of Hercules Duke of Farrare About this time Lewes Auila a Spaniard setforth in print the history of the Germane warre done by the Emperoure wrytten in the vulgare tonge where he speaketh of the takyng of Marques Alberte at Rochlice he sayeth how he was so intangled with the wantounesse of women that he coulde not prosper The same booke came forthe afterwardes in Italian Latin and Frenche Althoughe the Emperoure had moste straightlye commaunded that no man should in any wise impugne the boke set forth concerning Religion yet were diuers wrytinges published whiche did condempne the whole Doctrine thereof and
the Lutherians by conuenasit promesse or othe from all those bondes to absolue monkes that be fallē into heresie and haue forsaken their houses and to permitte them chaunging their coates to serue in an other vocation of the churche Moreouer to geue pardon to eate milke butter chese egges and fleshe hauing a respect to the place and persone Finally to permit thē to receiue the whole Supper of the Lorde who laying asyde all other errours shall allowe the decree of the counsel of Constance whiche will openly confesse that there is as muche receiued vnder one kynde as vnder both and that the churche erred not for making that decre of one kynde only And that this may be graunted them for a certen tyme as shal be thought mete yet so as they them selues doe this seuerally at an other tyme and place and not at the same tyme whan others doe receiue vnder one kynde only Lastly they haue authoritie to compounde with the possessioners of churche landes for the fruictes receiued and spent so as they wyll departe from the possession from hencesorth Furthermore to punishe obstinate persones by the censure of the churche and herein to craue assistaunce of the Magistrates And lykewyse to chouse and substitute Byshoppes throughout Germany whiche shall put the thing in execution These Ambassadours of Rome followynge this commission in such places as they thought moste nedefull did substitute Byshops wherof the Byshop of Strasburg was one whome they commaunded to execute thinges before rehersed And so finally to receiue into fauour ecclesiastical persons if they first would forsake and put away their wyues And mē saye howe they went to the Emperour to haue cōference with hym touchyng the measure and maner of execution And after they vnderstode that it was not possible for them to go vnto al places whiche had nede of remedy of necessitie they suborned others This graunte or indulgence as they terme it of the byshoppe of Rome the Emperour sendeth immediatly to the byshoppes of Germany and warneth thē all seuerally to handle the matter gently and peaseably and that they first trye and and assay al wayes by fayre speach exhortations and praiers before they come to excommunication and cursyng Wherfore the Archebyshop of Mētz addressing his letters both to diuerse others also to the gouernours counsellours of that Lātgraue And speakyng many thynges of his cure and charge pastorall and of the Emperours fayth and dilygence requyreth them to exhibite this order sent from the Byshop of Rome to the ministers of the churche commaunding them to obeye the same The preachers being moued herein saye how their doctrine is consonant to the doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles the lyfe it selfe in dede doeth not aunwere to the profession but yet do thei acknowledge no errour in their doctrine Wherfore thei haue no nede of the Byshops indulgence They haue preferred mariage before the filthie sengle lyfe accordinge vnto Gods worde neither can they forsake their children wyues whome Christ him self commaundeth to embrace with all loue fidelitie and beneuolence Where ther churches do receyue the Lordes supper wholy the same is done by the commaundement of Christe and after the custome of the primatiue churche And they wyll admit no alteration herein In the moneth of May was an open disputatiō at Oxforde betwene Peter Martyr the Diuines of the same vniuersitie cōcerning the Lordes supper and the presence of Christ his body These conclusions dyd Martyr set vp and defende That the substaunce of bread and wyne is not chaunged That the body and bloud of Christe is not carnally or corporally in the bread and wyne but to be vnited to them sacramentally Afterwarde there was set forthe a boke of the same wherin the presidentes of the disputation appointed by the kynges commaundemēt do sufficiently declare that Martyr had the maistrie in that contention The tenth day of the moneth of Iune the Quene of Fraūce was crowned at Sainct Denis as is accustomed by the Cardinalles of Bolon Gwise Chattilion Uandome and Bourbon for al the rest were at Rome The .vi. daye after the kyng with a maruelous goodly trayne and richely apparrelled entreth into Paris the head citie of his Realme where he had not bene yet sene opēly synce the death of his father two days after him the Quene Whyles he soiourned there diuers were put to executiō for Lutheranisme whiche as it is sayde he behelde him selfe After that the fourth day of Iuly he cōmaundeth to go on procession in euery church The next day after he publisheth a wryting in prynte declaring this to be the cause therof that he might geue God thankes for his manifold benefites imployed vpō him And that he might praye to God for the preseruation of hym selfe his wyfe and his children and of the whole Realme and commō wealth and cōmende vnto him the soules of godly mē but chiefly the kinges of Fraūce his progenitours his father lately departed after whose example he was fully prefixed to vndertake the defence and tuition of the catholique fayth Religion the authoritie and liberties of the See Apostolique ministers of the churche amōgest the causes this also to be one principall that it mygh be openly knowen howe muche he abhorreth them whiche contrary to Christes commaundement contrary to the traditions of the Apostles and consent of al antiquitie denie the presence of the body and bloude of Christe whiche take away all vertue and strength from Baptisme penaunce good workes and Sacramentes whiche do vtterly cōtemne the authoritie of the churche and order archepreistship whiche reiecte the praying adoration and reliques of saintes Moreouer that by that deuoute supplication he might testifie what his opinion and mynde is verely that after the example of his progenitours and by a certen imitation of inheritaūce he doeth so thinke and beleue of all opinions as doeth the Catholique churche the Crede of the Apostles the first counsell of Nice and many other counselles of the holy fathers Further more that he is fully determined to bannish out of his realme and dominions the heresies long since condemned but in this tyme partely reuined and partly inuented by Luther Carolostadius Zwinglius Oecolampadius Melanchthon Bucer Caluine and suche other Archeheretikes monstrouse and pestiferous persones and to punishe moste extremely suche as shall offende herein This wryting setforth in the vulgare tōgue he sendeth abroade into all partes of Fraunce commaunding thē to go a procession in all places and declare the same vnto the people Not long after he beheaded Monsour Ueruine for rendring the towne and castel of Boloigne to the king of Englād as is spoken in the .xv. boke And his father in lawe Mouns Dubees an aged mā which was gouernour of al Boloignois and one of the foure Mreschalles of Fraunce he cōdemneth to perpetuall prison He had diuerse monethes past sollicited the Swisses to renewe the league whiche they had
the cardinals doth pronounce how many voyces euerye man hathe If the nombre be not such as is required the papers are cast againe into the chalice Than doth the other deacon ring the siluer bel straightwais commeth the masters of the ceremonies that tarieth without and bringing in a fire panne with coles burneth all those little papers And euery cardinall maye at one time geue foure seuerall voyces to didiuers men but that chaunceth seldome And this verelye is the manner of theyr election Nowe let vs retourne to our purpose The Cardinals being thus inclosed the second day of Septēbre as before is said begin the matter how be it they wēt to it but slowly for that they heard say how the Cardinals of Fraunce were cōming Many men supposed that they should haue sene a newe bishop of Rome before Christmas but their expectation was vaine The Cardinalles were all deuided into thre partes or factions whereof one was with the Emperoure another with the Frenche king and the third was of the Farnesians The Frenchmen wold haue chosen the Cardinall of Traues Saluiate Rodulphe Lorayne or Theatine And the imperialles Pole Burges Carpes Crucey Moron or Sfoudrate And of Poole and Saluiate there was a great brute raised in the City For all be it they would that the thing should be kept very closely as before I haue said yet for as much as oft times diuers went oute of the Conclaue eyther for cause or faining of some sicknes it is could not be kept secreate in so much as it is said how the Emperoure and the Frenche Kinge were aduertised of all that was done And the cause which Cardinall Poole obteined not the place was throughe the meanes of Cardinall Theatine who said as it is reported that he smelled of Lutheranisme For many both in Italy and others also bear witnes that he was of a right iudgemente concerninge the true Doctrine as is said in the tenth boke At the same time were very manye Pilgrimes were at Rome whyche were come thyther oute of diuers countries and nations to th entent they might at the beginning of the new yere which was than as it is commonly called the yere of Iubeley receiue cleane remission and forgeuenes of theyr sinnes Upon Christmas euen they resorted all to the porche of S. Peters Church hoping wel that the same which is called the golden gate should haue bene opened by the newe Bishop And albeit that long delay was to them very displeasaunte yet thoughte they not good to depart before the election were paste And that matter standeth thus Bonifacius the .viii. Bishop of Rome in the yere of oure Lorde M. CC .xcv. ordeined the yeare of Iubiley firste of all men and commaunded that it should be renued euery C. yere and promised vnto all such as shuld than come to Rome and ther make their deuoute prayers at the Sepulchres of S. Peter and Paule ful remission of al theyr sinnes After his death whan thys distance of time serued ouer long Clemēt the sixt reduced the same vnto fifty yeres Whose decre also remaineth wherin he commaundeth the angels that they should carry vp into the heauenly kingdome such as died in the time of this Pilgrimage And Sixtus the fourth decreed that this benefite should be graunted to men euery .xxv. yere Whan therfore the yere after the incarnation of Christ a M.D. L. was at hand Paule the third a fewe monethes before sente abrode his letters vnto all nations most earnestly exhortinge them not to let passe so goodly an occasion of vnburtheninge thē of theyr sinnes and obteining the kingdome of heauen He him self also reioysed much that he had liued vnto this time sayd that day wold be to him most delectable wherin he should deserue so wel of mankinde but this his ioy was not effectuall for a fewe wekes before that same day which he so greatly desired he departed as before is specified Paulus Fagius which went with Bucer into Englād about the end of Nouembre died at Cambridge of a Feuer Quartane How the matter was taken vp by arbitrement betwixt the bishop of Strausburge and the Senate I haue shewed you before Now had the bishop intended to begin the thing in his churches at Christmasse and had prescribed the cleargye an ordre whiche they should followe but for that they were not fully furnished he differred it till the first of February Than in those thre temples which the Senate by composition had graunted him the Priestes begin againe fyrst to sing theyr Euensong and the next day masse which for the space of .xxi. yeares hadde bene omitted there was a great concourse especially of yong people For vnto them it was a strāge sight and before neuer heard of to see there so manye with shauen crownes and in a new kind of apparel whiche sange that no man could vnderstand Tapers and Lampes burning at noone dayes smoking and perfuming with sensours to se the priest and his ministers standing at the aultare pronouncing al thinges in a strāge language vsing manye curtesies and sondrye gestures bowynge downe with his handes fast closed one while castinge abrode hys armes an other while bringing in the same somtime turning him self about now crying out a loud and now again muttering something in great secreatnes somtime loking vp a loft somtime down to the ground and cannot stand stil in a place but remouinge now to the right hand and now to the left hand of the aultare to crosse blesse with his fingers to breethe in the chalice and lifte it vp on highe after to set it downe againe in certaine places to name one while the quicke an other while the dead to break the host as they call it and put it into the chalice to knocke on his breaste wyth his fist to sigh and to wincke as thoughe he were a slepe to a wake againe to eat one part of the bread and suppe of the reaste wyth the wine least any drop should remaine to washe his handes to crosse and blesse with the gilt patent to put the same to his foreheade and breast to kisse one while the aultare another while an Image inclosed in timbre or metall these thinges I say and such other like the yong people beheld not without great maruel and wonder nor certainly without laughter and could hardly be kept vnder At after none a certain priest whom they had procured thither from an other place maketh a Sermon in the head church wher he had no great audience yet diuers resorted as they are wōt in a new thing There did a certaine yonge man make a noyse I know not what whome one of the Sergeaunts rebuked and made a busines with him as though he would haue caried him to pryson By and by the youth came al flocking about him and as in suche a case it is commonly sene there arose an vprore and tumult while euery man inquireth what the
demerites Which he sheweth may thus be don if that citie be inuironed with a trēche a bulwark made the siege cōtinued til thei be subdued For vnlesse that licēcious obstinat rebellion be repressed they se how gret a daūger shame it wil be to thempire Thus therfore Duke Maurice whiche had busied him self herein as I said before was by cōmon assēt made high generall of the warre And for the charges of the war were appointed .lx. thousand crownes monethly and an hōdreth thousand crownes payed for the charges past Concerning the counsell the Emperour affirmeth to the Princes that it shal be continued againe at Trent before Easter For so doeth the Byshop promyse him Yet doeth he in the meane season vrge the decree of Auspurge and commaundeth them to declare the causes vnto hym why those orders that were wrytten two yeares synce of Religion and reformation of the Clergie be not obserued The Archebyshops Electours saye howe they haue omitted nothing and are yet wholy about the same But the cause which letteth that they are not fully accomplished is the exemptions and priuileges of certen The deputes of the Electours absent say they haue applied the thing diligently but the long continuaunce of tyme hath bene a hinderaunce For this Religion can not so sodenly be plucked out of mens myndes that they had nede to be instructed that men might by litle and litle accustome them selues who are thorowly perswaded that thesame decree dissenteth much from the holy Scriptures that nothing can be violently altered without trouble and sedition And if any man should cōstraine the prechers to it ther would no man serue in that churche For hardely can there any one be found that wyll abase him selfe hereunto for the state of the syngle lyfe and condition of the Lordes supper The residue of Prynces and states of the Romyshe Religion alledge these causes that Scholes wherin yougth is not ryghtly instructed The Ministers of the churche that diswade the people from the same decree The want of priestes The negligēce of Magistrates And saye moreouer that this thing is an hinderaūce that many of the spiritualtie liue vitiously Again that many inuey rayle vpon the decree made with bokes of reproche vnpunished Iuly the Byshop of Rome being oft treated with by the Emperour about the eight day of Nouember sending forth his bulles calleth a coūsell affirming it to be coincident to his office to call and directe counsels That he coueteth also to prouyde for the trāquillitie of Germany which hath alwayes ben most obediēt to the church Byshops of Rome who in earth are Christes Uicars Wherfore let all men repare to Trente against the first day of May whiche either by ryght custome or priuilege haue interest to be there and suche as Paule the thirde hath called before what tyme he somoned the counsell in the same place For that daye shall the counsell be there continued And if it so fortune that either for age or sicknes or affayres of the commōwealth he can not himselfe be present yet will he by his Legates be president of the same This bulle he sent after to themperour Duke Maurice being made chiftayne attempteth the thing with great force and buylding vp certē bulwarkes that the souldiours myght wynter therin about th ende of Nouember he assayleth the citie Whiche citie is diuided into thre partes Wherof one whiche is called newe he surpriseth by nyght scalyng the walles and gates and neither drumme went nor trompet blewe tofore he had brought in his souldiours The citezens reised vp with the clamour so many as were found in armure are put to the sworde the rest being taken and spoiled are expulsed Wherfore they of the citie to the intēt they might take away from the ennemy this commoditie sendyng forth their souldiours burne that part that was theirs Agayn the other part whiche is called Sudeburg they sette on fyre also receiuing the townes mē into the citie About this tyme came Lazarus Schuendie into the campe to Duke Maurice that he myght in the Emperours name gyue his counsel The same tyme was Erle Hedeck in Saxony whome the Emperour had outlawed two yeares past as before is mentioned He and Albert Erle of Maunsfeld do leuie bandes of souldiours in the cities by the Sea coaste to ayde them of Maydenburge Duke Maurice therfore in the moneth of December goeth vnto thē with part of his armie and scattereth them and allureth vnto him foure enseignes of the same men and after also counte He decke as you shall heare The .ix. daye of December the Emperour in a long proclamation and with heinouse words inueieth against them of Maydenburge and commaundeth that no man ayde them and straightly chargeth the Captains and soldiours whiche be within the citie that within fourtene daies after these letters be deliuered they departe out of the citie geue knowledge hereof vnto Duke Maurice or in his absence to Lazare Schuendie If they obeye he promyseth pardon if not he appointeth extreme punishement There was in the citie Albert Erle of Mansfelde whome the Emperour in dede had not banyshed but had tourned him out of al his possessiōs what tyme he perseuered in the fidelitie and frendship of Iohn Friderick Duke of Saxon. Howe the Emperour left the Lantgraue at Machline taking his iourney to Auspurg it is before declared Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburge were earnest suters that he might be deliuered but aunswere was made them how not he only but also his sonnes and coūsellours so demeane them selues that as yet he might not be deliuered His kepers also said vnto him how he should be caried into Spaine Wherupon he requireth ayde of his sonnes admonishynge them of the faith and duty they owe vnto hym commaundeth them to sue Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg that they yelde them selues prysoners according to the forme of their obligation and fulfill their promise His sonnes obey him herein and sending Ambassadours most earnestly and oft admonish and sue them But they one whyle ioyntly together another whyle either of thē seuerally by him selfe some tyme by messengers sometime presently excuse the matter and declare that it is not expedient either for them or for their father that it should so be euer bring newe reasons wherby they trust he may be deliuered without any daunger Therfore they desire them to forbeare thē a whyle and to geue them respite But the Emperour who before had moued the Lātgraue by Lirane to deliuer those obligations as is declared whan he was further sued vnto he sendeth Lazare Schuendie to his sonnes and counsellours commaunding them not only from henceforth neither to cōmence action nor sue Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandēburg but that also they sende vnto him all suche maner of wrytinges surcease their sute vnlesse they obeye he threateneth thē with the greatest punishment that
could both by giftes and other liberality The Duke of Saxon also prisoner whan he hard therof both comforted them by intermessagers and also holpe them with mony at theyr departure The cause why the Emperor proceded on thys wise against them was thought to be first for that he was stirred vp hereunto of many secondlye for that after inquisition made he found that the preachers were a let that his decre of religion toke not place Finally for that he had heard report of the consent and agrement of the diuines of Saxon Sweuelād and Strausburge And the readiest way was thought to be if they were exiled to the end the fathers at Trent might haue the lesse to do and the victory more easily in case they should hardly haue anye aduersaries to send against them They therfore being thus driuen oute and banished fled partly to the Swisses and partly to other places when the brute of this thinge was blased abrode it made manye men a fraid For that which chaunced there no man douted but the same should also be done in other places but behold whilest all men are in the same feare the french king maketh warre againste themperor and withall taketh certain ships of Flaunders carieth them away into Fraunce and spoyleth them and in Piedemount Turrin surpriseth many Townes and amonges other Cherie San damians by the conduit of Brissake Touching the shippes intercepted the imperials in a writing setforth report that whan themperour loked for nothing lesse than warre and commaunded hys subiectes to sit quiet the french Captaine Poline chaunced vppon them and as though he caried the Quene of Scotlande signified vnto them that for honoure sake after the olde accustomed facion they shuld vaile their bonnets strike saile and hailse her with shoting of their ordinaunce which thing whan they had done beinge vnarmed they were fradulently circumuented and caried awaye Many men had great maruel that the king durst in this so great good fortune and prosperity of the Emperor renounce his frendship yea it is sayed to haue chaunced to the Emperour contrary to his expectation For all be it he warred againste the Duke of Parma yet would he not seme therfore to be enemy to the French men with whome he had made peace seuen yeares before How be it the king for that he sawe howe through the side of Octauius he him self shuld also be wounded for that he had alredy intelligence that the Turkes wer sailing on the Sea Again for that he had intelligēce by intermessagers how Duke Moris was affected for so muche as the Emperoure was thought in that imbecillitye of bodye and disease that retourned ofte to be of no longe life he attempted the thing with a stout courage And in manner about the same time the Turkish Fleete whan it had assailed Malta in vaine surpriseth Tripolis a City in Affricke The blame hereof the Emperoure laying all together in the French King sendeth his ambassadors to the Princes Cities of Germany affirming this to be done through his craft and Policy But the King so sone as be knew therof ercuseth the matter and saith how the cause of the Turkish warre is for that the Emperor restoreth not to them the city of Affricke according to his promes for that King Fardinando doth hold and fortify the Castel of Zolnocke standing at the frontiers of Hongary within the Turkishe dominion for that he denieth to pay him his yearely tribute and attempteth new enterprises in Transsyluania After this he confuteth the Emperours narration wherin is declared how Tripolis was lost through the treason of Aremount the French ambassador with a contrary narration and confyrmeth the same by the letters of the great Turke Whilest these things wer a bruing the day of the consel came the first of Septēbre at the which day were ther present besides the bishops of Italy Spaine tharch bishops of Mentz Treuers to the great ioy gladnes as it appered of al mē not long after came also tharchbishop of Colō For themperor had earnestly moued thē both presētly in the coūsel at Auspurge after also by letters messagers that they shuld be ther for they exceld al others in dignity welth power the most part of that bishops in Germany are cōprised vnder theyr dominiō wherfor thincking to tary lōg they sold altheyr horses reseruing only a few made theirprouisiō for houskepīg a lōg seasō thither came also that bishops of straus Uienne Costintz Chur and Numburge others being let with affaires age or sicknes whan they had obtained licence sente theyr Proctours In the Bishop of Romes name Cardinal Crescēt was there president and had ioyned in commission with him tharchbishop of Sipount and the bishop of Uerona Themperor had sente thither Fraunces Toletane Hugh Earle Mounforte and William Pictaue diuers were there also in the place of king Ferdinando and Hongary Making therfore an assembly in the head church which they call a session the first day of Septembre whan Masse was done and other accustomed ceremonies finished sodēly came in the French Kinges ambassadoure the abbot of Bellosan with letters which were indorsed to the conuention of Trent which after he had deliuered to the bishops Legate and he had red the superscription a question arose why he shuld call it a conuention rather than a counsell and vnlesse he could shew a commission those letters were neither to be red nor yet receiued and where an exceading great clamour was raised especially by the Spanish bishops and he affirmed that his commission was comprised in the letters the bishops Legate ariseth and calleth a side the fathers into the reuestry The matter being decided that the indorsinge mighte be taken in good part they condescended to heare him Therfore whē they had red his letters priuately wherin the king did briefly signify his grief and that he had iniury done him and required them to credite his Ambassadour They all sit downe againe and than reading the letters openly make this answere Where the kinge vnder the name of a conuention doth signify the counsell it is takē of them in good part neither will they therefore conceiue any sinistrall suspicion of so great a king who hath the title of the mooste Christen but in case his mind and wil be otherwise than take they those letters as not wrytten to them After he was commaunded to declare his message Than he reciteth a long oration wrytten And first the king rehearseth what he treated by his ambassadour Paulus Thermes with the bishop and Senate of cardinals and how by all these meanes he hath nothing preuailed notwithstanding that he had opened alwaies vnto peace and saith how bishop Iuly who after thexample of his predecessoures ought to appease the controuersies of Princes hath kindled an exceading great fire at such time as he ought least to haue done it whan doubtlesse the state of the Christen common wealth was
and the decrees be red openly that done the bishops are demaunded whether they allow the same They answer all that they please them well And so the deuines declare what is theyr opinion of euery matter but the bishops only and with them a few other mitred men haue authority to determine that thing which is thus decreed they commaund to be sacred and holy and call those decrees Canons These thinges in dede are thus done outwardly but those that are better acquainted with Romish matters wil affirme that all those articles of doctrine are written before at Rome by the bishops commaunment and sent to his Legate in time that the deuines may in their reasoning folow that prescript and ordre For the Bishop finedeth ther diuers of them and many bishops also and therfore it is commonly spoken by a fond prouerbe that the holy ghost commeth many times from Rome to Trēt inclosed in a male For this cause verely that the bishop sendeth ofttimes letters in poste signifying to his Legates there what he woulde haue done The fourth day of Septembre Erle Hedeck commeth to Maidenburge by him duke Moris did so mitigate the conditions before propounded that they thought mete to proceade in the treatye In the meane while was truse taken which was after also prolonged for many daies as I shall hereafter declare The French king hauing his mind alienated from the bishop of Rome publisheth a wryting and speakinge many thinges of thiniury done vnto him of the cause of the warre of Parma and whye he receiued Octauius into his tuition commaundeth vnder a great penalty that no mony from henceforth be conueied to Rome for considering that the sinewes of warre consisteth in mony what madnes were this with his own mony his subiectes to maintaine the force of his aduersarye and strengthen his power how it is the peculiare office of the bishops of Rome to appease he controuersies of kings this verely did Paule the third who being almost worn for age came to Nice in Ligurie to make a reconcilement betwene his father and themperor but Iuly followeth cleane an other wates and hauing lately called a counsell very necessary in dede for the common weale hathe stirred vp war against him surely of a set purpose that he mighte exclude all the french church which is one of the principall so that ther can not be holden a lawful counsel wherin both therrors of the prelates and ministers of the church mighte be refourmed and their faultes amended This proclamation of the king was openlye proclaimed at Paris the vii day of Septembre whereas a few daies before ther was an other most hainous proclamation setforth against the Lutheranes whiche partly confirmed such like decrees of former yeres partly where they semed not to be diligently enough writtē sharpned them omitting nothing that concerneth great seueritye and such as wil vtter any thing are promised great rewards whiche thing in dede the king was thought to haue done for this intēt that he might bridell hereby such as in Fraunce desired to haue an alteration of Religyon leaste by reason of thys dissention of hys with the bishop they should take ouermuch libertye And againe least they whiche beare a reuerence to the Churche of Rome shuld conceiue any apinion of him that his minde should be altered concerning Religion Finally that both the bishop him self and the Senate of Cardinals might see that they might be receiued into his frendship whan they wold Than out of themperours court came forth a wryting wherin is recited the original cause of the warre of Parma and how iuste an occasion of displeasure the bishop of Rome hath against Octauius and the Earle of Mirandula and of what an vnquiet mind the Frēch king is which seketh all manner of occasions and bendeth his whole force that he maye impeche and defeat the most noble enterprises of themperor how beit themperor being nothing moued withall these thinges wil so much the more couragiously and stoutly procede Octauius pretēded as though he had come of necessity into thobeisance and tuition of the French king for thiniuries and laying in wayt of Fernādo Gonzage But that is confuted by this wrytinge For if there were any cause of feare the occasion was geuen of him selfe who hath ofttimes laid wait for the life of Gonzage After it is recited how Placence came into the hands of themperor For Peter Aloise the bishop of Romes bastard sonne whan he had obteined Pirma and Placence gouerned the common wealth cruelly and like an other Nero and accomplished his wicked lust not only vpon womē but on men also wherfore he was slain at home and murthered of his citezens which could no longer abide so great crudelitye after the townes men for that they saw a present daunger prepared against them in case they shuld come again into the iurisoiction of the Bishop and church of Rome had this only refuge to saue them if they gaue them selues to themperor especially consideringe also howe they were once fre citezens of the Empire so therefore they moued Gonzage and desired him that they mighte be receiued into themperors tuition For otherwise wold they prouide them aid and succour elsse wher Therfore it is vntrue that he shuld faine him selfe to be a fraid For themperor hath imploid many benefits vpon the Farnesians He hath chosen Octauius to his sonne in law gaue to his father Aloise the city of Nouaria for euer and honored hym with the dignity of a Marques but great hath bene their vnthākfulnes both at other times and chiefly whan through the pretence of frendship they aided him in punishing certain rebels of Germany their whole endeuor was to haue taken from him Genes and Lumbardy For verely in the same tumult was slain ful wickedly amonges others Ioannine Aurie a man of an excellente vertue whilest he both did themperor faithful seruice and repulsed pearil from his country After came forthe an answer to these thinges in the French kinges name Wherin is made mention how themperor to haue the frendship of the bishop of Rome Paule the thyrde gaue vnto his sonne Peter Aloise the title and degre of a Marques how he toke vnto him Octauius the sonne of Peter to be his sonne in law how he preferred his other sonne Alexander to many ecclesiasticall promotions how afterward he made a league with the bishop wherin it was prouided that the decre of the Senate of Cardinals that was made concerning the gouernment of Parma and Placence themperor shuld confirme to the house of the Frenesians but what time themperor made war in Germany and pretēded as though he moued not the same war for Religion but to punish the rebellion of certain this deuise was displeasaunt to the bishop for that he saw how by this meane he went about his priuate affairs and to procure to him self rule gouernment neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the war being
was the whole country deliuered from a most greuous seruitude wherwith it had ben oppressed by the space of fiue yeares onlye the Castell of Asperge the Emperoure reserued to him self placing in it a garrison of Almaines In these daies also Henry Hasie by the Emperors commaundement traueling throughout Sweaden euery wher chaungeth the state of the common wealth and ordeineth newe Senators he dischargeth also the preachers and Scholemasters vnles they wyll obey the decre of Religion as was latelye done at Auspurge It is mentioned before how Duke Moris and the Duke of Wirtemberge had commaunded Articles of Doctrine to be wrytten which after shuld be exhibited how also the Senate of Strashurge had ioyned them selues vnto this theyr doing Wherfore the duke of Wirtemberge sending two ambassadoures Ihon Theodoricke Pleninger and Ihon Hecline commaunded them both to exhibite openly this confession of doctrine and to say also that the deuines shuld come which shal treat al thinges more plentifully and defend the same so that they may haue safecōduit according to the decre of Basill They so sone as they came to Trent which was almoste at the end of Octobre go vnto the Earle Mounforte and exhibite vnto him the commission of theyr ambassade and shew him how in theyr princes name they would propound certaine thinges in the counsell he in his talke tended to this end that he thoughte good they should repair to the bishoppes Legate but they seinge that if they should confer with him any thing it wold apere that they shoulde attribute vnto him the chiefe right and authoritye of iudgemente wherin they perceiued a preiudice and hinderance of their matter Wherfore they come not at him but wryting letters to theyr prince fary for an answer of his pleasure herein In the meane season the deuines do reason after theyr manner of the questions before propounded concerning penaunce and vnction The third day of Nouembre Counte Hedeck being sent of Duke Moris came to Maidenburge and calling out the captains of the souldiors into a place without the city made a ful end and wrytinges of the same matter were drawen and sealed And the soldiors in dede were assured by safe conduit that they might safely depart This was the viii daye of the same month but so sone as they were discharged they were priuelye reteined and hired againe by the duke of Megelburge which was now by the pacification released for Duke Moris purposely woulde not do it in his owne name And the conditions of peace were these That they should humbly craue pardon of themperor that they shuld do nothing against the house of Austrich and Burgundy that they submit thē selues to the chambre that they obey the last decre of Auspurge That they answer al mē to the law That they cast down the fortification of the city at themperoures pleasure That they admit into theyr city themperors garrison at all times and set open theyr gates for him That they pay L M. crowns to themperors cofers That for the charges of the warres they deliuer to themperor xii great pieces of ordenaunce that they set at liberty the duke of Megelburge thother prisoners Whan the soldiors of the garnison wer gon out of the citye the same daye which were to the nombre of ii M fotemen and an hondreth horsmen Duke Moris sent in v. enseignes of footemen and the nexte day the Senate going forth to mete him he entreth the city with hys whole army and receiueth them al into thobeisance of themperor thempire of him self which had bene chiefe captain of the same warre after leauing there a garrison he leadeth away the reast Than causeth he the preachers to be sente for and by his counselloures Faccie Carlebice and Mortisie he complaineth of iniurye done him by reason of the bokes and pictures setforth by them as though he shuld haue forsaken the doctrin of the gospel as though he should haue moued warre against the city for the constant professing of the true doctrine wherfore he hath iust cause to be offended if he would followe his affections but all these thinges he remitteth for the common wealthes sake requireth that they wold from henceforth exhort the people to amend their liues and honor the Magistrates he commaundeth also praiers to be openly made for the Emperoure for him selfe and for all other Magistrates he saith moreouer howe there is at this presente a counsell holden at Trent wherin he will exhibit the confession of a godly doctrine as well in his owne name as also of other Princes and states let thē pray therfore that God would prosper and turn to good the whole action of the counsell and that they raile not againste the same as they haue accustomed to do They deliberating vppon the matter make answer that in dede they set not forth those pictures how be it they iudge them worthy no reprehension and that certaine with in his dominion haue by the space of iii. yeares swarued from the pure doctrine of the Gospell it cannot be denied for there be bokes and monuments extant and that the city was besieged because of the Gospell it is easy to proue if a man consider only the fyrste authors of the warre In admonishinge the people they haue omitted nothing the same wil they also do hereafter for the counsel which is assembled to quench the verity wherin that Romish Antichriste obteineth the highest place they can none otherwise pray than that God may confound breake and dissipate their enterprises and deuises for there is no good thinge to be loked for at theyr handes Such conditious of peace were in dede spread abrode but certaine it is that they were well assured both for their liberty and religion Duke Moris also had rather the City should be open for him then for themperour as thend declared afterward After this sorte they of Maidenburge being deliuered besides thexpectation of many got them selues great praise and renowne amonges foraine nations for so much as in manner they alone throughout al Germany declared by theyr example what thing constancy may do Moreouer thend of theyr misery was thentry and beginning of the warre against them by whose aid and counsel they were afflicted as here after shal be declared Whilest Duke Moris was in the city he declared sufficiently what his intent was that is to wit how he wold hazard his life to deliuer his father inlawe Neither did he dissemble the same the next daye after being moued by a certen man He had sent Ambassadours to the Emperour before for the deliueraunce of the Lantgraue And had also ioyned with him herein the king of Denmarke and many Princes of Germany as you shall heare hereafter And vnlesse he could bringe it to passe was fully determined to attempte the thing by force and was already at a compact with the French kyng touching the same who had sent to him priuely Iohn Fraxinie Byshop of Baion a man
Whiche thinges considered they them selues deuise a new fourme following the fotesteppes of the decree of Basil But in the meane tyme Toletane sent his seruaūt once or twyse for the paper fearing as it appered ouermuch diligēce But they neuertheles procede at the last whā the thing was finished Duke Maurice Ambassadours come againe vnto Toletane comparing th one with thother shewe him what lack they find therin Than began he to stomack the matter was right sore offended For why should they not be content with the whiche they with great labour dilligence had obtained For suche as should come were assured sufficiently For the chiefest point is wherby it is prouided that they may safely come safely goe All other thinges serue nothing to that purpose but only concerne the maner of treatie in the coūsell Which thing might a great deale better be determined what time the Diuines be present than now They make aunswer how they may not passe the bōdes of their cōmission which is that they may not receiue a saufeconduicte contrary to that of Basill Two dayes after the fathers assemble all in the house of the byshops legate and with them themperours Ambassadours Who call before them there thambassadours of the Duke of Wirtēberge which the day before they had sayd they would doe Whan they were brought in they are cōmaunded to declare their message Who after they had shewed their cōmission made a brief preface bring forth the confession of doctrine written deliuer it to the scribe of the counsel as the maner is And said also that Diuines should come from their Prince whiche should treate of all things more aboundantly howbeit vpō these cōditions First that by cōsent of both parties conueniēt iudges shuld be chosen which shuld heare the diuines reason iudge vprightly of matters that be in cōtrouersie For in asmuch as the Prince perceiueth that the doctrine of his diuines doth for the most part disagre with the doctrine of the bishop of Rome of other bishops whiche ar many wayes boūd to him he thinketh it very vnreasonable against al right that they which susteine the parsone either of plaintife or defendāt shuld chalenge to thē selues thauthoritie of iudgement Secondly that it was decreed in thassembles of thempire at Auspurg that the counsel shuld be continued althinges Godly rightly done And this was euermore so takē of their Prince that such thinges as were decreed in the counsel in fourmer yeares ought not to haue the force of a law but that all thinges should be repeted frō the beginning For what right or reason were it whan two men go to the lawe that the thing whiche is decreed whan the one hath iust cause to be absent should be taken for ferme and stable Moreouer seing many dcerees were made not only in the fourmer but also in this same counsell contrary to the holy Scriptures and also many olde errours established their Prince requireth that the same be of none authoritie but the al thinges may come to a dew examinatiō Those same articles cōprised in writīg they exhibited together with the cōfessiō of doctrine Whā this was done answer made them that the fathers whā they sawe time should shew them their opinion thus were they dimissed Thesame daye in the euening they sent like wise for thambassadours of Duke Maurice They whan they came recite with a long oration the demaundes of their Prince in like sorte as they did of late to the Emperours Ambassadours sauing that the ende was more pithie Wher this was said moreouer that the same seruice order that is vsed in the popish churches was not the true religion but a countrefeated thing as it were a shadowe of religion Whan they had made an end of thoration they were answered with the selfsame wordes as before were the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg Amongst other thinges this greued thē moste that their religion was described by so vile contēptuouse a name Which was afterward well knowen Thambassadours had intended to haue vttered their message openly in the publique assize But to auoyde this which they knew certenly they wolde do they were heard priuatly For either must thei nedes do this or els leaue al to the cōmon treatie They had brought with thē a confession of doctrine written by Philip Melanchthon as I showed you before but where as they had no cōmaundemēt of this thing I know not for what cause thei did not present the same The next day which was the .xxv. of Ianuary was thopensassions the bishops legate was brought to the church with the pompe before rehersed Than was the nōber of soldiours much augmēted also a greater resort of people out of sōdry places for that they supposed that the treatie of thesame day shuld be very notable Whan the masse all other ceremonies were fully finished it was recited in the pulpit how for the protestātes cause the whole matter should be differred till the .xix. daye of Marche before the whiche day they will be here in good time to propound their matters And this to be frendly graūted thē for that the counsel trusteth that they wil come not obūinatly to impugne the catholique faithe but for a zeale to knowe the truth that they will in fine admitte obeie the decrees of the churche schole of correction How they haue more ouer a larger saufeconduicte so that no lack can be founde Furthermore that in the next sitting the treatie shal be of the Sacramēt of Matrimonie The third daye after whan nothing came forthe at al the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice their fellowes demaunded of Fraunces Toletane with whom they chaunced to dine that day a copie of thesame saufecōduict which was spoken of openly Who made them a gentle answer but whā other thre daies were past thambassadour of Strasburg at the request of the residue goeth vnto Pictaue He cōplaineth that this is the sixt daye wherin they can heare nothing And that before was a longer delay for that the saufeconduicte was not sufficient nowe is the time tracted again And certenly the diuines wil not come before suche time as the magistrates be contented with their saufeconduicte He saide howe there was no faulte in him marueiled why Toletane thus differred them who had the chiefest place amongest them He would go talke with him doubted not but the matter should be dispatched the same day That thing whiche he should learne by him he wolde she we him And thus went to him This was the last daye sauing one of Ianuary Within a fewe houres after al thambassadours were commaunded to come to the house of Toletane who deliuered to euery of them a copie of the saufecōduicte signed vnderneth by the scribes of the counsell There was also the Earle Monfort Pictaue beginneth the talke first in dede he excuseth the delay made and than speaking much of their own zeale and
church should be refourmed that al superfluous excesse ambition and dishonest examples of liuing shuld be taken away that euery man be resident in his own church and that eche man shuld haue one benefice and no man be permitted to haue mo Furthermore they purposed also to include within certain limites the power of the bishop of Rome not to attribute vnto his court so great authority ouer all realmes These and such other like thinges they comprise by this word of reformation and those thinges they acknowledge to belong proprely vnto them but touching religion doctrin they will be acknowne of none error yea they decreed that counsels could not erre and thought verely that their aduersaries would in fine reuolt and obey the counsel as it apeareth manifestly by an Epistle written to the French king and by the form of the the safeconduit And this thing also increased their hope and opinion for that they iudged few professors of that doctrine least being so many of them dead banished as before is spoken of Sweuia This was also common there amonges them that whatsoeuer concerned religion should within a fewe monethes be determined For of the chief articles ther remained two only the Lordes supper and Matrimony All other articles of doctrine were all ready discussed The fathers that were at Basill did attribute the whole iudgement to holy scripture and to other wrytinges agreable to the same but these men would be iudges them selues in expoundinge the scripture neither woulde they admit that place of the decree of Basill by thambassadors restored but chaunginge the wordes of the decre determined also to follow the traditions of thapostles in euerye doubtfull matter And whansoeuer they were destitute of scripture they bosted that it was so lefte by thapostles and deliuered them as it were from hande to hande as in the disputations of the deuines was oft times noted Which caused also the ambassadors whan they receiued the safeconduit of themperors oratoures at th end of Ianuary to protest that by the traditions of thapostles they vnderstode those wrytinges which were annexed to the newe Testament or story of the foure Euangelistes I shewed you before how the first of Maye was appoynted the daye of session But now the fathers that remained being in dispair of the thing assemble together and for the discord of kinges and princes proroge the counsell for the space of two yeares or longer in case the dissention be not appeased This was the xxix day of Aprill and nowe was the bishop of Rome agreed with the French king A few daies after themperors ambassadors depart thence also But the Legate of Rome Crescētius deteined by sicknesse abode still who being feared by a vision in the night as it is said fel sicke and began to dispair also of his life notwithstanding that both his frends and also the Phisitians did comforte him Neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the disease increasing he died at Uerona And this was th end of the coūsel which being right stoutly renued thought verely to restore the Romish doctrine and shortly to establishe the same Besides the Legates of Rome and the Cardinall of Trent ther wer presēt lxii bishops wherof viii wer Germanes fiue and twenty Spaniardes two of Sardinia four of Sicilie one of Hōgary the bishop of Agria all the reast were of Italy and diuines there were xlii and of them xix Spaniards of Germany Flaunders xii By what occasion the Legate Crescentius fel sicke I had purposed not to haue spoken for that there was some suspicion it might be deuised of mallice but in as much as his frendes those of his own family which went to comfort him whan he laye sicke do thus report it I thought mete to adde to the same The xxv day of March he had ben very much occupied in wryting letters to the bishop of Rome and continued this trauel til night At the whiche time arising that he might refresh him self behold he saw a greate blacke dogge going with glistring eies and eares hanging down almost to the ground and went straightway to him and after slipt vnder the table He being astonied and amased whan at the lēgth he was cummen againe to him self he calleth vpon his seruaunts that were in the vtter chamber commaunding them to bringe in a light and to beate out this dogge but whan he coulde no where be found neither there nor yet in the next chamber he toke a great thought and fel sicke as I shewed you before When he lay on his death bed also he is reported to haue cried oute manye times to his seruantes that they should driue out the dogge that came vppon his bed The xxiiij Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charies the fyfte The Argument of the xxiiij Booke DUke Moris publisheth his letters to all the states of thempire not to hinder his enterprises the same doth Marques Albert. The French kinge also publisheth his and nammge him self Protector of Germany taketh Metz in Lorayne and marcheth vp to Strasborough and from thence retireth to Hagenaw Whither came vnto him sondry ambassadors beseching him to stay his army The king retireth his armye oute of Germany Duke Moris and his company hauing won the straites of thalpes putteth themperor to flighte who a little before had enlarged the Duke of Saxon. After they publishe their letters at Auspurge whereb that they restore the ministers of the Churche that preached the Gospell Whilest Duke Moris wente to Passaw for the treaty of peace Marques Albert practiseth great cruelty againste them of Nurinberge and constraineth them to make theyr peace vnto meaner Princes of the peace sondrys thinges were declared aswell by letters as by ambassadoures and they be pleased with certaine conditions They of Seine do reuolt from themperor who cometh to Strasborough goinge to besiege Metz. HOw in the laste assemble of thempire the gouernment of the warre of Maidenburge was by common assente of the Emperoure and other states committed to Duke Moris I haue before declared during the which warre continuinge the space of one yeare he hauinge the armye at hys commaundemente began to seke meanes howe to deliuer the Lantzgraue his father in lawe seinge he had so longe time sued to themperor for the same matter in vaine Wherefore compelling the Chattes by an othe to be true to him and makinge peace with them of Maidenburge and sendinge his ambassadoures to Insprucke as in the former boke is mentioned he entreth into league with the Frenche kinge and assuraunce made on either side by pledges geuen they thoughte good by wrytinges setforthe to declare the cause of the warre to th entent they might win therby the good wils of many Moreouer the Marques Albert of Brandenburge going priuely into Fraunce to the king withdrewe him self wholy to the same businesse In
matter but also receiueth al them into his defence and tuition so that they do not annoy him nor yet his league frendes For after libertye recouered he is put in good hope by many mens letters that the concord of the churche shall and may also be restored and that by lawfull meanes whan all ambition and priuate lucre is farre remoued And what so euer he may helpe hereunto he will do it gladly These are the things wherof he thought good to admonish them to th end they may vnderstand what his will and purpose is wherfore he requireth them that in so iuste warre which of necessity is attempted for the wealth of Germany no mā would impeche or hinder him or his confederates for otherwise if any man be so cleane voide of all loue and duety that he oweth to his country that he intend to make resistaunce him wil he destroy with sword and fire and albeit he shal do so vnwillingly yet if any such shal be the same as a naughty and a corrupt membre must be cut of from the reast of the body least it do hurt by his infection and in such sorte be restrained that it do no more harme The rest they may know of his ambassador Ihon Fraxine Bishop of Bayon whom he hath sent vnto them with further of his pleasure vnto whome he praieth them to geue creadit This wrytinge beinge set forth in print in the vulgare tonge had ouer the head a bonnet betwene two daggers and wrytten by that the same was the badge of liberty And vnderneath that was the title of the kinge who named him selfe the reuenger of the libertye of Germany and of the Princes captiue This badge or cognoisaunce many say was foūd in old coynes and vsed by them that slue Iulius Cesar Where he saieth how themperor had assigned a reward for them that coulde slay certaine of his captaines thus standeth the case Themperor by proclamation lately setforthe had againe with wordes mooste waighty outlawed the Rinegraue Recrode Riseberge and Scherteline which in dede serued all the French king as I haue said before and appointed foure thousande crownes in rewarde for him that could bring forth any of them either quicke or dead For they furthered the cause very muche and whan this league was made going into Germany prested souldioures and broughte them into Fraunce And Scherteline in dede whan he had sued many yeres in vaine and coulde by the intercession of no man be reconciled to themperor or King Fernando being in a manner constrained fled to the French king These letters of the kinge and the Princes dispearsed abrode in Germany raised in some hope but in manye feare and carefulnes Duke Moris which wrought all thinge by dissimulation the first of March holdeth an assemble of the states of his dominion and amonges other thinges he propoundeth because he is sued of the Lantzgraues sonnes to present him self he may no longer seke delaies or disceine their expectatiō Therfore wil he go vnto them to kepe his faith and promesse let them therfore in the meane time obey his brother August whome he hath made his deputye in his absence and let them gather a force to defend the country that nothing chaunce vnto them vnprouided Thelector of Brandenburge was present at this treaty for that he was sommoned to appeare but when the Lantzgraues sonnes did permit him that he shoulde at the next processe appeare and discharge his bond he retourneth home Duke Moris hauing put in ordre his thinges at home and appoynted certain counselloures to assiste his brother Auguste he goeth with a few small company to those forces which I saide before he had in the country of Turing and marching forth abideth for the Lantzgraues sonne Before he departed frō home the Burggraue of Meyssen as they call him Henry of the noble house of the Plauians Chauncelor of Boheme in the name of king Ferdinando treated with him diligently for a reconcilemēt The Lātzgraues sōne leading forth his armye when he came to Erlebache the eightene daye of Marche where also was the French ambassadour Fraxine they bothe request them of Franckfurt by letters amonges other thinges that they receiue no garrison of the Emperours into their city And all beit that they answered neither plainlye nor purposelye yet for so much as they must go forward there was none other thing done The sixt daye after he ioyneth with Duke Moris And when they were commen wyth their whole armye thre dayes after to Schwinfurt Duke Moris declareth vnto him how king Fardinando woulde make intercession and signified the same plainlye both by letters and ambassadoures as thoughe he had authoritys of the Emperoure to treat yea touching the deliuery of his father He therfore making priuy to it the French ambassador refuseth not that the conditions and requestes of king Fardinando should be heard which thing determined they march with great expedition by Roteburge Dingelspelle and Norling to Donauerde At Roteburge Marques Albert ioyneth him selfe to them with hys power bothe of horse men and fote men Whiche waye so euerthey wente they broughte the Citezens into theyr subiection and displacing those whiche the Emperoure before had chosen do ordain newe Magistrates And exact of them also mony and munition And because Auspurge was kept with no great garrison And again because in the selfe same daies a certain piece of the wall and Rampeare was fallen downe they marched with exceading greate iourneis and the laste daye of Marche reasted not so much as in the night season and came thither the firste daye of Aprill at midday and making roades there declared them selues to be ennemies In the Citye were foure enseignes of fotemen sente by them peroure but where the Townes men the fourth day after rendred the city they wer permitted to depart Than they that sommoned the Cities of high Germany and amonges them also Norinberge and commaund them to be before them at Auspurge at th end of Aprill and also vrge them of Wuolmes whiche were but nine miles from Auspurge that they should aide them with all thinges and come into theyr society Aboute this time the Prince of Salerne by occasion of falling oute with the Uiceroy of Naples reuolteth from the Emperoure and goeth into Fraunce Whilest these thinges are done in Germany the Frenche kinge marching forth with an huge army surpriseth Tullie Uerdome townes of thempire at the borders of Fraunce after he inuadeth Lorayne and sendeth the yong Prince into Fraunce aboute nine yeres of age though the Lady Dowager his mother intreated neuer so much to the contrary promiseth him his daughter in mariage Whilest the king him self was occupied with these affaires his lieftenaunt the Constable Annas Memoraunce who led the Uantward surpriseth Metz a famous city of thempire the tenthe day of Aprill whan bothe the garrison within was small and the French men made fair promisses and saide howe the kinge made this warre to
maintaine theyr liberty For what time the Frenche king went out of his owne pale which was aboute the eighte day of Marche sendinge vnto them letters and messagers he desired only that they would prepare him vitaile that he might passe through theyr country with his armye promisinge all benenolence And he vsed for his minister the Cardinall Lenoncurt bishop of the Citye who setforth his good will and zeale to the Senate The conestable also wrote vnto them moste frendlye but whan he came neare vnto the citye with his force he desired to be let in and obteined the next day he was master of the gates and of al the fortifications Thither came also afterwardes the kinge him selfe at the xviii day of Aprill and there remaining four daies after he had taken thothe of the Senate and people he appoynted Mounsir Gōnorie to be theyr gouernoure and commanded their armure to be deliuered and caried into one place and the Citye to be fortified likewise doth he in the Townes before named and in Loraine and sending his messagers before to Strasburge to Haganawe and other places neare and to the bishoppe of Strasburge required to be aided with Wheate and Uitaile Whan Auspurge was taken as I said and thold Senate restored which themperoure had displaced and the liberty of geuinge of voices restored also to the people the Princes contederated marched towarde Woulmes that refused theyr league Whan they came thither the xii day of Aprill they ride aboute this Citye And whan they were shot at with the greate pieces they damaunde to be satisfied for the iniuries done them with the summe of three hondreth thousande Crownes which denied they becommed their enemies But duke Moris goinge from thence wente to Lintz a towne of Austriche that he mighte vnderstande by kinge Farnando the conditions of peace For he as I said by the Emperoures consent was a meane to intreat a peace Afterwarde the Emperoure exhorted by his letters the chiefest Princes of Germanye that they woulde assaye to quenche this fire and deuise some meanes of peace the whiche he woulde not be againste And where as diuerse required his aide for that thei were able to do nothing against so great a power comforting their myndes he answereth that he hopeth wel that the treatie of peace commenced shall haue a lucky successe if not than will he neyther faile them nor the common weale Whan Woulmes had bene beseged six daies the Princes the .xix. day of Aprill remoued to Stocach a towne of Hegouia There they receiued mony in the French kinges name for thre monethes as is conuenaunted and Gamey Marchiane the Frenche pledge was deliuered For the other Nantoliet died by the waye The Princes pledges whiche they gaue to the Frenche kyng were Christopher Duke of Megelburg and Philip the Lantgraues sonne The last of Aprill the Princes retourne to Thonaw certen myles beneth Woulmes In the meane seasō Marques Albert burneth the townes and villages belonging to Woulmes and extorteth money and taketh their castell of Helfesteyne situated on a high hill and placeth therin a garrison and the towne of Gissing nere vnto it whiche is thre myles frō Woulmes with certen villages by the same he condemneth to paye .xviii. thousand crownes Whā Duke Maurice was come to Lintz he propoundeth of deliuering the Lantgraue his father in lawe of appeasing the dissention of Religion and doctrine of wel ordering the common wealth of peace to be made with the French kyng their fellowe and confederate of the outlawes to be receiued agayne into fauour Those were the Ryngrane and others before named and also Erle Hedecke whiche in fourmer yeares gaue hym selfe into the tuition of Duke Maurice as before is sayde Howheit the Emperour had appointed no rewarde against his lyfe least he should offende Duke Maurice as it is to be thought Unto these demaundes Ferdinando with whom were Maximilian his sonne and his sonne in lawe Albert Duke of Bauier and also the Emperours Ambassadours maketh aunswere Howe the Emperour is content that the Lantgraue be set at lybertie yet so that the warre maye cease immediately Touchinge Religion and the common wealth he is well pleased that the matter be determined in the next conuention of German But the Emperour is very lothe that the Frenche kyng shoulde be herein comprised Neuerthelesse Duke Maurice may knowe of him in what sorte he wyl be accorded The outlawes may also be taken to mercie in case they wyl obeye the condition offered by the Emperour Moreouer Ferdinādo requested that whan peace were once concluded Duke Maurice would helpe him in Hongary and that the soldiours should not slippe away to the Frenche kyng Wherunto whan Duke Maurice had aunswered and sayde that that he could determine nothing without the consent of his fellowes they departed so as at the .xxvi. day of May they should mete againe at Passawe whiche is a towne betwene Lintz and Regenspurge where the Ryuers of Thonawe and Oene mete Thither should come also the Princes that were intercessours and their deputies On Maydaye the Lantgraues sonne and Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburg leade the armie of Gundelfinge there lye eight whole dayes together lokyng for Duke Maurice retourne out of Austrich Whan he was come the next daye was the armie munstred at Lawginge a towne of Otto Henry the Pausgraues For they had also recouered his prouince possessed by the Emperour and had expulsed the Byshop of Auspurge out of his countrie And verely Otto the Paulsgraue ioyned hym selfe vnto their league From thence they goe towarde the Alpes And it chaunced at the same tyme that kyng Ferdinando had obteyned of them a truce whiche beginning the .xxvi. daye of May should ende the eight daye of Iune In the meane tyme Themperour leuied a power at the fote of the Alpes whiche assembled at the Towne of Rwe In this hurly burly the Byshop of Auspurge Cardinall which before was not very ryche and had nowe susteyned great losse as I sayde went to Rome that he myght obteyne of the Byshop new promotions and benefices wherwith he might fill vp those sinkes agayne After this the iudges of the chamber imperial flie away from Spiers For by the Frenche king and the Princes in their forsaide wrytinges signified plainly a displeasure ascribed to thē in a maner the blame of all their trouble The Frenche king came with his armie by the borders of Loraine to Saberne the third day of May foure myles from Strasburg a town belonging to the bishop He had before requested them of Strasburg to ayde his armie with thinges necessary For the whiche cause Ambassadours were sent vnto him to Sarburg seuen myles from Strasburg whiche should offer him a certen quantitie of wheate wyne those were Peter Sturmie Fridericke Gotesseme and Iohn Sleidane But the Conestable accompted that as nothynge whiche they offered And albeit the Ambassadours departed from hym in suche sorte as that they would aduertyse
the Senate and after make reporte vnto hym yet sente he the nexte daye two Gentlemen for a spedy aunswere speakyng muche of the kynges great good wyll and zeale towardes Germany and also for what intent the kyng had moued his warre verely that he might restore the libertie of Germany oppressed An other request was that for so much as the soldiours had nede of many thinges they might bie the same in their citie and that artificers might be suffered to bryng forth their wares and sel them within the campe Wherunto the Senate made this answere that in suche matters of weightie importaunce there is nothing wont to be determined but by the consent of the whole state Whan the matter shal be debated they wyll sende agayne Ambassadours to declare what their mynde is Whan they were thus sent away the next daye the same Ambassadours were sent again into the campe which was than at Saberne Whan they were heard speake and offered some what more thā before and had also declared causes why the soldiours might not be permitted to come within the citie the Conestable began to speake displeasauntly and makyng a comparison how partiall iudges they were both of the kynges benefites and also of the Emperours iniuries gaue very sharpe language The conclusion of his talke was that the nexte daye they shoulde heare the kyng hym selfe speake whiche would affirme al that he had nowe sayde On the morrowe were the Ambassadours sent for before the kyng with whome was the Cardinal of Loraine the Duke of Uandome and the Conestable And there reporte vnto hym what talke they haue had with the Conestable at two seuerall times and offer as many rasers of Otes as thei did before of wheate and after also some what more wyne beseching the king that both for the olde amitie that the kinges of Fraunce haue had with the state of Strasburge and also of his owne humanitie he would take in good parte their offer For they haue great force of soldiours within their citie and a great nomber of people also be fled thither out of the countrie so that the citie can not spare that corne that they haue for theyr prouision The kyng after he had fyrst conferred with his counsell began him selfe to declare for what cause he came into Germany to the selfe same effect that the Conestable had the daye before Saying that vitayle was moste necessary and not to be denied any man that would paye for the same vnles he wer an ennemy If the Soldiours want that they wyl fynd a waye howe to come by the same But what inconuenience wold come therof euery man may easely perceiue That thing whiche was offered the kyng in dede refused not but he would haue had it deliuered in bread Thābassadours again in corne Where vpon when they coulde not agree they departed with out the matter concluded Whan the Ambassadours were retourned the Senate made a decree For as muche as no parte of that wheate whiche is in the citie can be spared that there should be as much bread made as myght be in the places theraboutes For the Ambassadours had alledged both to the Conestable and the kyng also that the state of the citie and condiciō of time was suche that from thence was nothing to be loked for But in case any thyng myght be gathered in the countrie belonging to the same they should haue it right gladly And this did the Senate decre least any extremitie shuld be wrought vpon the plowmen and people of the countrey And so that whiche could sodenly be gotten in townes and villages with out the citie was caried to the Campe but that same was very litle Whan the countrey of Loraine and citie of Metz were taken they of Strasburge immediatly toke vp to the nomber of fiue thousand souldiours to defende their citie agayne they pulled down very many aswel publique as priuate buildinges about the citie and cut downe trees and orcherdes and what so euer did let the prospecte or that might be a succour to the ennemie and where moste nede was began to fortifie their citie This same was a great displeasure to the Frenchmen and in the later communication the Conestable did not dissemble the same to the Ambassadours For it is thought howe they were in a certen hope that like as by a certen face of frendship they entred Metz so also they should not haue bene shut out of Strasburg But whan they knewe that the citie was exceading strong and sawe moreouer all thinges prouided so diligently for the defence of the same chaunging their purpose as it is to be thought they tourned an other way and remouinge their campe the seuenth day of May marched towarde Haganawe and Wisseburg Hither came vnto the king Ambassadours from the Paulsgraue Electour from the Archebyshoppes of Mentz and of Treuers commissioners and from the Dukes of Cleaue and Wirtemberge whiche for the common wealthes sake were lately assembled at Wourmes Whose requeste was this that the kyng would absteyne from spoyling the countrie and spare the poore people And for so muche as he protesteth to make warre for the lybertie of Germany that he woulde staye with his armie For if he shuld goe further the same wold be to the great losse and dammage of the Empyre And they requyre hym to geue his mynde to the wayes of peace whereof they bothe haue alreadye made mention to the Emperoure and wyll doe also hereafter and truste that all shall be well Where he writeth of entring into league with him they desire him to consider herein their honour and estimation For by reason of their othe and faith they owe to the Empire they are not able to perfourme it But yet will they do their endeuour that a generall peace may be established Furthermore they require him moste instauntly that he would spare the dominiōs of Strasburg whiche is a fre citie of the Empyre and that by his mediation Marques Albert would intreate more gently the Byshop of Wirciburge At the selfsame tyme which was the .xi. day of May letters were brought to the king frō Duke Maurice wherin was wrytten what was done at Lintz Duke Maurice required moreouer that the kyng whom he wold haue also comprised in the treatie of peace would declare vpon what conditions he would accorde with the Emperour Whan these letters were receiued the kyng vnto whome this thing was thought to haue chaunced vnloked for two dayes after remoueth his campe and leauing Germany marcheth agayne towardes Loraine But before his departure he aunswereth the Ambassadours of the Princes before named How he hath already obteined the same thyng for the whiche he came with his army into Germany For the captiue Princes shall be deliuered And this was the cause of his warre He therfore hath wonne honour enough And if there chaunce any tyme hereafter wherin Germany may requyre his ayde he wyll spare neither paynes coste nor perill And nowe leading
what they wyll doe herein he cōmaundeth them to sende playne worde by the brynger of these letters Unto the whiche letters they aunswer briefly that whylest they be saufe and so longe as they haue lyfe they wyll doe no suche thynge as he demaundeth The Frenche king passing out of Germany with his army deuided in thre partes came at the last to Walderfing whiche is a litle towne of the dutchie of Lorayne by the Riuer of Sare There vniting his armie the .xxv. day of May marching forth and passing ouer the riuer of Mosel what tyme he came into the lande of Lutcemburg he distroied all before him with spoiling and burning prouoked by the example of Rosseme as they thē selues reporte and recouereth the towne of Asteney voyde of soldiours to defende it For Marten Rosseme was retourned home Againe pitching his tentes he taketh a little towne by surrender called Danuillers after that also Iueye one of the chiefest fortes there In the same town was Count Mansfield Ernestus gouernour of the whole countrey with the floure of the youth there with him Al they were taken prisoners Afterwarde was the towne spoyled of the outragious soldiours against the kinges will as they reporte Now let vs retourne to Duke Maurice He for to treate a peace as I said was gone to Passa we There he repeting the treatie that was at Lintz the first of Iune propoūdeth declareth al thinges more at large There were themperours Ambassadours kyng Ferdinando Albert Duke of Bauier the Byshops of Salisburge Eistet and of all the chief Princes of Germany the Ambassadours also of Cleaue and of Wirtemberge and many others besides He complaineth that the state of thempire whiche chiefly ought to be free is gouerned by straungers that thauthoritie of the Princes Electours is deminished that many things be done with out their aduise knowledge That certē thinges also are plucked away alienated frō thempire Howe meanes are deuised that thautoritie of electing thēperour may be takē from thē in cōmon assemblies the Electours voices are in a maner neglected that the priuate conuentions of the Electours are for a certen feare omitted and their liberties infringed whylest the chamber imperiall receiueth those that appeale from thē contrary to the auncient custome That the controuersies of the states Imperial are purposly maynteined and be neuer accorded before either partie haue susteined losse and dammage Howe in the Emperours courte a man can hardly be heard speake neyther is his matter exactly knowen chiefly for that they vnderstande not the tongue and that there is muche losse not only of costes but of tyme also In open assemblies matters are handled nothyng frendly and if any man propounde ought for the common wealth it is taken in euyl parte That Germany is sore impoueryshed and beggered with those ofte and dayly conuentions and at home oftentymes are many thynges neglected and neyther yet is the publique state any whyt amended yea it is made worse and more intricate By strayghte proclamations it is prohibited that no man serue in foreyne warres That suche as be reconciled are bounde that they shall not warre against the Emperours countrey and so are plucked from the Empyre In the Protestaūtes warre such as serued their Lordes according to their dutie were punished by the purse such as in the same war remained in thēperours frendshyp were commaunded to paye also and that their landes and goodes should be put to sale vnlesse they payed immediatly and their Ambassadours bicause they did not by and by assent were commaunded vnder paine of death that they shuld not departe from the court That foreine soldiours haue bene oftentimes brought into Germany and the last warre beinge finished were distributed hither and thither into Prouinces whiche haue done many thinges dissolutely and vitiously and haue gloried of the conquest of Germany and haue sayde how it should be annexed 〈◊〉 the Emperours patrimonie and that in the head cities should be buylded castelles and fortes Howe muche ordenaunce and warlike munition was as it were in a mockerie caried out of Germany into foreine nations Howe diuerse men for a certen ambition haue caused the armes of the Princes of Germany to be set vpon the gunnes which they made for themselues as though they had taken them from thē How there be set forth bokes that with the Emperours priuilege whiche sounde to the great reproche and infamie of Germany as though it were cōquered and brought in bondage That in common assemblees vnder the name of the Emperours prouinces certen men were placed amonges the Princes and states and this to be wrought through secret deuises that the nōber being augmented they may preuayle by the nomber of voices Howe foure yeares past was ordeyned the iudgemēt of the chamber imperial and lawes made by a very fewe which wer after published to the great hynderaunce of many especially of them that be of the Protestauntes Religion For all those are vtterly excluded from that benche Wherfore the thinge it selfe requyreth that those lawes be better skanned in the next conuention These and suche other lyke thynges he propoundeth and for as muche as they chiefly concerne the Emperour he requyreth that they be redressed out of hande and that the Empyre be restored to the fourmer dignitie and that others be not permitted to delude and contempne the same The intercessours conferring together iudged nothinge amisse in these requestes Howebeit to the intent that both the Emperours dignitie should be mainteined and might so much more easely be perswaded they thynke that many thynges whiche concerne the reformation of the state publique may be ryght well differred tyll a generall conuention of the Empyre There was present the French Ambassadour Fraxineus Who the thyrd daye of Iune made an oration before the Princes How betwene the Frenchemē and the Germaines in old time and before the name of Francons was knowen there was so great lykenes of life and maners that the Germains be thesame people whiche the Romaines in times past called the brethren of the Frenchemen But after that the Francons had planted them selues in Fraunce both natiōs were so vnited that there was one Empire one Prince and the same lawes for both Afterwarde whan an alteration chaunced and that th empyre was deuolued to the Germains The Dukes of Saxon other Emperours for that they had their originall of the kinges of Fraunce had continual amitie with the Frenchmē in so much that Philip king of Fraunce caused the auncient league whiche could scant be read for the olde antiquitie therof to be written out in goldē letters and layd vp in an holyer place And verely not without iust cause For during that league of amitie the cōmon wealth of either nation was in dede moste florishing And certenly the force of Germany was thā so great that it prescribed lawes not only to the Hongarians Bohemers Poloniās and Deanes but also to the Italians
And the kinges of Fraūce for the maintenaunce of religion haue warred many times against thennemies of Christendom The Saracenes Turkes both in Asia Affricke Europe and haue had moste noble victories But after chaunced a time more vnfortunate whan certen Emperours as newly entred and not very Germaines nor worthy of the dignitie haue forsaken that amitie with the kinges of Fraunce and haue induced great calamitie to the common wealth But this sore plage through Gods benefite was healed by the noble house of the Dukes of Lutcemburg out of the whiche haue issued certen Emperours men of great vertue linked moste assuredly to the kinges of Fraunce For the father of themperour Charles the fourth died in battell for the kyng of Fraunce The like good will beare also the Princes of Austriche amongest others Albert the firste who neither for promesse nor threatening of the hyghe Byshops could be brought to warre against Fraunce These thynges he reciteth for this intent that they may see howe euell certen councellours and ministers of the moste puissaunt Emperour Charles the fyfte prouyde for the common wealth whylest they worke not thys thinge only that they plucke a sonder the one from the other these two moste excellent nations but also through their craft and subtiltie haue brought this to passe longe synce that the moste noble Prince kyng Fraunces was iudged an ennemie his cause not harde This do they to their owne priuate gaine but to the exceading great hinderasice of the cōmmon wealth For how harde it were for them during the amitie of the two nations to infringe the libertie of Germany and to buylde vp that their kyngdome it doeth hereof sufficiently appeare for that they being nowe affrayde of the force of Fraunce be not so importune as they were nor doe not so muche vrge that Spanyshe yoke and bondage These be verely they whiche by intreatie and tributes obteyning peace of the Turke vnder the colour of Religion and obedience haue brought in dissentions and factions into Germany who ayded with the power of Germaynes haue warred against Germany whiche haue exacted money of all men and made the State of the Empyre miserable by placing here and there garrisons of Spanyardes by vnarmyng the armaries and openyng the waye to confiscation For the matter is brought to that passe that bothe the seale of the Empyre and the iudgement of the chamber and also the ryght and libertie of assemblies depende only vpon the pleasure of the Byshop of Arras For what example is this or what equitie is it that suche as to get their liuing serue in foreine warres should be therfore executed outlawed and with great rewardes set forth be in daūger of murtheryng to omit in the meane season so many murthers lecherous actes spoylynges and robbinges of townes and especially the handlyng of Religion whiche hath not bene after one maner but diuers according to the tyme. Certenly what so euer hath bene done these many yeares nowe tendeth all to this ende that contrary to the lawes of the Empyre kyng Ferdinando being herunto eyther compelled or els by fayre promesses allured the Prynces also by a certen feare and terrour subdued the Prince of Spayne might be made Emperour And shuld not noble courages wyshe for death rather than to beholde the lyght of the Sun in suche distresse and miseries Assuredly there can no man be imagined so very a coward or so barbarouse whō these thyngs would not moue Wherfore no man ought to maruell that in the ende ther should arrise some Princes and amongest them Duke Maurice thelectour of Saxony which thought it their parts euen with the hazarde of their liues to recouer the libertie of their natife coūtrie And they being of thē selues not able nor of power sufficiēt to sustein such a charge alone haue desired the ayde of the king of Fraūce And he doubtles setting a part the displeasure of former yeares hath not only made thē partakers of al his fortunes but hath also imploied him selfe wholy to the same busines making a league with them wherein amongest other thinges it is prouided that thei may not cōpounde with the ennemie but by the kinges consent Howbeit Duke Maurice although he be tied with that same bonde yet for the weale of his countrie and to followe the mynde of kyng Ferdinando requiring him hereunto hath lately demaunded of the moste christian king how he could be content to haue peace Whiche thing chaunced vnto him in dede som what contrary to his expectation for that considering his benefite is so great he supposed that in matters touching him he shuld not haue sent to him a far of but to haue deuised with him presently Neuerthe lesse because he setteth much more by publique thā by his own priuate profites he would deny nothing to a Prince of his confederacie Wherfore if the woundes of the cōmon wealth may be healed as they ought from henceforth assuraunce made that they breake not out again if the captine Princes may be released vpon suche conditions as be in the league expressed Moreouer in case the olde leagues of Fraunce with the Empire and this new confederacie also made of late with the Princes may so be confirmed that they may take place for euer if these thines I saye may be brought to passe he is so well affected towardes the common wealth that not only he wyll assent gladly to the treatie of peace but also wyl giue God hartie thākes that his aduise and helpe hereunto hath not wanted As touching his priuate matters for so much as the Emperour deteineth many thinges by force and hath made warre vpon no iust cause the king thinketh it reason that he the hath first done wrong should first seke also to make satisfactiō He verely althoug he neither distruste his force nor yet his cause will so demeane him selfe that it may be well perceyued both how desirous of peace he is and how willing also to gratifie Duke Maurice them all Hereunto the Princes aunswere Howe that recitall of antiquitie repeted of fourmer memory cōcerning the coniūctiō of Fraūce and Germany was to them right ioyfull and no lesse pleasaūt to heare that the kyng preferreth the common wealth aboue his priuate cōmodities and is not against but that the Princes confederate may conclude a peace with the Emperour For that it should so be it is for the profite not only of one nation but also of all Europe whiche afflicted with ciuil discorde ten deth to distruction And suche conditions of peace as the kyng requyreth they doubte not but that they may be obteyned For the Emperour both before this tyme and also in this trouble thinketh well of the common wealth and wyll not haue the libertie of Germany deminished There is good hope moreouer that he wyll shortly delyuer the captiue Princes But that both the olde leagues should be renewed and the newe confirmed the king of his wysdome vnderstandeth that
in this same conuention so great a matter can not be finished Neuertheles they wyshe vnfainedly that the same amitie which hath bene alwayes betwene bothe nations may remayne ferme and vnuiolable That suche priuate suites as he hath with the Emperour myght be appeased they both couet chiefly and also wyll refuse no paynes and trauell therin And where as the kyng affirmeth that the Emperour deteineth diuerse thinges that ar his and signifieth plainly that he hath thinges to lay clayme to they thinke it not against reason that he shewe what thing that is For they are mynded to preferre the controuersie to the Emperour be as meanes therin And they desire very much that the kyng would accept these thinges in good part Nowe as concerning the alliaunce betwene the Germaynes FreÌ„che men I haue spoken in the eight booke And that whiche the Frenche Ambassadour speaketh here of the house of Lutcemburge thus it standeth The Erle of Lutcemburge Henry had a sonne named Henry whiche was after made Emperour the seuenth of that name he had a sonne Called Iohn whiche by mariage was made king of Boheme Who aided Philip Ualose the Frenche kyng against the kyng of Englande Edwarde the third goyng hym selfe with hym to the fielde and the battell being foughten where the Englishmen had the victory he was slayne and amonges others lefte a sonne called Charles whiche afterwarde was made Emperour the fourthe of that name father to Wenceslaus and Sigismunde whiche were after both Emperours and this Sigismunde also kyng of Hongary and Boheme the procurer of the counsell of Constance Albert of Austriche of whome he speaketh the sonne of Raffe the Emperour whan he was Emperour he obserued perfit amitie with Philip le beau kyng of Fraunce notwithstanding that the Byshop of Rome Boniface the eight did wonderfully incense him vnto warre Duke Maurice besydes the deliueraunce of his father in lawe vrged two thynges chiefly One that of suche matters as annoyed the libertie of Germany the whiche he hym selfe had recited by name kyng Ferdinando MaximiliaÌ„ his sonne and the intercessours themselues shuld nowe forthwith examine and according to the lawes and custome of Germany determine the same Another was that peace myght be graunted to Religion and that no man should he molested therfore tyl suche tyme as the whole coÌ„trouersie were fully reconciled This way did not thintercessours discoÌ„mend but themperour by his Ambassadours declareth what lacke he findeth therin thought it reason that those which had bene faithfull to him and therfore had chaunced into extreme miserie should be first recompeÌ„sed their losse After much debating what time diuerse pointes were mittigated they agreed at the length that the third day of July the Emperour shuld answer directly that the war should cease in the meane time Wherfore thintercessours wryting their letters the .xvi. day of June exhorte themperour vnto peace Whan that castel of Ereberg was taken and afterwarde Inspruck spoyled I shewed you howe the Princes retorning through thalpes about th ende of May came backe again to Fiessa And marching froÌ„ thence the .xix. day of June pitched their tentes at Eistet which is the Byshops town bordring vpon Bauier and ther the whole army longed sore for Duke Maurice coÌ„ming not without great thought carfulnes Who comming thither at the length sheweth them in what case the matter stode and the laste daye of Iune he retourneth from thence to Passaw by post horses that he might be there at the daye appointed and his fellowe Princes remouing their campe the next morning the fourth day after came to Roteburg whiche is a towne nere vnto Francony by the riuer of Duber But Marques Albert neuerthelesse pursued his enterprise and hauing driuen the citie of Norinberge to make their peace he compelled also the nobilitie and states in these parties to be at coÌ„maundement For albeit he mainteined the common cause at the first as in the writing set forth he professed to do yet was he not of the same league and whaÌ„ the siege of Ulmes was leuied he went about his priuate affaires whether it were for that he would wynne to hym selfe alone what soeuer the chaunce of warre had geuen hym or that he myslyked Duke Maurice his doinge or els moued by the Frenche kynge was bent otherwyse Notwithstanding those that he toke the faith of he commaunded to perfourme the same fidelitie also to his felowes Afterwarde inuading the prouince of the Archâ—bishop of Mentz by the Ryuer Meyne doeth exceading muche harme with burning and spoyling and demaundeth of hym a wonderfull summe of money And where diuers made intercession neither yet could thei agree vpoÌ„ the summe The Archebyshop fyrste synkynge hys great Artylarie in the Rhyne the fyrste daye of Iuly fled awaye to saue hym selfe The selfe same tyme also Marques Albert whiche lefte nothynge vnattempted wylleth the Archebyshop of Treuers to deliuer vnto him the chiefest castell of his dominion whiche is situated where the Riuers of Rhine and Mosell mete vpon an hyghe hyll naturally strong and very commodious And he sayd howe he required this of him in the FreÌ„che kynges name He after he had conferred with his counsell sent him worde that he could not accomplyshe his request herein For as muche as the Princes intercessours in the latter part of their aunswere that they made to the Frenche Ambassadour as before is mentioned sayd howe they thought it reason that the kyng should declare what he required of the Emperour The Ambassadour by the kyng aduertised whan he was with the armie besydes Eistet the .xix. daye of Iune wryteth to them agayne how the kyng hath attempted this war for none other cause doubles but to profit the whole common wealth and chiefly to restore the libertie of Germany sore opressed what tyme certen Prynces had long and muche requested hym to the same And assuredly sought no priuate gayne to him selfe therein and that may the thing it selfe beare witnes For he had taken nothyng at al in Germany where it had not bene harde for him to haue done He permitted the Princes also to warre frely as they list And albeit that in the meane tyme that he hymselfe laye styll with his armie by the Riuer of Rhine his ennemies had inuaded Fraunce yet did he not once remoue tyll he was aduertised by Duke Maurice that suche thinges myght be obteyned by peaceable meanes for the whiche this warre was attempted Whiche thing knowen he was not a litle glad whan he sawe the thinge procede after their hartes desire For his aduise and counsell was first that the Princes should not neglect so goodly an occasion as this was neither disceiue them seluws or by others be abused as they were before Moreouer for so muche as he had shewed so notable a token of his good wyl and fidelitie that the amitie of both nations might assuredly be established to thintent that he himself may afterwardes haue better
leasure to se vnto other cōmodities of the cōmon wealth And because Duke Maurice hath demaunded of him in what sorte he would be accorded this is his opinion that he sayth howe the Emperour moued warre against him without any iust cause And the kinges of Fraunce be not wont to desire peace of their ennemy especially of suche one as neither in power nor other thing they be inferiours to Now to propounde any thing vnlesse there were certen hope to obteine that same he seeth no cause why And as touching them selues he supposeth that they wil require nothing of him but that may stande with his honour and dignitie And he so loueth them againe and so estemeth them that in case he may se them treate the cōmō peace of the whole worlde he would for their sakes geue ouer a great parte of his right And is contented also that they shall bothe heare and determine his requestes so that the Emperour refuse not to doe likewyse and wysheth greatly that for the same cause there might some conuention be had as sone as might be And if it may so be than shall all men vnderstande both how much he loueth the common wealth and also howe farre from the truthe are those thinges whiche are bruted of him by his aduersaries cōcerning the Turkishe league But if these thinges can take no place and that all consultations be referred only to his discretion neither can obteine that league of amitie with the Germaines whiche by good deserte he loked for the blame ought not to be imputed to him if there chaūce further trouble to arise These letters were red before the Princes the first day of Iuly Whan Duke Maurice was come to Passawe at the day on the morowe was brought the Emperours aunswere to king Ferdinando Than he whan the Princes were set sayd howe the Emperour in dede had written his mynde but did not assente to many thinges And for so muche as it is so it is not nedefull to declare expressely what thing he hath aunswered to the rest Neuerthelesse to thintent it may appere how greatly he himselfe desireth peace and howe well he wysheth vnto Germany he wyll go with great expedition to the Emperour doubting not but that he shall perswade him Wherfore he desireth ernestly that Duke Maurice woulde be content to expect so long as he may goe and come whiche shall not passe eight daies at the moste Whiche thing when he refused immediatly the king was very importune But that was in vayne and Duke Maurice calling vnto him the Princes and Ambassadours saith how they them selues know right well whiche haue bene present and priuie to all doinges for the space of a moneth that he hath lefte nothing vndone that he might eyther by study or trauel worke to conclude a peace And doubted not but that they wolde assuredly witnesse with him the same Wher fore he requireth them that they would still beare him their good will helpe to further the cōmō cause of Germany for he may graunte no further respite for this long treatie is had in suspition of his fellowes already Wherunto whan they had made a gentle aunswer cōmending his good will they desire king Ferdinando that he in themperours name would make a playne determination For they suppose that what soeuer he did the Emperour would confirme and ratifie Unto this Ferdinando answered that his brother had geuen him no such authoritie For than would he not take so muche paines to trauell to and fro For he might in no wyse passe the bōdes by him prescribed I shewed you before how the Princes that were intercessours by their letters wrytten the .xvi. day of Iune exhorted themperour to peace Unto the whiche letters the last of Iune thempe rour answereth from Uillace How from the time he first receiued the crowne imperiall he hath euer desired peace yea and now wisheth for nothing els Wherfore there is no cause that they should cōmend the same so greatly to him but vnto them whiche be thauthours of these cōmotions And that thei wold so do he requireth thē by the faith they owe vnto him As touching his owne priuate affaires he will for their sakes graunt very muche And concerning the whole pacification he hathe wrytten his minde to his brother king Ferdinando of whome they shall heare al thinges Unto the which letters they write againe the fift day of Iuly what time king Ferdinando returned to the Emperour Howe thei at his request and desire came first vnto this treatie and so muche the rather for that he promised to doe any thing for the commō wealthes sake And how they haue through their exceading great labour carefulnes diligence founde out the way of peace Wherfore they beseche him eftsones that moste intierly that he would haue some respect to the cōmon countrie Many and the chiefest states of thempire keping their faith vnto him haue already susteined great calamitie and nowe the condicion of thinges is suche the occasion of deliberation to be had so brief that the other Princes states especially suche as are nere the fire although they would neuer so faine perfourme vnto him al faith and loialtie yet can they not so do no they are constreined to consult by what meanes they may spedely esche we the present calamitie and distructiō And in case he refuse peace intēding to make warre there wyll doubtles moste greuouse and perillous alterations arrise therof in Germany whiche afterwarde wyll redounde to his prouinces also Wherfore ther were nothing better than that he would content him selfe with the conditions of peace whiche they wyth so great trauell haue procured especially since the chiefest pointes were first approued at Lintz the fourme and fotesteppes of the whiche treatie they haue followed herein Againe for as muche as all suche thinges whiche properly concerne his dignitie are pourposly referred to the cōuention of thempire to the ende they may there more gently quietly be treated The same day wherin this was done Duke Maurice departeth thence and whan he was come to his fellowes the .xi. day of Iuly which that tyme incamped at Mergetheme he sheweth them what is done and saith howe kyng Ferdinando is ryden in poste to the Emperour and supposeth that very shortly he will sende of his counsellours whiche shal bring a full and determinate aunswer And in this doubtfull state of thinges least they should sit stil and do nothing and bycause there was at Franckefurt a garrison of the Emperours of .xvii. enseignes of fotemen and a thousand horsemen at the leading of Conrade Hansteyne so that they of Hessebye were in no small daunder they condescended to goe thither Wherfore whan they had done much harme to Woulfgange Maister of Prusse by burning and spoiling his countrie where they were at the same time marching forwarde through the lande of the Archebyshop of Mentz the .xvii. day of Iuly they come to Frācfurt But the Princes
intercessours and Ambassadours sent immediatly after Duke Maurice and his fellowes into theyr campe Ambassadours whiche might mollifie their myndes perswade thē to peace During the whiche siege George Duke of Megelburge adioyned vnto Duke Maurice euen he which first of all men moued warre against them of Maydenburge was slayne with a great piece What tyme they began firste to besiege Franckfurt the Princes confederated desyre a great quātitie of batteryng pieces of the Paulsgraue Electour who sayeth them nay ones or twyse But whan he myght none otherwyse chose and they threatened to come with their whole armie he gaue them eight of the best he had with all their furniture Kyng Ferdinando retourning to Passawe at the daye which was the .xiii. day of Iuly declareth to the intercessours what the Emperours mynde was in euery thyng Uerely that the matters concerning the Empyre whiche I sayde before Duke Maurice had propounded shoulde not be heard of certen commissioners seuerally but of all men in generall in the whole assemblee of the Empyre Agayne that the cause of Religion should quietly remayne vnto the next conuention of the Empire In the which conuention that which shall seme good to be done therin from henceforth by the common aduise of the states the same to be cōfirmed and ratified Themperour also the .xi. day of Iuly answereth thintercessours to their last letters that like as they haue by their letters so hath his brother king Ferdinādo treated with him diligently to accept And he in dede would gladly haue pleased both parts but he is for diuers causes letted whiche he declareth to his brother for it lieth not in him to cōfirm approue al things indifferētly and wher by thoccasion of this cōmotion diuers without al desert are fallē into much calamity that is he as sory as one man liuing yet hath not the same chanced through confidence in him which put no mā in that hope wherunto he shuld trust For although he sēt vnto certen chief princes that they shuld remedy this euil growing at the beginning of that tumult promising thē al his indeuor yet was not this his mindē therfor that whatsoeuer shuld be propoūded he wold alow the same for such things as cōcern the hole Empire he thinketh resō they shuld be referd to the publik assēblies at the which time verely if any mā shal bring forth any iust cōplaint of him he wil not fail to do his duty which verely he hath not omitted hitherto For sith as yet there hath no such request ben brought vnto him which neuertheles ought to haue ben done before war had ben attēpted he could not cōiecture what thing shuld be required of him much les geue instructiōs to his ambassadors sēt to Passaw what thei shuld answer to euery poynt which in dede for thoffice dignity of his person he intēdeth to do him self presētly wher therfor he aloweth not al things that many perauenture go about to perswade him to ther is no cause why any mā shuld reprehend this in him but those that be intercessors ought rather to perswade exhort thē to resonable moderat condiciōs especially since they se how he doth hardly at the leaste not before he is of necessity cōstraind attempt war which he intendeth not to folow now nether if he may chuse and in case they cā deuise some reasonable conuenient way of peace And seing the case stādeth thus his trust is that they wil declare all fidelity to him rather being their chief magistrate than that they shuld geue ear to such as contrary to theyr duty haue made league with theyr ennemies and raised vp cōmotions he perceiueth and is not ignoraunt what euils approche neare whan both armies are brought forth to ioyn in battel and is exceadingly moued with the losses of the common weale chiefly of thinnocent people therfore minedeth peace as he hath done alwaies and wil refuse no condition reasonable and it is not to be ascribed vnto him that in the mean season whilest he consulted of the condicions sēt vnto him at ii seueral times certen states susteind great losses For ther was a truse al the time of the intercession and wheras during the same time the Marques Albert afflicted diuers the coulde not he do withall For euen from the beginning was he euer against the treatye of peace Moreouer in answering the same he neuer made any delay And if they had perseuered in the same way which by thē was first propoūded afterward altred answer might haue bene much soner more plainlye made yea if they had not shronke from the treaty of Lintz wherof they thē selues make mention al things might haue ben concluded lōg since wher therfor they se how he is minded towards the commō-welth he earnestly requireth them that together with his brother Fernādo vnto whō he hath opened him self wholy thei wold bring them to resonable cōditions therin haue respect to the welth and dignity of thempire for certenly he wil vse the same lenity peaceable wais frō henceforth that he hath done hitherto for that he abhorreth very much al ciuil war but in case peace can not vpon these cōdicions be established he loketh for all fidelity of them whyche are bounden to him He answered than also by king Fardinando to the letters of the French ambassador red vnto the Princes as before is said How he had peace with the French king which he obserued diligently And although he did many things arrogantly proudly yet hath he dissembled the same for a common quietnes but he albeit he promised by his ambassador very largely pretended no such thing made war against him both by Sea and land before he had proclaimed the same How be it he hathe offered this condition all ready that if Duke Moris electoure should in his name bring any reasonable conditions of peace and to former actes agreable he wold not refuse them but ther is no certen or determinate thing propounded and this his drift that wher he hath laid the blame of breaking the peace in him he saith how the way of concorde muste be set open by him also Moreouer he seketh to purge him self of the turkish confederacy as though he had wrong done him but al this is wholy forged for if the case shal so require there may be brought to light shewed the cōmentaries of Aremont the frēch ambassador wrytten at Cōstantinople for a memorial and sent to the king by one Coste a cēturion ther are forth comming also and to be sene the letters of the Turkes lieuetenant in Hongary sent at this time to the Princes confederated others but intercepted wherby it appeareth euidētly that he was the causer of the hurt that the Turkishe nauye did the last yere and motioned also that the like might haue ben done this same yere and that he is right sory that ther is no more harm don
immediatly after declared also to others For besides many others displeasures that you did the Bishoppricke of Halberstat which themperor as you knowe hathe committed to my protection you imposed a great some of Monye and spoyled theyr colledges in the country neuerthelesse The same did you also in the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge which is likewise comprised vnder my tuition and haue exacted Monye of the Northusians and Mullusians And Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke with whome I haue made a league righte honest in dede and not repugnant to the treatye of Passawe you haue persecuted with sword and fire so sone as I had aduertised you by letters of the league and the reast of my fellowes These thinges doubtles be not correspondent to certain of your former letters Now therfore although that king Ferdinando I and our fellowes do greatly desire peace especiallye of Germany euer sence the pacification of Passaw to indeuor that al thinges may be quiet Especially in these parties which thing also very manye of the nobility of Brunswicke which serue now in your camp can testify yet for so much as you haue remoued the war into these parties declare manifestly whan you inuade our fellowes what your intēt is Moreouer for so muche as there is a brute that you are hyring of greater forces though it be in an others mās name which you are not hable to find except you permit them to robbe and spoyle and worke what mischief they list in so much that not only Frankonie but other prouinces also stand in great danger of you which your selfe can not dissemble whilest you saye you will brynge to passe that no man els shall be in better case than you are For these causes I say and for so muche as you leaue no place vnto Concorde king Fernando I and our fellowes seing we are next the dāger are constrained to put on armure to repulse from vs violence and iniury to the end we may deliuer our natiue countrye and recouer the Publike quietnesse For this do the lawes of the Empire not only permit but inioyne vs also and the high court of the chambre imperiall commaundeth vs to aid and assist our neighbors of Frā konye And althoughe at this time that you leuye men in you pretend to do it in themperors name yet knowe we assuredly that the same is forged and famed For he hath declared what his mind is not only to you but to vs and other also and shortly you shal know more what he thincketh But since this our enterprise is attempted for the common wealthes sake and therfore neaded no declaration of our mind yet to thintent you shall not be ignorant we both do protest that we will do hereafter as the thinge it selfe shall require that this your dissolute and more than Tirannicall cruelty may be suppressed And this verelye in oure owne name and oure fellowes we do you to vnderstand and hear testify that the blame of all the calamity that shall chaunce in this warre is wholy to be imputed vnto you which will come to no reasonable condition nether doubt we this also but the euerliuing God will assiste rather those that seke the safegard of their countrye than him that goeth about destruction and warreth on his natiue country What time these letters were deliuered in the campe of Marques Albert the Ambassadoures of the electoure of Brandenburge were sente to perswade a peace Whan he had red the letters he cōsulteth of the matter with his captaines demaundeth of them whether they will take his part Who affirming he calleth for the yong gētleman that brought the letters and tourning his talke to him Thy Prince saith he hathe thrise broken his faith before this and hath done wickedly thys is the fourth fact of the same sort let him come hardly I wil proue what he can do This tell him in my name With these wordes he geueth him certaine crownes in rewarde and sendeth him a waye There the ambassadoures that were intercessors shall we do nothing than say theyrnothing saith he you may retourne home Whan therfore he perceiued the waight of the warre he sendeth Duke Ericke of Brunswick to the Emperor the third day of Iuly and signifieth vnto him how through the policy of certen ther wer many aduersaries raised againste him whiche indeuor that the couenaunts be not only not kepte but also that he might be expulsed out of al his lands and possessions by reason of a new conspiracy and that is he able to proue that certen Princes electors and the chiefest of all Germanye haue conspired to chuse a newe Emperour And the cause why the Bishoppes be so sore against him is long of the iudges of the Chamber He prayeth hym therfore that he would not be offended if he shall attempt ought against them His aduersaries also to bryng hym in hatred and to allure mo vnto them haue reysed this brute of him as though he hath conspyred with him to oppresse the libertie of Germany This doubtlesse haue certen Prynces obiected vnto hym and letters are caste abroade in Germany as sent from the Byshop of Arras howe he verely for this intent hyreth an armie that he myght accomplyshe his wyll For the Duke of Alba shall brynge his sonne the Prynce of Spayne into Germany to the next conuention of the Empyre that he may be denounced the successour of the Empyre With this is kyng Ferdinando so fully perswaded that entryng into league with his ennemies he hath proclaimed warre againste hym He hath verely excused this vnto many ryght dilligently but the suspicion increaseth dayly Therfore is he subiecte vnto great perilles and daungers in a maner for this cause only that he wyll not forsake his frendshyp Wherfore he humbly besecheth hym that he wyll bothe ratifie those compositions of the Byshoppes and also defende hym and his This if he wyll doe he wyll brynge vnto hym whan the matter shall be agreed vpon .ix. thousande horsemen and an hondreth enseignes of footemen In the meane tyme the Norinbergians and the Byshops in the absence of Marques Albert inuade his dominion he publishyng letters blamed sore them of Norinberge as those that had broken their fayth and conuenauntes and entrynge into league with the faulse Byshoppes imbraced agayne the Popishe doctrine Wherunto they afterwarde setting forth a boke make aunswere and recite the whole matter in order euer synce the yeare before howe cruel warre he hath kept how they made compacte with hym howe after by the Emperours permission and consente they made a league with the Byshoppes aboute them howe he hathe refused mooste reasonable conditions offered by the same Byshoppes and againe moued warre agaynste them and howe at what tyme bothe for the league made and also for the commaundement of the Chamber they ayded theyr fellowes he inuaded agayne theyr Countrie lately Amongest others of hys wycked Actes they recite this as a rare example of suche
chayne of Golde as a token of honour Fiue of them studied at Losanna Frenchemen in dede borne but founde at the charges and liberalitie of the Lords of Bernes Whan therfore they had heard that they were taken and vnderstode their daūger they made diligent sute to the king desiring him thei might be geuen to them But it was in vayne where the kyng alledged that he might not doe it by the lawes The Cardinall of Tournon was thought to haue bene the occasion hereof I spake a litle before of the death of the moste noble Prince Edwarde the sixte kyng of England He was in a consumptiō and in the moneth of Ianuary he fell sicke And where as his sicknes increased being carefull for his Realme and Religion he conferreth with his counsell of the matter and inquireth of them vnto whome chiefly he should committe the gouernmēt For albeit that king Henry his father whā he died had appointed next in succession vnto him Mary and Elizabeth as before is sayd yet for so muche as he him selfe was of lawefull yeres he accoumpted it to lie in his power to make his heire especially seing that moste men doubted of the lawful birth of his syster and Mary was also of the Byshop of Romes Religion which if she should haue the gouernment he sawe howe there was great daunger least both this present Religion should be subuerted and the Realme also be gouerned by a straunger Wherfore after deliberatiō had it was agreed to chose the lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraūces nece to kinge Henry the eight Whan the rest of the Counsell and the Maior of London and the Lordes of the Realme had this allowed The Archebyshop of Cantorbury primate of Englande was sent for to the court that he myght subscribe whiche he refuseth to doe vnlesse he maye first heare the kyng speake Wherfore being admitted to his speache whan he had reasoned the matter with him familiarly as he laye he assēted being of him earnestly required hereunto Whan the kyng was departed whiche was the syxt daye of Iuly as before is sayd the fourth daye after the Lady Iane is proclaimed Quene and a proclamation openly set forth howe kyng Edwarde by the consent of his Nobles for moste weighty causes had disherited the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth his systers and lefte the succession of the Realme to the Lady Iane. The Nobilitie and commons toke this moste displeasauntly not so muche for the loue of the Lady Mary as for the hatred of the Duke of Northumberlande where no man in a maner doubted but that he was the authour of this counsell to the intent that by this meane he myght as it were conuey the kingdome into his own house Whylest these thinges were a workyng the Lady Mary fleeth into Norfolke and from thence to the castell of Framingham in Suffolke and wryting abroade for ayde taketh vpon her as Quene That knowen the Duke of Northumberlande assembleth a power and setting forth of Londō marcheth towardes her by the consent of the reste to apprehende her But in the meane season the counsellours that remayned in the citie perceiuing the hartes of the people that the forces of Norfolke and Suffolke resorted to Quene Mary chaunging their myndes and pourpose proclaimed Quene Mary and kepe the lady Iane in pryson After these newes came into the Campe al mē for the moste parte bycause they serued against their wylles hated the Duke do reuolte And whan letters and commission came from Frammingham thei take the Duke at Cambridge and the .xxv. daye of Iuly bryng him agayne into the citie It is vncredible with what rebukes railinges the people receiued hym whylest some cal him traytour some parracide others the murtherer of the moste innocent kyng For in as much as he was thought to haue brought his sonnes wyfe to the Roial crowne there arose a suspicion that he had imagined these thynges longe before and layde in wayte for the kynges lyfe After were apprehended his sonnes and his brother and certē other Nobles and the kynges scholemaister Sir Iohn Cheke knight a mā of great vertu and learning Yet was he discharged afterwardes but put in a maner from all his lsuing After came Quene Mary to London entring into the holde which they call the Towre deliuereth out of prison the Duke of Norfolke who had bene almoste seuen yeares in captiuitie Gardiner Byshop of Winchester and Tunstall Bishop of Duresme and certen other Byshops of the popyshe Religion whiche had bene put from their Byshoprikes and restoreth them to their fourmer places And certenly that byshop of Winchester although in bookes set forth he had defended the doing of king Henry what tyme he diuorsed him selfe from the Lady Katherine the mother of Quene Mary as in the .ix. booke is mentioned yet nowe he obteined the place of the chauncelour whiche is there the highest degree of dignitie For where the lady Katherine alledged the Byshop of Romes licence Iuly the second who had confirmed that matrimony and the kyng againe sayde it was naught and therfore sent the Byshop of Winchester before he was Byshop to Rome that Clement might pronoūce thesame frustrate Who comming thither in the moneth of February in the .xxix. yeare was an importune suter The Bishop of Rome who as the prouerbe is helde the woulfe by both eares where as both he coueted to gratifie the kyng and also feared themperours displeasure aunswereth that he wyll wryte to themperour that the true licence vnder seale might be shewed He assenteth in dede but he requireth to haue two monethes only appointed for the same matter Whan that tyme shal be runne out Gardener requireth the the licence might be compted vnlawfull But that thought the Byshop of Rome both straunge and also vnreasonable and seketh with gentle wordes to satisfie the kyng But the Ambassadour tolde hym playnly that vnles he might obteyne the kynges request it would be to the great hinderaunce of the See of Rome Agayne the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando the .xxvii. daye of Aprill by Ambassadours declare their grief and expostulate with byshop Clement that he fauoured the kyng onermuche and would haue the matter iudged in Englande and also appointed their procurers with large and ample commission whiche should treate and followe the cause in their names at Rome Wherfore the Byshop commaunding at the last Campegius to retourne home reuoketh the suite to him selfe so much the rather for that he vnderstode by the Cardinall of Yorke of the kynges new loue as I said in the .ix. booke The .xxii. daye of August the Duke of Northumberland cōdemned of treasō was beheaded and whan he was brought to the Scaffolde made an oration and amonges other thinges he exhorteth the people to perseuer in the same religion whiche they had receiued of their forefathers as it wer from hand to hande For he iudgeth this to be the only cause of
all the calamitie that hath come into Englande of longe tyme nowe but chiefly since the death of King Henry that they are seperated from the reste of the body of christianitie Of many yeares nowe he had bene of a contrary opinion as he pretended at the leaste and had vtterly forsaken the Popish doctrine And the cause why he nowe spake thus as they saye was for that he was put in hope to be pardoned And albeit that the reste of his talke being finished he sayd he spake as he thought yet be ther some that affirme he was sory for so saiyng what time he loking round about him perceiued no succour sawe that he was begiled And other that suffered at the same time one sir Thomas Palmer knight professed the doctrine of the Gospell with moste constancie And the Duke was condēned as I said of rebellion treason And albeit there were great suspiciōs the he had geuen the king poison yet was he nothing at al examined for that matter Nor in the sentēce pronoūced against hym any mētion made therof Of Peter Martyr the Florentine we haue spoken before whiche going into England six yeres past by the kinges sending for was reader of the diuinitie lecture at Oxforde Whome many made muche of for his excellent learning and vertue but he wanted not also euil willers Wherfor when the king was dead he was commaunded not to styre one fote thence without the pleasure of the Quene firste knowen nor cary away any thyng that he had vnder a great penaltie in case he should doe otherwyse He was content to obeye but whan he sawe he was longe delayed he wryteth to the counselours of the Realme concerning his state and if he had ought offended he requireth that his accuser might be brought forth and the matter examined Wherupon through their permission he came to London There he fyndeth the Archebyshop of Cantorbury his Patrone and frend of whome the Popysh preachers had reysed a brute as though he should be vnconstant wauering as though by his commaundement the Masse were restored at Cantorbury as though he had promysed the selfe same thing to the Quene And bragged with al of a disputatiō that should be After he knewe of this immediatly he set forth a writynge to pourge him selfe and sayth how a terten priest vnknowyng to hym had sayde Masse at Cantorbury he denieth the other thing also yea he protesteth if the Quene wyll geue him leaue to proue that the actes of kyng Edwarde concernyng the Lordes supper and other articles of doctrine be consonaunt to the holy Scriptures and that the Romyshe Masse is cleane repugnant from the institution of Christe for the declaration wherof he desyreth no great nomber but euen a very fewe and amonges them Peter Martyr to ayde and assiste hym And for so muche as the contrary parte adourned their Religion by the commendatiō of antiquitie saiyng that it hath continued aboue a thousand and fiue hondreth yeares he affirmeth that thei be not able to proue the same but he wil proue that the doctrine whiche in kyng Edwardes daies was set forth and is as yet obserued in England is the very natiue and auncient Religion instituted and left vs of Christ and his Apostles Whan he had publyshed this wryting at London about the fift daye of September Peter Martyr the same tyme came thither from Oxforde as I sayd aduertysed by hym of the whole matter commendeth his doing and sheweth him the he wyll refuse neyther paynes nor peryll herein But beholde whylest they are in this expectation the Archebyshop of Cantorbury was committed to pryson and also the Archebishop of Yorke and Rydley Byshop of London H. Byshop of Worcester and certen other Byshops for the profession of the Gospell and for sermons made against Quene Mary by the counselles commaundemēt before she atcheued the crowne Moreouer Hughe Latimer is than also apprehended whome kyng Edward deliuered out of the tower layd in there by his father for doctrine In the meane tyme Peter Martyr albeit he perceiued his daūger yet for that he had nothing offended against the lawes of the Realme trusting to his innocencie thought not good to departe before he had obteyned leaue Wherfore whan he had brought that to passe and receiued his passeporte signed with the Quenes hande he came to And werpe from thence to Collon and after to Strasburge from whence he went firste into Englande and a litle before hym Bernardine Ochine both in health It was once written and signified into Germany that the Emperour should haue geuen coūcell to his auntes daughter Quene Mary that she should gouerne with mercy and not alter Religion nor marie without the Realme For what daūger were in that in case she should chaunge the Religion he knewe best of all men Whether this were so in dede I can not affirme The ende it selfe declareth it to be farre otherwyse For euen for the doctrine of the Gospel straungers being cōmaunded to departe and the natiue countrie men there caste in pryson the Romyshe Religion was wholye restored as shal be declared hereafter The first daye of October after Quene Mary was crowned And not longe after began the Parliament at London But the conuention of the Empyre which the Emperour called against the .xiii. day of Auguste as I shewed in the beginning of this boke was proroged to the first of October than to the moneth of Ianuary After that same battel wherin Duke Maurice was slayne Henry the Duke of Brunswick and the Marques Albert euery of them for them selfe make them selues strong and gather their power about them The Byshoppes and States of Norinberge fed Duke Henry wyth monie But all men for the moste parte marueled at Marques Albert from whence he had al that store Wherfore it was spoken commonly that Quene Mary the Emperours sistes supported him with mony But the Emperours folkes denie that vtterly and maruell that there are any so fonde so to thinke But what tyme the mony was brought to the Duke of Brunswicke somewhat to late he was in very great daunger For whan the Marques had intelligence therof he practised with the soldiours to forsake hym who abode this delaye moste impatiently But very luckely in the selfe same momente whan that heate and mutine began to ryse the .x. day of September was brought a remedy and all the tempeste appeased Duke Henry for his better assuraunce fel at a cōposition with Duke Ericke his cosin whiche was his ennemy before The kyng of Denmarke had long since sent his Ambassadour into Saxon to further the matters of Duke Augustus his sonne in lawe They at the length through the helpe of the Electour of Brandenburges Ambassadours reconcile hym to Marques Albert. The conditiōs were these that Duke Augustus should neither prosecute his brothers warre nor ayde the ennemies of Marques Albert. The same shall the Marques doe and if he
gates for their pleasure being altogether carelesse Wherfore fynding this occasion and exhorting his men to be valiaunt ryding vpon the spurre setteth vpō them quickely and putting them to flight followeth after and entring in at the gates with them whan the towns men reioysing at his sight and presence came running to him he slewe the moste parte of them He founde there great pieces of Artillerie and certen others whiche they call field pieces but without any cariage or furniture For the enemies had caried awaye all that were furnished to make the batterie at Birnte Leauing ther an enseigne of fotemē he goeth to Blasseburg his chief castell After he came awaye from Brunswick Duke Henry beseged the citie and battered it sore with shot But the Byshoppes and they of Norinberge whiche supported all that armie sendyng hym worde that he should repayre to them Duke Henry demaundeth of the citezens about foure thousande crownes Whan they refused this and the Souldiours vnlesse they were payde their wages woulde beare none enseignes they being afrayde of their owne daunger promyse to geue hym so muche Than at the lengthe leuieng the siege whan he had appoynted his Soldiours a daye whan they shoulde be payed he taketh his iourney through Turinge That knowen the Duke of Saxon Iohn Friderick for that he was not as yet made at one with him goeth him selfe his thre sonnes to Gothe leauing his wife at Weymer for that she was not very wel in health Duke Henry being now furnished to take his iourney sending vnto him letters albeit sayeth he I haue had iust cause and good occasion also in these certen yeares past to reuenge the iniuries of fourmer time done vnto me yet for so muche as you were in the Emperours custody I haue attempted nothing against either your subiectes or children but haue permitted the thing to lawe iudgement But you not contented with fourmer iniuries haue holpen now of late also with your ayde and counsel Albert of Brandenburg the disturber of Germany and my vttermoste ennemy whiche I knowe for certentie although you wrought it secretly Wherfore in case my army now shal doe any hurte to your countrie there is no cause to cōplaine therof For that beginning is of your selfe Duke Henry was determined to haue playd the vtter ennemy with Albert Uolrate Erles of Mansfeld for the last yeres war Howbeit through thintercessiō of Duke August whō they sought vpon the matter was appeased Iohn Fridericke receiuing the Duke of Brunswickes letters began to treate with him by ambassadours to mitigate his minde so that he shuld come to Weymer with two guidons of horsemen fiue enseignes of fotemen the residue of his armie be placed in the coūtrie therabout Hither came to him from the Prince Minquice his chaūcelour declaring his cōmissiō perswaded him throughly to quietnes And where before he required a great sōme of monie the same now doth he partly remit remaining there two daies without doing any hurt departeth frendly At the .xviii. day of October began a disputation at Londō by the Quenes cōmaundement of the presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the altar as they terme it The matter was reasoned six daies not without opprobrious wordes where one of the Romsh dictrine Doctor Westō that was proloqutour demeaned himselfe disorderly what was decreed of the same and what was th end of that parliament I wyll declare here after About the end of October Michael Serueto a Spaniarde was executed at Geneua He had many yeares since set forth diuerse bookes amongest other thinges of the trinitie vtterly repugnaunt to that cōmon consent of the church And whan at the length he came this yeare to Geneua the Senate being certified of him cōmaūdeth him to be aprehended and after appointeth Caluine who before had wrytten against him other ministers of that churche to haue conference with him Wherfore there was a great and a bitter disputation amongst them where as he would many tymes tell Caluine he lied very immodestly But the Senate least any thing should be done in so weightie a matter rashely asketh counsell touching the same opinions of the Doctours of Bernes Zurick Basill and Schafusians They all make aunswer that the same thinges redounde to Gods high contumelie And where he wold not only not forsake his opiniō but also with opprobrious wordes cursed speakinges defende the same he was condēned to die Whan he came to that place of execution William Farell did exhorte hym he would not call vpon Christe the eternall sonne of God And where he she wed no token of repentaūce yet did he not defend his cause vnto the people Many men ascribed the blame of his death to Caluine But he setting forth a booke reciteth his opinion and all the matter as it was declareth that heretikes may be punished with death The laste sauing one of October Iames Sturmie a man moste iuste and wittie and the very beaultie of the Nobilitie of Germany both for his excellent gyftes of mynde and notable lerning departeth out of this life at Strasburg whā he had layne sicke of a quartaine by the space of two moneths He was past thre score and thre yeares olde In these dayes Reynold Poole an Englisheman borne a Cardinal comming from Rome goeth through Germany to the Emperour And whan he was come to the frontiers of the Paulsgraues countrie receiuing newes from the Emperour who sent vnto hym Mendoza he retourneth to Dilling whiche is a towne of the Byshops of Auspurge by the water of Thonawe and there attendeth till he shal heare more from the Emperour The Duke of Brunswicke departing from Weymer the seuenth daye of Nouember came to his fellowes Campe whiche was than at Lichtefelse a Towne belongyng to Bamberge In the whiche Towne were placed the Soldiours of Marques Albert a .ix. enseignes of fotemen the selfe same that had bene a little before at Birnthe And the Counte Plauie and his Fellowes had beseged it And what tyme the great pieces of Artillerie came from Norinberge wherwith the Towne myght be battered they makyng surrendrie the tenth of Nouember yelde them selues in their ennemies hādes Who taking certen of the Captaines let goe the reste without armure or enseignes That done they go to Colembach a Towne of Marques Albertes and batter it very sore And the townesmen perceiuing that they were not able to defende it from the ennemie carie out all their goodes and houshold stuffe into the castel of Blasse burge and after setting the houses on fire flie thether them selues also Thus in fine the ennemy entreth the towne and kylling diuerse that were founde there quencheth the fire and spoyleth the reste that was lefte Afterwardes whan Coūte Plauie had taken by surrendrie the castell of Lichteberge and the townes of Biruth and Hofie and rased the walles he besegeth the castell of Blasseburge the chiefest forte that the Marques had
kept with a great garrison This tyme the Frenche men going priuely out of Piedmount vpon the soden take Uercelles a towne of Turin whiche the Spanyardes kept But where they thought them selues hardly able to defend the same being so nere Millan and Gonzago the Emperours lieftenaunt approched also with a power they spoyled the towne and retourned home in due season laden with boties Not long after it was signified and written both from Uenise and other places of Solyman Emperour of Turkes who had hanged his eldest sonne Mustapha for suspicion of treason They reporte that the murther was committed through the procurement of his seconde wyfe whiche coueted to haue her sonne auaunced and to succede his father I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury He and Quene Iane with thre sonnes of the Duke of Northumberlande being brought to the barre in the moneth of Nouember were cōdemned to suffer for treason but according to the custome of the Realme thei were caried again to pryson and through the intercessiō of certen were reserued Sebastian Scherteline of whome ofte mention is made for whose death the Emperour had appointed a great rewarde as in the last boke is declared was at this tyme reconciled to the Emperour and king Ferdinando and recouered all his goodes At the suite of the byshoppes and their consortes the iudges of the chamber imperiall with a solemne ceremonie the fyrste of December do outlawe Marques Albert of Brandenburg as a disturber of the publique quiet and of the Empire dispatching abroade their letters hither and thether and the same set vp openly and permitted his lyfe and goodes to be spoiled of al mē Duke Henry of Brunswicke leauing Counte Plauie at the siege of Blasseburg the sixt day of December goeth with his power to Schuinfurte whiche towne in dede being situated on the banke of the Riuer of Moene the Marques kept with a strong garrison The Duke had an ayde of Soldiours that came from Norinberge and Forcheme But Marques Albert suspectinge the matter firste what vitaile so euer was in places thereaboutes he brought it into the Towne after he burnte all the buildinges about it to the intent he might take away the occasion of besieging from the ennemie that tyme of the yeare Wherfore Duke Henry without any exploicte done hauinge lost also many of his men what tyme the Marques saleed out and fought retourneth home with no great company passing through the countrie of Iohn Fridericke without harme doing Whan Marques Albert vnderstode that he was outlawed by the chāber he sueth to the Emperour that he would reuerse the iudgement But he sayeth howe he may not let the execution of the lawe So than he refuseth the iudgement as corrupted with bribes and rewardes and maketh a protestation in a wryting set forth of the same But the iudges do commaūd the next prouinces of the Empire to se the thinge executed This tyme was holden in Englande a parliament of al the States of the Realme And for so muche as in kyng Edwardes tyme there were actes made of the Lordes supper of ceremonies of the ministration of the Sacramentes of the mariage of priestes of the election of Byshoppes of ordeining the ministers of the churche of the fourme of praying and of such other like thinges In this parliamēt it was enacted that those statutes should take no place but that all men should followe the same Religion whiche was obserued at the death of kyng Hēry Moreouer that no man should moleste or disquiet suche priestes and ministrs of the churche as shal be ordeined hereafter Furthermore the diuorcement of Quene Katherine the Quenes mother is pronoūced to haue bene onlawfull Finally there was debated amonges the Nobles concerning the Quenes mariage and a greed that she should be espoused to the Emperours sonne king Philippe Of whome there went a report before that he should marie his Cosin daughter to Emanuell king of Portugale and to his aunte Elenore Whan this was agreed vpon the Emperour sendeth for Cardinall Poole The cause why the Emperour would haue hym to staie in Germany was this as many supposed least he being of the bloud roiall and well beloued in his countrie should haue bene some let to the mariage In stede of those Byshoppes whiche I sayd before were thrust in prison were created others at this tyme. For the full confirmation of the Matrimony the Emperour sent a moste honorable Ambassade into Englāde which might affiaunce Quene Mary to kyng Philippe being absent The chief Ambassadour was Counte de Egmonde They arriuinge at London about the beginning of Ianuary after they had treated of the matter a fewe dayes bryng it to passe The commons of the Realme toke this matter moste greuously and diuerse also of the Nobilitie and laiyng their heades together do rebelle The chiefe authour and rynge leader hereof was syr Thomas Wiat. Who reysing a rebellion in Kente made greuous and bitter orations against the Quene and her counsell how through the mariage of a straunger they wyll procure to the Realme of Englande a perpetuall and moste miserable bōdage and seke also that the true Religion being extinguished they may agayne establishe papistrie And Kente is a countie by the sea coaste nexte vnto Fraunce by reason of the citie of Cantorbury right famouse The brute of this commotion was brought to London the .xxv. daye of Ianuary and not long after was heard also of Henry the Duke of Suffolke who reysed vp men in Lecester shyre Wherfore the Quene assembleth what power she coulde ouer whome she maketh generall Thomas the Duke of Norfolke lately deliuered out of prison Who about the ende of the same moneth meting with his enemies at Rochester bridge being forsaken of his soldiours was faine to saue himselfe by flight and with much payne came to London Wherfore amongest these tumultes the Emperours Ambassadours to mitigate the rebellion for their own daunger together the first day of February take shipping depart And the same daie came the Quene into the citie of London making in her oration a greuous complaint against Wiat declareth what his intent is and what loue she beareth vnto them and sayeth howe she hath determined nothing of her mariage without the consent of her counsell For she hath liued a good part of her tyme a mayden and doteth not so of mariage but that she would remayne in the same kynde of lyfe styll in case her Nobles and commons iudged mete that it shoulde so bee For that the Realme should be in daunger bycause of her mariage and that all should be ful of slaughter it should be to her moste greuous Wherfore let them perseuer in doinge theyr dutie and assiste her in reuenging the treason of wicked persons For this is their dutie to doe whiche haue commaunded her as the lawefull heyre of her father by common assente to bee Quene Whan she had on
thys wyse pacified them she appointed certen to defende the citie and assigneth the Erle of Penbroke to haue the charge abroade Nowe was Wiat proclaimed before by an Heraulte of Armes Rebell and Traytour to the Realme and to bryng hym in greater hatred there were read his requestes sent vnto the Quene wherof the fyrste as they saye was that he would haue the Quene in his custody that it should be lawfull for him to determine concerning her mariage and either to reteine or displace her counsellours at his pleasure The third daye after was proclaimed a pardon to all the cōmon people so that they would forsake the captaines and authours of rebellion and to him that would bring Wiat prysoner was appointed a great rewarde The Duke of Suffolke was also accompted in the nūber of traitours And wheras the same daye the conspiratours came nere vnto the citie the Quene cutteth in two London bridge ouer the Ryuer of Temse least any should go out to them The next day thei come into Southwarke supposing that the citezēs would haue ioyned with them But they were holden in with a garrison In the meane season the Duke of Suffolke is taken in an other parte of the Realme by the Erle of Huntington whome the Quene sent after him with horsemen Whan the confederates had spent two daies at the citie and traueled on that syde in vayne taking an other way they passe ouer the Temse at King stone ten miles aboue London and so marche towardes the citie There at the laste was Wiat and his felowes intercepted of that power whiche the Quene had sent out with the Erle of Penbroke and committed to pryson The next daye whiche was the seuenth daye of the same moneth proclamation was made vnder payne of death that who so euer had receiued any of these rebelles into his house should brynge them forthe and present them immediatly A fewe dayes after the Duke of Suffolke is brought prysoner to London And the .xii. daye of February the Duke of Northumberlandes sonne Guilford Dudley and the lady Iane his wyfe the Duke of Suffolkes daughter which after kyng Edwarde I sayde was admitted Quene were both beheaded for that contrary to the lawfull succession they had aspired to the crowne And the Lady Ianes mishappe in a maner all men lamented that so vertuouse a Lady so wel brought vp and so learned should chaunce into so great a calamitie for none other cause verely thā that she had not refused the kingdome offered She made an oration to the people very Godly and modeste and calling to God for mercy through Iesus Christe toke a clothe of one of her gentilwomen and couered her own face and bound it about her eies and than offered to the hangeman her necke to be striken of The self same daye was Corteney Erle of Deuonshire whome the Quene a fewe monethes before had deliuered from long captiuitie agayn taken vpon suspicion of a conspiracie made After this in Londō and Westminster where the Quene than was many were caried to execution and that of the Nobilitie not a fewe Some of them also escaping and amongest them a worthie Knight syr Peter Carrew fled into Fraunce The Duke of Suffolke also the .xxi. daye of February was beheaded whan he had bene condemned foure dayes before Whylest these thynges are done in Englande Sibille of Cleaue the wyfe of Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxon the foresaed .xxi. daye of February departeth at Weymer and the .xi. daye after her the Prynce hym selfe whan he had layen a whyle sicke They died bothe in the true knowledge of God And suerly he whan his wyues tombe was a making in the churche had commaunded a certen place to be reserued for hym by the syde therof for that he should shortely followe after Neyther was he disceaued in his opinion For the thyrd daye of Marche about ten of the clocke before noone whan he had heard a Sermon liyng in his bed callyng vppon Gods mercy and commending his spirite vnto God he flitted out of this myserable life into the heauenly countrie And nowe was the composition made betwene hym and Duke Augustus For where the kyng of Denmarke sendynge Ambassadours as I sayd before made great intercession after much and diuerse and almost an half yeares disceptation now at this tyme was the matter appeased vpon these condicions Iohn Fridericke departeth from the Electourshyp from Meissen and from the Townes of mettell mines Duke Augustus disceasing without Heires males all these thinges retourne to the Duke of Saxon his heires males In the meane tyme the Duke of Saxon may vse the name and the armes of Electourship as well in sealing of letters as in coyninge of monie Duke Augustus also graunteth to hym and to his sonnes certen townes and gouernementes and for the debtes that were behynde of certen fourmer yeares whiche Duke Maurice had not payed to his sonnes he payeth downe to the summe of an hondreth thousand crownes He redemeth also the Castell and towne of Conigsperge standing in Franconie and layed to morgage to the Bishop of Wirtemburge for .xl. thousande crownes and restoreth it to the Duke of Saxon his sonnes Finally the league of inheritaunce of the house of Saxon in these fourmer yeares infringed is renewed and established agayne The same composition Iohn Fridericke lying on his deth bed not long before he ended his lyfe confirmed with his wryting and seale and commaūded that his sonnes should doe likewyse Wherfore with a noble courage vanquishyng all euilles and miseries wherinto he chaunced he died not in prison nor in the custody of foreine soldiours wherūto he was appointed but through the notable benefit of God set at libertie and retourning home to his wyfe his children and his owne religion ended his lyfe moste peaceably leauing to his sonnes and subiectes peace and quietnes His wyfe also the Duchesse hauing her owne wyshe left this earthly mansion For often tymes she had saied that she coulde be content to dye with all her harte so that she might first se her husband safe at libertie And the same many times did she pray to the liuing God for with many teares and sighinges The same daye that she ended her lyfe had Duke August a sonne borne named Alexander In these same dayes the rest of the straungers that were in Englande yea and many of the same natiō forsakyng their countrie for the alteration of Religion and the Quenes proclamatiōs conueye them selues into Germany wherof some tary at Wesell some at Franckefurte and many also at Strasburg Iohn Alascus a Polonian a noble man borne brother to Hierome a man of excellent learning went thence before wynter with diuerse others into Dēmarke But where as he was ther not very frendly receiued by reason of his contrary opinion touching the Lordes supper and for thesame cause was denied to dwell in the lower partes of Saxony he came at the
to aduertise me plainly by the bearer hereof Moreouer that according to thauncient custome and pacification of Passaw my ambassadors which shal come to the next assemble of thempire may haue safeconduit Unto this was made answer how the horsmen that were sente to the frontiers of Loraine concerned none iniury towardes him but was done for this intent that in case Marques Albert should make anye sodaine inuasion his enterprise mighte be disapoynted touching his Ambassadoures and the safeconduit for so muche as they haue no commission hereof they will aduertise theyr princes and distrust not but they will do herein that shall be reasonable About th end of Octobre themperor geueth ouer to his sōne Phillip the Dukedome of Millan sendinge messagers to inuest him herein with accustomed Ceremonies The French kinge leuiynge his siege from Rentie as before is said and not long after discharging the Swisses he placed the reast of his soldiors in garrisons And themperor not far from Hesdine which in the yeare before he toke and ouerthrew as is said espying a place conuenient began a new fortification of a Towne and to thintent he might bringe it to passe he maintaineth an army whiche in the monthe of Nouembre destroyeth all Picardy with spoyling and burning as farre as Amias Wherefore the whole force and violence of the warre lighted vppon the pore and miserable people on either side Afterwarde themperor discharging the reast of his armye interteined still a legion or two for him self The same time the French king sēt a new power into Italy and amonges others certaine Almaignes to relieue them of Senes whome the Emperors force and the dukes of Florence besieged hotely At the .xii. day of Nouembre was holden a Parliament in England For the which Cardinall Poole comming oute of Brabant wheras certen ambassadors were commen out of England to cōduit him and amonges them the Lord Paget the xxiii of Nouembre he came to London being right honorably receiued in all places whersoeuer he came and was immediatly restored to his blud and house of inheritance with common assent and consēt from the which king Henry the eight had displaced him The v. day after he came into the Parliament house and in the presence of king Phillip and the Quene whā he had shewed the cause of his ambassade he exhorteth them to return to the cōmunion of the church restore to the most holy father the bishop of Rome his due authority who wil graunt vnto thē all clemency gentlenes he admonisheth thē also to geue God thankes which hath geuen them such a king a Quene Finally wher they haue restored him to his house inheritance he taketh it for a very great benefit and saith he is so much the more boūden to restore them again to the heauēly court and coūtry which he wisheth most of al other things Whē he had spokē to this effect he goth a part Ther the bishop of Winchester being Chancelor repeting his oration and with many words exhorting thē to vnity and concord saith they are boūden to geue God great thankes who of his vnspeakable mercy hath raised them vp a prophet of their owne sede whiche is that most honorable Cardinall which is wholy inclined vnto their saluation The next day when the Nobility and commons had approued thoration requests of cardinal Poole there was drawne a fourme of a petition wherin they beseche the King and the Quene that they would make intercession to him The some of that supplication was this How it repented them sore of the scisme for that they haue denied their obedience to the Apostolicall seat and that they haue consented to the decrees made against the same but from henceforth they wil be at the commaundemente of him and the Quene and will do all that euer they can that all such lawes and statutes may be abrogated the same Parlament Wherfore they mooste humbly beseche theyr highnesse that they wold be meanes and bring to passe that being absolued from the sinnes and censures whith they haue committed againste the lawes of the Church they may be receiued again as penitent children into the bosome of Christes church that from henceforth they may serue God in the obedience of the sea and Bishoppes of Rome to the glorye of his name and increase of theyr owne saluation An other day whan the King and the Quene and Cardinall Poole were present the Chaunceloure standeth vp and pronounceth openly what the states had determined concerninge the request of the Bishoppe of Romes Legate Afterwarde dothe he exhibite the supplication aforesaide comprised in wrytinge and subscribed to the Kinge and the Quene beseching them to receiue it They when they had opened it deliuer it againe to the Chaunceloure to reade Than he demaundeth of all the companye whether they be contente herewith whiche whan they hadde affirmed the Kinge and the Quene arrise and deliuer it to the Cardinal Whan he had red it he exhibiteth vnto them the letters of his commission And than were the same red that all men mighte perceiue that he had authority geuen him by the Bishop of Rome to assoile them After he maketh an oration and declareth howe acceptable a thing vnto God is repentaunce and how much thaungels in heauen reioyse for a penitent sinner and alledging for the purpose manye examples geueth God thanckes which hath put in them a minde desirous of amendement This done he arriseth likewise do the King and the Quene and knele down vpon theyr knees There he than calling vppon the high power and mercy of God besecheth him to loke mercifully vppon the people and pardone their offences And affirming him self to be sent therfore from the highe Bishop Christes vicar to geue them absolution lifting vp and stretching forth his hand as their manner is blesseth the whole multitude and assoileth them After this they go to the chappell Here was geuinge thanckes vnto God playing of the Organes sounding of trōpets and all tokens shewed of mirth and gladnesse as at such times is accustomed They that knew Cardinal Poole before by his talke and manner of liuing marueled much at this his doing and loked for other manner of stuffe at his hand The xviii day of Decembre themperor addressing his letters frō Bruissels vnto all the states of thempire Upon how waighty and vrgēt causes saith he Marques Albert the last yere was outlawed by the iudges of the chābre condemned of treason you haue had certen knowledge by the letters which than was set vp openly and those also which came frō vs afterward And for so muche as he perseuereth obstinatelye in his troublesome and seditious purposes and vndoubtedly goeth about more mischief to thintent he may vexe and plage again oure natiue country of Germany Again forasmuch as he hath hys recourse into sondry places ther which he taketh for starting holes refuge as I am credily informed I thought it necessary for the
cōmon countries sake to renue the former decrees Especially since I beleue there is none of you but both he loueth his countrye and wold prouide for the safegard of him self his lands subiects also wold haue thenterprises of him and his adherents impeched letted Wherfore I charge commaūd vnder the same penalties before expressed that no man aid him or his felowes with any thing nether with help nor counsel relief mony vitails nor artillery And also that nether he nor his fellowes be permitted to make any power or leuy soldiors in any of theyr dominiōs if he attempt any such thing that euerye man let him by alwaies possible and kepe in theyr people and subiectes that they run not oute to him and such as be offēders and will not obey this commaundemente to punishe extremely These letters were set vp in all places in Print At the .xxix. of Decembre king Ferdinando for because of the coūsel wherof I haue spoken before that it shuld be holden at Auspurge came thither and fineding no man there two daies after sendinge both letters and messagers he exhorteth the princes that for so much as they should treat of most waightye affaires of the Empire they would repare thither with spede he him self although to his great losse and hindraunce leauing his own country is commen thither that he might consult with them of the common weale and deuise suche meanes as be profitable necessary for thafflicted state of Germany wherfore let them come thē selues not do the thinge by theyr deputies for so the waightines of the cause requireth and themperor his brother hath geuē him ful authority to treat neither wil he tary them any longer than he neades must Aboute the middes of Ianuary breaketh vp the Parliament at London Amonges many other thinges the restoring of Cardinall Poole was enacted Thactes also of kings of former time concerning the punishing of heretickes and authority of bishops were renued but chieflye the supremacy of the bishop of Rome was wholye restored and all the lawes and statutes that had ben made against the sea of Rome by the space of xx yeares were condempned and abolished Uery many supposed that at the same Parliament king Phillip shuld haue ben crowned but herein was nothing done In the beginninge of February fiue were condemned at London to suffer because they would not returne to the Romish Religion men of excellent learning Ihon Hoper Bishop of Glocester Ihon Bradford Laurēce Saunders Rolland Tailler Doctoure of the ciuil law and Ihon Rogers And he was burned at London where he had taught but the reast were caried euery man home to Glocester Manchester Couentry and Hadley and ended their liues with the like punishment all right constantly A little after also the Bishoppe of Saint Dauid was condemned and sent home to suffer It was wrytten than out of Englād that ambassadoures woulde go to Rome in the name of the whole Realme which shuld both geue the bishop thankes for hys greate clemēcy which he hathe shewed towardes them and promise him also from henceforth al obedience and fidelitye The v. daye of February king Ferdinando though verye fewe Princes were there beginneth the treaty at Auspurge How they them selues knowe for howe waightye and neadefull causes the Emperoure had appoynted this conuention first at Wuolmes after in this Citye to begin at the middes of Nouember And he in dede at the request aduise of his brother wished that the matter might haue ben cōmenced at the same time Howe be it in puttinge his thinges in ordre at home that in his absence all thinges mighte be well gouerned and the neare ennemye be resisted in case he made anye enterprise he was impeched and letted Notwithstandinge at the xxix of Nouember he came hither at the laste to consulte for the common wealth Which thinge also the Emperoure desireth chiefly that is to wit that what so euer cōcerneth Goddes glorye and the tranquillitye of the Empire the same might by the common consente of them all be here determined For how much hath bene alwais themperors dilligence studye paine and care for the zeale he hath to the common country that both the publicke quiet and offences being taken away Religion might be established that is so wel tried and knowen both by all others and also by the decrees that were made in the two laste assembles that it nedeth no further declaration What so euer also he promised at the same time to do he perfourmed in dede but how pernitious cōmotions as well ciuill as foreine haue beyond al expectation chaūced sence by the which all those so holsome decrees were not onlye letted and disturbed but also taken away to the greate damage of the common weale that is so manifest to all men that it nedeth no further rehersall but herein was not the Emperour to be blamed who gaue none occasion of offence vnto any man and hath alwais dealt vprightlye and constantlye and whatsoeuer the sclaunder of his aduersaries be hath chiefly had respecte to the common profit neither doubteth he but they also beleue the same and hold him clearged in this behalf Wher therfore to remeadye these euils themperor hath called this counsell he was certenly purposed to haue ben present him self at the whole treatye but deteined by sicknesse and other affaires he could not yet neuerthelesse he would not that the thing should be longer delaied to thintent verely that bothe this euill increasing might be restrained and he mighte do his duetye to his country which he loueth aboue all other thinges Wherfore he hath made him his Uicegerent and geuen him ful authoritye that together with them he maye deuise meanes bothe honourable and also profitable for the common weale and for the same purpose hathe sente certen men and ioyned them with him in commission to treat of the same and the chief and principal matter shal be concerning Religion For this so long a dissention hath ben the head and welspringe of all these tumultes and miseries that these many yeares now so manye thousandes haue loste not oulye their liues but also their souls and eternal saluation is altogether long of this and that same is so manifestly known that it neadeth no further declaration For doubtles it is a lamentable and an heauy sight that those which are al of one baptime name Empire and lāguage shuld be thus torn a sōdre in the professiō of the same faith which so many hundreth yeares they haue receiued of their elders as it were deliuered from hand to hand but the case is much more greuous for that there ariseth daily not one sect or two but diuers whilest euery man wil maintain his own opinion Whiche thinge doubtlesse is bothe to the reproche of God and breaketh the bonde of charity and disturbeth mennes mindes in such sort that the vulgare people knoweth not what in the world to beleue but the greatest mischief of
all is that in these so greate erroures very many by little and little growe vp in and that there be found diuers as wel of the chiefest Nobility as of others which setting cocke on houpe beleue nothinge at all neither regard they what reason what honesty or what thing consciēce doth prescribe and this is done both to the great hinderaunce and daunger of innocent youthe And certainly it were chiefly to be lamented if Germanye which hath had so manye yeares the chief praise of Religion and vertue shuld now be so abased and so far degenerate that it mighte not be compared with the heathen people of old time neither oughte to be preferred at this daye before the Turkes also and Barbarians nor in thys poynte to be thoughte one whit better and because there hath bene no redresse made hitherto of this great enormity althoughe many conuentions haue bene had therefore for that fewe men cared for it for because those whome it best became to remeadye it partlye wincked therat partly seruing the time had a respect more to their priuate commoditye for this cause the euer liuinge God hathe of longe time nowe plaged all Germany and certaine states priuately with diuers calamities in so muche that the same region which in times past for nombre of people excelled in strengthe and valeauntnesse and was hable easily to repulse all foraine violence the same being rent and torne with dissentions warres and commotions as well ciuill as foreines is now in greate daunger and tendeth to vtter destruction excepte God do wonderfullye preserue it Therfore is it neadfull that euery magistrate indeuor for his part herein to do his duetie and haue an especiall regarde to the cause of Religion wherein bothe Gods honoure and the honestye of life also is conteined Moreouer ther hath benmo waies than one deuised to appease religion but that an vniuersall free and godlye counsell mighte be had semed alwaies from the beginning not only to the Emperor but also vnto them all to be the best waye For because that in as much as it is a matter of our faith it apperteineth not to one only people but also vnto al other nations of christendome which must doubtlesse be called to the same that what vices soeuer be in any place they may be reformed and taken away Therfore did the Emperor both for his own duetie and at theyr request also labor this waye to the vttermost of his power and at the length brought it to passe that such a counsell was oftner than once called and sometimes also commenced but what impediment ther was at euerye time and why no frute of the same returned to the common wealth that doth he leaue to his place doubting not but many of them whiche were either at the Counsels them selues or hadde their deputies there know the matter well inough And now if they be so contente that the same ordre of the counsell maye be repared to and take place which thing verely is aboue all others to be wished for of almighty God he will not only assent thervnto most willingly but also apply the thing with all study faith and dilligence And than in dede is this thing only to be consulted of how those causes that wer before a let and impediment might be auoided and taken awaye but if for the tumultes of warre and tempest of the common wealthe they shall thincke mete it be differred vntil an other time more quiet he is content that other godly and tollerable waies be debated that in the meane season the people and all states may liue peaceably and be kept vnder an honest discipline to the glorye of God alwaies and with a safe conscience In former yeares in dede there was ofttimes mention made of a counsell prouinciall as thoughe the same were most fit and conueniente for oure purpose but for so much as bothe the name manner and fourme thereof in ouretime hath not in his opinion bene much knowen and accustomed he can determine nothing therof at this present The third way meanes hath bene diuers times assaied by talcke and conference of learned men And all be it the same hath commen to small profit yet is this well perceiued that many and that the chiefest poyntes might here by haue bene reconciled in case the matter had bene handled wyth a godlye zeale and no respecte had to priuate commoditye of either side which thinge neuerthelesse he woulde that no manne shoulde thincke spoken to his iniurye of this waye therfore we muste take further deliberation also And all be it that themperors deuise and purpose touchinge the same matter who all together mente good faith was otherwise taken in former yeares and had small thanke of either partie yet doth he againe if they shall thincke good so not mislike the same if the parties also will treat sincerely if all affections laid a part and obstinacy set a side they will haue before theyr eies Goddes glorye onlye and the common saluation of all men he will shew herein all faith and dilligence he can perceiue none other way at this present that is conuenient but in case they haue anye other thing that is more mete for this purpose it shall be lawful to declare the same An other part of this consultation is concerninge peace and whan certen yeres past there were lawes made hereof themperor and he had supposed that they had well prouided for the common quiet but th end now declareth that it was not sufficiently foresene for that they might not condempne nor outlawe the rebels and seditious parsons vnlesse they were first cited to appere and after all due order of iudgement conuicted where they in the meane season hauing time and space did afflicte diuers without any desert it was also prouided in former actes that if any man suffred iniury or were by force inuaded his next neighbors should assist him but it is not vnknowen to them what impedimentes haue chaunced Therfore must they consult and way with him diligently how these two poyntes of the law maye be amended that bothe vnquiet and troublesome persons may be made a feard and suche as are faithfull to thempire may know assuredly that they shal not want aid against force and violence which thing may now be done so much more commodiously for that the foundation hereof is laid of late at Woormes and at Frankfurt Wherfore they shal do wel if they follow the consultation there begon and bring it to an end He exorteth them moreouer to consult of establishing the iudgemēt imperiall of publicke contribution of Coyne and of other politicke thinges and hitherto to applye all their deuises by what meanes these domesticall euils dissentions tumultes seditions and force may be taken awaye and cleane roted oute and herein to consider chiefly the state of thempire and to se in how greate daunger Germany standeth not only by reason of the cruell Turke but for other ennemies also which nothing lesse than the
to the states in suche sorte as I shewed you in the last boke The ministers of the churche driuen out of the lande of Boheme the learned men that were in Meissen and in Wittemberge and amongest others Melāchthon comfort them with an epistle and shew the craft of the cōtrary part who affirmed that they kept a necessary order in the churche that those whiche either had not receiued orders at the Byshops hande or had wynes could not minister the Sacramentes For this cause of expulsion they fayned that they should not seme to haue a desire to oppresse the true doctrine but these men shewe how it is a starke tyrāny that maried priestes should be put from the holy ministery For Sathā was the authour of prohiting matrimony as it is euidēt by the scriptures And that we ought not to seke to be ordeined of the byshops that are the open ennemies of the Gospell and defende idols but of that fellowship which hath pure doctrine therfore hath the keyes of the kingdome of heauen For it were to absurde daūgerouse if Shepeheardes should be ordeined of wolues The churche to haue had alwayes right to chouse mete ministers and that so was the decree of the counsell of Nice And they that were so chosen and tried to haue bene confirmed of them that gouerned Godly congregations The same maner to bee nowe also obserued and therfore that it is a sclaunder to saye that they disturbe or breake order Since therfore the matter is so and that for the true professing of the Gospell they be expulsed they ought to take this calamitie so muche more moderatly For God wyll not fayle them in his tyme And that they be ready with theyr next churches to shewe them all loue and hospitalitie Where the Frenche men at the Ides of Decēber of the yeare before had by the conduit of Brissake taken Eporedia a towne in the Alpes by the water of Durie This yeare the third daye of Marche they intercept the town of Casale nere vnto the Poo wherin was a garrison of Spaniardes and Almaynes vpon the sodayne and with in a fewe dayes after the Castell also Afterwarde bringe many other thinges into their subiection And amongest others thei rase and make euen with the groūd Ualence and Saluadore The sixt day of Marche August Duke of Saxony Ioachim Marques of Brandēburg Princes Electours The sonnes also of Duke Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraue certen other Princes of thesame countrie assemble at Numburg vpon the Riuer of Sale there renew the league of inheritaūce whiche is betwixt the houses of Saxon Brandēburg Hessia as I shewed in the .xxiiii. boke also determine that they would sticke constantly to the cōfession of Auspurg And least there should any suspicion arise of any new or secret coūsell the fift day after that they came thether they signifie the cause of their assemble to the Emperour in wryting In the former yeare what time a compact was made betwene Augustus Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie this was also agreed vpon y◠the old familiar leage should be renewed To witte that league whiche was made an hondreth yeres since more after established by a lawe And therfore that they haue now met for the same cause as that league was profitable to their elders all the people so likewyse thei trusted that it shuld com thē luckely to passe since thei sought for nothing els but peace trāquillitie did it to the displeasure of no man Moreouer that after the maner of their aūcesters they haue excepted his highnes his brother king of Romains and as they intende priuatly to kepe mutual amitie amongest thē selues so wil they also openly doe that their dutie requireth which may become obedient Princes of thempire And that in Religion they wil not procede any further than is limited in the confession of Auspurg but for as much as in the same are cōteined the chief articles of the Christian doctrine no wicked sedicious opinion can be found therin thei wil through Gods grace perseuer in thesame doctrine neither wil they fayle also the cōmon welth of Germany so far forth as thei are able with their trauel counsel treasures And for as much as at this time being not moste quiet for the auoiding of a further discōmoditie they abide at home they haue sent Ambassadours to thassēblee of thempire who haue in cōmaundemēt to refer al their counsels doings vnto peace so that neither for religiō nor any ciuile cause any force or violēce should be feared For the peace once established it shal be an occasion that other cōtrouersies may be the better appeased That the state doubtles of the cōmon welth now is such that it is great nede to ioine together all their forces mindes that a wyder entrie be not set open to the Turkes to inuade vs How they know wel enough howe greatly he desireth that so sone as may be a sufficiēt army might be prepared to repres thennemies violence Wherfore now in case such a peace might be established ther is no doubt but the states of thempire wold gladly imploy their substaunce vpon the same war which verely hitherto by reason of sondry tumultes ciuile discordeshath bene omitted That they wil be alwaies ready haue cōmaunded their ambassadours to offer these thinges in their name at the counsel thesame day they write to king Ferdinādo in a maner to the same effect as before I said the Duke August did by his Ambassadours For both they vrge y◠same cōpact of Passawe shew how desirous they are of peace Thei cōmend the doctrine cōfessed at Ausperge and exhort him to confirme the peace and also pray him that he wold geue no credit to such as haply seke to disturbe the quiet of Germany At the Ides of March the Archbishop of Mentz departed out of this life whom we saied to haue bene at the counsel of Trent after was put to flight by Marques Albert Whom Daniel Brēdel succedeth The. viii day after that byshop of Mentz which was the .xxiii. day of March dieth Pope Iuly the third Who for bicause he had so easely beyond al expectatiō recouered England was thought to haue cōceaued also a wōderful hope of Germany And had therfor sent thither Cardinal Morone who the next day after that he was dead came to the coūsell of thempire at Auspurg But with in eight daies after hearing newes therof the last day of March he departeth thence againe and with Truckesse Cardinal of Auspurg spedeth him to the Electiō at Rome The Cardinals that wer at Rome not tarieng for the rest made hast the .ix. day of April proclaime Pope Marcellus the secōd of that name The same that was sent Ambassadour with Cardinal Farnese to the Emperour of Paul the third as I shewed you in the .xiii. boke The Cardinal of Auspurg a fewe
daies before that he went to Rome by his letters sent to the Senate of Princes Ambassadours sheweth that he desireth in dede peace by al meanes but in any wise to cōsent that the dignitie of the Sea Apostolique or the olde religion should be defaced he will neuer permitte In the meane time they of Sene who nowe by the space of eight moneths to wit euen from the time that Peter Strosse receiued the ouerthrowe as is shewed in the last boke were besieged with the power of themperour of Cosmus Duke of Florence driuen for want of all thinges where no ayde appered the xxi daye of Aprill yelde thēselues to thēperour are ruled by a garrison of soldiours lieftenaunt of themperours armie was the Marques of Marignane twyse famous by the policie of war Thre yeres since what time by thayde of the French king the Spanyardes beinge discomfited they Rased the Castell they of Sene sending Ambassadours gaue the kinge as harty thankes as they could deuise and from that time forewarde cōmended to his tuition them selues and all that they had Marcellus the second newly created Pope the xxii daye of his creation in the night that goeth before the first of May chaūged his life for death Alitle before wercome to the citie forduties sake and to salute him Hercules Duke of Farrare Guy Ubalde Duke of Urbine For they had preuēted others who neuerthelesse should haue come The Cardinals assembled in the Conclaue the .xxiii. day of May proclame Cardinal Theatine Pope Thesame was Iohn Peter of Naples Deane of the College a gentleman borne of the noble house of Carastes a man of aunciēt yeares notably learned Chaunging his name he called him self Paul the fourth Paul the third had chosen him into the nomber of Cardinals And he is the self same that began a certen new secte of those whiche are called Iesuites and haue nestled not in Italy only but also in certen places of Germany Not lōg after he created his nephew his brothers sonne Cardinal the same was a man of warre and that a chief captayne seruing for the moste part the Frenche Kyng I shewed before in the last boke how Poole thenglish Cardinal went to themperour French king to sollicite moue thē to peace and handled the cause both by wordes writinges amongest other thinges which he vsed to perswade them Whilest you saith he kepe ciuile war the Turke doeth very much to inlarge his dominion And hauing wonne by Sea land two strong holdes Belgrade the Rhodes hath made him a way open to Offen hath the possession of Tonowa And if God had not stired vp the king of Persia to be his aduersary it is to bee thought that he might haue already subdued to him self al the prouinces of Christendom By this selfsame occasion haue euil Christiās also increased in sondry places with so much a deprauation corruptiō of al discipline aswel ecclesiastical as ciuile that now your power is not great inough to suppresse thē For this declare welenough so many rebellions which are stired vp euery where the duties of religion neglected heresies scismes which in the meane time spring vp are increased After in an other place ye ought to consider saith he that you ar the Princes of the Christen Beligion And albeit that God hathe permitted Sathan thauthour of all euil which is altogether in this that he might sift the churche wynnowe it like wheate to styre vp war amongst you which are two of the chiefest moste noble mēbers of the church yet hath he not suffred his wickednes further than to prophane and ciuile matters For in Religion he hath kept you sounde of one and the same opinion and annexed to the body of the churche For els coulde there hardly be made againe any concorde betwixt you And where as so many other Princes haue reuolted from the churche and that thennemy of mankinde hath attempted so many thinges yet hath God moste benignely loked vpon you and hath made his enter prises frustrate Wherby as by a moste certen token of his goodnes and clemencie towardes you he sheweth that he wil at the length vse your ministerie wil ioyne you both together with his vicar in earth to the intent verely that such hurtful dissentions may be taken a way and that as well in the state ciuile as sacred peace may be restored to al mē Many such like thīges brought Poole threatening them also with the wrath and vēgeaunce of God vnlesse they leaue and releaue the miserie of the afflicted people And although he preuailed than nothing yet whilest the matter went forwarde in Englande he holdeth on And the matter at lēgth was brought to this point that both the Emperour and the Frenche king refused not to sende Ambassadours to the treatie of peace But the Quene of Englande who was a meane in this matter appointeth a fit and mete place in the myddes of the playne betwyxt Caleis Arde and Grauelyn Townes of the Englyshe Frenche and Flemishe dominion set as it were a treangle and intrenchynge the same rounde aboute wyth Ditches buylded there foure Pauilions Sommer houses in deede but yet fyne and fitte for the pourpose In this place therfore the .xxiii. daye of Maye this yeare the Ambassadours mete from the Emperour amongest others came the Byshop of Arras From the Frenche kyng the Cardinal of Loraine and the Conestable Out of England came as peacemakers Cardinall Poole the Bishop of Wynchester Chauncelour the Erle of Arondell and the Lorde Paget This brute blowē abroade far and nere styred vp diuerse expectations and iudgementes of men amongest the chiefly vnto whome the controuersies were not vnknowen For there came in question the Dukedome of Millan Burgundy Sauoye Piedmont Corsica Nauerne Loraine the lande of Luke the cities of Tully Uirodone and Metz. The matter being long much debated where amongst other thinges at the last the Englishe intercessours sayde how certen of these controuersies ought to be referred to the hearing of the generall counsell they departed and nothyng finished Kyng Ferdinando and the states of the Empire sendinge their letters to the Emperour the fourth Ides of Iune had praied him that in the treatie of peace he would haue consideratiō of those thinges whiche the kyng of Fraunce had taken from the Empire Where therfore nothing was done the Emperour wryting againe to the states the .xv. day after your duty saith he is to me ryght acceptable that you are so moued with the calamities of those thinges whiche both mine and also the publique ennemy of the Empire hath afflicted Doubtles I was very careful that suche thinges might be restored to their fourmer estate And before your epistle was deliuered me I had inioyned mine Ambassadours chief counsellours sent to treate of peace that amongest other thinges they should handle this same moste diligently nother should they
Rome homewarde The Pope allowed well enough al other thinges that they had retourned to repentaunce and craued pardon But that the churche goodes should not be restored he saide it was in no wyse to be suffered Amōgest the Ambassadours was the Byshop of Ely The king of Denmarke had a nauie at that time which sailing towardes the North made men to talke diuersly For some said it was done by the Emperours counsell who mynded to put the kinges sonne or his brother in to the possession of Scotlande Others sayde it was prepared for the vse of the Frenche kyng others for this cause only that if the Emperour or king Philip his sonne whose power was waxed great by reason of Englande should straye any further they might be restrayned And therfore were the cities of the Sea coaste thought also to haue borne the charges of the same nauie After lōg and great expectation all this rumour vanished away and all this preparation was found to be made against Pirates Than was the state of Rome troublesome For that Pope hauing cōceiued a suspicion of certen nobles prouided him garrisons and placing soldiours here and there in the Citie committed Ssortia Cardinall of Sanflorian and Camillus of the house of Columnois to prison And for as muche as they were of the Emperours part many men thought he went about a greater matter And that suspicion was increased what tyme he required of the Duke of Florēce the Emperours client a wonderous great summe of mony whiche both Clement the seuenth lent Alexander Medices and lately Iuly the third lent him at the siege of Sene. The captiue Cardinalles at the length putting in suerties are inlarged The Spanishe flete that tyme came towardes Flaunders laden with all kynde of Marchaundise And when it came vpō the coastes of Normandie the Frenchemen whiche knewe it long before set vpon them with a great force And the fight conflicte was terrible the shippes being sunke and burnte on either parte and very many loste wherof some with weapon others with fire many swallowed vp of the billowes did perishe The Frenche men caried away certen shippes that they toke into Depe hauon from whence they came This was in the monthe of August whereas about the end of the same moneth kyng Philip sayling out of Englande into Flaunders came to the Emperour his father at Brusselles accompanied with the Nobles of Englande Truckesins Cardinall of Auspurge had a fewe yeares past founded an Uniuersitie at Dillinge a towne situated vpon the Riuer of Danubius by the wyll and permission of Pope Iuly the thirde who had graunted for the same a publique bull with exceading great fredoms priuileges as a wryting set forth in print declareth Hither therfore amonges other came he whome themperour of many yeares had vsed for his ghostly father or confessour as they terme him Peter Asot a Spaniarde a blacke freer He this yeare began with a contrary wryting to impugne the booke conteyning the sōme of the christen doctrine the which boke Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge sent by his Ambassadours to the fathers of the counsell of Trent as before is sayde whiche also he was not afrayde to dedicate to the same Duke But Iohn Brentius about this time aunswereth it at large and confuteth his sophisticall reasons Whiche boke of Brentius Uergerius afterwarde translated into Italian to the ende that men of his owne nation might vnderstande both what thing came in to controuersie and whether parte handled the scriptures more purely and sincerely About the Ides of September George Counte of Mountpelicarte vncle to the Duke of Wirtemberge maried the Lady Barbara the Lantgraues daughter After the arriuall of the Duke of Alba in Lumbardie the king of Fraunce also sendeth thither new ayde and many warlike captaines which ioyned them selues to Monsour Brissake as companions of his perils and fortune There is a towne wherof we haue spoken before called Uulpian which fortified with a garrison of Spaniards was a great annoyaunce to Frenche matters seing that from thence roades were made as farre as Taurin and further To the intent therfore that this only let might be taken away that they might haue victualle the Frenchemen towarde the ende of August besiege it with al their force and batter it with muche harme done and receiued At the length the .xxii. day of September they take it by surrendry and rase the walles both of the towne and Castell and make it in shape of a Uillage And a fewe dayes after they take also the Towne and Castell of Mountcalue betwixt Aste and Casale The dissention that hath bene nowe these .xxx. yeares betwixt learned men aboute the Lordes supper and of the presence of Christes body began at this time to be renewed and bokes were set forth by the ministers of the churches of Breme and Hamborough namely againste Caluine Iohn Alascus Caluine afterward aunswereth sharpely and defendeth the cause Thesame doeth Bullinger and Iohn Alascus also For setting forthe a booke to the Kyng of Poole he complayneth and bewayleth that there is no examination had or made by talke or cōference of the sentences but that the opinion is only condemned by preiudice verely after the maner of the Papistes whiche also procede not by argumentes and scripture but only by wyll and violence About the end of September Augustus Duke of Saxony had a sonne borne called Magnus his Godfathers at the fōtstone were amongest others Henry Duke of Brunswicke and Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraues sonne in lawe I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury of Ridley Byshop of London and Hughe Latimer howe they being caried to Oxforde and reasoning with the diuines there were of them condemned being therfore kept in prison vnto this tyme nowe at the last in the moneth of October Ridley and olde father Latimer were burnt The Archebyshop was also brought forth with them and at the place of execution did openly call vpon God for mercy with them but he was lead againe to pryson In this same moneth the Cardinalles of Lorayne and Tournon went to Rome Then also the Senate of Paris whiche they cal the Parliament aunswering the king to that whiche the Cardinall of Loraine requested them to as before is mentioned By that proclamation of yours say they whiche came forth foure yeares since moste mighty kyng you reserued to your selfe and to your iudges the examination and punishment of Luthers heresie Neither in it was any thinge exceptep vnlesse it were what time it required any declaration of heresie or that sentence were to be pronounced of suche as had taken orders But this proclamation of yours that is now set forth doth plainly establish the contrary For it submitteth the people of your Realme to the ecclesiasticall iudgement and to the Inquisitours and by this meane it diminished your dignitie wherby you excelle all men and geueth to your subiectes a
iust cause of grief when they being of you clerely destitute ar made subiect to foreine power But herein a great deale more inconuenience shal be when all their goodes lyfe health dignitie shall be at their pleasure the helpe of appealing being taken away For verely appellation is the refuge and sanctuary of innocencie And you are the protectour and defendour both of the appellation and also of innocentes yea besides you no man hath any right ouer the people But and if the lawe and iudgement be nowe committed to the Inquisitours and Byshops officers appellation taken away this were to set open a wyndowe and to make a waye that euen innocentes might be condemned and lose both body and goodes For they being indewed with so great power to witte the kinges ful authoritie will forget their dutie and will kepe no measure what tyme they shall see euery degree to them subiecte and not only common persones but also Noble men Princes to stande in their hande Howbeit yet this meane waye may you take that your iudges shuld heare the cause and geue sentence And if there be any obscure opinion that the same be determined by the clergie Let thē also that be with in orders be iudged of their owne men Concerning appellations let a wrytyng be obteined of the Pope wherby this may be permitted to your iudges And when the matter shall come to this issue that iudgement must be made of suche as haue appealed let there be present certen of your chosen counsellers of the ecclesiasticall order or if suche wante other tried and fit men In the inquisition let this be obserued that the Popes Inquisitour doe substitute and place vnder him in prouinces men of vpright fame and good men that the Byshop doe beare the whole charges and not the defendaunt yet so that the matter being determined the costes be required of whome it behoueth These thinges tende to this ende verely that suche maner of controuersies may be restreyned within certen boundes and limites Notwithstanding for as muche as it appeareth by the punishement of Heretickes al though it be necessary that this hath hitherto bene thereby brought to passe that their facte should be detested rather than that they should be amended Moreouer for bicause it is much better to remedy the disease in time than to geue it space whilest it may increase and after to lay to a medicine it shal be law full for you moste mercifull kyng herein to followe the maner and steppes of the olde primatiue churche For the same was not established either by fyre or sworde but the diligence of the Bishops did euer resiste Heretickes whylest they both preached to them oftentymes Gods worde and shone before them in example of good lyfe Since it was therfore in tymes past by this meane firste confirmed it may nowe by the same also be reteyned and kept so that you would only execute that whiche lieth rather in your power to do This verely that Byshoppes Pastours of shepe should them selues gouerne their churches presently Let also the inferiour ministers do the same Againe that from henceforth suche be made Byshops as are able them selues to teache the people and not to substitute deputies in their steade This is the rote that must be tilled vpon this foūdation must we builde for so may we hope well that heresies wyll by litle and litle vanishe away But in case this waye be neglected it is to be feared least thei wil increase more more what proclamatiōs so euer be finally made or what remedies so euer be vsed This was the .xvi. daye of October when they signified these thinges to the king by Ambassadours letters Then also the Princes that were vmperes for the controuersie of the gouernemēt of Chattes mete againe as was appointed First at Bacherach afterwarde for the sickenes of the Paulsgraue at Wormes The matter in dede was ended and a certen somme of money agreed vpon whiche the Lantgraue shoulde paye to the Erle and abyde styll in possession But where the Erle vnlesse the mony were payd at a certen time would haue this compact to be vaine and his action to remayne to hym whole And the Lantgraue whiche had sent his sonne thither as before reiected this condition they departed the matter not finished In this same moneth the Emperour calleth before him at Brusselles the rulers of all states and speaking of his sicknes sheweth them amongest other thinges that he would goe into Spayne and geueth ouer his gouernement his right and all his power to Philip his sonne and exhorteth them to their dutie These newes were spred abroade ouer al Europe far nere and a nauie was prepared and the day appointed for his iourney at the Ides of Nouember But by litle and litle this brute waxed colde and because wynter was at hande they sayde his nauigation was differred to the next sommer Nowe must we come to the counsell of the Empire of what matters they should treate kyng Ferdinando the fifte daye of February had propounded as is sayde in the ende of the laste booke But where many came very slowly they began not before the nonas of Marche Than at the laste the Ambassadours of the Princes Electours doe consulte of what matter they should first treate And although there were many against it yet doe all consente at the laste to treate fyrste of Religion The same also was thought mete in the Senate of the other Prynces and Cities After muche debatynge they agreed to geue peace to Religion But this thynge came chiefly in controuersie that the Protestauntes woulde haue it lawefull for all men indifferently to followe theyr doctrine But their aduersaries with muche contention did resiste them and sayde that the same was not to be permitted either to the cities that had receiued the decree of Auspurge made seuen yeare before concerning Religion or yet to the whole state of the clergie And yf any Byshoppe or Abbot woulde chaunge hys Religion they woulde haue hym remoued and an other to be substitute in his place Therfore the contention was sharpe and the Protestauntes alledged this cause for their purpose that the promesses of God as well of the olde as of the newe Testament whiche conteine our saluation doe apperteine generally vnto all men And therfore not to be lawfull for them to include the same within any certen limites or brynge them to any restreinte least that they should shutte bothe them selues and others out of the kyngdome of heauen That there is neither Turke nor Iewe of any zeale at all that would not bee glad to bringe all men to his owne Religion Howe muche more than ought we to doe the same whome God hath so earnestly and straightly charged Wherfore they are able to proue that all men in this case oughte to haue libertie graunted them bothe by the holy Scriptures and also by the decrees of the fathers and counselles
howe those whiche take vpon them the title of olde and Catholique Religion not without the great dishonour of God handle Religion and abuse the churche goodes Neuerthelesse to establishe a peace they do permitte that they may kepe styll their lawes Rites and ceremonies and inioye all their goodes landes and possessions customes rightes and priuileges tyll suche tyme as the dissention in Religion be accorded Wherfore they can not allowe that they shoulde prescribe that condition to the Byshoppes For so should it come to passe that they them selues shoulde be bounde to impugne the approuers and felowes of their owne Religion And to theyr great dishonour they shoulde condemne their owne cause For this were saye they to graunte our Religion and doctryne not to be worthy of the Churche goodes and that the same goodes haue bene hetherto applied amisse to our Churches and Ministeries We should also confesse theyr wicked doctrine and ministerie to be grounded vpon Goddes worde and that the Churche goodes are consecrated to this fylthie lyfe of theyrs Lawes and Ceremonies But howe greate an assence woulde this thynge ingender yf we shoulde maynteyne the cause and lyuynges of them whyche doe perfourme no profitable nor necessary dutie to the Churche And shoulde betraye them who for the same Religion oughte of vs to bee moste set by The aduersaryes amonges other thinges saide this if the Clergie should be permitted to alter their Religion it would come to passe that Byshoprikes and suche other like colleges should be made prophane and by litle and litle being plucked away from the churche should come into the handes of Princes and be made their inheritaunce But they affirme that this was neuer their intēt But to haue had a respect to this only that being called again to their olde foundation they might be imployed to the true vses and that the same goodes might be annexed to the same churches for euer And to take awaye all doubtes they promise to put in good assuraunce that in what Byshoprikes or Colleges soeuer Religion shall be altered no part of their goodes to be alienated and that after the death or resignation of the byshop free election and administration should be permitted to the College But where after muche reasoning they could not agree they exhibite on both partes to kyng Ferdinando their reasons comprised in wrytinge and requeste hym that he wold fynde some waye This was after the Ides of Iune For they proceded very slowly The cause wherof many thought to be that the conclusion of peace betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng was loked for For that the same was thought to make not a litle for either parte But the Papistes made as it were an extraordinary wryting vehement and byting to the intent they myght the more set forth their matter And firste saye they the protestauntes haue propounded fiue conditions First that the catholiques should allowe that doctrine which many yeares past in this our time also by by so sone as it sprāg vp of the ordinary magistrate hath bene alwayes condēned Secondly that the sacrileges which they by the space of these .xxx. whole yeres haue cōmitted should be ratified allowed that neither by law nor by other godly lawful meanes the church may recouer that same goodes But they wold also haue peace to be made with them where notwithstāding it is forboden to haue any cōpany with them Moreouer that thei might place in the colleges churches of archbishops of other prelates wicked ministers to set forth dotestable condēned doctrine to abolish the true seruice ceremonies of the church to bring in new wicked in their place that they may norish those false preachers of the churche goodes directly against tholde lawes custome of the churche Further more that it should be lawefull for all persones as well ecclesiastical as ciuile which as yet followe the catholique religiō to reuolt frō their true religion to come and followe their lore Finally when any of the Princes or Byshops do reuolt to their syde that it shall not concerne the same persone only but must apperteine to the people also that are subiecte to his gouernement and to the goodes and the whole ecclesiasticall iurisdiction Nowe although these thinges do striue with the lawes of God and man albeit thei be contrary to the othe both of themperour and of the king and of al the Prelates in so muche that the catholiques may not conueniently receiue them vnlesse they would breake both their fayeth and promesse yet for as much as they sticke obstinatly to their pourpose and threaten force also the catholiques at the length are contented so farre forth as they ought to do by the pacification of Passawe and haue declared the same sufficiently in the Senate of the Empire shewyng how they can not graunt that libertie of chaunging religion indifferently to all men For so should it come to passe that the Empire shoulde be broughte to desolation and that hyghe top of dignitie taken away from Germany For it is the dutie of Archebyshops and other Prelates that not only they do not permitte any Religion condemned but also that they should admonishe and put in feare Byshoppes and suche others yea the vnlearned that are ready to reuolte and suche as continue in their errour to present to the Catholique and Romishe churche For this maner hath euer since the tyme of the Apostels bene obserued as it is to be proued by sondry testimonies of counselles but chiefly by that of Calcedonie Neyther ought any man to thinke that suche as do reuolte should be left to their owne conscience For in thinges that concerne our fayth euery man ought not to be permitted to haue his cōscience free But when any departeth from the commō consent of the churche he ought to be punished and restreyned And in case he obeie not he must be excommunicated after the example of those counselles whiche are accompted the chief whiche condemned Arrius Macedonius Nestorius Eutyches And in dede the counsell of Calcedonie deposed Dioscorides the maynteyner of Eutyches from his Byshoprike For where it is sayde that euery man ought to haue his iudgement and conscience free And that neyther Christe nor his Apostles did euer compelle any to beleue yea when many went awaye from Christe there was none holden against his wyll this same verely is grounded vpon no foundation And is confuted by Saint Augustine at large in the two hondreth and fourth Epistle For if it should be free for Byshoppes forsaking the catholique Religion to reuolte to an other they wyll not relinquishe theyr Byshoprike for they wyll saye that they can nōt doe it with a saufe conscience but they wyll desyre ayde of the Protestaūtes that they wyll assiste them in mainteining their state and keping of the people in their Religion If this be done there is no doubt but these wyl take in hande to defende them
bringeth I haue doubtles with my brother that Emperour bene now these many yeares wholy occupied that they might come to a composition And therfore hath the matter bene attēpted in many counsels of the Empyre certein conferences of learned men and through our mediation hath bene begon once or twyse the counsell of Trent But where as the treatie came to no good effect that can not doubtles be imputed to vs neither is it vnknowen by what diuises and craftes the matter was than hindered Now where you require that the pure doctrine and the benefite of the peace newly made for Religion may be graūted you Like as heretofore I haue kept backe no man frō the true Religion so will I not also do it hereafter Again you are as well comprised in the same peace as are the people of other Princes For this is the meaning of the same decree that the people shall followe the Religion of their Prince And it is permitted to temporall Princes to chose whether Religiō they will for that the people ought to be content with the choise of the Prince but yet so for al that that such as shal not like that Religion whiche the Prince hath chosen may haue fre libertie to sell that they haue and go dwell in an other place without any hinderaunce or blemishe to their estimation whiche seing it is so your dutie is to perseuer in the olde and catholique Religion which I professe That the Gospel should not be purely taught after the exposition of the Apostels Martyrs fathers whiche the churche hath receiued I was neuer against The Lordes supper although it were instituted whole yet was it in the olde churche also distributed vnder one kynde as it may be declared at large Therfore it was not altered first in the time of the counsell of Constaūce but that custome had lasted many ages before Wherfore you may easely thinke how it is not lawful for me by my priuate authoritie to chaunge or abolish that lawe receiued and approued by generall counselles especially at this tyme when both now lately peace is geuen to Religiō and in the next assemblee we must treate further for a reconcilement In the which treatie doubtles I wil seke to the vttermoste of my power that dissention may be vtterly takē away But if that can not be done thā wil I take such away as may profit both your wealth and your soules health also And to the intent you may vnderstand my good wil clemencie towardes you I wil in dede staye restreine that part of my proclamatiō that cōcerneth the Lordes supper but yet vnder this conditiō that all sectes forsaken you do alter nothing of the lawes ceremonies of the churche but tary for the decree of the assemble of the Empire next cōming The ministers of the churche and scholem aisters so that they followe this order also shal not be molested as also before this time I suffered no man against right to be iniuried Seing therfore I beare you this good wil my truste is that you will desire nothing furthermore and for as muche as the publique necessitie vrgeth it shall become you to consult for the common wealth and to geue that behoueth Wherunto they make aunswer the .xii. daye of February And where in the cause of all other moste weightie whiche conteineth perpetuall felicitie and especially apperteineth to the saluation of him and his children they can obteyne nothing thei she we how they are moste hartely sory And where as say they moste mightie kyng you say that this wonted distributing of the Lordes supper was in oulde tyme receiued in the churche that same may be aboundantly cōfuted by holy scripture and also their errour detected that haue perswaded your highnes herein But where you say the meaning of the late decree made at Auspurg to be that the people should applie them selues to the Religion of their Prince Uerely for as much as a fewe yeares paste and longe before this decree we haue with common consent exhibited to your highnes supplications concerninge Religion it were lawfull for vs also in case we would dwel in the same aunswer to sell our goods and flitte with our wyues and children to some other place But what discōmoditie were herein agayne how heuie and sorowfull newes this would be to the people who seeth not When verely they shal heare that they whiche after the custome of their elders haue bene euer more ready to spende their bloud and lyfe for the preseruation and dignitie of the house of Austriche must nowe forsake their moste swete natiue countrie so many yeares inhabited and inriched by their fore fathers Therfore we admit not nor ratifie the same aunswer in this behalf but as we haue done oft heretofore for the honour of God we beseche you that you woulde permitte vs to haue that incōparable treasure of Gods worde and suffer vs to haue no let in this matter For if the condition of the cause were suche that the whole blame should be to you ascribed doubtles we could be cōtent lyke as in other thinges so in this case also to obey you willingly But since that euery man must render an accompt of his owne dedes since there is no difference of persones with God and for bycause the ende of this lyfe is euery moment at hande neither is there any thing more vncerten than life we can not but with earnest suite and labour requyre this thinge of you Wherfore we beseche you that we may haue sufficient warrauntise herein Hereunto the kyng the fourth daye after I suppose sayeth he there was no iust cause wherfore you should not be satisfied with the fourmer answer I permit that as the Apostels haue set it forth as the martirs and fathers approued of the churche haue taught and expounded the scripture it be nowe taught also I pray you what more require you herein For since God hath promysed to his churche the holy ghoste saluation is not to be sought els where You saye you are defiled with no secte of the whiche sorte be many now adayes as anabaptistes Sacramentaries Zwinglians Schnemfeldians and such other lyke This in dede is very well But if the doctrine be set at libertie and be not included within certen limites as before is sayde howe long suppose you that it wil continue pure When euery man for hym selfe wyll bragge of Goddes woorde and saye it is subiect to no creature but to God alone nor will admitte the iudgement of no man as we see it happen in many places where all is ful of trouble whylest euery mā doeth stifly mainteine his owne opinion the authoritie of the churche vtterly contemned And for as much as in your fourmer wryting you recite the laste decree of the Empire somewhat otherwyse than apperteineth therfore haue I declared how it is to be taken not that I would haue you to go dwell els where Againe to take frō you all
set before their eyes and to remember the same tyme. For bothe the wyckednes of that deuiser was detected where as euery Prynce for his parte denied the thing by open wryting and the sclaunderer afterwarde loste his head as he deserued Whiche I truste shall nowe come to passe also that euen God beyng reuenger the authours of so wycked a deuise may be disclosed For my parte I praye God to sende them a better mynde and to confounde theyr counselles that they redounde not to the distruction of the Countrie For seinge that thys is a lyke sclaunder as that furmer was it may be easely perceiued that the authours haue forged it of the selfe same mynde that the other dyd or after the imitation of hym to haue attempted this to the intente verely that they myght nowe bringe to passe that thynge whiche he than coulde not finishe But for as muche as the intente of this Sclaunderer is that he myght perswade that the Pope and the Emperoure woulde by force of armes breake that decree made for peace in Religion and that the kyng of Englande and the Byshoppes of Germany would also ayde them herein I proteste that it is wyckedly forged and inuented for this intent verely that mens myndes beyng exasperated and displeasures increased all places myght swymme full of ciuyle bloud And although I doe not doubte but that the Emperoure and other Princes to the iniurie of whom this seditiouse and famouse libelle apperteineth wyll them selues defende theyr cause yet for duty sake I can not omitte but that I must also pourge the highe Magistrate Unfaynedly all the tyme that I remained at Rome in my presence or to my knowledge ther was not one worde spoken at Rome of that same peace of Religion It is falsely therfore ascribed to the Pope as though he should applie all hys Counsell to force and violence as though he went about to perswade hereunto the Emperoure and other kynges It is falsely I saye imputed to him neither can it be proued And seing that is so it is like wyse false that is wrytten of the Emperour For since there was no cōference nor treatie betwene them for this matter howe coulde they determine vpon warre or make a compacte betwene them for the recoueryng of the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction or subduinge of Germany This defamer sayth that truce was made betwyxt the Emperour and Frenche kyng to the intent that the soldiours being of either discharged might be led to this warre What the cause of the truce was the copie of the same declareth Againe those soldiours were not reteined of any Prynce but so many as kyng Ferdinando commaunded to be taken vp and sent thē into Hongary against the Turke those also excepted whome they of Auspurge and of Norinberge and the Byshoppes of Bamberge and Wirtemberge hired least haply they should be oppressed vpon the soden This part therfore of their deuyse falleth touchyng the Pope the Emperour and of the other Byshoppes Nowe as concerning my selfe I haue verely hitherto followed the olde trewe and catholique Religion and as it becommeth a Germayne borne I treade in the footesteppes of my elders and perseuer in the same communion of the churche that I was brought vp in as also in the last counsel imperiall I declared both by my letters and counsellours In this mynde I pourpose through Gods grace to perseuer Neither am I mynded to doe any thynge that may striue with honestie or consideration of my dutie And yet neuerthelesse I couet to be at peace with all men But where it is sayde that I haue had secret conference with the Pope with the Emperour with the kyng of Englande and with other States of the Empire and and with certen priuate men about the framyng of this war Agayne that same of the Paulsgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge and the Marques of Brandenburge to be moste false neyther that it can be proued of any man Yea they that bringe vp suche tales of me whether it be done by woorde or wrytinge I saye they be sclaunderers and ennemies of the common countrie And touching Counte Palatine thus standeth the matter The maner and dignitie of my vocation requyreth that I should maynteyne the ryght of my Byshoprike and kepe the people committed to my charge in the olde and Catholique Religion And beynge aduertysed that Otto Henry Prince Electour went aboute to make certen Townes of my Byshopryke of his Religion and had placed Preachers in them I toke this doubtles in euyll parte and had cause why I should defende me by the lawes Therfore my counsellours in my absence howbeit yet by my commaundement brought the matter in to the chāber imperiall where the matter dependeth as yet so Otherwyse not so much as in worde I neuer hurte his name nor estimation muche lesse haue I attempted any thyng against his countrie But if I coulde doe any thyng that might tourne to the commoditie of hym selfe his countrie or people I would omitte nothing and I suppose that the people of his coūtrie can beare witnes of this thing for they knowe what I haue done for them in tymes paste in their great aduersitie Moreouer I haue euermore loued the house of Palatine being readye to gratifie them by what soeuer meanes I myght And the same wil is neuer a whit chaūged In semblable wyse am I affected towardes Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge a good man wyse skylfull a louer of peacei And haue euer synce the tyme we were fyrst acquaynted borne hym great good will and haue studied also to perfourme the same in dede But that eyther he or the Paulsgraue should be dryuen out of theyr countrie the same not only came neuer into my mynde but also in case I had knowen any suche matter as myght haue tended to the losse of their estimation or goodes I would both haue bene ryght hartely sory for the same and woulde haue letted it also to the vttermoste of my power that no suche thinge should haue chaunced And hitherto in dede I haue so demeaned my selfe alwayes that I suppose they haue founde nothyng so shal I also vse my selfe from henceforth that I shall geue them a more occasion so to thynke vpon this hope verely that for as muche as I haue geuen no cause to be offended they wyll beare me the lyke good wyll And howe muche I lamented the chaunce of Marques Albert he is not ignoraunt hym selfe for what haue not I assayed what haue I not proued that this discorde myght bee taken awaye and quietnes be restored to the Empire Doubtles my trauell in that thyng hath bene so muche and my industrie so great that although I regarded herein the common wealth yet came I in suspition with many that I tendered his commodities ouermuche and sought to hynder others But howe vpryghtly I handled the matter my letters wrytten to hym can shewe Seyng therfore I am of this mynde towardes thē neyther is there any duty wantyng
in me I truste that for the vertue that is in them and true Nobilitie they wyll sooner geue credit not so muche to my saying as doyng whiche manifestly appereth and sheweth it selfe than to these sediciouse persones which as certen bellouse seke to reyse vp flame With what intier loue also and good will being absent Imbraced al Germaines for the remembraunce of the moste swete countrie that can both the Ambassadours of many Princes and many also of the Nobilitie declare whiche were than at Rome when I was of Mentz Treuers Collon Saxons of Brandenburg Maydenburge Bauarians of Brunswicke Passawe Osenburg Minden and of Basill For all these at once repared to me as a certen hauen and were faythfully holpen of me in their affayres and certen also through my labour and commendation haue ascheued offices and great promotions Now that same of the Lantgraue and of one Titelman what a fonde diuise is it For neyther had I euer any talke with the Lantgraue and his sonnes of that matter neyther can I remember that I spake one worde of it either at Rome or in Italy Much lesse can I tell what the Ministers of his dominion do teache or reuoke This in dede am I able to saye that to my knowledge there was no suche recantation made at Rome Therfore I doubte not but the Lantgraue when the matter shall so requyre wyll easely confute this same and the other also of my commendation Considering therfore that the artificers of so perniciouse libelles haue shamefully forged all thynges to the ende that the same fyre whiche many yeares since they had layde together myght nowe at the length burne and breake out all at ones it is nedefull that Princes and Magistrates take dilligent hede of them and when at the laste they shall be detected that they set suche an example as may make all others afrayde Finally in case there be any that haue conceaued any euyll opinion of me by reason of these sclaunders I earnestly praye them to laye it awaye and thynke assuredly that synce I am bothe a Germayne borne and come of a noble house I wyll doe nothinge vnworthy the vertue and Nobilitie of my auncesters When he had published this wrytinge the fifte Kalendes of Iune as before is sayde he wrote also priuatly to diuerse Princes to the same effecte and after went againe into Italy what tyme Bona the mother of Sigismunde kyng of Poole retourned home goyng to Naples In the meane season commotiōs were in England many Gentle men for suspicion of conspiracie as it was sayde were cast in prison Wherof some were executed other some fled into Fraunce and amonges them Sir Androwe Dudley brother to the Duke of Northumberland There were two also taken out of my Lady Elizabeth her house At the Ides of May Sir Peter Carrowe who for an insurrectiō had fled certen monethes before reconciled to king Philip and Sir Iohn Cheke whiche was king Edwardes scholemaister retourning out of Germany into Brabant to fetche his wyfe as they were going from Brusselles to Andwarpe by the cōmaundement of king Philip being apprehendetd are caried to London Aboute the ende of Iune not far from London there were .xiii. burnt together at one stake for Religion In the meane tyme Charles Marques of Baden receiueth the doctrine of the Gospel and of his neighbours borroweth ministers to refourme order his churches Before this also had the Senate of Spire taken a preacher or two of the Gospell Maximilian the eldest sonne of king Ferdinando with his wife the Emperours daughter departing frō Uienne the. xvii day of Iuly came to Brusselles where he had bene long and much desirous to take that iourney Peter Martyr a Florentine of whome we haue spoken before what tyme the dissention about the Lordes supper was kindled againe he in certen bokes was touched by name wēt from Strasburg to Zurick that he might handle that matter frely both in teaching and writing That time Conrade Pellicane died at Zurick And therfore the Senate being requested by the ministers of the churche wryting their letters to the Senate of Strasburg praye earnestly that he might be sent them So he departeth at the third Ides of Iuly not without the sighing grief of many whiche loued him for his incomparable learning his moste exacte iudgement his great gentlenes and modestie and his other vertues At the same time the Archebyshop of Pise Cardinall borne in Sicilie passing by Basil went to themperour at Brusselles being sent frō the Pope where a litle before Cardinal Caraffa the Popes cosin was come to the kyng of Fraunce A reporte had bene and that written that there was moste heinous displeasure betwixt the Pope themperour that the matter tended vtterly to war For amonges other thinges the Pope had taken from the house of Columnois al their possessions in Italy Whiche thing in dede semed to apperteine to the iniury of the Emperour Again it was said how he would not inueste kyng Philip his sonne in the possession of Sicilie and Naples propounding ouer hard condicions for those kingdomes paye tribute to the Byshop of Rome and depende vpon his benefite At the Ides of Iuly Albert Duke of Bauier in the name of king Ferdinando beginneth the counsel at Regensburg declareth that he is occupied with holding assemblees in Austriche and Boheme so that he could not come hither hym selfe at the time appointed and sheweth why he can not be present yet neither For by meanes of Peter Petrouice the kynges cliente who had desired ayde of the Turke all the coūtrie of Transyluania when no necessitie vrged them when they had no iust cause reuolted from the king to the sonne of Iohn Uayuode After that Fraunces Beuecke and George his sonne making a rebellion in Hongary haue by the helpe the aide of the Walachiās taken certen townes and castels Againe that the Turke hath lately sent a gouernour to Offen And that an other also what time they treated of the truce beseged the towne and castell of Zegeste the .xi. day of Iune and began to batter it sore Moreouer to be signified by the letters and messages of many that the gouernour of Bosnia leuieth an exceading great army to inuade Slauonia And also that the president of Grene gathereth no small power at the citie of Sophie intending to marche forward and that the Emperour of Turkes him selfe wyll in haruest next come in to Hongary and wynter there or if he defer it to the next spring that he wil come than with a strong army to wyn Uienne by sege For these causes therfore the kyng can not at this time leaue his countries but is wholy busied occupied in making preparation to resiste And for as much as it is not for the profit of the cōmon wealth to differ the coūsel any lōger therfore hath he appointed him to begin the treaty and to procede till he may come
him selfe And in dede thre yeares since the king sent a noble Ambassade to the Turke for peace or truce and they are yet deteined at CoÌ„stantinople And albeit that truce was taken betwene theÌ„ till thambassadours were retourned home yet the Turkes in the meane season hauing broken their faith haue takeÌ„ many townes castels vpoÌ„ the frontiers And seing now also Zegest of them is beseged it appereth not what peace in very dede is to be loked for at their handes that can be firme tollerable Whiche thing seing it is so for as muche as great daunger hangeth ouer not only the remnaunt of Hongary Austriche but also ouer all Germany to be first nede to consulte imediatly of sending ayde and of coÌ„tribution mony which should be kept in certen places and for this warre when nede is to be defrayed by the publique treasurers And that other kynges and Princes also are sollicited by the kyng for ayde neither wyl he him selfe spare any coste or perill either of him selfe or his sonnes also but since his countries being sore inpouerished with the warres of so many yeares are not able to resiste so great an ennemy it is requisite to contribute thereunto and that spedely Moreouer for as much as in the last assemblee it was decreed also that in this assemblee wayes should be sought to appease Religion the kyng ernestly exhorteth that they would searche diligently whether a reconcilement myght be made and whiche waye They muste also treate of mony and of establyshyng peace in the Empire And the consultation of the Turkishe warre not to be set behinde but to be chiefly of them considered to the ende the present and iminent calamitie may be repulsed About the .xv. day of September the Emperour hauing a fayre wynde and his nauie in a readines taketh shipping to sayle into spayne and taketh with him both his sisters Quene Mary and Elenor companions of his iourney But before he departed he set kyng Philip his sonne in possession of all the lowe countries And to his brother kyng Ferdinando he committed the common wealth of Germany sending letters to the Electours of the Empyre wherby he requireth them that they would acknowledge the same for Emperour of Romaines obey him accordingly The last day of October Iohn Sleidane authour of this worke a man for the singular giftes of the mynde and excellent learnynge all prayse worthy departeth out of this life at Strasburg and is there honorably buried FINIS ✚ An Apologie of Iohn Sleidane FOr as muche as I heare that diuerse men speake nothing frendly of my History and haue small thanke requited me for my exceading great paines I am constreined to set forth this wryting for defence Nowe for what causes I was moued to write this story how I proceded in that same howe I wrote for the displeasure or fauour of no man and couched thinges in order I declared in the preface of the worke And added moreouer that I was very desirous of the truthe and therin so affected that if I knewe any thing to be wrytten vntruely I would scrape it out and admonishe the Reader of myne owne accorde to geue no credit to it Doubtles I would haue thought that all men here with would haue bene satisfied especially since the very reading should proue it true that I said But in as muche as it is reported to me far otherwyse whiche to me was very lothsome and greuous I am driuen of necessitie to adde some thinges to my preface And first in dede euer since the beginning of the worlde it hath bene accustomed that matters as wel ecclesiasticall as ciuile should be coÌ„mitted to wryting Which thing in dede bookes do testifie and the same custome hath alwayes florished chiefly amonges noble free nations especially Grekes and Romaines The chief precept ornament of this kinde of wryting is that it be right and trewe and therfore Tully calleth an history the witnes of tymes and light of veritie the lyfe of memory and maistres of lyfe By the whiche wordes verely he doth both commende it exceadingly and also sheweth of what sort it ought to be and nowe for as muche as in this our tyme hath chaunced so great an alteration of Religion as since the tyme of the Apostles the like hath not bene no smal sturre of ciuile policie hath insued also vpon the same as is coÌ„monly wont to do I verely although not the metest man of al at requeste of certen good men toke vpon me this kynd of wrytinge to the setting forth of Gods glory and with great fidelitie and diligence haue brought it to this our tyme. And that I haue herein geuen nothing to affectioÌ„s and haue vsed my selfe so moderatly in this argument as peradueÌ„ture none other before me hath done that same I trusteâ—l indifferent iudges wil confesse For although I do gladly prufesse this doctrine of the Gospel through the benefite of God restored and reioyce exceadingly to be of that nomber and fellowship yet do I absteyne from al bitternes of wordes and declare simply the whole matter as it was done God also I take to witnes that myne intent hath not ben falsly to hurte any man For what a shameles impudencie were it of those thinges wherof the memorie yet is freshe to set forth any thyng contrary to a truthe Again they that know me throughly haue perceiued I truste no such vanitie in me Notwithstanding in case I haue erred in any pointe I will both acknowledge it willingly being admonished and also as I saide in the preface I wil proteste it openly that the Reader be not abused And as concerning my paynes I suppose verely that in searching out of the truthe no mans dilligence could haue bene no more than myne hath bene and like as many are able this to testifie so I doubte not but the thing also it selfe shall declare And in describing matters of Religion I might not omitte polytique causes For as I sayde before they came in maner alwayes together and especially in our tyme they could not be separated And that they come together this is a sure reason and grounded vppon the scripture To witte that so sone as amonges any people Religion is chaunged by and by arrise offences dissentions debates vprores factions and warres For euen for this cause Christ saith that the sonne is plucked from his father and the daughter froÌ„ her mother Also that his doctrine bryngeth not peace but the sworde and sayeth it shall styre vp fyre also amonges the nere of bloud And this hath bene euer the state of thinges since the worlde was made neither can it be denied and the thing it self speaketh For so sone as in our time gods benefite geuen to maÌ„ and the Gospell began to be preached against the Popes pardons and traditions of men by by the worlde began to reise tumultes and chiefly they of the clergie Upon this very occasion the matter was brought into the
commotion at Burdeaur eodem A wonderful conuersion of Uergelius 328 A meting of deuines in Saxony 330 A Diaphora 333 An open disputation at Oxford 335 A communication at Lipsia 336 A rebellion in England eodem A boke in Italian againste the Poope 339 An assembly of Cardinals for to chuse a new Pope 340 A straunge sight neuer hard of 342 A trouble in the Church of Strasburg eodem A iest of the Cardinall of Auspurge 343 A peace concluded betwene Fraunce and England 344 A confession of faith made by the ministers of Auspurge 345 A Regester of the deuines of Louaine 346 A proclamation for printers 347 Andwarpe astomed at the Emperors Proclamation 347 A woman in pearil for a lyght worde 348 An ambassade against them of Maidenburge 350 A cruel decre against the Maidenburgians 351 A wryting of the cleargye againste the city of Maidenburge 354 All godly folke afflicted for the verity 357 A new doctrine of Osiander 359 A cruel Proclamation against the Lutherans 368 A purgation of the french king eodem A decre of Trent of the Lordes supper 369 A decre of penaunce 273 A Cardinall of Dalmatia slaine in hys owne house 378 A brute of warre againste themperor 385 Albertes crueltye to them of Noremberge 402 Assembly at Auspurge 386 A poynt of the law 72 A Monke forsaketh his religion 76 Alteration in Denmarke 45 Archbishop of Mentz answer 22 Aristotle 20 Albert Arch bishop of Mentz 3 Authors of scismes 47 An assembly called at Auspurge 65 A bloudy preacher bloweth a trom 56 A most cruell maner of burning 54 Albert to them of Wolmes 403 Albert of Austrich of whome 466 Ambassadors of Strasburge to themperor 413 Albert ouerthroweth the frēch mē 414 A battel fought betwixt duke Maurice Marques Albert. 421 Augustus brother and heyre to Duke Maurice 423 Albert reconciled to Augustus 426 A disputation in England 428 An end betwixte Iohn Fredericke and Augustus 431 A parliament in England 433 A wryting of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. eodem A place of treaty of peace chosē by the Quene of England 451 A tumult raised at Geneua eodem A vniuersity erected at Dilling 453 A boke of Peter Asot againste the confessiō of the duke of Wittem eodem August Prince elector had a son 454 A wryting of the Papistes to requestes of the protestaunt 456 A wryting of the king Fardinando to the Princes 458 A decre wherby Religion is frely permitted to all men 460 An ecclesyastical parson that changeth his Religion shal be depriued eodem A parlament in England 461 An assemble in Austrich eodem A Comet sene 465 A father killeth his iii. children 466 A slaunder deuised against certain 467 Aucthority of the deuines of Paris 32 Agrement betwixt Luther and Zwinglius 83 A Concord 107 B BIshops of Rome bound as other is to Goddes commaundement 3 Boke burners 27 Bloudye preacher bloweth a trompet 56 Bokes presented to themperor 85 Bōdage no let to christian liberty 63 Bucer laboreth for concord 96 Busy marchauntes 118 Brauling Friers 119 Barbarossa almost taken 121 By what meanes men be disceiued 134 By what means the deuel is van eodē Baptisme condemned 135 Bishops stir vp princes 150 Barbarossa taketh castel Newstat 178 Bucer preacheth at Bonina 201 Barbarossa returneth 213 Bolloigne rendred 214 Bruly burnt at Tourney 216 Bucer declareth how tharticle of iustification wās accorded in 229 Bucer is sent for to Auspurge 310 Bucer is in daunger 313 Bren. wife his children banyshed 316 Bucer and Fragus come into Eng. 331 Baūberge redemeth peace dearly 402 Brunswicke besieged 428 Bradford burned in England 451 Bish of Merspurge answer to Lu. 22 Best thiuges pleaseth fewest men 34 Beginning of fyrst frutes tenthes 42 Bible is to be preferred before al. 43 Bishop of Constaunce maketh a boke in defence of Images 48 Boke of restitution 131 Bi. Munster demaūded his charges 136 Bold answer of the king 137 Barnes aid to Geneua eodem Bolde and profitable Counsell of the Lantzgraue 359 Bhoemers serued against the Duke of Saxon vnwillingly 169 Bohemers refuse war in Saxony 277 Bishop of Strausburge syngeth hys fyrst Masse 331 Bondage of the Germanians 392 Bishop of Winchester dieth 461 Bauarians followeth the Prynce for Religion 465 C CHarge of the Bishoppe of Maidenburge 1. Ciuilians vse of Citing 2 Cardinall Caietane wryteth to the duke of Saxon. 8 Charles is declared Emperour 14 Conditions propounded by Luther 18 Confession of sinnes eodem Counsel of Lateran and Pisa eo Capnio a deuine 19 Catarinus wryteth against Luther 27 Commotions in Spaine 34 Cornelis Scepper a good wryter 42 Cardinall Campeius wryteth to the duke of Saxony 45 Campeius Oration to the Prynces at Norenberge eodem Campeius raileth against Matrimony 49 Christianity taketh not away bondage 61 Carolostadius wryteth against Lu. 65 Carolostadius maketh his purgatiō 65 Counsel at Spires 69 Contention about the Masse 79 Certaine Princes resiste the decree of Spires 81 Ciuil war amongst the Swicers 82 Cardinall Campeius Oration 88 Certaine chosen to accorde Relygyon 90 Conditions of peace 104 Conditions of peace betwene themperor and the Protestauntes 105 Conditions of creating a kinge of Romaines eodem Cristine kinge of Denmarke is taken 108 Christ was called Seditious 112 Conditions of peace 116 Conditions betwixte Fardinando and Duke Ulrich eodem Crafty marchauntes 118 Couetous marchauntes 119 Cruelty vnsemely in Churchmen 122 Condition of peace 128 Ciuill war in the city 129 Cnipperdoling was the chief of that faction 129 Cnipper doling prophecieth 130 Croked necked cattel 134 Comotion in Lincolne shire 141 Captaine Aske executed for Treason eodem Cardinal Pole the Popes ambassador to the French king 142 Cardinals Poles boke against e Kinge Henry the eight eodem Cold reasons for the Popes supremacy 143 Carninall Poole was vnthanckefull eodem Cardinall Pole incenseth the Emperoure against the king of England eodem Cardinals Poles Hipocrisy and falsehode eodem Cristierne king of Denmark receiueth the Gospel 158 Complaintes of Pillage 178 Contention betwixte the electoure of Saxon and Duke Moris 188 Conterme in displeasure with the pope and cardinals 194 Cardinals sent to make peace 197 County William taken Prisoner 213 Cabrier yelded 220 Cardinall Farnesius his comming to Wormes 221 Counte William deliuered 226 Claudius Cenarcleus a yong gētlemā of Sauoy 235 Condityons imposed to the Duke of Wirtemberge 275 Conditions offred to the Lantzgraue 281 Caspar Phlugus captain of the Bohemers army eodem Conditions wherby the duke redemed his life 285 Ciuil war betwixt England and Scotland 310 Countries vnited by mariage 311 Ciuil war in Affrica 330 Contention for thempire betwene the Emperor and Fardinando 353 Complaint of the bishop of Strausboroughe 360 Contrary tales of the king and themperor 364 Causes of callinge the counsel 371 Countries oppressed by the Emperor 394 Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris 397 Cruelty against godly preachers 40 Conditions of peace offred by themperor 48 Conditions of peace 411
Commotion in Kent 430 Cardinall Pole arriueth in England 438 Controuersy for the dominiō of Chatz 452 Cinistre suspition spread of the Cardinal of Auspurge 456 Commotions in England for suspition of a spiratie 469 Cardinals sent from the pope to themperor and Freuch king eodem Counsel begon at Regenspurg 470 Cause why Luther was not punished 41. Complaintes of them of Zurick 51 Cause of them hatred eodem Constancy of them of Zurick 52 Confession of the Protestauntes 88 Conspiraty of the Papistes against the Protestauntes 93 Complaint of the Pope to the kinge of Pole 97 Common wealth hath neade of manye remeadies 102 Contentiō betwene Erasmus and Luther 114 Clement the seuenth dieth 117 Counsel of Constaunce 149 Counsel of Myllen broken of 152 Craft of Popes eodem Cardinall Montaine striken with a fury 300 Cruel actes of Marques Albert. 434 D DUke Fredericke his wisdome 2 Disputation at Lipsia 18 Dissention betwixte Leo and hys Cardinals 38 Decrees of Pius and Iulius 23 Dyssentyon at Basill for Relygyon 80 Daunger of the Turke 85 Duke Ulrich expulsed out of his countrey 113 Disputation with the king of Anabaptistes 136 Duke George of Saxon dieth 176 Doctor barnes burnte in Smithfielde 174 Dure the chiefest Towne in those partes is taken 196 Depensius driuen to recant 20 Duke of Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the church 202 Duke Moris foundeth three Scholes eodem Duke Moris is beneficiall to the vniuersity of Lipsia eodem Dissention in Scotland 205 Duke Moris serued themperor at Landerssy 206 Duke Moris intreateth a peace 405 Duke Henry and his Sonne yeld them selues eodem Diaze goeth to Maluenda Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepareth to warre Duke Frederick chosen Emperor Donauerde taken Donauerde rendred 265 Duke Maurice consulteth agaynste the Potestauntes 266 Duke Maurice letters to the Electour 269 Duke Maurice blamed of all men 270 Duke Maurice Excuses eodem Duke Maurice nothing couetous eod Duke Maurice followeth Doeg 275 Duke Ericke discomfited 287 Duke Maurice and the elector of Brādenburge intreat for the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice intreateth liberallye to the deuines of Wittemberge 291 Duke of Placence depryued Hierom. 294 Daughter of Nauarre married to the duke of Uandome 321 Duke Henry besiegeth the city of Brūswicke 348 Dracutus an archpirate 348 Duke Maurice general of the war 351 Duke Maurice besiegeth Maidenburg 352 Duke Maurice letters to the Emperoure 363 Duke Morice seaseth vpon the dominion of Chatz 370 Duke Morice entendeth to warre vpon themperor 373 Discipline amongst the fathers 374 Duke Maurice feared of themperours 380 Duke Maurice ambassadoure sente away 381 Duke Maurice letters to hys ambassadours 384 Duke Maurice taketh Auspurge by cōposition 388 Diuers minds in the counsel of Trent 389 Duke Moris goeth to the field 395 Duke Moris letters to the king 399 Duke Moris nie slaine 40 Duke Moris weary of delaies 47 Duke Moris reburneth his fellowes 48 Duke Moris admitteth peace 410 Duke de Anmalle taken Prysonner 44 Duke Morleague wyth the Duke of Brunswicke 420 Duke Maurice wan the field and loste his life 422 Duke Henry of Brunswicke marrieth a wife 465 Duke Frederickes answer 26 Deuines of Paris condempn Luthers bokes 32 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepare them to warre 78 Duke of Saxon Marshall of the Empyre 90 Duke of Saxon letters to the Prynces 98 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue wryte to the French king 166 Death of the french king 282 Daughter of Scotland affiansed to the king of England 308 Death of Sigismund king of pole 305 Duke of Swaybrige molested for Religion 332 Death of Pope Paule the thyrd 336 Disputation at Baden 71 Decre for religion 70 Decre of the duke of Loraine 50 Disputation at Zuricke 44 Decre of the Swices 45 Daniel expounded how 89 Deluge at Rome and in Seland 94 Dombe sprite walking 114 Dukes Confession of the duke of Wittemberge 386 E ECkius boke against Luther 2 Erasmus iudgemente of Luther 16 Eneas Siluius 23 Erkius to Luther 28 Erasmus boke of fre wll 50 Eckius the Popes champion 52 England hath title to Fraunce 74 Erasmus boke against Gospellers 83 Erasmus wryteth to Campeius 90 English Bibles Printed at Parys 160 Ebleb a noble Gentleman dyeth for sorow 29 Execution done in the frenche kynges syght 335 Erle Hedecke frende to them of Maydenburge 361 Erenberge taken away 40 Ecclesiasticall lawes in England 432 England is tourned to her vomyt 439 Emperour sendeth for Luther 28 Emperour wryteth to Luther eodem Emperours letters to the Princes of Germany 65 Ende of the Papistes dectrine 67 Emperoure marrieth a wife 71 Exhortation of the Lantzgrane 57 Excuse of some to the Protestauntes 94. Emperor of necessity graunteth peace to Germany 108 Emperoure goeth into Italy 109 Erroures of the Anabaptist 133 Erroures of the Mūsterians in fayth 135 English ambassadors winter at Wittenberge 139 Emperoure inuadeth the frenche prouince 140 Erasmus death eodem Emperour French king and the pope mete at Nice 59 Emperors and French kings ambassador to the Uenerians 168 Emperors priuate wryting for the protestauntes 183 Emperors letters to them of Collon 203 Emperors answer to the pope 195 Emperors letters to the states of Boheme 283 Emperors sōne commeth into Flaunders and he is receiued at Millan 330 F FRaunce and Germany were vnited 12 Frederick the Paulsgraue sent into Spain 14 Flatterers must be eschued 18 Fraunce is offred to the spoiles 19 Feare for the host 47 Feare in Muncers camp 57 Faith ought not to wauer 65 Faber driuen out of Paris 66 Fardinando forsaking king Lewes 77 Fardinandoes title to Hongary eo Fraunces Sfortia reforced to the dukedom of Millan 83 Florence rendred 90 Florence loseth her liberty eodem Fardinando proclaimed Kinge of Romaines 98 Frances Sfortia marrieth the Emperors Niece 117 Folish pity marreth the city 122 Fredericke forsaketh the bishoppricke 128 From the horse to the asse 130 Franckfurt receiued into the league 139 False doctrine is not to be born wyth 151 Fardinando his army destroyed 154 Fardinandoes request 173 Fiers in Saxony 174 Fardinando besieged Buda 184 Fardinādo defeateth the request of his nobles 186 Frances Lander cōmitted to Pryson his weaknes and recantation 200 Few Spaniardes loue the Gospel 233 Friers be disturbers of peace 236 Friers are vile in life and learnynge 237 Feare in themperors campe 259 Force ought not to be vsed in Religyon 260 Fraunce denied to aid Protestauntes 264 Fardinando Sebastian deputye proclaimeth war to Saxony 269 Fardinando to the Bohemera 283 Fardinando ambassadour to the Bohemers 284 Fardinādo goth which his army to Proge 291 Freight with others caried to prisone 325 Frances Spiera dispaired 327 Fraunces Spiera his recantation his death in despair with comfort 328 Forces bent against Maidenburge 350 Folish ceremonies 358 Fiue of them studentes of Lossaunce french men borne 424 Fiue condempned at London for the Gospel 440 For Churche goodes all coutrouersyes are taken away 461 Fraunce
Nurremberge eodeÌ„ The treatye of Norunberge 198 The Turkes increase by the losse of Christians 198 The decree of Norunberge 199 The duke of cleaue refuseth truce eod The death of the bishop of Auspurge eo The duke of Sauoye frend to thep 200 The death and prayse of William Bellay 200 The prayse of Clement Marot 201 The Archbishop of Collon calleth a coÌ„uocation eodem The Bishops boke of reformatioÌ„ eod The protestauÌ„tes ambassadour to theÌ„peror 203 Themperors viage against the duke of Cleaue eodem They of Hyldesseme are accused to the Emperour eodem The Popes to the clergie of Collon eod The French king fortifieth landersey 204 The Turkes nauie arriueth in the. eo The Castell of Nice besieged eodem Two cities full of Relicques eodem The duke of Cleaue craueth pardoÌ„ 205 The duke condicions to him imp eod The doughter of Nauarris sent to 205 The preachers of the gospell thrust eod The siege is leued at Nice eodem The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to king Edward eodem The duke of Cleaue renounceth yâ— 206 The departure of the French men 206 Three Eclipses of the moone eod The causes of the Turkes prospe 207 The protestaÌ„tes oratioÌ„ to the emp. eo The duke of Brunswick accuseth eod The French ambassador to the asse eod The French herauâ—t euill receyued 208 The ambassadors retorne by night eo The Popes aunswer eodem The meane to heale the comon eodeÌ„ The Princes letters to the swisses 209 The protestantes accuseth duke of eod The tenure of his letters eodem The duke of Brunswicke contemneth his owne religion eodem The French victory at Carignaue 210 The duke of sanoye accuseth the. eod The swisses aunswer the Princes eod The English Nauie inuadeth scot eod The oration of the French ambas 211 The duke of Saxon is set through 211 The states of thempire decree a 〈…〉 212 Themperours genâ—elnes to the lantz 212 The Duchye of Brunsewicke com 212 Thamperours Iorny into fraunce 212 The king besieged Bollognie 213 The death of the Prince Orenge 213 The feare slight of the Parisians 213 The conditions of the peace 214 The towne of Pery was burnt 214 Three most mighty enimies of FrauÌ„ce that is themperour the Germaynes and the kyng of England 214 The enemies of the Romish church 215 The pope cannot abide no super eod TheÌ„perour is the popes eldest sonne eo The creation of Cardinalles eodem The Clergie of Collon to the arch 216 The clergie appeale â—o the pope 216 The articles of Lonaine 217 The protestauntes make aunswer 218 The counsell trent vnlawfull eodem The deuise of the popish princes eodeÌ„ Their be in the FreÌ„ch prouince a people called valdois 219 The Cardinall of fournon 219 The Meridolâ—ns flie into the woodes 219 The Swisses intreate for the valdois 220 The confession of the valdois doctrine 221 The death of Lewis duke of bauier eo TheÌ„perours ambassadour to the king of Poole eodem The kinges answer to theÌ„perour eod The wilde Beast 222 The ignorance of Grimian eodem The death of Fraunces Duke of Loraine eodem The birth of Charles sonne to kynge Philip. 223 The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth mony of the French king 223 Themperours taketh truce with the Turke eodem The clergie and vniuersitie of Collon agaynst theyr Archebishop eodem Themperour citeth the Archbish eod The decree of Auspurg 224 The warre of Fraunce EnglaÌ„d eod The protestantes sende Ambassadours into Fraunce and England eod The death of the duke of OrelauÌ„ce eo The armie of the duke of brunswick eo The lantz goeth against him eodem The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 The death of the Cardinal of Mentz 226 The Lantzgraues letters to theÌ„p eod Themperour to the Lantzgraues eod The Palsegraue ordeneth ministers in his Churches 227 The protestantes accused of conspi 228 The laÌ„tzgraues letters to Nauius 229 The colloquie of the learned menne at Regenspurg 229 The colloquie dissolued 230 The popes Legates in the counsell of Trent eodem The beginning of the Counsell 231 The warning of Esoras Nehem. 231 The seconde session of the Synode 231 The quiet departure of Luther 232 The inuincible constaunce of Luth. 232 The victory conquest of the word 233 The traytorous minde of AlphoÌ„se 234 The murtherer killeth Daze 235 TheÌ„perours letter for a paracide eod Themperour visiteth the Lantzgraues doughter eodem The Lantzgraue cometh to themp eo The Lantzgraue spake vnto theÌ„p 236 The boke of reformatioÌ„ at Collon 236 The archbushoppe of Collon is accouÌ„ted vnlearned 237 The diuines are stubburne and ob 238 Themperour ought to couÌ„sell the pope to his dutie 239 The ende of the Scripture eodem The best thinges please fewest eod The minde of the Paulsgraue eodem The Lantzgraue is arbittor betwixt the duke of Saxon duke moris eod Themperour thaÌ„keth lantzgraue eod The thirde sessioÌ„ in the Sinode at 240 The popes letters to the Bushoppe of Sedune Chur certaine Abb. eod The Archbushoppe of Collon excomunicated by the pope eodem TheÌ„perour cometh to Reuspurg 241 The murther of Diaze vnpunished 241 The brute of warre against the prot eo The falshode of Marques Albert and Iohn Brandenburge eodem The Lantzgraue is circumspect eod Themperours letters to the Cities of the protestauntes 242 Themperours Crafte eodem The oration of the Frenche Amb. 243 The French kinges request 243 The pope tiraunt 244 The clergie abused the church goods eo The good will of the protestauÌ„ts eod Themperour had secrete talke with duke Moris 245 Themperours ambassadour to ye. eod The cities of wirteÌ„berg put on ar eod The oratioÌ„ of Balthazar to the sold eod The protestauntes letters to the Uenetians 246 The Churche goodes in Spaine to be imployde 246 The cardinal Scotlande slaine 246 The teares of the Crocodile 247 The pope attempteth the matter 247 The Paulsgraue axeth the cause of 247 The Paulsgraue seketh to recoÌ„sile the protestaunte to themperours 248 The duke of SaxoÌ„ letters to theÌ„p eod Themperour periured eodem The authors of this warre eodem Themperours letters to the Archebusshoppe of Cellon 248 Themperours policie 249 The Cardinal of Auspurg the fire braÌ„d of this warre 249 The Iudges of the Chamber bee Papistes 250 The league betwixte the three houses Saxon Brandenburg and Hesse 250 Thintent of the Papistes 251 The Popes bull agaynste the Protestauntes 251 The diligence of the Protestantes in leuyng theyr armye 251 The Lantzgraue sente his sonne to Strausburge 251 The fyrste enterprise to the Protestauntes 251 The Castell of Erenburge 251 Themperoures power 252 The Duke of Saxon Lantzgraue are out lawed by Themperoure 252 The popes letters to the Swysses 257 The pope bringeth themperour into hatred 254 The nuÌ„ber of the fathers at trent 254 The king of Swetia receiueth the. 254 TheÌ„perours letters to dukemoris 254 The protestauntes letters to the Duke of Bauer 255 The Swysses auÌ„swer to the Prote 255 The death of Diazius vnpunished 256 The Protestantes proclaime
emperour 324 The Constancie of the ministers 325 The Duke of Saxon and the LaÌ„tgraue led awaye prisoners 325 The reformation of the Chamb. 326 They of Constaunce geue them selues to the house of Austrich 326 The slaughter that was at Burdour 327 The abhominable filthines of an archbushoppe 329 The inheritor of Scotland led into Fraunce 330 They of Madenburge are made a praye for their godlines 331 Trouble in Englande eodem The Admirall of england beheaded 331 Thomas Crammer a furtherer of learning and Codlines 331 The duke of Swaybrig plaine trouth 332 The Interim confuted by them of Bubeck and others 333 The force of Hohwater eodem The popes legates to themperour 334 The Pope graunted licence to eate fleshe 335 The Archbishop of Metz to the counsellors of the Lantgraue eodem The Godly auÌ„swer of the preachers eod The king commaundeth to go on presession eodem The French king stealeth fortes 337 The Senate of Strausburge do compound with their Bishop eodem The perill of feare of them of Maydenburge eodem The Purgation of them of Maydenburge eodem The cause why them of Maydenburge cannot gette their pardon eodem The sayng of goodnes the. 338 They betray the trouth that hold it in Silence eodem The moÌ„struous lechery of the pope 339 The Popes rauening eodem The Pope sister a whore made her brother a Cardinall eodem The mayseres of ceremonis 340 The custody of the conclaue eodem The orders of the Cardinall eodem The maner to chuse the pope 341 The factions of the Cardinall eodem The cause why pole was not pope eod The yeare of Iubiley eodem The protectour of England 343 The Frenche kinges proclamation against Lutheranes eodem The opening of the Golden gate eod Themperiours letters to the states of th empyre 344 The cleargye of Strausburge renueth their ministers 345 The talcke of faith is forbidden 346 The death of the cardinall of Loraine 347 The Archbushop of Collon entreth the City with Pompe 347 The Protestation of the Duke Moris against the Counsell 348 The knauery of Spanierdes eodem The death of Granuellan eodem The taking of the Ciue of Africa eod The ouerthrow of the Maiden Burgians 349 The princes letters to them of Mayden burge 349 The Proclamation for religion mutigated 349 The answer of the Maydenburgians 350 The death of viriche Duke of WirieÌ„b 351 The causes that the decree is not obserued eodem They repare to trent before condemned 352 Themperours Proclamation agaynst them of Maydenburge eodem The Lantgraues Sonnes sue for theyr father eodem The Lantzgraues purpose of sliyng bewrayed eodem The issuyng out victory of the Maydenburgians 353 The duke of Megelb takeÌ„ prisoner 353 They of Maydenburge are moued to render eodem The Actes agaynst the Clergy 354 The slaughter of the Citizens 355 The answer of the Citizens 356 The prayse of great Otto 358 The duke of Pruisse addicte to OuÌ„ 359 The decree of Auspurge 359 The death of Bucer 360 The pope accuseth Octauian far 360 The counsell at Trent is solde 361 The warre of Parma betwixt themperour and the French king eodem The Frenche Kinges excuse to the Pope eodem The fierse minde of the Pope 362 The confession of duke Moris by Melanthon eodem The humanity of the Duke of Wittemberge towarde Brentius eodem The burnt child the fire dreades 363 The Constancy of the Prelates 363 The Preachers exiled 364 The French king warieth vpon themperour 364 The Counsell renued at Trent 365 The French kinges letters to the. 365 The Some of Mony that is caried to Rome 366 The vniuersitie of paris appeleth from the Pope eodem The arrogantie of Pope Boniface against the king of Fraunce eodem Twelue archbishoprikes in frauÌ„ce eod Theames geuen to the diumes 367 The order of speaking eodem The maner of making the Articles of the faith eodem The maner of making the decrees eod The holy gost at the popes coÌ„maundement 368 The Frenche kinges writing against the Pope eodem The wiked lustes of the Pope eodem The cause of dissentioÌ„ betwixt the pope and themperour 369 The safe counded of the fathers at 370 The Marques of Brandenburge mocketh the Counsell eodem The duke of somerset appreheÌ„ded eod The Counsell writeth to the Frenche king 371 The FreÌ„ch king disswadeth the Swisses from the Counsell eodem The land of Wittenburge deliuered of Spanyerdes eodem The ambassadour of Wittenburge to the Counsell 372 The pacification of Maydenburge eod The noble same and constancy of Maydenburge eodem The Pope created xiii Cardinalles 373 The amba of witteÌ„berg deliuered 374 The amb of Duke Mauri 〈…〉 he Marques of Brandenb to themper 374 Their oration 375 The Lantzgraue kept prisoner against the league 375 The Lantzgraue biddeÌ„ to Supper and kept prisoner 376 The names of the Princes that intreat for the Lantzgraue 377 The Lantzgraues Sonne cometh to Duke Morice 377 The rayling of Cropper 378 Themperours letters to the Bushoppe electors 378 Their is craft in daubing 379 The ambassador of duke Maurice come to the Counsell 380 The Duke of Somerset beheaded 381 The saufeconduct altered 382 The fraukespeache of Duke Maurice Ambassadour to the fathers 383 Thambassador of the prot deluded ideÌ„ The diuines come to Norinberge 384 The bitternesse of Frere Pelarge against the Protestantes eodem The diuines of Wittenburge 386 ThaÌ„bassodours of Strasburg det 387 The blasphemio of a gray Frere 388 The requestes of the Protestauntes diuines eodem The Fathers flie from Trent 389 The answere of the Protestantes Ambassadour eodem The churche cannot erre 390 The Counsell of Basell purer then Trent eodem The last session of the Counsell eodem The French Kynge hath peace with the Pope eodem Th ende of the counsell of Trent eodeÌ„ The death of the Popes Legate eodem The seconde cause of warre 392 The Lantzgraue deteined prisoner against fidelitie eodem The thirde cause eodem The heauie burthens of Germany 393 The storie of Lewes Auila of the Protestauntes warre eodem The Frenche kynges letters 394 The armes of libertie 395 The prince of Salerne reuolteth from the Emperour 396 The FreÌ„che king subdneth Lorain eod The cardinall betraied the cites eodeÌ„ The pledges of FrauÌ„ce German 397 The couÌ„try of Oto HeÌ„ry recouered â—deÌ„ The Iudges of the chamb flie eodem The Conestable chideth with theim of Strasburge 398 The kinges answer to the princes 399 The sute of the Suises to the king eodeÌ„ TheÌ„perour flieth awaie by night 400 The duke of Saxon set at libertie eodeÌ„ The Emperours stuffe spoiled eodem The Princes restore the ministers of the churche eodem The Marques Albertus armie 401 The Frenche kyng destroieth the Emperours countrie 403 The assemble at passaue eodem The coÌ„plaint of the princes elector 403 The affinitie of Frenchmen and. 404 The libertie of Germanie restored by the power of Fraunce 405 The waie opened for the Prince of Spaine to be Emperour eodem The princes aunswere his oracioÌ„ eodeÌ„ The
decres of Spires Certen princes resist the same Who be the authors of dissention Howe scripture shoulde be expouÌ„ded The decre of Wormes Thorigicall of Protestantes Ciuil warre emong the Swicers Mishappes of the freÌ„che kyng The peace of Canbrey The Turke besegeth Uienna The sweating sicknes Sondry plages Two clerks brenct at Collon Luther and Zwinglius dispuie at Marpurg The maner of their agrement Erasmus boke againste Gospelers Fraunces Sfortia The Ambassadours of the Protestants to the Emp. The Emperours aunswere Daunger of the Turke The Ambassadours appeale GraÌ„unulane A boke presented to the Emperour The honeste of a byshoy An assemble at Smalcald A league of theÌ„ of Stransborough Zuricke and Bernes The chambre wryteth to Straush The Protestantes asseÌ„ble at Norinberge An assemble at Auspurg The Emperours coronatioÌ„ at Bonony The diuines of that protest The lady Eleuour commeth into Fraunce Uergerius that popes ambassadour The princes that woulde not heare Masse The office of the Duke of Saxon. The Turks victorye in Hongary The Turks crueltie The oration of Cardinall Campega The coÌ„plais of the Ambassadour of Austriche The confession of the protestantes A consultation of the ProtestaÌ„tes doctryne A confession of the Zwinglians Thinges refused Matters receiued That the Masse is a sacrifice A fayre exposition of Daniel Good ghostly fathers The Lantgraue departeth from Auspurg Duke of Saxon Marschall of the Empyre The warre of Florence The Pope made a league with the Emperour Florence rendred Florence loseth her libertie Certen chosen to accord Religion The Protestantes were laboured Erasmus writeth to Campegius The Power of the Turk The Bohemers The Empeoracion to the ProtestaÌ„tes Their aunswere to the Emperour A decree made A counsell promysed Scripture is the touche stone of all doctryne An Apologie deliuered but not receiued The Emp. to the Protest Prayers mixt with threatnings The conspiracie of the Papistes againste the ProtestaÌ„tes The protest spoyle no maÌ„ The protest accused of sedition The drone bees desyre to be restored into the hyue The excuse of some to the ProtestaÌ„tee A deluge at Rome in Selande A coÌ„futatioÌ„ of Zwilius doctrine Their aunswer to the same Poore Luther maketh many men ryche The decree of Auspurg Luth. wrote a booke to the byshoppes Luther comforteth Melancton Luthers opinion of mis-traditions The church oppressed with Tyranny is to be excused The papists are accused of rerages Bucer laboreth for a coÌ„corde The Lantgraue made a league with Strausbotough Zurick and Basyn The league of the Protestantes at Smalcalde The coÌ„plait of the Pope to the kynge of Poole The Pope is a sayler The Protestauntes letters against Ferdinando The duke of Saxons letters to the Princes The causes of creating a kyng of Romaines Ferdinando proclaimed kyng of Romaines The protest letters to the kynges of Fraunce of Englande Gerson Collet Their appelation The bishops of DeÌ„marke resute the Gospell The lawes permitte that the inferiour Magistrate maye in som cases resist that superiour Newes of that Turkes coÌ„myng The Archebyshop of Treers departeth Bucer set order in that churches at Uimes The quene of Hungary made regeÌ„t of FlauÌ„ders The aunswere of the FreÌ„ch kyng to the protestauntes The amitie of Fraunce and Germa A story of that kyng of fraunce Charles the great Lewys the fyfte Hugh Capet The answer of the kynge of England The commoÌ„wealth hath nede of many remedies The opinsoÌ„ of the cities of the kynge of Romains The Duke of Saxons doubte of that Swycers The Palsgraue and that archbyshop of Mentz intercessonrs A controuersy of the byshop of BaÌ„berge with the Marques of Brandenburg The Appellation of the Marques The Erles of Nassowe Neuenar Upon what conditions the Duks of Saxon wyll come to the assemble The intercessours and Protestant Letters of that Duke the Lantgraue to the intercessours Warres in SwycerlaÌ„ce Condicions or peace Thei of Zarick disconfited The death of Zwyng A beastlye cruelite An other slaughter The death of Oecolampadius The Assemble of RegeÌ„spurge Conditions of a peace betwene the Emperour and Protest Conditions of creatinge a kynge of Romaynes The othe of theelectoars The Dukes of Bauer misliked the election of FerdinaÌ„do The aunswer of the Duke to the itercessours The craft of the Papistes A cancorde The Emperour of necessitie graunteth peace to Germany The â—â—ibre of Protest The assemble at RegeÌ„spurge Christierne kyng of Denmarck is taken The Turck inuaded Austriche The death of the Duke of Saxon. The slaughter of that Turkysh warre A blasyng Starre The Empe. goeth into Italy The Pope serueth the tyme. The OratioÌ„ of the Popes Ambassad to the Duke of Saron The Popes policie The OratioÌ„ of the Emperours Amb. The Duke of Saxons aunswere The Prote aunswere to the Pope Emperour Wherof sprang the dissention of Religion How a free counsel is to be vnderstaÌ„d The couÌ„sels are swarued from their old puritie The Empe. part to d 〈…〉 d Religion The Pope is plentife defendauÌ„t iudge The Popes snares The bishops office Uergerius The Pope sleeth the couÌ„sell The craft of Duke George to fynde out the Lutherians Luthers couÌ„sell Luthers purgation Christe was called seditious He comforteth the eriâ—es Pope Clement coÌ„meth to Macilles For many suppose hym a bastarde A consecrating of Cardinalles Unmete mariage The Lantgraue goeth to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke Ulrich expulsed The Lantgraue boroweth monye of the FreÌ„ch kyng A great alte ratioÌ„ in Englande Kyng HeÌ„ry The inconstancie of Pope Clement The vniuersities of Paris others quene Anne loued the Gospell The death of Cardinall Woolsey The Lady Mary a bastarde The kinges hatred against the Pope Inas kyng The conteÌ„tion betwen Erasmus Luther The traged of the Grey freers The soleÌ„ne burieng in Fraunce False doctours The dume Spirite Questions moued to that dome spirit The game prayers called to paris The condeÌ„pnation of fal 〈…〉 rs Persecution against Lutherians Spirites in the Popyshe kingdome Luthers apt 〈…〉 oÌ„ touching the spirites The victory of the Lant Conditions of peace Condicions betwixt Ferdinando and Duke Ulri The liberal 〈…〉 tie of that freÌ„ch kyng The Lantgraues letters to the Emperour The Empe. aunswere Sfortia married that Emp. Nece The death of Clement the seuenth Paule the .iii. Paule was 〈…〉 r than Clement The practise of Prelates Andrewe Gritte Lewys his sonne Hongary Persecution in Fraunce The punyshment of the Godly The crueltie of Iohn Morin A booke of marchauÌ„ted Crafty marchauntes Busy marchauntes A straunge chaunge The Price of the masse is derer som tyme after as the parsoÌ„ is the od marchaunt Pope Iohn a woman Couetous marchaunts Proude marchauntes Theuishe marchaunts Brawlynge Freers Selling of benefices Angry salutes Wyly marchauntes Idle N 〈…〉 S. Geneuefa that goddes of Paris The kinges oration The maner of execution in Fraunce The Lutherians are ab borred The FreÌ„che kinges letters The Lantgraue The Emperour voiage into Barbaria Barbarossa Rochestr More beheaded Rochester Cardinall The death of Sfortia Uergerusto the Duke of Saxen The Dukes aunswer Uergerus
The Pope woulde bye Millan Philip created kynge of Spayne A league of themp the king of England against the Frenche kyng The protest ambassad to themperor Themp. viage againste the Duke of Cleaue They of Hildisseme are accused to the emperour Themperours letters to them of Collon The Popes letters to the clergie of Colion The French king fortifyeth Landersey The turkes Nauie arriueth in the prouince The Castell of Nice beseged Batchelaurs Abooke of Caluine againste the Sorbonistes A booke of the relieques of Sainctes Two Cities full of relicies Afalsereport of the Emperours deathe The Duke of Cleaue craueth pardon of themperoure CondicioÌ„ns to him imposed The daughter of Nauaris sent to the Duke of Cleaue Laundersey beseged The preachers of the gospel thrust oute of metz The sege is leuied at Nice Dissencion in Scotland The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to Kynge Edwarde The king of Denmarke warreth vpoÌ„ theÌ„ perialles The duke of Cleaue renounceth the Frenche Leage The departure of the Frenchmen from LaÌ„dersey Duke moris County willyam forsaketh the Frenchking 1544. Thre eclipses of the moone A great Assemble at Spiere The causes of the turkes prosperitie The French king compared to the Turke The Protestantes oration to themperoure The Duke of Brunsewicke accuseth the Protestauntes The French ambassade to the assemble at Spier The French Herault euil receyued at Spier The ambassadors retorne by nighte The princes letters to the Pope The Popes aunswer The meane to heale the comon welth The princes letters to the Swisses The protestantes accuse the Duke of Brunswicks The tenure of his letters The Duke of Brunsewicke conteÌ„neth hys owne religion A straunge tale of the saide Duke An Image buryed in the sleâ—e of Eue. The French victory at Carignane The Duke of Sauoye accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The swysses aunswer the Princes letters Thenglishe Nauie inuadeth scotlaÌ„d The oration of the FreÌ„ch Ambassadours Holy men haue had leagues with men of a contrarye relygyon The duke of Saxon is set throughe with kynge Ferdinando The French king hateâ— of all men for the turks societie The states of thempire decree an aide against the Frenche Kynge A decree for relygion Of the chaÌ„ber Themperoures gentlenes to the Lantzgraue The duchye of Brunsewicke committed to theÌ„peroure Themperoures Iornoy into Fraunce barbarossue retourneth The deathâ— of the Duke of Lorayns The kyngs besegeth Bollogns The deathe of the Prince of Drenge Counte willyam taken prisoner Eperney brunte The feare flyghte of the Parisians Bollon rendred A peace concluded betwixte themperour and Fraunce The condicions of the peace Three moste myghty enemyes of Fraunce The Popes letters to the Emperoure The enemies of the romish church The Pope can abide no superiour Themperoure is the Popes eldest sonne Great princes swe for the Popes fauoure The creatyon of Cardinalies A counsel is called Luthers booke of the Lordes supper The clergie of Collon to the Arche Bisshop They appeale to the Pope and Emperour An Ambassade to the Kynge of Englande Peter brulie 1545. Brulie burnte at Tourney Hys examination A conuentioÌ„ of diuines at mellon The Articles of Lovayne Luther aunswereth theÌ„ of Louayne An AsseÌ„ble at wormes The ProtestaÌ„tes make aunswer The counsel of TreÌ„t vnlawefull The deuise of the popish Princes Grinian the French ambassadour The Ualdois The cruell sentence at Aygnes Iohn Myners The Cardinal of tournon Miners presidente of Aygwes He leuieth a power agaynste the Ualdois The merindolans flee into the woodes A lamentable departynge A soldioure geueth them warnynge A Captayne defendeth the women A cruell fact of Miners Cabrier yelded A terryble example of crueltye The Swisses intreate for the Ualdois A sharpe aunswer of the kynge The confession of the Ualdois doctryne The deathe of Lewes Duke of Bauier Cardinall Farnesius his coÌ„ming to wormes Themperours Ambassadour to the kyng of Poole The kinges aunswer to themperour The pope most desyrous of war A frere obseruaunte stireth TheÌ„peroure to warre Luthers boke against the Pope Luthers themes of thre gouernmentes The wylde beaste Luthers picture against the Pope Luther a prophet The ignoraÌ„ce of Grinian The deathe of Fraunces Duke of Lorayne The birth of CharlessoÌ„ns to kyng Philyp The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth monye of the FreÌ„ch kynge Themperoure taketh truce with the Turke The clergie and vniuersitie of ColloÌ„ against their Archebishop Temperourciteth the archebishop The Pope citeth the archebishop of Colon. The decre of Auspurg The frowardenes of the Duke of Brunswick The warrâ— of Fraunce England The Protestantes send Ambassadours into FrauÌ„ce and Englande The deathe of the duke of OrleauÌ„ce The armye of the Duke of bruÌ„swick The Lantzgraue goeth against him Duke Moris intreateth a peace A skirmishe betwirte the Duke the Lantzgraue The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswick A conflicte betwixte the Duke the LaÌ„tzgraue Duke HeÌ„ry and hys son yelde themselues The deathe of the Cardinall of Mentz CouÌ„te willyam deliuered The Lantzgraues letters to theÌ„peroure Themperoure to the LaÌ„tzgraue A treatie of peate beetwirt frauÌ„ce England 1546. The king of Englande warneth the Protestants of the daunger The Palsegraue ordeineth ministers in hys Churches A brute of war against the Protestantes Granuellan his aunswer to the Lantzgraue Sebastian Scherteline The Protestantes accused of conspiracie The Lantzgraues letters to Nauius The coll 〈…〉 quie of the learned meÌ„ at RegeÌ„spurg Maluenda treateth of iustification Bucers aunswer Pflugius amonges the Presidentes The colloquie dissolued Ambassadours to theÌ„peroure for the archebisshop of Collon Gonzage go uernour of Millane The Popes Legates in the counsell of Trente Preachinge Freers A bul of perdonnes The begynnyng of the counsell The oratioÌ„ of the popes Legates TheÌ„ was 〈…〉 g of Esedras and Nehemias A decree of the Sinode redde The seconde session of the Synode Luther chosen arbiter Luther is sicke Whether we shall knowe eche other in the lyfe to come Luthers last prayer The quiet departure of Luther Luthers birthe Luther sent to Rome Luthers eloquence in the Dutche tongue The inuincible constaÌ„cie of Luther The victory and conquest of the word Iohn Diaze a Spaniard Diaze goeth to Maluenda Fewe Spaniardes loue the Gospell Marquins excuseth Diaze His brother Alphonse coeth into Germany The traytorous mind of Alphonse Alphonse retourneth to Nuburge to kill his brother The murtherer killeth Diaze Cladius Senaclyus Themperours letters for a paracide TheÌ„peroure visiteth the Lantzgraue hys daughter The Lantzgraue commeth to theÌ„peroure The Lantzgraue to theperoure What counsell the Protestantes desyred Freers be disturbers of peace The boke of reformation at Collon The Archebisshop of ColloÌ„ is accoumpted vnlearned The ignorance of the people for lacke of teachyng A communication of the LaÌ„tzegraue and others Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng Diuines stubburne obstinate Themperoure ought to compell the Pope to do his dutie The ende of Scripture The beste thinges please sewest The mynde of the Pauls graue What profit hath theÌ„peroure out of Germany The Lantzgraue is arbiter beetwirte the Dukes of
they coÌ„sult of the Interim The constaÌ„cie of the Ministers Freight caried to prysoÌ„ with others The Duke of Saxon the LaÌ„tgraue led away prysoners Letters of Strasburgh to Themp. Strasburge recitueth that Interim The reformatioÌ„ of the Chamber They of CoÌ„stance geue theÌ„selues to the howse of Austrich Augustus maried a wyfe A coÌ„motion at Burdeux The slaughter that was at Burdeux Fraunces Spier a Lawier His recantation Spier wold receiue no comforte He dieth in dispaire A woÌ„derfull conuersioÌ„ of Uergerius Uergerius vanquisshed with the force of truth Inquisitours agaist Uergerus Uergerius repareth to Mantua He isputont of that counsell Uergerius preacheth that Gospell in Rhetia The abhominable filthynes of an Archebyshop Maried priestes pluct froÌ„ their wyues The inheritour of Scotland led into Fraunce The Empe. sonne commeth into Flaunders He is receyued at MillaÌ„ A meting of Diuines in Saxony 1549. Ciuile warres in Affrica Strasburgs wryteth letters to the Emperour Thei of Maidenburg are made a pray for their god lines Trouble in England The Admi. of England b. headed Thomas Cranmer a furtherer of learning Godlines Bucer and Fagius cominto EnglaÌ„d The byshop of Strasb singeth his first Masse The duke of Swaybrig molested for Religion His playne trouth The Inter. confuted by them of Lubeck and others Adiaphora Melanchton defendeth that Adiaphorist The force of holy water Hallowyng of churches Hallowyng of belles Hallowyng of aultars Luther brought in coÌ„tempt the popysh ceremonies The Popes Legates to that Emperour The Pope graunteth licence to eate fleshe The Archbyshop of Meiz to the councelloure of that Lantgraue The Godly answer of that Preachers An open disputation at Oxforde The king is receiued in to Paris Erecution done in his sight The king coÌ„maundeth to go on procession Ueruine beheaded A coÌ„uocatioÌ„ at Lipsia Rebellion in Englande The French king stealeth fortes King Philip inuested in Flaunders The Senate of Strausburge do coÌ„pounde with their bishop The pearil fear of them of Mayden burge Theyr Purgation Why they caÌ„not get pardon The sayinge of Gordiê° the martyr They betray the truthe that hold it in sylence The deathe of pope paul the third A boke in ItaliaÌ„ against the Pope His Sister a whore made him cardinal The monstrus lechery of the Pope The Popes rauening Paule geuen to Astrology coniuratioÌ„ An assemble of Cardinals to chuse a newe Pope The masters of ceremonis The custody of that CoÌ„claue The othes of the cardinals The maner how to chuse the Pope Thre factioÌ„s of cardinals The cause why Pole was not Pope The yeare of Iubiley Paules ioye was vain 1550. A straunge sight neuer hard of A trouble in the thurch of Strausburg The Protector of englaÌ„d The French kynges Proclamation against Lutheranes Iuly that third Thopenyng of the golden gate A iest of the Cardinall of Auspurge Ganimede nouryshed of Poope Iuly Dute of the Conclaue came most fil thye letters The Emperours letters to the â—ates of th empyre A peace concinded betwixt FraÌ„ce Englande A confession of faith by the Ministers of the Churche there The cleargy of Strausburge renueth their misteries A proclamation againste the Lutheranes A register of the deuines of Louaine To talcke of faith is for bidden Rewards for promotours A proclamation for printers Andwarp astonied at the Emperors proclamatioÌ„ The death of the cardinall of Lorayne The archbyshop of Collon entreth the city with pompe The protestation of D. Moris agaiÌ„st the counsell The knauery of Spanyardes The death of Granuellan Duke Henry besiegeth the Citye of Brunswick Dracutus an archpirate The taking of the city of Africa A goodlye situatioÌ„ of the same The ouerthrowe of the Maidenburgians The princes letters to theÌ„ of Maydenburg A woman in perill for a light worde The proclamation for religion is mitigated Forces bent against Maydenburg An Ambassade againste them of May denburge The answer of the MaydeÌ„burgians The death of Ulriche Duke of Wirtemb A cruell decree against the Magdeburgians Duke Maurice general of this war The causes that the decre is not obserued Pope Iuly somoneth a counsell Thei repare to Trent beÌ„fore contemned Maurice besegeth Maydenburg Hedeck and Mansfeld discomsited by Duke Maurice The Empe. proclamatioÌ„ against theÌ„ of Maydenburge The Lantgraues soÌ„ns sue for their father The Lantgraues purpose His deuise of fleing bewrayde The issuyng out victory of the MaydeÌ„burgians The Duke of Megelb takeÌ„ prisoner Marimilian cometh out of Spayne CoÌ„tentioÌ„ for the Empyre betwirte the Emperour Ferdinando what things offend many Thei of Maidenburg are moued to reÌ„der A writing of the Clergie against the citie Their actes against the Clergie The slaughter of the citezens The answer of that citezens Why that clergle forsoke that citie All Godly folke are afflicted for prosessinge the veritie All thynges must be suffered for the truthes sake God woundeth healeth The prayse of great Otto Folyshe ceremonies 1551. A newe doctrine of Osiander The Duke of Pruisse addicte to Osiander MelanchthoÌ„ best learned and modeste The decree of Auspurg Mony for that warre of MaydeÌ„burg Octauian Farnese cliente to the FreÌ„ch king The death of Bucer Complainte of the Bysh of Strasb WoÌ„ders in Saxonye The Pope accuseth Octauian Farnese The counsel at Trente is cold Erle Hedeck frende to theÌ„ of Maidenb The war of Parma betwixt themperoure and french king The French kings excuse to the Pope The sterse minde of Pope Iulye The confession of Duke Moris by Melanchton The humanity of the Duke of wirtemberge to ward Brentius Duke Moris letters to the Emperour The burnt child the fyre dreades Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge The constancy of the prelates The preachers exiled The French king warreth vpon themperour CoÌ„trarye tales of the King and the Emperour The counsel renued at Trent The French kinges letters to the counsel ReseruatyoÌ„s and graceser pectatiue The sum of mony that is caried to Rome The vniuersity of Parts apealeth froÌ„ the Pope Tharrogancye of Poope Boniface against the king of Fraunce Twelue archbishopriks in Fraunce Theames geuen to the deuines The order of speaking The maner of making the Articles of faith The maner of making the decrees The holy ghoste at the Popes commaundemeÌ„t The French kinges wryting agaynst the Pope A cruell proclamation againste the Lutheranes The wicked lustes of the popes sonne A purgation of the french kyng The cause of dissention be twixt the pope and emperor A decree at Trent of the Lordes supper The safeconduit of the fathers at Trent The Marques of BraÌ„denburge statereth the counsell Duke Moris seaseth vpon the dominioÌ„ of Chats The duke of Somerset apprehended The counsel writeth to that french king Causes of calling the counsell The French disswageth that Swisses froÌ„ the counsell The land of WirteÌ„berge delyuered of Spaniardes Thambassadour of Wirtemberge to the counsell The pacificacion of Maydenburge The noble fame constaÌ„cy of Maiden burge Duke Maurice inteÌ„deth to war vpon the Emper. Iohn Slefdan Ambassadour for Strasburge in
the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of BrandeÌ„b to the Emp. Their Oration The Lantgraue kepte prisoner againste the leage made The Lantgraue blodâ— to supper was kepte prisoner The names of the Princes that intreated for the Lantgraue The OratioÌ„ of the Prices aÌ„bassadours to the Emp. The Empe. aunswer to the Ambassabours The Lantgraues son cometh to D. Maurice Maximilian entreth into Trent The railing of Groppes A Cardinal of Dalmatia slayne in his owne house 1552. The Empe. letters to the Byshops Eleciours There is craft in dawbyng Wyly begyâ—ed Kings haue long armes ThaÌ„bassad of Du. Maurice come to the counsell D. Maurice feared of the Emperour The Duke of Somerset beheaded D. Maurice Ambassad sent awaye The saufecoÌ„duict altered The franke speache of D. Maurice Ambassad to the Fathers The Ambassadours of the Protest deluded How muche the papistes esteme the Scripture The diuines come to Norinberge The bitternes of freer Pelarge againg that protestauntes Duke Maurice letters to his ambassadours A brute of war against themperor Pardons New ambassadors from WirteÌ„berge The diuines of Wyrtemberge The confession of the duke of Wirtemberge Thambassador of Strasburge deteyned The blasphe my of a gray Frier The requestes of the protestantes deuines Duke Moris taketh Auspurge by coÌ„position The fathers fle froÌ„ Trent The answer of the protestantes ambassadors Diuers mindes in the counsel of Trent Refourmation of the papistes The Church can not erre The counsel of Basil purer theÌ„ TreÌ„t The last session of that couÌ„sell The frenche Kinge hathe peace with the Pope The ende of the Counsel at Trent The death of the popes Legate The seconde cause of war The Lantzgraue deteyned prisoner against sidelity The thirds cause The boÌ„dage of Germany Marques Alberts letters agaynste the Emperoure The heauye burthens of Germany The story of Lewes Auila of the protestants war The frenche kingsletters Germanye the fortresse of Christendoe CouÌ„tryes oppressed bi the Emperoure Tharmes of liberty Duke Moris goeth to the field The Prince of Salerne reuolteth from themperor The frenche subdueth Loraine The Cardinall betraied the Citye of Metz. The pledges of Fraunce Germanye Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris The couÌ„trie of Oto Henry recouered The iudges of the chamber slie The Conestable chideth with them of Strash The request of the Prynces to the kyng D. Maurice letters to the kyng The kinges answer to the Prynces Martin van Rossem spoyleth ChaÌ„panye The suite of the Swisses to the Kyng Skirmyshes of the Princes with the in Eperialles Erenberge take agayne RebellioÌ„ in D. Moris caÌ„p Duke Morisuye slayne The Empe. sleeth away by nyght The Duke of Saxon set at libertie The Empe. staffe spoiled Crueltie against godly preachers The princes restore the ministers of the churche The Marq. Albertes armie Albertes crueltie to them of Normberg Bamberge redemeth peace dearelye Norinberge hath peace with the Mar. Albert to theÌ„ of Wolmes The FreÌ„che king destroyeth Themperour couÌ„trie Thassemble at Passawe The coÌ„plain te of Prynces Elect. The oration of the Frenche Ambas Thaâ—â—nitie of FreÌ„chmeÌ„ and Germaines The libertie of Germany restored by the power of Fraunce The way opened for the Prynce of Spayne to be Emper. The princes aunswer his oration The house of LuceÌ„burg The battell of Cressie Albert of Austriche Marques Albert warreth for himselfe The FreÌ„che kinges aunswer to thin tercessours D. Maurice weary of delayes The Empe. letters to the intercessours Their aunswer to the Emperour D. Maurice retourneth to his fellowes George Du. of Megelbu slayne Conditions of peace offered by the Emperour Thambassadors commeÌ„taries intercepted Duke Moris admitteth peace The French king dischargeth his army Marques Albert y scourge of priests His requests to Strasbo The answer of Strausbo Conditions of peace Marques Albert refuseth the peace The deathe of Herman Archebishop of Colon. His wish Marques Albert entreth Treuers The duke of Saxon goth home to hys owne house Themperor goeth wyth his army toward Lorain Ambassadors of Strasburge to the Emperor Themperor entreth into Strasburge Sir Richard Morisine ambassadour of England Marques Antonius Ambassadour of Uenise The spoil of the soldiors The deathe of Caspar Hedio Andrew Osiander Themperor besegeth Metz. Marques Albert reconciled to themperor Albert ouerthroweth the French men Duke de Anmalle taken prisoner The greate battery of Metz. The duke of Brunswicke driuen out of his country The duke of Guise defended Metz. 1553. The french kinges wryting against themperor The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. Tharmes of Electorshyp The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambition The spoylinges burninges of Marques Albert The father the soÌ„nes coÌ„tend for inheritaunce Terwen rased The Lady Iane of Suffolke maried to Buylford Dudley Kinge Edward sore sicke War in Italye The Mar. maketh war in Saxonye King FernaÌ„do proclameth warre agaynste Albert The spoylinges of Al. The complaint of D. Moris vpon Marques Al. Duke Mor. league with the Duke of BruÌ„swicke The Mar. annswere to duke Moris Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperor The bishops in his absence inuade his counitie The great crueltie of Mar. Albert The death of good kyng Edward The vertues of Edward the sixt A battell fought betwixt Duke Maurice and Mar. Albert. D. Maurice wan that fielde and lost his lyfe The woÌ„ders before his death Great frendship betwixt D. Maurice and Marqu Albert. The Marq. letters to that states of D. Maurice The death of Orace Farnese Augustus brother and hesre to Du. Maurice Iohn Frederick demauÌ„deth his landes and dignities Nyne burnt at Lions Lewys Marsake The blasphe my or that lieftenaunt Fiue studeÌ„ts of Losanna The lady Iane. The Lady Mary proclamed Quene Winchester made ChauÌ„celour The Duke of Northumberland condemned His incoÌ„stancie at hys death Thomas Palmer The coÌ„stancie of the archebyshop of Cantorbury The bishops caried to prison The popishe Religion restored in Englande Warres reuiued betwixt the D. of Brunsw Marques Albert. Albert recoÌ„ciled to Augustus The Turkishe Naute taketh the Iland of Corsica The FreÌ„che king attemteth CaÌ„bray Pestilence firing at Paris The bloud of innoceÌ„tes gaynfull to many Brunswick beseged The Duke of Brunswletters to the D. of Saxon The Du. of Brunswick is reconciled to the Duke of Saxon. A disputatioÌ„ in England Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua Reynold Poole Cardinall Uercelles surprised The Turck hanged his sonne Mustapha The Archbyshop of Cantorbury and others condemned Marques Albert outlawed The Godly lawes of good Edward repealed Quene Mary affiauÌ„ced to the Emperours sonne 1554. Commotion in Kent The Duke of Norfolke forsaken of his men The quenes oration to that commons in yelde hall The Duke of Suffolke Wiat taken and committed to PrisoÌ„ The Lady Iane her husband beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Sibille Duches of SaxoÌ„ departeth The Godly end of Iohn Friderick An end made betwixt him and Augustus The Godlines of