he commaundeth also the Gentelmen and the people to obeye hys proclmatiō and to serue theyr Prynce faithfully vpon the like penaltie The letters written to Duke Moris were commen also to his brother Augustus Now was the whole armie of the Protestantes commē to the Riuer of Danubius There the Duke of Saxon and the Lanzgraue counsellours of the warre wryte theyr letters to Willyam Duke of Bauer the .iii. daye of August to speake much of Thēperours preparation to war it is no nede For he knoweth the whole matter And albeit they haue omitted no kynd of dewtye towardes Themperour supposed there had ben no cause of displeasure yet haue they hearde longe synce bothe by his aunswer and also by the talke of others that he intendeth to war on thē as though they should be disobedient where as yet they are neither conuict of any crime nor haue done wrong to any mā And beit so that the offēce were most trew that he imputeth to them yet were it not lawful for him before the case be examined to attempte the matter by force of armes but this enterprise of his is agaynste the ryght and lawes of Thēpire against couenaunt custome of former time For if Thēperours had any matters against any state the same hath bē euer accustomed to be examined opēly Now he knoweth how of many yeres there hathe ben meanes deuysed that Germany myght lose her libertie And without all doubt thys warre also tendeth to suche an ende And albeit they haue alwayes hitherto perceyued in him a desyre to mainteyne common lybertie and although he lately promysed manye thinges touching his good will to wardes them and sent them word that he wold not suffer the foreine soldiour to passe through his countrey yet is it reported vnto them that he hath geuē them waye already and also vitayle and munition whiche thinge greueth them not a lyttel and suppose that he is perswaded so to do through false sclaunders But where as by theyr writinges lately setfoorth is declared aboundantly how iniuriously the Emperoure dealeth and howe many couenauntes aswel publicke as priuate are in thys one thing broken they trust yet that in the defēce of lybertye he will assist thē with hys ayde and counsell especiallye seynge he put them in hope of the samethynge nowe lately by hys messager Therfore he shall doe well to cōmaunde Themperours soldiours to depart out of his Townes of Roene and Ingolstad or els to permit them to place as manye of theyr men there also And that he geueth them free and safe recourse throughe hys countrey and relieue them with victualles and assure them hereof by wryttynge And albeit they thynke he wyll not saye them naye yet they desyre an aunswer within syue dayes For yf he shulde otherwise doe than muste they doe as theyr counsell shall serue them At the seuenthe daye of Auguste in Machlin a veraye fayre Towne of Thēperours in Brabant gunpowder that lay in a Tower vppon the walles catching fyre through lyghtning first ouerthrewe the same Towne from the foundacion thē lighted vpon the houses within the Citie and without aboue fyue hondreth pases in circuite wherof some were brente some ouerthrowen many shaken in pieces and tourned vpsydedowne and of the same houses many heuge and exceading great stones flewe threscore pases of through the violence of the powder which so tearyng a sonder the houses and shakynge breaking the glasse windowes in euery strete defaced in a maner the whole citie it singed trees and turned them vp by the rootes In that calamitye perished two hondreth persons or there aboutes partly cōsumed with fyre partly by the ruine and fall of houses stones tyles ouerwelmed besydes those that were sore wounded and yet escaped death wherof the nomber was great Many of them two dayes and three somme foure dayes after were found and drawen out of the sellars and caues vnderneth the grounde wherunto they were fled diuerse of them dead whiche perished eyther for honger or for lacke of breathe some a lyue which fynding theyr vitayles layde vp susteyned theyr life Moreouer a great nomber of horses and other beastes wer burnt vp stables and all And the wal itselfe where the Toure stode was throwen downe flat with the grounde aboue two hondreth pases in length At the .ix. daye of August the Swisses mete agayne at Baden and the fourth day after maketh aunswer to the protestants Ambassadours whom they appoynted to be there at the same tyme as before is mentioned not all the Swisses but suche only as wer of the popishe religyon Who sayde they were very sory that this warre was moued betwene Themperoure and them neyther was there anything that they had rather or wished for more then peace Therefore they wolde not intermeddle in this warre to nor fro nor incline themselues to either partie howbeit they wolde kepe out foreine soldiours and not suffer them to passe thorow theyr dominion and staie their owne men at home as muche as in them lyeth And for the same cause haue geuen strayte commaundement already that no man goe foorth to serue in the warres but attend vpon the Magistrates pleasure and looke to the defence of theyr countrey yet this notwithstandyng many are gonne a warfare whom they haue takē into wages which thing is a great grief to them therfore they desyre them to discharge the same and suffer them to retourne home agayne Besydes the former demaundes the protestantes requyred of them this moreouer that they wold not enter into that confederacie of Themperour and Bishop of Roome nor ayde thē with any men wherunto the bisshop especially moued thē but that they wold assist them whych wer constrained to defend vniust warre and repulse from them violence And reporting many thinges of the Bishops iniquitie who wyll both rule the counsell and be iudge also and holdeth the same in a place set for iniurye vpon occasyon speake of the death of Iohn Diazius and shew how that destable murther is not only to this daie vnpunished but is so much commended of many also as though it were worthy a great rewarde which thing is a warning to them how daungerous and vnmete it is for them to come in suche places where theyr aduersaties haue al the gouernement amonges them the bishop of Trēt lately made Cardinal depely bounden to the Bisshop by moe wayes than one For asmuche as the Protestantes with all theyr force were at the water of Thonawe Themperoue whiche as yet was not fully fournished in the begynnyng of August leauing Regenspurg with a garnison went to Landshut a Towne of the Duke of Bauers by the Riuer of Isara and pitcheth his tentes without the walles The Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue and theyr felowes sendyng they re letters from Donauerd the eleuenth daye of August declare of what mynde they are towardes hym after the maner and lawe of Armes and the last moneth saye
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
our faith neither abolishe those whiche are left vs by the handes of the Apostles and auncient fathers Of iudulgēces and pardons he wrote very muche also And in graunting of the same maketh the byshop of Rome a great Prince he died as it is saide in the yeare of our lorde athousand two hundreth thre score and fortene And is cōmonly called thangelical doctor for the subtiltie of his witte This booke of Syluesters Luther aunswereth onlye in an Epistle to the reader saying it is so compacte altogether of lyes and terrible blasphemies of Gods holy name that it should appeare that the deuyl himselfe was the aucthour therof Wherfore if the Byshops and Cardinalles be of the same opinion and that suche doctrine be taughte at Rome then is it no longer to be doubted of but that Rome is the very seate of Antechrist Then happy is Grece and happie is the lande of Boheme yea fortunate are all those that haue made a diuorcement with her and miserable are they that haue to doe with the same Wherfore vnlesse the bishop will see him punished and compell him to recante he protesteth that he wil dissente frō him And not only forsake the church of Rome but also to take it from henceforth as a most filthy synke and puddell of all wickednes For there be daylye inuented newe prayses for the Byshop of Rome suche as the lyke haue not been heard of for this subtile ende and craftie polycie that a lawful counsell should take no place And therfore do his flatterers preferre him aboue al counsels and affirme that the vnderstanding of all Scripture must be fetched at his hande as of a mooste certen iudge Wherefore if they holde on their madnes and with their iuggelinge castes mocke all the worlde after this sorte other remedy is there noone but that the ciuile magistrate must se them punished Theues and murtherers and such other malefactours are punished with death but it were a great deale more right that these whiche are muche more hurthfull enemies to the common wealth should with the common assent and trauell of men be supsuppressed For the bishop of Rome is in the same state that al other mē be and is no lesse bounden to the obseruation of Goddes commaundementes than is the poorest man liuing And such as teache otherwyse do the greatest iniury that may be to the diuine maiestie At the same tyme also Iames Hogestrate a blackfreer wrote against Luther full bitterly exhorting the Byshop of Rome to fyre and sworde whome Luther aunswering in very fewe wordes reproueth his cruell and bloudy mynde scoffing merely at the mans ignoraunce admonishing him so to procede for that it is the chiefest way to wyn true fame what tyme a man is blamed of vnlearned and euil men but at Byshop Leo his handes he saith he looketh for better thinges Whilest these matters were thus handled on either parte after the maner of scolemē Themperour Maximiliā calleth an assemblie at Ausputg whether also Leo the tenthe sendeth afterwarde his Ambassadour Thomas Caietane Cardinall At this assemblie were present all the seuen Princes electours so called bycause they haue the authoritie to electe and create Themperour They treated here of warre againste the Turke For Solyman Emperour of the Turkes hauing lately subdwed the Sultane had conquered all Syria and Egipte Wherfore the Cardinall made an exhortacion promysing in his maisters name the treasures of the churthe to be employde vpon this warre And required herein the ayde and assistaunce of Maximilian as defendoure of the churche At this selfe same tyme Leo the tenth created Albart Archebyshop of Mentz Cardinall And in this assemblie cōmaundeth Caietane to cōsecrate him with the ceremonies and rytes accustomed Whiche thing being doone accordingly Themperour leadeath home the newe Cardinall from the churche and sendeth him presentes that is to saye a Princelyke horselitter wythe horses and manye ryche and costly hangynges And the Byshop of Rome gaue him also an hat set with golde pearle and precious Iwels and a swoorde with a gylt skabarde For the moste part of al the bishoppes in Germany be as wel Ciuile as Ecclesiasticall Magistrates Howbeit it was thoughte that Leo preferred him to this dignitie to theude that the church of Rome myght haue a defendour in Germany suche a oue as was both in nobilitie of birth and in authoritie also right famous as the lyke vnto this man could not be founde there For besydes that he was of the noble house of Brandenburg in that he was archebyshop of Mentz he was the chiefest of all the Princes electours and as it were consull for euer And albeit that all byshops are bondē to the Byshop of Rome yet such as are made Cardinalles be muche more bonden Maximilian being aduertised of the controuersie of Luther in the moneth of August writeth his letters to the byshop of Roome signifiyng that he hath heard in what sorte Luther hath reasoned many matters and preached also some thinges that seme to be hereticall And he is the more sory for that he defendeth his doctrine styfly and hath very many fauorers of his opinion emonges the whiche there be diuers of hygh estate he exhorteth hym therfore that he for his hyghe authoritie that he beareth would abolyshe all suche Idle and vnprofitable questions and inhibite all sophisticall contencions of wordes for so much as they that applie their study that way do not a little hurt the christē cōmon weale Where as their intent is only that the thing whiche they haue learned should bee praysed and receyued of all men alledging that in tyme past there was great diligence shewed in appoyntinge ayt preachers to the intent the al Sophisticall contention myght be eschewed howbeit this order by lyttle and lyttle felle into cōtempt so that it is no maruell that suche as should haue taught others haue oftentimes erred thē selues And this to be the cause therof for somuch as the auncient writers and interpretours of holy scripture haue now a long tyme been layde a syde and filled more full of lyes It maye bee imputed to them also that so muche contention is reysed in these oure daies about matters of learnyng and this laste daungerouse controuersie now about pardons Certeinly the weightines of the thinge requireth a remedie betyme lest the disease runne to farre for in delaye is daunger What so euer he shall determine therin the same wyll he allowe and see that it shall take place throughout all partes of Thempire There was mencion made before howe Luther and Syluester wroote one against an other Nowe had he being in office at Rome so aggrauated Luthers matter that Leo cited him tappeare at Rome and that vnder a great penaltie Afterwardes the .xxiij. day of August he wryteth his letters to Caietane his Ambassadour in Germany signifiyng howe he is aduertysed that Luther holdeth certein opinions that be wycked
Germany bare of money and keptmen in great bondage which they said plainely they would no longer suffer but in case they were not reformed with spede they wold seke a redresse theÌ„ selues Concernyng the tribute of the Clergie thus it was Amonges other meanes to gather vp money this was one that Byshoppes and other spirituall parsons shoulde paye to the Byshoppe of Rome after the rate of the benefice a certeine summe of money commonly called fyrste fruites and tentes Some do ascribe this deuice to Iohn the .xxij. others vnto Boniface the .ix. The preteÌ„se was fayre and goodly that ther might be Treasure ready at all times against the Turkes and Saracenes And for as much as at that time the aucthoritie of the Bishoppes of Rome was growen great and estemed holy it was easely graunted Englishmen only refused to pay namely for theyr smal benefices This continued till the counsel of Basil where it was put downe brought vp againe by Eugenius the fourth who made that counsell frustrate and so hath continued euer syns but yet not with out much repining For in the yere of our Lorde a thousande and fine hundred what time the Emperor Maximilian held a counsell at Ausâ—â—rge about the Turkishe warre it was decreed that Ambassadors should be sent to Alexander the sixt that he should aide the common wealth And geue those yerely reuenewes vnto this vse that were graunted for the same purpose But tharchebishops or Metropolitanes receane of him a certein signe of honor and dignitie made of Flaxe wolle they call it a Palle For the which they must paye a great piece of money to the Byshoppe of Rome and that in a short space For he maye admit none other Byshoppe till he haue receiued his Palle whiche he weareth alwayes at Masse but before it be deliuered to him he must take his othe to owne him his faith and obeidience And the sixte day of Marche the Princes at Norinberge set forthe a writinge of the thinges before mentioned charging all men to obserue the same vnder a great penaltie whiche decree was published in the Emperours name For he had establisshed the Senate and iudgement before he retorned into Spaine And Fridericke Countie Palatine was his deputie in that assemblie About this tyme were taken at Bruxels two Monckes of S. Austens order Iohn and Henry Hogostrate a Frere Dominicke had theÌ„ in examination They were asked what they beleued They made answere howe they beleued the bokes of the Olde and New testament and the Crede of the Apostles that conteined the Articles of our faith Againe whether they beleued the decrees of the Counsels and of auÌ„cient fathers Such of them as are agreable to the Scriptures Whether they thinke it deadly synne if a man breake the decrees of the fathers and of the Bishoppe of Rome It is only ascribed to Gods commaundementes to condemne or saue WheÌ„ they perseuered herin they were condemned to dye But they gaue thankes to God that they should suffer for the glorie of his name When they were brought forth to suffer all men marueyled to beholde theyr constancie so were they burnt the fyrst day of Iuly But before they wer executed they were disgraded which thing is done vnto priestes onely For beynge condemned Heresye by an Ecclesiasticall Iudge he hath put vpon him an albe and a Uestement and deliuered into his handes a Chalice with wine and water also the gilt Patent with a singing Cake And so knelyng vpon his knees the Bishoppes deputie taketh from him the thynges before named commaundynge hym that he shall no more saye Masse for the quick and the dead And with a piece of glasse he skrapeth his fingers in ioyninge him that he neuer herafter halowe any thing After he taketh the rest of the thinges from him with certein curses ioyned therunto Whan he is exempted thus out of the numbre of Priestes he is also put from the rest of the ordres by the which he came vnto priesthod Then he is he torned naked and decked againe with a laymans apparell and so deliuered to the magistrate whom the bishoppes chaunceloure entreateth that he wold determine no harme against his life nor body for they vse this Ceremony lest they beynge holy men shoulde seme to be the Aucthors of death or bloudshed Whan the decree of the Empire made at Norinb was of many taken diuersely of some also coÌ„temned Luth. Writinge his letters to the Princes doth aduertise them that he hath read it reuerently with great pleasure First where they coÌ„maunde the gospell to be taught after the interpretatioÌ„s approued by the church some in dede vnderstaÌ„d it to be after the accustomed maner of Thomas of Aquine DuÌ„se suche others as the Bishops of Rome haue allowed but he taketh it to be mont of more auÌ„cient writers as Hilary CypriaÌ„ AusteÌ„ such others And yet not so much credit to be giueÌ„ vnto theÌ„ nothing like as to the scripture Thus he doubteth not but they meÌ„t it so doth he take it which is the cause that certen of the chiefest nobilitie wold not subscribe to it nor suffer it to be proclamed in theyr couÌ„treis Secondly where bishops should appoint mete meÌ„ to be present at sermoÌ„s which should geue gentle admonition if any thing were a misse he saith the decre is good but that the Bishops though they wold can not obserue the same for that they waÌ„t learned men haue no other but suche as haue learned nothinge elles but sophistrie And where they prohibite that no bookes be printed before learned meÌ„ appointed therunto haue first perused theÌ„ he wil not be against it so that it coÌ„cerue no bokes of scripture which in no wise oughte to be inhibited Finally where they haue decreed that priestes which mary wiues or forsake their order shal be punished according to the Canon law that to be to ouer hard a thig For as they coÌ„fesse if the gospel be preached sincerely thaÌ„ must the CanoÌ„ law be much qualified Afterwarde he bewalleth the miserie frowardnes of our time that in so clere a light of the gospel that extreme law that prohibiteth mariage is not abolished which hath geuen thoccasion of so many great euils yet are they much to be praised which are content with the punishmeÌ„t prescribed in the Canon law but such as wold kill the priestes that marie or leaue their ordre after they haue by prison all kind of punnishement tormented theÌ„ are greatly to be abhorred Wherfore he besecheth the Princes that for so muche as theyr aduersaries will not obeie the decre which they mighte and ought to obserue the pore priestes might be pardoned for that thinge â—ech not in their power to performe for euery man hath not the gift of chastitie and the vowes made be foolishe After this he set forth a boke of ordeining of ministers to the Senate of Prage and ioyneth with it a writynge wherein he
wel as they do for the laste yere what tyme another Ambassador was here they wrote vnto him theyr mindes howe the daunger of this alteration should be foreseen and remedied And also what they required of him to be done for his parte Wherof if he haue brought any aunswer they desyre him to vtter it to the intent they may the better procede in the cause And as touching Turkishe matters they confesse to be as he hath sayd notwithstandyng that great warre doth not only concerne The Empire but all together kynges and princes of Christendome in like maner For vnlesse that they be at peace amonges them selfes and giue their aide ther can nothing be done to continew But for asmuch as the Turke nowe maketh great preparation vnto warres both by sea and Lande they would also knowe his opinion herin The Legate said againe that whether there were any such way by them deuised to appease the strife aboute Religion or whether it were deliuered to the Bishoppe and Cardinalles or no he can not certeinly tell but the Bishoppes good wyll is muche who hathe gyuen him full aucthoritie in all suche matters but they whiche knowe the men the maner and custome of the countrey must fynd out that way that may lead them to the ende wished for In the counsell at Wormes the Emperor by theyr common assent made a decree to haue bene executed thorowout all Germany which some obeied and some not Wherefore this great diuersitie should be in the Empire he knoweth not But he thinketh good before any thynge be determined to consulte howe it maye be executed he is not comen thither to styrre vp fyre and dissention as some reporte but all his desyre and the Bishoppes in like case is to make peace and concorde to th entent that suche as haue erred and straied may be reduced into the waie that the decrees of the counsels Themperors and Princes proclamations might be obserued concernynge their requestes whether they were made to be sent to Rome he knoweth not But three copies were brought thither to priuate men whetof he had one but the Byshoppe and the Colledge of Cardinalles coulde not be perswaded that they should be made by the Princes but thought rather that some priuate men had deuised for hatred and malice that they bare to the citie of Rome Wherin be diuerse thinges that deny the Byshoppes authoritie smell of Heresye and be suche as he can not meddle withall But for others that are not against the Bishop such as are grounded vpon equitie and reason he will not refuse to treate of Howe be it it semeth vnto him that the demaundes should haue bene propounded with more modestie if they had ought to say to the highe Bishop For so dyd lately the Spaniardes which sendyng an Ambassade to Rome declared gētely what theyr request was But wheras they be printed and publisshed abrode he thinketh that ouer muche And yet there is no doubte but that the Bishoppe of Rome wyll do for Germany what he can Moreouer what power the Turke hath and what preparatiō he maketh the bishop hath good intelligence And hath alredy great treasure in a readines and will haue more And for so muche as the concorde of Christen Princes is very requisite he hath done what he can that the Emperor the Frenche kynge and the king of England hauyng peace together might set vpon the Turke on all handes and he will employ therupon all his treasure This doeth the Bishoppe as a good sheperde foresee and care for peace and quietnes But in case the shepe wyll not folowe the voyce of the Sheperde he can do no more but take it paciently and commit the whole matter vnto God Amonges the Suyces encreased dayly cōtention for Religion And the rest of townes sendynge theyr Ambassadors to them of Zurycke shewed theyr grief How that in tymes past all thinges were at a godly quiet and no contention of Doctrine at all But nowe through the meanes of Luther that fyrst began and Zuinglins and Leo Iude that preached amonges them interpretinge Godes worde after theyr owne iuste and appetite that godly peace and quietues of the churche and the common weale is nowe tourned into trouble and dissention And besydes that these incommodities do ensew vpon fastyng dayes they eate bothe Egges and Flesshe Religious folkes aswell men as women forsaking theyr profession and orders do marrie Gods seruice is laide downe they singe no more in the Churche they neglect confession and penaunce the Masse is railed on our Lady and the sainctes dishonoured theyr Images pulled downe and broken the sacramentes had in contepte in so muche that nowe a daies the sacred holy host that representeth Christes body can skarsely be safe in the Priestes haides These are thinges to be lamēted and to be auenged also with the losse of life and goods Wherfore they desyre them to leaue their newe doctrine and perseuer in the olde religion of their fathers for they can beare this gere no longer But in case there be any thinge wherin they fynde them selues offended with the Bishop of Rome Cardinals Byshoppes and suche others whan they entre into benefices choppe and chaunge them and gather vp all the money in the countrey vsurping and taking ouer muche vpon them if these and suche other like things do molest and greue them they will not refuse to helpe to reforme the same for they do mislyke them very muche them selues The Senate of Zuricke aunswered the .xxi. daye of Marche that their ministers of their church had preached there fyue yeares Whose doctrine at the begynnynge semed vnto them newe because they had not heard the like before but after that they vnderstode how the ende therof was to shewe Iesus Christ the aucthor of saluation who dyed for the sinnes of the world who a loue deliuered vs wretches frō death euerlasting being the onely aduocate of mankinde to God the father they could not but wyth feruent desyre embrace so ioyful newes there was great agrement and concorde in times past betwixt the Apostles and those which after theyr time embraced Christes doctrine the same they trust shall be nowe also amonges such as giue their minds hereunto And if Luther or any other do so teache it is well done neyther ought Gods word to be called his doctrine And although they do honor Christ only yet do they no iniurie therfore to the virgin Marye or other saints For al they being here in earth loked for eternall saluatiō by the onely name of Christ and nowe is there such a light giuen that in maner all men within their citie do reade the Bible diligently so that the ministers can not wrast a wrye that is so continuallye in all mens handes wherefore there can be no secte obiected vnto them but that name accordeth to them which to mainteine their lucre and dignitie wraste Gods worde whither they list They are said to be in an error
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
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
heare saith he how the Frēche kyng hath requyred your ayde but not obteined which was to me great pleasure and I haue aduertised the Emperour hereof And certenly reason would it should so be For the Emperour gaue none occasion of this warre but was fully resolued this sommer to haue warred vpon the Barbarians and the ennemies of our Religion Notwithstanding the Frenche kynge immediatly after the death of Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan albeit he hath no right nor title therunto a composition made touchyng the whole matter certen yeares paste contrary to the conuenauntes sought to renewe warre and to recouer Lumbardy And at the same tyme passing the Alpes with a great armie inuaded the Duke of Sauoye a Prynce of the Empyre to the intent that hauing ones subdued his countrey he might haue the way open to passe further And nowe that the Emperour hath leuied an armie to resiste hym as he was in dede constreined I am informed that he craueth nowe ayde agayne of you Neuerthelesse for as muche as he breakyng his fidelitie hath commenced warres a freshe I desyre you that you doe not assiste hym Whereby you shall do the Emperour and me pleasure and preserue the quiet of your owne commō wealth In this meane while the Protestantes had sent an Ambassade to the Emperour in Italy to make their purgation in that he had charged them by letters to haue taken the churche goodes and further more to complayne of the iudges of the Emperiall chamber But before the Ambassadours were arriued the Emperoure the seuenthe of Iulye had sent letters to the Protestauntes from the Towne of Sauilie signifieng how he hath at al tymes both present and absent by his letters and Ambassadours sought the quiet of Germany and hath both promysed them peace in theyr Relygion and also perfourmed the same And nowe for as muche as the Frenche kynge against whome he is enforced to rayse an armie maye perauenture by false suggestion perswade with them that he would now take occasion to breake that treuce of Religion therfore hath he thought good to admonyshe them by his letters to beleue no suche thinge but assure them selues that he woulde obserue his promyse neyther would he moue warre vpon any man for religion nor styre vp any trouble in Germany for all this preparation of warre is to mainteyne his ryght and authoritie Wherfor let them quiet them selues and styre not what so euer they shal heare For this shall be both to hym acceptable and to them also profitable Whan the Emperours power was come altogether he marched through the myddest of Italye with a stronge armie tyll he came in to prouynce of Fraunce The kynge had incamped hym selfe at Auignion betwyxte the Ryuers of Rhosne and Druence and destroyinge the countrey Whereinto he perceiued the Emperour woulde come and kepyng hym selfe from geuynge the battell he brought his ennemies into great perplexitie and myserie For the Emperour enforced through the penurie and scarscitie of all thynges and the losse of manye thousandes whiche died for famine and pestilence and also for the death of Anthony Leuie dischargeth the reste of his Armye and retourneth to Genes An other Armie of his that warred this sommer in Uermandoys beseged the towne of Peronne by the cōduicte of Henry Erle of Nassowe but preuayling not leuied the siege about the same time that the Emperour retyred in the prouince and the reporte of eyther newes brought vnto Paris the same daye reioysed the citie exceadynglye For they were in verye great feare and the Preachers in their Sermons to the people inuehed sore against the Emperour And the kynges Lieutenauntes began to intrenche the cytie and kepte the gates with watche and warde William Furstemberge a Germane serued the Frenche kynge in this warre About the begynning of this warre ended his lyfe the Frenche kynges eldest sonne Fraunces the Daulphin eyghtene yeares of age the reporte went that he was poysoned and one Sebastian de moute Cuculo an Italian beyng had in suspicion was fyrste racked and after torne in pieces with sondrye horses at Lions And the kynge afterwardes in his letters to the Prynces of Germanye amonges other made a greuous complainte hereof against Anthony Leuie and Ferdinando Gonzage the Emperours Lieutenauntes in whome he layd all the blame Herman Archebyshop of Collon of long tyme intending a reformation of his churche holdeth at this tyme a counsell of his owne prouince callynge to it as the maner is the Byshoppes within his iurisdiction of Liege Utreicht Munster Osenbridge and Myndes Herein were decrees made of ceremonies and doctrine and after set forth in a booke compyled by Iohn Gropper wherein were al Popyshe Ceremonies for the moste parte paynted out with new colours whiche booke dyd not contente the Byshop than as hereafter shal be declared About this tyme also in the moneth of Iuly Erasmus of Roterdam departed out of this lyfe an olde man of thre score and ten yeares and was buried at Basill Howe excellently learned and howe eloquent a man he was and howe muche al learnyng is bounde to hym his own workes shall testifie By occasion of puttyng downe papistrie in Englande and suppressing of certen Abbeyes vnder thre hundreth markes of yearely valewe there arose a commotion in Lynkcolneshyre in a market towne they call Lowthe styred vp by Doctour Mackerell a false Monke who named him selfe captayne Cobblar and after that it was appeased by the Duke of Southfolke the kynges Lyeutenaunt an other began in Yorke shyre a grear deale worse For those Rebelles were manye and stronge and came as farre as Dankcaster where the Duke of Northfolke met them with the kinges power and when they should haue ioyned together in battell by the mediation of the Erle of Shrewisbury which was a man welbeloued of the commons the matter was taken vp without bloudshed Their chief Captaine was Robert Aske who was after executed for his treason with certen others of the Nobilitie his adherentes Unto the letters which the Emperour wrote in Iuly the Protestaūtes answer the nynth day of Septembre and where it pleased hym to wryte so gentle and so lyberally they shewe hym howe they conceaue great pleasure in theyr mindes for albeit they did neuer distruste his promise yet for as much as diuerse reportes of his displeasure came to their eares and agayne for that the iudges of the imperiall chamber and others makyng none accompte of the peace concluded did procede diuerse wayes agaynste them they had some cause to doubte and feare the matter But nowe that he hath wrytten againe so louingly and playnly they are out of all doubtes that he wyll perfourme the same and refuse the sclaunderous reportes of their aduersaries lykewyse wyll they doe and geue no credite vnto suche as shall otherwyse reporte of him and in al other thinges also doe according to their dutie than came they to the counsell which the
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
wanted nothynge to hyghe felicitie and we myght than establyshe a moste florishyng Monarchie But if thys waye moue you nothynge at the leste wyse let the calamitie lately receyued and the mysery nowe hanging ouer your headdes perswade you Let the feare of Goddes vengeaunce also moue you For God is the reuenger of faith and conuenauntes brokē and detesteth al desire of warre and plageth the same with greuous punishementes We desire your Quene as is conuenaunted and the waye of peace whiche God of his infinitie goodnes hath shewed the same we followe and wyshe that you also wold walke in the same steppes And if we can obtain nothing we protest that of necessitie we must attempt warre through Gods conduite whose worde and voice you contemne we wyll prosecute our right with sword fire Wherfore if there he any good men amōgst you which are sory for the calamitie of their countrey whiche thinke that faith and promyse is to be kepte and obserued they may come vnto vs safely whosoeuer they be we shall shewe them all loue and fauour That the trafficke also of marchaūdise may frely be vsed amongst vs the kyng hath lately prouided set forth by proclamation to the intent there might be a token of his beneuolence towardes you And if he shall perceiue this benefite to be wel imployed he intendeth to bestowe vpon you greater hath cōmaunded all these thinges to be signified to you in his name In the former boke I shewed you of Sebastian Uogelsberg which brought the French kyng out of Germany ten enseignes of fotemē Who in Autumne retourned home and discharged his bandes For that he serued the Frenche kyng the Emperour toke it greuously displeasaūtly and seking an occasion he commaunded Lazarus Schuendie to se if he could apprehende him Who commyng to Wisseburg where he had a hous toke him and brought him to Ausburge Streight waies was he put vpon the Racke and examined by torture of diuerse others that were had in suspicion before as though they fauoured the Frenche partie And although that through a valeaunt stoutnes both of body and mynde he vttered nothing for all the tourment yet for that he was reported to haue bene in societie with rebelles to haue broken the Emperours proclamations and deuised crafty counselles he was condemned to die and two other Cēturions with him Iames Mantel Wuolf Thomas Wherfore the seuēth day of February he was brought forth into the marketh place foure days after he came thether There were certen enseignes of fotemen in ar mure and great resort of people Whan he was come into the higher place of executiō loking about him with a bold stoute courage for asmuch as the noblemen of all degrees loked out of the wyndowes houses on euery side he saluteth thē with great reuerence and speaking of the kinde of his life declareth how he hath heretofore serued the Emperour in his warres sayth the only cause of his death is that that last yere he brought the Frenche king a force of men what time he was crowned at Rains Now was this Uogelsberg of a goodly comely personage and where he shewed no toke at al of any terrour or feare of death he allured all men to beholde him After him were heheaded the Cēturions before named Two iudges gaue the sentence whiche followe the Emperours court campe alwayes the one Biruiesca a Spaniarde the other a Germane Niclas Zinner both lawyers He had blamed Schuendie as though he had bene circumuented by him But thei setforth a wryting and declare wherfore he was executed excuse Schuendie affirme that he did nothing but the Emperours cōmaundement and proteste that accusation to be false At this tyme through out Fraunce but chiefly at Paris was burning persecution renewed for Lutheranisme where contrariwyse in Englande they consulted vtterly to abolishe the Popish masse Themperour as I sayd before had geuē to Duke Maurice the dignitie of Electourship the greatest part of the Duke of Saxons coūtrie in the campe before Wittemberge But in this conuentiō by a publique solemne ceremonie he putteth him as it were inpossession and receiueth him into the tuition of him of the Empire which thing he had promised him thā This was done the xxiiii day of February which was Thēperours birth day And that cerimony was after this sorte In the market place was buylded a pauilion of bordes of a great breadth wherūto they went vp by steps Thither came themperour about thre of the clock at after none accōpanied with the Princes Electours After he goeth frō hence into an house by and putteth on his solemne Robes both he the Princes Electours From thence he cometh forth again sitteth down vnder his cloth of estate Likewise do they euery man in his place on the backside ouer themperour vpon a stage were placed the Trompetters Than cometh forth the first band of Duke Maurice runne their horses to themperours pauilion as the maner is In the meane season Duke Maurice with an other band staieth right ouer against them accompanied with a nōber of Princes next before him were .xii. Trompetters Immediatly issued out of y◠same band Hēry the duke of Brūswick Wuolfāge prince of Bipoūt brother to the elector of Palatine And albert the yōg duke of bauer whē thei had coursed their horses to the place before said they alight go vp to thē per 〈…〉 hūbly require hi that he wold auāce duke moris for the commō benefit of thempire to the digniti of electorship Themperor cōsultīg with thelectors maketh answer by tharchbishop of 〈…〉 ētz that he is cōtēt so to do in case he wil cōe hī self demād the same whē he had receiued that answer duke Moris cōmeth riding forth with the hole troupe before him wer born .x. enseignes with the armes of as many regiōs wherin he desired to be inuested whā he was come vp before themperor he kneled down vpō his knees desireth y◠same Hoier earl of Māsfeld was sent of his brother august to make the like request Wherfor themperor answereth by tharchbishop of mētz chāceler of thempire Forasmuch as they both haue don hī faithful seruice he wil geue vnto duke Moris his heires males or if none be to his brother Augustus to the heirs of his body thelectorship of saxonie al the lāds of Ihō Friderick so much excepted as is alredy grāted to his childrē Afterward tharchbishop of Mētz readeth the oth wherw t thelectors are boūdē and whā Duke Moris reciting it after him had sworn themperor deliuereth vnto him the sworde with this ceremony putteth him as it wer into full possession He geueth thākes promiseth al fidelity obeisāce After those bāuērs of armes before mētioned whē duke Moris had receiued thē of themperor wer thrown down amōgs the people as is accustomed al these things might Duke Ihō Friderick behold
than shall the state and condition of all Germaines be common but in case anye manne beare armure againste him and his felowes him wil he persecute with sword and fire There goeth a brute he saieth of him and his fellowes as thoughe they wold bring into Germany forein nations and euen the Turk him selfe but this is a false and an absurd sclaunder For what a madnesse were it to procure so greate a daunger to them selues theyr countrye It is vaine also that diuers report of him as though he shoulde attempte this warre to enriche him selfe he hathe serued nowe manye yeares the Emperoure and kinge Ferdinando and hereby hathe soughte no gaine but rather praise and honor Not without the great losse of his substaunce he hath had also large offers made and not to be contemned but all those refused he hathe fixed his minde on this warre wherin the liberty and former dignity may be restored to the common country In the which warre if it fortune that the same ouermuch authority of the Clergy and prohibited by holy Scripture be infringed and weakned no man ought to blame him therfore For certainly the chiefe bishoppes of the Empire haue bene the occasion of al these euils yet is it not his intent that those Colleges which were founded chiefly for the nobility shoulde be distroyed but that the vices beinge taken awaye and those thinges amended that can not be borne with they maye remaine in their vocation and be auaunced also wherunto he will be a furtherer to them so that they will be contente and not suffer them selues to be perswaded otherwise by his enemies The king of Fraunce also in his letters setforth saithe he hathe this respecte chiefly that Religion being established he may profite the publike weale and chiefly his frendes And therfore immediately after the death of his father he had restored Scotlande to their former dignity renued the league with Swisses recouered Boloigne and broughte againe the old inhabiters and Citezens dispersed hither and thither into theyr landes and possessions he hathe made peace also with the king of England and entred with him into perfite amity and whilest he was occupied with these matters the Emperoure by secreat deuises hath Imagined many thinges for his distruction and oftner than once hath geuen occasion of warre how beit both for the common wealthes sake and priuatelye also to relieue his people he would attempt nothing but winckinge at the iniuries he gaue his minde whollye to the establishmente of his realme but this his quietnesse afterward by his aduersaries was ascribed to a certaine timerousnesse and cowardlinesse but in the meane season were broughte vnto him greuous complaints of the Princes and states of Germany whiche saide that occasion was sought partly for Religion partlye for the Turkishe warre and to punish rebellion to bringe them in to bondage and that by craftye counsels dissention and faction are mainetained and Germanye impouerished so that it can no longer be doubted but that he goeth about to make a monarchy for him selfe and the house of Austrich of the which thing verelye he conceiued an inwarde sorowe both for the common originall of either nation and also for the old amity and frendship which euer continued ferme and inuiolated so long as it might by themperoures crafte and policye For if that state should haue an alteration and Germanye lose her liberty he perceiueth well what damage and daunger the same will be for him and all his realme For Germany is not only the fortresse and strength of Fraunce but also of the whole christian commō welth And therfore hath he desired oft with earnest prayer and wishing that either nation with their forces ioyned together might so stay them selues that they should nead to be afraid of no man where no hope of this thing appeared and yet many craued his healpe he coulde not see by what meanes he mighte succoure the Empyre so rente and torne a sondre but in this consultation so waighey God which is a righteous iudge hath shewed a goodly way For Octauian Frenese Duke of Placence and Parma whome themperour and the Bishop of Rome Iuly laide in waite for required aide of him and declaringe al their iniuries hathe perswaded him to take vppon him the defence of him and the countye of Mirandula After this came also those complaintes of the Princes and states of Germany which required they might enter into league with him for that they said howe by that meanes onlye the common wealth mighte be restored but howe iuste and waighty causes they be for the whiche the Princes attempte warre he will not recite for that the same may be vnderstande by theyr owne wrytinges Notwithstanding let euery man way with him selfe whether this vnsatiable couetousnesse of oure aduersaries dothe not geue a moste iuste occasion of griefe whiche destroyinge the wealthe of the Empire swepe all into theyr owne coffers and treasury The Burgonians do nowe inuade them of Treuers Gelderland and Wirtemberge and make inuasion into their countries and destroyeth the Lātzgraues dominion diuers waies of lyke sorte is it that themperor excludeth his ambassadors from thassemblies of the Empire that he prohibiteth that no manne may serue in foreine warres that he putteth to death noble capitains and worthy seruiceable men and amonges others Uogelsperge whose execution he him self beheld at Auspurge to thintent he mighte satisfye his bloudye minde Is if not a mooste euill an example that he shoulde prouoke and hyre men with greate rewards to slay such as serue him in the warres Assuredlye it can not with fewe wordes be expressed what craftes oure ennemies vse For into the same iudgemente of the Chamber and consistorye of the Empire are admitted and placed such as by their meanes they may bring to passe and obtaine what they liste For doubtles the blame of all these euils is to be imputed to thys kinde of menne Especiallye to the iudges of the Chamber For the which causes verely he could not deny the Germains requiring his aid Therfore hath he made league with them and not only that but also is determined to imploy vpon this warre all his force and his royall parson Neither yet doth he looke for anye priuate profite or gain therby but minedeth this thinge only that Germany beinge restored and Ihon Fridericke the Duke of Saxon and the Lantz graue deliuered whome he hathe detained prisoners in longe and vnworthy captiuity he maye win praise and renowne immortall as did in times past Flamminius for deliuering Grece from bondage neither is there cause that any man shoulde feare anye force or violence For in as much as he attempteth this warre for liberty he will wholly endeuoure that no man be hurt vndeseruedly let them truste therefore to this promesse whiche he confirmeth vnto them faithfully and geue no creadit to aduersaries which say his purpose is to afflicte and plage the Cleargy For he not only intendeth no such
eldest sonne of the same name haue wandred vp down at most vncertenty for that they warred against themperor but all his landes and possessions by themperors permission had his sonnes Fridericke and Wuolfgange whiche were of a contrarye Religion Whan they came to the treaty the father accuseth them of moste ingratitude and all be it the Prynces laboured the matter diligently yet coulde there be nothing determined The xxv Booke of Sledaines Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte The Argument of the xxv Booke THe warre beginning in Piedmount Duke Moris and the Marques Albert being at desiaunce loyne in battell wherin Duke Moris was slaine but the Marques lost the field Augustus his brother succedeth Duke Moris Iohn Fridericke maketh reclaime to hys landes At this time are nine martirs executed at Lions The good king Edward of Englād being dead his sister Mary is proclaimed Quene and the Popish bishops restored to their dignity Marques Albert hauing lost the field against Henry Duke of Brunswicke surpriseth the towne of Holse After he is banished A disputation in England about the Sacramente of thaultare The Lady Iane which was proclaimed Quene is beheaded greate execution is done in England The blessed death of the Duke of Saxon and his wife Alberte again exiled worketh greate crueltye Marye Quene of Englande maried to kinge Phillip Cardinall Poole geueth full absolution to England An assemble at Auspurge Many excellente parsonages are condemned in Englande being wholy reconquested to the Pope TO the intent some remeady might be founde for these troubles and tumults in Germany the Emperour in the month of May calleth an assembly of thempire the xiii day of August And whan he had besieged the Citye of Terwen in the dominion of Fraunce from the end of Aprill The xx day of Iune he taketh it by an assaulte spoyleth burneth and raseth it down to the ground The Constable sonne was taken in the same The king of Englande sendinge an honorable ambassade by the space of certaine monthes intreated a peace The same did the bishop of Rome but that was in vain In the month of May Ihon Duke of Northumberlād which after the death of the Lord Protector the Kinges Uncle had the chief gouernment as before is saide marieth one of his Sonnes to the Lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraunces whiche was Nece to Kinge Henrye the eighte by his Sister the Frenche Quene That time was Kinge Edwarde greuouslye sicke Than was it warre also in Piedmont and in the hither partes of Italy For the Emperour purposed to recouer Senes sendinge thither a power from Naples vnder the conduit of the Uiceroy Peter Toletane but wheras he died and the Turkish Nauy to the whiche the Prince of Salerne going out of Fraunce had ioyned him self was sailing on the Seas of Grece and Italy the soldiors retourned home to repulse the neare and domesticall daunger Marques Albert kepinge warre in Franconie Duke Moris and his fellowes send their army thither The Marques therfore leauing a garrison at Schuinfurt and other places whan he had euerye where exacted Monye hasted with greate expedition into Saxony leading away with him many pledges oute of the dominions of Norinberge and Bamberge captiues Whan he was cōmen to Arustet there were the ambassadors of Ihon Fridericke Duke of Saxon to intreat him that he would not hurte his country he promised right gently and kept it After marching into the limites of Erfurde he spoyleth there manye villages Duke Moris amased at his soden comming which had sente his armye into Franckonie as I saide commaundeth all his Nobility after also thother states to put on armure and hyreth as many as he coulde but the Marques passing through his countrye with oute doinge anye hurte whan he came to Halberstat he taketh the gates and imposeth to the Cleargye there a greate summe of Monye after that he burneth and destroyeth the Countrye of Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke beinge aided by Duke Ericke and the Nobilitye of Brunswicke The Duke of Brunswickes armye whiche I saide before was gone into Franckonie by the conduit of Phillip his Sonne whan they had attempted Schuinfurte in vaine and saw ther was pearill at home retourne into Saxonie likewise do the Souldioures of Duke Moris whereof the Earle Hedecke had the leading and ioyn with Duke Moris about Northuse And for so much as the Marques tourned downe into the prouince of Minden Duke Moris thinckinge that he woulde haue gone throughe Hesse and againe made inuasion into Franconie from Northuse marcheth to Embecke that he mighte preuente him Than in the ende ioyninge all his forces together he incampeth in the countrye of Hildesseme at Osterode and the first day of Iuly not only he but also the Chaūcelour of Boheme Henrye Plauie in kinge Fardinandoes name Proclaime warre againste him and sending abrode theyr letters Themperor say they in these former yeares hath by common assent and consent of the princes and states established peace throughe out the Empire and gaue commaundement that what action some euer any man had he should try it at the law and worcke no force nor violence And certainly the state of Germany which hath bene nowe certaine yeares nowe sore afflicted with Ciuill warres doth much require peace and quietnesse Wherfore what time there arose warre lately within the limits of the Empire kinge Ferdinando with the healpe of others indeuoured and toke paines that the warre was appeased And here in at the lengthe had the Princes consentes that were chiefe Captains of the warre and finally through the Emperoures permission concluded peace Wherin it was prouided amongs other thinges not only that nothing be done to the contrary but that suche also as be in dāger shuld be aided and assisted but that same peace did not Marques Albert refuse only but also did wryte openly to certen renowmed princes that the same tēded to the great reproche and dommage of Germany and was more worthye to be called a treason than a peace making By which wordes you declare sufficiently what minde you beare to your natiue country Again whā you had with spoyling and burning distroied the countrye that lieth by the Rhine wheras you had no good successe in Fraunce and themperor had an army prepared throughe intercession you were reconciled to him vpon respect only that he would confirme youre composition with the Bishops of Bamberge and Wirciburge But you straightwaies abusinge this confirmation of themperor who permitted you to shew no violence haue by youre ministers manye times put in feare either prelate with most terrible threatninges saying how you would inforce them by tharmies of the Earles of Mansfeld and Oldenburge to obserue their couenauntes as it is by your own mens letters to be proued And that also you mighte bring this to passe the soldiors which you discharged after the siege
crueltie as hath not bene hearde of that hauyng taken two townes of their dominion Altorfe and Lanse he shut in not the townes men only but also the people he could fynde in the countrie and eattell and after set them on fyre in sondry places but chiefly about the gates pourposing doubtlesse to burne them all vp In the which fire they say chyldrē and women with chylde and many sicke persones which were not able to breake down the walles and escape were there miserably brent Touchinge that he saieth of altering their Religiō they declare to be false for the league is made only to repulse violence from them and theirs And that he careth for no Religion it is well knowen to many and they also haue many thinges to saye in this behalfe But for the noble familie he commeth of and for certen Princes his kinsmen they wyll temper them selues The fift daye of Iuly Sigismunde kynge of Pole marieth the Lady Katherine daughter of kyng Ferdinando which had bene wyfe to the Duke of Mantua where as ten yeares synce he had maried his syster as is mentioned in the .xv. boke Edwarde the syxte kyng of Englande a Prynce of vndoubted and excellent hope the syxt daye of Iuly as it was knowen abroade departed out of this lyfe of a consumyng disease beyng of .xvi. yeares of age to the exceadynge great grief of all good and Godly men For after his death ensued a maruelous alteration of thynges in Englande as shal be declared hereafter It was bruted abroade that he was poysoned Certenly there was not in Europe a kyng of so great expectation these many yeares From his very chyldhode he was excellently well brought vp and instructed in vertue and learnyng and had not only the Latin tongue but the Greke and Frenche also and loued the doctrine of the Gospell exceadyngly and gaue vnto all learned men enterteinement and succour to Germaines Italians Frenchemen Scottes Spanyardes and Polonians What tyme both armies were not farre a sonder in Saxonie and the Marques was come ouer the water of Weser the nynth daye of Iuly at after none they ioyned in battell with all theyr forces After a longe fyght Duke Maurice whiche excelled in horsemen had the victory but he hym selfe beyng striken with a dagge through his bowels died within two dayes after The Marques came to Hanobrie in safitie There were slayne aboute foure thousande in a maner al horsemen There were taken exceadyng many Henry the Duke of Brunswycke loste in that conflicte two sonnes Charles and Philippe The nexte daye came fiue hondreth horsemen out of Boheme sent by kynge Ferdinando to Duke Maurice The Lantgraue had also sent to Duke Maurice seuen hondreth horsemen At the same tyme therfore there were together in one campe the Lantgraue and the Duke of Brunswick with the Byshoppes by a maruelous chaunge and contrarietie in thinges where Duke Ericke of Brunswicke that had maried Duke Maurice syster ayded Marques Alberte Many menne thought that tyme that lyke as kinge Ferdinando gaue ayde against Marques Albert so did the Emperour incourage and strengthen the Marques against Duke Maurice Howebeit the Emperours letters whiche hereafter I shall recite importe no suche kynde of thynges The Frenche kyng was sayde than to haue treated of newe deuises with Duke Maurice was ryght sory for his death Duke Maurice being caried into his Tente the same nyght wryteth letters to the Byshop of Wirtemburge his fellowe in that warre wherein he declareth the whole matter and saieth howe the victory is his but that he is sore wounded And supposeth that Albert is fliyng He admonysheth hym therfore that he commaunde the wayes to be layde for hym in certen places that he may be intercepted and not suffered to passe What so euer his owne state or ende shal be he is of a good conscience For he toke in hande this warre that he myght suppresse that disturber and recouer the quietnes of Germany He was buried at Fridberge a Towne of Meissen the fourtenth daye after the battell by Henry his father and his yong sonne Albert. He was .xxxii. yeares olde and vpwarde His presence was thought to be a great cause of the victory or els it was supposed that the Marques should haue wonne the fielde For many of his horsemen were fled There were taken of the ennemies and brought vnto hym out of the battell .liiii. enseignes and .xiiii. guidons For the whiche Duke Maurice in dede spent his owne lyfe but yet he ouerthrewe the force and power of the Marques For after that battell he was neuer able to gather any mayne power Whan the corps went through Lipsia Ioachim Camerarie made the oration funerall and speakyng muche in his commendation he rekened vp the wonders that went before his death Droppes of bloude styckynge vpon the leaues of trees the moste importune barkynge of Dogges and werieng one an other The neyinge of Horses hearde and the clatterynge and clankynge of Harnesse and certen other thynges full of terrour Againe his owne Tente ouerthrowen with a whirlewynde the residue standing still and not touched and certen wordes of his owne as forespeaking and prognosticating his death to come And certenly as touching those red droppes they were commonly sene in diuerse places and euen at Strasburge aboute the beginning of Iune what tyme they fell vpō bowes grasse tyled houses and stones That tyme did there flie a wonderfull number of butterflies and some there were that sayde howe these bloudy droppes came of them Againe others iudged that it did pourtēde and signifie some thing Betwene Duke Maurice and Marqes Albert being both of one age there had bene alwayes very great frendship so that there could be no derer frendes For thei both had serued the Emperour in thre warres together in the Frenche the Protestauntes and the warre of Maydenburge after this fourth and laste warre they attempted against the Emperour But displeasures arysing as before is sayd their amitie had at length this doulefull and sorouful ende What tyme Duke Maurice died his brother Augustus was in Denmarke with his wyfe with the kyng his father in lawe Wherfore the Nobilitie and States doe retaine parte of the armie for to defende his countrie about .xii. enseignes of fotemen and fiue guidons of horsemē The residue are discharged and for the moste part retourned home with the funerall But the .xviii. daye of Iuly Marques Albert wryteth letters to the nobilitie and people of Duke Maurice Where as of late he went through their coūtrie into Saxon he passed without harme doing for that he had no hostilitie in his mynde But Duke Maurice hath not only hurt men of his dominion but also to the intent to gratifie certen wicked periured bishops had renounced that auncient league that is betwene his familie and the house of Saxon in a maner for no cause after a straūge example had made warre against him Whiche thing being
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
haue nowe declared and of others that wryte stories But when I speake of Historiographers I meane not those of our time which study only to extoll and highly commend what part they list and ouerwhelme thother with contumelious and railynge wordes They that are of such sort be not worthy to be so called Ihon Cocles .vi. yeares past setforthe Commentaries in a manner of the same argument that mine are but all thynges are heaped vp with such horrible forged and abhominable sclaunders and lyes as haue not bene hard Cardinall Poole in the boke lately setforthe calleth the Doctrine renewed in Germany Turkishe seede Of suche lyke wordes are al theyr bokes full But what like thing is found in all my woorke I haue verely wrytten the wonderfull benefite of God geuen eo thys our time orderly and as truely as I could possible and for the same purpose I gathered .xvi. yeares since what soeuer belonged herunto neither haue I wrytten rashlye but with a sure iudgemente proceaded And what labour and paines this worke hath cost me nexte the liuing God I know For his glory haue I chiefly regarded and leauing the practise of the law I haue applied in a maner all my study herevnto and verely I must confesse that throughe Gods motion I haue ben after a sort drawen vnto this labour And nowe where diuers requite me so vnworthye thanckes for my so greate trauell and paines I wil cōmit to him whose cause chiefly I toke it in hād for I know vndoubtedly that I haue offred vp vnto him a most acceptable sacrifice with the same verely good conscience I comfort and sustain my self especially seing that my labor is commended of learned men whiche bothe geue me thanckes and confesse also that they haue receiued much frute therby Wherefore I desire all louers of the veritye that they wold geue no credit to the sclander of a few certen mē but wold gentelly accept my labors faith and dilligence nether conceiue any sinistre opinion of me Furthermore I protest that I do acknowledge the Emperour and king of Romaines for the high Magistrate whome God hath ordained and to whom in al things that be not against God we ought to obey as Christ and thapostles teach FINIS ¶ A Table containing all the Principall matters in this Boke A A Counsel promised 92 An Apology deliuered but not receiued eodem A beastly cruelty 104 A blasing starre 109 A consecrating of Cardinals 113 Andrew Gritie duke of Uenise 117 A boke of Romish Marchauntes 118 A straunge chaunge eodem Alteration in England for Reli. 125 A Prophet inspired 129 A new king of Anabaptistes 131 A boke of the misteries of the scrip 133 A blinde asse 134 A counsel called 147 An oration against the french king eo A reformation of Collon 141 A sword hallowed 142 A wryting of Auspurge 143 Athanasius Arius and Liberius 148 A propre saying of Ciprian 153 A priestes sonne not enioy his Fathers benefice 155 Auarice and concupiscence let coū 156 Annas Momorancy made Constable of Fraunce 157 A gentleman of Tolowse burnt 158 Andrew de Aury saluteth the king 159 A colledge erected at strasborough 160 A league of the Papistes againste the protestauntes 173 Ambassadors sent to Henry brother to George duke of Saron 176 A Friers wede maketh the deuell a. 177 An assembly at Smalcald 169 A wryting exhibited by the deuines eo A confutation of the .vi. articles 171 An oration of a yong Cardinal 172 A priuy hatred of the french king eod An exceading hot sommer 174 A disputation betwixt Eckius and Melanchthon 176 A great assemble at Regenspurge eo A mean to get mony by pardons 177 A most costly stole or Paile eodem A wollen halter to strāgle the pope 178 A boke presented to the collotors 179 A great tempest destroid his ships 184 An assemble at Spires 186 A soden fear in the french court 88 An army against the Turke eodem Any pleasaunt life is not to be eodem A consolation of the prisoners eodem A counsel called at Trent 198 An assembly at Norinberge 163 Ambassadors to the duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue 194 A rebellion at Rochelle 197 A supplication of the protestaunts 194 A boke called Antididagma 201 An assemble at Spire 202 A league of themperor and the king of England against the french king 203 A boke of Caluine against Sorbo 204 A boke of the relikes of saints eodem A false report of themperors death eo A great assemble of Spiere 206 A straunge tale of the duke of Brū 209 An image buried in the stede of Eue. 209 A decre for religion 212 A peace concluded betwixte themperor and Fraunce 314 An ambassade said to the king 216 A Commention of deuines at Mil. 217 An assembly at Wormes 218 A lamentable departing 219 A soldsoure geueth the Merundo 220 A cruell fact of Miners eodem A terrible example of cruelty eodem A captain defendeth the women eodē A sharp answer of the king eodem A frere obseruant stirreth themperour to warre 221 A skirmish betwixt the Duke 225 A conflict betwixt the Duke eodem A league of them of Strasborow Zuricke and Bernes 85 A confutation of the Protestantes 88 A confession of the Zwinglians 88 A story of the king of Fraunce 101 A controuersy of the bishoppe of Bantberge with the Marques of Brandenburge 103 A bishops office 111 An assemble at Regenspurge 73 An assembly at Spires 79 A treatise of peace betwixt Fraunce England 227 A brute of warre againste the Protestauntes 228 Ambassadors to themperor for tharchbishop of Collon 230 A decre of the Sinode read 231 Alphonse Diaze commeth into Germany 234. Alphonse returneth to Nuburge to kill his brother eodem A communicatiō of the Lantzgraue others 237 A diuision amonges thelectors 241 A statute of Trent 243 A decre of originall sinne eodem An aunswer of them of Strasborough to themperor eodem An heape of euils of ciuel war 244 A league betwixt the Pope and themperor 246 A preatence of mouinge war 247 Albert of Brunswicke hurt 265 Alteration in Sauoy 266 A warlike pollicy of themperor 267 An other pollicy of themperor eodem Aucthoritye can not beare equallitye 271 A decre of the counsel at Trent of iustification 276 A Dolphe substituted to Hermon archbishop of Collon 277 Alteration of Religion 278 Alteration in the Courte of Fraunce 282 A pergidu of the sonne 285 An assembly of the Empyre at vrmes 286 An assemble at Auspurge 291 An holy boxe sent downe from heauen you may be sure eodem A conspiraty against the Popes sonne 294 A reformation of Religion in Englād 297 Albert receiued into the tuition of the king of Pole 3021 A disordained ordre of knightes 303 A composition of peace 305 A counsel called at Trent twise 309 An euil compiled booke ofte corrected 314 Ambrosa Blaurer the chiefest minister of the church 324 At Strausburge the Consull of th 〈…〉 ri◠eodem Augustus married a wife 327 A
venery displeased eodem Fredericke Counte Palatines death 465 French king taken prisoner 43 Faith of Abraham obtained greate benefites of God 56 French league against themperor 71 Frenche kinges letters to the Prynces of Germany 73 French kinges inuentions against the Emperour 79 French kinges oration 120 French kinges letters eodem French warreth againste the Duke of Sauoy 38 Frenche kinge kissed the Popes ryght fote 159 French king geueth counsel to the Duke of Wittemberge 166 French kinges answer to themperors letters 199 French king coÌ„pared to the Turk 207 French king hated of all men for the Turkes societe 211 Frowardnesse of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 French king is receiued into Paris 235 French dischargeth his army 410 French kinges Proclamation against condemned of thinquisition 452 G GRece and Bohemes happines 3. Gerson of Paris 8 Gesmer captain of the boures 54 Gods power appeareth in fewest men 56 Gods wrath is slow but yet sore 58 George Duke of Saxon hateth the gospel 67 Godlines is not to be sought for in the Court 68 Great ghostly fathers 89 God bridleth the power of Sathan 134 Great execution done at Gaunt 171 Granuellans oration at Wormes 174 George of Austryche apprehended at Lions 184 God offreth hys worde before he Plageth 185 Gropper commended Bucer 187 Gwelphians eodem Gibellines whiche were names of the Emperiall eodem Geneua 192 Grashopper in Germany and Italy 193 Gropper forsaketh the gospel 202 Greate Princes sue for the Popes fauour 305 Griniam the French ambassador 309 Granuellan his answer to the Lantzgraue 409 General counsel promised 72 Great slaughter 105 Great alteration in England 113 Great assemble at Regenspurge 176 Gonzage gouerne of Millane 501 God is not the author of wrong 263 Gropper had the spoile of Frede. 277 Godly preachers flie 315 Ganimede nourished by the pope 348 God woundeth and healeth 357 Germany the fortresse of Christendom 394 George duke of Megelburge slain 408 Great frendship betwixt duke Maurice and Marques Albert. 422 George Earle of Mount Pelicart marieth the Lantzgraue daughter 453 Gospell is slaundred wyth rebellyon 63 Godly constancye of the Duke of Saxons children 322 H HEbrue bookes of thre sortes 20 How the scripture muste be handled 22 Honoures chaunge manners 23 Henrye King of Englande wryteth against Luther 34 How the yoke of Papistes is to be shaken of 48 Henry Zutphan put to death 50 How the magistrate should deale wyth the Papistes 58 How wicked dominion is to be shaken of 58 Hunting hauking and fishinge prohited 60 How ministers should be ordained 62 Hipocrisy of bishops 75 How scripture should be expounded 82 Hugh Capet Earle of Paris 101 How a free counsell is to be vnderstaÌ„d 111 Hirman Stapred 128 Heldus the Emperoures ambassador 143 Heldus Oration at Smalcald eodem Harlots honored at Rome 157 Hatred betwixt counsellers 170 His arme discomfited 184 Howe the Turkes atcheued the Empyre 187 His death 194 His weakenes before the king 202 Holy men haue had leagues wyth men of contrary Religion 211 Hermon leueth his Bishopprick 277 How miserable is it for the Quene for to marry with a straunger 311 He that doth against his conscience procureth him self hel fire 316 Hallowing of churches 333 Hallowing of Belles 334 Hallowing of altares 334 Hedeck and Mansfield discomfyted by Duke Morice 352 How much the papistes esteme Scripture 383 Heldius answer 147 I IHon Tecel a Dominican Frier set vp conclusyons at Frankfurt 1. Indulgences to be vsed after the Canon law 2. Iames Hogestrate wrote againste Luther 3. Ihon Wickliffe an English man 32 Ihon Husse a Boheme eodem Ihon Husse appealeth froÌ„ the pope eo Ihon Husse and Ierom of Prage burned eodem Iniquity procedeth froÌ„ the priestes 40 It is not lawful for vs to kil any maÌ„ 43 Images burnt at Zurick 48 Ihon Fredericke of Saxon marrieth Sthel of Cleaue 74 Ihon Uaivodes letters to the states of th empyre 76 Ihon Uayuodes ambassadors takeÌ„ 77 Images put downe 80 Images burnt on Ashwedensday eod Inas king of Brittain 114 Idle Nunnes marchant women 120 Ihon Leidan an Anabaptiste 128 Ihon Mathew the high Prophet 130 Iesting punished eodem Ihon Leidan inuadeth the kingdoÌ„ eo Ihon Leidans pompe 131 Ihon Husse at Constance 199 Ihon Caluin and Peter Bruly superintendantz of the Colledge of Stras borough 168 Ihon Isleby chief of the Antimo 172 Inuectiues vnmete for princes 174 Ioy in France at themperors losse 185 Ihon Miners president of the Counsel at Agnes 219 Iustus Ionas asked whether we shall know eche other in the life to come 232 Ihon Diaze a Spaniard 233 Ihon Isseby a Reuolt 310 It is daunger to vse forain aides 311 Ihon Marques of BraÌ„deÌ„burge refuseth thinterim 315 Isseby rewarded of themperor 320 Inquisitions of Uergetius 320 Iuly the third consecrated bishop 343 Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge 383 Ihon Sleidan ambassador for Strausburg to thempire 373 Ihon Frederick demaundeth laÌ„ds and dignities 423 Ihon a Laisco a Polonian 432 Interrogatories Ministred to the Abbot of Newstat 436 Ioy at Rome for Englande reduced to the Romish church 443 Indulgences graunted by the Pope for the conuersyon of England eodem Ihon Fredericke the electours Sonne marieth 451 Ihon Gropper made Cardinall 461 Ihon Sleidane dieth 470 Iudges of the chamber trouble the protestauntes 123 Ihon Laydon parradocsises 131 Iudges of the chambre 144 Ignorannce of the people is gaine full to the priestes 150 Iudges of the chambre shal kepe theyr place 212 Ignoraunce of the people for lacke of teachinges 237 Interim permitteth Priestes to keepe theyr wines stil 313 K KInges of Naples paye Tribute to Rome 11. King Henry the eighte calleth hys mariage in question 113 Kingdoms destroid for Idolatry 185 Kinges of Fraunce moste addict to the Pope 200 King HeÌ„ry banished the Pope but not Popery 278 King Ferdinando moueth the Bohemers to warre 279 King of Fraunces fautour of â—ear 282 King Fardinandoes letters to the Bohemers 286 King Fardinando requyreth mouye of the states 314 King Phillip inuested in Flaun. 337 Kinges haue long armes 279 King Edward sore sicke 408 King Fardinando proclaimeth warre against Albert. 408 King Phillip arriueth in Eng. 437 Kinge Phillippe came to his father to Brurels 453 King Phillip entreth into And. 462 King Fardmando goeth into Boheme 466 King of Denmarke slieth 41 King of England wryteth to the princes of Sarony 44 Kinges sonnes are pledges 69 King of Hongary slain 71 King Henry hated againste the Pope 114 Kinges supper and murder 132 King of England patrone of the Protestauntes league 139 King Edward the .vi. borne 154 King of Englande refuseth the Counsell eodem King of Englande hated of the Pope eodem King of England maried the .vi. wife 187 Kinges purgation 191 King of Denmarke warreth vppon the imperials 266 King of England warneth the Protestaunts of the daunger 227 King of Denmarke aided not the Protestauntes 275 King is apparelled like a deacon 292 L LUthers letters to the Bishoppe of Mentz 1. Luthers questioÌ„s at
Wittenberge 1 Luthers exception eodem Luthers letters to Pope Leo. 2 Luthers answer to Siluester Prierias eodem Luthers second aunswere to Siluester Prierias 3 Luthers forsaking of Rome eodem Luther cited to Rome 4. Luther is called to Auspurgē 5. Luthers conference with Cardinal Caietane eodem Luther appealeth 6 Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsel 9 Luthers letters to the Pope 17 Luthers boke to the duke of Saxon. 18 Luthers boke condemned at Louain 19. Laurence valla eodem Luthers letters to themperor 21 Luthers letters to the archbishoppe of Mentz eodem Luthers letters to the bishop of Merseburge 22 Luther cursed of the pope 23 Luther impugneth the Popes censure 24 Luthers boke of the captiuity of Babilon eodem Luthers bokes are burnt 26 Luther burneth the Canon law 27 Luther cometh to Wormes eodem Luther pledeth his cause before themperor and the hole Empire 1. Luthers answer to the princes 39 Luther sent away from Wormes 31 Luther is outlawed by themperor 33 Luther wrote sūdry bokes in his exile eodem Luther is conueied out of daunger eo Luther returneth to Wittenberge 35 Luther foreseeth the tempest comming eodem Luther wryteth to the Bohemer◠36 Luther wryteth against the bishops eo Luther a Frier 38 Luther compared with Mahomet 40 Luther expoundeth the Popes laying eodem Luther interpreteth the decrees of the Princes 43 Luther wrote to the Senate of Prage eodem Luther wrote of eschuing the doc 44 Luther compared to Mahomet 50 Luther disswageth al men from sedi 58 Luther did more with the worde then could haue bene done by forc eodem Luthers answer to the boures 60 Luthers office 63 Luther bloweth the trōpet against 64 Luther to vehement 65 Luther married a Nonne eodem Luther and Zwinglius mete at 66 Luthers letters of submission to the. 67 Luthers letters to George duke of eo Leonard Cesar apprehended for the. 74 Lawes of disputation 75 Lantrech besiegeth Naples eodem Luther and Zwinglius dispute at 83 Luther wrote a boke to the bishops 96 Luther comforteth Melancthon eodem Luthers opinion of mens traditiōs eo Letter of the duke and Lantzgraue 103 Luthers counsel 112 Luthers purgation eodem Luther comforteth thexiles eodem Luthers opinion touching the spri 116 Luthers wryting of Munster 134 Legions of soldiors in Fraunce 137 Luthers constancy 138 Like lips like lettes 151 Longolnis oration against the Lu. 167 Lascus committed to prison 175 Luthers boke against the Duke of 176 Luther is cursed of the Pope 175 Langeus letters to Alphonse 184 Luthers oration for the field 189 Lawes against deflowrers of vir 202 Laundersey besieged 205 Luthers boke of the Lordes supper 215 Luthers answer to them of Louain 218 Luthers boke against the Pope 222 Luthers Themes of iii. gouern eodem Luthers picture against the pope eodē Luther a Prophet eodem Luther chosen arbitror 231 Luther wareth sicke 232 Luthers last prayer eodem Luthers birth eodem Luther sent to Rome eodem Luther eloquent in the dutch eodem Lightning caused destruction 255 Liberty is exiled out of the counsel 256 Letters for the Lantzgraue to 295 Letters of Strasborough to them 326 Luther brought in contempte the Popish Ceremonies 334 Lewes Marsile one of the prisoners 423 Libels strowed about in London 461 Lady Clinor commeth into France 86 Lantzgraue departeth from Ausp 89 Lantzgraue goeth to the frēch king 113 Lantzgraue boroweth Monye of the French king eodem Lady Mary proclaimed bastard 114 Lantzgraue taketh his leaue of themperoure 240 M MAximilians letter to Poope Leo concerning Luther 3 Maximilians death 10 Many sectes in the popish kingdom 36 Maner of chusing themperor 10 Matrimony lawful for all men 47 Muncer a great Anabaptist 55 Muncer wil haue a token of God eodē Muncer maketh gunnes eodem Muncer teacheth that all thinges shuld be common eodem Muncer raileth on the princes 56 Muncer disceyueth the people by the rainbow eodem Muncer is taken his cruel answer and he is reproued of the Lantzgraue 57 Muncer repenteth at the hour of death eodem Mishaps of the french king 82 Matters receiued in religion 89 Monestical vowes 124 Munster a city of Westphalia 137 Maidens do prophecy 130 Mariage counted whoredome 135 Many filthy actes of Monkes 156 Meanes to restore the ecclesiastical 181 Melancthon and pristor come to 201 Miners president of Aygwes 219 Miners leuieth a power againste Ualdois 219 Maluenda treateth of iustification 229 Marquin excuseth Diaze 234 Mariages in broil of warre 254 Maurice loueth his townes 276 Marques Albert sent to aid 277 Mendoza ambassade from the Frenche King to Strasburge 279 Marques Albert taken prisoner 280 Mihel Sidonie a great Masmōger 294 Muskel borowe field 296 Muleasses king of Tones 313 Maximilian marieth his cosen 315 Musculus departeth to Bernes 316 Maximilian warred against the Swissers 322 Maried Priestes plucked from they re wyues 329 Melanthō defēdeth the Adiaphorist 333 Monseur Ueruine beheaded 336 Maximilian cometh out of Spayne 353 Melanthon best learned 359 Mony gathered for the warre of Mayden burge 760 Maximilian entreth into Trent 378 Marques Albertes letters agaynst thēperoure 393 Marten van Rossem spoileth Champanie 399 Marques Albert warreth for hym selfe 406 Marques Albert the scourge of Pristes 410 Marques Albertes request to Straseburge 410 Marques Albert refuseth peace 101 Marques Albert entreth Treuers 412 Marques Antonius Ambassadoure of Uenisse 413 Marques Alberte reconciled to Themperoure 413 Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperoure 420 Marques Albert outlawed 429 Marques Albert goeth to Sewinforte and flyeth 436 Maryburge taken 473 Melanthon conforteth the mynisters of Boheme 449 Marcellus the Second chosē Pope 450 Marcellus the Second dyeth 450 Maurenburge vitaled 452 Mount Calue is taken by the Frenchmen 453 Masse abolished at Zuricke 54 Madnes of the Munsterians 57 Magestrates is as necessarye as the Sonne to the worlde vi Marques letters to the state of Duke Maurice 42 Ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 N NEw pardons 9 No man may be kepte frō the gospell 6◠Newes of the Turkes Coming 200 Newes of the Turkes approche 1◠Nauius hath the place of Heldus 174 Nuburge rendered to the Emperoure 264 Notes of the Interim by the Bishop of Rome 314 No man oughte to be compelled to hys fayth 319 New ambassadours from Wittenberg 375 Norinberge hath peace with the Marques 402 Nyne bournte at Lyons 423 Note how Bisshoppes seke authoritie of kinges to condemne 454 Nombers of great gonnes taken front protestauntes 29 Notes of the Interim by the bysshops of Rome 313 O O Eham condemned in Paris 19 Of the original of the Turkes 190 Of ecclesiasticall benefites 281 Out of the conclaue came most fylthys Letters 343 Ortauious Farnesius cliēt to the frēch kinge 360 Oration of tharchbishop of Treuers 12 Opinion of the Cyties touchynge the king of Romaines 102 Othe of the Electors 406 Oration of the Popes ambassadour to the Duke of Saxon. 109 Oration of Themperours Ambassadour 109 Oratiō of the french ambassadours 123 Ofspring of
Reliques of the holy gost The Cardinall writeth to the Duke of Saronis Campegius oratioÌ„ to the Princes at Norinberge The princes aunswere The decre of Wormes repeted The pope is wel monied The Suises are offended with them of Zuricke Yeare for the Hoste The Marchaundise of the clergie The answer of them or zuricke Authors of Scismes Matrimonie lawfull for all men What nedeth gold in the churche What is true coÌ„fessioÌ„ Howe the yoke of the Papistes is to be shaken of The Bishop of CoÌ„stance maketh a booke in defence of Images Images breÌ„t at Zuricke The decre of Norinberge Suite betwixt the Bishop senate of Strauso Thomas Murner Campcgsus raileth agaiâ—â— holye Matrimony A decree of Papistes against gospellers The lamentatioÌ„ of Lut. The golden Rose sent to the kynge of Englande Erasmus boke of Free will A decree of the duke of Loraine Henry Zutphan The Emperor biameth the Princes Themperor defendour of the Romishe churche Lut. coÌ„pared with Mahomet The duke of BourboÌ„ besieged Marfelles The begynnynge of the rustical war The Papistes fight for their bely The coÌ„plaiÌ„te of them of Zuricke The cause of theyr hatred To serue foreine princes is vile The eraâ—t of the Papistes Ecksuc theÌ„ Popes champion The pouertie and boundage of the Swices The riches and libertie of the same The constaÌ„cie of them of Zurieke The FreÌ„che kyng taken prisoner The vnconstaÌ„cie of Clement The victors of themperâ—alles The coÌ„motion of the bulgare people Theyr demaundes The duke of Wirtemberge atteÌ„pteâ—â— warrs The fyrste slaughter of Bowres Another slaughter The great crueltie of the Bowres A most cruel maner of burnynge The warre of Bowres in Loraine The slaughter of Bowres The crueltie of the Archebishop of Treuers Geismer captaine of the Bowers The league of Swelane The Masse abolisshed at Zuricke Muncer a great anabaptists Muncer will haue a token ared of God He teacheth that all thinges should be common Muncer maketh gonnes Phifer his companion Phifers enterprise The death of Fridericke the noble duke of Sax. The princes make a power A seditious oration of Muncer The saith of Abraham obteined of god great benefites Muncer rai leth on the Princes A blouddy Preacher bloweth the Crompet Gods power appeareth in sewest men Iud vii .i. Sam .xiiii. and .xvii. Muncer disceaueth the people by the Rainebowe Fearein MuÌ„cers Campe. A messenger slaine agaist the lawe of Armes An exhortaci on of the Lantzgraue The madnes of the Munceriane The slaughter of the MuÌ„cerians Muncer is taken His cruell answere He is reproued of the Lantzgraue The vnreasonable laughter of Muncer At the houre of death he repenteth Lut. diswadeth theÌ„ from sedition ii Thess .ii. The dewtie of a good Magistrate How the Magistrate shold deale wyth the Papistes Gods wrath is slowe but yet sore Thauthors of rebellion are wythout excuse What thing rebellion is How wicked dominion is to be shaken of The best way to ouer threw the popes authoritie Lu. did more with that word thaÌ„ cold haue bene don by force of Armes It appereth by the Prophecies of Briget and others The Practise of the deuill The popishe kingdoÌ„ maie not long indure Preachers ought to be circumspect Theyr demaundes Huntinge Haukyng Fishyng prohibited Lut. answer to the Bowres The Bours vse Godlye titles Gen. 7 Gene. 19. Math. 26. Roma 13. We are all blind in our own cause The state of a magistrate wherin it coÌ„sisteth The Magistrate is as necessary as the seune to the worlde The law of nature aloweth a Magistrate The christiaÌ„ lawe Math. 5. The christeÌ„ profession is harde The nature of veritie The craftes of the deuill to oppresse the Gospel Aunswere to the demaundes of the bowers No maÌ„ may be kept from the Gospell Howe ministers shoulde be ordayned Tithes must be payde Christianitie taketh not away boÌ„dage Bondage is not let to christen libertie Luters office The false title of the bowers Psal 107. The Gospel is sclasidered with rebellioÌ„ The rasers of tumultes The part of a wyse man The dutie of a Magist The ende of tyranny Of Not Daniel and â—ob Luther bloweth the troÌ„pet against the boures Ther can be nothig worse then sedicioÌ„ Lut. to vehement TheÌ„perors letters to the princes of Germany An assemble called at Auf. Carolostadius writeth against Lu. Carolostadius maketh his porgatioÌ„ Faith ought not to vauer Luther maried a NuÌ„ne Luther and Zwynglius met at Marpurge The Popes letters to theÌ„ of Paris Faber driueÌ„ out of Paris The kynges letters for Faber The story of Pruse Lut. letters of submissioÌ„ to the kynge of England The chief point of Lu. doctrine The ende of the Papistes doctrine Luth. letters to George Dake of Saxon. Duke George hateth the Gospel Thomas wulley Cardinal a Butchers sonne A league betwene EnglaÌ„d FrauÌ„ce Godlines is not to be sought for in the court The peace of Madrice The lady Elenor The kynges sonnes are pledges Counsell at Spyres The Emperours letters The Turke inuadeth HuÌ„gary A league betwene the venetians Pope FreÌ„che kyng Against false Freers The noÌ„ber of holy days A decree for Religion The begynninge of the ProtestaÌ„tes league The kynge of Hungary slayne The Emperour maried a wyfe A disputatioÌ„ at Baden A Priest burnt Discorde in Hongary The FreÌ„che league agaist the Emper. The Popes benefites to the Emper. The Emperours aÌ„swer The kyngdoÌ„ of Naples A point of that lawe Rome is the treasure house of that whole worlde The Pope the Emper. are two gret lyghtes The Pope is a warrier A counsell promysed The frenche kyngs leters to the prynces of Germany The Empe. confuteth the letters An apologie for the freÌ„ch kyng The princes letters to the Emperour An assemble at Regensburg Iohn Fridmarrieth Sibille of Cleue Rome is sacked The king of Englande The begynning of Anabaptistes The FreÌ„che Armye The Duke of Baurbon conoempned at Paris Englande hath title to Fraunce Leonarde Cesar Hopocrisy of byshops The power of Bernes Lawes of their disputacion Theames or conclusions Prayers for the dead are superfluous Religion reformed The prebids departe Ambrose Blaures Religion reformed at Geneua The victory of the gospel The kinges of FrauÌ„ce EnglaÌ„d Amballade to the Emperour The FreÌ„che kings inuectiue against the Emper. He offereth the Emper. the combat The letters of Iohn Uaiuode to the states of the Empyre His Ambassadours takeÌ„ Kyng FerdinaÌ„do forsoke kyng Lewis FerdinaÌ„dos title to Hongary The duke of Saxon the Lantgraue prepare theÌ„ to warre Paccen beheaded The Emperours aunswer to the FreÌ„ch king Themper Heraulde came at Paris An assemble at Spires Lantrech be segeth Naples Contention about the Masse The papists forboden to preache The Ambassadour of the chamber imperiall to Strausbor The bishops letters The Masse put down at Stansbor Dissentid at Basil for religion They of Basill take armure Images put downe The Masse put downe Images breÌ„t on â—sh wednesday The assemblie of Spir. The papists iÌ„ SwicerlaÌ„d make leage with kynge Ferdinando The Ambâ— of Srausborough excluded The
the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of 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
to pike a thanke that our intent was to oppresse the nobilitie and states of this Byshoprike it is a starhe lie and can not be proued For we haue euerntore honoured the Nobilitie But if we haue indammaged suche as haue done violēce toward our men as they haue passed by to and fro who is so vnreasonable a iudge that will impute that thing vnto vs as a crime blame worthy Touching that they reporte of the swordes founde after the battell is a fained thing As for the haltars collars we denie not For the vse of thē was right necessary for our wagons and other cariage as it is manifest The condicions of peace that were offered by Duke Maurice the Marques of Brandenburg we could not admit for causes moste weightie For in case we had yelded receiued a power it is easy to vnderstande what should haue bene the state both of Religiō and the common wealth also God of his infinite mercy hath opened vnto vs the knowledge of his Gospel Whom we befeche to graunt vnto vs this so great a benefite perpetually but those whiche promise vs assistaunce herein howe it is credible that they can or also wyll perfourme the same whan they them selues be of wauering myndes in Religion and study to please men that our aduersaries may recouer their goodes and that dāmage done on both parties may be egally borne we refuse not But that they should retourne in the citie agayne set vp their idolatrie that can we by no meanes suffer Thei say how they were no impediment to vs in religion but certenly they wanted no wil therunto But we haue cause to geue God thākes that sent shrewed cowes short hornes The bodies of dead men were not so intreated as thei report But where as for our own defence we plucked down certē churches nere vnto the citie so many bodies as were founde not wholy cōsumed were cōueied to an other place buried deper Again it was permitted vnto al men that such of their kinred as they foūd there they might transporte whether they would That same of thēperour Otto the first is moste false a shameful lie by them deuised For we are not ignorant what honour is due to that chief magistrate especially to him of whom they speake thēperour Otto who did many worthy actes was a moste earnest defendour protectour of that libertie of Germany That seruice which they call holy Godly which they complaine that we haue disturbed in their churches is nothing lesse than holy but cōcerneth the high reproche of God They thēselues had lōg before caried out of the citie their vestimentes chalices other ornamētes But their wrytinges publique monumētes we kepe safely haue not abolished as they falsly accuse vs. Moreouer their priestes wer not whipped but they thēselues spoiled the churches caried the pray els where The college or monastery of Hamerslebie which neuerthelesse belōgeth not to thē therfore did we assaile at the last for that our ennemies had a place of refuge therin there deuided the boties takē frō our felowes vs. Wher they adde moreouer that our men did many thinges there insolētly outrageously that same was forged by the monkes As cōcerning the iniuries which they say were done vnto thē in the citie thus standeth the matter About .xxv. yeres since whā they on the eight day before Easter whiche is called Palm sondaye were in hand with their fond trifling ceremonies they were laughed at by the cōmon people that thether resorted but whose rashnes boldnes proceded further such as brake glasse wyndowes they were suerly punished of vs banished for other iniuries we knowe none neither haue they euer brought thē before vs. Wherfore we haue done nothing contrary to our promesse or cōposition neither haue we geuē our aduersaries any cause of warre And seing the matter is thus we desire all mē that they geue no credite to their sclaundrous reportes but to lament our chaunce which are cōstreined to defend the warre that is attēpted against vs to thintent we might mainteine the pure doctrine of the Gospel the liberties receiued of our elders for the which thinges also godly kinges magistrates of fourmer times the Machabeis men of most stoute courage haue refused no perill or daunger We wishe for peace moste chiefly aboue al thinges But that is denied vs hetherto Wherfore being lōg sore afflicted with the inuasions of our nere neighbours we could not repulse frō vs vniust violēce Wherby we haue also the better confidence that suche as we haue prouoked with no iniury wil iudge this war to cōcerne thē nothing stande in the awe feare of God the reuenger of al vnrighteousnes For the self same cause that hath stired vp this trouble against vs wyl shortly after wrap vp thē also in great distresse perils so many as couet to retein maintein the pure doctrine The letters wherwith the byshop of Rome had called the coūsell Themperour the fifth day of Ianuary cōmaundeth to be red in the Senate of states Princes exhorting thē that they wold prepare thēselues The same day king Ferdinādo informeth the states how in that truce time the Turks waxe busy in Hongary build a castel within his dominion went about to surprise his castel of Zolnock fortifie theirs with a garrison how also they haue made an inrode into Transsyluania Wherof verely he hath geuen them none occasion doth al that he can that the truce taken may be obserued but in case the Turke shal refuse he desired to haue aide geuen him I told you in the xx boke of Stephen byshop of Winchester for what cause he was apprehēded in Englād And where he perseuered in his opinion wold neither allowe the statutes already made nor suche as shuld be made hereafter cōcerning religion during the kinges nonage he was depriueth of his byshoprike this yeare in the moneth of Ianuary cōmitted again to warde Andrew Osiāder whom I sayd went into Prusse set forth this time a new opiniō affirming the man is not iustified by faith but by the rightuousnes of Christ dwelling in vs saith that Luther was also of his opinion But the rest of the diuines his fellowes did stoutly impugne it affirming that he said of Luther to be false who not many monthes before his death left a most ample goodly testimony in the preface of the first Tome of Melāchthons boke wherin are treated the cōmon places of holy scripture Where therfore he inueieth against Melanchthon he maketh also Luther his aduersary for that they were both of one opiniō Moreouer by a conference made they proued manifestly that Luther taught cleane cōtrary to him in this matter and say that his doctrine is pestiferous which saith that the iustification of fayth cōsisteth not in the bloud death of Christ wherby we are redemed
iustified The matter was handled with great cōtentiō He him self verely pretended as I said as though Luther had ben of his opiniō But in the meane time he made his auaunt amongst his adherentes as it is written that Luther Melāchthō had made cōpiled a diuinitie after Aristotels doctrine which sauereth more of the fleshe than of the spirite Albert the Duke of Prusland desired at that first that the matter might haue ben appeased by mediatours But perswaded by Osiander after much debating he became of his opinion cōmaundeth his aduersaries to depart out of his dominiō Amongst whō was Ioachim Merlin who must nedes be packing although not only the citezens but also womē children besought that Prince right hūbly that they might not be depriued of such a pastour This Osiander taught many yeres at Norinberg that much to his cōmēdation neuer made busines but semed in al things to folowe Luthers doctrine so long as he liued But whan after themperours decree of religion he forsoke Norinberg went into the land of Pruisse he reised vp this same questiō Which many mē supposed that he durst neuer do so long as Luther liued He chiefly prouoketh them of Wittēberg to confute these thinges if they can sayth how he wil defend his opiniō whosoeuer impugne thesame taunteth Melanchthon bitterly Whose opinion al learned men for the most part namely in Saxonie reproued by bokes set forth rebuked that in a time moste troublesome he disturbed the congregation And where he had hādled so vngodly Melanchthon a man of so great modestie learning with that were al men offended exceadingly In an other certen booke he contendeth that albeit mankinde had not ben lost through the sinne of Adam yet shuld Christ haue bene borne neuerthelesse The eight day of February is dissolued the coūsell of thempire Therin made themperour a decre forsomuch saith he as this great dissention in religion can by no meanes be better appeased than by a general Godly fre counsell Again for that in that former assemble the states haue submitted thē selues vnto the counsel therin perseuer this shal be cōfirmed ratified That thing also which I my self than promised I wil procure with all trauell diligence that eche thing may be orderly rightly done And sithe that this bull of the byshop of Rome apperteyneth vnto all christian Realmes prouinces I suppose verely that all kinges rulers remembring their dutie will obeye furder so Godly a busines to thuttermost of their power what soeuer also shal become me to do therin as the aduocate of the church defendour of counselles that same will I performe And to al such as wil repare to the coūsel whether they haue chaunged their religion or not I wil graunte saufe conduicte that they may there remayn propoūde such thinges as they shal thinke to concerne the quiet of their conscience after shal may safely retourne home againe garded with a cōmon cōduct Moreouer I will indeuour that the whole matter shal be treated determined Godly christiāly al affections set apart according to the holy scripture doctrine of that fathers that as wel the ciuile as ecclesiasticall state may be reformed all errours false opinions cleane taken away I intende moreouer to remain within the limites of thempire or at the least very neare to thintent to defende the coūsel so that it may come vnto th ende wished for the fruict therof may redoūde vnto al men may be chiefly for the cōmoditie of Germany Wherfore I require exhort al princes states but chiefly thē of the clergie those that haue altered their religion cleaue to the confession of Auspurg that according to the byshops bul they prepare thē selues come thither furnished least after they complayne that they were through ouermuch haste supplanted or els not admitted to the sufficiēt declaration of their cause For as I said I will assure them by saufe conduict bring to passe that they shal be heard so much as shal be requisite But where as the states haue alledged sondry reasons why the decrees of the former conuention of Auspurg concerning religion reformation be not kept al this I reuoke to mine owne consideration wil know of eche man seuerally what impediment there is Therfore let euery man for see that the matter may come to rehersall It was also decreed the at the first day of April thambassadours of thelectours of syx other Princes shuld mete at Norinberg to consulte howe that mony which was taken out of the cōmon treasorie for the war of Maydenburg shuld be restored Whatsoeuer they shall determine is cōmaunded to be of like force as if the same had ben enacted in the full assemble of thempire And for so much as this war shuld concerne the welth of al Germany it shal be lawfull for euery Magistrate to taxe that people for that same cause Againe in case any citezen of thempire or straunger shall ayde them of Maydēburg thā doeth thēperour also promise to be at charge As concerning the iurisdiction goodes of the churche themperour saith he wil forese that being sued to by thē whom it concerneth he wil minister iustice vnto thē that euery man shal recouer inioye his own They decreed to ayde king Ferdinando against the Turke although vnwillingly with suche ayde as was promised him in the former conuention Finally because therles of Mansfelde Hedeck mustring men the last wynter had intended to aide thē of Maidenburg as before is sayd the Emperour chargeth cōmaundeth that in case any souldiours assemble hereafter in any part of Germany the Princes states next thē shal immediatly ioyne their forces together to subdue thē to quēche that flambe before it be of force or violēce In this selfsame time Henry the Frenche king receiueth into his faith tuition Octauins Farnesius who was both mortal ennemy to Ferdinando Gonzage themperours lieftenaūt in Lūbardy for the slaughter of his father also being so nere vnto Placēce which thēperour held fearing least he shuld not be able to kepe Parma by his owne force craued foreine aide receiued into the citie a garrison of Frenchmē Which thēperour toke right displeasauntly especially the bishop of Rome as shal be declared hereafter In these daies gaue thēperour sentence against the Lantgraue for the contie or lorship of Diece For he was condēned of contēpt for that he answered not But he said how it lay not in his power to answer for so muche as he might not cōferfrely with his coūsellours for the awayting harkening of thē the had him in their custody For after that it came to light how be would haue made an escape lately as I shewed you before no man might haue accesse to him nor speake with him without a witnesse The .xxviii. daye of