neglect the word of God and his work he will permit shortly a dismall day to come upon us which will bring with it whole Wain-loads of cares which we shall neither have power or meanes to escape Divers other things he also foretold He had his health competently well but that sometimes he was troubled with headach especially in his elder yeeres Whereupon he was afraid of some violent Apoplexie and when he felt a swimming in his head or noyse in his eares he used to say Lord Iesu smite me gently for I am absolved from my sins according to thy word and am fed unto life eternall by thy body and bloud Thine Apostle John and our Elector were taken out of this world by this kinde of death He endured often tentations whereupon he said All here are in health except Luther who is sound in body and without suffers at no mans hand in the world onely the Devil and all his Angels vex him He was of an indifferent stature of strong body of so Lionlike a quicknesse of his eyes that some could not endure to look directly upon him when he intentively beheld them They say that one of mild spirit who could not endure in private to talk with Luther was courteously used by Luther yet was so pierced with the quicknesse of his eyes that being amazed he knew no course better then to run from him His voyce was mild and not very cleare whereupon when on a time there was mention at table about Pauls voyce which was not very perfect and full Luther said I also have a lowe speech and pronuntiation To whom Melancthon answered But this small voyce is heard very farre and neere In wedlock he lived chastly and godly above twentie yeers and when he died left three sonnes and Catharin de Bora a widow who lived after his death seven yeeres To her it was a great grief that her husband died in a place farre from her so that she could not be with him and performe the last conjugall offices to him in his sicknesse In the time of the warre which presently followed she wandred up and down with her orphans and in banishment was exposed to many difficulties and dangers And besides the miseries of widowhood which are full many the ingratitude of many did much afflict her for where she hoped for kindnesse in regard of her husbands worthy and noble deserts of Gods Church often she was put of with great indignitie When afterward her house at Wittenberg in time of pestilence was infected she for her childrens safetie as became a godly mother betooke her self to Torg where was also an Universitie But in the way when the horses affrighted ran out and seemed to indanger the waggon she amazed not so much for her own as her childrens preservation lept out of the waggon whereby poore wretch she grievously bruised her body in the fall and being cast into a poole of cold water caught thereby a disease of wch she lay sick three monethes in banishment and pining away at length died quietly in the yeere 1552. Luthers writings were published at Wittenberg and Iene in severall Towns both in Latine and the German tongue Part of them were expositions of Scriptures part doctrinall part polemicall Of these this was his own judgement Above all I beseech the godly Reader and I beseech him for our Lord Iesus Christs sake that he would read my writings judiciously and with much pittying my case And let him know that I was formerly a Monk and a most furious Papist when I first entred into the cause undertaken by me yea I was so drunk drowned in the opinions of Papisme that I was most ready to kill all men if I could or to assist and consent to their attempts that did kill them who even in one syllable should dissent from the Pope Such a Saul was I as some that be yet alive I was not so cold and calme in defending Popery as was Eckius and his mates who more truly for their bellies sake seemed to defend Popery then that they were serious in the cause yea they seeme still to me to laugh at the Pope in secret as Epicureans But I proceeded in the Popes defence earnestly because I set before mine eyes the last day of judgement and trembled there at and desired from my very heart to attain salvation In another of his writings he in a manner wisheth his books extinct saying Alas my friends should not trouble me I have enough to do with the Papists and might almost say with Job and Jeremy would I had not been born yea almost say I would I had not published so many books and would not care if they were all perished Let other such spirited mens writings be sold in every shop as they desire Luther also was much against it that any man should be called a Lutheran after his name Because the doctrin was not his neither did he die for any one and because Saint Paul would not endure to have it done by his own person 1 Cor. 3. Against this humour of men also Luther said How should it come to passe that I a sack of wormes meat should be accessary to this that the children of Christ should be called after my base and unworthy name He also much opposed the title of Lutherans because we be all Christians and professe the doctrin of Christ as also because the Papists are guiltie of this crime by calling themselves Pontificians We ought not to imitate them in evill Of Luthers books thus writeth Sturmius I remember that in an epistle of Luthers to Wolfgangus Capito which is in Conradus Huberts Library some yeeres ago I read That he himself took content in none of his books but onely in his Catechisme and his book against Free Will For a conclusion I will here adde Melancthons judgement concerning the Talents by God bestowed on Luther and others Pomeranus saith he is a Gramarian and explains the force of words I intend Logick and shew the context of the matter and the Arguments Justus Jonas is an orator and copiously and elegantly discourseth But Luther is all these a very miracle among men What ever he saith what ever he writeth it peirceth mens minds and leaves behind it a wonderfull sting in their hearts And Camerarius speaketh thus of Luther The name of Luther is so odious to some that they detest the hearing it on the contrary other endure not that any thing should be found fault with which either he speak or did if any man dare speake against him they declaime against him presently as one guilty of impiety They who thus extoll the name and authority of Martin Luther as not doubting to elevate him above the condition and measure of Mortall men should see to it that they doe not wrong the good name of so excellent and admirable a man by attributing too much to him and that they
It consisted of the middle degree of Men The Parents of Martin Luther first lived in Isleben a town in that Earldome thence they went to dwell in Mansfield the place of which the Earldome took its name There Iohn Luther father of Martin possessed Mettle Mines bore office and for his integritie was in good esteem among the best Citizens Margaret Lindeman was the wife of Iohn Luther and Mother of Martin she was a woman commendable for all vertues beseeming a worthy Matron especially for her modesty feare of God and calling on his name So that she was a pattern of vertue to many others Martin Luther was born of Isleben Ann. Dom. 1483. Novem. 10. at 9. a clock at night on St. Martins day and was thence call'd Martin His parents brought him up in the knowledge and feare of God according to the capacitie of his tender yeeres and taught him to read at home and accustomed him to vertuous demeanour The father of George Aemilius as Luther often hath related first put him to Schoole where though the trueth was much darkned by clouds of Popery yet God preserved still the heads of Catechisme the Elements of the Cisioian Grammar some Psalmes and formes of prayer At fourteene yeeres of age he with Iohn Reineck who proved a man of especiall vertue and authoritie in those parts were sent to Magdeburg Whence a league of intire friendship ever continued between these two either because of a Sympathy and agreement of their natures or their education together in their first studies At Magdeburg he as many others born of honest parents lived a poore Scholler for the space of one yeere Thus even the greatest matters have small beginnings and scarce any thing is highly exalted but from a lowly degree Thence by his parents he was removed to Isenak where was a Schoole of great fame here was a Schoolemaster who as Luther by experience found and would professe taught Grammar more dextrously and truely One reason also of his being sent thither was because his Mother was born there of a worthy and ancient family There he perfected his Grammar learning and being of a very quick wit and by nature fitted for eloquence he soone surpassed his School-fellows in copiousnesse of speech and matter and excelled in expression of his minde both in prose and verse Upon this his tasting the sweetnesse of learning he was inflamed with an earnest desire to goe to some Vniversitie the well-spring of all good literature and surely had he met with good and commendable Tutors he by his piercing wit had attained all good Arts and perhaps he might by the milder studies of true Philosophy and diligence in well framing his style somewhat have tempered the vehemencie of his nature He went to Erford An. 1501. Where he fell upon the crabbed and thorny Logick of that age which he soone attained as one who by the sagacitie of his wit was better able to dive into the causes and other places of Arguments then others Here out of a desire of better learning he read over Cicero Livy Virgil and other monuments of ancient Latine Authors These he perused not as a child to glean Phrases from them but to discern what therein was usefull towards the right conforming of mans life And to that end seriously observed the counsels and grave sentences in those writers and having a faithfull and sure memory what ever he read or heard he had it still in readinesse for present use Hereby he so excelled in his youth that the whole Universitie admired his wit When at Erphord he was graced a with the degree of Master of Arts at twentie yeeres of his age he read as Professour Aristotles Physicks Ethicks and other parts of Philosophy Afterward his kindred seeing it fit that so worthy indowments of wit and eloquence should be cherished for the publique good by their advise he betooke b himself to the study of the Law But not long after when he was 21. yeeres old of a sudden besides the purpose of his parents and kindred upon an affright from his faithfull mates violent death he betook himself to the Augustine Monks c Colledge in Erphord But before he entred the Monastery he entertained his fellow d students with a cheerfull banquet and thereupon sent them letters valedictory and sending to his parents the Ring and gown of his degree of Master of Arts unfolded to them the reason of the change of his course of life It much grieved his parents that so excellent parts should be spent in a life little differing from death But for a moneths space no man could be admitted to speake with him Nor was it povertie but the love of a pious life which bent his minde to the Monastical life In which though he spent his time in the usual schoole learning and read the Writers upon the Sentences and in publique disputations clearly opened their inextricable labyrinths to the admiration of many yet because in this kinde of life he sought not to ennoble his fame but to further his study of a pious life he looked into those studies but upon the by and with much ease attained their Scholastical methods When on a time in the Library of the Colledge running over the books thereof in order he met with a copie of the Latine Bible which he never saw before There with admiration he observed that there were moe Evangelical and Apostolical texts then what were read to the people in Churches In the old Testament with great attention he read the story of Samuel and Anna his mother and began to wish that he was the owner of the like book which not long after he obtained Hereupon he spent his time on the Propheticall and Apostolicall writings the fountaines of all heavenly doctrine seeking thence to enforme his minde with Gods will and to nourish in himself the feare of God and true faith in Christ from true and undoubted grounds Some sicknesse and feare whet him on to attempt these studies more earnestly It is said that in this Colledge Luther in his younger yeers fell into a most violent disease in so much that there was no hope of life and that an ancient Priest came to him and with these words comforted him Sir Be of good courage for your disease is not mortall God will raise you up to be a man who shall afford comfort to many others At the first the Monks handled him somewhat harshly whilest he performed the office of the Custos and was compelled to cleanse the uncleane places as also to walk up and down the Citie with a bagge or wallet But upon the request of the Universitie of which he had been a member he was eased of that burden He was often cheered up by conference with the ancient Priest to whom he revealed his feares and scruples of minde and heard him discoursing of faith at large and going
certified that Luther was ready in any safe place appointed him to make his answer But Luther having setled his resolution to depart tooke his leave of the Prince Elector and by a letter sent to him Novemb. 29. thanked his Highnesse for all friendly offices of his love The Prince sent that letter to the Legate and appointed Luther to abide at Wittenberg Of this Luther thus wrote The Prince was fully minded that I should stay but what his minde now is since the Royal proceedings are published and I have appealed to the Councel I know not For he understanding by the Cardinals Letter that Judgement should passe on him at Rome he made a new Appeal saying that he was forced of necessitie to appeal from the Pope to the Councel ensuing which was in many respects to be preferred before the Pope About the same time towards the end of the 18 yeere the Pope sent Charles Multitius a Misnian Knight and bestowed on Prince Frederick a golden Rose according to custome consecrated by the Pope on the fourth Sunday in Lent and exhorted him to continue in the faith of his ancestours He was earnest with Luther to be reconciled to the Pope and had seventie Briefes Apostolicall as they call them to shew that if the Prince would deliver him out of his custody for which cause the Pope sent him the Rose in seventie Townes the seventie Briefes should be set up and so he should be brought safe to Rome But he opened the closet of his heart to Luther himself when he thus spake O Martin I conceived you to be an old man and sitting in some solitary place as an ancient Divine in some private manner to have disputed your Tenents But now I see you to be in your best age and full of vigour Had I 25000. armed men I could not be confident that I could bring you to Rome for as I came hitherward I tried how men stood affected and found that where one man stood for the Pope three stood for you against him What Multitius did in this kinde was ridiculous for he asked of women and maids in the Innes as he came what they thought of the Seat of Rome They not knowing the force of this speech answered What know we whether at Rome ye sit on wooden or stone seats He further required of Luther that he would have a regard to the Churches peace and promised to endeavour that the Pope should do the like Luther freely promised most readily to doe what ever he could with a safe conscience in regard of Gods Trueth and affirmed that himself was desirous and studious of peace and that it was not his fault that these stirres arose for necessitie had urged him to do what he had done Multitius also called unto him Tecelius the cheife original of these debates and with sharp wordes and threates so daunted the man till now a clamorous unaffrighted bold face terrible to all so that ever after he languished and with heartes griefe pined away Luther wrote a consolatory letter to him in this case but for feare of the Popes indignation he died Frederik the Elector a prudent and Religious Prince neither yeelded to the Popes desire nor vouchsafed his Rose any respect though Multitius wonderfully boasted of it at Dresa sayd Doctour Martin is in my power About this time the Bohemians sending a booke written by Iohn Hus to Luther encouraged him to constancy and patience and confessed that the Divinity taught by Luther was sound and right Matters being growne to this height of dispute and Luther having many adversaries at Leipsick a towne in Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxony Cosen german to Prince Frederik in the 19. yeere a disputation was held Thither came Andreas Carolostadius accompanied with Luther Melanchthon and Barninus Duke of Pomerania He at that time was in office in the University of Wittenberg Thither came also Iohn Eckius a Divine of Ingolstad Hereupon the 17. day of June Iohn Eckius and Carolostadius began the disputation about free-will Namely whether there be in man any free will to doe good as of himselfe that is as they say whether in congruitie we deserve grace when we doe what is in us to doe Eckius granted that there is not in man a genuine and naturall power and abilitie to doe a good worke but an acqâ—…ired On this point eight dayes were spent by his playing the Sophister Luther could by no meanes obtaine leave of Duke George freely with his safety to dispute and thereupon came not as a disputer but an as Auditor to Leipsick under the protection granted to Carolostadius Whereupon Eckius comming to Luthers Lodging said that he heard that Luther refused to dispute Luther answered How can I dispute seeing I cannot obtaine protection from George the Duke To this Eckius replied If I may not dispute with you I will no longer dispute with Carolostadius For I came hither to dispute with you If I can obtaine for you the Dukes leave will you dispute When Luther assented thereunto Eckius presently procured for him a publique grant of safety and liberty to dispute This Eckius did out of an assured confidence of victorie and renowne to himselfe by confirming that the Pope is the Head of the Church Iure Divino by Divine right which Luther denied Hence Eckius tooke occasion at large to flatter the Pope and demerit his favour and to derive much hatred and envie on Luther This the bold champion stoutly attempted in the whole disputation but was not able to make good his cause or confute Luther Eckius chiefe arguments were that the Church could not be without an head seeing it was a body consisting of severall members Then he produced the place in Matthew Thou art Peter c. and some speeches of St Ierome and Cyprian and the Councel of Constance where against the Articles of the Hussites it was concluded That it was necessary to salvation that men should beleeve that the Pope was the Oecomenicall Bishop or Christs vicar over the whole world Afterward they entred into dispute about Purgatorie and Indulgences but in briefe about repentance about remission both of sin and its punishment and about the power of priests The two last dayes Carolostadius disputed againe and on the 14. day of July the disputation ended This disputation was set forth afterward by Luther who granted that the Pope by humane right was head of the Church Whereupon Duke George inviting Luther and Eckius to dinner and embracing both of them sayd Whether the Pope have his authority by divine or humane right Pope he is Luther afterward changed his opinion about this point Before this disputation at Leipsick Luther was desired by Charles Multitius to goe to Confluence there to plead his cause before him being the Popes Commissary But Luther excused himselfe and shewed that for many reasons he neither could
Usury In the beginning of the yeere 1541. Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Frederik Myconius lamentably spent with a Consumption and affirmed that himself could have no joy to live if he died and thereupon wished that he himself might first lay down the tabernacle of his weake body and said that he was verily perswaded that his prayers should be granted for Myconius life As indeed it came to passe for Myconius out-lived Luther six yeers and would say that Luther obtained this for him by his prayers After Easter Bernard the infant sonne of Iohn of Anhalt was baptized at Dessaw Here Luther preached two Sermons to the Courtiers the Brother of the Prince of Anhalt and the Bishop of Brandenburgh which were printed He wrote also an Answer to a rayling book of one whom he calleth Hans Wurst Wherein he defended himself and his doctrin against the Papists and their Popish errours He put forth also an Exhortation to prayer against the Turk and answered the Princes questions concerning Transubstantiation Free-will Justification by faith and other points About this time the Bishoprick of Neoburg by Sala was voyd There Nicolas Amsdorf a Divine born of a noble Family was enstalled by Luther at the command of the Elector of Saxony the Patron of that Diocesse and Iulius Pflugius whom the Canons of the Colledge chose was refused Luther placed him in the Bishoprick Ian. 20. An. 1542. This thing as many conceived gave occasion to other stirres and very much offended the Emperour who much affected Pfugius for divers respects Of this see more in Amsdorfs life After this Luther wrote a book in the German tongue and call'd it The Pattern of the inauguration of a true Christian Bishop He published at that time the Alcoran which by Richard a Dominican was translated into the vulgar tongue He added to it a faithfull admonition concerning the abandoning the Turks doctrin and affirmed that not the Turk but the Pope was Antichrist And upon a difference rising between the Elector of Saxony and Maurice concerning the territories and town of Wurcen so that warre was likely to ensue Luther with weightie reasons in his letters disswaded both the Princes from their designes He further also opened his judgement about a Position some yeeres agone by him propounded Namely that to warre against the Turk was nothing else but to fight against God who useth him as his whip to scourge us Now also he wrote a consolatory letter concerning abortive birthes and bringing forth dead children The yeers 1543 and 44 produced many great troubles and stirres For now the Sacramentary contention began afresh to Melancthons great grief whom some attempted to set at jarres with Luther Some there were also who sought to coole Luthers heat and spake little more favourably of the Rhenan Churches then of the Turks Wherefore when Christopher Froschoverus the Printer of Tigur sent Luther a copie of his Tigurin Bible then Printed Luther admonished him by his letter that he should not publish anything which came to him from the Ministers of Tigur and that he had nothing to do with them nor would receive or read their books that the Churches of God could not joyne in Communion with them who already were running into the way of Perdition and would bring others into hell and damnation and that he would oppugne them with his prayers and books whilest he lived And now Luther first wrote against the Jews and refuted their lies and their blasphemous conceit about Shemhamphoras the name of God expounded He also wrote his judgement and a short answer to Casp. Schwenckfelds book and letter whom he bad not to mention him in his writings and sent him away with this answer The Lord reprove Satan who is in thee confusion befall the Spirit which called thee and the course which thou runnest and all the Sacramentarians and Eutychians who partake with thee and all thy blasphemies Thou doest as they of whom it was written they ran and I sent them not they spake and I commanded them not He wrote also his minde to others concerning the Ceremonies and excommunication he desired that there should be few Ceremonies and they tending to edification and that excommunication should be brought into the Church as a profitable discipline but could scarce hope to see it He admonished the young students at Wittenberg to avoyd fornication with wch some then were taxed yea he threatned that he would hold no societie with men of that ill condition and tarried some time at Mersburg with the Prince of Anhalt But afterward he was call'd to his ordinary taske by the University sending for him an honourable Embassie About this time he wrote an excellent Commentary upon the last words of David wherein he soundly and plainly declared the Article of the Trinitie the distinction of the persons Christs Deitie and humanitie In the yeere 1544. he finished the first part of his Commentaries on Genesis in which he often blameth the Sacramentarians and foretelleth that after his death many would oppugne Luthers doctrin Then in September he published the briefe and last Confession concerning the Eucharist wherein he expressely explaineth what in the Lords Supper is received by the worthy receivers what by the unworthy what by faith what without faith and censures Zwinglius Oecolampadius and others at Tigur who set forth an Apologie of their doctrin the yeere following Of this * elsewhere is spoken This very yeere the 17. of November he finished his explication of Genesis which was his last publique reading in the Universitie which he concluded with these words Thus end I my explication on Genesis God grant that others may more rightly and truly expound it then I have done I cannot proceed farther therein my strength faileth me pray for me that it would please God to grant me a quiet and comfortable departure out of this life This yeere in Italy was spread a most impudent lie about Luthers death The summe of it translated out of the Italian is this A stupendious rare miracle which God ever to be praised shewed about the filthy death of Martin Luther a man damned both in body and soule so that it conduced to the glory of Jesus Christ and the amendment and comfort of godly men When Martin Luther was sick he desired the Lords body to be communicated to him which he receiving died presently When he saw that he must die he requested that his body might be set upon the Altar and be adored with divine worship But God to put an end to his horrible errours by a great miracle warned the people to abstain from the impietie which Luther invented For when his body was laid in his grave suddenly so great a stirre and terrour arose as if the foundations of the earth were shaken together Whereupon all at the funerall trembling were astonished and after a while
lifting up their eyes beheld the sacred hoste appearing in the ayre Wherefore with great devotion of heart they placed the most sacred Host in the holy Altar Whereupon the fearefull noyse ceased But in the night following a loud noyse and ratling much shriller then the former was heard about the sepulcher of Luther which awaked all the Citie terrified them and almost kill'd them with astonishment In the morning when they opened the sepulcher they found neither his body nor his bones nor any of the cloathes but there came a sulphurous stinke out thereof which almost overcame the standers by By this miracle many were so amazed that they amended their lives for the honour of the Christian faith and the glory of Jesus Christ When this lye came Printed into Germany Luther did subscribe with his own hand words to this purpose I Martin Luther doe professe and witnesse under mine owne hand that I on the 21. day of March received this figment full of anger and fury concerning my death and that I read it with a joyfull mind and cheerfull countenance And but that I detest the blasphemy which ascribeth an impudent lie to the divine Majestie for the other passages I cannot but with great joy of heart laugh at Sataus the Popes and their complices hatred against me God turne their hearts from their diabolicall maliciousnesse But if God decree not to heare my prayers for their sinne unto death then God graunt that they may fill up the measure of their sinnes and solace themselves to the full with their libels full fraught with such like lies This yeere Luther set forth a book intituled Against the Popedome ordained by the Devill In this he treats of the Councel appointed by the Pope and often adjourned or translated from place to place and of other plots of the Popes There he speaketh of the Campanian who comming out of Germany into Italy turned his bare breech towards Germany using words to the disgrace of the nation Luther published divers other Treatises as the explication of Christs speech Search the scriptures And The blindnesse and ingratitude of the world in handling Christs complaint of Ierusalem By Luthers advice especially Georgius Anhaltenus undertooke the government of the Church of Mersberg Of this is spoken in the life of Duke George In the yeere 1546. Luther accompanied with Melancthon visited his owne countrey and returned again in safety Not long after the Counsel of Trent being begun and having sate once or twice Luther was called again by the Earles of Mansfield to his owne countrey for to compose a dissention among them concerning their bounds and heritages Luther was not wont to deale in matters of this nature having been versed in sacred studies all his life time but because he was borne at Islebon a towne in the territories of Mansfield he was willing to do his countrey service in this kind Wherefore making his last sermon at Wittenburg the 17. day of Ianuary he tooke his journey on the 23. day And at Hall in Saxony lodged at Iustus Ionas his house where he stayed three dayes because of the roughnesse of the waters and preached the 26. of Ianuary upon Pauls Conversion On the 28. day being Thursday at Hall he passed over the river with Iustus Ionas and his own three sonnes and being in danger of drowning said to Dr Ionas Think you not that it would rejoyce the Devill very much if I and you and my three sonnes should be drowned When he came to the Earles of Mansfield he was entertained by a hundred horsemen or more of the Court and was brought into Isleben very honourably but very sick and almost past recovery which thing he said did often befall him when he had any great businesse to undertake But using some meanes for cure of his infirmity he sate at supper with the company and so continued to do from the 29. of Ianuary to the 17. of February and treated of the differences for whose determination he came thither In this time he preached sometimes and twice received the Lords supper and publikely received two students into the sacred order of the Ministery And at his lodging used much godly conference at Table with his friends and every day devoutly prayed The day before his death though he was somewhat weake yet he dined and supped with the company and at supper spake of divers matters and among other passages asked whether in Heaven we should know one another when the rest desired to heare his judgement thereof He said What befell Adam he never saw Eve but was at rest in a deep sleep when God formed her yet when he awaked and saw her he asketh not what she was or whence she was but saith that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone Now how knew he that He being full of the Holy Ghost and endued with the knowledge of God thus spake After the same manner we also shall be in the other life renewed by Christ and shall know our parents our wives and children and all about us much more perfectly then Adam knew Eve at her bringing to him After supper when he went aside to pray as was his custome the paine in his breast began to increase whereupon by the advice of some there present he tooke a little Vnicornes horne in wine and after that slept quietly an houre or two on a pallat neer the fire When he awaked he betooke himselfe to his chamber went to bed and bidding his friends good night admonished them who were present to pray God for the propagation of the Gospel because the Councel of Trent and the Pope would attempt wonderfull devises against it Having thus said after a little silence he fell asleep But was awaked by the violence of his disease after midnight Then complained he again of the narrownesse of his breast and perceiving that his life was at an end he thus implored Gods mercy and said O heavenly father my gracious God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou God of all consolation I give thee heartie thanks that thou hast revealed to me thy Son Iesus Christ whom I beleeve whom I professe whom I love whom I glorifie whom the Pope of Rome and the rout of the wicked persecute and dishonour I beseech thee Lord Iesus Christ to receive my soule O my gracious heavenly Father though I be taken out of this life though I must now lay down this fraile body yet I certainly know that I shall live with thee eternally and that I cannot be taken out of thy hands He added moreover God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that every one who beleeveth in him should not perish but have life everlasting And that in the 68. Psalme Our God is the God of salvation and our Lord is the Lord who can deliver from death And here taking a medicine and drinking
it he further said Lord I render up my spirit into thy hands and come to thee And again Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit thou O God of truth hast redeemed me Here as one falling asleep and without any bodily pain that could be discerned he departed this life And when Doctor Ionas and Caelius said O reverend father do you die in the constant confession of that dectrin of Christ which you have hither to preached He answered so as he might be heard yea which was the last word he spake Thus he in his native countrey not having seen it many yeers before dyed much lamented by many This fell on the eighteen of February on the day in the Calender ascribed to Concord about three a clock in the morning in the great climaclericall yeere of his age Soone after his body put into a coffin of Lead was carried in funerall manner to the Temple of Isleben where Iustus Ionas preached Then the Earles of Mansfield desired that his body should be interred within their territories But the Elector of Saxony required that it should be brought back to Wittenberg In the return thereof which way so ever it went it was honourably attended and with much griefe accompanied out of each Princes Dominion and at length upon the 22. of February in the afternoon was brought to Wittenberg and was carried into the Temple Neere adjoyning to the Castle with such a troop of Princes Earles Nobles their living as students and other people that the like was seldome or never seene in that town When the funerall rites were performed Pomeranus preached to an assembly of many thousands And after that Melancthon with many teares and sighes made a funerall Oration When this was done the coffin with his body was put by the hands of divers learned men into the tomb neere to the pulpit in which he had made many learned Sermons before divers Princes Electors and the Congregation of many faithfull Christians In a brazen plate his picture lively deciphered was there set up with verses by it to this effect This Sepulchre great Luthers Corps containe This might suffice yet read these following strains HEer in this Vrne doth Martin Luther rest And sweetly sleep in hope to rise most blest By whose rare pains firme faith and Christs free Grace Which formerly thick Fogs of Error base And duskie Clouds of Works desert bid quite Were well reduced to their ancient Light For when blind Superstition ruled All And did faire Truth long time suppresse and thrall He by Gods Word and Spirits inspiration The Gospels Light re-spred for every Nation And well-instructed by Pauls sacred voyce choice Scorning Romes Cheats to teach pure Truth made And as Iohn Baptist in the Wildernesse Did Gods Lamb who heales Sin Preach and expresse So O Sweet Christ did Luther cleare thy book When all the World was caught with Errors hook And what the difference was betwixt the Law Whose tables Moses brake though God he saw Vpon Mount-Sinai and the Gospel sweet meet Which heales Sin-conscious hearts which Gods wrath This difference lost to th' world He did restore That so Christs gifts of Grace might shine the more He stoutly did oppose Romes Cheats and Charmes And Papal rule which wrought Gods Saints great harms Exhorting all Romes idols for to flie He many soules wan to true pietie And maugre all Romes threats and snares most slie Finisht in Faith his Course most valiantly Dying in peace his Soule with Christ doth rest Crown'd with immort all Glory truly blest For which rare Doctor let both high and low Blesse God that they so cleare Christs truth do know And pray the Lord that these his Gospels rayes May to the World shine-forth for datelesse dayes Philip Melancthon Dead is grave Luther worthy all due praise Who set forth Christ in Faith illustrious rayes His Death the Church laments with Sighs sincere Who was her Pastour nay her Patron deare Our Israels Chariots and Horsemen rare Is Dead with me let All sad Sables weare Let them their griefe in groaning verses sing For such sad Knells such Orphans best may ring Theodore Beza Rome tam'd the World the Pope tam'd Rome so great Rome rul'd by Power the Pope by deep Deceit But how more large than Theirs was Luthers Fame Who with One Pen both Pope and Rome did tame Go fictious Greece go tell Alcides then His Club is nothing to great Luthers Pen John Major By Luthers labours Leo the tenth is slain Not Hercles Club but Luthers Pen's his bane Joachim a Beust When Luther dy'd then with him dy'd most sure A Crown and credit of Religion pure His Soul soar'd-up to heaven on Concords day Which tended Luther thither on his way Deare Christ since Discord followed with Coates rent Give to thy Spouse Elijahs ornament Upon his Tomb-stone the Universitie of Wittenberg as to her beloved father engraved MARTINI LVTHERIS THEOLOGIAe D. CORPVS H. L. S. E. QVI ANNO CHRISTI M. D. XLVI XII CAL MARTII EISLEBII IN PATRIAS M. O. C. V. AN. LXIII M. III. D. X. Thus Luther ran his course this was the period of his travels When first Melancthon heard newes of his death he utttered these sacred words of the scripture The Charriot and horsemen of Israel is gone and tooke his death most heavily For they had lived together 28. yeeres in most religious manner so that Melancthon truely loved him for his admirable vertues and was a faithfull mate and helper to him in clearing the doctrine of the Gospel For though those times were prone to distractions and mens wavering mindes desirous of dissention yet when as each knew others infirmities there never fell any jarre betweene them which caused any alienation of their affection or parting their company and fellowship But what and how great stormes rose in Germany after the death of Luther out alas each Christian knoweth So that Luther said truly and often foretold That whilst he lived by Gods help there would no warre be raysed in Germany but when he was dead the age to come would see the event Concerning the doctrine of the Gospel he uttered this heavenly truth These things will be a great bane to Christian Religion First forgetfullnesse of Gods blessing on us in restoring to us the Gospel Secondly security which already commonly and every where raigneth Thirdly worldly wisdome which would bring all things into good order and cure the publique stirres with wicked Councels There was in this worthy man of God a quicke and prudent understanding a magnanimous and noble Spirit He was ever constant in known truth from the confession whereof he could never be removed with threats or promises So that when upon a time one Papist demanded of an other Why do you not stop the mans mouth with gold and silver The other answered See this German beast careth not for money There appeared in him a singular proofe of his
1538. Sim. Lemnius his libel Sleid. b. 12 Camerarius in Melancthons life An. 1539. Of lawfull defence Of the name of Councels and the Church George Duke of Saxony dyeth Henry succeeds Protestancy in Misnia * Now fiftie yeeres old An. 1540. The conference at Hagenaw Melancthon sick in his journey Luther prayeth for Melancthon c. Robert Barnes burnt at London His confession printed by Luther An. 1541. Myconius sick and comforted by Luther Iohn â—…udding Tom. 7. Ien. An. 1542. The Alcoran in the German tongue An. 1543. Camerarius in the life of Melancthon Luther to the Printer to Tigur Luther writeth against the Jews His answer to C. Schwenckfeld His judgement about ceremonies and excommunication Luther at Mersberg A commentary upon Davids last words An. 1544. Commentary on Genesis * In the life of Bulling and Lavat. Histor. Sacr. Luthers last Lecture See Mathes Sermon concerning Luther p. 169. b. The lye in Italy about Luthers death Tom. 8. Jen. p. 206. The Italians disgrace the Germans An. 1546. The Councel of Trent began Camerarius in vita Melanct. Luther called to Mansfield He lodged at Justus Jonas his house Luthers danger Luther very sick Luthers imployment Luthers conference Whether in the other life we shall know one another Luthers disease of which he died Luthers prayer before his death Luthers death Luthers body brought to wittenberg His honourable buriall The body of Martin Luther Doctour of Divinity lieth here interred who in An. 1546. the 12. of the Kalends of March died in Isleben the place of his birth when he had lived 63. yeeres 3. moneths and tenne dayes Melancthons sorrow for Luthers death Their intire love faithfull society What followed Luthers death See Mathel Serm. on Luthers life What will be great hinderances of Christian Religion Luthers vertues His constancy in the truth Luthers couragious speech about the Gospels successe at the Assembly at Auspurg 1530. * Tom. 1. epist. p. 85. * Tom. 1. epist. p. 297. and Tom. 2. p. 340. The Emperour Sigismund unhappy after Hus his death Tom. 2. Epist. The chiefe points of Religion opened and cleared by Luther Melancthon Tom. 6. declam Luthers worthy paines in translating the Bible The difficulty of Jobs Translation Luthers course in translating the Bible Tom. 1. epist. 171. Mathes Sermon concerning Luthers life p. 153. Luthers revising the first Edition of the Bible Who carped at this Luther expositions of the Bible Erasm. judgement thereof Luthers eloquence in his own tongue * I st binnunter gerum Pett in die helle Luthers adversaries Secret plots against Luther a Tom. 2. epist. 271. The Papists designes b Tom. 2. epist. p. 8. Lies against Luther Tom. 2. epist. p. 8. Tom. 2. ep. p. 71. 85. 289. * Tom. 2. ep. pag. 6. * Tom. 1. ep. p. 292. Charles the Emperour kept the souldiers from digging up Luthers bones Tom. 1. ep. Luth. p. 230. b. Luther discerned not all truth at first Tom. 1. ep. pag. 130. a Tom. 2. ep. pag. 72. b Tom. 2. ep. pag. 243. Tom. 2. ep. pag. 301. Tom. 2. ep. pag. 230. Tom. 1. epist. p. 61. Tom. 2. epist. p. 273. Tom. 1. epist. pag. 11. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 371. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 28. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 307. Tom. 1. epist. pag. 360. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 281. Tom. 1. epist. Melanct. pag. 408. to 1. Obenburg Tom. 5. oper. Jen. pag. 280. Conf. Theolog. Melanct. pag. 438. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 196. 250. Luthers private life His temperance Tom. 1. ep. p. 265. His zeale in prayer His recreations Tom. 2. ep. p. 293. and 334. Tom 2. ep. p. 365. Luthers liberality Mathes in his serm. p. 144. Tom. 2. ep. pag. 342. How he dealt with Printers His loving affection to his children His anger zeale Tom. 2. epist. p. 10. p. 207. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 10. Tom. 2. epist. pag. 207. Of Luthers Health Of Luthers person Of his wife and children after his death Luthers writings His judgement of them in the Praes. of Tom. 1. Lat. Work printed at Wittenberg Tom. 7. Jen. Germ. p. 288. The Antimonians Tom. 2. Jen. Germ. p. 69. In his b. of Rhiloric Exer. Melancth. in Mathes serm. Camerarius in Melancth. life pag. 251. Wolf Severus of Luthers