A Briefe RELATION OF That which hath been lately attempted to procure Ecclesiasticall PEACE amongst PROTESTANTS Published by Samuel Hartlib LONDON Printed by I. R. for Andrew Crooke and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Green Dragon 1641. Sir Edwin Sands in his Book called Europae Speculum or a view of the State of Religion in the Western parts of the World Pag. 183. THe end of these unhappy differences in Religion between the Reformed and Lutheran Protestants will be that their enemies shall laugh when themselves shall have cause to weep unlesse the graciousnesse of God stirre up some worthy Princes of renowne and reputation with both the sides to enterpose their wisedome industry and authority for the uniting these factions or at least wise for reconciling and composing those differences in some tollerable sort a work of immortall fame and desert and worthy of none other but of them of whom this wicked base World is not worthy A Brief RELATION OF THAT WHICH HATH BEEN LATELY ATTEMPTED TO PROCURE Ecclesiasticall PEACE amongst PROTESTANTS THE purpose of soliciting a Roncilement amongst Protestants in matters of Religion was first undertaken and afterward prosecuted after this manner When in the yeer 1628 Iohn Dury was in Prussia Minister to the English Company of Marchants residing at Elbing he was sent unto dealt withall and moved by Dr. Godeman a wise godly and learned man one of the King of Swedens Privy Councellors and Judge of his high Court in those parts to second him in a businesse of Ecclesiasticall Unitie amongst Protestants which he said his King and Master would be glad to advance So good a motion being readily entertained it came to passe afterward when Sir Thomas Roe was sent Ambassador Extraordinary by his Majesty of great Britain to agree the Sweds and Polonians which also he did successefully perform that both Doctor Godeman and Master Dury did make him throughly acquainted with all the passages of their negotiation Whereupon he according to that generous disposition which doth lead him to favour all good indeavours of a publike nature did very willingly assist them with Counsell and at Master Duryes intreaty conferred with the Lord Chancellor Oxonstiern to see how farre he would shew himself in the businesse and what course might be resolved upon to proceed joyntly to the effect thereof The Lord Chancellor manifested a good liking to the work and promised to my Lord Ambassador to joyn effectually therein towards his King and the Lutheran Clergy of his best acquaintance Upon this ground my Lord Ambassador encouraged Mr Dury to proceed and when his Lordship was gone into England the Lord Chancellor sent for him heard his particular proposalls conferred with him about the same testified his willingnesse to give assistance thereunto and desired Mr Dury to give him information of the passages of the work in time to come so he went from Elbing into Engl. in the yeer 1630. Chiefly because his Congregagation at Elbing was dissolved by reason of the inconveniences which warre had brought upon the Trade in that place and because Sr Thomas Roe had promised to move the chief Prelates in England to assist him in the work of pacification Being then arrived there he first acquainted his most familiar friends of the Clergy with his purpose and shewed them some declarations written by the chief Preachers of Dantzigh to make it appear that they were not only ready to joyn in such a negotiation but also desirous and in hope that the Divines in England would in like manner concur which being done he came to Sr Thomas Roe who was mindefull of his promise and became every way as good as his word towards him For he recommended the businesse towards the Kings most Excellent Majestie who was pleased to refer the consideration of this matter to my Lords Grace of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London that they should hear Mr Dury and declare their resolutions to his proposalls This was done accordingly And he was commanded to write unto the Divines of his acquaintance in Prussia and to the Lord Chancellor Oxonstiern to testifie first the good inclination and resolution which the Clergy of England had to cooperate in due time towards so good a work Secondly that their Councell for the present was only this that to prepare a way for future treaties the Magistrates of both sides should inhibite railing disputes in the Pulpit and put down the names of partiality so farre as could be done and not suffer any debatements to be taken up or fomented about matters of Ceremony in the form of publike worship This he did and after a good space when news came that the Protestant Princes in Germany had leagued themselves together for their mutuall defence and that an amiable conference of their Divines had been holden with good successe at Eeipzigh to compose the differences in Religion Master Dury was permitted to go into Germany that he might see how the Divines of all sides might be disposed towards a Conjunction of Councells and endeavours in the work To make away for this purpose he had before hand through Sir Iames Spense Lord of Oreholm and Generall to the Scottish Nation in the Swedish Army given notice to his Majesty of Sweden what his aime was in the businesse of Reconcilement and how it might be effected Therefore when he came in the yeer 1631. into Germany he found the King somewhat prepared whom soon after the Battle fought at Leipzigh he spoke withall at Wirtsburg His Majestie was pleased to give him large audience and by conference received full information of all those deliberations and particular wayes whereby the work could be prosecuted of which the Sammlary resolution whereunto his Majesty gave assent was this That the Councell given by the Reverend Prelates of England was to be followed for the inhibition of disputes and partiall names and that as Master Dury did intend to labour with the Divines of the Reformed side to dispose them to joyn unanimously in the means and wayes of amitie so his Majesty would recommend the same endeavours to be undertaken by some Divine of the Lutheran fide who should in like manner work upon the rest of their own party and afterward when a fit preparation should be found on both sides then His Majesty did offer to give unto Master Dury his Letters of Publike Recommendation towards the Princes of Germany and chiefly towards the Elector of Brandenburg and Landgrave of Hessen that with his and their concurrence and the Help of forraine Divines the businesse might be brought to a solemn conclusion This favourable resolution being taken Mr Dury dealt first with the Divines of Hessen then with those of Hanaw and of the Palatinate and of Deuxpont and of the Wetteraw till he heard the King of Sweden was dead which evill news although they made a stop in some part of his resolutions yet they made him not leave the
Name to give him a Declaration and dimissory Letter whereby his actions in Sweden were approved bearing witnesse that Master Dury being come into Sweden to dispose the minds of their Clergy unto the work of Peace Ecclesiasticall according to the grounds laid by the States of the Empire at Franckfort Anno 1634. he had dealt by permission and command of her Majesty with the chief Divines of that Kingdome and although some difficulties were risen as in waightie matters is usuall yet that he had not omitted any thing which could serve for the taking away of the same Thus he went from Stockholm Anno 1638. and came to Lubeck there he had speech with Doctor Hunnius one of the chief Divines of those quarters Him he prepared to entertain the motion of Peace which afterward should be made unto him From Lubeck he set forward towards Hamburg to meet Sir Thomas Roe who there was residing as Ambassador Extraordinary from His Majesty of great Britaine towards the King of Denmark and Princes of Germany To him he gave attendance all the while he staid in those parts not leaving his former purpose but rather using the advantage of his Lordships favourable countenance In this new period of the negotiation he went slowly to work first because he looked towards the Swedes how they would behave themselves after his departure Secondly because he waited for some overture to begin and make some Proposalls at the publike Treaties of Peace in Germany which then was thought upon by reason of the Emperors Ambassador who was come to those parts and the Mediators which did offer themselves towards that negotiation But when those Treaties were not likely to proceed he went to Bremen that he might acquaint the Divines of that place with his former proceedings and gain in time to come their assistance by way of Councell These were very cordiall in the businesse and entertaining him with all kindenesse and liberalitie which no Germans before them had done such encouragements and declarations were given as he could desire both from the Clergy and Magistrate of that Citie Then he proceeded towards the King of Denmark who was at Gluckstad There with the good liking and countenance of my Lord Ambassador he acquainted the Lord Chancellor Raventâ—low with his desire to deal with the Clergy of Denmark If His Majesty would give him leave so to do His Majesty gave way to his demands and was pleased to recommend certain Writs which his Chancellor received from Master Dury unto the consideration of his Divines of the Universitie of Coppenhagen These gave their judgement and advice concerning his negotiation tending to shew their approbation of the purpose their particular Counsell and Proposalls in prosecuting of it and their willingnesse to treate further about it with Master Dury if his Majesty would give permission thereunto The King caused their judgement to be delivered to Master Dury who thereupon did accept of the offer of their Treatie and gave them a large Answer to all their propositions containing divers overtures towards a constant progresse in a Theologicall way of Treatie Uâ—to this answer by His Majesties Command they gave a further declaration of their judgement whereunto Master Dury having replyed and shewed His Majesty a brief and ready way to come to the purpose the King was pleased to write unto my Lord Ambassador to let him know that he thought it fit Master Dury should be more particularly authorized from England before the matter could proceed betwixt him and his Divines to any issue Whiles these matters were thus in agitation Master Dury dealt also with the Magistrates and Ministry of Hamburg and Lubeck and with the Most Reverend and Most Illustrious Archbishop of Bremen who gave him a reference to some chief Divines who entertained his motions with very good liking and gave him an answer to the same In like manner he made Proposalls to those of Stode who took the same into mature consideration and promised to concurre with others in answering At last he went to those of Brunswick and Luneburg where with the singular favour of those Princes and by the most pious and peaceable inclinations of their Councellors and chief Divines towards the Work of Reconcilement a ground was laid for a very effectuall progresse For they have made the Work their own undertaking to dispose the rest of the Lutheran Churches and Universities unto a reall concurrence in it that afterwards they may proceed with our Churches joyntly to a full conclusion Duke Augustus of Brunswick was the first to whom Master Dury made his addresse this learned and wise Prince was pleased in favour of the Work not only to convocate his chief Divines and appoint them with some of his Councellors of State to conferre Collegially a whole day with Master Dury but also to settle a resolution which his Divines subscribed obliging themselves thereby to joyn in all the wayes of agreement whereof they had conferred together and moreover to recommend the matter to his Cozen Duke George by a large and most effectuall Letter With this addresse he came to Duke George residing at Hildesheim where he had no lesse but rather more favourable entertainment then he had gotten at Brunswick For by an Act of Councell the chief Divines who then were in place were appointed to visit and entertain him till others that were sent for should come And when the chief of them were come Master Dury was lodged and entertained with him in one house at the Princes charge for the space of fourteen dayes that they together might ripen matters and bring their thoughts to a head Which being done a Committee of some Councellors of State was appointed to give them publike audience in the Prince His name to hear them confer upon the matter of agreement to consider their Councels and joynt resolutions and to make relation thereof unto the Prince that by his authority and Countenance such assistance might be given to the Work in due time as should be thought expedient All which being done first the Divines gave to Master Dury a Theologicall Declaration wherein they testified their agreement to all his Proposalls and then their more particular resolutions concerning the manner of proceeding which they would follow in the future advancement of the Work on their part were also imparted unto him The substance whereof was this That Doctor Calixtus chief professor of the University of Helmestat should by order of the Prince put forth some Treaties wherein the heads of matters in dispute amongst Protestants should be handled Historically out of Antiquity to shew what the Church of all ages hath beleeved thereof and how notwithstanding some difference of opinion thereabout among the Ancient Fathers Brotherly love was alwayes maintained These Treaties should be thus improved First they should be sent unto the Lutheran Universities of Wittenberg Leipzigh Iena Marpurg and Rostock and also to those of Brandenburg Hessen and Bremen to move them to declare their
judgements therein for mutuall agreement Then at some fit occasion some body should go to Leipzigh and Wittenberg and deal with the Saxon Electorall Professors by word of mouth to dispose them to a full resolution in this businesse To which effect also the Prince should move the two Dukes of Saxon Weymar Duke William and Duke Ernestus who have long wished for this Reconciliation to cause their University of Iena to cooperate therein And in processe of time when the businesse should be brought by this way of proceeding to some considerable ripenesse then it should be required that from great Britain and elsewhere some body might be joyned to Master Dury and also from Germany some body should go into England and other parts to speak with the chief Divines of those Churches that when there should be good hopes of bringing the matter to passe then the Soveraign Princes and States of all sides should be intreated to agree upon a meeting to make some conclusion in the matter for the good successe whereof publike prayers should be made with common consent in all the Churches These resolutions being taken when the Prince himself had spoken to Master Dury and given him assurance of his willingnesse to set forward this purpose he did dismisse him with a recommendatory Letter unto his brother Duke Frederick residing at Zelle who in like manner received Master Dury very kindely and moved his Divines to confer with him In this conference when they had received satisfaction to some doubts which were proposed they gave consent unto all which was concluded at Brunswick and Hildesheim From Zelle he went to the free City of Luneburg where he acquainted the Ministery of the place with his Proposalls made unto other Churches that they might also take the same into their consideration and in due time with consent of their Protector Dr. Frederick resolve what to do therein Thus the Circuit of Brunswick and Luneburg being finished he returned to Hamburgh in February An. 1640. from whence without delay he went towards my Lord Ambassador Sir Thomas Roe who was at Gluckstad with the King of Denmark to give him account of all the passages of his proceedings There he also dealt further with the Lord Chancellor Detloff Raventlow and the King himself was pleased upon my Lord Ambassador his recommendation to give him accesse to kisse his hand and in presence of his Son the Archbishop of Bremen to speak with him about the setting forward of his purpose In which discourse his Majesty shewed a good liking to his proceedings and gave way that if he thought fit he should make new proposalls touching means of Reconcilement unto his Divines that they might have further occasion to entertain these thoughts as well as others Hereupon Master Dury did impart unto the forenamed Lord Chancellor a paper containing certain heads fit to be Theologically consulted upon by them that their resolutions touching the same might in due time be framed and also made publike if they themselves thought it expedient Thus the Treaties at Denmark being again set on foot he returned from Gluckstad with my Lord Ambassador towards Hamburg and gave by letters information into England concerning all matters of moment which passed in his work Then also some writes presented formerly unto the Divines of Denmark were made publike that many who desired to know the passages of that negotiation might have satisfaction therein Not long after my Lord Ambassador was recalled from Germany into England about which time the private disputes amongst those of Bremen were come to some height for those that were most inclinable to moderation suffering wrong had sought Master Duries advice and desired his help to compose their doubtfull questions Therefore he sent to some of the Prelates of the Church of England and some of the Professors of Divinity in both Universities certain Writs which the chief Divines of Bremen submitted unto their judgements containing the true state of their difference which reflecteth much upon the main controversie debated betwixt the reformed and the Lutheran Divines therefore the decision thereof will be a singular preparative for the common and more publike Unity of all Protestants To these Writes the Lord Bishops of Salisbury and of Exceter have already given their answers and the rest to whom they are sent have promised to do the like who no doubt will be as good as their word In the mean time Master Dury ripened somewhat matters towards the Lutherans and endeavoured to smooth the knottinesse of the Clergy of Hamburg and Lubeck For finding some warping of their intentions which he perceived would bend another way then was expedient he dealt first with Doctor Hunnius a leading man at Lubeck and then with the Senior Preacher of Hamburg that when these two should be set in a right way the lesse-knowing and more clamorous Clergy might be more easily perswaded and wrought to admit the thoughts of moderation As for Doctor C. lixtus although some men of strife and evill willers to him did undertake to disturb him in these peaceable thoughts yet being strongly countenanced by Superiors he hath begun to perform his promise giving Master Dury full assurance of his constancy and of the concurrence of many others towards the furtherance of the same Councells And because the opposition made against Doctor Calixtus by his Brethren was like unto that which the chief Professors of Bremen suffered by their Brethren Master Dury conceived that the similitude of their cases might be a motive to induce them to mutuall correspondency in the work of Reconcilement Therefore having gotten the Originall Writes which Bishop Davenant and Bishop Hall sent to those of Bremen he went thither to deliver the same and conferre with them about the matter whereunto he found them exceeding well inclined In the way going thither he dealt with one Statius Buscherus Doctor Calixtus his chief opposer endeavouring to mollifie and withdraw him from some preposterous courses and coming back again he stayed a whole day at Bremervorde the Residence of the Most Illustrious and Reverend Archbishop of Bremen with whom he had twice occasion of large conference tending to give him satisfaction which he also received concerning some doubts which he had conceived of the Work From thence passing through Stade and having insinuated unto the chief Preacher of that place Mr Haveman some writes tending to Pacification he arrived at Buxtehude where he met with Master Scholvinus the Pastor of the place a learned and moderate Lutheran Divine whom he confirmed in a course of conference and correspondency begun with Doctor Bergius at Bremen towards the ripening of matters belonging to Pacification Then being come back to Hamburg he made himself ready to return for England And to this effect took his leave of the Magistrat and Ministry of that place some of the Magistrate were very earnest with him to persevere in the prosecuting of his work and the Ministery gave him their answer in Writ shewing