Holy Scripture was to be preferred far before his The Cardinal then extolling the Dignity of the Pope prefers him before all Scriptures and Councils and quotes the abrogation of the Council of Basil which had decreed otherwise condemning also Gerson the Parisian Doctor and the rest who approved that Opinion On the other hand Luther denies the Authority of the Pope to be greater than that of a Council and quotes the Parisian Divines as the Approvers of his Judgment When after much Debate they could not agree Luther desired Time to consider and coming again next Day in presence of Notary and Witnesses and some of the Emperours Counsellers also he professed That he Reverenced and Submitted to the Holy Church of Rome that if he had said any thing to the contrary he disowned it but that since he was admonished and commanded To Renounce his Errour and meddle no more for the future he was of the Opinion that he had asserted nothing that disagreed with the Scripture the Judgment of the Fathers the Decretals of the Popes or right Reason it self that he did not deny indeed but that he might err and be deceived that being incident to Man and that therefore he submitted to the Judgment of a Lawful and Holy Church and referred his Cause to be tryed thereby Nay more That he was ready in any Place to give an account of his Doctrin that if he was not pleased with this he would answer his Arguments in Writing and submit to the Judgment of the Universities of Germany and Paris Cajetane urged again as he had done the Day before that Decretal of Clement as making for him and at length allowed him to exhibit his Mind in Writing which was to this purpose That at the Time he published his Theses and when after he wrote the Explication of them he had read the Decretal of Clement but that it had not satisfied him for that though it be made a Rule That the Decretals of the Pope of Rome are no less to be received than the Words of the Apostle S. Peter yet that ought so to be understood provided they agree with Holy Scripture and deviate not from the Decretals of the Ancients that S. Peter's Voice was indeed Sacred and Holy and yet he had been sharply rebuked by St. Paul and his Doctrin not received till the Church which then was at Jerusalem consented to it That the Sayings of Men were to be heard but that every thing should be referred to the Voice of Christ who alone could not be deceived That that Decretal was repugnant to many places of Holy Scripture which was the Reason that at that time he Published his Position and afterwards Commented upon the same That from that time forward he had resolved to dispute no more about it and rather to listen to the Opinions of others but that now though he had rather be instructed by others and especially the Pope of Rome yet since there lay a necessity upon him of defending his own Assertion he would essay and use his endeavours to reconcile his Positions to that Decretal if by any means it could be done Having thus addressed to the Cardinal in a Preface he falls to the handling of the matter it self and explaining the Decretal affirms That it made for him yet so that he did not thereby derogate from the dignity either of the Pope or him Then he comes to the other branch of the Accusation and by many Texts of Scripture fully proves That it is Faith which Justifies us before God And therefore he prays him to deal kindly with him and shew him his Errour for that the Texts of Scripture which he had alledged were of so great force that he believed them to be Self-evident wherefore he could not forsake that Truth since it was better to Obey God than Men. That therefore he desired to be excused from that over-hard condition of Retracting and to be Reconciled to the Pope That it was not out of Arrogance or any desire of Vain-glory that he had entred the Lists and that he wished for nothing more than that the Truth might be discovered by any more Learned and Pious than himself so that he beg'd he might not be compell'd to wound his own Conscience Cajetane took this Writing from him and upon reading made slight of it but promised however to send it to the Pope In the mean time he urged him to retract else he threatned him with the Punishment appointed by the Pope and with that bid him be gone and see his face no more unless he changed his mind Three days after Luther had been thus threatned October the Seventeenth he wrote a very humble and submissive Letter to the Legate for after that the Legate had chid him as we said and sent him away he had dealt privately with John Stupitz Provincial of the Augustine Fryars that he might incline him to make a voluntary Recantation Now in that Letter Luther gives him an account of what pass'd betwixt Stupitz and him who had omitted nothing that could be expected from an honest Man and faithful Friend He thanked him for his Good-will and Kindness towards him which he had understood from Stupit's discourse whereby he had been so much comforted that there was no Man-living he would more willingly gratifie than His Eminence He confesses that he had been too sharp and had not behaved himself with the respect and reverence that was due to the Papal Dignity but that all that was to be attribuâ—ed to the impertinence of the Collectors He begs Pardon for what he had done and promises greater modesty for the future and that he would hereafter do his Holiness Right in his Sermons That he would not mention the Indulgences in time to come provided his Adversaries were enjoyned to do the like but that he should retract the Opinions which he had divulged and hitherto defended he could not with a safe Conscience so long as he was not convinced of Errour by clear Testimonies of Scripture He therefore craves that the Tryal of the Cause might be referred to the Pope for that nothing would be more pleasant to him than to hear the Voice of the Church about such Controversies Since Cardinal Cajetane made no Answer to this Letter and had uttered some threatning Words he took his Friends counsel and two days after departed leaving behind him a certain Appeal which should afterwards be publickly affixed and about the time of his departure he wrote again to the Legate That he had omitted nothing which was his duty to do That being a weak sickly Man he had made a long Journey on Foot and come to Ausburg that he might manifest his Submission to the Pope but now that his Money was almost spent and that he would not be any longer troublesome to the Carmelite Fryers who had lodged and entertained him in their Convent he would return home especially seeing His Eminence had discharged him to come any more into
he mentioned was a Parisian Divine of great Reputation who wrote several things he was present at the Council of Constance and wrote much in Praise of that Decree which subjects the Pope to a Council saying That it deserved to be hung up in all Churches and publick Places for perpetual Memory for that they were most pernicious Flatterers who introduced that Tyranny into the Church as if the Pope ought not to obey a Council nor be judged by it as if a Council received all its Authority and Dignity from him as if it could not be called without his Permission and as if he were not obliged by any Laws nor to be called to an account for his Doings that these monstrous Words were utterly to be avoided which were repugnant to the Laws common Equity and natural Reason for that all the Power of the Church was in a Council that it was lawful to Appeal from him to it and that they who asked Whether the Pope or a Council was the greater did just as if they should demand Whether the whole were greater than a part since a Council had Power of Making Judging and Deposing the Pope and had given a late Instance of it at Constance for seeing some seemed to doubt of that and attributed a little too much to the Pope that Question had been decided before Pope John XXIII was degraded These things and much more to the same purpose Gerson writes and was therefore now rejected by Cajetane He dyed in the Year 1429. But the Doctors of the University of Paris were of the same Opinion confining that vast Usurpation of the Popes within these very Limits so that some Months before Luther published any thing of Indulgences they appealed from Pope Leo X to a Council because of his abrogating the Pragmatick Sanction which was very useful to the Students and Scholars of France and opened a way also to Honour and Preferment After Luther was gone Cardinal Cajetane wrote to Duke Frederick October 25 That Luther had come to Ausburg but had not spoken with him 'till he had obtained a Safe Conduct from the Emperour and that he wondred very much That they put so little Confidence in him that after much Discourse he had admonished the Man To come over and retract and that though he had been somewhat obstinate yet he had come to Terms of Reconciliation with Stupitz and some others so that both the Dignity of the Roman Church and his own Reputation were saved But that when there had been a good Foundation of the Matter laid Stupitz first and then Luther had departed privately which happened quite contrary to his Expectation That he pretended indeed as if all he had done was only for Disputation sake and to discover the Truth but that in his Sermons to the People he positively asserted all which was not to be suffered since his Doctrin was both different from that of the Church of Rome and very pernicious also as might be affirmed for a certain Truth He therefore advises him That he would consult his own Honour and Conscience and either send Luther to Rome or banish him his Country that such a Pestilent Business could not long subsist nor was it to be doubted but a Sentence would pass at Rome and that he himself as in Duty bound had acquainted the Pope with the whole Matter and the crafty Trick that had been plaid him That he prayed him not to give credit to those who seemed to favour Luther's Writings and that he would not cast such a Blemish and Stain upon his most Noble Family as he had often promised he would not Duke Frederick on the eighth of December answered this Letter which was delivered unto him November 19. to the Effect following That he had promised to take Care That Luther should come to Ausburg which being fulfilled he could do no more That he on the other Hand had past his Word That he would in a friendly manner dismiss Luther but that in the mean Time he would have had him to retract without hearing his Arguments and Plea or he having been fairly tryed seemed very strange unto him for that there were a great many Learned and Good men not only within his Territories but in other Places also who were far from condemning his Opinion And that they who withstood him were moved to it through Covetousness and Malice because he had spoiled their Trade and lessened their Profits That if it had been plainly made appear that he had erred he had so great regard to the Glory of God and the Peace of his own Conscience as of his own accord he would have long ago discharged the Duty of a Christian Magistrate That what he told him then of continuing the Process against Luther at Rome was a thing he did not so much as dream of and that what he also demanded of him that he should either make him appear at Rome or banish him his Country he could not do it First because his Errour was not as yet demonstrated and then because it would be a great loss to the University of Wittemberg founded by himself which being famous for many Learned and Studious Men had a great esteem for Luther for his Merits and the good Services he hath done there That he had sent him his Letter to read and that he had protested as he had often done before That he was ready to maintain his Opinion by Disputation in any unsuspected Place and hearken to the Judgments of others who could better inform him or else to answer in Writing That indeed it seemed Reasonable That he should be allowed to do so which he also desired might be done that it might at length appear both why he was to be accounted an Heretick and also what he himself was to follow for as he could not wittingly and willingly approve any Errour or withdraw himself from the Obedience of the Church of Rome so neither would he condemn Luther before his Errour and Crime were detected Duke Frederick had sent Luther Cajetane's Letter as we said just now Luther therefore presently made Answer to the Prince That he had been advised by his Friends not to appear before the Legate till he had obtained a Safe Conduct from the Emperour that he would have had him retract what he had written concerning Indulgences and of the Necessity of Faith in going to the Sacraments That for the former indeed he was not much concerned but that he should deny the other he could not do it he said Since the Stress of our Salvation rested upon it That the Texts of Scripture were depraved and wrested by the Papists He also gave a Relation of every Days Proceedings and how Cardinal Cajetane at length fell to Threatnings That in Reality he desired nothing more than to be convinced wherein he had erred that he would willingly submit to better Information That if they would not be at so much Pains for so mean and
Grief of his Heart he daily heard many and grievous Complaints of Luther a profligate Wretch who forgetting his own Order and Profession acted many things sawcily and with great Confidence against the Church of God bragging That being supported by the Favour and Protection of the Prince he stood in awe of the Authority of no Man That he made no doubt but that was falsey given out by him but that nevertheless he was willing to write these few things unto his Highness and to advise him That being always mindful of the Splendour and Dignity of himself and his Ancestors he would not only avoid giving any Offence but even all Suspicion of offending That he knew for a certain That Luther taught most impious and Heretical Doctrines which both he and the Master of his Palace had carefully observed and marked down That that was the Reason why he had both Cited him to Appear and also sent his Instructions to Cardinal Cajetane his Legat as to what further he would have done in the Matter and that seeing this was an Affair of Religion and that it properly belonged to the Church of Rome to enquire into the Faith and Belief of all Men he exhorted and charged his Highness That being thereunto required by his Legate he would use his best Endeavours to have Luther delivered up into his Hands which would be both acceptable Service to God and very Honourable to himself and Family that if upon Tryal he were found Innocent at Rome he should return Home Safe and Sound but that if he proved Guilty then would his Highness be Blameless in no longer protecting a Criminal and that he himself was so mercifully inclined as that neither he would oppress an Innocent Man nor deny a Penitent his Pardon And thus he left no Way unessayed that he might undo Luther The same Year also he wrote to Gabriel Venize the Provincial of the Augustine Fryers exhorting him That by the Authority of his Charge he would put a stop to Luther a Fryer of his Order who attempted Innovations and taught new Doctrins in Germany and solicitously ply him both by Letters and Learned Agents But that Expedition was to be used in the Matter for so it would not be difficult to quench the Flame newly broken out since things in their Infancy and Commencement could not resist Attempts that were any thing brisk but should it be deferred till the Evil had gathered Strength it was to be feared that the Conflagration might afterwards carry all before it for that it was a Contagion that spread more and more daily so that nothing seemed more to be feared than Delay That therefore he should set about the Affair with all Pains Diligence and Industry seeing he had Authority over him When Luther perceived that he was cited to appear at Rome he was very solicitous to have his Cause tryed before Competent and Unsuspected Judges in some Place of Germany secure from Violence But when that could not be obtained the University of Wittemberg sent a Letter to Pope Leo dated September 25 wherein they gave Luther an ample Testimony both of a Pious Life and Learning that seeing he was for some Positions proposed Cited to Rome and could not being a Sickly Man without endangering his Life make an Appearance they prayed his Holiness not to think otherwise of him than of an Honest Man that he had only for Disputation sake offered some things to be argued which were misinterpreted and highly exaggerated by his Adversaries that for their parts they would not suffer any thing to be asserted in Opposition to the Church and that at Luther's Request they could not but give him this Testimony which they earnestly entreated his Holiness to give Credit to With this Letter they sent another to Charles Miltitz a German and Bedchamber Man to Pope Leo Wherein they represent to him That Luther was undeservedly exposed to the Anger and Hatred of the Pope insomuch that being Cited to appear at Rome he could not as yet obtain That his Cause might be tryed somewhere in Germany That for their own Parts they were so zealous not only for Religion but also for the Holy Church of Rome That if Luther were guilty of any Impious Crime or Errour they would not bear with him But that he was a Man so Learned of so upright a Life and Conversation and had deserved so well of the whole University that as Affairs stood they could not but stand by him That Duke Frederick also so Religious and Prudent a Prince would not so long have suffered him to go unpunished if he had not thought him to be a good Man That therefore he would use his Interest and Familiarity he had with the Pope that Impartial Judges might he assigned him not at Rome but in Germany That they did not doubt but that he would act as became a Christian and Divine and make it appear that he did not Wantonly and without a Cause hunt after an Occasion of Contention That they begged this the more earnestly of him in that they had the greater Hopes that he who was himself a German would not in so just a Cause be wanting to a Country-Man who was born down by Calumnies and in danger of his Life Besides the Intercession of these Friends Frederick Prince Elector spoke also to Cardinal Cajetane at Ausburg and so far prevailed that Luther being excused from going to Rome should plead his Cause before the Emperour at Ausburg Being come thither in the Month of October it was three Days before he was admitted to the Speech of Cajetane for they to whom Duke Frederick who upon dissolution of the Diet was gone Home had recommended him forbad him to go to him before he had obtained a Safe Conduct from the Emperour Maximilian but that being at length granted he came and the Cardinal having civilly received him told him That he would not enter into any Dispute with him but end the Controversie amicably and at the same Time proposed to him two Commands in Name of the Pope First That he would repent what he had done and retract the Errours which he had published And next That for the Future he would abstain from such Writings as disturbed the Peace and Tranquility of the Church Luther makes Answer That he was not Conscious to himself of any Errour and desires That if he had erred it might be proved against him With that Cajetane objects That in his Theses he had affirmed That the Merits of our Saviour Christ were not the Treasure of Indulgences which Opinion was repugnant to the Decretal of Pope Clement VI. Again That it was necessary that they who come to receive the Sacrament should have a firm Belief that their Sins were forgiven them Luther replies That that was not so telling him withal That he had read the Pope's Decree and gave his Judgment of it but mention being made of S. Thomas he said The Authority of
they might prove of great use to others as well as to himself who was exceedingly pleased with them but that there was one thing that he would have him admonished of and that was That more might be done by a civil Modesty than by Transports and Heat that he ought rather to thunder against those who abused the Authority of Popes than against the Popes themselves that about inveterate things which cannot be suddenly pluck'd out it is better to dispute with pithy and close Arguments than to assert positively and that in this Case the Passions and Affections must be laid aside That he gave him this Admonition not that he might learn what he was to do but that he should proceed as he had begun Luther's Doctrine having in this manner caused much Strife and Contention and raised him many Enemies there was a Disputation appointed to be at Leipsick a Town in Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxony Cousin-german to the Elector Frederick thither came Luther and with him Philip Melanchthon who the Year before came to Wittemberg being sent for by Duke Frederick to be Professour of the Greek Language there thither came also John Eckius a bold and confident Divine On the Day appointed which was July 4 the Disputation was begun by Eckius who having proposed some Positions to be debated made this his last That they who affirmed that before the time of Pope Silvester the Church of Rome was not the first of all Churches did err for that he who attained to the See and Faith of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles was always acknowledged for the Successor of S. Peter and the Vicar of Christ upon Earth The contrary Position to this was published by Luther to wit That they who attributed Primacy to the Church of Rome had no other Ground for it but the bare and insipid Decretals of the Popes made about four hundred Years ago but that these Decretals were repugnant not only to all Histories written a thousand Years since but also to Holy Scripture and the Council of Nice the most Famous of all Councils Eckius then entring upon the Dispute laid hold of that last Position and would begin the Debate about the Authority and Primacy of the Pope of Rome but Luther having made a short Preface said That he had rather that that Argument as being very Odious and not at all Necessary might have been waved and that for the sake of the Pope that he was sorry he should have been drawn into it by Eckius and that he wished now his Adversaries were present who having grievously accused him and now shunn'd the Light and a fair Tryal of their Cause did not do well Eckius also having made a Preamble declared That he had not raised this Bustle and Stir but that it was Luther who in his first Explication of his Theses had denyed That before Silvester's time the Pope of Rome preceded the rest in Order and Dignity and had averred before Cajetane That Pope Pelagius had wrested many Places of Scripture according to his own Pleasure which being so that all the Fault lay at his Door The first Debate then was about the Supremacy of the Pope of Rome which Eckius said was instituted by Divine Right and called Luther who denyed it a Bohemian because Huss had been heretofore of the same Opinion Luther to justifie himself from this Accusation proved That the Church of Christ had been spread and propagated far and near twenty Years before S. Peter constituted a Church at Rome that this then was not the First and Chief Church by Divine Right Afterwards Eckius impugned Luther's other Positions of Purgatory Indulgences Penance the Pardon of the Guilt and Remission of the Punishment of Sin and of the Power of Priest At length on the fourteenth Day ended the Dispute which had been appointed not upon the account of Luther but of Andrew Carolstad though Luther came to it in company of Carolstad only to hear but being drawn in by Eckius who had procured a Safe-Conduct for him from Duke George he entred the Lists of Disputation for Eckius was brisk and confident because of the Nature of the Subject wherein he promised himself certain Victory Luther afterwards published the whole Conference and Debate and by an ingenious Animadversion upon the Writings and Sayings of his Adversaries gathered several Heads of Doctrine downright Heretical as he said That so he might make it appear That whilst they spoke and wrote any thing in Favour of the Pope and were transported with the Zeal of defending their Cause they interspersed many things which being narrowly inspected contained a great deal of Errour and Impiety Vlrick Zuinglius taught at that time at Zurich in Suitzerland whither he came upon a call in the beginning of this Year having before preached at Claris and in the Desert of our Lady as they call it Not long after Fryer Samson a Franciscean of Milan came thither also being sent by the Pope to preach up Indulgences and squeeze Money from the People Zuinglius stoutly opposed him and publickly called him an Imposter CAROLVS V. AVSTRIACVS D.G. ROMAN IMP SEMPER AVG REX HISPAN Natus Gandavi Ao. MD. Die. XXIV Febr Electus Ao. MDXIX XXVIII Iunij Ferdinando Frat Imp Commisit VII o Sept. MDLVI Obijt XXI Sept MDLVIII THE HISTORY OF THE Reformation of the Church BOOK II. The CONTENTS Luther by the advice of Charles Miltitz writes to the Pope and presents him with his Book of Christian Liberty The Emperor departs from Spain and passes through England into the Low-Countries Luther writes a Book which he calls Tessaradecas and another about the Manner of Confession a third about Vows His Opinion concerning the Communion in Both Kinds To this his Adversaries object a Decree of the Council of Lateran under Julius II of whose Actions you have a large Account In the mean time the Divines of Lovain and Cologn condemn Luther's Books In his Defence the Opinions of Picus Mirandula the Questions of Ockam and the Controversie of Reuchlin with the same Divines are recited Seeing himself attack'd by so many Enemies he writes to the Emperor soon after to the Archbishop of Mentz and Bishop of Mersburg The Elector Frederick finding that he had lost his Credit at Rome upon Luther's account endeavours to clear himself by Letter Luther likewise does the same The Pope Excommunicates him and he appeals again from the Decree of the Council of Mantua and puts out his Book of the Babylonish Captivity The Emperor is Crown'd at Aix la Chapelle The Pope again sollicites Frederick but not prevailing causes Luther's Books to be burnt Which when Luther understood he burnt the Popes Bull and the Canon Law and gives his Reasons for it He Answers Ambrose Catarino who had written against him IN the former Book an Account has been given of what relates to Charles Miltitz and his Negotiation at the Court of the Elector
those of Cologne taking no notice of this proceed to Censure Capnion's Book with a Salvo as they pretend to the Credit of the Author and in February 1514 they publickly burnt it this the Bishop of Spire took as an Affront put upon him and because the Prosecutor having been legally Cited had never appeared at the Day but made Default he gave Judgment for Capnion with an Approbation of his Book and condemned Hogostrate to pay the Costs of the Suit. He that he might avoid this Sentence hastens to Rome In the mean time the Divines of his Party make their Applications to the University of Paris and by the Help of Erand Marchian Bishop of Liege who was then in the French Interests they cajoled Lewis XII so as to make him inclinable to favour their Cause Therefore after a long Consultation those of Paris also Condemn the Book as deserving to be Burnt and whose Author ought to be compelled to make a Recantation and their Judgment was That the Jewish Talmuds were justly censured by former Popes and deservedly burnt by their Predecessors This was in the same Year on August 2. To prevent this the Duke of Wirtemberg had interceeded with them by his Letters and Reuchline also himself had written very courteously as having been formerly a Scholar of that University and he sent inclosed the Judgment given by the Bishop of Spire but all to no purpose Hogostrate being come to Rome managed his Business with very great Address but there were some Cardinals who favoured Reuchline upon the account of his eminent Learning among these was Adrian who has a Piece extant concerning the Latin Tongue Leo at last appoints certain Delegates to inspect the matter and they seeming to lean towards Capnion's side Hogostrate having met with nothing but Disappointments after above three Years stay in Rome sneaked away Home into his own Country But it is not to be thought what a Scandal the Divines of Cologn brought upon themselves by this Imprudent Act of theirs for there was not a Man who pretended to any thing of Ingenuity or Scholarship in all Germany who had not a Fling at them in some smart Lampoon or Satyr applauding Reuchline and ridiculing them as Blockheads and Dunces and sworn Enemies to that Laborious but useful Study of Languages and to all other more polite Learning And Erasmus of Roterdam was not wanting to use his interest with the Cardinals in Capnion's behalf concerning which he has several Epistles yet extant which he then sent to Rome The Divines of Louvain before they would declare what was their Opinion in Luther's Case consulted first with the Cardinal Adrian Bishop of Tortona who had been a Member of their College and Order and who was at that time in Spain and being backed with the Authority of his Judgment they published their Censure Luther finding himself so hard beset on all Sides addressed himself in an Epistle to the late elected Emperour Charles V and having made his Apology That a Man of his mean Quality should presume to write to so great a Potentate he tells him That the Reasons were very weighty which had emboldned him to do this and that the Glory of Christ himself was concerned in his Cause That he had published some few small Books which had procured him the Displeasure of a great many Persons but that the Fault ought not to lye at his Door for that it was with great Reluctancy that his Adversaries had drawn him to enter the Lists That a Private Retired Life was much more agreeable to his Inclinations but that his chief Care and Study was to make known the pure and uncorrupt Doctrin of the Gospel in opposition to the false Glosses and even contradictory Ordinances of Men That there were a great number of Persons eminent both for Learning and Piety who could attest the Truth of what he said And that this alone was the Cause of all that Odium and Infamy of those Dangers Contumelies and Losses to which almost for three Years he had been continually exposed That he had omitted nothing which might contribute to an Accommodation but that the oftner he made any Proposals tending that way the more resolved his Adversaries seemed to continue the Breach That he had frequently and earnestly requested them to convince him of his Errours and to give him such Rules by the which he might the better guide himself for the Time to come but that he could never obtain any other Answer from them but barbarous Injuries and railing Buffoonery their Design being to rid the World both of him and the Gospel together That by these Means he was driven to have recourse to the last Remedy and forced according to the Example of Athanasius to fly to him as to the inviolable Sanctuary and Protection of the Law And to beseech him to take upon him the Patronage of the Christian Religion and vouchsafe to shelter him from all Violence and Injury until he should be more fully informed in the Matter If it should appear that he had been ingaged in the Maintenance of any thing that was Unjustifiable he then desired no Favour His humble Petition was only to have a fair Hearing and that every one would t'ill then suspend his Judgment That this was a part of his Duty and that therefore God had intrusted him with this Supreme Power that he might maintain and distribute impartial Justice and defend the Cause of the Poor and Weak against all the Insults of their powerful Oppressors After this he writes much to the same purpose to all the States of the Empire telling them how unwilling he was to have ingaged in this Controversie and with what bitter Malice he was prosecuted by his Enemies when his Aim was purely this by propagating the true Doctrin of the Gospel to convince Men how Inconsistent it was with those false Opinions of which they had been so long but too Tenacious Then he recites in short all that had been done by him in order to a Reconciliation how he had several times promised by a voluntary Silence to let the Cause fall upon condition his Adversaries would cease their impertinent Babling desiring nothing more than to be better informed if he was in the wrong and being willing to submit freely to the Judgment and Censure of all good Men But that these Requests of his had not as yet had their desired Effect his Adversaries continually loading him with all manner of Injuries and Reproaches That since it was so he desired them not to give Credit to any disadvantagious Reports which they might hear of him If he had at any time been guilty of any Sharpness or Petulancy in his Writings it was no more than what he had been forced to by their paultry sawcy Pamphlets which they were almost daily spawning against him In the last place he makes now the same Profers for the composing the Difference which he had so often formerly done
those of his Diocese were much startled at the Doctrin which could not but trouble him to whose immediate Care they were committed Then he reproves the sharpness of his Style and says That how diverting soever it might be to Strangers he must declare his dislike of it and could wish that in the present Controversie he had shewed less of the Man and more of the Christian He checks him for having spoken irreverently of the Bishop of Rome telling him such language was certainly unbecoming the Mouth of a Clergyman as well as injurious to the Dignity of the Prelate He therefore advises him to exercise his Parts in somewhat which might be more advantageous to the Publick and not to keep up a Dispute any longer purely for Wrangling sake As to what he writes that he is desirous to be informed where he is in an Errour and promises to be ready to yield to any better Judgments As to these Particulars he says he cannot give a full Answer now by Letter but he will find a convenient season to tell him his mind more at large by Word of Mouth The Elector Frederick had at that time a Sute depending at Rome in which he had employed as his Agent one Valentine Ditleb a German he sends him word that in this and in all the other parts of his Commission he made but very slow advances at that Court which he could attribute to nothing but the rashness and impudence of Luther who had lately vented his malice in several Libels against the Pope the Church of Rome and the sacred Conclave and that the common report was That he was the only Person who countenanced and supported that Fellow Upon the arrival of the Courier with these Letters Frederick presently dispatches away an Answer to Rome That it had always been far from his thoughts to give any encouragement to the progress of Luther's Doctrin That he had not yet alter'd his mind nor took the pains throughly to sift any one of the controverted Points That he heard indeed his Tenets had the Approbation of Learned and Judicious Men but for his part he determined on neither side but left him to make his own Defence as well as he could He confess'd he thought he had made two very fair Proposals which he still stuck to the first was That if he might obtain a safe Conduct he was ready to answer for himself before any Person whom the Pope should appoint And in the second place If it should be made out upon tryal that any of his Opinions were Erroneous he would most chearfully renounce them and of this he made an open and solemn Protestation And although by this Luther had acquitted himself like a good Christian in the judgment of all impartial Persons yet upon his warning he had long ago left Saxony if Charles Milititz had not opposed it for he thought it not convenient to drive him into another Country whereas he would be under less restraint so they must expect he would then give his Passion its full swing and with his Pen revenge himself on all those who had any way promoted his Exile There could therefore be no reasonable ground to suspect his fidelity to the Catholick Interests which gave him some hopes that his Holiness would deal with him according to the Justice of his Cause for it would make his very Life uneasie to him if such a Slander should find credit in the World as that any Errour which sprung up in his time had taken root and spread it self under the shelter of his Protection After this in the same Letter he tells him freely as his Friend and Countryman that he heard the Contest had never been carried on to this extremity if Eckius and a great many more such fierce Bigots had not been even restless till they had blown all into a flame That they were continually throwing dirt in Luther's face by those scurrilous Papers which they scatter'd among the People so that he was forced at last against his will to return the Complement And that this was the unlucky occasion of his discovery of a great many things which if he had not been thus provoked had in all probability died with him He assures him he had this Account from very good hands who are fully acquainted with the whole matter and that Luther himself confessed as much That those therefore of Eckius's Gang ought to suffer as the only Incendiaries who while they thought to curry favour with the Pope by some extraordinary piece of Service had in truth done him an injury beyond the malice of his most professed Enemies He tells him that Germany was much civiliz'd of late years That it now produced Men of excellent Parts That Learning flourish'd there and the Inventors of useful Arts met with all due encouragements and there were some who by a long study were become great Proficients in all those Languages which are necessary to compleat an universal Scholar In short that we lived in such an Age now in which even the Common People were curious to search the Scriptures That this made a great many sober and moderate Men to think that if the Proposals made by Luther were rejected and the Church proceeded to any Censures against him that they would Conjure up such a Spirit as would be beyond the power of all their Charms to lay again for that his Doctrins had now gotten such footing that unless he had a fair and legal Tryal and his Errors were refuted by solid Arguments and Scripture Proofs all Germany would be in an Uproar and then he question'd whether the Pope or any one else would gain much by the bargain This Letter of the Electors bore Date the First of April and the Pope returned an Answer on the Sixth of July telling him he was highly satisfied in his having no Communion with that profligate Fellow Luther That he always had an Esteem for him answerable to his eminent Vertues But that since grave and serious Men had informed him how prudently he had carried himself in this particular he now stood higher in his Favour than ever he did before That in this he had acted like himself and had not degenerated from his glorious Ancestors who had always paid a great devotion to the Apostolick See It was also an evident demonstration of his singular Wisdom inasmuch as he was sensible that it was not the meek Spirit of Christ but the Devil that arch Enemy of Mankind which actuated and inspired the Author of this Schism who was proud and ambitious as Luther himself who endeavoured to infect the World afresh with the condemned Heresies of Wickliff Husse and the Bohemians who gaped after popular Applause and who by depraving the true Sense of the Scriptures ruined the Souls of his simple and weak Brethren who exploded all Vows of Chastity and laugh'd at Auricular Confession and the Penance imposed thereupon as meer Tricks of the crafty Priests who sided with
the Disciples of Mahomet and who with his prophane and poysonous breath thought at once to blast and overturn the whole Disciplin of the Church who bewails the Punishments inflicted on Hereticks and in short who strove to turn all things topsie-turvie and is arrived at that degree of pride and madness as to despise the Authority both of Popes and Councils and has the confidence to prefer before them all his own single Judgment That he therefore had shewed himself a true Son of the Church in that he had nothing to do with that pernicious Rascal nor embraced any of his erroneous Opinions but in all things imitated the Vertues of his Fore-fathers That this made so many grave and understanding Men outvie each other in his Commendations And that he could not but think himself bound to return his most hearty Thanks to God who had bestowed on him so many rich endowments of Mind He says he had long borne with Luther's Sauciness and Temerity hoping he would in time grow ashamed of his Folly but now when he saw him deaf to all his Admonitions and that he was only hardned by the gentleness which he used towards him he was forc'd at last as in a desperate Disease to have recourse to a desperate Remedy to prevent if possible the farther spreading of the Contagion That having summoned therefor the Conclave and had the Advice of several learned Men in the matter after much serious deliberation he had signed the Decree being guided by that holy Spirit whose aids can never be wanting to an Infallible Church In it were recited some of his Tenets which were picked from among a great many more part of which were downright Heretical others directly contrary to the Precepts of the Gospel and some were destructive of Morality and even common Honesty it self and were such as by degrees would debauch Men into all manner of Wickedness That he had sent him a Copy of this Bull to let him see what monstrous Errors that Agent of Hell did maintain But now his Request to him was That he would admonish him not to persist in his Pride and Obstinacy but publickly and solemnly to recant all his former Writings which if he refused to do within a prefixed day then to take care to have him seized and committed to Prison by this means he would wipe off the Reproach of his own House and of Germany too and get himself immortal Honour by putting a timely stop to that flame which would else not have ended but in the ruin of his Country and it would be a Service also very acceptable even to God himself The Bull it self was very long and was published on the Fifteenth of June the substance of it was this After a Quotation of some Texts of Scripture which were applied to his present purpose his Holiness Pope Leo having called upon Christ St. Peter and St. Paul and the rest of that glorified Society to avert those dangers which at this time threatned the Church complains that there was now started up a Doctrin which not only revived all those Opinions which had been formerly condemned as Heretical but also contained in it several new Errours never before broached in the World and such as would justle out all sense of God and Religion That he was troubled that this Heresie should have its rise in Germany a Country always very Loyal to the Church of Rome and which to uphold the Dignity of that See had fought even to the last drop of Blood and never refused to undertake any the most difficult Enterprizes That it was yet fresh in memory with what Heroick Spirits and with what Zeal they maintained the Catholick Cause against the Bohemians and the Followers of Husse That some of their Universities had lately given Instances of a Vertue and Courage equal to what inspired the first Planters of Christianity But because he was Christ's Vicar here on Earth and the Care of the Universal Church was committed to him he could no longer neglect the discharge of his Duty After this he repeats Luther's Tenets which he says were repugnant to that Christian Love and Reverence which all Men owe to the Church of Rome That he had therefore summoned together the whole College of Cardinals and several other learned Men who after a long Debate all declared That these Points ought to be rejected as derogating from the Authority of Councils Fathers and even the Church it self Therefore with their advice and consent he condemns this whole summ of Doctrins and by virtue of his Supremacy commands all Persons under the severest Penalties to yield Obedience to this his Decree by renouncing those Opinions which are censured in it and he enjoyns all Magistrates especially those of Germany to use their endeavours to hinder the farther progress and growth of this Heresie He orders also Luther's Books to be every where brought forth and burnt Then he relates how Lovingly and Fatherly he had dealt with him in hopes to reclaim his by those gentle methods how he had admonish'd him by his Legates and cited him to come and make his Purgation at Rome not only granting him a safe Conduct but promising to furnish him with all Necessaries for his Journey but that he slighting this Summons had appealed from him to a General Council contrary to the Decrees of Pope Pius and Julius II by which it is enacted That whosoever shall make any such Appeal shall from that time be adjudged an Heretick and be obnoxious to the same Punishments That therefore it was in his power to have prosecuted him at first with the utmost rigour of the Law but that out of meer pity he had forborn so long if perhaps as the Prodigal Son his Calamities might bring him to a sense of his Errours and he would at last be willing to return into the bosom of the Chuâ—ch That he had still the same tender Affections towards him and that he most passionately intreated him and all his Followers that they would cease to disturb the Peace of Christendom and if they yield to this his request he promises to shew them all the kindness imaginable In the mean time he forbids Luther to Preach and prefixes Threescore days within which time he should amend burn his own Books and publickly Recant If he did not he condemns him as an Heretick and orders him to be punish'd according to Law he Excommunicates him and commands all Persons to avoid his Company under the like Penalty ordering this Decree to be read in all Churches upon certain days As to what he says of Pius and Julius the matter stands thus In the Year of our Lord 1359 Pius II on account of the War with the Turks holds a Council at Mantua and there among others makes a Decree That no Person should Appeal from the Pope to a Council because he said there could be no Power on Earth Superior to that of Christ's Vicar Therefore he
condemned all those who presumed to act contrary to this Decree and declared their Appeals invalid And not long after he Excommunicated Sigismund Duke of Austria for taking Cardinal Nicholas Cusanus Prisoner Sigismund Appeals from him to the Council and the Pope Excommunicates George Heinburg a Lawyer that drew up the Appeal as a Traytor and Heretick and writes to the Senate of Nuremberg to Banish him and Confiscate his Estate This Decree of his Julius II confirmed that he might defend himself against those Cardinals who had revolted from him against Kings and Princes and the Divines of Paris who often made use of such Appeals Pope Pius who was before called Aeneas Silvius was present at the Council of Basil and wrote the History of it wherein he highly commends the Decrees that were made there but at last being advanced to the Papacy he changed his Opinion and declared that the Council ought to be subject to the Pope Luther when he found himself condemned at Rome renews his former Appeal from the Pope to General Council And now since the Pope continues in his Tyranny and Impiety and proceeds so far as to condemn him neither called nor heard nor convict of Heresie he says he Appeals again from him to a General Council for these four Reasons Because he condemns him at pleasure without hearing the Controversie because he forbids him to hold Faith to be necessary in the Sacraments because he prefers his own Opinions and Fancies to the Holy Scriptures and for rendring all Councils useless Therefore he calls him rash and obstinate a Tyrant a proud Despiser of the Church and Antichrist himself and says he will prove all this whensoever it shall please his Superiors and for that reason desires the Emperour and other Magistrates that for the Glory of God and in defence of the Liberties of a General Council they would admit his Appeal that they would bridle the Tyranny of the Pope take no notice of his Bull nor do any thing in the business till the Cause be fairly heard and decided Before he appealed after this manner which was upon the Eighteenth day of November he had put out a Book concerning the Babylonish Captivity and in the Preface he says that he advances every day more and more in the Knowledge of the Scripture that formerly he had published a small Treatise concerning the Pope's Indulgences and that then he writ very modestly having a very great Veneration for the Roman Tyranny But that now he was of another Opinion and that being stirred up by the provocation of his Adversaries he had discovered that the See of Rome was nothing else but the Kingdom of Babylon and the Power of Nimrod the mighty Hunter Afterwards he disputes concerning the Sacraments of the Church and holds there are but Three Baptism Penance and the Lord's Supper And having discoursed concerning these he proceeds to consider the others also Confirmation Orders Matrimony and Extreme Vnction but he allows them not the Name or Title of a Sacrament and says that they are properly Sacraments which are Promises with Visible Signs annexed to them the others which have no Signs are bare Promises and therefore he thinks that Penance ought not to be reckoned in the number of Sacraments if we would speak properly because it wants a Visible Sign of Divine Institution Luther after he had heard of the Pope's Bull besides the Appeal we have been speaking of publishes a Book wherein he confirms and maintains all those opinions which Leo had condemned In the mean time the Emperour having setled all things in the Low-Countries appoints the Electors to meet him at Aix la Chapelle on the Sixth of October in order to his Coronation But at that time the Plague raged there very much therefore the Electors when they were arrived at Cologn about ten Miles from Aix la Chapelle and the report of the Plague encreased daily they writ to the Emperour being then at Louvain to desire him to chuse some other place for the Coronation But the Townsmen who had laid out a great deal of Money in trimming up their Houses and furnishing themselves with Provisions did by a proper Messenger assure him that there was no Danger The Emperour therefore persisted in his Resolution and declares That he cannot well alter the Order of Charles IV which appoints the Coronation to be there Therefore upon the 21 of October the Archbishops of Mentz Cologn and Triers with the Ambassadours of the Duke of Saxony and Marquess of Brandenburg arrive there for the Duke of Saxony himself by reason of his Ilness was forced to stay at Cologn The next Day they go out to meet the Emperour and when they came near him they alighted off their Horses and the Archbishop of Mentz made a Speech to him which he answered graciously by the Cardinal of Saltzburg And so joyning their Company together they marched towards the Town Before the Gate the Count Palatine meets him The Horse that accompanied the Electors were about a thousand six hundred some Archers and some with Lances those that attended upon the Emperour were about two thousand all bravely clothed John Duke of Cleve being a Neighbour had brought thither four hundred Horse very well armed who contended so long with those of Saxony about the Precedency that Night came on them before the whole Cavalcade which was the finest that ever was seen in Germany could enter the Town On each side the Emperour rode the Archbishops of Cologn and Mentz being followed by the Ambassadour of the King of Bohemia the Cardinals of Sedune Saltzburg and Croye and the Ambassadours of other Kings and Princes the Pope's only and the King 's of England were absent and that designedly lest by giving place to the Princes of Germany they might seem to diminish the Honour of their Masters The Emperour was brought into our Lady's Church where after he had made his Prayers he talked with the Electors apart and so went to his Lodging The next Day they met again at the Church but there was such a Croud of People that the Guard had much ado to keep them back In the middle of the Church there hangs a large Crown the Floor underneath was covered with rich Carpets where the Emperour for some time lay prostrate while the Archbishop of Cologn says certain Prayers over him After that is done he Archbishop of Mentz and Triers take him up and lead him to the High Altar Here he falls down again and having said his Prayers is lead to his Throne that was richly overlaid with Gold the Archbishop of Cologn begins Mass and having proceeded a little way he demands of him in Latin Whether he will keep the Catholick Faith defend the Church administer Justice and maintain the Dignity of the Empire protect the Widows and the Fatherless and such other distressed Persons and whether he will give due Honour to the Bishop of Rome When he has assented
to uphold and establish their own Tyranny He quoted about thirty of these places by which he shewed That he had just and sufficient Reasons to burn their Books Then he challenges them to produce but one good Reason to justifie their burning his Works But that so few or none had for some Ages past opposed the Power of Antichrist he says Therefore came to pass because the Scripture had foretold That he should vanquish all his Adversaries and be strengthened by the Alliance of Kings Since then the Prophets and Apostles have predicted such dreadful things one cannot but form to himself a very frightful Idea of his Cruelty That the Constitution of Sublunary things was such that out of the best Beginnings sometimes did arise the greatest Corruptions when he had proved this by some Examples he applies it to the City of Rome which being loaded with all the greatest Blessings of Heaven had wholly degenerated from what it was formerly and with its Poysonous Contagion infected a great part of the World That this Ordinance of the Popes was contrary to Law and all received Customs nor were the Usurpations of that Bishop any longer to be endured since he declined a fair Tryal and would not be bound up by any Decree or Judgment whatsoever In the former Book we told you how Silvester Prierias had wrote against Luther When this had been answered by him very sharply Ambrose Catarine an Italian took up the Cudgels and published a Book in Defence of the Pope's Supremacy To this Luther answers very fully and having expounded some places in Daniel he teaches That the Papal Tyranny was there painted out and that what he has foretold of the Kingdom of Antichrist was only truly applicable to the See of Rome This Catarine was afterwards made Archbishop of Cosenza THE HISTORY OF THE Reformation of the Church BOOK III. The CONTENTS The Emperour is prevailed with by Duke Frederick to write to Luther who relying upon his Majesty's Letter as upon a safe Conduct comes to Wormes there he undauntedly justified what he had written or taught in presence of the Emperour and a great Assembly of the Princes and constantly persevered therein though he was Curs'd and Excommunicated by the Pope in his Bull de Coena Domini threatned with Banishment by the Emperour and tamper'd with by the Princes severally to make him recant his Opinions The Council of Constance is proposed unto him from whence taking occasion he speaks of Wickliff John Huss and John Zischa a Bohemian The Divines of Paris condemn Luther's Books While a League is making betwixt the French King and the Swisse Zuinglius dissuades them from taking Pay or Pensions from any Prince to serve them in their Wars Luther being Outlawed by the Emperour's Proclamation retreats into a more private place The King of England also writes against him Pope Leo X dies and Adrian succeeds him Solyman the Magnificent is prosperous in Hungary The Emperour endeavours to suppress Seditions in Spain and makes a League with the King of England The Bishop of Constance Presecutes Zuinglius Troubles at Wittemberg The Anabaptists rise which gave occasion to the Diet of Norimberg Thither Pope Adrian sent his Brief and Legate Solyman takes Rhodes Zuinglius having set forth the Heads of his Doctrin is attack'd by the Papists but at length the Reformed Religion is received at Zurich WHile Duke Frederick waited upon the Emperour to the Diet of Wormes he procured a Promise of him that he would send for Luther and give him a publick Hearing Luther being informed of this by Letters from Duke Frederick towards the latter end of January wrote back an Answer expressing the great Satisfaction he had that the Emperour would be pleased to take the Cognizance of that Cause which was indeed a publick concern to himself and that for his part he would do all that he could with a safe Conscience and without prejudice to the Reformed Religion Wherefore he entreated the Prince that he would endeavour to obtain a safe Conduct for him that his Person might not be in danger That good and learned Men might be chosen with whom he should Dispute That he might not be condemned before he were convicted of Errour and Impiety That in the mean time his Adversaries might desist from that rage of theirs and not burn his Writings And that if for the future he should attempt any thing else for the glory of God and the discovery of Truth he might have the Emperour's leave to do it That so soon as the Emperour gave him a safe Conduct he would nt fail to come to Wormes and there so maintain his Cause before impartial Judges that all Men should be convinced that he had done nothing frowardly but all for the good of Christendom and chiefly that for the welfare of Germany he had been at this labour and pains in endeavouring to reclaim his Countrymen from many and most gross Errours to the purity of the Gospel and true Religion He moreover prayed that the Emperour and he would seriously reflect upon that dreadful bondage and miserable condition wherewith Christendom was oppressed by the Roman Papacy Wherefore the Emperour being sollicited by Duke Frederick wrote to Luther March the Sixth That since some Books had been published by him he had consulted with the Princes and was resolved to hear from himself Personally what he had to say That therefore he granted him free liberty to come and appear before him and afterwards to return home which that he might safely do he had engaged the Publick Faith as more fully appeared in the safe Conduct sent with his Letter He therefore commanded him forthwith to set out upon his Journey and not fail to be present in the space of One and twenty days That he should not fear any violence or injury for that he would take care that he should not suffer the least prejudice It hath been an old Custom with the Popes of Rome solemnly to Curse and Excommunicate some sorts of Men on Thursday in the Passion Week As first Hereticks next Pyrates then those who impose new Toll and Customs or exact such as are prohibited those who Falsifie or Counterfeit the Bulls and publick Instruments of the Court of Rome who supply the Turks and Saracens with Arms and other Counterband Goods who hinder the Importation of Corn to Rome who offer violence to any that follow and attend the Court of Rome who invade or damnifie the Possessions of the Church of Rome or Places thereunto adjoyning as namely the City of Rome Sicily Naples Sardinia Corsica Tuscany Spoleto Sabina Aucona Flaminia Campania Bolonia Ferrara Benevento Perugia and Avignon Some former Popes among Hereticks named the Garasians Pateronians the Poor Men of Lyons the Arnoldists Speronists Wicliffites Hussites and Fratricelli But Leo X this year clapt Luther and his Followers in with the rest and solemnly Curs'd them on Holy-Thursday This Bull is commonly called
sufficiently weiged the greatness of the Matter and the troubles that this Doctrin hath occasion'd Nay truly I am exceedingly rejoyced to see that the Doctrin I profess hath given occasion to these Troubles and Offences for Christ himself tells us That it is the property of the Gospel to raise grievous Strife and Contentions where-ever it is taught and that among those very Persons too who are most closely linked together by the Bonds of Nature and Blood. It ought seriously then to be consider'd and maturely thought on most Noble Patriots what is fit to be decreed and care had lest by condemning the Doctrin which by the Blessing of God is now offered unto you you yourselves be the cause of the greatest Calamities to Germany Regard should likewise be had that the Government which the young Emperour who here presides hath lately taken upon him be not reckoned inauspicious and fatal by Posterity through any bad Act or Precedent that may entail its Inconveniences upon them For it may be proved by many places of Scripture that Governments have then been in greatest danger when the Affairs of the Publick were managed only by Human Prudence and mere Secular Councils Nevertheless I design not by what I say most Illustrious and Prudent Princes to prescribe or point out to you what you are to do but only to declare the Duty which I shall always be ready to perform to Germany our native Country which ought to be dearer unto us than our very Lives After all I most earnestly beseech you to take me into your Protection and to defend me against the Violence of mine Enemies When he had made an end of Speaking Eckius looking upon him with a stern Countenance You answer not to the Purpose said he nor is it your part to call again into question or doubt of what hath been heretofore determined by the Authority of Councils It is a plain and easie Answer that is demanded of you Do you approve and will you defend your Writings To which Luther made answer Since it is your Command said he most mighty Emperour and most Illustrious Princes that I should give a plain Answer I 'le obey and this therefore is my Answer That unless I be convinced by Testimonies of Holy Scripture and evident Reason I cannot retract any thing of what I have written or taught for I will never do that which may wound my own Conscience neither do I believe the Pope of Rome and Councils alone nor admit of their Authority for they have often erred and contradicted one another and may still err and be deceived The Princes having considered this Answer Eckius again told him You answer said he Luther somewhat more irreverently than becomes you and not sufficiently to the purpose neither when you make a distinction among your Books But if you would retract those which contain a great part of your Errours the Emperour would not suffer any Injury to be done to such others as are Orthodox and right You despise the Decrees of the Council of Constance where many Germans famous both for Learning and Virtue were present and revive Errours that were condemned therein requiring to be convinced by Holy Scripture you do not well and are very far out of the way for what the Church hath once condemned is not to be brought under Dispute again nor must every private Person be allowed to demand a Reason for every thing for should that once be granted that he who opposes and contradicts the Church and Councils must be convinced by Texts of Scripture there would never be any end of Controversies For that Reason therefore the Emperour expects to hear from you in plain Terms What you will do with your Books I beseech you said Luther that by your leave I may preserve a Sound and upright Conscience I have answered plainly and have nothing else to say for unless my Adversaries convince me of my Errour by true Arguments taken from Scripture it is impossible I can be quiet in mind Nay I can demonstrate that they have erred very often and grosly too and for me to recede from the Scripture which is both clear and cannot err would be an Act of greatest Impiety Eckius muttered something to the contrary That it could not be proved that ever a General Council had erred But Luther declared That he could and would prove it and so the matter concluded at that time Next Day the Emperour wrote to the Princes assembled in Council That his Predecessors had professed the Christian Religion and always obeyed the Church of Rome So that since Luther opposed the same and persisted obstinately in his Opinion his Duty required that following the Steps of his Ancestors he should both defend the Christian Religion and also succour the Church of Rome That therefore he would put Luther and his Adherents to the Ban of the Empire and make use of other proper Remedies for the extinguishing that Fire However that he would make good the Safe-Conduct he had granted him and that he might return Home with Safety This Letter of the Emperours was long and much debated in the Assembly of the Princes and some there were as it was reported who following the Decree and Pattern of the Council of Constance thought that the Publick Faith was not to be observed to him But Lewis the Elector Palatine and others also were said to have vigourously withstood that Resolution affirming That such a thing would lye as an eternal Stain and Disgrace upon Germany Wherefore most were of Opinion that not only the Publick Faith and Promise should be kept to him but also that he should not be rashly condemned because it was a Matter of great moment whatever should be decreed by the Emperour whom at that Age they perceived to be incited and exasperated against Luther by the Agents and Ministers of Rome Some Days after the Bishop of Treves appointed Luther to come to him the 24 of April There were present at that Congress Joachim Elector of Brandenburg George Duke of Saxony the Bishop of Ausburg and some other great Men And when Luther came conducted by the Emperour's Herald and was introduced by the Bishop's Chaplain Vey a Lawer of Baden spake to him to this Purpose These noble Princes have sent for you Martin Luther said he not to enter into any Dispute but to treat friendly with you and to admonish you privately of those Things which seem chiefly to concern your self for they have obtained leave from the Emperour to do so And in the first place as to Councils it is possible that at some Times they have decreed things different but never contrary and granting they had err'd yet their Authority is not therefore so fallen that it should be lawful for every Private Man to trample upon it Your Books if Care be not taken will be the cause of great Troubles and many interpret that which you have published of
Christian Liberty according to their own Inclinations and Affections that with greater licentiousness they may do what they please This Age is far more Corrupt than former Ages have been and therefore requires that Men should act more circumspectly also There are some of your Works that cannot be condemned but it is to be feared That the Devil hath set you upon it in the mean time to publish others inconsistent with Religion and Piety that so all your Books might be promiscuously condemned together For those which you have published last are a sufficient Proof that the Tree is to be known by the Fruit and not by the Blossom You are not ignorant how carefully the Scripture warns us to beware of the Devil by Day and of the Arrow that flyeth by Night that Enemy of Mankind ceaseth not to lay Snares for us and under a fair Pretext many times entraps us and misleads us into Error You ought to think therefore both of your own Salvation and other Mens too and consider if it be fitting that those whom Christ by his own Death hath redeemed from everlasting Death should by your Fault Books and Sermons be seduced from the Church and so perish again from the Church I say whose Dignity all Men ought reverently to acknowledge For in Human Affairs there is nothing better than the Observation of the Laws and as no State nor Government can subsist without Laws so also unless we religiously maintain the most Holy Decrees of our Fore-fathers nothing will be more troublesome than the State of the Church which of all others ought to be the most calm and setled These Noble and Virtuous Princes here present out of the singular Love and Affection they bear to the Publick and particularly also for your own well-fare have thought fit to admonish you of these things for without doubt if you obstinately persist in your Opinions and yield in nothing the Emperour as he hath plainly enough already intimated his Resolution will banish you the Empire and not suffer you to have any footing within the Bounds of Germany so that it concerns you seriously to reflect upon your own Condition To these things Luther made Answer For the Care and Concern ye have for me most Noble Princes I give you most hearty Thanks And indeed for such Illustrious Persons to vouchsafe to take this Pains and Trouble for so mean a Man as I is an Act of extraordinary Condescension But now as to Councils I am far from finding Fault with all yet cannot but blame that of Constance and have very just Cause so to do Huss defined the Church to be the Congregation of God's Elect and both this Doctrin and that saying of his That he believed the Holy Church were condemned by the Prelates of that Council who themselves deserved rather to have been condemned For what he said was Orthodox and Christian I will therefore suffer any thing yea sooner lose my Life than forsake the clear Rule of the Word of God for we must obey God rather than Men And as to the Scandal which is objected unto me I neither can nor ought to be accountable for it for there is a great Difference betwixt the Scandals of Charity and those of Faith the first consisting in Life and Manners which by all means are to be avoided whilst the other arising from the Word of God are not at all to be regarded for Truth and the Will of our Heavenly Father ought not to be dissembled though the whole World should be offended thereat The Scripture calleth Christ himself a Work of Offence and that equally belongs to all who preach the Gospel I know we ought to obey the Laws and Magistrates I have always taught the People so and my Writings bear witness how much I ascribe to the Dignity of the Laws But again as to Ecclesiastical Decrees the Reason is quite different for if the Word of God were purely taught if the Bishops and Pastors of the Church discharged their Duty as Christ and his Apostles have enjoyned them there would be no need of laying that hard and intolerable Yoke of Human Laws upon the Minds and Consciences of Men I am not ignorant neither that the Scripture admonishes us not to trust our own Judgment which is a true saying and I shall be willing to comply with it and not to do any thing obstinately provided only I may have Leave to profess the Doctrin of the Gospel Having so said he was ordered to withdraw and after some Consultation Vey among other things began to exhort him to submit his Books to the Sentence of the Emperour and Princes Why not said he I will never seem to decline the Judgment of the Emperour and States of the Empire nor of no mans else provided they take for their Guide the Scripture and Word of God which speaketh so plainly for me that unless I be thereby convicted of Errour I cannot change my Opinion For S. Paul commandeth us Not to believe even an Angel coming from Heaven if he should preach another Doctrin Wherefore I humbly beg of you That you would intercede for me with the Emperour that I may be suffered to live with a good Conscience and if I can but obtain that I shall be ready to do any thing Then said the Elector of Brandenburg to him Is this your meaning then That you will not submit unless you be convinced by Holy Scripture It is Sir answered Luther or else by most evident Reasons Wherefore when the Council was broke up the Archbishop of Treves called him to him and in presence of some of his Domesticks made Eckius the Lawyer again admonish him but he having pleaded much for the Roman Papacy could gain no ground upon him and so no more was done at that Time. The next day after the Elector of Treves plyed him again urging him to submit without Condition to the Judgment of the Emperour and Princes but that was in vain In the Afternoon again some who were sent for to the Lodgings of the Elector of Treves put it to him That he would submit at least to the next General Council To this he agreed provided the Controversie should be managed according to the Rule of Holy Scripture Afterwards the Eelctor of Treves had a Conference with him in private all the Company being removed and asked his Judgment How that grievous and dangerous Evil could be remedied The best Counsel that could be given said he was that which Gamaliel gave the Scribes and Pharisees Not to fight against God. In fine when the Bishop could not prevail he courteously dismissed him promising to take care That he should have a Safe-Conduct for returning Home Not long after Eckius the Lawyer came to him by Order of the Bishop and told him Since said he you have rejected the Admonitions of the Emperour and Princes the Emperour will henceforth do what he ought in Duty And now he commands you immediately to
that the One and twenty days which he had allowed him to return in being expired every one should endeavour to apprehend him and bring him into lawful Custody Banishing in the same manner all that should any ways aid or assist him He ordered all his Books also to be destroyed appointing a severe Penalty for Stationers that should meddle with them for the future And this Decree which he said was made with the common Consent and Advice of the Princes and States he commanded to be inviolably observed by all It was said that there were but a few who had a hand in framing this Decree For some of the Electors acknowledged that they were not privy to it as shall be said of the Elector of Cologn in its proper place The Elector of Mentz who is Chancellor of the Empire had a great stroak in Matters of that nature However it be the Emperor by this Sentence procured to himself much Favour so that the Pope fell quite off from the Frienship of France and made a League with him as you shall hear by and by After the Publication of this Sentence Duke Frederick appointed some Gentlemen in whom he could most confide to convey Luther into some more private place remote from the concourse of People that so he might be out of danger and this was performed with great secrecy and diligence In this his Retirement he wrote several Letters to his Friends and some Books also as one for abolishing private Mass which he dedicated to his Brethren the Augustine Friers Another concerning Monastick Vows dedicated to his Father John Luther and one against James Latome a Divine of Lovain He exhorted the Augustines to Courage and Constancy telling them that they had a strong support in Duke Frederick who was a wise Prince a lover of Truth and most averse from rash Judging They of all others were the first that began to leave off saying of Mass and therefore it was that Luther composed for them the Book we now mentioned that he might both encourage the weak and confirm the strong earnestly exhorting them to persevere in that purpose Duke Frederick hearing of this and fearing that some great disturbance might thereupon ensue commanded that the Opinion of the whole University should be taken about the matter and brought to him For that purpose the University chose four of their Members Justus Jonas Philip Melancthon Nicholas Amstorff and John Dulce These having had a Conference with the Augustines made a report of what their resolution was and at the same time declared how great injury was done to the Lord's Supper Wherefore they prayed the Duke that he would abolish that great Impiety not in one Church only but in all places also and restore the true use of the Lord's Supper according to the Institution of Christ and the Practice of his Apostles without regard to the Reproaches and Calumnies of Gain-sayers For that it was the course of this World that he who would undertake the defence of the true Doctrin of the Gospel must suffer many things That he ought to make it his chief study reverently to acknowledg that singular Mercy wherewith God had now blest him in making the Light of the Gospel to shine among the People To these things Duke Frederick made Answer That he would omit nothing that might conduce to the propagating of Piety but that since the matter was very difficult he did not think it fit to make too much haste and that hardly any thing could be effected by them who were so few in number But that if the Matter were grounded on Scripture many would certainly come over to them and then such a change as might seem to be pious and necessary would more conveniently be brought about That for his own part who was ignorant of the Scripture he could not tell when that accustomed Rite of the Mass which they condemned was first introduced into the Church and when that which the Apostles are said to have followed was left off That all Churches generally and Colleges wer founded for the Mass being endowed for that end with great Revenues so that should Mass be now abolish'd the Goods and Lands heretofore given for that use would be taken from the right Possessors That any Man might see what disturbance and confusion that would breed And that since they had referred the whole Affair to him it was his advice to them That having consulted the rest of the good and learned Men of the University they would proceed in the matter moderately and devise with themselves such means as might be proper for keeping Peace and Piety among them The Commissioners having consulted together made their Reply and again advise him to abrogate the Mass alledging that it might be done without Tumult and that though it could not yet that which was just and good ought not therefore to be omitted That their being fewer in number was no new thing since that from the beginning of the World the greatest part of Mankind had always opposed the true Religion That none would accept and approve the right way of administring and receiving the Lord's Supper but they to whom it should be given from above That Colleges were founded of old not for Mass but for the pious Education of Youth and these Possessions given for the Maintenance of the Masters and Scholars and for the Use of the Poor which Custom had lasted almost to the time of St. Bernard but that about Four hundred years since this trafficking about Masses came in play which now ought to be utterly abolished That though it were of ancient date yet such a Profanation was not to be tolerated And that if Stirs and Commotions should arise from thence it was not to be imputed to the Religion but to the Wickedness of the Adversaries who for Gain sake withstand the Truth against their own Conscience That however Men ought not to regard such inconveniences but to proceed absolutely whatever Tumults the World might raise for that all these things had been long ago foretold by Christ This year the Emperor's Brother Ferdinand Archduke of Austria married the Lady Ann Sister to Lewis King of Hungary Among so many Adversaries as Luther had Henry VIII King of England opposed him also in Writing and in the first place refuted his Opinion about Indulgences and defended the Papacy Afterwards he censured all his Disputations concerning the Sacraments of the Church taking occasion of writing from the Book of the Captivity of Babylon When this came to Luther's knowledge he wrote a most bitter Answer declaring That in defence of this Cause he valued no Man's Honour nor Greatness However Pope Leo gave the King an honourable Title for this calling him Defender of the Faith. How Charles of Austria came to be chosen Emperor hath be shewn before But some private Quarrels happening afterwards betwixt Him and the French King it came to a War at last though
out weighed all other Reasons whatsoever so that so soon as he came to know it he had returned without farther Deliberation for that nothing was so dear unto him as the Salvation of his People But that if the thing could have been done by Letters he could easily have dispenced with his absence from Wittemberg That lastly he was very apprehensive of and did in a manner foresee a dreadful Tempest like to fall upon Germany which so securely slighted the present Mercy of God That many indeed did very zealously embrace the true Religion but exceedingly disgraced it by their Lives and Manners turning that liberty which ought to be of the Spirit into a licentiousness of doing whatever they pleased That others again made it their whole study and endeavours by any means to suppress the sound Doctrin and these together tended directly to the stirring up of Seditions That the Tyranny of the Churchmen was now weakned which was all that he proposed to himself at first but that since the Magistrate despised so great a gift of God his Divine Majesty would punish that ingratitude and contempt of his Word and by sending one Judgment upon the heels of another utterly destroy all as he had done Jerusalem of old That now it was his duty and the duty of all others whom God had any ways enabled to use their utmost diligence in Teaching and Exhorting and that though perhaps they might take all that pains in vain nay and be laugh'd at too by many yet they ought not therefore to desist because their labour was pleasing to God. That in short whatever the Decree of the Diet of Norimberg might prove to be they would set no limits to the Counsel and Will of God That he had besides other causes for his return which were of less moment But that as to this which he had alledged the asserting and vindicating of the Gospel it was of so great weight and consequence as to make him contemn all human counsel and to look up only to God That therefore he prayed his Highness not to be offended that he was come back again without his Call or Command That he as their Prince had Power over the Bodies and Fortunes of his People but that Christ bore Rule over their Souls and that since the Care of these was committed to him from above and that it was Christ's work wholly he supposed his Highness could incur no danger upon the account of his return Now as to the Troubles which he said were raised in his Church in his absence the matter was this While Luther was out of the way Andrew Carolostadius who hath been mentioned before preached a different Doctrin and stirred up the People in a tumultuary manner to cast the Images out of the Churches This being the chief cause why Luther was recalled by his Friends So soon as he came back he condemned that Action of Carolostadius shewing that that was not the way they ought to have proceeded in but that Images were first to have been removed out of the mind and the People taught that by Faith alone we pleased God and that Images availed nothing That if they had been in this manner removed and the Minds of People rightly informed there would have been no more danger of any hurt from them and they would have fallen of themselves That he was not indeed against the removing of Images but that it ought to have been done by the Authority of the Magistrate and not by the Rabble and promiscuous Multitude At this time there sprang up a secret Sect of some People that talked of Conferences they had with God who had commanded them to destroy all the Wicked and to begin a new World wherein the Godly and Innocent only should live and have Dominion These clandestinly spread their Doctrins in that part of Saxony chiefly which lyes upon the River Saal and as Luther affirms Carolostadius also favoured their Opinion but when borne down by the Authority of Luther he could not bring to pass what he intended at Wittemberg he forsook his Station and went over to them Thomas Muncer was one of this Herd who afterwards raised a Popular Insurrection against the Magistrate in Thuringe and Franconia of which in its proper place Luther being now informed that in the publick Assemblies of the Bohemians there were some who urged the Re-establishment of the Authority of the Pope and Church of Rome without which there could be no end of Controversies and Debates wrote unto them in the latter end of July to this Effect That the Name of Bohemians had been some time very odious unto him so long as he had been ignorant that the Pope was Antichrist But that now since God had restored the Light of the Gospel to the World he was of a far different Opinion and had declared as much in his Books so that at present the Pope and his Party were more incensed against him than against them That his Adversaries had many times given it out That he had removed into Bohemia which he oftentimes wishes to have done but that lest they should have aspersed his Progress and called it a Flight he had altered his Resolution That as matters stood now there was great Hopes That the Germans and Bohemians might Profess the Doctrin of the Gospel and the same Religion That it was not without Reason that many were grieved to see them so divided into Sects among themselves But that if they should again make Defection to Popery Sects would not only not be removed but even be increased and more diffused for that Sects abounded no where more than among the Romanists and that the Franciscans alone were an Instance of this who in many things differed among themselves and yet all lived under the Patronage and Protection of the Church of Rome That his Kingdom was in some manner maintained and supported by the Dissentions of Men which was the Reason also that made him set Princes together by the Ears and afford continual Matter of Quarrelling and contention That therefore they should have special Care lest whilst they endeavour to crush those smaller Sects they fall not into far greater such as the Popish which were altogether incurable and from which Germany had been lately delivered That there was no better way of removing Inconveniences than for the Pastors of the Church to preach the pure Word of God in Sincerity That if they could not retain the weak and giddy People in their Duty and hinder their desertion they should at least endeavour to make them stedfast in receiving the Lord's Supper in both kinds and in preserving a Veneration for the Memory of John Huss and Jerome of Prague for that the Pope would labour chiefly to deprive them of these two Things wherefore if any of them should relent and give up both to the Tyrant it would be ill done of them But that though all Bohemia should Apostatize yet he would
were returned upon Enquiry into the Case he would do what should be thought Just and Reasonable He had given his Legate in Charge also to require an Answer from the Princes since he had written to them with Design first That he might know of them what they thought might be the fittest Course for quelling that pestiferous Sect and then that he might understand in time what was to be done therein on his part These things being brought into Deliberation the Princes and States return an Answer and having begun with a short Repetition of all his Demands they profess the great Satisfaction they had to know that God had been pleased to set him over the Church which in so dismal a Time stood much in need of such a Governour who had so great a Zeal for the Welfare of Christendom took so much Pains to compose the Differences of Kings and Princes and was at such Charges for putting a stop to the Progress of the Turk as much rejoyced them to hear of from him and for which they gave his Holiness their most hearty Thanks For that certainly by these Civil Wars the Empire was exceedingly weakned and the Power of their most cruel Enemy the Turk increased whilst there were no Forces on Foot to make Head against him That there were Ambassadours come to the Dyet from the King and Nobles of Hungary who had given a sad and lamentable Relation of the Cruelties they had suffered and of the great Dangers they were at present exposed unto That therefore they most earnestly prayed him who was their Common Father and Pastor That he would persist in that most holy Resolution and use his best Endeavours that either a firm Peace or long Truce might be made that so at length measures might be taken both for Resisting the Violence of the Turks and recovering the lost Provinces of the Empire for effecting whereof no Aid nor Assistance should be wanting on their Parts That as for Luther they were heartily sorry as indeed it became them for the Troubles that his Doctrin had raised in Germany and were very desirous to apply a Remedy to the Evil acknowledging it to be their Duty to obey both him and the Emperour wherein they resolved not to degenerate from their Ancestors but that as to the punishing of him according to the Emperour's Decree which his Holiness complained was not done it had been omitted upon no slight Considerations For that all Ranks and Degrees of People heavily complained of the Court of Rome and most Men were now so well instructed by Luther's Sermons and Books that should that Decree be put in execution against him it would without doubt occasion grievous Commotions and be so construed by many as if it were done with intent to suppress the true Light of the Gospel and to countenance and maintain such open Crimes as could no longer be suffered nor dissembled which Persuasion would unavoidably stir up the People to a Rebellion against their Magistrates And indeed it could not be denyed as he himself frankly confessed but that there were many things scandalously and irregularly done at Rome to the great Prejudice of other Nations and Provinces and no less Decay of Religion That therefore his Holiness was highly to be commended That he did not palliate nor excuse the Disorders of the Court of Rome but promised to reform those Abuses and render Justice to all Men without respect but that he would deserve far greater Applause if he really performed what in Words he promised which they earnestly begged of him he would since otherwise no firm nor lasting Peace could be expected That Germany was much impoverished by Wars and other extraordinary Imposts and Charges so that hardly were they able to support the necessary Expences of the Publick and give Assistance to the Hungarians and other neighbouring People against the Turk That now it was well known to his Holiness how in former Years the Germans had suffered their Bishops and other Church-men to become Tributaries to the Pope for a certain time how that then it was conditioned That all that Money should when occasion served be employed in the War against the Turk but that now the Time limited was expired and the Popes his Predecessors had not laid out the Money to the Use it was designed for so that when Taxes were imposed on the Provinces of Germany for the Turkish War Men fretted and grumbled thinking that those vast Summs of Money which for many Years had been publickly collected and kept for those Uses ought to be employed this way and that there was no Reason why they should be charged any further That they therefore desired he would not for the future exact that Tribute but suffer it to be brought into the Publick Treasury of the Empire that by that means many Grievances in Germany might be quieted and a Publick Stock be always in readiness for assisting Foreign Nations against the Hostilities and Invasions of the Turks That furthermore as to their Counsil and Advice which he craved in this Change of Religion and which they were both willing and obliged in Duty to give it was their Opinion That since not only the Opinions of Luther were now to be enquired into but also many other gross Errours and Corruptions which had prevailed by long Custom and Continuance and through the Depravation of Men's Lives and Judgments were now excused as he himself confessed There could be no better way thought on for remedying all these Disorders than by a free and General Council which he and the Emperour the chief Magistrate of Christendom might easily call in some City of Germany as Mentz Strasburg Metz or Cologn the sooner to begin the better and within a Year at farthest but with this Condition That all who should be present thereat whatever their Degree and Quality might be should take a solemn Oath to speak freely and not dissemble whatever they should think expedient for the Glory of God and the Peace and Well-being of Church and State for that otherwise the Council would be lookt upon as partial and would do more Hurt than Good That in order thereunto it should be their Care to hinder Luther and others from publishing in the mean time any more Books and that therein they made no doubt but the most Noble and worthy Frederick Duke of Saxony would gratifie them That they also take Care That the Preachers should meddle with nothing in their Sermons but only Modestly and Sincerely teach the Gospel according to the Interpretations approved and received by the Church In like manner That they should utter nothing in the Pulpit that might either stir up the People against their Magistrates or lead them into any Errour Besides That they should not insist upon deep Controversies which were not necessary to the People but reserve them to the Determination of the Council But that for judging in that Matter the Bishops ought to appoint able and fit men who
it as far as they could At length April the eighteenth it was Decreed That with the Emperors consent the Pope should with all convenient speed call a free Council in some proper place in Germany that November the eleventh the States should assemble again at Spire to consult what was to be followed until the Council should commence and that the Princes in their several Provinces should appoint some pious and learned men to collect out of the Books of Luther and others all disputable points to be presented to the Princes in the next Diet that they might proceed more orderly when they should come to be examined in Council Furthermore that the Magistrates should take special care that the Gospel should be purely and soberly taught according to the sense and interpretation of Expositors approved by the Church that no infamous Libels and Pictures should any more be published and lastly that those things wherewith the Princes had lately charged the Court of Rome and the Clergy should be treated of and discussed in the next Diet of Spire As concerning the Council Campegius promised to make a Report to the Pope as the Princes at this Dyet had desired him who were Lewis Prince Palatine William and Lewis Dukes of Bavaria Frederick Prince Palatine Casimire Marquess of Brandenburg the Bishops of Treves Bamberg Wurtzburg Trent and Brixen and Albert of Brandenburg Master of Prusia You have heard before what the Senate of Strasburg offered to their Bishop concerning the Priests whom he had cited to appear before him at Savern But they not appearing at the Day he wrote to the Legate Campegius complaining That he was hindered by the Senate in the execution of his Jurisdiction so that he could not punish those who contrary to the Sacred Canons had married Wives And besides that contrary to the Pontifical Constitutions the Senate made Priests Free-men of the City Thomas Murner a Franciscan Fryer went at that time from Strasburg to Norimberg and made a grievous Complaint of the Senate to the Cardinal But the Deputies of the Republick that were sent to the Dyet hearing of the Bishop's Complaint went to the Legate to purge themselves and justifie the Senate who they said had not hitherto nor were they yet purposed to be any Lett or Hindrance to the Bishop but on the contrary that they had expresly signified to him by Letters That if he had any Action against married Priests grounded on the Law of God he might freely put it into Execution and that he would be assistant to him therein That however the Senate took it ill that the Bishop should flinch from his Agreement for that it had been stipulated That when he had any Action against a Clergy-man he should try it before his City-Official but that without any regard to this Agreement he had cited the Defendants to appear out of the City and that when in their own Defence they pleaded the Articles of the Compact and did not appear they had been condemned without a Hearing That if the Senate should now suffer any Sentence to be executed against them whilst they appealed to Law and Equity there was no doubt but that it would occasion a Tumult and Uproar among the People That as to their making Priests Free-men of the City it had been an ancient Custom so to do that the Senate also had not long since been desired by the Bishop to take the Clergy into their Protection and that that was the usual way of doing it To these things the Legate made answer That having read the Bishop's Letter and the state of the Case which he had sent him he found that their being cited to appear without the City was not contrary to the Order and Course of Law and that the Bishop had the same Power that his Vicar had that therefore he prayed That the Senate would assist the Bishop in punishing them After a great deal of Discourse wherein the Deputies maintained that Justice was to be administred in the Capital City they furthermore told the Legate That the greatest part of the Clergy of Strasburg gave very bad Example by their lewd and scandalous Lives keeping Concubines in their Houses to the great offence of the People which was altogether connived at and no Man as yet punished by the Bishop for the same That if now the Senate should suffer him to punish those who observed not the Pope's Law whilst they who broke the Law of God had liberty to Whore and give all the bad Examples of a most filthy and vicious Life who would doubt but that they would thereby expose themselves to a great deal of Danger To this he replyed That he knew not what Agreements there were betwixt them but that the Crime of those Men was notorious and needed not any great Tryal at Law since they were ipso facto excommunicated That therefore the Bishop was to be assisted That the Whoredom and dishonest Lives of other Men did not excuse their Crime That they who lived so did very ill and that the Bishop neglected his Duty in conniving at them That he knew it to be a received Custom in Germany That the Bishops for Money allowed Fornication to the Priests for which they were to render an account some time or other but that it was not Lawful therefore for those to marry And that it was a far greater Sin for Priests to have Wives than to keep several Concubines for that the one were persuaded that they did right and the other knew and confessed that what they did was sinful That all Men had not the Continence of S. John Baptist and that no Instance could be given That it was lawful for them to forsake Single Life no not among the Greeks who in Rites differed from the Church of Rome That therefore he again intreated them to aid and assist the Bishop To these things the Deputies said That if the Bishop would begin and punish the Whoring Priests first then the Senate could much more conveniently assist him afterwards in any lawful Proceeding against the others But he again urged That they should first assist their Bishop and if he punished not the Fornicators that he would come in Person and see it done as they severally deserved After the Diet of Norimberg and Archduke Ferdinand Campegio Archbishop of Salisburg the Dukes of Bavaria the Bishops of Trent and Ratisbone with the Deputies of the Bishops of Bamberg Spire Strasburg Ausburg Constance Basil Freisingen Passaw and Brixen met at Ratisbone and on the Sixth of July came to this Resolution That whereas the Emperor in compliance with the Opinion and Desire of Pope Leo X had by a publick Decree at Wormes condemned the Doctrin of Luther as impious and erroneous and that whereas it had been decreed both in the former and last Diets of Norimberg That all should obey it as much as lay in their power They therefore at the Suit of Cardinal
abide within his Territories But after the suppression of that popular Insurrection when in all Places many were dragg'd to Execution Carolostadius being in great Straits wrote a Book wherein he took a great deal of Pains to justifie himself against those who reckoned him among the Authors of the Rebellion affirming it to be an Injury done unto him and writing to Luther he earnestly prayed him That he would both publish that Book and also defend his Cause lest an innocent Man as he was might be in danger of losing Life and Goods without being heard Luther published a Letter to this purpose That though Carolostadius differed very much in Opinion from him yet because in his straits he betook himself to him rather than to others who had stirred him up against him he would not disappoint his Hope and Confidence especially since that was properly the Duty of a Christian He therefore desired the Magistrates and all in General That seeing he both denyed the Crime that was laid to his charge and refused not to come to a fair Tryal and submit to Judgment the same might be granted him as being most consonant to Equity and Justice Afterwards Carolostadius sent another little Book to Luther wherein he protested That what he had written concerning the Lord's Supper was not to define or determine any thing but rather by way of Argument and Disputation to sift out the Truth Luther admits of the Excuse yet admonishes Men That seeing he himself confessed he doubted and defined nothing positively to beware of his Opinion Or if they themselves perhaps doubted to suspend their Judgment so long till it should appear what they might safely follow For that in matters of Faith we ought not to waver and doubt but to acquire such a certain and steddy Knowledge as rather to suffer a thousand Deaths than to forsake our Opinion Much about this time Luther married a Nun whereby his Adversaries were excited to load him with more Reproaches for now he was down-right mad they cried and had sold himself a Slave to the Devil At the very same time Vlrich Zuinglius Minister of the Church at Zurich who almost in all other things agreed with Luther dissented from him also about the Lord's Supper For Luther understood these Words of Christ This is my Body literally and properly admitting no Figurative Interpretation and affirming the Body and Blood of Christ to be really in the Bread and Wine and to be so received and eaten by Believers But Zuinglius maintained it was a Figure that many such were to be found in Scripture and the former Words he so expounded This signifies my Body With him agreed John Oecolampadius Minister of the Church at Basil and he so interprets them This is the Sign of my Body The matter was contentiously debated on both sides and much was written upon the Subject The Saxons imbraced the Opinion of Luther and the Switzers that of Zuinglius others come after who explained the Words in another manner but all agree in this Opinion That the Body and Blood of Christ are taken Spiritually not Corporally with the Heart not with the Mouth This debate lasted three Years and more but at length a Conference was procured at Marpurg chiefly by means of the Landgrave as shall be said in its proper place The Dyet also which at this time was held at Ausburg because very few resorted to it by reason of the Popular Insurrection beforementioned was dissolved and all matters put off till the first of May the Year following against which time Ferdinand gave Hopes That the Emperour his Brother would be there in person from Spain and Spire was appointed to be the place of the Dyet It was decreed though among other things That the Magistrates should take special care That the Preachers did interpret and expound God's Word to the People according to the Sense of Doctors approved by the Christian Church and that they should not preach Seditious Doctrin but so that God's Name might be glorified and the People live in Peace and Quietness Whilst Francis King of France was Prisoner in Spain his Mother Aloisia had the Administration of the Government who to keep in with the Pope acquainted him among other things How zealously she stood affected towards the Church of Rome Whereupon Pope Clement VII writing to the Parliament of Paris told them How he understood from her That the Contagion of Wicked Heresies began also to infect France and they had wisely and providently chosen some persons to enquire into and punish those who laboured to oppose the Faith and Ancient Religion That he also by his Authority approved the Commissioners whom they had chosen for that in so great and grievous a Disorder of Affairs raised by the Malice of Satan and the Rage and Impiety of his Ministers every one ought to bestir themselves to preserve and maintain the common Safety of all Men since that Rage and Madness tended not only to the Subversion of Religion but also to the confounding of all Principality Nobility Law and Order That for his part he spared no Care Labour nor Pains that he might remedy the Evil And that they also whose Virtue and Prudence was every where celebrated should make it their chief Business that not only the true Faith but also the Welfare of the Kingdom and their own Dignity should be secured against Domestick Dangers and Calamities which that pernicious and pestilent Heresie carried with it into all places That they needed not indeed to be exhorted having already given Proofs of their own Wisdom But that nevertheless in discharge of his own Duty and as a token of his Favour and Good-will he had been willing to make this Address unto them for that he was exceeding well pleased with what they had already done and exhorted them That for the future they would with the like Zeal and Virtue bestir themselves for the Glory of God and the Welfare of the whole Kingdom that by so doing they would render most acceptable Service to God and merit the Praises and Applause of Men and that therein they might expect all sort of Assistance from him This Brief dated at Rome May the twentieth was delivered to the Parliament at Paris on the seventeenth Day of June During the absence also of the Captive King the Divines of Paris so persecuted James le Fevre d'Estaples who hath published many Books both in Philosophy and Divinity that he was fain to leave France and flie into another Country The King being informed of this by the means chiefly of his Sister Margaret who had a kindness for Le Fevre because of his Probity and Virtue wrote to the Parliament of Paris That he heard that there was a Process brought before them against James le Fevre and some other Learned Men at the Instigation of the Divines who particularly hated le Fevre for that before his Expedition out of France he had been
Almighty who will undoubtedly Vindicate his own Cause and Religion However if things shall come to that pass that the Pope must have his mind in this business which they can hardly believe they will yet consider what is further to be done And if they happen to be cited and see that they can do any thing for the Glory of God they will then make their appearance if they may but have convenient Security giv'n them upon the Publick Faith. Or else they will send thither their Embassadors who shall publickly propound whatever the necessity and reason of their Cause requires This however shall be the condition that the present Propositions of the Pope shall not be accepted of nor any such Council allow'd as is contrary to the Decrees of the Empire For they cannot see how this Project of the Pope has the least tendency to advance a lasting Peace either to the Church or State nor does it become him to act after this Rate if he intends to discharge the Duty of a faithful Pastor which obliges him to advise Men for the best and to dispense unto them the wholsome Food of sound Doctrin Now since these things are so they earnestly desire them to deliver in this their Answer to the Emperor and the Pope hoping that the Emperor whom with all Reverence they acknowledge to be the Supream Magistrate constituted by God will not receive it with any Resentment but will use his Interest that â—uch a Council may be call'd as is agreeable to the Decrees of the Empire and that the whole Controversie may be discuss'd by pious and unsuspected Men. For it will without doubt very much redound both to his Glory and Advantage if he shall imploy all his Power and Authority towards the propagating of sound Doctrin and not to strengthen the cruel hands of those Men who have been for many years committing Outrage upon innocent Men only for their honest profession of such a Doctrin as is most agreeable to the Gospel Now for what remains they tender the Emperor their Service in all things and shall yield him a ready Compliance in all his other Affairs There was then with King Ferdinand Vergerius the Pope's Legate who has been mention'd in the former Book And because the Bishop of Rhegium was both ancient and infirm Clement had giv'n Orders to Vergerius to take upon him the Embassy if any difficulty should arise and that he should be sure to keep always in his View what the Pope's design and intentions were in relation to a Council He must therefore keep himself very close to his Orders and the foremention'd Proposals and not recede one hairs breadth from them But must take care not to run the Pope into streights and bring him under a necessity of holding a Council though he be never so hardly press'd by King Ferdinand himself THE HISTORY OF THE Reformation of the Church BOOKS IX The CONTENTS George Duke of Saxony his Malicious Artifice to discover the Protestants related He complains of Luther to his Cozen German the Elector of Saxony Pope Clement marrieth his Niece at Marseilles to Henry Duke of Orleans Son to the French King. The Duke of Wirtenburgh is outed of his Dominions Henry King of England is divorced from his Queen and denieth the Pope's Supremacy The misfortune of the Franciscans at Orleans described The Duke of Wirtenburg has his Country recovered for him by the Lantgrave A Peace concluded between Ferdinand and the Elector of Saxony The Articles of it explained Paul Farnese is chosen Pope upon the death of Clement A new Persecution in France occasioned by the fixing of Papers in several places containing Disputes about Religion A great many are burned upon this account The French King excuseth his Severity to the Germans The Emperor takes the Town of Tunis and the Castle Gulette Sir Thomas More and the Bishop of Rochester are beheaded in England Pope Paul intimates a Council at Mantua by his Nuncio Vergerius The Protestants also who were now convened at Smalcalde after they had debated the Point write an Answer to Vergerius The French King sends his Embassador Langey to this Convention who presseth them to enter into a League and toucheth upon a great many Heads to which the Protestants return an Answer The King of England also dispatcheth an Embassy thither to put them in mind what Consequences may reasonably be expected from the Council The League made at Smalcalde is renewed and strengthened by the addition of a great many Princes and Cities WHen they had given the Embassadors this Answer they made these following Decrees First That a Committee of Divines and Lawyers should be chosen to draw up a Scheme of those Points which they were to insist upon at the Council in relation to Form and Debate 2ly That their Answer to the Pope should be published and imparted to foreign Princes and States 3ly They decreed to dispatch away their Agents to the Judges of the Chamber of Spire who hath prosecuted some Persons upon the account of their Religion contrary to the Emperors Edict Which Prosecutions if they were not ceas'd the Protestants resolved to demurr to the Jurisdiction of their Court. 4ly That an Embassy should be sent to the Elector of Mentz and the Palsgrave who were Princes of the Mediation and an account of all their Proceedings transmitted afterwards in writing to the Emperor I have already mentioned in several places that George Duke of Saxony had a particular hatred to Luther's Person as well as a general aversion to his Doctrin Now this Prince understanding that many of his Subjects maintained that the Lords Supper was to be received according to our Saviour's Command ordered the Parochial Clergy that those who came to them at Easter and confessed themselves conformably to the ancient Custom and received the Eucharist according to the Canons of the Church of Rome should have Tickets given them which they were to deliver into the Senate that so the Roman Catholicks and the Lutherans might be distinguish'd This scrutiny discovered seventy Persons at Leipsick the Capital Town of that Country without Tickets These Persons had consulted Luther before what they should do who wrote them word that those who were justly perswaded that the Communion was to be received in both kinds should do nothing against their Conscience but rather run the hazard of losing their Lives This advice kept them constant to their Opinion so that when they were summoned to appear before their Prince and had almost two months time allowed to consider they could not be prevail'd upon to alter their Resolution though they were singly dealt withal in private but rather chose to be banish'd the Town which was executed accordingly Luther in the Letter which I spoke of called the Duke of Saxony The Devil's Apostle This Language made a great Noise and Disturbance and the Duke immediately complained against him in a Letter to the Elector his Cozen German that he had
their Sect over a great part of Germany Luther and almost all their learned Men crying out upon their Extravagance The Magistrates punishing and watching with that care that it was almost impossible for them to meet in any considerable numbers at last they possess'd themselves of the City before mentioned and in regard it was very well fortified made it the place of their Residence which happen'd thus Not far from the City of Munster there is a Church dedicated to St. Maurice in which in the year 1532 Bernard Rotman preached the reformed Religion and had a considerable Audience from the Town and when the Citizens had thoughts of bringing him in thither the Papists to prevent their design give him a moderate sum of mony that he might go and exercise his Faculties somewhere else Away goes he and travelling to some places where he thought he could better improve and advantage himself returns again after a few months But they being disgusted at his coming back endeavour to keep him from Preaching but to no purpose for he was followed with the applause of the People Soon after some of the principal Citizens receive him into the Town and because he was barred the Churches they make him a Pulpit abroad in the Porch and his Congregation encreasing daily they require the Papists to open him the Church otherwise they would break it open by force Not long after by the advice of a Committee of the People he sends Letters into the Neighbour-hood of Hassia which belongs to the Lantgrave and desires that they would send him some religious and learned Men to assist him in sowing the Seed of the Gospel Accordingly there are two sent him from Marpurg When they came thither six of the reform'd enter into consultation how they may clear the Town of Popery as soon as may be that the Gospel may be Preached with the greater success For the effecting of which they judged this following Expedient the most proper viz. To set down the Errors of the Church of Rome in writing which when they had digested into thirty Heads they delivered them to the Senate adding that they were ready to submit to the utmost severity if they did not demonstrate from the Holy Scriptures that all these propositions were repugnant to the Word of God. The Senate orders the Papists to attend the Court and reads over all the objected Errors to them and because they had always pretended that their Doctrin was unexceptionable and founded on Divine Revelation The Preachers on the other side denying this and offering to make good their Assertions under the highest Penalties The Court therefore asks them if they would confute the Objections of their Adversaries by the Scriptures Being thus called upon and perceiving that the Senate were earnest to have the matter brought to an Issue They answer in short That they had nothing to say for themselves and that it was only Ignorance and Opinion which made them hitherto maintain their Doctrin as Orthodox and Good. Thereupon in regard they were convicted of Error and false Doctrin had nothing to alledge in their defence and had made an acknowledgement of their Wickedness the Senate commands them to forbear Preaching for the future and to resign their Pulpits in all the Churches to the new Teachers who had discovered their Impostures Afterwards by the order of the Senate and People every Man has a Church assigned him to preach in which was very unkindly taken by the Papists especially by those who belonged to the Principal Cathedral Church being most of them Gentlemen These Persons when they could do nothing else go angry away and apply themselves to the Bishop of the City where after consultation they resolve to possess themselves of all the Avenues and Passes that no Provision might be carried into the Town A little after they had blocked up all the ways the Bishop and those before mentioned come to Telget to take further advice which is a little Town about a Mile distant from the City From thence they dispatch a Messenger to the Senate with Letters importing that they should desist from what they were about and put things into their former order otherwise they must be treated as Enemies The Bishops name was Francis Count Waldeck His immediate Predecessor was Ferdinand own Brother to the Arch-Bishop of Cologn But he not long before either because he had not his Health there or because he foresaw some Disturbance went off and resigned up his Station contenting himself with a private Life in his own Country The Citizens of Munster upon Deliberation detain the Messenger and upon Christmas-Eve Eve about nine hundred of them marching out in the night surprize the Village and take it and having secured the Gates that none might escape they seize upon all that were in it The Bishop by chance went away the day before They immediately bring the Prisoners into the City amongst these there were some Papists of great Quality with some others of the inferior Nobility The Senate asks them what their intentions were and whether they still designed to hinder the Preaching of the Gospel They very frankly answer that they would endeavour to make that Doctrin flourish Upon this a Treaty is concluded a Copy of which was sent to the Lantgrave by the Senate withal desiring him that for the sake of Religion and the Common-wealth he would assist in this Affair The Lantgrave sends several of his Subjects with a Commission by whose mediation they concluded a farther Treaty to this effect That forgetting all former Disgusts they should be heartily reconciled to one another and live peaceably on both sides That the Gospel should be Preached in six of their Churches That all impiety and superstition in Religion should be suppressed That nothing should be altered in the principal Church or Cathedral nor the Citizens pretend to any Authority there This Pacification was signed by the Lantgrave by the Bishop and his Tenants and Dependents and also by the Nobility and Commonalty upon the 14th day of February in the year 1533. When things were accommodated in this manner there comes to Munster a Dutch Botcher one John of Leyden a violent Anabaptist This Man at first privately asks some of the Doctors of the reformed Religion into whose familiarity he had insinuated himself Whether they thought the Baptism of Infants warrantable Upon their affirming it was John who was a great Zealot for the contrary Opinion began to deride and contemn them Which thing being understood Bernard Rotman whom we mentioned before exhorts the People at an Assembly to betake themselves to prayer that they might be enabled to maintain their Doctrin in its Purity and defend it from the Corruptions of the Fanaticks especially from the Anabaptists who had now privately crept in amongst them and mixed themselves in their Congregations whose Opinion if it should prevail not only the State but likewise Religion would be in a miserable condition
About the same time there comes Herman Stapred who after he was joyned in Commission with Rotman began to declaim publickly against Infant Baptism His Instructor was Henricus Rollius who a little before had been punished at Vtrecht for Anabaptism This was as it were another step to that new Doctrin which had now gotten such footing that the Anabaptists were talked on all the Town over Though as yet they managed their business privately admitting none to their Consults but those of their own Sect The Ring-leaders of which did not make an open profession of their Tenets for they Preached only anights when other People were asleep then they began to celebrate their Mysteries But their Practices being discovered and most of the Citizens being highly dissatisfied and crying out that it was insufferable that a Novel Doctrin should be spread in such a secret and clandestine way The Senate issues out an Order that the Teachers should depart the Town which they did but return thither by another way pretending they had a command from God to stay there and to carry on the Cause with all the seriousness and application imaginable The Senate was somewhat alarm'd and surprized at this And therefore to prevent greater danger and disturbance both the Anabaptists and the Doctors of the reformed Religion accompanied with some learned Men are commanded to come into the Senate-House Here Rotman discovers his Sentiments which he had hitherto concealed and condemns Pedo-Baptism as impious and execrable But Herman Buscheus especially defended the contrary Opinion before the Senate with such success that there was a publick Decree made to command the Anabaptists to quit the Town forthwith who pretending it was not safe for them to travel through the Bishops Territories the Senate procures them a safe Conduct and likewise furnishes them with Provision for their Journy But they who had resolved long before not to stir retired privately to their Disciples and lie concealed for some time The Senate in the mean time before the other appeared abroad again shut up all the Churches leaving only one open For they were afraid lest the Anabaptists whose numbers encreased daily should sally with their Teachers and throw the Ministers of the Gospel out of the Churches In November following the Lantgrave at the request of the Senate sends them two Persons to instruct the People the one was Theodorick Frabritius the other John Melsinger This last understanding the Publick Disturbances and being somewhat apprehensive of danger returns home But Fabritius very courageously advised the Burgers to be very careful to avoid the Anabaptists Doctrin which Post he maintained till the Anabaptists got the upperhand and banish'd all the other Perswasions from the Town as will appear afterwards and that nothing might be wanting he draws up a Form of Doctrin and Church-Government which was approved by the Senate and People Afterwards by the leave of the Senate Petrus Wirtemius began to Instruct the People but he had not preach'd many Sermons before he was ejected by the Anabaptists at the Instigation of Rottman who now being grown more Insolent challenge Fabritius and the rest to dispute The Senate approving this Method it was propos'd as most convenient that the cause might be tried only by the Holy Scriptures or by Writings of a resembling Nature that some unexceptionable and learned Persons might be chosen as Arbitrators who after a full hearing and consideration of the Arguments of both Sides might pronounce Sentence That their Determination should oblige both Parties this being the way to remove Dissention and to restore the Peace of the Church But to this condition Rottman and his Associates would not agree Now their declining to stand a Trial made them begin to be generally slighted therefore to recover their Reputation they pitch upon another more compendious Method One of them pretending to be Inspir'd runs about the Town and cries out Repent and be rebaptized otherwise the Wrath of God will Overwhelm you Upon this the Rabble began to grow troublesome and tumultuous and all that were rebaptiz'd bawled out the same things and in the same manner which he did A great many ignorant well-meaning People were circumvented and imposed on by those Enthusiasts and obeyed them in every thing for fear of the Wrath of God which they so solemnly denounced Others joyned with them for the security of their Fortunes for the Anabaptists handled their Adversaries very severely and outed them of their Possessions This happen'd about the end of December And now those before-mention'd came out of the places where they absconded and running in a Body to the Market-Place they make a great Out-cry there and order all unrebaptiz'd Persons to be killed for Heathens and Wretches Afterwards they seize upon the Town-Ordnance and the Senate-house and offer Violence to a great many of the Citizens Some of which to Protect themselves and their Friends from Out-rage possess themselves of part of the Town which was naturally fortifi'd and take a great many of the other Party Prisoners This Skirmish with the Anabaptists who kept the Market-Place which they had fortifi'd on all sides continu'd till both Parties gave Hostages and came to a Treaty in which it was agreed That every one should Profess what Religion they pleas'd return to their respective Dwellings and be quiet But Rottman in the mean time and Knipperdoling who was the chief Incendiary though they had approv'd the Accommodation yet they write privately to the Neighbouring Towns and invite those of their own Gang to leave what they had behind and to repair to them as soon as was possible that they should receive ten times as much as they left behind Being encouraged with such large Promises both Men and Women flock in shoals to Munster not questioning the advantage of their Expedition especially those of the poorer sort who did not know how to live at home The Townsmen those especially who were Rich when they saw the City fill'd with Strangers withdraw as conveniently as they can and leave the Anabaptists and the rest of the common People together This was done in February about the time that Bacchus his Solemnity us'd to be kept in the Year 1534. Thus the Forces of the other Party being weaken'd the Anabaptists choose a new Senate all of their own Faction then they fall to making of Consuls to which Dignity Knipperdoling is preferr'd a little after they break into the Church of St. Maurice in the Suburbs and burn it with all the Houses adjoyning then they riâ—le all the other Churches deface and spoil the inside of the Cathedral By and by they scamper all about the Streets in Clusters and first they cry out Repent but soon after Away ye wicked Wretches unless you have a mind to be knock'd on the head and immediately they appear in a Body all armed and whoever was not of their Sect they drive them forthwith out of the Town without any regard to Age or
they were not able to do what they were very willing to have done The Bodies of the Dead were not so used as they affirm But when for our defence we demolished some Churches near the Town what Bodies were found not as yet consumed were removed to another place and buried deeper in the ground Again all had leave to carry the dead Bodies of their Relations that were found there whithersoever they pleased What they say of the Emperour Otho is a most false and impudent lie of their own devising For we are not ignorant what Honour is due to the chief Magistrate of all but especially to him of whom they speak the Emperour Otho who did many great Actions and was a most valiant Asserter and Defender of the Liberty of Germany That Worship which they call Holy and Divine Service which they complain we disturbed in their Churches is nothing less than Holy but rather a reproach to God in the highest degree The Vestments Chalices and other Ornaments were long before carried out of the Town by them But the Writings and publick Records are in our keeping and are not cancelled as they falsly accuse us Nor were the Priests beaten but they themselves robbed the Churches and carried the prey elsewhere We assaulted the Monastery of Hamerslebe which nevertheless belongs not to them because it was a refuge to our Enemies where they divided the spoil that they took from us and our Associates What they add of the many insolencies and saucy tricks that our Men did there it is a mere Fiction of the Monks as to the injuries which they say were done them in the City the story is this About five and twenty years since when on Palm-Sunday they were performing their apish and ridiculous Ceremonies the Rabble ftocking thither laughed at them for it But they whose rashness and boldness proceeded so far as to break the Windows were by us severely punished and banished For other injuries we know none nor did they themselves ever complain to us of any Wherefore we have done nothing against our Engagements or Transactions and so have given our Adversaries no cause of War. These things then considered we beseech all men not to give credit to their Calumnies but that they would pity our case who are constrained to a defensive War that we may be permitted to preserve the pure Doctrine of the Gospel and the Liberty which we received from our Forefathers for which the godly Kings and Magistrates of former times and those Valiant Macchabees thought no danger too great to be undergone Peace is the thing we most wish for But it is deny'd us So that being long and much infested by the Incursions of our Neighbours we cannot but resist unjust violence And this makes us the more confident that such as have never been provoked by any injury from us will not concern themselves in this War but stand in awe of the great God the Avenger of all unrighteousness For the same cause that hath raised this trouble against us will within a short time involve themselves also in streights and difficulties if they are desirous to preserve and maintain the true Religion January the fifth the Emperour commanded the Popes Bull of Indiction of the Council to be read in the Dyet of the Princes and States and warned them to prepare against its sitting The same day King Ferdinand informed the States that in time of Truce the Turks began to stir in Hungary and to build a Castle within his Dominions as they had endeavoured to surprize his Castle of Zolnock and put a Garison into it That they had also made an inrode into Transylvania That for his part he had given no cause of any Quarrel and was wholly inclined to observe the Truce But that if the Turk refused to do so he moved that supplies might be given him We told you in the twentieth Book that Stephen Bishop of Winchester was made Prisoner in England Now seeing he persisted in his opinion and would not allow the Laws made or to be made concerning Religion during the Kings minority he was this year in the Month of January turned out of his Bishoprick and sent again to Prison Andrew Osiander who went as we said into Prussia broached at this time a new Opinion affirming That man is not justified by Faith but by the righteousness of Christ dwelling in us and he maintained that Luther was of his Judgment also But the rest of the Divines his Collegues vigorously opposed him declaring what he said of Luther to be false who not many Months before his death had given an ample and fair testimony of Philip Melanchtons Book concerning common places of Scripture in the Preface to the first Tome of it That in falling foul then upon Melanchton he made Luther also his Enemy because both were of one mind Then having compared places they plainly demonstrated that Luther taught quite contrary to him in this Matter and affirmed his Doctrine to be pestiferous since he asserted that the Righteousness of Faith did not consist in the Blood and Death of Christ And this Matter was declared to and fro with great heat He pretended as I said that Luther and he were of the same Judgment But in the mean time he boasted amongst his Friends as it is written that Luther and Melanchton had framed a certain Aristotelian Divinity that savoured more of the Flesh than Spirit At first Duke Albert desired that the Matter might have been taken up by Mediators But after much tampering being persuaded by Osiander he came over to his Opinion and commanded the Adversaries of it to depart his Country Amongst these was Joachim Merlin and he must pack off too though not only the Citizens but Women and Children also petitioned the Prince that he would not deprive them of such a Pastor Now Osiander had taught many years at Norimberg and with applause too started no Innovations then and seemed in all things to follow the Doctrine of Luther so long as he lived but when after the Emperours Edict about Religion came out he left Norimberg and went into Prussia he broached this Opinion which as most think he would hardly have done had Luther been still alive He challenged chiefly the Divines of Wittemberg to refute these things if they could and he declared he would defend them whoever should offer to impugne the same not sparing Melanchton whom he sharply pinched All Learned Men generally especially in Saxony condemned his Opinion in Books they published for that effect and censured him for disturbing the Church at a most unseasonable time but every body grumbled that he should so unworthily treat Melanchton a Man of so much Mildness and Learning In another Book he maintained that though Mankind had not been lost by the Sin of Adam yet Christ was to have been born in the World. February the Thirteenth the Dyet of the Empire was dissolved
Hoffe he went to Blasseburg his Principal Castle When Albert was retired Henry with his Army sat down before the City of Brunswick and battered it very furiously with his Cannon but the Bishops and the Norimbergers who maintained his Army sending for him he demanded of the Inhabitants of Brunswick about fourscore Thousand Crowns they denied this at first but the Garrison within the City refusing to bear Arms any longer for their defence without Pay forced them at last to promise Payment of it And Henry having appointed his Soldiers the day when they should receive their Pay marched away and passed through Thuringe This being known to John Frederick Duke of Saxony who till then had not been reconciled to him he left his Lady who was then sick at Weimar and with his three Sons went to Gothen to that purpose But Henry being then on his March wrote a Letter to the Duke to this Effect Though said he I have had a just Provocation and not been destitute of an Opportunity of late Years to revenge the Injuries you have done me in former times yet because then you were the Emperor's Prisoner I never attempted any thing against either your Children or Subjects but committed my wrongs to the Determination and Judgment of the Laws But you Sir were so far from acknowledging your former Injuries that you have lately entertained comforted aided and with your Council assisted the Marquess of Brandenburg the destroyer of Germany and my particular Enemy and although you did this very privately yet I was well acquainted with it If therefore my Army has in its March done any dammage in your Territories you have no reason to complain because you began your self Henry had in truth resolved to waste the Territories of Albert and Volrate Earls of Mansfield upon the account of the War the last Year but Augustus Duke of Saxony had interposed his Mediation at their Request and put an end to that difference upon the receipt of this Letter John Frederick sent Ambassadors to Henry and endeavoured to allay his anger so that Henry came to Weimar with two Troops of Horse and two Foot Companies and quartered the rest of his Army in the neighbouring Country And here he was met by Minquice the Duke's Chancellor and having entred into a Treaty with him at length he disposed him to terms of Amity And whereas Henry had before demanded great Sums of Money he perswaded him to remit a great part of it and after two days stay in that City without doing any dammage he friendly and quietly marched away The eighteenth day of October there was a Conference or dispute began in London by the command of the Queen concerning the Presence of Christ as they call it in the Sacrament of the Altar It was continued six days though not without some heats and ill Language One Weston a Roman-Catholick Divine who was the principal Mannager of the Dispute behaving himself very Intemperately What was the Issue of this Dispute we shall set forth together with the Laws which passed in this Session of Parliament About the end of October one Michael Servetus a Spaniard was burnt at Geneva He had many years since Printed several small Books in which amongst other things he had discoursed concerning the Trinity contrary to the Sense of the whole Church And coming this year to Geneva the Senate being informed of his being there commanded him to be apprehended and ordered Calvin who had before written against his Doctrines and the other Ministers of their Church that they should enter into a Conference with him There was a long and a sharp dispute between them Servetus without any Modesty often giving Calvin the Lye. In the Interim the Senate being very desirous to proceed with great deliberation in a thing of this weight consulted the Doctors of Berne Zurich Basil and Schafhouse who all said that these Doctrines were very Blasphemous and Injurious to the Majesty of God But Servetus not only stood to his Opinion but defended it with ill Language and Reproaches and was thereupon sentenced to Death When he came to the place of Execution William Farel exhorted him to call upon Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God but he refused so to do nor did he express the least Sign of Repentance yet because he did not defend his Doctrine before the People it brought a very great Envy upon Calvin whereupon he set forth a Book wherein he gives an account of his Doctrine and of whatever else had passed in this Affair and teacheth that the Sword may be lawfully imployed against Hereticks The thirtieth of October James Sturmius a Man of great Prudence and Integrity and on the account of his rare natural endowments and extraordinary Learning esteemed the Glory of the German Nobility died at Strasburg having been for two Months afflicted by a Quartane Ague he lived something above Sixty three Years About this time Reginald Pool one of the Cardinals who was sent from Rome through Germany to the Emperor when he was now arrived at Dillinghen a Town upon the Danube in the Borders of the Palatinate belonging to the Bishop of Ausburg was ordered by the Emperor who sent James Mendoza on that Errand to him to stay there till the Emperor should give him leave to come to him Henry of Brunswick left Weimar and the seventh day of November arrived in the Camp of the Confederates which was then at Lichtefelse a Town in the Bishoprick of Bamberg they had shut up in this Town nine Companies of Foot which were put into it by Albert which were the same that had before been at Birute and the Count of Plaw had some time before sate down before the Place with his own and the Forces belonging to the Confederates to which those under the Duke of Brunswick being now added and some Cannon being sent from Norimberg to batter the Town the tenth day of November they yielded themselves at discretion Some of the Captains being taken thereupon into Custody the rest disarmed and sent home without Colours This being done they Marched to Culembach a Town in the Territories of Albert and with their Cannon furiously battered it when therefore the Inhabitants saw they could not defend it they removed their Goods into the Castle of Blasseburg and having set Fire to their Houses retreated thither themselves upon this the Enemy rushing in put some few they found in the Town to the Sword and putting out the Fire took what was left Count Plaw having thus taken Lichteberg a Castle Hoffe and Birute two small Towns and dismantled them sate down before Basseburg the strongest place belonging to Albert and then very well Garrison'd About this time the French suddenly marching out of Piedmont surprized Verceile a Town belonging to Savoy and then in the Hands of the Spaniards But then considering that by reason of its vicinity to the Dukedom of Milan and being informed also that Gonzaga the
Holy Tribunal and here he shewed a very great severity bringing not only Men suspected of Heresie but of some other Crimes within their Jurisdiction Then commanding all Monks and Nuns to their several Houses he Imprison'd some and sent others to the Gallies for not presently obeying him His Rigour was so great in this last that many left his State and went and setled in the State of Venice He spent Fifty thousand Crowns in Corn to relieve the Poor in a time of Scarcity and setled Bishops at Malacha and Cochin two Cities belonging to the Portuguese in the East-Indies and made the Bishop of Goa an Archbishop exempting him from the Jurisdiction of the Bishoprick of Lisbon He also erected many new Sees in the Low-Countries at the request of Philip King of Spain to the Diminution of the Jurisdiction and Diocesses of many French and German Bishops These Sees were setled at Mechlen Antwerp Harlem Daventrie Leewarden Groningen Midleburg Bosleduc Namur St. Omers Ipress Gant and Bruges and were put under the Archbishops of Cambray Mechlin and Vtrecht This change gave great offence to the Low-Countries who esteem'd itrather an Inslaving than an Honouring of their Country to have so many New Sees setled among them and the more because among other Reasons assigned by the Pope one was That these Countries were on all sides encompass'd with Nations which had cast off the See of Rome so that the Salvation of the Souls of this People was much endanger'd by Schism which rendred this Settlement hateful to all those who favour'd the Reformation so that this was one of the principal Causes of the War which followed which in the end proved fatal to many of these New Bishopricks In the interim this Consideration had that effect upon the Spirit of King Philip that it greatly disposed him above all others to enter into a Treaty of Peace with France He saw that not only the Licence which attended a War but the vast number of Germans which he was forced to employ by their conversing with his Subjects in the Netherlands begat in them a good Opinion of Luther and the Reformation Henry II of France imprudently communicated to William of Nassaw Prince of Orange when he was Embassador for Philip in France when they were one day Hunting together That King Philip and he had agreed first to extirpate all the Sects which were then rising in the Netherlands and after that they would joyn their Arms and do the like in all other places which being discovered by that Prince to the Netherlanders they entred into Consultation for the preserving themselves from the Pride of the Spanish Government and made those insolent Demands of King Philp when he was going into Spain This Counsel was then generally attributed to the Cardinal of Lorain and Perrenot Bishop of Arras and all concluded That under the pretence of suppressing Heresie King Philip and Henry of France had laid a Design of Ruining the Civil Liberties of France and the Netherlands When the Commissioners met for the concluding the Treaty of Peace between these Princes they found themselves delivered from one difficulty the Restitution of Calais by the Death of Queen Mary of England but then Thionville Verdun and Toul three Imperial Cities had been taken in this War by the French and King Philip thought he was bound in Honour and by his Interest too to see them restored to the Empire and yet he saw the French were as well resolved to keep them Nor was indeed his Interest in the Restitution so great as that of the French was to keep them he having very effectually provided for his own Security and Benefit by the gaining other Places Hereupon these Princes by mutual consent sent Embassadors to the Dyet of Germany began this Year the Twenty fifth of February at Ausburg The first thing that was done in them was the celebrating the Funeral of Charles V with great Solemnity His Encomium was pronounced by Lewis Madruse then Bishop of Trent the afterwards a Cardinal After this Ceremony an Account was given of the Conference at Wormes for the Reconciling the Differences of Religion and there appearing no hope of an Accommdation Ferdinand the Emperor promised he would take care to have the General Council renewed and that all should obey its Decrees and Determinations But the Deputies of the Duke of Saxony and of several other Princes of the Empire opposed this affriming that there being no hopes of restoring the Peace of the Church by a Popish Council the Edicts of Passaw and Ansburg were religiously to be observed But the Emperor persisting in his former Opinion they said they were not against a Free and General Council in Germany so be it were legally assembled by the Emperor and not by the Pope and in which the Pope should appear as a Party subject to the Council and not as President and Judge of all others and provided the Bishops and Clergy might be freed from the Oath they had taken to the Pope that they might freely speak their Thoughts That the sacred Scriptures might be the only Rule by which they should judge and determin these Controversies rejecting all humane Traditions and Customs that were contrary to the Word of God If the Divines who had embraced the Augustane Confession might not only be heard but admitted to give their votes in the Decision of these Controversies and have good Security given them for their going thither and that they should enjoy the Liberty granted them by the Decree of Ausburg without any fraud or violence That the Points in Dispute should not be determin'd as is usual in Civil Affairs by the plurality of Votes but by the Rule and Prescription of the Word of God That in the first place the Decrees of the Council of Trent already made should be cancell'd as vitious and not legally assembled and that these things should be debated a new And lastly That if these things could not be obtain'd of the Pope the Emperor should maintain the Peace of Religion and the Edict of Passaw These were the Conditions the Protestants proposed for the holding of a Council The Emperor who despaired of reconciling the differences of Religion on these Terms and having no other way left him for preserving the Peace of Germany Confirm'd the Peace of Passaw After this they took into Consideration the Reduction of the Monies of Germany to their ancient value and purity and heard the Complaints of William of Furstemberg Great Master of the Knights of Livonia who obtain'd a Grant of an Hundred thousand Crowns for the Levying of an Army for their Protection against the Russ But this Sum seeming less than the necessity of their Affaris and of the Times required the Livonians neglected it and betook themselves to the Protection of Sigismund Augustus King of Poland to whom they assign'd Nine of their strongest Places upon condition that they might at any time redeem them by
Christian of six Years of Age Ibid. John succeeds his Brother Frederick of Saxony 84. Goes to Franck-hausen against Muncer's Gang Ibid. Comes to the Diet at Augsbourg 127. Excuses the Landgrave's going from Augsbourg to the Emperor 131. Procures the removal of the Guards from the Gates of Augsbourg 131. Is cited by the Emperor to Cologne 141. Sends his Son and goes himself to Smalcald 142. Writes to the Confederate Princes to hinder an Election of a King of the Romans 143. Protests by his Son against Ferdinand's Election to be King of the Romans 144. Pleads Age and demands safe conduct before his going to the Diet at Spire 153. Gives an Answer to the Elector of Mentz and the Prince Palatine 154. The conditions upon which he would acknowledge a King of the Romans 157. Dies 161. John Frederick Son to John D. of Saxony answers the Emperors and Popes Ambassadors 163. Yields to acknowledge Ferdinand K. of the Romans 173. Answers Vergerius's Propositions for a Council 181. Negotiates with Ferdinand to stop the Prosecutions of the Imperial Chamber 185. Goes to Smalcald 189. Negotiates with Henry VIII of England 205. Quarrels with his Cousin George D. of Saxony 206. He communicates the Embassy of the Elector of Brandenbourg to the Landgrave 243. His Answer to the Brandenbourghers Embassy Ibid. Goes to the Convention at Eysenach 244. Quarrels with the D. of Brunswick 247. Writes to the French K. in behalf of the D. of Wirtemberg 249. He sends Ambassadors into England 252. He Answers the Emperors Letters 263. Quarrels with Naumburg about a Bishop 288. Puts in Amstorfius Ibid. Makes War upon the D. of Brunswick with the Landgrave 298. The Declarations of the Reasons of their undertaking Ibid. Their answer to the Message of the States of the Empire 299. Intercedes to no purpose for the D. of Cleve 313. Accommodates with King Ferdinand 325. His Son is affianced to K. Ferdinand's Daughter Ibid. Writes to the Emperor about the D. of Brunswick 354. He armes against the Emperor 384. He and the Landgrave declare War against the Emperor 385. Sends his Son John William Ambassador to D. Maurice 406. Writes to Ulm to the Confederates for Assistance 409. Is in danger upon the Retreat of the Army 412. Raises contributions upon Papists Ibid. Writes to the States of D. Maurice's Countrey 414. Besieges Leipzick 417. Takes most of Maurice's Towns and his own again Ibid. Writes to the City of Strasbourg 419. Takes Rochlitz by Storm and Marquess Albert of Brandenbourg Prisoner 420. His Ambassadors to the Bohemians 424. He takes some Towns from D. Maurice 425. Is overthrown at the Forest of Lochawer 427. Taken Prisoner Ibid. Condemned to die Ibid. Bears it bravely Ibid Accepts the Emperors Proposals 428. Absolves his Subjects from their Oath of Allegiance 429. His Heroical Courage in refusing the Interim 462. He is used with great Harshness 463. Declares he will not perswade his Sons to receive the Interim 469. Is carried Prisoner into the Low Countries 473. And kept with the Emperor 474. Is brought back into Germany with the Emperor 496. Is dismissed by the Emperor 573. Sollicites to be restored upon Maurice's Death 587. Dies 596. The differences between him and the Elector Augustus 597. John Prince Palatine steps between the Landgrave and the D. of Brunswick at the Diet of Spire 319. John Marquess of Brandenbourg answers to the Saxon's and Landgrave's Letter 387â— Refuses the Interim 460. Illebius Joannes Agricola Preaches up Antinomianism 244. Recants 245. Assists in Drawing up the Interim 454. Jubilee Reduced to 50 Years by Pope Clement 9. P. Julius II. obliged to call a Council in 2 Years 26. Refuses to appear at that of Pisa Ibid. Calls another at the Church of St. John de Lateran in Rome Ibid. Excommunicates the Pisan Cardinals 27. Dies Ibid. His decree concerning Appeals 35. P. Julius III. de Monte Inaugurated 492. gives his Hat to a Youth Ibid. Secures Parma to Octavio Farnese 492. Publishes Bulls to call a Council at Trent 503. They Offended many 505. Cites Octavio Farnese to Rome 513. Writes lovingly to the Switzers 514. Publishes Indulgences at the Council of Trent 542. Publishes a Declaration of Thanksgiving for the Reduction of England 611. Dies 614. K. KIng of the Romans terms of choosing one 157. The manner of their Elections 158. Knights the ceremony of their Creation 37. Knipperdoling a great incendiary in Munster 193. Made publick Hangman of the Town 194. Is taken at the Storm of Munster 201. and executed with John of Leyden 202. L. LAndgrave vide Philip Landgrave of Hesse Landre Francis de a Preacher at Paris 297. Articles exhibited against him ibid. His Answer ibid. Recants 309. Latimer Hugh burnt for his Religion at Oxford 619. Langus Matthew Bishop of Gurk vide Maximilian Made Cardinal 27. Lateran Fourth Council its Dignity 26. Immortality of the Soul debated in it 27. Lautrec leads an Army into Italy 110. Takes Alexandria and Pavia ibid. Besieges Naples 115. Dies before it ibid. Lenoncour Robert Cardinal made Bishop of Metz 499. Assists the French King in the taking of Metz 555. Pope Leo X. Publishes Bulls of Indulgences 1. Sends Cajetan to the Diet at Augsbourg 4. Summons Luther to appear at Rome 5. Writes to Cajetan to fetch Luther to Augsbourg and to command all persons to declare their abhorrence of his Opinions ibid. Writes to Frederick D. of Saxony to abandon Luther 6. And to Venize to command him to take care of Luther ibid. Publishes a Bull Nov. 8. 1518. For Indulgences 12. Favours the Election of Francis I. 14. Meets him at Bononia after the defeat of the Switzers at Marignano 14. Concludes the fourth Lateran Council 27. Answers the Elector of Saxony's Letter 34. Publishes a Bull against Luther 35. Condemns his Books and gives him 60 daies to repent Ibid. Else he Excommunicates him 36. Makes a League with the Switzers 48. And with Charles V. 50. Dies Ibid. Leva Antonio de Charles V.'s General in Provence 208. Unsuccessful there Ibid. Lewis XII Sends Ambassadors to the Council of Pisa 26. His Kingdom put under an Interdict by P. Julius 27. Lewis K. of Hungary craves aid from the Diet at Nurenberg 54. Overthrown by Solyman and killed 105. Lewis Prince Palatine stands up for the preserving Luther's safe conduct at Wormes 44. Sends Ambassadors to Smalcald to the Protestants 153. Dies 321. Lewis D. of Bavaria vide Bavaria Leyden John of a Taylor 192. Preaches Anabaptism at Munster Ibid. Incenses the Mad Multitude 193. Marries Matthew's Widow 194. Publishes Polygamy by Inspiration 195. Is made King of the Anabaptists Ibid. Administers the Supper to his Subjects 196. Beheads one of his Queens 199. Is obstinate to the last 201. Is taken in the surprize of the Town by Opersteyn Ibid. Garried about for a sight 202. Executed Ibid. His Body set in a Cage upon a Tower in Munster Ibid. Lindaw the City of Lindaw receives the Interim 472. Lintz a Town of Austria upon the
Danube 12. Lions Nine Persons burnt there for Heresy 587. De Lire is sent to the Landgrave with Conditions 442. Locusts in Germany 298. Lorrain's Cardinals of Harangue to the Pope about a Council 443. Lovain Divines rail at Luther 21. Condemn his Writings 27. Censure them publickly 31. They Propose Articles against the Reformation which the Emperor Ratified 343. Lubeckers make War against Christian K. of Denmark Son to Frederick 203. Lucern one of the Swisse-Cantons vide Switzers They study to introduce the Reformation there but in vain 618. Luther Martin Preaches against Indulgences at Wittemberg in 1517. 2. Writes Octob. 31. to Albert Bishop of Mentz and Magdebourg against it Ibid. Publishes 95 Theses against Indulgences Purgatory c. Ibid. Sends an Explication of them to the Bishop of Brandenbourg and to Stupitz Ibid. Vindicates himself to Pope Leo Ibid. Answers Eckius 3. Answers Prierias's Dialogue ibid. Rejoyns upon Silvester's reply 4. Answers Hogostratus Ibid. Desires that his Cause may be heard in Germany 6. Is urged to retract his Theses by Cajetan at Augsbourg 7. Submits to the Pope but refuses to recant Ibid. Referrs himself to the Judgment of the German Vniversities with that of Paris Ibid. Gives his Opinion in Writing to Cajetan 8. Goes from Augsbourg two days after Ibid. And Writes to Cajetan when he went away to excuse himself Ibid. Appeals from the Pope not rightly informed to his Determination after full Information 9. Luther Answers Frederick's Letter excusing his Retreat from Augsbourg 11. He appeals from the Pope to a General Council 12. He Writes Submissively to Pope Leo 13. Goes to Leipzick to Dispute 21. Opposes the Popes Supremacy against Eckius 22. Writes Submissively to the Pope at Miltitz's desire 23. His Character of the Court of Rome 24. Makes Proposals for Peace Ibid. Writes a Book of Christian Liberty 25. Another called Tessaradicus Ibid. And about confession and Vows Ibid. And Communion in both kinds Ibid. He anwsers the Lovain and Cologne Divines 27. He Writes to Charles V. 31. And to the States of the Empire Ibid. And Submissively to the Bishop of Mentz 32. And to the Bishop of Mersburgh 33. Opposes the Popes Bull and appeals to a General Council 36. Writes about the Babylonish Captivity Ibid. Condemns the Doctrine of the seven Sacraments Ib. Writes against the Popes Bull Ibid. His Books burnt by the Popes Messengers to Frederick 39. He burns the Canon-Law and the Popes Bull Ibid. His reasons for it Ibid 40. Answers Ambrosius Catharinus 40. Promises to appear at Wormes in a Letter to Frederick 41. Is put into the Bull de Coena Domini 42. Turns it into High-Dutch and writes Animadversions Ibid. Goes to Wormes ibid. Is disswaded from it Ibid. To no Purpose Ibid. Owns his Books ibid. Takes time to consider of his defence ibid. has a day allowed ibid. Pleads to his Accusation before the Emperor and States 43. Answers Eckiu's Returns upon his Plea 44. Meets Commissioners who were to hear him privately ibid. His Answer to the Commissioners 45. Parlies with them 46. Submits to the next General Council ibid. Goes home from Wormes ibid. Writes to the Emperor for Protection upon the Road ibid. And to the States ibid. Drolls in his Answer to the Parisian Censure of his Books 47. Writes Letters to strengthen his Friends in his Retirement 49. And Books against the Mass and Monastick Vows and one against Latomus ibid. Answers Henry the VIII sharply 50. Returns to Wittemberg 51. Excuses it to Frederick ibid. Disapproves the taking down of Images 52. He writes to the Bohemians to perswade them to Unity 53. Writes against false Bishops ibid. Calls himself Preacher of the Gospel ibid. Refuses to stand to the Determination of any under God 54. Translates Adrian's Instructions to the Diet with Remarks 60. Interprets the Decree of the Diet at Nuremberg 64. And adds thereto a Discourse against Private Masses 65. Admonishes the Princes of Germany 75. Writes de Servo Arbitrio against Erasmus ibid. Warns the Saxons of Muncer 86. Writes a Book to prevent Sedition ibid. His Answer to the Demands of the Boors in Schwabia 90. His Monitory Epistle to the Princes and Nobility 94. His General Epistle to Nobility and Boors 95. His Alarm against the Boors 96. Censured as too sharp ibid. He defends it afterwards ibid. Writes against Caralostadius about the Eucharist 97. Vndertakes his Protection upon his Submission ibid. Marries a Num ibid. Differs with Zuinglius about the Eucharist ibid. Writes submissively to Henry VIII 100. And to George D. of Saxony 101. Complains of K. Henry's Answer 102. Has a Conference with Zuinglius at Marpurgh 121. Writes to the Bishops at the Diet of Augsbourg 140. Comforts Melancthon ibid. He defends the League of Smalcald 148. He perswades the Leipzickers to continue Protestants 168. He justifies himself from the Charge of Rebellion ibid. Quarrels with Erasmus 170. Writes against the Anabaptists at Munster 199. Wrote against the Draught of a Reformation published by the Delegate Cardinals 238. VVrites against the Antinomians 244. Preaches at Leipzick 250. He publishes a Book about the Authority of Councils ibid. He writes against the D. of Brunswick 272. He Installs Amstorfius 288. VVrites against Phlugius ib. VVrites a Camp Sermon for those who went against the Turks 292. His Opinion about Magistracy 293. His second Camp Sermon 294. His Prayer against the rage of the Turks 295. He writes about the Sacrament 340. Answers what the Lovain Doctors wrote against the Reformation 343. Publishes a Book against the Roman Hierarchy 349. His Theses about Government ib. His Ludicrous Pictures about the Pope ibid. VVrites to disswade the Protestants from Releasing the D. of Brunswick 354. He goes to Isleben to be an Arbitrator between the Counts Mansfield 362. Falls sick ibid. His Prayers 363. Dies ibid. Is buried at Wittemberg ibid. His Life ibid. His Skill in the German Language ibid. His undaunted courage ibid. M. MAgdebourg refuses to submit to the Emperor 434. Is Proscribed 436. In great distress upon that account 485. They publish a Manifesto 486. Another Manifesto of theirs 496. They are by the D. of Mecklenbourg 500. Conditions are proposed to them 501. They publish a third Declaration ibid. They Sally out briskly upon Maurice 502. They answer the Deputation of their own States 502. They overcome D. Maurice in a Sally and take the D. of Mecklenbourg Prisoner 505. They are sollicited to surrender 506. The Declaration of the States and Clergy against them ibid. Their Answer to it 508. A Mutiny in the Town 515. They accept of a Peace 528. Their Preachers Vindicate themselves to D. Maurice 529. They get credit by their constancy ibid. Malvenda opens the Conference at Ratisbon 359. Treats of Justification ibid. Answers Bucer ibid. Mantua a Council called to meet there by P. Paul III. 207. The D. of Mantua demanded a Garrison before the Council should sit 230. Marcellus II. chosen Pope 615. Dies after a Reign of 22
Elector of Saxony The University of Wittemberg interceeds with Duke Frederick for Luther Pope Leo's Bull for the Indulgences Luther's Appeal from the Pope to a Council 1519. Luther's Letter to Pope Leo. The Emperour Maximilian dies Competitours for the Empire Charles King of Spain and Francis King of France The Speech of the Elector of Mentz about the Election of the Emperour The Speech of the Archbishop of Treves The Vote of Frederick Elector of Saxony Charles of Austria chosen Emperour The Elector's Letter to the Emperour His Answer The French King vexed that Charles should be preferred before him The Genealogy of Charles the Emperour The way of chusing the Emperour The Heads of the Golden Bull. * Or Charter because it was sealed with a Seal of Gold instead of Wax The Conditions prescribed to the Emperour Charles V. Erasmus his Judgment of Luther to the Elector of Saxony He writes also to the Archbishop of Mentz and Cardinal Campegio As also to Luther A Disputation at Leipsick betwixt Luther and Eckius Zuinglius preaches at Zurich 1520. Miltitz treatâ— with Luther Luther writes to the Pope A Description of the Court of Rome Bernard in his Books of Consideration to Eugenius What Eckius gained by his Dispute Luther makes some overtures for a Peace The mischief of Flatterers Luther's Book of Christian Liberty The Emperor's Voyage out of Spain into Germany Luther's Book to Frederick intitled Tessaradecas His Book concerning Confession Another concerning Vows His Opinion concerning the Communion in Both kinds That the Bohemians always receive it so The Dignity of the Lateran Council The Pisane Council It was called by the Cardinals The Reasons why they did it The Pope's Answer to the Cardinals He prohibits all Persons to come to the Council called by the Cardinals and summons another himself An old trick of the Popes He Excommunicates the Cardinals The Cardinals Proceedings against the Pope The Council remov'd from Pisa to Milan Decius writes in Defence of the Cardinals Maximilian leagues with Julius Matthew Langus created a Cardinal in the Lateran Council Pope Julius dies and Leo X succeeds him The End of the Lateran Council The Immortality of the Soul called in Question at Rome Luther's Book condemn'd at Lovain and Cologn His Answer Ockam condemned at Paris A Comparison between the Jews and Roman Clergy The Authority of Aristotle with the Divines of Loâ—vain and Cologn Phefercorne's Judgment concerning the suppressing the Jewish Writings The Opinion of Reuchline His Book burnt Approved of by the Bishop of Spire Condemned at Paris The Censure of the Louvain Divines upon Luther's Writings His Letter to the Emperour To the States of the Empire To the Archbishop of Mentz The Archbishop's Answer Luther's Letter to the Bishop of Mersburgh The Bishop's Answer The Pope's Answer to the Elector The Pope's Bull. The Pope and Cardinals condemn Luther's Doctrin and command his Books to be burnt The Decrees of Pius and Julius concerning Appeals Luther is Excommunicated Luther opposes the Pope's Bull. The Electors come to Aix la Chapelle The Emperour enters the Town iâ— great state The Ceremonies of the Coronation The Emperour's Oath The manner of making Knights A Dyet summoned to meet at Wormes The Popes anciently subject to the Emperours The Emperours swear Allegiance to the Popes Luther's Works burnt He burns the Canon-Law 1521. Duke Frederick obtains from the Emperor that Luther should have a publick Hearing in the Diet of Wormes Luther's Letter to Duke Frederick The Emperour 's safe Conduct to Martin Luther The Bull De coena Domini The Pope Excommunicates the Lutherans Luther goes to Wormes Luther pleads his own Cause before the Emperor and whole Empire But asked time to deliberate first Eckius Interrogates Luther Luther's Harangne to the Emperor and States of the Empire Eckius to Luther Luther's answer to his Demands Eckius's â—eply to Luther Luther's Answer The Emperour's Letter to the Princes And the Princes Disagreement about it A Committee of the States for treating with Luther Vey's Speech to Luther before the Committee Luther's Answer to the Commissioners Luther submits his Works to a General Council Luther returns Home accompanied by a Herald Luther's Letters to the Emperour and States The History of the Council of Constancâ—e Huss condemned for an Hâ—retick first by the Pope And then by the Council He and Jerome of Prague burnt Wickliff's Doctrine condemned and his Body taken up and burnt The Parisian Divines condemn Luther's Books Melanchton and Luther answer the Sâ—rbonists The Switzers make Leagues with the Pope and French King But the Canton of Zurick refused the League The Emperour by a publick Decree Proscribes Luther Luther conveyed out of the way The Augustines of Wittemberg forbear saying of Mass And give Duke Frederick their Reasons for so doing Duke Frederick's Answer about abolishing the Mass The Marriage of the Archduke Frederick King Henry of England writes against Luther The Emperor's War with the French King. Pope Leo dies Adrian succeeds Leo. The Emperor returns to Spain to appease Seditions there 1522. A Diet at Norimberg A League betwixt the Emperor and King of England Mary the King of England's Daughter betrothed to the Emperor The Letter of the Bishop of Constance to the Canons of Zurich Zuinglius writes to the Bishop of Constance And to the Switzers The Custom of some Cantons about Priests Concubines Luther returns to Wittemberg And by Letters aquaints Duke Frederick with the Reasons of it Carolostadius casts Images out of the Churches of Wittemberg The Sect of Muncer and other Enthusiasts Luther's Letter to the Bohemians Three Sects in Bohemia Luther's Book against false Bishops Pope Adrian's Brief to the Elector of Saxony Pope Adrian's Letter to the States of Germany A War betwixt the Archbishop of Treves and Francis Sicking Adrian writes to the Senate of Strasburg A short History of Pope Adrian Adrian being declared Pope writes to the Colledge of Cardinals Adrian goes to Rome The Turk taketh Rhodes 1523. The Assembly of Zurich The Reformation received at Zurich Pope Adrian's Instructions about the restraining of Luther Luther's Interpretation of the Pope's Instructions The Princes Answer to Pope Adrian's Legate Troubles in Denmark Christiern King of Denmark banish'd Frederick Duke of Holstein made King of Denmark King Christiern in a publick Declaration answers the Accusations of the Danes and Swedes The Ministers of Norimberg accused by the Pope's Legate The Grievances of Germany presented to the Legate The Acts of the Dyet of Norimberg published Two Augustine Friers burnt at Brussels Luther's Interpretation of the Decree of Norimberg Vlrick Hutton dies Henry King of England's Letters of Admonition to the Dukes of Saxony George Duke Saxony Answers the King of England Pope Adrian dies Priests Marry at Strasburg 1524. An Assembly of the Switzers at Lucern Cardinal Campegius's Letter to Frederick Duke of Saxony Campegius's Speech to the Princes of the Empire The Princes Answer to the Pope's Legate The Legates Reply The Cantons of Switzerland expostulate