dominiōs extremely and therby haue purchased no small hatred to our selues But lately that innocent man Iohn Diazius was so cruelly and detestably murthered as neuer man was from the beginning of the worlde vntyll this day That Fratricide his brother apprehēded and accused Certen Princes made request that so horrible a fact myght be punyshed but what insued therof the matter it selfe declareth He imputeth the cause of all displeasure and trouble vnto vs But his decree of Wormes was cause of all together wherunto our aduersaries cleaued as to a moste sure foundation especially the Duke of Brunswick whiche made a confederacie with diuerse before the conuentiō of Auspurg where as what maner of decree was made it is openly knowen Certenly those cruell and fierce wordes ther pronounced caused vs to make the league and cōfederacie that we are in at this daye The Byshops adherētes haue bene euermore busy with vs in al assemblies and would haue compelled vs to the choise of meates and holy dayes of their owne makyng Moreouer we permitted the Emperour at Auspurg whan he promysed vs faire and largely that he should appoint preachers But it is knowen wel enough how wicked and how ignoraunt men he assigned to that office It is an auncient custome of thempire that whā any Prince is minded to retourne home from thassemblie he may do it by the Emperours leaue How be it my father sayth the Duke of Saxon what tyme he was at Auspurg could not obtaine licence of him to departe and heard it also reported that in case he prepared to goe he should yet be stayed against his wyll And albeit my vncle Friderick had done muche for hym yet would he neuer as long as my father liued confirme hym in his own Dukedome only because of the decree of Wormes and Religion Seing therfore that the cause of this warre is manifestly knowen we desyre all men to geue no credit to the contrary and defende with vs their common and natife countrey As for our own subiectes and clientes whom he hath released of their allegeaūce which they owe vnto vs we doubt not but they wyl do their duty vnto vs as they are bunden The protestaūtes letting slippe that occasiō of fight at Ingolstad as before is sayd and remayning there thre dayes after whan the Emperour in the meane season had fortified his Campe strongly the fourth day of Septēber they remoued thence that they might encountre with the Erle of Bure or stop his passage Notwithstanding that some were against it and said how they nede to go no further to seke the enemy which was in sight and before their eies They pitched the next tyme at Neuburg which they had fortified with a garnison before two days after they marched to Donauerd The tenth day of September they encāped besydes Uending a towne of the Erles of Oeting sending from thence espialles to bring them some intelligence of the Erle of Bure That perceiuing the Emperour sent aduertisement to the Erle who turning out of his way and marching from Norinberg to Regenspurg came to the Emperour at Ingolstad in safitie Wherfore the Protestauntes being frustrated of their hope the third day after returne vnto Donauerde Hether came vnto them Christopher Counte Oldenburg and Friderick Rifeberg with two legions and the Erle of Bichling with fiue enseignes of fotemē In the meane tyme the Emperour remoued his campe to Nuburg And whan no aide came the souldiours of the garnyson rendred the towne The Emperour pardoned them al taking stipulation of them that they shoulde no more weare armure against him Than the report went how the Emperour would to Auspurg Wherfore the Germaines passe ouer Thonawe to let him of his iourney But whan he leauing a garnison at Nuburg marched toward Marxeme they returne back into their former campe I tolde you before how they had sent Ambassadours for ayde both into Fraunce and Englande but that was in vaine And the king of Fraunce in dede excused the matter for that hauing made peace with the Emperour he sayd he could not How beit for that he would not haue the Emperours power increased he desyred Peter Strosse a Florētine a man of war and exceading riche to lende them thre hondreth thousand crownes and to the intent he might the easelier doe it he payeth a great somme of money that he ought him He was content for asmuche as they of Strasburg Auspurg and Ulmes became suerties goeth forth with Iohn Sturmius that was sent Ambassadour into Fraunce to the Princes in their campe at Donauerde Whan he came thither he was honorably receiued and departed in suche sorte as he would assuredly defray the money but when the tyme came that he shuld disburse it he could no where be found in all Fraunce Many men suppose that this was wrought by the policie of the Cardinall of Tournon Who for the hatred he bare to Religiō wyshed all aduersitie to the protestauntes and was than chief in authoritie with the king About th ende of September the protestauntes write again to them of zurick Bernes Basill to the Schafusians and shew them what themperour intēdeth what daunger they shal stand in also in case he get the victory and will them to consider whether it be not wisdome for thē to declare them selues ennemies to the Emperour and byshop of Rome after to inuade the Emperours countrie next thē If they wyll so doe they promyse them all ayde and fidelitie Wherunto they make aunswere Howe not they only but all the rest of the Swysses in lyke case haue a league by inheritaūce with the house of Austriche and Burgundy out of the whiche countreis they haue all their wyne and bread corne Whiche league if they should them selues infringe the Swisses their fellowes whiche be of a contrary Religion should haue iuste cause to assiste the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando and to opē the strayte passages in the Alpes whiche they haue through their great labour shut vp and closed and so ioyne with their ennemies Moreouer wynter is now at hande so that albeit they would neuer so fayne yet can they do no great thing this yeare and if they should leaue their owne countrey naked it is to be feared leste others would take possession in the meane season Therfore it is muche better that they tary styl at home For so shall not their fellowes styre as they haue already declared It is not vnknowen that they beare them ryght good wil and wyshe them to prosper after their owne hartes desyre howebeit they thinke it not mete for thē to enter into so great daunger And therfore desyre them to take it in good parte The Emperour remoueth from Marxeme to Donauerde but fyndyng no place conuenient to encampe in he tourneth on the left hand and the thyrde daye of October marcheth to Monheyme It fortuned than to be a great myste and the escoutes that were sent
that there is anye Prynce that should fauour the doctrine of the Gospell Fynally he requyreth hym that he may receyue a gentle aunswere And not longe after he wryteth also to George Duke of Saxony signifyinge howe God hath accustomed in the beginning to chastise mē seuerely sharpely but after gētly louīgly to embrace the same he was aterrour a feare to the Iewes whā he gaue thē the law by Moses but after by the preachig of the gospel he shewed thē great ioye gladnes that he hath followeth the same maner in hādling some ouer roughly euen him for one but yet since hath he writtē other thingesful of fruite cōsolatiō wherby it is easy to se that he taketh al this payn to profit others of no euil will but of a zeale he beareth to the truth And where as he heareth that he relenteth nothing in the displeasure that he beareth hym but increaseth his malice against him daily more and more that is the cause whye he nowe wryteth vnto hym desyryng him to surcease to persecute his doctrine whiche is consonaunt to the writinges of the Prophetes and Apostles he admonysheth him also to haue no respect to the basenes of his persone for the matter is not his but Gods almighty Al be it that all men should fret fume therat yet shall this doctrine continue for euer And therfore it greueth him the more that he is so muche offended with the same which he may in no wise forsake and yet for that he seketh to gratisie him he desyreth to be forgeuen if he hath spoken any thing sharpely against him he wil agayne craue pardon of God for him in that he hath persecuted the Gospel doubteth not but he shal obtein so that he leaue of in time seke not to extin gwishe that great lyght of the Gospel that appereth nowe vnto al the worlde For if he so procede he will pray for Gods helpe against him doubteth not but his prayer shal be heard whiche he taketh to be strōger than all the craftes of the deuyll which alwayes is his refuge and moste assured defence Whan the kyng of Englande had receiued Luthers letters he made a sharpe aunswer defendeth his boke whiche he sayeth is well accepted of diuers good and well learned men And where as he hathe rayled on the reuerend Father the Cardynall of Yorke he marueyleth nothing therat which can not abstayne frō the contumelies both of men sainctes he sayth the Cardinall is a necessarye instrument for hym and his whole Realme And where he hath loued hym before dearelye well nowe wyll he set by hym ten tymes more consyderyng that he myslyketh hym For amōges other thinges this doeth he forsee with great dylygence that none of his Leprosye contagion and heresye do infecte any parte of his Realme After he casteth in his teeth his incestuouse marryage whiche is a vyce moste detestable This Cardinalles name was Thomas Wulsey a Buchers sonne of Ipswyche but in hyghe authoritie wyth hys Prynce Lykewyse Duke George made Luther suche an aunswere as a man myght well perceyue what mortall hatred he bare hym When the Ambassadours of Fraunce whiche were sent into Spayne for a peace amonges whome was Margaret the Frenche kynges syster a wydowe could brynge nothyng to passe Ales his mother whiche had the gouernaunce for her ayde and defence founde the meanes to bryng into her league and amitie Henry the kynge of Englande whiche was done in the moneth of Auguste The fyrst and chiefest poynt of this league was that the violens of the Turkes and the pestiferous secte of Luther should be dryuen kept out which is no lesse daungerous then the Turkes be The Cardinal of England whiche might do al at the tyme was thought to haue perswaded the king vnto this league for he bare the Emperour no great good wil for that he toke him to haue bene thonly let that he was not chosē bishop of Rome after the death of Adriā as in dede certē of thēperours haue expressed in their writinges Whan Luther red the kyng of Englandes aunswere in printe and sawe that he ascribeth to him vnconstancie as though he had chaunged his opinion considering how this did not concerne his owne priuate iniurie but the professiō of the gospel he toke the matter heuely that to gratifie his frendes he made so humble a submission In lyke maner he intreated gētly both by word and writing Christerne kyng of Denmarck that he wold receiue the pure doctrine trusting to haue preuayled with gentlenes and nowe he perceiued how farre he is abuse The lyke thinge happened vnto him in Cardinal Caietane in George Duke of Saxonie in Erasmus of Roterdame vnto whome he hath written frendly at the request of others and hath obtayned therby nothynge els but made them more fierce cruell to be fondely done of him to thinke that he coulde haue foūde godlines in the courtes of Princes that sought for Christ wher sathan ruleth or loketh for John Baptist amonges thē that were clothed in purple Wherfore seing that he can not preuaile by this gentle and frēdly kinde of writing he wil take an other order frō henceforth The frenche kyng for that the treaty of peace toke not place through a great thought and pensiuenes fel syck but comforted again by the gentle talke of the Emperour who bad he should be of good chere he began to be somewhat better The Emperour also waying with hym selfe what a pray he should lose if any thyng chaunced vnto him other wise then wel inclyned his mynde to peace daylye more more wherfore the .xiiii. daye of January then concluded of all thynges at Madrice in the whiche wryting emonges other thynges is this recited that the Emperour the kyng haue this respect chiefly that the ennemies of the christian religion and the heresies of Luthers secte should be extyrped and that the peace being concluded they shall set an ordre in the common welth and moue warre against the Turkes and Heretikes that be out of the communion of the churche for this is verye nedefull and the byshop of Rome hath often warned them and bene in hande with them to applye this thing diligently wherfore the rather to satissye his request they are determyned to entreate hym that he would appoynte a certaine daye in some place conuenient for the Ambassadours of all Prynces to assemble in hauyng ful power authoritie to agree vpon all suche thynges as shal be good and requisite as well for the Turky she warres as also for the wedyng out of Heretikes In this peace makyng was Elenor the Emperours syster which had bene maryed to Emanuell kyng of Portugall beyng espoused to the Frenche kynge the Emperour promyseth to gyue hym for her dowery two thousand ducates certen landes in high Burgundy For the which they were at controuersie And the kynge shall within two monethes
in Brabant by Martyn Rossenn and in the lande of Luke by the Duke of Orleans beefore the same was proclaymed The reste of hys force hee bent wholy agaynst the Frontiers of Spaine And thys is the fruict that he gathereth of hys dylygence whyche hath geuē hym so moch of his wil exhorted him so oft vnto peace Furthermore where he hath suffered him to deteine the arche bisshop of Ualencene prisoner and certen noble men of Spayne to be outrageously iniuried by Frēche men at Auignion hath in dede bene ouermuche sufferaunce Nowe therfore is he compelled of necessitie to make resistaunce what tyme he had lefte feare of hym by reason of his moste large and ample promyses and also what tyme he had prepared hym selfe for the Turkyshe warre and therfore was resolued to retourne into Germanye The iniurie sure is great and the dammage not smalle that he hathe done vpon his Frontiers but yet is he not moued so muche with all these thynges as for the calamitie of the common wealth For concernyng his owne affayres for as muche as he doeth so ofte breake conuenauntes it is muche better for hym to haue open warre than to truste to any truce or condicions whiche at the fyrst light occasion he wyl abholyshe and make frustrate for peace is oftentimes disceiptful for in the meane season doeth he practyse newe deuyses hurtfull to the common wealthe mayteyne factions and is wholy occupied that when he is wery hym selfe of losse and charges he maye dryue hym than to resiste the Turke And beyng of this disposition hym self he bryngeth vp his chyldren in the same disciplyne Nowe is his ambition and vnmeasurable couetousnes so increased that it can not be hydde His Auncestours dyd vsurpe the Frenche prouince whyche was of the dominion of the Empyre So nowe doeth he possesse Sauoye and a parte of Piedmont and so fortifieth the same that it is verye apparente he entendeth not to restore them And his pourpose was not only to inuade Lumbardy but also Parma and Placence and than Luke and Seine after that also the dominion of the church of Rome to the entent he myght thus haue the waye open to Naples and Sicilie It is no doubt but this is his entente and it maye be easely perceyued by suche thynges as he attempteth and practiseth in Italye To be brief his couetous desyre is conteyned within no certeyn limites but is great and infinite neyther is it to be thought that euer he wyll obserue conuenauntes so longe as any thyng remayneth that he may take a way frō others to conuert to his owne vse For with this disease vice of mind is he caried about as with a Raging tempeste that forgettyng all vertue and Religion he hathe lyncked hym selfe in league with the Turke and doeth participate not onlye his counselles but also his goodes and fortune with the ennemye of our common wealth and nowe also maketh his boaste full stoutelye that Barbarossa shall come into our Seas with a nauie Whether these thynges doe make for the reformation of the common wealth begynning of a counsell he ought of his wysdome to cōsyder his study hath bene euer that there shoulde bee no counsell had for that he iudged it to bee moste profitable so for his owne priuate commoditie Therfore did he this thing wayed and cōsidered deuise an other way to reconcile and appease the controuersie of Religion in Germanye herein had only a respecte vnto Gods glorye and the dignitie of the churche therfore let it be imputed to the kynge that there is no counsell who hath euer impeched the same and not to hym whiche hathe taken in this behalfe so much trauayle and payne Wherfore if his holynes be nowe disposed to helpe the common wealth thus afflicted he ought of dutie to professe him selfe his ennemie who is the authour of all trouble and calamitie who moueth and allureth the Turke to inuade the Christen cōmon wealth who leaueth no waye vnassayed to accomplyshe his ambition and mynde moste desyrous to reuenge For sythe the chief care of Christianitie apperteyneth vnto hym by reason of his office pastorall the thynge it selfe doeth surely requyre that he should no longer suffer hym to cause this vexation and trouble but declare hym selfe to be his vtter ennemye Whiche thyng if he would doe accordyngly it should both be moste accepted of al good men and and also be very profitable to reteyne other kynges in their dutie For to haue a counsell to recouer peace and establyshe the common wealth this is the only remedy wherin if he wyll doe his owne dutie vnfaynedly he wyll not bee behynde with his parte ✚ The fiftene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fyftene Booke THe Pope could not accorde the Emperour and the kyng Warre waxed hote betwyxt Englande and Scotlande The Frenche kyng appeaseth the rebellion of Rochelle In the assemblie of Norinberge Granuellane demaūded for the Emperour ayde against the frēch kyng who in a certen answere obiecteth to the Emperour many thinges Fraunces Landry is examined Bucer is sent for to Collon to make a reformatiō The Pope would buye Millan he incenseth the Clergie of Collon agaynst the Archebyshop Laundersey is taken and Dure is sacked An assemblie is holden at Spyers and greuouse complayntes made againste the Frenche kyng in so muche that his Herauld was sent backe with threatninges There the Protestantes accused the Duke of Brunswycke and recite an Acte of his doyng with a young damsell The Duke of Sauoye accuseth the kyng The Frenche Ambassadours set forth there an Oration whiche they should haue made in case they had bene admitted to speake in the counsell At this assemblie an accorde was made betwyxt the kyng of Romains and the Duke of Saxon. The The Prynces graunt ayde against the Frenche kyng After the Emperour besiegeth saynt Desier The kyng of Englande with great force taketh Boloigne The Emperour concludeth a peace with the Frenche kynge contrary to mens expectation WHan the warre waxed hote on euerye syde the Byshop at the xxvi daye of Auguste sent Ambassadours two Cardinalles to treate of peace Michaell Uisense a Portugall to the Emperour Iames Sadolete to the king of Fraūce praying them to remitte their priuate miuries for the commō wealthes sake and frame them selues vnto peace He sendeth also three Cardinalles as Legates to the Synode at Trente Paris Poole and Morone The Emperour both answereth the Legate Uisense and also wryteth to the Byshop almoste the same in effecte that he dyd in his former letters How it is vayne to make peace with hym that wyll kepe no conuenauntes Therfore he aduertyseth hym agayne that he would professe hym selfe to be his ennemye For he hath often sayd that he would before auenged on him that should breake the tcuce or make league with the
together for the cloth was so shapē that it couered also the otherpartes which were of wood The body therfore being thus ordered and lapped in the wynding shete is layed foorth on the floure streyght waies cometh one of the womē to the parlour dore where the Captain was and declareth how Eue is dead He by and by commaundeth a coffin to be made to lay her body in And to make men affrayde that no body should come nere hir they fayne that she dyed of the plage and perfume the house with the graines of Iuniper other sauoury thinges After is the corps brought foorth and with a solemne pompe caryed to the graye Freres Churche And there was honorably buried with messe and dirige And the Freres pray for her al the yere long and desyre the people in theyr sermons to doe the same Moreouer by the Dukes commaundemente there was a funerall made for her in the Chapell of the Castell where it was sayde she dyed and lykewyse in hys head Castell of woulsebutell whiche is not farre from the Citie of Brunswicke for thither came also the reporte of her death And at this Obite or exequie was his wyfe the Dutches with her women trayne of maydens all in mournynge apparell thithere came manye Pristes that were sente for oute of the contrye whyche had a dyner made them and monye geuen in rewarde to euery man somewhat after the olde accustomed maner amonges the papistes In the meane tyme Eue whose deathe so many bewayled liueth and fareth well in the Castell of Stansseburge where oftentymes the Duke visiteth her and syus that tyme hath had by her seuen children he perswadeth hys wyfe also to sygnyfye to her parentes and frendes that Eue is dead But when it was bruted abrode that she was alyue and kepte in the Castell of Stansseburge hys wyfe which had also an Inkling therof conceaueth a vehement suspicion inquyreth of the seruaūtes howe the matter stoode but he forbad that any man shoulde come at her of those that knewe any thyng but thys suspicion sticked faste in her mynde so longe as she lyued and wryting ofte vnto hym bewayled her miserye Thys fact of hys was recyted emonges others in the same presence to th entent all men might vnderstande what opinion he had of hys owne relygion The conclusion of theyr accusation was this to proue for howe iuste necessarye causes they attempted war agaynst hym who contemnyng the Proclamations of Themperour and of kinge Fernando had disturbed the Publicke peace and had wrought all kynde of Iniurye to theyr fellowes and confederates The Duke of Brunswicke was not present at thys action Themperoure so willing it For the Protestantes desyred that he myght haue ben presente and herein had moued Themperour On Easter Monday which than was the .xiiij. day of Aprill Themperours soldiours led by the Marques of Piscare foughte a battell in Piedmont with the Frenchemen at the Towne of Carignane and lost the felde and many thousandes of them were slayne The generall of the Frenche armie was Angian Duke of Uandosme before mentioned Whanreport came of that ouerthrow many men supposed that Themperoure wolde not haue refused the treatye of peace but he was ernestly bent to haue warre made preparation accordyngly The Duke of Brūswicke aunswereth to the accusation of the Protestantes the .xxiij. day of Aprill And powryng out a greate heape of reproches obiecteth vnto thē conspiracie rebellion treasō extortiō societie wirth the Turkes and Frenche men and touching the letters founde in his castel he excuseth as well as he maye and yf theyr closettes were searched he saieth there might a great deale worse stuffe befounde But the matter concernyng Eue hys darlyng he toucheth but a little to this reproche the Protestantes make aunswere agayne And whan Themperoure wolde suffer the matter to be pleaded no more openly they exhibite a wryting the same afterwardes doth the Duke of Brunswicke The xxvij day of Aprill Charles the Duke of Sauoye agayne by hys ambassadoures accuseth the French kyng and besydes the violence and iniuryes of the foormer yeres he sayeth how he hathe styred vp the Turkes lieutenante Barbarousse who beyng ayded by the Frenche men hath taken by composition hys Citie of Nice and agaynst his fidelitie and promesse spoyled it and leadyng many awaye into captiuitie hath sette it on fyre he requireth therfore that they would help hym in thys hys extreme miserye especiallye seeyng the enemies are fully prefixed to retourne to the sege of the castel He hath craued ayde of the Bishop of Roome and he hath graunted hym only that trybut whiche the clergie are wonte to paye hym yerely But that is a verye smal reliefe in thys hys pouertie where he scarsely possesseth the tenth parte of hys dominion And that he came not hym selfe to the counsel he excuseth hym by hys age the longe Iorney and the iminent daunger of hys enemye And saieth moreouer how he is not hable to beare the charges whiche hath scant somuche as wyll fynde hym hys sōne hys familie Aboute th ende of Aprill the Swises assemble at Badē make aunswer to the letters of the states of th empyre Howe they re captaynes beyng demaunded the question affirme that they saw no band of Turkes in the Frenche campe nor hearde any thynge therof For than woulde not they haue serued And that the Frenche kynge beyng of them moued herin doeth complayne that when he sent Ambassadours the last winter they coulde not be admitted which if they myght haue ben hearde speake coulde easely haue confuted thys slaūder And that if Themperoure refuse not peace he promiseth both the Bohemers that wrote to hym in Februarie and also the Germanes hys ayde agaynst the Turke Nowe as touching themselues somme of them in dede are bounden to serue the French kyng in his warres by composition some agayne are only in league of amit 〈…〉 with hym haue ben these many yeres out of whose dominions if an◠runne into Fraunce it is done contrary to theyr will and knowledge as the lyke may also happen in some places in Germany But they rekon it beste that the kynges Ambassadours shoulde be hearde and peace establyshed Wherin if they may do any good they wil with al their heartes This tyme did the kyng of England send a great Nauie into Scotlande Who chauncynge of a good wynde whan they were arriued take fyrste Lythe a notable hauon after Eddenborough the head cytie of Scotlad And when the Castell was kept agaynst them which for the situation was vnprenuable they burnt it in the begynnyng of the moneth of May. In thys Assemblie Themperoure with a solemn ceremonie created woolfang Master of Prusse openly and gaue him the armes aperteynynge to that office whyche Alberte of Brandenburge the brother of George and Casimire had enioyed many yeres marieng a wyfe vsurped the same to hym selfe was therfore oute lawed by the chāber twelue
touchyng the rest he will conferre with the Duke of Saxon and hys fellowes The Ambassadours whyche I tolde you before were sente by the Protestantes into Fraunce and Englande doe as they had in cōmission but at the same tyme also Thēperoure sought to make a peace appoynted a daye at Bruges for the Ambassadours of both kinges to mete And the Frenche kynge sente Mounser Annebalde the Amirall and the kyng of England Stephen Bisshop of Winchester But they could not accorde In the meane season the Ambassadours of the Protestantes wrought so moch that bothe the kynges were content to haue a further treaty Therfore they send ambassadours the Frēch kyng to Arde the kyng of Englād to Cales and Guysnes They mete in the mydde waye betwixt Arde and Guysnes the .xxvi. daye of Nouember in tentes pitched in the playne felde And whan the Ambassadors of the Protestants had propounded certen cōdicions of peace the matter was longe and moche debated betwyxt them The Frēch mē wolde haue Bologne restored especially vrged that the Scotes myght be comprised in the peace But both these did the Englishmen vtterlye refuse Than was the matter reported by letters and messagers to eyther kynge but after moche intreaty ther was nothyng fynisshed Wherfore the syxte day of Ianuary the Ambossadours of the kynges and Protestantes depart and retourne home The next daye after the Frenchemen vitayled theyr forte that the kyng had builded nere vnto Bologne When the Englisshemen would haue letted that they fought together and many were slayne on bothe parties and after was the fort vitailed What tyme these āmbassadours of the Protestantes were in Englande the kynge by waye of communication tolde them howe they were lyke to haue a fore and a mortall warre therof was he moste certen He warned thē also to wryte of the same to theyr confederates And after one of hys counsellours whych was than in hygh fauour declared as moche to one of the Ambassadours naming also certē practicioners messagers by whose meanes chiefly the thing was wrought Moreouer the king semed to take in maruelous euill parte that Themperour had the yere before made peace with the French king and was so moch the more offēded for that as he sayd he made warre with the Frenche king throughe his procurement by reason of the Turkisshe league In the moneth of Ianuarye the Protestantes conuented at Frankeforthe there they consulted of the counsell of Trente of augementyng theyr league for the charges of the warre of Brunswicke howe they will not forfake the Archebisshop of Collon howe to solicite Themperour in the assemblie of thēpire that he wyll graunte peace for relygion and refourme the iudgment of the chāber In thys cōuention the Ambassadours of the archbisshop of Collon complayne of the iniuryes of the Clergye and of the commaundementes and citations bothe of Themperour and also of the Bisshop of Roome In the meane season the Paulsegraue prynce electour ordeyned euery where ministers of the church and preachers of the Gospell he permitteth also the whole supper of the Lorde and the Mariage of pristes And the tenth daye of Ianuary in stead of the Popissshe Masse was seruice sayde in the head church of Nedelberg in the Duche tongue Wherfore the Protestantes sending an Ambassade reioyse therat and geuinge him thankes that he aunswered the Archebisshop of Collon his Ambassadours so frankelye they exhorte hym also to procede to professe the doctryne confessed at Anspurge and to doe hys endeuour that in the nexte assemblye at Regenspurge the peace and lawe maye be establysshed Wherunto he aunswereth that he hath bē euer desyrous of peace and wil be so long as he liueth for the Archebisshop of Collō he is right sory that he is thus molested especyally in hys olde dayes Therfore what tyme they shal send their Ambassadours to Themperoure and to the Clergie and Senate of Collon to intreate for hym he wyll also sende hys with them he had trusted these many yeres to haue had some agrement in religion but in as moch as he seeth how the matter is daungerously differred neither is theire any greate hope he coulde no longer delaye the wisshe expectation of hys subiectes Therfore hathe he begonne a reformatyon of relygion whych he pourposeth to anaunce furthermore and to professe it openly At the seuententh daye of Ianuarye at Wesell mete the Ambassadours of the Prynces electours which are named of the Rhine those be Mentz Collon Treuers the Paulsegraue or Coūte Palatyne for the dominions of all these stretche vnto the Rhine The Paulsegraue vrged the Archebishopes of Mentz and Treuers that they wolde sende theyr Ambassadoures with hys and with the Marques of Brandenburges to intreate for the Archebisshop of Collon but they fearynge to get displeasure refused it At thys tyme a rumour was noysed abrode that Themperour shoulde secretly mynde warre Wherfore the Lantzgraue wrytyng hys letters to Granuellā the .xxiiij. of Ianuarie sayeth howe it is reported not onlie in Germany but also sygnyfyed oute of Italye and otherplaces that Themperoure and the Bisshop of Roome make preparation to warre vpon the Lutheranes and wyll maynteyne the counsell and beegynne the warres in the sprynge of the yere and howe they intende to set vpon the Archebysshop of Collon with the force of the lowe contrie of Germany vpon the Saxons out of Boheme to inuade high Almaigne with the power of Italie How Themperour wil also haue ten thousande foote men and certen trouppes of horsemen to garde hym and conduicte him to Regenspurge This brute is not only spread abrode commonlye but is also reported of head Captaynes and Centurions wherof some make theyr boast that they haue receyued money of thēperoure already And seyng Themperoure hathe peace with Fraūce and hath also taken trewes with the Turke as some do affyrme many men doe maruell to what vse and pourpose he shoulde wage men to warre Neyther he nor hys consortes whylest they consyder the peace makyng of Norinberge confyrmed after at Regenspurge Spier and other places can be easelye perswaded to beleue it shoulde bee trew especially synce they haue done ryght good seruice bothe to thēperour and to kynge Ferdinando agaynst the Turke and other enemyes also Howbeit he thought good to declare these thynges frendly vnto hym whych are sygnyfyed to hym and hys fellowes by many letters and messagers For it maye be that the like thinges are reported to Themperoure by malycious persons of hym and hys confederatours whyche maye rayse a suspicion cause trouble and put them bothe to charges he doubteth not but that he wyll make hym an aūwer And in asmuche as he hathe ben euer hitherto a counselloure of peace he desyreth him that from henceforthe also he wolde perswade Themperoure to the same Granuellan wrote an aunswer to thys the seuenth day of February How Themperoure hathe neyther made any compacte with the Bisshop leuyed soldiours nor geuen
hand and aduiseth him to consider with him selfe how great is the force of Germany and how muche daunger is in the thing And if perchaūce one or two haue offended there may a meane be founde how to pacifie the matter without warre Wherunto he made this aunswere there nedeth no pacifieng of the matter For he wil conquer Germany or hazard all that euer he hath in the worlde For the power therof is not so great that he nedeth muche to feare it For twenty yeares synce and more hath he layde the foundation of this matter Oftentymes they haue giuen hym ayde in sondry and many warres lately also against the kyng him self They haue bene at great charges in many assēblies of the Empyre Moreouer in sondry warres they haue lost a great number of their mē so is their strength decayed And al theft thinges hath he done for this intent that Germany might he distitute of power voyd of force and strength therfore is this tyme commodious to worke this feate in He that heard this talke of his by the mouth of the Ambassadour an honest man and worthy of credit reported the same vnto vs. Why should he than impute the cause of the war to vs seing he hath intended the same of so long tyme before Whan we were than priuate persones and drowned in the dregges of the Romish Religion And if he had stande to his decrees and conuenauntes than we wold haue done our duty but in asmuch as he hath brokē the same and the chief obedience is dew vnto God let him ascribe the faulte vnto him selfe For considering that he intēdeth destruction both to Religion and libertie he geueth an occasion wherby we may resist him with a good conscience For in this case is it lawful to resist as it is to be proued both by sacred prophane histories For God is not the authour of vniust violence nether are we bounden to him otherwyse than if he fulfyll the conditions for the whiche he was created Emperour He graūteth that he hath agreed with vs priuatly and that is to vs a great pleasure to heare Wherfor thē doth he moue war for those matters for the which once a faithful agrement was made For it can not be proued that we haue committed any rebellion ether before or after the same compositions But thus the case standeth He made a decree at Wormes .xxv. yeares past and set forth a proclamation against Luther and such as imbraced his doctrine appointed moste extreme punishmēt And that same acte now in this warre he intendeth to put in execution His Crown and Scepter we neuer coueted For we are content with our owne landes and reuenewes and praye God that in his feare we may kepe and maynteine the same If it be true that he sayth why haue we so oft geuen him ayd and lately but two yeares synce against the kyng of Fraunce For the whiche desert and benefit he ought in dede to forget al displeasure though no reconcilement had bene made We neuer reported him euil but for the opinion of his vertu haue al ways commended hym highly And as for famous libelles and pictures nether haue our diuines nor yet any others set forth against hym Yea our diuines and learned men haue euer more extolled him with great prayses exhorted the people in their sermons to do the same and praye to God for his preseruatiō Perauenture they haue set forth somwhat against the byshop of Rome but there was no cause why we should inhibie them so to do But how vilaynously and slaūderously Cochleus and Hadamar the White frere of Collon haue rayled against vs our fellowes and diuines euen now at Regēspurg whan the assemblie was holden to appease the controuersie it is manifestly knowen He obiecteth vnto vs conspiracies and conuenticles wherin he doth vs great iniury as in all other thinges For we are borne and bred in Germany where men be far void of suche crafty deuises as haue bene wrought against vs these many yeares past and now first bewray them selues Howbeit that we might defende our selues against vniust violence we made a league and denie it not and did it only to defende our selues and to iniury no mā and wherfore we made it we haue now in two seuerall writinges declared And fiue yeares since saith the Lantgraue when I went through with the Emperour at Regenspurg Granuellan sayd then to me and to my chauncelour how the Emperour was nothing offended with our league but could be content also that we should receiue in to the same as many as we would After he speaketh in darke wordes as though we should haue moued the Turke to inuade Germany But this shall the thing it selfe confute For we haue always giuen ayd against the Turke yea more than euer our progenitours haue done and that at suche tymes as we were not bounden for that the couuenauntes were not kept and whan diuerse others whiche had promysed ayde perfourmed nothing But you haue heard already how he and his brother haue deuised so with the Turke that he might oppresse sodainly vs only and our fellowes He had ayde giuen him lately by a publique decree against Fraunce Than he promysed that whan that warre should be finished he would go streight against the Turke After he made peace with the enemy without their knowledge with whose money he had made warre behold now he bēdeth al his force against vs. Is it not a goodly matter to se the munition brought out of Austriche to the warre in Germany and in the meane season to suffer Hongary to be ouer runne with the Turkes The seditions cōspiracies and treasons wherwith he chargeth vs are none at all nether is ther any other cause of war than the same before rehearsed He sayth he hath graunted vs ouer muche and wynked at our doinges to the grudge of his own conscience but this is fayned also For his desire was long since to haue made warre against vs and could not being impeched hitherto and was of necessitie constrained to differre it till he had quieted the Duke of Cleaue the king of Fraunce and the Turke For what hys mynde hath bene those extreme and moste greuous executions of godly men in his coūtreis do declare And that also he agreed with vs heretofore we now first perceiue that it was done for this intent that being dispatched of other affaires he might entent that being dispatched of other affaires he might intēd this warre only Wherof assuredly I coulde suspecte nothyng sayth the Lantgraue by reason of the great good wyll and humanitie that he shewed me lately at Spier At the which time also Nauis wylled my Chauncelour that in any case this talk might be kept secret Finally the ende of his accusation is to pluck our fellowes from vs. And therfore ascribeth vnto vs Tyranny extortion and disturbaunce of the clergie but vndeseruedly For we punysh extortions and murther in our
And the kinges of Fraūce for the maintenaunce of religion haue warred many times against thennemies of Christendom The Saracenes Turkes both in Asia Affricke Europe and haue had moste noble victories But after chaunced a time more vnfortunate whan certen Emperours as newly entred and not very Germaines nor worthy of the dignitie haue forsaken that amitie with the kinges of Fraunce and haue induced great calamitie to the common wealth But this sore plage through Gods benefite was healed by the noble house of the Dukes of Lutcemburg out of the whiche haue issued certen Emperours men of great vertue linked moste assuredly to the kinges of Fraunce For the father of themperour Charles the fourth died in battell for the kyng of Fraunce The like good will beare also the Princes of Austriche amongest others Albert the firste who neither for promesse nor threatening of the hyghe Byshops could be brought to warre against Fraunce These thynges he reciteth for this intent that they may see howe euell certen councellours and ministers of the moste puissaunt Emperour Charles the fyfte prouyde for the common wealth whylest they worke not thys thinge only that they plucke a sonder the one from the other these two moste excellent nations but also through their craft and subtiltie haue brought this to passe longe synce that the moste noble Prince kyng Fraunces was iudged an ennemie his cause not harde This do they to their owne priuate gaine but to the exceading great hinderasice of the cōmmon wealth For how harde it were for them during the amitie of the two nations to infringe the libertie of Germany and to buylde vp that their kyngdome it doeth hereof sufficiently appeare for that they being nowe affrayde of the force of Fraunce be not so importune as they were nor doe not so muche vrge that Spanyshe yoke and bondage These be verely they whiche by intreatie and tributes obteyning peace of the Turke vnder the colour of Religion and obedience haue brought in dissentions and factions into Germany who ayded with the power of Germaynes haue warred against Germany whiche haue exacted money of all men and made the State of the Empyre miserable by placing here and there garrisons of Spanyardes by vnarmyng the armaries and openyng the waye to confiscation For the matter is brought to that passe that bothe the seale of the Empyre and the iudgement of the chamber and also the ryght and libertie of assemblies depende only vpon the pleasure of the Byshop of Arras For what example is this or what equitie is it that suche as to get their liuing serue in foreine warres should be therfore executed outlawed and with great rewardes set forth be in daūger of murtheryng to omit in the meane season so many murthers lecherous actes spoylynges and robbinges of townes and especially the handlyng of Religion whiche hath not bene after one maner but diuers according to the tyme. Certenly what so euer hath bene done these many yeares nowe tendeth all to this ende that contrary to the lawes of the Empyre kyng Ferdinando being herunto eyther compelled or els by fayre promesses allured the Prynces also by a certen feare and terrour subdued the Prince of Spayne might be made Emperour And shuld not noble courages wyshe for death rather than to beholde the lyght of the Sun in suche distresse and miseries Assuredly there can no man be imagined so very a coward or so barbarouse whō these thyngs would not moue Wherfore no man ought to maruell that in the ende ther should arrise some Princes and amongest them Duke Maurice thelectour of Saxony which thought it their parts euen with the hazarde of their liues to recouer the libertie of their natife coūtrie And they being of thē selues not able nor of power sufficiēt to sustein such a charge alone haue desired the ayde of the king of Fraūce And he doubtles setting a part the displeasure of former yeares hath not only made thē partakers of al his fortunes but hath also imploied him selfe wholy to the same busines making a league with them wherein amongest other thinges it is prouided that thei may not cōpounde with the ennemie but by the kinges consent Howbeit Duke Maurice although he be tied with that same bonde yet for the weale of his countrie and to followe the mynde of kyng Ferdinando requiring him hereunto hath lately demaunded of the moste christian king how he could be content to haue peace Whiche thing chaunced vnto him in dede som what contrary to his expectation for that considering his benefite is so great he supposed that in matters touching him he shuld not haue sent to him a far of but to haue deuised with him presently Neuerthe lesse because he setteth much more by publique thā by his own priuate profites he would deny nothing to a Prince of his confederacie Wherfore if the woundes of the cōmon wealth may be healed as they ought from henceforth assuraunce made that they breake not out again if the captine Princes may be released vpon suche conditions as be in the league expressed Moreouer in case the olde leagues of Fraunce with the Empire and this new confederacie also made of late with the Princes may so be confirmed that they may take place for euer if these thines I saye may be brought to passe he is so well affected towardes the common wealth that not only he wyll assent gladly to the treatie of peace but also wyl giue God hartie thākes that his aduise and helpe hereunto hath not wanted As touching his priuate matters for so much as the Emperour deteineth many thinges by force and hath made warre vpon no iust cause the king thinketh it reason that he the hath first done wrong should first seke also to make satisfactiō He verely althoug he neither distruste his force nor yet his cause will so demeane him selfe that it may be well perceyued both how desirous of peace he is and how willing also to gratifie Duke Maurice them all Hereunto the Princes aunswere Howe that recitall of antiquitie repeted of fourmer memory cōcerning the coniūctiō of Fraūce and Germany was to them right ioyfull and no lesse pleasaūt to heare that the kyng preferreth the common wealth aboue his priuate cōmodities and is not against but that the Princes confederate may conclude a peace with the Emperour For that it should so be it is for the profite not only of one nation but also of all Europe whiche afflicted with ciuil discorde ten deth to distruction And suche conditions of peace as the kyng requyreth they doubte not but that they may be obteyned For the Emperour both before this tyme and also in this trouble thinketh well of the common wealth and wyll not haue the libertie of Germany deminished There is good hope moreouer that he wyll shortly delyuer the captiue Princes But that both the olde leagues should be renewed and the newe confirmed the king of his wysdome vnderstandeth that
leasure to se vnto other cōmodities of the cōmon wealth And because Duke Maurice hath demaunded of him in what sorte he would be accorded this is his opinion that he sayth howe the Emperour moued warre against him without any iust cause And the kinges of Fraunce be not wont to desire peace of their ennemy especially of suche one as neither in power nor other thing they be inferiours to Now to propounde any thing vnlesse there were certen hope to obteine that same he seeth no cause why And as touching them selues he supposeth that they wil require nothing of him but that may stande with his honour and dignitie And he so loueth them againe and so estemeth them that in case he may se them treate the cōmō peace of the whole worlde he would for their sakes geue ouer a great parte of his right And is contented also that they shall bothe heare and determine his requestes so that the Emperour refuse not to doe likewyse and wysheth greatly that for the same cause there might some conuention be had as sone as might be And if it may so be than shall all men vnderstande both how much he loueth the common wealth and also howe farre from the truthe are those thinges whiche are bruted of him by his aduersaries cōcerning the Turkishe league But if these thinges can take no place and that all consultations be referred only to his discretion neither can obteine that league of amitie with the Germaines whiche by good deserte he loked for the blame ought not to be imputed to him if there chaūce further trouble to arise These letters were red before the Princes the first day of Iuly Whan Duke Maurice was come to Passawe at the day on the morowe was brought the Emperours aunswere to king Ferdinando Than he whan the Princes were set sayd howe the Emperour in dede had written his mynde but did not assente to many thinges And for so muche as it is so it is not nedefull to declare expressely what thing he hath aunswered to the rest Neuerthelesse to thintent it may appere how greatly he himselfe desireth peace and howe well he wysheth vnto Germany he wyll go with great expedition to the Emperour doubting not but that he shall perswade him Wherfore he desireth ernestly that Duke Maurice woulde be content to expect so long as he may goe and come whiche shall not passe eight daies at the moste Whiche thing when he refused immediatly the king was very importune But that was in vayne and Duke Maurice calling vnto him the Princes and Ambassadours saith how they them selues know right well whiche haue bene present and priuie to all doinges for the space of a moneth that he hath lefte nothing vndone that he might eyther by study or trauel worke to conclude a peace And doubted not but that they wolde assuredly witnesse with him the same Wher fore he requireth them that they would still beare him their good will helpe to further the cōmō cause of Germany for he may graunte no further respite for this long treatie is had in suspition of his fellowes already Wherunto whan they had made a gentle aunswer cōmending his good will they desire king Ferdinando that he in themperours name would make a playne determination For they suppose that what soeuer he did the Emperour would confirme and ratifie Unto this Ferdinando answered that his brother had geuen him no such authoritie For than would he not take so muche paines to trauell to and fro For he might in no wyse passe the bōdes by him prescribed I shewed you before how the Princes that were intercessours by their letters wrytten the .xvi. day of Iune exhorted themperour to peace Unto the whiche letters the last of Iune thempe rour answereth from Uillace How from the time he first receiued the crowne imperiall he hath euer desired peace yea and now wisheth for nothing els Wherfore there is no cause that they should cōmend the same so greatly to him but vnto them whiche be thauthours of these cōmotions And that thei wold so do he requireth thē by the faith they owe vnto him As touching his owne priuate affaires he will for their sakes graunt very muche And concerning the whole pacification he hathe wrytten his minde to his brother king Ferdinando of whome they shall heare al thinges Unto the which letters they write againe the fift day of Iuly what time king Ferdinando returned to the Emperour Howe thei at his request and desire came first vnto this treatie and so muche the rather for that he promised to doe any thing for the commō wealthes sake And how they haue through their exceading great labour carefulnes diligence founde out the way of peace Wherfore they beseche him eftsones that moste intierly that he would haue some respect to the cōmon countrie Many and the chiefest states of thempire keping their faith vnto him haue already susteined great calamitie and nowe the condicion of thinges is suche the occasion of deliberation to be had so brief that the other Princes states especially suche as are nere the fire although they would neuer so faine perfourme vnto him al faith and loialtie yet can they not so do no they are constreined to consult by what meanes they may spedely esche we the present calamitie and distructiō And in case he refuse peace intēding to make warre there wyll doubtles moste greuouse and perillous alterations arrise therof in Germany whiche afterwarde wyll redounde to his prouinces also Wherfore ther were nothing better than that he would content him selfe with the conditions of peace whiche they wyth so great trauell haue procured especially since the chiefest pointes were first approued at Lintz the fourme and fotesteppes of the whiche treatie they haue followed herein Againe for as muche as all suche thinges whiche properly concerne his dignitie are pourposly referred to the cōuention of thempire to the ende they may there more gently quietly be treated The same day wherin this was done Duke Maurice departeth thence and whan he was come to his fellowes the .xi. day of Iuly which that tyme incamped at Mergetheme he sheweth them what is done and saith howe kyng Ferdinando is ryden in poste to the Emperour and supposeth that very shortly he will sende of his counsellours whiche shal bring a full and determinate aunswer And in this doubtfull state of thinges least they should sit stil and do nothing and bycause there was at Franckefurt a garrison of the Emperours of .xvii. enseignes of fotemen and a thousand horsemen at the leading of Conrade Hansteyne so that they of Hessebye were in no small daunder they condescended to goe thither Wherfore whan they had done much harme to Woulfgange Maister of Prusse by burning and spoiling his countrie where they were at the same time marching forwarde through the lande of the Archebyshop of Mentz the .xvii. day of Iuly they come to Frācfurt But the Princes
eldest sonne of the same name haue wandred vp down at most vncertenty for that they warred against themperor but all his landes and possessions by themperors permission had his sonnes Fridericke and Wuolfgange whiche were of a contrarye Religion Whan they came to the treaty the father accuseth them of moste ingratitude and all be it the Prynces laboured the matter diligently yet coulde there be nothing determined The xxv Booke of Sledaines Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte The Argument of the xxv Booke THe warre beginning in Piedmount Duke Moris and the Marques Albert being at desiaunce loyne in battell wherin Duke Moris was slaine but the Marques lost the field Augustus his brother succedeth Duke Moris Iohn Fridericke maketh reclaime to hys landes At this time are nine martirs executed at Lions The good king Edward of Englād being dead his sister Mary is proclaimed Quene and the Popish bishops restored to their dignity Marques Albert hauing lost the field against Henry Duke of Brunswicke surpriseth the towne of Holse After he is banished A disputation in England about the Sacramente of thaultare The Lady Iane which was proclaimed Quene is beheaded greate execution is done in England The blessed death of the Duke of Saxon and his wife Alberte again exiled worketh greate crueltye Marye Quene of Englande maried to kinge Phillip Cardinall Poole geueth full absolution to England An assemble at Auspurge Many excellente parsonages are condemned in Englande being wholy reconquested to the Pope TO the intent some remeady might be founde for these troubles and tumults in Germany the Emperour in the month of May calleth an assembly of thempire the xiii day of August And whan he had besieged the Citye of Terwen in the dominion of Fraunce from the end of Aprill The xx day of Iune he taketh it by an assaulte spoyleth burneth and raseth it down to the ground The Constable sonne was taken in the same The king of Englande sendinge an honorable ambassade by the space of certaine monthes intreated a peace The same did the bishop of Rome but that was in vain In the month of May Ihon Duke of Northumberlād which after the death of the Lord Protector the Kinges Uncle had the chief gouernment as before is saide marieth one of his Sonnes to the Lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraunces whiche was Nece to Kinge Henrye the eighte by his Sister the Frenche Quene That time was Kinge Edwarde greuouslye sicke Than was it warre also in Piedmont and in the hither partes of Italy For the Emperour purposed to recouer Senes sendinge thither a power from Naples vnder the conduit of the Uiceroy Peter Toletane but wheras he died and the Turkish Nauy to the whiche the Prince of Salerne going out of Fraunce had ioyned him self was sailing on the Seas of Grece and Italy the soldiors retourned home to repulse the neare and domesticall daunger Marques Albert kepinge warre in Franconie Duke Moris and his fellowes send their army thither The Marques therfore leauing a garrison at Schuinfurt and other places whan he had euerye where exacted Monye hasted with greate expedition into Saxony leading away with him many pledges oute of the dominions of Norinberge and Bamberge captiues Whan he was cōmen to Arustet there were the ambassadors of Ihon Fridericke Duke of Saxon to intreat him that he would not hurte his country he promised right gently and kept it After marching into the limites of Erfurde he spoyleth there manye villages Duke Moris amased at his soden comming which had sente his armye into Franckonie as I saide commaundeth all his Nobility after also thother states to put on armure and hyreth as many as he coulde but the Marques passing through his countrye with oute doinge anye hurte whan he came to Halberstat he taketh the gates and imposeth to the Cleargye there a greate summe of Monye after that he burneth and destroyeth the Countrye of Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke beinge aided by Duke Ericke and the Nobilitye of Brunswicke The Duke of Brunswickes armye whiche I saide before was gone into Franckonie by the conduit of Phillip his Sonne whan they had attempted Schuinfurte in vaine and saw ther was pearill at home retourne into Saxonie likewise do the Souldioures of Duke Moris whereof the Earle Hedecke had the leading and ioyn with Duke Moris about Northuse And for so much as the Marques tourned downe into the prouince of Minden Duke Moris thinckinge that he woulde haue gone throughe Hesse and againe made inuasion into Franconie from Northuse marcheth to Embecke that he mighte preuente him Than in the ende ioyninge all his forces together he incampeth in the countrye of Hildesseme at Osterode and the first day of Iuly not only he but also the Chaūcelour of Boheme Henrye Plauie in kinge Fardinandoes name Proclaime warre againste him and sending abrode theyr letters Themperor say they in these former yeares hath by common assent and consent of the princes and states established peace throughe out the Empire and gaue commaundement that what action some euer any man had he should try it at the law and worcke no force nor violence And certainly the state of Germany which hath bene nowe certaine yeares nowe sore afflicted with Ciuill warres doth much require peace and quietnesse Wherfore what time there arose warre lately within the limits of the Empire kinge Ferdinando with the healpe of others indeuoured and toke paines that the warre was appeased And here in at the lengthe had the Princes consentes that were chiefe Captains of the warre and finally through the Emperoures permission concluded peace Wherin it was prouided amongs other thinges not only that nothing be done to the contrary but that suche also as be in dāger shuld be aided and assisted but that same peace did not Marques Albert refuse only but also did wryte openly to certen renowmed princes that the same tēded to the great reproche and dommage of Germany and was more worthye to be called a treason than a peace making By which wordes you declare sufficiently what minde you beare to your natiue country Again whā you had with spoyling and burning distroied the countrye that lieth by the Rhine wheras you had no good successe in Fraunce and themperor had an army prepared throughe intercession you were reconciled to him vpon respect only that he would confirme youre composition with the Bishops of Bamberge and Wirciburge But you straightwaies abusinge this confirmation of themperor who permitted you to shew no violence haue by youre ministers manye times put in feare either prelate with most terrible threatninges saying how you would inforce them by tharmies of the Earles of Mansfeld and Oldenburge to obserue their couenauntes as it is by your own mens letters to be proued And that also you mighte bring this to passe the soldiors which you discharged after the siege
not be repressed but also his violence hath so farre proceded that hauing taken in Hongary and Slauonie many townes Castels Fortes he hangeth now ouer that neckes of vs it is doubtles to be thought that this is the manifest vengeaunce of God whiche plageth vs for sinne and afflicteth vs for that we amende not our life and so in dede afflicteth vs that vnlesse his worde be receiued the amendement of life followe the losse not only of lyfe and goodes but also of eternall saluation is like to insue For although the whole worlde toke armure against that ennemie yet so long as it shall remayne in that state of lyfe there is no hope of victory but rather of destruction and slaughter as it is euident to haue chaunced some tyme to moste florishynge kyngdomes We treated of the same matter also in the laste assemblee and prayed you that we myght not be compelled to do any thyng against our conscience But you referred the matter to the counsell of Regenspurg How be it you may cōsider most mightie king howe greuouse it is to them whiche thyrste for the health of their soules to be differred to a tyme vncertē For in the meane time the mynde is in angwishe and in this angwyshe and perplexitie many thousandes of mē ende their life Doubtles the worde of God whiche through our Sauiour Iesus Christe is opened to vs should be the only rule whiche the church ought to followe And in case any thing cōtrary to gods worde haue crept in although it be grounded of great antiquitie it must be reiected For God wil be honored worshipped as he him selfe prescribeth cōmaundeth not as men wene and fayne But with how horrible greuous plages he reuengeth the neglecting of his cōmaundemēt the obseruation of mēs traditions both the Empires of fourmer time do shewe also the freshe and domesticall calamities of people next vs declare Therfore after moste diligēt searche there appereth to vs none other remedy than that those manifest errours and deprauations brought long since into the churche being caste away the pure doctrine may be receiued and frely preached to gether with suche administration of the Sacramentes as Christ him selfe did institute for to departe tourne away from the worde of God so manifest and so plaine we may not as we haue ofte shewed you at other tymes For firste we must seke for the kingdome of God Whiche being done God assisteth vs with his spirite and gouerneth our counselles and doinges To the ende therfore that he would deliuer vs from al these daungers that he would be the counseller of the warre and enseigne bearer that he may assiste vs in battel discomfite thennemies force in moste humble and earnest wyse we beseche your highnes euen for the death of Christe for our saluation and for the last iudgement that we shall abyde for as muche as this thing apperteineth to the perpetuall felicitie of you and your children and al your Realme that we which are spotted with no secte may by your leaue and permission remaine in the pure and sincere Religion vntyll a free generall counsell and that we may inioye the same benefite of peace whiche in the laste assemblee of the Empyre you haue made with the fellowes of the confession of Auspurge For seyng we be all Baptized in Christe we beseche you that our State and condicion be not worse than theirs nother that you woulde denye vs the thynge whiche you haue graunted to diuerse other of your Prouinces but that you woulde call in those Proclamations of yours sette forth concerning Religion and woulde delyuer vs from thys carefulnes wherwith we are bounde Moreouer we beseche you that you woulde set forth by proclamation that the ministers of the church that teache after the wrytinges of the Prophetes Apostels after the same maner as before is said doe minister the Sacramentes be not molested nor yet suche schomaisters Neither that they be imprisoned nor banished before they shall pleade their cause before a lawful iudge If you thus do as we trust you wil in this extreame daunger there is no doubt but God will rewarde the same moste aboundantly also the states of the Empire will sende you more ayde than they haue done hitherto And we likewise will not be behinde with our dutie but with moste willing mindes will bestowe geue what so euer shall apperteine to the cōmon defence preseruation of our coūtrie and wil throughly satisfie your demaūdes so muche as shall lie in our power and habilitie to do At the selfsame time the Ambassadours of themperour and the Frenche king had met And where the controuersie coulde not be finished by a peace the fift day of the moneth of February they take truce for fiue yeares by Sea and lande as well in Flaunders and those partes as also for Italy and all other places Euery one kepeth the possession of those thinges whiche he hath gotten in the tyme of the war Themperour excepteth the exiles of Naples Scicilie He compriseth the Pope in the first place as doth also the Frenche king afterward euery mā his frendes allies as the maner is The same truce not long after the king caused to be proclamed both throughout Fraunce and at Metz also but the Emperour somwhat later in his coūtries A brute went that the Pope toke it in snuffe that this truce was made and went about afterwarde to perswade the Frenche king to breake the same Others thought cōtrariwise that it was made chiefly through his aduise that he might make warre against the Lutherians Touching prisoners nothinge could be concluded in this truce amongest whome the chiefest were the Duke of Arescot a Bourgunnion and Monmoraūce the Conestables eldest sonne takē thre yeres before at Terwin When they of Austriche as I sayde before had on this wise the day before the Kalendes of February put vp their supplication to king Ferdinando in wryting the king the eight day after aunswereth and speaking first of his good wyll towardes the common wealth and of the common calamitie and miserie of times and of Gods wrath whilest I consider saieth he and way mine owne state and place diligently whilest I thinke howe I haue euer from my yought hitherto followed the preceptes of the christen and catholique churche after the maner of my progenitours of whome I haue receiued this Religion and discipline as it were deliuered by hand I do surely finde that I may not assent to you in that whiche you require Not that I would not gladly gratifie my people but for that I see it is not lawful that I should be preiudiciall to the Christe church shoulde alter the lawes of the same and the holsome decrees at my pleasure where I must rather heare it as Christ cōmaūdeth How beit for as much as I know by long experiēce what occasion of great euils this bitter contention about Religion
haue nowe declared and of others that wryte stories But when I speake of Historiographers I meane not those of our time which study only to extoll and highly commend what part they list and ouerwhelme thother with contumelious and railynge wordes They that are of such sort be not worthy to be so called Ihon Cocles .vi. yeares past setforthe Commentaries in a manner of the same argument that mine are but all thynges are heaped vp with such horrible forged and abhominable sclaunders and lyes as haue not bene hard Cardinall Poole in the boke lately setforthe calleth the Doctrine renewed in Germany Turkishe seede Of suche lyke wordes are al theyr bokes full But what like thing is found in all my woorke I haue verely wrytten the wonderfull benefite of God geuen eo thys our time orderly and as truely as I could possible and for the same purpose I gathered .xvi. yeares since what soeuer belonged herunto neither haue I wrytten rashlye but with a sure iudgemente proceaded And what labour and paines this worke hath cost me nexte the liuing God I know For his glory haue I chiefly regarded and leauing the practise of the law I haue applied in a maner all my study herevnto and verely I must confesse that throughe Gods motion I haue ben after a sort drawen vnto this labour And nowe where diuers requite me so vnworthye thanckes for my so greate trauell and paines I wil cōmit to him whose cause chiefly I toke it in hād for I know vndoubtedly that I haue offred vp vnto him a most acceptable sacrifice with the same verely good conscience I comfort and sustain my self especially seing that my labor is commended of learned men whiche bothe geue me thanckes and confesse also that they haue receiued much frute therby Wherefore I desire all louers of the veritye that they wold geue no credit to the sclander of a few certen mē but wold gentelly accept my labors faith and dilligence nether conceiue any sinistre opinion of me Furthermore I protest that I do acknowledge the Emperour and king of Romaines for the high Magistrate whome God hath ordained and to whom in al things that be not against God we ought to obey as Christ and thapostles teach FINIS ¶ A Table containing all the Principall matters in this Boke A A Counsel promised 92 An Apology deliuered but not receiued eodem A beastly cruelty 104 A blasing starre 109 A consecrating of Cardinals 113 Andrew Gritie duke of Uenise 117 A boke of Romish Marchauntes 118 A straunge chaunge eodem Alteration in England for Reli. 125 A Prophet inspired 129 A new king of Anabaptistes 131 A boke of the misteries of the scrip 133 A blinde asse 134 A counsel called 147 An oration against the french king eo A reformation of Collon 141 A sword hallowed 142 A wryting of Auspurge 143 Athanasius Arius and Liberius 148 A propre saying of Ciprian 153 A priestes sonne not enioy his Fathers benefice 155 Auarice and concupiscence let coū 156 Annas Momorancy made Constable of Fraunce 157 A gentleman of Tolowse burnt 158 Andrew de Aury saluteth the king 159 A colledge erected at strasborough 160 A league of the Papistes againste the protestauntes 173 Ambassadors sent to Henry brother to George duke of Saron 176 A Friers wede maketh the deuell a. 177 An assembly at Smalcald 169 A wryting exhibited by the deuines eo A confutation of the .vi. articles 171 An oration of a yong Cardinal 172 A priuy hatred of the french king eod An exceading hot sommer 174 A disputation betwixt Eckius and Melanchthon 176 A great assemble at Regenspurge eo A mean to get mony by pardons 177 A most costly stole or Paile eodem A wollen halter to strāgle the pope 178 A boke presented to the collotors 179 A great tempest destroid his ships 184 An assemble at Spires 186 A soden fear in the french court 88 An army against the Turke eodem Any pleasaunt life is not to be eodem A consolation of the prisoners eodem A counsel called at Trent 198 An assembly at Norinberge 163 Ambassadors to the duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue 194 A rebellion at Rochelle 197 A supplication of the protestaunts 194 A boke called Antididagma 201 An assemble at Spire 202 A league of themperor and the king of England against the french king 203 A boke of Caluine against Sorbo 204 A boke of the relikes of saints eodem A false report of themperors death eo A great assemble of Spiere 206 A straunge tale of the duke of Brū 209 An image buried in the stede of Eue. 209 A decre for religion 212 A peace concluded betwixte themperor and Fraunce 314 An ambassade said to the king 216 A Commention of deuines at Mil. 217 An assembly at Wormes 218 A lamentable departing 219 A soldsoure geueth the Merundo 220 A cruell fact of Miners eodem A terrible example of cruelty eodem A captain defendeth the women eodē A sharp answer of the king eodem A frere obseruant stirreth themperour to warre 221 A skirmish betwixt the Duke 225 A conflict betwixt the Duke eodem A league of them of Strasborow Zuricke and Bernes 85 A confutation of the Protestantes 88 A confession of the Zwinglians 88 A story of the king of Fraunce 101 A controuersy of the bishoppe of Bantberge with the Marques of Brandenburge 103 A bishops office 111 An assemble at Regenspurge 73 An assembly at Spires 79 A treatise of peace betwixt Fraunce England 227 A brute of warre againste the Protestauntes 228 Ambassadors to themperor for tharchbishop of Collon 230 A decre of the Sinode read 231 Alphonse Diaze commeth into Germany 234. Alphonse returneth to Nuburge to kill his brother eodem A communicatiō of the Lantzgraue others 237 A diuision amonges thelectors 241 A statute of Trent 243 A decre of originall sinne eodem An aunswer of them of Strasborough to themperor eodem An heape of euils of ciuel war 244 A league betwixt the Pope and themperor 246 A preatence of mouinge war 247 Albert of Brunswicke hurt 265 Alteration in Sauoy 266 A warlike pollicy of themperor 267 An other pollicy of themperor eodem Aucthoritye can not beare equallitye 271 A decre of the counsel at Trent of iustification 276 A Dolphe substituted to Hermon archbishop of Collon 277 Alteration of Religion 278 Alteration in the Courte of Fraunce 282 A pergidu of the sonne 285 An assembly of the Empyre at vrmes 286 An assemble at Auspurge 291 An holy boxe sent downe from heauen you may be sure eodem A conspiraty against the Popes sonne 294 A reformation of Religion in Englād 297 Albert receiued into the tuition of the king of Pole 3021 A disordained ordre of knightes 303 A composition of peace 305 A counsel called at Trent twise 309 An euil compiled booke ofte corrected 314 Ambrosa Blaurer the chiefest minister of the church 324 At Strausburge the Consull of th 〈…〉 ri◠eodem Augustus married a wife 327 A
decres of Spires Certen princes resist the same Who be the authors of dissention Howe scripture shoulde be expouÌ„ded The decre of Wormes Thorigicall of Protestantes Ciuil warre emong the Swicers Mishappes of the freÌ„che kyng The peace of Canbrey The Turke besegeth Uienna The sweating sicknes Sondry plages Two clerks brenct at Collon Luther and Zwinglius dispuie at Marpurg The maner of their agrement Erasmus boke againste Gospelers Fraunces Sfortia The Ambassadours of the Protestants to the Emp. The Emperours aunswere Daunger of the Turke The Ambassadours appeale GraÌ„unulane A boke presented to the Emperour The honeste of a byshoy An assemble at Smalcald A league of theÌ„ of Stransborough Zuricke and Bernes The chambre wryteth to Straush The Protestantes asseÌ„ble at Norinberge An assemble at Auspurg The Emperours coronatioÌ„ at Bonony The diuines of that protest The lady Eleuour commeth into Fraunce Uergerius that popes ambassadour The princes that woulde not heare Masse The office of the Duke of Saxon. The Turks victorye in Hongary The Turks crueltie The oration of Cardinall Campega The coÌ„plais of the Ambassadour of Austriche The confession of the protestantes A consultation of the ProtestaÌ„tes doctryne A confession of the Zwinglians Thinges refused Matters receiued That the Masse is a sacrifice A fayre exposition of Daniel Good ghostly fathers The Lantgraue departeth from Auspurg Duke of Saxon Marschall of the Empyre The warre of Florence The Pope made a league with the Emperour Florence rendred Florence loseth her libertie Certen chosen to accord Religion The Protestantes were laboured Erasmus writeth to Campegius The Power of the Turk The Bohemers The Empeoracion to the ProtestaÌ„tes Their aunswere to the Emperour A decree made A counsell promysed Scripture is the touche stone of all doctryne An Apologie deliuered but not receiued The Emp. to the Protest Prayers mixt with threatnings The conspiracie of the Papistes againste the ProtestaÌ„tes The protest spoyle no maÌ„ The protest accused of sedition The drone bees desyre to be restored into the hyue The excuse of some to the ProtestaÌ„tee A deluge at Rome in Selande A coÌ„futatioÌ„ of Zwilius doctrine Their aunswer to the same Poore Luther maketh many men ryche The decree of Auspurg Luth. wrote a booke to the byshoppes Luther comforteth Melancton Luthers opinion of mis-traditions The church oppressed with Tyranny is to be excused The papists are accused of rerages Bucer laboreth for a coÌ„corde The Lantgraue made a league with Strausbotough Zurick and Basyn The league of the Protestantes at Smalcalde The coÌ„plait of the Pope to the kynge of Poole The Pope is a sayler The Protestauntes letters against Ferdinando The duke of Saxons letters to the Princes The causes of creating a kyng of Romaines Ferdinando proclaimed kyng of Romaines The protest letters to the kynges of Fraunce of Englande Gerson Collet Their appelation The bishops of DeÌ„marke resute the Gospell The lawes permitte that the inferiour Magistrate maye in som cases resist that superiour Newes of that Turkes coÌ„myng The Archebyshop of Treers departeth Bucer set order in that churches at Uimes The quene of Hungary made regeÌ„t of FlauÌ„ders The aunswere of the FreÌ„ch kyng to the protestauntes The amitie of Fraunce and Germa A story of that kyng of fraunce Charles the great Lewys the fyfte Hugh Capet The answer of the kynge of England The commoÌ„wealth hath nede of many remedies The opinsoÌ„ of the cities of the kynge of Romains The Duke of Saxons doubte of that Swycers The Palsgraue and that archbyshop of Mentz intercessonrs A controuersy of the byshop of BaÌ„berge with the Marques of Brandenburg The Appellation of the Marques The Erles of Nassowe Neuenar Upon what conditions the Duks of Saxon wyll come to the assemble The intercessours and Protestant Letters of that Duke the Lantgraue to the intercessours Warres in SwycerlaÌ„ce Condicions or peace Thei of Zarick disconfited The death of Zwyng A beastlye cruelite An other slaughter The death of Oecolampadius The Assemble of RegeÌ„spurge Conditions of a peace betwene the Emperour and Protest Conditions of creatinge a kynge of Romaynes The othe of theelectoars The Dukes of Bauer misliked the election of FerdinaÌ„do The aunswer of the Duke to the itercessours The craft of the Papistes A cancorde The Emperour of necessitie graunteth peace to Germany The â—â—ibre of Protest The assemble at RegeÌ„spurge Christierne kyng of Denmarck is taken The Turck inuaded Austriche The death of the Duke of Saxon. The slaughter of that Turkysh warre A blasyng Starre The Empe. goeth into Italy The Pope serueth the tyme. The OratioÌ„ of the Popes Ambassad to the Duke of Saron The Popes policie The OratioÌ„ of the Emperours Amb. The Duke of Saxons aunswere The Prote aunswere to the Pope Emperour Wherof sprang the dissention of Religion How a free counsel is to be vnderstaÌ„d The couÌ„sels are swarued from their old puritie The Empe. part to d 〈…〉 d Religion The Pope is plentife defendauÌ„t iudge The Popes snares The bishops office Uergerius The Pope sleeth the couÌ„sell The craft of Duke George to fynde out the Lutherians Luthers couÌ„sell Luthers purgation Christe was called seditious He comforteth the eriâ—es Pope Clement coÌ„meth to Macilles For many suppose hym a bastarde A consecrating of Cardinalles Unmete mariage The Lantgraue goeth to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke Ulrich expulsed The Lantgraue boroweth monye of the FreÌ„ch kyng A great alte ratioÌ„ in Englande Kyng HeÌ„ry The inconstancie of Pope Clement The vniuersities of Paris others quene Anne loued the Gospell The death of Cardinall Woolsey The Lady Mary a bastarde The kinges hatred against the Pope Inas kyng The conteÌ„tion betwen Erasmus Luther The traged of the Grey freers The soleÌ„ne burieng in Fraunce False doctours The dume Spirite Questions moued to that dome spirit The game prayers called to paris The condeÌ„pnation of fal 〈…〉 rs Persecution against Lutherians Spirites in the Popyshe kingdome Luthers apt 〈…〉 oÌ„ touching the spirites The victory of the Lant Conditions of peace Condicions betwixt Ferdinando and Duke Ulri The liberal 〈…〉 tie of that freÌ„ch kyng The Lantgraues letters to the Emperour The Empe. aunswere Sfortia married that Emp. Nece The death of Clement the seuenth Paule the .iii. Paule was 〈…〉 r than Clement The practise of Prelates Andrewe Gritte Lewys his sonne Hongary Persecution in Fraunce The punyshment of the Godly The crueltie of Iohn Morin A booke of marchauÌ„ted Crafty marchauntes Busy marchauntes A straunge chaunge The Price of the masse is derer som tyme after as the parsoÌ„ is the od marchaunt Pope Iohn a woman Couetous marchaunts Proude marchauntes Theuishe marchaunts Brawlynge Freers Selling of benefices Angry salutes Wyly marchauntes Idle N 〈…〉 S. Geneuefa that goddes of Paris The kinges oration The maner of execution in Fraunce The Lutherians are ab borred The FreÌ„che kinges letters The Lantgraue The Emperour voiage into Barbaria Barbarossa Rochestr More beheaded Rochester Cardinall The death of Sfortia Uergerusto the Duke of Saxen The Dukes aunswer Uergerus
the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of BrandeÌ„b to the Emp. Their Oration The Lantgraue kepte prisoner againste the leage made The Lantgraue blodâ— to supper was kepte prisoner The names of the Princes that intreated for the Lantgraue The OratioÌ„ of the Prices aÌ„bassadours to the Emp. The Empe. aunswer to the Ambassabours The Lantgraues son cometh to D. Maurice Maximilian entreth into Trent The railing of Groppes A Cardinal of Dalmatia slayne in his owne house 1552. The Empe. letters to the Byshops Eleciours There is craft in dawbyng Wyly begyâ—ed Kings haue long armes ThaÌ„bassad of Du. Maurice come to the counsell D. Maurice feared of the Emperour The Duke of Somerset beheaded D. Maurice Ambassad sent awaye The saufecoÌ„duict altered The franke speache of D. Maurice Ambassad to the Fathers The Ambassadours of the Protest deluded How muche the papistes esteme the Scripture The diuines come to Norinberge The bitternes of freer Pelarge againg that protestauntes Duke Maurice letters to his ambassadours A brute of war against themperor Pardons New ambassadors from WirteÌ„berge The diuines of Wyrtemberge The confession of the duke of Wirtemberge Thambassador of Strasburge deteyned The blasphe my of a gray Frier The requestes of the protestantes deuines Duke Moris taketh Auspurge by coÌ„position The fathers fle froÌ„ Trent The answer of the protestantes ambassadors Diuers mindes in the counsel of Trent Refourmation of the papistes The Church can not erre The counsel of Basil purer theÌ„ TreÌ„t The last session of that couÌ„sell The frenche Kinge hathe peace with the Pope The ende of the Counsel at Trent The death of the popes Legate The seconde cause of war The Lantzgraue deteyned prisoner against sidelity The thirds cause The boÌ„dage of Germany Marques Alberts letters agaynste the Emperoure The heauye burthens of Germany The story of Lewes Auila of the protestants war The frenche kingsletters Germanye the fortresse of Christendoe CouÌ„tryes oppressed bi the Emperoure Tharmes of liberty Duke Moris goeth to the field The Prince of Salerne reuolteth from themperor The frenche subdueth Loraine The Cardinall betraied the Citye of Metz. The pledges of Fraunce Germanye Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris The couÌ„trie of Oto Henry recouered The iudges of the chamber slie The Conestable chideth with them of Strash The request of the Prynces to the kyng D. Maurice letters to the kyng The kinges answer to the Prynces Martin van Rossem spoyleth ChaÌ„panye The suite of the Swisses to the Kyng Skirmyshes of the Princes with the in Eperialles Erenberge take agayne RebellioÌ„ in D. Moris caÌ„p Duke Morisuye slayne The Empe. sleeth away by nyght The Duke of Saxon set at libertie The Empe. staffe spoiled Crueltie against godly preachers The princes restore the ministers of the churche The Marq. Albertes armie Albertes crueltie to them of Normberg Bamberge redemeth peace dearelye Norinberge hath peace with the Mar. Albert to theÌ„ of Wolmes The FreÌ„che king destroyeth Themperour couÌ„trie Thassemble at Passawe The coÌ„plain te of Prynces Elect. The oration of the Frenche Ambas Thaâ—â—nitie of FreÌ„chmeÌ„ and Germaines The libertie of Germany restored by the power of Fraunce The way opened for the Prynce of Spayne to be Emper. The princes aunswer his oration The house of LuceÌ„burg The battell of Cressie Albert of Austriche Marques Albert warreth for himselfe The FreÌ„che kinges aunswer to thin tercessours D. Maurice weary of delayes The Empe. letters to the intercessours Their aunswer to the Emperour D. Maurice retourneth to his fellowes George Du. of Megelbu slayne Conditions of peace offered by the Emperour Thambassadors commeÌ„taries intercepted Duke Moris admitteth peace The French king dischargeth his army Marques Albert y scourge of priests His requests to Strasbo The answer of Strausbo Conditions of peace Marques Albert refuseth the peace The deathe of Herman Archebishop of Colon. His wish Marques Albert entreth Treuers The duke of Saxon goth home to hys owne house Themperor goeth wyth his army toward Lorain Ambassadors of Strasburge to the Emperor Themperor entreth into Strasburge Sir Richard Morisine ambassadour of England Marques Antonius Ambassadour of Uenise The spoil of the soldiors The deathe of Caspar Hedio Andrew Osiander Themperor besegeth Metz. Marques Albert reconciled to themperor Albert ouerthroweth the French men Duke de Anmalle taken prisoner The greate battery of Metz. The duke of Brunswicke driuen out of his country The duke of Guise defended Metz. 1553. The french kinges wryting against themperor The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. Tharmes of Electorshyp The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambition The spoylinges burninges of Marques Albert The father the soÌ„nes coÌ„tend for inheritaunce Terwen rased The Lady Iane of Suffolke maried to Buylford Dudley Kinge Edward sore sicke War in Italye The Mar. maketh war in Saxonye King FernaÌ„do proclameth warre agaynste Albert The spoylinges of Al. The complaint of D. Moris vpon Marques Al. Duke Mor. league with the Duke of BruÌ„swicke The Mar. annswere to duke Moris Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperor The bishops in his absence inuade his counitie The great crueltie of Mar. Albert The death of good kyng Edward The vertues of Edward the sixt A battell fought betwixt Duke Maurice and Mar. Albert. D. Maurice wan that fielde and lost his lyfe The woÌ„ders before his death Great frendship betwixt D. Maurice and Marqu Albert. The Marq. letters to that states of D. Maurice The death of Orace Farnese Augustus brother and hesre to Du. Maurice Iohn Frederick demauÌ„deth his landes and dignities Nyne burnt at Lions Lewys Marsake The blasphe my or that lieftenaunt Fiue studeÌ„ts of Losanna The lady Iane. The Lady Mary proclamed Quene Winchester made ChauÌ„celour The Duke of Northumberland condemned His incoÌ„stancie at hys death Thomas Palmer The coÌ„stancie of the archebyshop of Cantorbury The bishops caried to prison The popishe Religion restored in Englande Warres reuiued betwixt the D. of Brunsw Marques Albert. Albert recoÌ„ciled to Augustus The Turkishe Naute taketh the Iland of Corsica The FreÌ„che king attemteth CaÌ„bray Pestilence firing at Paris The bloud of innoceÌ„tes gaynfull to many Brunswick beseged The Duke of Brunswletters to the D. of Saxon The Du. of Brunswick is reconciled to the Duke of Saxon. A disputatioÌ„ in England Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua Reynold Poole Cardinall Uercelles surprised The Turck hanged his sonne Mustapha The Archbyshop of Cantorbury and others condemned Marques Albert outlawed The Godly lawes of good Edward repealed Quene Mary affiauÌ„ced to the Emperours sonne 1554. Commotion in Kent The Duke of Norfolke forsaken of his men The quenes oration to that commons in yelde hall The Duke of Suffolke Wiat taken and committed to PrisoÌ„ The Lady Iane her husband beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Sibille Duches of SaxoÌ„ departeth The Godly end of Iohn Friderick An end made betwixt him and Augustus The Godlines of
Friderick the .iij. brought forth a son called Philip He maried the lady Iane the daughter of Ferdinādo kig of Spaine had by her ij sons Charles Ferdinādo Whan this lady was with child she went into Flaūders was brought abed of Charles at Gaūt in the yeare of our Lorde M.D. the xxiiij day of February And here is some thynge to be sayd of Ferdinādo thēperours graūdfather by his mothers side who was king of Aragonie and Sicilie had to wife Elizabeth the daughter and heyre of Iohn the seconde kyng of Spaine in fine had also the kingdome of Naples He begotte of her fyue children Iohn Isabel Iane Mary Katherine Iohn and Isabell deynge without Issewe the inheritaunce by the lawes of the Realme came vnto Iane the next syster By this meanes all that the duke of Burgūdie had which was exceding much whatsoeuer Ferdinando king of Spaine had came wholy to Charles the sonne of the lady Iane For the landes of the house of Austriche in the diuisiō of thinheritaūce went to Ferdinādo his brother Wherfore of a long time Germany had not an Emperour of greater power His father died whā he was but sixe yere olde and his graūdefather Ferdinādo whan he was sixtene At the whiche tyme he wēt into Spaine there remained til he was elected Emperour came into Germany as shal be declared herafter And now forsomuch as we arecome to this place it shal not be much out of purpose to speak some thing of the creatiō of themperor Charles kinge of Boheme the iiij Emperor of that name made a law herofin the yeare 1356. called comenly the golden Bull wherof this is one thing that thēperour being dead tharchbishop of Mentz so soone as he knoweth therof shal immediatly signifie the same to the residew of the prices Electors and appoint thē a day within .iij. monthes to mete at Frāckfourt either in their owne parsons or to sende their deputies with their ful authoritie to elect a new Emperor or king of Romanes And if it fortune that the saide Archbishop do neglect it that yet neuertheles the rest shall there assembe within the time prescribed accōpanied euery mā with .ij. C. horse not aboue whā they enter into the towne 50. of thē to be in Armure He that neither cōmeth himselfe nor yet sendeth his Ambass or depute tofore the busines be ended shall lose his right of Electiō for that time The officers of Frākefurth shal shew al fidelitie to thelectours duringe the time of thelectiō suffer nomāto enter besides the princes their families After that all be cōmen together they shal haue a messe of the holy Ghost in the church of s Bartholomew thē euery mā sweare that they shal do nothing in that matter for any bargain bribe reward or promise Afterward to come to the electiō not to depart thēce before thēperor be chosē And if the thing be differred aboue .xxx. daies thē to haue nothing geuē thē but bread water whō the more part shall chose to be of as muche effect as if he were chosen with the cōmen assent of almē and that themperor thus elected shal first of all cōfirme al their priueleges and whatsoeuer apperteineth to their honor dignitie libertie fredō Moreouer it is prouided and ordeined how one shall suffer another to passe through his coūtrey what place eche of thē shal haue in the consistory in what sort they shall giue their voices and what office euery of thē shall haue what time Thēperor either dineth abroade or doth any thig opēly Furthermore that durig the vacatiō of thēpire the coūtye Palatine shal haue the gouernemēt in Sueuelāde Frākeconie about the Rhine the duke of Saxo. in such places as they vse the lawes of Saxnie That when a prince elector is departed his eldest sonne shal succed him or his brother Germayne that if the Electour be vnder .xviij. yeares of age his next kinsman shall supplie the rowme til he come of age that the electours mete euery yere once to consult of the comē wealth That Frankefurth be the place of election and Agnon in the base contrey the towne where he shal be inuested I spake before of the conditions prescribed by the princes and ratified by the Emperours Ambassadours puttyng in a Caution as the maner is and writinges made of the same in his name whiche were these That he shall defend the christen comen wealth the Bishoppe and churche of Rome whereof he is aduocate that he shall minister the law vprightly and seeke to maynteine peace That he shall not only confyrme and establish al the lawes of thempire and chiefely that which is called the golden Bulle but also by theyr aduise when time shall require encrease the same That he appointe a Cenate or counsell within the empire chosen of Germaines onely which shall minister the comon wealth That he shall not breake or diminishe the lawes priueledges the dignitie of the Prynces and states of thempire That it shal be lawful for the electoures when nede shall requyre to assemble and to consult of the common welth And he shall be no let hereunto nor take it in euill parte That he shall abolishe all confederacies and conspiracies of the nobilitie and commōs against their Princes and prohibite by a law that there be no such made hereafter That he make no league nor compacte with strangers touching the matters of thempire without the assent of the .vii. Princes that he neither alienate nor lay to pledge anye parte of thempire or deminishe the same and that such goodes or landes of the Empire as other nations haue plucked away and do occupy he seeke forthwith to recouer yet so as he infringe not the lawes or priueleges Also if he him selfe or any of his house do possesse any parte of thempire vnlawfullye gotten that he restore the same beinge required of the .vii. princes that he kepe peace and amitie withall Christen Princes and that he attempte no warre for the affaires of the empire without the consent of al the states but chiefly of the Princes electours either within the empire or wythout that he bring no straunge souldiours into Germany without their assent And if any man moue warre against him or thempire that then it shal be lawfull for him to vse what aide he can That he cal none assēbly of the Empire nor commaunde any taske or tribute but by the consent of the Electours And the same also to be within the limittes of the Empire And that for publike affaires he appointe no Foreyners but Germaines and that of the nobilitie And that all writinges be made in Latin or in the Duche tonge That no man be sommoned to appere in any court with out the bondes of thempire And forasmuch as many thinges are done at Rome contrary to couenaūtes made in time past with the Bishoppes therof that he deuise with the Bishop
he gaue the glory vnto God By the way he wrote to thēperour and to the residew of the Princes states repeting the whole actiō at few words requiring thē that for so much as he hath euer wil seke a quiet agrement desireth nothing els but that the matter maye be indifferently heard iudged by Scripture they wold defende him frō the force of his enemies for that it is not his priuate cause but cōmō to al the world namely Germany whose weale he estemeth more thā his life For as muche as oftentimes mention hath bene made of Husse of the Counsell of Constaunce and of the Bohemers I shall brieflye declare the matter Iohn Wickliffe liued in Englande about the yere of our Lord M. CCC .xciij. Who wrote many thinges agaynst the See of Rome which were brought afterwardes into the lāde of Boheme Prage was thē a noble Uniuersitie And there flourished Iohn Husse a Doctor of Diuinitie who in his lectures and sermons set forthe and taught Wicliffes doctrine to be holesome and godly beyngt accused of the same to the Byshoppe of Rome Alexander the fyfte he is cited He by his procurers sheweth causes why he coulde not come Wencelaus also the king entreateth for him and requireth that he would send his Legates into Boheme to vnderstand the matter but that was in vaine Wherefore Husse condemned at Rome for an Heritike setteth forthe a writing wherin he appealeth from the Bishoppe to the Iudge Christ The church of Rome was that time full of trouble for the Cardinals beyng deuyded had chosen three Byshoppes at once Gregory the .xij. Benedicte the .xiij. and Iohn the .xxiij. Which thinge Themperor Sigismside other kynges were right sory for And caused Bishop Iohn to sommon a counsell at Constance And Sigisinunge the brother of kynge Wencelaus called thither Iohn Husse sendyng him a safe conduicte in moneth of Octobre in the yere M. CCCC.xiiij Whereupon Husse accompanied with diuerse gentlemen come vnto Constance the thirde day of Nouembre But three weekes after when he came to the priuate talke of the Bishop and his Cardinalles he was deteined prisoner Thēperour was then absent which beyng certified of the thing came thyther in greate displeasure But when they had borne him in hande that there is no promise to be kept with Heretikes he was not onely content albeit that the Bohemers made oftentimes greate sute to him not to kepe his promise but also was the fyrst that spak bitterly against him Finally the syxt day of Iuly in the yere followynge the Synnode condemned him as an Heretike and a sedicious parson his his workes also to be bursit And thus beyng condemned he was deliuered to thēperour and burned And his ashes were cast into the riuer of Rhine lest any reliques of him shold remayne After him Hierome of Prage a Scolar of his was in lyke maner executed In this Counsell besydes Themperour were the Ambassadours of sondry kynges thre Princes Electours Lewes countie Palatine Raffe duke of Saxonie and Fridericke Marques of Brandenburge And a greate numbre of other Princes Three Patriarches of Aquileia Antioche and Cōstantinople .xxviij. Cardinalles and an Civ Byshops Diuines Lawiers very many Italians Germaines Frēchmen Englishmē Hūgariās Polonians Here was the doctrine of Wicliffe condemned a decree made that his body in Englande should be taken vp and brent Furthermore it was decreed that priestes onely should receiue the hole supper of the Lord al others to be content with one kind Which thinge Husse had impugned There was also a lawe made that there should be no promise kepte with Heretikes or suspected of Heresye albeit that they came to the counsell to be examined by the Emperours saufeconduicte Fynally the three Byshoppes were deposed and by cōmon assent was chosen Martin the fyfte of that name Whan it was reported in Boheme of the death of Husse and Hierome there arose a tumulte and after also a verye bloudy and crewell warre by the conduicte of Iohn Zischa in so muche that Sigysmunde was constrayned to require the aide of the Empire But their moste crueltie was wrought against pristes for the hatred of the Bishop of Rome whose tirranny they had shaken of and receiued the doctrine of Husse About this time the Diuines of Paris condemned Luthers Bokes gatheryng out of the same certein titles as be these of the Sacramentes of thecclesiastical lawes of vowes of contrition absolution satisfaction Purgatory frewyll and suche like admonishyng all men that professe Christ to beware of suche Heretykes which vnder flattering wordes exhibite present poyson as Wiclyffe Husse and Luther as thoughe it were like that they could see more then all others or that it were to be thoughte that Christe woulde haue suffered his onelye spouse to haue wandered so longe in the darkenes of Errours And so in recytyng of his bokes they shew in which opinions what Heretikes Luther foloweth wherfore say they seyng it apperteyneth chiefly to our professiō to suppresse the errours that spring vp finding his doctrine to be pernicious we cōdēne his Bokes to be brent him self to be forsed to recāt To this decree of theyrs aunswereth Philip Melanchthon and after that Luther him selfe but skoffyngly Notwithstandyng the Diuines of Paris take vpon them herin to be the chiefe in all Europe they haue two principall Colledges Sorbone and Nauare The Bachelars of Diuinitie are exercised in disputations all the somer time by the space of .xij. houres must they answere to all mēs argumētes Here be maruelous cōtentions for the most part either of very trifles or of thinges farre exceadyng mans capacitie they be clamorous aboue measure but their strife is cōmonly ended by the hissyng clapping of theyr Auditors what time the one of the disputers is either to fōde or to tedious The Doctors of Diuinitie stāde in the latesse windowes hearkē they are called magistri nostri they be the Cēsours iudges of all doctrine plainely possesse a kingdō For no man dare publishe any thing touching Diuinitie but through their permission Leo the .x. had already made a league with the Swyses that if he had nede at any time he shold haue theyr aide The kīg of Fraūce in like case which before had cōcluded a peace with thē laboured thē to aide him with mē for his mony Zwinglius in his sermons diswaded them from the same declaringe vnto them howe vile and howe wicked a thing it is to serue a foreine Prince for money he exhorted them therfore to folow the frugalitie of their elders whiche kepte cattel and occupied husbandry and yet had done many goodly exploictes but all this was in vaine For the chiefe of them corrupted wyth bribes perswaded the reste to make a league also with the kinge and aide him with men Saue they onely of Zuricke perswaded by Zuinglius refused it and made an othe that they would
wel as they do for the laste yere what tyme another Ambassador was here they wrote vnto him theyr mindes howe the daunger of this alteration should be foreseen and remedied And also what they required of him to be done for his parte Wherof if he haue brought any aunswer they desyre him to vtter it to the intent they may the better procede in the cause And as touching Turkishe matters they confesse to be as he hath sayd notwithstandyng that great warre doth not only concerne The Empire but all together kynges and princes of Christendome in like maner For vnlesse that they be at peace amonges them selfes and giue their aide ther can nothing be done to continew But for asmuch as the Turke nowe maketh great preparation vnto warres both by sea and Lande they would also knowe his opinion herin The Legate said againe that whether there were any such way by them deuised to appease the strife aboute Religion or whether it were deliuered to the Bishoppe and Cardinalles or no he can not certeinly tell but the Bishoppes good wyll is muche who hathe gyuen him full aucthoritie in all suche matters but they whiche knowe the men the maner and custome of the countrey must fynd out that way that may lead them to the ende wished for In the counsell at Wormes the Emperor by theyr common assent made a decree to haue bene executed thorowout all Germany which some obeied and some not Wherefore this great diuersitie should be in the Empire he knoweth not But he thinketh good before any thynge be determined to consulte howe it maye be executed he is not comen thither to styrre vp fyre and dissention as some reporte but all his desyre and the Bishoppes in like case is to make peace and concorde to th entent that suche as haue erred and straied may be reduced into the waie that the decrees of the counsels Themperors and Princes proclamations might be obserued concernynge their requestes whether they were made to be sent to Rome he knoweth not But three copies were brought thither to priuate men whetof he had one but the Byshoppe and the Colledge of Cardinalles coulde not be perswaded that they should be made by the Princes but thought rather that some priuate men had deuised for hatred and malice that they bare to the citie of Rome Wherin be diuerse thinges that deny the Byshoppes authoritie smell of Heresye and be suche as he can not meddle withall But for others that are not against the Bishop such as are grounded vpon equitie and reason he will not refuse to treate of Howe be it it semeth vnto him that the demaundes should haue bene propounded with more modestie if they had ought to say to the highe Bishop For so dyd lately the Spaniardes which sendyng an Ambassade to Rome declared gētely what theyr request was But wheras they be printed and publisshed abrode he thinketh that ouer muche And yet there is no doubte but that the Bishoppe of Rome wyll do for Germany what he can Moreouer what power the Turke hath and what preparatiō he maketh the bishop hath good intelligence And hath alredy great treasure in a readines and will haue more And for so muche as the concorde of Christen Princes is very requisite he hath done what he can that the Emperor the Frenche kynge and the king of England hauyng peace together might set vpon the Turke on all handes and he will employ therupon all his treasure This doeth the Bishoppe as a good sheperde foresee and care for peace and quietnes But in case the shepe wyll not folowe the voyce of the Sheperde he can do no more but take it paciently and commit the whole matter vnto God Amonges the Suyces encreased dayly cōtention for Religion And the rest of townes sendynge theyr Ambassadors to them of Zurycke shewed theyr grief How that in tymes past all thinges were at a godly quiet and no contention of Doctrine at all But nowe through the meanes of Luther that fyrst began and Zuinglins and Leo Iude that preached amonges them interpretinge Godes worde after theyr owne iuste and appetite that godly peace and quietues of the churche and the common weale is nowe tourned into trouble and dissention And besydes that these incommodities do ensew vpon fastyng dayes they eate bothe Egges and Flesshe Religious folkes aswell men as women forsaking theyr profession and orders do marrie Gods seruice is laide downe they singe no more in the Churche they neglect confession and penaunce the Masse is railed on our Lady and the sainctes dishonoured theyr Images pulled downe and broken the sacramentes had in contepte in so muche that nowe a daies the sacred holy host that representeth Christes body can skarsely be safe in the Priestes haides These are thinges to be lamēted and to be auenged also with the losse of life and goods Wherfore they desyre them to leaue their newe doctrine and perseuer in the olde religion of their fathers for they can beare this gere no longer But in case there be any thinge wherin they fynde them selues offended with the Bishop of Rome Cardinals Byshoppes and suche others whan they entre into benefices choppe and chaunge them and gather vp all the money in the countrey vsurping and taking ouer muche vpon them if these and suche other like things do molest and greue them they will not refuse to helpe to reforme the same for they do mislyke them very muche them selues The Senate of Zuricke aunswered the .xxi. daye of Marche that their ministers of their church had preached there fyue yeares Whose doctrine at the begynnynge semed vnto them newe because they had not heard the like before but after that they vnderstode how the ende therof was to shewe Iesus Christ the aucthor of saluation who dyed for the sinnes of the world who a loue deliuered vs wretches frō death euerlasting being the onely aduocate of mankinde to God the father they could not but wyth feruent desyre embrace so ioyful newes there was great agrement and concorde in times past betwixt the Apostles and those which after theyr time embraced Christes doctrine the same they trust shall be nowe also amonges such as giue their minds hereunto And if Luther or any other do so teache it is well done neyther ought Gods word to be called his doctrine And although they do honor Christ only yet do they no iniurie therfore to the virgin Marye or other saints For al they being here in earth loked for eternall saluatiō by the onely name of Christ and nowe is there such a light giuen that in maner all men within their citie do reade the Bible diligently so that the ministers can not wrast a wrye that is so continuallye in all mens handes wherefore there can be no secte obiected vnto them but that name accordeth to them which to mainteine their lucre and dignitie wraste Gods worde whither they list They are said to be in an error
satisfied Which commynge to the handes of others styrred vp newe commotions in sundry places Whylest these thinges were a brewing Ulriche duke of Wirtemberge whom certeine yeres before they of the confederacie of Suelād had driuen out of the coūtrey got an armie of Swices thinking to recouer his dukedome but beyng resisted by Fernandoes captains that kept the townes therof and by others of the foresaid confederacy and last of all wantyng money he gaue ouer his enterprise In the meane tyme the hoste of the Bowres was much increased And the power of the Princes which had giuen the repulse to the Duke of Wirtēberge and recouered the townes that he had taken went against thē to Ulmes which had gathered three armies whereof one had pitched nere vnto Biberake an other in Algouia and the thyrde by the lake of Cōstaunce There was muche intreatye for peace betwixte them by them of Rauesbourge and Campodune Also the Senate of thempire being carefull for the state of the common welth sent to Ulmes Simon Pistor which was for duke George of Saxonie And Iames Sturmnus a noble man of the Senate of Strausburge to treate of peace with the counsellours of the Princes confederated commaundyng eyther partie in the Emperours name to withdraw theyr warre vnder a greate penaltie But when neyther peace nor trewce could be taken certeine bandes of horsemen wente from Ulines to Elchinge whiche is by the Riuer of Danubius and slewe a great numbre of the Bowres and brought many prisoners backe into the citie After that George Truckese chiefe capitaine of the Sueuical league marching forward with his army came to Lippene a little towne by Danubius two miles beneth Ulmes where was a great numbre of Pesauntes who neyther taryinge for the footemen nor for the Munition gaue the charge with his horsemen and slewe the mooste parte of them the rest toke the Riuer and were drowned the towne beyng gyuen vp was taken spoyled and many therin beheaded When Truckesse after this victorie would haue gone agaynst the resydew the fotemen whiche were lead by Wylliam Furstemberge would not forward before they wer paid as though they had fought a battell but the Captaine saide it was no battell and that the enemies were discomfited or euer they came yet longe it was before they could be pacified Then was there a new entreatie of peace But when nothing could be concluded and this Armie marched against them that wer in Algouia who would haue had all men a lyke what tyme they should ioyne in battel some ran away the rest yelded them selues at the Ides of Aprill But in this meane while in another parte of Sueuia there assembled an other great numbre about Hala and Franckonie which vpon Easterday beyng the .xvi. of Aprill toke the towne of Winsperge and slewe diuerse noble men therin And amonges others Lewes Erle of Helfestene in a most cruell sorte runnyng them through with speares and him so muche the more cruelly for that they did it in the sight of his wife which was bastarde daughter to themperour Maximilian who cariyng a yonge childe in her armes fell downe at theyr feete lamenting and wepyng most miserably to beholde axing pardon for her husbande and father of the same childe whom they spurned at and vtterly reiected But Capitaine Truckesse who had discoinfited the other three Armies before mentioned marched streight vpon them also and slew two or three thousande of them putting the rest to flighte punishynge greuously the prysoners namelye those whiche had fleyne the Countie Helfestene where one he tyed to a stake with a longe chaine that he might ronne vp and downe and with a fyre made rounde about him burnt him others of the nobilitie do the like After he fyreth the towne of Winsperge and cōmaunded that it should neuer be builded againe Another troupe of them went into Franckonie and burned there two hundreth castels and aboue besydes Abbeis and noble mens houses And taking the citie of Wirciburge they beseged the castell But Truckesse commynge vpon them throughe the Countrey of Wittemberge vanquished them also and put them to flight After he recouereth Wirciburge and reskeweth the castel beseged beyng aided by Lewes coūtie Palatine which was there in his owne parson And out of Germany this broile went into Loraine in so much that Anthony duke therof accompanied with his brother Claude Duke of Guise who had gathered vp the remenaunt of the Frenche armye dispersed at the battel of Pauie when the kyng was taken went to Sabernes wheras muche people was assembled as well of Lorayne as of Alsate And wheras no Bowres resorted to aide the others he made out certeine horsemen and fotemen against them who at a village called Lupfsteine slew of them to the nūbre of a thousand fyue hūdred the residew escaped by flyght The nexte daye he made a great slaughter of those that were at Sabernes Where notwithstandyng he kept not promise For commaundyng them to laye downe theyr weapons and promisyng them all pardon when they had done accordyngly goyng home wardes without any weapon they were slayne by the horse men and fotemen the most part of them After the towne and the Bishoppes Castell were spoiled by the lewde foldiours and the Citizens also slayne all without any respecte or mercie When the Duke retourned home from this slaughter an other armye of Bowres had encamped in the valley of Willers kepinge the streightes that he shoulde not passe but when they ioyned in battel they were slaine aboue .iiii. thousande in the same conflicte he lost the Erle of Iserburge And thus he retourned home with much spoile and many prisoners There were slaine as it is thoughte in these three places aboute an eghtene thousande This was in the monthe of May. The like successe had others in all places And at Petersheme besydes Wormes a great numbre were murthered by the soldiours what time they had rēdred thē selues and layde a parte their weapons At the which slaughter were present the Countie Palatine and tharchbishop of Treuers The Countie did the best in his power to stay and pacifie the soldiors the other did not only allow theyr doynges but also killed many with his own hands as it was crediblie reported Notwithstādyng in sundry places through the policie of the Magistrates the thing was appeased quietlye as at Friburge in Brisgoye whither the Senate of Straus at the request of Gnest Marques of Baden that had great lands there sent Iames Sturmius and Conrade Iohame ambassadors by whose perswasiō and the Ambassadors of Basill together all those that encamped at Lara foure miles from Straus were appeased the .xxv. day of Iuly Where yet fidelitie fayled For many after they came home were executed Likewyse the Heluetians appeased an other rebellion in Sontgauia a Prouince belongyng to kinge Fernando and the house of Austriche declaringe vnto them what was the dewtie of a Magistrate and of the people also
appeale to a general counsell in the same maye all griefes be decyded and I requyre that the same maye be called so shortlye as may be Where he speaketh of two lightes he followeth herein the wordes of Innocentius the thyrd which applieth the two great lyghtes that God created the one to guyde the day the other the nyght to the byshops and princelyke dignitie But that whiche ministreth Godly thinges to be muche more excellent then that which gouerneth polytike matters only And loke what different is betwyxte the sonne and the mone so great a diuersitie is there betwyxt the office of the high byshop a kinges office Whan Cesar had made this aunswere to Clemēt he wryteth also to the coledge of Cardinalles the sixt day of October signifiyng that he is not a little sory to heare that byshop Clement is confederated with the French kyng who reneweth warre agaīst him afreshe how the bishop hath sent him letters of defiance which he supposeth were writtē by their cōmon assent wherat he marueleth not a little considering there is no kyng that beareth more loue and affection to the churche of Rome than he Witnes Parma Placence whiche being cities of the Empyre and plucked from it of late he hath not withstanding restored to the churche all be it he was by no ryght bounde so to do And the princes and states of Germanye cōplayned vnto him at Wormes of sondry iniuries done by the courte of Rome and required a recompence but he for a singular loue naturall inclination towardes the churche of Rome passed ouer their requestes with deaf eares And where as great sedition and trouble ensued therupon through out all Germanye and the Princes there had appointed another counsel he for the indemnitie of the bishop church of Rome countremaunded the same vnder a great penaltie and to appease their myndes he put them in hope of a general counsell to be holden out of hande Wherfore the byshop hathe done hym great iniury whiche hath done so muche for his sake that he hath by the same meanes lost the good wylles of the princes of the Empire he desyreth them therfore to admonyshe the byshop of his duty that he appointe a counsell and perswade hym to incline his mynde to peace rather then to warre whiche if he refuse and wyll differre the counsell that then they would call it for if the christian cōmon wealth susteyne any losse or dammage eyther for the want of a counsell or for long delaye of the same it ought not hereafter to be imputed to him After the newes came out of Hongary of the great ouerthrowe there the prynces set forward their Ambassade appointed at Spires to the Emperour with the great spede And for the more expedition they intreate the Frēche kyng to graunt them a saufeconduicte to passe into Spayne through Fraunce whiche he graunted prescribing them a certen tyme to passe in and toke an occasion hereby to wryte vnto them the .vj. of Octobre That for the losse of Hongary the death of Lewis the kynge and the daunger that approched Germany he had conceiued an inwarde sorowe in his minde and nothyng lesse lamented that the publique wealth also peryshed through ciuile warres it was not surely lōg of him that Christome is not quiet but this to be the Emperours faulte who refuseth al honeste and reasonable conditions of peace And for so much as he is neither moued with the cōmon losse destruction nor with the moste vnworthy death of his brother in lawe king Lewis nor yet with the miserable estate of his owne sister now a wydowe nor cōsidereth not in what daunger standeth Austriche they shal do wel according to their dutie if they can exhorte perswade him vnto peace to kepe loue amitie with kinges that dwell nere hym and refrayne this vnmeasurable couetousnes for this should be more honorable for hym than if he styll endeuour to get other mens landes and possesse all him selfe alone his progenitours kynges of Fraunce haue often times fought many battelles with the ennemies of christentie the same myght nowe be done with their powers ioyned in one if the Emperour be so mynded wherfore in case they can deuise to bring this thing to passe he wyll bestowe on the Turkyshe warre al his force and him selfe also but if not no man blame hym if he assaye to recouer by force of armes suche thynges as by good wyll he can not for it stādeth him vpon rather to seke for peace which is nerer the Turkes daunger thā he is Whan Cesar was aduertysed of these letters the .xxix. of Nouēbre he writeth to the Princes and first he rehearseth howe mercyfully and gently he vsed the Frenche kynge prysoner howe he set hym at lybertie howe he gaue hym in marriage his eldest syster to hym in degree of succession the seconde And where as he all thynges beyng quyeted as he supposed was takynge his iourney into Italye to the entent he myghte bende hys whole force agaynste the perpetuall ennemyes of the Christiane Religion he breakynge his fidelitie and makynge a league wyth Byshop Clement and certen others and deuydynge emonges them the kyngdome of Naples whiche they had alreadye in hope conceyued to be theyr owne Renewed mortall Warre By meanes whereof he coulde not delyuer the countrey of Hongary from the violent fury of the Turkes being forced to defende his owne limites And where as he pretendeth to lament the death of kyng Lewis and destruction of Hongary it is a playne dissimulatiō to the intent he myght by some meane put to silence such as founde his letters and do constantly affirme that the Turke attēpted this warre through his instigation When he was in Spayne and synce his retourne home also he confirmed by his letters the obseruation of conue nauntes but for as muche as he hath his kingdome liyng in the middes of all Europe he is carelesse and seketh warres contention therby to make his profite Besides the wrytinge before mentioned there came forth in the French kinges name an Apologie in his defence declaring the causes why he stādeth not to the peace of Madrice Wherunto an answere was made in the Emperours behalf at large For as muche as the Turke had Buda with a great parte of Hongary oppressed the people miserably being a great terrour to Germany Certē princes of the Empire consulted at Eslyng to write spedely to the Emperour intreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly as might be in consideration to the great daunger that than hanged ouer the Empire in these letters written the .xix. of Decēbre they make mentiō of the Ambassade that they were determined to haue sent vnto hym but because they should haue trauailed through Fraunce the kynge wold graunt them saufe conduict but only for .iiij. monethes wherof one was past before the Ambassadours should mete together the time wold be much shortned Therfore to
a league with them of Zuricke Bernes and Basyll whiche were both nerer vnto them and accorded better in Religion to the intent they myght at all tymes be able to defende them selues from iniurye The condicions were that if they shoulde be attempted with force of armes for Religion sake that then those cities should sende ayde and men as many as shal be requisite yet so that they of Strausborough shall gyne vnto euery thousand of fote men two thousād crownes by the moneth in parte of recompence Agayne if it be their chaunce to be first assauted the citie of Strausborough shal ayde them with no mē but with thre thousand crownes euerye moneth whylest the warre shall endure Moreouer if their ennemies be founde in any part of the others dominions not to escape free but to suffer accordinge to the lawe of Armes If they shall be warred vpon all at ones then euerye cytie to beare theyr owne charges Strausborough shall in tyme of peace sende vnto Zuricke when they may conuenientlye ten thousande poundes of gunne powder and as many rasers of Wheate vnto Basyll Wherof shall be nothyng spent but in tyme of warre then to delyuer it out to the townes men vpon a reasonable price If they shall come to ayde them of Strausborough they maye spende of the powder so muche as shall be nedefull and in the warre common to them both they to paye the one halfe for the same This league was made for fyftene-yeares the fyft daye of Ianuary When this was knowen Fridericke Palatyne presydent of the counsell imperiall addressed his letters vnto them aboute the ende of the same moneth signifiyng howe it is commonly reported that they haue made a league with certen townes in Swycerlande whereat he marueyleth not a lyttle that they whiche are bounden to the Empyre should enter into league with others without the consent of the Emperour and the states of the Empyre and all be it that moste men affirme it to be trewe yet wyll not he credite the thynge before he shal vnderstande it by them selues Wherfore he requyreth them to declare playnely by wryting vnto hym whiche representeth the place of the Emperour what the league is and what conditions they are agreed vpon The Protestauntes had appoynted an other assemblye at Norinberge whyther came the Ambassadours of certen Prynces and cyties who for so muche as it was thought howe the Emperour would call a counsell shortly agreed vpon this only that in the meane tyme they should consulte what to propounde in the same and euerye moneth to aduertyse the Duke of Saxon what thynges they thought mete that the reste myght vnderstande it by hym And thus departed the fourth Ides of Ianuarye In the meane whyle the Emperour whiche was come to Bononye the fyfte daye of Nouembre the one and twentye daye of Ianuarye dispatchynge his letters into Germanye sommoned a parliament of all states at Auspurge the eyght daye of Apryll chyefiy for the cause of Religion the Turky she warre After the foure and twenty daye of Februarye he was not wtithout great pompe and solempnitie inuested by the Byshop of Rome whan he had fyrst taken his othe to be the cōtinuall defendour of the Byshoppes dignitie Before he came at Bononye as he should enter within the lymites of the byshoppes iurisdiction there were three Cardinalles sent by the byshop of Rome to demaunde and take his fidelitie that he should neuer do any iniury to the libertie of that churche He aunswered in such sorte as he declared that he would lose no part of his right signifiyng secretly that Parme and Placence belonging to the Dukedome of Millan whiche townes the churche of Rome possessed at the same tyme. Departing out of Bononie he created Fridericke Duke of Mantua In tymes past Mantua was a free citie of the Empyre but afterwardes being sore afflicted with vprores ciuile tumultes they chose Lewys Gonzaga to be their gouernour for expulsyng of a Tyraunt called Passeryne the yeare of our Lorde M .ccc. xxvii whose nephewes sonne Iohn Frances the Emperoure Sigismunde created Marques the yeare M. cccc.xxxiiij the seconde daye of Septembre and remayneth in the same estate vntil this time The first that came to Auspurge was the Duke of Saxony with his sonne Iohn Fridericke in the trayne that came behynde was Philip Melaucthō Ihon Iselbe Agricola Iustus Ionas and George Spalatine the cytie Ulmes sent to mete and welcome the Emperour but they were longe or they myght be suffered to come to his speche in fine he requyred them to renounce the protestation of the yeare before and promesse to be obedient from henceforth The men of Auspurge had mustered eyght hondreth footemen to kepe their Towne whan the Emperour hearde of it he commaunded them to be discharged and he appoynteth and sweareth others in theyr steade requyred one gats of the Cytie to be delyuered vnto hym certen dayes before that he came thether Cattinarie that was newly made Cardinall dyed this tyme at Isprouke and Granuellane had his rowme And about this tyme also the ladye Elenor with the kynges two sonnes Fraunces and Henry whiche had bene pledges for their father in Spayne foure yeares came nowe home into Fraunce After a whyle that the byshop had inuested themperour he sent vnto king Ferdinādo Peter paulle Uerger his legate with great authoritie Unto whome he gaue in cōmaundemēt especially to deuise with Ferdinando that he shuld endeuour to let hinder that prouincial coūsel of Germany that in no wyse there should any be holden He handleth his cōmissiō right diligently seketh al meanes possible to hynder the Lutherians and extended his lyberalitie towardes Iohn Faber Eckius Chocleus and Nanseas that they should play the men and made Eckius a Cannon of Ratisbonne as the bishops legate in whose presence the right of Election ceasseth the Emperour came to Auspurg at the Ides of Iune and in his company the Cardinall Campegius with the byshoppes full authoritie The Emperour had purposed to haue rydē into the citie in the middes ther Ferdinando and the Cardinall but because it was against the maner of the Empyre the Archebyshop of Mentz and Collen rode before hym and after hym Ferdinando and Campegius The nexte day was Corpus Christi day the Emperour therfore wēt deuoutly to the churche and the Cardinall of Mentz sayde Masse All the Prynces were present except the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue the two Dukes of Lunenboroug George of Brandenburge and the Countie Anholde The Emperour in dede had both wylled them to be there and to put their preachers to silence but thei neither came them selues nor yet imposed silence to their preachers which they sayd they could not for as muche as the same assemblie was appointed to the intent al mē might speake their consciences Two dayes after was a proclamation made that the preachers on both sydes should kepe silence til the
from fleshe on dayes forboden not to faste in the Lent ceason not to cōfesse their synnes is an obstinate frowardnes and not Christian lybertie These beyng recyted they confessed howe there were many thynges that woulde be refourmed The Emperour promyseth to doe his endeuour that both these thynges maye be redressed and the state of the churche also refourmed sayeth howe he trusteth surely for as muche they are agreed vpon dyuerse thynges that the Protestantes wyl retourne to the bosome of the churche and submitte them selues vnto hym whiche if they doe there is nothynge but they maye be bolde to craue and loke for at his hande but if not then must he nedes do as becometh the protectour and defendour of the churche Wherunto the Prynce of Saxony aunswered for him selfe and his fellowes For as muche as they promised at the fyrst that if they went about the reconsiliation of Religion they woulde then doe what so euer they myghte with a saufe conscience Moreouer if that any errour coulde be founde in their doctrine and proued by the testimonies of Scripture they would not stande in it furthermore that if they requyred a further declaration it should be geuen And nowe seynge that of this their doctryne some articles be admytted and some refused it is requisite that they shoulde confyrme theyr thynges the more playne and manifest reasons wherfore they desyre to haue a copie of the confutation After two dayes when the Emperour had taken long delyberation he sayde they shoulde haue a copie but vnder this condition that they should put forth no part therof in prynte Also he wyll haue no further disputation in the matter requyryng them to be ordered by hym but they shewe hym howe they can not receyue it vppon that condition The next daye whiche was the syxt of August the Lantgraue departed from thence with a small company leauing his deputes The Emperour toke this displeasauntly and commaunded the Senate that they shoulde suffer none to departe out of the Citie by the posternes in the nyght ceason And the nexte daye sendyng for the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes he dissembled not his displeasure requyryng them to tary tyll the later ende and he wyll do what he can to make a cōcord They excuse the Lantgraue by his wyues sycknes and shewe hym howe he hath lefte his deputes and saye that they wyll not departe Notwithstandynge they maruell to see the gates kept with watche warde For it hath not ben thus accustomed in any assemblye of the Empyre Cesar excuseth the matter to be done sor a murther committed and for the dissention that is betwene the Germaynes and Spanyardes but if any lyke trouble chaunce hereafter he wyl do nothing therein without makyng hym fyrst priuie to it whiche is high Marschall of the Empyre The Duke answereth that if any thyng happen wherin his duty is requyred he wyll be ready as it be commeth hym And so were the warders remoued from the gates the same daye About this tyme ended the warre of Florence wherof I shal somewhat declare by the waye What tyme Rome was sacked as I sayd before and the byshop taken the Florentines expulsed the house of Medices and after ayded the Frenchemen at the sege of Naples But when the byshop was restored to the intent he myght reuenge his kynsfolkes sending his Ambassadours into Spayne made a league with the Emperour promysing him emonges other thinges to crowne hym in case he wyll punyshe the Florentynes after their demerites The Emperour was content and shortly after arriueth at Genes Thyther came the Ambassadours of Florence to craue pardon Unto whome Cesar after he had sore blamed them made this aunswere Albeit they had deserued great punyshement yet might their fact be pardoned in case they would receiue againe the byshop of Rome for other way is there none to haue peace When they were come home with this answere after that the matter longe and muche debated the opinion of one or two preuayled whiche sayde they would defende their lybertie to the vttermoste of their power and inferred that not only the byshop but also the Emperour hym selfe was through long warres muche impoueryshed and wanted money Notwithstāding whan the Emperour was come to Bonony thei sent other Ambassadours but thei through the byshoppes counsel would not be receiued Wherfore being beseged with the armies of the bishop of Rome and the Emperour whan they had prolonged the warres almoste by the space of one yere In the moneth of August they fell to a composition with Ferdinando Gonzago the Emperours general of his armie Afterwardes the Emperour addressing his moste effectuall letters appointed Alexander Medices vnto whome he had promysed Margaret his bastarde daughter in marriage to be their Prince and ruler And he builded there a maruelous strong Castell the begynning of their seruitude and bondage When the towne was ones rendred the byshop of Rome Clement chopped of the heades of certen of the Senatours and set a new ordre in the commune wealth being assured that Alexander should be their gouernour according to the Emperours promise Now to our purpose agayne After muche debatinge at the Ides of August seuen were chosen on eche syde to frame the matter to a concorde Of the chatholyke syde were these the Byshop of Auspurg Henry Duke of Brunswike two lawayers and thre deuines Wimpine Eckius Cocleus of the Protestātes George Marques of Brādenburg Iohn Friderick of Saxon two Lawyers thre diuines Melancthon Brentius and Schnepsius These agreed vpon diuerse thinges but their chief controuersie was about the Masse the marriage of Priestes the Lordes supper monasticall vowes and the iurisdiction of Byshoppes but especially for the Masse and Uotaries for herein woulde the catholikes nothyng at all relent For other matters though they dyd myslyke them yet they sayde myght be suffered vntyll the counsell They permitted also priestes to haue wyues suche as were maried already but others not all this for auoyding of further trouble touchyng the power and Iurisdiction of byshoppes they of Saxony graūted more than the Lantgraues men the Dukes of Lunenburgh or they of Norinberge would allowe Then toke they a lesse numbre on eyther side thre Melancthon with the two Ciuiliās and Eckius with as many But in fyne they could not agree Whylest they were consulting together the Emperour doth solicite George the Marques of Brandenburge by the byshop of Mentz and others of the same familie and the Duke of Saxon by Friderick Palsgraue the Erle of Nasso and by George Truckesse that thei should leaue of their enterprise He sought to drawe awaye the Duke of Saxon from the reste as pryncipal and where he desyred to be inuested in his Duckdome after the custome of the Empyre he denied it vnlesse he would first reconcile him self to the churche of Rome and tolde to the other playnely that vnlesse he wold obeye he would take from him
the wardshyp of his nephewe Albert the sonne of his brother Casimire And they went about to perswade with the Lantgraue that in case he would agree vnto the Emperour Ulriche the Duke of Wyrtemberge should be restored and that an agrement myght be had by the Emperours meanes betwene hym and the Erle of Nassoe for the rule of Chattes In this Assemblie the byshop of Rome had graunted to kyng Ferdinando all maner of Plate and ornamentes of golde and syluer of all the churches in Germany for the Turkyshe warre and also to take a subsydie of the clergie but the Princes woulde not suffer it sollicityng the Emperour to make that decree frustrate The .xviij. of August Erasmus of Roterdame wryteth to Cardinall Campegius from Friburge Howe the Emperours power is in dede great but all men doe not acknowledge this name The Germanes do so acknowledge it that they rule rather thē obey Luthers doctryne is sowen abroade throughout Germany farre and neare in so muche that the chayne of this mischiefe reacheth from the Ocean sea vnto the vttermoste borders of Swycerlande Nowe if the Emperour shall attempt to accomplyshe the byshop of Romes desyre in all thynges it is to be feared lest he shall haue but fewe to commende his doinges Moreouer in what great daunger of the Turke we stande in whose power all the force of Europe is skant able to resyste And what a thynge it is to fyght with vnwyllyng souldiours it is manyfest by mo examples than one The Emperour doubtlesse is of nature inclyned to peace Neuerthelesse by a certen desteny haled and inforced to warres Fraunce and Italy haue bene sore afflicted wyth warre nowe of many yeares But this warre wyll doe more harme than all the reste if it be not well forseen Men are commonly perswaded that all these thynges are done through the instigation and counsell of the hyghe byshop But the feare is lest a great parte of the peril redounde to the Emperour him selfe Thei that loue sectes are in dede worthy of punyshement but yet ought rather a respecte to be had for the preseruation of the common wealth The state of the churche was in tymes past full miserable whan the Arrians Pagans Donatistes and the Manycheis sowed abroade their opinions and also the Barbarous nations made warre Notwithstandyng it waded out of all these daungers at the length For verely tyme it selfe wyl at laste bring remedy also vnto most daungerous diseases The Bohemers were borne with al though they did not acknowledge the byshop of Rome If the same were also permitted to the Lutheriās it were not amisse in his conceipt and all be it this were verye muche yet were it a great deale lesse euyll than warre The seuent daye of Septembre the Emperour sendeth for home to his house all the Pryntes and states catholicke about none And two houres after for the duke of Saxōs and his fellowes and commaunding all others asyde sauyng his brother Ferdinando the byshoppes of Constance and Hispalia Granuellan and Truckesse he speaketh by Fredericke Palsgraue on this wyse how he had trusted assuredly that beyng so frendly and gently warned after their confession exhibited they would haue taken his parte And all be it that his hope was in vaine yet at the request of the Princes he was content that certen should be chosen on eyther partie to conferre and to make an agrement And thus was he brought agayne in to a newe hope of a concorde But nowe he vnderstandeth to his great grief that they dissente from the others in the chiefest opinions whiche is cleane contrary to his expectation for he wold neuer haue thought that they beyng so fewe in numbre wold haue induced suche newe fanglednes against the auncient sacred custome of the whole vniuersal churche or chouse vnto them selues a seuerall religion so farre differinge frō the bishops of Romes religion his from king Ferdinandos al the princes states of the Empire yea from all the kinges and princes of the whole worlde But now for as much as their desire is to haue a generall counsel here to haue a quiet decree made he whiche chiefly coueteth quietnes wyll deuise with the byshop of Rome and other christiā Prynces to haue one called so soone as they can agree vppon a place This wyll he vndertake to brynge to passe but yet vnder this condition that in the meane tyme they shall obserue the same Religion that he and other Prynces doe For to procure a counsell and to suffer this gere to hange waueringe and not to prohibite this newe fanglednes euery man sayeth plainely howe sore and preiudiciall it woulde be to hym and others They make an delyberate aunswere that neyther they haue brought vp newe secte nor swarued frō the Christian churche In that he refused not a counsell they gyue hym great thankes desyryng hym that so shortely as is possible there maye be had in Germany a lawfull and a free counsell as in the laste and former assemblye of Spyres it was agreed vpon But to receiue again the ceremonies of the Romyshe churche ones abolished they can not with a good conscience The Emperour after long consultation aunswereth them agayne by Truckesse that he hath red ouer diligently all their disceptation and fyndeth that they swarue very muche from the Christian churche Marueylyng also at the lyghtnes of the other parte that they would graunte to so muche and agayne at their styffenes that would not take theyr offer And where they craue a counsell by the decrees of the Empyre it can take no place in them which refused the last decree protested against it and appealed from it whiche appellatiō notwithstanding he maketh none accompte of For reason woulde that the lesse parte should be comfourmable to the more But howe small an handfull are they to be compared with the great byshop and hym and with the rest of the Christian Prynces Wherfore he desyreth to knowe whether they wyl maynteyne any further talke or discourse of the matter for he wyll spare no payne nor trauayle to brynge them to an attonement whiche if they shall refuse to doe and yet perseuer in theyr purpose than muste he doe as becommeth the protectour of the churche And because it is now nere night he gyueth them leaue to take aduisement tyll the morrowe The next daye whan all the States were assembled at the howre appoynted Pontane a Ciuilian was set to aunswere for the Duke and his companions If the Emperoure in dede doe vnderstande the whole matter he wyll than geue credite to their fyrste tale and doubt not but that theyr doctryne shall be adiudged by the testimonie of a Godly and a free counsell to be agreable to Gods worde Wherfore it is the lesse to be marueyled that they dyd not receyue suche thynges as were of late offered and graunted That appellation of necessitie was obiected againste that parte of the decree where it made
hande The next day after they were gone the Emperour calleth before hym all the states and first he commaūdeth the Ambassadours of the cities by Truckesse that they shuld not departe before the end of the Assemblie after that declareth what had bene done with the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes and because the cities of Strausborough Constance Memmyng and Lyndaue had exhibited a seuerall byll by them selues he sheweth howe he wyll treate with them in lyke case After are debated other matters of the Empyre chiefly of the Turkyshe warre This tyme at Rome the Ryuer of Tiber ouerflowed exceadingly to the great terrour of the citie by reason that the wynde blewe sore against the streame droue backe the course of the water from the sea wherfore it did much hurte A lyke deluge and more cruell was in Hollande and Zelande where the Sea brake in ouer the walles that are made to kepe it out in those parties and drowned al the countrey farre and nere Finally the xiiij daye of Octobre whan al the states besydes the Protestauntes were called and assembled in the courte the decree was red to the Ambassadours of the Cities who requyryng a Copye were sayde naye but it was repeted ones or twyse When al for the moste parte had allowed it they of Auspurge Ulmes Hales and Franckeforth desyred further delyberation the eight day after the deputes of the Duke of Saxon his fellowes declare vnto the Archebishop of Mentz whiche is chief emonge the Prynces that if they maye haue their Religion quiet vntill the counsell they are also contented to become cōtributaries with them for money and ayde towardes the Turkyshe warre wherfore the next daye beyng called into the courte there was red before them a certen tenure of the peace wherin they only were comprised whiche had consented vnto the decree made where about rose a contention the Ambassadours affirming that it concerned them nothynge at all or if it did howe it ought to be vttered with playner wordes to take awaye all ambiguitie They said how they would moue it to the Emperour After two dayes the Emperour sent for home to his house thē of Strausborough and their fellowes and before all the states commaundeth the confutation of their doctryne to be red openly a wrytyng long and tedious and also where it touched the Lordes supper ful bytter and sower The authors therof were John Faber and Eckius And for because the argument was odiouse they left out no kind of excusation wherby to kyndle the Emperour and Prynces agaynst them the ende was this For as muche as in their Religion they professed an opinion contrary to al the reste and allowed that moste heynous errour of the Sacramēt had also cast their Images our of their churches abolyshed the Masse and plucked downe Colleges builded in tymes past through the lyberalitie of kynges Emperours maynteyned sondry sectes and dispersed their bookes wrytten of suche matters throughout Germany therfore he requyreth them eftsones to come to amendement and receyue agayne the auncient Religion for otherwise wyll not he fayle to do the thing which his office requireth They aunwer not long after that in this confutation they were charged with many thinges that were vntrue for in ther cities is nothyng done out of ordre but the same is extremely punyshed wherfore seing thei be clere in cōscience the cause weightie the cōfutation ouerlong can not be aunswered before they make certificat home to their cities they desyre fyrst therfore to haue a copie secondarely that credite be not geuen to this accusation before suche tyme as their pourgation be heard and examined In all other matters they wyll do any thyng for his sake The Emperour sayeth he wyll take aduisement and the fyst daye after she weth them by the Marques of Brandēburge how they can haue no copie For that was for weightie causes denied of the Duke of Saxony and all disputatiō of fayth is nowe prohibited But if they desyre to be reconciled and retourne agayne to the churche he is content that they shall heare the confutation red agayne ones or twyse but he chargeth them to professe the same kynde of doctrine that al other Prynces and states do and to gyue ayde against the Turke for vnlesse they forsake theyr stubburnes he wyll worke by the counsell of the byshop of Rome and other kynges as shal become hym After this they make a further sute to obtayne a copie and the same not graunted to haue peace and quietnes in their Religion tyll the begynnynge of the counsell and therin to haue their cause decided and they wyl in the meane time geue theyr ayde against the Turke so farforth as their power wyll extende or els could they graunte nothing The Maques promysed them to be a petitioner for them to the Emperour At after noone was red vnto them a graunt of peace wherein were only conteyned suche as receiued the decree as was rehearsed before to the deputes of the Dukes of Saxon and his fellowes wherunto they aunswered in lyke case that the same touched them nothyng and desyred to knowe further of the Emperours pleasure herein In this meane whyle had they of Ulmes Auspurge Franckeforth and Halles forsaken the decree made as concerning Religion and vrged sore to haue a cousel But Faber and Eckius craue a great rewarde of the Princes for makyng the confutations and had it And promyse from hēceforth to bestowe theyr trauayle in the defence of the Romyshe Religion For they and dyuerse others sought preferment by the meanes of Luther and in dede Faber was afterwardes by kyng Ferdinando made byshop of Uienne Wherupon Erasinus of Roterdame was wont to say merely howe poore Luther made many ryche In the meane ceason the Saxons and their fellowes put vp a supplication to the Emperour intreating hym to establyshe a peace throughout the Empyre that no man be put in trouble or daunger for Religiō But where this coulde not be obtayned they wryte an Epistle to all states makyng a brief rehearsall what thinge hath bene done desyryng that the names of their Prynces be not put in to the later ende of the decree emonges the reste And for as muche as they haue sued for peace in vayne they saye howe they can graunte none ayde to the Turkyshe warre More ouer where it is prouided in the decree that they only shall haue place in iudgement and counsell chamber whiche allowe the decree made they requyre that the same may be chaunged and amended for els can they beare no parte of the charges whiche the chambre requyreth What tyme they had thus denounced they departed the next daye beyng the .xij. of Nouembre I shewed you in the fyft booke howe Marques Albert of Brandenburge was by the kyng of Pole made Duke of Pruselande But the Emperour beyng sued vnto by Walter Cronberge disallowed all that treatie or cōpacte as made to the dammage of the Empyre and
loke as theyr Duke Ernest would doe so woulde they also Afterwarde they consulted about geuyng theyr voices for sodayne ayde leuieng of money for continuall ayde chousyng of Captaines and receiuing of those that would be of the same league After that they appointed theyr attourneis and aduocates to aunswere for them in the lawe if the Emperour or any other should attempte sute against them And to this parte of defence adioyned them selues George Marques of Brandēburge Norinberge Campedowne Heilprune but the league they refused It was decreed moreouer that open crymes should be punished by eche man in his dominion Before the league was made they toke the aduyse and counsell not only of lawyers but also of the diuines And Luther taught alwayes that they myght not resiste the Magistrate and set forth a boke of the same matter But where as the lawyers in this consultation dyd affyrme howe the lawes did permitte in some cases to resiste and howe it was nowe come to the same point that the lawes made mencion of Luther confessed playnlye that he knewe not this to be lawfull before but for because the Gospell doeth not impugne nor abolyshe the polityke lawes as he hathe alwayes taught And agayne for as muche as in this doubtful and daūgerous tyme many thynges may happen so as not only the lawe it selfe but also the force of conscience and necessitie may dryue vs to take weapons he sayeth howe they make a league in their owne defence whether the Emperour hym selfe or any in his name shoulde moue warre against them In a booke also set forth he declareth firste howe obstinate the Romishe syde was in the conuocation at Auspurge secondly he warneth all men in generall that they obeye not the Magistrate commaunding them to take in hande any suche warre And he reciteth manye and moste detestable errours of the Romyshe doctryne whiche he sayth are mainteined of them that warre in those campes Wherein he sayeth is great wickednes he sheweth also howe greatly mens myndes are lyghtened by the knowledge of the Gospell warnyng men to tempre them selues from entryng in to wycked warres They appoyted an other metynge at Frankefurte the fourth daye of Iune wherein they should determyne whether they of Zurick Bernes or Basyll shoulde be receyued into the league without exception of any opinion or doctrine and the cities make a determinate answer touchyng the preparation for their defence And also an aunswer was framed in the meane tyme by the Duke of Saxon to the Emperours letters wylling them to take Ferdinādo for kyng of Romanes which thynge they wil not graunte to But whylest they were yet at Smalcalde they receyued letters from the Emperoure pourportinge howe the great Turke was comyng with an exceading great Armie to inuade Germany wherfore he charged them without exception to prepare their ayde to resiste They make aunswere howe they wyll after thensample of their progenitours refuse no charge or dutie that they owe to the cōmon wealth But he knoweth what threatning wordes the Marques of Brandenburge spake vnto them at Auspurge in his name and the rest of the Prynces and what thynges were there decreed against them howe they haue both there and synce sewed vnto hym for peace and can get no graunte nor answere Wherfore to sende their ayde agaynst the Turke whan they can obtayne no peace at home but are dryuen to loke dayly for outlawyng and violence were to vnarme them selues and to cut their owne senewes Howe be it if he wyll graunte them peace and quietnes frō the lawe and ciuile warre for Religion vntyll the tyme of the counsell they wyll doe agayne for theyr partes not only in the Turkyshe warre but also in all other affayres that concerne the common wealth that thynge whiche shall be their dutie requesting him to signifie vnto them by the same Ambassadours what his mynde and pourpose is herein In the moneth of Marche Rychard Archebyshop of Treers departed out of this lyfe not without the suspicion of poyson and one of his house being racked for the same through his constance and stoutenes escaped the daaunger This byshop was of great authorite emonges the Electours for his experience and frankenes in speakyng Whan they of Ulmes had asked leaue of the Senate of Strausborough Bucer went thether set an ordre in the churches prescrybing them a forme of Religion by the aduyse and counsell of Oecolampadius and Ambrose Blanrer About this tyme the Lady Mary the Emperours syster which was maried to Lewys kyng of Hongary came into Flaunders whom the Emperour made Regent of all the base countreis in the place of hys aunte Margaret lately departed Clement the seuenth was at sute with alphonse Duke of Farrare for the cities of Rhegio Mutina at the length makyng a compromisse they put it to the Emperours arbitrement who being at the same tyme in Brabant gaue sentence with the Duke of Farrare The Frenche kyng aunswereth to the letters of the Princes and cities of Protestauntes the .xxi. of Aprill How he desyreth nothing more than the concorde of all Europe and is right glad that they do also bende the same waye and couet to haue a counsel for the same appeareth vnto hym to be not only profitable but also ryght necessary And so ofte as he chaunceth into talke of refourming the cōmon wealth He iudgeth alwayes thatthere can be no surer foundation than if that holy spyrit vtterer of all truthe myght in this case be president Whereunto if others would geue lyke consent and a place myght be assigned for the counsell voyde of all daunger and suspicion where as euery man myght speake his minde frely nothyng be chief geuen to affections than in dede there were good hope that all should be well And where as they are carefull lest he should beare them the lesse good wyll by reasons of the sclaunders of their aduersaries they nede not to be afrayde for he is not wont to credit thynges lightlye that are reported of his ennemies but seing there is so great so auncient frendshyp betwene the kynges of Fraunce and Prynces of the Empyre what vngentylnes were this of his allies and frendes to cōceaue a sinistrall opinion especiall and they not harde for how muche he setteth by this olde amitie hereby it is well perceyued that what tyme he hath warre with the Emperour yet haue the Germaynes the citezens of the Empyre free accesse into Fraunce and libertie to passe from thence againe whan their marchaundise busines is done as muche at their owne pleasure as if they were at home in so muche as Fraunce may very well be called the mansion place of the prynces and citezens of Germany And al be it these thynges be cōmonly knowen yet are they not so great but that when occasiō shall serue he wyl do muche more for them in case as they do professe they shall not refuse the decree of a
of theyr enterpryse And whylest Ferdinando referreth the matter to the trial of the lawe they marche forwardes with their armie and the fourtene day of May chauncing to mete with theyr ennemies which were twelue thousand foote men they shotte of theyr ordinaunce and put them to flyght besydes the towne of Lausene in the lande of Wirtemberge The generall of Ferdinando his armie was Philip Counte Palatine who at the same battell had his hele stryken of with a great pece In the chase many were drowned in the Ryuer of Neccar wher into they ran headlong for feare of their ennemies that pursued them Whan the battell was done all men for the moste parte of the Dukedome of Wirtemberge yelded them selues to their naturall Prynce Ulrichus Asperge situated vpon a verey hyghe mountayne standyng alone also Urach Tubinge and Nipha all stronge castelles of nature in fine rendred also Ferdinando the fyrst of Maye set forth a proclamation that no man shoulde ayde that faction but that al men should resiste them to the vttermoste of their power and had wrytten to the Protestauntes his seueral letters touching the same matter And likewise had the Emperour done a litle before and openly no man did assiste them And al men marueled to what end this stiring wold grow to About the tyme of this warre the archbyshop of Mentz George Duke of Saxon the Lantgraues father in lawe sought the reconcilement of kyng Ferdinando and the Prince Electour of Saxon. And at Cadamea town of Boheme the last day of Iune sauing one they concluded a peace with those cōditions For religiō no force to be attempted nor any sute in the lawe commensed and the same peace that Cesar hath made to be obserued Ferdinando in the Emperours place shall brynge to passe that the Iudges of the chamber shall surcease from al proces against the Protestauntes amonges whome notwithstanding neyther Anabaptistes nor Sacramentaries nor any other suche lyke sectes be comprehended The Duke of Saxon and his fellowes shall acknowledge Ferdinādo for king of Romaines gyue him that title Ferdinando shall againe within a certen tyme deuise so with the Emperour other princes Electours that a decree be made after this sorte Whan tyme shall hereafter require to make a kynge of Romaines duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that than the Electours do first assemble and consulte whether the cause be iuste and reasonable and if it so appere that than they do proceade after the Tenure of the lawe Carroline That whiche shall be otherwyse done to be frustrate And vnlesse this decree be made within ten monethes than the Duke his fellowes not to stande bound to these cōdicions and that within the same time the Emperour shall also cōfirme the Dukes succession in the possessious of his father progenitours Ferdinando shal also endeuour that the Emperour do ratifie such compactes of matrimony as are betwixt the Dukes of Saxō and of Cleaue Whilest thei treate of these matters they take in hande also an other peace making And the Duke of Saxon offereth for the Lātgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge as their substitute that they shal ratifie what so euer they should agree vpon After muche debating the Dukedome beinge wholy recouered they cōdicioned thus Ulrich the Prince his heires males shall holde the Dukedome of Wirtemberge of kyng Ferdinando as Archeduke of Austriche and so to be his wardes and clientes if it fortune the house of Wirtemberge to be without heyres males than the Princes of Austriche to possesse that region to holde the same of the Empyre whiche they shal be bounden therunto Ulriche to acknowledge Ferdinando for king of Romaynes to make no league againste hym That the Lantgraue and Duke Ulriche restore suche goodes as they haue gotten in this tyme of warre to their owners that they doe constreyne no man to chaunge his Religion that it shall be lawefull for suche as are fled for feare or for shamefastnes to retourn home And they that lyste to take theyr goodes and goe where they wyll The peces of ordinaunce that were for the defence of Auspurge shall remaine to kyng Ferdinando the kinges debtes for his own priuate affayres he him selfe shall paye but that which was employed for the cōmoditie of the countrey the Duke shal aunswere For suche landes of the Dukedome as are holden of the kyngdome of Boheme the Duke and his heire shall holde styl of Ferdinādo his heires as kings of Boheme That Philip the Palsgraue and the residue of the prysoners be let go without raunsome that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall submitte them selues aske pardon of kyng Ferdinando either in their own persons or by their deputes than Duke Ulriche to receiue full state and possession of kyng Ferdinando Ferdinādo shall entreate that the Emperour will also forgeue thē for the charges of the warre nothinge to be required on either parte that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall sende vnto Ferdinando out of their armes fyue hondreth horse men and thre thousand fotemen whiche shall immediatly go to the sege of Munster of their cost and charge there to promyse their fidelitie to Ferdinando by an othe and if nede requyred to serue him for a thre monethes For at the same time was Munster a towne of Westphalia kept by the Anabaptistes beseged as hereafter shal be declared Wherfore king Ferdinando requyred of thē this aide for the winning of the towne Whan the Duke had by this meane recouered the countrey of Wirtemberge made his peace with Ferdinando before the yeare was ended he repaied the French king his money recouereth the possession of Mompelicarte And the lone money the king forgaue him whiche was no small somme This peace making did Peter Paule Uerger the byshops legate toke not very well And in Clements name did expostulate sore with king Ferdinando that he had taken Luther princes into his amitie And he answered that he dyd it in cōsideratiō of the time for the auoyding of further trouble What time Duke Ulriche was expulsed his sonne Christopher being a child of .iiij. yeares olde was first brought vp vnder the tuicion of his vncle Williā Duke of Bauer after that he was remoued frō thence to Insprouek a towne of Ferdinandos in the countie of Tirol And whē after the Turkes retire as I sayde before the Emperour retourned into Italy he through the motion aduise of his frendes cōueyeth him self out of the Emperours traine repareth again into Bauier For being the sole only heire this was thought to be the deuise that he sholde haue bene lead into some straūge countrey made religious but after that his father was restored he wēt into Fraūce attended vpon the frēch king When the matter was pacified the Lātgraue sent a messager with letters to the Emperour in Spain the cōditions of peace in writing craning pardon for him self for duke Ulrich
from henceforth promiseth al due obediēce for him for the other This was in the moneth of Iuly And in Septēbre following the Emperour answereth hym by letters frō Ualentia how that he vnderstode the whole matter already by his brother Ferdinādo vnto whome he hath written his mynde in this behalf now sheweth him more by his Ambassadour by whō he may vnderstand of his clemencie and desire of peace and quietnes Wherfore he doth admonishe him to perfourme in deede the thinges which he hath promised in wordes vsing him self obediētly eschewig all troublesome coūsell During the warres of Wirtēberge Fraunces Sfortia duke of Millā taketh to wife Christine the daughter of Christierne king of Denmarck captiue the Emperours nece by his syster The Frenche kyng would haue moued warre agaynst hym But the death of Clement the seuenth with whome as I sayde before he had made a league was supposed to haue bene the lette and delaye therof For he being diseased in the stomack whan after the aduise of his phisicion Curtius he had chaunged his diet being an aged man dieth in this moneth of Septembre and had to his successour Paule the third surnamed Farnesius whiche shortly after made Alexander his young Nephewe by his Bastarde Sonne Peter Aloise and his Nephewe Ascanius by his bastarde daughter Constance bothe Cardinalles After that he calleth home Peter Paule Uerger oute of Germany to vnderstande the state of the countrey And he consulteth with his Cardinalles howe the counsell myght be differred tyll suche tyme as by their priuie practyse they might fynde the meanes to set the Emperour and other kynges together by the eares In conclusion they agreed to sende Uerger againe into Germany to make promyse of a generall counsell and that he should so handle the matter that their craft and subtiltie were not suspected as it was in Clementes tyme And that he should aduertyse the prynces howe the counsell should be holden at Mantua and there to entreate of the condicions And that he shoulde chiefly marke what forme of disputation the Protestauntes would seke to haue that one 's knowen he myght after prescribe vnto them suche lawes as he knewe they woulde not come there for the same He had also commaunded him to incense the hartes of Prynces against the kyng of Englande whose Realme he intended to geue awaye for a pray to hym that coulde get it And that he shoud see more ouer whether that Luther and Melancthon myght throughe anye meanes be broughte from their purpose Also certen Cardinalles and byshoppes were chosen to deuise some refourmation for the Clergie whiche in fyne was made and puplished as in place shal be declared Kynge Ferdinando was causer that Paule sent againe Uerger saying that he was a very fitte man for the purpose At this tyme was Andrewe Gritte Duke of the state of Uenyse a man of great authoritie for his singular wysdome and experience Who what tyme he liued at Constantinoble had a bastarde sonne called Lewys whiche being there brought vp frō his yougth where he had a good witte by his syngular industrie had attayned to great ryches and throughe his lyberalitie had gotten many Frendes first by the gentlemen of the courte and after by the meanes of Ibrain Bascha who at that tyme myght doe all thynges alone he was so well knowen with the Emperour Soliman that he was also admitted vnto his priuate talke Thus vsing the oportunitie of tyme through the beneuolence and liberalitie of the great Turke he came in to Hongary with great power dignitie to possesse that part of Slauonie that is next vnto the borders of Uenife to his own priuate vse to kepe the nether part of Hongary wherof Belgrade is chiefe for the Emperour of the Turkes He had a sonne named Anthony bishop of Quineueecclesia whom bishop Clement purposed for his father grādfathers sake to haue made Cardinall But in the meane whyle that Lewys was in hope of no lesse than a kyngdome and had in muche reputation of all men And that his father was glad exceadingly of the good and lucky successe of his Sonne by occasion of a grudge and a faction reysed againste him he was taken by his aduersaries and beheaded aboute the same tyme that Paule succeded Clement In this meane tyme beginneth anewe persecution in Fraunce againste them that were anye thynge suspected of Lutheranisme wherof in dede the occasion was this In the citie of Paris and certen other places and euen within the kynges palace aboute one tyme in the night season sondry billes were set vp against the masse and other poinctes of Religion And streight wayes inquyrie and searche was made and many were apprehended some by information and some by suspition whiche after they were racked were brent alyue and vnstrangled whiche was terrible to beholde For they beyng fastened to an engyne and lifted vp in to the ayre wer after let downe into the fyre from on hyghe and there fynged skorched were hoysed vp agayne and at the length the hangeman shoulde cut the corde and they fall downe into the fyre vnderneath them And suche also as were any thynge learned had their tongues cut out lest either thei should vtter the cause of their death or declare vnto the people the somme of their doctrine And for this busines was Iohn Motine the Lieuetenaūt Criminell a very mete minister For as he could moste craftely smel and searche them out that were any thynge at all suspected so lykewyse whan he had founde them in execution and extreme punyshement he passed in all extremitie Neuerthelesse at the same tyme came forth a booke in Frenche without the name of the authour against Romyshe marchauntes tempered with mirth and grauitie And first he sayeth howe that marchandise is a kynde and trade of lyfe neyther dishonest nor vnprofitable for the common wealth so it be voyde of fraude and auarice For of this kynde of men Christe toke his similitude what tyme he commaunded that the talentes receiued should be occupied that they might be made gainfull Whiche place in dede is to be vnderstande in a mistery for nothynge lesse becommeth the pastours and ministers of the churche than the lest suspicion of filthy lucre Notwithstanding almighty God being offended with the wickednes of men hath suffered to enter into his churche not only ryche and welthy marchauntes but also theues and murtherers For who wyll not call hym a thefe that eyther selleth an othermans goodes for his owne or counterfeited wares for ryght and true Is not the bier foule disceaued But this thyng hath chaunced vnto vs longe synce For in steade of true shepeheardes are crept in exceadyng rauenyng wolues And al be it that no mans witte or tongue is sufficiētly able to expresse theyr craft and subtiltie yet wyll I touche it a little Wherfore these marchauntes of whome I speake here are craftie beyonde
sayeth howe he wil go to kyng Ferdinando abiding there for their aunswere He had been before in Saxony and had spokē with Luther at wyttemberge And in his retourne to kyng Ferdinando he met with the Duke comming from thence homewarde The Protestauntes were appointed before to mete at Smalcalde the sixte of December for other matters Wherfore the .xxi. of the same they framed an aunswere for the byshops of Romes Ambassadour whiche they saye is not so exacte as the thynges requyreth yet for as muche as he desyred to haue the same with expedition playne manifest And first howe they haue declared their myndes concerning a counsell both in diuerse assemblies and also two yeare synce to the Emperours and byshop Clementes Ambassadours For they also wyshe to haue a lawfull counsel for the preseruation of the cōmon wealth and common saluation of all men and haue required this of the Emperour ioyntly with other Princes who also thought it nedefull hym selfe doubting not but all good men do desyre suche a counsell as may helpe and profite the common wealth For it greueth many good men that the true and holsome doctrine is through the wicked crueltie of certen men euery where oppressed the members of the churche tone a sondre and open crymes mainteined but suche crueltie becommeth not the Rulers of the churche Wherfore if euer there were any nowe is moste nede of a counsell that bothe the olde accustmed vyces maye be roted out and also vniuste violence and crueltie be restrayned and the churche from henceforth set in due ordre They therfore wyll not fayle the common wealth herein but wyll ryght gladlye come vnto suche a counsell as in sondrye assemblies of the Empyre hath bene agreed vpon Besechyng God that all the doinges there may redounde vnto his glory and the saluation of men And wher as the bishop hath chosen Mantua to be the place they truste assuredly that the Emperour wyll not in this poynte swarue from the decrees of the Empyre and his owne promyse also in as muche as it was prouyded that the counsell should be holden in Germany For where he sayeth it is daungerous keping of the same there the truthe is farre other wyse for what peryll can be there where all the Prynces and Cyties are obedient to the Emperoure onlye Where the Cyties be so ordered that they defende straungers from iniuries and saue them from all peryll Therfore oughte it chieflye to be kepte there to the intent that matters in controuersie might duely be debated that men might frankely speake and iudge vpryghtly and feare no force nor faction but saye theyr myndes freely Two yeares paste Clement the seuenth promysed a counsell with conditions verye captions And nowe the chiefest point is craftely left out touchyng the lybertie of the counsell and more of the treatie and partlye referred to the Byshop of Rome whose office they saye it is to call and ordre the counsell Nowe is the byshop whiche hath so ofte condempned theyr religion and doctrine their opē enemie But in case they should permitte theyr aduersary to geue iudgement than coulde not the counsell be free wherein by the aduyse of the Emperour and other Prynces Mete men should be chosen out of the whole numbre whiche accordyng vnto Gods worde might heare and determine the cause For a counsell is the iudiciall seate not only of the byshop of Rome but of all other states also for it is to be proued by the examples of the primatiue churche and also by holy scripture that Prynces and other states haue in tymes paste been admitted in counselles for the hearyng of matters But wheresome woulde haue the byshoppes power to be aboue the authoritie of the whole churche it is agaynst all reason and full of tyrannye For it belongeth as well to the Emperour and other ciuile states to set in foote in counselles and to chose experte men especiallye in suche causes where the byshoppes errours be impugned that is to wytte false doctrine and Idolatry for this thynge is permitted also by the byshop of Romes lawe And feinge that this is the vniuersall cause of all men and concerneth the whole common wealth it is the Emperours parte and other Prynces to forsee that vpryght iudgement be had For both other byshops of their owne people and also byshoppes of Rome haue in times paste bene condempned for Heresy and obstinacie of the Emperoure and the churche together And at this tyme there is contention of manie weightie matters whiche the byshop doth defende not in wordes only but also by wycked and cruell decrees punishyng most sharpely suche as obey not the same For as muche therfore as he is an aduersary and susteineth the one halfe of the sute the thinge it selfe requireth that the whole church the Emperour other kinges take in hande to prescribe an ordre for the deciding of the matter wherfore as they haue done euer so they requyre nowe also that the matter maye be handled vpryghtlye accordynge to the examples of holye wrytte and the olde primatiue churche And if it so maye be they wyll not be behynde with theyr partes trustynge that truthe shall come to lyghte and the glorye of our Sauioure Christe be aduaunced and tranquillitie be restored to the Churche but if it be otherwyse there is no doubte but greater commotions wyll arryse therof than hytherto hath bene seen for their partes they wil at no tyme neglecte the common wealth And as they can not forsake nor shrynke from the true doctrine so lykewyse in all other matters they will do all thynges for peace and concorde The kyng of Fraūce whiche was fully determined to make warre in Italy sent Ambassadour Williā Bellaye to this assemblie at Smal calde Who the .xix. daye of Decembre had there an eloquent oration And first he excuseth the kynges seueritie in punyshynge certen of his owne subiectes whiche not withstanding was nothing preiudicial or hurtfull to their cause of Religion though some euill tongues dyd reporte so no more than it was displeasure to him what tyme they with all their force did suppresse the rebellion of their commons and punyshed the Anabaptistes doing yet nothing without iust cause wherfore he distrusteth not but they be men of such wysdome and grauitie that they wyll of no lyght reporte conceaue any euill opinion of so noble a kynge that is their frende who was nowe for vrgent causes not here to be spoken of constrayned against his nature to vse extreme punishment lest hauing so large a Realme he should through ouermuche lenitie set open the wyndowe of wickednes to the temeritie of manye And touching their religion and doctrine the kyng wyll not take vpō him the persone of the iudge but in dede lyketh many thinges well the rest he leaueth vndiscussed After this he goeth about to wynne theyr fauour and confuteth theyr opinion whiche had warned them to be ware of forayne
Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within thē selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtheraūce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religiō and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who cōmaunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion cōprysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innocēt persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned mē of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse cōmissions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the
kyng and his two fellowes were caried hither and thither vnto Prynces for a shewe and mockery By the whiche occasion the Lantgraues preachers enter in disputation with the kynge touchynge these opinions chieflye of the kyngdome of Christe of Magistrates of Iustification of Baptisme of the Lordes supper of the incarnation of Christe and of Mariage and by the testimonies of Scripture priuayle so farre that albeit they did not chaūge him wholy which stroue and defended his opinions stifly yet did they turne him cōfounde him so that in fyne he graunted to many things whiche not withstanding he was supposed to haue done to saue his lyfe For whan he retourned vnto him the seconde tyme he promysed if he myght haue his pardon to brynge to passe that the Anabaptistes whiche were in Hollande Brabant Englande and Freselande an exceadyng great numbre shold kepe sylence and obey the Magistrates in all thynges Afterwardes the same preachers reasoned with his fellowes also both by mouthe and wryting of mortification of Christening of Chyldren of the communion of goodes of the kyngdome of Christe What tyme they were brought to Telget the kyng beyng demaunded of the Byshop by what authoritie he durst be so bolde to vsurpe so muche libertie vpon his Citie and people He asked hym again who gaue him that power and aucthoritie ouer the Citie And wher the Byshop made aunswere that by the consent of the College the people he had that rule and iurisdiction And I sayde he was called hether of God At the thirtene kalēdas of February thei were brought again to Munster cōmitted euery man to a seuerall pryson And the same daye also came the Byshop thether accompanied with the Archbishop of Collon and the Ambassadours of the Duke of Cleue The space of two dayes followyng was spent in Godly admonitions that they myght be reduced from their heresy And in deede the kynge confessed his faulte and fled vnto Christe through prayer The other two neyther woulde acknowledge any offence and yet stode obstinatly in their opinions The next daye the king was brought vp to the skaffold and tied to a post There were two hangemen ready and eche of them a payre of tonges read hote at the three first pulles he helde his peace afterwarde callyng continually for Goddes mercy whan he had bene thus turmented an howre and more and at the last was thrust to the harte with a sharpe poynted dagger he left his lyfe and his fellowes had the same punyshement Whan thei were dead they were fastened to grates of iron and hanged out of the hyghest towre of the Citie called saynet Lambertes the king in the myddes a mans height aboue the other two In the moneth of Ianuary of this present yeare died the lady Katherine Dowager whome Henry the eyght kyng of Englande had put away thre yeares before I shewed you in the fourth booke howe Fridericke Duke of Holste was by the helpe of the Lubeckes made kyng of Denmarke After whose death there arrose mortall warre betwene his sonne Christiane that was kinge after him and the Citie of Lubecke But where as the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue Ernest Duke of Lunenburge and the Citie of Breme Hamborough Maydēburge Brunswicke Lunenburge and Hildisseme intreated a peace This yeare in the moneth of February all was pacified Than had Charles Duke of Sauoye a certen space maynteyned warre against the Citie of Geneua beynge ayded by the Byshop of the same Citie or set on rather partely for the profession of the Gospell partly for other matters And the Citie of Geneua was ioyned in league with the Citie of Bernes in Swicerlāde of whome at the length receiuing great ayde they gaue the repulse to their ennemies And they of Bernes marching further subdued al that laye cōmodious for their countrey euen to the loke of Geneua The residue of the Swicers also that bordered vpō Sauoye did the same Whylest this was a working the kynge of Fraunce whiche had longe before purposed to warre in Italye but especially synce the death of Fraunces Sfortia leuieng his Armie in the begynning of the spryng tyme maketh warre also with the Duke of Sauoye his vncle for a controuersie of inheritaunce whiche he said was due vnto him possessed and deteyned by the Duke Who beynge already much inpoueryshed by the Swycers and therfore an vnmete matche for so puissaunt an ennemye was in short tyme dispossessed in maner of his whole Duckdome For the kyng passing ouer the Alpes inuadeth also the countrey of Piedmount and amonges other taketh Turrine the chiefest town in those partes fortifieth it with workes and strength of men by the conduict of Philippe Schabotte Admirall The Duke of Sauoy had marryed Beatriche daughter to Emanuell kyng of Portugall and the Emperours syster Isabel And in the former tyme he addicted him selfe to neyther of them but now where he semed to incline to the Emperour he styred vp the king his nephew by his owne syster Lewesse against him Some reporte howe byshop Clement what tyme he was at Marseilles as in the last booke is recited gaue the kyng this counsell that in case he intended to recouer Millan he should first seke to be lorde of Sauoy and Piedmonte adioyning to the same Howe soeuer it was the kyng in the yeare followyng after a certen newe custome ordeyned through out the Realme of Fraunce legions of Souldiours to the numbre of forty thousande whiche shoulde exercise their weapons and be in a readynes when tyme of seruice came For where as aunciently the kynges of Fraunce haue alwayes maynteined cheualry and their whole force hathe bene horsemen this man would haue also footemen ready monstered that he shold not euermore haue nede of forein souldiours And the kynges purpose was to leade forth his armie and make warre thereby in Lūbardie to the intent he myght recouer the Duckdome of Millā which he had before enioyed syxe yeares together and contented that it was his and the right of his children by Ualentine his grandmother sister to Philippe Uicecounte the last Duke of Millan of that familie And thus the matter standeth The house of Uicecoūtes bare a noble brute in Lumbardie And the first of them is accompted Otho Archebyshop of Millan who in the tyme of Raffe Emperour expulsed the Turrians a noble and worthy familie whome his nephewe Matthewe his brother Theobaldus sonne succeded after hym Galeace Actius Luchine Iohn Matthew the seconde Galeace the seconde Barnabas Iohn Galeace whom the Emperour Wēceslans created the first Duke of Millan He had two sonnes Iohn and Philippe which died both without issewe and one daughter Ualentine Fraunces Sfortia a stoute warriour married the bastarde daughter of Philip and by that occasion vsurped the Dukedome of Millan secludyng Ualētine Philippes syster whome Lewys Duke of Orleaunce brother to Charles the sixt kyng of Fraunce had maried Sfortia had thre sonnes Galeace Lewis
of life cleane abhorre that vice But in that he endeuoureth to reduce him agayne into the waye which deceiued by flatterers was strayed farre out of the ryght pathe he geueth hym a great benefite Kynge Henry had brought him vp in his yought in good letters and done very much for him But whan this alteration was in Englande whiche I haue spoken of and he myslyked it Paule the thyrde through the commendation of Contarene made hym Cardinal and sent for hym to Rome They that are familiarly acquaynted with him say how he knoweth ryght well the doctrine of the Gospell and suppose the cause to haue been why he wrote so against kyng Henry to auoyde the suspicion of Lutheranisme He caused the booke to be printed at Rome of his own coste and charge as they reporte And taking to him selfe all the Copies gaue it to reade only to the byshop him self and to the Cardinalles and others of his dere frendes for vnto such he wold be commended and feared on the other syde leste if it should be red openly of all men he should incure the rebuke and obloquie of them that had oftentymes heard hym speake the contrary ✚ The eleuenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eleuenth Booke THe Protestantes hauing declared to the Emperour by ambassade three poyntes Heldus cōming to Smalcald maketh them answer to the which they reply and vrge a fre counsel such as was promised vpon this the Pope sendeth the Bishop of Aste The Protestants set forth an Apologie vpon the refusal of such a counsel and writ therof to the French king The king of England writeth against this coūsaile of the Pope I Spake of the Citie of Auspurge in the nynthe booke and of the chaunge of Religion there for the whiche cause the Clergie being for the moste parte of noble house forsoke the citie Wherupon the Senate in a writing directed to the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and all the states of the Empyre declareth the cause of their doynges howe frendly they dealte with them how many thynges they suffered and howe scornefully they behaued them selues and howe often they went about to stire vp sedition in the citie Whereunto not long after Christopher the byshop aunswered for him selfe and the reste and after many contumelious wordes exhorteth the Emperour and Princes that for as muche as the daungers concerneth aswel them as him self they would loke to it in time You haue heard in the last booke of the Ambassadours which the Protestauntes sent to the Emperour in Italy to whom they gaue commaundement chiefly thre thynges to treate of First to confute the brute whiche was raysed vp that they shoulde haue made a league with the kynge of Fraunce and of England secondly that the Emperour would restrayne the iudgement of the counsell chaumbre thirdly that suche as were come into their league since the composicion of the peace at Norinberge myght inioye the same peace Whiche requestes the Emperour in dede hearde but being wholy occupied with warelyke matters he sayde howe he woulde sende his Ambassadour into Germany who should make them aunswere Wherfore at his departure from Genes into Spayne he sent Matthie Helde his vicechaūcelour into Germany Whan the Protestauntes vnderstode that by their Ambassadours nowe retourned they appoynte a generall metyng at Smalcalde the seuenth daye of February And because the daye of the counsell approched nere neyther was there any doubte but that the Emperours Ambassadour would haue some talke of the same they were agreed also to bring with them their chiefest diuines Wherfore at the daye assigned besydes the Prynces Ambassadours of the cities came thether Luther Melanchthon Bucer Osiander and diuerse other Whan the Ambassadour was come to Smalcalde the fyftene daye of February he speaketh thus before them all Howe the Emperour had commaunded hym to doe his message only to the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue But for as muche as they haue thought good to make their consortes also partakers of the same he is contente to followe their mindes herein he saith in dede that he knoweth not al the Ambassadours of the league wherfore in case there be any amongs them whom this answere of the Emperous doth not concerne there is no cause why they shoulde suppose that any treaty is made with thē but chiefly they of Auspurge which haue oftentymes sollicited the Emperour both in Italy and Spayne about Religiō and nowe also lately at Genes by their Ambassadour Unto whome the Emperour sayde howe he would sende his Ambassadour into Germany whiche shoulde make them an aunswere And they not abyding his commyng haue altered the state of Religion not without both the contempte and also making of the Emperour Therefore whan he came to Auspurge beinge constrayned of necessitie to chaunge his purpose he treated with them nothynge at all and hath wrytten to the Emperour the whole matter as it standeth After whā he had exhibited the testimoniall of his Ambassade he procedeth And where they had so diligently pourged them selues of the Frenche and Englysh league the Emperoure was ioyfull to heare it whiche doeth both credit them also cōmendeth their vertue that they haue so wittely eschewed the Frenche practises full of disceirfulnes Afterwards discoursing the warre of Sauoy and speakynge many thinges of the Frenche kyng sayde that he was not only a lette vnto the Emperour that he could not bende his whole power against the Turke but also that he consulted with the Turkes prouoked thē to inuade Cristendome And that this is also his daily practise to styre vp stryfe and ciuile warre in Germany and nowe endeuoureth al that he may to perswade them that the Emperour wyll not kepe promyse with them He desireth them therfore not to credite his crafty counselles For the Emperour to be of suche honour and vertue that he wyll not shrinke from his promyse And that may they well perceiue by mo experimēts than one As touchinge the iudgement of the imperiall chambre The Emperours commaundemēt was they should meddle with no cases of Religion But they aduertised him by their letters that there was oftentymes controuersies whiche partely concerned religion partlye not And therfore the Emperour cōmaunded thē that of such matters as thei supposed were sequestred from religiō thei should iudge indifferently For it were pitie but the lawe should haue his course And seyng the Emperour hath commaunded them to surcease from determining matters of Religion they ought to be contente there with And if the iudges haue done ought contrary to the Emperours decre they shall not escape free but shal be punished according to the lawe made at Regenspurge But the Emperour againe admonished them that they would do nothing rashely neither prescribe the imperiall chambre For this thinge is neither lawfull nor voyde of seditiō and
is how it ought not to be graūted thē themperour doubtles other kings in their opiniō can iudge For that the byshop of Rome hath brought errours into the churche a doctrine cleane cōtrary not only to Gods worde but also to the auncient toūselles doctours mainteineth the same that he hath also made exceading many lawes against Gods cōmaundemēt wherby the true knowledge is vtterly oppressed defaced the same vereli haue their diuines through Gods gift declared And therfore do they intēde to accuse the byshop his fellowes in any lawfull counsell of these so great matters to coudēpne thē of the same How also through euil craftes and dishonest meanes yea through force guyle they achiefe their dignities how filthie a life they leade what euil examples thei geue how they do no part of their dutie how thei neglect such as are cōmitted to their charge wallowe in all wickednes of lyfe it is so wel knowen tried that it nedeth no further declaratiō For the which causes also it is not lawfull for the bishop euen by the testimony of his owne lawe to appoint there coūsel muche lesse to be iudge in the same Neither may his sworne clientes vsurpe the persone of the iudge seing they may not in dede be any part of a lawful coūsel moreouer the place of the coūsel is appointed in Italy cleane cōtrary to the decrees of themperour states of thempire which he scornefully dispiseth Thei know not more ouer as yet whether other princes of Christendom wil allowe that place that there be weighty causes for the which it shold be daūgerous for them theirs to come thither For albeit they should haue a saufe conduicte yet for so muche as the byshop hath there his clientes euerye where which hate this doctrine most bitterly ther is great daūger of lieng in wayte priuie cōspiracies which in those parties are much to be feared Furthermore since this matter is most weighti such as vnder the sonne can arrise no greater which doubtles cōcerneth either euer lasting saluatiō or dānatiō And seing that the greatnes of the matter requireth that they should in great nūbre with the ministers of their churche preachers be there present not to cōmit so weighty a matter to their deputes proetours alone it should be a great griefe vnto thē to passe out of the limites of thempire go into Italy leauing their coūtrey people in suche grudge of mindes as is now in Germany wtout garde and their churches any long time without preachers Wherfore they moste humbly beseche that the Emperour would way with hym selfe all these poinctes diligently and seing he is the high and supreme magistrate vnto whom chiefly belongeth the setting forth of the trew doctrine that he wold applie him self wholy that the true knowledge of God might be aduaunced for they doe embrace no wicked kynde of doctrine nor seke any other thyng than the glory of Gods holy name And this aunswere concerning the counsell agreed vnto also the Ambassadours of George Marques of Brandenburge and of the cities of Norinberge Halles and Hailbrune in other thinges they medled not because they were not of the league What time the Protestantes had thus spoken Heldus the Ambassadour aunswereth by and by speaking many thinges againe of the great good will of the Emperour of the Frenche kyng whiche had conspired with the Turkes to the distruction of the cōmon wealth he cometh to that matter touching the iudgement of the imperial chambre and sayeth in deede that peace is graunted for matters of Religion no man to say the cōtrary but all the strife to consiste in this which be matters of religion which not And where as they take suche for cases of religion as others do accōpte for ciuile prophane how farre against reason is it that the thyng should not be debated the causes obiectiōs of either part be heard so procedeth further to the meaning of that same matter And as touching such as are lately receiued into their league that Emperour thiketh thus that they that be not cōprised within the peace of Norinberg are bounde al to the decrees of thempire ought to yelde to the authoritie of the coūsel And for asmuch as themperours minde is wholy addicte to peace cōcorde he requireth estsones that they wyl ayde him with men mony for the Turkish warre nedeful charges of the imperial chābre And if the Turke inuade not that thā they wold a few monthes assiste themperour with like ayde against the French king whiche if they wil doe it shall not repēt thē of that seruice wherin he desireth to know a direct answer that he may aduertise themperour therof And as concerning the coūsel they thē selues knowe what labour trauayle themperour had to bring it to passe And how his trust is that in the same shal be appeased all cōtrouersie that is in religion with quietnes the state of the cōmō wealth be reformed to the glory of God preseruatiō of men Wherfore them perour trusteth assuredly that they should make none exceptions nor swarue from the rest of men for if they should persiste herein it would be grieffull for him to heare And after he had againe vsed sondrye perswasions amonges other that the Emperour would through saufeconduicte saue them harmelesse he requyred to haue a determinate aunswere herein and besydes the names of them which are come vnto them synce the peace of Norinberge Wherein was wrytten that Marques George the cities of Norinberge Weysenburg Hailbrine Winsem and Hales were of the same Religion but not of the league Wherefore in the Emperours name he desyred to knowe what their league was and the condition of the same The selfe same daye came thether the Romyshe legate the byshop Aques with letters from the byshop of Rome to the Duke of Saxon exhorting him to come to the counsell whome the byshop of Rome sent into Germany in the place of Peter Paule Uerger hopinge well that the newe Ambassadour should some thing haue brought to passe but he also loste his labour was as little regarded in so muche that on a certen day whan he desired to speake with the Lātgraue he tolde him he was at no leasure and in maner at the same instant went to see howe Luther did who at the same tyme laye sore sycke of the stone Which thyng the Ambassadour myght see out of his lodging Uergerius had geuen this Ambassadour instructions of the whole state of Germany and how euery man in the byshops behalfe must be enterteined and vsed The fourth daye after whiche was the last of February the Protestauntes aunswer Heldus That for the Emperour him self they neuer doubted but that he woulde obserue the peace made whiche he hath also promised both in publique and priuate letters but the imperiall chamber contrary to
owne or of some Prince that is bound to him For he hath him self ryght ample and large dominions and in the same many goodly cities which his predecessours haue gotten by force and subtiltie he with as small fidelitie kepeth But seing there is no hope to haue a true couÌ„sel as men of witte and iudgemeÌ„t do suppose he thinketh it best that euery Magistrate in his own dominions seke the reformation of Religion And if perchaunce the Bishop should obiecte vnto them custome the same taketh no place For euen by the testimonie of Cypriane custome that is grounded vpon no counsell as he hath sayde before but if any man haue an other way that is better he wil not refuse it The Emperour remained al this yere in Spaine but his armie in Flaunders by the conduict of Counte de Bure wan by assaulte the towne and castel of Sanpulle in Artois in the moneth of Ianuary and put al to the sworde and from thence went and beseged the citie of Terowen but yet in vayne There at the length was a truce taken for ten monethes in those parties only For in PiedmoÌ„te was hote warre neuerthelesse and the town of Cherie was taken by assaulte of the imperialles who made a wonderfull slaughter both of souldiours and citezens And whan after the garrison of Turrin suffered great penury being on euery syde beseged and stopped from virtualles the Frenche kyng in haruest tyme leuied a power and sente thether his eldest sonne Henry the Daulphin and MommoraÌ„cie who making waye and entring perforce releued their present famine In the moneth of October the armie of kyng Ferdinando wherin were the horsemen of Saxony and Meissen of Franckonie and Austriche the Carinthians Bohemers and Hongarians whome the Germaines cal Hussares beseged the towne Exechium vpon the Ryuer of Draue whiche was kept with a strong garryson of the Turkes And where they tracted the tyme and were constrayned for wante of victualles to leuie the siege in the retire they fel into the lappes of their ennemies which had layd for them ambusches in the woodes and kept all the straytes that they could no way escape In this distresse firste certen Centurions and captaynes of souldiours and the Hongarians fled after also went Cacianer the kinges Lieutenaunt But the reste who detested the shame of running away exhorting them selues vnto manhode especially the horsemen of Almaigne aboade the charge and violent force of their ennemies but in fine being vaÌ„quished of the greater numbre were all for the moste parte slayne and manye of the captaynes taken prisoners and led to Constantinople in to moste miserable captiuitie The fourth Ides of Octobre the kyng of Englande had a sonne borne at Hamptoncourt Prince Edwarde by Quene Iane Semer whome he maried after the death of Quene Anne In the meane whyle the byshop of Rome for so muche as truce was taken be twyxt Fraunce and Flaunders went about to procure the like also in al other places to the entent that through this occasioÌ„ he might worke his purpose and ceased not tyll he had brought it to passe The bishops deuise was as it is reported that setting them at peace he myght stire them vp against the kyng of England whom he hated vnto the death and against the Lutherians About this tyme also Christina the Emperours nece by his syster Quene of Denmarke Duchesse of Millan leauing Italy retourneth into Flaunders through Germanye and there was a treaty of a mariage betwene her and William Duke of Cleaue but it toke not effect Than also the men of Gelderland began to rebelle against their Prince Charles Egmonde whiche was al his lyfe tyme of the Frenche parte and therfore sore hated of the Burgundians and than as it was sayd went about to make his country FreÌ„che He was so chased out by his owne people euery where in this outragious tumulte that he had scarsly a towne or two lefte hym to flye into He was alwayes a great mainteiner of the bishop of Romes doctrine and abstained not from sore punishment Paule the third in the first beginning of his byshoprike made his two yonge nephewes Cardinalles as before is wrytten For the whiche thing being euyll reported of he vouched saufe to call other worthy men also both in nobilitie and learning to the same degre of honour partly to asswage the enuie and displeasure partely to haue mete champions whiche were able to defende hym by their learnyng and eloquence amonges whome was Caspar Contarene Reginalde Poole Iohn Bellie Frederick Fregose vnto whom within a shorte space after he added moreouer Sadolete Alexander and Bembus And purposed also Erasinus as in a certen Epistle to a frend of his Erasinus himselfe reporteth There remayne also certen Epistles written of Sadolet to Erasinus wherin after he hath spoken muche of the great good wyl of the byshop towardes hym he sayth that within shorte tyme he wyl auaunce him to hyghe dignitie Contarenus was a noble man a Senatour of Uenise for his learnyng ryght famous and beyonde all expectation whan he had craued nothynge was sodaynly promoted to this dignitie ✚ The twelfth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne in the Empyre of Charles the fyste ⧠The argument of the twelfth Booke POpe Paule by his deputes ordeyned a reformation touching the abuses of the Churche as permutations voisomes benefices incompatibles Cardinalles courtiers Chaplelaynes Courtisanes Pardoners and the Colloquies of Erasmus prohibited The Protestauntes mete at Brunswycke whether came the king of Denmarke Persecution aryseth at Pans The Pope the Emperour and the Frenche kyng mete at Nice there the kynge kissed his foote A Colledge and a Frenche churche are erected at Strasborough The kyng of Englande burneth the bones of Thomas Becket The Prince Efectour of Brandenburgh aduertiseth the Duke of Saxon of the preparation of the great Turke A secte of Antmomians aryseth The conspiratie of Heldus and the Duke of Brunswycke are discouered by the takyng of his Secretary An assembly is holden at Franckeforte decrees are there made and appointment mode for a conference to be had for the peace of the Protestauntes whiche to let Duke Henry of Brunswicke leuiâ—th an armie George Duke of Saxon ennemy of the veritie dieth Henry his brother succedeth hym The kyng of Englande hauyng set forth a booke against the counsell of Uicence callseth certen articles to be made concerning Religion They of Gaunt rebell The Emperour hauing saufeconduicte passeth through Fraunce The Uenetians make peace with the Turke but certen Senatours had disclosed their secretes I Haue shewed you before how the Counsels wer deferred til the kalendes of NoueÌ„b but the same also was made frustrate Notwithstandyng the Bishoppe to the intent he myght feed men with hope and seme to do some thinge had longe before chosen out certen of his owne sect amoÌ„ges the whole numbre and had streightly
he also but performe this dewtie to the common wealth and is not a litle moued at these newes for the chaunce and calamitie of his natife countrey For this therfore and for other causes he went to kyng Ferdinando into Lusatia But he had both before his comming and when he was there also receiued letters and messagers touching the same thinges Wherfore in case he should not be resisted there is no doubt but they which lie nexte him should se shortly in theyr countrey that most cruell enemie For all the way from Buda vntill theyr frontiers is there nother Castell nor Towne fortified able to hold out such a power no mountaines nor streight passages to stoppe his carriage sauing onely the citie of Uratislauie and the towne of Lignice For as for of the situation of Morauie and Silesie and howe champion and fruietfull a countrey it is he knoweth well enough and nedeth no rehearsall And albeit he hath promysed ayde to kynge Ferdinando for the common daunger yet he seeth howe lytle suche maner of ayde is able to helpe for the greatnes of the case requyreth al the ayde and power of the whole Empyre But for as muche as the same haplye can not be obtayned without a generall assemblye and vnlesse ail Germany be quieted And agayne the present daunger wyll permitte no long delaye therfore hath he in talke moued the kyng that he woulde wholy dispose him selfe vnto this thynge onlye that a fyrme and sure peace myght be concluded Wherunto kyng Ferdinando had answered ryght honorably and promysed his endeuour and to further the cause to the Emperour so that he might vnderstande what he and his league frendes furthermore demaunded And seing it standeth thus he desyreth hym to geue his mynde hereunto and open vnto hym vnfaynedly suche conditions of peace as he thynketh mete to be intreated of And he hym selfe wyll deuyse and that in his owne name that Ferdinando shall preferre them to the Emperour in suche sorte as he trusteth that the treatie shal be commodious to the vniuersall worlde And nowe also maye the Turkes violence more easelye be resisted for as muche as Iohn Uayuode is reconcyled to kynge Ferdinando as the kynge hym selfe tolde hym in counsel for he would not haue it bruted abroad leste it should come to the Turkes care Certen yeares past and hetherto hath a great part of Hongary bene plucked awaye from Christendome through ciuile warres but nowe their myndes are appeased and all displeasure paste there is a goodlye occasion offered of well doynge Wherfore eftsones he besecheth hym that he would help the cause of the common wealth This Marques had maried the daughter of Sigismunde kyng of Poole whiche was nece to Iohn Uayuode by his systers syde and hereof came that frendshyp and familiaritie betwyxt them He had also than receyued the Religion of Saxony and set forth a booke of the same but kepte hym out of the league and was otherwyse wholy addicted to the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando and reteyned certen ceremonies and sought to quiet offences The Duke of Saxony signifieth the whole matter by his letters to the Lantgraue And the twelfth daye of Iune after they wryte bothe to this Marques of Brandenburg on this wyse Albeit the matter is of muche importaunce and altogether suche as they oughte to make their fellowes priuie to yet doe they see what discommoditie myghte come thorowe delaye especially consideryng how the Turke flacketh nothyng of his fiersenes and they haue also consulted ouerlonge how to quiet Germany and to withstande hym with all their powers for where he aduertised them by his Ambassadours that it were nedefull to resiste that moste cruell ennemie truthe it is and they confesse that the common wealth requyred no lesse But they stād in that case that they had chiefly nede of suche a peace as were honourable trewe syrme and nothyng doubtfull For in case they should spende theyr treasure on the Turkyshe warre the meane whyle haue vnquiet neighbours at home he seeth him selfe howe vnmete and hurtefull the same would be vnto them They for their parte are verye desyrous of peace whiche if they can not obtayne and therfore in doubtfull matters diminishe no parte of their power and in the meane time the cōmon wealth sustayne any damage there may no blame therof be imputed to them but all together vnto those that refuse the conditions of peace Moreouer they suppose that it should concerne the kinge Ferdinādo and others that border on the Turkes that relatiō were made of these thinges vnto all the states Where also hetherto there is no counsel imperiall called it is not for the profite of the commō wealth For though perchaunce the time wil not permitte that publique ayde should be decreed sodaynly and nede requyreth to craue ayde of some men Yet is the Turke of suche power that he is able to continew in warres many yeares And wil not cease tyl eyther he hath obteyned his pourpose or hauing an ouerthrow be cōstrayned to breake vp warres for a time Wherfore they thinke an assemblie of the Empyre to be very expediēt that both the peace of Germany therein myght be established and cōsultation had conserning the Turkishe warre And this later to be of so great force that albeit al thinges were quiet in Germany yet neuer thelesse a common assembly to be nedefull Nor it skileth not greatly if perchaunce kyng Ferdinādo can not well be there in the Emperours name so that Ambassadours be sent with full commission and authoritie Whiche thing if he can bring to passe the same shal be cōmodious for the Emperour and for all Germany Howe be it leste they shoulde in any point fayle the common wealth or hinder the cōmoditie there of they woulde haue in a readynes suche ayde as they for their partes are acustomed and oughte to finde to be alwayes readye to serue whan nede shall require Neyther doubte they but theyr fellowes wil do the same but vnder this condition that kyng Ferdinando immediatly obtayne for them of the Emperour a sure and vndoubted peace And the whiche all other Princes of the Empyre that be of the Bysshoppes Religion shall ratifie That done and the suites and actions of the chamber set apart their ayde shal be streight wayes ready But in case the Emperour by reason of his absence can not brynge all the Prynces heeeunto in time at the leste he perswade these to be of his opinion William Lewis Dukes of Bauier George Duke of Saxony the Archebyshop of Mentz Collon and Treuers also the Bishops of Salisburge Maydenburge Breme Bamberge Wyrtenburge Munster Auspurge and Aeslet But in case they can not be perswaded that then the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando doe confirme the same peace for them selues and for all their subiectes and make promyse do their endeuours that other Prynces also maye geue theyr assente to the same whiche in case they shall refuse to doe yet shall they neuer swarue
vnto them the cause of that assemblye And because the Prynces came not them selues whiche the Emperour thought verely they woulde haue done he wylleth them to she we their commission and aucthoritie After he nameth intercessours Lewys the Paulsgraue Iohn Archebyshop of Treuers Lewys Duke of Bauier and William Byshop of Strasborough When they were contente with them they beganne the treaty Thether came also the diuines of the Protestantes a great number Iustus Menius Pistorius Urbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blanrer Osiander Shirepsius and many others Melanchthō fell sore sycke by the waye These preached at home euery man to their company but chiefly what tyme al the Ambassadours mette together to consulte vpon any matter But Ferdinando whan he vnderstoode it forbade them the Ambassadours agayne shewed hym howe they preached not openly but only priuatly neyther was there anye cause why he should be offended The Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about to come in case the talke had gone forwarde and taried vpon the frōtiers to the entent that hearing newes therof they might haue bene there by and by The intercessours requyre the Protestātes to deliuer them in a brief somme the Articles that are in controuersy they say how they did exhibite the somme and confession of their doctrine ten yeares synce at Auspurge an Apologie to the same whiche they sticke vnto and to none other beyng ready to make aunswere if any man fynde lacke therin And for because they knowe not what thynge chiefly their aduersaries do reprehende therin they haue nothyng to exhibyte but the same is rather to be requyred at their hādes to shewe what they suppose to be contrary to Gods worde Whiche if they doe and that the matter come to disputation as was thoughte mete at Franckefurte they wyll not be against a cōcorde They shew them againe within a fewe dayes after that forasmuche as they dwel styll in their confession exhibited at Auspurge they doe fynde in readinge of the treaty there that certen thinges were brought to a conciliation and certen not Nowe that the reste also myght come to a reconcilement they wyll doe their endeuours and desyre them to vtter their myndes herein The Protestauntes agayne saye that there was in dede a talke of certen Articles but nothyng concluded nor anye agrement at al made there Thus the matter being debated to and fro where the Protestauntes requyred that they myght come to disputation and they againe sayd howe it was cōmaunded them by the king and the Emperour that they should procede accordinge to the treaty at Auspurge Kyng Ferdinando the .xvi. daye of Iuly callyng them al before hym forasmuche sayth he as the matter standeth thus that nothyng can nowe be determined and that chiefly for the absence of the Duke of Saxō the Lātgraue an other day must be appointed wher in the Ambassadours learned men of both partes shall mete of lyke number to conferre of the Articles professed at Auspurge And than after a longe controuersie betwyxt the kyng and the Protestauntes for the peace of them and all their confederatours about the restitution of churche goodes and the iudges of the chamber Ferdinando the .xxviij. daye of Iuly maketh a decree and reciting the whole matter appoynted the day for a cōmunication to be at Wormes the. xxviij daye of October vpon condicion that the Emperour be so content The Prynces Electours the Dukes of Bauier and the Duke of Cleaue and the byshoppes of Madenburge Salisburge and Strasburge are commaunded to sende thether their counsellours and the Protestauntes also theirs so that there be eleuen on eyther part And also as many Scribes to wryte diligently what euery man sayeth the conference to be had of the Protestantes doctrine professed at Auspurge and that request be made to the Emperour that he wyll call a counsell of the Empyre And in the meane tyme he commaundeth all men to obserue peace and abstayne from violence vnder a great penaltie appointed by the Emperours commaundemēt Prynces before mentioned at this assemblie were Christopher the byshop of Trent Henry Duke of Brūswycke but he went home before the matter was ended The greatest peace makers in this assemblie were the byshop of Collon and the Paulsgraue Electours and also the byshop of Auspurge For all the reste were extreme agaynst the Protestauntes Duryng this assemblie died Iohn Uaiuode kyng of Hōgary leauing behinde hym a younge sonne Stephen whome Isabell daughter to Sigismunde kyng of Pole had borne hym a lytle before whiche was a cause also that kyng Ferdinādo beyng aduertysed therof by letters hasted homewarde About this time also were certen townes and villages of the Protestantes set on fyre in Saxony there aboutes and burnt vp cleane This wicked acte was sayde to be done by the Duke of Brunswyck as shal be declared hereafter The seconde kalendes of Iuly Robert Barnes Doctour of Diuinitie was brent at London in Smithfield He was for a certen tyme fled out of Englande for the doctrine of the Gospell and what tyme he vnderstode howe kynge Henry gaue his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe he retourned home agayn and was after in the Ambassade sent into Germany and was one of them whiche treated with the diuines at Wittēberge touching the kinges diuorsement as is wrytten in the tenth boke But where as the kyng had exiled the name of the byshop of Rome but kept styl his doctrine this man whiche loued the truthe was chieflye by the meanes of the byshop of Wynchester this daye executed after he had protested hys fayth openly there in the place of execution And with hym also were brent two others of the same Religion And the same daye in the selfe same place were three others hanged vpon the Gallowes that helde with the supremacie of the byshop of Rome so that neyther rāke Papists nor ernest Protestauntes escaped punishement In the moneth of August ended his lyfe at Paris Williā Budey maister of the requestes a man of great learning and worthy to be had in perpetuall memory for this cause only that he and Cardinal Bellaye byshop of Paris did counsell and perswade Fraunces the Frenche kyng to do a moste noble acte that is to appoint great stipendes for the readers of tongues and good artes at Paris For out of this welspryng no mā can beleue what clere and plentiful ryuers flowe out not only into Fraunce but also into other countreis The lyke hath Henry the eight done in Englande both in Cambridge and Oxforde And Buden would be buried without any solemnitie This yeare was notable by reason of an intollerable heate and drought Than also was excellent good wyne In the meane tyme the kyng of Fraunce dispatchyng abroade his letters to all his byshoppes commaunded them to go a procession in all places For albeit he had peace with the Emperour whiche he would not willingly breake yet feared he greatly leste
of so great a mischiefe and wickednes Unto this Oration he annexeth a maner of praying against the Turkysh fury and about the ende discoursing the vice that reigneth in this our tyme in all sortes of men he sheweth howe Germany whiche is so corrupted and wholy infected can not longe continewe in prosperitie And this fourme of prayer he prescribeth Oeuerlasting father we haue verely deserued to be sore afflicted but punnyshe vs thyne owne selfe Lorde not in thy wrath and displeasure but according to thy great mercy for it is muche better for vs to falle in thyne than into the handes of men and our ennemies for thy merci is vnspeakeable and infinite we haue certenly offended the and transgressed thy commaundementes but thou knowest O heauenly father howe the deuill the Byshop and the Turke haue no rightnor cause to punyshe vs for we haue trespassed nothyng against them but thou vsest them as a scourge to whippe vs which haue mo ways than one al our life time styred the vp against vs. They I saie haue no quarell against vs but would rather that we should euer after their example offende the moste greuously that through idolatry false doctrine lyes disceiptfull and craftye iugglynge with murther thefte and extortion fornication adultery and sorcerie we myght offende the maiestie of thy name This is the thing that thei most wishe for and because we confesse and honour the God the father and thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lord and the holy spirite one and euerliuing God that same is our offence and wickednes for the whiche they so greuously hate and persecute vs. If we should forsake this fayth and fal vnto their lore thā should we loke for no displeasure at their hāds Uouchesaufe therfore to loke vpon vs O God the father and to send a remedy for they be more thyne aduersaries than ours whan they doe tormente vs they tormente the for the doctrine that we professe is not ours but thyne And Sathan can not abyde it but wylbe worshipped in thy place and thy worde set asyde goeth about to feede vs with lies And the Turke also in the steade of thy sonne Iesu Christ wold place his Mahomet Nowe yf thys be synne that we professe thee the father and thy sonne and the holy ghost to be the trewe and only God certenly than arte thou a synner whiche so teachest vs and requyrest this dewty of vs and whā they for this cause persecute vs they do hate and afflicte thee also Awake therfore my God and take in hande thy selfe to aueuge thy sacred and holy name which they defyle and deface neyther suffer thou this iniurie at their hande which punnishe not our synnes and vices but seke to quenche thy worde in vs and doe what they can that thou shouldest not reigne at all neyther shouldest haue any people whiche might serue and honour thee Nowe touching the ofspringe encrease of the Turkes because many haue written it nedeth not to note any thing therof in this place of a smal beginnyng they haue had a maruelous encrease Their first Emperour is accompted Othomanne aboute the yere of our lord a thousand and thre hōdreth whom after succedeth Orchanes Amurathes who fyrst transported his armye ouer the sea of Hellesponte into Europe and inuaded Thrace Than Baiazethes Cyriscelebes Moses Mahoniethes Amurathes Mahomethes Baiazethes Selime Solyman About this same tyme Alphonse Marques of Piscare before mentioned sendyng a booke to the princes of Germany accuseth and blameth the frenche kinge whiche in so troublesome a tyme of the comon welth goeth about to styre vp stryfe to thentente he might hinder the most noble enterprises of themperoure and al the states pretendeth a lyght and a forged matter for Anthony Rincon Ce. Fregose that should be intercepted vnto whom what thing hath chauuced he could not after long and diligent searche fynd out The Frēch Kinge whan he knew thereof declareth that he had an exceadinge great iuiurie done him to haue his Ambassadours so cruelly destroyed of this thinge hathe he ofte complayned sore to the Bisshop and to themperoure and hath requyred that he might be satisfysed herin but it was in vayne And seing it is so vnworthie an act he can not without the greate shame and dishonoure of his name neglecte it After the second of Maye addressing hys letters to the Senate of Paris to th ende sayeth he that god maye illumine our heartes and graunt vs the constancie of fayth and bring again those that ere into the way of saluation and sende vs peace throughe recompence for the iniuries that we haue susteyned by the vsurping of our right and the outrage donne to oure messagers and ambassadours or if in dispayre to haue peace we must nedes haue warre that he would graunt vs victorye our request is that the people go a prosession and pray in all churches And that by some fyt preacher the cause therof be recyted to the cōgregation Moreouer in case any ther be that thinketh not rightly of oure fayth and religion neither will promise amendement we commaund that he suffer openlye for his offence Not longe after he sendeth the Duke of Longuill to the prince of Cleaue who leauing ther a power in the somer season by the conduicte of Martyn van Rossen looked for an occasion to doe some exploicte In the meane season at the kalendes of Iune the bisshop appoynted a connsell at Trente agaynste the fyrst of Nouember at the which time he commaundeth to repayre thither Patriarches bisshoppes abbottes and suche other lyke which eyther by right or priuiledg haue interest to be presēt at counsels and are permitted there to speake their minde He exhorteth also themperoure and the French kyng that eyther they wolde come them selues or send theyr proctours to commaunde their bisshoppes to be there but the bisshops of Germany he inuiteth aboue all others for that for theyr cause chiefly and at theyr requeste is all this payne and trauaile taken In the moneth of Iuly the Frenche kinge with moste hatefull woordes proclaymeth warre against themperoure and in a wryting publysshed geueth his subiectes libertie to spoyle and distroy his contries by sea and lande by what meanes so euer they might A littel before the Duke of Longeuill and Martyu Rossen had made an inuaston into Brabant and were a wonderful terrour to men vnprouided and commyng vpon the sodayne had lyke to haue taken Andwerpe Louayne but wantyng thinges necessarie for munition they could make no battery and marching forewarde whiche way so euer they wente they diftroyed al before them with fyer and sword and extorted many And thus making theyr waie by force in August they ioyne themselues with the kinges sonne Charles Duke of Orleans which warred that tyme in the land of Luke In this force were foure hondreth horsemen sent by the kynge of Denmarke Besydes Danuillier Uirton and Iuey was taken also Lucemburge the chiefe
throughe mallice and hatred kindled amonges the states theire whole treasure shal be consumed in ciuile warre how fyt and profitable the same wil be for the Turkes there is no man but knoweth wel enough For howe harde a thing it is after that althynges be exasperated to quyet the matter it maye by dyuers examples be shewed They verely doe wishe for nothyng more than that a fyrme peace vpright iustice and publicke quiet might be stablished in Germany certenly of the dissention that is in religion arriseth al this grudg diffidence And that dissention springeth of that same wel for that the doctryne of the gospel and Gods trewe relygyon are prohibited for that errours and open crimes are not only not taken awaye or a mended but also for ambition and lucre sake are defended and maynteyned Therfore god beyng offended prouoked to wrath for thys vnthankfulnes doeth plage vs with greate calamities and will not cease hys hand so longe as we perseuer in the same They praye them therfore that they wolde applye theyr studye hereunto and at the lestewyse so trauell in this matter that for relygion sake there bee no trouble moued and that iustice maye bee ministred to all men indifferentlye but for somoche as that can not be as the state of the chamber is at thys present they requyre that accordyng to the olde lawes of the empire and Themprours declaratiō that iudgemente may be reformed and other iudges appoynted and actions to remayne in the same state as they were in before the refusall made and the iudges to bee charged that they obserue exactely the fourme of the reformation that shal be and attempt nothynge agaynst the peace makinges of former yeres For vnlesse the thyng maye thus bee ordered and that they may haue a sufficiente warraunte to haue peace they cannot consulte of the Turkishe warre althoughe they desyre to doe anye thynge they maye for the common welth The matter beyng longe and mothe debated whan bothe kynge Fernando and Themperours attourneis sayed howe the counsell was alreadye appoynted ar Trente and Themperoure also would come thyther And that the Iudges of the chamber coulde not be remoued without theyr cause were hearde and that the redresse is already decreed and shortely shall take effecte And howe they coulde not denye the Duke of Brunswicke by them expulsed makyng claime to hys owne to haue the lawe neyther that they had Aucthorytye to make any further graunte The Protestauntes shew them agayne that they neyther allowe that Counsell neyther wyll they come there neyther are they satisfyed in other thynges nor sufficiently assured neyther can they take any further delyberation Notwithstandinge Fernando and the other states make a decree for the fortyfying of the places nere to the Turkes dominion and for contribution monye for the same and appoynte the thirde daye of Iuly for reformation of the Chamber ordeynynge that it shoulde be redressed after the fourme prescribed eleuen yeares paste at Regenspurge appointing a penaltie for those that shall refuse to contribute their ayde accordyngly But the Protestantes agayne do proteste that they doe not assente vnto this decree because it was made withoute theyr aduise because there is no certen thing establisshed touching the peace law and because there is great pertialitie cōcerning the contribution When for Themperours cominge the matter was lyke to tende to a mortal warre betwene him the Duke of Cleaue The Princes electours and other states by theyr Ambassadours doe intreat hardely at the last obteyne a trewes of Granuellan not certē and determinat but suche as shoulde stande at Themperours pleasure so soone as he shoulde sette foote into Germanye whether he wyll approue or refuse it and in the meane season Sittarde a verey stronge towne in the frontier of Gulicke shoulde haue been in the Emperours possession vntyll he had declared what hys mynde were The intercessours promysed thys also that they wold send Ambassadours to mete with the Emperoure to in treate him in the matter And Granuellan put them in greate hope that theye shoulde receyue of hym a gentle aunswer Thys treatye thambassadours of Cleaue the chiefe whereof was Iohn Ulatten a noble man of birthe and well learned dyd well allowe and gaue thankes to the intercessours for theyr paynes taken but in the meane whyle was a battell foughten at the Towne of Sittarde the .xxiiii. daye of Marche And where as the Duke of Cleaue wanne the feelde partely by reason of this victorye and partly throughe the perswasion of the Frenche Kynge that fed hym with money he waxed obstinate forsakynge the treuce whan hys ambassadours were retourned home The newes of this prosperous battel brought spedely into Fraunce caused great reioysynge and at Paris by the Kynges commaundemente they sange Te deum The Dukes of Banier bretherne by theyr Ambassadours make intercession to the Protestantes in thys conuentyon and amonges other condicions they propounde thys also that all the Duke of Brunsewickes landes myght be committed to the custody of Themperoure or certen princes of Germany tyll the matter be further examined but herein could be nothynge determyned In this assemblye Christopher Bysshop of Auspurge dyed of a soden paulsey when he had appoynted to make a feaste on the nexte daye He was of the house of Stadious a man learned and peaceable whom Otto Truckesse suceded Here was a decree made but not entered of recorde as was accustomed neyther was it of authorytye It was longe or the Frenche Kynge receyued Themperours Letters wrytten to the Bisshop of Roome therefore nowe at the laste he aunswereth them at the full Where Themperoure wolde be preferred before hym as though he had well deserued of the church of Roome it is a mockerie and a vayne thyng For neyther are Themperours auncesters to bee compared with hys nor he hymselfe also with hym in thys behalfe certenly he is a good sonne and moche prayse worthye whose Armie dyd besiege vexe and take prisoner the father and good man of the house Clemente the .vii. and sacked the chiefe citie of the whole world and polluted the Churches and Temples of God immortall by sondry wayes and lefte there vndonne no kynde of mischiefe fylthy luste and crueltye who vnto this so greate an outerage gaue also hym selfe a prettye mocke what tyme he made vowes and supplycatyons in Spayne for the delyueraunce of hys father whom he moste streyghtely deteyned at home captiue But hys Progenitours kinges of Fraunce euer syns Charles Martell Pipine and Lewis haue studyed alwayes to auaunce and enryche the Bysshoppes of Roome He prayseth moche his owne dilligence and zeale to the common welthe but the thynge is farre otherwyse yf it bee indged a ryghte for throughe hys order and conduite haue many thousandes of Christians ben slayne of the Turkes within a shorte space in Hongary ones or twyse in the Goulfe of Uenise at Castelneufe after that in Barbarfa at Argiers Whither at
the reformation of the chamber shal now be shortely he exhorteth them they would not refuse to contribute theyr ayde agaynst the Turk of whose not only preparation that is exceading greate but also of hys commyng he is credebly certifyed both by letters messaugers He was infourmed of all that was dooue in the conuention by Nauius that wente vnto hym At the same tyme also he calleth a counsell of thempire at Spier agaynst the laste daye of Nouembre Departyng than frō Genes he spake with the Bisshop of Rome at Busset which is a Towne by the Riuer of Tare betwixte Placence and Cremone There agayne in lyke case as he did before by letters he required him to proclayme hymself enemie to the French Kynge but he sayde howe that was not expedient for the common welth and herin perseuered The Bisshop had geuen to hys sonne Peter Aloise Parma and Placence whiche he had obteyned latelye of the College of Cardinalles by an exchaunge made and because these Cities were sometyme the Dukes of Millan he required that the Emperour by hys authorytie would for a pece of monye confirme hys sonne in the possession of thē and create hym Duke of the same But that did themperoure which helde Millan and wolde deminishe no part of hys ryght refuse They saye moreouer howe the Bysshōppes intente was to haue perswaded themperour for a somme vfmony to haue made his Nephew Octauian Duke of Millan The Emperour breaking of this talke that he might be no longer letted whan he had deliuered vnto Cosmus Medices Duke of Florence the Casteles of Florence and Liburne which he had vntill that time in his owne custodye receyuing of hym therfore two hondreth thousand ducates he procedeth on hys iorney Before he came out of Spayne he had created hys sonne Philip kynge and gaue vnto hym in marriage the Ladye Marye Daughter vnto Iohn kynge of Portugall This yere also did Sigismunde the sonne of Sigismund kyng of Polle mary the Lady Elyzabeth the daughter of Fernando kyng of Romanes Henry the Duke of Brunsewicke going to mete Themperour in Italy heynouslye accuseth the Protestantes at Cremoise Whan Themperour was now comming out of Italy with hys armie the Protestantes whiche had lately receyued hys letters dated at Gene mete together at sinalcalde the .xxiiii. daye of Iune to consulte of sending to hym Ambassadours of matters apperteyning to the defence and kepyng of the Dutchie of Brunswicke and to theyr league to sollicite Duke Maurice of the king of Swecia of Otto Henry Palatine Wuolfange Prince of Bipounte of the Bisshop of Munster whiche than desyred all to be receyued into their league This assemblie ended the .xxi. of Iuly And moche aboute thys same tyme the Emperoure and the Kyng of England make a league agaynste the Frenche Kynge whiche ayded the Scottes as before is sayde But this confederacie the Bisshop of Rome toke in maruelous euill part and therfore thoughte the French frendeship to be nedefull for hym Whan themperour was commen to Spier about th ende of Iuly the Protestantes sende thither Ambassadours Fraunces Burcart George Bemelberg Christopher Ueninger and Iames Sturmius Being admitted the second of Auguste they speake in a maner the same in effecte that they did before to king Fernando the conclusion of theyr tale was that in case they might be sufficiently warraūted to haue peace yf the Iudgement of the chamber myght be refourmed as it was lately decreed at Regenspurg yf the inequalitie of cōtributyng may be takē away they wil not fayle to beare theyr partes in publicke necessities As touchinge the Duke of Brunswicke they re desyre is that the matter maye come to hearyng and they saye howe they will proue manifestly that he whiche firste had done open iniurye to the cities of Goslarie and Brunswicke to haue benryghtlye expulsed and dryuen oute of hys countrey Hereunto Themperoure by Nauius in the presence of Granuellane two dayes after that there was no more to bee required For they were well enouge assured of peace by the fourmer decrees the iudges of the chamber can not bee remoued before theyr cause be heard In the moneth now of October inquisitiō shal be made of them and if any fault may be found in them they shall not escape vnpunnished the moderation of contributinge can not be made without the comon assent of all states let them consider the present state of the publicke weale and because it is a matter of moste daunger vnlesse it be holpen in time let them geue theyr ayd agaynste the Turke lyke as other states doe He muste hym selfe goe now with hys whole force agaynst the Frenche Kyng and the Duke of Cleaue to thentente he maye defende hys subiectes from Iniurye The Duke of Brunswick vrgeth sore to be restored therfore let them saye theyr fantasye in that matter They desire to haue this aunswere deliuered them in wryting that they may the better consyder it Thēperour was content and the nexte day he went frō Spier to Mentz so farre the ambassadours followed hym and whan they had receyued the wryting they shewe Granuellan and Nauius wherfore they are not satisfyed touchinge the peace and because theyr desyre is that the cause of Brunswick might be hearde they haue no further comission in that matter The archebisshop of Collon came to themperoure at Spiers to intreate for the Duke of Cleaue but that was in vaine For excepthe wolde fyrst departe from the posession of Gelderlande Themperour wold heare no mention of peace And where the ambassadoure of Saxonye by hys Princes commaundemente made suite for the Duke of Cleaue to Granuellan at Mentz and to perswade dyd saye howe a priuate iniurye muste bee forgeuen for the common welthes sake especially now that the Turk inuadeth The other maketh aunswer that Themperour wil not goe frō hys pourpos what inuasyon soeuer the Turkes shall make I tolde you before how they of Heldesseme had forsaken the popisshe Religion entred into league with the Protestantes Whom Ualentyne the Bisshop of that Cytye had accused heynousely before to the chamber and to kynge Fernando and nowe also to Themperoure that they had chaunged the religion and Ceremonyes of the churche howe they had appoynted new preachers to teache the people put downe the Masse punnisshed the followers of the olde relygyon howe they haue broken and beaten downe not only aultars and fontstones but also the churches howe they haue taken into theyr handes custody all the mouables goods and Iuelles of the clergie and that of late also they haue setfoorthe gameplayes to mocke and deryde openly the Uirgin Marye and other sainctes that they pourposynge to forsake hys Iurisdiction had lynked themselues in confederacie with the Protestantes and constreyned Monkes and such others to obserue theyr religyon through violence and those that wold not obey them haue put to open shame and also bannished When Themperour had heard thys complaynte the syxte daye of
soeuer he hath promised he hath lyberally perfourmed and sōwhat more also than he was bounden But he hath not donne well who forgettyng his noble lynage and estate hathe brought hym selfe into suche bondage As concernynge hys Nece he maie knowe what her mynde and her parentes is he is in nothyng further bounden to hym Whan Themperoure had establysshed thynges in Gelderlande in the moneth of October he came to Landresey with an exceadynge greate armye Thyther came also the French kynge with hys whole force and the thynge was none other lyke but to haue commen to a battell But when the Frenche men had vytayled the Towne they went awaye by nyght so pryuely that the enemy perceiued it not before it was day light Than at the length pursuing after them they ouer tooke the rerewarde slew many And because winter came on Themperour thinking good to attempt no further whan he had sēt a certen power to the sege of Lucēburg he dischargeth the rest of hys army Duke Maurice serued themperour at Landresey of hys owne voluntarye mynde wherby he gote moche good wyll and made the way to obteyne hys frendship In the winter season the Duke of Lorayne and certen others intreate for peace but that was in vayne Themperoure retournynge home from Landersey sent Fardinando Gonzage Uiceroy of Sicilie to the Kyng of England that he might incense hym more agaynste the Frenche kynge I haue oftentymes mentioned of William Countie Furstēberge he beyng made a straūger with the Frenche kinge made suite by Granuellan to come in to Themperours fauour And to declare hys fydelytie he leuyed a certen power of foote men in hys owne Iurisdictyon and wente in the myddes of wynter to Lucemburge and ioyned hym selfe with Thēperours Armie But when the Frenche men by the conduite of the Duke of Longouile had vitayled them within he departeth without any thynge doon after that many were dead for colde and honger I shewed you before howe the counsell of th empyre was appoynted at the last of Nouember Wherfore the Protestantes assemble together at Franckfourd to consulte before what thynges they shoulde treate of in the whole assemblye And where the matter was delayd by reason of the Frenche warres the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue in the moneth of Nouember addressyng their letters to themperoure do aduertise hym howe they wyll come to the counsell yf he hymselfe wyll bee there and graunte them saufecounduite for them and theyr league frēdes Wherunto Themperour aunswered frō Brusseles the x. day of Decembre that he would come doubtles and that in the moneth of Ianuarye and sendeth withall a saufconduite Howebeithe excludeth suche as are addicte to hys enemyes by promesse faythe or conuenaunte signifyinge the priuie espialles of the Frenche kynge Than in the begynnyng of Ianuary takyng hys iorney he commeth to Spire The .xxiiii. day of thys moneth was a great Eclipse of the Sonne in the daye tyme so that all men beheld it not without great wonder This yeare also were thre ful eclipses of the Moone A matter in dede to bee wondred at and the whyche as the astronomiers saye hathe not chaunced synce the tyme of great Charles Alexander Farnese Cardinall passyng throughe Fraunce spoke with Themperoure goynge towardes thassemblye and tooke hys leaue of hym at Wormes The cause of his ambassade was thought to be a treaty of peace This assemblie of Spier was exceading great For booth king Farnando and all the Prynces Electours which is seldome seene in maner all other Princes were there and amonges them also the Duke of Cleaue As the Duke of Saxony was comyng whych was the .xviii. day of February the Lantzgraue the Archebisshop of Colō Friderick the Paulsgraue and the Uiceroye of Sicilye went foorth and met hym Two dayes after the counsel began And Themperour propoundeth for what causes leauynge Spayne he is nowe retourned into Germany and hath called this conuention he hath sufficiētly declared by hys letters dated at Gene neyther is it nede to recyte howe moche he hathe euermore loued the Publyke weale that all thynges put in order at home he myghte warre agaynst the common enemye of Christendome but howe he hath ben impeached hytherto and by whom it is not vnknowen For thys last yere by the procurement of the French kyng the Turkisshe nauie is comen into the Sea of Ligurie and hath inuaded the countrey of the Duke of Sauoye a Prince of Thempire taken the Citie and hauen of Nice and with greate force beseged the Castell and vattered it ryght sore And albeit they were constrayned throughe hys Armye approchynge to leuye theyr siege yet haue they syns attempted other places of Th empyre and of Spayne also and are nowe wholy aboute to distroie all together Therfore is the matter nowe brought into an extreme daunger and vnlesse they ioyne theyr mindes and powers to helpe it it is to be feared lest Germanye shall acknoweledge and bewayle hys miserye al to late He hath often wisshed to redresse these euilles but the Frēch Kynge mouing warre agaynst hym insondry places he could neither retourne into Germanye nor Ioyne his power with theyres And that the Turke doeth so boldly inuade Germany that the warres also attempted agaynste hym haue had so euell successe hytherto the cause hathe ben fyrst that he hath ben aduertysed from tyme to tyme by the Frenche kyng of the dissention in relygion of the publycke and priuate dyspleasure of al degrees of the state of Th empyre and what thynges are donne therein Secondlye for that he seeth howe at the Frenche Kynges hand he fyndeth fauour and socour ready as it hath not been only declared by witnesse and letters but nowe also proued in dede For asmoche therfore as he styreth vp and armeth the comon and moste cruell enemye of all others agaynste the Christen publyke weale he supposeth that they shoulde esteme thys warre whyche he is constreyned to maynteyne agayste hym non otherwyse than if it were attempted agaynste the Turke trustynge moreouer that they wyll not onlye condemne hys practyse and enterpryses but also wyll assiste hym to thentente that beyng delyuered from the domestycall enemye he maye dysplaye hys whole force agaynste the Turke After thys expostulatyng that the ayd decreed for the Turkish warre was not sente accordyngly for the wante wherof the Turke hathe agayne thys laste yere preuayled and taken certen Townes and Castels in Hongarye he requyreth them that seeyng the Turke goeth about to wynne Hongarye that he maye after inuade Germanye they wolde consyder depelye so weyghtye a matter that they may haue ayde not oulye to defend but to inuade also to th ende thys moste noysō plage may ones be driuen away from theyr wyues children and natif contrie declaring moreouer how willing he is the thinges amisse shoulde be refourmed and emongs other the iudgement of the chamber The same day king Fernādo by hys ambassadours speakīg
father of the comon welthe and hygh Bisshop wolde ayde the Duke of Sanoye with hys helpe counsell and of hys syngular wisdome wolde deuyse some meanes howe that cruell enemye myght be expulsed not only from Nice but also frō those places where he hathe hauens and holdes for hys refuge for thys shoulde be a thynge bothe to God most acceptable and to the whole common wealth also moste holsome and profitable with diuerse other perswations touching the same matter To this the Bishop aunswereth the .xxvi. day of February Theffect of his aunswer is thys that the castell of Nice may bee defended he wyll be no lesse carefull hereafter than he hathe ben hytherto trustyng that as they are carefull for it so wyll they be no lesse mydnfull to take paynes for the whole common welthe for this shall best become them And after a longe rehearsal of the ayde of men and captaynes which he hath sent into Hongary and Affrica agaynst the Turkes how he hath wasted his treasure in suche affayres how ofte he hath sent Ambassadours how oft traueled him self aboute the publyke weale he sayeth in fyne that lyke as they commende vnto hym Nice so doeth he commende vnto them the state of the comon welth whiche is sore afflicted and decayed And the chiefe and only waye to helpe thys matter is that the myndes of Kynges may be reconciled for out of thys welsprynge procedeth all the discommoditie that is in the comon welth And if dissention betaken awaie the fourmer beautie will come agayne For before this grudge and displeasure there were neyther heresies in Germany nor Turkee in Hongarye But so soone as the waye was made throughe ciuile discorde immediatelye sprange vp heresyes factions and hatred bothe publyke and pryuate And hitherto hath also the counsel ben letted and hyndered Therfore muste we seeke to recouer the peace that was before And after thexample of phisitions take away the fyrst cause of the disease For through peace warre and the Turk are put to flyght And by a counsel which in peace may be kepte all heresyes and what so euer is amisse may be refourmed Otherwise let them not thinke that eyther Nyce can bee defended from the enemye or any part of Christendome kept fre from daunger but that all men shal be wrapped in the same calamitie and distructiō In the moneth of March the Paulsegraue Lewis prince Electour departed out of this lyfe and his brother Fridericke did succede him The Princes electours and thother states through Themperours aduise the second day of Aprill sende letters to the Swyses to diswade them from aydyng the French kyng who to the vtter decay and ruine of Christen relygyon hathe lincked hym selfe with the Turkes and thys last yere hath conducted theyr Nauie into the sea of Lygurie where they haue warred vpon the Duke of Sauoye and taken Nice And yet remayne still in Fraunce intendiuge to worke more mischiefe to Themperour and all hys countries Wherfore they require them from hencefoorthe to suffer non of theyr men to serue the Frenche kynge who for thys wicked league with the people of Mahomet ought to be detested of all men and taken for a comon enemie And yf any be gon to hym already to call them home agayne and so to vse them selues that it maye appere they doe not neglecte the publycke preseruation Whilest they consulted of matters propounded by Themperoure The Duke the Lantzgraue and theyr confederates the fyrst daye of Aprill before Themperoure Kyng Fernando and al the states of th empyre accuse Henry the Duke of Brunswick of most heynous offences and also recite in order by wrytinge what harmes and iniuries he had done to the cytyes of Brunswicke and Goslarye theyr consortes in whose defence they wer cōstrayned to repulse that vniust violence After they reherse howe these many yeres hys whole endeuour hath ben to seeke occasyon to moue warre agaynst them proue the same by the testimonye of letters which were founde as I tolde you before whan he was expulsed in hys princypall Castell In those letters whych he had wrytten for the most parte all to the archbisshop of Mentz to the duke of Bauier and to Heldus before he was dryuē oute he wissheth oft for Themperours comyng out of Spaine And when there was any hope therof than he braggeth and threateneth And what tyme Themperour was comē and slacked the matter he complayneth of hys lyngering and delaye and be wayleth that he and hys fellowes are not satisfyed that the league made at Norinberge was neglected and layeth all the blame therof in Granuellan which is corrupted with mony by the Protestantes he raileth on hym and wissheth hym a shamfull death for his demerites and saieth how themperour is a slepe and can not be awaked And that he vseth hys name sometime only for a clooke and a terrour as Faukners are wonte many tymes to shewe foorthe a dead hauke to feare the fowle withall These and many other letters of suche lyke sorte wherin he vttereth hys mynde and affections were red openlye And moche to the same effecte had the Duke of Bauier and Heldus wrytten to him agayne And for because Henry brother to Duke George of Saxonie was in league with the Protestantes and had altered the religion as before is saide the Duke of Brunswicke had with letters messagers sollicited Themperour to take awaye hys landes trustyng that he should be set to kepe the possession of the contrie herof wer the letters also recyted Furthermore they declare hym to be a wycked mā and that he doeth contemne delude the Bisshoppes relygion which he wyll seme to maynteyne and proue it by a moste euydent testimonie Thys Duke of Brunswick had maryed the Lady Mary syster to Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberge who had a gentlewoman waytyng vpon her of an excellente beautye called Eue Trottine vpon whom her husbande doted in loue and when he had perswaded the mayde he had by her diuers children After to th entent the matter should not bee perceyued and that he myght vse her company the longer he geueth her counsel to faine as though she wold go home to her parētes And he fournissheth her of horses charyote and althynges necessarye for her Iorney She departeth and where she was thought to haue gone home she was conueyed into a Castell of hys And the captayne was made priuie to it before what thyng should be done And a woman or two appoynted to wayte vpon her whom he moste trusted This Eue within a few daies after she came thither kepeth her bed and fayneth her self sycke He had before caused to be made an Image of wood whiche dyd represente the head necke and Boulke of a dead body the other partes were made set out with lynen clothes which the wemen had stuffed and filled with earth and asshes that it might seme proportionate and so set the Image of wood and the clothe
the nexte daye after whan he had made his Cosyn the Erle of Nassow hys sonne his heire he ended his lyfe not without a great grief to Themperoure That tyme were the Protestantes Ambassadours in Lorayne that they myght confyrme the couenauntes of Sequestration latelye propounded by Themperour And fyrst they rested at Metz and after at Tullie and sendynge dyuerse letters to Themperour and to Granuellan they declared the rause of theyr commyng But Themperoure at the last excusyng hym selfe by hys warlyke affayres bad them go home agayne and differreth the whole matter to the next conuention of th empyre or to some other tyme more conuenient Whan Sandesyre was taken themperour the .xxv. day of August marcheth on styll and leauing Catalāne a Towne of Champagnie pitcheth his Tentes by the Riuer of Marne on the other syde wherof laye certen bandes of Frenche horsemen in an Ambusshe There Counte Willyam of Furstemberge whyche knewe the sytuation of Fraunce and euery passage goeth foorthe in the nighte and but one man with him to searche in what place of the ryuer they myght wade ouer at a foorde and passe with theyr Armie And hauing a pesaunt of the Contrie to bee hys guyde whan he had founde a forde and was gone ouer on the other syde he was intercepted by Frenche horsemen and caryed in to theyr Campe in greate derysyon and not withoute reproches for that he seruinge there before had caryed a greate deale of Golde oute of Fraunce and from thence was sente to Parys This thyng chaunced to Themperonre contrary to hys expectation and helde hym long in suspence The French king because the Swysses were not commen eschewed the battell And Themperoure procedynge foorth by the Ryuer syde dayly auaunced hys campe In those partyes is the Towne of Eperney There was moche store of victualles Munition and other warlycke furniture whiche thynges leste they shoulde come into the enemyes handes were conueyed in greate haste downe the Riuer All that coulde not bee caryed awaye was consumed with fyre the Frenche men themselues settyng the Towne a fyre Wherfore Themperoure withoute resistance marched to Castell Theodoricke a Towne by the same Ryuer not two dayes Iorneye from Paris And albeit the Frenche kynges Ambassadours sente to entreate for peace were in Themperours Campe yet marched he forewarde neuer the lesse and whan he was commen thus farre there arose a wonderfull feare amonges them at Parys All men that were of any welthe fled thence neyther coulde they be kepte backe by the kynges proclamation forbiddynge that any man should flee and the vilest sorte remayned styll And therfore was there some daunger leste the greatest Citie in all Europe and exceadyng ryche also shoulde euen through those same haue been spoyled In the same Uninersitie is a wonderfull nombre of Studentes out of al countries in christendom they fled also and the king had in dede proclamed that all alienes shoulde departe immediatlye vnder payne of deathe thys was in the begynnynge of September A fewe dayes after the kynge of Englande hauynge sore shaken and battered Bollen with hys myghtye ordenaunce had it rendred vnto hym whiche neyther hys father nor the kynges of former tyme could euer wynne For he dyd not batter the walles only with canon shot and shake a sondre the Castell and Bulwarkes with vndermynyng whyche in wynnynge of stronge places is the common practise of other Princes but also had greate and heuge Morter peces whyche were shotte of suche a compasse that they fell ryght downe and looke where they lyghted brake downe all beefore them to the grounde so that many wer oppressed with the ruine that they made and the rest that loued theyr lyues were driuen to kepe in caues and sellars vnder the earth At the last the .xxiiij. day of September Thēperour maketh peace with the Frenche kynge whan he was commen to Castell Theodoricke a towne of the Soissons the peace makers of Themperours parte were Gonzage the Uiceroye of Sicilie and Granuellan And for the Frenche kynge was Claudie Annebalde the Admirall Charles Nulley and Gilbart Baiarde And the condicions wer these What soeuer hathe ben taken on eyther syde syns the trewes of Nice is restored agayne The French kyng shall render to the Duke of Lorayne the Towne of Asteney for because it is vnder the protection of Lucemburg They shall aydeone an other and Ioyne al their forces together that the olde relygion concorde of the churche maie be restored The Frenche king promiseth to ayde Themperour in the Turkissh warre with sixe hondreth men of Armes and ten thousand footemen He renounceth the title and clayme of Arragonie Naples Flaunders Artois and Gelderlande Themperour agayne renounceth hys ryght to the Countie of Bollonois Perone other townes standyng vpon the water of Some Moreouer to lowe Burgundye and the contrie of Macon Than promiseth he to geue in Maryage to the kynges sonne the Duke of Orieans the Lady Mary hys eldest doughter or els the daughter of hys brother Fernando whether of them he wyll geue he shall declare with in foure moneches yf he geue his daughter he promiseth for her dowary Brabant Gelderlande Lucemburge Limburge Flaunders Holland Henaulte Artois Namures Friseland Utrecht and all hys dominions there and also hyghe Burgundie that after hys deathe they maye inioye possesse the same Yf he thus doe than the kyng for hymselfe hys Chyldren renounceth hys ryght to Millan And if it fortune themperours daughter to dye hauinge no Children than the Duke of Orleans departeth from all that possession and the ryghte in Millan remayneth wholy to the Frenche kynge and to Themperoure the ryghte of the House of Burgundie Yf he geue the daughter of Fernando he graūteth for her dowarie the Dukedome of Millan howe so euer the mariage be it shal be accomplisshed within a yeres space And the Kynge shall wholy restore the Duke of Sauoie The Kynge also is permytted to kepe Hesdin Themperour promiseth his whole endeuour that peace maye bee made also betwixte Fraunce and Englande As concernynge the Duke of Cleaue beecause the kynge and Quene of Nauarre did affirme that theyr Daughter neuer consented to that Marriage but also witnessed the contrarye after the solemne and accustomed maner the Frenche Kynge shall sende that protestation to Thēperoure within syxe weekes that some thynge maye bee determyned In thys peace are comprised the Bisshop of Roome Kynge Fernando Portugall Polle Denmarke the Uenetians Swyses the dukes of Sauoye Lorayne Florence Farrane Mantua Urbine the Cytyes of Gene Luke Senes the Prynces Electours and al the states of Th empyre that are obedyente to Themperoure Thys peace concluded Themperoure dyschargynge hys Armye retourneth home to Brusselles All men woondred at thys peace makynge For euen those whyche were Themperours frendes and famylyare with hym loked most certenly for a Conquest before they went in to the Fielde and made theyr boast that with in a fewe monethes
bounden ar not to be receyued To haue Images in the churches is a thing full of daunger for Idolatrie Baptisme is a signe of the league that god hath made with vs wherby he testifieth that he forgeueth our sīnes It is a signe also of cōtinuall mortifying and of a new lyfe which ought to folow Baptisme That thys Sacrament ought to be receiued of al men and not somuche as little chyldren to be kept frō the same which are also partakers of the godly promission There ought no vow to be made that is eyther besides Goddes worde or els cannot bee perfourmed by man Howe euerye man ought daily to confesse hys sinnes vnto God and craue his mercy moreouer yf any scrupulositie trouble hys conscience to axe counsell of the minister of the church for hys comfort and consolation But that Auricular confessinge of Synnes hathe neyther testimonye of Scripture nor yet can bee perfourmed but is a tormentynge of the mynde ryghte peryllous Of the perpetuall virgynitye of our Ladie he nothynge doubteth Concernynge all these thynges a fewe dayes before he stode foorthe he wrote vnto hys wyfe and to others of hys frendes that requyred thys of him vsing the seruyce of hys syster And whan he was condemned to dye he aduertiseth hys wyfe in an other letter with what kynd of punnishmenthe should end his life the next daye and also comforteth her shewyng her that the condicyō of a disciple ought not to be better than hys masters and geueth her certen instructions preceptes of lyuing The diuines of Paris had made decrees of relygion two yeares past as before is recyted And now by the kinges cōmaundement they mete at Mellon which is a Towne in an Iland of Seine ten myles aboue Paris The kyng was therby in the Castell of Fountayne blewe and had commaunded them to assemble that forasmoche as peace was concluded and the counsell shoulde shortely ensewe they myghte after consultatyon had resolue vpon suche artycles for the Churche expediente as myght be thought mete to bee defended in the counsel and publycke Showe place of al Chrystendome The ende of whyche consultatyon was thys that allbeit the altercation amonges them was greate yet wolde they alter no iote of those thynges whyche they had before setfoorth at Parys After the example of the Parisiās the Diuines of Louaine also draw out articles and after by Themperoures permission set them foorth to the nomber of .xxxii. of the same secte for all the worlde as bee the Parysyans before rehearsed Those doeth the Emperour by hys proclamatyon confyrme and ratyfye publyshynge hys letters therof the day beefore the Ides of Marche The Diuines wrytte howe they tooke thys payne the more wyllyngly for that they knewe the same shoulde be well accepted of Themperour who had hertofore requyred of thē a moche lyke thynge In the composytion of the pease it was agreed that Themperour and the Frenche Kynge shoulde to the vttermoste of theyr power restore the olde Relygyon as they terme it And those thynges that wee haue nowe recyted seme to tende to the same ende And the Cardinall of Tournon which went with the Duke of Orleans into Flaūders is thought to haue furthered much that matter But Luther aunswereth them of Louain with cōtrary theames and calleth them heretickes and bludsuckers who teaching wicked thynges that can neyther be defended by reason nor scripture doe ad to vyolence and persecute with fyre and sworde For bothe they and also the Parysians propounde onlye bare propositions and prescribe what they wyll haue followed but alledge no place of Scripture to proue it and incense the magistrate to persecution The assemblie of Thempire was than at Woormes Themperoure beynge diseased of the goute was longe or euer he came He had they re hys deputes the Cardinall of Auspurge and Fridericke Countē of Furstemberg The xxiiii day of Marche kyng Fernando in Themperours absence propoundeth Wherfore thys conuention is called verely for the establyshyng of relygion the lawe and peace and for the Turkisshe warre He sheweth howe Themperoure wysshed to haue ben here in person but hathe ben letted hitherto by reason of syckenes and yet intendeth to come so soone as he hathe recouered healthe And because he wyll not longer hynder the common consultation therfore hathe he requyred hym to commence the thynge chieflye concernynge the Turkishe warre for the which cause Themperoure made peace with the Frēch kynge to thentente that all thynges beyng pacyfyed relygyon maye be quyeted and refourmed and after all force and power bee prepared agaynste the Turke And after he hathe declared what trauell Themperour hathe euer taken to procure a counsell fyrste wyth Clement the .vii. at Bononie after with Paule the. iii at Roome Genes Nice Luke and now lately at Busset And because it is now brought to passe and already in hande at Trente Themperours aduise is not to treate of Relygyon in thys Conuention but to attende vpon the procedynge of the counsell or yf there shal be none than before th ende of thys assemblye to appoynt an other conuocatyon of Th empyre for the same pourpos But now requyreth them especially to cōsult of the Turkishe warre For he is aduertysed by sondry letters messengers that the Turke is comming into Hongary with a greater power thā euer he did to thentente he may after inuade Germany Let them cōsulte therfore whether they thynke it mete to mooue warre agaynste hym or defende onlye and what they shall determyne to signifye the same to themperoure who hath perswaded the bisshop of Rome the French king to the Societie of this war trusteth also the others will not be behynd Wherunto the protestantes with them also the archbishop of Collon the Palsgraue electour the third day of April make this aunswer How this cōuentiō was appoynted chiefly for religiō and how that in fourmer conuētions an entrie accesse hath bē made to come vnto an agrement And therfore is there more hope now that they should wholy accord Wherfore they wolde right gladly begin first with that matter the state of Germany doeth require it should be so who yf the feare of God be before theyr eies they doubte not to haue good successe Howbeit if either the weightines of the thing or the shortnes of tyme or els the presēt daunger of the Turke wil not permit it yet shall it be nedefull that the decree concerning peace be further declared For peace is in dede graunted to religion vntill the counsell but they do not acknowledg this counsell of Trent for a lawful counsell such as hath ben promised in the coūselles of thempire And why they doe not accept it they haue oft times heretofore declared Therefore haue they nede of peace who doe not depende of the popishe counsell which may take place til the matter be godly christiāly determined And because a firme peace can not bee had except the execution of
complainte Therfore aboute th ende of this conuention Themperoure by hys letters published at Wormes receyueth them into hys tuitiō and chargeth al men vnder the paine of outlawyng that no man disturbe thē in their religiō right or possession Againe in other letters he citeth the archebisshop that within .xxx. dayes he come hym selfe or send his proctour to aunswer to the accusations And in the meane time commaundeth that he intermeddle not nor alter any thynge yf he haue chaunged ought to restore it to hys olde place The same commaundemente also geueth he to the Townesemen of Andernake Bonna Lyntz and Campene for in these places chyefly had the Archebisshop appoynted Preachers to instructe the people Agayne the .xviij. daye of Iulye Paule the .iii. citeth hym after the same maner that within two monethes he appere before hym at Roome he cyteth also Henrye Stolberge Dean of the Cathedrall Churche in Collon and hys Colleges whyche were all of noble houses Iames Ringraue Fryderycke Weden Chrystopher Oldenburge Rychard Rauier and Phylyp Obersten For these bothe loued the Archebishop and allowed not the suite of the rest The Bysshop of Roome had dyuerse yeres paste mislyked muche the Archebisshop whyche was chiefly longe of Uergeryus Bysshop of Instinople who beyng Ambassadour in Germany and comming on a time to Collon whan he heard that he was aboute the reformation of hys churche he rebuked hym sore bothe by wordes and letters and accused hym whan he came at home After longe disceptation concernyng peace the Chamber and the Turkish warre Themperoure the fourthe daye of August maketh an ende of pleadynge And because manye thynges coulde not be here determyned vnlesse the Prynces had been presente themselues he prorogeth the whole treaty vntill the moneth of Ianuarye next followyng and than commaundeth all the Prynces to come to Regenspurge vnlesse they be letted by syckenes and sayeth he wyll be there hym selfe And forsomuche as he desyreth that the controuersye in relygion myghte once bee accorded he appoynteth an other conference of learned men and foure collocutours on eyther side and two auditours commaundynge them to bee at Regenspurge at the kalendes of December and to begynne the matter before the assemblye of Prynces shall repayre thyther Then he recyteth the decrees of peace of the fourmer yeres and confirmeth them commaunding that no man attempt any thing to the contrarye After he taketh order howe the money graunted in the yeare before to the Turkysshe warre shoulde be leuyed and reserued the reformation of the Chamber he differreth tyll the nexte conuention That parte concernynge the conference of Learned men the Catholyckes refuse neyther wold they assent to Themperoure herein the reste they doe not refuse But the Protestantes doe repete the fourmer treatye and saye that the faulte is not in them that they had not treated of Relygyon and that they had sayed beefore touchynge the refusall of the Counsell and the Chamber they inferre agayue and vrge the decree of Spyer made the laste yere and where as this decree of Themperoures dissenteth from that they proteste that they doe not admit the same How the ambassadours of the protestantes followed themperoures campe the yeare past how themperour differred it tyll an other tyme I shewed you before Whersore in this assemblie the matter was throughly determyned vpon condicions before mentioned And whē the duchie of Brunswicke was by sequestration permitted to themperour he by by cōmaundeth Henry the duke to trye the matter by the law abstaine frō force of armes but he wyll not assente thereunto hereof maketh protestation And what tyme themperoure againe chargeth hym extremelye vnder the paine of outlawing that he shold obey thorder taken he not only disobeyed it but also wrote agayne bitterly raileth vppon his counsellours especyally Granuellan and Nauius and not content herewith secretly began to gather men that he myght recouer that he had lost as a lyttell after you shall heare Themperoure goeth downe the Ryuer of Rhine from Wormes to Collon And from thence retourneth to Brusselles The Bysshop of Collon beynge cyted to appere before Themperoure where soeuer he were or to sende hys Proctour within .xxx. dayes Albeit that for the olde custome of Germany and by the priuelege of the Princes Electours he was not bounden to seke thēperoure withoute the limites of thempire yet sent he thither his proctour which should defende hym That time was the warre hote betwirte Fraunce and England And was mayneteyned aswell by sea as by lande And the Frenche king with moche a doe builded a forte nere vnto Bologne vpon the Sea coast intending to cut of theyr vitayle And was driueu to fynde an Armye there tyll the woorke was finisshed which neuerthelesse was at the fyrst discōsited with a great deale lesse power of the Englissh men through the cōduite of the Erle of Herforde and lost theyr tentes caryage And it greued the protestātes to see these two kynges at such mortal warre together which so many yeres before had been at peace Wherefore knowynge that it shoulde not be displeasaunte to neyther partye They sende Ambassadours into Fraūce Christopher Ueninger Iohn Bruno of Nidepōt Iohn Sturmius Into Englād Lewis Bambache Iohn Sleidan Who coming to Amiens the tenth day of Septēber heare there of the death of the Duke of Orleans which was departed the day before He should haue ben eyther son inlaw or allied to thēperour as before is declared as it wer a most sure bonde of perpetuall frendship But what tyme the maryage was in maner appointed to be kept he died of a short sickenes being a yong man of .xxiii. yeres of age At the selfe same tyme Duke Henrye of Brunswicke beinge furnisshed with the French golde as before is sayde hyreth bandes of soldiours as secretly as he can Which after they were assēbled besides Uerded aboute a thousande and fyue hundreth horsemen and eyght thousande footemen He goeth to Rotburge a Towne belōging to the citie of Breme that he myghte ioyne the munition of hys brother Archebisshop of Breme hys owne to gether but that labour was lost For the Senate of Breme had sente thyther before men to defende the place Marchynge therfore through the countrey of Luneburge where he did moche hurte by the waye he commeth into hys owne prouince taketh the Castel Stēbrucke by composition after he worketh moche mischief in the coūtrie spoylyng and fyreyng the houses And sendeth worde to the Cities nexte hym as Brunswicke Hanobrye Minden Breme Hamburge that they shoulde recompence hym for the iniutyes done and forsake the conspiracie of Smallcald for so it was his pleasure to cal it or els he threateneth thē with vtter distruction And other force of his aboute eyght hundreth horsemen and thre thousand fotmen whau they had spoyled burned the coūtrie of Countie Deckelburge a fellow of the Protestātes done moch harme they passed ouer
the riuer of Uisurge and ioyne themselues vnto him Wherfore he goeth besegeth Warolbuttell the chiefe castel of his dominion constrayneth the people in all places to geue hym theyr saythe by an othe In the meanetyme the Lantzgraue at the commaundement of his fellowes gathereth in hys owne countrey to the nombre of seuen thousande men thre enseignes of foote men and aboute a thousand and sixe hundreth horsemen With thys power and with .xxiii. pieces of ordenaūce he marcheth to Northeme thither came vnto him duke Ernest of Brunswicke the sonne of Philip sent by the Duke of Saxon with a thousande horsemen and thre thousande footemen syxe thousande of them that were leuyed in hys owe dominyon and with xii felde peces When the Duke of Brunswicke vnderstode this leavynge the syege of the Castell whyche the garrison within defended manfullye he tourned an other waye and scrapynge together all the monye he myghte gette payeth the soldiours whyche were readye to slyppe asyde and after marchynge forwarde encampeth hymselfe at Calfelde whyche Uillage was a myle from the Lantzgraues campe In thys troublesome state Duke Ericus of Brunswicke and his mother a wydowe Iohn Marques of Brandenburge sonne inlawe to Duke Henry with certen others intreate for peace But the Lantzgraue and the Saxons saye howe they can doe nothynge herein but by the cōsent of theyr fellowes Therfore doe they make suite to duke Moris praying hym to perswade the Lantzgraue hys father inlaw He followeth theyr requeste and whan he came into the Campe the xvi daye of October he propoundeth the whole matter and desyreth that he myghte bee permytted to treate the peace But the Lantzgraue excuseth the matter as he dyd beefore The nexte daye certen bandes of Horsemen of the Duke of Brunsewyckes came nere vnto Northeme and skermyshed with the Lantzgraues Horsemen but beynge repulsed with shotte they retourne into they re Campe. The same daye at nyghte Duke Mauryce sollyciteth agayne the Lantzgraue And for because he hathe promysed Duke Henrye and hys frendes to take paynes in the thynge he desyreth to haue some condycyons propounded whych yf Duke Henry shall refuse he maye honestly leaue the matter The Lantzgraue than propoundeth suche condicyons as there was no doubte but they wolde be refused Duke Morys sendeth Chrystopher Ebleb and Comerstrate a Ciuilyan to make hym the offer In the meane while came worde how the Duke of Brunswycke was commyng with all hys power to gette the hille that was nere vnto the Lantzgraues Campe. But the Lantzgraue came fyrste thyther and leauynge three bandes of Horsemen and certen enseygnes of Footemen to defende the Campe he remoueth hys whole Armye vnto the same Hylle Not longe after they beganne to skyrmishe on bothe partyes Whylest these thynges were a working the Ambassadours of Duke Mauryce retourne they shew hym how Duke Henrye aunswered franckly and committeth hym selfe wholy to Duke Moris and wil no more impugne relygion from henseforth the matter beynge debates to and froe whan Duke Moris was verey ernest the Lantzgraue sheweth hym howe thys is the onlye way to haue peace that he put in sufficyente warrantyse for Relygion that he yelde hymselfe into the custodye of Duke Morys and delyuer hys whole prouince vnto hym and looke what Duke Morys shal iudge hym to paye for the charges of that warre for the harmes donne and of the controuersye betwixte hym and the Cytie of Goslarye the same to be ratifyed these condycyons dooeth the Lātzgraue permitte that Duke Morys as intercessoure shall propounde whiche yf he wyll receyue after conference had herin with the Duke of Saxon and the Cyties that bee nere he sayeth shal be concluded With thys commissyon Duke Morys sendeth agayne hys Ambassadours who whattyme they retourned bryng word that there is good hope but in this hurly burly and conflictr together ther can nothing be ryghtly dōne and therfore had nede of a trewes durynge the treatye Than was it almoste nyghte and by the Lantzgraues permission trewes was taken from that tyme tyll the nexte daye at nyghte In the meane season goeth Duke Morys and talketh with the Duke of Brunswicke that he myght perswade hym But he cleane refuseth all those condicyons and propoundeth others farre vnlyke them and in communication with some of Duke Mauryee counsellours within these three houres sayeth hee it shall appere whether the Lantzgraue or I bee Lorde of the Worlde as Haunyball sayde to Scipio He also brake the truse made geuyng the charge vpon the Lantzgraues forragers Wherfore the Lantzgraue hearyng what condicyons Duke Henrye had propounded he breaketh of all the treatye and thanked Duke Moris for his paines the .xx. day of October the Duke of Brūswicke by hys counsellours proueth againe Duke Moris and requireth that they maye mete agayne in a conuenyent place betwixt both campes but the Lantzgraue wolde not Than Duke Moris proclameth warre also agaynst the Duke of Brunsewycke which thyng he tolde hym before that he woulde doe vnlesse he agreed of the peace sendynge to hym hys letters from Mulluse After thys whan it was farre in the nyght the Lantzgraue sent before Conrade Haustē with eyght guydons of horsemen and aboute twelue thousande footemen with the ordenaunce he hym selfe with the rest of his force followeth after accompanyed with the two Dukes Moris and Ernest Whan the day began to appeare the forewarde came to a certen strayte vppon the toppe of an hill not far from the Duke of Brunswickes camp after also the Lantzgraue with the resydew of hys armye Here was a sore conflict and by reason of the straytnes of the place whych could not be passed but one way only the fyght was a good whyle doubtefull But in that same instant the Lantzgraue shotynge of hys Ordenaunce repulsed the enemye After takynge delyberation whan they had found other places also wher they might passe through the Lātzgraue auaunced some parte of hys armye and shotte amonges his enemyes with hys greate pieces There the Duke of Brunswicke sendeth a trompet to Duke Moris and desyreth a comunication but the Lantzgraue makynge no aunswer fyrst bringeth through all his armye than setteth them in order of battel and dischargeth hys peces at them Than agayne come other two messagers from Duke Henrye making the lyke request vnto whom the Lantzgraue made aunswer that other condicion of peace was there none but that the Duke and hys eldest sonne muste come and yelde themselues vnto hym If they so doe well and good yf not I wyll proue sayeth he what I can doe thys shew hym and conclude briefly Here goeth Duke Moris in hād agayne with his father inlawe all the armye sayeth he is conueyhed through Now what hope is therof peace I wil saieth the other that Henry and his sonne shall submitte themselues vnto me If they shall refuse I wyll trye it by battell Whan he had thys aunswer Duke Moris goeth agayne and speaketh with Brunswicke But the
Lātzgraue neuerthelesse prepareth for the battell and styll shoutyng of his ordenaunce approcheth nere hys enemye and stayeth aboute fyue hōdreth passes from hym and sendeth woorde to Duke Morys by Cōrade Haustē how he cānot be in quiet for that he feareth lest through occasyon of talke Duke Henry shoulde escape awaye Duke Moris sayeth how he must nedes tary till he haue spoken with him and praieth hym so longe to absteyne A little whyle after he retourneth and sheweth how Duke Henry with plentifull teares be wayleth his myserye and wyll render hym selfe and hys sonne and desyreth hym that he wolde vse no cruell wordes towardes hym When the Duke was commen and hys sonne Charles Uictor the Lantzgraue sayde vnto hym If I were in thy power as thou art nowe in myne thou woldest not suffer me to lyue longe But I wyll vse thee a greate deale better then by thy desertes what came into thy mynde that thou wouldest not obey the Emperoure refusyng the sequestration for certenlye by thys meane thouhadst wel prouyded for thee and thyne speakyng on thys wyse he appoynteth thē both vnto kepers But in thys meane whyle the Lantzgraues armye had lyke to haue bickered with the enemye and had not the Lantzgraue and Duke Moris with greate expedition runnen betwixte them there had ben a wonderful slaughter The Duke of Brunswickes armye pourposed to depart wholy to gether in one companye but because there was daunger leste by occasyon they shoulde attempte some newe enterpryse the Lantzgraue followeth them and ouertakyng them vpon a playne compelleth thē that they should teare in pieces their enseignes promiseth hym vpō theyr fydelytie that they shoulde not serue agaynste hym nor hys fellowes within these sixe monethes Than taketh he a waie from thē all theyr munition to the nomber of xviii pieces with all that therunto belongeth and marching foreward recouereth the Castel of Stēbrucke and sweareth the people to be trewe to hym and commaundeth to geue God thankes for the victorye Then he punnisheth Iohn Schamburge Otto Ritberg Erles for aydyng hys enemie and so discharging hys army retourneth home In thys tyme dyeth Albert Cardinall of Mentz and Sebastian Husestene succedeth hym And the Bishopricke of Maydenburge had Iohn Alberte hys cosen germayne whyche was hys suffragan therebe fore A reporte was afterwarde bruted by Duke Maurice as though with disceiptefull captious woordes he shoulde haue brought the Duke of Brunswicke into bondage that knowen he setteth foorthe a wrytynge and sheweth for what cause beyng requyred of the Duke of Saxō and the Lantzgraue he coulde not denye them and recyting the whole matter in order declareth that he sustayneth iniury And yet neuerthelesse intreateth that he maye be deliuered But Luther in a booke set foorthe exhorteth the Prynces that they wolde not let goe theyr prysoner For thys victorye without bludshed was geuen them of God And in maner aboute thys tyme Countie William of Furstemberge whan he had ben prisoner at Paris vntil now paying .xxx. thousand crownes for hys raunsome was delyuered and passyng through Flaunders whan he had declared hys mysfortune to Themperoure retourneth home Themperoure wylleth hym to espye out some meane whereby thys dammage may be recompensed And herin promiseth him his fauour good will Whan Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke his sōne were takē the Duke of Saxon the Lantzssaue immediatly signifye to themperour by letters the whole matter inasmoch as he contēninge all his proclamations had disquieted Germany with a newe warre they require that both he his fellowes for breaking the publycke peace may be outlawed after the fourme and condicions of the Sequestratiō before conuenaunted After thys the last of October the Lantzgraue accusing countie Ritberge to themperour making mētion of the former letters whan he had made the same request he sayeth how after the Duke of Brunswicke was taken he found sondrye letters of great importaunce of secret deuyses in hys tentes which shew well enough that he went about some great mischief eyther agaynste him or kinge Ferdinando For amonges others ther is an epistle whiche a prince electour wryteth agayne to hym how he maye not vpon such condicions come into that league cōfederacy but that it is rather his dewty to vtter such maner of counsel which doubtles he wolde haue done had he not promised him vpon his fydelytie to haue kept it close Wherfore let hym moue hym nomore in the matter from henforth for yf he doe it shal be no counsell these and suche other lyke thinges hath he to shew If now he shall thynke that anythynge concerneth hys person he maye sende some trusty man of hys he shal shew him the letters let him haue a copie of the same Themperour beyng that tyme at Bruges a Towne in Flaunders the syxte daye of Nouember sendeth to the Lantzgraue Nicolaus Conricius with this message He heareth in what sorte the Duke of Brunswicke and hys sonne came into hys hādes And albeit he wold haue wisshed that he had accepted the condiciō of sequestration yet seing the matter is cōmen to this poynt he supposeth it not nedefull to punishe hym moreouer for breakinge the publyke peace hys truste is also that he wyll so moderately vse thys victory that no man shall nede to feare hys vyolence he admonyssheth hym moreouer that accordyng to the auncyente custome of Prynces he doe intreate hys prisoners quyetlye and honestyle neyther that he enforce them to any vnreasonable condicyon or vnworthye for them but permytte that the matter maye bee frendelye and indifferentlye hearde Wherin verelye he for hys offyce and place wyll omytte nothynge And because neyther he nor hys confortes neede nowe to feare anye further daunger hee requyreth hym to dyscharge hys Armye and obserue peace And yf he haue oughte to saye to any man for the Socyetye of warre or ayde minystred he wolde trye it by the Lawe and he wyll doe herein that shall be reasonable When Conricfus had thus declared the .xviii. daye of Nouember the Lantzgraue the same day aūswered him at Cassels For asmuch as the Duke of Brunswicke and hys fellowes haue moe wayes than one broken the imperial decrees he trusteth that Themperoure wyll playnly declare in how euill parte he taketh thys theyr doyng one of the chiefest of hys adherentes is Otto Erle of Ritberge his client whō he hath punysshed therfore therbe also diuerse others of whom he myght iustely be auenged but to th entent Themperour and all men shoulde clearly see howe littell he and hys fellowes loue trouble he hathe done nothyng to them and hath discharged hys soldiours And seeyng it is thus and that he tooke in hand a nedeful defencion he desyreth ernestyle that Themperoure wolde bannishe the Duke hys fellowes for though he be taken yet are hys adherentes to bee punyshed notwithstandyng whych also wyll shew themselues styll lyke enemyes Hys prisoners are intreated metely lyberally
Themperoure called he sayeth it muste be ascrybed to the farre and payneful iorney thys was during the assemblye of Wormes The Cardinalles hereunto make aunswer albeit they neuer doubted of Themperours zeale towardes Religion yet was thys oration of hys to them right acceptable And in as much as the Bisshop the trew vycare of Christ and successoure of Peter Prynce of the Apostelles after conference had with Themperoure hathe appoynted thys Counsell for the refourmatyon of the Publicke weale namelye of Germanye theyr truste is that the Emperoure wyll see there bee nothynge decreed at Wormes concernynge relygion but that al thynges be referred to the counsel If it shoulde be otherwise not only the auncient custome of the churche but also the lawe bothe of God and man should be infrynged Moreouer it shoulde be an euyll president and wold deface the whole dignytye of the Counsell As touchyng hym selfe hys presence and persone is to them ryghte acceptable Where therefore many were long or they came nothing was done that yere but that certen Freres made sermons to the Bisshoppes in the tyme of Aduente The Bysshop also sendynge foorthe a bull of indulgences at the Ides of December sayeth that the miserye of thys tyme is suche by reason of the ouerflowyng of heresyes that albeit he take neuer so muche laboure trauell and payne for the common welthe yet can he scarselye satyssye hym selfe therfore hath he called a counsel that the woundes of the Churche myghte bee healed whyche are made by wicked heretyckes And because the saluatyon of all men consysteth therin and agayne that the fathers of the counsell beynge holpen by the prayers of others maye to God be the more commended he exhorteth al men in generall that immediately they frame themselues to repentaunce confesse theyr synnes to the priest and that thre daies in the weke they tame theyr body with fastynge and the same dayes to be presente at the diuine seruice or in case they be sicke can not than to geue some thing to the poore and let the poorer sorte oftymes saye ouer theyr Pater noster and after receyue the Sacrament Unto al that obeye this he graunteth pardon and remission of theyr synnes and cōmaundeth all Bysshops to declare these thynges to the people After the seuenth daye of Ianuarye whan the number of Bysshoppes was wel increased they beganne the Counsell And whan all were commen into the Cathedrall Churche and masse donne the foresayde Cardinalles the Bysshop of Roomes Legates had an oration to the fathers wrytten wherin they declare howe the counsell is called for three causes chiefly that heresyes maye be weded vp by the rootes that the dysciplyne of the Churche maye be restored and that peace maye be recouered And saye howe the whole blame of all thys presente calamytie is to be imputed to the Clergie for what heresies warre or disorder soeuer there is they haue geuen the occasyon of all these euylles throughe theyr auaryce ambition and naughtie lyuynge therfore is it the iuste iudgment of God that they are nowe thus contemned troubled and afflicted yet not accordynge to theyr demerytes for there is not one of them that dooeth his dutye therefore they admonisshe euerye man to acknowledge hys faulte and studie to appease Goddes wrathe through the repentaunce and amendemente of lyfe vsyng herein the example of Esdras Nehemias and other Capytaynes who at theyr retourne admonisshed earnestly the people of Israel that confessinge theirs and their fathers offences they shoulde call to God for mercye Then come they to declare theyr owne duty whiche are Iudges in thys case howe they oughte to be free and voyde from anger hatred frendeshyp and geue nothyng to affections but to ascribe all honour vnto god only who with his aungels beholdeth thys congregation neyther can any mans thought be hidde from him therfore must they worke syncerely and exhorte the ambassadours of kynges and prynces to do the same After this oration was red the decree of the sinod by Iohn Fonsseca bisshop of Castremarine a Spaniarde In thys al christians are warned to amende theyr lyfe feare God many tymes confesse theyr synnes go ofte to churche and praie to God for publicke peace And that all Bisshops and other pristes be addicte to prayer also euerye seuenth daye at the leste whiche is called Sondaye saye masse and make intercession for the hygh bisshop for Themperoure for the whole comō wealth that they fast moreouer geue aulmouse to the poore That in the head churche there be masse songe weekelye vpon the thursedaie in the honour of the holy ghost that in masse time almen be attentife vnto the prieste and refrayne talkynge Moreouer that the bisshoppes leade a sober life and not fare sumptuously at their tables and that they do eschew all light and Idle talke and vse their familie to do lykewyse that in speakyng in apparel and al behauiour they maye shewe an honestie And in as much as the Synnode hath thys respect chiefly how the darknes of errours heresyes that haue so many yeres ouerwhelmed the earth being dryuen awaie the light of the treuth maie shyne foorth al ther be warned chiefly the learned sorte that they consyder diligentlye with them selues by what waye thys maye best be brought to passe And that in geuyng theyr voyces they follow the decree of the coūsell Toletane that they do it modestlye not clamourouselye that they be not contentious nor obstinate but pronounce all thynges temperately and quietly there was an other sitting the fourth daie of February Wherin was nothyng done sauing that they confessed the articles of the fayth and a daie appointed for the third metynge the eyght of Aprill For they hearde of moe that were cōmyng and therfore thought good to tarye for them that the Authoritie of theyr decrees myght be somuche the more Whylest thys was donne at Trent Luther was sent for to go to the Erles of Mansfelde to set an agremente betwixt them which wer at controuersie for a piece of lande he had nouer accustomed to treate of suche affayres and had onlye applyed hys studye all the dayes of hys lyfe But because he was borne at Issebie which is a Towne of the Erles of Mansfelde he coulde not but take so muche payne for them and for hys countrye Before he came to Issebie whych was in the later end of Ianuarye he felte hym selfe skant well at ease Yet did he accomplysshe the thyng he came for and sometyme preached in the churche and receyued also the communion But the .xvii. daie of Februarie he waxed sore sicke in hys stomake he had with him three sonnes Iohn Martin Paulle and certen others of his frendes emonges them also Iustus Ionas the minister of the churche at Halles And thoughe he was weake yet did he bothe dyne suppe with the reste Whylest they sate at supper speaking of sōdry thinges he moued also this questiō among others whether that
intelligence he had out of sondry places admonished them that the bandes of horsemen whiche for the suspicion of warre they had hyred before shuld be styl reteyned newe taken vp and prouyded but they for asmuch as thēperours demaundes pretēded no likelynes of warre but Lenitie and desire of peace thoughte verely there shuld haue ben no warre that yeare But what tyme the thing it self declared that the brute was not vayne whan nowe not only in Germany but also in Italy powers were leuied and moreouer the force of Spaniardes did approche the .xvi. daye of Iune they goe to Themperoure and for because all places are full of warlycke motions they inquyre of hym whether these thynges be don through hys commaundemente For in asmuche as the reporte goeth that he myndeth no warre agaynst the Turke nor other foreine Prince they maruell to what ende all thys preparatyon tendeth And with them were the Ambassadours of Collō and Palatine hereunto had themperoure appoynted Nauius to make them aunswer With what loue he hath imbraced Germany euer synce he fyrst was Emperoure it is no nede to recyte And is nowe of the same wyll also neyther hath he any other pourpos but that peace and iustice maye be obserued in th ēpyre and that all states may be reconcyled herein such as shall obeye hym he commaunded them to looke for all good wil of hym against those that shall doe otherwyse he sayeth howe he must procede accordyng to hys ryght and authorytie The nexte daye addressyng his letters to dyuerse Cities that were in league with the Protestantes especyally to Strasburge Norinberge Auspurge and Ulmes I doubt not sayeth he but you know well enough howe derely beloued Germany the common countrie of vs al hathe ben to me alwayes what trauell and paynes I haue taken and what charges I haue been at not with out the great dammage of my realmes and kyngdomes to thintent that weightie daungerous dissention of religion might be appeased Wherin doubtles I haue not sought myne owne priuat cōmoditie but alwayes don my indeuoure that offences taken a waie Germany might be in quiet For this the decrees doe testifye so oft by me renewed albeit that certen doe enterprete these thynges otherwyse and doe falsely ascribe vnto me the contrary Moreouer in thys my gouernemente of the common welth I haue had euermore an especyall care for the preseruation of the free Cities that they shulde not be oppressed by certen whyche yf they myghte fynde an occasyon to brynge theyr pourpose to passe wolde not fayle to do it Which thing I suppose you as you be wyse mē haue marked by former actes don Nowe though certen men haue oftentymes attēpted diuerse thinges to the hynderaunce boothe of you and of other states and of me also yet in asmuche as I could not without a greate sturre redresse them I haue suffered hytherto in good hope surelye that I shoulde at the lengthe reape the fruyte of thys my pacyence and lenitye to the profyt of the publycke weale whiche doubtles had so commen to passe had not some men by secrete and wonderfull polycyes letted thys agremente certes not for thys cause that eyther they loue Relyon or respect gods glory but that vnder a certen pretence of holynes wherwith they myghte cloke theyr wickednes they myght oppresse other states and bryng theyr goodes and landes into theyr owne handes For the reuenewes of some they haue vsurped already and violently deteyne the same to the greate iniurye of many And nowe that they haue brought the matter to thys passe that iustyce set asyde they now feare nothyng they shoute now at my office by moe wayes than one and raseshely demynisshe the same for thys intente certenly that they maye subdewe the states of Th empyre and especyallye the Cytyes partely by force and partely by craftie meanes Whose talke maketh me to beleue the thynge to be certenly trewe whan they bragge as I am credebly infourmed and threatē also that they wil attempt force and warre agaynste me The same thyng is wytnessed by so many of theyr forged sedytions and famous lybelles and pictures which they setforthe to reyse sedition and inflame the people againste me Therfore can I haue no hope that euer they shulde through my lenitie and pacience waxe the better amend or leaue these insolent facciōs For certenly hitherto I haue so littell profyted by this meane these many yeres now that they are not only become nothing at al the better but also worse then themselues more obstinate more rebelles and desperate Whiche thing certenly tendeth to the distruction of the publycke weale and vnlesse a remedy be found it wyll come to passe that Germany shall fall from hys auncyent lybertye into a moste greuous bōdage and tyranny but that maye I neyther beare nor suffer anye longer neither cā it by any meane be excused though I wold Wherfore to thintent my dygnytie may be preserued that peace and iustice maie consist in their vertu and strength that the iminent daunger may be repulsed from the Empyre and from youre heades I haue prefixed to bring those disturbers of the common welth to theyr dutye and to restore Germany to her olde beautie and lybertie Which intēt of myne I thought good to sygnifye vnto you that you shuld geue no credite vnto such as haply shal brute a broade that my pourpose is otherwise For I doe assure you vpō my honour that I doe it for none other respect thē for the same that I haue now declared Therfore I trust also that you will not faile me herein that bothe their boldnes may be repressed that youre dignitie may also be recouered If you shall thus doe I bed you looke for all goodwill at my handes which I wil further declare incase you send me an Ambassadoure touching the same the like thing in effect he wrote also to the Duke of Wirtēberge The same daye wherein these letters were in dited Granuellan and Nauius calle vnto them the ambassadours of the cities beforesaide and speaking to euerie of them seuerally in maner after one sort saye how this warre is not ment nor prepared against the Cyties but againste certen rebelles that haue committed treason and infringed themperours authoritye which haue taken the possessions of certen Princes and bishops whiche in dede by occasyon wil not spare the cities neyther Wherfore looke they shewe theyr fayth and allegeaunce to Thēperoure and ayde not his enemies that Themperoure haue no cause of displeasure agaynste them vnto whom he wissheth well◠let them wryte thys whome with spede and exhorte theyr cyties to remayne in theyr de wtye Themperoure will also wryte vnto them like wise sende ambassadours The same daye at Trent it is ordeyned that in the Abbeies of Monkes Chanons there be some learned man appointed to reade a lecture of diuinitie herunto some benefyce assigened out in steade of a pension And that no
two partes the one company was the Dukes of Wertemberg conteining .xxiiij. enseignes of foote men and amonges thē wer many noble gentle men The other was hyred of the Cities When all these were assembled at Ulmes the .xxi. day of Iune they marche to Gunsperge and the nexte daye whan they were mustred encamped in seuerall places Theyr Captaines were Iohn Hedecke Scherteline Balthazar Gutling Sebastian Besserer Mathew Langemantell Iohn Harder and Ioyce Roseberge They doe fyrst bynde the powers of the Cities by an othe as the maner is charging them to follow and obey Scherteline vntill the Princes them selues come that be Captaynes of the confederacie Than going to the Dukesmen when they had done lykewyse they appointe Hedecke their captayne after the same sorte That done Balthazar Gutling a noble mā borne and counsellour to the Duke of Wirtemberge by the consente of the reste speaking to hys princes soldiours My derely beloued fellowes saieth he Sathans Uicar the Bishop of Roome intendeth againe to kindle such a fyre as shall inflame burne all Germany the natyle countrey of vs all and vtterly distroye the same For bothe the wonderfull hatred that he beareth to trew relygiō and also the desyre of vengeaūce for the calamytie receyued in the fourmer yeres by the Almaignes when Rome was taken and sacked doe moue him herunto Therfore hathe he styred vp Charles the most puissaunte Emperoure to attēpt warre against our princes states that ar lincked in a godly league trusting that through violence great crueltie they shall cōpell them to the seruice and obseruaunce of theyr wicked and deuelish religion For it is reported for certentie howe that proude and detestable bōdslaue of the Deuil hath leuied already no small force bothe of horsemē foormen which he wil send to Thēperoure We heare for a treweth also of that approching of Spaniardes But what euilles will enswe to our cōmon countrey by foreine soldiours what distructiō mischief euery man of vnderstanding may easely perceiue Therfore our princes states forasmuch as they knew it to be their dewtie not only to repulse al violence iniurie frō the people of they re dominiōs but also to trauel forsee that they be not desceaued with false religiō run in daunger of euerlasting dānatiō are wholy prefixed through gods help to defend this war which is moued against thē not only beyōde al expectatiō but also contrary to conenauntes promesse And therfore haue hyred you others moe with al the spede that might be but in asmuch as the chieftanes of the leage are yet absent wil be heare within these few dayes the most noble prince of Wirtemberge Duke Ulriche to th entent that in the meane time the whole matter may be gouerned by an order neyther that that enemie may espie any occasiō to hurt vs hath appoynted to be your Captayne Iohn Hedecke a man of a noble house and parentage Wherfore hym you shall obeye and so demeane your selues in all thinges that the same worthye and notable fame whiche oure elders in tymes past haue goten in sondry battels foughtē with foreine nations not without much māhod bludshed may be also bequethed to oure ofspryng and posterytie Al otherthynges we shal committe to almyghtie god who doubtles in this so iuste a cause and godly defencion will prepare suche meanes for vs as vnto his diuine maiestie shal seme good and expedient I told you before howe the Protestantes ambassadours departed from Regenspurge whan there was no longer place of consultation there But now that their armie was leuyed as we haue here shewed they assēbled at Ulmes to consult what is to be donne Wherfore the .xxi. day of Iune they adresse theyr letters to the Duke and state of Uenyse complayning of the iniurie of the Bishop of Roome desyre them that they wold not suffer hys force to passe through theyr dominion and if the Bishoppes power shulde be augmented they shew by the examples of fourmer tyme what they and other people in Italie may loke for They dispatche theyr letters also to the moste of the noble men in Germany and admonishe them that they doe not stop the soldiours that repare vnto them Agayne because they of Rhatia and Tirall were sore vexed for the commyng of foreine soldiours the laste day of Iune they exhort them by their letters not to suffer them to passe and hereunto promise them ayde They are also assistaunce of the Cytie of Norimberge but they saye they cannot for that they haue skante mē sufficient to defend theyr owne frontiers Moreouer they commaund Scherteline the second daye of Iuly to inuade the enemies that wer in mustering vnderneth the Alpes And finally send Ambassadours to the Swisses I shewed you before of the Cardinall of Trente whō Themperoure sent so hastely inpost to Roome Wherfore through his solliciting the league whiche before was conceaued and penned the xxvi daye of Iune is decreed vpon these couenauntes Forasmuch as Germany hathe nowe these many yeres perseuered in great errours in somuch that a great daūger is to be feared therby for theschewing wherof the counsel was called at Trent and commenced the last yere past in the moneth of December and the Protestantes doe reiect the same and saie it concerneth them nothyng therfore hathe the Bishop and Themperoure for gods glory and for the preseruatiō of the publycke weale but chiefly of Germany concluded betwene them selues vpon certen cōdicions And fyrst in dede that Themperoure shall prepare an armye and althynge nedefull for the warre in the moneth of Iune next enswyng and that he be furnished with all thynges and that such as refuse that counsell maynteyne those errours he reduce by forte of armes to the olde relygion and obedience of the holy See but yet that he do endeuour and proue al meanes yf he can bring it to passe without warre That he make no peace nor composition with them that shal be preiudiciall or hurtefull to the churche or relygion The Bisshop besydes those hundreth thousande Dukates whyche he hathe alreadye defrayde shall laye downe as muche more at Uenise whych after hys Lieuetenauntes shall imploye vpon the warres and to no other vse And that yf no warres be he shall receyue hys money agayne Moreouer he shall furnyshe Themperour in this warre with twelue thousand fotemen of Italians and fyue hondreth lyght horsmen at hys owne charges for a halfe yeres space ouer which power he shal place a Lieutenaunt Captaines and Centurions And if it fortune the warre to be finished before the end of syxe monethes to take the commoditie therof It shal be lawfull for Themperoure this yere by the Byshop of Romes permissiō to take the one halfe of the church goodes in Spayne moreouer it shal be lawful for hym to sell as much Abbey landes in Spayne as shal amounte to the summe of fyue hundreth thousande Dukates and all thys only for the mayntenaunce
came not our selues to Regēspurge we haue bothe made oure excuse the Duke by hys Ambassa dours and I by presente talke with hym at Spier But what is then the lybertye of Germany or state of the publicke weale yf we must haue warre therfore whan bothe in others heretofore and also in this conuention nowe at Regenspurge many other Prynces are absent And as for the warre of Brunswicke we are not to bee blamed For it is lawfull for all men to saue them selues from violence We haue often tymes desyred in sondry assemblies that hys vyolence myghte be restreyned but more than wordes letters we could obteyne nothing And yet in those letters whych Fernando at our request wrote herof to Duke Henry openly wer other letters inclosed wherby he myghte easely perceyue that he neded not to obeye the others These Letters were founde in the castel of Wuolsbuttell subscribed with the kinges owne hande and are foorth commynge and nede be But in case the lyke seueritie had ben extended to the Duke of Brunswicke as themperoure sheweth nowe vnto vs albeit we haue not deserued it there had ben no warre at all But in asmuche as he impugned vs who for the profession of the Gospell doe susteyne greate hatred they coulde winke at hys myscheuous actes And Thēperoure knoweth how we commytted the prouince taken to gardience and for the defence takē in hande we offered our selues to abyde the order of the lawe and arbitrement by hym appoynted yf he would haue taken the same way and had not forsaking the Arbiterment and contemnyng Themperours order attēpted a new warre but wolde haue tryed the matter with vs by the lawe the way had ben easy enoughe For if we being conuict in iudgement had not obeyed than shulde Themperour haue had iuste cause to put the lawe in execution but nowe that he shulde thus doe he hath not at al. Finally from the time that this Duke and his son were taken themperoure did neuer demaunde thing of vs for the same therfore there is no cause wherfore we should be accused for negletynge oure dewtie And in case it shoulde bee ascribed to vs as though we shuld impeache the law then haue we to muche wronge For in asmuche as of many yeres now those only were receiued to be iudges of the chamber whych hated our religiō most bitterly for that the same iudges all cōpositions set a part gaue sentence against vs our fellowes in matters of religion also in ciuill causes wolde let vs haue no iustice we did as we myght doe euen by order of lawe necessarely and lawfully refuse them as suspected our aduersaries protestyng that we wold declare more at large the causes of the refusal before chosen iudges Therfore can there nothing be imputed vnto vs in this be halfe Moreouer two yeres past it was decried at Spier that the chamber shuld be establyshed vprightly why it was not so don it cānot be ascribed to vs nor our fellowes And it is not vnknowē to themperoure how the last yere in the assēblie at Wormes ther did no man resist this decree of his more than they themselues whiche wyll seme to be loyall obedient princes for this intent verely that where as they be oure aduersaries they myght be oure iudges also We doe heare moreouer that this is layed to our charge as much blame worthy that we seke to allure vnto vs certē of the Nobilitie But maruell it is that we should be reproued for this matter For it is to be founde proued that this hath ben alwaies the maner in the dayes of oure forefathers that they should ioyne vnto thē not only the gentelmen of their owne coūtries but the bishops also And though there wersom fault therin it is therfore lawful to moue warre against vs our cause not heard and albeit that in the league of in heritaunce which is betwene the houses of Saxon Brandenburg Hesse themperour is excepted yet ought this to be so taken if he do not abuse his authoritie Wherfore let Albert Iohn of Brandenburge cosins who haue promised to serue Themperour against vs consider with thēselues dilligently what they doe remēber their othe wherwith they ar boūdē we wold they shuld haue this knowledg and warninge as they also which being our clientes take wages vnder thē in this war Neither are they excused if haply they wil say how thēperour is pourposed to punnish certen princes for disobedience For they knewe themselues howe there can be no such thing imputed to vs iustly But if Themperoure had accused vs of any crime as reason wold haue requyred that we could not haue confuted the same he shulde not haue neded to vse all these polycies and sollicite our fellowes to withdraw themselues from vs. For yf he coulde haue shewed our offence they wolde haue forsaken vs of theyr owne accorde and in a cause that had not ben good few wold haue a biden the commō daunger Furthermore what tyme we with the rest gaue hym ayde two yeres synce against the Frence king he promised than that when that warre shulde be finished he wolde goe into Hongary hymselfe agaynst the Turke And nowe doe the Turkes inuade Hongary and the places ther aboutes with great force power as in dede it is reported of many doubteles therbe in those parties both at Offen and Pest great garnisons of Turkes But the poore mens liues of that countrie are neglected which are now cast vnto theyr enemyes as a praye and in the meane while they seke howe to make slaughter in Germanye and that all thynge maye swymme full of theyr blud that professe Chryst And seing it is so we trust surely that moste men will pitie and lament our case and wil not assist our aduersaryes whiche seke only to extinguish the doctrine of the Gospell as they haue donne in all others places of they re dominions and bring vs into extreme bondoge but wil be content for reasonable wages rather to followe oure campe than theirs wherin is the Romish Antichriste and his adherentes whose chyfe endeuour is thys that euen with the slaughter of all Germany they maye establish agayne and confirme theyr wicked and deuelishe doctryne And in asmuche as after muche intreatinge for peace beyng of no crime as yet cōuicted we are enforced to warre to defend our selues from violence we trust that God will assist the treweth agaynst lyes and in thys hys cause wil be our hygh Emperour enseigne bearer againste the wicked deuises of the bishop Unto him verely doe we commit the whole matter and beseche hym to confounde the cruell counselles of blud thirsters and euer more and more to auaunce the maiestie glory of hys name The same daye they wryte to Iohn Marques of Brādenburge And because he is bothe in the league of the Protestantes as by his owne letters can be proued and agayne in priuate confederacie
with them of olde tyme they admonishe hym that he weare no armure agaynste them but doe accordynge to the conuenauntes and bonde of league for otherwise they will vtter the whole matter declare openly how farre agaynst hys dewtie are hys doynges Whervnto he aunswereth how he serueth Themperoure he doeth not denye forasmuce as he hath put him oute of doubte that he warreth not against religion he is indede of the Protestantes league but only by meane of the confession of Auspurge As touchyng the pryuate league therin is Themperoure excepted by expressed wordes And seeyng it is so there is no cause why they shuld be offended with hys seruics or to saye that he doeth ought agaynste hys faythe and promyse When that aunswer was geuen they set foorthe a publycke writing and amonges other thinges they confute that which he sayed of the confession of Auspurg and proue by hys owne letters that he is boūden to helpe them and theyr leagefrendes yf the matter shuld come to suche a passe albeit that any man did pretende fayne an other cause of war agaynst thē as thēperoure now doeth Wherfore they admonish dilligently almē but chiefly captaines soldiours that they serue not vnder him which hath broken his faith At the Ides of Iuly the bishop publishing a wryting speaking much of his care zeale towardes the common wealthe mens saluatiō of the counsel begonne alreadie of the obstinacie of heretickes which contemne and refuse the same and haue moued warre agaynst all godly men he exhorteth all men in generall to fast praye vnto God confesse theyr synnes and euery man chose him a ghostely father where he lyste and than receyue the sacrament to the intent that god intreated may prosper this warre which Themperoure and he haue nedefullye attempted to roote out Heresies and restore the peace of the Churche And albeit Themperoures intent was that leuying powers in euery place as secretly as might be he might set vpon the Protestantes before they wer prouyded yet was theyr dilligence so greate and the courage of men so cherefull to defend this warre that at the .xvi. daye of Iuly the Lantzgraue was in the felde with hys men not withstanding that in the lowe Duchland Coūte de Bure had in maner hys whole armie in readines neither was it certenly knowen whom he wold first inuade Before the Lantzgraue marched out of hys owne countrey he sent William his eldest sonne of .xvi. yeres of age to Strasburge an exceading stronge Citie At his departure from home the Duke of Brunswicke his prysoner sent him word that if he wold geue hym the hearyng he wolde open vnto hym what tyme it was deuysed and what thentente and pourpos of thys warre is But the Lantzgraue who supposed he said it but for a craft eyther to lesson his owne offence or to get hym libertie refused to talke with hym And he wolde vtter it to no man but to hym selfe alone The fyrst explocte that the Protestantes did in highe Germay was agaynst the enemie vnder the Alpes For where it was reported by sondry messagers that the bishop his power hauing already almost passed the Alpes approched nere Germany they thought good to preuent them And thus standeth the case They that come oute of Italy do passe by Trent to Iusprincke a Towne of king Ferdinando Frō thence is there two wayes to goe into Bauier eyther downe the Riuer of Oeno by Copsteyne or els on the left hād ouer the middes of the Alpes Kynge Fernando hathe almost at the going oute of the Alpes the Castell of Erenberge situated vppon an exceadyng hyghe mountayne the nature of the place is such by reason of the straitnes and holownes of the waye and the headlong and pitchehill stepenes to looke dowewardes that who so hath this passage maye prohibit beit neuer so great an armie for passing that way Wherfore in the moneth of Iuly thither wēt Sebastiā Scherteline with a meane power at the commaundement of the Protestantes Ambassadours assēbled at Ulmes as I sayde before and by the waye takinge Fiessa a Towne of the Cardinalles of Auspurge which standeth on the riuer of Leyche the tenth daye of Iuly taketh also that foresayde passage Castel by composition made with the soldiours of the garrisō within His intent was to haue marched on through the Alpes to haue taken also Insprucke and fortyfyed it with a strong garryson For so shulde he haue kept both waies wherby they come out of Italye into Germany and so shulde he haue shut vp Themperour from hauynge eyter soldiours or vitalles out of that partyes But in thys greate tumulte when by the commaundement of king Fernando all men wer called to armure in the countie of Tirol there came a great power to Insprinke vnder the leadyng of Fraunces Castelalte gouernour of Trent who leauing a garisō to defend the Towne kept those waies and passages Wherfore Scherteline placing soldiours in the Castell of Erenberge Towne of Fiessa retireth with hys force repareth to the armye assembled in high Germany aboute the Riuer of Danubius called in duche Thonaw The armie which Counte Hedeck led taketh Dilling a Towne and Castell of the Bishops of Auspurge by composityon and sweareth them to be trewe to hym the .xxiii. day of Iuly Aboute the same tyme Maurice Bishop of Eistet sendeth Ambassadours to the Chieftaynes of the warre praying them that they wold spare him his he promiseth also to geue them passage through hys prouince vitaile by couenaunte Beneth Dilling is the Towne of Donauerde whiche being sommoned to render had refufed But what time the armie came before it and the ordenaunce was plāted they yelded vnto the protestantes In the meane season the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue marche forward with theyr armie and passing through Frankome whan the Bishop of Wirciburge had put them in sufficient suertie not to stoppe theyr vitaile they wente ioyned with theyr fellowes At the same tyme in theyr Campe were the Ambassadours of the Marques of Brandenburge prince Electour of Duke Moris sent about the permission of an in treatie but where they referred the matter to theyr fellowes there was nothing donne Certen ryche men that dwelt at Auspurge had packed vp theyr short endes and were gonne out of the Citie And because the brute wente that they lent Themperoure monie the ambassadours that were thā at Ulmes sending theyr letters Messagers to the Senate of Auspurge shewe howe vnworthye a dede this is and admonish them ernestly that they wold sorsee that the like ben not don hereafter The Senate maketh aunswer howe they had long before geuen out their monie for interest as their maner is because it shuld not be vnoccupied knowing not of the warres But now they suppose there is no mā that geueth out hys monye to lone nor none shal be suffered to doe it vnpunnished if they maye know
he commaundeth also the Gentelmen and the people to obeye hys proclmatiō and to serue theyr Prynce faithfully vpon the like penaltie The letters written to Duke Moris were commen also to his brother Augustus Now was the whole armie of the Protestantes commē to the Riuer of Danubius There the Duke of Saxon and the Lanzgraue counsellours of the warre wryte theyr letters to Willyam Duke of Bauer the .iii. daye of August to speake much of Thēperours preparation to war it is no nede For he knoweth the whole matter And albeit they haue omitted no kynd of dewtye towardes Themperour supposed there had ben no cause of displeasure yet haue they hearde longe synce bothe by his aunswer and also by the talke of others that he intendeth to war on thē as though they should be disobedient where as yet they are neither conuict of any crime nor haue done wrong to any mā And beit so that the offēce were most trew that he imputeth to them yet were it not lawful for him before the case be examined to attempte the matter by force of armes but this enterprise of his is agaynste the ryght and lawes of Thēpire against couenaunt custome of former time For if Thēperours had any matters against any state the same hath bē euer accustomed to be examined opēly Now he knoweth how of many yeres there hathe ben meanes deuysed that Germany myght lose her libertie And without all doubt thys warre also tendeth to suche an ende And albeit they haue alwayes hitherto perceyued in him a desyre to mainteyne common lybertie and although he lately promysed manye thinges touching his good will to wardes them and sent them word that he wold not suffer the foreine soldiour to passe through his countrey yet is it reported vnto them that he hath geuē them waye already and also vitayle and munition whiche thinge greueth them not a lyttel and suppose that he is perswaded so to do through false sclaunders But where as by theyr writinges lately setfoorth is declared aboundantly how iniuriously the Emperoure dealeth and howe many couenauntes aswel publicke as priuate are in thys one thing broken they trust yet that in the defēce of lybertye he will assist thē with hys ayde and counsell especiallye seynge he put them in hope of the samethynge nowe lately by hys messager Therfore he shall doe well to cōmaunde Themperours soldiours to depart out of his Townes of Roene and Ingolstad or els to permit them to place as manye of theyr men there also And that he geueth them free and safe recourse throughe hys countrey and relieue them with victualles and assure them hereof by wryttynge And albeit they thynke he wyll not saye them naye yet they desyre an aunswer within syue dayes For yf he shulde otherwise doe than muste they doe as theyr counsell shall serue them At the seuenthe daye of Auguste in Machlin a veraye fayre Towne of Thēperours in Brabant gunpowder that lay in a Tower vppon the walles catching fyre through lyghtning first ouerthrewe the same Towne from the foundacion thē lighted vpon the houses within the Citie and without aboue fyue hondreth pases in circuite wherof some were brente some ouerthrowen many shaken in pieces and tourned vpsydedowne and of the same houses many heuge and exceading great stones flewe threscore pases of through the violence of the powder which so tearyng a sonder the houses and shakynge breaking the glasse windowes in euery strete defaced in a maner the whole citie it singed trees and turned them vp by the rootes In that calamitye perished two hondreth persons or there aboutes partly cōsumed with fyre partly by the ruine and fall of houses stones tyles ouerwelmed besydes those that were sore wounded and yet escaped death wherof the nomber was great Many of them two dayes and three somme foure dayes after were found and drawen out of the sellars and caues vnderneth the grounde wherunto they were fled diuerse of them dead whiche perished eyther for honger or for lacke of breathe some a lyue which fynding theyr vitayles layde vp susteyned theyr life Moreouer a great nomber of horses and other beastes wer burnt vp stables and all And the wal itselfe where the Toure stode was throwen downe flat with the grounde aboue two hondreth pases in length At the .ix. daye of August the Swisses mete agayne at Baden and the fourth day after maketh aunswer to the protestants Ambassadours whom they appoynted to be there at the same tyme as before is mentioned not all the Swisses but suche only as wer of the popishe religyon Who sayde they were very sory that this warre was moued betwene Themperoure and them neyther was there anything that they had rather or wished for more then peace Therefore they wolde not intermeddle in this warre to nor fro nor incline themselues to either partie howbeit they wolde kepe out foreine soldiours and not suffer them to passe thorow theyr dominion and staie their owne men at home as muche as in them lyeth And for the same cause haue geuen strayte commaundement already that no man goe foorth to serue in the warres but attend vpon the Magistrates pleasure and looke to the defence of theyr countrey yet this notwithstandyng many are gonne a warfare whom they haue takē into wages which thing is a great grief to them therfore they desyre them to discharge the same and suffer them to retourne home agayne Besydes the former demaundes the protestantes requyred of them this moreouer that they wold not enter into that confederacie of Themperour and Bishop of Roome nor ayde thē with any men wherunto the bisshop especially moued thē but that they wold assist them whych wer constrained to defend vniust warre and repulse from them violence And reporting many thinges of the Bishops iniquitie who wyll both rule the counsell and be iudge also and holdeth the same in a place set for iniurye vpon occasyon speake of the death of Iohn Diazius and shew how that destable murther is not only to this daie vnpunished but is so much commended of many also as though it were worthy a great rewarde which thing is a warning to them how daungerous and vnmete it is for them to come in suche places where theyr aduersaties haue al the gouernement amonges them the bishop of Trēt lately made Cardinal depely bounden to the Bisshop by moe wayes than one For asmuche as the Protestantes with all theyr force were at the water of Thonawe Themperoue whiche as yet was not fully fournished in the begynnyng of August leauing Regenspurg with a garnison went to Landshut a Towne of the Duke of Bauers by the Riuer of Isara and pitcheth his tentes without the walles The Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue and theyr felowes sendyng they re letters from Donauerd the eleuenth daye of August declare of what mynde they are towardes hym after the maner and lawe of Armes and the last moneth saye
place and retourne into his old cāpe besides Laweging the daye before the kalendes of Nouember Unto the letters of the states of Duke Moris dated at Fridberg the .xi. day of October before sayd the Lantgraue answereth the xx day of the same moneth How he is hartely sory that warre should be attempted again those countreis and muche more that in common daunger they doe ioyne their forces together after the example of their elders And where they doe not consider that this warre is against Religion that semeth to hym great maruel seing that both the Byshops letters to the Swisses and the league made betwixt him and the Emperour and shewed vnto the Heluetians by the Byshops commaundement doe opēly testifie and plainly declare the same For since that league was made great forces haue commen to the Emperour out of Italy and all the Italians that are taken do affirme this certenly that they were purposely sent to warre against the Lutherians Moreouer their fellowes of the same Religion are in this war much more cruelly handled than any others with spoyling firyng robberies That the women maydens are wickedly defloured and yong chyldren infātes haue their handes and fete cut of euen for the hatred of this doctrine Where the Emperour hath warraunted them for Religion it is but dissimulation For in case he were demaunded whether he would that Luthers Religiō should be submitted to the authoritie and decrees of the Byshops counsell there is no doubte but the craft would sone appere Wherfore let them not truste to his promesse And where they are affrayd of themperours sentence of outlawyng them he marueleth greatly where they knowe that the same is not lawfull for hym so to doe vnlesse the parties had first bene sommoned and conuicte in iudgement But the greatest grief of all is that the noble house and people of Saxonie shuld be thus deuided For if they were of one mynde and would ioyne their forces together the daunger that is so feared might easely be repulsed He hath verely talked with the Electour herein but he is nothing agreable to that waye whiche they do shewe For if he should at the chaunge of fortune require the lyke of Duke Moris he doubteth not but that both he would refuse it and they also would counsell him to the contrary Wherfore he doth not lyke theyr coūsel and the worse for that Duke Moris hath lately writtē to them both how he was sory to heare it bruted that he shuld couet to possesse his cōsyns prouince For the reporte was vntrue and iniurious to him and therfore praied them not to credit the same Whan they had receiued these letters they were contented with that excuse and thought no more of the matter And if he shold now sease vpō his coūtrey thei se what men would iudge he desireth therfore that they would impeche the thing that it were not done For otherwyse not only forreyne warre but ciuill also wil ensue vpon the same For in case he susteyne any iniury by reason of the Emperours proscription neither he nor his fellowes which stande in the same case can not but helpe him And than what wil be the ende therof it is not hard to iudge Therfore let them indeuour that the houses of Saxō and Hesse be not deuided but that Duke Maurice doe assiste him and his fellowes For this shal be chiefly for his honour and welthe also He wrote the same day also to Moris of like effect and admonisheth him not to waye the Emperours proclamations and outlawyng but cal to his remembraunce what the Electour and he haue done for him his father For where as Duke George his vncle had made his wil that themperour should possesse his whole prouince vntil his brother did forsake the Protestauntes Religion he knoweth what benefit than he receiued of them both Moreouer where Duke George gaue vnto his father a yearly pension and that ther was some feare least he woulde haue denied the same for the hatred he bare to Religion the Protestauntes than promysed hym that if it so came to passe they would of their liberalitie gyue hym asmuche yearly Wherfore let hym surcease of his enterpryse attempt nothing in the Duke of Saxons prouince without his loue and leaue For otherwyse he shall not want his fellowes ayde The Ambassadours of Pole were in dede in the Emperours Campe and haue signified to the Duke of Saxon and him what they haue done But the condicions are of suche sort as they make nothing at all for peace And of lyke importaūce the councellours of the warre wryte to Duke Moris and his states and proteste that if any force be done to that Duke of Saxon they wyll not neglecte his iniury The Electour him selfe made them none aunswere at that tyme as shall further be declared hereafter The same day also the Lantgraue and the counsellers write to the cities of Maydenburg Brunswyck Breme Hamburge Goslary Hildesseme Goting Hanobrie Embeck Minden and to the Duke of Pomerane Dukes of Luneburg and to Prince Anhalde They shew them what daunger is toward Saxonie but chiefly to the Electour vnto whose frountiers the ennemies are comen already The beginning cometh of kyng Ferdinando who hath enforced the Bohemers vnto this warre Duke Maurice taketh his parte and pretendeth a cause for that the Emperour hath outlawed him howbeit they haue sende to Duke Moris that he should not medle for than shall not the Duke of Saxon wante helpe And in as muche as that whole countrie standeth in present daunger and the Duke asketh helpe of them they can not but ayde him And were in mynde once to haue delyuered hym part of their Armie which they haue together but because their ennemie is not far of are in good hope that the matter shall shortely be tried by a mayne battell Wherin all their welthes do consist they thinck it not wysdome at this present to make them selues so muche weaker For this is the fetche of their ennemie that being molested with other warres they should not auaunce their whole force against him And seing the case standeth thus they require them that in all their names they wold sende him ayd of fotemen so sone as they can to Wittemberg and Weinmar that also the rest of the money which is dew by the league they pay vnto the Electours sonne and counsellours for the case is cōmon to them all and whan their fellowes are ouerrunne the lyke misfortune wyll the soner chaunce vnto them I haue spoken before of the Bohemers They serued Fardinando in dede howbeit full sore against their willes by reason of an aunciēt league that they had with the house of Saxon. And agayn for that they said how this war was not nedeful many thought that the Electour also had wrong But Ferdinando brought them to it sent for a power out of Hōgary Silesie so that he might constraine them whether
they wold or not The horsmen of Hongary are commonly called Hussares an exceadyng rauenous and cruell kynde of men Wherfore leuing their force also whan they were now passing out of their owne limites Sebastian Weittemulle general of the armie sending his letters the .xx. day of October proclameth warre to the Duke of Sarons people For that certen yeares past their Prince seased into his handes the Abbeye of Dobrilug and that he renoūced lately his fidelitie to the Emperour and his confederates breaking the league that was betwene the Bohemers and the house of Saxon. And albeit the thing requireth no declaratiō for as muche as he is outlawed by the Emperour yet lest any thing might appeare to be omitted he would for his discharge geue them this aduertisement About this tyme the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes assemblie at Ulmes for common cōsultation to be had And wher as out of Saxonie came diuerse messages of the state of things there the Electour sending his letters the .xxvii. day of October chargeth his Ambassadours that were at Ulme to declare the whole matter to their Fellowes and require them to consider his case for asmuche as he hath spared no peryll nor paine that he might defende this higher part of Germany from distruction The counsellours of the warre a few daies past sent worde to the cities of Saxony that they should helpe hym But what they wil do he is vncerten and though they would yet feareth he greatly that they shall not be able to resist so great a multitude of enemies and that there is daunger lest or euer they be ready the enemy wyl haue inuaded his countrey These thinges therfore let them require of their fellowes first in asmuche as it should be a great grief and discommoditie for him in this extremitie to leaue any longer destitute his wyfe children people that they wold geue him counsell herein Moreouer that they would graunte him more ayde wherof the Lantgraue and the counsellours of the warre haue put him in hope already Finally that they do make no peace with the ennemy before he haue recouered that he hath lost Hereunto the Ambassadours aunswere franckly chiefly they intreate him that he would tary with the armie tyll the Emperour shall haue broke vp his campe for this wynter and shewe what daunger it should be if he now departed And if Ferdinando and Maurice doe him any wrong they promyse him ayde and say how ther is no doubt but his fellowes both Princes states wyll according to their league be faithfull and helpfull to hym and wyll conclude no peace before he haue recouered his owne And in case he thought good they would also in lyke maner as the Lantgraue and counsellours of the warre haue done signifie so much to Duke Maurice They trust also vndoubtedly that suche states as be of their cōfederacie in Saxony wyll doe their dutie herein The forsayd .xxvii. day of October Duke Maurice wryteth his letters from Dresda to the Prince Electour that what the Emperour hath commaunded hym to doe and in what peryll the matter consisteth he hath heard lately by the letters of the states of his countrey And now for so muche as the Emperour hath assured him and his people concerning Religion therfore is he determined to the intent that both the Emperour may be satisfied and that his ryght also may remayne vnto hym whole through the aduise of his counsel to fynde the meanes that his lande and prouince doe not come into the handes of straungers and this doth he both in his owne and also in his brother Augustus name denounce to hym And if in tyme to come he shall be agayne reconciled to the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando he wyll not refuse if they wyll suffer it that the states of his iurisdiction shall treate betwyxt them both for an order in the whole matter The selfe same wordes he writeth also to Iohn William the Electours sonne and warneth hym to see the letters adressed to his father conueyed to him In the meane whyle the Bohemers and Nussars make inuasion into Uoetiande the next cositrey of the Electours sleying spoyling burning and rauishing out of measure But the Bohemers taried not long for because as I sayd before they serued vnwyllyngly and at the eleuenth day of Nouember forsakyng their enseignes slyppe home euery man But the Hongarians such others as Ferdinando had hyred ioyne them selues vnto Duke Maurice who taketh by rendring first Swiccauie after Ecne berg and Aldeburg and for the moste parte all the Electours townes and sweareth them vnto hym sauing Gothe Isenack and Wittemberg The newes therof being brought into themperous campe styred vp great ioy and gladnes which the Emperour declared by a great peale of ordenaunce as is accustomed In these dayes the Emperour chaungeth his Campe againe for lyke causes as he did before and chouseth a more commodious and drye ground that he myght somwhat refresh the poore souldiours and releue them also with vitaile All others for the moste part counselled him that the souldiours might retire vnto places where they should wynter But he him selfe was of opinion to continew the armie in the field and maintaine warre All men for the moste part cried out vpon Duke Maurice whiche serued him so sknekyshely whome he oughte to haue honoured as his father who was in a maner the only authour of all that he had he to requite him with such vnthākfulnes And ther came forth in his reproche and dispraise both libelles and verses moste bitter whiche charged him with falsefying his fayth with treason and moste ingratitude and so muche the more that he wold do nothing herein at the intreaty of neyther his wyfe nor his father in lawe That thing knowen he publisheth a wryting to purge him selfe and sheweth what maner of Religion is in his countrey what he hath promised the people and how for the furtheraūce of Religion he hath founded certen Scholes After he saith how the Emperour hath assured him and his people and not hym only but other Princes also concerning Religiō and preseruation of the lybertie of Germany neyther is he of wyll that any thyng be done violently but that the cause maye in lawfull wyse be appeased accordyng vnto many decrees of the Empyre already enacted Wherfore he geueth credit to his promesse and letters by the ensample of those Princes whiche do now serue hym and doe not only at home but in the campe also and a warfare professe this Religion For suche as be familiar with hym and are dayly in his sight may easely knowe his mynde and in case they perceiued any such thyng without all doubt they would not tary with hym And where as the bishop aydeth him that is done for bicause the warre is attempted against thē that are the chiefest aduersaries of his errours and authoritie neither is it so muche to be considered what moueth him as what
authoritie at the self same tyme vnto Adolphe Erle of Schauenburg whome a fewe yeares before that the Archbishop had amōges all others chosen vnto him for his Coadiutour Wherfore the Byshop sending his bulles warneth all the states of the countrey to accept and acknowledge him for their Archbishop Moreouer he vrgeth themperour that he shuld execute his sentence And where as the Archbyshop beyng at sondry times admonished to leaue of his enterprise sayde euer he could not do it with a safe conscience The Emperour hauing almost nowe gotten the victory sendeth to Collō Ambassadours Philip Lalenge gouernour of Gelderlād Uiglie Zwicheme a Lawyer By them he calleth an Assemblie of the States of the whole prouince that cōmyng at a certen daye they shuld forsake their Archebyshop Herman and goe to him that before was his Coadiutour vnto whome they should shewe al fidelitie and obseruance as to their high prelate The Clergie in dede was ready to graunt vnto it for they were the very occasion hereof But the Nobilitie and many of the Clergie also that were of noble houses and againe the Ambassadours of cities declare that it is not lawful for them to forsake him whom thei haue so long tyme obeyed and so many yeares founde a good and a Godlye Prynce vnto whome they owe their fayth and allegeaunce by an othe The matter stickyng at this harde poynte the Duke of Cleaue his next neighbour for the auoyding of further trouble sendeth his Coūsellours thither to make intreatie Whiche after long and much decision obteyne of the Clergie that they wyll be quiet tyll suche tyme as the other States may declare the whole matter to the Archebyshop Wherfore Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles the chiefest of all the nobilitie were sent vnto hym Who through their singular wisdome and eloquence do perswade hym that for the compassion of the people leste the whole countrey should be distroyed with warre he would be content to geue place What tyme therfore he had released all men of their othe and allegeaunce His forsayd Coadiutour whome he had loued as his owne brother doeth succede hym This was the .xxv. daye of Ianuary The Archebyshop had a brother named Fridericke who I tolde you in the tenth booke had bene Byshop of Munster and was nowe prouoste of Bonna He was also depriued of his office and that had Gropper for his Share The lyke chaunced to Counte Stolberge Dean of Collon who had defended the Archebyshop ryght constantly By and by through out the whole Prouince by the commaundement of the newe Byshop the Religion agayne was altered and what so euer Bucer had set forth quite abolyshed Whan the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes had bene with the Frenche kyng they went into Englande that they myght bring the same to passe with them both But nowe was king Henry sore sicke and his disease increasing he departeth out of this life about th end of Ianuary in the .xxxviii. yere of his reigne whā he had by legacie made his son Edward of .ix. yeres his heire after him had substituted his daughter Mary by his first wife Elizabeth by his secōd wife Howbeit before he died he condēneth Thomas the duke of Norfolke whose authoritie was always gret vnto per And beheaded the Erle of Surrey his sonne for speaking certē wordes ouer muche suspected of the king liyng sicke After his death insued the alteration of Religion as hereafter you shall heare For albeit he had expulsed out of all his dominions the Bishop of Romes authoritie albeit it was death if any mā did acknowledge him for the chief head of the churche albeit that in the cōmon prayers of the churche he detested him as a Tiraūt very Antichrist yet kept he still the popish religion as hereto fore hath ben declared He had caused his sonne to be well instructed from his childhode and whan he should depart he appointed him counseilours to the nombre of .xvi. and amonges them Edwarde Erle of Herford the yong Princes vncle Unto whome afterward because it was supposed that he would be moste faithfull to him was cōmitted chefest part of his protection by the rest of the counsailours and an honorable style geuen him that he should be called the Protectour of the kyng his Realme He was also created Duke whan the king had geuen him the Dutchie of Somerset He both loued the Gospel did his indeuour also that the same might be receiued moued the king his nephew to imbrace it in like case and herein had a companion and helper Thomas Cranmer Archebyshop of Canturbury a man of notable learning and primate of England About this time also dieth the wyfe of king Ferdinando Quene Anne the mother of many children For whom the Emperour maketh a funerall at Ulme In the meane season they of Auspurg moued by the example of their fellowes by their owne daunger together hauing intercessours fit for the purpose amongest others Anthony Fugger are receiued into the Emperours fauour being condemned in a hōdred fifty thousand crownes xii great pieces of ordenaunce furnyshed and to fynde a garryson within theyr Cytie of ten enseignes of footemen In the Citie was Captaine Scherteline and had serued them many yeares for their wages Whome the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando hated chiefly for takyng the Castell of Erenberg vpon the Alpes Wherfore albeit the Senate intreated muche for him yet seing the Emperour did stifly refuse other wyse wold not accorde he was constrayned to flie the countrey so went with his hole family to Constaunce a citie in the borders of Swisserlād During the siege at Lipsia the Electour of Brandenburg intreateth a peace and sending Ambassadours to thē both requyreth thē that he myght be permitted to take vp the matter The Electour was content but Duke Maurice blaming him sore the he made so sharp war the sixt day at the length he answereth somwhat straūgly whan he saw that the towne was able to hold out thennemy Wherfore the Marques immediatly doth signifie the same to the Lātgraue praiyng hym to perswade Duke Maurice And for so muche as this ciuile war in Saxony can not well be appeased vnles that publique war of themperour shuld cease also he desireth him that he would geue his minde here unto and the rather perswade him he sheweth him in how great daunger he standeth How that all his fellowes for the most part are already recōciled to themperour And how the Duke of Wirtemburg hath accorded vpon moste straite conditions How thēperour prepareth a new army And in as much as he alone is not able long to resiste so great a power he admonisheth him that he wold not refuse to submit him self and condescende vnto these conditions which he him selfe hath cōceaued and sent him now by his Ambassadours For in as much as for many causes themperours minde is sore
the byshops in maner beare no authoritie And in this dissolute oultrage and coÌ„fusion of things innumerable thousandes are in daunger of their saluation Briefly through this same pestilent euill is infected corrupted whatsoeuer before was clere the states of thempire plucked a sonder do obserue no frendship amoÌ„ges them selues In these so many and great euils their only refuge is to the Apostolicall churche Wherfore they hartely pray him euen for the wealth of Germany that he would restore the counsell Whiche if he would there is nothing but he myght loke for at their haÌ„des But if not they caÌ„not see from whence they should seke remedy For stormes and tempestes arrise on euery syde whiche all to repulse God hath ordained the holy churche of Rome as a certen bulwarke and rocke moste strong Let him haue therfore a consideration of their requestes and thinke no lesse but it may be except he prouide for the contrary that some other meanes and deuises may be founde to dispatche this matter For the rest they pray him to take these thinges in good parte For their duty and state of tyme compelleth them so to wryte In these dayes also the Englyshmen vanquish the Scottes in a maigne battell and slewe of theÌ„ many thousandes at the conduict of the Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle The cause of the warre was the same that was before during the lyfe of kyng Henry that is to witte for that the Scottes would not geue their Quene to wyfe vnto king Edward as their promise was After this victory the Englishe nation wan a great part of Scotlande and enlarged their limites farre Concerninge the Emperours demaundes all men were not of one opinion For the Electours that were of the clergie do vrge the counsell of Trent without conditioÌ„ But the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue Duke Maurice and Marques of Brandenburg refused not the same sobeit it were fre and Godly wherin the Byshop should not be iudge and should release other Byshops of their othe and that their diuines also might haue licence to reason and the decrees already made be retracted But all other Princes and states were desirous that the counsell might be continued that the Protestauntes going thether by saufeconduict may be heard constrained to obey the decrees of the counsell Themperour hearing al their mindes the .xviii. day of Octob. answereth desireth them al to submit them selues to the couÌ„sell and treateth with the Paulsgraue and Duke Maurice seuerally that they shuld geue their assent And the Paulsgraue in dede was put in feare vnlesse he consented by reason of the late offence in the yeare before where as that sore was not throughly healed Duke Maurice again which both coueted that the Lantgraue his father in lawe shuld be deliuered And was also muche auaunced of late by the Emperour sawe wel he must nedes do some thing Wherfore whaÌ„ themperour had by messengers seÌ„t betwixt promised largely of his good wil towards theÌ„ and desired instauntly that they would committe the thing to his fidelitie they at the last the .xxiiii. day of October consente therto The rest were only cities whiche sawe what a daungerous matter it were to submitte them selues to the decrees of the couÌ„sell without exception With them did Granuellan and Hasie intreate longe and muche And the meane whyle it was bruted throughout the citie howe they were franticke and out of their wyttes that refused the thyng whiche all the Princes had than approued There were heard moreouer threatnynges that they should be scourged worse than they were of late In fine a meane was founde that both the Emperour was satisfied and they also assured For being called before the Emperour They saye it is not their parte to correcte the aunswers of Princes and delyuer hym with all a wryting wherin they testifie vpon what conditions they doe admitte the counsell The Emperour hearynge their tale aunswereth them by Seldie howe he is verey glad and ioyfull that after the example of others they referre the matter vnto hym and geue their coÌ„sent with the reste So did he attribute more vnto them than they desyred For they did not assente to the reside we but to auoyde displeasure they woulde finde no faulte with the sentence of the Princes And yet leste any thyng should be preiudiciall to them hereafter they declared by wryting in what sort they lyked the counsell that in tyme to come myght remayne a testimony of their myndes This was about the ende of October And the same tyme came thyther Kyng Ferdinando and after also the Electour of Brandenburge The Emperour therfore immediatly in the beginnyng of Nouember sent the Cardinall of Trente to Rome in poste to moue the Byshop to call agayne the Synode to Trente In the moneth of Nouember Christine wyfe to the Lantgraue his sonnes and certen choise counsellours in their letters wrytten to all the Princes and States of the Empyre declare by what meanes he was taken at Hale commyng thyther vnder saufe conduite And in as muche as all the condicions by the Emperour prescribed that could or ought to be perfourmed are accomplished the monie payd the Duke of Brunswick his son set at libertie al the letters of the confederates exhibited the oth of the nobilitie assurasice of the suerties made al his munition deliuered his fortes rased Moreouer in as much as thei are ready neither refuse thei to be pledges theÌ„selues vntil such time as the rest be fulfilled also they can not wout the gret grief vexatioÌ„ of mind se him in this miserable case For before he went to Hale he was in no suche case but that he might haue kept his castelles an honest tyme against the force of the ennemy And that also can the Emperours commissioners whiche sawe the thinges afterwarde testife But for the compassion he had of the people chose peace before war Wherfore they moste hartely praye them to intreate the Emperour in his behalfe and fynde the meanes that being shortly restored to libertie he may retourne home For in case he should be longer dâ—teined it would be doubtles to the vtter decaye of his health And to haue the better successe in their sute the Lantgraues wyfe came her selfe to Auspurg And both her selfe and also by Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburg solliciteth the Princes to sue for him Whiche thing knowen the Emperour before intercession was made the .xxv. day of NoueÌ„ber declareth to the states that he heareth what report is made vnto theÌ„ And in as much as the talke of men is diuerse he wil declare vnto them the plain truthe of the matter so reciteth from the beginning how ofte and by whome the Lantgraue had bene sued for And howe he aunswered theÌ„ al that he shuld yelde and submitte himself without condicion rase his castels and deliuer his munition and than he tolde Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg that he should
committed in charge the tuition of all counselles But you went so hastely away that you reiected suche as sayd how you ought first to aske aduise of the Emperour and Byshop And if you must nedes haue remoued at the lest you should haue obserued the decrees of holy counselles and haue remayned within the borders of Germany to the intent the Germaines whose cause was chiefly in hande myght come to the counsell safely But nowe haue ye chosen Bononie a citie in the middes of Italy and subiect to the churche of Rome whether you are assured that the Germaines will not come And therfore haue you chosen the same that to the decaye and reproche of the vniuersall weale the counsel myght either be dossolued or handled and vsed at your pleasure The Emperour therfore requireth that moste earnestly that you wold retourne to the same place whiche before contented all men especially synce all thinges are safe and quiet neither remaineth there any further cause of feare Whiche thyng if you shall refuse I doe here in the name and by the commaundemēt of the Emperour proteste this remouing of the counsell to be vayne vnlawful and the whole doyng to be voyde of none effect And do also testifie the answer of yours to be fond full of lies and the the cōmodities that hereafter shal insue to the cōmon wealth ar not to be ascribed to thēbut vnto you and affirme moreouer that you haue no authoritie to remoue the counsell And in asmuch as you haue neglected the publique health of men the Emperour as Protectour of the churche wyll take charge therof so far forth as he may by the lawes and and decrees of holy fathers Whan he had red these thinges he deliuereth the copie of the Protestation written and requireth that it maye be recorded for matter of recorde There Cardinall Mountane by the consent of the Fathers speakyng grauely declareth that they are not well vsed and taketh God to witnesse and saieth howe they are ready to dye rather than to suffer suche an example to be brought into the churche that euer the ciuile Magistrate should at his wyll and pleasure comptrolle the counsell The Emperour in dede is the eldest sonne of the church but neyther Lord nor Maister But he and his colleges are Legates of the See Apostolicke refuse not presently to rēder an accompt both first vnto God after also to the Byshop of their Ambassade And that more within a fewe dayes their Protestation shal be aunswered In maner to the same effect and about the same tyme Mendoza whan letters were come from the Emperour wherby he was commaūded to procede did proteste at Rome before the Byshop and Cardinalles callyng therunto as he was cemmaunded the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes ✚ The twenty Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the twenty Booke THe treaty is of a controuersie whether the lande of Prusse belong to the kyng of Poole or to the Empyre The Pope maketh an ample aunswere to the protestation before made by Mendoza Wherof the Emperour being aduertised leauing all hope of a counsell begynneth to set forth his Interim The Protectour of Englande wryting to the Scottes in ample wyse demaundeth their Quene Uogelsberge is beheaded The Emperour in his campe before Wittemberge gaue to Duke Maurice the ryght of Electourshyp and nowe createth him with all solemnities Bucer refuseth to subscribe to the Interim The Pope himselfe cōdemneth the Interim Lykewyse do some of the Electours and Prynces Certen also refuse it al though that the Emperour had caused it to be proclaimed The Duke of Saxon prysoner with great magnanimitie refuseth it The Lantgraue by letters set forth in his name maketh semblant to consent therunto to be deliuered Whilest the Masseis abolished in England the cities and townes of Germany are sollicited to accept the Interim and aboue all others Strasborough yea with threatchynges IN the fourmer bokes is declared howe Albert of the house of Brandenburge did homage to the kynge of Polle howe he altered the state of the cōmon welth in Prusse and was therfore outlawed of the chāber Againe howe the kyng of Polle in commō assemblies of the Empyre had oftentymes sued to the Emperour and other States that in as muche as he was his Cliente they would reuerse his outlawerie But where as nothynge was obtayned vnto this daye and in this great victory of the Emperour it was to be feared lest the matter should haue come to further daunger the kynge of Polle vnto this assemblie sendeth an Ambassade the chief wherof was Stanislaus Lascus He in the moneth of Ianuary deliuereth to the Emperour and Senate of Princes an Oration wrytten the effect wherof was this Howe the cause of Prusse had bene oftentymes debated But for as muche as it hath bene alwayes differred vntyll other assemblies he is nowe cōmaunded agayne to declare the same And the kinges truste is that inasmuch as they haue at al times made him gētle answers the cause it self being rightful they will haue some consideration and mynde of hym yet not not as Iudges but as Prynces worthy all honour and reuerence And first of all sayeth he I wyll speake diuerse thynges of the order of Prusse to the intent the thyng may be manifest In times pait the kynges of Polle gaue a great part of Prusseland to the order of knighthode in Dutche land vpon cōdicion that they might haue their seruice against the enemies of christendome But they very vnthankefull breakyng conuenauntes tourned their force against ther owne Lordes So had they oftentymes warre and oftentymes their conuenauntes were renewed Which by reasō of antiquitie it is not requisite to rehearse But that whiche in maner chaunced in our memory I shall recite Kyng Casimire father vnto Sigismunde subde wyng them in a great battell brought them to conditions of peace Than amonges other thinges it was accorded that from henceforth they should acknowledge the kynges of Polle for their Magistrate geuyng thē their fidelitie by an othe But afterwardes certen Maisters of that order brake conuenauntes geuynge them selues in to the tuition of others Of the whiche Albert of Brandenburge was one who being bounde by conuenaunt to doe homage vnto the kyng his Uncle within the half yeare wold not Wherfore the kyng albeit he loued peace yet was of necessitie constrayned to attempte warre And albeit they neuer ioyned in battell with their whole forces yet by Roades made fyryng spoyling and escharmoushing was much harme done in so muche that Alberte being to weake came vnto the kyng to take truce But at the selfe same tyme came a force of Germaines to ayde hym For the whiche cause he departed without concludyng the same and began to renewe warre But not long after beyng of them forsaken where he dyd but dissemble before than
trouble he trusteth that after the example of your progenitours you will kepe assuredly the conuenauntes of Maximilian and Fridericke Empeperours An other thing that I haue in commission apperteineth to the cities Danske and Elunige For these albeit they be vnder the dominion of Polle yet are they called to the assemblies of the Empyre Wherfore the kyng requireth that they be not so vsed hereafter but synce that no man besydes him hath to doe with them they may from henceforth be suffered to vse his owne lawes Whan the Emperour had heard his demaundes he made relation therof to the states of the Empire and geueth a copie of the Oration to Wuolfange Marques of Prusse Who the .xxiii. daye of Ianuary maketh aunswere in the vulgar tongue and after a certen preface In this saith he resteth the whole controuersie of the matter whether Prusse be vnder the dominion of Polle or of the Empire If I shall proue the later to be true the matter shal be easy to determine And thus standeth the case moste triumphant Emperour moste mighty kyng and moste noble Princes and states as I shall declare About foure hondreth yeares past whan a publique war was attempted against the Barbarians whiche vexed sore the men of our religion throughout al Asie Affricke this order wherof we speake was instituted whiche both Emperours haue liberally auaūced and the high Byshops also confirmed After the knyghtes of this same ordre for the space of certen yeares kept great warres in those parties for the vniuersall Christen weale but in fine hauing a great ouerthrowe they were discomfited and dispersed into sondry places At the same time it fortuned that Conrade Duke of Moscouia was greuously assayled by the Prussians being than the ennemies of Christen Religion And whan he was no longer hable to mainteine warres and defende him selfe against them he sued first to the Byshop of Rome that he setting forth a celestiall and immortall rewarde as the maner was would incourage men to this warre After he adioyned to him this order of ours and gaue them all the countrey of Culmen borderyng vpon Prusse and the rather to encourage them gaue them al the land of Prusse to holde for euer This dede of gift the Emperour Friderick the second confirmed permitted Herman Salcie that than was Maister of the order to moue warre against the Prussians and if he did subdue them to inioye their lande for euer This was in the yeare of our Lorde M CC. xxvi Thus verely did my order through the ayde of the Emperour Byshoppes of Rome Princes of the Empyre continewing the warre by the space of liii yeares at the last conquer the lande of Prusse and bring it to the christian Religion beautified it with certen Colleges Byshoprikes and builded therin also both Castels and Cities that there might be in those parties as a walle and fortresse of the Empire and a refuge for the Nobilitie of Germany And so hath parte of the same Region remained in our gouernement vnto the yeare of saluation M CCCC l. and an other parte therof tyll Albert of Brandenburg After what tyme the Lituanes and Tartarians together made warre against the Polonians and Moscouites our knightes remembring their profession and order toke armure and cleane disconfited the Lituanians inuading far within their limites For the which cause we had long time peace and amitie with the Polonians vntill suche time as a certen Prince of Lituania was created king of Polle Who to auenge the losse and shame of his nation moued warre against vs sodenly and ayded of the Barbarians did very muche hurte But being of our men repulsed and put besides and a great part of his Realme had no ioyfull ende of that warre in so muche as he made his complaint to the counsel of Constance After came forth a decree that suche part of Polle as our men helde by the lawe of armes should be restored Thus beyng againe reuiued he forgot the benefit receiued and renewed warre and contended that certen prouinces of our order belonged to the dominiō of Polle And albeit that through the intercession of the two kynges of Hongary and Boheme the matter was taken vp yet the sore brake out agayne and at last the case was referred to the Emperour Sigismunde who approued the fourmer composition that the kynges had made Howebeit the king of Polle could not reste thus but attempted warre agayne whiche the .xxiiii. yeare after was accorded at Tournie whan Ladistaus was king In the whiche composition of peace he forsaketh all suite and strife neither calleth he him selfe Lord or inheritour of Prussie and byndeth all his successours that within one yeres space after they come to the Crowne they shall sweare to accepte ratifie the same peace and compelle the byshoppes and other states of the Realme to take the same othe and that euery tenth yeare this othe should be renewed This was also cōdicioned at the same tyme if any king of Polle shall hereafter moue warre vpon the Maister of Prussie that the people be not bounde to obeye or assiste hym but that peace be continually kept on either partie And this composition was confirmed with two hondreth Seales as it is to be shewed Yet did not the peace indure aboue .xiiii. yeares For in the yeare of our Lorde M. CCCC.I the people making a rebellion conspired against the maister And albeit that the Byshop of Rome and the Emperour Fridericke the thirde did outlawe them Albeit the maister desired that the matter might be heard yet did they so litle regarde all this that about .lxx. townes and castels revelled in one daye Unto this conspiracie of theirs ioyned him selfe the kyng of Polle Casinure father to Sigismunde and brought vs vnto suche a perplexitie that Lewys Erlinsusie who than was maister of the order constrayned through feare of the present daunger as a moste constant man might doe in such a case to the intent he might both hepe still his prouince and also saue him selfe in the same accorded with him vpon conditions moste vnreasonable without the authoritie either of the Byshop or the Emperour or yet the states of the Empyre The cōditions of this peace amonges other thinges are these That the Maisters of Prussie frō hence forth shal within sixe monethes after he be chosen Magistrate come vnto the king of Polle and by an othe acknowledge hym for their Souraigne and shall ayde hym against all men they shal also receaue into the order aswell Polonians as Germaines shall admitte them to beare office and for suche landes as they shall wynne hereafter to do homage to the kynges of Polle Whiche conditions verely do not only cōcerne the priuate losse and rebuke of my order but also the publique domage and reproche of the Empire Nobilitie of Germany Wherefore since that time haue there bene maisters Which considering the vnreasonablenes of the thing haue made greuous
albeit Mendoza thou semest to esteme thys lyghtly yet ought it to be accepted for a great benefite For the ayde was exceading great that I sente in so muche that it far surmounted the abilitie and power of the holy treasure came to him moste in season What thing therfore could lesse be loked for than that after the victory obtained and that so lately the Emperour should rendre vnto me suche fruicte of Godly zeale beneuolence Uerely that the ende of the same warre should be the beginning of protesting against me Certes it hath chaunced vnto me that the Prophet complayneth of that lokyng to gather grapes I should fynde wylde beries I haue euer synce the tyme I was first called to this dignitie pastorall with earnest study tilled cherished themperour as a moste noble plante that I myght once haue a plentifull vintage But this enterpryse of his hath almoste taken away frō me al hope of fruicte Thou hast heard the cause of our grief heare also how we were relieued of the same Thou as though thou hadst had authoritie geuen thee to proteste against me and this sacret senate hast so vsed the same as is neither vnto vs honorable nor mete or condigne for the Emperour But in the letters of cōmission there is not one worde that sheweth it to be themperours wil that thou shouldest thus procede I say there is not one worde to the intent thou mayest better vnderstand it that geueth the authoritie thus to do The Emperour cōmaūdeth his deputies at Boloigne that they should proteste thus before our Legates there whiche haue chaunged the place of the counsel Which after thou didst perceiue once done thou woldest vse the same maner of protesting here also in our presēce But herein hast thou passed the bondes of thy cōmission And if thou hast not perceiued this before Mendoza acknowledge now at the last hauing warning For themperour cōmaūdeth that to protest not against vs nor before this presence but against our legates that were autours of that remouing Wherfore thēperour hath done herein the duty of a tēperate Prince which hath stayed within those bondes limites wold not that the protestation shuld be made before me whom he knoweth to be the lawfull only iudge of al suche causes For if I had refused to haue heard the matter than shuld be haue had iust cause of protestation But thou Mēdoza not taking the way that thou shuldest haue done didst not desire me to examine the matter but requirest that I shuld disanul the decree made of remouing the counsel cōmaunde the greatest part of the fathers to geue place to a few the remained at Trēt And what thing can more deminish thauthoritie of the whole coūsel than this Had it not ben much more reasonable that those few which are at Trent if thei had any cause of cōplaint of the fathers which be at Boloigne shuld haue made the same vnto me Certenly I wold neither haue refused their requestes thā nor yet wold at this presēt Where therfore it is certen that themperours minde is not cōsonāt or agreable to your fact we haue cause to giue God thankes which ruleth his minde after thys sort We may reioyce to our selues thou thy self mayst be glad for thy Princes sake And albeit that by this same which is saide already the foūdatiō of your pleade is so fallen that I nede not to answere thy protestation yet lest the through silence I might appeare to acknowledge thine accusatiōs by the same thing of send many especially such as be ignoraūt I will cōfute thē all And first what time thou hast set this marke before rhine eies that thou mightest declare me to be negligent to draw backward seke delayes thou the coūsel shuld not be holdē but thēperour to be carefull for the common wealth Uigilaunt and industrious and wholy addicte to the kepyng of the counsel thou procedest in speakyng thy pleasure Assuredly I doe not nother ought I to enuie the Emperours prayses And if thou haddest stayed there I had had nothinge to aunswere But in as muche as thou doest extolle hym to depraue me so laude and commende hym that thou myghtest bryng me in contempte whylest thou sayest that he hath desyred a counsell not of me only but also of my prodecessours Byshoppes of Rome The thing it selfe requyreth that I should aunswere thee to the same For if thys were alwayes the Emperours mynde and desyre that a counsell myght be holden of the same mynde haue I bene euer as well as he Agayne as I am his elder in yeares so haue I desired this thyng before him as the moste honorable Cardinalles can tell whiche were of the same nomber at that tyme. And whan I was chosen Byshop I continued of the same mynde styll And hauing the leste occasion in the world I called a coūsell first at Mantua and after at Uicence But thether came none at all and hether but very fewe And the Legates which I sent taried there halfe a yeare lokyng for the other Bishops whiche I had summoned sending a broad letters and messengers into all partes Howbeit thou sayst that these cities were not commodious for other nations to repare to but that Trēt was fit for the pourpose But al men knowe that Trent is not to be compared vnto these neyther in quantitie nor plentie of all thynges Therfore the incommoditie of the place was not the let but the warres of Prynces Nowe consyder with me whether was more feruent in this behalfe The Emperour whiche letted the counsell with warlyke tumultes or the Byshop whiche was euer a peace maker who neuer ayded any Prynce in warre sauing the Emperour only and that in the same warre whiche semed to open the way vnto the counsell Whether the Emperour were constrayned to warre brought vnto it against his wyll I dispute not But certen it is that the counsell was let by the warres I come vnwillingly vnto this comparison because the contention is of the prayse of vertu which is al dewe vnto God alone but thou Mendoza hast geuen the occasion I will not be tedious and will only warne thee to cōsider euery yeare of my byshoprike and marke wel what care and study I haue taken For verely these two thinges haue bene euer before my eyes to make peace amongest Princes and to kepe a coūsel and herein haue spared neyther coste nor payne for all myne olde age But neyther doest thou reproue any thyng before the counsel and blamest only my Legates in that they remoued to Boloigne without my knowledge Moreouer this doeth offende thee that I call the congregation of the Fathers at Boloigne a counsell and thynkest that they susteyne iniurie therby that remayne at Trente But what euill is in that For thus all men speake howe the Counsell is remoued from Trent to Bononie Wherfore if I should doe the dutie of an vpryght iudge I ought so to call it
not se a bond prepared of a perpetual euer lasting amitie betwene vs It hath bene oftētimes wished for but in these eight hondreth yeares past chaūced neuer so good an opportunitie And this can not they deny which hinder the peace amongest you But by this meane say they we wold procure to our selues lordship to you bondage But the haue we in our letters sent to you the last yeare past sufficiently cōfuted and now take God to witnesse that the king is minded to ioyne with you in moste assured frendshyp If you shal refuse prouoke vs againe to warre through your frowardnes vnto whome shall the faulte of common euilles be ascribed You haue promised the daughter heyre of your Realm in mariage to our king by common assent of parliamēt Writinges were made of the same and confirmed with the common seale of the Realme Many great assuraunces were deuised you were cōtented to put in pledges till they came both to lawfull age These wrytinges of yours are in our custody as a perpetuall witnes againste you At all the whiche thinges Hamelton Erle of Arraine gouernour of your Realme was not only present but President also and chief doer But the same after the Cardinal of Saint Andrewes and certē other prelates of the Clergie had put him in feare and terrour and shewed hym agayne great hope an other waye he broke his faith and conuenauntes In whome assuredly of what so euer euils is chaunceth in the meane tyme the whole blame is to be imputed In that you haue lost so many fortes and Castelles that after the battell foughten you wanted so many thousandes of your men that we haue so farre inuaded your Realme it is chiefly to be ascrybed vnto hym But what ende at the length doe you loke of this obstinacy and vuloyaultie Hauyng the victory we offer you peace We possesse a great part of your kyngdome and yet make England common to you The same that men vanquyshed are wont to suffer as a great ignomie that what tyme they are vnited with the people that haue the victorye they should forsake and lose the name of their owne nation that doe we frely graunte vnto you and refuse not to receiue that auncient name of Britaines common to both nations What thing for the loue of God can of vs be more performed Will not as men iudge this that we haue iust cause to warre whan they shall knowe that so liberall so reasonable and honest condicions could take no place with you We set open for you always to come vnto our frendship neither do we expulse your Quene out of your Realme but wil also establish her and her daughter in England Again we intende not to abrogate your lawes For both Englande and Fraunce and the Emperours countreyes also do vse sondry lawes They that seke to hinder the peace doe put you in suche feare But they prouide only for their owne commoditie and pleasure and care not for your wealth But tourne you awaye your eyes and mynde from them and consider the state of your common wealth You haue a mayde inheritour of your Realme she must doubtles mary at the length Therfore she shall eyther be maryed to one of your owne nation or to some foreine Prince If she mary at home our ryght and title remayneth yet neuerthelesse vnto vs whole and that thinge wyll styre vp ciuile tumultes and dissention If she take a straunger ye shal both haue vs your continual ennemies and in a moste miserable bondage shall ye serue a foreine nation You must seke for ayde that is farre from you And the forces that shall be sent it can not be spoken what hurt they wyll do you and howe prowdely and arrogauntly they wyll deale with you For thus wyl they be perswaded that in their ayde and defence consisteth your whole preseruation What they wyll take from you your Quene and Princes and trāsport her whether they lyste and if they shall haue warre on any syde as it may be they shall they wyll be wholly addicte to defende them and theirs and not care for you but leaue you vnto vs for a pray And if it fortune that they sende no soldiours but cap only They shall prescribe and commaunde you and if any thynge shall be well done wyll haue all the prayse therof But if any misfortune chaūce the whole storme shall lyght in your neckes that lose your lyfe and bloud What daunger also it is to vse foreyne aydes a domesticall example may teache you The Brytaines the people of this same Ilande sente for the Saxons in tymes paste to ayde thē and after by the same were expulsed out of their countrie and dryuen into the mountanes and fennes Some tyme there dwelte betwyxt Englande and Scotlande the Pictes a fierse and a warlyke people whome the Scottes after they had a while defended from the ennemy at the length so oppressed that their name remayneth not at this daye Did not the same happen to the Frenche men by thē of Frankonie to the Grekes not longe synce and to the Hongarians in this our memory whan they vsed the ayde of the Turkes c. Did not the Gothians in tyme paste by the same meane wynne all Italy and the Lumbardes the whole countrie that nowe is called Lumbardie Longe not you and ye wyse be to proue the insolent pryde and arrogancie of the foreyne Soldiour but compare that infinitie Rable of euylles with mariage infinitie and an honourable peace And herein set before your eyes The maner and example of Nations nere vnto vs. The Emperour Charles the fyft by this meane possesseth Spayne and Burgundy The Frenche kynge by the same meane hath annexed litle Brytain vnto the crowne of Fraūce The lyke also doe other nations For there be but two wayes whereby warres are finished that is either by force and victory or els by mariage If you hate force why doe you not admit the other whiche is offered you and whiche once you conuenaunted and graunted to We are not ignoraunte who they be that diswade you from holsome counsel Uerely this do certen of the Clergie and the gouernour of the Realme also But take you hede lest they whiche so ofte haue broken their fidelitie do lose your whole libertie leste they beyng corrupte with brybes as with the hyre and rewarde of treason delyuer vp your Castelles and Fortes to Straungers Whiche thyng whan they shall doe they wyl fayne in wordes that they doe it to the intent that they shall defende them from vs but in very dede that thei being assured through their ayde may them selues brydle you as they lyste And than who seeth not in what case you and your Realme shall stande in O miserable and wretched frowardnes We are inclosed on euery side with the Dccean Sea as with walles ditch most strong If there were only the agrement of mindes amongest vs there
wanted nothynge to hyghe felicitie and we myght than establyshe a moste florishyng Monarchie But if thys waye moue you nothynge at the leste wyse let the calamitie lately receyued and the mysery nowe hanging ouer your headdes perswade you Let the feare of Goddes vengeaunce also moue you For God is the reuenger of faith and conuenauntes brokē and detesteth al desire of warre and plageth the same with greuous punishementes We desire your Quene as is conuenaunted and the waye of peace whiche God of his infinitie goodnes hath shewed the same we followe and wyshe that you also wold walke in the same steppes And if we can obtain nothing we protest that of necessitie we must attempt warre through Gods conduite whose worde and voice you contemne we wyll prosecute our right with sword fire Wherfore if there he any good men amōgst you which are sory for the calamitie of their countrey whiche thinke that faith and promyse is to be kepte and obserued they may come vnto vs safely whosoeuer they be we shall shewe them all loue and fauour That the trafficke also of marchaūdise may frely be vsed amongst vs the kyng hath lately prouided set forth by proclamation to the intent there might be a token of his beneuolence towardes you And if he shall perceiue this benefite to be wel imployed he intendeth to bestowe vpon you greater hath cōmaunded all these thinges to be signified to you in his name In the former boke I shewed you of Sebastian Uogelsberg which brought the French kyng out of Germany ten enseignes of fotemē Who in Autumne retourned home and discharged his bandes For that he serued the Frenche kyng the Emperour toke it greuously displeasaūtly and seking an occasion he commaunded Lazarus Schuendie to se if he could apprehende him Who commyng to Wisseburg where he had a hous toke him and brought him to Ausburge Streight waies was he put vpon the Racke and examined by torture of diuerse others that were had in suspicion before as though they fauoured the Frenche partie And although that through a valeaunt stoutnes both of body and mynde he vttered nothing for all the tourment yet for that he was reported to haue bene in societie with rebelles to haue broken the Emperours proclamations and deuised crafty counselles he was condemned to die and two other Cēturions with him Iames Mantel Wuolf Thomas Wherfore the seuēth day of February he was brought forth into the marketh place foure days after he came thether There were certen enseignes of fotemen in ar mure and great resort of people Whan he was come into the higher place of executiō loking about him with a bold stoute courage for asmuch as the noblemen of all degrees loked out of the wyndowes houses on euery side he saluteth thē with great reuerence and speaking of the kinde of his life declareth how he hath heretofore serued the Emperour in his warres sayth the only cause of his death is that that last yere he brought the Frenche king a force of men what time he was crowned at Rains Now was this Uogelsberg of a goodly comely personage and where he shewed no toke at al of any terrour or feare of death he allured all men to beholde him After him were heheaded the Cēturions before named Two iudges gaue the sentence whiche followe the Emperours court campe alwayes the one Biruiesca a Spaniarde the other a Germane Niclas Zinner both lawyers He had blamed Schuendie as though he had bene circumuented by him But thei setforth a wryting and declare wherfore he was executed excuse Schuendie affirme that he did nothing but the Emperours cōmaundement and proteste that accusation to be false At this tyme through out Fraunce but chiefly at Paris was burning persecution renewed for Lutheranisme where contrariwyse in Englande they consulted vtterly to abolishe the Popish masse Themperour as I sayd before had geuē to Duke Maurice the dignitie of Electourship the greatest part of the Duke of Saxons coūtrie in the campe before Wittemberge But in this conuentiō by a publique solemne ceremonie he putteth him as it were inpossession and receiueth him into the tuition of him of the Empire which thing he had promised him thā This was done the xxiiii day of February which was Thēperours birth day And that cerimony was after this sorte In the market place was buylded a pauilion of bordes of a great breadth wherūto they went vp by steps Thither came themperour about thre of the clock at after none accōpanied with the Princes Electours After he goeth frō hence into an house by and putteth on his solemne Robes both he the Princes Electours From thence he cometh forth again sitteth down vnder his cloth of estate Likewise do they euery man in his place on the backside ouer themperour vpon a stage were placed the Trompetters Than cometh forth the first band of Duke Maurice runne their horses to themperours pauilion as the maner is In the meane season Duke Maurice with an other band staieth right ouer against them accompanied with a nōber of Princes next before him were .xii. Trompetters Immediatly issued out of y◠same band Hēry the duke of Brūswick Wuolfāge prince of Bipoūt brother to the elector of Palatine And albert the yōg duke of bauer whē thei had coursed their horses to the place before said they alight go vp to thē per 〈…〉 hūbly require hi that he wold auāce duke moris for the commō benefit of thempire to the digniti of electorship Themperor cōsultīg with thelectors maketh answer by tharchbishop of 〈…〉 ētz that he is cōtēt so to do in case he wil cōe hī self demād the same whē he had receiued that answer duke Moris cōmeth riding forth with the hole troupe before him wer born .x. enseignes with the armes of as many regiōs wherin he desired to be inuested whā he was come vp before themperor he kneled down vpō his knees desireth y◠same Hoier earl of Māsfeld was sent of his brother august to make the like request Wherfor themperor answereth by tharchbishop of mētz chāceler of thempire Forasmuch as they both haue don hī faithful seruice he wil geue vnto duke Moris his heires males or if none be to his brother Augustus to the heirs of his body thelectorship of saxonie al the lāds of Ihō Friderick so much excepted as is alredy grāted to his childrē Afterward tharchbishop of Mētz readeth the oth wherw t thelectors are boūdē and whā Duke Moris reciting it after him had sworn themperor deliuereth vnto him the sworde with this ceremony putteth him as it wer into full possession He geueth thākes promiseth al fidelity obeisāce After those bāuērs of armes before mētioned whē duke Moris had receiued thē of themperor wer thrown down amōgs the people as is accustomed al these things might Duke Ihō Friderick behold
For albeit that al papistry in a maner was therin established yet for asmuch as certē things wer permitted to the contrary part they thought it first expediēt to make the bishop priuy Who after openet 〈…〉 themperor by cardinal Stoudrate these notes or any inaduersiōs That a priest which hath takē ordres shuld mary execute stil y◠holy ministry was neuer hard of that the vse of receiuing the Lords supper vnder both kinds is abrogated nether hath any māautority to permit that liberty sauing the bishop of Rome the sinode that the folowers of the old religiō are not to be boūdē vnto these doctrins but if any Lutheranes wil forsake their opinions thei are not to be refused That of the .ii. masses ought only to be vnderstād of the Lutheranes that the singing of Psalmes ought to be restored in al places that on holy daies they must celebrate the memoriall of the patrone of the church that suche as are priestes already or hereafter shal be muste abstayne frō Mariage that a spedy restitution of the church goodes and iurisdictiō must be made For the Robbery is manifest nether must they folow herein thordinary proces of the law but determin of y◠thing that is euidēt execute the matter by regal power Whē this cēsure was inferred tharchbishops of Mētz Treuers Collen vnto whō it was deliuered answer thēperor directly after the same sort especially vrge restitutiō declaring the same to be right necessary if christē religiō shuld be maintained in places wher it is abolished shuld again be restored Moreouer the cōmon peace cā not otherwise be established wherfore it is chiefli to be prouided that religious houses be wholy restored And in as much as the spoil extortiō is manifest they must go spedeli to work that gods seruice may withal spede be recouered Finally they desire him to take these things in good part with his protectiō to defēd the mēbers of the church The .iii. other electors wer not of the same opiniō especially the Paulsgraue Duke Moris yet ether of thē had causes why they shuld not gainsai themperor The rest of the princes whiche wer for the most part bishops answer in like maner as did the iii. Archbishops As for the cities ther was no great accompt made of thē Themperour therfore at the Ides of Maye calleth all the States before him And in the preface speaking of his zeale towardes Germany saieth we perceiue by manifest arguments by the thing it self the neither the peace can be established nor law iustice ministred vnlesse the cōtrouersie of religiō the first appeased which hath now many peares sturred vp thempire muche grudge dyssention hatred discorde ciuile warres This hath bene verely the cause why by many cōuētions cōferēces we haue often sought a remedy But in the meane time not only in Germany but also into other natiōs and people of Christēdome hath this same cōtageous infection pearsed in so much that ther appereth no more present remedy than a general coūsel which at the lēgth at your request we procured to be holdē at Trēt and moued you also at the beginning of this conuentiō to submit your selues to thauthoritie of y◠same And that y◠charge might be cōmitted vnto vs in the meane seasō to deuise some godly meanes wherby they might liue quietly the meane while in Germany which cōtētatiō and cōfydēce of youres was vnto vs both thā now also right acceptable What time therfore we gaue our selues wholy vnto this carefulnes demaūded your opinions we than perceiued not without the great grief of our mynde that the disagrement in religion was thoccasion of all the former euils And vnlesse it be foresene hereafter wylbe Wherefore we thought it not good to leaue the matter in that troublesome state vntyll the decree of the counsell but that it oughte to be broughte to some moderation especially sith that oftentimes new sectes did arise Whilest we were pōdering these things certain of high degre nobility desirous of peace louers of the cōmon weale exhibite to vs in wryting theyr opiniō cōcerning religiō promise due obeisāce We than receiuing y◠wryting deliuered the same to certaine good learned deuines that they shuld among thē selues consider al things diligētly which after they had perused it made report that y◠same being wel vnderstand did not impugne the catholike religion and doctrine nor the lawes and cōstitutions of the church two opinions only excepted wherof th one is of the mariage of priestes thother of the Lordes supper but said it was wel deuised to establish the concord of Germany which thing dousles vnto vs shuld be most of all acceptable for what more ioyful thing could happē thē to se al states in mindes agreable follow one the same forme of Religion And seing it is euē so we require such as haue obserued hitherto the lawes custome of the catholike church to their great cōmendation that they perseuer in the same alter nothing as they haue promised vs heretofore And those also which haue chaūged their religiō we desire most earnestly to passe with thother states professe the same religion that they do or els to cōfyrme their doctrine after the order of this boke in euery poynt to follow the steps hereof besides that to ordaine nothing but to stay within these boundes limites and neither by wryting nor preaching to attempt any thing to the contrary but obediētly to attēd the decre of a general coūcel that the same may be had as shortly as is possible we wil indeuor with al diligēce now ar occupied in this thing wholy how to cōceaue a forme for the reformatiō of the clergie Whā he had spokē thus by his secretary as is accustomed he cōmaūded the boke to be red Ther tharch bishop of mētz which occupieth the chiefest place amōg thelectors not seking what thopiniō of stats shold be ariseth vp as it wer in the name of al the rest geueth vnto thēperor for so much trauel pain care diligēce loue of y◠coūtrey imortal thāks in asmuch as thei haue already cōmitted the thing to his fidelitie now paines hath bē takē therin he saith it is reason that they should with most willing minds acknowledg thesame obey the decre This thāks geuing did thēperor take for a cōmon assent cōfirmatiō after wold admit none excuse as I shall herafter declare cōmaundeth the boke to be set forth in print both in latin duch also The iiii day after he declareth to the stats with how much labor cost he hath restored peace vn to Germany because the thing it self requireth that it be also prouided for in time to come he supposeth it veri mete necessari some great treasure of money beleuied and in certeine places be kept the common treasurie that if it fortune at
is not vnknowen to them which haue bene at a few of the last conuentions for they do not only vnderstand but also know by experiēce how swete is the name of peace and how comfortable a thing it is and againe what euils warre bryngeth Moreouer it shuld be greuous and displesaunt to them if theyr neighbours should for theyr sake be in daunger or receiue any domage Furthermore they do confesse that neyther is it lawfull for them neyther is it in theyr power obstinately to resist themperour and thempire but that beyng dryuen of necessitye to defende them selues and theyrs from iniury they haue beaten downe certayne buildinges and haue taken certen holds smal townes villages in the time of warre not minding to kepe them for them selues but that they shuld not come into the hands of foraine nations neyther do they refuse to rendre the same again so that theyr neighbors do attempt nothing And that there is two causes chieflye wherefore they can not obteyne peace fyrste for that they do retain the doctrin of the gospell and refuse that Romyshe Idoll Secondlye for that the condicions of peace propounded are to them not only greuous but also intollerable and altogether such as cannot be performed For if they shuld betray theyr liberty geuen thē by themperor great Otto the first of that name and the which they haue receiued of theyr elders and maintained vnto this day it can by no reasō be defended or excused in time to come Nowe also it appeareth and is manifestly sene what thing the authoures of the booke made at Auspurge intended and where about they went for they indeuonred to plucke awaye from men the chief article of doctrine of iustification the very force of saluation They called in doubte also the Lordes supper and marriage of priestes Moreouer they teach the inuocation of deade men and what so euer dependeth of the same furthermore they go about to restore all papistry as hath bene declared of many excellent learned men certainly this so great a wickednes woulde not be winked at or passed ouer in silence yea God is to be called on with continuall praier that he suffer not the glory of his name to be thus polluted for assuredly it is an heauye and a sorowful sight that men should be violently inforced to false Religion and Idolatry the ministers of the churche cast into prison or wyth theyr wiues and chyldren dryuen into exile some also myseserablye slaine it is as much to be lamented that albeit these thinges are openly sene especiallye in the vpper partes of Germanye yet there should be men that dare affirme that Religion is not impugned Howe be it is no newes for euer synce the worlde began the state of good and godly menne hathe bene alwaies to suffer affliction Againe there be many examples both in the old and newe Testamente that declare the constancy of holy men which they vsed whan Kinges and Princes setforth theyr Proclamations contrary to Gods word For in suche cases was this alwaies of force that is wrytten in holy scriptures howe we oughte rather to obeye God than men This hathe Chrisostome Austen Ambrose and other holy men not only taught but also perfourmed in dede whan Emperoures commaunded any thinge againste the commaundementes of God in like case are they at this present They se the dāger they are in and yet may not otherwise do for they must soner abide all pearill than to praise and receiue manifest errors It is wrytten of Gordius the martir who beinge requested of his frendes whan he was caried to execution that for sauinge of his life he woulde forsake his opinion aunsweared that the tonge ought not to speake any thinge in reproche of him that made it the which thing aswel apperteineth vnto al mē For this is the opiniō bothe of the aunciente Churche and also of certaine of the fyrste Bishoppes of Rome that they do not only betray the truth whiche teache false Doctrine but also suche as dare not professe openlye and defende the truthe knowen wherefore the whole case muste be cōmitted to god nether ought they ether for that plesure of any mā or fearce of any peril to forsake the professiō of that Ueritie but to set before their eies thexample of Daniel who cōtrary to that proclamatiō of king Darius worshipped God with the windowes set open on euerye side Certes he mighte haue done the same priuatelye and closelye withoute any daunger but for as much as the same thing concerned the profession of his faith and glory of gods holy name with a great and a constant courage he called vpon God openlye and had no respect of any daunger which being procured for him by his aduersaries lighted after on theyr owne heades Wherefore they beseche all men to attempte no force nor warre againste them whiche are members of the true Churche and that they woulde followe herein the steppes of the Christiane Souldioures of former time whych in dede would not obey whan themperoures in the warres required theyr seruice againste the Christians as is to be proued by the example of Saincte Moris the martir howe greuouslye also God was offended with the Israelites for that they being afraid of the multitude of their ennemies did not healpe theyr weake felowes is expressed in the boke of iudges that it mighte be a doctrine for al men not only not to forsake in their necessitye the brethren and fellowes of their Religion but also to ayde and succoure them They doubte nothing but that good men will be moued by these thinges For God liueth is immortall which hath full oft in times past shewed the mighty power of his right hande and nowe can also declare the same They desyre them also hartely that they would cause these letters to be exhibited to the Emperor to king Ferdinando and to other princes and states and also to make intercession for them that no extremity be wrought against them for they wil refuse to do nothing that may be godly and honestly performed they require moreouer that they would commend them vnto god by their praiers to thend verely that through the xample of the Niniuites they may from the bottom of their hartes bewail their sinnes hartely sigh vnto God that they may boldly professe this doctrine of the gospel whiche hathe nowe these .xxx. yeares bene preached and may set it forth with the godlines of life that they may shew the worckes of loue vnto all men but chiefly to the ministers of the church now banished and exiled and to theyr children and wiues and suche other miserable people And that they may kepe this holsome doctrine pure and safe from the deceites of them which vnder the pretence of restoringe Ceremonies do now bryng in againe the whole rabble of the Romishe doctrin In the month of Octobre Fraunces Duke of Mātua the sonne of Duke Fridericke marieth the Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinando Kinge of Romaines
matter is and stirre vp and down in the churche Wherupon the preacher who thought verely there had bene a sedition raised being sore afraid of his owne part went downe sodenly out of the pulpit by his fellowes let into the chauncel which was fēsed with dores of Iron For al the priestes were there amongs them were certain prebendaries of the same church borne of noble houses which sitting neare the pulpit to heare conueied thē selues in also quickly knowing not what would come therof The whole matter immediatly was declared to the consul and Pretour who with the reaste of the Senate were hearinge Sermones in other churches They came in all haste to appeass the Tumulte but before they came all was quieted for besides a fewe younge men no man once stirred Wherefore the Senate amonges others sent to them Iames Sturmius who declareth to the principal of the clargy before said that the Senate is sorye for this disturbaunce and sheweth thoccasion therof and affirmeth that there was no citezen found in the same and for as muche as it was done withoute theyr knowledge prayeth them not to take it displeasauntly and promiseth them that they wil se to it from this time forward that no such like thing happen But they woulde not thus be satisfied and saye plainly how they wil no more from henceforthe put theyr lines in such a daunger and the next day they depart in great displeasure leauing of their work begon and reparing to the bishop at Tabernes complaine of theyr misfortune Thus therefore was the matter discontinued for a fewe monethes after In the meane time they had complained to the Emperoure of the whole matter as shall be declared hereafter Many men suppose how they reioysed inwardly in theyr mindes they had so good an occasion to leaue For so lōg as the Masse was abolished by a decre of the Senate ' they had liued most at liberty and receiued theyr whole reuenewes withoute any paines taking but now that they are bounden to daily seruice although the laboure be not great yet was this occasion thoughte vnto them right acceptable wherby they might shake of that yoke of bondage especially seinge theyr doinges were derided and contempned of the common people and they them selues poynted at with fingers and hated of most men The Senate after inquisition made could perceiue no fault in anye townes man Aboute the beginning of February the ambassadors of England and Fraūce mete to treat a peace For the Englishmen hauing lost those fortes before said were driuen to an narrow issue Aboute this time also the Protectoure the kinges vncle was deliuered out of the towre wheras the counsel perceiued that the same should please the king wel and for so much as the Earl of Warwick was the chief occasiō of his apprehension this meane was found that theyr frendshippe should be renued through affinitie Wherefore the Earle of Warwickes sonne marieth the Duke of Somersets daughter And afterward the Kinge gaue vnto the Earle of Warwicke the Dukedome of Northumberland but this frendship lasted not longe as shal be declared hereafter In the meane season at Rome was all full of factions and partakinges especiallye the Farnesians were very earnest that one of theyr side might be chosen and at the first in dede Alexander that was Nephewe to Paulus and certatne other Cardinals his clients ioyned them selues to the Cardinalles imperials but when the frenche Cardinals gaue theyr voyces to Cardinall Saluiate a Florentine Alexander fearing least at the next session Saluiate shoulde be pronounced Bishop reuolted to the French part taking firste an othe of them as it is reported for certaintie that they shoulde not chuse Saluiate By this meane at the lengthe Ihon Mary Mountane whome we saide before was high president of the counsel at Trent and Bononie the .vii. day of February was created Bishop And he was euer accompted to be a moste earnest fauourer of the French partie and also of the Fernesians The cause why Farnesius bare no good will to Saluiate was reported to be this for that he feared least if he should obtain the dignity he would cut short both him his brethren kinsfolkes of much riches which they had heaped together by right wrong and would auenge the Iniury done to his house by Paulus and the Farnesiaus And it is said how Cardinall Farnesius woulde not promesse the good will of him and his to Mountane whome Paule the third made Cardinall till he had assured him by his fidelitie that he would frely permit Parma to his brother Octauianus The bishop after an old custome chaungeth his name and is called Iuly the third of that name At the same time the Frenche King setforth a proclamation againste the Luthexanes And a penalty also appoynted for the iudges that are slacke and negligent in executing the same Before the bishop was elected departed out of this life two Cardinals Uerulan and Rodulphe therfore there remained in the conclaue lii wherof there were .xiiii. frenchmen ii Germains iiii Spaniards ii Portugals and one Englishe man al the residue Italians and of the .xi. Romains The .xxii. daye of February Iuly was consecrated bishop by Cardinall Cibon two daies after he openeth the golden gate as they cal it wheras was infinite nombre of people to obtain remission of theyr sinnes as before is said The bishop striketh on the gate with a golden mallet for so standeth the Ceremony which afterward he is wont to geue a way to some man in token of honour For there be some that thinck them selues happy men if they may get it and at this time the cardinal of Auspurge obteined it through much intreaty and caried it with him into Germany Whilest the bishop beateth on the gate with his mallet worcke men breake it open with crowes of Iron there the people which striue who may first thronge in gather vp full busely the morter and rubbishe that falleth by the ruine of the same and kepe them as precious Iewels Many men iested vpon the fact of the Cardinal of Auspurge whan they heard therof saying that he intended with that same mallet to knock the Lutheranes in the head Than came to Rome to salute the Bishop to do theyr duty to him the duke of Urbin the duke of Farrare the ambassadors of Uenise of Sauoy of the duke of Florence Genes Senes Scotland Fraunce and after also themperors The bishop did not only restore Parma to Octauius Farnesius but also gaue made him the high gouernor whome they call Confalonier and restored also Ascanius Colunnois whome Paule the third had exiled The new bishop of an auncient custome geueth his Cardinals hat to whome he list and this bishop Iuly what time he was Legate at Boloigne loued a yong man Innocentius out of measure whom although the reast did mislike yea spake against him he chose into the nombre of Cardinals and receiued him again into his
daily familiarity geuing vnto him his surname and armes also It was bruted at Rome and libels setforth of the same how Iuppiter kept Ganymedes although old were deforme yea the bishop him selfe would not let to tel it to the Cardinals and as it is said would recite in his mery mode how wanton a lad it was and howe importune Whilest they were occupied in the Conclaue there were letters takē which Camillus Olius one about the Cardinal of Mātua was reported to haue wrytten to a certain louer of his Anniball Contine the .xxvi. of Ianuary and verses wrytten in the vulgare tounge where he speaketh of his affection and loue of hym that his absent he vseth such detestable and shameful wordes that they can not without offence be spoken againe Wherupon a rose a iest of them that said some filthy bishop was signified to come out that Conclaue which yelded such kinde of letters The .xiii. day of March themperour addresseth his leters to the states of the Empire Howe after the conuention at Auspurge he retourned into Flaunders that he might binde the people of his dominions to his sonne whom he sent for out of Spaine for the same purpose Hys intent was that thing once finished to retourne straightwaies into Germany but because the winde serueth not to saile at al times and the distaunce of the places were farre a sondre therfore was it long before his sonne came out of Spaine and after his arriuall the hole Sommer and a great part of Haruest was spent aboute necessaries affaires and albeit that winter was than at hand yet had he fully prefixed to haue gone into Germany but at the selfe same time he chaunced into the disease of the gout and not long after word was brought him of the death of Bishop Paul whersore he chaunged his purpose tarying thelection of the new bishop after how Iuly the third had both aduertised him of his election and had also promised very franckly and largely of his good wil zele to the cōmon wealth and religion which thing known he thought mete not to let slip so great an occasion and longe wished for of accomplishing the thing desired especially cōsidering how the whole wealth of Germany consisteth herein therfore some way muste be deuised that such thinges as in the last assembly were decreed and commenced may be accomplished again it must be foreseue that that causes of dissention be taken away and certaine obstinat parsons and rebels straitly punished for these causes verelye he intendeth to hold a counsel of the states unperiall wherfore he commaūdeth them that against the .xxv. day of Iune they be readye to attende vpon him at Auspurge and to finde no manner of let but that they come them selues vnlesse it be sicknes which thinge not withstanding they shall be bounden to iustify by an othe And that they send theyr Ambassadours with large and full commission of all thinges concerninge the common wealth to thintent that in consultation there be found no let nor delay ✚ The .xxij. Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The Argument of the .xxii. Booke PEace is concluded betwixt England and Fraunce They of Maidenburge make their purgation by wryting The Emperours proclamation against the Lutheranes astonied manye Marchauntes of hys Countryes Whilest the assemble was holden at Auspurge to continue the Counsell at Trent Granuellan disceaseth George Duke of Megelburge persecuteth them of Maidenbourge who going by the worse haue also Duke Moris and other to their enconues Pope Iuly publisheth a Bull of a very straunge sorte Duke Moris being made Chieftaine againste them of Maidenburge propoundeth conditions of peace againste whome also the Cleargy publish letters to charge them Wherunto they aunswer fully and purge them selues Osiander inuenteth a new doctrine of mans iustification The decree of this assemble is to geue saufconduit to go to the counsell Bucer dieth in England Thre Sunnes and thre Mones are sene The Pope citeth Octaulan Farnese Prince of Parma againste whome also themperoure publisheth his letters Patentes Upon this the French King maketh hys excuse to the Pope The Duke of Saxon prisoner healpeth and comforteth the Ministers of the Church banished by the Emperoure an other beginninge of a Counsell at Trent and the order of the sessions in the same counsel the meane how to deuise and frame Articles of the faith the beginning of the warre of Parma ABout this time thambassadours of Englād and Fraunce whan they had longe debated the matter at the last conclude a peace And that was so much the more easy to brynge to passe for that they both saw how there were some vnto whome this contention of theyrs should in time to come be profitable gainful Wherfore the Englishmen restore to the Frenchmen Boloigne which they had kepte nowe sixe whole yeares not without the greate maruell of many and the Frenchmen pay them Mony In that peace were also the Scottes comprised After sending ambassadors on bothe parties the two Kinges confirme the peace with a new amity For the french King was made Knight of the Garter in England and the Kinge of England againe of the French order Whiche verelye amonges great Princes is as it were a cognisaunce of moste assured frendship Where they of Maidenburge were defaced with sondry Proclamations by themperour the .xxiiii. day of March they publishe an other wryting chiefly to the next inhabiters about them First they proue that they can neither by Gods lawe nor mans law be conuicted of rebellion after they declare how such as put on armure against them do make warre against Christ him selfe Thirdly they confute the crimes obiected and shewe that they be sclaunders surmised by theyr aduersaries And albeit saye they that through theyr prouocation the Emperour hathe exiled vs yet may we truely affirme that we haue as yet refused no reasonable condition so that we might inioy stil the doctrine professed at Auspurge and the liberties that oure elders haue lefte vs of the same minde be we now also neither refuse we anye kinde of dutye that ought to be done to the Emperoure or to the Empire and take god to witnes that we haue geuen none occasion of any warre or trouble but couet chiefly to obserue peace with all men and by the meane of the true religion and doctrine to attaine to the life euerlastinge And this doubtles is the cause of all the hatred that is raysed against vs. Now is it deuised by the law that the inferioure magistrate shall not impeche the right of the superioure Moreouer if it so fortune that the Magistrate passe the boūdes of his authoritye and commaund any thing that is wicked that he should not only be obeyed but also if he attempte any force be resisted There is no man we thincke that can denye but that all rule and gouernement dependeth of God
to pike a thanke that our intent was to oppresse the nobilitie and states of this Byshoprike it is a starhe lie and can not be proued For we haue euerntore honoured the Nobilitie But if we haue indammaged suche as haue done violēce toward our men as they haue passed by to and fro who is so vnreasonable a iudge that will impute that thing vnto vs as a crime blame worthy Touching that they reporte of the swordes founde after the battell is a fained thing As for the haltars collars we denie not For the vse of thē was right necessary for our wagons and other cariage as it is manifest The condicions of peace that were offered by Duke Maurice the Marques of Brandenburg we could not admit for causes moste weightie For in case we had yelded receiued a power it is easy to vnderstande what should haue bene the state both of Religiō and the common wealth also God of his infinite mercy hath opened vnto vs the knowledge of his Gospel Whom we befeche to graunt vnto vs this so great a benefite perpetually but those whiche promise vs assistaunce herein howe it is credible that they can or also wyll perfourme the same whan they them selues be of wauering myndes in Religion and study to please men that our aduersaries may recouer their goodes and that dāmage done on both parties may be egally borne we refuse not But that they should retourne in the citie agayne set vp their idolatrie that can we by no meanes suffer Thei say how they were no impediment to vs in religion but certenly they wanted no wil therunto But we haue cause to geue God thākes that sent shrewed cowes short hornes The bodies of dead men were not so intreated as thei report But where as for our own defence we plucked down certē churches nere vnto the citie so many bodies as were founde not wholy cōsumed were cōueied to an other place buried deper Again it was permitted vnto al men that such of their kinred as they foūd there they might transporte whether they would That same of thēperour Otto the first is moste false a shameful lie by them deuised For we are not ignorant what honour is due to that chief magistrate especially to him of whom they speake thēperour Otto who did many worthy actes was a moste earnest defendour protectour of that libertie of Germany That seruice which they call holy Godly which they complaine that we haue disturbed in their churches is nothing lesse than holy but cōcerneth the high reproche of God They thēselues had lōg before caried out of the citie their vestimentes chalices other ornamētes But their wrytinges publique monumētes we kepe safely haue not abolished as they falsly accuse vs. Moreouer their priestes wer not whipped but they thēselues spoiled the churches caried the pray els where The college or monastery of Hamerslebie which neuerthelesse belōgeth not to thē therfore did we assaile at the last for that our ennemies had a place of refuge therin there deuided the boties takē frō our felowes vs. Wher they adde moreouer that our men did many thinges there insolētly outrageously that same was forged by the monkes As cōcerning the iniuries which they say were done vnto thē in the citie thus standeth the matter About .xxv. yeres since whā they on the eight day before Easter whiche is called Palm sondaye were in hand with their fond trifling ceremonies they were laughed at by the cōmon people that thether resorted but whose rashnes boldnes proceded further such as brake glasse wyndowes they were suerly punished of vs banished for other iniuries we knowe none neither haue they euer brought thē before vs. Wherfore we haue done nothing contrary to our promesse or cōposition neither haue we geuē our aduersaries any cause of warre And seing the matter is thus we desire all mē that they geue no credite to their sclaundrous reportes but to lament our chaunce which are cōstreined to defend the warre that is attēpted against vs to thintent we might mainteine the pure doctrine of the Gospel the liberties receiued of our elders for the which thinges also godly kinges magistrates of fourmer times the Machabeis men of most stoute courage haue refused no perill or daunger We wishe for peace moste chiefly aboue al thinges But that is denied vs hetherto Wherfore being lōg sore afflicted with the inuasions of our nere neighbours we could not repulse frō vs vniust violēce Wherby we haue also the better confidence that suche as we haue prouoked with no iniury wil iudge this war to cōcerne thē nothing stande in the awe feare of God the reuenger of al vnrighteousnes For the self same cause that hath stired vp this trouble against vs wyl shortly after wrap vp thē also in great distresse perils so many as couet to retein maintein the pure doctrine The letters wherwith the byshop of Rome had called the coūsell Themperour the fifth day of Ianuary cōmaundeth to be red in the Senate of states Princes exhorting thē that they wold prepare thēselues The same day king Ferdinādo informeth the states how in that truce time the Turks waxe busy in Hongary build a castel within his dominion went about to surprise his castel of Zolnock fortifie theirs with a garrison how also they haue made an inrode into Transsyluania Wherof verely he hath geuen them none occasion doth al that he can that the truce taken may be obserued but in case the Turke shal refuse he desired to haue aide geuen him I told you in the xx boke of Stephen byshop of Winchester for what cause he was apprehēded in Englād And where he perseuered in his opinion wold neither allowe the statutes already made nor suche as shuld be made hereafter cōcerning religion during the kinges nonage he was depriueth of his byshoprike this yeare in the moneth of Ianuary cōmitted again to warde Andrew Osiāder whom I sayd went into Prusse set forth this time a new opiniō affirming the man is not iustified by faith but by the rightuousnes of Christ dwelling in vs saith that Luther was also of his opinion But the rest of the diuines his fellowes did stoutly impugne it affirming that he said of Luther to be false who not many monthes before his death left a most ample goodly testimony in the preface of the first Tome of Melāchthons boke wherin are treated the cōmon places of holy scripture Where therfore he inueieth against Melanchthon he maketh also Luther his aduersary for that they were both of one opiniō Moreouer by a conference made they proued manifestly that Luther taught cleane cōtrary to him in this matter and say that his doctrine is pestiferous which saith that the iustification of fayth cōsisteth not in the bloud death of Christ wherby we are redemed
February Bucer ended his life at Cambridge was buried very honorably was celebrated with thepitaphes of lerned mē amongst whom also wer two noble yong men of the house of Suffolke brethren whose mother the Duchesse both at al times before whilest he was sick also she wed al fauour beneuolence to Bucer a woman of a most earnest zeale towards religiō In these daies the byshop of Strasburg maketh a greuous cōplaint to the senate of their preachers by letters written as though they shuld styre vp that people put the priestes in hazarde of their lines Wherfore he requireth that these thinges may be reformed or els will he do as his counsell shal serue him The .x. day of March king Ferdinādo his sōne Maximilian depart frō Auspurg For vnto this time thei stode in termes with thēperour the Regēt of Flaūders Thambassadours also of Breme depart at the length without peace making In this meane time at Maidēburg were diuerse cōflictes skermishes for ofttimes wold the townes men issue out And whan the riuer of Elbe ouerflowed in the ships that they had made they brought in vitayle both vp the streame down The same time were diuers wonders sene in Saxony amongest other thinges thre sunnes as many mones one while of a pale colour an other while as red as bloud They of Maydēburg desired aide of the cities by the sea coaste by Uolrate Iohn sōnes to the Erle of Manstelde but it was in vain Than do thennemies build bulwarkes by the riuer of Elbe aboue beneth the citie laying ships on either side wel māned kepe the townes men frō sayling Oftentimes they fought also whā they wold driue away the cattel which the townes men daily turned out into the pasture about the citie The xi day of April the byshop of Rome in a boke set forth sore accuseth Octauius Farnese and what time saith he he receiued of me Parma the high gouernment he promysed by his fidelitie that he wold neither addict his seruice to none other Prince nor receiue any forein power into Parma but through my licēce And what time he appered to bend towardes an alteratiō oftentimes I admenisted him of his duty frendly by intermessages by his brother Alexāder Cardinal And because he answered that time somwhat straūgly sending my letters I threatned him with moste greuous punishment if he should doe otherwyse Afterward being aduertised that he kepte not conuenauntes I was as it well became me ryght sore offended that he shoulde worke me suche an iniurie whome I had auaunced with so great honours and benefites Nowe therefore although I might straightwaies determine in a matter that is so euident yet to thintent he may vnderstande oure great humanity I wil and commaund him that within xxx daies he appeare at Rome and answer to his accusations and make vs good assurance from henceforth For this if he neglect to do I wil that he be euen now condemned of treason periury and other most greuous crimes and what landes or goodes so euer he hath I cōmaund it to be publicke and common require herein themperors fidelity that he wil aid me in punishing the same and commaund that no man aid him with any thing When May day was come thaction of the counsel was commenced but because very few wer than commen thither and the warre of Parma was at hand the matter was adiourned to the first day of Septembre Thambassadors of Princes which met at Norinberge in the moneth of April toke ordre that there should be a new contribution of Mony for the siege of Maidenburge And albeit themperoure commaunded the same afterward by proclamation yet was ther an exceading great difficulty in the thing and all men were vnwilling to paye for that the siege was long and there appeared no end Wherfore Duke Moris also treated oftwith the Townes men of peace and the fist day of Maye what time they were come into the Campe by safe conduit the matter was long and much debated he him self being present A fewe monethes before Duke Maurice had taken to his seruice Counte Hedecke whome the Emperoure had outlawed and made him gouernour of Lipsia Who for the zeale vnto Religion hatred he bare to themperour wished wel to them of Maydenburge and was a counselloure of peace that the same war beinge finished Duke Moris might attempte greater thinges For euen than entred into theyr heads the deuise of the war that was moued afterwards against themperor as shal be declared in his place Notwithstanding they coulde not than agre vpon a peace for that ouer hard conditions were propounded and that of set purpose as many suppose whilest duke Moris differred the time and soughte oportunity for his enterprise which than at the length was geuen after that the French king had proclaimed war against the Emperor as shal be said hereafter In the meane season a rose a great rebellion in the Campe before Maidenburge for want of paiment of certaine monethes wages Neither came the Prince Octauius to Rome whan he was cited but aided with the French kinges garnisons toke in hand to defend Parma Wherfore the Emperour the .xiii. day of May publishing his letters for as much saith he as of our duety good wil towardes that bishop church of Rome I couet to perform such things as I am den and to forsee least by this occasion greater commotions arise in Italy and after in other places again whilest I consider vpon how iust causes the bishop is moued and how he hath omitted nothing that Octauius might do his dutye I haue committed thys charge to Fernando Gonzage because I cānot my self be present that he shal aid the bishop in my name Wherfore we wil command al our louing subiects throughout Lumbardie that they be to him obedient in this war none otherwise thā to our self and that they indeuor to anoy thenemy as muche as is possible for them to do So therfore Gonzage beginneth the war and first spoyling the country be segeth the city of Parma and the bishop of Rome Mirandula For therle of Mirandula was of the French parte and except he were cooped in might haue holpen greatly the Prince and city of Parma At the twenty day of Maye the Bishop of Rome wrote to the Swisses very louinglye like as he had taken vnto him the name of Iuly the second which loued them intierlye well so had he also purposed in louinge them to immitate his example and fotesteps Hitherto in dede he hath bene so occupied with sondrye and that most waighty affaires of the publick weale that he hath had no lesure to declare thaffection of his mind yet hath he borne them still in perfect memory and that the same apeareth chiefly in ii thinges first that for the custody of his body he hath chosen in the Citye a garde of the same nation Secondly that
againe into talke of the manner of the treaty that should be And he affirmed verely that to procede after thordre by them lately prescribed it might not be conueniently For now they were in hand with the Masse which thinge should be next discussed which matter semed vnto him mete first to be discided and after to come vnto all the rest How be it this he saith he speaketh of him selfe priuately not that his fellowes haue so willed him Thother inferreth againe howe like as their deuines haue accustomed to debate thinges from the very beginning in ordre Of the creation Of the fall of man Of originall sinne as they terme it Of iustification Of faith Of workes and finally of the Sacraments so ought they nowe also to be permitted to vse the same ordre Moreouer the same daye wherein they deliuered them the safeconduite at the end of Ianuary theyr promise was that the deuines should be hard in all matters wher in they ought to perseuer and not to subuert and altare the nature of thinges for vnlesse the former thinges be well determined all disceptation of the last that depend of the firste is to no purpose And after they could not agre of this thinge betwene them selues he answereth touching his iourney that this may not be graunted him for themperor hath commaunded them that they suffer no mā to depart After much talcke where he alledgeth that he hathe no more to do and whatsoeuer also remaineth shoulde be done by the diuines which had commission in wryting for the same he biddeth him go to thearle Monfort and shew him the letters of commission After verye gently he biddeth him farewell and wisheth him wel to retourne Whan thearle Montfort had sene the commission he said in dede that he would his businesse so required that he might longer remain but for so much as the time must be serued he will not be against it and so letteth him frendly depart The next daye whan he was ready to depart themperors ambassadours send for him Pictaue beginneth to speake Wher yesterday they wer agreed that he might depart now they haue more diligently considered the thing and conferred their heades together they can not geue him leaue to depart for nowe is the matter brought to that passe that the frute of the time spent is to be loked for and thaction to be commenced so that if the bishops Legate were not sickly some thinge might be determined this self same day therefore muste he still remain for if he should now depart at this instaunt the fathers wold be offended which know that he hath ben certain Monethes here present Themperours commaundement also is suche as no man at all may depart and if his magistrate haue so commaunded him he ought to exhibite the letters of the same to thintent they mighte excuse it to themperor Than said he how it was not the commaūdement of the Senate but that his owne matters so required and alledging certain causes vnlesse it wer for the same he said he wold not stirre one fote for that both thauthority of the Senate whych would haue him to remain ther longer and also their honours that request him hereunto and the cause it self moreouer whiche he loueth of reason ought to obtain this of him Howbeit since that the deuines be commen he may now much better be absent especially seing this thing remaineth only that they be admitted to thaction Here be also thambassadors of Wirtemberge to assist the deuines and the cause is common to both as lately it was declared and if it so be that the matter be earnestly and constantlye handled it is possible that the Senate will substitute an other in his place whō he hath all ready aduertised of his departure hence Ther replieth he againe willing him at the least to abide so long till thaction be commenced which should be out of hand and if perchance the Legate Crescentius recouer not his health they will yet so folow the cause that his felowes in commission shal execute the thing Whan he could neither by excusing nor intreating preuaile any thing he fleeth to the last remeady which vntill that time he had purposelye reserued and said how both he and all others that wer protestants might lawfully by theyr safeconduit depart thence at any time Than at the last saith Toletane that is so in dede neither can they let or be against it but that he may depart howbeit they could not but declare what themperor hath commaunded and what also they them selues would haue done Thus therfore he departing commendeth vnto them the cause and deuines also Than were the fathers at dissention amonges them selues and not bent al one way For the Spaniards Neapolitans and Siciliās and whosoeuer wer of themperors part but chiefly the Spaniardes and themperors ambassadors wer importune that thaction might be continued but the bishop of Romes clients for that they supposed that the Spaniards wēt about a reformation of the court of Rome sought to find some let and delay and for so much as the chiefest Bishops of Germany by reason of ciuill tumults wer departed all ready They loked also for the same occasion and so much the rather for that by daily letters and Messagers it was reported how Duke Moris and his confederats were already in armure The French kinge also by the Cardinall Tournon treated diligentlye with the Bishop of Rome for peace which if it toke effect for as much as that French king had war that time with themperor No man doubted but that for his sake also the counsel should be dissolued Wherfore themperors ambassadors which knew and feared all these things laboured this chiefly that the thing which they most coueted they might bring to passe by thambassadors of the Protestantes Thys was little perceiued than but afterward certenly knowen About th end of March a certaine graye Frier expounded the Epistle of Paule to the Romaines before a great audience and oftētimes by octasion he railed bitterlly against Luther and his felowes waded so far that he said such as had no knowledge of Christ and yet liued honestly haue obteined saluatiō and that this also is the very meaning of Saint Paule in the second chapiter of the foresaid Epistle Whan certain deuines of the Protestants had heard him speke this opēly after deliberatiō takē by cōmon assent they write to themperors ambassadors the last day of Marche declaring for what intent they were sent verely to expound and defend the confession of the doctrine exhibited they complain that ther is none action commenced and that the decrees of the counsel already made haue in manner nothing els but a bitter reproch and detestinge of that doctrin which they do professe and that also this other daye a gray Frier spake not only many absurd things openly and contrary to the consent of the Church and exposition of thold doctors but also poured out great aboundaunce of railing words against their
church should be refourmed that al superfluous excesse ambition and dishonest examples of liuing shuld be taken away that euery man be resident in his own church and that eche man shuld haue one benefice and no man be permitted to haue mo Furthermore they purposed also to include within certain limites the power of the bishop of Rome not to attribute vnto his court so great authority ouer all realmes These and such other like thinges they comprise by this word of reformation and those thinges they acknowledge to belong proprely vnto them but touching religion doctrin they will be acknowne of none error yea they decreed that counsels could not erre and thought verely that their aduersaries would in fine reuolt and obey the counsel as it apeareth manifestly by an Epistle written to the French king and by the form of the the safeconduit And this thing also increased their hope and opinion for that they iudged few professors of that doctrine least being so many of them dead banished as before is spoken of Sweuia This was also common there amonges them that whatsoeuer concerned religion should within a fewe monethes be determined For of the chief articles ther remained two only the Lordes supper and Matrimony All other articles of doctrine were all ready discussed The fathers that were at Basill did attribute the whole iudgement to holy scripture and to other wrytinges agreable to the same but these men would be iudges them selues in expoundinge the scripture neither woulde they admit that place of the decree of Basill by thambassadors restored but chaunginge the wordes of the decre determined also to follow the traditions of thapostles in euerye doubtfull matter And whansoeuer they were destitute of scripture they bosted that it was so lefte by thapostles and deliuered them as it were from hande to hande as in the disputations of the deuines was oft times noted Which caused also the ambassadors whan they receiued the safeconduit of themperors oratoures at th end of Ianuary to protest that by the traditions of thapostles they vnderstode those wrytinges which were annexed to the newe Testament or story of the foure Euangelistes I shewed you before how the first of Maye was appoynted the daye of session But now the fathers that remained being in dispair of the thing assemble together and for the discord of kinges and princes proroge the counsell for the space of two yeares or longer in case the dissention be not appeased This was the xxix day of Aprill and nowe was the bishop of Rome agreed with the French king A few daies after themperors ambassadors depart thence also But the Legate of Rome Crescētius deteined by sicknesse abode still who being feared by a vision in the night as it is said fel sicke and began to dispair also of his life notwithstanding that both his frends and also the Phisitians did comforte him Neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the disease increasing he died at Uerona And this was th end of the coūsel which being right stoutly renued thought verely to restore the Romish doctrine and shortly to establishe the same Besides the Legates of Rome and the Cardinall of Trent ther wer presēt lxii bishops wherof viii wer Germanes fiue and twenty Spaniardes two of Sardinia four of Sicilie one of Hōgary the bishop of Agria all the reast were of Italy and diuines there were xlii and of them xix Spaniards of Germany Flaunders xii By what occasion the Legate Crescentius fel sicke I had purposed not to haue spoken for that there was some suspicion it might be deuised of mallice but in as much as his frendes those of his own family which went to comfort him whan he laye sicke do thus report it I thought mete to adde to the same The xxv day of March he had ben very much occupied in wryting letters to the bishop of Rome and continued this trauel til night At the whiche time arising that he might refresh him self behold he saw a greate blacke dogge going with glistring eies and eares hanging down almost to the ground and went straightway to him and after slipt vnder the table He being astonied and amased whan at the lēgth he was cummen againe to him self he calleth vpon his seruaunts that were in the vtter chamber commaunding them to bringe in a light and to beate out this dogge but whan he coulde no where be found neither there nor yet in the next chamber he toke a great thought and fel sicke as I shewed you before When he lay on his death bed also he is reported to haue cried oute manye times to his seruantes that they should driue out the dogge that came vppon his bed The xxiiij Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charies the fyfte The Argument of the xxiiij Booke DUke Moris publisheth his letters to all the states of thempire not to hinder his enterprises the same doth Marques Albert. The French kinge also publisheth his and nammge him self Protector of Germany taketh Metz in Lorayne and marcheth vp to Strasborough and from thence retireth to Hagenaw Whither came vnto him sondry ambassadors beseching him to stay his army The king retireth his armye oute of Germany Duke Moris and his company hauing won the straites of thalpes putteth themperor to flighte who a little before had enlarged the Duke of Saxon. After they publishe their letters at Auspurge whereb that they restore the ministers of the Churche that preached the Gospell Whilest Duke Moris wente to Passaw for the treaty of peace Marques Albert practiseth great cruelty againste them of Nurinberge and constraineth them to make theyr peace vnto meaner Princes of the peace sondrys thinges were declared aswell by letters as by ambassadoures and they be pleased with certaine conditions They of Seine do reuolt from themperor who cometh to Strasborough goinge to besiege Metz. HOw in the laste assemble of thempire the gouernment of the warre of Maidenburge was by common assente of the Emperoure and other states committed to Duke Moris I haue before declared during the which warre continuinge the space of one yeare he hauinge the armye at hys commaundemente began to seke meanes howe to deliuer the Lantzgraue his father in lawe seinge he had so longe time sued to themperor for the same matter in vaine Wherefore compelling the Chattes by an othe to be true to him and makinge peace with them of Maidenburge and sendinge his ambassadoures to Insprucke as in the former boke is mentioned he entreth into league with the Frenche kinge and assuraunce made on either side by pledges geuen they thoughte good by wrytinges setforthe to declare the cause of the warre to th entent they might win therby the good wils of many Moreouer the Marques Albert of Brandenburge going priuely into Fraunce to the king withdrewe him self wholy to the same businesse In
than shall the state and condition of all Germaines be common but in case anye manne beare armure againste him and his felowes him wil he persecute with sword and fire There goeth a brute he saieth of him and his fellowes as thoughe they wold bring into Germany forein nations and euen the Turk him selfe but this is a false and an absurd sclaunder For what a madnesse were it to procure so greate a daunger to them selues theyr countrye It is vaine also that diuers report of him as though he shoulde attempte this warre to enriche him selfe he hathe serued nowe manye yeares the Emperoure and kinge Ferdinando and hereby hathe soughte no gaine but rather praise and honor Not without the great losse of his substaunce he hath had also large offers made and not to be contemned but all those refused he hathe fixed his minde on this warre wherin the liberty and former dignity may be restored to the common country In the which warre if it fortune that the same ouermuch authority of the Clergy and prohibited by holy Scripture be infringed and weakned no man ought to blame him therfore For certainly the chiefe bishoppes of the Empire haue bene the occasion of al these euils yet is it not his intent that those Colleges which were founded chiefly for the nobility shoulde be distroyed but that the vices beinge taken awaye and those thinges amended that can not be borne with they maye remaine in their vocation and be auaunced also wherunto he will be a furtherer to them so that they will be contente and not suffer them selues to be perswaded otherwise by his enemies The king of Fraunce also in his letters setforth saithe he hathe this respecte chiefly that Religion being established he may profite the publike weale and chiefly his frendes And therfore immediately after the death of his father he had restored Scotlande to their former dignity renued the league with Swisses recouered Boloigne and broughte againe the old inhabiters and Citezens dispersed hither and thither into theyr landes and possessions he hathe made peace also with the king of England and entred with him into perfite amity and whilest he was occupied with these matters the Emperoure by secreat deuises hath Imagined many thinges for his distruction and oftner than once hath geuen occasion of warre how beit both for the common wealthes sake and priuatelye also to relieue his people he would attempt nothing but winckinge at the iniuries he gaue his minde whollye to the establishmente of his realme but this his quietnesse afterward by his aduersaries was ascribed to a certaine timerousnesse and cowardlinesse but in the meane season were broughte vnto him greuous complaints of the Princes and states of Germany whiche saide that occasion was sought partly for Religion partlye for the Turkishe warre and to punish rebellion to bringe them in to bondage and that by craftye counsels dissention and faction are mainetained and Germanye impouerished so that it can no longer be doubted but that he goeth about to make a monarchy for him selfe and the house of Austrich of the which thing verelye he conceiued an inwarde sorowe both for the common originall of either nation and also for the old amity and frendship which euer continued ferme and inuiolated so long as it might by themperoures crafte and policye For if that state should haue an alteration and Germanye lose her liberty he perceiueth well what damage and daunger the same will be for him and all his realme For Germany is not only the fortresse and strength of Fraunce but also of the whole christian commō welth And therfore hath he desired oft with earnest prayer and wishing that either nation with their forces ioyned together might so stay them selues that they should nead to be afraid of no man where no hope of this thing appeared and yet many craued his healpe he coulde not see by what meanes he mighte succoure the Empyre so rente and torne a sondre but in this consultation so waighey God which is a righteous iudge hath shewed a goodly way For Octauian Frenese Duke of Placence and Parma whome themperour and the Bishop of Rome Iuly laide in waite for required aide of him and declaringe al their iniuries hathe perswaded him to take vppon him the defence of him and the countye of Mirandula After this came also those complaintes of the Princes and states of Germany which required they might enter into league with him for that they said howe by that meanes onlye the common wealth mighte be restored but howe iuste and waighty causes they be for the whiche the Princes attempte warre he will not recite for that the same may be vnderstande by theyr owne wrytinges Notwithstanding let euery man way with him selfe whether this vnsatiable couetousnesse of oure aduersaries dothe not geue a moste iuste occasion of griefe whiche destroyinge the wealthe of the Empire swepe all into theyr owne coffers and treasury The Burgonians do nowe inuade them of Treuers Gelderland and Wirtemberge and make inuasion into their countries and destroyeth the Lātzgraues dominion diuers waies of lyke sorte is it that themperor excludeth his ambassadors from thassemblies of the Empire that he prohibiteth that no manne may serue in foreine warres that he putteth to death noble capitains and worthy seruiceable men and amonges others Uogelsperge whose execution he him self beheld at Auspurge to thintent he mighte satisfye his bloudye minde Is if not a mooste euill an example that he shoulde prouoke and hyre men with greate rewards to slay such as serue him in the warres Assuredlye it can not with fewe wordes be expressed what craftes oure ennemies vse For into the same iudgemente of the Chamber and consistorye of the Empire are admitted and placed such as by their meanes they may bring to passe and obtaine what they liste For doubtles the blame of all these euils is to be imputed to thys kinde of menne Especiallye to the iudges of the Chamber For the which causes verely he could not deny the Germains requiring his aid Therfore hath he made league with them and not only that but also is determined to imploy vpon this warre all his force and his royall parson Neither yet doth he looke for anye priuate profite or gain therby but minedeth this thinge only that Germany beinge restored and Ihon Fridericke the Duke of Saxon and the Lantz graue deliuered whome he hathe detained prisoners in longe and vnworthy captiuity he maye win praise and renowne immortall as did in times past Flamminius for deliuering Grece from bondage neither is there cause that any man shoulde feare anye force or violence For in as much as he attempteth this warre for liberty he will wholly endeuoure that no man be hurt vndeseruedly let them truste therefore to this promesse whiche he confirmeth vnto them faithfully and geue no creadit to aduersaries which say his purpose is to afflicte and plage the Cleargy For he not only intendeth no such
intercessours and Ambassadours sent immediatly after Duke Maurice and his fellowes into theyr campe Ambassadours whiche might mollifie their myndes perswade thē to peace During the whiche siege George Duke of Megelburge adioyned vnto Duke Maurice euen he which first of all men moued warre against them of Maydenburge was slayne with a great piece What tyme they began firste to besiege Franckfurt the Princes confederated desyre a great quātitie of batteryng pieces of the Paulsgraue Electour who sayeth them nay ones or twyse But whan he myght none otherwyse chose and they threatened to come with their whole armie he gaue them eight of the best he had with all their furniture Kyng Ferdinando retourning to Passawe at the daye which was the .xiii. day of Iuly declareth to the intercessours what the Emperours mynde was in euery thyng Uerely that the matters concerning the Empyre whiche I sayde before Duke Maurice had propounded shoulde not be heard of certen commissioners seuerally but of all men in generall in the whole assemblee of the Empyre Agayne that the cause of Religion should quietly remayne vnto the next conuention of the Empire In the which conuention that which shall seme good to be done therin from henceforth by the common aduise of the states the same to be cōfirmed and ratified Themperour also the .xi. day of Iuly answereth thintercessours to their last letters that like as they haue by their letters so hath his brother king Ferdinādo treated with him diligently to accept And he in dede would gladly haue pleased both parts but he is for diuers causes letted whiche he declareth to his brother for it lieth not in him to cōfirm approue al things indifferētly and wher by thoccasion of this cōmotion diuers without al desert are fallē into much calamity that is he as sory as one man liuing yet hath not the same chanced through confidence in him which put no mā in that hope wherunto he shuld trust For although he sēt vnto certen chief princes that they shuld remedy this euil growing at the beginning of that tumult promising thē al his indeuor yet was not this his mindē therfor that whatsoeuer shuld be propoūded he wold alow the same for such things as cōcern the hole Empire he thinketh resō they shuld be referd to the publik assēblies at the which time verely if any mā shal bring forth any iust cōplaint of him he wil not fail to do his duty which verely he hath not omitted hitherto For sith as yet there hath no such request ben brought vnto him which neuertheles ought to haue ben done before war had ben attēpted he could not cōiecture what thing shuld be required of him much les geue instructiōs to his ambassadors sēt to Passaw what thei shuld answer to euery poynt which in dede for thoffice dignity of his person he intēdeth to do him self presētly wher therfor he aloweth not al things that many perauenture go about to perswade him to ther is no cause why any mā shuld reprehend this in him but those that be intercessors ought rather to perswade exhort thē to resonable moderat condiciōs especially since they se how he doth hardly at the leaste not before he is of necessity cōstraind attempt war which he intendeth not to folow now nether if he may chuse and in case they cā deuise some reasonable conuenient way of peace And seing the case stādeth thus his trust is that they wil declare all fidelity to him rather being their chief magistrate than that they shuld geue ear to such as contrary to theyr duty haue made league with theyr ennemies and raised vp cōmotions he perceiueth and is not ignoraunt what euils approche neare whan both armies are brought forth to ioyn in battel and is exceadingly moued with the losses of the common weale chiefly of thinnocent people therfore minedeth peace as he hath done alwaies and wil refuse no condition reasonable and it is not to be ascribed vnto him that in the mean season whilest he consulted of the condicions sēt vnto him at ii seueral times certen states susteind great losses For ther was a truse al the time of the intercession and wheras during the same time the Marques Albert afflicted diuers the coulde not he do withall For euen from the beginning was he euer against the treatye of peace Moreouer in answering the same he neuer made any delay And if they had perseuered in the same way which by thē was first propoūded afterward altred answer might haue bene much soner more plainlye made yea if they had not shronke from the treaty of Lintz wherof they thē selues make mention al things might haue ben concluded lōg since wher therfor they se how he is minded towards the commō-welth he earnestly requireth them that together with his brother Fernādo vnto whō he hath opened him self wholy thei wold bring them to resonable cōditions therin haue respect to the welth and dignity of thempire for certenly he wil vse the same lenity peaceable wais frō henceforth that he hath done hitherto for that he abhorreth very much al ciuil war but in case peace can not vpon these cōdicions be established he loketh for all fidelity of them whyche are bounden to him He answered than also by king Fardinando to the letters of the French ambassador red vnto the Princes as before is said How he had peace with the French king which he obserued diligently And although he did many things arrogantly proudly yet hath he dissembled the same for a common quietnes but he albeit he promised by his ambassador very largely pretended no such thing made war against him both by Sea and land before he had proclaimed the same How be it he hathe offered this condition all ready that if Duke Moris electoure should in his name bring any reasonable conditions of peace and to former actes agreable he wold not refuse them but ther is no certen or determinate thing propounded and this his drift that wher he hath laid the blame of breaking the peace in him he saith how the way of concorde muste be set open by him also Moreouer he seketh to purge him self of the turkish confederacy as though he had wrong done him but al this is wholy forged for if the case shal so require there may be brought to light shewed the cōmentaries of Aremont the frēch ambassador wrytten at Cōstantinople for a memorial and sent to the king by one Coste a cēturion ther are forth comming also and to be sene the letters of the Turkes lieuetenant in Hongary sent at this time to the Princes confederated others but intercepted wherby it appeareth euidētly that he was the causer of the hurt that the Turkishe nauye did the last yere and motioned also that the like might haue ben done this same yere and that he is right sory that ther is no more harm don
immediatly after declared also to others For besides many others displeasures that you did the Bishoppricke of Halberstat which themperor as you knowe hathe committed to my protection you imposed a great some of Monye and spoyled theyr colledges in the country neuerthelesse The same did you also in the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge which is likewise comprised vnder my tuition and haue exacted Monye of the Northusians and Mullusians And Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke with whome I haue made a league righte honest in dede and not repugnant to the treatye of Passawe you haue persecuted with sword and fire so sone as I had aduertised you by letters of the league and the reast of my fellowes These thinges doubtles be not correspondent to certain of your former letters Now therfore although that king Ferdinando I and our fellowes do greatly desire peace especiallye of Germany euer sence the pacification of Passaw to indeuor that al thinges may be quiet Especially in these parties which thing also very manye of the nobility of Brunswicke which serue now in your camp can testify yet for so much as you haue remoued the war into these parties declare manifestly whan you inuade our fellowes what your intēt is Moreouer for so muche as there is a brute that you are hyring of greater forces though it be in an others mās name which you are not hable to find except you permit them to robbe and spoyle and worke what mischief they list in so much that not only Frankonie but other prouinces also stand in great danger of you which your selfe can not dissemble whilest you saye you will brynge to passe that no man els shall be in better case than you are For these causes I say and for so muche as you leaue no place vnto Concorde king Fernando I and our fellowes seing we are next the dāger are constrained to put on armure to repulse from vs violence and iniury to the end we may deliuer our natiue countrye and recouer the Publike quietnesse For this do the lawes of the Empire not only permit but inioyne vs also and the high court of the chambre imperiall commaundeth vs to aid and assist our neighbors of Frā konye And althoughe at this time that you leuye men in you pretend to do it in themperors name yet knowe we assuredly that the same is forged and famed For he hath declared what his mind is not only to you but to vs and other also and shortly you shal know more what he thincketh But since this our enterprise is attempted for the common wealthes sake and therfore neaded no declaration of our mind yet to thintent you shall not be ignorant we both do protest that we will do hereafter as the thinge it selfe shall require that this your dissolute and more than Tirannicall cruelty may be suppressed And this verelye in oure owne name and oure fellowes we do you to vnderstand and hear testify that the blame of all the calamity that shall chaunce in this warre is wholy to be imputed vnto you which will come to no reasonable condition nether doubt we this also but the euerliuing God will assiste rather those that seke the safegard of their countrye than him that goeth about destruction and warreth on his natiue country What time these letters were deliuered in the campe of Marques Albert the Ambassadoures of the electoure of Brandenburge were sente to perswade a peace Whan he had red the letters he cōsulteth of the matter with his captaines demaundeth of them whether they will take his part Who affirming he calleth for the yong gētleman that brought the letters and tourning his talke to him Thy Prince saith he hathe thrise broken his faith before this and hath done wickedly thys is the fourth fact of the same sort let him come hardly I wil proue what he can do This tell him in my name With these wordes he geueth him certaine crownes in rewarde and sendeth him a waye There the ambassadoures that were intercessors shall we do nothing than say theyrnothing saith he you may retourne home Whan therfore he perceiued the waight of the warre he sendeth Duke Ericke of Brunswick to the Emperor the third day of Iuly and signifieth vnto him how through the policy of certen ther wer many aduersaries raised againste him whiche indeuor that the couenaunts be not only not kepte but also that he might be expulsed out of al his lands and possessions by reason of a new conspiracy and that is he able to proue that certen Princes electors and the chiefest of all Germanye haue conspired to chuse a newe Emperour And the cause why the Bishoppes be so sore against him is long of the iudges of the Chamber He prayeth hym therfore that he would not be offended if he shall attempt ought against them His aduersaries also to bryng hym in hatred and to allure mo vnto them haue reysed this brute of him as though he hath conspyred with him to oppresse the libertie of Germany This doubtlesse haue certen Prynces obiected vnto hym and letters are caste abroade in Germany as sent from the Byshop of Arras howe he verely for this intent hyreth an armie that he myght accomplyshe his wyll For the Duke of Alba shall brynge his sonne the Prynce of Spayne into Germany to the next conuention of the Empyre that he may be denounced the successour of the Empyre With this is kyng Ferdinando so fully perswaded that entryng into league with his ennemies he hath proclaimed warre againste hym He hath verely excused this vnto many ryght dilligently but the suspicion increaseth dayly Therfore is he subiecte vnto great perilles and daungers in a maner for this cause only that he wyll not forsake his frendshyp Wherfore he humbly besecheth hym that he wyll bothe ratifie those compositions of the Byshoppes and also defende hym and his This if he wyll doe he wyll brynge vnto hym whan the matter shall be agreed vpon .ix. thousande horsemen and an hondreth enseignes of footemen In the meane tyme the Norinbergians and the Byshops in the absence of Marques Albert inuade his dominion he publishyng letters blamed sore them of Norinberge as those that had broken their fayth and conuenauntes and entrynge into league with the faulse Byshoppes imbraced agayne the Popishe doctrine Wherunto they afterwarde setting forth a boke make aunswere and recite the whole matter in order euer synce the yeare before howe cruel warre he hath kept how they made compacte with hym howe after by the Emperours permission and consente they made a league with the Byshoppes aboute them howe he hathe refused mooste reasonable conditions offered by the same Byshoppes and againe moued warre agaynste them and howe at what tyme bothe for the league made and also for the commaundement of the Chamber they ayded theyr fellowes he inuaded agayne theyr Countrie lately Amongest others of hys wycked Actes they recite this as a rare example of suche
of May make answer at large and addressinge theyr wryting vnto all the states both confute al thinges in ordre and verify the most thinges of him and recite vpon what conditioÌ„ they gaue Monye to Duke Moris and his fellowes and declare who is the author of the warre For euen at the same time say they that the Princes intercessoures met at Hedelberge he by his vauÌ„tcurrers leuied as muche power as he possible mighte in Saxonye and that is to be proued aswell by others as also by those letters which one of his curriers William Grumpache wrote vnto him the xxix of March Than if king Ferdinando duke Moris and the dukes of BruÌ„swicke had not imploid all theyr force yea their liues and blud for theyr country he would doubtlesse haue made an horrible destruction and waste through oute all Germany He had driuen the Byshops of Franckonie to conditions most vnreasonable but that coÌ„position the Emperor made after frustrate and gaue them leaue to recouer againe theyr owne Wherfore the Bishoppe of Bamberge wan againe certaine of his Townes and gouernments longe before that he was receiued againe into the Emperors fauor and euen than at what time by reason of his high treason not onlye his landes and possessions but his life also might haue bene taken froÌ„ him lawfully Afterward by the Emperors commaundemente we made this league for the defence of oure prouinces Than was â—e reconciled to the Emperor and obteined of him the confirmationâ— the compactes made but yet vppon condition that he should be true to him and to the Empire but he all be it the Emperor permitted him no violence in the time of the siege of Metz wrote home to hys captains that they should feare the bishops and vnlesse they wold restore that they had taken to worke force and violence So they in the monthe of Ianuary followinge makinge an inuasion recouered manye thinges by force of armes Wherefore the Bishop of Bamberge admonished his fellowes to aide him according to theyr league we neuerthelesse least we should do any thing rashly by sondrye letters and intermessagers exhorted Marques Albert to peace but he answeringe contemptuouslye and opprobriously said amongs other thinges that the mo ennemies he had the more honor and praise should he win This was in the beginning of March and not long after began that treatye at Hedelberge And whan he ther refused moste ample and large conditions his kinffolkes and allies intercessors exhorting him vnto peace he went home and leuied an army we being sollicited and moued againe by the Bishoppes did than at the last professe our selues his enemies This was the last yere the first of Aprill And wheras he him self hath moued a most cruell warre after a very straunge example and such as hath not bene heard of in Germany he goeth about to charge vs with that crime But assuredly it is vntrue neither was ther euer any such like thinge complained of vnto vs. But his soldiours haue omitted no kind of cruelty and chauncing on a time to find plowmen in the field hanged them vp both the fathers and the sonnes in a manner before oure faces and haue not only inforced women a liue but haue also digged them vp whan they haue bene dead The last yere in the moneth of May a certaine gentelman of Franconie Nicholas Eglofsten was inforced to yelde vp his castell of Conrute but he did not only burne it but also fineding ther about a fortye country men and with them the minister of the church commaunded them to be haÌ„ged vp all in an Orchard adioyning to the Castel and caried away with him his wife and his mother Prisoners He wente aboute in dede to excuse this matter by letters to the Nobility of Franconie but nothing to the purpose How he also intreated his prisonners both our men and the pledges of Bamberge whiche he haled with him into Saxonie can declare and all other such as he hath deteined in prisone For bothe he demaunded of them an vnreasonable summe of mony and mooste greuously tormented them vppon the racke and also sterued them for honger and cold so that many died and the residue hauing their limmes starke deade by reason of the cold wer faine to haue them cut of and taken away And wheras certain of them had nothing either to paye their raunsome or to liue by he forbad they shoulde haue any meate geuen them And if the souldioures of the warde being vanquished with their lamentations and pitiful cry had not somtime cast them a piece of bread that was so drye and moulded with longe kepinge that no Cattell nor brute beastes vnlesse it were for extreme honger woulde haue touched they had died all for want of meate And all be it that som of them made a piece of mony by theyr frendes yet hardly could they therfore get a little straw water Wherfore certaine were staruen for honger and thurste not onlye in the terrible darknesse but also in the stench of the prison in the mids of thordure Uermen venemous beastes And whan they had thus perished the coarses wer not than drawn out nor remoued froÌ„ theÌ„ce but lefte with them that were aliue there and increased the Prison with stench But howe gently we haue intreated his Prisonners both captaines and certen centurions and euen suche as deserued worst of vs and haue rendred them selues without condition that may be knowen by their owne testimony And howe vnwilling he is to haue peace that may well appeare by the two last treaties of Roteburge as you know moste noble Princes which either wer there your selues or sente thither your ambassadoures For althoughe we susteined by him wonderfull losse and calamity and all be it he was already outlawed yet in the former conuention we made this offer That if he wold leaue his warre and demeane him selfe well from henceforth and woulde trye the matter by the law we would also lay a part oure weapons and put the matter to tharbitrement of the Princes that were intercessours or to the iudgement of themperor and states of the Empire the same offer made the Bishoppes by the aduise and consente of the ambassadours of King Ferdinando The counselloures also of the Princes intercessoures for the loue of peace added this moreouer that if the states of Franconie that be in confederacy would promise to restore him his prouince as it was than they shoulde cease warre on both sides and kepe peace from henceforth and that the Publication in that behalf should be frustrate and the whole controuersy committed to a frendly and lawfull treaty But he in a contempt and mockery called the intercessors his enemies procurers and saide he woulde not suffer him selfe to be broughte into suche distresse neither did he couet to haue this outlawry as yet reuearsed and would also put in hazard the reaste of that he had and spake many such other like things both rashly opprobriously and with threatninges to the
highest meane and lowest degrees as it is to be proued by those letters that are in Printe at Holansperge After at the nexte assemble althoughe we offered more largely yet was he nothing the rather inclined to peace yea he went about craftes policies neither commendable nor princelike For at the request of the intercessors committinge the whole matter to the Emperor and certen Princes he promised not to attempt longer warre and that same compromise themperor sending letters from Bruissels the fourth of Aprill did ratifye and willed the states of Frankonie that they should leaue warre also and cōmit the cause to his care and fidelity And this did Marques Albert for this intent ful craftely as it appeareth by such thinges as folowed that both he might staye themperor that he shuld not cōmaūd certen prouinces of thempire to put the outlawry in execution that he him self also might haue space to leuy an army which he was gatheringe that time in all places to haue oppressed vs vppon a soden but through Gods benefit the matter was detected by his own letters at the same time intercepted which he sent hither and thither to his chief Captains and Cēturions wherin was this that he hath admitted the treaty of Roteburge for this purpose only that in the meane season he may prepare him self and set vpon his enemies and nowe if thintercessors shal haply require them to forsake their enseignes let them not obey but kepe together and in no wise scatter abrode and for an excuse let them alledge this cause that they haue many months wages owing them and therfore may not depart before they be paid but say how they will remaine in those parties without any hurte doing til they haue receiued theyr mony Hitherto appertaine also those letters of his wherin he commaundeth his chieftaines wyth out delay to set vpon al men whosoeuer they be whan this treason therfore was brought to light and wheras our men demaunded of of his ambassadors sent to Roteburge whether he would stand to the compromise and could haue no certain answer by the aduise of king Ferdinandoes ambassadors we wer constraind to commit the matter vnto God first and to themperor and thempire as oure letters sent to themperor the same time declare And seing the matter is thus and for so much as euery man may easily perceiue by such thinges as we haue truelye rehearsed that we are hitherto driuen by so manye railinges reproches and displeasures to repulse his fury and violence that we haue obeied the commaundement of the high and chief Magistrate therefore we beseche all men that loue vertue and honesty and hate violence and iniurye to consider diligently that vnlesse the sentence geuen shoulde be put in execution and this his boldnesse be repressed how great daunger hangeth ouer not vs only but them also Wherfore let no man aid or assist him or geue him any succoring place or refuge but as it becommeth noble Princes such as loue their country we wish they would not only not impeche th execution of the commaundement but that they them selues also would se the thinge executed to the vttermooste of theyr power and woorke so herein that all others may be made afraide by his example And that also they geue no creadite to hys famous libels and slaunders sette forthe agaynste vs and if he shall againe attempt anye thinge againste vs that they further hym not wyth theyr aide or Counsell we requyre them moste earnestlye Marques Albert receiuing mony of duke D'anmalle as before is said hasteth into Saxony and there hiringe soldiors in the monthe of Maye goeth to Schuinfurt priuely and the tenth daye of Iune with viii hundreth horsmen and vii enseigns of fotemen in the dawning of the day he entreth the towne on that side that was not besieged And for because they wer in great penury of al things the third day after whan he had spoyled the Towne in the night he leadeth out al the soldiors aswel horsmen as fotemen to the nombre of xviii enseignes with the artillery leauing no ward at al to kepe the gates and taketh his iourny to Kitzing a town standing beneath on the riuer of Moene Whan it was now light day and thenemies perceiued the gates vnfurnished at the sound of the Trōpet they prepare them selues euery man to follow and pursue after him but diuers and that chiefly the soldiors of the Duke of Brunswick wer commaunded of him to enter the towne who spoile and destroy all that was left Wherfore the chief captains and gouernours of the field least through the delay and taryinge of the reaste Marques Albert should haue time to escape set the towne on fire in diuers sondry places so they being driuen to depart repair vnto tharmy And albeit the Marques was gon certain hours before them yet for that he was so letted and hindred with thordenaunce that he could make no speade he was staide of the forewarde and with them he bickereth but the reast of tharmy approching whan he saw him self to weake for so great a multitude exhortinge his men to make the best shift they can euery mā for him self he accompanied with a few horsmen goeth spedely out of sight and by swimming ouer the riuer to Kitzing escapeth losing all his munition and cariage The viii day after was the Castell of Blasseburgh his chiefest Fortresse rendred vp and came into the handes of king Ferdinando when the Chauncelour of Boheme Counte Plauie which beseged the same continually was dead a little before Thus therefore Marques Albert was expulsed and driuen out of all his dominion Whilest these thinges were done in Franconie Henry Duke of Brunswicke in the lower partes of Darony compelleth diuers aswell Princes as Cities and many of the Nobility to pay mony and be vnder his subiectiō as the Duke of Megelburge the dukes of Luneburge the Princes Anhaldes and Earles of Mansfelde An other part also of his and the bishops power hauing discomfited the Marques taken Schuinfurt punished right sore Roteburge a Towne imperiall and Counte Henneberge amonges others and were thus bent that except they might recouer the charges of the warre which they said appartained to all men they pretended to worke much violence but through mediation the matter was appeased and the war ceased In manner about this time Charles duke of Sauoy depriued of a great part of his dominion as I tolde you in the tenth booke departeth oute of this life leauinge his sonne Philibert his heyre who had serued themperor in his warres now many yeares King Fernando setting forth of late a Proclamation had commaunded his subiectes that nothing should be altered in the Sacramente of thanckes geuing and that after thold custom such as receiued the Lordes supper should be contented with th one kind as they terme it but the Nobles Gentlemen and Cities wheras they had diuers times before sued to him herein now again they require
to the states in suche sorte as I shewed you in the last boke The ministers of the churche driuen out of the lande of Boheme the learned men that were in Meissen and in Wittemberge and amongest others Melāchthon comfort them with an epistle and shew the craft of the cōtrary part who affirmed that they kept a necessary order in the churche that those whiche either had not receiued orders at the Byshops hande or had wynes could not minister the Sacramentes For this cause of expulsion they fayned that they should not seme to haue a desire to oppresse the true doctrine but these men shewe how it is a starke tyrāny that maried priestes should be put from the holy ministery For Sathā was the authour of prohiting matrimony as it is euidēt by the scriptures And that we ought not to seke to be ordeined of the byshops that are the open ennemies of the Gospell and defende idols but of that fellowship which hath pure doctrine therfore hath the keyes of the kingdome of heauen For it were to absurde daūgerouse if Shepeheardes should be ordeined of wolues The churche to haue had alwayes right to chouse mete ministers and that so was the decree of the counsell of Nice And they that were so chosen and tried to haue bene confirmed of them that gouerned Godly congregations The same maner to bee nowe also obserued and therfore that it is a sclaunder to saye that they disturbe or breake order Since therfore the matter is so and that for the true professing of the Gospell they be expulsed they ought to take this calamitie so muche more moderatly For God wyll not fayle them in his tyme And that they be ready with theyr next churches to shewe them all loue and hospitalitie Where the Frenche men at the Ides of Decēber of the yeare before had by the conduit of Brissake taken Eporedia a towne in the Alpes by the water of Durie This yeare the third daye of Marche they intercept the town of Casale nere vnto the Poo wherin was a garrison of Spaniardes and Almaynes vpon the sodayne and with in a fewe dayes after the Castell also Afterwarde bringe many other thinges into their subiection And amongest others thei rase and make euen with the groūd Ualence and Saluadore The sixt day of Marche August Duke of Saxony Ioachim Marques of Brandēburg Princes Electours The sonnes also of Duke Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraue certen other Princes of thesame countrie assemble at Numburg vpon the Riuer of Sale there renew the league of inheritaūce whiche is betwixt the houses of Saxon Brandēburg Hessia as I shewed in the .xxiiii. boke also determine that they would sticke constantly to the cōfession of Auspurg And least there should any suspicion arise of any new or secret coūsell the fift day after that they came thether they signifie the cause of their assemble to the Emperour in wryting In the former yeare what time a compact was made betwene Augustus Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie this was also agreed vpon y◠the old familiar leage should be renewed To witte that league whiche was made an hondreth yeres since more after established by a lawe And therfore that they haue now met for the same cause as that league was profitable to their elders all the people so likewyse thei trusted that it shuld com thē luckely to passe since thei sought for nothing els but peace trāquillitie did it to the displeasure of no man Moreouer that after the maner of their aūcesters they haue excepted his highnes his brother king of Romains and as they intende priuatly to kepe mutual amitie amongest thē selues so wil they also openly doe that their dutie requireth which may become obedient Princes of thempire And that in Religion they wil not procede any further than is limited in the confession of Auspurg but for as much as in the same are cōteined the chief articles of the Christian doctrine no wicked sedicious opinion can be found therin thei wil through Gods grace perseuer in thesame doctrine neither wil they fayle also the cōmon welth of Germany so far forth as thei are able with their trauel counsel treasures And for as much as at this time being not moste quiet for the auoiding of a further discōmoditie they abide at home they haue sent Ambassadours to thassēblee of thempire who haue in cōmaundemēt to refer al their counsels doings vnto peace so that neither for religiō nor any ciuile cause any force or violēce should be feared For the peace once established it shal be an occasion that other cōtrouersies may be the better appeased That the state doubtles of the cōmon welth now is such that it is great nede to ioine together all their forces mindes that a wyder entrie be not set open to the Turkes to inuade vs How they know wel enough howe greatly he desireth that so sone as may be a sufficiēt army might be prepared to repres thennemies violence Wherfore now in case such a peace might be established ther is no doubt but the states of thempire wold gladly imploy their substaunce vpon the same war which verely hitherto by reason of sondry tumultes ciuile discordeshath bene omitted That they wil be alwaies ready haue cōmaunded their ambassadours to offer these thinges in their name at the counsel thesame day they write to king Ferdinādo in a maner to the same effect as before I said the Duke August did by his Ambassadours For both they vrge y◠same cōpact of Passawe shew how desirous they are of peace Thei cōmend the doctrine cōfessed at Ausperge and exhort him to confirme the peace and also pray him that he wold geue no credit to such as haply seke to disturbe the quiet of Germany At the Ides of March the Archbishop of Mentz departed out of this life whom we saied to haue bene at the counsel of Trent after was put to flight by Marques Albert Whom Daniel Brēdel succedeth The. viii day after that byshop of Mentz which was the .xxiii. day of March dieth Pope Iuly the third Who for bicause he had so easely beyond al expectatiō recouered England was thought to haue cōceaued also a wōderful hope of Germany And had therfor sent thither Cardinal Morone who the next day after that he was dead came to the coūsell of thempire at Auspurg But with in eight daies after hearing newes therof the last day of March he departeth thence againe and with Truckesse Cardinal of Auspurg spedeth him to the Electiō at Rome The Cardinals that wer at Rome not tarieng for the rest made hast the .ix. day of April proclaime Pope Marcellus the secōd of that name The same that was sent Ambassadour with Cardinal Farnese to the Emperour of Paul the third as I shewed you in the .xiii. boke The Cardinal of Auspurg a fewe
daies before that he went to Rome by his letters sent to the Senate of Princes Ambassadours sheweth that he desireth in dede peace by al meanes but in any wise to cōsent that the dignitie of the Sea Apostolique or the olde religion should be defaced he will neuer permitte In the meane time they of Sene who nowe by the space of eight moneths to wit euen from the time that Peter Strosse receiued the ouerthrowe as is shewed in the last boke were besieged with the power of themperour of Cosmus Duke of Florence driuen for want of all thinges where no ayde appered the xxi daye of Aprill yelde thēselues to thēperour are ruled by a garrison of soldiours lieftenaunt of themperours armie was the Marques of Marignane twyse famous by the policie of war Thre yeres since what time by thayde of the French king the Spanyardes beinge discomfited they Rased the Castell they of Sene sending Ambassadours gaue the kinge as harty thankes as they could deuise and from that time forewarde cōmended to his tuition them selues and all that they had Marcellus the second newly created Pope the xxii daye of his creation in the night that goeth before the first of May chaūged his life for death Alitle before wercome to the citie forduties sake and to salute him Hercules Duke of Farrare Guy Ubalde Duke of Urbine For they had preuēted others who neuerthelesse should haue come The Cardinals assembled in the Conclaue the .xxiii. day of May proclame Cardinal Theatine Pope Thesame was Iohn Peter of Naples Deane of the College a gentleman borne of the noble house of Carastes a man of aunciēt yeares notably learned Chaunging his name he called him self Paul the fourth Paul the third had chosen him into the nomber of Cardinals And he is the self same that began a certen new secte of those whiche are called Iesuites and haue nestled not in Italy only but also in certen places of Germany Not lōg after he created his nephew his brothers sonne Cardinal the same was a man of warre and that a chief captayne seruing for the moste part the Frenche Kyng I shewed before in the last boke how Poole thenglish Cardinal went to themperour French king to sollicite moue thē to peace and handled the cause both by wordes writinges amongest other thinges which he vsed to perswade them Whilest you saith he kepe ciuile war the Turke doeth very much to inlarge his dominion And hauing wonne by Sea land two strong holdes Belgrade the Rhodes hath made him a way open to Offen hath the possession of Tonowa And if God had not stired vp the king of Persia to be his aduersary it is to bee thought that he might haue already subdued to him self al the prouinces of Christendom By this selfsame occasion haue euil Christiās also increased in sondry places with so much a deprauation corruptiō of al discipline aswel ecclesiastical as ciuile that now your power is not great inough to suppresse thē For this declare welenough so many rebellions which are stired vp euery where the duties of religion neglected heresies scismes which in the meane time spring vp are increased After in an other place ye ought to consider saith he that you ar the Princes of the Christen Beligion And albeit that God hathe permitted Sathan thauthour of all euil which is altogether in this that he might sift the churche wynnowe it like wheate to styre vp war amongst you which are two of the chiefest moste noble mēbers of the church yet hath he not suffred his wickednes further than to prophane and ciuile matters For in Religion he hath kept you sounde of one and the same opinion and annexed to the body of the churche For els coulde there hardly be made againe any concorde betwixt you And where as so many other Princes haue reuolted from the churche and that thennemy of mankinde hath attempted so many thinges yet hath God moste benignely loked vpon you and hath made his enter prises frustrate Wherby as by a moste certen token of his goodnes and clemencie towardes you he sheweth that he wil at the length vse your ministerie wil ioyne you both together with his vicar in earth to the intent verely that such hurtful dissentions may be taken a way and that as well in the state ciuile as sacred peace may be restored to al mē Many such like thīges brought Poole threatening them also with the wrath and vēgeaunce of God vnlesse they leaue and releaue the miserie of the afflicted people And although he preuailed than nothing yet whilest the matter went forwarde in Englande he holdeth on And the matter at lēgth was brought to this point that both the Emperour and the Frenche king refused not to sende Ambassadours to the treatie of peace But the Quene of Englande who was a meane in this matter appointeth a fit and mete place in the myddes of the playne betwyxt Caleis Arde and Grauelyn Townes of the Englyshe Frenche and Flemishe dominion set as it were a treangle and intrenchynge the same rounde aboute wyth Ditches buylded there foure Pauilions Sommer houses in deede but yet fyne and fitte for the pourpose In this place therfore the .xxiii. daye of Maye this yeare the Ambassadours mete from the Emperour amongest others came the Byshop of Arras From the Frenche kyng the Cardinal of Loraine and the Conestable Out of England came as peacemakers Cardinall Poole the Bishop of Wynchester Chauncelour the Erle of Arondell and the Lorde Paget This brute blowē abroade far and nere styred vp diuerse expectations and iudgementes of men amongest the chiefly vnto whome the controuersies were not vnknowen For there came in question the Dukedome of Millan Burgundy Sauoye Piedmont Corsica Nauerne Loraine the lande of Luke the cities of Tully Uirodone and Metz. The matter being long much debated where amongst other thinges at the last the Englishe intercessours sayde how certen of these controuersies ought to be referred to the hearing of the generall counsell they departed and nothyng finished Kyng Ferdinando and the states of the Empire sendinge their letters to the Emperour the fourth Ides of Iune had praied him that in the treatie of peace he would haue consideratiō of those thinges whiche the kyng of Fraunce had taken from the Empire Where therfore nothing was done the Emperour wryting againe to the states the .xv. day after your duty saith he is to me ryght acceptable that you are so moued with the calamities of those thinges whiche both mine and also the publique ennemy of the Empire hath afflicted Doubtles I was very careful that suche thinges might be restored to their fourmer estate And before your epistle was deliuered me I had inioyned mine Ambassadours chief counsellours sent to treate of peace that amongest other thinges they should handle this same moste diligently nother should they
set before their eyes and to remember the same tyme. For bothe the wyckednes of that deuiser was detected where as euery Prynce for his parte denied the thing by open wryting and the sclaunderer afterwarde loste his head as he deserued Whiche I truste shall nowe come to passe also that euen God beyng reuenger the authours of so wycked a deuise may be disclosed For my parte I praye God to sende them a better mynde and to confounde theyr counselles that they redounde not to the distruction of the Countrie For seinge that thys is a lyke sclaunder as that furmer was it may be easely perceiued that the authours haue forged it of the selfe same mynde that the other dyd or after the imitation of hym to haue attempted this to the intente verely that they myght nowe bringe to passe that thynge whiche he than coulde not finishe But for as muche as the intente of this Sclaunderer is that he myght perswade that the Pope and the Emperoure woulde by force of armes breake that decree made for peace in Religion and that the kyng of Englande and the Byshoppes of Germany would also ayde them herein I proteste that it is wyckedly forged and inuented for this intent verely that mens myndes beyng exasperated and displeasures increased all places myght swymme full of ciuyle bloud And although I doe not doubte but that the Emperoure and other Princes to the iniurie of whom this seditiouse and famouse libelle apperteineth wyll them selues defende theyr cause yet for duty sake I can not omitte but that I must also pourge the highe Magistrate Unfaynedly all the tyme that I remained at Rome in my presence or to my knowledge ther was not one worde spoken at Rome of that same peace of Religion It is falsely therfore ascribed to the Pope as though he should applie all hys Counsell to force and violence as though he went about to perswade hereunto the Emperoure and other kynges It is falsely I saye imputed to him neither can it be proued And seing that is so it is like wyse false that is wrytten of the Emperour For since there was no cōference nor treatie betwene them for this matter howe coulde they determine vpon warre or make a compacte betwene them for the recoueryng of the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction or subduinge of Germany This defamer sayth that truce was made betwyxt the Emperour and Frenche kyng to the intent that the soldiours being of either discharged might be led to this warre What the cause of the truce was the copie of the same declareth Againe those soldiours were not reteined of any Prynce but so many as kyng Ferdinando commaunded to be taken vp and sent thē into Hongary against the Turke those also excepted whome they of Auspurge and of Norinberge and the Byshoppes of Bamberge and Wirtemberge hired least haply they should be oppressed vpon the soden This part therfore of their deuyse falleth touchyng the Pope the Emperour and of the other Byshoppes Nowe as concerning my selfe I haue verely hitherto followed the olde trewe and catholique Religion and as it becommeth a Germayne borne I treade in the footesteppes of my elders and perseuer in the same communion of the churche that I was brought vp in as also in the last counsel imperiall I declared both by my letters and counsellours In this mynde I pourpose through Gods grace to perseuer Neither am I mynded to doe any thynge that may striue with honestie or consideration of my dutie And yet neuerthelesse I couet to be at peace with all men But where it is sayde that I haue had secret conference with the Pope with the Emperour with the kyng of Englande and with other States of the Empire and and with certen priuate men about the framyng of this war Agayne that same of the Paulsgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge and the Marques of Brandenburge to be moste false neyther that it can be proued of any man Yea they that bringe vp suche tales of me whether it be done by woorde or wrytinge I saye they be sclaunderers and ennemies of the common countrie And touching Counte Palatine thus standeth the matter The maner and dignitie of my vocation requyreth that I should maynteyne the ryght of my Byshoprike and kepe the people committed to my charge in the olde and Catholique Religion And beynge aduertysed that Otto Henry Prince Electour went aboute to make certen Townes of my Byshopryke of his Religion and had placed Preachers in them I toke this doubtles in euyll parte and had cause why I should defende me by the lawes Therfore my counsellours in my absence howbeit yet by my commaundement brought the matter in to the chāber imperiall where the matter dependeth as yet so Otherwyse not so much as in worde I neuer hurte his name nor estimation muche lesse haue I attempted any thyng against his countrie But if I coulde doe any thyng that might tourne to the commoditie of hym selfe his countrie or people I would omitte nothing and I suppose that the people of his coūtrie can beare witnes of this thing for they knowe what I haue done for them in tymes paste in their great aduersitie Moreouer I haue euermore loued the house of Palatine being readye to gratifie them by what soeuer meanes I myght And the same wil is neuer a whit chaūged In semblable wyse am I affected towardes Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge a good man wyse skylfull a louer of peacei And haue euer synce the tyme we were fyrst acquaynted borne hym great good will and haue studied also to perfourme the same in dede But that eyther he or the Paulsgraue should be dryuen out of theyr countrie the same not only came neuer into my mynde but also in case I had knowen any suche matter as myght haue tended to the losse of their estimation or goodes I would both haue bene ryght hartely sory for the same and woulde haue letted it also to the vttermoste of my power that no suche thinge should haue chaunced And hitherto in dede I haue so demeaned my selfe alwayes that I suppose they haue founde nothyng so shal I also vse my selfe from henceforth that I shall geue them a more occasion so to thynke vpon this hope verely that for as muche as I haue geuen no cause to be offended they wyll beare me the lyke good wyll And howe muche I lamented the chaunce of Marques Albert he is not ignoraunt hym selfe for what haue not I assayed what haue I not proued that this discorde myght bee taken awaye and quietnes be restored to the Empire Doubtles my trauell in that thyng hath bene so muche and my industrie so great that although I regarded herein the common wealth yet came I in suspition with many that I tendered his commodities ouermuche and sought to hynder others But howe vpryghtly I handled the matter my letters wrytten to hym can shewe Seyng therfore I am of this mynde towardes thē neyther is there any duty wantyng
him selfe And in dede thre yeares since the king sent a noble Ambassade to the Turke for peace or truce and they are yet deteined at CoÌ„stantinople And albeit that truce was taken betwene theÌ„ till thambassadours were retourned home yet the Turkes in the meane season hauing broken their faith haue takeÌ„ many townes castels vpoÌ„ the frontiers And seing now also Zegest of them is beseged it appereth not what peace in very dede is to be loked for at their handes that can be firme tollerable Whiche thing seing it is so for as muche as great daunger hangeth ouer not only the remnaunt of Hongary Austriche but also ouer all Germany to be first nede to consulte imediatly of sending ayde and of coÌ„tribution mony which should be kept in certen places and for this warre when nede is to be defrayed by the publique treasurers And that other kynges and Princes also are sollicited by the kyng for ayde neither wyl he him selfe spare any coste or perill either of him selfe or his sonnes also but since his countries being sore inpouerished with the warres of so many yeares are not able to resiste so great an ennemy it is requisite to contribute thereunto and that spedely Moreouer for as much as in the last assemblee it was decreed also that in this assemblee wayes should be sought to appease Religion the kyng ernestly exhorteth that they would searche diligently whether a reconcilement myght be made and whiche waye They muste also treate of mony and of establyshyng peace in the Empire And the consultation of the Turkishe warre not to be set behinde but to be chiefly of them considered to the ende the present and iminent calamitie may be repulsed About the .xv. day of September the Emperour hauing a fayre wynde and his nauie in a readines taketh shipping to sayle into spayne and taketh with him both his sisters Quene Mary and Elenor companions of his iourney But before he departed he set kyng Philip his sonne in possession of all the lowe countries And to his brother kyng Ferdinando he committed the common wealth of Germany sending letters to the Electours of the Empyre wherby he requireth them that they would acknowledge the same for Emperour of Romaines obey him accordingly The last day of October Iohn Sleidane authour of this worke a man for the singular giftes of the mynde and excellent learnynge all prayse worthy departeth out of this life at Strasburg and is there honorably buried FINIS ✚ An Apologie of Iohn Sleidane FOr as muche as I heare that diuerse men speake nothing frendly of my History and haue small thanke requited me for my exceading great paines I am constreined to set forth this wryting for defence Nowe for what causes I was moued to write this story how I proceded in that same howe I wrote for the displeasure or fauour of no man and couched thinges in order I declared in the preface of the worke And added moreouer that I was very desirous of the truthe and therin so affected that if I knewe any thing to be wrytten vntruely I would scrape it out and admonishe the Reader of myne owne accorde to geue no credit to it Doubtles I would haue thought that all men here with would haue bene satisfied especially since the very reading should proue it true that I said But in as muche as it is reported to me far otherwyse whiche to me was very lothsome and greuous I am driuen of necessitie to adde some thinges to my preface And first in dede euer since the beginning of the worlde it hath bene accustomed that matters as wel ecclesiasticall as ciuile should be coÌ„mitted to wryting Which thing in dede bookes do testifie and the same custome hath alwayes florished chiefly amonges noble free nations especially Grekes and Romaines The chief precept ornament of this kinde of wryting is that it be right and trewe and therfore Tully calleth an history the witnes of tymes and light of veritie the lyfe of memory and maistres of lyfe By the whiche wordes verely he doth both commende it exceadingly and also sheweth of what sort it ought to be and nowe for as muche as in this our tyme hath chaunced so great an alteration of Religion as since the tyme of the Apostles the like hath not bene no smal sturre of ciuile policie hath insued also vpon the same as is coÌ„monly wont to do I verely although not the metest man of al at requeste of certen good men toke vpon me this kynd of wrytinge to the setting forth of Gods glory and with great fidelitie and diligence haue brought it to this our tyme. And that I haue herein geuen nothing to affectioÌ„s and haue vsed my selfe so moderatly in this argument as peradueÌ„ture none other before me hath done that same I trusteâ—l indifferent iudges wil confesse For although I do gladly prufesse this doctrine of the Gospel through the benefite of God restored and reioyce exceadingly to be of that nomber and fellowship yet do I absteyne from al bitternes of wordes and declare simply the whole matter as it was done God also I take to witnes that myne intent hath not ben falsly to hurte any man For what a shameles impudencie were it of those thinges wherof the memorie yet is freshe to set forth any thyng contrary to a truthe Again they that know me throughly haue perceiued I truste no such vanitie in me Notwithstanding in case I haue erred in any pointe I will both acknowledge it willingly being admonished and also as I saide in the preface I wil proteste it openly that the Reader be not abused And as concerning my paynes I suppose verely that in searching out of the truthe no mans dilligence could haue bene no more than myne hath bene and like as many are able this to testifie so I doubte not but the thing also it selfe shall declare And in describing matters of Religion I might not omitte polytique causes For as I sayde before they came in maner alwayes together and especially in our tyme they could not be separated And that they come together this is a sure reason and grounded vppon the scripture To witte that so sone as amonges any people Religion is chaunged by and by arrise offences dissentions debates vprores factions and warres For euen for this cause Christ saith that the sonne is plucked from his father and the daughter froÌ„ her mother Also that his doctrine bryngeth not peace but the sworde and sayeth it shall styre vp fyre also amonges the nere of bloud And this hath bene euer the state of thinges since the worlde was made neither can it be denied and the thing it self speaketh For so sone as in our time gods benefite geuen to maÌ„ and the Gospell began to be preached against the Popes pardons and traditions of men by by the worlde began to reise tumultes and chiefly they of the clergie Upon this very occasion the matter was brought into the
commotion at Burdeaur eodem A wonderful conuersion of Uergelius 328 A meting of deuines in Saxony 330 A Diaphora 333 An open disputation at Oxford 335 A communication at Lipsia 336 A rebellion in England eodem A boke in Italian againste the Poope 339 An assembly of Cardinals for to chuse a new Pope 340 A straunge sight neuer hard of 342 A trouble in the Church of Strasburg eodem A iest of the Cardinall of Auspurge 343 A peace concluded betwene Fraunce and England 344 A confession of faith made by the ministers of Auspurge 345 A Regester of the deuines of Louaine 346 A proclamation for printers 347 Andwarpe astomed at the Emperors Proclamation 347 A woman in pearil for a lyght worde 348 An ambassade against them of Maidenburge 350 A cruel decre against the Maidenburgians 351 A wryting of the cleargye againste the city of Maidenburge 354 All godly folke afflicted for the verity 357 A new doctrine of Osiander 359 A cruel Proclamation against the Lutherans 368 A purgation of the french king eodem A decre of Trent of the Lordes supper 369 A decre of penaunce 273 A Cardinall of Dalmatia slaine in hys owne house 378 A brute of warre againste themperor 385 Albertes crueltye to them of Noremberge 402 Assembly at Auspurge 386 A poynt of the law 72 A Monke forsaketh his religion 76 Alteration in Denmarke 45 Archbishop of Mentz answer 22 Aristotle 20 Albert Arch bishop of Mentz 3 Authors of scismes 47 An assembly called at Auspurge 65 A bloudy preacher bloweth a trom 56 A most cruell maner of burning 54 Albert to them of Wolmes 403 Albert of Austrich of whome 466 Ambassadors of Strasburge to themperor 413 Albert ouerthroweth the frēch mē 414 A battel fought betwixt duke Maurice Marques Albert. 421 Augustus brother and heyre to Duke Maurice 423 Albert reconciled to Augustus 426 A disputation in England 428 An end betwixte Iohn Fredericke and Augustus 431 A parliament in England 433 A wryting of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. eodem A place of treaty of peace chosē by the Quene of England 451 A tumult raised at Geneua eodem A vniuersity erected at Dilling 453 A boke of Peter Asot againste the confessiō of the duke of Wittem eodem August Prince elector had a son 454 A wryting of the Papistes to requestes of the protestaunt 456 A wryting of the king Fardinando to the Princes 458 A decre wherby Religion is frely permitted to all men 460 An ecclesyastical parson that changeth his Religion shal be depriued eodem A parlament in England 461 An assemble in Austrich eodem A Comet sene 465 A father killeth his iii. children 466 A slaunder deuised against certain 467 Aucthority of the deuines of Paris 32 Agrement betwixt Luther and Zwinglius 83 A Concord 107 B BIshops of Rome bound as other is to Goddes commaundement 3 Boke burners 27 Bloudye preacher bloweth a trompet 56 Bokes presented to themperor 85 Bōdage no let to christian liberty 63 Bucer laboreth for concord 96 Busy marchauntes 118 Brauling Friers 119 Barbarossa almost taken 121 By what meanes men be disceiued 134 By what means the deuel is van eodē Baptisme condemned 135 Bishops stir vp princes 150 Barbarossa taketh castel Newstat 178 Bucer preacheth at Bonina 201 Barbarossa returneth 213 Bolloigne rendred 214 Bruly burnt at Tourney 216 Bucer declareth how tharticle of iustification wās accorded in 229 Bucer is sent for to Auspurge 310 Bucer is in daunger 313 Bren. wife his children banyshed 316 Bucer and Fragus come into Eng. 331 Baūberge redemeth peace dearly 402 Brunswicke besieged 428 Bradford burned in England 451 Bish of Merspurge answer to Lu. 22 Best thiuges pleaseth fewest men 34 Beginning of fyrst frutes tenthes 42 Bible is to be preferred before al. 43 Bishop of Constaunce maketh a boke in defence of Images 48 Boke of restitution 131 Bi. Munster demaūded his charges 136 Bold answer of the king 137 Barnes aid to Geneua eodem Bolde and profitable Counsell of the Lantzgraue 359 Bhoemers serued against the Duke of Saxon vnwillingly 169 Bohemers refuse war in Saxony 277 Bishop of Strausburge syngeth hys fyrst Masse 331 Bondage of the Germanians 392 Bishop of Winchester dieth 461 Bauarians followeth the Prynce for Religion 465 C CHarge of the Bishoppe of Maidenburge 1. Ciuilians vse of Citing 2 Cardinall Caietane wryteth to the duke of Saxon. 8 Charles is declared Emperour 14 Conditions propounded by Luther 18 Confession of sinnes eodem Counsel of Lateran and Pisa eo Capnio a deuine 19 Catarinus wryteth against Luther 27 Commotions in Spaine 34 Cornelis Scepper a good wryter 42 Cardinall Campeius wryteth to the duke of Saxony 45 Campeius Oration to the Prynces at Norenberge eodem Campeius raileth against Matrimony 49 Christianity taketh not away bondage 61 Carolostadius wryteth against Lu. 65 Carolostadius maketh his purgatiō 65 Counsel at Spires 69 Contention about the Masse 79 Certaine Princes resiste the decree of Spires 81 Ciuil war amongst the Swicers 82 Cardinall Campeius Oration 88 Certaine chosen to accorde Relygyon 90 Conditions of peace 104 Conditions of peace betwene themperor and the Protestauntes 105 Conditions of creating a kinge of Romaines eodem Cristine kinge of Denmarke is taken 108 Christ was called Seditious 112 Conditions of peace 116 Conditions betwixte Fardinando and Duke Ulrich eodem Crafty marchauntes 118 Couetous marchauntes 119 Cruelty vnsemely in Churchmen 122 Condition of peace 128 Ciuill war in the city 129 Cnipperdoling was the chief of that faction 129 Cnipper doling prophecieth 130 Croked necked cattel 134 Comotion in Lincolne shire 141 Captaine Aske executed for Treason eodem Cardinal Pole the Popes ambassador to the French king 142 Cardinals Poles boke against e Kinge Henry the eight eodem Cold reasons for the Popes supremacy 143 Carninall Poole was vnthanckefull eodem Cardinall Pole incenseth the Emperoure against the king of England eodem Cardinals Poles Hipocrisy and falsehode eodem Cristierne king of Denmark receiueth the Gospel 158 Complaintes of Pillage 178 Contention betwixte the electoure of Saxon and Duke Moris 188 Conterme in displeasure with the pope and cardinals 194 Cardinals sent to make peace 197 County William taken Prisoner 213 Cabrier yelded 220 Cardinall Farnesius his comming to Wormes 221 Counte William deliuered 226 Claudius Cenarcleus a yong gētlemā of Sauoy 235 Condityons imposed to the Duke of Wirtemberge 275 Conditions offred to the Lantzgraue 281 Caspar Phlugus captain of the Bohemers army eodem Conditions wherby the duke redemed his life 285 Ciuil war betwixt England and Scotland 310 Countries vnited by mariage 311 Ciuil war in Affrica 330 Contention for thempire betwene the Emperor and Fardinando 353 Complaint of the bishop of Strausboroughe 360 Contrary tales of the king and themperor 364 Causes of callinge the counsel 371 Countries oppressed by the Emperor 394 Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris 397 Cruelty against godly preachers 40 Conditions of peace offred by themperor 48 Conditions of peace 411
Commotion in Kent 430 Cardinall Pole arriueth in England 438 Controuersy for the dominiō of Chatz 452 Cinistre suspition spread of the Cardinal of Auspurge 456 Commotions in England for suspition of a spiratie 469 Cardinals sent from the pope to themperor and Freuch king eodem Counsel begon at Regenspurg 470 Cause why Luther was not punished 41. Complaintes of them of Zurick 51 Cause of them hatred eodem Constancy of them of Zurick 52 Confession of the Protestauntes 88 Conspiraty of the Papistes against the Protestauntes 93 Complaint of the Pope to the kinge of Pole 97 Common wealth hath neade of manye remeadies 102 Contentiō betwene Erasmus and Luther 114 Clement the seuenth dieth 117 Counsel of Constaunce 149 Counsel of Myllen broken of 152 Craft of Popes eodem Cardinall Montaine striken with a fury 300 Cruel actes of Marques Albert. 434 D DUke Fredericke his wisdome 2 Disputation at Lipsia 18 Dissention betwixte Leo and hys Cardinals 38 Decrees of Pius and Iulius 23 Dyssentyon at Basill for Relygyon 80 Daunger of the Turke 85 Duke Ulrich expulsed out of his countrey 113 Disputation with the king of Anabaptistes 136 Duke George of Saxon dieth 176 Doctor barnes burnte in Smithfielde 174 Dure the chiefest Towne in those partes is taken 196 Depensius driuen to recant 20 Duke of Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the church 202 Duke Moris foundeth three Scholes eodem Duke Moris is beneficiall to the vniuersity of Lipsia eodem Dissention in Scotland 205 Duke Moris serued themperor at Landerssy 206 Duke Moris intreateth a peace 405 Duke Henry and his Sonne yeld them selues eodem Diaze goeth to Maluenda Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepareth to warre Duke Frederick chosen Emperor Donauerde taken Donauerde rendred 265 Duke Maurice consulteth agaynste the Potestauntes 266 Duke Maurice letters to the Electour 269 Duke Maurice blamed of all men 270 Duke Maurice Excuses eodem Duke Maurice nothing couetous eod Duke Maurice followeth Doeg 275 Duke Ericke discomfited 287 Duke Maurice and the elector of Brādenburge intreat for the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice intreateth liberallye to the deuines of Wittemberge 291 Duke of Placence depryued Hierom. 294 Daughter of Nauarre married to the duke of Uandome 321 Duke Henry besiegeth the city of Brūswicke 348 Dracutus an archpirate 348 Duke Maurice general of the war 351 Duke Maurice besiegeth Maidenburg 352 Duke Maurice letters to the Emperoure 363 Duke Morice seaseth vpon the dominion of Chatz 370 Duke Morice entendeth to warre vpon themperor 373 Discipline amongst the fathers 374 Duke Maurice feared of themperours 380 Duke Maurice ambassadoure sente away 381 Duke Maurice letters to hys ambassadours 384 Duke Maurice taketh Auspurge by cōposition 388 Diuers minds in the counsel of Trent 389 Duke Moris goeth to the field 395 Duke Moris letters to the king 399 Duke Moris nie slaine 40 Duke Moris weary of delaies 47 Duke Moris reburneth his fellowes 48 Duke Moris admitteth peace 410 Duke de Anmalle taken Prysonner 44 Duke Morleague wyth the Duke of Brunswicke 420 Duke Maurice wan the field and loste his life 422 Duke Henry of Brunswicke marrieth a wife 465 Duke Frederickes answer 26 Deuines of Paris condempn Luthers bokes 32 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepare them to warre 78 Duke of Saxon Marshall of the Empyre 90 Duke of Saxon letters to the Prynces 98 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue wryte to the French king 166 Death of the french king 282 Daughter of Scotland affiansed to the king of England 308 Death of Sigismund king of pole 305 Duke of Swaybrige molested for Religion 332 Death of Pope Paule the thyrd 336 Disputation at Baden 71 Decre for religion 70 Decre of the duke of Loraine 50 Disputation at Zuricke 44 Decre of the Swices 45 Daniel expounded how 89 Deluge at Rome and in Seland 94 Dombe sprite walking 114 Dukes Confession of the duke of Wittemberge 386 E ECkius boke against Luther 2 Erasmus iudgemente of Luther 16 Eneas Siluius 23 Erkius to Luther 28 Erasmus boke of fre wll 50 Eckius the Popes champion 52 England hath title to Fraunce 74 Erasmus boke against Gospellers 83 Erasmus wryteth to Campeius 90 English Bibles Printed at Parys 160 Ebleb a noble Gentleman dyeth for sorow 29 Execution done in the frenche kynges syght 335 Erle Hedecke frende to them of Maydenburge 361 Erenberge taken away 40 Ecclesiasticall lawes in England 432 England is tourned to her vomyt 439 Emperour sendeth for Luther 28 Emperour wryteth to Luther eodem Emperours letters to the Princes of Germany 65 Ende of the Papistes dectrine 67 Emperoure marrieth a wife 71 Exhortation of the Lantzgrane 57 Excuse of some to the Protestauntes 94. Emperor of necessity graunteth peace to Germany 108 Emperoure goeth into Italy 109 Erroures of the Anabaptist 133 Erroures of the Mūsterians in fayth 135 English ambassadors winter at Wittenberge 139 Emperoure inuadeth the frenche prouince 140 Erasmus death eodem Emperour French king and the pope mete at Nice 59 Emperors and French kings ambassador to the Uenerians 168 Emperors priuate wryting for the protestauntes 183 Emperors letters to them of Collon 203 Emperors answer to the pope 195 Emperors letters to the states of Boheme 283 Emperors sōne commeth into Flaunders and he is receiued at Millan 330 F FRaunce and Germany were vnited 12 Frederick the Paulsgraue sent into Spain 14 Flatterers must be eschued 18 Fraunce is offred to the spoiles 19 Feare for the host 47 Feare in Muncers camp 57 Faith ought not to wauer 65 Faber driuen out of Paris 66 Fardinando forsaking king Lewes 77 Fardinandoes title to Hongary eo Fraunces Sfortia reforced to the dukedom of Millan 83 Florence rendred 90 Florence loseth her liberty eodem Fardinando proclaimed Kinge of Romaines 98 Frances Sfortia marrieth the Emperors Niece 117 Folish pity marreth the city 122 Fredericke forsaketh the bishoppricke 128 From the horse to the asse 130 Franckfurt receiued into the league 139 False doctrine is not to be born wyth 151 Fardinando his army destroyed 154 Fardinandoes request 173 Fiers in Saxony 174 Fardinando besieged Buda 184 Fardinādo defeateth the request of his nobles 186 Frances Lander cōmitted to Pryson his weaknes and recantation 200 Few Spaniardes loue the Gospel 233 Friers be disturbers of peace 236 Friers are vile in life and learnynge 237 Feare in themperors campe 259 Force ought not to be vsed in Religyon 260 Fraunce denied to aid Protestauntes 264 Fardinando Sebastian deputye proclaimeth war to Saxony 269 Fardinando to the Bohemera 283 Fardinando ambassadour to the Bohemers 284 Fardinādo goth which his army to Proge 291 Freight with others caried to prisone 325 Frances Spiera dispaired 327 Fraunces Spiera his recantation his death in despair with comfort 328 Forces bent against Maidenburge 350 Folish ceremonies 358 Fiue of them studentes of Lossaunce french men borne 424 Fiue condempned at London for the Gospel 440 For Churche goodes all coutrouersyes are taken away 461 Fraunce
Nurremberge eodeÌ„ The treatye of Norunberge 198 The Turkes increase by the losse of Christians 198 The decree of Norunberge 199 The duke of cleaue refuseth truce eod The death of the bishop of Auspurge eo The duke of Sauoye frend to thep 200 The death and prayse of William Bellay 200 The prayse of Clement Marot 201 The Archbishop of Collon calleth a coÌ„uocation eodem The Bishops boke of reformatioÌ„ eod The protestauÌ„tes ambassadour to theÌ„peror 203 Themperors viage against the duke of Cleaue eodem They of Hyldesseme are accused to the Emperour eodem The Popes to the clergie of Collon eod The French king fortifieth landersey 204 The Turkes nauie arriueth in the. eo The Castell of Nice besieged eodem Two cities full of Relicques eodem The duke of Cleaue craueth pardoÌ„ 205 The duke condicions to him imp eod The doughter of Nauarris sent to 205 The preachers of the gospell thrust eod The siege is leued at Nice eodem The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to king Edward eodem The duke of Cleaue renounceth yâ— 206 The departure of the French men 206 Three Eclipses of the moone eod The causes of the Turkes prospe 207 The protestaÌ„tes oratioÌ„ to the emp. eo The duke of Brunswick accuseth eod The French ambassador to the asse eod The French herauâ—t euill receyued 208 The ambassadors retorne by night eo The Popes aunswer eodem The meane to heale the comon eodeÌ„ The Princes letters to the swisses 209 The protestantes accuseth duke of eod The tenure of his letters eodem The duke of Brunswicke contemneth his owne religion eodem The French victory at Carignaue 210 The duke of sanoye accuseth the. eod The swisses aunswer the Princes eod The English Nauie inuadeth scot eod The oration of the French ambas 211 The duke of Saxon is set through 211 The states of thempire decree a 〈…〉 212 Themperours genâ—elnes to the lantz 212 The Duchye of Brunsewicke com 212 Thamperours Iorny into fraunce 212 The king besieged Bollognie 213 The death of the Prince Orenge 213 The feare slight of the Parisians 213 The conditions of the peace 214 The towne of Pery was burnt 214 Three most mighty enimies of FrauÌ„ce that is themperour the Germaynes and the kyng of England 214 The enemies of the Romish church 215 The pope cannot abide no super eod TheÌ„perour is the popes eldest sonne eo The creation of Cardinalles eodem The Clergie of Collon to the arch 216 The clergie appeale â—o the pope 216 The articles of Lonaine 217 The protestauntes make aunswer 218 The counsell trent vnlawfull eodem The deuise of the popish princes eodeÌ„ Their be in the FreÌ„ch prouince a people called valdois 219 The Cardinall of fournon 219 The Meridolâ—ns flie into the woodes 219 The Swisses intreate for the valdois 220 The confession of the valdois doctrine 221 The death of Lewis duke of bauier eo TheÌ„perours ambassadour to the king of Poole eodem The kinges answer to theÌ„perour eod The wilde Beast 222 The ignorance of Grimian eodem The death of Fraunces Duke of Loraine eodem The birth of Charles sonne to kynge Philip. 223 The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth mony of the French king 223 Themperours taketh truce with the Turke eodem The clergie and vniuersitie of Collon agaynst theyr Archebishop eodem Themperour citeth the Archbish eod The decree of Auspurg 224 The warre of Fraunce EnglaÌ„d eod The protestantes sende Ambassadours into Fraunce and England eod The death of the duke of OrelauÌ„ce eo The armie of the duke of brunswick eo The lantz goeth against him eodem The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 The death of the Cardinal of Mentz 226 The Lantzgraues letters to theÌ„p eod Themperour to the Lantzgraues eod The Palsegraue ordeneth ministers in his Churches 227 The protestantes accused of conspi 228 The laÌ„tzgraues letters to Nauius 229 The colloquie of the learned menne at Regenspurg 229 The colloquie dissolued 230 The popes Legates in the counsell of Trent eodem The beginning of the Counsell 231 The warning of Esoras Nehem. 231 The seconde session of the Synode 231 The quiet departure of Luther 232 The inuincible constaunce of Luth. 232 The victory conquest of the word 233 The traytorous minde of AlphoÌ„se 234 The murtherer killeth Daze 235 TheÌ„perours letter for a paracide eod Themperour visiteth the Lantzgraues doughter eodem The Lantzgraue cometh to themp eo The Lantzgraue spake vnto theÌ„p 236 The boke of reformatioÌ„ at Collon 236 The archbushoppe of Collon is accouÌ„ted vnlearned 237 The diuines are stubburne and ob 238 Themperour ought to couÌ„sell the pope to his dutie 239 The ende of the Scripture eodem The best thinges please fewest eod The minde of the Paulsgraue eodem The Lantzgraue is arbittor betwixt the duke of Saxon duke moris eod Themperour thaÌ„keth lantzgraue eod The thirde sessioÌ„ in the Sinode at 240 The popes letters to the Bushoppe of Sedune Chur certaine Abb. eod The Archbushoppe of Collon excomunicated by the pope eodem TheÌ„perour cometh to Reuspurg 241 The murther of Diaze vnpunished 241 The brute of warre against the prot eo The falshode of Marques Albert and Iohn Brandenburge eodem The Lantzgraue is circumspect eod Themperours letters to the Cities of the protestauntes 242 Themperours Crafte eodem The oration of the Frenche Amb. 243 The French kinges request 243 The pope tiraunt 244 The clergie abused the church goods eo The good will of the protestauÌ„ts eod Themperour had secrete talke with duke Moris 245 Themperours ambassadour to ye. eod The cities of wirteÌ„berg put on ar eod The oratioÌ„ of Balthazar to the sold eod The protestauntes letters to the Uenetians 246 The Churche goodes in Spaine to be imployde 246 The cardinal Scotlande slaine 246 The teares of the Crocodile 247 The pope attempteth the matter 247 The Paulsgraue axeth the cause of 247 The Paulsgraue seketh to recoÌ„sile the protestaunte to themperours 248 The duke of SaxoÌ„ letters to theÌ„p eod Themperour periured eodem The authors of this warre eodem Themperours letters to the Archebusshoppe of Cellon 248 Themperours policie 249 The Cardinal of Auspurg the fire braÌ„d of this warre 249 The Iudges of the Chamber bee Papistes 250 The league betwixte the three houses Saxon Brandenburg and Hesse 250 Thintent of the Papistes 251 The Popes bull agaynste the Protestauntes 251 The diligence of the Protestantes in leuyng theyr armye 251 The Lantzgraue sente his sonne to Strausburge 251 The fyrste enterprise to the Protestauntes 251 The Castell of Erenburge 251 Themperoures power 252 The Duke of Saxon Lantzgraue are out lawed by Themperoure 252 The popes letters to the Swysses 257 The pope bringeth themperour into hatred 254 The nuÌ„ber of the fathers at trent 254 The king of Swetia receiueth the. 254 TheÌ„perours letters to dukemoris 254 The protestauntes letters to the Duke of Bauer 255 The Swysses auÌ„swer to the Prote 255 The death of Diazius vnpunished 256 The Protestantes proclaime
warre against Themperour 256 The craftines of themperour 256 The Articles of the vniuersitie of Louayne 257 Themperour woulde not receiue the protestantes 257 The table of prescription 257 The popes armie cometh to theÌ„pe 257 The Captains of the said armie 257 The captains of theÌ„perours armie 257 The princes of the protestauÌ„tes caÌ„pe 257 The laÌ„tzgraue rideth forth to espie 258 The Spaniardes inuade the protestaÌ„ts Captayne 258 The Erle of Bure leadeth an Army to Themperoure 259 The cause of the protestaÌ„ts miseri 259 The Swisses aunswer to theÌ„pe eodeÌ„ Themperour to the Swisses is a gospeller eodem The protestaÌ„ts one against an other eo The protestaÌ„ts seÌ„d to the bohemers 260 The pope hireth meÌ„ to poisoÌ„ other eo The emperours craft toward the pro. 261 The emperorsdecrees made for fear eo The dissimulation of themperour eo The Duke of Brunswick a bitter enemye to the Protestantes 262 The FreÌ„ch ambassador dissuadeth the Emperour for his warre eodem TheÌ„perour will conquer Germany eo The rable of the papistes 263 Themperour pretended this warre long before eodem The decres of wormes was the trompet of this warre 264 The custom of thempire in asseÌ„bles eo The protestauntes remoue there eo The protestauntes write to the Swifsers gospellers 265 Their aunswer to the protest eodem Themperours and the protestauntes Campes nere together eodem The Duke of Alba tauÌ„teth the lantz 266 The vnreasonable request of Duke eo TheÌ„perour winneth the riuer of 267 The lantzgraue aunswereth the states of duke Moris 268 The crueltie wrought by the per. eodeÌ„ The protestauntes benefites to Duke Moris eodem The protestauÌ„tes letters to the cities eo The horse men of hongary are comonly called Hussares 269 The duke of SaxoÌ„s request to his eod The electours countrie inuade 27 The Bohemers slip a waye eodem Tharchebishop of Collon appealeth from the Pope 271 The vnlucky successe of the protestauÌ„tes warre eodem The perill of protestauntes 272 The duke of Saxon exacteth many papistes eodem The Emperours letters to the duke of Wirtemberg eodem The dukes letters of submission to themperour 273 The Paulsgraue asketh pardon of themperour eodem They of Frankforth render therle of Bure eodem The Electours letrers to the states of Duke maurice 274 The Calamissi of Saxoni 274 The king of Denmarke aided not 275 The cities of protestants send am 276 Themperor wil hear no mention eod The duke of Saxon besiegeth Lip eod The death of Henry the eight 277 The Duke of Somerset 278 They of Auspurge make theyr eodem Thelector of Brandenburge in eodem Thomas Cranmar primate of eodem Thelector of Saxons letters to eodem The death of Nauius 279 Themperor leuieth a new armyeodem The league of Bohemers eodem The winning of Roclice eodem The duke of Wirsemberge cra 208 The seuenth session at Trent eodem They of Strasburge compound 281 The duke of Saxon sendeth an 282 The Bohemers letters to the. eodem The notable library of king Fran. eo The kinges knowledge eodem The death of two kings was hap eo The ouerthrow of themperors eodem Two executed at Frankfurt eodem The Lantzgraues purgation eodem Themperors Iourny against the. 284 Themperors celerity in ouerta eodem Themperor fighteth a battel with eo The duke taken sighting eodem The condempned to lose his head 285 The burial or king Fraunces 286 The Lantzgraues sonne in law 287 The schole which was fallen in eodem The treatise of Urmes 288 The Lantzgraue commeth to eodem The Lantzgraue kneleth to eodem Themperors answer eodem The Lantzgraue is driuen into eodem The Lantzgraue captiue 289 The nombre of great gunnes takeÌ„ 29 The Bohemers subdued by fre eodem The Cardinals of France sent eodem The Coronation of the French 291 The twelues Peres of Fraunce eodem Themperor exacteth in Germany 292 They of Maidenburge outlawed eod Themperor moueth the Swisses eod The churches new halowed eodem This was an armed assembly 293 The Pope a Negromancier eodem The hatred of the Citezens to 294 The monstrous lustes of hin eodem The counsel of Trent eodem The Protestantes intised or sea 299 Themperor answer to the states 290 The conditions wherby the Lantz eo Thanswer of duke Maurice eodem Themperor requyreth the wry eodem Thoration of the Cardinall of eodem Thoration of the bishop of Renes 297 The French king contendeth eodem The Popes letters to his Legate eod The Pope to Mendoza thempe 298 The popes letters to the bishops eod The pope is ignorant of al things eod The pope is a watchman eodem The constancy of the Romish eodem Themperors ambassador sent to eodeÌ„ The Popes Legate to themperors eo Themperors ambassador to the. eodem The malapertnes of the legate 299 The letters of protestation eodem Themperors carefulnes for the. 300 Thauthors of remouing the coun 300 The beginning of thordre of 301 The victory of king Cosriure eodem The war of Emperors and kinges of Pole against this ordre of Knights 302 Thoration of the Marques 303 The duke of Muscouia eodem The prince of Lituanis made eodem The people rebel 304 The conditions of peace betwixte the king of Pole and the knightes eodem The commotion in Boheme for the doctrine of Ihon Husse 305 The Popes answer to Mendoza eodem The war finished by the Popes ar eodeÌ„ Themperors praise set the pope afire eo The fathers must be prouided for 307 The Pope may be weake neg eodem The authors of thinterim 308 The connsel of England wryte eodem The gouernor of Scotland eodem The Britains expulsed by the. 309 The pictes by the Scottes eodem Two waies to finish warre eodem The ceremony wherby duke Mau. 310 The Marques of Brandenburge 312 The contentes of thinterim eodem Two sacrifices of Christ after these eo Thelectors vary in opinion 313. The craft of the archbishop of Mentz in approuing of thinterim 314 The Constancy of the duke of 315 The labor and pearil of Bren. eodem The playnes and godlines of Brentius 315 The fearefulnesse of the Duke of wittemberge eodem The constacie of the duke of Saxo. eod The Dukes godly minde 316 The cruelty shewed is Duke of Saxon prisoner eodem The â—â—stmate minde of winchester 317 The Ecclesiasticall reformation of the Emperour eodem The TreÌ„blable misteris of the Masse 317 The Excomunication eodem The meanes made that Strausburge shoulde receiue therin eodem Theyr Aunswer eodem The Emperour will not discharge his Souldiours 319 The promes of a lawfull Counsell repented 320 The decree of the Uenetians eodem The wisdom of the Uenetians in matters of religion eodem The story of Lewes Auila of the Germains warre 322 The Duke of Saxon beloued of all menne eodem Thei of CounstauÌ„ce writte to themperour eodem TheÌ„perour maketh newe Senatours 323 TheÌ„perours abrogates faternities 323 The Spaniardes go to CoustauÌ„ce eod The Constaunce assaulted eodem Themperour delited in the Frenche tonge eodem The letter of Strausburge to the
emperour 324 The Constancie of the ministers 325 The Duke of Saxon and the LaÌ„tgraue led awaye prisoners 325 The reformation of the Chamb. 326 They of Constaunce geue them selues to the house of Austrich 326 The slaughter that was at Burdour 327 The abhominable filthines of an archbushoppe 329 The inheritor of Scotland led into Fraunce 330 They of Madenburge are made a praye for their godlines 331 Trouble in Englande eodem The Admirall of england beheaded 331 Thomas Crammer a furtherer of learning and Codlines 331 The duke of Swaybrig plaine trouth 332 The Interim confuted by them of Bubeck and others 333 The force of Hohwater eodem The popes legates to themperour 334 The Pope graunted licence to eate fleshe 335 The Archbishop of Metz to the counsellors of the Lantgraue eodem The Godly auÌ„swer of the preachers eod The king commaundeth to go on presession eodem The French king stealeth fortes 337 The Senate of Strausburge do compound with their Bishop eodem The perill of feare of them of Maydenburge eodem The Purgation of them of Maydenburge eodem The cause why them of Maydenburge cannot gette their pardon eodem The sayng of goodnes the. 338 They betray the trouth that hold it in Silence eodem The moÌ„struous lechery of the pope 339 The Popes rauening eodem The Pope sister a whore made her brother a Cardinall eodem The mayseres of ceremonis 340 The custody of the conclaue eodem The orders of the Cardinall eodem The maner to chuse the pope 341 The factions of the Cardinall eodem The cause why pole was not pope eod The yeare of Iubiley eodem The protectour of England 343 The Frenche kinges proclamation against Lutheranes eodem The opening of the Golden gate eod Themperiours letters to the states of th empyre 344 The cleargye of Strausburge renueth their ministers 345 The talcke of faith is forbidden 346 The death of the cardinall of Loraine 347 The Archbushop of Collon entreth the City with Pompe 347 The Protestation of the Duke Moris against the Counsell 348 The knauery of Spanierdes eodem The death of Granuellan eodem The taking of the Ciue of Africa eod The ouerthrow of the Maiden Burgians 349 The princes letters to them of Mayden burge 349 The Proclamation for religion mutigated 349 The answer of the Maydenburgians 350 The death of viriche Duke of WirieÌ„b 351 The causes that the decree is not obserued eodem They repare to trent before condemned 352 Themperours Proclamation agaynst them of Maydenburge eodem The Lantgraues Sonnes sue for theyr father eodem The Lantzgraues purpose of sliyng bewrayed eodem The issuyng out victory of the Maydenburgians 353 The duke of Megelb takeÌ„ prisoner 353 They of Maydenburge are moued to render eodem The Actes agaynst the Clergy 354 The slaughter of the Citizens 355 The answer of the Citizens 356 The prayse of great Otto 358 The duke of Pruisse addicte to OuÌ„ 359 The decree of Auspurge 359 The death of Bucer 360 The pope accuseth Octauian far 360 The counsell at Trent is solde 361 The warre of Parma betwixt themperour and the French king eodem The Frenche Kinges excuse to the Pope eodem The fierse minde of the Pope 362 The confession of duke Moris by Melanthon eodem The humanity of the Duke of Wittemberge towarde Brentius eodem The burnt child the fire dreades 363 The Constancy of the Prelates 363 The Preachers exiled 364 The French king warieth vpon themperour 364 The Counsell renued at Trent 365 The French kinges letters to the. 365 The Some of Mony that is caried to Rome 366 The vniuersitie of paris appeleth from the Pope eodem The arrogantie of Pope Boniface against the king of Fraunce eodem Twelue archbishoprikes in frauÌ„ce eod Theames geuen to the diumes 367 The order of speaking eodem The maner of making the Articles of the faith eodem The maner of making the decrees eod The holy gost at the popes coÌ„maundement 368 The Frenche kinges writing against the Pope eodem The wiked lustes of the Pope eodem The cause of dissentioÌ„ betwixt the pope and themperour 369 The safe counded of the fathers at 370 The Marques of Brandenburge mocketh the Counsell eodem The duke of somerset appreheÌ„ded eod The Counsell writeth to the Frenche king 371 The FreÌ„ch king disswadeth the Swisses from the Counsell eodem The land of Wittenburge deliuered of Spanyerdes eodem The ambassadour of Wittenburge to the Counsell 372 The pacification of Maydenburge eod The noble same and constancy of Maydenburge eodem The Pope created xiii Cardinalles 373 The amba of witteÌ„berg deliuered 374 The amb of Duke Mauri 〈…〉 he Marques of Brandenb to themper 374 Their oration 375 The Lantzgraue kept prisoner against the league 375 The Lantzgraue biddeÌ„ to Supper and kept prisoner 376 The names of the Princes that intreat for the Lantzgraue 377 The Lantzgraues Sonne cometh to Duke Morice 377 The rayling of Cropper 378 Themperours letters to the Bushoppe electors 378 Their is craft in daubing 379 The ambassador of duke Maurice come to the Counsell 380 The Duke of Somerset beheaded 381 The saufeconduct altered 382 The fraukespeache of Duke Maurice Ambassadour to the fathers 383 Thambassador of the prot deluded ideÌ„ The diuines come to Norinberge 384 The bitternesse of Frere Pelarge against the Protestantes eodem The diuines of Wittenburge 386 ThaÌ„bassodours of Strasburg det 387 The blasphemio of a gray Frere 388 The requestes of the Protestauntes diuines eodem The Fathers flie from Trent 389 The answere of the Protestantes Ambassadour eodem The churche cannot erre 390 The Counsell of Basell purer then Trent eodem The last session of the Counsell eodem The French Kynge hath peace with the Pope eodem Th ende of the counsell of Trent eodeÌ„ The death of the Popes Legate eodem The seconde cause of warre 392 The Lantzgraue deteined prisoner against fidelitie eodem The thirde cause eodem The heauie burthens of Germany 393 The storie of Lewes Auila of the Protestauntes warre eodem The Frenche kynges letters 394 The armes of libertie 395 The prince of Salerne reuolteth from the Emperour 396 The FreÌ„che king subdneth Lorain eod The cardinall betraied the cites eodeÌ„ The pledges of FrauÌ„ce German 397 The couÌ„try of Oto HeÌ„ry recouered â—deÌ„ The Iudges of the chamb flie eodem The Conestable chideth with theim of Strasburge 398 The kinges answer to the princes 399 The sute of the Suises to the king eodeÌ„ TheÌ„perour flieth awaie by night 400 The duke of Saxon set at libertie eodeÌ„ The Emperours stuffe spoiled eodem The Princes restore the ministers of the churche eodem The Marques Albertus armie 401 The Frenche kyng destroieth the Emperours countrie 403 The assemble at passaue eodem The coÌ„plaint of the princes elector 403 The affinitie of Frenchmen and. 404 The libertie of Germanie restored by the power of Fraunce 405 The waie opened for the Prince of Spaine to be Emperour eodem The princes aunswere his oracioÌ„ eodeÌ„ The
Who were outlawed by the Emperour 320 Who impugned the Interim 322 Uergecius vanquished with the truth 328 Uergecius repaireth to Mantua and is put out of the Counsell 329 Uergecius Preacheth the Gospell in Rhetia eodem What thynges offende many 353 Why the Clergie forsake the citee 356 Wonders in Saxonie 360 Wilie begiled 379 Warre in Italie 48 Winchester made Chaunceler 425 Warres renued betwixte the Duke of Brunswick marques Albert. 426 Uercelles surprised 429 Wiat taken and committed to pri 431 Uulpian victualed 452 Uulpian taken raced by the Frenche kyng 453 Whether peace should be giuen to the religion or no. 455 Unconstancie of Clement 53 Uictorie of themperialles eodem Winnyng of Munster 136 Warres of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoy 137 Uenecians league with the Emperour 138 Uenecians Ambassadour to the Turk 169 FINIS ✚ Imprinted at London by Ihon Daie for Nicholas Englande M D. LX. The. 26. daie of September Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luthers letter to the B. of Mentz B. of MaydeÌ„burgs charge Luthers 95 questions at Wittenberge Luthers exception The B. of Mentz clence Ihon Tecell ft. do concl at frankford Luters letters to Pope Leo. Duke Fredericks wisdom Echins booke against Luth. Siluester priers dialogue Silue priers Themes Luth. answer to Sil. priers Scriptur and choldewriters only to be also wed Iudulgences to be vsed after the Canon lawe The CiuiliaÌ„s vse of citing Silut prier seconde aunswer to Luth. Thomas of Aquine Albertus magnus scollar Thomas of Aquine a salt Thomas of Aquin geueth authoritie to the Pope 1274. Thom. of Aq. died Luth. seconde answer to Siluester prier Rome the seat of Antechrist Grece and Bohemes happines Lut. his forsakiÌ„g of Rome The caus whâ— the By. of Rome is extold Princes of necessitie must reforme Ro. The bishop of Rome bounde as other to Gods commaundement Iames Hogestrate wrote against Luther Thassembly at Ausputge by Maximilian The treaty of warre against the Turke Albert archb of Mentz mabe Cardinall The cause of his Cardinalship Maximilians lettre to Pope Leo coÌ„cerning Luther Luther is cited to Rome The Popes letters to the duke of SaxoÌ„ The Popes letters to Gabriel veneius The vniuersitie of Wittenberg writeth for Luther Luther is called to Auspurg His conferens with Cardinal Caietane Luther appeleth The welspring of Pardons The pope vnder the Coun. Gerson of Paris Pope Iohn is deposed Caietan writeth to the duke of Saxonie The dukes letters to the Cardinall The Uniuersitie of Wittenberge writeth for Lut. New pardoÌ„n Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsell The Pope sendeth a golden Rose to the duke of Saxonie The death of Maximilian The swisses banquished Kinges of Naples paye tribute to Rome An oration of the Archebyshop of MeÌ„iz The oration of the Archbi of Treuers Fraunce and Germani wer 〈…〉 ted Themperour Raffe The duke of Saxo. refuseth to be Emperour Charles is declared Emperour Friderick the Paulsgraue sent into Spaine 1500 The byrth of the Emperor The manes of chosing â—he Emperour Erasmus iudgement of Luther The disputatis at Lypsia 1520 Luters letters to the Pope The court of Rome is vnturable Conditions propounded by Luther Flatterats must be eschewed The part of a true frende Luth. boke to the duke of Saronie Confession of synnes The supper vnder bothe kindes The wishe of Pope Pius The counsell of Latherane The counsel of Pisa The Popes Shifie Fraunce is offered to the spoile At Rome they doubt of the immortalitie of the Soule Luth. Bookes condemned at Louaine Capnio Rewcline Ockam Picus mirandula Lawrence Ualla Aristotle WilliaÌ„ OckaÌ„ The story of Reuchliue Hebrew bokes of thre sortes Luthers letters to the emperor Luth. letters to the archbishop of MeÌ„tz His annswere to Luther How scripture must be hadled Luth. letters to the Bish oy Merseburge His aunswers to Luther The pope curseth Luther The Bulle of Leo. The decree of Pius Iuliê° Aeneas Siluius Honors chaÌ„ge maners Luth. impugneth the popes censure Luth. booke of the captiuitie of Babilou Thre Sacrases Which are properly called Sacrament The maner of the CoronatioÌ„ Themperor calleth a couÌ„sel imperial The Pope was subiecte to themperor The lawe of Clement The courte of Rome in Fraunce The duke of Saro incensed againste Luther The answer of duke Friderike Luthers bokes are brâ—â— Luther burneth the Canon laws Booke burners Catarinus writeth against Lut. The Emperour sent for Luther to Wormes The Empe. writeth to Luther The Bul of cursyng The constaÌ„cie of Luth. Lut. coÌ„meth to Wormes Eckius to Luther Lu. pleadeth his cause before themperour and the whole Empire Iohn .xviii. Pope Cost sell may erre Treuers other Princes threateneth Luther Luthers answer to the Princes The offenca of Faith and maners Actes .v. Luth. sent awaye scom Wormes Iohn Wiclâ—ffe an Englishe man Iohn Husse a Bohemer Husse appealeth from the Pope The CouÌ„sel of CoÌ„stauÌ„ce Iohn Husse Hierome of Praga burned Thre Popes deposed The Diuines of Paris condempne Luth. bokes Thauthoritie of the Diuines of Paris The Swysses make a league wyth the Frenche kynge Thirtene townes of Swysses The libertie of the Swysses Luib is ontlawed by the Emperour Luth. is conuetghed out of daunger Sunday bokes of Luth. Of themasse to be abolisshed The best thiges please fewest men Henry kyng of Englande writeth against Luth. Themperor hath warre with FrauÌ„ce The death of Leo the .x. Adrian succedeth Leo. The Turke taketh Belgrade Commotfôs in Spaine The lady Mart assured to theÌ„peror Who is author of single life Lut. rotaurneth to Wittenberge Luther foreseeth the teni pest coÌ„myng Luther writeth to the Bohemers Many sectes in the popish kingdome Three sectes of the Bohemers Lu. writeth againste the Bishoppes Adrian writeth to the duke of Sa. Reucline dieth The Pope writeth letters to at the princes of Germany 1. Corin. 〈◊〉 Luthers Frere The warre of Treuers The Popes letters to Strasburge The stocke of Aorian Dissention betwixt Leo and his Cardinals A disputatioÌ„ at Zuricke The questions of Zuinglius The request of Adrian to dispatch Lu. Luth. compared with Bahomet Iniquitie procedeth froÌ„ the Priestes The synne of Rome spred ouer al the worlde Lut. expoundeth the Popes saiynge The meane to let couÌ„sels The answer of the prices Why Luth. was not punished The maner of a free couÌ„sell An alteratiû in Denmark The king of Denmarke flecth Cornelles Scepper The beginnyng of the first fruictes and tenthes A Romishe Palle Two freres brent at Brusels The Ceremonies of disgratyng Luth. interpreteth the 〈◊〉 of the Princes The Bible to be preferred before all others Lut. wrot to the Senate of Prage Luther wrot of eschewing the doctrine of men The death workes of Hutten The king of Englande writeth to the princes of Saxonie The answer of duke George Adrian the Pope dyeth Clement succedeth Zuinglius is broughtin hatred The eatyng of Fleshe A new disputatioÌ„ at Zu Priestes maried wiues Pope ClemeÌ„t sendeth Campegius to duke Fri. A decree of the Suyses
Reliques of the holy gost The Cardinall writeth to the Duke of Saronis Campegius oratioÌ„ to the Princes at Norinberge The princes aunswere The decre of Wormes repeted The pope is wel monied The Suises are offended with them of Zuricke Yeare for the Hoste The Marchaundise of the clergie The answer of them or zuricke Authors of Scismes Matrimonie lawfull for all men What nedeth gold in the churche What is true coÌ„fessioÌ„ Howe the yoke of the Papistes is to be shaken of The Bishop of CoÌ„stance maketh a booke in defence of Images Images breÌ„t at Zuricke The decre of Norinberge Suite betwixt the Bishop senate of Strauso Thomas Murner Campcgsus raileth agaiâ—â— holye Matrimony A decree of Papistes against gospellers The lamentatioÌ„ of Lut. The golden Rose sent to the kynge of Englande Erasmus boke of Free will A decree of the duke of Loraine Henry Zutphan The Emperor biameth the Princes Themperor defendour of the Romishe churche Lut. coÌ„pared with Mahomet The duke of BourboÌ„ besieged Marfelles The begynnynge of the rustical war The Papistes fight for their bely The coÌ„plaiÌ„te of them of Zuricke The cause of theyr hatred To serue foreine princes is vile The eraâ—t of the Papistes Ecksuc theÌ„ Popes champion The pouertie and boundage of the Swices The riches and libertie of the same The constaÌ„cie of them of Zurieke The FreÌ„che kyng taken prisoner The vnconstaÌ„cie of Clement The victors of themperâ—alles The coÌ„motion of the bulgare people Theyr demaundes The duke of Wirtemberge atteÌ„pteâ—â— warrs The fyrste slaughter of Bowres Another slaughter The great crueltie of the Bowres A most cruel maner of burnynge The warre of Bowres in Loraine The slaughter of Bowres The crueltie of the Archebishop of Treuers Geismer captaine of the Bowers The league of Swelane The Masse abolisshed at Zuricke Muncer a great anabaptists Muncer will haue a token ared of God He teacheth that all thinges should be common Muncer maketh gonnes Phifer his companion Phifers enterprise The death of Fridericke the noble duke of Sax. The princes make a power A seditious oration of Muncer The saith of Abraham obteined of god great benefites Muncer rai leth on the Princes A blouddy Preacher bloweth the Crompet Gods power appeareth in sewest men Iud vii .i. Sam .xiiii. and .xvii. Muncer disceaueth the people by the Rainebowe Fearein MuÌ„cers Campe. A messenger slaine agaist the lawe of Armes An exhortaci on of the Lantzgraue The madnes of the Munceriane The slaughter of the MuÌ„cerians Muncer is taken His cruell answere He is reproued of the Lantzgraue The vnreasonable laughter of Muncer At the houre of death he repenteth Lut. diswadeth theÌ„ from sedition ii Thess .ii. The dewtie of a good Magistrate How the Magistrate shold deale wyth the Papistes Gods wrath is slowe but yet sore Thauthors of rebellion are wythout excuse What thing rebellion is How wicked dominion is to be shaken of The best way to ouer threw the popes authoritie Lu. did more with that word thaÌ„ cold haue bene don by force of Armes It appereth by the Prophecies of Briget and others The Practise of the deuill The popishe kingdoÌ„ maie not long indure Preachers ought to be circumspect Theyr demaundes Huntinge Haukyng Fishyng prohibited Lut. answer to the Bowres The Bours vse Godlye titles Gen. 7 Gene. 19. Math. 26. Roma 13. We are all blind in our own cause The state of a magistrate wherin it coÌ„sisteth The Magistrate is as necessary as the seune to the worlde The law of nature aloweth a Magistrate The christiaÌ„ lawe Math. 5. The christeÌ„ profession is harde The nature of veritie The craftes of the deuill to oppresse the Gospel Aunswere to the demaundes of the bowers No maÌ„ may be kept from the Gospell Howe ministers shoulde be ordayned Tithes must be payde Christianitie taketh not away boÌ„dage Bondage is not let to christen libertie Luters office The false title of the bowers Psal 107. The Gospel is sclasidered with rebellioÌ„ The rasers of tumultes The part of a wyse man The dutie of a Magist The ende of tyranny Of Not Daniel and â—ob Luther bloweth the troÌ„pet against the boures Ther can be nothig worse then sedicioÌ„ Lut. to vehement TheÌ„perors letters to the princes of Germany An assemble called at Auf. Carolostadius writeth against Lu. Carolostadius maketh his porgatioÌ„ Faith ought not to vauer Luther maried a NuÌ„ne Luther and Zwynglius met at Marpurge The Popes letters to theÌ„ of Paris Faber driueÌ„ out of Paris The kynges letters for Faber The story of Pruse Lut. letters of submissioÌ„ to the kynge of England The chief point of Lu. doctrine The ende of the Papistes doctrine Luth. letters to George Dake of Saxon. Duke George hateth the Gospel Thomas wulley Cardinal a Butchers sonne A league betwene EnglaÌ„d FrauÌ„ce Godlines is not to be sought for in the court The peace of Madrice The lady Elenor The kynges sonnes are pledges Counsell at Spyres The Emperours letters The Turke inuadeth HuÌ„gary A league betwene the venetians Pope FreÌ„che kyng Against false Freers The noÌ„ber of holy days A decree for Religion The begynninge of the ProtestaÌ„tes league The kynge of Hungary slayne The Emperour maried a wyfe A disputatioÌ„ at Baden A Priest burnt Discorde in Hongary The FreÌ„che league agaist the Emper. The Popes benefites to the Emper. The Emperours aÌ„swer The kyngdoÌ„ of Naples A point of that lawe Rome is the treasure house of that whole worlde The Pope the Emper. are two gret lyghtes The Pope is a warrier A counsell promysed The frenche kyngs leters to the prynces of Germany The Empe. confuteth the letters An apologie for the freÌ„ch kyng The princes letters to the Emperour An assemble at Regensburg Iohn Fridmarrieth Sibille of Cleue Rome is sacked The king of Englande The begynning of Anabaptistes The FreÌ„che Armye The Duke of Baurbon conoempned at Paris Englande hath title to Fraunce Leonarde Cesar Hopocrisy of byshops The power of Bernes Lawes of their disputacion Theames or conclusions Prayers for the dead are superfluous Religion reformed The prebids departe Ambrose Blaures Religion reformed at Geneua The victory of the gospel The kinges of FrauÌ„ce EnglaÌ„d Amballade to the Emperour The FreÌ„che kings inuectiue against the Emper. He offereth the Emper. the combat The letters of Iohn Uaiuode to the states of the Empyre His Ambassadours takeÌ„ Kyng FerdinaÌ„do forsoke kyng Lewis FerdinaÌ„dos title to Hongary The duke of Saxon the Lantgraue prepare theÌ„ to warre Paccen beheaded The Emperours aunswer to the FreÌ„ch king Themper Heraulde came at Paris An assemble at Spires Lantrech be segeth Naples Contention about the Masse The papists forboden to preache The Ambassadour of the chamber imperiall to Strausbor The bishops letters The Masse put down at Stansbor Dissentid at Basil for religion They of Basill take armure Images put downe The Masse put downe Images breÌ„t on â—sh wednesday The assemblie of Spir. The papists iÌ„ SwicerlaÌ„d make leage with kynge Ferdinando The Ambâ— of Srausborough excluded The
spake with Luther The answer of the Prot. Crueltie is vnsemely in churchmen Their craft is spied The Empe. may order counsels Pepes concempned of Heresy The oration of the FreÌ„ch Ambassad Folysh pitie marreth a citie Of Fraunce and Germany one ofspring The iudges of the chamber trouble that ProtestaÌ„tes The Emp. letters The answer of the Protestauntes to the Frenche Ambassad The duty of Princes The kinges opinion of matters in controuersie The commoÌ„places of Malancthon The masse mainteineth purgatory Monasticall voues Paphnutius The Lordes suppervnder both kyndes The kynges of Fraunce and Nauane ercommunicated The protest would make no league with the kyng the oratioÌ„ of byshop Fore Ambassa for the kynge of Englande The alteration of Religion in Englande The state of the churche troublesome The rage of Antichrist The protest league is renewed The Erle of Nassowe The Gospel receiued at Auspurge Munster a citie of Westophalia The original of Anabaptistes their doctrie and maners Rotman a Preacher The papists coÌ„ sesse their ignoraunce The papists forsake the citie Frederick forsaketh the byshoprike They of muÌ„ster oppresse the papistes Condicious of peace Iohn LeidaÌ„ an Anabap. Herman Stapred The Anab. banished the citie Rotman became an Anabaptist The constaÌ„cie of Fabritius Peter Wirtemie A Prophet inspired Eiuile war in the citie Cnipperdolyng Iohn Matthewe the high prophet Maydens do prophecie Iestyng pâ—nyshed The prophet inspired with 〈◊〉 Cnipperdoling prophecieth From the horse to the Asse The diuisioÌ„ of Germany into prouice The salshod of Leidane Twelue iudges The Paradoxes of iohn Leiden Sedition in the citie Iohn LeidaÌ„ inuadeth the kingdome A new king of Anabap. His pompe the madnes of Cnipper The boke of restitution Who wrote against theÌ„ A supper The Apost of Munster The kinges murther The preachers of MuÌ„ster They be racked Their obstiuacie The Kynge taketh hede to hym selfe the errours and mischief of Anabap. A booke of that miâ—â—ries of scripture The diuisioÌ„ of the world This preseÌ„t age cumpared to Esaw The kynge beheaded the Quene A blynd asse Luthers writig of MuÌ„st God bridleth the power of Sathan By what meanesmen be disceaued Croked necked cattell The craft of an ignorauÌ„t Deuyll Gods wrath By what meanes the deuil is vanquished The errours of the Munsterians in fayth In baptisme Of mariage The assemblie at Wormes The citie was required to rendre The coÌ„plait of the Munsterians Two escaping betraye the citie The wynnyng of MuÌ„ster The kyng is taken Rotman desperate The byshop of Munster demaundeth his charges The kyng his fellowes caried about 〈…〉 Disputation with the king 〈…〉 The bolde aunswer of the kyng The cruell death of the kyng The death of quene Katherine The warre of Geneua with the duke of Sauoy The ayde of Bernes The FreÌ„che king against the Duke of Sauoye The Popes counsel to inuade Sauoy Legions of Souldiours The house of vicecouÌ„tes The FreÌ„che kinges title to Millan The Emperous oration against the FreÌ„che king The Uenetians league with the Emperour The Duke of Florence marieth the Emperours bastarde Luthers constancie Uergerius sent to the Emperour The diuisers of the bâ—ll The king of England is patrone of the Proâ— league The english Ambassad wynter at Wittebergâ— The kinges letters to the Protestants The king of England requireth a coÌ„ference of lerned men The kinges deuorcemeÌ„t Receyued in to league The lamentable death of Quene Anne A counsel is called Against the FreÌ„ch kyng The Protestantes send to the Emp. The Empe. letters to the Protestant The Empe. inuadeth the French prouinces Peronne beseged The death of Fraunces the Dolphin A reformation of Collon The death of Erasmus Commotion in Linkcolnshyre Captayne Aske The Pope wyl reforme the court of Rome The king of Scottes maried that FreÌ„ch kinges daughter The Duke of Florence slayne by his cosyn The Swycers sewe to the king for the Gospellers Hesdine rendred Cardinall Poole the Popes Ambassadour to the Frenche kyng A sworde hallowed Pooles boke against king Henry the eyght Cold reasoÌ„s for the popes supremacie He inceÌ„seth the Emper. against the king of Englande Poole was vnthankful His hipocrisie falshod A wryting of Auspurg The Prote Ambassad to the Emp. Heldus the Emperours Ambassad His sration at Smalcald The FreÌ„che practises The iudges of the chaÌ„ber The Dukes aunswere The answer of Heldus The Popes Ambassad The Popes Ambassad vispysed The Popes errours The Popes vnreasonable authoritie Of the place of the couÌ„sel Athanasius Arrius Liberius The craft of Paule the. Popes haue Emperours in subsectioÌ„ The counsel of CoÌ„stasice Iohn Hussâ— The Protestaunâ—es decre for mainteining Ministers Reason why the Protest refuse the Counsel Who ought to be at the counsell The Preachers of the Gospel haue brought godly workes to lyght It is false that they styre vp 〈◊〉 heresies Byshoppes styre vp prices False doctrine is not to be borne with Why the innocentes be in perill Thaâ—thoritie of iudgement is in the churche The Pope is accused of Idolatry Heresye Like lippes like lettuse The craft of the Pope Thosspring of C 〈…〉 The Counsell of Mill 〈…〉 broken of The Potest letters to the FreÌ„ch king The queene of Scottes dieth The king of England re suseth the Counsell A proper saying of Cipriane TeroweÌ„ beseged invain Ferdinando his armie destroyed The birth of kiÌ„g Edward the sixt The Pope hateth the kyng Rebellion in Gelderland Pope Paule euil reported The Pope entended to make Erasmus Cardinall The Pope hath a double office Wherof 〈◊〉 meth the coÌ„tempt of the Clergie Who ought to be made Bishoppes Unlawefull to geue benefices by legacye A pristes son may not inioy his fathers benefice Why Cardinals were fyrst made Aâ—arice and concupisceÌ„ce let counsels Many filthy actes of Monkes The cowle maketh not the Monke Simony reigneth in the churche Harlottes honoured at Rome Presidentes of the couÌ„sel 1538 The Cardi â–ª of Capua caÌ„ abide no reformation The Colloquie of Erasmus MomoraÌ„ciâ— made constable of Fraâ— Christiane kinge of DeÌ„marke receiueth the gospell The Duke of Pruse is outlawed A gentlemaÌ„ of Tolouse burnt at Paris Themperor the frenche king and the pope meets at Nice Andrâ—w de Aurie The meting ofthemperor the kynge The FreÌ„che kinge kissed the Popes right foote The Bishop of Liege made his graue yet liuing English Bibles were printed at Paris The ignoraunce of the people is gainefull to priestes A colledge erected at Strausâ— Iohn Caluin Peter Brulie Thomas Becket Newes of the Turkes approche The Marquses of 〈…〉 denburge of the Protestantes Religion The lady Elizabeth sister to the Lantgraue is receiued in to the league of Protest The fecte of AntinomiaÌ„s Iohn Isleby A lege of the Papistes against the ProtestaÌ„tes The citie of Mynden ouâ— lawed The Duke of Brunswick desyrous of war The Lantgraue intercepteth the Dukes letters 1539. Inuectiues vnmete for Princes The death of Iohn Duke of Cleaue The Duke of Saxony woulde not geue to Ferdinando the title of kyng of Romains The FreÌ„cha kyng geueth touÌ„sel to
the Duke of wittemberge The Duke of Saxon the Lantgr write to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke George of Saxon â—irth Ambassadours sent to his brother Henry The Can 〈…〉 coÌ„monly called of the Apostles are false A Freers were maketh the deuyll afrayd Langelius Oration against the Lutherians The syr Articles The Lady Anne of Cleaue Barbarouse taketh Castel newes Rebellienat Gaunte The Emperour passeth throughe Fraunce 1540. The Emperour entreth into Paris The Emperours and FreÌ„ch kings Ambassade to the Uenetians The Uenetians Ambassador to the Turke The secrets of the senate vttered to the Turke The trators executed Themp. arriueth in Flaunders The Prote wryte to the FreÌ„che king An assembly at Smalcald Latimer Shaxton The Lorde Cromwell A wrytinge exhibited by the diuines The Emp. aunswer to the Protest Hatred betwixt counsellers The false perswasioÌ„ of the Emper. The answer of the Prot. to GraÌ„uellaÌ„ A confutatis of the six Articles Great execution done at Gaunt The Emp. letters to the ProotestaÌ„t The answer of the Prot. to the Emp. letters An oratieÌ„ or a yeuÌ„g Cardinall The Prote 〈◊〉 to Turkes A priuy hatred of that freÌ„che kynge against the Emperour The Duke of Cleaue ioyned with the Frenche kynge The Pope warreth vpoÌ„ the PerusiaÌ„s The Lorde Crumwell beheaded The kynge marieth Katherine Hawarde The Duke of BruÌ„swik accused the Protestaun The assemble of Hagenawe Preachyngs forbydden FerdinaÌ„dos request The decree of Hagenaw The death of Iohn Uayuode king of Hungary Fyres in Saxony Doctor Bernes burnt in Smithfielde Thre Prot. burnt and thre Papistes hanged all at one tyme. The death of Budey An erceadig hote soÌ„mer Nauius hath the place of Heldus The oratioÌ„ of Granvellan at Wor. The euils that coÌ„meth of the discention in Religion The Turke receiueth the infant of Uayuode Lascus committed to prised The papists seke delayes A disputation betwixte Eekius and Melancton The oratioÌ„ of Uergerivs The admiral of frauÌ„ce condemned A greate assemble at RegeÌ„spurg Luthers boke agaist the Duke of Brunswick Why the Protest desyre a counsell Themperor Gods client What moued Luth. to writ against the papistes The blasphemie of frere Tecell A most costly stole or palle A meane to get money by pardons Luther is cursed of the Pope A wolleÌ„ halter to strangle the pope The maner of makynge this Palle Complaints of pillage These Fyeres were set on by the duke of BruÌ„swike The treatie of Regenspurge The chosen by themp The rashnes of Eckius A boke presented to the Collocutours The conteÌ„ts of the boke The Protestantes letters to the FreÌ„ch king for suche as wer persecuted for the gospell The Duke of Cleaue goeth priuely into Fraunce The Duke marieth the daughter of Nauarre The Admirall restored The constable put out of the courte The colloquie of lerned men at Regtnspurg The worse parte ouer cometh by the nomber of voyces Meanes to restore thecclesiasticall function Simons must be takeÌ„ awaye The popes Legate The diligence of the protestantes iu teaching of children The diuines of the Prote aunwer to that Popeslegate The princes electours answer Themperour The answer of the popish princes The bishops are inioyned to reforme their church The presumtuousnes of Eckius The protestantes confute his letters and reasons The Emperours priuat wrytiug for the Protestantes The Emperours complaynte of the Duke of Cleaue The princes make intercession for the Duke of Cleaue The oratioÌ„ of the FreÌ„ch Ambassador The FreÌ„che ambassadors intercepted by thimperiall Langens letters to Alphonse George of Austriche apprehended at Lyons Ferdinando besegeth Buda His armie discomfited The Emperours torney into Barbarie A great tempest distroyed hys ships Syr Henry Kneuet The plage in Germani by the Rhine Ioye in Fraunce at temperours losse The nobilitie of Austrich put vp a supplication for the Gospell Kingdoms distroyed for â—dolatry The plages that god seÌ„t to Austriche and Germany The Turke is the scurge of God God offereth his word before he plageth The chiefe article of doctrine is iustification Ferdinando desfateth the request of his uobles The nobles resterut their â—â—te Strife about the bisshop ricke of NuÌ„ burge 1542. An assemble at Spires Gropper coÌ„mended Bucer The king of EnglaÌ„d maried the syxte wyfe Theioration of the freÌ„che ambessrdour PerswasioÌ„s to warre against the Turke The policie of the Romaines in establishing their empire The concord of England Howe the Turkes acheued their empyre GwelphiaÌ„s Wibellines The opinion of the Popes Ambassad The Pope suspecteth Germany A soden fear in the FreÌ„ch courte An Army agaynste the Turke Contention betwixte the elector of saxon Duke Moris Luthers oretion for the field The Pope â—â—pared with that Turke Two mighty Tyrantes Any pleasant lyfe is not to be loked for The Turke shal not be of such force as were the Romaines The last act of that Turke A cousolatioÌ„ of the prysoners with the Turkes The prayer of Luther Of the originall of the Turkes The Markes of Piscare accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The kinges purgation A counsell called at Trente The FreÌ„che king proclaimeth warre The Duke of Languile and Martin van Rossen invade Brabant Perpigusan beseged The maner to sâ—rche out that LutherinÌ„s S. Genefeua The articles of the Sorbe nistes Two friers preache the Gospell at Metz. WilliaÌ„ Farell grashoppers in Germany and Italy The Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue mouewar againste the duke of BruÌ„swicke who flieth An assembly at Noriberg Ambassadors to the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue Contarene in displesure with that pope cardinalles Hys death The ChauÌ„celour of Fraunceput in prison The Palsgraue receyueth the Gospell The Empe. aunswered the Popo The enterprises of Fregose Rincon Peace is disceiptful The FreÌ„che king is accused of ambition Cardinalles sent to maks a peace The Presydentes of the counsell at Trente Dure is taken Warre betwixte England Scotlande The Scotes taken at Solymosse Theyr king dieth The Duke of SaroÌ„ and the Lantzgraue refuse the iudgmeÌ„t of the chaumber The Duke of Cleauerecouereth Dure A rebellion at Rochelle 1543. The kynges oratioÌ„ to theÌ„ of Rochell The clemeÌ„cy of king FrauÌ„ces The assemblie of Nurrenberge The treatye of Norinberge A supplication of the protestantes The Turks increase by the losse of christians The decre of Norinberg The Duke of Cleaue refuseth truce The death of the bishop of Auspurg The French kinges aunswer to the Emperours letters Kinges of Fraunce most addicteth the pope The Dukes of Sauoye frend to theÌ„peroure The death praise of W. Bellay Frances LaÌ„der coÌ„mmitted to prison His weknes before the kynge His recantation Depensius driuen to recante The prayse of Clements Marot Psalmes translated by Marot The Archebisshop of Collon calleth a convocation Bucer preacheth at Bomia The bisshops boke of reformatioÌ„ Melancthon and Pistor come to Collon A booke called Antidagma Gropper forsaketh the Gospell Duke Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the churche He foundeth three scooles He is beneficiall to the Uniuersitie of Lipsia Lawes agaynst deflowerers of Uirgins adulterers An assemble at Spier
The Pope woulde bye Millan Philip created kynge of Spayne A league of themp the king of England against the Frenche kyng The protest ambassad to themperor Themp. viage againste the Duke of Cleaue They of Hildisseme are accused to the emperour Themperours letters to them of Collon The Popes letters to the clergie of Colion The French king fortifyeth Landersey The turkes Nauie arriueth in the prouince The Castell of Nice beseged Batchelaurs Abooke of Caluine againste the Sorbonistes A booke of the relieques of Sainctes Two Cities full of relicies Afalsereport of the Emperours deathe The Duke of Cleaue craueth pardon of themperoure CondicioÌ„ns to him imposed The daughter of Nauaris sent to the Duke of Cleaue Laundersey beseged The preachers of the gospel thrust oute of metz The sege is leuied at Nice Dissencion in Scotland The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to Kynge Edwarde The king of Denmarke warreth vpoÌ„ theÌ„ perialles The duke of Cleaue renounceth the Frenche Leage The departure of the Frenchmen from LaÌ„dersey Duke moris County willyam forsaketh the Frenchking 1544. Thre eclipses of the moone A great Assemble at Spiere The causes of the turkes prosperitie The French king compared to the Turke The Protestantes oration to themperoure The Duke of Brunsewicke accuseth the Protestauntes The French ambassade to the assemble at Spier The French Herault euil receyued at Spier The ambassadors retorne by nighte The princes letters to the Pope The Popes aunswer The meane to heale the comon welth The princes letters to the Swisses The protestantes accuse the Duke of Brunswicks The tenure of his letters The Duke of Brunsewicke conteÌ„neth hys owne religion A straunge tale of the saide Duke An Image buryed in the sleâ—e of Eue. The French victory at Carignane The Duke of Sauoye accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The swysses aunswer the Princes letters Thenglishe Nauie inuadeth scotlaÌ„d The oration of the FreÌ„ch Ambassadours Holy men haue had leagues with men of a contrarye relygyon The duke of Saxon is set throughe with kynge Ferdinando The French king hateâ— of all men for the turks societie The states of thempire decree an aide against the Frenche Kynge A decree for relygion Of the chaÌ„ber Themperoures gentlenes to the Lantzgraue The duchye of Brunsewicke committed to theÌ„peroure Themperoures Iornoy into Fraunce barbarossue retourneth The deathâ— of the Duke of Lorayns The kyngs besegeth Bollogns The deathe of the Prince of Drenge Counte willyam taken prisoner Eperney brunte The feare flyghte of the Parisians Bollon rendred A peace concluded betwixte themperour and Fraunce The condicions of the peace Three moste myghty enemyes of Fraunce The Popes letters to the Emperoure The enemies of the romish church The Pope can abide no superiour Themperoure is the Popes eldest sonne Great princes swe for the Popes fauoure The creatyon of Cardinalies A counsel is called Luthers booke of the Lordes supper The clergie of Collon to the Arche Bisshop They appeale to the Pope and Emperour An Ambassade to the Kynge of Englande Peter brulie 1545. Brulie burnte at Tourney Hys examination A conuentioÌ„ of diuines at mellon The Articles of Lovayne Luther aunswereth theÌ„ of Louayne An AsseÌ„ble at wormes The ProtestaÌ„tes make aunswer The counsel of TreÌ„t vnlawefull The deuise of the popish Princes Grinian the French ambassadour The Ualdois The cruell sentence at Aygnes Iohn Myners The Cardinal of tournon Miners presidente of Aygwes He leuieth a power agaynste the Ualdois The merindolans flee into the woodes A lamentable departynge A soldioure geueth them warnynge A Captayne defendeth the women A cruell fact of Miners Cabrier yelded A terryble example of crueltye The Swisses intreate for the Ualdois A sharpe aunswer of the kynge The confession of the Ualdois doctryne The deathe of Lewes Duke of Bauier Cardinall Farnesius his coÌ„ming to wormes Themperours Ambassadour to the kyng of Poole The kinges aunswer to themperour The pope most desyrous of war A frere obseruaunte stireth TheÌ„peroure to warre Luthers boke against the Pope Luthers themes of thre gouernmentes The wylde beaste Luthers picture against the Pope Luther a prophet The ignoraÌ„ce of Grinian The deathe of Fraunces Duke of Lorayne The birth of CharlessoÌ„ns to kyng Philyp The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth monye of the FreÌ„ch kynge Themperoure taketh truce with the Turke The clergie and vniuersitie of ColloÌ„ against their Archebishop Temperourciteth the archebishop The Pope citeth the archebishop of Colon. The decre of Auspurg The frowardenes of the Duke of Brunswick The warrâ— of Fraunce England The Protestantes send Ambassadours into FrauÌ„ce and Englande The deathe of the duke of OrleauÌ„ce The armye of the Duke of bruÌ„swick The Lantzgraue goeth against him Duke Moris intreateth a peace A skirmishe betwirte the Duke the Lantzgraue The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswick A conflicte betwixte the Duke the LaÌ„tzgraue Duke HeÌ„ry and hys son yelde themselues The deathe of the Cardinall of Mentz CouÌ„te willyam deliuered The Lantzgraues letters to theÌ„peroure Themperoure to the LaÌ„tzgraue A treatie of peate beetwirt frauÌ„ce England 1546. The king of Englande warneth the Protestants of the daunger The Palsegraue ordeineth ministers in hys Churches A brute of war against the Protestantes Granuellan his aunswer to the Lantzgraue Sebastian Scherteline The Protestantes accused of conspiracie The Lantzgraues letters to Nauius The coll 〈…〉 quie of the learned meÌ„ at RegeÌ„spurg Maluenda treateth of iustification Bucers aunswer Pflugius amonges the Presidentes The colloquie dissolued Ambassadours to theÌ„peroure for the archebisshop of Collon Gonzage go uernour of Millane The Popes Legates in the counsell of Trente Preachinge Freers A bul of perdonnes The begynnyng of the counsell The oratioÌ„ of the popes Legates TheÌ„ was 〈…〉 g of Esedras and Nehemias A decree of the Sinode redde The seconde session of the Synode Luther chosen arbiter Luther is sicke Whether we shall knowe eche other in the lyfe to come Luthers last prayer The quiet departure of Luther Luthers birthe Luther sent to Rome Luthers eloquence in the Dutche tongue The inuincible constaÌ„cie of Luther The victory and conquest of the word Iohn Diaze a Spaniard Diaze goeth to Maluenda Fewe Spaniardes loue the Gospell Marquins excuseth Diaze His brother Alphonse coeth into Germany The traytorous mind of Alphonse Alphonse retourneth to Nuburge to kill his brother The murtherer killeth Diaze Cladius Senaclyus Themperours letters for a paracide TheÌ„peroure visiteth the Lantzgraue hys daughter The Lantzgraue commeth to theÌ„peroure The Lantzgraue to theperoure What counsell the Protestantes desyred Freers be disturbers of peace The boke of reformation at Collon The Archebisshop of ColloÌ„ is accoumpted vnlearned The ignorance of the people for lacke of teachyng A communication of the LaÌ„tzegraue and others Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng Diuines stubburne obstinate Themperoure ought to compell the Pope to do his dutie The ende of Scripture The beste thinges please sewest The mynde of the Pauls graue What profit hath theÌ„peroure out of Germany The Lantzgraue is arbiter beetwirte the Dukes of
Saxon. TheÌ„peroure thanketh the Lantzgraue Spedius a blabbe The Lantzgraue taketh hys leaue of the Emperoure The thyrde session in the Syneode at Trente The oration of the Emperours ambassadour The Popes letters to the Bisshops of Sedune and Chur. The Archebisshop of Collon excoÌ„municated by the Pope TheÌ„peroure commeth to Regenspurg The murther of Diaze vnpunished Adiuision amonges the electours The brute of warre against the Protestantes The falsehod of Marques Albert and Iohn of Brandenburge The Lantzgraue is circumspecte TheÌ„perours letters to the Cities of the ProtestaÌ„tes TheÌ„perours crafte A statute of Trente A decree of oryginal sin The oration of the FreÌ„ch ambassadour Danese He vnderstandith this of the kynge of England The FreÌ„che kynges â—â—quâ—ste An aunswer of them of Strasborough to theÌ„peroure The Pope Tyrante The clergie abused the churche goodes The goodwyll of the ProtestaÌ„tes toward theÌ„peroure An heape of euylles of ciuill warre TheÌ„peroure had secrete talke with Duke Moris Themperours anbassadour to the Swysses The Cyties of Wirtemberge puton armure The oraiion of Balthazar to the soldiours The ProtestaÌ„tes letters to the Uenetians A leage beetwyxte the Pope the Emperoure The church goodes in Spayne to be imployde herein Peace betwixt frauÌ„ce and EnglaÌ„d The Cardinall of Scotland slaine The Popes letters to the Swisses The teares of the Crocodile The Pope attempteth the matter by force of armes The Protestantes Ambassadours to the Swisses The Paulsgraue axeth the cause of the warre A pretence of mouing war The Palsegraue seketh to reconsile the protestaÌ„t to Themperoure Duke of Saxon and the Lentzgraue prepareth to war Their letters to TheÌ„peroure TheÌ„peroure periured The authors of this war TheÌ„perours letters to the Archebishop of Collon TheÌ„perours polycie The Cardinall of Auspurge the firebrand of thys warre Duke Fridericke chosen Emperoure It is lawsul to repulse a violence The iudges of the ChaÌ„ber be Papistes The leage betwixte the thre houses Thintent of the Papistes The ProtestaÌ„tes letters to Iohn marques of braÌ„denburge The Popes bull against the Protestantes The diligeÌ„ce of the Protestantes in leuying theire armye The Lantzgraue sent hys sonne to Strausburg The fyrst enterprise of the Protestantes The Castell of EreÌ„berg Sherteline retireth Donauerde taken Themperours power The duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue ar out lawed by TheÌ„perour The Protestantes accused of treason The Popes letters to the Swysses The Pope bringeth the Emperouro into hatred Mariages in the broyle of warres The number of the fathers at treÌ„t The king of Swecia receyueth the Gospell TheÌ„perours letters to Duke Moris The Protestantes letters to the Duke of Bauer Lightenyng caused of struction at Machlin The Swyses aunswer to the Protestantes The deathe of Diazius is vnpunished The Protestantes proclayme war agaynst theÌ„peroue The crafti 〈…〉 s of themperoure Lybertie is exiled out of the counsell The articles of the Uniuersitie of Louayne TheÌ„peroure woulde not receyue the Protestants letters The table of prescription The Popes armie commeth to theÌ„peroure The Captaynes of the said armie The Capitaines of theÌ„peroures armie The princes of the Protestantes caÌ„pe The Lantzgraue rioeth foorth to espye The Spaniardes inuade the Protestantes caÌ„p The Erle of Bure leadeth an Army to themperour The bould profitable counsell of yâ— Lantgraue The cause of the Protest misery Feare in the Emperours Campe. The Swisses aunswer to the Emperour The Emperour to the Swisses is a Gospeller The ProfestauÌ„tes one against another Force ought not to be vsed in Religion The Protestauntes seÌ„d to the Bohemers The Pope hireth men to poyson other The Protestauntes answer to the table of outlawery The Emperours crafte towarde the Protestants The Emperors decrees made for fear The dissimulation of the Emperour The Duke of BruÌ„swi 〈…〉 a bitter enemy to the protestants The french Ambassador disswadeth the Emperour from this warre The Emperour will coÌ„quer Germany God is not the anctour of wrong The Rable of Papistes The Emperour pretended this war long before The decres of Wormes was the troÌ„pet of this warre The custom of thempire in asseÌ„blees The Protestauntes remoue their Campe. Nuburg reÌ„dred vnto the Emperour Fraunce de 〈…〉 ed to ayde ther Protest Peter strosse disceaued the ProtestaÌ„tes The Prote write to the Swisses gospellers Their aunswer to the ProtestaÌ„tes The Emperours the ProtestaÌ„tes campes nere together Albert of Brunswick hurt Donauerd rendred The duke of Alba rauÌ„teth the LaÌ„tgraue AlteratioÌ„ in Sauonte Duke Maurice consulteth against the Protest Siluer mynes coÌ„mon to the Dukes of Saxon. The vnreasonable request of Duke Mauris counsell Scherteline departeth from the protest auntes The Emperour winneth the Riuer of Thonawe The occasioÌ„ of taking the Emperour loste A warlike pollicie of the Emperour An other pollicie Pestilencein the Emper. Campe. The Lantgraue aunwereth the states of Duke Moris The crueltie wrought by the papistes The Proie benefites to Duke Moris The Proie letters to the cities The Bohemers serued against the Duke of sax on vnwillingly Hussares Ferdinando his depute proclaimeth to Saxonie The Duke of sarons request to hys fellowes Duke Maurice letters to the Electours The Electours countrey â—nuaded The Bohemers slyp away Duke Maurice 〈◊〉 of ali men His excuses Duke Maurice nothing coucious Persecution in Fraunce Tharchebyshop of Collon appealeth froÌ„ the Pope The vnlucky successe of the Protest warre Authoritie caÌ„not beare equalitie The peril of the Protest The Duke of Saxon â—â—acteth mony of the Papistes The Emperours letters to the Duke of Wirtemberg The Dukes letters of submissioÌ„ to Themper The Paulsgraue asketh pardon of Themps Paulus Fagius Ulmes recoÌ„ciled to the Emperour Darmstat wonne Thes of FraÌ„kefurte render to therle of Bure The Electours letters to the states of Duke Maurice The calamitie of Saxony Duke Maurice followeth Doeg The king of Denmarke ayded not that ProtestaÌ„tes 1547. Conditions imposed to that Du. of Wirtemberg Thecities of ProtestaÌ„tes send Ambassadours to that Emperour The Emperour wyll heare no meÌ„tion of Religion Rebellion as Genes agaist that hous of Aurie A decree of the counsell at Trent of iustification The Duke of Saxon be segeth Lipsia Maurice loseth his townes The Bohemers refuse to warre in Saxony Marques Albert sent to ayde Maur. Adolphe substituted to Herman Archebyshop of Collon Herman leueth his byshoprike Gropper had the spoyle of Friderick The death of Henry the eight kyng of England AlteratioÌ„ of Religion Kyng HeÌ„ry banished the Pope but not popery The Duke of Somerset Thomas Cranme primate of England They of Auspurg make their peace with Themperour Sherteline moste hated of Themp. The Electour of BraÌ„denburg intreateth a peace TheÌ„perour leuieth a new army The Elect. of Saxons lettern to theÌ„ of strasburg Mendoza Ambassa from the freÌ„che kyng to Strasburge The death of Nauius Kyng Ferdinando moueth the Bohemers to warre The league of the Bohemers The winig of Roclice Marques Albert takeÌ„ prisoner The Duke of Wirtemtemberg craueth pardon of the Emp. The seueÌ„th Session at Trent of the SacrameÌ„ts Of ecclesiasticall benefices They of
Strasburg compounde with themperour Conditions offered to the Lantgraue Caspar Phlugius Captaine of the Bohemers armie The Duke of SaxoÌ„ sendeth an Ambassadour in to Boheme The Bohemers letters to the Morsuians The death of the FreÌ„ch kyng AlteratioÌ„ in the court of Fraunce King FrauÌ„ces the fauiour of learning His knowledge The notable library of kyng FrauÌ„ces The death of two kinges was happy for the Emperour The ouerthrowe of the Emper. armie The Empe. letters to the states of Boheme Ferdinando to the Bohemers Part of the counsell of Trent flitt to Banonie Two executed at Frankefurte The Lantgraues purgaâ—â—on Unreasonable torment isaperillous matter FerdinaÌ„dos Ambassad to the Bohemers The Empe. iourney against the Duke of Saxon. The Emperours celeritie in ouerta king that Du. The Empe. fighteth a battell with the Duke of Saxon. The Duke taken fighting A perdigieof the Sunne The Duke condempned to lose his head Conditions wherby the Duke redemed his life An assemble of th empyre at Ulmes Kyng Ferdinandos letters to the Bohemers WitteÌ„berge rendred The buriall of kyng Fraunces Duke Erick discomfited Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenb intreate for the Lantgraue Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue The Lantgraues sons in lawe WitteÌ„berge a town of electorship The Scoole fallen there The treatis of Ulmes The Lantgraue commeth to the Emperour at Hale The Lantgraue kneleth to the Emperour The Emperours aunswere The Lantgraue is driuen into the net vnwittingly The Lantgraues captiuitie The noÌ„ber of great gun res takeÌ„ froÌ„ the Protst Ebleb dieth for sorowe Ferdinando cometh with his army to Prage The Bohemers subdued by Ferd. Sedition at Naples for that Spanish inquisition The Cardinals of FrauÌ„ce sene to Rome An assemble at Auspurg Duke Maurice intreateth liberally the Diuines of Wittemberge The coronation of the French king and the maner therof The twelue Peres of Fraunce An holy box sent down from heaueÌ„ you may be sure The king is appaâ—eled like a deach The Empe â–ª eâ—acieth money in Germany They of MaydeÌ„burg outlawed The Emperour moueth the Swisses to a league An armed assemble The churches new halowed Michel Sidonie a great masmonger Peter Alois the Popes sonne slayne Hierome Palauicine A conspiracie against the Popes son The Pope a Negromancier The hatred of the citezens towardes Peter The monstrous lustes of hym The couÌ„sell of Trent of two partes Muskelborough field The Protestauntes intised or feared Letters for the Lantgraue to themper The Empe. aunswer to the states Toe conditions wherby the Lantgraue submitted hymselfe The answer of Du. Maurice and the Marques The Emperour requireth the wâ—itinges of the Lantgraue Peter Martyr goeth in to England A reformation of Religion in Englande The oratioÌ„ of the Cardinall of TreÌ„t The OratioÌ„ of the bishop of Rains to the Pope The FreÌ„che king contendeth with the Emperour for eldership The Popes letters to his Legate The pope to Mendoza the Emperours Ambassad 1548. The Popes letters to the Byshops of Germany The pope is ignoraunt of all thinges The pope is a watchman The constaÌ„cie of the Romish church The Emp. Ambassad sent to Boloigne le grasse The Popes Legate to the Emperours Ambassad The Empe. Ambassad to the fathers The malapertnes of the Legate The letters of protestatioÌ„ from the counsell The Emp. carefulnes for the counsell The Authours of remouing the counsell Mountane striken with a fury The oration of the Kyng of Pols ambassadour The beginning of thorder of knight had in Duchland The victory of King Casimire Albert receyued into the tuitioÌ„ of the king of Pol. Prusse beloÌ„geth to Pole The war of Emperours and kynges of Pole against this order of knightes A disordred order of knightes The OratioÌ„ of the Marques of Pruse The Originall of this order of knighthode The Duke of Muscouia The Prince of Lituania made king of Pole A composition of peace The people rebell The conditions of peace betwixt the king of polle and the knightes Prusse beloÌ„geth to them yere The commotion in Boheme for the doctrine of John Husse The death of Sigismsid king of pole The Popes aunswer to Mendoza The warre finished by the Popes army The Empe. prayses set the Pope a fyre So I will so coÌ„maund A counsell called at Trent twise The fathers must be prouided forwel The Pope may be weake negligeÌ„t The Auctours of the Interim Ihon Isleby a reuolte Bucer is set for The couÌ„cell of England wryte to the Scottes Ciuille war betwene Englande and Scotland The daughter of Scotlande assiauÌ„ced to that king of England The gouernour of Scotlanda leage breaker How miserable is it for the Quene to mary a straunger It is dauÌ„ger to vse forain aydes The Britanes expulsed by that Saxons The Pictes by that Scots CouÌ„tryes vnited by maryage Two ways to finish war Uogelsberg appreheÌ„ded His constaÌ„cy at his death Persecution in Fraunce The ceremonie wherby Duke Maurice was created Elect. The Marques of BraÌ„denburge of fended wyth Bucer Bucer is in daunger Muleasses Kinge of Tunnes The coÌ„tents of the Interim Worckes of superogatioÌ„ Two sacrifices of Christ after these in terimistes The Interi permitteth Priestes to kepe their wiues stil An euil coÌ„piled boke ofte corrected Notes of the Interim bi the Bishoppe of Rome Thelectors dary opinioÌ„ The craft of tharchbishop of Mentz in a prouing of yâ— Interim King FernaÌ„do requireth monet of the states Maximilian marieth hys cosen Iohn Mark. of Brand. refuseth the Interim The coÌ„staÌ„ce of the Duke of Swebrig Musculus departeth to Bernes The labor perill of BreÌ„tius The pleannes and god lines of BreÌ„tius His wife and his childreÌ„ banished Godlie preachers flee The fearfulnes of that duke of Wyrtemberge The constancy of the duke of Saxonie He that doth agaist his coscience procureth to himself hell fyre Sinne agaist the holy gost The Dukes godly mind Cruelty shewed to D. of Sax. Prisoner Whilest the Masse is set vp in germanye it is put down in englande Thobstinat mind of winchester The Ecclesiastical reformatioÌ„ of the Emperour The treÌ„blable misteries of the Masse ExcoÌ„munication Menes made that Strausburge shulde receiue thinterim Theyr aunsweare Uyolence is not to be vsed in religion but reasoÌ„ and truthe No maÌ„ ought to be coÌ„pelled to his faith The Emperour wil not discharg hyâ— souldioures 〈…〉 promes 〈…〉 sawefull counsel repeted Islebi rewarded of themperoure The decre of the Uenetians The wisdoÌ„e of the Uenetians in matters of religion Who were out lawed by the emperor Daughter of Nauarre maried to the Duke of UaÌ„dome The story of Lewes Auila of the germains war Who impugned the Interim Robert of AbrinceÌ„ wrote against thiuterim The godly constancie of the Duke of Saxons children The duke of Saxon beloloued of almen They of CoÌ„stance wryte to the Emperoure Maximilian warred againste the Swisses The Emperour maketh newe Senatoures He abrogateth fraternities Spanyardes go to coÌ„staÌ„ce Constance assalted The Emperor delited in the Frenche tonge The letters of strausburg to the Emperoure Ambrose Blaurer At Strausburge
the olde enemye of mankynde would styre vp warre by his ministers or euer it were longe The Emperour being aduertised by the letters of his brother Ferdinando and the intercessours of the whole matter cōfirmeth the decree of Hagenawe And wryting his letters from Utrecht at the Ides of August exhorteth the Protestauntes to sende their Ambassadours diuines to Wormes at the daye assigned and sendeth saufe conduicte for them all And because of his affayres he can not be there hym selfe he sayeth he wyll sende thether some notable man of his And he doubteth not but the byshop wyl sende thether also to quiet the cōtrouersy He promiseth moreouer an assemblie of thempire whither he will come in parson vnto the which assemblie also the summe of this talke must be referred Afterwardes at the Ides of Octob. in other letters dated at Brussels he maketh Granvellan his deputie giuing him full authoritie at the communication to be had That time was Granvellā at Bizanse in highe Burgundie the towne where he was borne And beynge so occupied with other affayres that he coulde not come thither by the day writyng his letters to the Archebishop of Mentz and to the residew of the Princes appointed to this talke the seconde daye of Nouembre he sendeth before Iohn Nauie of Lucemburge to excuse hys longe tariyng For after he had wronge oute Mathew Helde as is before said he called forth this man as more obsequious and agreable to his maners and placed him in his rome In the meane time themperour calleth a counsell of thempire that in the moneth of Ianuary they should al be ready at Regenspurge After whan Granvellan him selfe came to Wormes accompanied with his sonne the Bishoppe of Arras and certen Diuines of Spaine Muscosa Maluenda Carrobello shewing fyrste his commission and the Emperours letters the xxv daye of Nouembre he made an Oration And excusynge the matter that neither themperour nor king Ferdinando were there he declareth the louing and frendly minde that themperour beareth to the common wealth who wisheth for nothing more earnestly than that this olde feastred strife might be taken awaye wherewith not onely the Church but also the common wealth is sore afflicted For he doubteth not but they them selues see the present calamitie and wil iudge that a reformation of the Churche is necessary Therfore can there nothing concerne their dewties more than throughe godly counsels to remedy this euill that it spread abrode no further For in like case as it is the part of good Citezins to quenche the fyre that happeneth by casualtie so must you do for all the worlde in this case that peace and concorde may be restored Furthermore let them wet with them selues and set before their eies what an heape of euilles haue throughe this dissention as it were ouerflowed Germany For to passe ouer murther and mischief religion is destroyed Charitie out of men herts cleane quenched all reuerence of the olde Catholike churche taken away finally the great misery can not be sufficientlye expressed by any mans eloquence In times past Germany hath florished both in Relion and in all kinde of vertu but nowe it hath very muche degenerated And is accompted the cause and author of all the discommodities of the vniuersall commune weale And vnlesse a remedye be founds for this disease all thinges will go to ruine And for asmuche as themperor hathe appoynted thys disputation to thentente that bothe the truth myght be searched out gods glory auaunced they must bring with them a mynd neyther ambitious nor couetous but godly moderat hauing only a regarde vnto Chryst who now with his armes stretched foorthe as he wold imbrace desyreth the same of all menne This is also the only wish of the high bishop of themperour most August of king Ferdinando Therfore he besecheth them for the death of Christ for all loues that they woulde amende oure lordes coate which is rent torne on euery syde remembryng the name of Christ which was geuen them in holy baptisme remembring also the noble prouince of Germany the natife countrey of them all For except they be reconsyled it is to be ascribed vnto them what mischiefe some euer shall arryse hereafter of this theyr obstioate mynde but yf they wyll handle so weyghty a matter with modestie sobrietie the same shal be bothe to God most acceptable and themperour will also accepte it in steade of a very greate benefyte who wyll afterward do his endeuour that in the nexte assemblie of thempire the matter shal be wholy accomplisshed After the death of Uayuod the tutours and rest of the nobles sent ambassadours to the Turke to commend the childe vnto hym who promiseth to defend him and with all sendeth hym giftes Fernando also when he knew therof sēdeth Hierosme Lascie which certen yeres past had forsaken the Uaynode from Hagenaw to Constantinople that by a fit man he myght appease the Turke After whē he came home he thought it best to make warre before the Quene beyng a wydow and the tutours of the infante were furnished Which knowen the Turke throweth hys Ambassadoure in pryson as moste priuie of Farnando his counsel and also sendeth ayde who not withstanding being letted by reason of the winter came somwhat to late The nexte daye after that Granuellan had hys oration They beegan to deuyse of the notaryes and scribes and on eyther syde were chosen two whyche shoulde penne and kepe althynges diligentelye By the Protestantes were assygned Caspar Cruciger Woolfangus Musculus diuines After the eyght daye yf December Thomas Campegius Bisshop of Feltre the Roomisshe Legate had an oration in the preface wherof speakyng many thynges concernyng peace whych is so greately commended vnto vs of Chryst lamentyng also the state of Germany affyrmeth that serten bisshops of rome but especially paule the thyrde haue done what they can to put of this calamitie from it and for the same cause of late called a counsell at Uicence but when certen monethes passed and no man came he was constreined to differre it tyll an other tyme but themperoure whyche is that eldest and obedient childe of the churche of Roome the Protectour also and the aduocate hathe appoynted this conference as a certen preparatiue to the treatye that shal be at Regenspurge by whose wyll and assent and by the Byshops cōmaundement he is coomen thither to intreat them that they would applye theyr whole endeuours to vnitie concorde for sertaynly the bishop of Rome will do herein what he can sauing his holines The presidents of this assemblie toke order at the beginning that no man should be made priuie to theire talke vnlesse he be of the nomber appoynted and that the actes therof should not bee published till themperoure wer first aduertised of all together moreouer they required that the Protestantes would comprise exhibite in wryting such articles as they wer fully resolued to sticke vnto Of
made with his father And although the Emperour by letters and intermessēgers did greatly disswade them yet they neuerthelesse for that they thought it more expedient for their pourpose assente ther unto first in dede those that are of the Romishe Religion and the Lepontians and Ualesians and after also they of Basill the Schafusians wherat many men marueled greatly by reason of those forsayd proclamations and executions For moste men supposed that they ought not to enter into league and societie with him whiche so cruelly persecuted the true Religiō and cōdemned their churches and doctours by name But they of Bernes and Zurick followyng the counsel of Zwinglius as I haue shewed you in the third and sixt boke abstained frō this league The conuocation of Lipsia is before mentioned But where many sayd and complained that the Romish Religion was by litle and litle restored Duke Maurice the fourth day of Iuly addressing his letters to his lieftenauntes sayeth how he heareth that ther be many which partly for ouermuch carefulnes partly being so perswaded by others feare least the olde errours should one after an other be restored And that certen ministers of the churche with other busy braines and troublesome persones are not fre from this sclaūder He hath verely at sōdry times heretofore declared by opē wryting what his minde and purpose is and for those sclaunders doth repete the same againe to the intent he may shewe testifie that he hath an especial care of Religion Wherfore he desireth those which either for lightnes of belief or through the perswasiō of others do feare an alteration to lay al feare aparte and geue credit to this his wryting and testimonie And as cōcerning them that bring vp suche reportes let them not thinke to escape vnpunished if they so continue Howbeit out of the decree lately made at Lipsia were gathered certen chapters by his commaundement which should be taught and preached Let them inquire therfore and learne to vnderstand whether the ministers of the churche do followe this fourme or whether they reprehend the same in their sermons What so euer it be he commaūdeth thē to aduertyse him and if any doubtes shall aryse to repare to that diuines of Wittemberge and Lipsia and that these thinges be declared vnto the people In these daies departed the Lātgraues wyfe mother in lawe to Duke Maurice whiche pined awaye through care sorow for her husbandes imprisonment About this time the people rebelled in England for two causes One was for landes cōmons enclosed For the people complayned that the Nobilitie had taken in much groūd whiche before lay cōmon had inclosed imparked the same for dere for other priuate vses The others in Deuonshire demaūded thesame also but they were chiefly offēded with thalteratiō of religion wold haue the syx articles wherof is mētioned in the .xii. boke to be restored What tyme therfore they flocked together in armure and the matter was ful of daunger neither would admonitions take any place The kyng and his coūsel though moste vnwilling sende forth a force against them and disconfite thē in sondry places and certen thousandes were slayne The French King espiyng this occasion which gaped after Bolain that was lost prepareth an army spedely and partly by force partly by surrendrie taketh certain castels and fortes by sea coaste betwixt Bolain and Caleis and by that meanes putteth the soldiors of Bolain to an extremity The Lordes of England toke this misfortune most greuously and because the Lorde Protector the kinges vncle had the gouernmente the whole faulte was imputed to him that he had not in time furnished the places with things necessary This blame and enuy increasing daily the protector in the beginning of Octobre was by common assent of the nobles appreheded at Windsore where the king was at the same time and brought to the Towre of London prisoner The Lords afterward declare vnto the people the causes charge him with euil gouernement of the common wealth and setforth a proclamation of the same in Print wherunto for a further testimony euery mā subscribeth his name amonges the which Ihon Earle of Warwicke was principal In the meane while that the French king attempteth these thinges against the Englishmen themperour leadeth about his sōne throughe Flaunders Henault and Artois and sweareth the people to be true and loyall vnto him After they both retourne to Andwarp about the .viii. daye of Septembre There was themperors sonne receiued with Pageauntes and showes most sumptuous not only by the Townes men but also by marchaunts straungers Spaniardes Italians Germanes and English men After this accōpanied with his aunt the regent he goeth also into thother prouinces receiue theyr fidelity by an oth I tolde you before of the Senate of Strausburge how they sent an ambassadour to the Emperour to abate the controuersy they had with theyr Bishop wherefore by themperors permission there were chosen certain arbitrers on bothe parties Whan they were met in the monthe of October after long disceptation the Senate permitteth the Bishop .iii. Churches that he may establish therin Religion according to the decree lately made Moreouer he receiueth the Cleargye into his faithe and tuition The Bishop againe couenaunteth and graunteth to the Senate the Colledge of Saint Thomas for the maintenaunce of the schole and the rest of the churches The Cleargy also payeth to the Senate an yerely tribute some of mony in other thinges they obtain their immunity and fredome The Emperour setforthe proclamations against them of Maydenburge as I haue declared before and called on the states in Saxonye for aid many refused not so that thother states not only of Saxony but also of thempire would do the same The menne of Lubecke and Luneburge by consente of themperors deputies going to Maidenburge assaied to make a reconcilemente but all in vaine At that tune did no man impugne them openly but for so much as they were outlawed they were euermore in daunger nether might they withoute pearill of life and goods depart out of that city For it was lawful for euery man to trye fortune against them Therfore the Senate where they had before cōplaind of thiniuries of their neighbors by publicke letters Now they setforth another wryting vnto al men in general but chiefly to their next neighbors and say how they are selanderously reported as though they should arrogantly and proudly demeane thē selues against themperor thempire and that they should forsake peace wryte many contumelious things but herein they sustain great wrong for they do acknowledge Charles themperor for theyr supreme magistrate and haue opēly proclaimed that nothing be said a misse against him or any state nether is there anye other cause of displeasure say they than that we professe the Gospell and word of God for thother slaunders are deuised and forged by theyr enuemies howe desyrous they be of peace it