straunger But I maruell muche why he preferreth the Spaniarde before the Frencheman Certes I lament the state of Germany For if we folowe the steppes of oure elders we shoulde nede no forayne helpe But nowe seyng that we seke vpon straungers what other thinge do we then procure our owne bondage But leauynge of this complainte I will folowe the same order that my lorde of Mentz hath done and speake fyrst of the lawe and of oure othe And the chiefe cause and ground of the law I suppose to be this lest if a foreine prince should be chosen that had no certen habitation in Germany the dignitie of thempire shoulde by litle and litle be alieuated to straungers If this be the meaning of the lawe then can no more the Spaniarde be chosen then the Frencheman But now if Charles may be created because he hathe landes lyinge within the Empire of necessitie the same must be of force also in Fraunces which hath Millan and other membres of our common weath Wherefore of two thinges propounded let vs see whether is better Certaynly whā Fraunce was vnited to Germany then did our Empire most florishe in so muche that the remembraunce of that time doth not a litle delite me when I chance to reade the stories therof And now is the like occasion offered vs whiche certainly would not be let slippe Foreyne nations are also of this opinion the bishop of Rome the venetians all the Princes and cities of Italie For the Frenchmen come of the same ofspringe that we do and vse almost the same lawes and maners shewyng all loue and gentlenesse to our men And for the vicinitie therof are very necessary for the Italiās and vs. If any tumult shall arise straight waies shall an armye be ready and Fraunce shall paye their wages And if the Turke shall inuade either Hungary or Italye as verelye I thincke he wil shal it not be a goodly matter to haue so nere and so florishing an Emperoure fournished with the strength of either nation As for the Spaniards though they be accompted warlicke what notable thing did they euer in Italye without the healpe of the Germanes Furthermore because they be so farre from vs We can loke for no helpe at their handes in time And though they would neuer so faine yet can they not healpe vs greatlye For Spaine is so wasted with continual sayling that it can send forth no great nombre of men Moreouer we shall haue the Frenchmen our fellow souldiours and companions of our trauell and paines But the Spaniardes if any thing be wel done will haue al the praise to them selues they will enioye our boaties and rule our countries Then shal we bewaile our bondage all to late But I will leaue this comparison and come to the election If we chose the kynge of Fraunce there shal be none occasion of warre in Italy For he hathe Millan nowe in possession and we shall perswade him that he shall attempte nothinge against Naples nether against the base countreis of Flaūders Artois so that they wil be quiet And yet I see not why we shoulde thincke that these countreis ought to be defended of vs. They be in dede oure neigbours but we haue no league with them neither do they obserue the lawes of thempire nor geue any thing towardes our cōmon charges no more thē doth Englād or Scotlāde Seing than that the Frēch kīges power is greatest that he hath Lūbardy in quiet possessiō is furnished with al thinges necessary he wil attempt greater enterprises more honorable moue warre namely against the Turke bend al his power thither wardes that the cruel enemie expulsed out of Hūgary Italy Germany maye liue at rest But in case we preferre Charles before him O liuing God what tumultes shall we raise vp in Italy He wil recouer Millan that wil be a long warre whilest this goodly coūtrey shal be thus tourmoyled the Turkes will inuade Hungary with theyr whole power Who I praye you shall resiste them Or be able to bringe a sufficient Armie agaynst them These thinges would be consydered more diligently and not passed ouer lightly Nowe what the end of the Italyan warre shal be it is vncerten If the Frenche kynge conquere he will couet Naples and it maye be that the Byshoppe of Rome throughe his impulson will vndo oure Election what trouble will arise thereby euerye manne perceyueth righte well Agayne if Charles get the better hande let vs not loke to haue Italy restored againe the Spaniardes will kepe that to them selues foreuer And not onely that but wyll hardely let out of theyr handes this our Empyre About the kepyng of Naples the possession wherof it is wel knowen how they came by what misery haue they suffered they may not therfore be brought into Italy Now will I speake some thinges of either king I doubt not but king Charles is of a milde and gentle disposition for so is he reported of many but being but a yonge man howe can men discerne such vertues in him as be required in a mightye prynce The common welth had nede of suche a one as besides other thinges could establish reforme the state of the church as my Lord of Mentz here did wittely admonishe This verely can king Fraunces performe best of all men for he hath both a good wit and a good iudgemente hath oftentimes conferens with lerned men of religion and readeth muche him selfe Moreouer the state of this presente time requyreth a Prince and captaine skilfull in warres payneful and lucky But who shall in this behalf take the price away from Fraunces for his vertue is rightwell tried and knowen Of king Charles we haue noue experiment but that his towardnes promiseth some thinge but the other in prowes and dedes of Armes doeth farre excell all his auncestours For he hath latly ouercome in battaill the Swisers a mighty nation and neuer subdued syns Iulius Cesars time A yonge man therefore oughte in no wyse to be preferred before so worthye a Capitayne My lorde of Mentz doeth accompte it a discommoditie if thēperour shold be longe out of Germanye but yet he biddeth vs take no thoughte for that matter But I thinke it a matter full of greate daunger to haue an Emperour absente farre withoute the borders of the Empire For who shall resiste the inuasions of the Turkes Who shall represse the sodayne insurrections and Ciuile vprours And there arise a tempest Who shall saue the Shyppe that wanteth her Master He shal know no certentie of oure affayres beynge absent many thynges shal be told him vntruely he shall haue no Germaines of his counsell but Spaniardes onely he wyll make many decrees and send them vnto vs farre out of tyme and season Afterwardes if he beynge tyckled wyth false complaintes and sklaunders should come into Germany at anyetyme an Armye of foreine souldiours In what state thinke you shall be our wyth Empire then
written vpon certen of his Prophetes whiche of learned men are muche commended At the .xxix. daye of December the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes mete agayne at Frankeforte to finishe vp the rest concernyng the preparation of their defence In the which assemblie the cities of Goslarie Embecke were receiued into their league a litle be fore that they also of Eslyng But George the Marques of Brandenburgh and the citie of Norinberg Campedown and Hailbrune were absent For all be it they professe that same Religion yet were they not of that league The Emperour in the begynning of Ianuary toke his iourney from Bruselles to go to Regenspurge for the assemblie before mentioned By the waye when he came to Mentz at the begynnynge of February the Archebyshop there and the Palsgraue intreate hym agayne for peace whiche the Emperour grauntinge vnto they aduertyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue wyllynge them to doe the lyke Wherfore by theyr letters sent to and fro they appoynte to mete at Schwinfurte a towne Imperiall by the Ryuer of Moene at the begynning of Apryll There dyd they begynne to treate of a peace whiche shoulde continue vnto the generall counsell The Prynces that were intercessours were there present and by ordre geuen by the Emperour do propounde these conditions That besydes the writyng exhibited at Auspurge touching Religion they should alter nothing teache nothyng nor publyshe any thing but remayne in those boundes vntyll the tyme of the counsell so as they haue nothyng to doe with the Zwynglianes and the Annabaptistes Neither that through the occasion of Religion they do allure vnto thē other Prynces subiectes and permitte any of their Ministers to preache out of their owne countrey that they abstayne from wordes of reproche that they disturbe not the iurisdiction rytes and ceremonies of the churche that they geue their ayde agaynst the Turke and obey the decrees of the Empyre whiche concerne the common wealthe and politike gouernaunce that they be obedient to the Emperour kynge of Romaynes And if they haue made any league againste the Emperour kyng or other states of the contrary Religion to abolyshe the same If they wyl thus do they truste how the Emperour and the king wyll leaue and forget all displeasure paste The Duke had sent thether his sonne Iohn Fridericke being him selfe sore sicke There was also Fraunces Duke of Lunenburg and Counte Anhalde agayn the Ambassadours of other Prynces cities whereunto came also the Nortusians and Halbestans of Swelande After muche debatyng the intercessours aduertise by their letters the Emperour of the whole matters who was than at the assemblie of Ratisbonne to knowe his further pleasure in matters Unto that demaunde whiche was that the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes should obey the kyng of Romains They wryte an aunswere to the Emperour what lacke they fynde and what they woulde requyre hym to doe therein and deliuered the same sealed to the intercessours the .xvij. daye of Apryll the effect wherof was that Ferdinando should not take vpon hym to be kyng of Romaines but in case the Emperour had nede of a coadiutour that than by the aduyse and counsell of the Prynces Electours he should so interprete the lawe Caroline makyng an acte therof for euer the it myght be done lawefully after this sorte That as longe as the Emperour lyueth there should neuer hereafter be chosen a kynge of Romaines vnlesse the seuen Princes Electours and sixe other Prynces of the Empyre ioyned with them iudge it so mete to be done And what tyme it shall appeare to be for the profite of the common wealth that than the Archebyshop of Mentz shall appointe the rest of the Electours syxe other Prynces to mete in a place conuenient for a further consultation to be had therin And whan they shall haue considered the whole matter diligently that than the Prynces Electours only with the kyng of Boheme shall haue authoritie to electe a kyng of Romaynes who so long as the Emperour lyueth shall gouerne the cōmon wealth in the Emperours name onlye and otherwyse to take vppon hym none aucthoritie or gouernment That the Princes and states of the Empyre be not bound to him by any fidelitie or othe except it be after the Emperours death And whan a newe kynge shall be created that he be sworne after the order of the lawe Carolyne and that it be not in the Electours power to alter the same He that shal be proued to haue done contrary to that othe or els be had in great suspicion therof and maketh not his purgation shal be depriued of all ryght of Electourshyp for euer Moreouer that there be not chosen three kynges successiuelye of one house of Prynces that none be chosen kyng of Romaynes except he be of some house of the Princes of Germany Suche thynges as are establyshed by the lawe Caroline concernyng the kynges election neyther the Emperour nor kynge of Romaynes maye chaunge Whan it shal seme good to the electours to create a king of Romaines that they shall not nede to signifie the same before to the Emperour Neither that it shal be lawfull for the Emperour in this case to commaūde the Archebyshop of Mētz to assemble the Princes electours but what tyme there shall appeare iust cause to electe a kynge of Romaynes duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that the Archebyshop at a certen daye call his company to Franckfurth And that it lie not in his authoritie to appointe the assemblye els where vnlesse his collegues doe vpon weyghtie considerations permitte hym that the Archebyshop of Mentz shall not demaunde the Crowne Scepter and other ornamentes of the Empire of them of Norinberge but by the consent of his peres Neyther that he diminishe anye parte of thre monethes which after they be sommoned is graūted to the Prynces to haue cōference together for it may be daungerous to the Empyre and cōmon wealth if one or two comyng not in tyme should be absent That whilest the Electours consulte at Frankeforth all others be shut out If any of those matters be infrynged that thē the Electours be not bonde eyther to repare thether or there to remaine and what soeuer is there done to be voyde and of none effect That neyther the Emperour nor king of Romans in Italy Fraūce or other places do permitte harmes of the Princes Electours to be borne before hym or their offices to be executed but by the Electours them selues or their deputes That the kyng of Romaynes do not solemnyse his laste coronation vnlesse eyther the electours or their deputes be present that neyther the Emperour nor kyng of Romaynes be a let to the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes wherby they may not come to the counselles of the Empyre there to propounde their matters for that this apperteyneth both to the lawe of nature and is also a thyng full of humanitie ciuile dutie That neither the Emperour nor kyng
he hath done also the same at Boloigne Lagrasse trusting both to their industry and fidelity also and now in as much as the counsell is called and latelye the first day of May begon at Trent occasion is geuen him to wryte vnto them wher therfore their presence should be a great help and furtherance to so godly and nedeful a worke he exhorteth them very much that such prelates of the church as be within their iurisdiction and liberties be not wanting but be there at the next session the first day of Septembre the rest they shall vnderstande of S. Hierome Franch Knight his ambassadour whose faith and diligence hath of them now many yeres ben wel tried again for because the matter in hand is greatly to his contētation he wil send or it belōg one of his principal bishops which may treat with them touchinge the counsel more at large About th end of May the Emperoures sonne departing from Auspurge by Italy returneth into Spain with him wente Maximilian his Cosin and Brother in lawe to fetche awaye his wife the mother of two Children In the meane time the kinge of Fraunce to appease the Bishoppe and Senate of Cardinals declareth at Rome by his ambassadoure Mounsour de Thermes that where he hath receiued into his tuition Octauian the Prince of Parma it deserueth no reprehension For thys thing proprely belongeth vnto kings to succor thafflicted Moreouer that he hath sought no priuate commodity in that matter but whatsoeuer he hath done to haue done it for the church of Romes sake after thexāple of his progenitors which haue ben more beneficial to the same than any others many times also defēded it by force of armes For seing that Parma is the patrimony of the churche he was very careful to forsee that it shuld not come into other mens handes and for the same cause is at great cost charge daily wherfore he desireth him and that most earnestly that he wold take it in that part and leaue the opinion that he hath conceiued of him for the same shal be to the great cōmodity of the cōmon weale But if he refuse this satisfaction and chuse warre before peace he him self seeth how greatly that wil be to the damage and daunger of all Italy and Europe and that also there can be no certen treaty had in Religion that may continue wherefore concerninge the moost pearillous commotions that shal arise hereof that the counsell already called can not assemble or if it do of necessity muste be dispersed and that in this troublesome time he can sende none of the bishops of his realme vnto Trent of all these thinges ther can be no fault laid in him who is willing not only to offer conditions of peace but also to take this so protesteth so openly Howe be it the bishop trusting to thaid and promesses of themperor was nothing the mileder for thys ambassade The xvii day of Iune duke Moris graunteth againe safeconduite to them of Maidenburge that they should send vnto him ambassadours concerning peacs Who taking theyr iourney being conducted by Marques Alberte finde Duke Moris at Pirne a Towne of Meissen For he was retourned home and semed to worke slackly When they were come in themperors name he propoundeth these conditions That they should yelde them selues without any condition and humblye desire pardon They shal make no leage against themperor king Ferdinando Austriche or Burgundie they shal obserue al the decrees of th empyre They shall aunswere to the law and recompence the cleargy for domage done that they cast down theyr fortifications Rampires and admit into theyr City a garrison of a M. and CC. soldiours They shall receiue themperor Kinge Fardinando and theyr deputies at all times wyth what power someuer they brynge with them that they deliuer twelue greate pieces of ordenaunce paye an C M. Crownes and confirme all these conditions by an oth These thinges although they were not able to perfourme yet did they not vtterly refuse through thintercession of Counte Hedecke by little little some thing was remitted Themperor before this sending his letters into Germany especially to the states of the protestants religion had sufficiently assured thē by safeconduit exhorting thē to be at Trent the first day of Maye but inasmuch as for the war of Parma the day of the counsell was differred to the first of Septēbre as I said before he admonisheth them again that they come in any wise promising thē all equity faithfulnes But albeit ther were very many of the same profession yet did they not confer together which thing hath ben chiefly necessary either for that they dispaired touching the successe of the thing or els for that they feared themperors displesure or for that they waxed faint hearted as it were in the very entrance of the daunger And amonges the cities only they of Strausburge sent messagers to enquire what thinge both they that were nere and also far of wer purposed to do herein And certenly duke Moris gaue in cōmaundement to Philip Melanchton that he shuld pen tharticles of doctrine which shuld after be exhibited openly whan that boke was finished the prince commaunded al the diuines ministers of the church to mete at Lipsia the viii of Iuly wheras the same was red and approued by consēt of them al. The same ordre also toke Christopher duke of Wirtemberge who caused Brentius to compile a boke of the same argument And albeit that the sence of either wryting was all one yet wold Duke Moris haue his boke exhibited by it self least if many together should propound the same thing in common themperour might conceiue a suspition of some conspiracy made Neuerthelesse sēding their bokes to and fro both they of Wirtemberge approued the Saxons boke the Saxons the boke of Wirtemberge and the diuines of Strausburge ether of them both whan they had red the same and so it was agreed that when time shuld serue ther shuld be sent to the counsel certen to prefer and defend these things The Duke of Wirtemberge after thexample of his father made muche of Ihon Brentius for his excellent learning vsing his aide in restoring of the godly doctrine after also he restored him to the Ministration of the Church and made him president of Stutgarde The .xxv. day of Iuly the Marques Albert in thabsence of Duke Moris reiecteth such thinges by a trompetter as they of Maidenburge had answered to the conditions of peace propounded at Pirne by duke Moris The day before he had taken an ouerthrow for they bickered with greater forces than euer they did before About the viii day of August ther had like to haue bene a greate sedition in the city For letters wer brought to the soldioures wherein this was conteined how ther wer certen of the Senators which wold betray the city to thenemy and amonges them was Henry Alman Wherfore the soldiors flocking together cal for him
Rome homewarde The Pope allowed well enough al other thinges that they had retourned to repentaunce and craued pardon But that the churche goodes should not be restored he saide it was in no wyse to be suffered Amōgest the Ambassadours was the Byshop of Ely The king of Denmarke had a nauie at that time which sailing towardes the North made men to talke diuersly For some said it was done by the Emperours counsell who mynded to put the kinges sonne or his brother in to the possession of Scotlande Others sayde it was prepared for the vse of the Frenche kyng others for this cause only that if the Emperour or king Philip his sonne whose power was waxed great by reason of Englande should straye any further they might be restrayned And therfore were the cities of the Sea coaste thought also to haue borne the charges of the same nauie After lōg and great expectation all this rumour vanished away and all this preparation was found to be made against Pirates Than was the state of Rome troublesome For that Pope hauing cōceiued a suspicion of certen nobles prouided him garrisons and placing soldiours here and there in the Citie committed Ssortia Cardinall of Sanflorian and Camillus of the house of Columnois to prison And for as muche as they were of the Emperours part many men thought he went about a greater matter And that suspicion was increased what tyme he required of the Duke of Florēce the Emperours client a wonderous great summe of mony whiche both Clement the seuenth lent Alexander Medices and lately Iuly the third lent him at the siege of Sene. The captiue Cardinalles at the length putting in suerties are inlarged The Spanishe flete that tyme came towardes Flaunders laden with all kynde of Marchaundise And when it came vpō the coastes of Normandie the Frenchemen whiche knewe it long before set vpon them with a great force And the fight conflicte was terrible the shippes being sunke and burnte on either parte and very many loste wherof some with weapon others with fire many swallowed vp of the billowes did perishe The Frenche men caried away certen shippes that they toke into Depe hauon from whence they came This was in the monthe of August whereas about the end of the same moneth kyng Philip sayling out of Englande into Flaunders came to the Emperour his father at Brusselles accompanied with the Nobles of Englande Truckesins Cardinall of Auspurge had a fewe yeares past founded an Uniuersitie at Dillinge a towne situated vpon the Riuer of Danubius by the wyll and permission of Pope Iuly the thirde who had graunted for the same a publique bull with exceading great fredoms priuileges as a wryting set forth in print declareth Hither therfore amonges other came he whome themperour of many yeares had vsed for his ghostly father or confessour as they terme him Peter Asot a Spaniarde a blacke freer He this yeare began with a contrary wryting to impugne the booke conteyning the sōme of the christen doctrine the which boke Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge sent by his Ambassadours to the fathers of the counsell of Trent as before is sayde whiche also he was not afrayde to dedicate to the same Duke But Iohn Brentius about this time aunswereth it at large and confuteth his sophisticall reasons Whiche boke of Brentius Uergerius afterwarde translated into Italian to the ende that men of his owne nation might vnderstande both what thing came in to controuersie and whether parte handled the scriptures more purely and sincerely About the Ides of September George Counte of Mountpelicarte vncle to the Duke of Wirtemberge maried the Lady Barbara the Lantgraues daughter After the arriuall of the Duke of Alba in Lumbardie the king of Fraunce also sendeth thither new ayde and many warlike captaines which ioyned them selues to Monsour Brissake as companions of his perils and fortune There is a towne wherof we haue spoken before called Uulpian which fortified with a garrison of Spaniards was a great annoyaunce to Frenche matters seing that from thence roades were made as farre as Taurin and further To the intent therfore that this only let might be taken away that they might haue victualle the Frenchemen towarde the ende of August besiege it with al their force and batter it with muche harme done and receiued At the length the .xxii. day of September they take it by surrendry and rase the walles both of the towne and Castell and make it in shape of a Uillage And a fewe dayes after they take also the Towne and Castell of Mountcalue betwixt Aste and Casale The dissention that hath bene nowe these .xxx. yeares betwixt learned men aboute the Lordes supper and of the presence of Christes body began at this time to be renewed and bokes were set forth by the ministers of the churches of Breme and Hamborough namely againste Caluine Iohn Alascus Caluine afterward aunswereth sharpely and defendeth the cause Thesame doeth Bullinger and Iohn Alascus also For setting forthe a booke to the Kyng of Poole he complayneth and bewayleth that there is no examination had or made by talke or cōference of the sentences but that the opinion is only condemned by preiudice verely after the maner of the Papistes whiche also procede not by argumentes and scripture but only by wyll and violence About the end of September Augustus Duke of Saxony had a sonne borne called Magnus his Godfathers at the fōtstone were amongest others Henry Duke of Brunswicke and Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraues sonne in lawe I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury of Ridley Byshop of London and Hughe Latimer howe they being caried to Oxforde and reasoning with the diuines there were of them condemned being therfore kept in prison vnto this tyme nowe at the last in the moneth of October Ridley and olde father Latimer were burnt The Archebyshop was also brought forth with them and at the place of execution did openly call vpon God for mercy with them but he was lead againe to pryson In this same moneth the Cardinalles of Lorayne and Tournon went to Rome Then also the Senate of Paris whiche they cal the Parliament aunswering the king to that whiche the Cardinall of Loraine requested them to as before is mentioned By that proclamation of yours say they whiche came forth foure yeares since moste mighty kyng you reserued to your selfe and to your iudges the examination and punishment of Luthers heresie Neither in it was any thinge exceptep vnlesse it were what time it required any declaration of heresie or that sentence were to be pronounced of suche as had taken orders But this proclamation of yours that is now set forth doth plainly establish the contrary For it submitteth the people of your Realme to the ecclesiasticall iudgement and to the Inquisitours and by this meane it diminished your dignitie wherby you excelle all men and geueth to your subiectes a
we leaue them in the Breres hath Themperour Maxilimilian deserued thus of vs and of the Empire And if those countreis be ouer runne howe longe thinke you shall our libertie continewe We maye not truste their fayre promises for oftentimes couetousnesses and ambition cary awaye men headlonge from doyng theyr dewtie In times paste there were many noble houses in Fraunce Which nowe be but fewe in nombre for the kinge in maner hathe all in his owne handes They say he is a stouce prince the more like to brynge all to a Monarchie but we seke to maintaine this present state of nobilitie he promiseth great aide agaīst the Turke which in dede is a thinge to be wished for that Germany mighte ioyne wyth Fraunce and Italy but first he wil bend his power againste the house of Burgundy and warre vppon Flaunders and Naples and shall we aide him in these enterprises And least any mā should say I prophecied of dreames and doubtfull matters he is now in leuying his armye Forasmuche therfore as we are letted by oure lawes othe and loue of our natiue country I protest and iudge him vnmete to be elected And nowe to the rest of the parties I suppose that some of you thyncke it vnmete that Charles shoulde be chosen because Spaine is so farre of and that through his absence it should not go well with Germany either for the Turkishe warre or for ciuile dissentions Which thinges I do not onlye graunte to be true but also when I consider depelye I am so moued that in maner I quake for feare for I waye this also If the emperour at any time come into Germany in displesure and bring with him the Spaniardes we shal be in daunger to lose our liberty I consider moreouer that it may be that the Spaniards wil hardly at any time restore vnto vs again this dignitie of thempire And if by their force and power they recouer Millan they will kepe it hereafter to them selues So that almost it semeth better to create one of our owne nation that is fit for it after the example of our elders whiche passinge ouer foreine Princes haue chosen an inhabiter of the contrie This wil not I deny but the state of that tyme was thē farre otherwise and the worlde a great deale better But nowe if the Emperour be of small power thinke you that Austriche and other countries will obey him Or if the Frenche kinge warre vpon Charles as without doubte he wyll do eyther in the lowe countrey or in Italie shall he geue them the lokyng on or shal our new Emperour suffer straunge nations to spoile a great parte of the Empire Yea and as the world goeth now a daies it is to be thought that the Princes of Germany contemnynge theyr Emperour will ioyne them selues some with the house of Austriche and some with the Frenchemen When Fridericke the third was Emperour Charles the Duke of Burgundie warred in Germany And Philip Maria Duke of Millan in Italy and no mā did represse them but the same was to our dishonour Moreouer a greater shame whan the Emperour was beseged in Austriche Yea and driuen then oute of his owne countrey by the Hungarians And yet at the same time dyd the lande of Boheme take his parte and so did also my graundefather Albert Marques of Brādēburge the Duke of Saxonie of the same name If it chaunce so thē you see what is like to ensew at these daies when some princes are addicted to others for stipendes I leaue of to speake howe many incidente causes maye chaunce for the whiche the Princes and Cities maye refuse to shewe their obeidience Moreouer now we are like to haue great tumultes troubles for religiō For ther are spronge vp disputations of indulgences the authoritie of the Byshoppe of Rome and of the Ecclesiasticall lawes whiche seme as yet curable but or euer it be longe they will cause a great Ruine and alteration of the Churche For manye do subcribe and myghtye Nations maynteine the cause the Saxons and the Heluetians neither can this mischief be holpen but by a generall counsell And howe shall an Emperour of small power eyther call a counsell or defende the same especially if other kinges be agaynst it there remayneth the Turkish warre the which we must not onely defende but make also to recouer that is lost and restore Grece vnto libertie for the doynge whereof we haue nede of the aide of many and sundry nations which if the Emperour haue but small power and litle authoritie howe shall he gather greate Armies of mē For which causes I iudge it mete to chose some mightie Prince and Charles of Austriche to be preferred before all other Princes of Germanie And if any incommoditie should put you in feare so to do I thinke it is a great deale lesse then that will be which shall ensew in case the gouernement be committed to anye other For he is bothe a Germayne borne and hath many countries holdynge of the Empire and will not see his owne countrey brought in bondage besydes that he shall sweare neither to alienate nor diminish thempire nor to break or infringe our liberties And albeit these be great causes which I haue here mentioned yet should they not moue me one whit vnlesse his towardnes were wel knowen For he loueth Religion Justice and chastitie he hateth all crueltie and hath a good witte which vertues shall euer admonishe him to mainteine the comonwealth They that know him throughly do muche commende him And if we consyder well hys father Philippe and his graundfather Maximilian we can not doubt of him He is of no great age but yet fitte and ripe to gouerne He shall haue his graundefathers counsellours and certeine Princes of Germany chosen for the purpose And whereas I said before that the worst were if he shoulde be longe oute of Germany we shall condition with him for that matter and for asmuche as he hathe greate possessions in Germany it can not be but that some time he will come see them So shall the Turke be driuen out of Hungary and the Frenchemen oute of Italy the Church shal be refourmed and established and many others holpen which thynges when I cōsyder I care the lesse for his absens for his owne naturall courage the loue of his countrey and the verye necessitie of thinges shall prouoke him to come ofte amonge vs. When the Archebyshop had ended his Oration and had exhorted the rest to speake their myndes the others after they had talked a litle together desired the Archebishoppe of Treuers to succede Who for his syngular witte and experience was of muche estimation And he began his tale of a prophete that sayd Maximilian should be the last Germaine Emperour Nowe saieth he me thinketh it is almost comen to passe forasmuche as my Lorde of Mentz who hath spoken many thinges wittely hath gon aboute to perswade vs to commit the gouernement of the Empire to a
Wherfore if you thinke it good and that it be oure destinie that a foreine prince shall at this time weare oure Crowne vpon his heade certenly I thinke mete to preferre the Frenche kynge before the Spanishe But if the lawe do prohibite vs to chose the Frenchekinge letthe same take place in the Spanishe kinge and let vs not throughe a subtill interpretation accompt king Charles a Germanie but let vs espie out amonges all the Princes one whiche hath no mansion but in Germany which is a Germanie in birthe language maners and dispotition My lorde of Mentz supposeth that suche an Emperour shoulde for his small abilitie be dispised but if we chose a mete man Germanie is riche and stronge enough to beare vp this burthen Raffe the xj Emperour before Maximilian was a man but of Small power but he excelled in vertue And he restored Thēpire that was ful weak and sore afflicted with great warres in such sorte that all the kinges about him did feare him What a good opinion had also foreine princes and amonges others Lewes the xij king of Fraunce of themperor Maxilian onely for his wit vertue I suppose you knowe righte well For doubtles the princes of Germany haue bene euer of muche estimation And as yet their noble fame is not extinguished but florisheth stil And amōges others at this day there be thre principal houses in Germani the house of Bauar Saxonie Brādenburge And of these houses also diuers worthy mē Wherfore if we chose one of thē assist him with our aides as surely we are boūden we shal nede to feare no straūgers so that we be all of one minde and will althinge shal be in saftie Therfore setting a part straungers let vs create some one of our owne coūtreymen it shal proue right wel for there be many domestical examples of vertue wherof I shall recite one Matthias kinge of Hūgary a stout warriour a fortunate proclaimed warre vpon a time againste your father my lord of Saronie but whē he perceiued a sufficient armie prepared againste him his anger was sone pacified So mighte now also the meanes be founde that an Emperor of our owne nation being elected might mainteinehis estate and authoritie both at home and a broad Thirdly spake the duke of Saxonie who after he had proued the Frenche king to be excluded by the lawe king Charles to be a Germayne Prince to haue an habitation in Germany he said the common weale had nede of some mightie prince but he knew noue to be compared with Charles therfore he was contented that he should be declared Emperor but yet vpon certen conditions that Germany shall reteike her libertie and that those daungers which were mentioned should be eschewed Finallye when the rest had approued this sentence the Archbyshoppe of Treuers sayde◠I see the fatall destenye of Germany and the alteration euen nowe at hande not withstandynge for asmuche as it semeth so good to you I will confourme my wyll vnto your iudgemente This was the xxviij daie of Iune when it was darke night Wherfore they departed and mette agayne the next daye There they began to treate what conditions should be propounded to the Emperour the matter was in debating certein daies at the lengthe when they were agreed vpon they were written out and sent to his Ambassadours to Mentz Whan they had receiued them all theyr voices were committed to writinge as the maner is and sealed the daye before thempire was offered to Friderick duke of Saxonie but he with a stout courage refused it gaue his voice vnto king Charles whose Ambassadours for his so doynge offered hym a great sūme of money which he vtterly refused would not suffer his mē also to take one farthing After this tharchbishop of Mentz calling the nobilitie comon people into the church of Saint Bartholomew in his sermō declareth Charles Archduke of Austrich king of spaine to be king of Romanes in the stede of Maximiliā departed And for that he was chosen with such a cōsent he saieth they ought to geue God thankes exhorting thē to shew to him all fidelitie obeysaūce speaking much in his praise he declareth why they chose him before all others Than thambassours which were comen with in a myle were sent for Those were Matthew the Cardinall of Salisburge Erarde Bishop of Liege Barnard Bishoppe of Trent Fridericke countie Palatine Casimire Marques of Brādēburge Henry Erle of Nasso Maximiliā of Sibebouge certē others of his coūsel Whē they were comē they cōsulted howe the common wealth be gouerned vntill suche tyme as he came him selfe into Germany Howe Casimire the Paulsgraue should leuie a force of men place them in garisons and foresee that the state take no harme Afterwardes the Princes Electours sente Ambassadours with their letters to king Charles to declare the whole matter The chief of thē was Fridericke the Paulsgraue Howbeit in the meane time diuerse messengers went into Spaine amonges other one went frō Franckefurth to Barcelona in nine dayes The Countie Palatine arriued there at the ende of Nouembre deliuereth the Princes letters the content wherof was this That he would receiue thempire offered him and all delaye sette a parte repaire into Germany so soone as he mighte He aunswereth ryght curtesiye by the mouthe of Mercurine Cattinar that all beit there was muche trouble towardes him what by the Turkes and what by the Frenche men yet this not withstondyng he sayd he neither coulde nor woulde faile the common countrie chiefly syns that so noble Princes had such an opinion of him required him so to do Wherfore he receiueth their honour offered him right thankefully so shortly as may be will imbarke him self to come to the borders of thempire And in maner with the same wordes he writeth to the Princes Electours and sendeth home Fridericke honourably rewarded Thus was he made Emperor the fift of that name being than xxj yeres of age The Frenche kyng toke the repulse the more greuouslie for that he perceiued a greater daūger to hang ouer his state seing the power of his enemie whom before he suspected herby to be muche increased for he had rather any man els had bene chosen than he He had geuen great sommes of money to haue bene cōsydered And so did they of Flaūders in like case as it is reported but herein I can affirme nothing certenly Here will I declare the Petiegre of kinge Charles Charles the fift surnamed wise king of Fraūce gaue the Dukedō of Burgūdy which fel vnto him to Philip his yongest brother which Philip maried afterwards the lady Margaret thonly daughter of Lewes Erle of Flaūders had by her a sonne called Iohn And he had a sonne named Philip the father of Charles the stoute warriour which was slaine before Nancey leauing a daughter called Mari an inheritour of many great coūtreis She was maried to Maximiliā sonne to thēperor
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
made Cardinal But Lewes kynge of Fraunce which persisted styll in his purpose and had lately ouerthrowen the Bishops armye at Bauenna was striken with the thonderbolte of cursing and hys Realme gyuen ouer to be spoyled But after he had sytten in the Counsell fyue tymes he died the .xxi. daye of February the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundred and thyrtene and Leo the tenth dyd succede him Who continewed the counsel and restored the Cardinals to theyr former dignitie The counsell ended the .xvi. daye of Marche in yeare of our Lord M.D.xvij In this counsell was debated of the Turkishe warre of the reformation of the Churche of the Immortalitie of the Soule which was doubted of at Rome and howe they of Boheme shoulde be reduced from theyr errours whiche is the thynge that Luther speaketh of here for they receyued vnder bothe kyndes Whilest these thinges were done in Saxonie the Diuines of Louain and Collen condemne Luthers workes written to Syluester Prierias also of Penaunce of excommunication of indulgences of Preparation vnto death as prophane wicked and worthy to be brente and the Aucthor of them to be compelled to recante Whiche thynge beyng knowen Luther aunswereth to euerye article of his doctrine And in the preface lamenteth theyr state and condition For before what time they condemned Capnio he had yet some hope of them But nowe seyng there endeuour to extinguishe the clere lyght and doctrine of the Ghospell and growe euery day wourse God doubtles must nedes be greuously offended for in case they shoulde thus procede and no man should bridle them of this lybertie they would shortely condemne all bokes of Scripture and decree what they liste at theyr owne pleasure which thinge when he considereth he can thinke no lesse but that eyther Antichrist doth now reigne or els will come very shortly For theyr doctrine conteyneth no sounde nor certen thynge but is waueringe in diuers opinions he saieth moreouer that WilliaÌ„ Ockam was in time paste also condemned by the Uniuersitie of Paris but now he is receiued and set bye And lykewyse Picus Mirandula and Lawrens Ualla whyche are nowe had in estimation moreouer sayeth he the Iewes were in tymes paste the peculiare people of God but when they fledde from the lyghte of the Ghospell and refused the benefyte of Christ they were forsaken and so gaue place to the Gentyles So lykewyse is it nowe a dayes that such as be Byshoppes and Diuines which do chalenge and take vpon them the greatest authoritie in the Churche haue in dede no thinge elles but a vayne title but others that be farre from the lyke ostentation more ryghtely maye chalenge that name Brieflye howe they haue thus vexed at all tymes all good and well learned men yet dyd they neuer contende wyth the same wyth anye sounde or trewe reasons but rather by very disceipte crafte and tyranye As they dyd with Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prage the memory wherof shal endure for euer But he marueleth at their rashenes that they can not be ware by so many examples to blemishe theÌ„ selues and other Uniuersities for euer For althoughe they had neuer so sure a grounde and alledged neuer so stronge reasons agaynst those other famouse men yet touching his matter they haue dealt bothe wickedly and maliciously For if he had ought offended they might haue considered that to be the parte of a man and haue vsed a certen leuitie in iudginge of hys doctrine But where they be moued with fury to coÌ„demne althinges without respecte herein they bewrey theyr maliciouse myndes and spitte oute the poyson of theyr hatred They make great accompt of Aristotle and will defende him what soeuer he sayeth be it neuer so contrary to our religion they will make an excuse and a gloâ—e for him but they depraue his worckes agaynste all charitie where as they be consonant to the trweth to declare their malicious and cankred hertes where they oughte fyrste to haue shewed his faulte admonishynge him gently to haue reformed the same and if he had not then they might haue proceded as Christ hath gyuen in commaundement But nowe they do no small iuiurie to the Byshoppe of Rome to condempne a Boke dedicated vnto him and with a certeine preiudice to reproue his negligence but to be no newes nor maruell that they committee suche a faulte agaynste the Bishoppe seynge that they moste malapartely do contemne the lawes of God This Wylliam Ockam that he speaketh of flourished in the tyme of the Emperour Lewes the fourth aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande three hundred and twentie and amonges other thinges he wrote of the power of the Bishoppe of Rome and in the same boke he handleth eight Questions diuerslye Whether the office of the highe Bishoppe and of the Emperor may be executed by one and the same parson Whether themperor hath his authoritie of God only or also of the Bishop of Rome Whether christ gaue aucthoritie to the Bishop church of Rome that they should coÌ„mit to themperor and other Princes their iurisdiction Whether that the Emperor beyng once chosen hathe thereby full aucthoritie to gouerne the common wealth Whether that other kynges besydes the Emperour and kynge of Romanes for so much as they be crowned by Priestes do receyue anye aucthoritie of them Wherfore the same kinges be in any subiection to suche as do inueste them Whether that if they vsed newe ceremonies and crowned themselues they should lose their regall power whether the election of the seuen Princes can geue as muche authoritie to the emperour as doth the lawfull succession to other kynges And debatyng manye reasons on both partes he determineth coÌ„monly with the ciuile Maiestrate And vpon this occasion mentionynge of Iohn the two and twenteth Byshoppe of that name then lyuynge who had made the lawes extrauagauntes as they terme them and had placed them wyth the Canon lawe whiche saieth Ockam are reprehended of many as altogether false and full of Heresyes and recyteth the errours maruelynge that men of witte will geue any credit to them howe beit this is the tyme saieth he that Paule wrote to Timothe for the moste parte of men nowe a daies seke not for the doctrine of Christe of his Apostles and the auncient fathers but hearken what the Byshoppe of Rome willeth or commaundeth As concernyng Capnio Rewcline thus standeth the matter Iohn Phefercorne a Iewe that professed Christianitie had sued long to the Emperour Maximilian that all the Bookes of the Iewes myghte be abolished for that they were wicked and full of superstition and were a hynderaunce that they were not conuerted to Christianitie And therefore that they shoulde be suffered to kepe none but the Bible Maximilian at the length commaundeth Uriel Archebyshoppe of Mentz that he shoulde appointe certeyne Uniuersities and Iames Hogostrate the inquisitour and Iohn Reucline to searche and consult whether it were mete and expedient for oure
Religion so that they wyll be constant and vtterly refuse the fylthines and wickednes of the Romisshe Bishoppe As concernyng the Bohemers thus it standeth After the death of Iohn Husse the people of Boheme wer deuided into three sectes Oue part toke the Bishoppe of Rome for the head of the Churche and the Uicar of Christ Another sorte receyued the Lordes Suppes in both kyndes and in their Masses had certeine thynges rehersed in their vulgare tounge differing in nothing els from the Papistes The thyrde sort were called Picardes they call the Bishop of Rome Antichriste and the whore of Babilon described in the Reuelation they admitte nothynge but the Bible they chose theyr owne priestes and Bishoppes they forbid no man to mary they pray not for the dead as for holy dayes and ceremonies they haue but very fewe After this Luther compiled a Boke againste the false named order of Bishops in the preface wherof he saith it is to them great shame that so many of them as they be with their great liuinges and honourable titles prosessyng them to be maisters of the whole Scriptures that they dare not come to dispute with him onelye before indifferent Iudges beyng so ofte prouoked therunto Wherfore he saieth that from hence forth he will no more submitte his writynges vnto them as he dyd at Wormes for the Doctrine is not his but Christes Who lyueth and reigneth for euer who will once restraine theyr madnes and bluddye enterprises By the decrees of the Bishop of Rome and thēperor the name and marke of that great Beast is taken from him for the which he thāketh God highly that hath deliuered him out of the stiking dōgeon of most filthy errors and wicked doctrine and lightened him with the trewe knowledge of his worde wherof he is so certein that he will not herafter submit his doctrine to the iudgement no not of any Angell but by the testimony therof to iudge both him selfe and all them and the Angels also Wherfore he warneth thē to put no trust in theyr tyrany for the more that they swell in theyr malice and enuie against hym the more boldely will he proceds in his purpose for Christ liueth and reygneth which can and will confounde their cruell and bloddy enterprises he would wishe in dede theyr amendment but if that wil not be he wil haue such continual warre with thē as shall neuer be recōciled And where as they charge him that his franke rebuking of thē shuld styrre vp the people against him in that they do him muche wronge for it is to be proued by the Scriptures that such reprehēsions are necessary when the pastors of Churches bevnlearned wicked obstinate neither doynge their dutie thēselues nor permitting others to do that would can do it right well Now to the coūsel at Norinberge Lewis king of Hūgary sent his ambassadors who lamētably cōplaining of the Turkes great crueltie desyred strōge cōtinual aide Thither sent also Adriā Bishop of Rome Hierome Rorare one of his chāberlaines with letters to duke Friderike signifiyng that he was right glad to heare of thassēbly at Norinberge trusting that there shal be some thing done that shall cōcerne the cōmon weale for the which cause he hath also determined by the cōsent of his Cardinals tosēd his Ambassador thither And in that meane while thought good to sēde this mā before to signifie vnto him whō he hath euermore loued derely his good will affectiō towardes the common wealth as he shall better know by his Ambassador that foloweth he exhorteth praieth hi that he which is a price of thēpire in the tuition of the which Empire the church of Rome cōsisteth wold trauaile cōsult diligētly for the things that cōcerne the dignitie of thapostolical church and the trāquilitie of the cōmon weale to folow herein the steppes of his noble progenitors desyringe him to giue further credite to Ierome in suche thynges as he hath wylled him to debate with him Farnādo Archduke of Austriche was a straight executer of the sentēce giuen the yere before against Luther in the Dukedome of Wittenberge which he helde at the same time he set forth a sore proclamation the .xxvj. day of Nouēbre promisyng rewardes to the promotors in all his own prouinces he punished extremely all those that obeied not the Popes lawes This yere departed Reucline a pure aged man whō Erasmus of Roterodame commended with a goodly Dialoge attributyng vnto hym immortalitie and the excellencie in the knowledge of all three tonges At the latter ende of Nouembre Adrian Bishop of Rome sendeth letters to the whole assemblie at Norinberge That sins the time he was first chosen to thoffice of Apostleship he neuer wished for thinge more than that he might in euery cōdition accomplish the dewtie of a good pastour suffring no one shepe of his flocke to go farre a stray for asmuch as might be done through his vigilant eye and carefulnes And herof he taketh God to be his witnes who hath auaunced him vnworthy to this dignitie which he neuer loked for And to the intent he might more easely atteine to his purpose he hath greatly exhorted all kynges and princes to absteine frō ciuil warres And if they will nedes make warre to bende all theyr forse and power againste the enemies of the Christian faith And the same that he assaied to perswade others he hathe performed him self hauing sent a great sum of money to the knights of the Rhodes which at this present are in great daunger of thēperor of Turkes Afterwardes calling home his remēbraūce of forein periles loking more narrowly vpō domestical euils he heareth to his great discōfort that Martin Luther who hath oftētimes bene gently fatherly admonished at the length whan there was none other remedy cōdemned banisshed by certein Uniuersities by Leo his predecessor also by themperor by the cōmon cōsent is not yet put to silēce but styll at libertie setting forth dayly new bokes by the which the christiā religiō al honest liuing is sore decaied Which thing greueth hi so much the more for that he heareth saye howe diuerse of the nobilitie fauoure hym and that the matter is so farre gone that Ecclesiasticall parsons are in daūger to lose both lādes dignitie through out Germany touching the which things certein haue already styrred vp ciuil war It is trewly spokē of Paule that iiedes there must be Heresies but as thinges stād now it chaūseth most out of ceason But the deuill is disposed to wrap vs in sondry calamities at one time for through his instigation the fury of the Turkes the Heresie of Luth. oppresse vs both at once And although it were for vs possible to discōfite the foreine enemie yet so lōg as this domestical aduersarie is vnuāquished it should litel preuaile What time he was yet in Spaine he hearde muche of Luthers false opinions albeit it greued him
eschewe the present daunger that hangeth ouer their owne heades Furthermore if there be any that say howe Luther was condemned before his matter was heard or that it were reason the thing shold be debated before he were executed they thinke not well for Christ hath taught vs the rule of faith Religion whose authoritie we must folowe and not reason of the articles of our faith nor inquire the cause of this or that precept He is in dede to be hearde when he is examined whether he spake this thinge or that in hys sermon whether he setforth this boke or that but touching faith and the Sacramentes we may not permit him to reason or defend those thinges whiche he hathe written thereof for in this we muste folowe the vse and custome of the Church and in no wise swarue from the same Againe sith hys doctrine is suche as hath bene heretofore condemned by generall counsels there is none accompt to be made therof Moreouer there should be no ende of cōtention if it might be lawfull for euery priuate man to call in question those thinges which wittie and great learned men haue with muche deliberation established wheresoeuer is any assēblie or felowship of mē there be certein lawes which all they are bounden to obserue howe muche more oughte the same to be done what time anye thynge is openlye establisshed in the churche But seyng these men do not onely contempne the lawes and decrees of counsels and auncient fathers but also burne them they ought suerly to be punished as breakers of the common peace quietnes Neuertheles he confesseth howe that God which is the reuenger of all wronge doeth thus plage his churche for the synnes of the ministers therof as the Scripture saieth The iniquitie of the people procedeth from the priestes and elders for certenlye saieth he they haue synned at Rome these many yeres full greuously by sundry wayes euen from the highe Bishoppe to the lowest Ecclestasticall parson and not one to be excused for the which cause callynge mekely to God for pardon He wyll endeuour to redresse the thing and see that the court of Rome which perchaunce hath bene the occasion of all this mischief be fyrst sharpely refourmed And that as it hathe bene the example of vice so it may be the begynning of amendement and Patron of vertu which he saieth he must do by lytell and litell for that al sodayne mutations be daungerous and as the common prouerbe is He that bloweth his nose ouermuche shall wringe out bloude This writing dyd Luther translate in to the vulgare toungue and set to his notes in the margente and where he sayeth by lytell and lytell Luther affyrmeth that to be the space of many mens liues But in that he so frankely bewrayed the vicious lyuyng of the court at Rome he gote no great loue of the Cardinals as it is reported Neuertheles this they say is euer the bishop of romes policie when he wil deferre the coūsel or delay the hearynge of the matter he will promise largely that whilest men trust vpon his promyse he maye fynde the meanes what by the fauoure of Princes and what by force of Armes to mainteine hys power dignitie which is like to fall in some daunger by fyre and generall counsels Whilest the Byshoppes Ambassador declared thus the Princes complained that the leagues which they had made in times past with Byshoppes of Rome were broken there diuerse wayes Whereof the Byshoppe beyng certifyed by the letters of his Ambassadour answereth them by the same that suche thynges as his predecessours dyd it lieth not in him to helpe but he misliked the handelyng of the matters at Rome when he was but a priuate man and purposed no lesse but to refourme the same thoughe no man had spoken therin and to suffer no man to susteine any wronge muche lesse them whom for the common countrey sake he coueteth chiefly to gratifie And where they desyre that their actions commenced might be retourned in to Germany so soone as the Iudges and aduocates whiche are fled oute of Rome for the Plage shall retourne he will inquire of the case and do therin that which shall seme resonable He commaunded moreouer his Ambassadour to require an aunswere of the Princes what in theyr opinion were the best way to destroy this pestiferous secte that he maye vnderstande in time what shall be his part to do therin These thinges beyng declared to the counsel the Princes and other states make aunswere Fyrste in recityng briefly his demaundes they say they are ryght glad that it hath pleased God to place him in the gouernement of the church which in this perilous time had nede of such a Pastour who beareth suche a zeale to the common wealthe and taketh suche paynes to set kynges at quietnes and emploieth hys treasure to the repressing of the Turkes violence whiche thynges they reioyse to heare of for by these ciuill warres thempire is decaied and the Turkes power increased where no man prepareth any Armye to resist him Here be the Ambassadours of the kyng and Princes of Hungary which not without great lamentation haue recited what cruell thinges they haue suffered and what daunger they stande in dayely Wherfore they desyre him which is the father Pastour of all others that he will perseuer in this most holy purpose and trauaile that eyther a suer peace or els a long treuce may be taken that in the meane time they may make preparation to withstande the Turkes violence and recouer the countreis of the Empire which are loste Whereunto they promise their aide bothe of men and money As concernyng Luther if any displeasure be growen in Germany by the meanes of his doctrine they are right hartely sory therefore as it becommeth them no lesse and desyre also to remedy the euyll knowyng it to be theyr duetie to obey both him and themperour nother wil they degenerat from their progenitours herein where he complaineth that he is not already punished according to the Emperours decree it is vpon no lyght consyderation omitted for all degrees do complayne most heinously of the courte of Rome And in maner al men are so wel instructed by the preachinges and bokes of Luther that in case the decree should be put in execution it would doubtles styre vp great sedition and many would so coustre it to be done for this intent that the trueth should be oppressed and the lyght of the Ghospell extinguisshed for the mayntenaunce of suche open crymes as were not to be borne withall which perswasion most certeinly would styrre vp a rebellion of the people against the Magistrates for it tan not be denied and he himselfe graunteth also that they lyue dissolutely vitiously at Rome to the great decay of Religion Wherefore in that he dyssembleth nothing nor clooketh the disorder of the court at Rome but promyseth a reformation it deseruith muche praise especially if he performe
in dede the thing which he hathe promised by wordes and writynge whiche they earnestly require him that he would do for otherwise there is no certein or longe quietnes to be loked for Germany is muche impouerished with warres and other charges and with tributes that be extraordinarie so that it is hardely hable to susteyne the necessary charges of the Common wealth and to gyue aide to the Hungarians and others against the Turke Nowe in what sorte the Germanes certein yeres past did permitte that their Bishops and others of the Clergie should for certein time be tributaries to the Bishop of Rome they suppose he is not ignoraunt they cōditioned at the same tyme that al that money when tyme serued should be employed vpon the warre against the Turke But nowe bothe the tyme is expired and his predecessors Bishoppes of Rome haue not put the money to the same vse that they ought to haue done for the whiche cause nowe that a subsidie is to be gathered in all countreis of the Empyre for the Turkishe warre men do grudge and mutine And think that those great summes of money which haue bene leuied in many yeres kepte for the same purposes should now serue the tourne and they to be no further charged They desyre therfore that from hence forth he demaunde not anye suche tribute but permitte the same to be broughte into the common treasure house of the Empire For thus shall many men be quieted in Germany and when nede shall require there shall not want money to ayde foreine nations agaynst the force and violence of the Turkes where he areth their counsell in this alteration of Religion consydering that the matter consisteth not onely in Luthers doctrine but also in many other abuses and errours crepte into the Churche and mayntened by longe custome of men that be of a corrupte life and iudgemente as he him self cōfesseth They cā see no better way to redres al these things Than by a free generall counsell whiche the Emperour and he beyng the chiefe Magistrates in Christendome may sommon in some citie of Germany As Mentz Straseboroughe Metz or Collen whiche they thynke also good for the cōmon wealth to begyn as shortly as mighte be and at the furthest within ayere Yet vnder this condition that as many as shal be there present of what estate or degree so euer they be shall take their othe to speake frely and not to hyde what so euer shall seme to make for the glory of God and the profit of the cōmen wealet or els it shal be suspected and do more harme then good And that this may the rather be done accordynglye they will see that Luther in the meane time shall write no mo bookes doubtinge not but that Fridericke the noble Duke of Saxonie wyll assiste them herein And that the Preachers shall teache the Gospell syncerely and reuerently after the interpretations approued by the Churche and that the Printers shall Print nothinge but the same shall be fyrste perused and aucthorised by certeine learned men appointed by the Byshoppes and all matters of controuersie to be reserued for the counselles And where amonges other thinges his Ambassador spake of priestes that maried wiues forsomuch as there is no punishment appointed for them in the Ciuill lawe they thinke it not a misse that suche as haue offended shoulde be punished after the Canon lawe Finally they beseche him to take in good part theyr opinion touching euery thyng for it doeth procede of a syncere minde which both tendereth the common weale and fauoureth also his dignitie In the same tyme chaunsed a great alteration in Denmarke And thus befel the case Christierne the fyrst of that name king of Dēmarke Norweye and Suecia had two sonnes Iohn and Fridericke Iohn did succede his father and had warre with the Suecians whiche rebelled notwithstandynge by composition the matter was appeased This Iohn had a sonne named Christierne who whan he was but syxe yeres of age was proclamed kynge his father yet lyuing and syxe and twentie yeres after that whē his father was dead he was crowned in the yeare of oure Lorde M.D.xiiij Durynge whose reigne the Suecians rebelled againe and set vp Steno Stura to haue the gouernement Christierne made all his power agaynste them and after many battels and sondry sieges he subdueth them commaūdyng that this Steno which was slayne in battell and buried shoulde be taken vp and brent This was in the yeare M.D.xx. the Suecians beynge thus vanquished Gustauus Erixonius a noble man hauing aide as it was thought of the Lubeckes stirred them vp to a new rebellion and had good fortune He pretēded fyrst to haue done it for Steno his children and for the more assuraunce maried his daughter when the king had lost this prouince and was euill beloued at home for he gouerned the common welth eruelly and offended all men when also his vncle Fridericke and they of Lubecke moued warre against him fearynge lest this broile at the length would tourne to his vtter destruction fled away with his children and his wife Isabell syster to Charles themperour whan he had reigned .ix. yeares and fyrste aryued in Selande themperours prouince Immediatly the states of the realme callynge a counsell do create his vncle Fridericke duke of Holse an aged man kynge beyng aided herin by thē of Lubecke And then sending abroad theyr letters to the Emperor to the Byshoppe of Rome and the other Princes of the Empire they rendre a reason why they dyd so they accuse him of most greuous crimes and say howe he is banisshed by hys iuste deseruinges The same thinge also doeth Fridericke and the Citie of Lubecke which is of most aucthoritie and power in al those parties But Christierne fyndynge a good wryter Cornelles Scepper a Flemmyng very well learned aunswereth to these crymes and desyreth the states of the Empire assembled at Norinberge of aide succour He had one sonne whom the Emperour toke vnto him and two doughters Dorothie and Christine The same yere his frendes attēpted warre to haue restored him but it was in vaine The Emperour beyng intangled with the Frenche warres The Ambassodor of Rome had complained of the preachers of Norinberge that they should teach euill doctrine and required that they might be layde faste by the feete But the Princes supposed how he was misse infourmed for the Preachers saye they are had in greate estimation with the people And if ought should be done to them all men would take it to be done of a set purpose to oppresse the trueth whiche thinge myght cause a rebellion Notwithstandyng they wyll appoint certein men that shall make inquisition of the whole matter and therin do as shall be reasonable What tyme the Princes had answered to all the Bishoppe of Romes demaundes they gather into certeine articles suche thynges as they would haue done by him and other Bishops in Germany which were such as infringed their liberties made
an other and some of them also mainteine the false doctrine they shall not escape vnpunished It was neuer his purpose that the Papistes should be oppressed with force of Armes but that the ciuill Maiestrate shoulde compell them to do theyr dewtie and herin to extende theyr right and aucthoritie And that they neyther with theyr lenitie nor yet with dissimulation should confyrme their boldenes and lewde doynges And as touchyng the cōmon people they muste be earnestly admonished that they styrre not except the Magistrate commaunde them For that way they labore al together in vayne and God wil auenge the thing and that with some greuous punishment And wheras the Magistrates worke so slowely herin where they beare and suffer so many vnworthy things and are not moued with so manifest iniuries and mockeries of the Cleargie that is done throughe Gods permission that he alone myghte auenge all the matter and powre out all his indignation vpon them But in case this matter should come to a tumult and that God could be content with so light a punishment yet were all this maner of procedyng not onely discommendable but also vnprofitable For in a seditiō there is no reason to be had and for the most part it chaunceth that thinnocent parsons are plaged soner than others Moreouer there is no man that stirreth vp rebellion that can be excused be his matter neuer so iuste And in a great cōmotiō of people the good with the bad the honest with the wicked of necessitie must perishe together Wherfore let them haue an eye to the Magistrate and so long as he styrreth not let there be no priuate attempt For all sedition is against the cōmaundement of God who cōmaundeth that all the controuersies of priuate men shouldebe lawfully decided before a Iudge But consyderinge that Rebellion is nothyng els but a priuate reuengement no man nede to doubt but the god disaloweth abhorreth the same And that this sedition which is like to coine is reised by the Deuill hym selfe the enemye of all mankynde who for that he can not abyde the lyght of the treweth styrreth vp tumultes by men that professe the gospell that he might bringe in cōtēpt and hatred the trew doctrine that hath bene through Gods benefite in these former yeres restored as though it proceded not of God which semeth to geue an occasion to so many euils This do the aduersaries of the gospell already bragge of But theyr iudgementes are to be cōtemned Whom he vtterly dispiseth herin For he hathe neuer written nor spoken that thing that might kindle any sedition Now vnto such as will question obiect what shall we than do Howe longe shall we suffer theyr enormities seyng that the Magistrate winketh therat I answer that they ought to folow this order Fyrst let them acknowledge theyr faultes wherwith God beyng offēded hath suffered the tyrrany of the Clergie to continew so long and to stretche so farre as it doeth for their wicked cruell gouernement is the reward of our offences From the which if we wyll be deliuered we oughte fyrste to reconcile our selues vnto God through thamendement of life And than with earnest prayer to desyre gods aide against the popish knigdome by the example of king Dauid who praied God many times to breake the power and prid of the wicked Finally that the doctrine of the gospel be preached and set forth and the iuggelinges of the Papistes made manifest to the world that theyr errors beyng detected and the trueth knowē men may esteme lightly and clerely contemne what so euer shall procede from them And this to be the rediest way to ouerthrow theyr authoritie by strength and forse of Armes ye can preuaile nothinge and commonly it chaunceth that throughe warre they are made stronger But in case you cōpare Christ with the Pope the gospel with his doctrine than shall it openly appere what difference there is betwixt the lighte of the sunne mere darkenes and howe great a benefite of God it is that the way vnto the knowledge of him is made open al lettes being takē away Thā slideth faleth downe all their force and estimation which thing may appere by his example which hath more afflicted the popishe kingdome than any force of armes could haue done And therfore there is no other rebellion to be wished after For only this preachyng of the gospell which is raised vp of Christe him selfe is mightie and sharpe ynough to ouerthrow all Papistrie Hereupon let them fixe theyr eyes and mindes also and loke for no other meane Furthermore not to be his owne matter wherin he is so muche occupied for so great a weight exceadeth the strength and capacitie of mās witte And that it is more than he loked for that the matter is brought so farre forth as it is And therfore he putteth no doubt but that he which hath laide the foundation of the worke and hath gyuen increase to the same will bringe it also to the conclusion and ende maugre the heads of all his aduersaries He saieth howe the Deuill knew longe before of this great alteration and how he went about to let it and by certein men prophecied of these tymes to the intent he might driue men farre from this holsome doctrine But where he seeth his attempte to be in vaine he seeketh a newe waye and styrreth vp men to rebellion to let that there should be no reuolting from the Bishoppes kyngdome his But yet shall he faile of his purpose For through the preachinge of the pure doctrine their kingdome shall more and more be confounded In which true doctrine we must styll perseuer declaring howe mens decrees helpe nothinge at all vnto saluation Moreouer howe men must be warned that they suffre not them selues to be bounden to Monkish vowes and suche as are intangled already to forsake the same Furthermore that they giue no money to vaine and foolish vses of the church as for Tapers Belles Tabels Uessels Armes Workes Ornamentes and suche other like thinges For the lyfe of a Christian consisteth not in these thinges but in faith and Charitie Thus if the people be taught there is no doubt but that the aucthoritie and kyngdome of the Bishoppe and all his adherentes will fal in a fewe yeares But in case this doctrine be not taught nor therrours plucked oute of mens myndes Papistrie shal continew though neuer so many conspiracies be made against it Let them nowe consyder and pōder with him what he in litel time brought to passe by his doctrine only which his aduersaries can testifie that wanted their wonted commodities Wherby it may be easely perceiued what would haue come therof in case this doctrine might haue had free course but two yeres longer Wherfore the Deuill that smelleth out all the matter doeth nowe bestyrre him goeth about to let this enterprise through sedition but we must worcke wisely and commēde this benefite
into his handes The Frenche kyng whiche was retourned home leauing his children for pledges in Spayne sayde the conditiōs of peace were vnreasonable Wherfore sendyng Ambassadours to and fro the byshop of Rome and the Uenetians enter into league with hym the effect wherof is this That for the defence and quietnes of Italy they shall fynde an armye of .xxx. thousand fotemen of men at armes and lyghthorse men syxe thousande They shall also prouide an Nauie of two and thirtye galleys with Shippes of bourthen that what tyme they shall haue vanquyshed the enemy in Lumbardye and Italye they shall muade the kingdome of Nayles both by sea and lande which beyng ones wōne to remayne in the power of the churche of Rome yet so as .lxxv. thousande duckates be payde yerely to the Frenche kyng which claymeth a tytle in it That the dignitie of the house of medicees be maynteyned in the citie of Florence The Frenche kyng leaueth the Duckdome of Myllan to Fraunces Sfortia whome the Emperours men besegyng in the Castell of Millan constrayned to rendre and promiseth him his owne ayde and the Swycers to helpe hym also a wyfe in Fraunce of the bloud royall yet vpon this condition that he shal paye vnto him therfore yeare fyfty thousande crownes and fynde his brother Maximilian whiche is prysoner in Fraunce After this the byshop of Rome wrytyng his letters to the Emperour recyteth his benofites towards hym what goodly offers he refused at the Frenche kynges handes for his sake howe that when the kynge was taken he gaue a hondreth thousande Duckates to his captaynes vpon certayne conditiōs that he hath vttered vnto hym oftentymes the coūsels of his enemies that what time his men dyd besege Frances Sfortia in the Castel of Millan and certen men of great power moued hym to ioyne in league against hym he would not heare them For all the whiche thynges he is full euyll recompensed For his souldiours haue wrought suche iniuries shame and mysery to hym and the churche of Rome as hathe not bene hearde moreouer that neyther the condicions are fulfylled nor his money restored how it appeareth what good wyll he beareth hym whiche woulde not make hym prinie vpon what conditions he concluded with the Frenche kynge that he vtterly reiected his suite intercession made for Sfortia howe he sent the Duke of Burbon frō the siege at Marseilles to reyse vp a newe kynde of warre in Italye for the whiche causes he is of necessitie constrayned to make a league with suche as loue the quiet and wealth of Italy Wherfore if he wyl also be content to embrace peace well and good if not he shal not wāt force and power to defende Italy and the common wealth of Rome In this league was comprysed the kyng of England and with great promyses was desyred to be the protectour therof Unto this epystle Cesar aunsweryng at Granato the .xviii. of September reaccompteth his desertes and benefites done vnto hym Howe that by his sute and meanes he was made byshop of Rome howe before that tyme he gaue hym an yerely pension of ten thousande duckates out of the reuenewes of the Archebyshop of Toledo when he was legate to byshop Leo notwithstandyng that he had conspyred against hym with Albert prince of Carpes to haue dispossessed hym of Naples and Sicily When the Frenche men were dryuen out of Italy by the conducte of Bourbon he could not deny him but that he myght warre in Fraūce or els where to recouer of the Frenche kyng his owne he graunteth the kyngdome of Naples to be holden of hym not withstandynge in case sayeth he you should make any warre there you shoulde thereby lose all your right and tytle for euen for the same causes that the Cliente loseth the benefite graunted for the selfe same also doth the Patrone lose his prerogatiue Before the kyng was taken you entreated of a peace but it was to the intent you might haue inioyed the Dukedome of Millan And therfore the Uenetians and Florentines withdrewe their ayde through your motion from my captaynes against their league For the Frenche kyng confesseth openly howe throughe your prouocation he entred into a newe league before he went out of Spayne And I knowe by certayne reporte that you haue dispensed with him for his othe wherby he is bounden to me Furthermore you haue moued warre before the letters wherein it was proclaymed were vnto me deliuered seking not only to dryue me out of all Italy but also to depose me from the dignitie of the Empyre For all this am I able to proue by the letters of Ferdinando Daualle Marques of Pistare whome you would haue entysed in to your league promising hym the kyngdome of Naples I haue tytle to Millan by mo wayes than one yet for the quiet of Italye I suffered Sfortia to enioye it And whan he was greuously syck I would haue placed in his steade the Duke of Bourbon for that I sawe it pleased you well and dyuers others in Italy And the cause why Sfortia was besieged in the Castel of Millan was that he had committed treason against me by ioynyng in league with you wherof beyng detected he would not delyuer to my captaynes the Castelles of Cremone and Millan neyther make his pourgation nor come to any talke in the matter Your request was that I should forgyue hym altogether whiche I neyther coulde nor in deede ought to doe lest by an euyll example I shoulde gyue an occasiō vnto Clientes to offende against their patrones Touchyng the peace concluded with the Frenche kyng I kept nothing secret from your Ambassadours for the condicions be suche as I would not haue concealed for they tende to a publique peace and to the resistaūce of Christes ennemies But se the vnworthines of that thing Ther commeth more money yearely to Rome out of my Realmes and prouinces than doth from all other nations That is to be proued by the requestes of the Prynces of Germany what tyme they complaynyng greuously of the court of Rome desyred a reformation Whose cōplaint at that tyme I neglected for the zeale I bare to the churche of Rome Whiche thynge considered and for as muche as I haue geuen you none occasion of offence I do instantly requyre you to lay down your armies And I wyll doe lykewyse And seynge we are bothe appoynted of God as two great lyghtes let vs endeuour our selues so as the whole worlde maye be lyghtened through vs and not that by reason of dissention there should aryse an Eclypse Let vs regarde the publique weale and attempt to dryue out the Turkes to quenche the secte and errours of Luther For this appertayneth vnto Gods glorye and hereof ought we to begynne and after to debate other controuersies you shall haue me ready vnto all these thynges which if I can not obtaine but that you wil nedes perseuer to play the man of warre I do proteste here that I
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
auoyd the daunger they haue determined to differ the same vntil the next assemblie of the Empyre whiche they haue appointed at Regensburg the first day of April next folowyng to treate of the Turkysh warre trusting the either by that time they shal haue some better occasiō to sende or that he shal haue some intelligence of the thing in the meane time Al be it that Cesar wrote thus to the byshop of Rome his Cardinals yet wold it preuaile nothing but the cōfederatours sending vnto him Ambassadours as was agreed vpō require him to depart frō his armies to restore Sfortia Duke of Millan to receiue the money for his raunsome send home the kyngs sonnes whome he deteineth as pledges to repay the money that he borowed of the kyng of England hereunto answered the Emperour at Ualolete the .xij. of February That he cā not dismisse his armies in any short time notwithstāding he wil not refuse to take truce for thre yeres or more to sēd the armies on both partes agaīst the Turke our cōmon ennemie in the meane time to treate of peace Sfortia holdeth his landes of the Empire and is accused of treason he can not therfore be restored before his matter be examyned Wherfore let hym answere to the lawe and his accusers and he wyll appoynt hym indifferent iudges To restore the kynges chyldren vpon the receipte of the money he can not and the same is agaynste the kynges promesse othe and fidelitie Where they require him to repaie the kinge of England his money he marueleth not a litle consydering they haue no cōmaundement of him in this matter for the kyng he be such frendes as a mony matter can not breake their frendshyp Wherfore seinge the requestes be vnsitting he willeth them to bryng forth others for his part he wyl do nothyng obstinatly but shal be content to beare with many thinges for the cōmon wealthes sake Wherfore the Ambassadours thus departing without any thing concluded they renewe the warres againe with all their force power In those daies Iohn Frederick sonne heire to the prince electour of Saxony married Sibille daughter to Duke Iohn of Cleaue the lady Catharine that Emperours yongest sister was promysed him writinges made of the same But when this alteratiō of religion chaūced in Saxony they swarued frō their couenauntes And Hawnart which was then Emperours Ambassadour in Germany sayd plainly that there was no promise to be kept with Heretikes following herein as I suppose the fote stepes of the coūsel at Constance as in dede the Duke of Saxony reciteth in a certen writing Emōges others of themperours captaines was Charles Duke of Bourbon who going with a certen power to Naples by the way toke the citie of Rome sacked it the next daye after he there arriued being the sixt day of May. Clemēt the byshop the Cardinals and other prelates fleing in to Castell aungell were beseged a certen tyme being trenched in on euery syde whiche after they had endured siege seuen monethes were at the laste deliuered by the Emperours commaundement It is harde to expresse with wordes the great crueltie and oultrage of the Germanes and Spanyardes at Rome For besydes the cruell slaughters destruction spoyling and raueshynge of women they left of no kynde of contumelious reproches mockinges of the bishop and his Cardinalles The Emperour excused the facte diligently affirmyng that it was not done by his commaūdement And chiefly he wrote therof to the king of England that albeit he supposeth the thyng to haue happened vnto hym by the iust iudgement of God who auenged the wronge and iniurie done vnto hym yet he sayeth he wil so vse the matter that this same calamitie shal be the beginning and occasion of the helth of the common wealth Whan newes were brought into Spayn of the sackīg of Rome Cesar immediatly cōmaūded to cease frō playing of pageantes interludes whiche were thē set forth for ioy of his son Philip newly borne The king of Englād answe red nothīg to themperours letters and the bishop of Rome being captiue vnto whom he bare a great zeale reuerence themperours power increasing daily he fixed his mind vpō warre sending the Cardinal of yorke ambassadour into Fraunce To the coūsel of Regēsburg came the Prynces but sent their Ambassadours only Wherfore there was nothing cōcluded sauyng that they sent letters to the Emperour the xviij day of May signifiyng that for diuers causes his presence were requysite and nedefull In this tyme sprange vp a newe kynde of doctryne of suche as are called Anabaptistes They condempne the baptisme of infantes and are baptysed agayne them selues teachyng that all thynges should be common Against these wrote Luther Zwynglius and diuers others And the magistrates punished in euery place They boaste of visions dreames and at Sangal a town in Swycerlande one of them cut of his brothers head in the presence both of father and mother whome he had perswaded that God had cōmaunded hym so to do but being apprehended of the magistrate he suffered the lyke punyshment Now how muche they increased and what cōmotions they styred vp in Germany hereafter shal be declared This yeare the Senate of Strasborough decreed that none shoulde from henceforth be buried within the citie and appointed certen places for the buriall of the dead without their citie When the Frenche kynge heard that Rome was taken makyng league with the kyng of Englande he sent a great armie into Italy by the conduicte of Lautrech a Gascon to rescewe the byshop Who comming into Lumbardy and ayded by the Uenetians taketh first Alexādria and after Pauie partly by force and partly by composition but the souldiours in their rage and fury for that the king was there taken after a woūderful slaughter of the townes men spoyled the citie The .xxvij. day of Iuly Charles Duke of Burbon lately stayne in the assaulte at Rome was condempned at Paris by the court of parliamēt of treason his name and memoriall accursed his Armes plucked downe and his landes and goodes confiscated Anthony Prate Chauncelour gaue the sentence This Duke bare a mortall hatred to the kynge and what tyme he went to besege Marseilles as is mentioned before in the fourth boke for because at the same tyme the kynge of Englande toke the Emperours parte he wrote to the Cardinall of Yorke emonges other thinges that he would spare no paynes nor peryll that kyng Henry might by his helpe recouer the ryght and tytle that he hath to Fraunce For Englyshe men doe clayme all Fraunce to be theires for a two hundreth yeares since and aboue especiallye Normandye Gascoyne and Gwyne In these letters therfore did Bourbon prouoke the kynge to clayme and chalenge his ryght Whiche letters the Frenche kyng afterwardes chauncing vppon conceyued muche more hatred against hym There was in the dukedome of Bauarie one Leonarde Cesar a professour
suspected company these that are called Cannons departed thence in great displeasure Ambrose Blaurer was preacher ther who was a gentleman borne but had professed him selfe a Monke in the Abbey of Alperspacke in the Dukedome of Wyrtinberge whyche by the readyng of Luthers workes chaunged his mynde and his cote together returnyng home agayne to his frendes His Abbot woulde haue had hym agayne and wroote earnestlye to the Senate of Constance for him Wherfore Blanrer expresseth the whole matter in writyng and propoundeth certen conditions where vpon he was contēt to retourne but they were suche as the Abbot refusyng he remayneth styll at Constance Where after the disputation at Bernes Images Aultares Masse and Ceremonies were vtterly abolyshed Lykewyse they of Geneua in remouinge their Images and ceremonies dyd imitate them of Bernes wherfore the byshop and clergie forsoke the citie in anger The Religion being thus altered they of Bernes renoūced the league made with the Frenche kynge prohibitynge the hyred warfare as they of Zuricke had done and were contented with that yearely pension that the kyng payeth them to kepe peace And wrote the daye and yeare wherein they forsoke the Popyshe religion vpon apyllour in golden letters that it myght be an euerlastyng memory all to their posteritie I shewed you how the Cardynal of Yorke was sent into Fraunce When they were agred vpon the matter both kinges sent their ambassadours to the Emperour And the Frenche king requireth to take his raunsome delyuer his sonnes that were pledges The kyng of Englande agayne his debte to be payde him which is threfolde first thre hondreth thousande Crownes that he lent hym secondarely fyue hundreth thousande for not obseruing the contracte of Matrimonie thirdly foure yeares pension whiche the Emperoure promysed hym as before in the third boke is declared When the Emperour hereunto had aunswered not after their myndes the kynge of Englande also sent hym defiaunce by an Herault of Armes who at the same tyme was consultynge howe he myght be deuorced from Catherine the Emperours haunt and Marry an other whiche he did afterwardes as shal be recyted in his place the Emperoure in his letters to other kynges accused the Frenche kyng moste greuously that he kept not his fayth and promyse and had ofte tymes sayd so muche to the Frenche Ambassadours Where vpon the kynge in his letters wrytten at Paris the .xxviij. of Marche which he sent by an Herault By the talke sayth he whiche thou hast had with some of myne I perceiue that thou braggest certen thinges that founde to my dishonour as though I had escaped thy handes against my fidelitie And nowe al be it that he whiche after the compacte made hath put in pledges is hym selfe quytte from bonde so that I am hereby sufficiently excused yet neuerthelesse in the defence of my honour I thought to wryte this briefly vnto the. Therfore if thou blame this facte of mine and my departure or sayest that euer I did any thyng contrary to the dutie of a noble Prynce I tell the playnly thou liest For I am determined to maynteyne myne honour and estimatiō whylest I haue a day to lyue We nede not many wordes therfore and if thou wylt ought with me thou shalt not nede hereafter to wryte but appointe the place where we may fyght hande to hande For if thou darest not mete me and in the meane tyme ceasest not to speake euyll of me I protest that all the shame therof belongeth vnto the for by our combat all the stryfe shall be parted I tolde you before of the contention betwene kynge Ferdinando and the Uayuode of Transiluania Whan the same burst out in to a cruell warre and Ferdinando was of the greater power the Uayuode in the moneth of Apryll wryting his letters to the states of The empyre After the lamentable death of kyng Lewis sayeth he I was by the common assent of the nobles chosen and crowned kinge of Hongary except three whome pouertie hatred and hope of better fortune had seduced that forgettyng the wealth of their countrey they subscribed to Ferdinando kyng of Boheme And what tyme I was wholy addicted to succour my countrey to recouer that was lost and by the same meanes to procure your quiet beholde he inuadeth my Realme with violence taketh certen Townes and by those whiche were of his faction was created kyng at Posonye I marueled not a lytle and it greued me also exceadingly that this nation should be molested by hym whiche ought moste of all to succour and releue the misery of the same It had not bene harde for me at that tyme to haue gyuen hym the repulse but I would not hasarde rashely the remnant of the power lefte of so manye shypwrakes and losses of that Realme hath had of late I complayned vnto Clement the seuenth to Fraūces the Frenche kyng to Henry kyng of England and to Sigismūde kyng of Pole And in dede the kynge of Pole sendynge his Ambassadour without my knowledge entreated him that he wold not in this daungerous tyme make away through ciuile discorde to let in the foreyne enemy whiche after neyther he nor yet any other should be able to kepe out but that he would kepe peace with me ioyne his power to myne to resiste the common ennemye And where as Ferdinando answered that he would attempt nothing against ryght and equitie it was agreed vpon that a certen daye fytte men should be sent to debate the matters of controuersie I was content and sendyng also my Ambassadours vnto you and submytting my selfe vnto your arbytriment I made request that you woulde gyue none ayde to myne aduersarie but what tyme they came into Ferdinando his countrey beyng taken and deteyned as prysoners against the lawe of all natiōs they could not declare their commission And from you they shoulde haue gone to the Emperour And al be it that this same was an extreme wronge iniury neuerthelesse at the daye appoynted by the kyng of Pole I sent certen others that were very desyrous of peace both of themselues and also by my commaundemēt Notwithstanding Fardinando his men propounded thinges so farre out of reason that ther could be nothyng concluded Whylest these thinges were a workyng certen of the nobilitie entysed by the crafte and polycie of Ferdinādo breake their fidelite which before they had gyuen me And for somuche as the waye is layde that I can neyther come nor sende vnto you I thought good to declare vnto you by my letters howe vniuste warre he attempteth peraduenture intending to recouer the same that his auncetours Frederick and Maximilian Emperours haue lost here to fore for the one of them when he was triumphyng and thought hym selfe sure of the kyngdome of Hongary myne vncle Emeryck expulsed out of the whole countrey And my father Stephen Sepuse when Matthie was kyng did disconfite them both in suche sorte as he adioyned Uienna to Hongary And I
he seeth hym selfe howe directly it were againste the lawe againste the ryght and lybertie of the Empyre agaynste promyse and conuenaunt and the fayth that he oweth to the common wealth confyrmed by a solemne othe Moreouer howe incommodiouse also it were for hym and howe chargeable to the whole Empyre to haue two Rulers at one tyme whome they must obeye And because they woulde be sory if any suche thynge shoulde be layde to his charge for breakynge his fidelytie or also vnto them for their sloughtsulnes in defending the cōmon wealth therfore do they ernestly beseche him to impute this their writing to the loue of him their coūtrey and to the world that now is that he would call to his remembraunce thynges past and by his office and aucthoritie prohibite the creation of this new kinge that he woulde consyder well wyth hym selfe to how many euils mischiefes this thinge wyll hereafter geue occasion vnlesse it be forseen signifyeng howe they wryte also touching the same matters to the resydue of the electours trusting that they wyll worke for the profit of the cōmon wealth and do their endeuour that there be no diuision made amonges the states of the Empyre for the rest they will doe as muche for his sake as their habilitie and power wyl extende to Afterwardes the Duke of Saxon writeth his seuerall letters to the Prynces hys colleges that for as muche as he was somoned to Collon by the arche byshop of Mentz therfore hath he sent thither his sonne and certen of his coūsayle which shal do in his name that shal be requisite He requireth them to leaue of their enterprise and to waye with them selues what a preiudice and discommoditie this wil be vnto thē and al theyr posteritie for to breake the right libertie and honour of the Empyre he desyreth them also that in suche thinges as his sonne and counsellours haue to treate with them of they woulde so vse them selues as it may appeare and be perceiued that they loue the common wealth of their countrey The Duke of Lunēburge the Lantgraue Counte Anhald and the Erles of Mansfelde wrote vnto the Electours at the same time long letters of the same effect admonishing them righte ernestlye that they doe not suche an open wronge to the lawes to their countrey sayeng howe it is reported that the matter is handled with brybes and promesses whiche is also openly agaynst the lawe Caroline After this the laste of Decembre as well the Princes as cities before named by cōmon assent wryte their letters to the Emperour wherin they recite the treatie of religion at Auspurge how long they sued for peace what aunswer he made also what maner of decree was there made afterwarde And al be it he him selfe did mitigate the wordes of the Electour of Brandēburge affirming that he had made a compact with the rest of the Princes for his owne defence only and not to offende others Yet if that authoritie be committed to the chambre imperiall as the decree purporteth to whome can it be doubtful but that the same thinge apperteyneth both to force and violēce but seyng that both they and their aūcesters haue shewed many testimonies of great good wyll to him and his progenitours they beseche him in as muche as he hath mitigated the saying of the Electour of Brandenburge he woulde also qualifie in deede and take away the terrour of confiscation to the intent they may be assured that vntyll the ende of a Godlye and free counsell they shall nede to feare no violence The causes which the Emperour alledged to create a king of Romains at the first cōmunication with the princes in Collō were these First because that he had the rule of sondry realmes nations could not be always in Germany agayne for that the state of christendom was troublesome namely in Germany by reason of the dissention in Religion and for the violent power of the Turkes for the late sedition and rurall warre and for disobedience within the Empyre Wherfore he thought it very necessary and for the profit of the common wealth that there should be a kyng of Romaynes chosen vnder hym as it were an other head of the Empyre in his absence which should be wyttie cyrcumspect industrious of great power that loued peace and concorde and were skilfull in matters of the Empyre and in euery poynte suche a one as he myght repose his whole truste and confidēce in And he knoweth none more mete for that charge than his brother Ferdinando king of Boheme and of Hongary For his realmes and dominions are a defence vnto Germany against the Turkyshe oultrage The Princes electours after delyberation had intreate the Emperour that he woulde not forsake Germany but to sette and plante himselfe there but where he persisteth stiffe in his opinion conferrynge their counsels together The fyft daye of Ianuary they proclayme Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon as muche as laye in hym by his sonne protested that this election was faultie and shewed the causes why and that he coulde not allowe it Longe before they departed from Auspurge The brute was that Ferdinando should obtayne that dignitie Afterwardes they went all from Collon to Aquon where Ferdinādo was crowned kyng the .xvj. day of Ianuary and streightwayes were letters dispatched into al partes of Germany to signifie the same Cesar also commaundeth by his letters patentes that all men shall acknowledge him for kyng of Romaines and therof sent his seueral letters to the Protestantes This done from Aquon the Emperour wēt to Brussel in Brabant ✚ The eyght 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 eyght Booke THe Protestauntes from Smalcalde sent letters to the kinges of Fraunce of Englande agaynst sondry false reportes and sollicite the kyng of Denmarcke and the cities by the sea coaste to entre into their league Into this league the Swycers are not admitted The kyng of Fraunce who is descended of the Almaines aunswereth their letters so doeth also the kynge of Englande About the strife of the creation of kyng Ferdinando An assemble was holden at Franckforth where was also debated the controuersic betwixt the byshop of Bamberge and George Marques of Brandenburge The Emperour appointeth a metyng at Spyre whether the Duke of Saxon being moued to come excuseth hym selfe Conditions are put in wryting whiche graunted the Protestauntes offer them selues to be there The fyue Cantons geue battell to them of ʒ uricke wherein ʒ wynglius is slayne Shortly after dieth Ecolampadius A peace is graunted to the Protestauntes vntyll a counsell Christierne kyng of Denmarke is committed to pryson The Turke inuadeth Austryche but he is thence repulsed The Pope by his Ambassadour sent to Duke Iohn Fredericke who had lately succedeth his father the conditions of the counsell The Duke and his associates
after deliberation make hym 〈◊〉 full aunswere by wryting IN the first assembly at Smalcalde this emōges other thynges was agreed vppon that for as muche as their aduersaries did aggrauate the cause and profession of the Gospell with manye sclaunders and broughte it euerye where in to great hatred they shoulde wryte pryncipally to the kynges of Fraunce and of Englande that they would not credite nor be perswaded herin Wherfore the .xvj. daye of February the Protestauntes wryte their seuerall letters to them both of one effecte How they knowe vndoubtedly of the olde complaint that hath bene of long tyme concernyng the vice and faultes of the clergie whiche many notable men and of late memory in Fraunce Iohn Gerson and in Englande Iohn Colet haue sore noted reprehended the same thing hath happened of late yeares in Germany For where as certen freers wēt about with indulgences pardōs whiche they so highly cōmended to the great contumelie of Christe no lesse daunger of mens saluation that they got a shameful an vnreasonable gayne therby And being gētly admonyshed by certen good wel learned men that thei should not so do did not only abstayne from suche vsage but also cruelly condempned them for Heretykes whiche gaue them good counsell in so muche that they were constrayned to stande in the defence of the trewthe vpon whyche occasion many other thynges were espyed and reprehēded but the aduersaries whiche through their impudent marchādise gaue occasion of offence woulde neuer be in quiet tyll this doctryne whiche reuealyng their crafty iuglyng was without dewe examination condempned for wycked And to the intent they might wholy oppresse it haue brought it into great hatred with the Emperour and other kynges Neuerthesse the truthe breakyng out lyke the sonne beames discouered the faultes moste manifestly whiche of euyl customes and preposterous iudgementes were crepte in to the churche in so muche they could not be denied by the byshop of Rome hym selfe whē they had bene exhibyted before to the Emperour by the states of the Empyre in the assemblie at Wormes and after had bene treated of in all assemblies of the Empyre all men iudging for certentie that for reformation therof there were no waye better than a free and a lawfull counsell wherewith the Emperour was also content But at his commyng out of Spayne into Germany through Italy he was addicted wholy at Auspurge to quiet the matter without a counsel And so thei discourse the whole treaty at Auspurge as hath bene before rehersed and howe for the sore decree there made they were compelled to appeale to a free and Godly coūsell lest they should both haue hurt theyr conscience and offended God moste greuously Afterwardes thei confute the false opinions and sclaunders that theyr aduersaries ascribe vnto them to bryng them into hatred with all men and chieslye that the doctrine whiche they do professe is against the authoritie of Magistrates and dignities of lawes but their confession exhibited at Auspurge doth fully aunswere this matter wheren is the office and state of a Magistrate by theyr doctrine declared to be of Gods ordinaūce and agayne the people taught to owe all due obedience to the Magistrate for Gods cōmaundement and for cōscience sake so that it may be truly sayde that the learned men of this tyme and doctrine haue more hyghly commēded the dignitie of lawes and Magistrates than any former age hath done for els seing they are also appointed of God to haue rule and gouernment of others What madnes were it for thē to permitte that doctrine whiche should geue licencious lybertie take awaye obedience and styre vp the people against them Wherfore after this and dyuers other thynges they saye howe that for so much as these sclaunders are reported by them and howe it forceth very much for the cōmon wealth of christendome that they beyng kynges of such wysdome and authoritie should be ryghtly infourmed in the matter therfore haue they thought good in their owne purgatiō to wryte this much vnto them earnestly desyring them to geue no credit vnto sclaūders nor to conceaue any sinistre opinion of them but to keepe theyr iudgement in suspence tyll they may come to the place where to make theyr purgation openly whiche thing they chiefly desyre they beseche them also to exhorte the Emperour that for the weyghty importaunce of the matter and the profit of the whole churche he would call a godly and a free counsell in Germany so shortly as myght be And that he woulde worke no extremitie against them vntyll suche tyme as the cause may be lawfully decided determyned For hitherto haue they alwayes done their duty to the common wealth of the Empyre and nowe that they professe this doctrine they are brought in daunger of no selfe wyll nor obstinacie but for Gods worde and glory whereby they haue the better hope also that they wyll graunte to theyr requestes herein For it were hyghe prayse worthy if they coulde throughe theyr aucthoritie and mediation bryng to passe that these controuersies be not decided by force of armes but that an vpryght iudgement be had that abuses maye be remoued the Churches reconciled and no force or violence done vnto mens consciences Finally if they maye vnderstande by their letters of theyr good wylles towardes them it shall be to theyr great cōforte In February the Duke of Saxon summoneth all his fellowes to be at Smalcade the .xxix. of Marche to cōsulte howe to resiste the force of their ennemies if any thynge be attēpted againste them those were the Prynces and cities before mentioned But the Duke being discrased sent thether his sonne Iohn Frederick At the former meting it was agreed to sollicite Fredericke the kyng of Deumarke and the cities by the sea coaste of Saxonie touchynge their league And nowe that they met agayne rehersall was made what had bene done in the meane tyme and what aunswere euery one made And the kyng in dede saide howe he fauoured the doctrine of the Gospel but in his realme were so many bishoppes of great power and aucthoritie by reason of their rychesse clientes and noble kyndred that he coulde not enter into this league as kyng but as concernyng his other countreis lieng within the Empyre he was contēt Henry the Duke of Megelburge excused the matter for that his deputes had subscribed to the decree of Auspurge notwithstandinge he would be no ennemy to them Berninus Prince of Pomerane was not against it but that his elder brother had as yet in maner that whole gouernment They of Lubecke refused not but for as muche as they had bene at great charges in the warres they desyred that the same myght ve consydered And if it fortuned that Christerne kyng of Dēmarke whome thei had holpe to dryue out of his realme should warre against them they desyred to knowe what ayde they should looke for agayne at theyr handes The citie of Lunenbourge sayde that
free and Godly counsell for to haue the controuersie decided by waye of disputation rather then by that sworde lyke as theyr requeste is so semeth it vnto him also to be both more honeste and profitable for the common wealth whiche shall suffer great misfortune in case the matter come to handstripes Where he speaketh of the familiaritie and alliaunce betwyxt Fraunce and Germanye thus it is The Germanes of Franconie bordering vpon Swaues in times past makyng inuasiō into Gawles subdued the people about Treers Gelderlande Cleauelande and so down to Terwen and Tourney and vanquyshed Amiens Beanuois and the Soissons setlinge them selues at the last in that parte of Gawles which is yet called Fraunce vnto this day the chief citie wherof is Paris And where as many of their kynges there reigned and enlarged their dominiō at the last the gouernemēt cam vnto Pipine also to his sonne charles which was after for his worthy actes called Charlemaigne All people saluted hym with the tytle of the Emperour Auguste he possessed Germany Italy and Fraunce Afterwarde his sonne Lewis and his ofspryng were kinges of Fraunce Wherunto kyng Fraunces doth ascribe his originall and sayeth howe he is lineally descended of the stocke of Frankons The same perswasions vsed he also what tyme after the death of the Emperour Maximilian he did seke the dignitie of the Empyre For knowyng that by an aūcient lawe no straūger myght attayne the crown imperiall he went about also to proue hym selfe a Germayne But in dede the laste kynge of Fraunce of the heyremales of Charlemaigne was Lewys the fifte who died without isshewe in the yeare of grace nyne hōdreth foure score and eyght whan that possession of that kingdome had remained in the same familie two hondreth and eight and thyrty yeares After his death the succession had descended by ryght to Charles Duke of Lorayne vncle to kyng Lewys But Hughe Capet Erle of Paris as they reporte whose mother fetched her petygrewe from great Charles discomfiting and takynge the Duke of Lorayne prysoner vsurped the kyngdom and left it to his sonne Robert whose heyres males continued afterwardes vntill kyng Fraunces Some there be that saye howe that this Hughe Capet was of lowe and base hyrth but the moste parte of the wryters of Frenche Cronicles recite his originall as I haue sayde heretofore Henry the eight kyng of England writeth to them agayne the thyrde day of Maye That he hath red their letters to his great cōtentation for as muche as they be inclined and bent that true religion remayning styll saufe and peace conserued the faultes and abuses of the churche and clergie maye be refourmed and all suche thynges redressed as haue bene eyther by the wyckednes or ignoraunce of men corrupted and depraued Moreouer howe he toke great displeasure to reade ouer the whole discourse of their procead inges That a reporte in dede went of them that was not very good as though they should maynteine certen franticke personnes whiche sought to disturbé and tourmoyle all thynges vpsyde downe But he gaue therunto no credite first for because that Christiā charitie doth so requyre secondly knowyng for certentie that suche kynde of sclaunder can take no place in mē of suche dignitie Nobilitie and wysdome And all be it he would neuer haue beleued anye suche reporte before he had certenly tried and knowen it to be true Yet for as muche as they haue thus pourged them selues he is glad for thys cause that he was not disceaued in his opinion and iudgement And where as they desyre a refourmation in that they doe agree with his mynde and the opinion of all other good men For the state of worldly thynges is after suche a sorte that lyke as mans body so also in the cōmune wealth and publique administration there is nede of continual remedies wherfore they deserue great prayse that can lay to such medicines as wyll so heale and cure the disease that they doe not brynge to an outrage the matter And doubteth not but that their endeuoure tendeth to the same ende Notwithstanding howe they had nede to take diligent care of that sorte of men who seke alterations woulde haue all men a lyke and brynge the Magistrate in contempt For he hath had certen of that secte within his Realme whiche came thether out of Germany And for because in their letters they mētioned of the obedience vnto Magistrates therfore he thought good to admonishe them at fewe wordes that they geue no man ouermuche lybertie For if they beware of this and seke a reformation they shall doubtles doe hygh seruice vnto the common wealth Howe he also desyreth chiefly a generall counsell besechyng God to styre vp the hartes of Prynces vnto this desyre And hath so good an hope of them in all thynges that there is nothyng that he wyll not ve glad to doe for their sakes And wyll be a peticioner for them to the Emperour that meanes of peace and concorde may be founde and wyll worke so herein as they them selues shall from tyme to tyme thinke best for theyr purpose When the daye came of their assemblie at Franckefourth the Ambassadours of the Cities as it was agreed vppon declare what they thought touchyng the creation of the kyng of Romanes And after long consultation they founde that it was not expedient for the title style of king Ferdinando to enter in to any sute or trouble For so long as the Emperour lyueth or is within the lymites of the Empyre the whole power is his And in his absence it commeth in dede to Ferdinando but as to the depute or lieutenaunt of the Emperour They haue at sondry tymes promysed to do what so euer laye in their power And nowe in case they should resiste the creation of the kynge many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne and therfore would beare thē the lesse good wyll and woulde also worke against them whiche els woulde haue done nothyng at al against the cause of Religion It is also to be feared lest suche as would haue ioyned them selues vnto this league wyll be affcayde nowe of this and withdrawe them selues For that which cause they may not be against the election of kyng Ferdinando but holde it indifferent as it is But if Ferdinando shall commaūde any thyng cōtrary to Gods worde they wyll not obeye it or if he attēpte any force then wyll they worke after the prescripte of the league and defend to the vttermoste of their power But the Prynces wrote vnto the Emperour and Ferdinando that they could not allowe that thing which was done against the custome and lybertie of the Empyre nor attrybute vnto hym the tytle of kyng of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon in his letters to the Emperour added this moreouer that if the matter might be lawfully vsed he would not be vnlyke his auncestours As concernyng the Swycers whome the citie would gladly haue receyued into
they and their fellowes will open their doctrine more at large In the meane tyme they beseche them to be meanes to the Emperour that there be no extremitie wrought within the Empyre but that suche as nowe do or hereafter shall professe the Gospell may lyue in quiet vntyll suche tyme as the decree authoritie of a lawfull counsell may determine the matter And if they shall thynke good to treate howe to conclude the peace and appointe a daye for it they wyll sende theyr Ambassadours thither And if in theyr doctrine exhibited at Auspurg any man shall thynke to fynde an errour and wyll shewe it or if he cannot proue it to stande to the testimony of Scripture that would they and all their fellowes be glad of And if it shall please the Emperour to assigne a daye for it at Spires graunting a saufe conduicte for them their fellowes and for Luther whome they intende to bryng with them amonges other ministers of their churche and wyll permitte them to haue free and open preachinges of Gods worde and the vse of the Lordes Supper according vnto Christes institution prescribyng no difference or choyce of meates than wyll they either come themselues or els sende theyr deputes with large commission and make declaration of their doctryne vnto all men And if at the same metyng theyr doctryne can not by the Scriptures be confuted than truste they that the Emperoure wyll no further moleste them but that they may styll perseuer in the same Religion And for as muche as they haue appealed to a lawfull general counsell and as yet nothyng is founde in theyr doctrine that is agaynst Gods worde where also by the order of the lawe and equitie duryng the appellation no extremitie ought to be shewed vnto the partie that appealleto their trust is that the Emperour wyll the rather at theyr requestes suffor Germany to haue peace and quietnes I shewed you before of an assemblye that should haue bene in Septembre at Spyres But the Emperour being aduertised by sondry letters and messengers of the Turkyshe preparation prorogeth the same to the moneth of Ianuary followynge appoyntynge the place at Regenspurge that he myghte be so muche the nearer Austriche where he perceyued the warre woulde be I shewed you before in the syrt booke howe the warre whiche they of Zurycke and Bernes would haue made vppon the fyue townes was pacifyed by the intercession of other Cities But this yeare the Sore brake out agayne and those two Cities steppynge all streightes and passages woulde permitte no victuall to be brought vnto them This was when the dayes were at the longest And where as great trouble was lyke to ensue therof the Frenche kyng and certen other cyties of the Suysses laboured to take vp the matter and drewe certen conditions of peace but all was in vaine Than did they of Zuricke and Bernes declare by wryting with what great wronges and iniuries they were coÌ„streyned to stop their victualles And now for as muche as they refuse the coÌ„dicions of peace whiche the intercessours haue deuised and propounded they declare their malicious hartes against them and howe they haue brokeÌ„ the fourmer conuenauntes made betwene them wherfore it is lawefull for them to cut oâ— theyr victualles And if any hurte come therof it ought to be ascribed vnto them whiche seeke nothyng elles but dissention this was the nynth daye of Septembre And what tyme these fyue townes were in great want and penury the nynth of Octobre they armed them selues secretly and marched forwarde And before any man was ware of them come vnto the borders of Zurick where as laye a garrison of a thousand men or more Which sent diuerse messengers into the citie to warne their men to come to them with spede but their ennemies approched so faste that they coulde hardely come to their reskewe For when they were come to the toppe of the Hylle whereby they must nedes passe they sawe theyr men in great dauÌ„ger in the next valley Than exhorting incouraginge one an other they ranne downe the hyll who myght go foremoste but the nature of the hylle was suche as there coulde but one go downe at ones whiche was the cause that where as they coulde not marche in ordre of battell they were of a greater multitude vanquyshed and put to flyghte This was the eleuent daye of Octobre Amonges the nombre of them that were slayne was Zwynglius For it is the maner of Zuricke that when they go forth in warfaye the chief minister of theyr churche goeth with them Zwynglius also of hym selfe beynge a man of a stoute and bolde courage consyderyng that if he shoulde rary at home and they shoulde go by the worse what displeasare he should susteyne as one that in his Sermons woulde encourage others and hym selfe faynte whan any daunger was would nedes take such â—â—te as other did They shewed great crueltie vpon his dead corps and their hatred towardes him was so muche that theyr malice was not satisfied with his death He was fourty and foure yeares olde foure yeares yonger than Luther At the same moneth of August before was seen a blasyng Starre at the same tyme died Lewys the Frenche kynges mother syster vnto Charles Duke of Sauvy The citie of Bernes hearyng of this ouerthrowe comforted them of Zuricke promysing to sende them ayde to come with their whole power to auenge them of their ennemies Whan they were all commen together whiche was aboute the eight daye after the battell and they of Bernes whiche before desyred to take the matter in hande alone were than nothyng hasty the citie of Zuricke whiche had ayde sent them from the Schaffusians Mullusians and also from Sangall and Basill of the whole numbre chose out certen enseignes whiche settynge foorth in the nyghte laye in the Hylle besydes Mencinge pourposynge whan the Moue rose to take the towne of Tugie thereby vpon the sodayne But theyr ennemies whiche had encamped them selues not farre from thence knowynge of this by espeiall went thether spedely and set vpon them beynge a slepe the .xxiiij. daye of October And to put them in the greater feare they made a wonderfull clamourous outcrye Many were slayne on both partes And all be it the fyue Townes had the vpperhande yet woulde they of Zuricke nothyng relent in their Religion At the last through mediation a peace was concluded whereunto was added that they of Zuricke Bernes and Basill should forsake the league whiche they had latelye made with the cytie of Strausborough and the Lantgraue lykewyse shoulde the fyue townes breake of their league with kyng Ferdinando And hereof were obligations made and sealed in the later ende of Nouember Oecolampadius departed out of this presente lyfe as it was supposed for the inwarde sorowe and thought he conceaued for the death of Swynglius whome he loued intierly he wanted but one yeare of fifty there be of his workes
and moue his fellowes also to be carefull for the same he would be glad moreouer to make a present aunswer but there be many others of the same religion who with his father Duke Iohn professed the same doctrine in the assemblie at Auspurge before the Emperour so that he can not aunswere of him selfe alone without making them priuie neither is it expedient for the cause so to doe For better it is that the same be done by comon assent And for as much as the Emperour the byshop the last wynter in their letters wrytten to the states of the Empire from Bononie put them in hope of a counsell therfore did he his fellowes appoint a day the .xxiiij. of Iune to mete at Smalcalde to consult of the whole matter wherfore he desireth thē not to be offended with this differment of time for so sone as his fellowes mete at their day prescribed they shal haue answer either by Ambassadours or by letters shortly after And he wold through Gods grace so demeane him self that not only this present age but also the time to come shold perceiue right wel that he wyshed for nothing more thā that the pure religion doctrine peace not only of Germany but of the whole comon wealth of Christendom might also floriche and that the Emperour his chiefe souereigne might haue his due honour dignitie Afterwarde whan his fellowes were come with good deliberation they framed an answere by commō assent in their letters the last of Iune Howe they gaue great thankes to the Emperour whiche for Gods glory preseruation of the cōmon wealth had taken so muche paynes of a good zeale they doubted not And therfore pray God so to confirme direct his mynde to that ende that the truthe may be set forth and embraced And false doctrine wicked worshipinge rites abolyshed and that all errours being cleane weded out of mens myndes Gods true seruice other godly vertues may agayne take place For they chiefly desire a counsel wherin the matter that is in controuersie may duely and orderly be decided Suche a counsell also the Emperour hath promysed long synce and that in all assemblies of the Empyre with great deberation hath bene decreed to be kepte in Germanye For all this dissention sprange vp fyrste of that welle that certen impudent persones ouermuche extolled indulgences and pardons At whiche tyme also other errours were perceyued and detected And all be it that byshop Leo condempned this doctryne whiche brought those errours to lyghte yet haue they hetherto impugned that condempnatiō with the testimonies of the Prophetes and Apostles And therfore hath a counsell ben alwaye thought moste nedefull as well of other Prynces and states of them wherin the cause myght be examined and openly tryed what is true and what is false for that they sawe howe many thynges were crept into Religion whiche were to be refourmed And therfore in the assemblies of the Empyre it was decreed that there should be a free and a christian counsell eyther of all nations or els of the prouince of Germany by those especiall wordes lest that eyther the sentēce of the byshop or the force and power of any other man should be preiudiciall to the cause Agayne that in all this cause iudgement should be geuen not after the byshoppes decrees and opinions of Scholemen but accordyng vnto holy Scripture For yf any mans power should be of more force than the Scriptures than due examination who doubteth But that he that shoulde contende againste the byshop shoulde lose his labour and stryue agaynste the streame Wherfore not without great considerations it hath been decreed that the counsell should be holden in Germany And the Emperour also content it shoulde so be but nowe these requestes of the bysshop to be vtterly against the decrees of the Empyre confyrmed by the seales of the Emperour and the other Prynces For all be it he speaketh of a free councel yet doubtles he intendeth an other thynge whā he goeth about to haue kynges and Prynces bounden to hym For in case he woulde haue it free what shoulde this obligation nede But nowe seyng that he is wholy bent this waye certenly this is his purpose that vnder the name of a counsell he maye maynteyne his power and aucthoritie that no man shall reprehende his faultes and errours or if any doe atttempte it that he shall not escape vnpunyshed They knowe not what other men wyll doe but surelye this demaunde of his is wrytten in suche sorte that it rather maketh them afrayde of a counsell than prouoketh them to it for who woulde bynde hym selfe after this sorte especially beynge not yet knowen what shall be the ordre of the counsell the fourme and maner whether the byshop wyll haue his adherentes to beare there moste aucthoritie or whether the controuersies shall be determined accordyng to the holy Scriptures or after the traditions and lawes of men grounded vpon no Scripture at all The lybertie of the Counsell is also restrayned in that he wyll haue it kept after the olde accustomed maner They doe not refuse the former counselles that are consonant to the Scryptures but suche as haue bene in our tyme or a lyttle before whiche haue attributed more than reason wold to the byshop of Rome and decrees of men farre differing from the auncient counselles therfore where he sayeth it shall be after the olde accustomed maner this is his crafte and policie that there shall not be that lybertye of speache and geuinge of sentences as they both desyre and also the cause requireth but that iudgement shall be geuen accordynge vnto his lawes and vsurped power whiche he taketh vppon hym as by certen of the last coūselles it is manifest but by this vsage and hadling of matters can neither the churches be pacified nor the troubled conscience quieted but are brought into further darkenes bondage wherfore seing that the bishop hath not as yet satisfied the requestes of the Emperour and states of the Empyre they ernestly desyre that Cesar considering the weightines of the cause whiche concerneth the vniuersall cōmon wealth and all nations would see that the matter might be handled indifferently For this is his office and dutie this may he doe by the lawes When in dede the byshop impugneth the truthe for it is to be forseen and prouided that the plaintife or defendaūt be not also iudge in the cause For all nations haue great hope in this counsell and doe both wyshe and pray that at the laste mens consciences troubled and sore afflicted with doubtfull dissentiō may be made free set at libertie and taught the way of saluatiō For these many hondreth yeares hath not bene so muche contention about so weighty matters as is at thys present And this stryfe aryseth of sondry errours and vices whiche haue spronge longe before our tyme But and if men be disceaued of theyr expectation and shall
all measure and haue so auaunced their trafficke that there is not so lytle a corner any where that they haue not fylled full of theyr stuffe And al this through a pretensed kynde of fayned holines In apparell they differ from the rest and for the moste part are all shauen in the crowne Neyther maye any others than suche as haue the greate beastes charact or Balles marke be permitted to occupie that trade of marchaundyse These only sell and sell againe and chaunge and that at al times For other marchauntes cease from their busynes vpon holy dayes especially on principall feastes Agayne they followe and occupie for the moste part but one kynde of marchaundyse as Woulles or Sylkes or els Corne or Wyne or els Cattel or Metall or Grossery wares But these marchauntes let slippe no time of the yeare and thei occupie al maner of wares and nothing escapeth their handes nother men women nor young chyldren as well borne as vnborne For they reape againe of all thinges in generall Unto their luste serueth heauen and hell the earth and tyme it selfe yea in all creatures lyuinge without lyfe wyne bread oyle flaxe milke butter chese water salte fyre and perfumes Of all these thynges can they wrynge out golde syluer to the wonderfull losse of people both concernyng their goodes and chiefly their soule hauing infected and vtterlye extynguyshed the true doctrine of God What thinke you it not a point of a subtile marchaunt to sell a thyng and that very dere wherof the bier hath none other commoditie sauyng only the syght of the thing Other marchaūtes whan they set forth their wares to sell are wonte to say commōly you shall see for your loue and by for your money but these do farre otherwyse If any man departe they are streightwayes readye to demaunde of you whether you wyll haue the beste crosse and the beste bere cloth whan the corps goeth to burieng or els that worste or the best sauyng one for as you shall choyse so shall you paye accordingly I beseche the what hast thou for thy money or what thinge cariest thou awaye besydes the syght therof For they laye vp their wares againe the next daye sell it to an other for as muche It is a lyke policie to encrease the pryce of the thynge for the better apparell of the marchaunt for in case the abbot or the bishop do say you a masse it must coste more than if a monke or a chaplayne saye it In the whiche thynge in deede they differ nothing from common harlottes for the gayer the whore is the derer she selleth her filthines But what pratty sleyght is it to sell the selfe and same thynge at one instaunt to sondry men and they neuer the wyser especially 〈◊〉 suche places where is great resort of people There cometh a man of honour or worship into the freers church desireth to haue a masse the freer doucketh and sayeth by and by syre And furth with an other craueth the same and lykewyse the thyrde or more also at the laste commeth he forth disguysed and whan masse is done taketh the whole rewarde of euery of them And thinke you this is nothynge This gere doth not wante a wylie wytte And for the moste parte you shall fynde that they nede lytle other thynge to make their profite of than crafte and pollycie It fortuneth that a poore woman commeth into the churche setteth vp a candell before an image my marchaunt the priest is at hande whiche fyngereth the candell putteth it out and selleth the same to sundry others one after an other For al the sorte of them occupie waxe the poorer sorte as I haue now tolde you but the greatter cobbes in sealyng their letters and other writinges of the whiche sorte be those that are commonly called Officialles Commissaries Seale kepers Notaries and such other lyke But that great Choploch whiche so farre exceadeth all others that he placeth him selfe two degrees aboue God for where as God is called Sanctus deus he wyll be called Sanctissimus that is to saye holy God and the other most holy father he in dede vseth no ware but by a maruelous artificial policie thaungeth leade into golde farre exceadinge all the Alcumisticall multipliers that euer were agayne he selleth hartes very dere namely redde or purple whiche after the byers haue ones gotten on their heades they are as bragge and as proude as pecockes and iette vp and downe in all places where is great resorte of people to shewe and set forth them selues and moste commonlye frequente the courtes of kynges and Emperours with whome they are checkmate For they haue wonderfull great prerogatiues and maye enioye as many byshoprikes and benefices as they lyste without any charges or paymentes And againe they are of that numbre whiche are in election to clyme to the hyghest degree and seate of dignitie After whose example the doctours of Louen and of Paris namely the Sorbonistes do sell their cappes also to the Batchelars of diuinitie and of their charges fare ryght delicately But here woulde I fayne knowe for as muche as Iohn the eyght of that name was a woman and deliuered of a chylde going a procession in the thirde yeare of her byshopryke I saye I would fayne know first whether she were chosen by the vertue of the holy ghoste Again whether her doinges were to be approued and ratified what tyme she solde Cardinalshippes byshoprikes Abbotshippes Finally what is to be thought of the priests marke that she receiued But I returne to my purpose which is to declare that in all the whole worlde is there not to be founde more fyne crafte and subtiltie than is in these kynde of marchauntes Do we not see howe they haue gotten into their handes Empyres kyngdomes countreis cities and great possessions Haue they not oftentymes deposed kinges and Prynces spoyled them of their Realmes and dominions and brought them into muche mysery And nowe are they of suche force and power that they kepe al these thynges by stronghand and wyll tourmoyle heauen and earth together rather than they wil forgoe or lose one iote Oh vnsatiable woulues howe ryghte in tymes paste haue the Prophetes and Apostles namely Paule and Peter paynted and set you forth in your colours Other marchauntes force no man to bye their wares but these doe compell men wyll they nyll they to bye And if any do refuse their baggage they crie out vpon him Heretike to the fyre with hym There dieth a very poore man leauing behinde him wyfe and chyldren not able to helpe them selues A pitiefull case surely and the poore wydowe were worthy to be releued but what do they They not only haue no compassion vpō her but hauing an eye to their praye immediatly after that they haue mumbled vp a fewe prayers must haue money and good chere and besydes that the parson and vicar wyll haue for a mortuary or a coarse
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
for that the kynge hath lately deliuered his realme of Englande out of that moste fylthie bondage and restored it vnto lybertie that Idole Antichriste is nowe starke madde and where as he can work no mischief openly he goeth about fraude and gyle and with false forged sclaunders to incense kynges against hym And al be it he woulde do any thynge to mainteyne his authoritie yet is this his deuyse and polycie to styre vp cruell warres and set one in an others toppe And the kynges pleasure was that he should thus declare vnto them not for that he stode in feare of the byshop for he was so furnyshed with all thynges that he cared neyther for hym nor yet for all his adherentes but to the intent they might clerely perceyue what Antechristes purpose is chieflye at this present tyme whan he pretendeth to holde a counsell but in his mynde intendeth farre an other thynge The kyng doeth confesse and graunte that a lawfull disputation were very profitable and expedient for the common wealth But yet for all that it ought to be forseen in any wyse that ther be no such coūsel had as shal intreate only to establysh the bishoppes authoritie Wherfore he requyreth and admonysheth them that they wyll allowe no counsell before a common peace be made through out christendome Moreouer he wisheth that Gods true Religion and seruice maye be restored whiche thinge to accomplyshe and mayntaine he is content to ioyne hym selfe with them And that these are the thynges which they were commaūded to declare vnto them And moreouer required thē that they might hereafter haue further conference in these matters priuately with certen appointed persones For the kyng bare suche an affection towards them and their Religion that he would employ herein al his treasure and hym selfe also Whereunto they made aunswere and commending the kinges good wyll do shewe howe their chief desyre is that the doctrine of the Gospell myght be spred far abrode And whatsoeuer they do herein to be done of dutie And all be it they haue suffered for the same great rebukes and iniuries and although thei haue procured thē selues hereby moste heinous displeasures and haue oftentymes endured the malice and threatnynges of many yet haue they nothynge relented nor slacked therfore their enterpryse in settyng forth that moste holy thyng And the only cause of so great hatred Malice was that they had forsaken wicked errours and false doctrine Now where the kyng promysed his ayde herein so ample maner where also he hath expulsed and banyshed out of his Realme the tyranny of the byshop of Rome from whence as out of a well sprang all wicked idolatrye they are glad and ioyful to heare it and beseche God that he may thus procede Moreouer where he doeth admonyshe thē to beware that there be no dissention in their doctrine they gyue hym harty thankes but doubtles there is no controuersie at all they doe perseuer in the same doctrine whiche they professed at Auspurge For as concernynge the Anabaptistes they be with thē extremely punyshed vnlesse they come to amendement And that they also reigne chiefly in those places wher the doctrine of the Gospell is prohibited The talke also of the byshop and of his craftie dealynge pleased them very muche and that the byshops legate is nowe in Germany makyng promyse of a counsel to be holden at Mantua and howe he had talked herein with the Prynce Electour of Saxony But what deliberate aunswere they made vnto his demaundes is comprised in wryting whiche he shall haue deliuered vnto hym to beare vnto the kyng to the intent he may vnderstāde what is their mynde herein for the kynges societie and coniunction wherof he spake they yelde him harty thankes And also to the intent that this so holsome doctrine may kepe his ryght course they wil spare neyther paynes nor peryl and doubte not but God wyl gouerne these affayres although their aduersary doe neuer so muche contende and spurne against them And for because he desyreth to conferre of these thynges more at large with some men priuatly they haue chosen certen for the same purpose with whome he may cōmunicate his things praying him to reporte of them so vnto the kynge as theyr good wyll towardes hym may appere the better through his commendation Whan the Duke of Saxon was retourned from kynge Ferdinando to Smalcalde the twelfte of Decembre on Christmas euen a decree was made that the league whiche lasted one yeare longer shoulde be renewed for ten yeares and howe the reste of their furniture shoulde be prouyded and were agreed to receyue into the same league such as were wyllynge and desyrours so that they professe the doctrine propounded of them at Auspurge and woulde beare with them scot and lotte Emonges whome were the Prynces of Pomerane Ulriche Duke of Wyrtemberge Roberte Bauier Prynce of Bipounte Aulpurge Franckeforte Kempten Hamborough and Hannobria And herein toke ordre howe to withstande defende themselues againste the vniust iudgement of the Emperiall chambre At the same tyme also was William Erle of Nassowe admitted into the league And albeit that the Lantgraue by reason of the controuersie that was betwixt them for the lande of Chattes did not assente yet if any wrong were offered him for the profession of the Gospell he sayde he woulde not fayle him in case he desyred his ayde This yeare also the Senate of Auspurge all dissention at the length taken cleane awaye receyueth the doctrine of the Gospell and wrytinge their letters vnto Luther intreate hym that he would sende them faithful ministers of the churche and amonges others Urbanus Regius ✚ The tenth 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 tenth Booke THe citie of Munster through the preachyng of Barnarde Rotman receaued the Gospell wherupon the clergie with theyr byshop forsoke the place neuerthelesse a reconcilemēt was made by the Lantgraue There came thether out of Hollande an Anabaptiste called Iohn of Leiden who hauing wonne Rotman and diuers others infected the whole citie with his poyson in so muche as they of that secte being set on mischief became strōger had all thinges in common and married many wylles Iohn of Leiden after the death of Iohn Matthewe is declared the chiefest Prophet and shortly after kyng vniuersall hauing his cheyalry and power of life and death The citie being beseged a metinge was appointed at confluence to enforce the siege The Anabaptistes had sent letters to the Lantgraue and a booke of their doctrine whiche Luther than impugned The citie being in extreme famine at the last was surprysed and wonne The kyng and his companions were taken prisoners whose execution is after recited About this busines of Mūster was an assemblie appointed at Wormes The Duke of Sauope besegyng Geneua is repoulsed The kyng of Fraunce prepareth
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
Ascanius Wherof Lewis inuaded the Dukedome and begot two sonnes Maximilian and Fraunces The Duke of Orleaunce had by Ualentine Charles Philippe and Iohn Charles was father to Lewis Duke of Orleaunce whiche was after king of Fraunce the twelfth of that name Philippe died without issewe Iohn Erle of Engolesme had a sonne named Charles father to kyng Fraunces who toke Maximilian Sfortia prisoner and subdewed all Lumbardie But Leo the tenth and the Emperour dispossessing hym agayne restored Fraunces Sfortia an exile Who being nowe dead kyng Fraunces to reclayme his ryght as he saieth and to be auēged moueth warre agayne For that after the death of Sfortia the Emperour had taken the possessiō of Lumbardie by Anthony Leua whō he left his depute there what tyme he sayled into Barbaria as before is mentioned Wherfore so sone as he had anye knowledge of the kynges enterpryse he leuieth immediatly all the power he myghte in Germanye and other places to come into Italy And coming frō Naples to Rome in the beginning of Aprill within a fewe dayes after his repayre he required that a Senate might be called wherin before the byshop and a great numbre of Cardinalles and the Ambassadours of foreyne Prynces he had a graue and a vehement oration against the Frenche kyng who breakyng league of an olde hatred and malice hindreth impecheth his moste worthy and Godly enterprises The ende of his oration was to declare that he was ready to fight with him the combat to the intent that through the priuate losse of one of them two rather than by publique domage of the whole worlde the warre might ones haue an ende Before he departed from Naples The Uenetians entred into league with him against the Turke the rather for that they hoped well that he would delyuer the possession of Millan to some priuate man For the states of Italy chiefly the Uenetians wouldneyther that the Emperour nor yet the Frenche kyng should enioye the goodly Dukedome of Millan And therfore in these former yeares they conspyred oftentymes one whyle against the Frenche kynge an other whyle against the Emperour that Fraunces Sfortia myght be restored of whome they supposed to stande in lesse daunger For the league which Clement and the Uenetians made against the Emperour ten yeares before was for this cause only Thinkyng that the Emperour hauyng displaced Sfortia would haue kept to his owne vse all Lumbardie whiche in dede they supposed would be to their great hinderaunce And where at the intercession of Byshop Clement sixe yeares past he restored Sfortia at Boloigne la grasse he got him wonderfull fauour and great good wyll At Naples also the Emperour finished vp the mariage of his bastarde daughter with Alexander Medices whome he had made Duke of Florence as I tolde you in the seuenth booke This Alexander was the bastard sonne of Laurence Medices which had to father Peter whiche was drowned in the mouth of Lire as in the last boke is mentioned You haue heard howe Uergerius was sent into Germany Whan the Emperour was arriued at Naples the byshop calleth hym home againe who returning with great expedition whan he came to Rome declareth his Ambassade how the protestauntes required to haue a free and a Christian counsell and that within the precinct of the Empyre in a place conuenient as the Emperour had made them promyse Of Luther and the rest there is no hope vnlesse they be dispatched out of the way And as concerning the king of Englande the Protestauntes wyll not assente to it and the reste of the Princes are very colde Howe George Duke of Saxonye affirmeth that there is great daunger of the Lutherians whiche can not be otherwise eschewed or auoyded vnlesse the Emperour and the Byshop make warre against them ryght shortly Whiche thynge whan the Byshop vnderstode he sendeth hym to Naples with all spede to recite these thynges to the Emperour especially concernyng the warre to be attempted agaynste the Lutheriās Aterwardes whā the Emperour was come to Rome he was earnestly in hande to haue a counsel called and coueted greatly to cary with hym the letters patentes of the same The Byshop said he was content notwithstāding he woulde chouse some citie in Italy and prescribe therein certen conditions necessary for the churche of Rome Hereunto the Emperour so that he woulde do it ones he cared for no more For he would bryng the greater parte of Germany to followe hym herein so therfore the Byshop chouseth out nyne of that nūbre to make the wrytte Those were Campegius Cesius Simonet Ginucius Cōtarene Poole Cardinals The Archebishop of Brunduse the Byshop of Rhezo and Uergerius thā made byshop of Modruse and not long after of Instinopulis All these together first in the Byshops presence afterwardes seuerally by them selues deuise the forme of Somoning the counsell You haue heard before of the Ambassadours of Englande with whome it was accorded at Smalcalde vpon certen conditions that the kyng should set forth the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they professed at Auspurge and maynteyne the same with them in a lawefull counsell if any suche shal be that neyther of them admitte the calling or place of a counsell but by cōmon assent Neuerthelesse if it may appere by certayne and manifest reasons that any suche counsel is like to be as hath bene declared to Peter Paule Uerger the Byshoppes legate that it be not refused but in case the byshop continue his purpose that than his enterpryse be letted and by open protestation be refused And lyke as the kynge hath ioyned hym selfe to their religion so lykewyse to ioyne with them in league also and to be called the Patroneand defendour of the same That common opinion of the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome to be vtterly reiected for euer If anye warre be attempted against other parte for Religion or other cause that no ayde be geuen vnto hym that inforceth the same That for the defence of the league the kyng shal paye one hundreth thousand crownes wherof the one halfe the confederatours shall and may employe whā nede shall requyre the rest of the charges to be borne of their own money whiche they shall contribute amonges them but if the warre shal longe endure and the force of the ennemy driue them to it thā the king to disburse two hundreth thousand crownes for as much as they if the lyke chaunce should fortune stande also bounde not only to spēd their goodes but their bloud and lyfe also And of this somme also the like consideration to be had as before and that it be not emploied to any other vse than to defende the league and the remainder to be restored whan the warre is finished That the Ambassadours shall wryte to the kyng hereof and whan they knowe his mynde to aduertise the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue therof that after a commō Ambassade maye be sent vnto hym Whan
heare saith he how the Frēche kyng hath requyred your ayde but not obteined which was to me great pleasure and I haue aduertised the Emperour hereof And certenly reason would it should so be For the Emperour gaue none occasion of this warre but was fully resolued this sommer to haue warred vpon the Barbarians and the ennemies of our Religion Notwithstanding the Frenche kynge immediatly after the death of Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan albeit he hath no right nor title therunto a composition made touchyng the whole matter certen yeares paste contrary to the conuenauntes sought to renewe warre and to recouer Lumbardy And at the same tyme passing the Alpes with a great armie inuaded the Duke of Sauoye a Prynce of the Empyre to the intent that hauing ones subdued his countrey he might haue the way open to passe further And nowe that the Emperour hath leuied an armie to resiste hym as he was in dede constreined I am informed that he craueth nowe ayde agayne of you Neuerthelesse for as muche as he breakyng his fidelitie hath commenced warres a freshe I desyre you that you doe not assiste hym Whereby you shall do the Emperour and me pleasure and preserue the quiet of your owne commō wealth In this meane while the Protestantes had sent an Ambassade to the Emperour in Italy to make their purgation in that he had charged them by letters to haue taken the churche goodes and further more to complayne of the iudges of the Emperiall chamber But before the Ambassadours were arriued the Emperoure the seuenthe of Iulye had sent letters to the Protestauntes from the Towne of Sauilie signifieng how he hath at al tymes both present and absent by his letters and Ambassadours sought the quiet of Germany and hath both promysed them peace in theyr Relygion and also perfourmed the same And nowe for as muche as the Frenche kynge against whome he is enforced to rayse an armie maye perauenture by false suggestion perswade with them that he would now take occasion to breake that treuce of Religion therfore hath he thought good to admonyshe them by his letters to beleue no suche thinge but assure them selues that he woulde obserue his promyse neyther would he moue warre vpon any man for religion nor styre vp any trouble in Germany for all this preparation of warre is to mainteyne his ryght and authoritie Wherfor let them quiet them selues and styre not what so euer they shal heare For this shall be both to hym acceptable and to them also profitable Whan the Emperours power was come altogether he marched through the myddest of Italye with a stronge armie tyll he came in to prouynce of Fraunce The kynge had incamped hym selfe at Auignion betwyxte the Ryuers of Rhosne and Druence and destroyinge the countrey Whereinto he perceiued the Emperour woulde come and kepyng hym selfe from geuynge the battell he brought his ennemies into great perplexitie and myserie For the Emperour enforced through the penurie and scarscitie of all thynges and the losse of manye thousandes whiche died for famine and pestilence and also for the death of Anthony Leuie dischargeth the reste of his Armye and retourneth to Genes An other Armie of his that warred this sommer in Uermandoys beseged the towne of Peronne by the cōduicte of Henry Erle of Nassowe but preuayling not leuied the siege about the same time that the Emperour retyred in the prouince and the reporte of eyther newes brought vnto Paris the same daye reioysed the citie exceadynglye For they were in verye great feare and the Preachers in their Sermons to the people inuehed sore against the Emperour And the kynges Lieutenauntes began to intrenche the cytie and kepte the gates with watche and warde William Furstemberge a Germane serued the Frenche kynge in this warre About the begynning of this warre ended his lyfe the Frenche kynges eldest sonne Fraunces the Daulphin eyghtene yeares of age the reporte went that he was poysoned and one Sebastian de moute Cuculo an Italian beyng had in suspicion was fyrste racked and after torne in pieces with sondrye horses at Lions And the kynge afterwardes in his letters to the Prynces of Germanye amonges other made a greuous complainte hereof against Anthony Leuie and Ferdinando Gonzage the Emperours Lieutenauntes in whome he layd all the blame Herman Archebyshop of Collon of long tyme intending a reformation of his churche holdeth at this tyme a counsell of his owne prouince callynge to it as the maner is the Byshoppes within his iurisdiction of Liege Utreicht Munster Osenbridge and Myndes Herein were decrees made of ceremonies and doctrine and after set forth in a booke compyled by Iohn Gropper wherein were al Popyshe Ceremonies for the moste parte paynted out with new colours whiche booke dyd not contente the Byshop than as hereafter shal be declared About this tyme also in the moneth of Iuly Erasmus of Roterdam departed out of this lyfe an olde man of thre score and ten yeares and was buried at Basill Howe excellently learned and howe eloquent a man he was and howe muche al learnyng is bounde to hym his own workes shall testifie By occasion of puttyng downe papistrie in Englande and suppressing of certen Abbeyes vnder thre hundreth markes of yearely valewe there arose a commotion in Lynkcolneshyre in a market towne they call Lowthe styred vp by Doctour Mackerell a false Monke who named him selfe captayne Cobblar and after that it was appeased by the Duke of Southfolke the kynges Lyeutenaunt an other began in Yorke shyre a grear deale worse For those Rebelles were manye and stronge and came as farre as Dankcaster where the Duke of Northfolke met them with the kinges power and when they should haue ioyned together in battell by the mediation of the Erle of Shrewisbury which was a man welbeloued of the commons the matter was taken vp without bloudshed Their chief Captaine was Robert Aske who was after executed for his treason with certen others of the Nobilitie his adherentes Unto the letters which the Emperour wrote in Iuly the Protestaūtes answer the nynth day of Septembre and where it pleased hym to wryte so gentle and so lyberally they shewe hym howe they conceaue great pleasure in theyr mindes for albeit they did neuer distruste his promise yet for as much as diuerse reportes of his displeasure came to their eares and agayne for that the iudges of the imperiall chamber and others makyng none accompte of the peace concluded did procede diuerse wayes agaynste them they had some cause to doubte and feare the matter But nowe that he hath wrytten againe so louingly and playnly they are out of all doubtes that he wyll perfourme the same and refuse the sclaunderous reportes of their aduersaries lykewyse wyll they doe and geue no credite vnto suche as shall otherwyse reporte of him and in al other thinges also doe according to their dutie than came they to the counsell which the
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
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
and of great eloquence he toke pleasure to wryte of sondry argumentes taken out of naturall thynges and of the lyfe of men And with a certen maruelous dexteritie and style moste pleasaunt he setteth forth precpres of Godlye and vertuouse maners and noteth with all by the same occasion olde accustomed errours and vices whereof commeth this complaynte of hym In the moneth of Februarye the Frenche kyng made Annas Momorauncie Conestable of Fraunce whiche is the hyghest degre of honoure there This office had bene euer voyde synce the death of the Duke of Bourbon For the kyng beyng greuously offended with his treason had bestowed the same vpon no man vntyll this tyme. And the same office hath had but bare lucke in more than one or two whilest they abusing their authoritie haue styred vp against them either the kynges them selues or the nobilitie In the meane tyme the Protestauntes assemble at Brunswicke about the ende of Marche to treate of matters cōcernyng their league And they receyue Christiane kyng of Denmarke in to their league He was sonne of Frederick and had receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and had appointed Iohn Pomerane whome he called from Wittenberge to set ordre in his churches and by him was annoynted and crowned kyng Iohn also Marques of Brandēburg the brother of Ioachim prince Electour made meanes by the Duke of Saxon to be admitted into the league He therfore was appointed to treate with him vpon certen cōditions at his retourne home and thā to receiue hym in all their names The same requeste also made Albert Duke of Pruselande whome syxe yeares before the chamber had outlawed and that was the chiefest cause whye he was not receyued in to this societie Neuerthelesse they promysed hym all their fauour and good wyll Whan the Duke of Saxony the Lantgraue and their cōsortes were goyng to this assemblie Henry Duke of Brunswycke denied to geue them saufe conduicte whan they should passe through his countrey For euen than he imagined warre as hereafter you shall heare In the Duke of Saxons company was Maurice nephewe to Duke George by his brother Henry a young man of seuentene yeares olde Henry was of the Protestauntes Religion and therfore the Duke toke his sonne Maurice beyng his kynsman to bring vp The kyng of Denmarke hym selfe came than also to Brunswicke In the nynth booke I spake of the persecution that was in Fraūce for Lutheranisme It were long to recite al but this yeare at the Ides of Apryll whiche was than nyne dayes before Easter a young gentleman of Tolouse learned about twenty yeares of age was brent at Paris for eatyng of fleshe not alyue in dede but yet so as beinge hanged ryght ouer he felte the fyre kyndled vnder hym whiche after the maner there was accompted as a great benefite for that he in prison before he was brought forth to execution feared with the cruell wordes of Morine the iudge threatenyng hym confessed that he had done wyckedlye and agaynste Religion For the maner of repentaunce is there only that he shal suffer with the lesse torment But suche as abyde constant are moste cruelly tourmented Two younge men of Flaunders were in the lyke daunger but admonyshed therof by a certen Senatour learned and of a good iudgement they escaped death by flyeng awaye In the moneth of May the Bishoppe of Rome goeth to Nice a hauen towne in Ligurie Thyther also came the Emperoure and the Frenche kynge at his request chiefly he with a Nauie out of Spaine and the kynge by lande accompanied amonges others with a power of Almaignes whiche were lead by Wylliam Countie Furstēberge After a longe treatie albeit they coulde not throughlye agree yet a trewee was made in the moneth of Iune for ten yeares Here was the lady Margaret the Emperours bastarde daughter ensured to Octauius Duke of Parma the Byshoppes nephew by his sonne Peter whom Cosmus duke of Florence woulde fayne haue maried after the death of Alexander Medices The two kynges spake not together in this place albeit the Byshoppe desyred it muche But a fewe dayes after whan he was departed they mette at Aegnes Mortes a Towne of the Prouince in the mouth of the Riuer of Rhosne whither the Emperour retorninge into Spaine came with his Nauie at the Ides of Iulye The kinge had sent to mete him Uelius his Ambassadoure and Galleis to conduicte him Whan the Emperour came nere vnto Aegnes the Conestable of Fraunce was there readye to entreate hym that he woulde arriue there with his Nauie For he saied the kynge woulde be there within these two houres and would come into his Barke to him Whan the Emperour sawe that the rest of the Shippes which were scattered the daye before by reason of a miste were come together he putteth into the hauen And not longe after commeth the kynge also and accompanied amonges others with Anthony Duke of Loraine and the Cardinall his brother goeth streight waye to the shippes The Emperour goynge forth as farre as the ladder of the shippe to mete him receaueth him in But it can not be spoken what embracynges and gratulations were there Whan they were set downe in the Sterne of the Shippe the nobles aboute the Emperour come and salute the kinge lowly and right curtesly There the Emperour sent for Andrewe Aurie his Admirall Prince of Melphite who forsoke the kynge tenne yeares before as is mentioned in the sixte Booke to come and salute the kyng Whan he came the kynge said Prince Andrewe for as muche as you are frende and seruiture to the Emperoure And that it is his pleasure that I should speake wyth you I am contente to gratifie him herein whom I esteme as my brother After whan they had talked familiarlye and frendly together by the space of an howre the kynge departeth The next day in the mornyng As sone as it was light day the Emperour gyueth commaundement by a Trompet that no man go a lande but he himselfe garded wyth certen of his nobles saileth out to dyne with the kynge When he came to lande the kinge and the quene and his two sonnes most gently do embrace him and lead him into the Palace towardes euenynge themperour aduertiseth Androwe de Aure who remained within borde howe at the request of the kinge and the queene his syster he purposed to lie in the towne that night And the next day at after diner to retourne to his Nauie Whiche he did for this intent leste he should throughe his absence conceaue some false suspicion in hys minde Wherfore the next day the Emperour came againe to the sea accompanied with the king and all his nobles And whan they had drunken together in the Emperours cabben of the shippe they departed great frendes Which thing once knowen at Paris and other places they songe Tedeum and made bonefyers The Bishop had requested them at Nice whan the peace was concluded that they woulde go to the
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
a sedition at Gaunte Whiche citie is of great force and aucthoritie in those parties and hath oftentymes made many sore bickeringes for their lybertie with the Gouernours of Flaunders in whose dominion it standeth The Emperour hauing intelligence hereof where he firste had thought to haue gone through Italy into Germany he altered his purpose and determined to passe through Fraunce seyng the kyng required hym instantly so to doe and promysed hym all thynges franckely In the meane tyme the Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburge intercessours addressyng their letters to the Emperour of the pacification at Franckfurte had requyred hym to permitte a conference of learned men to be had at Norinberge But he sayde that the death of his wyfe and certen other affaires would not suffer hym to entende suche matters Whan the intercessours had sent a copie of these to the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and yet had not signified whether the Emperour had confirmed that truce of .xv. monethes The .xix. daye of Nouember an assemblie was appoynted at Arustet a towne of Turingia Here they consulted to augmente their confederacie for their nedefull defence in case the Emperour wyll not allowe the peace makyng at Franckefurte for well disposyng the churche goodes to sende Ambassadours into Englande touching the syxe Articles and to mitigate the kinges mynde to moue the Frenche kynge that innocente persones be not tormented for ReligioÌ„ Moreouer to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour so sone as they shall vnderstande of his commyng into Flaunders And for because certen of the confederatours were absent and other some had not commission to determine of certeÌ„ matters an other daye was assigned at Smalcalde at the kalendes of Marche wherin to treate of the reste Here were receiued into the League the men of Rigen a citie in Linonia whiche were at coÌ„tencion with their Archebyshop lyke as many others were in Germany Neyther wer they receyued vpon other condicion than to be defended in the counsel chaÌ„ber by the commoÌ„ procurers therfore payed to the confederatours a thousande and fyue hundreth crownes Henry Duke of Saxon was taken into the league two yeares before without any charge because he was but poore but yet vpon condition that if he were at any tyme enriched he should beare like charge with the reste Nowe therfore that he was auaunced to this goodly inheritaunce in this Assemblie they treated with hym touching the same whiche assemblie ended the tenthe of Decembre The Prynces were not there present but had sent their deputes And the Duke of Saxon had sent Iohn Dulcie and Fraunces Burcarte vicechauncelour into Englande in the moneth of Nouembre to be is his name present at the marriage betwene the kynge and the Lady Anne of Cleane for he had married her syster Sibille as is mentioned in the syâ—â— booke Wherfore vpon this occasion they were enioyned at Arnstade to treate with the kyng in the name of the ProtestauÌ„tes for these matters before sayd The Emperour receyuing a saufe conduictetoke his iourney with a small company in the moneth of Nouembre Whan he came to the frontiers of Fraunce borderynge vpon Spayne he met the kynges two sonnes Henry and charles which were come thether in poste and the Constable which was gone thether long before with a great parte of the nobilitie of Fraunce of whom being receyued and conduicted through the myddes of Fraunce the greatest cities whaÌ„ he came to Loche in Burges he mette with the kynge hym selfe who was than scarcely ameÌ„ded of a late disease After passyng through Or leaunce on Newe yeares daye rydynge in the myddes betwene the kynges two sonnes he entred into the citie of Paris and the Constable bare the sworde before him For no kinde of ioyful myrth and gladnes no honour or solemnitie that the mynde of man coulde delight in was left vndone Thether came the Byshoppes Legate Alexander Farnesius Cardinall who together with Cardinall Bellaye the Byshop of the citie Receiued the Emperour into the Cathedrall churche at Paris Where the Emperour remaining seuen dayes afterwardes departeth the kynge hym selfe accompanying hym into Uermandois and his sonnes brought hym as farre as Ualencenes a towne in Henaulte The kynge was brought into a great and almoste a sure hope to recouer Millan but it chaunced farre otherwyse as hereafter I purpose to declare What tyme the Emperour was with the Frenche kynge in Fraunce they sent both their Ambassadours to the Uenetians moste nobly accoÌ„panied The Emperour sent Alphonse Daualle gouernour of Millan and the king Claudie Hannebalde Lieutenant of Piedmonte These exhorted the Senatours with a longe discours to ioyne them selues in amitie with these two most myghty Princes and to put to theyr good willes and power to ouerthrow the Turke But they whan they had most honorably dimissed the Ambassadors considering the thing more diligently thought mete to reconcile them selues to the Turke with whom they had trewce already Wherfore concluding at the last to rendre vnto him Nanplia and Epidaurum they obteyned at his hande peace Some saye that the Frenchemen albeit exhorted them openly as did themperours Ambassadour yet secretly whispered in their eares that they should prouide for themselues not enter into such a daunger for the which they were fyrst like to smarte the king him selfe in an Apologie against themperour reporteth that the common wealth of the Uenetians of him destroyed was through his meanes releued and recouered Aloisius Bardnarius the Ambassadoure of the Uenetians sente to the Turke for peace 〈◊〉 as commaunded fyrst to offer al other conditions and reserue those two cities for extreme necessitie But the Turke which by priuie espiall knewe the determination of the Senate longe before did expostulate with him that he did not declare his commission plainely and directly And without those two places deliuered would not conclude Who beyng amased seyng the priuities of the common wealth were bewrayed full sore againste his will permitteth him to haue them at laste But whan he was retourned to Uenise and had declared the whole matter the Senatours greatly astonied after moste diligente inquisition apprehende certen and fyndynge them giltie cut of theyr heades One of them was fledde into the Frenche Ambassadours lodgyng the Bishoppe of Mompelier as into a Saintuary wherefore officers were sent to haue searched all the house But whaÌ„ they might not be suffered to enter the Senate commaundeth certeine great pieces to be fetched out of theyr ordenaunce house to ouerthrow the lodging Wherupon the Frenchmen consyderinge theyr owne daunger bring him forth vnto them The Senate afterwarde wrote vnto the kinge the cause why they so dyd lest he shoulde thynke his Ambassadour had susteined wrong When themperour came into Flaunders kyng Ferdinando comming out of Austriche met there also After the Protestantes Ambassadors as it was condescended at Arnstad who the xxiiii daye of February beyng admitted to the Emperours speach at Gaunt
ouerthrowe at Argiers suffered Shipwreake was drowned And this opinion was so setrled in the myndes of the Cleauois that they would neyther credite them whiche sayed they had sene hym nor scarsely those that had spoken with hym The Prynce hym selfe also was lykewyse perswaded by acerten fatall credulitie The Frenche men were thought to be authors and forgers of this vanitie lest the Cleauois should releÌ„t and for feare of Themperours power fall to some coÌ„position Themperour receyuing this aunswer whan he had fortyfyed his camp and furnished it with all thinges the .xxiiii. day of August before the soÌ„ne rysyng he beginneth to make his battery and after geueth thassault especyally by the Spanyardes whyche were exceadyng preste and wyllyng They beyng often repulsed and hauyng loste many of their men neuer ceased before they had taken it by force The fortune of the Townes men was suche as is wonte to bee whan the waye and entrie is made by the sword Howbeit here was wont to be shewed the head of Saint Anne our Ladyes mother and thither came yearelye a greate multitude of people at the. xxvi daie of Iuly whyche is dedicated to that sainct But the Spaniardes being victours caried that head inclosed in golde with a greate pompe deuoutely into the graie Freres Churche lest it shoulde bee lost in that Ruine and burnyng of the Churche After the Towne was spoyled and distroyed by fyre Themperour Marchinge forewarde had rendred vnto hym Gulick and than Ruremunde a stronge Towne of Gelderlande situated where the Ryuer of Rure and the Mase mete For the sodein distructyon of Dure broughte all men into a wonderfull feare and perplexitie From Ruremunde he goeth to Uenlon Thither at the laste came the Duke of Cleaue to hym into his Campe accompanyed with Henry Duke of Brunsewicke and the Ambassadours of the Archebishop of Collon And what time he humbly besought Themperoure to perdon hym the Duke of Brunswicke also and the Ambassadours ernestly intreated for hym Themperoure at the last ryseth vp and appoynteth the Prynce of Orenge and Granuellane to prescribe lawes vnto hym Therefore vpon these conditions he was receyued againe into fauoure the seuenth daye of September He shall not departe from the relygyon of the Catholycke Churche yf he haue altered any thynge let it be restored that he promyse hys fydelytie allegeaunce to themperour to king Fernando to thempire that he doe renounce the league of Fraunce and of Denmarke He shall make no confederacie wherin he shall not excepte Themperoure Fernando and their heires He shall leaue the possession of all Gelderlande and release the people of they re othe And in case any place or places shall refuse to render that he shall than ayde the Emperoure to recouer the same The Emperoure agayne restoreth vnto hym the Lande of Gulycke latelye Conquered excepte two Townes Henseberge and Syttarde whyche hee wyll kepe for a tyme tyll he haue somme experience of hys fydelytie and Loyaltye Whylest the Emperoure wente agaynste the Duke of Cleaue the Frenche Kynge Marcheth throughe Champagne towardes the lande of Luke And sendeth for the Lady Iane hys Systers Daughter whyche was despoused and solemnelye Maryed two yeares before to the Duke of Cleaue to carye her to her Husbande She wente full sore agaynste her wyll as I shewed you beefore Howbeit she obeyed the Kynge her Uncle The Kynge appoynted vnto her Cardynall Bellaye Bysshop of Parys as a man mooste meete to perswade with her and kepe her companye all that Iorneye When she was commen nowe to the Soyssons to goe from thence to the Kynge woorde was broughte that the Duke of Cleaue was subdewed Wherwith beeyng greatlye reioyced she sawe then that shee nede to feare the thinge no longer and knewe what wolde bee the ende thereof Neyther was she deceaued at all For the Kynge at these newes was sore astonyed And so she retourneth home but he neuerthelesse procedynge taketh the Cytyo of Lucemburge aboute th ende of September and after delyberatyon had fortyfyeth it Aboute thys tyme also Henry the eyghte Kynge of Englande confederated latelye with the Emperoure sendeth hym a power of men by the conducts of Syr Iohn wallop Capytayne of Guisnes whyche Ioynynge with Themperoures Armye beesege the Towne of Landersey In the Moneth of October Charles Rosset a Lawyer was sente by the Emperoure to Mentz who there tooke order with the Senate Monkes and Clergie for the obseruing of the olde relygion bannysshynge the Preachers and others that were inclyned to the Protestantes vnles they shoulde reconcile them selues within a certeine tyme. Whan Barbarousse had beeseaged the Castell of Nice in vayne and that Themperoures power out of LuÌ„bardye also approched whyche was led by the Marques of Piscare he leuyed the sege and somewhat sooner than the tyme of the yeare requyred he leadeth backe hys Armie to wynter at Tollon for that Towne had the Kynge assigned hym commaundyng all the CitezeÌ„s and inhabiters to auoyde thence This yeare was moche dissention and trouble in Scotlande the mindes of the nobles beyng deuyded For those Lordes whyche we sayed were prisoners in Englande being libâ—â—ally dismissed of the kynge furthered hys cause as moche as they myght But the Cardinall of Scotlande who had great yerely reuenewes by benefyces in Fraunce and the Quene beynge Daughter to the Duke of Guyse tooke the Frenche Kynges parte After the death of the Scottish king Henry the eyght was wholy in this that the yonge Quene of Scottes might be affianced to Prince Edward his soÌ„ In the which thing those nobles that I spake of did him good seruyce And when they had perswaded HameltoÌ„ the gouernour they toke the Cardinall and besege the Quene in a certen castell and makyng the wrytynges confyrme the marriage But where the French kynge disturbed this deuyse And the Nobilitie also pitied moche the Quenes chaunce and the gouernoure reuolted to thother syde they brake theyr conuenauntes And the warres beganne agayne afresihe betwixt them and England as shal be declared herafter The kyng of Denmarke had also warre with Themperialles of the low countrye for Kyng Christierne that was captiue And he axed ayde of the Protestantes but they saye how thys quarel concerneth not theyr league for it was prouyded that in case he shoulde haue warre for hys religion that then he shoulde by their coÌ„mon ayde be defended When the Duke of Cleaue had made hys peace with TheÌ„perour he sendeth his Ambassadoure to the Kynge of Fraunce and renounceth hys league and requyreth that his wyfe maye bee sente hym for whose passage he hathe obteyned a saufe conduite of Themperoure The kynge aunswereth the Ambassadour howe there hath ben no let in hym that he hath not bothe had his wyfe delyuered and an Armye also sente but that it hath ben hys owne faulte which certifyed that ther was neyther open way for them to passe in those parties nor vitaile to be had What
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
yeres before as is declared And Sygismunde Kynge of Poole defended hym as hys Cliente And nowe what tyme an other was inuested as I haue sayed the kynges Ambassadoure proteâ—ted openlye that thys creation was vnlawfull neyther that it oughte to bee any derogation to the Kynge hys Master vnder whose defence and protection is the Lande of Prusse Whan the Ambassadours of Hongary had recited theyr misfortune and losse of the yeare paste they requyred ayde of Th empyre For nowe is the matter broughte to the verey extremitie and yf they bee nowe leafte destitute they must nedes doe as men are wont in matters desperat and for the which no man can blame theÌ„ they wil accept right harde conditions yea boÌ„dage it selfe rather that whilest other men sit still loke on they should fal into present destructioÌ„ How the FreÌ„ch kings Heraulte was sent away from Spier with his letters it is before declared whan the ambassadours therfore wer retourned home the oratioÌ„ which they should haue had before the states of germany they set forth in print In the beginning to get good will they say how bothe nations haue one the same originall neither can any thing chaunce vnto germany which apperteineth not as wel vnto Fraunce ThaÌ„ do they coÌ„fute the reportes of their aduersaries as though the king with an other warre should disturbe the coÌ„mon welth haue made league with the Turke vsing a certeÌ„ preface to appeace themperour And affirme how the former warre was begon for that the king could not obteine of the duke of Sauoie his mothers inheritauÌ„ce And this later for the kinges ambassadours which wer slain against the law of all nations And that the king hathe no league nor societie with the Turke but for marchandise coÌ„mon quiet such as the Uenetians PoloniaÌ„s others haue And albeit ther wer any league betwixt theÌ„ it wer not to be reprehended for asmoch as in times past both AbrahaÌ„ Dauid SalomoÌ„ Phineas the children of Tobie captaines of the Machabeis haue done the like After also themperours Honorius CoÌ„staÌ„tine Theodostus the yonger Iustinian the secoÌ„d Palaologus Leo Frederick the first second haue vsed the aide succour of nations of a contrary religioÌ„ And doubtles Fredericke the second was euen vpon the shoulders of the saracens caried again into Italy froÌ„ whence the bisshopes of Rome had expulsed him They know how great powers aide the king hath oftener than once promised to the Turkish warre Hereof also the Bishop and Senate of Cardinalles are good wytnesses The cause whye the Turke inuaded Hongarye was for the contentyon aboute the gouernemente And after was moore provoked by the war in Affricke for the taking of Townes And where of late the Turkisshe nauie came into the Ligurian Sea it is not to be imputed to the kynge neyther maketh it to the pourpose that Poline the kinges seruaunt was in the same For thinteÌ„t of Barbarousse was to searche and take Androwe de Aurie his enemie And when he could not fynde hym he beseged the castell of Nice and that of hys owne determination The kyng in dede hath taken trewes with the Turke lyke as he hath at other tymes shewed them which is honest hurtfull to no man for the which he ought not to be blamed consydering that the greatest men that be haue also lately muche desyred the same The state of the publyke weale is sore afflicted and for that is the kynge right sory And by this meane maie peace be recouered if Themperoure will restore to the Kinge that thinge that is his owne ryghte and in heritaunce Yf they can brynge thys to passe the kinge wyll spare neyther trauell cost nor perill to defende Germanye from all foreine violence In the fourmer bookes you haue hearde how the Duke of Saxon wolde not acknoweledge Fernando to be kynge of Romanes but in thys conuention that matter wente through in the moneth of Maye and the Duke promised to honour hym accordingly Themperour agayne ratifyeth the Marriage conuenauntes betwixte hym and the house of Cleaue whiche euer before he refused permitteth that in case the Duke of Cleaue fortune to dye withoute heyres malles that the Duke of Saxon whiche had maryed hys syster and his heires males should succede him yet vpon thys condicioÌ„ if before that chaunce they shal agree vpoÌ„ religion And for a further bande of amitye Fernando by Themperours consente promiseth to geue his daughter Elenore in marriage to the Duke of SaxoÌ„s eldest sonne yf a reconcilemente in religion may be had before she be marying able This latter thyng was kepte verey secret and closely couered on eyther syde so that neyther the Lantzgraue and hys fellowes knewe anye thynge thereof For the matter was done by a fewe counsellours and Themperoure vsed Granuellane Feruando Hoffeman the Duke of Saxon Pontane and Burcarte The King of DeÌ„marke also sendynge hys Ambassadours fell to a composytion with Themperoure where before he had kepte hys power all the wynter longe for the chaunce that myghte haue happened he semed to forsake the Frenche Kynges frendeshyp for the Turkyshe confederacye for somuch the Ambassadours dyd sygnyfye in famylyar talke with their fellowes Nowe wyll we retourne to the demaundes of Themperoure and Kynge Fernando The matter beyng longe and muche debated the tenth daye of Iune the conuention ended The States of Th empyre albeit they thoughte it muche to bee charged with double ayde yet supposynge that they shoulde the better warre agaynste the Turke yf the domesticall enemie were fyrste broughte vnto hys bewtye graunted to Themperoure monye to fynde foure thousande Horsemen and .xxiiii. thousande footemen for halfe a yere agaynst the Frenche kynge And with parte of that monye Themperouce departeth to hys brother Fernando to thentente he shoulde fortifye suche places as are nere the Turkes And for the Turkishe warre to come they agreed that moneye shouldbe gathered of euerye man throughe oute Germany all men to be seased after theyr landes and goodes and no man to bee exempted and enacted that no man shoulde serue any foreine Prynces especyally the Frenche Kynge and the Magistrate permitted to execut those that were taken with the maner Because the controuersy of relygyon could not in these warlycke affaires bee treated on it is differred tyll the nexte assemblye to bee holden in the moneth of December In the meane season wyll Themperoure appoynte certen good and well learned men to compile some godlye fourme of reformation and also exhorteth the Princes to do the lyke to the ende that throughe a Conference made in the next assemblye somethyng by common assent may be establysshed to be obserued vntyll a generall counsel to be holden in Germany or a prouincial Sinode of the same In the meane tyme let all men be quyet and styre vp no trouble for the dyuersitie of Relygion and that the Churches also of what relygion so euer they bee maye
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
the ministers of the churche whom they wolde should be remoued vnlesse they doe theyr dewty of the magistrate whom they graunte to be ordeyned of God to defende the good and to punnysh the transgressours And how they owe hym not loue only but also tribute and custome no man herein to be excepted euen by the example of christ who payed tribute hym selfe of baptisme which they saye is a visible and an outward sygne that represēteth vnto vs the renewyng of the spirite and the mortifycation of the members of the Lordes supper whych they saye is a thankes geuing and a memory all of the benefit receyued throughe Chryste of matrimony which beyng holy and instituted of god ough to be inhibited to no mā of good workes which they saye we must obserue and exercise as holy scripture teacheth of false doctryne whiche because it leadeth vs a waye from trewe worshippyng they saye it ought to be eschewed to be brief the order and rule of theyr faythe they affirme to be the olde and new Testamente and doe protest that they beleue all those thynges that are conteyned in the crede of the Apostles Finally they desyre the kyng to geue credyt to thys declaration for incase he be otherwyse informed it is not trew and that they say they wyll proue yf they maye be heard That tyme was the king occupyed with affaires of warre and therfore the matter slept but whē peace was made it was renewed and through the prouocatiō of many brought to thys wonderful crueltie I shewed before of the Spaniardes whom Themperour had placed in Lorayne for the wynter season They after they had wrought moche euyll in those parties by Themperours cōmaundement depart thence in the moneth of Aprill and trauelyng by Strasburge whē they had there passed ouer the Rhm they goe through Sweuia into Austriche about three thousande footemen At thys tyme ended hys lyfe Lewis the Duke of Bauier the brother of Wyllyam hauynge no chyldren For so it was accorded that he should not marie for the kepyng together of thinheritaunce The Duke of Brunswicke and he were exceadyng great frendes For they were the chiefe captaynes of the league that was deuised against the protestātes And whan Henry of Brūswicke was dryuen oute of hys countrey he fled fyrst vnto hym After thys the .xvi. daye of Maye came Themperour to Wormes And the next daye after Cardinal Farnesius What was the cause of his commyng I am not able to saye but it was thought for certentie that he came to styre vp warre agaynst the Lutheranes He did nothinge openly and comynge from Roome he passed not throughe the lande of Wirtemberge but whan he had stayed a tyme at Dilling a Towne of the Cardinalles of Auspurge vpon the Riuer of Danubius he torned an other way Kyng Fernando had written to the Duke of Wirtemberge that for his sake he wold let hym passe sassye and shewe all the fauour that myghte bee he made aunswer that he had rather he wolde take some other waye neuerthelesse to doe hym pleasure yf he were disposed to passe that waye he wolde not let hym But he as I sayd tooke an other waye and came to Wormes one daye after thēperour Themperoure so soone as peace was made with the French kyng sollicited other prynces also to further and helpe forewarde the Counsell And for thys cause only sente ambassadours to the kynge of Polle requyring hym to sende hys deputes to the counsell of Trente who amonges other thinges sayed that for asmoche as Themperour supposed howe the Protestantes whyche had ben euen stubburne wold not forsake the cōfession of theyr doctryne exibited at Auspurge nor also obey the publycke decrees of the counsell the thinge it selfe requyred that kynges and princes should take the matter in hande and yf they doe not obey to bee auenged on them as the disturbers of the publycke weale and all godlye relygion And where as he amonges others hath the comendation of a godly and a christian kyng Themperoure prayeth hym to thynke vpon the Turkisshe warre subcribe to the counsell of Trente and yf the Protestantes will not beframed to amendement to assiste hym with hys ayde and counsell as also other kynges haue promised The king of Polle agayne made aūswer how he desyred that he myghte see that day whan chrystian kynges Prynces all ciuille warre and discorde layde a parte shoulde bende theyr whole power at ones agaynste the Turke For then wold he be none of the last And as concernyng the counsell and the Protestātes he wil doe all thynges that maye profite the publycke weale and trāquillitie of the churche neyther yf nede repuyre wyll in greate daunger fayle Themperoure hys Frende and alie The same tyme it was wrytten from Rome how the Bisshop notwithstandyng that he had called a Counsell and sente hys Legates thyther was so desyrous of warre agaynst the Lutheranes that hereunto he promised aide of xii thousande footemen and fyue hondreth horsemen And that priuelye also he hyred Centurions and Captaynes And whan it was shewed hym agayne howe the time was farre spent and no great good could be donne that yere and how they must tary for some better occasyon he declared the same immediately to hys captaynes and put them in hope of the next yere following On the morrow after the feast of Pētecost a Frere obseruaunt an Italian made a sermon before Themperour kyng Fernando Cardinal Farnesius the Bisshop of Auspurg and Granuellan and in hys sermon makinge a digression to the Lutherans when he had inueyhed moche and spoken dispitefully against thē it is tyme no we sayeth he most victorious Emperour that at the laste you doe your offyce certenly it hathe ben delayed ouer longe for the thyng shoulde haue ben don long since God hath blessed you with many great gyftes and ordeyned you defendour of his church Wherfore extende youre power and dispatche out of the waye that pestiferous sorte of men For it is not lawefull for them any longer to behold the sonne whiche doe thus pollute and confounde althynge Neyther say that you will doe it For it shoulde haue ben done already already I saye and long syns therfore may ther be no longer delay For how many thousand people do you thinke to be in daunger of euerlasting saluation through theyr madnes All the whych God shall requyre at your handes vnlesse you fynd the remedye It is sayde how Granuellan was moche offended with thys Trompete eyther for that he fayned so or els for that he sawe howe it was a warnynge to the Protestantes Not many daies after this sermō Farnesius departeth secretly by nyght and retourneth to Rome with great expedition In these dayes Luther setforth a boke in the vulgare toungue intitled against the Bisshoprycke of Roome ordeyned by Sathan in the which booke he aunswereth fyrst to the Bysshoppes letters wherby with so vehement wordes he diswadeth Themperoure from the reformatiō of
relygion lyke as you haue hearde before After those places of scripture which the Bisshop doeth vsurpe to establyshe hys supremacie he confuteth moste aboundantly and applyeth them to make agaynst hym Before the booke he set a picture whych by and by declareth the sōme of the argumente The Bysshop sytteth in an hyghe chayre with hys handes ioyned and stretched out in solemne apparel but he hathe asse eares And aboute hym are many deuelles of diuers shapes wherof some set a triple crowne vpon hys head with a tourde in the toppe of it others let hym downe by cordes into hell vnder neth hym hortyble to be holde some bryng wood and colle others as ryght seruyceable staye his feete that he may descend rightly and softely Not longe after came foorthe certene theames of hys whyche he had heretofore disputed of the three gouermentes Ecclesiasticall politycke and Oeconomike Whiche he sayeth God hathe ordeyned agaynste the furye of the Deuill but he vtterlye excludeth the Bysshop from all these for that he condemneth and oppresseth the Gospell for that he bryngeth vnder hys subiection all lawes and euen the ciuile lawe And in asmoche as he forbiddeth matrymony to whom it pleaseth hym Therfore he calleth him the beast which is named in Germany of the beare and the wolfe together There is nothynge sayeth he more fierce and cruell then she Wherfore when a token is geuen and that she is once hearde of streyghte wayes all men get them to theyr weapons to the intent they maye kyll her And yf hapely she should take a caue or anye inclosure and gouernour or Iudges of the soyle wolde exempte her or also defende her she shoulde be persecuted notwithstanding and he that should let or disturbe the hunters myght be slayne lawefully After the selfe same sorte must the Bisshop be resysted if he doe attempte and moue warre lyke a wyld and a rauenyng beast with what aide someuer he is mayneteyned For they that wil serue or helpe a theefe ought to looke for the rewarde of the thynge which they deserue Thā did he also sende foorth an other picture very fonde in dede but yet as it were a prophesye of the thyng to come The Bisshop in hys prelates apparell sitteth vpon a greate sowe with manye dugges whyche he diggeth in with his spurres hauyng two fyngers of hys ryght hand nexte hys thume stretched ryghte vp as the maner is he blesseth suche he chaunceth to mete with In hys lefte hande he holdeth a new smokinge tourde at the smell wherof the sowe lyfteth vp her snowte and with her wyde mouthe and nose thirlles catcheth after her praye but he in derysion blamyng the beast full bytterly I shall ryde thee saieth he with my spurres whether thou wylt or noe Thou haste troubled me longe aboute a counsell that thowe myghtest rayle on me at thy pleasure and accuse me franckelye Beholde nowe thys same is that counsell that thou so greatlye desyrest by the sowe he sygnifyeth Germany These tryfles of hys many mentaunted as vnsemely for hym and not verey modest But he had hys reasons whye he did so was thought to haue had a greater foresyghte in thynges And certenly in hys bookes are diuerse and sondry prophecyes wherof the ende prooved some trewe the residew as yet are in the hande of God In the meane season Themperoure taketh order with Granuellan and Nauius to be in hand with the protestantes touching the counsel and the Turkish warre but after longe decision nothyng could be concluded Grinian the french Ambassadour for because he vnderstode not the latyn tounge conprysed hys matter in wrytyng and vttered it by an interpretour the .xx. daye of Iune the somme of thys oration was to exhort them al to the counsell This Grinian was a nere frende to the Cardinall of Tournon who is thought to haue ben the occasyoner of thys Ambassade for he had ben with Themperoure at Brusselles as I sayde before and had treated of matters concernynge the counsell And than was it thus agreed that the kinge should sende an Ambassadour to exhorte them to the counsell whych Themperoure and he had already approued for thys was thought to bee a meane to make the Protestantes affraid At this tyme dyeth Fraunces Duke of Lorayne leauing behynde hym a yonge sonne Charles a chylde of two yeres olde The Duke had a brother called Niclas Bisshop of Mentz betwene him and the childes mother Christien Themperours Nece arrose a contention aboute the wardeshyp Al the Nobilitie fauoured hym more and lothed the womans gouernement but through Thēperours mediation they were bothe appointed gardins yet so as the mothers authorytie was chiefest In those dayes also departeth the Daughter of Ferdinādo which was maried two yeres before to the son of Sigismunde king of Polle But out of Spayne was brought glad tydinges of the birth of Charles Themperoures Nephewe the sonne of kynge Philip for the whyche cause the Spaniardes made greate Ioye at wormes But a few dayes after came worde that the mother of the childe was dead To Themperoure being at Wormes came the Marques of Piscare and broughte with hym certen of the chiefe inhabiters of Millan It was thought how Themperour was than determined to marye the Daughter of Kynge Fernando to the Duke of Orleans and therfore had sent for these men to vnderstande the state of Lumbardie whiche he had promised to geue hym for her dowarye Whylest Themperoure helde this assemblie the Duke of Brunsewicke goeth to the Frenche kinge That time did Fridericke Rifeberge leuie a certen power of footemen in the Borders of Saxonie for the king of England Henry of Brunswicke espying that occasion promyseth and perswadeth the frenche kyng that incase he wyll geue him monie he shall easely fynde the meanes to scatter thē again And so getteth of hym certen thousandes of Crownes but he neyther letted Rifeberge and cōuerted the monye receyued to warre against the Protestantes as shal be declared herafter Unto this conuentyon came no Princes as I sayde before but after Thēperoure was there the Paulsgraue Electoure came also and at the request of the Protestantes maketh intercession But whan Themperour saw how they wold graunt nothyng to the Turkisshe warre vnlesse they obteyned theyr requeste concerning the counsell and the chamber he sendeth an Ambassadoure to the Turke for trewes Gerarde Ueltuniche a man verye well learned and experte in toungues Duryng thys conuention the Senate of Mentz maketh inquirye after suche as by the olde custome had not receyued at Easter and banisshed them the Towne that were founde herein culpable I shewed you before howe the clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon had appealed to Themperoure and bisshop that they myght hereby hynder thenterprises of theyr Archebisshop but where he stil proceded and wolde not displace the preachers and ministers of the church whyche thyng they chiefly requyred they renewe theyr sute to Themperoure making of hym a greuous
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
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
the hylle beforesayde and there planteth part of hys Ordenaunce He placeth hys menne also on the lefte hande and on the ryghte The same did the Duke of Saxon whan he was commen thyther with hys companye ✚ The eightenth 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 eyghtenth Booke THe Erle of Bure passeth the Rhyne by meanes of the Archebyshop of Mentz The counsell of the Lantgraue is not allowed to set vpon the Emperour The Switzers wyll not meddle in this warre Wherfore the Duke and the Lantgraue sollicite the Bohemers aunswer fully to the accusations and dissemblinges of the Emperour They remoue theyr Campe to cutte the waye from the Erle of Bure Peter Strosse kepeth not promyse to lende them money Touruert being rendred to the Emperour Duke Maurice holdeth an assemblee of his states against the Duke of Saxon vnto whome the Lantgraue aunswereth The Duke of Saxons countrey is set on fyre and destroyed by the Hongarians and Duke Moris surpriseth certen of his townes Fourtene Martyrs brent at Meanx The Protestauntes hauyng leuied their campe are pursued The Duke of Wittēberg and certen cities make their peace with the Emperour The father of Trent establish the Article of the institution of man After the death of kyng Henry the eight the Gospell had fre passage in Englande Marques Albert is taken prysoner by the Duke of Saxon. WHan Maximiliā the Erle of Bure of whō is mētioned before had assembled al the power he coulde in the lowe coūtrey which were foure thousand horsemen and ten thousand fotemen and emonges them certen bandes of Spanyardes and Italians whiche had serued the kyng of England in his warres against Fraunce marching forwarde with the same out of Brabāt in the moneth of August passeth ouer the Rhine aboue and beneath Mentz whersoeuer he coulde get shipping notwithstandinge that the Protestauntes had layde a power on the other syde at the leading of Christopher Oldenburge and Riseberge which shuld haue stopped their passage The Archbishop of Mētz was thought to haue holpen much in this matter When the whole armie of the Protestauntes was come to the forsaid place they shot of al their ordinaūce into themperours cāpe most terrible Euen ther the Lantgraue calling before the Duke of Saxō the counsellours captains of y◠war if I had y◠gouernmēt alone saith he as I had what time I restored y◠Duke of Wirtēberg I wold first vndertake to geue y◠charge vpō thēnemy with ii legiōs bring the piōners to cast down their trēches that done assaile thē with the whole force power but herein whilest thopiniōs of mē were diuers some diswaded y◠thing as ful of most peril others misliked not y◠same so that ther wer no daūger to be feared of the townes men which had great store of shot munition that the horsemen were also at the first charge giuen nothyng was attempted Whiche thing doubtles is so much reproued of many that this same errour is thought to be the cause and beginning of their calamitie and of the Emperours victory For they farre excelled in horsemen and than was the Emperours campe intrenched but with a lowe ditche only so that it was but of small force But what time the Emperour had susteined the shot and brunt of that day the next night followyng he so well fortified his campe that after he was of better confidēce and might endure more easely all stormes that came But they saye how in this so great a daunger the Emperours harte and courage was wonderfull good and not only declared no token of feare him selfe but also boldened others exceadingly and offered to take suche part as they did How the Emperour solicited the Switzers by his Treasurer of Burgundy I shewed in the last boke Unto those requestes was aunswere made in the assemblie of Baden holden in the moneth of August as before is mentioned How they wil not infringe the league that they haue with the house of Austriche and Burgundy Moreouer they wyll call home agayne suche as are gone forth a warfar and vnlesse they shall obeye punyshe them accordingly Thus aunswered those nyne townes that are of the popysh Religiō But they of Zurich Bernes and Basill and also the Schafusians for as muche as the Emperours and Byshoppes letters did not importe one and the same cause of this warre againe in as muche as the copy of the Emperours and Byshoppes league which was shewed them by the Byshoppes Ambassadour spake playnly how this warre was attempted to roote out the Religion of the Protestauntes they tolde the Emperours Ambassadour that they would take deliberation in makyng an aunswere and attende vntyl suche tyme as the Emperour had aduertised them whether he would permitte them to kepe styll their Religion in safitie Whan the Emperour harde of this the seuen and twenty day of August he addresseth to them his letters out of the Cāpe before Ingolstad Where they haue not made the same answer that the rest haue done he can not perceiue the cause supposeth that this is done through the craft of his aduersaries For he heareth how in the former assembly of Badē they went about to perswade with them as though he had moued war not to punish rebellious princes but against certē cities to thintēt that through the bishops aid the doctrine of the Gospel also the libertie of Germany might be oppressed he hereth moreouer how thei haue sollicited thē not only for aid agaīst him but also concerning a league wherof as he vnderstandeth they haue put them in good hope that in the next assembly they shal make thē a direct aunswer And as touching the cause of y◠war for as much as they haue vnderstāden the same as wel by his priuate letters writtē vnto thē as such also as he hath published opēly it nedeth not here to be repeted For that he hath ether molested any man for Religion sake or giuen occasion of rebellion it can not be shewed nor proued but that streight wayes frō the beginning of his preparatiō vnto war he treated frēdly gently with diuerse more also thā was decent for his person to do to men of so meane estate degre Nether can this excuse their rebelliō for that the byshop of Rome doth assist him for not only the Princes of Italy but certen also of Germany and diuerse gentlemen of right noble houses emonges thē som of the religion league of the Protestauntes do ayde him now wil venter their liues spend their blud in this war Whiche doubtles thei wold not do in case the matter stode as these seditiouse persons do falsly report And that they haue alwayes gone about vnder the pretēce of religion to resiste their hygh magistrate to oppresse religiō the libertie
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
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
out to knowe whiche waye the Emperour went brought contrary reportes but in fine whan Lewys the Erle of Oetinge brought certen worde that he was passed with a great part of his Armie ouer the Ryuer of Wernize they followed after immediatly about two of the clocke at after none and towardes nyght pytche their Tentes not passing halfe a myle from the Emperour Hitherto came vnto them messengers from the city of Norling who seing themperour so nigh required ayde who were aunswered frankely The nex day again it was a myste The forewarde led the Duke of Saxon the Lātgraue the middle ward and George Malspurg and Rifeberg the rerewarde The Duke of Saxon marching forwarde with fiue legions with many troppes of horsemen approcheth nere vnto thennemy there was ryding pricking coursing vp down on both partes Whan it waxed clere themperour perceiuing the the vantwarde kept on the way towardes Norling that the rereward was not come yet in sight he auaunceth al his horsemen as though he would geue the battell The Lantgraue therfore being in the mids what time the whole armie of his enemies made towards him asketh coūsel some aduised him to folow the Duke of Saxō but because the reward was yet far behind which through his departure he sawe shuld be like to fal into the lapse of their ennemies he thought not good to depart but sending messēgers both to haste them forward to cal back the Duke of Saxō he kept the hilles that he was vpon stired not In the midway betwixt both armies was the Riuer of Egra which was in dede but smal yet hard to passe ouer especialy for themperour if he wold haue foughten the battel Unto this riuer was come the Erle of Bure with his power And whan it was very like that they shuld haue ioined in battel themperour calleth him back cōmaundeth him straitly to go no further Thus they returned both into their campe the protestauntes pitched not far frō Norling On the next daye certen troupes of themperours horsemen ryde nere vnto their enemies gaue thē a very hote skirmysche In this conflict was hurt Albert Brunswick the sonne of Duke Philip going vnaduisedly after he had wel tippled he was caried to Norling where he died not long after The Emperour remayning there certen dayes sendeth in the meane tyme Octauius Farnesius with his owne force and with the Almaigne fotemen and munitiō to take Donauerd Fortune fauoured the mans deuise And settyng forwarde by night whan he was come thither as sone as day appered and was auauncing his ladders to scale the townes men yelded them selues The souldiours of the Garnyson were fayne to saue thē selues by flyght This done themperour marcheth to Donauerd The protestantes intent was to haue assaulted the Emperour in his campe but his departure altered that purpose it is thought how themperour had some intelligence therof by espial In those days the Duke of Alba sent to demaūde of the Lantgraue why he kept so much the hilles and mountaynes why cometh he not downe into the plaine fielde and trye the matter in battell The Lantgraue sent him word again howe he and his fellowes were fiue dayes together in the plain fieldes before Ingolstad and offered battell why would he not fight Why did he not bicker at Norlinge where he taried for him the whole daye Whylest this was done in Sweden there fell a great alteration in Saxonie How the Emperour had deuised with Duke Maurice at Regenspurg and Ferdinando at Prage again how the Emperour commaunded him to inuade and enter in possessions of the Electours of Saxonie and the Lantgraues countreis it is before specified Wherupon Duke Maurice in the first beginning of the warre retourning home from Regenspurg calleth a conuention at Chemnice of al the states within his dominion and there cōsulteth what is nedefull to be done They counsell him to know certenly of the Emperour whether he wyll permitte them to kepe their Religion safely secondly that he and the Marques of Brandenburg Electour should make intercession And in case they may be in assuraunce for Religion and that intercession wil take no place they exhorte him that in as much as he is bounden in al other matters besides Religion to obey the Emperour he would sit quiet hire a power to defende his countrey Unto the which thing they promise him ayde chouse syx out of the whole nūber to assiste him at all times with their aduise counsel But whan themperours cōmaundemēt before said came vnto hym and king Ferdinando also mustred men in Hongary leuied a power in Boheme he holdeth another assembly of his states at Fridberg the eight day of October There he reciteth the former treaty sayth how after their aduise the Marques of Brandēburg he haue solicited the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue to permitte that they might intreate the matter haue earnestly admonyshed them also what perill is in the thing that they would ponder it diligently How be it as yet in dede they haue receiued no conuenient aunswer and libelles are set out the matter come to hand stripes they haue bickered together haue had sondry smal cōflictes and albeit that thei haue at diuers times required his ayd yet forasmuch as themperour hath giuen him sufficiēt warraūtise for religiō therfore hath he following their coūsel stired nothing but hath kept soldiours for the defence of his prouince conferred in matters of coūsell with the six chosē But now is the time so troublesome perillous that the thosē say how thei ar not able to beare so great a burthē wherfore at their request is this assēbly called For thēperours cōmaundementes are brought vnto hym which he will shewe them that are sore and of moste importance and of such sorte that in case they be neglected the whole countrey therby is like to come in a wounderfull daunger Moreouer the Bohemers and theyr fellowes prepare warre and are comen out of their countrie al ready purposing to inuade the prouince of Duke Iohn Friderickes And albeit that he hath first by letters after by his Ambassadours last of al going him selfe also intreated king Ferdinando to the contrary yet could he obtayne nothing And in asmuche also as he supposeth that the same is done by Themperours commaundement he neither may neither lieth it in his power to resist it he would in dede right gladly that the ciuile warre being once appeased the Turkish violence might be repressed How beit they knowe in what sorte both coūtreis be lincked together in hope of succession And howe he hath siluer mines also comon with the Prince Electour And to suffer all these thinges to be plucked away from the house of Saxonie to come into a straungers handes it should be a great grief to him Moreouer the whole coūtrey lieth so intermingled by per celles that in
was he constrayned in sadues to intreat for peace Whiche being ones concluded by the mediation of certen it was conditioned that he should geue his fayth to the kyng by an othe and doe all thynges as becommeth a faythful and trusty Cliente It is certen therfore that the lande of Prusse hath euer synce the memory of mā and from the tyme they fyrst receiued the Christen Religion both by the lawe of armes and also by sondry conuenauntes aparteyned to the Realme of Polle For if any others haue made any title or claime to it the same hath ben through the arrogancie wrong of the maisters of thorder who being through y◠kinges permissiō Germains borne haue about oftentimes to intitle others in the ryght of Prusse Whiche thing assuredly hath bred muche distention betwixte the Germaines and Polonians and caused also this same decree wherin Duke Albert was outlawed But what ryght haue they to outlaw an other mans cliente For in that he came not to iudgemēt when he was sited not of his iudges that ded he by the kynges commaundement vnto whome all the faulte is to be imputed in case there be any at all But if he should be outlawed for this cause that he acknowlegeth the king for his Magistrat that were very vnreasonable that any man should suffer punishemēt for doing his duty Wherfore most triumphāt Emperour and states most noble the king doeth hartly requyre you that this vniust and vnlawfull decree of outlawery prescription may be repressed Neither is there any cause why any man should thynke that the kyng would for any ambition or desyre to enlarge his kyngdome bryng Prusse vnder his subiection For he that hath refused most Goodly prouinces that haue bene frely offred him how should he come then into the suspicion of this matter Certenly that coūtrey is not so much worth vnto hym but that if he myght with his honour he coulde be content to forgoe it But sith it doth properly belong vnto his dominion he can not other wyse doe For the cause why oftentimes trouble cōtētion hath risē about it was euer through the faulte of the Maisters of the order as I shewed you before And God in dede hath often plaged their bolde enterpryses And these thinges knew ryght well most noble Emperour and king Ferdinādo your grandfather Maximilian who remembring the iniuries which he and his father Friderick receiued of them made a faithfull promyse to kyng Sigismunde what tyme they met at Uienne promised as well in his owne as in your names also that he woulde geue no maner of ayde vnto this order And this dyd Maximilian after no newe example but followyng the trade of his auncestours For both the Emperour Sigismunde metyng with kyng Ladislaus grādfather to the king my Maister did not this much only but also promised aide against them And the Emperour Friderick your great grādfather ioyned his force and power with Casimire the father of king Sigismund against Matthie kyng of Hongary and this foresayd order of one cōfederacie And although that kyng Casimire being let impeched with the warres of this ordre could sende themperour Fridericke that time no ayde of men yet did he ayde him with monie so much as his couenāt was Wherby it is euident how this order hath always ben enemies to the hous whiche hath euer bene linked to Polle with bondes of leagues and affinities Wherof king Sigismūde requireth you to haue some consideration For in case there be any of the same order that thinke them selues bounde to fight for the christian faith and Religion there is nothing for them to do in Prusse For all that be round about it doe professe the christiane religiō Therfore must they seke vnto other places where they may exercise them selues For now of many yeares Hierusalem is possessed of a barbarous ennemy for the defence of the whiche place it is said how this order was in times past instituted Constantinople also is kept of the same nation Here lieth their worke busines Or if this be thought ouer olde or to far of there are many strong cities of Christendome wonne lately Why do not these worthy knyghtes go thether that thei might either recouer that is loste or defende the rest frō the ennemy But if they delight more in ciuile warre than euery man may iudge howe vnworthy they are of that name But thus the case standeth this order hath bene alwayes without order For the whiche cause also they were expulsed not out of Prussie only but out of Boheme lyke wyse well nexe an hondreth and fiftie yeares past And yet hath no man hetherto desyred the same places out of the whiche they were expulsed as common and vacant to be geuen them But only Polle sement fit to be molested herein whiche ought moste of all to be fauoured For albeit that order hath offended many yet hath it done moste hurt of all to the Realme of Polle For sauing a few of the first scarsly were there any maisters of that order that did their duty but contrariwyse for the moste part leauing the Barbarous ennemies haue tourned their weapons against their Magistrate kynges of Poolle And not that only but haue brought into their confederacie also the Tartarians a cruell kynde of people and mortall ennemies to all Christians as is wrytten of Michell Cochmester Wherfore if any man would make the rekening cōsider the paines perilles charges warres tumultes battails slaughters desolations wherof this order hath chiefly bene cause of he shal find that it is hardly so much worth And the kinges desire is that there myght ones be an ende of these euils For if any man should attempte warre against Albert Duke of Prusse the kyng wyll not altogether sit styll and see hym take wrong for as muche as he is both Uncle to hym and Patrone There are threateninges and menaces brought to the kynges eares whiche doubtles he is sory to heare For he loueth peace and quietnes but chiefly the concorde of Christendome Howe be it in case any man shall attempte violence he wyll in dede vnwillyngly put on Armure yet for all that wyll he doe it to defende him and his He desyreth the frendshyp of all Prynces but chiefly yours moste mighty Emperour and kyng Ferdinādo and wysheth the same to continue for euer He hath often times heretofore intreated you by letters and messengers that the prescription decreed against Duke Albert might be abolyshed But where the same is not done hetherto he doeth not so muche impute it vnto you as to the aduersitie of tyme. But nowe that alwayes are made playne and lettes taken awaye he supposeth you haue occasion now to perfourme the thyng whiche you haue right franckely promysed whan not by one lettre or two you haue signified how that you were more ready in wyll than in power to gratifie hym But in case this order wyll not cease but steare vp warre and
be reuealed That an inuentory of their goodes be taken whiche are absent and flit from thence and that the same be deteined That they delyuer vp all publique writinges And that some man that is expert therin declare whereunto euery of them aperteineth After this he cōmaundeth all the ministers of the churche to depart out of the citie within eight daies In this moneth Augustus brother vnto Maurice Duke of Saxony taketh to wyfe the lady Anne the daughter of Christian king of Dēmarke In the cōuenaūts of mariage it was condicioned that Duke Maurice should assigne him his portion not out of the lādes of Iohn Fridericke but of his owne inheritaunce The same time was a great cōmotion in Guienne for saltpits customes The head citie of all that countrie is Burdewx a great towne of much welth lieth open to the Sea which in time past was vnder the dominion of Englād They also chiefly rebelled had slaine the kings Lieftenaunt Wherfore whan so shrewed an example was shewed the thing tended to a further daunger the French king sent thither the Conestable of Fraunce Duke Danmal with a power of .xxxi. enseignes of fotemē wherof .xi. were Almaignes and a force of horsemen Which thing once knowen they of Burdeux make meanes to the Conestable say that they are cōtented that he shal enter with the Frenchmē armed but they beseche him not to suffer the Germanes to come within their citie He made answer that thei shuld not prescribe him the Germains serue the king aswell as the rest Therfore wil he doe herein as he shall thinke good And albeit they set not open the gates of their citie yet hath he keyes wherwith to vnlock that same Wherfore thus he entred the xix day of October And whā he had placed his men here there in due order and also planted his ordenaunce in place conuenient first he cōmaundeth the citezēs to bring forth al their armure weapons the same to be caried into the castel so were spent two daies The third daye they began to make inquisitiō from house to house a great nōber of sedicious persones were apprehēded After they came to an horrible slaughter For they wer not executed with one kind of death There were also brought forth .xiiii. Gentlemē with haulters about their neckes wherof one or two were executed But the Almaine Captaines made intercession for the rest and begged their pardon of the Constable This soroufull and bluddy spectacle lasted .xii. daies And besides those that were put to death in this tyme very many were also condempned to the Galees Moreouer all wrytinges wherin their fredomes and priuileges of the cōmon wealth were conteined were burnt all they themselues making the fyre And because they had murthered the kynges Lieftenaunt the Constable driueth them to scrape vp the earth wherwith he was couered and buried without any toole euen with their nayles and fingers Whan they had thus scraped the dead coarse out of his graue the same was buried againe with a great solemne pompe of Freers priestes All the citezens folowe after to the nomber of fiue thousande with euery man a candell in his hande And as they came before the Conestables lodging the Bere was set downe and stayed betwene times Than doe they fall downe there vpon their knees and with a lamentable crie beseche him of mercie they deteste their owne offence and geue thankes vnto the kyng for that he hath not punyshed the same more extremely Whan all these thinges were finished the .ix. daye of Nouember they departe thence leauing behinde them a garnison About this tyme there chaunced a maruelous thing in Italy There is besydes Padwey a towne belonging to the state of Uenise called Citadella Herein dwelte a citezen named Fraūces Spiera an experte man in the lawe and a great pleader of causes Who with a wonderfull feruent zeale began to imbrace the doctrine of the Gospel And whan he profited therin dayly more and more he declared not only at home amonges his frendes what he thought of euery article but also abroad amonges all men wheresoeuer he came This thnig could not long be hidde and at the length was reported to the Boshop of Romes Legate whiche was than at Uenise Iohn Case Archbyshop of Beneuento Whan Spier vnderstode this he perceyued easely in what daunger he stode Whan he had therfore taken long deliberation and cōsulted euery way what was best to be done at the last he resolued being sent for to goe speake with the Legate Wherfore going to Uenise and confessing his errour as he thought or els said for feare craueth pardon and promiseth obebience from henceforth The Legate although he were glad of this voluntary cōfession yet for an example to all others he commaundeth him that retourning home he do openly suche thinges as he hath spoken before He was cōtent And albeit he began euen than to repent him of his doing yet through the instigation of his frendes affirming that the whole hope not of him only but also of his wyfe children and substaunce consisted herein he did obeye But shortly after he fell into sickenes both of body and minde and began to dispayre of Gods mercy Therfore by the aduise of his frendes he was caried from Citadella to Padwey that he might haue ready at hand both helpe of good Phisitions and cōfort of learned men The Phisitions Iohn Paulus Crassus Bellacata Frisimelega as sone as they sawe him iudged by by the disase to come of a vehement thought and that there was no better remedy than the cōsolation of the mynd Wherfore many learned men resorted to him daily and by the testimonies of holy scripture whiche declare vnto vs the great mercy of God they endeuoured to cure his mynde But he sayd he could not in dede denye these thynges howbeit they concerned him nothing For in as muche as he had once abiured the truthe knowen for feare of perill he affirmed that he was appointed to euerlasting tourmentes and that in his minde he felte and sawe them already neither could he loue God but hate him exceadingly And here in he perseuered neither would he nowe eate any more meate and whan it was crommed into him by violence oftentymes would spitte it out againe It were long to recite all thinges whiche eyther he him selfe spake or other men alledged out of the holy scriptures to bryng him from desperatiō What tyme therfore all their counselles were spent in vaine and both the infirmitie of his body also the anguysh of his mynde increased daily more and more he was caried home againe and there died miserably in the same state and desperatiō As he lay sicke at Padwey there came often to comfort hym amongest many others Peter Paule Uerger Byshop of Instinople whiche is in Histria a towne vnder the dominion of the state of Uenise It hath bene declared in the
iustified The matter was handled with great cōtentiō He him self verely pretended as I said as though Luther had ben of his opiniō But in the meane time he made his auaunt amongst his adherentes as it is written that Luther Melāchthō had made cōpiled a diuinitie after Aristotels doctrine which sauereth more of the fleshe than of the spirite Albert the Duke of Prusland desired at that first that the matter might haue ben appeased by mediatours But perswaded by Osiander after much debating he became of his opinion cōmaundeth his aduersaries to depart out of his dominiō Amongst whō was Ioachim Merlin who must nedes be packing although not only the citezens but also womē children besought that Prince right hūbly that they might not be depriued of such a pastour This Osiander taught many yeres at Norinberg that much to his cōmēdation neuer made busines but semed in al things to folowe Luthers doctrine so long as he liued But whan after themperours decree of religion he forsoke Norinberg went into the land of Pruisse he reised vp this same questiō Which many mē supposed that he durst neuer do so long as Luther liued He chiefly prouoketh them of Wittēberg to confute these thinges if they can sayth how he wil defend his opiniō whosoeuer impugne thesame taunteth Melanchthon bitterly Whose opinion al learned men for the most part namely in Saxonie reproued by bokes set forth rebuked that in a time moste troublesome he disturbed the congregation And where he had hādled so vngodly Melanchthon a man of so great modestie learning with that were al men offended exceadingly In an other certen booke he contendeth that albeit mankinde had not ben lost through the sinne of Adam yet shuld Christ haue bene borne neuerthelesse The eight day of February is dissolued the coūsell of thempire Therin made themperour a decre forsomuch saith he as this great dissention in religion can by no meanes be better appeased than by a general Godly fre counsell Again for that in that former assemble the states haue submitted thē selues vnto the counsel therin perseuer this shal be cōfirmed ratified That thing also which I my self than promised I wil procure with all trauell diligence that eche thing may be orderly rightly done And sithe that this bull of the byshop of Rome apperteyneth vnto all christian Realmes prouinces I suppose verely that all kinges rulers remembring their dutie will obeye furder so Godly a busines to thuttermost of their power what soeuer also shal become me to do therin as the aduocate of the church defendour of counselles that same will I performe And to al such as wil repare to the coūsel whether they haue chaunged their religion or not I wil graunte saufe conduicte that they may there remayn propoūde such thinges as they shal thinke to concerne the quiet of their conscience after shal may safely retourne home againe garded with a cōmon cōduct Moreouer I will indeuour that the whole matter shal be treated determined Godly christiāly al affections set apart according to the holy scripture doctrine of that fathers that as wel the ciuile as ecclesiasticall state may be reformed all errours false opinions cleane taken away I intende moreouer to remain within the limites of thempire or at the least very neare to thintent to defende the coūsel so that it may come vnto th ende wished for the fruict therof may redoūde vnto al men may be chiefly for the cōmoditie of Germany Wherfore I require exhort al princes states but chiefly thē of the clergie those that haue altered their religion cleaue to the confession of Auspurg that according to the byshops bul they prepare thē selues come thither furnished least after they complayne that they were through ouermuch haste supplanted or els not admitted to the sufficiēt declaration of their cause For as I said I will assure them by saufe conduict bring to passe that they shal be heard so much as shal be requisite But where as the states haue alledged sondry reasons why the decrees of the former conuention of Auspurg concerning religion reformation be not kept al this I reuoke to mine owne consideration wil know of eche man seuerally what impediment there is Therfore let euery man for see that the matter may come to rehersall It was also decreed the at the first day of April thambassadours of thelectours of syx other Princes shuld mete at Norinberg to consulte howe that mony which was taken out of the cōmon treasorie for the war of Maydenburg shuld be restored Whatsoeuer they shall determine is cōmaunded to be of like force as if the same had ben enacted in the full assemble of thempire And for so much as this war shuld concerne the welth of al Germany it shal be lawfull for euery Magistrate to taxe that people for that same cause Againe in case any citezen of thempire or straunger shall ayde them of Maydēburg thā doeth thēperour also promise to be at charge As concerning the iurisdiction goodes of the churche themperour saith he wil forese that being sued to by thē whom it concerneth he wil minister iustice vnto thē that euery man shal recouer inioye his own They decreed to ayde king Ferdinando against the Turke although vnwillingly with suche ayde as was promised him in the former conuention Finally because therles of Mansfelde Hedeck mustring men the last wynter had intended to aide thē of Maidenburg as before is sayd the Emperour chargeth cōmaundeth that in case any souldiours assemble hereafter in any part of Germany the Princes states next thē shal immediatly ioyne their forces together to subdue thē to quēche that flambe before it be of force or violēce In this selfsame time Henry the Frenche king receiueth into his faith tuition Octauins Farnesius who was both mortal ennemy to Ferdinando Gonzage themperours lieftenaūt in Lūbardy for the slaughter of his father also being so nere vnto Placēce which thēperour held fearing least he shuld not be able to kepe Parma by his owne force craued foreine aide receiued into the citie a garrison of Frenchmē Which thēperour toke right displeasauntly especially the bishop of Rome as shal be declared hereafter In these daies gaue thēperour sentence against the Lantgraue for the contie or lorship of Diece For he was condēned of contēpt for that he answered not But he said how it lay not in his power to answer for so muche as he might not cōferfrely with his coūsellours for the awayting harkening of thē the had him in their custody For after that it came to light how be would haue made an escape lately as I shewed you before no man might haue accesse to him nor speake with him without a witnesse The .xxviii. daye of
matter but also receiueth al them into his defence and tuition so that they do not annoy him nor yet his league frendes For after libertye recouered he is put in good hope by many mens letters that the concord of the churche shall and may also be restored and that by lawfull meanes whan all ambition and priuate lucre is farre remoued And what so euer he may helpe hereunto he will do it gladly These are the things wherof he thought good to admonish them to th end they may vnderstand what his will and purpose is wherfore he requireth them that in so iuste warre which of necessity is attempted for the wealth of Germany no mā would impeche or hinder him or his confederates for otherwise if any man be so cleane voide of all loue and duety that he oweth to his country that he intend to make resistaunce him wil he destroy with sword and fire and albeit he shal do so vnwillingly yet if any such shal be the same as a naughty and a corrupt membre must be cut of from the reast of the body least it do hurt by his infection and in such sorte be restrained that it do no more harme The rest they may know of his ambassador Ihon Fraxine Bishop of Bayon whom he hath sent vnto them with further of his pleasure vnto whome he praieth them to geue creadit This wrytinge beinge set forth in print in the vulgare tonge had ouer the head a bonnet betwene two daggers and wrytten by that the same was the badge of liberty And vnderneath that was the title of the kinge who named him selfe the reuenger of the libertye of Germany and of the Princes captiue This badge or cognoisaunce many say was foūd in old coynes and vsed by them that slue Iulius Cesar Where he saieth how themperor had assigned a reward for them that coulde slay certaine of his captaines thus standeth the case Themperor by proclamation lately setforthe had againe with wordes mooste waighty outlawed the Rinegraue Recrode Riseberge and Scherteline which in dede serued all the French king as I haue said before and appointed foure thousande crownes in rewarde for him that could bring forth any of them either quicke or dead For they furthered the cause very muche and whan this league was made going into Germany prested souldioures and broughte them into Fraunce And Scherteline in dede whan he had sued many yeres in vaine and coulde by the intercession of no man be reconciled to themperor or King Fernando being in a manner constrained fled to the French king These letters of the kinge and the Princes dispearsed abrode in Germany raised in some hope but in manye feare and carefulnes Duke Moris which wrought all thinge by dissimulation the first of March holdeth an assemble of the states of his dominion and amonges other thinges he propoundeth because he is sued of the Lantzgraues sonnes to present him self he may no longer seke delaies or disceine their expectatiō Therfore wil he go vnto them to kepe his faith and promesse let them therfore in the meane time obey his brother August whome he hath made his deputye in his absence and let them gather a force to defend the country that nothing chaunce vnto them vnprouided Thelector of Brandenburge was present at this treaty for that he was sommoned to appeare but when the Lantzgraues sonnes did permit him that he shoulde at the next processe appeare and discharge his bond he retourneth home Duke Moris hauing put in ordre his thinges at home and appoynted certain counselloures to assiste his brother Auguste he goeth with a few small company to those forces which I saide before he had in the country of Turing and marching forth abideth for the Lantzgraues sonne Before he departed frō home the Burggraue of Meyssen as they call him Henry of the noble house of the Plauians Chauncelor of Boheme in the name of king Ferdinando treated with him diligently for a reconcilemēt The Lātzgraues sōne leading forth his armye when he came to Erlebache the eightene daye of Marche where also was the French ambassadour Fraxine they bothe request them of Franckfurt by letters amonges other thinges that they receiue no garrison of the Emperours into their city And all beit that they answered neither plainlye nor purposelye yet for so much as they must go forward there was none other thing done The sixt daye after he ioyneth with Duke Moris And when they were commen wyth their whole armye thre dayes after to Schwinfurt Duke Moris declareth vnto him how king Fardinando woulde make intercession and signified the same plainlye both by letters and ambassadoures as thoughe he had authoritys of the Emperoure to treat yea touching the deliuery of his father He therfore making priuy to it the French ambassador refuseth not that the conditions and requestes of king Fardinando should be heard which thing determined they march with great expedition by Roteburge Dingelspelle and Norling to Donauerde At Roteburge Marques Albert ioyneth him selfe to them with hys power bothe of horse men and fote men Whiche waye so euerthey wente they broughte the Citezens into theyr subiection and displacing those whiche the Emperoure before had chosen do ordain newe Magistrates And exact of them also mony and munition And because Auspurge was kept with no great garrison And again because in the selfe same daies a certain piece of the wall and Rampeare was fallen downe they marched with exceading greate iourneis and the laste daye of Marche reasted not so much as in the night season and came thither the firste daye of Aprill at midday and making roades there declared them selues to be ennemies In the Citye were foure enseignes of fotemen sente by them peroure but where the Townes men the fourth day after rendred the city they wer permitted to depart Than they that sommoned the Cities of high Germany and amonges them also Norinberge and commaund them to be before them at Auspurge at th end of Aprill and also vrge them of Wuolmes whiche were but nine miles from Auspurge that they should aide them with all thinges and come into theyr society Aboute this time the Prince of Salerne by occasion of falling oute with the Uiceroy of Naples reuolteth from the Emperoure and goeth into Fraunce Whilest these thinges are done in Germany the Frenche kinge marching forth with an huge army surpriseth Tullie Uerdome townes of thempire at the borders of Fraunce after he inuadeth Lorayne and sendeth the yong Prince into Fraunce aboute nine yeres of age though the Lady Dowager his mother intreated neuer so much to the contrary promiseth him his daughter in mariage Whilest the king him self was occupied with these affaires his lieftenaunt the Constable Annas Memoraunce who led the Uantward surpriseth Metz a famous city of thempire the tenthe day of Aprill whan bothe the garrison within was small and the French men made fair promisses and saide howe the kinge made this warre to
maintaine theyr liberty For what time the Frenche king went out of his owne pale which was aboute the eighte day of Marche sendinge vnto them letters and messagers he desired only that they would prepare him vitaile that he might passe through theyr country with his armye promisinge all benenolence And he vsed for his minister the Cardinall Lenoncurt bishop of the Citye who setforth his good will and zeale to the Senate The conestable also wrote vnto them moste frendlye but whan he came neare vnto the citye with his force he desired to be let in and obteined the next day he was master of the gates and of al the fortifications Thither came also afterwardes the kinge him selfe at the xviii day of Aprill and there remaining four daies after he had taken thothe of the Senate and people he appoynted Mounsir Gōnorie to be theyr gouernoure and commanded their armure to be deliuered and caried into one place and the Citye to be fortified likewise doth he in the Townes before named and in Loraine and sending his messagers before to Strasburge to Haganawe and other places neare and to the bishoppe of Strasburge required to be aided with Wheate and Uitaile Whan Auspurge was taken as I said and thold Senate restored which themperoure had displaced and the liberty of geuinge of voices restored also to the people the Princes contederated marched towarde Woulmes that refused theyr league Whan they came thither the xii day of Aprill they ride aboute this Citye And whan they were shot at with the greate pieces they damaunde to be satisfied for the iniuries done them with the summe of three hondreth thousande Crownes which denied they becommed their enemies But duke Moris goinge from thence wente to Lintz a towne of Austriche that he mighte vnderstande by kinge Farnando the conditions of peace For he as I said by the Emperoures consent was a meane to intreat a peace Afterwarde the Emperoure exhorted by his letters the chiefest Princes of Germanye that they woulde assaye to quenche this fire and deuise some meanes of peace the whiche he woulde not be againste And where as diuerse required his aide for that thei were able to do nothing against so great a power comforting their myndes he answereth that he hopeth wel that the treatie of peace commenced shall haue a lucky successe if not than will he neyther faile them nor the common weale Whan Woulmes had bene beseged six daies the Princes the .xix. day of Aprill remoued to Stocach a towne of Hegouia There they receiued mony in the French kinges name for thre monethes as is conuenaunted and Gamey Marchiane the Frenche pledge was deliuered For the other Nantoliet died by the waye The Princes pledges whiche they gaue to the Frenche kyng were Christopher Duke of Megelburg and Philip the Lantgraues sonne The last of Aprill the Princes retourne to Thonaw certen myles beneth Woulmes In the meane seasō Marques Albert burneth the townes and villages belonging to Woulmes and extorteth money and taketh their castell of Helfesteyne situated on a high hill and placeth therin a garrison and the towne of Gissing nere vnto it whiche is thre myles frō Woulmes with certen villages by the same he condemneth to paye .xviii. thousand crownes Whā Duke Maurice was come to Lintz he propoundeth of deliuering the Lantgraue his father in lawe of appeasing the dissention of Religion and doctrine of wel ordering the common wealth of peace to be made with the French kyng their fellowe and confederate of the outlawes to be receiued agayne into fauour Those were the Ryngrane and others before named and also Erle Hedecke whiche in fourmer yeares gaue hym selfe into the tuition of Duke Maurice as before is sayde Howheit the Emperour had appointed no rewarde against his lyfe least he should offende Duke Maurice as it is to be thought Unto these demaundes Ferdinando with whom were Maximilian his sonne and his sonne in lawe Albert Duke of Bauier and also the Emperours Ambassadours maketh aunswere Howe the Emperour is content that the Lantgraue be set at lybertie yet so that the warre maye cease immediately Touchinge Religion and the common wealth he is well pleased that the matter be determined in the next conuention of German But the Emperour is very lothe that the Frenche kyng shoulde be herein comprised Neuerthelesse Duke Maurice may knowe of him in what sorte he wyl be accorded The outlawes may also be taken to mercie in case they wyl obeye the condition offered by the Emperour Moreouer Ferdinādo requested that whan peace were once concluded Duke Maurice would helpe him in Hongary and that the soldiours should not slippe away to the Frenche kyng Wherunto whan Duke Maurice had aunswered and sayde that that he could determine nothing without the consent of his fellowes they departed so as at the .xxvi. day of May they should mete againe at Passawe whiche is a towne betwene Lintz and Regenspurge where the Ryuers of Thonawe and Oene mete Thither should come also the Princes that were intercessours and their deputies On Maydaye the Lantgraues sonne and Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburg leade the armie of Gundelfinge there lye eight whole dayes together lokyng for Duke Maurice retourne out of Austrich Whan he was come the next daye was the armie munstred at Lawginge a towne of Otto Henry the Pausgraues For they had also recouered his prouince possessed by the Emperour and had expulsed the Byshop of Auspurge out of his countrie And verely Otto the Paulsgraue ioyned hym selfe vnto their league From thence they goe towarde the Alpes And it chaunced at the same tyme that kyng Ferdinando had obteyned of them a truce whiche beginning the .xxvi. daye of May should ende the eight daye of Iune In the meane tyme Themperour leuied a power at the fote of the Alpes whiche assembled at the Towne of Rwe In this hurly burly the Byshop of Auspurge Cardinall which before was not very ryche and had nowe susteyned great losse as I sayde went to Rome that he myght obteyne of the Byshop new promotions and benefices wherwith he might fill vp those sinkes agayne After this the iudges of the chamber imperial flie away from Spiers For by the Frenche king and the Princes in their forsaide wrytinges signified plainly a displeasure ascribed to thē in a maner the blame of all their trouble The Frenche king came with his armie by the borders of Loraine to Saberne the third day of May foure myles from Strasburg a town belonging to the bishop He had before requested them of Strasburg to ayde his armie with thinges necessary For the whiche cause Ambassadours were sent vnto him to Sarburg seuen myles from Strasburg whiche should offer him a certen quantitie of wheate wyne those were Peter Sturmie Fridericke Gotesseme and Iohn Sleidane But the Conestable accompted that as nothynge whiche they offered And albeit the Ambassadours departed from hym in suche sorte as that they would aduertyse
backe his army he intendeth to retourne home chiefly for that his ennemies haue inuaded Fraunce As concerning the complaintes of the poore people he is hartely sory Howbeit there can not be so good order taken in any Armie but that licentiouse soldiours wyll alwayes do some harme Notwithstanding he taketh moste dilligent hede that bothe as little harme be done as is possible and also that offences be moste straytely punyshed Touchyng that whiche they wryte of the Emperour and of peace he loketh certenly for at their handes Through his paynes force and dilligence Germany is released from those miseries wherewith it laye oppressed Nowe must they well forsee that they doe not dishonestly lose theyr libertie by hym restored For theyr request touchynge them of Strasburge he can not saye them naye not withstanding that what tyme he was there with his army the soldiours of that citie vsed great presumption and arrogancie towardes his men Whan the king was entred into Germany the Emperours power of the low countreis by the conduict of Marten Rosseme inuaded Champaignie in Fraunce burning and destroying all before them and toke the towne of Asteney standing by the Ryuer of Mase belonging to the Duke of Loraine but lately surprysed by the Frenchemē This was thought to be one cause why the kyng retourned with his armie another for that he misliked Duke Maurice doinges and againe for that his hope failed hym at Strasburge Whan he had remoued from Wisseburge Ambassadours came to the kyng sent from all the Swisses King Ferdinādo hath a Region ioyning to the Heluetians called Sontgouia And they of Enseme are the chiefest of all that countrey who being afrayde of their partes had intreated the Swisses that for the aucthoritie and fauour that they had with the kyng they would make intercession for them Wherfore at their request and charges takynge their iourney they commended to the king also the cities nere vnto the same Colmar Seletstat and Strasburg saying how this countrie was linked vnto them in great amitie both for the nerenes therof and also chiefly for that they serue them in a maner of all their wheat so muche as to them is nedefull so that no displeasure can be done to them whiche they shall not feele also Unto whome the kyng maketh aunswer the .xx. daye of May besides Bipont Howe he doth forgeue them of Ensem so that they wyll release suche of his soldious as they haue prisoners As touching the reste for whome they spake he neuer ment them euill And albeit that the souldiours of Strasburg receiued his men somwhat roughly before the gates and put them back that came thither to bie thinges yet wil he not forsake their amitie therfore euen for their sakes that intreate be meanes for them Nowe that he possesseth Lorayne he shall be their nere neighbour and wyll do nothing against the maner of neighbourhead And loketh again for the same good wil and dutie of them also There were before at Saberne Ambassadours sent to the king by the Senate of Basill about thesame matter vnto whome also was made a gentle aunswere I shewed before of Duke Maurice howe he departed from Lintz Kyng Ferdinando also whan the conuention was done went immediatly to the Emperour at Inspruck to infourme him of all the matter And Duke Maurice retourning to the campe marcheth with his fellowes toward Thalpes as before is said And whan he came almost there by the perswasiō of the Frēch Ambassadour he determined to set vpon the soldiours whiche the Emperour had leuied in those partes And where as ye. xvii daye of Maye he was not far from Fiessa which is a towne situated at the entring vp to the Alpes by the ryuer of Leyche he sendeth forth espialles to vnderstande of the ennemie They all in a maner bryng worde howe they kepe the straytes and narrow passages of the moūtaines and haue so fortified themselues that they can be hurt by no meanes Wherfore the Princes sende forth certen horsemen chosen out of the whole nomber whiche riding almoste to their ennemies campe intercept diuerse and bring them away to the Princes By whome they vnderstande many thynges and the next daye marching forewarde with their fotemen and hauing with them but two hōdreth horsemē only they go to Fiessa And what time thei were not farre of Rewe they come vnto the straytes whiche were kept by the Emperours soldiours to the nomber of eight hondreth and with two field peces Upō whom geuing the charge whan they were once entred into the straytes ouerthrowe their ennemies who slipping away by flight made them that incāped at Rwe to feare and tremble The Princes pursuing with spede geue charge vpon thē also finally put them to flight Wherof a thousand wer taken and slayne and drowned in the Ryuer of Leych And lost also one enseigne The next morning they go to the Castell of Erenberge wherof we haue ofte made mention And whan as fortune would they had taken the fortresse standing vnderneth the castel and had wonne the straite wayes and passages and had moreouer surprised diuerse peces of great ordenaūce furnished they clyme vp the stepe pitchell hill vnto the castell and albeit they were layde at with many weapons yet toke they it by surrender There were in the castell .xiii. enseignes of fotemen Wherof .ix. were taken and. iiii escaped of the whiche thre were of Germaines and one of Italians And they that were taken were about thre thousand where they lost but fewe of their owne men After that was Duke Maurice in great daunger For whan he woulde haue marched forewarde the soldiours that were vnder Riseberge would not vnlesse they might haue an extraordinary paye for the wynning of the castell But Duke Maurice sayd that was no reason and commaunded with al to apprehēde a seditious felowe that was more clamorouse than the rest There all the rest make towardes him not only with their pykes but also with their handgunnes in so muche that with moste spedy flighte he could hardely saue his life The .xxi. day of May two legions were sent by the Alpes to Inspruck whiche was from thence two dayes iourney Al the horsemen were left with one legion of fotemen about Fiessa and Rwe to defende and kepe the passage The next daye Duke Maurice his felowes Princes followyng after ioyne with the army of fotemen at Zirley whiche is not two great myles from Insprucke But when the Emperour heard that Ereberge was wonne he departed sodenly in the night awaye from Insprucke with his brother Ferdinādo who was lately come thither to perswade a peace as I sayd before and through the Alpes as they go to Trente tourning on the left hande he came to Uillace a towne in Carnia by the Riuer of Draue whan he had a little before set at libertie Iohn Friderick Duke of Saxon which had bene fiue yeres prisoner least his ennemies shuld ascribe this
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
To be brief that is his intente and purpose and the Emperours of Turkes also vtterly to vndoe him and his brother Ferdinando to thintent they may afterward bring the whole common wealth but chiefly Germany into extreme danger distres but how wel these thinges do agre with his fair promesses and what care he taketh for the wealth of Germany any man may easilye perceiue For the thinge it selfe declareth what his minde is For that the chiefest states of thempire wer this yere sore vexed afflicted and vtterly distroid that many others wer in most pearil danger that through the help of the Germains that linketh thē selues with him certain places of thempire wer brought into his tirannical power and are nowe by him also fortified the whole blame is to be ascribed vnto him seing therfore that the case standeth thus he cannot see what credit may be geuen to his ambassadors letters vtterly forged and fained and in dede after his opiniō it had ben much better to haue reiected the same than to haue receiued any such kinde of answer and if they consider al thing diligently he douteth not but they shal perceiue what he by his ambassador intendeth goeth about and forsomuch as that same wryting maketh not for this presēt treaty he thinketh it nothing nedeful to answer any more to the same About the xiiii of Iuly king Ferdinando sente Henrye of the noble house of the Plauians Burgraue of Meissen chancelor of Boheme vnto the camp before Frankfurt Who cōming to duke Moris the xxiiii of Iuly after the matters wer a while debated at the last parswadeth him to peace Wherfore the last day of Iuly cōtrary to many mens expectation they concluded of the whole matter as hereafter ye shal heare amonges other reasons which he had to perswade this was one also Let him consider with him self vnles he receiue the conditions what danger he standeth in bothe of the Emperor which hath now a puissant army and also by the Duke of Saxon Ihon Fridericke whome themperor hauinge inlarged will incontinently send home Let the Lantzgraues sonne also cōsider into what pearill he shall bring both his father being prisonner and also his whole prouince The gunnes of the Paulsgraue elector which he was constrained to lend them as before is saide whan the peace was made wer receiued into the towne least they should come into the hands of Marques Albert. In the monthe of Iuly the French king hauing taken certen townes of the Duchie of Lucemburge as before is said brought his armye into Artois but without any notable exploict done to the end he might relieue his army from trauel and infection dischargeth his power him self returneth home hauing fortified such places as he had taken with garrisons fortifications Ouer al the which things he made gouernor the Duke of Guise a Prince of great authority through out Fraunce And he commaunded the Duches of Loraine widow to depart the country which was neare to themperor by his sister She the xii of Iuly came to Strasburge and ther remained certen dais with her husbands sister which was also cōmaunded by that french king to depart To Strasburge came also driuē frō his coūtry the forenamed Wuolfgange master of thorder of Knighthode in Germany which in the consistory of thempire hath the next place to tharchbishops Marques Albert who ioyned him self by the way to his felowes going to Franckfort leauing them at the siege goeth to the Rhine and subdueth Wuormes and Spiers exacting of them both mony and also munition Which way someuer he went the priests either wer fled away before or els chaunged their apparell and dissembled theyr profession and order And what time the army came neare vnto Frankonie the bishops ther abouts thother prelates of the same ordre sought to saue them selues by flight and tharchbishop of Mentz who for fear of the Marques was gon longe before the xxv day of Iuly came fleing to Strasburge and lodgyng ther one night passed ouer the Rhine The bishop of Spiers a very aged man fled to Saberne wher he died not long after The Bishop of Wuormes through the mediatiō of the Paulsgraue returned home after he had paid xii thousand Crownes Whan he had taken these cities before said Marques Albert the xxviii of Iuly sending his letters to the Senate of Strausburge requireth that he and his fellowes may haue accesse into theyr city at al times and ther to place a garrison whan neade shal be and they to shew them fidelity as well in hys own as also in the French kings name For all this war saith he is moued to reuenge al Germany nether shal it be honest or profitable for them to resist this enterprise For to the intent they maye bring this to passe therfore hath he and his fellowes ioyned together again now al theyr power To which the Senate two dais after wryteth again These many yeres now they haue wished for no thing more than that the true Religion of Christ and also thanciēt siberty might florish throughout al Germany and to this end haue they bent not only all their doinges and counsels but also haue alwais imploid hitherto their mony goods and are now of the same mind also nether wil they at any time fail either the wealth or dignity of the cōmon country for so much as they are able at all times to performe They know moreouer that thys is theyr bounden duty for the same oth and fidelity by the which they are bounden to that Emperor And seing it is so there nedeth no further declaration of theyr wil The king of Fraunce also what time he was in Alsatia had demaunded no such thing of them Again that wryting wherof he maketh mention setforthe by the Princes confederated was not sent nor shewed vnto them Wherfore they desire him to accept this satisfaction and work no violence to them nor to their coūtry In this self same instant Marques Albert being aduertised that duke Moris intended to make peace leuing at Spiers a garrison returneth with his army to Franckfurt renueth the siege which Duke Moris hauing made peace had forsaken pitching his tents on thother side of the town on this side the riuer of Meyne vppon the higher ground somwhat from whence he might very commodiously beat the town with his ordinaunce And this pacification he toke most displeasantly and spake euil words of duke Moris and would not be comprised therein The conditions of peace be these That the Princes confederated shal leaue theyr armure before the xii day of August and so discharge their army that they may serue king Farnando if he so will and neither annoye themperoure nor Germany At the same day also the Lantzgraue being set at liberty shal be deliuered at his castel of Rinfelse which he hath vpō the Rhine putting in first surety to obserue couenaunts geuen by the Emperor at Hale in
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
so in dede and for so muche as they theÌ„ selues haue furthered his enterprise cleane against the Emperours coÌ„maundement therfore must he see for hym selfe howe he may recompence himself for the domage receiued and therfore renounceth their league and amitie The Emperours armie after Turwen was ouerthrowen marching from thence into Artois in the moneth of Iuly toke the Castell of Hesdine by assaute There was slayne Oratius Farnese the Frenche kynges sonne in lawe There were manye of the Nobilitie taken amonges whome was the hyghe Mareshall of Fraunce Marchian that dwelleth in the foreste of Arden The newes of the battell in Saxonie was brought to the Empuâ—y within a very fewe dayes Who after the .xxii. daye of Iuly aunswereth Duke Ericke of Brunswicke whome Marques Albert had sent as before is sayde Howe he is not a little sory that the displeasure is growen so farre for he had muche rather that all this controuersie had bene appeased and vnles it be so he feareth least it wyll come euyll to passe not only to the Empyre but also to Marques Albert especially since that so many of the chiefest States doe set in fote herein and haue made a league Therfore his aduise and request is that with al spede they laye downe theyr weapons and deuise some meanes of concorde If the Marques be so content he wyll deuise that the contrary parte shall surcesse also and distrusteth not but that he shall perswade them And he earnestly desyreth that he refuse not so to doe For otherwyse the case standyng as it doth nowe he can not vse his seruice least he should increase the suspicion that is reysed already Whiche doubtlesse vnto hym that hath nothyng derer than the peace and tranquillitie of the Empyre should be very greuous and displeasaunt About the begynning of the moneth of Auguste Augustus Duke Maurice brother commyng home out of Denmarke a fewe dayes after consultyng with his Counsel taketh an othe of all the people and amongest others of the Wyttembergians to be true to hym and to his heyres males and if none remain to retourne to the fidelitie of Iohn Fridericke and his chyldren in case he obey the Emperour and obserue the compactes of fourmer yeares if not that than they be obedient to the Lantgraue This done he is saluted Prynce Electour and calleth an assemblee of his States to appere before hym the xx daye of Auguste The .xvii. daye of that moneth was a marueilous great earthquake in the towne of Mesen Whan all were assembled at Lipsia at the daye very many Duke Auguste bryngeth in question fyrste whether he should ioyne hym selfe to the newe league of kyng Ferdinando the Prynces and Byshopes and to prosecute his brothers warre against Marques Albert. Secondarely if he should forsake the league how he ought to auenge his brothers death Finally by what meanes he may compounde with Iohn Fridericke For he in his absence sendyng letters to the nobles required that the dignitie of Electourshyp and his possessions that were taken awaye myght be wholy restored to hym The effect of the consultatioÌ„ and counsell was that he should obserue peace with both and that the Electour of Brandenburg should treate a pacificatioÌ„ And hereof an order was made although king Ferdinando by Henry Plauie Chauncelour of Boheme had treated earnestly with Duke Auguste concerning the league In this conuention the Duke of Saxon sending againe an other Ambassade demaundeth his owne and that with sharpe wordes the same did the States of his dominion but that was in vaine And Auguste sayed howe he was not bounde so to doe and that he would sticke to those compactes and conuenauntes which the Emperour had made whan he was takeÌ„ but yet would he not refuse all treatie During that same assemblie Henry Duke of Brunswicke desyred ayde of Duke Auguste against Marques Albert whiche hyred new bandes of soldiours After the death of Duke Maurice the Duke of Saxon sent th one of his soÌ„nes Iohn William into Brabant to the Emperour that he might be restored And in a maner about the same time the nobilitie and states of his dominion sent thyther Ambessadours also in the absence of Duke Auguste that the Emperour wold accept their Prince as by them commended The Duke of Saxon had sent Ambassadours also to kyng Ferdinando and to the kynge of Denmarke about the same matter In the meane season the Bishop of Wirtemburg besegeth Schninfurt which was kept with a garrison of Marques Albert as before is sayd And the Byshop of Bamberge and the Norinbergians whan they had a whyle beseged Collebach leading away the power ioyne theÌ„ selues to Counte Plauie whiche layed batterie to the towne Hosie belonging to the Marques In these monethes were .ix. burnt at Lions whan diuers of them had bene in pryson a yeare and more Articles were propounded to them al of the presence of Christes body in the Lordes supper of Purgatory of the Masse of priuate or auricular Confession of Ceremonies of praiyng to the virgin Mary and other that be dead of the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome of Free wyll of Iustification of workes of the authoritie of the churche and of Byshoppes of Monasticall vowes of choice of meates of vnction and confirmatioÌ„ and of Images And they aunswered to euery point constantly and after one sorte seuerally alledging the testimonies of Scripture Whylest they were in pryson with their letters they comforted not only one an other but also their frendes and other churches and wrote euery thing as it was done What tyme Lewys Marsake one of the prysoners being a maÌ„ of warre alledging many things out of the holy Scriptures the inquisitours that were preseÌ„t demaunded of him whether it were his part to read the bokes of Scripture and asked him how he knewe these thinges to be the Gospell The kinges liftenaunt also sayd there were onely but two Euangelistes Matthew and Iohn For the other two and Paule also had as it were sowed together certen fragmentes and patches And if it were not that the Doctours of the churche did attribute to Paule that authoritie he wold set no more by his Epistles than by Esopes fables And whan Marsake inferred agayne that there were Godly testimonies of the vocation and office of S. Paule especially in the .i. chap. of the Epistle to the Galathians That maketh nothing for the matter saith he for he beareth witnes of him self Unto those that suffer with hym the hangeman put an haltar about their neckes as the maner is But Marsake whome the iudges coÌ„mauÌ„ded to be led without a bande about his necke sayed vnto theÌ„ is their cause better than mine Why wil you not geue me such a chaine also Why will you not dubbe me knight of this noble and excellent order alluding to the accustomed maner of kinges who at what tyme they wyll honour and auaunce their frendes they make them knightes of their owne order and geue them a
chayne of Golde as a token of honour Fiue of them studied at Losanna Frenchemen in dede borne but founde at the charges and liberalitie of the Lords of Bernes Whan therfore they had heard that they were taken and vnderstode their daūger they made diligent sute to the king desiring him thei might be geuen to them But it was in vayne where the kyng alledged that he might not doe it by the lawes The Cardinall of Tournon was thought to haue bene the occasion hereof I spake a litle before of the death of the moste noble Prince Edwarde the sixte kyng of England He was in a consumptiō and in the moneth of Ianuary he fell sicke And where as his sicknes increased being carefull for his Realme and Religion he conferreth with his counsell of the matter and inquireth of them vnto whome chiefly he should committe the gouernmēt For albeit that king Henry his father whā he died had appointed next in succession vnto him Mary and Elizabeth as before is sayd yet for so muche as he him selfe was of lawefull yeres he accoumpted it to lie in his power to make his heire especially seing that moste men doubted of the lawful birth of his syster and Mary was also of the Byshop of Romes Religion which if she should haue the gouernment he sawe howe there was great daunger least both this present Religion should be subuerted and the Realme also be gouerned by a straunger Wherfore after deliberatiō had it was agreed to chose the lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraūces nece to kinge Henry the eight Whan the rest of the Counsell and the Maior of London and the Lordes of the Realme had this allowed The Archebyshop of Cantorbury primate of Englande was sent for to the court that he myght subscribe whiche he refuseth to doe vnlesse he maye first heare the kyng speake Wherfore being admitted to his speache whan he had reasoned the matter with him familiarly as he laye he assēted being of him earnestly required hereunto Whan the kyng was departed whiche was the syxt daye of Iuly as before is sayd the fourth daye after the Lady Iane is proclaimed Quene and a proclamation openly set forth howe kyng Edwarde by the consent of his Nobles for moste weighty causes had disherited the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth his systers and lefte the succession of the Realme to the Lady Iane. The Nobilitie and commons toke this moste displeasauntly not so muche for the loue of the Lady Mary as for the hatred of the Duke of Northumberlande where no man in a maner doubted but that he was the authour of this counsell to the intent that by this meane he myght as it were conuey the kingdome into his own house Whylest these thinges were a workyng the Lady Mary fleeth into Norfolke and from thence to the castell of Framingham in Suffolke and wryting abroade for ayde taketh vpon her as Quene That knowen the Duke of Northumberlande assembleth a power and setting forth of Londō marcheth towardes her by the consent of the reste to apprehende her But in the meane season the counsellours that remayned in the citie perceiuing the hartes of the people that the forces of Norfolke and Suffolke resorted to Quene Mary chaunging their myndes and pourpose proclaimed Quene Mary and kepe the lady Iane in pryson After these newes came into the Campe al mē for the moste parte bycause they serued against their wylles hated the Duke do reuolte And whan letters and commission came from Frammingham thei take the Duke at Cambridge and the .xxv. daye of Iuly bryng him agayne into the citie It is vncredible with what rebukes railinges the people receiued hym whylest some cal him traytour some parracide others the murtherer of the moste innocent kyng For in as much as he was thought to haue brought his sonnes wyfe to the Roial crowne there arose a suspicion that he had imagined these thynges longe before and layde in wayte for the kynges lyfe After were apprehended his sonnes and his brother and certē other Nobles and the kynges scholemaister Sir Iohn Cheke knight a mā of great vertu and learning Yet was he discharged afterwardes but put in a maner from all his lsuing After came Quene Mary to London entring into the holde which they call the Towre deliuereth out of prison the Duke of Norfolke who had bene almoste seuen yeares in captiuitie Gardiner Byshop of Winchester and Tunstall Bishop of Duresme and certen other Byshops of the popyshe Religion whiche had bene put from their Byshoprikes and restoreth them to their fourmer places And certenly that byshop of Winchester although in bookes set forth he had defended the doing of king Henry what tyme he diuorsed him selfe from the Lady Katherine the mother of Quene Mary as in the .ix. booke is mentioned yet nowe he obteined the place of the chauncelour whiche is there the highest degree of dignitie For where the lady Katherine alledged the Byshop of Romes licence Iuly the second who had confirmed that matrimony and the kyng againe sayde it was naught and therfore sent the Byshop of Winchester before he was Byshop to Rome that Clement might pronoūce thesame frustrate Who comming thither in the moneth of February in the .xxix. yeare was an importune suter The Bishop of Rome who as the prouerbe is helde the woulfe by both eares where as both he coueted to gratifie the kyng and also feared themperours displeasure aunswereth that he wyll wryte to themperour that the true licence vnder seale might be shewed He assenteth in dede but he requireth to haue two monethes only appointed for the same matter Whan that tyme shal be runne out Gardener requireth the the licence might be compted vnlawfull But that thought the Byshop of Rome both straunge and also vnreasonable and seketh with gentle wordes to satisfie the kyng But the Ambassadour tolde hym playnly that vnles he might obteyne the kynges request it would be to the great hinderaunce of the See of Rome Agayne the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando the .xxvii. daye of Aprill by Ambassadours declare their grief and expostulate with byshop Clement that he fauoured the kyng onermuche and would haue the matter iudged in Englande and also appointed their procurers with large and ample commission whiche should treate and followe the cause in their names at Rome Wherfore the Byshop commaunding at the last Campegius to retourne home reuoketh the suite to him selfe so much the rather for that he vnderstode by the Cardinall of Yorke of the kynges new loue as I said in the .ix. booke The .xxii. daye of August the Duke of Northumberland cōdemned of treasō was beheaded and whan he was brought to the Scaffolde made an oration and amonges other thinges he exhorteth the people to perseuer in the same religion whiche they had receiued of their forefathers as it wer from hand to hande For he iudgeth this to be the only cause of
thys wyse pacified them she appointed certen to defende the citie and assigneth the Erle of Penbroke to haue the charge abroade Nowe was Wiat proclaimed before by an Heraulte of Armes Rebell and Traytour to the Realme and to bryng hym in greater hatred there were read his requestes sent vnto the Quene wherof the fyrste as they saye was that he would haue the Quene in his custody that it should be lawfull for him to determine concerning her mariage and either to reteine or displace her counsellours at his pleasure The third daye after was proclaimed a pardon to all the cōmon people so that they would forsake the captaines and authours of rebellion and to him that would bring Wiat prysoner was appointed a great rewarde The Duke of Suffolke was also accompted in the nūber of traitours And wheras the same daye the conspiratours came nere vnto the citie the Quene cutteth in two London bridge ouer the Ryuer of Temse least any should go out to them The next day thei come into Southwarke supposing that the citezēs would haue ioyned with them But they were holden in with a garrison In the meane season the Duke of Suffolke is taken in an other parte of the Realme by the Erle of Huntington whome the Quene sent after him with horsemen Whan the confederates had spent two daies at the citie and traueled on that syde in vayne taking an other way they passe ouer the Temse at King stone ten miles aboue London and so marche towardes the citie There at the laste was Wiat and his felowes intercepted of that power whiche the Quene had sent out with the Erle of Penbroke and committed to pryson The next daye whiche was the seuenth daye of the same moneth proclamation was made vnder payne of death that who so euer had receiued any of these rebelles into his house should brynge them forthe and present them immediatly A fewe dayes after the Duke of Suffolke is brought prysoner to London And the .xii. daye of February the Duke of Northumberlandes sonne Guilford Dudley and the lady Iane his wyfe the Duke of Suffolkes daughter which after kyng Edwarde I sayde was admitted Quene were both beheaded for that contrary to the lawfull succession they had aspired to the crowne And the Lady Ianes mishappe in a maner all men lamented that so vertuouse a Lady so wel brought vp and so learned should chaunce into so great a calamitie for none other cause verely thā that she had not refused the kingdome offered She made an oration to the people very Godly and modeste and calling to God for mercy through Iesus Christe toke a clothe of one of her gentilwomen and couered her own face and bound it about her eies and than offered to the hangeman her necke to be striken of The self same daye was Corteney Erle of Deuonshire whome the Quene a fewe monethes before had deliuered from long captiuitie agayn taken vpon suspicion of a conspiracie made After this in Londō and Westminster where the Quene than was many were caried to execution and that of the Nobilitie not a fewe Some of them also escaping and amongest them a worthie Knight syr Peter Carrew fled into Fraunce The Duke of Suffolke also the .xxi. daye of February was beheaded whan he had bene condemned foure dayes before Whylest these thynges are done in Englande Sibille of Cleaue the wyfe of Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxon the foresaed .xxi. daye of February departeth at Weymer and the .xi. daye after her the Prynce hym selfe whan he had layen a whyle sicke They died bothe in the true knowledge of God And suerly he whan his wyues tombe was a making in the churche had commaunded a certen place to be reserued for hym by the syde therof for that he should shortely followe after Neyther was he disceaued in his opinion For the thyrd daye of Marche about ten of the clocke before noone whan he had heard a Sermon liyng in his bed callyng vppon Gods mercy and commending his spirite vnto God he flitted out of this myserable life into the heauenly countrie And nowe was the composition made betwene hym and Duke Augustus For where the kyng of Denmarke sendynge Ambassadours as I sayd before made great intercession after much and diuerse and almost an half yeares disceptation now at this tyme was the matter appeased vpon these condicions Iohn Fridericke departeth from the Electourshyp from Meissen and from the Townes of mettell mines Duke Augustus disceasing without Heires males all these thinges retourne to the Duke of Saxon his heires males In the meane tyme the Duke of Saxon may vse the name and the armes of Electourship as well in sealing of letters as in coyninge of monie Duke Augustus also graunteth to hym and to his sonnes certen townes and gouernementes and for the debtes that were behynde of certen fourmer yeares whiche Duke Maurice had not payed to his sonnes he payeth downe to the summe of an hondreth thousand crownes He redemeth also the Castell and towne of Conigsperge standing in Franconie and layed to morgage to the Bishop of Wirtemburge for .xl. thousande crownes and restoreth it to the Duke of Saxon his sonnes Finally the league of inheritaunce of the house of Saxon in these fourmer yeares infringed is renewed and established agayne The same composition Iohn Fridericke lying on his deth bed not long before he ended his lyfe confirmed with his wryting and seale and commaūded that his sonnes should doe likewyse Wherfore with a noble courage vanquishyng all euilles and miseries wherinto he chaunced he died not in prison nor in the custody of foreine soldiours wherūto he was appointed but through the notable benefit of God set at libertie and retourning home to his wyfe his children and his owne religion ended his lyfe moste peaceably leauing to his sonnes and subiectes peace and quietnes His wyfe also the Duchesse hauing her owne wyshe left this earthly mansion For often tymes she had saied that she coulde be content to dye with all her harte so that she might first se her husband safe at libertie And the same many times did she pray to the liuing God for with many teares and sighinges The same daye that she ended her lyfe had Duke August a sonne borne named Alexander In these same dayes the rest of the straungers that were in Englande yea and many of the same natiō forsakyng their countrie for the alteration of Religion and the Quenes proclamatiōs conueye them selues into Germany wherof some tary at Wesell some at Franckefurte and many also at Strasburg Iohn Alascus a Polonian a noble man borne brother to Hierome a man of excellent learning went thence before wynter with diuerse others into Dēmarke But where as he was ther not very frendly receiued by reason of his contrary opinion touching the Lordes supper and for thesame cause was denied to dwell in the lower partes of Saxony he came at the
with Masses Praiers Fastinges and Almose dedes whether there be a place of Purgatory whether the time of Lent and other times of fasting appoynted by the Churche oughte to be obserued whether on daies by the Church forboden we ought to abstain frō eating of flesh whether the people ought to be stirred vp vnto religion by Ceremonies what Ceremonies be godly and whiche not Unto these dothe he make answer the xxvii daye of May at large And althoughe he confirmed his sayinges with the Testimonies not only of scripture but of the doctors also yet was he condemned the xxv of Iune and depriued of all his function About th end of Iune the french king marching with an army out of Chāpaigne taketh the way to the riuer of Mase and inuading the Emperors country ioyning to Tournay surpriseth amonge many other thinges The Townes of Bouine and Dinaunt spoyleth them and raseth the castels there and taking Mariburg fortifieth it with munition and garrison Themperor going out of Bruissels with hys army commeth to Namures which is a town by the riuer of Sabie v. miles beneath Dinant The French king appeared to haue desired the battell but whan the time was tracted he tourneth into Henault and taketh Biuse a town and castel of Quene Maries the Lady Regent of Flaunders wher she had a house of pleasure all the which he spoileth and burneth and destroyeth all the country farre and neare with spoyling and burning After he commeth to the siege of Rentie a towne in the borders of Artois but at the Emperors comming whose army was now wholly assembled the siege was leuied after light conflictes had and skirmishing on either side This was in the moneth of August wheras in a manner the same time the kinges armye in Italy at the conduite of Peter Strosse set vpon by themperors power wherof was gouernor the Marques of Marignan receiued a great ouerthrow Uery many of the Swisses were slain which as I said before wer sent thither by the king In the meane time the Emperors sonne Phillip the xix day of Iuly arriueth in England with a Nauy oute of Spaine and the fourth day after in the euening commeth to Winchester where the Quene taried for him and going to the Cathedrall Churche wyth all the Nobility before him was receiued of the bishop of Winchester and certaine others Emonges other Princes there was with him the Duke of Alua. The next day he goeth to the Quene talking with her long and much verye familiarely the seconde daye which was kept holy to S. Iames the Patrone of Spain the mariage was solempnised And ther was themperors ambassadoure who affirmed openly howe themperor had geuen to his sonne for his mariage the kingdom of Naples Afterwardes departing frō thence at the last he entred into London the head city with greate pompe and solempnitie In the moneth of August certen states of thempire mete again at Wourmes for that themperor called vpon th execution against Marques Albert. Who being expulsed out of his country went first into Loraine and after into Fraunce wher the king denied him not intertainmente And because it was to be feared least he should attempt something least he shoulde make a roade into Alsatia or the parties neare vnto it they that are of the prouince of Rhine about th end of Septembre sent certen guidōs of horsmen into the borders of Loraine to kepe the passages But they at the last without any exploict done returne home not without the domage of them wher they lay In the moneth of Octobre they assemble again at Frankfurt both for this and for other causes Unto the which conuention wer broughte the letters of Marques Albert wherin he complaineth of his enemies last war and speaking much of that bishop of Arras he taunteth spitefully amōges others the bishops of Treues and Strasburge and also the Lantz graue and calleth those bloudy horsmen that laye in waite for hys life There were letters also red in the name of the Frenche kinge wrytten in the Dutch tonge the first day of Octobre And speaking of thold amitie of Fraunce and Germany our eunemies are wholy addict saith he to infringe the same And certen yeres past they wrought the matter so far that my father was declared an enemy but I neuerthelesse when about two yeres since the state of thempire was miserable and cleane out of order forgetting the offences past declared plainly what good will I bare you following here in the fotesteps of my progenitors which soughte euer to auaunce your honor and dignity For it can not be proued that euer they offered you wronge but our aduersaries haue many waies gone aboute to plucke from you all your liberties and goodes also what time they haue deuised sondry policies not only to exact mony but haue also kindled factions betwene noble houses as you knowe rightwell And albeit the case standeth thus yet through their procurement I heare say howe certaine states which are in dede my neighbors of whom verely I loked for no such thing haue moued warre against me wher they haue proclaimed the same before Which doubtles is to me great maruel and so much the more in dede for that there is no quarrell betwixt vs. For in that which is commonly spoken of Marques Albert as though I shoulde aide him against you I receiue wrong For inasmuch as I shewe him fauor I do it both for the same old frendship whiche I saide hathe bene alwaies betwene vs and also for that this hath bene euer the custome and entertainment of the kinges of Fraunce that Prynces in aduersity especiallye Germaines shoulde haue with them a safe refuge and succoring place It were much more pleasaunte to me surely to se him in honor at home and all thinges safe and wel than to se him thus discomfited expulsed and destitute of all succor I would haue wished also that he had not chaunced into this calamity or at the least wise might now be reconciled vpon reasonable conditions And for so much as through the fault of mine aduersary he is brought into this distresse which he hathe pronounced the same thing frustrate and after hath ratified it why shuld I be had in suspition for hauinge compassion of his misfortune but that I shuld geue him aid against thempire it neuer came in my thought neither will I do it here after and that you maye be assured of so that you again do nothing against the lawes of amity And wheras youu ought to loke for nothing els of me but that is peaceable and frendlye I require of you againe that you be not circumuented through their craftes which neither loue me nor you so that either you should make warre your selues with me or aid them with men and monye For this is theyr endeuor that they maye make theyr priuate affaires common But rather obserue amity and take the condition that is offered you And what you intende herein I require you
to aduertise me plainly by the bearer hereof Moreouer that according to thauncient custome and pacification of Passaw my ambassadors which shal come to the next assemble of thempire may haue safeconduit Unto this was made answer how the horsmen that were sente to the frontiers of Loraine concerned none iniury towardes him but was done for this intent that in case Marques Albert should make anye sodaine inuasion his enterprise mighte be disapoynted touching his Ambassadoures and the safeconduit for so muche as they haue no commission hereof they will aduertise theyr princes and distrust not but they will do herein that shall be reasonable About th end of Octobre themperor geueth ouer to his sōne Phillip the Dukedome of Millan sendinge messagers to inuest him herein with accustomed Ceremonies The French kinge leuiynge his siege from Rentie as before is said and not long after discharging the Swisses he placed the reast of his soldiors in garrisons And themperor not far from Hesdine which in the yeare before he toke and ouerthrew as is said espying a place conuenient began a new fortification of a Towne and to thintent he might bringe it to passe he maintaineth an army whiche in the monthe of Nouembre destroyeth all Picardy with spoyling and burning as farre as Amias Wherefore the whole force and violence of the warre lighted vppon the pore and miserable people on either side Afterwarde themperor discharging the reast of his armye interteined still a legion or two for him self The same time the French king sēt a new power into Italy and amonges others certaine Almaignes to relieue them of Senes whome the Emperors force and the dukes of Florence besieged hotely At the .xii. day of Nouembre was holden a Parliament in England For the which Cardinall Poole comming oute of Brabant wheras certen ambassadors were commen out of England to cōduit him and amonges them the Lord Paget the xxiii of Nouembre he came to London being right honorably receiued in all places whersoeuer he came and was immediatly restored to his blud and house of inheritance with common assent and consēt from the which king Henry the eight had displaced him The v. day after he came into the Parliament house and in the presence of king Phillip and the Quene whā he had shewed the cause of his ambassade he exhorteth them to return to the cōmunion of the church restore to the most holy father the bishop of Rome his due authority who wil graunt vnto thē all clemency gentlenes he admonisheth thē also to geue God thankes which hath geuen them such a king a Quene Finally wher they haue restored him to his house inheritance he taketh it for a very great benefit and saith he is so much the more boūden to restore them again to the heauēly court and coūtry which he wisheth most of al other things Whē he had spokē to this effect he goth a part Ther the bishop of Winchester being Chancelor repeting his oration and with many words exhorting thē to vnity and concord saith they are boūden to geue God great thankes who of his vnspeakable mercy hath raised them vp a prophet of their owne sede whiche is that most honorable Cardinall which is wholy inclined vnto their saluation The next day when the Nobility and commons had approued thoration requests of cardinal Poole there was drawne a fourme of a petition wherin they beseche the King and the Quene that they would make intercession to him The some of that supplication was this How it repented them sore of the scisme for that they haue denied their obedience to the Apostolicall seat and that they haue consented to the decrees made against the same but from henceforth they wil be at the commaundemente of him and the Quene and will do all that euer they can that all such lawes and statutes may be abrogated the same Parlament Wherfore they mooste humbly beseche theyr highnesse that they wold be meanes and bring to passe that being absolued from the sinnes and censures whith they haue committed againste the lawes of the Church they may be receiued again as penitent children into the bosome of Christes church that from henceforth they may serue God in the obedience of the sea and Bishoppes of Rome to the glorye of his name and increase of theyr owne saluation An other day whan the King and the Quene and Cardinall Poole were present the Chaunceloure standeth vp and pronounceth openly what the states had determined concerninge the request of the Bishoppe of Romes Legate Afterwarde dothe he exhibite the supplication aforesaide comprised in wrytinge and subscribed to the Kinge and the Quene beseching them to receiue it They when they had opened it deliuer it againe to the Chaunceloure to reade Than he demaundeth of all the companye whether they be contente herewith whiche whan they hadde affirmed the Kinge and the Quene arrise and deliuer it to the Cardinal Whan he had red it he exhibiteth vnto them the letters of his commission And than were the same red that all men mighte perceiue that he had authority geuen him by the Bishop of Rome to assoile them After he maketh an oration and declareth howe acceptable a thing vnto God is repentaunce and how much thaungels in heauen reioyse for a penitent sinner and alledging for the purpose manye examples geueth God thanckes which hath put in them a minde desirous of amendement This done he arriseth likewise do the King and the Quene and knele down vpon theyr knees There he than calling vppon the high power and mercy of God besecheth him to loke mercifully vppon the people and pardone their offences And affirming him self to be sent therfore from the highe Bishop Christes vicar to geue them absolution lifting vp and stretching forth his hand as their manner is blesseth the whole multitude and assoileth them After this they go to the chappell Here was geuinge thanckes vnto God playing of the Organes sounding of trōpets and all tokens shewed of mirth and gladnesse as at such times is accustomed They that knew Cardinal Poole before by his talke and manner of liuing marueled much at this his doing and loked for other manner of stuffe at his hand The xviii day of Decembre themperor addressing his letters frō Bruissels vnto all the states of thempire Upon how waighty and vrgēt causes saith he Marques Albert the last yere was outlawed by the iudges of the chābre condemned of treason you haue had certen knowledge by the letters which than was set vp openly and those also which came frō vs afterward And for so muche as he perseuereth obstinatelye in his troublesome and seditious purposes and vndoubtedly goeth about more mischief to thintent he may vexe and plage again oure natiue country of Germany Again forasmuch as he hath hys recourse into sondry places ther which he taketh for starting holes refuge as I am credily informed I thought it necessary for the
bringeth I haue doubtles with my brother that Emperour bene now these many yeares wholy occupied that they might come to a composition And therfore hath the matter bene attēpted in many counsels of the Empyre certein conferences of learned men and through our mediation hath bene begon once or twyse the counsell of Trent But where as the treatie came to no good effect that can not doubtles be imputed to vs neither is it vnknowen by what diuises and craftes the matter was than hindered Now where you require that the pure doctrine and the benefite of the peace newly made for Religion may be graūted you Like as heretofore I haue kept backe no man frō the true Religion so will I not also do it hereafter Again you are as well comprised in the same peace as are the people of other Princes For this is the meaning of the same decree that the people shall followe the Religion of their Prince And it is permitted to temporall Princes to chose whether Religiō they will for that the people ought to be content with the choise of the Prince but yet so for al that that such as shal not like that Religion whiche the Prince hath chosen may haue fre libertie to sell that they haue and go dwell in an other place without any hinderaunce or blemishe to their estimation whiche seing it is so your dutie is to perseuer in the olde and catholique Religion which I professe That the Gospel should not be purely taught after the exposition of the Apostels Martyrs fathers whiche the churche hath receiued I was neuer against The Lordes supper although it were instituted whole yet was it in the olde churche also distributed vnder one kynde as it may be declared at large Therfore it was not altered first in the time of the counsell of Constaūce but that custome had lasted many ages before Wherfore you may easely thinke how it is not lawful for me by my priuate authoritie to chaunge or abolish that lawe receiued and approued by generall counselles especially at this tyme when both now lately peace is geuen to Religiō and in the next assemblee we must treate further for a reconcilement In the which treatie doubtles I wil seke to the vttermoste of my power that dissention may be vtterly takē away But if that can not be done thā wil I take such away as may profit both your wealth and your soules health also And to the intent you may vnderstand my good wil clemencie towardes you I wil in dede staye restreine that part of my proclamatiō that cōcerneth the Lordes supper but yet vnder this conditiō that all sectes forsaken you do alter nothing of the lawes ceremonies of the churche but tary for the decree of the assemble of the Empire next cōming The ministers of the churche and scholem aisters so that they followe this order also shal not be molested as also before this time I suffered no man against right to be iniuried Seing therfore I beare you this good wil my truste is that you will desire nothing furthermore and for as muche as the publique necessitie vrgeth it shall become you to consult for the common wealth and to geue that behoueth Wherunto they make aunswer the .xii. daye of February And where in the cause of all other moste weightie whiche conteineth perpetuall felicitie and especially apperteineth to the saluation of him and his children they can obteyne nothing thei she we how they are moste hartely sory And where as say they moste mightie kyng you say that this wonted distributing of the Lordes supper was in oulde tyme receiued in the churche that same may be aboundantly cōfuted by holy scripture and also their errour detected that haue perswaded your highnes herein But where you say the meaning of the late decree made at Auspurg to be that the people should applie them selues to the Religion of their Prince Uerely for as much as a fewe yeares paste and longe before this decree we haue with common consent exhibited to your highnes supplications concerninge Religion it were lawfull for vs also in case we would dwel in the same aunswer to sell our goods and flitte with our wyues and children to some other place But what discōmoditie were herein agayne how heuie and sorowfull newes this would be to the people who seeth not When verely they shal heare that they whiche after the custome of their elders haue bene euer more ready to spende their bloud and lyfe for the preseruation and dignitie of the house of Austriche must nowe forsake their moste swete natiue countrie so many yeares inhabited and inriched by their fore fathers Therfore we admit not nor ratifie the same aunswer in this behalf but as we haue done oft heretofore for the honour of God we beseche you that you woulde permitte vs to haue that incōparable treasure of Gods worde and suffer vs to haue no let in this matter For if the condition of the cause were suche that the whole blame should be to you ascribed doubtles we could be cōtent lyke as in other thinges so in this case also to obey you willingly But since that euery man must render an accompt of his owne dedes since there is no difference of persones with God and for bycause the ende of this lyfe is euery moment at hande neither is there any thing more vncerten than life we can not but with earnest suite and labour requyre this thinge of you Wherfore we beseche you that we may haue sufficient warrauntise herein Hereunto the kyng the fourth daye after I suppose sayeth he there was no iust cause wherfore you should not be satisfied with the fourmer answer I permit that as the Apostels haue set it forth as the martirs and fathers approued of the churche haue taught and expounded the scripture it be nowe taught also I pray you what more require you herein For since God hath promysed to his churche the holy ghoste saluation is not to be sought els where You saye you are defiled with no secte of the whiche sorte be many now adayes as anabaptistes Sacramentaries Zwinglians Schnemfeldians and such other lyke This in dede is very well But if the doctrine be set at libertie and be not included within certen limites as before is sayde howe long suppose you that it wil continue pure When euery man for hym selfe wyll bragge of Goddes woorde and saye it is subiect to no creature but to God alone nor will admitte the iudgement of no man as we see it happen in many places where all is ful of trouble whylest euery mā doeth stifly mainteine his owne opinion the authoritie of the churche vtterly contemned And for as much as in your fourmer wryting you recite the laste decree of the Empire somewhat otherwyse than apperteineth therfore haue I declared how it is to be taken not that I would haue you to go dwell els where Againe to take frō you all
Transiluania do reuolte from kinge Ferdinand Ferdinando also prorogeth the counsel of the Empire to a time vncerten and leuieth an army whiche he sendeth downe the riuer of Danubius into Hōgary There is a town of Alsatia called Obereyne thre leages from Strasburg A certen citezen of that towne being a labourer about vines for penury want when his wyfe was absent the tenth daye of Aprill sleeth his thre children a daughter of seuē yeares a sonne of foure yeares olde and a sucking babe in the cradell not fully halfe a yeare olde That tyme there was a brute and reporte went of the secret conspiracie of the Pope his adherentes against the Protestauntes It increased this opinion for that there was no doubte but that the Pope toke moste displeasauntly the decre of the last yeare made at Auspurge wherby peace and libertie was graunted to Religiō It is thought also that he sollicited the Emperour to make it frustrate For he sawe how many reuolted daily from his kingdome and vnderstande what they of Austriche and what the Bauarians went about Moreouer the Archebyshops of Mentz Treuers and Collon by occasion of the bathes met that tyme together Whiche was thought to be done not without cause King Ferdinando breaking vp his assemblees in Austriche goeth into Boheme and calling the countries there about to Prage against this iminent daunger demaundeth mony and hath it graunted Than sending letters to them whiche had bene now certen monethes at Regenspurg he excuseth his absence and bicause he must retourne to Uienna he appointeth the assemblee of the Empire the first of Iune After the departure of king Ferdinando the Lantgraue came in to Meissen was a certen tyme with Auguste Duke of Saxony The tenth day of May the Duke of Arescot being prisoner in castel Uincent not far from Paris escaped and came home safe The Cardinall of Auspurge who had taried a whole yeare at Rome when he being lately retourned frō thence had heard how sinistrally and many euill men spake and thought of him as though he should practise with the Pope priuie and perniciouse counselles for Germany he pourgeth him by an open wryting set forth in the vulgar tongue about th ende of May. And where as the last yeare sayth he after the death of Iulius the third I went to Rome as my dutie was to do and was present at the Election of him that now ruleth I had pourposed doubtles to haue retourned home into Germany with expedition but I was deteined of the Pope who went about than a reformation of the churche And chosing certen excellent men of all nations for the same purpose chose me also although vnmete for so weightie a matter bycause I was a Germane to be of that nomber But where the charge of my Byshoprike required my presence askyng leaue of the Byshop the day before the Ides of Aprill I retourned home Neuerthelesse although I haue so vsed my self both alwayes before and after also that I came to this kynde of lyfe that I now am in whiche I wold should be spoken without boasting that no shamefull matter can be truly obiected to me although I haue bene oft the coūsellour and authour of peace not without my great losse and hinderaunce although the welth and dignitie of my countrie hath bene to me alwayes dere yet so sone as I came againe in to Germany I heard of great mē and worthy credit that were my frendes how in myne absence certen wrytynges were caste abroade whiche sounded to my dishonour as though I should not only at Rome with the Pope but also euery where through out Italy with secret diuises practise this that Germany namely the league fellowes of the confession of Auspurg shuld againe be vexed with a moste greuous warre And in the same wrytinges they alledged this to be the cause of this enterprise and fecret working that the Pope did greatly mislike the decre made the last yeare at Auspurg cōcerning religion in so much that he perswaded the Emperour that he woulde abolishe the same that he had dispensed with him for his faith promesse herein that he had promysed him all the ayde and power that he could make to subdue Germany so that themperour againe would not fayle hym in recouering the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in Germany that therfore he had made truce betwixt the Emperour and the Frenche kynge that bothe their Armies might be conuerted to this vse Thei added moreouer that this was written in the same libelle that no foreyne Soldiours should be leuied but only of Germaynes that the thing might the better be hidde Moreouer that the kyng of England wold hire eight thousande horsemen and be gouernour of the whole warre and that mounsters shoulde be take in sondry places Briefly that the whole matter shoulde be handled so circumspectly that all these powers should set forwarde together at one tyme and should inuade the Protestauntes vppon the soden than when many shall be from home at the counsel at Regenspurge Furthermore that both the Pope and the kyng of Englande sending Ambassadours to certen Prynces in Germany doe promyse them largely and that the Pope in dede prepareth a greate army of horsemen and fotemen to sende for ayde Furthermore that I should sclaunder Otto Henrick the Paulsgraue Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge and Albert Marques of Brandenburge as Heretickes and seditiouse and worthie to be driuen out of their countrie And should hyghly commende the Lantgraue in the Senate of Cardinalles for that he had forsaken his Religion and that Titell man one of the Ministers of his churche had reuoked his doctrine at Rome both by worde and wryting Now for as muche as this sclaunder toucheth not only the Pope and the Emperour but hurteth also my name and estimation And bycause it is the part of an honest man to defende both his owne and also the honour and innocencie of his Magistrate I must nedes aunswere to the same And to begynne with all it was surely very greuous and paynefull for me to heare that any were yet remayning and to be founde whiche contrary to the auncient vertue of Germany faythe and constancie doe geue their myndes to suche sclaundering and here to applie them selues that through moste wicked libelles and lewde talke they myght styre vp the Prynces of the Empyre against their hyghe Magistrate and set the Prynces together by the eares in a wycked warre How cruel troublesome and full of perill was the sclaunder diuised .xxviii. yeares past I suppose full many doe remember When kyng Ferdinando the Byshoppes of Mentz Salisburg Bamberge and Wirseburge the Prynce Electour of Brandenburge Lewys and William brethren Dukes of Bauier and George Duke of Saxony were sayd to haue conspired against Iohn Duke and Electour of Saxony and the Lantgraue where the matter was brought to that poinct that al thinges tended to a moste cruell ciuile warre Doubtles Princes ought to
venery displeased eodem Fredericke Counte Palatines death 465 French king taken prisoner 43 Faith of Abraham obtained greate benefites of God 56 French league against themperor 71 Frenche kinges letters to the Prynces of Germany 73 French kinges inuentions against the Emperour 79 French kinges oration 120 French kinges letters eodem French warreth againste the Duke of Sauoy 38 Frenche kinge kissed the Popes ryght fote 159 French king geueth counsel to the Duke of Wittemberge 166 French kinges answer to themperors letters 199 French king coÌ„pared to the Turk 207 French king hated of all men for the Turkes societe 211 Frowardnesse of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 French king is receiued into Paris 235 French dischargeth his army 410 French kinges Proclamation against condemned of thinquisition 452 G GRece and Bohemes happines 3. Gerson of Paris 8 Gesmer captain of the boures 54 Gods power appeareth in fewest men 56 Gods wrath is slow but yet sore 58 George Duke of Saxon hateth the gospel 67 Godlines is not to be sought for in the Court 68 Great ghostly fathers 89 God bridleth the power of Sathan 134 Great execution done at Gaunt 171 Granuellans oration at Wormes 174 George of Austryche apprehended at Lions 184 God offreth hys worde before he Plageth 185 Gropper commended Bucer 187 Gwelphians eodem Gibellines whiche were names of the Emperiall eodem Geneua 192 Grashopper in Germany and Italy 193 Gropper forsaketh the gospel 202 Greate Princes sue for the Popes fauour 305 Griniam the French ambassador 309 Granuellan his answer to the Lantzgraue 409 General counsel promised 72 Great slaughter 105 Great alteration in England 113 Great assemble at Regenspurge 176 Gonzage gouerne of Millane 501 God is not the author of wrong 263 Gropper had the spoile of Frede. 277 Godly preachers flie 315 Ganimede nourished by the pope 348 God woundeth and healeth 357 Germany the fortresse of Christendom 394 George duke of Megelburge slain 408 Great frendship betwixt duke Maurice and Marques Albert. 422 George Earle of Mount Pelicart marieth the Lantzgraue daughter 453 Gospell is slaundred wyth rebellyon 63 Godly constancye of the Duke of Saxons children 322 H HEbrue bookes of thre sortes 20 How the scripture muste be handled 22 Honoures chaunge manners 23 Henrye King of Englande wryteth against Luther 34 How the yoke of Papistes is to be shaken of 48 Henry Zutphan put to death 50 How the magistrate should deale wyth the Papistes 58 How wicked dominion is to be shaken of 58 Hunting hauking and fishinge prohited 60 How ministers should be ordained 62 Hipocrisy of bishops 75 How scripture should be expounded 82 Hugh Capet Earle of Paris 101 How a free counsell is to be vnderstaÌ„d 111 Hirman Stapred 128 Heldus the Emperoures ambassador 143 Heldus Oration at Smalcald eodem Harlots honored at Rome 157 Hatred betwixt counsellers 170 His arme discomfited 184 Howe the Turkes atcheued the Empyre 187 His death 194 His weakenes before the king 202 Holy men haue had leagues wyth men of contrary Religion 211 Hermon leueth his Bishopprick 277 How miserable is it for the Quene for to marry with a straunger 311 He that doth against his conscience procureth him self hel fire 316 Hallowing of churches 333 Hallowing of Belles 334 Hallowing of altares 334 Hedeck and Mansfield discomfyted by Duke Morice 352 How much the papistes esteme Scripture 383 Heldius answer 147 I IHon Tecel a Dominican Frier set vp conclusyons at Frankfurt 1. Indulgences to be vsed after the Canon law 2. Iames Hogestrate wrote againste Luther 3. Ihon Wickliffe an English man 32 Ihon Husse a Boheme eodem Ihon Husse appealeth froÌ„ the pope eo Ihon Husse and Ierom of Prage burned eodem Iniquity procedeth froÌ„ the priestes 40 It is not lawful for vs to kil any maÌ„ 43 Images burnt at Zurick 48 Ihon Fredericke of Saxon marrieth Sthel of Cleaue 74 Ihon Uaivodes letters to the states of th empyre 76 Ihon Uayuodes ambassadors takeÌ„ 77 Images put downe 80 Images burnt on Ashwedensday eod Inas king of Brittain 114 Idle Nunnes marchant women 120 Ihon Leidan an Anabaptiste 128 Ihon Mathew the high Prophet 130 Iesting punished eodem Ihon Leidan inuadeth the kingdoÌ„ eo Ihon Leidans pompe 131 Ihon Husse at Constance 199 Ihon Caluin and Peter Bruly superintendantz of the Colledge of Stras borough 168 Ihon Isleby chief of the Antimo 172 Inuectiues vnmete for princes 174 Ioy in France at themperors losse 185 Ihon Miners president of the Counsel at Agnes 219 Iustus Ionas asked whether we shall know eche other in the life to come 232 Ihon Diaze a Spaniard 233 Ihon Isseby a Reuolt 310 It is daunger to vse forain aides 311 Ihon Marques of BraÌ„deÌ„burge refuseth thinterim 315 Isseby rewarded of themperor 320 Inquisitions of Uergetius 320 Iuly the third consecrated bishop 343 Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge 383 Ihon Sleidan ambassador for Strausburg to thempire 373 Ihon Frederick demaundeth laÌ„ds and dignities 423 Ihon a Laisco a Polonian 432 Interrogatories Ministred to the Abbot of Newstat 436 Ioy at Rome for Englande reduced to the Romish church 443 Indulgences graunted by the Pope for the conuersyon of England eodem Ihon Fredericke the electours Sonne marieth 451 Ihon Gropper made Cardinall 461 Ihon Sleidane dieth 470 Iudges of the chamber trouble the protestauntes 123 Ihon Laydon parradocsises 131 Iudges of the chambre 144 Ignorannce of the people is gaine full to the priestes 150 Iudges of the chambre shal kepe theyr place 212 Ignoraunce of the people for lacke of teachinges 237 Interim permitteth Priestes to keepe theyr wines stil 313 K KInges of Naples paye Tribute to Rome 11. King Henry the eighte calleth hys mariage in question 113 Kingdoms destroid for Idolatry 185 Kinges of Fraunce moste addict to the Pope 200 King HeÌ„ry banished the Pope but not Popery 278 King Ferdinando moueth the Bohemers to warre 279 King of Fraunces fautour of â—ear 282 King Fardinandoes letters to the Bohemers 286 King Fardinando requyreth mouye of the states 314 King Phillip inuested in Flaun. 337 Kinges haue long armes 279 King Edward sore sicke 408 King Fardinando proclaimeth warre against Albert. 408 King Phillip arriueth in Eng. 437 Kinge Phillippe came to his father to Brurels 453 King Phillip entreth into And. 462 King Fardmando goeth into Boheme 466 King of Denmarke slieth 41 King of England wryteth to the princes of Sarony 44 Kinges sonnes are pledges 69 King of Hongary slain 71 King Henry hated againste the Pope 114 Kinges supper and murder 132 King of England patrone of the Protestauntes league 139 King Edward the .vi. borne 154 King of Englande refuseth the Counsell eodem King of Englande hated of the Pope eodem King of England maried the .vi. wife 187 Kinges purgation 191 King of Denmarke warreth vppon the imperials 266 King of England warneth the Protestaunts of the daunger 227 King of Denmarke aided not the Protestauntes 275 King is apparelled like a deacon 292 L LUthers letters to the Bishoppe of Mentz 1. Luthers questioÌ„s at
Wittenberge 1 Luthers exception eodem Luthers letters to Pope Leo. 2 Luthers answer to Siluester Prierias eodem Luthers second aunswere to Siluester Prierias 3 Luthers forsaking of Rome eodem Luther cited to Rome 4. Luther is called to Auspurgē 5. Luthers conference with Cardinal Caietane eodem Luther appealeth 6 Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsel 9 Luthers letters to the Pope 17 Luthers boke to the duke of Saxon. 18 Luthers boke condemned at Louain 19. Laurence valla eodem Luthers letters to themperor 21 Luthers letters to the archbishoppe of Mentz eodem Luthers letters to the bishop of Merseburge 22 Luther cursed of the pope 23 Luther impugneth the Popes censure 24 Luthers boke of the captiuity of Babilon eodem Luthers bokes are burnt 26 Luther burneth the Canon law 27 Luther cometh to Wormes eodem Luther pledeth his cause before themperor and the hole Empire 1. Luthers answer to the princes 39 Luther sent away from Wormes 31 Luther is outlawed by themperor 33 Luther wrote sūdry bokes in his exile eodem Luther is conueied out of daunger eo Luther returneth to Wittenberge 35 Luther foreseeth the tempest comming eodem Luther wryteth to the Bohemer◠36 Luther wryteth against the bishops eo Luther a Frier 38 Luther compared with Mahomet 40 Luther expoundeth the Popes laying eodem Luther interpreteth the decrees of the Princes 43 Luther wrote to the Senate of Prage eodem Luther wrote of eschuing the doc 44 Luther compared to Mahomet 50 Luther disswageth al men from sedi 58 Luther did more with the worde then could haue bene done by forc eodem Luthers answer to the boures 60 Luthers office 63 Luther bloweth the trōpet against 64 Luther to vehement 65 Luther married a Nonne eodem Luther and Zwinglius mete at 66 Luthers letters of submission to the. 67 Luthers letters to George duke of eo Leonard Cesar apprehended for the. 74 Lawes of disputation 75 Lantrech besiegeth Naples eodem Luther and Zwinglius dispute at 83 Luther wrote a boke to the bishops 96 Luther comforteth Melancthon eodem Luthers opinion of mens traditiōs eo Letter of the duke and Lantzgraue 103 Luthers counsel 112 Luthers purgation eodem Luther comforteth thexiles eodem Luthers opinion touching the spri 116 Luthers wryting of Munster 134 Legions of soldiors in Fraunce 137 Luthers constancy 138 Like lips like lettes 151 Longolnis oration against the Lu. 167 Lascus committed to prison 175 Luthers boke against the Duke of 176 Luther is cursed of the Pope 175 Langeus letters to Alphonse 184 Luthers oration for the field 189 Lawes against deflowrers of vir 202 Laundersey besieged 205 Luthers boke of the Lordes supper 215 Luthers answer to them of Louain 218 Luthers boke against the Pope 222 Luthers Themes of iii. gouern eodem Luthers picture against the pope eodē Luther a Prophet eodem Luther chosen arbitror 231 Luther wareth sicke 232 Luthers last prayer eodem Luthers birth eodem Luther sent to Rome eodem Luther eloquent in the dutch eodem Lightning caused destruction 255 Liberty is exiled out of the counsel 256 Letters for the Lantzgraue to 295 Letters of Strasborough to them 326 Luther brought in contempte the Popish Ceremonies 334 Lewes Marsile one of the prisoners 423 Libels strowed about in London 461 Lady Clinor commeth into France 86 Lantzgraue departeth from Ausp 89 Lantzgraue goeth to the frēch king 113 Lantzgraue boroweth Monye of the French king eodem Lady Mary proclaimed bastard 114 Lantzgraue taketh his leaue of themperoure 240 M MAximilians letter to Poope Leo concerning Luther 3 Maximilians death 10 Many sectes in the popish kingdom 36 Maner of chusing themperor 10 Matrimony lawful for all men 47 Muncer a great Anabaptist 55 Muncer wil haue a token of God eodē Muncer maketh gunnes eodem Muncer teacheth that all thinges shuld be common eodem Muncer raileth on the princes 56 Muncer disceyueth the people by the rainbow eodem Muncer is taken his cruel answer and he is reproued of the Lantzgraue 57 Muncer repenteth at the hour of death eodem Mishaps of the french king 82 Matters receiued in religion 89 Monestical vowes 124 Munster a city of Westphalia 137 Maidens do prophecy 130 Mariage counted whoredome 135 Many filthy actes of Monkes 156 Meanes to restore the ecclesiastical 181 Melancthon and pristor come to 201 Miners president of Aygwes 219 Miners leuieth a power againste Ualdois 219 Maluenda treateth of iustification 229 Marquin excuseth Diaze 234 Mariages in broil of warre 254 Maurice loueth his townes 276 Marques Albert sent to aid 277 Mendoza ambassade from the Frenche King to Strasburge 279 Marques Albert taken prisoner 280 Mihel Sidonie a great Masmōger 294 Muskel borowe field 296 Muleasses king of Tones 313 Maximilian marieth his cosen 315 Musculus departeth to Bernes 316 Maximilian warred against the Swissers 322 Maried Priestes plucked from they re wyues 329 Melanthō defēdeth the Adiaphorist 333 Monseur Ueruine beheaded 336 Maximilian cometh out of Spayne 353 Melanthon best learned 359 Mony gathered for the warre of Mayden burge 760 Maximilian entreth into Trent 378 Marques Albertes letters agaynst thēperoure 393 Marten van Rossem spoileth Champanie 399 Marques Albert warreth for hym selfe 406 Marques Albert the scourge of Pristes 410 Marques Albertes request to Straseburge 410 Marques Albert refuseth peace 101 Marques Albert entreth Treuers 412 Marques Antonius Ambassadoure of Uenisse 413 Marques Alberte reconciled to Themperoure 413 Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperoure 420 Marques Albert outlawed 429 Marques Albert goeth to Sewinforte and flyeth 436 Maryburge taken 473 Melanthon conforteth the mynisters of Boheme 449 Marcellus the Second chosē Pope 450 Marcellus the Second dyeth 450 Maurenburge vitaled 452 Mount Calue is taken by the Frenchmen 453 Masse abolished at Zuricke 54 Madnes of the Munsterians 57 Magestrates is as necessarye as the Sonne to the worlde vi Marques letters to the state of Duke Maurice 42 Ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 N NEw pardons 9 No man may be kepte frō the gospell 6◠Newes of the Turkes Coming 200 Newes of the Turkes approche 1◠Nauius hath the place of Heldus 174 Nuburge rendered to the Emperoure 264 Notes of the Interim by the Bishop of Rome 314 No man oughte to be compelled to hys fayth 319 New ambassadours from Wittenberg 375 Norinberge hath peace with the Marques 402 Nyne bournte at Lyons 423 Note how Bisshoppes seke authoritie of kinges to condemne 454 Nombers of great gonnes taken front protestauntes 29 Notes of the Interim by the bysshops of Rome 313 O O Eham condemned in Paris 19 Of the original of the Turkes 190 Of ecclesiasticall benefites 281 Out of the conclaue came most fylthys Letters 343 Ortauious Farnesius cliēt to the frēch kinge 360 Oration of tharchbishop of Treuers 12 Opinion of the Cyties touchynge the king of Romaines 102 Othe of the Electors 406 Oration of the Popes ambassadour to the Duke of Saxon. 109 Oration of Themperours Ambassadour 109 Oratiō of the french ambassadours 123 Ofspring of
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
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 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
I doe vnwisely sayeth the Lantzgraue to reason of so weightie matters my fellowes beyng absent notwithstanding by cause the matter is not handled to any preiudice I wyll procede I suppose that Themperoure made the decree of Spier for a good inteÌ„t and where the aduersaries of the same were then content to suffer it and so promised they maye not nowe go backe with theyr wordes Agayne inasmuch as we gaue Themperoure stronge ayde agaynst the Frenche kinge we truste surely that the thyng that was then agreed vpon and confirmed with seales shal not be broken Moreouer there is nothyng that ought to let a prouinciall counsel For we professe the same faythe that the Apostles the counsell of Nice Athanasius did and oure diuines are agreed vppon the chiefe and principall articles ther was in dede a controuersie amonges them coÌ„cernyng the lordes supper but the same is nowe appeased for there is none but confesseth that the body and blud of Christ is there truly receyued There be anabaptistes Dauidians and I know not who besydes whom in dede we doe punnish Therfore is it not nedeful that foreine nations shulde be present when these thinges shal be determined neuerthelesse if they gaue themselues to the knowledge of the trueth it were chieflye to be wished for That certen meane opinions shuld be establyshed that by men of honour I doe not greatly resist but I thinke that caÌ„ hardly be donne with out diuines but if the sincere preaching of the gospel and the whole supper of the Lord and the marriage of priestes might be permitted as in tyme paste Paphuntius perswaded in the counsel Nicene I suppose a concorde might be establisshed I know no place where men be constrayned to come to oure religion we do not suffer a contrary and a sondry doctryne in the selfe same place but we compell no man kyll no man nor spoyle hym of hys goodes And in case men of our relygion myght remayne harmeles in your dominioÌ„s and might haue theyr Churches seuerally assuredly I coulde be contente for myne owne parte to suffer youres to haue theyr Churches in lyke case with in my rule and dominion but for asmuche as you wyll not graunt to the same we desyre also to haue oure doctryne equiualente Therefore looke what I sayde before of the decree of Spier and the prouincyall Counsel of Germanie the same doe I take to be best now also If there bee any man sayeth Granuellan in all the worlde that loueth peace assuredly it is Themperoure who indede for the Bishop of Roomes pleasure wyll not swarue one heare breadthe from equytye He hath kept also the decree of Spier not without the greate offence of the other partye and also of the Bisshop â—ea Nauius and I doe sustayne no smal displeasure for the same cause In a Counsell prouinciall I cannot see who shuld be Iudge For al men doe not vnderstand the scripture after one sorte And because that in the Conference of learned men there appereth smal hope doubtles som other meanes muste bee founde Some Articles are indede accorded but agayne there be moe yet in coÌ„trouersie Moreouer those that be accorded Bucer doth interpret more largely than the thyng it selfe permitteth and yf they shoulde nowe reste here it were easy to iudge what wolde be the state of Th empyre at the lengthe I lyke it righte well sayeth the Lantzgraue that you saye howe Themperoure hangeth not of the Bisshop his sleue And wolde God he myghte brynge the Bisshop to hys dutye In tymes paste Bisshoppes of Roome did honour Themperour as theyr supreme Magistrate And now Emperours ar bounden to them by an othe In all controuersies Gods woorde oughte to be chyfe iudge whyche is not obscure so that che minde of men wolde frame themselues accordynglye For it sheweth vnto vs synne prouoketh vs to repentaunce and amendemente of lyfe and preacheth vnto vs Chryste who hathe taken a waye the synnes of the worlde in whose name also God the Father is to be called vpon that he woolde graunte vs hys holye spiryte Uerelye thys faythe and Doctryne hathe euer been and styll remayned in the Churche as the Lordes Prayer the Crede of the Apostles And dyuerse Songes beesydes accustomed in churches doe instructe vs of the benefite of Chryst neither must we here consyder what the greatest multitude weneth but what the trewthe is For at Ierusalem also what time diuerse of the Apostles and disciples wolde haue had the heathen people that had receiued the Gospel circumcised Peter and Paule Iames and Barnabas were of a contrary opinion the errour of the residew shewed did abrogate that yoke of the lawe At the whyche tyme the greatest parte of that congregation gaue place and obeied the iudgement of a few that were in the right We verely doe not prescribe other nations but couet only that the Germanes might agree within themselues to treate of meane waies I could be coÌ„tent so that they swarued not from the decre of Spier concernyng the establisshment of the peace and lawe and in other thynges it is to be sene what may be establysshed by Gods woorde and what maye not But I wold haue also my cosen and frend here the Paulse graue who hathe ben at many assemblies and knoweth muche of matters past to speake hys opinion herin Then he speaking of Themperours good will and disposition sayeth howe the conference had at Regenspurge was well and to muche purpose begonne And if it were renewed and the articles already accorded no more decided he thinketh they myght come to some tollerable agrement in the rest Themperoure sayeth Granuellan desyreth acoÌ„corde verie muche as hath ben ofte repeted And excepte that be establysshed it will surely redounde to the dammage of the publycke weale And albeit Themperour hath not thus muche profyt by th empyre albeit he hath not hys health also yet for the loue of Germany hathe he taken his iorney He hath taken no secret counsell eyther with the French king or with others neyther commeth he to craue ayde but to prouyde generally for all men Bothe Fraunce Englande leuie great force of men whiche is greatly to be suspected Moreouer TheÌ„perour hath to doe in Spayne by reason of the death of hys Daughter inlawe Yet all these thynges set a part he goeth to the assemblie But yf no Princes come thither what shall he doe there alone There is much calling and crying on hyn to refourme thinges and yet wyll they not come to the place appoynted for consultation Therfore it should doe well my Lordes speaking to the Paulsgraue and the Lantzgraue if you whiche are two of the chiefest wolde goe thyther Albeit sayeth the Lantzgraue that Themperoure hathe no greate reuenewes out of Thempire yet in asmuche as he hathe ayde alwayes thence agaynste the Turke agaynst the Frenche kynge and others And for that the dignitie of Thempire getteth hym great authorytie amonges other kinges and that he
may leuye there alwaies force and power at hys pleasure and maye assemble greate armyes in Germany where others maye not doe the lyke how muche is thys to be estemed Our aduersaryes are more clamorous than we yet wyll they not follow good coūsell For we bothe allowed the decree of Spierand the articles accorded fyue yeres synce at Regenspurge we desired to haue enrolled for matter of recorde and admitted also al reasonable condicions of the laste conference contrary wyse they did none of al these neyther wolde they be brought to any cōformitie but with open protestation at Wormes refused the communication Now can not I go to Regenspurge the charge will be so greate There is also a matter in controuersye betwene the Electour of Saxonye Duke Moris which because theyr counsellours can not determyne it is put to my arbitrement Neuerthelesse I wyll sende Ambassadours to the assemblye with large commission Thus departing a fewe houres after commeth Nauius agayne to the Lantzgraue he telleth him how this daies talke hath pleased Themperour and solliciteth him again to come hymselfe to Regenspurge also he enquireth of hym whether he wolde talke agayne with Themperoure the same daye in the euenyng he refuseth not and whan he came Themperoure geueth hym thankes by Nauius fyrste that he came thyther secondely for that he seeth that the Paulsegraue and he are bothe desyrous of a concorde Howebeit he supposeth the Collocutours wil retourne againe to Regenspurge yf they doe not he wyll sende for them agayne but in the meane tyme he requireth him that he wolde come hym selfe to the assemblie though not at the begynnyng yet towardes the later ende He hym selfe hath verely all other affaires layde a parte taryed these three yeres in Germany to th entent he myght quyet the same Wherunto the Lantzgraue aunswered that of the departure of the Colloquitours he hearde not before thys daye he hath also recyted the causes wherfore he thinketh it was done But yf it be his desyre and that his fellowes be content that the same Diuines of the contrary parte doe retourne agayne hys also shall not tary from thence But for him selfe he may not goo thyther for that he hath ben at great charges in the warre of Brunswicke and hath lately maryed a daughter and is chosen vmpere betwene the Dukes of Saxon and for that he can not goe thyther with out a great company and because that through hys absence hys countrey might be in daunger by the confederates of the Duke of Brunswicke his prisoner Than sayeth Thēperour that hys intent is not to burthen hym with vnnecessarye charges but he desireth hym ernestlye to come for that he supposeth howe hys presence wolde further the whole consultation and that the Saxons and others myght be so in couraged And there is no cause that he shoulde be any thing affraide of Duke Heuries fellowes For neyther is their power so greate and thoughe they shoulde attempte any thynge yet wolde he let it and not suffer that any man shal disturbe the publycke quyetnes The Lantzgraue agayne recytyng the causes saieth he can promise nothyng neuerthelesse he wyll sende Ambassadours whiche shall trauell for peace whych yf they can not in all thynges obeye and gratifye hym he desyreth hym not to take it displeasauntelye neyther thynke it to be don of any obstinacie or mallice but for feare of godes displeasure For thys lyfe tyme is verey shorte and vncerten therefore must they thinke of an euerlastingnes Themperour againe speaking of hys owne paines taken sayeth the matter of Saxon maye be differred therfore let hym come and set all lettes a parte for he hym selfe beyng present myght bothe counsell and cause hys league frendes to shewe themselues tractable and be a meane that the beginning of the treaty maye be reasonable After this the Lantzgraue complayninge of dyuers that had ayded the Duke of Brunswicke maketh a briefe rehersall of the whole matter and howe he was taken and sayeth how Duke Morys he doe susteyne by them great iniurye For they are light persons and borne to styre vp trouble amonges whom Friderick Spedius tolde him yesterdaye that yf he wolde heare hym he wold open certen secret and priuie deuises that are nowe a working but in asmuche as he trusted not to the man he refused to talke with hym and wylled hym to sygnyfye vnto hym by wryting such thinges as he wold haue tolde hym presētly Whan the Lantzgraue had this declared Thēperour was maruelous angrie with Spedius wherfore after thys communication had amonges them the Lantzgraue takyng hys leaue of Themperoure was bad farewel ryght frendely And went from thence to Hedelberge and after home And Themperoure went streyght to Regenspurge And the selfe same time that is to saye at the kalendes of Aprill the Ambassadours of the Protestantes assemble at wormes to consult of the whole matter But because Themperoure sent awaye the Lantzgraue so gently they receiuing letters from hym of the same who in the meane tyme had reported the matter to the Duke of Saxon the .xxiii. daye of Aprill depart that they myght consulte of the same matters at Regenspurge whyther they must go to the imperiall assemblie In thys conuention they of Rauēspurge entred into league with the Protestantes The eight daye of Aprill was the thirde sytting of the fathers in the Counsell at Trent There are recited the bokes of the olde and new Testament and are cōmaunded to be taken for sacred and holy no parte nor iote of them omitted And the olde and common translation of the Bibell is only commaunded to be vsed in churches and Scooles It is also decreed that no man interpret the holy scripture after his owne sēce vnderstanding but that al mē follow herin the cōsent of the church and of the aunciente fathers Moreouer Printers are commaunded that they prynte or set foorth nothing but by consent of their ordinary Bysshop Furthermore it is forbidden the any man shal vse the termes or testimonyes of scripture to triflyng thynges or vayne fables about superstition inchauntmente or witchecrafte or also in ralyng slaunderous libelles and a daye was appointed for the next syttyng at the seuententhe daye of June Themperours Ambassadour there at the same tyme was Fraunces Toletane and when he had spoken much in Themperours prayse and had declared moreouer howe ioyefull that daye was to Themperoure wherin the bishop of Rome cōmenced the counsel he sheweth that he is ioyned in commission with Didaco Mendoza who hauing caught an ague is retourned to Uenise to his olde Ambassade and promysing hys seruice he sayeth we must praye to God that he wold long continew this consent of myndes in the Bisshop and Themperoure that is so godlye and holsome for the publycke weale to the intent that vices refourmed and euill weedes plucked vp by the rootes the Lordes felde maye receiue the auncient tillage In the eleuenth daye of Aprill the Bisshop