all the charges of the Empire beseeching him to reconcile the Princes one to another in which the staye and encrease of the Empire wholly consisted the true and nearest cause of the ruyne thereof proceeding from diuision Then that hee woulde yeelde all ayde to his Sonne Philip as a neyghbour to such an enemye as the King of Fraunce was In the ende beeyng determyned to departe hee was stayed thourough the vyolence of his diseases contratyeties of windes long staye in the preparation of his Shippes and thourough a difference fallen out in some of the townes which would by no meanes receyue his sonne the father liuing and other which woulde haue his nephewe Ferdinande seconde sonne to the King of Romanes for their gouernour Ioint the male contentment of a number of Lordes and other who hauing employed all their meanes and often times their life in his seruice vnder a hope of great recompence sawe themselues by this his dimission and departure into Spaine frustrated of all their hope which they coulde not hope for at his sonnes handes who as ordinarily newe Kinges affecte newe seruauntes woulde employe his meanes but to the aduauncement of his fauourites or in recompencing their paines and seruice towardes him of whome himselfe had beene an eye witnesse About the ende of Nouember Ferdinande King of Romanes hauing assembled together the greatest parte of his men of warre wente downe the Danube as farre as Vienne to make head against the Turke who made great preparation for his descente into Hungarie to besiege agayne Vienne in Austria as I will shewe you To open vnto you the affayres and chaunges of the Realme of Englande in fewe woordes Henry the eyghte discontented in that he had no other heyre but Mary borne of Katherine aunte vnto the Emperour whome his brother Arthur had marryed at the age of foureteene yeeres and lefte her a Virgine by the aduice of the Cardinall of Yorke and many dyuines as well Frenche as Almaines and English diuorced her and hauing in full assemblie declared his daughter Marye illegitimate marryed Anne Bullen one of his wifes maydes the which Pope Clemente the seuenth so hardly coulde digest as that he condemned this diuorce as vniust and of euill example especially for that Anne was a Lutherane and he feared least the King and all his Realme woulde confourme them selues to the like religion Whereat Henrye tooke such disdayne as hee declared himselfe head of the Church thorough out all Englande with forbidding any to aduowe the Pope for head or to transporte any money to Rome or paye Peterpence a reuennewe which euerye house yearely payde according to the ordynaunce of Inas in the yeere seuen hundred and fourtie Whereupon there ensued a great alteration of Religion thorough out the whole Realme so confirmed by Edwarde his sonne as that the catholique was cleane banished out of Englande at the least in publique which caused many Englishe men to flye the Realme to seeke in some other Countrey a place of more free conscience Seeyng that the Dukes of Sommerset and Northumberlande gouerned the roaste in the yeere 1553. Notwithstanding as after the death of the Duke of Sommerset the Duke of Northumberlande seeyng howe the King was fallen sicke of a Fluxe which fell into his stomache from the moneth of Februarie had marryed his sonne Guilforde to â—anâ— daughter to the Duke of Suffolke and cousin vnto the sicke King hee wrought so much as that the young King reiecting his sisters Marye and Elizabeth declared for his heyre and Inherittice vnto the Crowne of Englande this Iane of Suffolke to the ende that by this meanes hee mought traunsferre the Royalle into his owne House and disinherite the true Heyres of their righte and legitimate Succession This Marriage and Testamentarie declaration beeyng done in the moneth of May gaue occasion to a number to thinke that this young King whome they helde for the piller of men of knowledge and gaue great hope of future vertue was poysoned and that beeing assured of the time of his death they had caused him to doe whatsoeuer they woulde haue him well were it of poyson or of a Caterre so it is that Edwarde the sixte of that name and the one and fourtie K. of England dyed the sixt day of Iuly the seuenth yeere of his Raigne and the sixteenth of his age solemly entered at Westminster not without the teares of his subiects who saide that his death was presaged by a Comet which appeared a little before his departure and by the great stormes windes tempests and thunders which had that yeere tormented London the chiefe Cittie of the Realme as the witnesses of such troubles as shortly after ensued in England for the people hating in secrete this Duke of Northumberland held for suspected the testament of King Edward as a thing made too much to the aduantage of the Duke and many Lords of the Countrie terming him too ambitious wrote vnto Mary the eldest daughter of K. Henrie the eight encouraging her to declare her selfe Queene and offring vnto her all dutie and seruice Marye who had no great meanes durst not so soone come to London to the ende that according to the custome she might remaine ten daies in the Tower before her Coronation but went into the Countrie and Dukedome of Norfolke bordering on the Sea coast from whence shee wrote to sundrie Princes and Lords of the Countrie complayning how that Iane of Suffolk had enterprised against her and that Edward was not able to dispose of the Crowne which appertained vnto her being the next daughter vnto the late Kinge Henrie she laide before them the wrong which had beene done vnto Katherine her mother and next vnto her selfe and that none of King Henrie his children were to succeede before her protesting that shee would pursue her right by the sworde and not suffer the Duke of Northumberland to vaunt how he would dispose at his pleasure of the Realme of England These letters being brought to London at the selfe same time as Iane of Suffolke against her will was proclaimed Queene within the Tower of London caused a great chaunge of dispositions among the Lordes there present and a strange alienating of their mindes touching the case of Iane whome sundrie from thence foorth left to take Maries parte The which caused the Duke of Northumberland to send certaine troupes of men at armes into the Countrie of Norfolke thinking thereby to hinder her desseins But in the meane time shee was proclaimed Queene in Suffolke by the principall personages of the land So as hauing recouered some succours from the Emperour on the coast of Flaunders albeit that the Duke had strongly armed vppon the Seas to hinder their comming shee practised with a number of the cheefe of the Duke his armie which in the ende incorporated themselues to hers In the meane time Northumberland to playe on the surer side woulde needes haue the Duke of Suffolke Father to Iane to goe as her Lieutennant
an assembly The French Embassadors oration in the Councell of Trent The choise of Bishops and Cleargie denied to the Pope The enacting of La Pragmatique Sanction 12. Articles in Fraunce The K. letters and complaints against the Pope The K. answere to the Emperours obiection The originall and differēce of Christian religion in Fraunce How the doctrine of the Vaudois and Albigeois was dispersed thorough Europe Opinions soner changed by ease and rest then violence The English Lords of Guienne in france Normandie Poictou Anioy c. The Religion of the Vaudois dispersed thorough England VVicklife his Doctrine Lollards in England Liuonia Sermatia c. How the doctrine of the Vaudois and Wicklife was carried into Polonia Bohemia and other countries of Almaine The Bohemians and Almaines persecuted by the Popes inquisitors before Iohn Hus. Councell of Constance summoned for the refomation of the Church Iohn Hus cōdemned and burnt as an heretique at Constance notwithstanding the Emperours safe conduct Popes deposed Ierome of Prag condemned and burned at Constance as Iohn Hus. The Bohemians angrye growe more resolute by the death of Hus and Hierom. Captain Zischa leuieth men against the Priests Monkes of Bohemia Luther his beginning 1518. Generall pardons published through Christendom 1517. Luther cited to Rome What caused a stay of Luthers reformation Martin Luthers beginning profession and carriadge of life Luther himselfe confesseth it in his answer to the book which H. D. of Brunwick wrote against him 1541. as Sleyden reporteth in the 14. of his history repeating Luthers words who discouered the occasions which moued him to preach and write against pardons My name saith he began to grow famous because no man was found else that durst oppose himselfe This little glory was pleasing as then vnto me c. Selim King of Turkes dreadfull to his enemies Selims crueltie towards his father bretheren and race Pope Leo endeuoureth the Christian Princes to enter league against the Turkes How the Christians armie should be bestowed to annoy the Turke Christian Princes rather respected their perticular then the common cause Selim dieth Soliman succeedeth The palorepiscopal mantle how made and giuen by Popes (4) Made of the wool of two white Mattons set vpon the Aulter in S. Agnes Church while Agnus Dei is sung vpon that holy day and afterwards giuē to the Subdeacons of S. Peters who shere them at shering time and of the yarne which cōmeth from them among other maketh a mantle three fingers broad reaching from the shoulders to the calfe of the leg with little knobs of lead at the skirts from thence laide vpon the corps of S. Peter S Paul with certaine praiers and kept there one night with great ceremony after deliuered to him that must haue it and is only for Archbishops Luther appereth before Caietan the Popes Legat. Luther apealeth from Caietan The foundation of pardons and Indulgences Luther eager against the Court of Rome Erasmus his opinion of Luther Luther condemned by Pope Leo. Luther appealed againe from the Pope Luther publiquely burneth the cannon law and Popes Bull. Luther banished by Charls his letters pattents at Wormes The Masse first abolished in Germany Iohn Hus prophecieth of Luther The Emperour visiteth in person the K. of England Images broken downe in Germanie Luther misliketh the breaking of Images by the people Leo 10. dieth Adrian 6. succeedeth Adrian dieth Clement 7 de Medices succeedeth Letters from the Pope to the Parliament of Paris King Francis writeth in the behalfe of Iacques Faber League betweene the regent and Henrie the 8. King of England Peace concluded between the Emperor Charles and Francis y e first Suissers reformed Geneue a first retreate to French Lutherans The decree of Spire permitted euerie mā to maintaine his Religion without alteration The beginning of the league of Smalcade among the Protestants Whence the name of Protestants first sprong The opinion of the Supper being diuers among the reformed is cause of great inconueniences The King of Fraunce and England succour the Lutheranes The Protetestants demaund of the Emperour Election of the K. of Romanes Frederic of Saxe elector dieth Accord between Fredederic K. of Bohemia and the D. of Saxe Peace thoroughout Germany and Religion free The race and descent of Medices in which the translator doth desire the indifferēt Reader to consider what scandalous libels haue of late yeares by to humorous affections bene cast out in disgrace of the house of Medices onely to a base the royal race of Vallois of this look Guicciardin in his first booke c. The Q. Mother descended out of the house of Bologne by the mother side K. Frauncis aideth the Protestants Pope Clemēt dieth Paul Ferneze succeedeth Persecutions in Fraunce The Pope hath no authoritie to assigne a councell (4) According to the Romaine Emperours who named the informers quadruplatores The Emperours Interim The Protestants oppose themselues to the decree of the Emperour Councell of Trent Decree of the Councell of Trent Martin Luther dieth 1546. The Emperour writeth to the townes for succour The townes send answers Speach betweene the Emperour and Landgraue The holy league betweene Pope Emperour and other Princes The Emperors army against the Lutheranes The Emperor banisheth and condemneth the D. of Saxe Protestants defie the Emperour The Emperors deuice to draw Maurice against his Cosin Elector of Saxe The Protestants fault and error Maurice warreth against his cosin and the Protestants The Elector hurt taken broght to the Emperour Great ransomes which the Emperour had of the Germaines The Emperor would haue the Councell remoued frō Bolonia to Treat Melancthons answere Persecution of Lutherans Diet of Ausbourge The Landgraue discouered minding to haue made an escape Difference about succession in the empire Councell Maurice demaundeth a more safe-conduct The Catholiques helde that faith was not to be holden with heretiques Safe conduct from the coūcell at Basle for the Bohemians Magdebourg deliuered vp Embassage from the king of Fraunce to Maurice Maurice and Brandebourg Embassadors speech The Princes Embassadors Maurices demaunds at the councell Diuersities of opinions in the Councell of Trent The Councell of Trent deferred for 2. yeares Crescence Cardinall Legat and president for the Pope died of an apprehension The birth of H. 3. K. of France and Pologne The Baronnie of Montmotency erected into a Duchie with right of a Petre. The K. letter to the Electors Hostages of Fraunce and Germany The propositions of Maurice The resolution of peace deserred and wherefore The Vaudois of Prouence how when by whom and wherefore persecuted as Heretiques Arrest of the parlament of Aix They were about 24. as well inhabitants of Merin dolas other their neighbours Particular iudgements vpon the merite of the arrest The president La Chassane differreth the execution of the arrest and his reasons Cause of delay of the execution Catalogus gloriae mundi made by Chassane and printed at Lions Guillaume du Bellay L. of Langeay lieuetenant for the
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE THE HISTORIE OF FRANCE THE FOVRE First Bookes LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet 1595. TO THE RIGHT EXCELENT and vertuous Lady the Lady Anne Countesse of Warwicke and to the right Noble and worthie Ladie my Ladie and Mistrisse Katherine Barones Howard of Essingham and to the rest of the illustrious Ladies of her sacred Maiesties most Honourable priuie Chamber IF in this Epistle Excellent Ladies I containe not my stile within the bounds of breuitie let the large scope which the fielde of your vertues proffereth bee a sufficient excuse to my imputed blame if in the course of the worke which this Epistle presenteth to your Patronage multitude of errors haue beene ouerslipped yet I humbly beseech it bee so much graced by your beautie as what is good may bee acceptable vnto you and my infirmities which are most may with all other who bee they neuer so great are or haue beene seruantes to some in your place for your sake lye couered my weaknesse beeing the more augmented in that my pen is so meere a straunger to my profession entertayning it onelye and that rarelye to ouercome that Idlenes of time which to my selfe is ouer familiar rather in wast and void papers exercising the fame then fit for any ende or purpose Among which a few parcells haue â—â—ne Translated by me some yeeres since vnseene or vnthought of and had stil so continued had J not Noble Countesse beene by those which had full power ouer me otherwise enioyned Wherein I haue sooner chosen to eternise my own insufficiencie the render their perfections any waies vnsatisfied And therfore haue made choice to publish these fower first Bookes by an vnknowne without name but a most iust and faithful Author at the first digested in a forren tongue wherein J must needes yeelde to adde so much more to my owne vnperfectnesse as shall come within the view of your eyes or ponder of your iudgement as then receiuing most blemish when you shall vouchsafe the Author in his owne and proper language Who cannot in himselfe but much satisfie such is his stile iudgement truth and varietie of matter wherein the minde of man most delighting doth vndoubtedly couet Historie before all other writinges and if Historie what more pleasing then is in him contained So many euents and alterations disclosed secret disseins and intentions of mightie Princes reuealed Emperours not enduring equalitie Kings disdained swelling warres treacherous truces Popes practisers and triumphing in periuries generall Councels disauowed Empires voluntarily resigned princes murthered Crownes vsurped Popes deposed Rome beseaged his holines and Cardinals in danger to be hunger starued descriptions of Citties Townes Castles and fortes representations of Royall armies Inundations Plagues Earthquakes famines and other Gods wrathfull iudgementes Sects and Scismes in hollie Churches hot persecutions Religion made a Couerture to faction and ambition the selfe same Kings at one instant prosecuting in their owne Realmes what in person they assisted and protected in the Empire with the true cause roote foundation of al the miseries which the state of Christendome at this day and since fiftie yeares hath endured vnder the discourse of the French estate ouerrunning al worthie occurents of Europe Turkie and America A Historie though modern familier to many now liuing Actors therein yet yeelding precedence for matter methode knowledge and iudgment to none but thee triumphant Tacitus sacred Emperors lying subiect to thy pen and the mightiest Monarchy of the earth to thy censure As my poore trauailes which most of all kept me from being willing to diuulge the same obscured by thy stately Sauile Exquisite Sauile honour to thy Vniuersitie though in thy vertue an enemy to me ouerdropping and shadowing my endeuours as the high broade Oke doth young and tender sproutes wrong not thy selfe and country with longer silence of thy pen proude in thy Author proude in thy Sainte and not least proude in the commender of thy worke thy A. B. thy secret and haughtie Mecaenas disguised in the two first letters the whole Alphabet not being enough to set foorth his worthe but he may not so escape in a shaddowe his eloquence discouereth his Arte his iudgement his experience and his experience in hauing assaulted the dreadfullst Monarch of our world to the verie gates of his chiefest Cittie hath confirmed his valour to his neuer dying glorie But how much the more naked I stande frustrate of countenance subiect to errors so thorough error to reprofe as whatsoeuer is mine can be no other worth so much more high and worthie Countesse doth the power of your patronage in my protection extend it selfe and the grace of your fauor in vouchsafing the reading of this worke vnworthie only by my owne vnablenesse to set it forth vnto you like it selfe The subiect whereof though loftie in mannaging the glorious actions of anointed Soueraignes and representing the fierce exploits of vnmercifull and bloudy warres can no waies yet be strange or dissonant to your eares daughter to so great an Earle of Bedford graue Councellor commander and gouernour sometimes of that Royall towne and Garrison which bordereth on the Scottish soyle and deare wife to that redoubted Ambrose Earle of Warwicke expert and faithfull Councellor Sonne to so puissant and Magnanimious a Duke his name his fame his valor resounding in foraine Regions while he had the honour to bee commaunder and Lieutenant generall ouer a Royall English armie by your birth and Marriage seeming to be chosen and consecrated to Mars himselfe happie in father more happie in husband but most happie in your Soueraignes grace ornament of her Courte true patterne of pietie deuotion charitie and vertue And you Excellent Mistrisse to whome as well for your honour bountie and fauours my fruites and Labours are most due as hauing first vndertaken the same eating of your bread vouchsafe your Patronage disdaine not my Authors English weede who presenteth his attendance vpon your Person at such time as wearied with other occasions you are accustomed to retire your selfe to your Bookes and Muses Verified is that in you that neuer Les alone then when most alone for the more part spending your vacation of time either in Meditation of holie letter or conference and reading of some notable and famous Historie which whether it treate of peace pollicie war or martiall exploits can hardly discouer ought new or strange vnto your wisedome the one by your high place long seruices and Courtelie conuersation made familiar vnto you the other by nothing more then the signall acts and heroicall prowes of Magnanimious and victorious Charles your Lo. and husband true patriot carefull Councellor vigilant commaunder rightlie and iustly deere to his Soueraigne and Countrie dreadfull to the enemie terror to traytors and scourge of Spanish Monarchie which the defeate of that inuincible army for so in Print theÌ„seues published can best testifie the glorie whereof can not but stirre vp those two young Jmpes of
continuall instance of the Cardinals and other of the Cleargie about the King who besides would make him selfe appeare most Christian throughout all Europe especially for the reasons aboue mencioned the Court was so pressed that all the articles of the Edict were there in publique audience read the 3. of September 1551. in the Chamber called Doree Of all which Pierre Seguier the Kings Aduocate demaunding the ingrossing of the behalfe of the Proctor generall saide that it was well knowne how the Kinges of Fraunce had bene alwaies zealous protectors of christianitie of the faith and vnion of the Church for which they worthily deserued the name of most Christian that there was no doubt but zeale of Religion was one of the principall causes for which it pleased God to maintaine the estate of that Realme in that greatnes it was vntill that day that historyes did witnes among all the misfortunes and vnhappines which fell out betweene the Romaine Kings the raigne of Numa Pompilius to haue beene found most long happie and peaceable because hee was most zealous in Religion And Titus Liuius and Plutarch write Quod Numa Primus condidit templum fidei primus fidei solemne instituit And albeit that the Religion of Numa was not ruled after the worde of God yet hauing had so great an increase of good fortune in his Heathenishe Religion it may verye well cause vs to thinke that the care and zeale which the Kings of Fraunce haue had for Christian religion hath greatlye auailed and helped towards the maintenance and enlarging of the Monarchie of Fraunce Contrarywise negligence of Religion the leauing and apostacie of faith and the scismes and diuisions in the Church are the beginning and spring of all mischiefes and the forewarning of desolation and ruine to a Common-wealth The examples are verye common De neglecta Religione both in Valerius and other our owne Histories as the Bookes of Moses doe testifie that the children of Israel while they helde themselues vnited in the faith of God and precepts of Moses prospered and ouercame all aduersities but when they withdrew themselues from religion they fell into great ruine The most Christian King considering and well vnderstanding these things hath studiously diligently searched by all possible meanes how the error of the Pseudo-christians might bee extermined and cleane rooted out of this Realme and to this end hath commaunded these letters now read to be approued in this Courte and further said that he could not omit to yeelde due thankes vnto the King for his most gracious royall and most Christian will moste humblye beseeching God that it would please him to preserue the King in this charitie deuotion and zeale many yeares and hereupon concluded and required the publication and approuing of the letters enioyning the Prelates and Cleargy in what appertained to their charge to obey the contents thereof Then the Presidente after the counsellers had deliuered their opinions gaue this sentence The Court in obeying of the Kings will ordaineth that vpon the plight of the said letters shalbe set downe Lecta publicata Registrata audito requirente procuratore generale Regis and that the Iudges Presidiaux and such as assist them in iudgement of criminall enditementes shall vpon sight thereof cause the prisoners to be brought before them and heare them speake in person and such iudgements as shall be so giuen by the Presidiaux and their assistantes shall not be helde and reputed for sufficiently concluded and awarded except it passe the consent of two at the least according to the ordinance And gaue in charge to the Court of the said Iudges that after iudgement giuen vpon the said criminall enditements they should make them safely to be kept by such Greffiers as the court should appoint to haue diligent care of the same to the end they might both deliuer answere the same whatsoeuer they should be called vpon Moreouer he warned exhorted the Court the Archbishops and Prelates that resorted thereunto enioyning them to keepe and fulfill the contentes of the saide letters in whatsoeuer might concerne them the 3. of September 1551. Now let vs handle againe the imperials practises against the French you shal belowe see in place fitter for it the second meanes which the King had to iustifie himselfe for his actions in the occurrence of Parma If the Emperor were angry knowing of the Kings resolution in fauour of the Farnezes Pope Iulye made no lesse shew thereof and thereupon the 11. of Aprill hee bitterly accused Octauian by a writing published to that end When said he he receiued Parma at my hands and the estate of Supreame Gouernour hee promised me vpon his faith that he would neuer serue other Prince nor put any Garrison of Strangers into Parma without my leaue and assoone as any apparance was of any change I oftentimes very louingly admonished him by men expressely and by his own brother the Cardinall Alexander that he should remember his dutie But because he answered very strangely I threatned him by letters vnder great paines if hee should forget himselfe hoping in time to haue wonne him But since being aduertised how farre he swarueth from the accord I haue great cause to be extreamelye angrye that one whom I had enriched and aduanced to honor should offer me such an iniurye Now then though it were lawfull for me to pronounce iudgement in so apparante and cleare a matter yet to the end to make him know my curtesie I charge him to appeare at Rome within 30. daies to answere to his accusations and to put in good security for his comming if hereof he make no accompt I condemne and holde him for guilty of treason disloyaltie and other crimes willing and meaning that all his goods shalbe confiscat for which I require aide of th'emperour that he will holde a strong hand to helpe me to punish the same forbidding all in generall to yeelde him any releefe or succour The King of Fraunce in the meane time to appease the Pope and his Cardinals declared by his Embassador Paul de Termes of purpose sent vnto Rome that he was no whit at all to blame for receiuing of Octauian into his protection considering it a matter proper to the office of Kings to succour the afflicted Besides sayth hee he sought no particular profit to himselfe but all for the benefit of the Church of Rome according to the example of his progenitors which had inriched the same more than all other and oftentimes defended it with the sword for considering that Parma was of the patrimonie of the Church he would especially seeke to preuent that it might not fall into the handes of anie stranger which was the verie reason that hee was at so great ordinarie an expence Therfore he earnestly besought him to take it in good part and not to remaine in that harde opinion hee had conceiued of him a matter which should bring great profite to the commonwealth
But if refusing all satisfaction he preferred warre before peace he might wel perceiue the danger which would insue to the whole Church to Europe it selfe in that it was vnpossible in the mean time to assure or establish anie matter of religion besides the trouble which would fal out among Christians the Councell summoned coulde not assemble or if it did it must of necessitie bee dissolued for that as the case stoode hee shoulde not bee able to sende anie of his Bishops to the Councell of Trent Aboue all things no fault coulde bee layde vpon him who not onely desired the conditions of peace but also was readie to embrace them the which hee publikely protested But Iuly relying vpon the Emperours promises would neuer a whit relent for this but hauing condemned the Duke Octauian as a rebellious vassall of the church gaue leaue to the Emperour to recouer Parma in what sort hee could Wherefore Fernande Gonzague assembling with all speede the garrisons of Millaine and Piemont and besides ioyned with the troupes which Iohn Baptista lead vnder the Apostolique title and authoritie began to braue it in the countrie about Parma and in the end besieged Parma Mirandolle which the French sayde were adiudged by Paul the fourth to bee helde vnder the protection of King Henrie and his successors who shortly after sent thether Horace Farneze brother to Octauian with De Termes D' Andelot Cypierre and sundrie other commanding Brissac his lieutenant in Piemont to put as many as hee was able into the field to make Fernande raise his siege and to annoie him as much as in him laie Which hee so readily performed that hee tooke Quiers Saint Damian other places of the Marquisate of Mont-ferrat readie to haue reached further if Gonzague had not well bestirred himselfe to hinder his enterie into the Dutchy of Millaine Behold then these Princes which with the fire of their miserable Countrie begin to feele or at least to foresee the ruine of theyr poore subiects Now as they might well thinke that many would easily know and at leasure iudge that this fire of eternall ambition had soone made them forget the couenants promises of so generall a peace of the yeere 1546. so did euerie of them as well by their writings as Embassadors into all partes seeke to laie the fault first motion of breach of peace vpon his enemie The king of France to this end and by the selfe same hand to be meete with such rumours as his enemies might cause to bee giuen out of him contrarie to his owne meaning sent the Abbot of Bellozane to the councell of Trent where sundrie Princes and Prelates were assembled by the Emperour and Pope Iuly as well for the matter of religion as affaires of the Empire and other particulars the Cardinall Crescence there as chiefe in the name of the Pope The Emperour had sent thether Frances of Toledo Hugues Earle of Mont-fort and Guilliaume of Poictiers and for that the Councell daie fell on the first of September the Abbot presented him selfe there with his Letters addressed to the assembly After that hee had deliuered them to the Popes Legate and that the superscription was read they consulted together why hee rather tearmed it an assembly than a councell some being of opinion that they ought not at all to haue beene receiued except the Embassador shewed his warrant for the same Thereupon arose a great tumult with a long houting which chiefely proceeded from the Spanish Bishops But when the Embassador aunswered that his commission was contained in the Letters the Popes Legate rose vp and calling the fathers into the priuatest place of the Temple debated of the matter where it was agreed that he should bee heard considering that the superscription might bee as well construed in good part After then that the Letters had beene read in priuate by which the King declared in briefe the wrong which was done him and the displeasure which thereof hee conceiued requiring credite to bee giuen to whatsoeuer his Embassadour should deliuer they fate all down againe And after that the Letters were ther publikely rehearsed they answered that they could not take in euill part the King tearming of the Councell an Assembly not willing to mistrust anie euill by so great a King surnamed Most Christian that if he should haue anie other intention or meaning in that case they held them as not written and so commanded him to deliuer what hee had in charge Then he began his Oration which was long wherein the King recited all that had passed betweene the Pope and the Senate of Cardinals by his Embassador Paul de Termes and that by no meanes hee could doo anie good albeit hee had doone as much as in him laie for peace But that Pope Iuly who by the example of his ancestors ought if not cleane to appease yet at the least to mittigate the debates and contentions of Princes had contrarywise lighted a great fire in a most vnseasonable time to wit when the state of Christendome was maruellously weakned and since it is so that hee carrieth so bitter and eager a heart against him which is the eldest sonne of the Church hee protested as before hee had done at Rome First that for the great affayres and inconueniences whereof his hands were full it was neither lawfull nor conuenient that anie Bishops of his realme should be suffered to goe to Trent Besides that he doth not hold it for a publike general councel but rather for a priuate congregation made to serue some mennes particular profite and commoditie not for a commonwealth And that touching anie Decree which they should there make neither hee nor anie of his realme could bee liable or shoulde bee bound thereto and farther that if the matter so required hee woulde serue himselfe wyth such remedies as his ancestors were accustomed to doo in like cases True it is that he woulde alwaies carrie a pure heart beare a good affection to religion and the church of Rome and keepe himselfe from doing ought worthie of reprehension But forsomuch as he found himselfe highly grieued at the iniuries and hatreds of some which he neuer deserued he could doo no otherwise for the present time that they should take this his protestation in good part make him an act whereby he might informe all other Princes and christians of all that had beene passed The Kings Letters being read the fathers sayde that they woulde aunswere him in the first Session prouided that the King should acknowledge it for a councel which was held at Trent as touching that which then passed they receiued it as farre forth as the lawe woulde permit Wherefore they could not deliuer vnto him any act or testimonie whatsoeuer Whereas the King said that hee woulde vse the remedie his ancestors were wont to practise it grew thus In France as well as other countries if anie Bishoprick or Abbey became voyde those whome
this time forwards the persecutions cōtinued in the church almost throughout all Christendome at the pursute of the Inquisitors who were annimated enough against the ill affected in the faith but more againe some perticular and simple people then persons of marke vntill the comming of Luther which then they the more augmented as they saw mens faith beleefe and charitie to diminish towards men of the Church so as the Christian faith being receiued and oppugned almoste in euerlye countrie though in some one lesse sharpely then other where great ones countenanced them out by credit force of arms and other means you may not finde it strange if the religion lesse common and more secret seeking in all times and places but occasion and meanes fit to lifte vp and spread it selfe abroade knew well how to take her time in the end 1518. to make her selfe knowne by the negligence of the Germaine Prelates and the diligence and hardines of Luther who reuiuing of these olde opinions and adding thereunto what before but by the ignorance of the simple people he thought omitted afterwards explaining the same by a well ordered deliuery and expressing it in his Sermons and wrightings through his eloquence and doctrine discouered vnto vs such a kinde of reformation as hath engendered more strange effectes then euer any man could see read or vnderstand to haue bene practised in any other place Now for that the particulars are very memorable and worthy to be left to the posteritie I am contented to fetch the narration therof from the first originall to the ende I would not leaue any thing vnto you which might staye you from the entire knowledge of so notable accidents as vpon this occasion made all christendome both admire and stand wonderfully astonied The pardons which Pope Leo published throughout the world 1517. to get mony and prouide for a warre pretended against the Turke were an occasion together with the abuses his Treasorers offred in the leuying thereof as the most learned and notable writers as well of Germany as Italy hath left that Luther first declared himselfe an enemy to the ouercharging of consciences then a Censor of Popes and ecclesiasticall abuses to reforme in the ende the more receaued doctrine in the Christian Church for first he found himselfe agreeued at the pardons next banded himselfe against the insolencies of Receiuers and hauing put in question the autoritye of the Pope which defended them he came by little and little cleane to contemne the doctrine of the Church of Rome next to reforme it and in the end vtterly to reiecte it Now as Leo say they vsed too licentiously the authoritie of the Romish Sea chiefly in such graces as the Court gaue of spirituall and beneficiall matters by the councell of Laurens Puccy Cardinall of the title of 4. Sains so hee scattered throughout without distinction of time or place his generall pardons of pleanary remission aswell for the quicke as the dead and deliuered soules out of the paines of Purgatory And because such fauours were deliuered so there were mony and that the Treasurers bought their offices at the Popes handes and that little which did come vnto his hands was spent badly enough in other affaires that hee sawe many of his Ministers sell for small price yea play away at Tauernes power to deliuer soules out of Purgatorye and that the Pope who by the meekenes of his owne nature exercised in many things his pontificall office with little enough Maiestie had at one blowe giuen vnto his sister Magdelaine the profit of such Indulgences as might be reaped in sundry Countries of Germany who deputed for her the Bishop Arebaut that executed his charge but with too much couetousnes and extortion and that Leo had permitted the King of Fraunce to vse the last payments of his own Realme as should please him vntill the warre against the Turke all sauing 50. thousand crowns which he gaue to Laurence de Medicis his Nephew Luther a Regent Doctor in diuinitie thought thē he had read seene and heard enough to despise such Indulgences and to be able to taxe therein the authoritie of the Pope but afterwards a great number of Auditors running thither to the end they might heare some noueltye to delight them the popular winde no lesse then the fauour of the Duke of Saxe one of the electors of the Empire and the greatest landed of all Germany so egged him forward that hee did not only band himself against the power of the Popes and authoritie of the Church of Rome but yeelding himselfe to the anger conceiued for the iniuries and sharpe pursuites of the Receiuers and such as spurned against him hee grew in the ende to make open warre against the doctrine of the Church The Pope as they say bestirred himselfe well in the beginning for to quench this fire but not vsing the proper remedies medicines he did but impaire so great a maladie for he cited Luther to Rome he forbad him to preach and after seeing of his disobedience he gaue him ouer to the censure of the Church neuer himselfe in all this time abstaining from many things of euill example which hauing bene with reason blamed by Luther were by his Sermons lessons and writings rendred a great deale more odious to euery man so as proceeding against him with Ecclesiasticall weapons without amending matters of euil example in his own Court at Rome and which since they were made and constrained to reforme so much the more grew the reputation of Luther among the people as they sawe him more persecuted for the innocencie of his life and pure doctrine which he preached then any thing else And albeit that many were of opinion both at Rome and elsewhere that it were lesse inconuenience to dissemble the fire of such follie which peraduenture would growe of it selfe into smoake then in kindling and blowing it through the sharpenes of such pursuites to make it encrease and growe in greater blaze then before and chiefely for that a little wealth and honor had in the beginning made him to eate his worde namely at such time as hee was banished by the Emperour at the Diet of Wormes assuring themselues to haue seene him in such a fright as if the iniurious and threatning wordes of the Cardinall S. Xixte Legat had not led him to a last dispaire hee would gladly enough haue beene reconciled to the Church and beene made to leaue his opinions So it came to passe as men are rather enclined to remedie inconueniences by vehemency and rigour then fair means and curtesie that not onely the persecutions which augmented daylye against him and his Lutheranes but also a terrible excommunication being resolued against the Duke of Saxe rendred this Prince more feruent thē euer to the defence of the cause True it is that the opinion which was helde among many Princes that the followers of this doctrine were no lesse enemies to the temporall Lordes then to the
faith necessary to the Sacraments Thirdly that hee preferred his owne opinions and rauinges before the Scriptures and that hee referred nothing to any councell which hee offred to approue whensoeuer it pleased his superiours Then hee besought the Emperour and the rest of the Magistrates that for the honor of God and defence of a Councels libertye they would receaue his appeale that they would bridle the tirannie of the Pope that they would not account his Bul any manner of way able to touch thē and that they would innouate nothing vntill the cause might be worthely pleaded for all this notwhithstanding the Pope vrged Frederic to burn all his Books and that he should either cut of his head or making him Prisonner deliuer him vp to be punnished in example Frederic praied him not to proceede so eagerlye but to choose good and skilfull Personages to confer of the whole matter amyablye to giue sure safe-conduct to Luther and that his bookes might not bee burned before hee had defended his cause then if he were conuicted by sure testimonies of the scripture he would not approue his enterprise albeit that alreadye hee consented not to his doctrine and though he should not be able to maintain his fact yet hee hoped the Pope would not require at his hands a matter which he could not performe for the rest he hoped by Gods assistance to fulfill the office of a Prince of th'empire and of an obedient Sonne to the Church To which the deputies of Leo hauing in vaine replyed the end of the conference was that necessity pressed them to do according to the contents of the Popes Bull wherfore anon after they burned Luthers bookes then began he much more eagerlye to goe to worke for being aduertised of all this passed hee assembled together all his schollers of Witemberge and in the presence of many learned personages hee publiquely burned the Cannon law togither with the Popes new Bull the 10. of December Afterwards to render reason of his exploite he alleadged these First that it was an ancient custome to fling corrupt bookes into the fire as it is seen in the Acts of the Apostles besides it is his part which is baptized into Christ which is a professor and publique teacher of the Scriptures to combat against false doctrine and propose that which is wholsome for mankinde as touching the Pope and his sequel they are so miserable and accursed that they doe not onely withstand the holy ordinances but condemne the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles to make their owne shine for the brighter from thēceforth he imploied himselfe euer after to write against the excessiue abuses and mischiefes which hee said was in the Court and doctrine of Rome as others on the other side very bitterly maintained the contrary each with many iniuries and reciprocall inuectiues far vnworthy of Christians So as a certaine desire of honor stirred vp by a dutie to the explaining according to his charge of the holye scripture made him become so resolute and stubborne by the peeuish thwarts of his aduersaries that then he became open banker out to the catholicke and romain doctrine so as hauing bene summoned to the Diet of Wormes whither he had the Emperours safe-conduct to render an account of his faith there to be punished or iustified according as he should maintaine he said frankely the 18. of April 1521. that he would not recant one inch except lawfully they made the contrary to appeare vnto him being the cause that the Emperour on the next morrowe sent his letters to the assemblye of Princes in which hee contained that his ancestors who had made profession of Christian Religion had euer obeyed the Church of Rome now since Luther oppugned the same his dutye was to followe the steppes of his Predecessors and to defende Christian Religion in succouring the Church of Rome wherefore hee determined to banishe Luther and his Adherents and vse other remedies fit for the quenching of this fire but because of his faith which he had plighted hee would send him home safe The 24. of Aprill the Archbishop of Treuues and other of the Lords called him to them where after hauing wished him to recant or at the least submit his writinges to the iudgement of the Emperour and of the councell of the Princes and generall councell to come hee would not in any case but that all should be resolued by the authoritie of the holy scripture which Eccius the Lawyer and others saide was not reasonable considering the diuers sence of Scripture which euery man interpreteth after his owne fansie and that further by this meanes should neuer any thing be sure or clearely determined that it was not to be suffered that euery man should aske a reason of euery point as of a matter impossible in nature Breefe that since it was not a thing reasonable to dispute a matter alreadye resolued or condemned by the Church men ought simply and absolutely to holde that doctrine which their good Fathers had left vnto them In summe Charles the 5. of the age of one twenty yeares banished him the eight of May 1521. by his Letters Pattentes by which considering it was his duetye to take order that no filthe should enter into the Empire by the example of his Predecessors hee assembled all the Princes and States of the Empire at Wormes where hee communycated the matter of Luther and diligentlye examyned it Now albeit the lawes forbid to heare a manifest heretique so many times condemned and seperated from the communion of the Church yet to stop the passage to all calumnie he sent him a letter and dispatched his Herald with safe conduct to cause him to come vnto him and render account of his writings afterwardes hauing recited the propositions desseines Luthers answeres and all that had passed at Wormes he said that in case Luther did still defend his errors and wilfully perseuere in them he approued the Popes bul and to witnes that he would maintain it he cōdemned and banished Luther as an author of schism and an obstinate heretique cōmanding al men to hold him for such and after 21. daies which he gaue him of fauour to reclaim himself he charged euery man with all force to endeuour to take him and deliuer him vp into his hands he banished also all such as any manner of way whatsoeuer fauoured him enioyning his bookes to be vtterly abolished with great paines from thence forward for any booke-binders that should sell any of them and ordained that his decree made in the councell of the Princes and all the estates should remaine for euer inuiolable Luther then much spiting at his hauing beene thus condemned and his bookes burnt by the Deuines of Cologne and Louaine after 1521. by those of Paris was at Rome giuen vp to the Diuell the 28. of March 1521. by the Pope togither with all heretiques Pyrates Imposers of new tributes falsefiers of Buls Marchants furnishing the enemies of
colloquie continued Hereupon the councel of Trent published the yere passed on the 15. of March began in the end of the yeare 1546. The Pope hauing sent thither as his Legats Iohn Maria de Monte Marcel Seruin and Reinold Pole an Englishmā all Cardinals Iacques Mendose came thither to excuse the emperours absence vpon the testimony which he had often rēdred of his diligence in purchasing of that assembly and his dutie and obedience towards the holy Sea and that which should be ordayned But more then the Monkes orations to the fathers and publication of the Bul of the Popes great pardons there was nothing done because the Fathers hastned no whit thither sauing that the 7. of Ianuary where besides the Cardinalles were foure Archbishops thirtie three Bishops two French fiue Spaniards one Illiric the other Italians thirtie fiue Monkes and twelue not Monkes as the number of Bishoppes grewe somewhat greater the Councell began and after they were all assembled in the great Temple and that Masse was saide the Legats read their Orations to the Fathers Afterwards it was declared how that the Councell was helde for three causes to roote out heresies restore the discipline of the Church and recouer peace vpon that they said that the fault of the present calamitie ought to be imputed to the Ecclesiasticall estate considering that none did their dutie nor diligent to labour in the fielde of the Lord whence heresies sprung vp like thornes and albeit that they were not of their owne parte the inuenters of any heresies yet they were to be charged for not well tylling of the Vineyard they haue not sowen the fielde they haue not plucked vp the Darnell which began to spring vp that they then ought to aduise and euery man to examine his owne conscience and trye if he haue perfourmed his dutie it is certaine that they were to be blamed for that all the discipline of the Church had been so trodden vnder foot the third euill is warre which is a punishment sent from God in respect of carelesnesse in religion and want of discipline for Christendome standeth not onely inuaded by Turkes and strangers but also by ciuil and domesticall armes during that the Kings combate or that they which are reuolted from the obedience of their Pastors doe ouerthrowe all order and pyll the goods of the Church they haue administred the occasion to the euils by their most wicked example of life through ambition and couetousnes God then is the iust Iudge which afflicteth them by these meanes and yet the paine is much more gentle then their deserte True it is that such are happy as endure for righteousnes sake which may not be applyed to those which are worthye of more rude chastisement that euery one then acknowledge his sinne and endeuour to appease the wrath of God for if they doe not acknowledge that there will neuer be any amendment and for no end shall the Councell be helde and in vaine shall the ayde of the holye Ghost bee called vpon it is a singular benefite of God to haue giuen vnto vs the meanes to begin a councell after the Church deliuered from so long and greeuous a shipwrack taking harbour is no more nor lesse restored then was Hierusalem after so long a captiuitye Esdras Nehemias and the other Captaines being returned out of Iudea earnestly admonished the people of Israel to confesse their owne sinnes and their Fathers and to call vpon the diuine mercie we ought to follow the like example He found in that time scoffers which sought to hinder and mocked the Iewes which reedified the Cittie of Hierusalem we in our time haue no want of people which vndertake the like and in effect perfourme it but we must march on hardly in the assurance of Christ whose commaundement is heere executed and the busines set in hand But for so much they are heere as Iudges they ought well to aduise not to suffer themselues to be ledde by their affections but holde themselues neate from the hatred of wrath and enmitie not ordaining ought to please man in this world nor accommodating themselues to the eares or desire of any person but contrariwise yeeld all honor and glory to God alone for all estates are straied out of the right way and there is none which doth good God himselfe and his Angels are the beholders of this assembly and there is no thought of any the assistantes which is hid from him that they should then proceede roundly and soundly and that the Bishops which are sent from Kinges and Princes should so furnishe their charges that aboue all thinges they haue the reuerence and honor of God before their eyes without respect of hatred or fauour for considering the assembly is helde to establish peace they must cast farre from them all contention and partialitye The Oration finished the decree of the Synod was read by Iohn Fonseca B. of Castrimare a Spaniard by which all Christians were admonished to amend their liues feare God often confesse themselues and often visite the Monasteries of Saintes that they should pray to God for a publique peace that the Bishops and other Priestes should be attentiue to praiers and say Masse at the least euery Sunday praying for the Pope Emperour and whole Christendome that they likewise exercise themselues in fasting and doing of almes in the great Temple that euery Thursday in the weeke they say a Masse of the holy Ghost and during the saying thereof that all be attentiue to the Priest especially in time of the Sacrifice and that they keepe themselues from chatting that the Bishops liue soberly taking away all superfluitie of their tables shunning all idle and light discourse that they accustome their people to like discipline in sorte that they shew themselues honest in words apparell and whatsoeuer they shall doe And for so much as the end of the Councell is to endeuour that the darkenes of errors and heresies which since a good while haue raigned vpon the earth being chased away the light of the truth may shine forth all are admonished and especially men of knowledge carefully to aduise by what meanes this may be brought to passe in deliuering of their opinions that they followe the decree of the Councell of Toledo and doe all thinges modestlye without cryes nor be riotous or obstinate but pronounce all sweetely and leasurely The other Session was the fourth of Februarye where nothing was dispatched nor resolued saue onelye that they confessed the Creede of the faith and put ouer the other Session vntill the eight of Aprill by reason of such as were already on their way whom they thought good to attend to the end the authority of the decrees might be of greater waight During this Councell Luther of the age of threescore and three yeares sicke of a disease in his stomacke dyed the 18. of February 1546. at Illebe in the Countye of Mansfielde whether he was gone to appease certaine differents
woordes and wrighting Among other meanes and perswasions wherewith hee serued himselfe to bring them to this poynt he vsed these Whilest that you make ciuill warre one vpon another the Turke stretcheth out at large his dominion and hath already taken two fortes by land and Sea to wit Belgrade and Rhodes by meanes whereof hee hath made his way as farre as Bude and is growne maister of the Danube that if God had not raised him vp the K. of Persia for an enemie it is very likely that long since he had put all Christendome vnder his obedience By this occasion many false Christians are so multiplyed in diuers places with such corruption of all kinde of discipline as well ecclesiasticall as ciuill as your power is not great enough to punish and correct them which the mutinies growne in so many places well declare the offices of religion left the schismes and heresies which in the meane time engender and grow throughout all Countries you ought to consider your own dutie and aboue all that you be Princes of christian religion And albeit that God hath permitted Satan the author of all mischeefe who goeth about to sifte the Church like Corne to moue warre among you who are the two most principall and noblest members of the Church yet hath hee not permitted his malice to exceede prophane and ciuill actions for hee hath counter garded you entirely in one religion in one same faith and opinion assembled and vnited in one selfe same body of the Church otherwise it were not possible to finde meanes to set you at accorde And albeit that many other Princes are reuolted from the Church and that the enemye of mankinde hath spread his malice throughout God notwithstanding hath looked vpon you in pittie and brought to nought the attemptes of the Deuill In which as for a certain signe of his bounty and clemency towards you he sheweth that finally he wil be serued by you and vnite you with one fraternall bond together with his Vicar on earth to take away these so perillous discordes and restore againe peace as well in the ciuill as ecclesiasticall estate Pole alleadged many other thinges to this purpose greatly threatning them with the wrath and vengeance of God if they did not leaue of these their passions and take compassion of the poore people so greatly afflicted And albeit that he preuailed nothing yet for so much as the affaires of England came to his wish hee insisted in such sorte as hee caused the Emperour and the King of France to come to this poynte to sende Embassadours on the one parte and the other The Queene of England who carried her selfe neuter in this cause caused a place to bee chosen neate and proper in the fielde betweene Cales Ardes and Graueline Townes vnder the subiection of England France and Burgondie scituate as in a tryangle then hauing made cast a trenche round she caused foure lodginges to be reared vp for the time onely but commodious enough where the three and twentith daye of May the Embassadours assembled On the Emperours parte the Bishop of Arras among other for the French King were the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Constable for England to mediate the Peace was Pole the Earle of Arundel and Paget The brute hereof being spread abroade gaue men occasion to think and hope for much especiallye those who vnderstoode not the deapth of the differences for there was question made of the Duchies of Milan Bourgondie Sauoye Piemont Corse Nauarre Lorraine Luxēbourg of the Townes of Thou Verdun and Metz matters hauing beene long and stiffelye debated as among other difficulties the English mediators were of opinion that the knowledge of certaine of the differents were fitte to be reserued to the deciding of a Councell they all departed thence without doing ought The tenth of Iune Ferdinande and the estates of the Empire besought the Emperour by their letters that in treating of peace he would haue especiall regarde to what the K. of France had taken away from the Empire Now nothing being accorded betweene the Embassadours the Emperour wrote backe fifteene dayes after to the estates in like substance The Emperours letters to the states I Greatly reioyced to see that you tooke pittie of those whom the enemie to my selfe and the Empire hath sacked I alwaies had especial care that they shold be restored into their former estate and before I receiued your letters I gaue expresse charge to my Embassadours and principall Councellors deputed for a peace that they should in any wise presse this without yeelding one inche And albeit that in all the treaties of peace which I haue made I thought in respect of the publike tranquilitie they would not bee to obstinate yet they are departed away without doing ought and notwithstanding I doe not refuse a peace for the good of Christendome so as they make me any reasonable offers and as opportunitie shall be offred I will straine myselfe to get such goods as haue beene pluckt from the Empire restored into their former estate See how God which hath the harts of Kings in his hands making each partie to iudge the others demaunds to vnreasonable would not permit Christendome so soone to enioy a benefit so much desired In sort that each one keeping himselfe vpon feare of a surprisal easily made his neighbor thinke how the cariadges of the Garrisons round about tended to more high enterprises So as these two Princes tickled with the like feare and quickly taking one anothers actions for a sufficient defiance of warre as Henrie deuided his men where he saw it most needfull the Emperour first put his armie into the field of twentie thousand fighting men vnder Martin Roussan bastard of Cleues who after many roades burnings and vncredible wasts all along the Meuse encamped at Deux Giuets minding to build a fort vpon that mountaine at the foot whereof this riuer runneth there by to bridle all the quarters round about make a sure retreate there for al such as were able to endomage the French The D. of Neuers in the meane space hauing taken good order for Maizieres and other places of importance resolued by the K. commaundement to victuall well Mariemburg And to that end hauing speedily and secretly made ready all preparations as well of men as victuals munitions and companies vnder the Comte of Retheloix he sent three hundred harquebusiers as well French as English and Scots mounted to discouer and bring backe word to the cheefe of the eight hundred light horse which followed them what they should discry who with the leader of the vantgard of two hundred men at armes and eight ensignes of fantassins which marched after and a number of harquebusiers close to the winges of the wagons prouided therto whatsoeuer was needfull according to the generals commaundment who led the battell of three hundred men at armes and eight ensignes of fantassins hauing on his backe the arrieregard of two hundred men at armes
and safe In such and like reencounters and skirmishes there passed 8. daies in great necessitie of victuals and maruelous discommodities of the ayre before Mariembourg vntill that almost all the waggons and carriages were entred in Then they retired themselues to the garrisons neere at hand as also the Prince of Orenge to Bruxels to the Emperor hauing sufficiently prouided for Philippeuille and Charlemont To enter againe into the estate of Almane Ferdinande K. of Bohemia assigned in that time in the name of the Emperour a diet at Ausbourg of the estates of Almane to accorde about the point of Religion and prouide as well for the necessities of the Empire as the particular of each one the yeare 1555. The Protestant Princes sent thither their Embassadors shewing that they held with the confession of Ausbourg according to which if they would giue them suretie they would contribute to all reasonable charges Hereupon August Duke of Saxe and elector by the decease of his Brother the D. Maurice whom the Pistoll shot which hee receaued the daye of the battaile against the Marquesse Albert caused to dye as elsewhere I haue tolde you and Touachin Marquesse of Brandebourg electors the Sonnes of Iean Frederic the Lantgraue and some other Princes neighbours about assembled at Numbourg vpon the Riuer Solo and there renewed the alliance which is hereditaire betweene the houses of Saxe and Hesse And vpon that they concluded constantly to stick to the confession of Ausbourg But fearing least some suspition might growe of any new and secret enterprise the fift day of their assemblie they wrote the cause therof vnto the Emperor insisting vpon the article of the treatie of Passau where the peace was concluded as I haue shewed vnto you and protesting that in all thinges they sought the repose of Almanie they proposed the confession of Ausbourg exhorting euery one to a generall quiet and beseeching that hee would not beleeue any which perhaps sought to trouble the tranquility of the Empire The K. Ferdinande had proposed vpon the fifth day of February such matters as were to be entreated of but for that many came so slackely thither they began not vntill the 7. of March Then the Deputies of the Princes Electors consulted of the byls and against the aduise of many they all consented in the end to begin with the point of religion The like was concluded in the councel of the Princes and townes After a long debate it was agreede that they should leaue religion in peace but they differed in that the associates of the confession of Ausbourg would haue it to be indifferently permitted to all kinde of men to follow their doctrine and that they might likewise be partakers of the benefit of the peace The other side stronglye withstoode that alleadging that that ought not to be permitted to any Townes which since seauen yeares had receaued the decree made at Ausbourg touching religion nor to any ecclesiasticall person And in case that a Bishop or Abbot should change his religion they would haue him depriued of his place and another put into his roome They of the confession of Ausbourg alleadged that the diuine promises as wel of the olde as new Testament in which our saluation is contained appertained to all men in generall by meanes whereof it was not lawfull for them to curtall or straighten them for feare of shutting both themselues and others out of the kingdome of heauen There was neither Iewe nor Turk were he neuer so little affectionate to his religion but would wish to drawe the whole worlde vnto it how much more ought we to be thus encouraged seeing we haue an expresse commandement from God for the fame it must needs be then that all remaine in their libertie Notwithstanding to gain peace they permitted vnto them that they should keepe their fashions and ceremonies vse and enioy all their goods possessions customes rightes and priuiledges vntil the different of religion should be determined But they would not allow the same condition to be prescribed vnto Bishops for thereby it might growe that they should be bound to make warre against their allies of the same religion and with great dishonour condemne their own cause for it were as much as to confesse said they that our doctrine and religion were not worthy of ecclesiasticall goods and that vntill this day such goods had bene vniustly bestowed vpon our Churches Ministers Moreouer we should confesse the Papists doctrine to be holy and their ministerye grounded vpon the word of God and that their goods were iustly deuoted to their order life statutes and ceremonies and what a scandall would it growe if we should defend their cause and goods which serue to no end in the Church and contrariwise we should betray them whome we ought to holde in singular recommendation by reason of the same religion The Catholiques alleadged other reasons that if it shuld be lawfull for ecclesiasticall persons to change religion within a while Bishops and like chapitres would be prophaned and being cut of from the Churches would fall into the Princes hands and so remaine vnto them as an heritage to which they answered that there was neuer any such matter meant but that their entent was to reduce things to their first institution and appropriate them to their true vsages annexing the goods for euer vnto the Churches and to take away all doubt they promised to giue caution that no goods of Bishops or chaptres should be aliened in case their religion should be changed prouided that after the decease or resignation of the Bishop or superiour the election and administration should be left free to them of the Colledge Now after many differents of the one part and other as well by wrighting as by speeche there was in the end agreede and enacted the fiue twentith of September and read in publicque audience according to the custome such decree as followeth the which being well obserued hath maintained the Empire and the Almanes in good peace vntill this present The decree of Ausbourg THat Emperour the K. Ferdinande and the rest of the Princes and estates should doe no wrong to any of the Empire in case whatsoeuer in respect of the doctrine of the confession of Ausbourg concerning the point of Religion and faith receiued nor hereafter compel by their commaundements or other meanes those which were confederate in the saide confession to abandon their religion ceremonies and lawes instituted by them within their territories or to be instituted hereafter especially that they haue not their religion in contempt but leaue them free with their goods enheritances customes possessions and all other rightes so as they may peaceably holde them That the different of religion be no otherwise determined but by holye amiable and peaceable meanes They of the confession of Ausbourg shall in like sort behaue themselues towardes the Emperour the K. Ferdinande and the rest of the Princes and estates addicted to the ancient religion
whether Ecclesiasticall or Temporall and towardes all other of the Church and towards their collegues into what part soeuer they shall retire to inhabite prouided that they acquite themselues of their ministerie as heerafter shall be declared To all these they shall permitte in libertie their religion and ceremonies their lawes possessions tributes and other rights and no man shall hinder their enioying of the same That if any suites or processe shall fall but they shall be determined both of the one side and the other accordinge to the customes and lawes of the Empire They which are neither of the one nor the other religion are not to be comprehended within this peace If any Archb. Bishop Prelate or other ecclesiasticall person doe renounce the auncient religion that he quit his Byshopricke Prelature Benefice and together there with all the fruites which he hath receaued which notwithstanding shal not any waies turne to his dishonour or infamie But the chapitre or they to whome it appertaineth by custome or right shall haue power to substitute another in his roome so as hee be of the auncient Religion To the ende that the rightes of institutions election presentation may remaine with the entire possession of their goods vppon conditon notwithstanding that in anye respect thereof anie future accorde of religion wherof it hath beene spoken be not anie waies impaired And for so much as certaine estates of the Empire and their ancetours haue vsurped certaine prouostships monasteries and like goods appertaining to the Church which they haue appropriated to their ecclesiasticall ministeries Schooles and other holy vses that by no meanes they be disquieted for that nor called into any courte of iustice but that all such goods shall remaine in their order to wit all such as did not appertaine to the estates of the Empire or to any other Subiect to the Empire whereof the Clergie were not in possession at the time of the transaction of Passau nor after And that it be not permitted to the Iudges of the Chamber to proceede by law or cōmence any sutes against them or decide any thing by reason of any such goods so vsurped or aliened That the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction be not exercised nor take place against the Leaguers in the confession of Ausbourg against their religion faith ceremonies lawes by ecclesiasticall ministeries but that she haue therin her hands bound not doing vnto them any disturbance vntil that the different shuld be apeased In other matters not appertaining to their Religion ceremonies lawes and ministeries that they carrie themselues according to the auncient right and custome of the Countrie Further that all Ecclesiasticall persons enioye their goods entirely their reuenues and other rights prouided notwithstanding that they in whose seigneurie such goods are loose nothing of such politique right as they had before the discorde of Religion Moreouer that out of such goods they ordaine and maintaine as heretofore it hath already beene established the necessarie ministeries Parishes Schooles Almes houses and Hospitals for the poore afflicted without any regard of what Religion they bee for whose vse succour and nourishment they be ordained If for this nourishment and quantitie thereof there should arise any strife or debate then arbitrators shall bee chosen by the consent of the parties who after enquirie made therof shall determine within six monethes how much should bee sequestred to the vse of such ministeries During the hanging of which processe they to whom it doth appertaine to giue aide and contribute to such vsances shall not bee disturbed in their possession but onely shall contribute as they were wont in olde time vntill the successe shall bee determined Now if the Almanes were willing by these meanes to maintaine themselues in peace the French Chatholiques seemed to be more and more animated towardes the research and curious pursuite of such as they tearmed reformed The K. of Fraunce stirred vp by his fauorites had made an Edict by which it was commaunded to all Iudges to punish without delay according to the exigence of the case such as should bee condemned by the Ecclesiasticall Iudges and inquisitors of the faith without any waies deferring vpon any appeales Afterwards it was sent to the Parliament of Paris to the ende it should bee there read and published and after publication enregistred in the Grefferie and proclaimed according to the custome They of the Courte finding it strange that the succour and last refuge to the miserable should bee denied to the condemned demaunded a time of aduice and afterwards on the six twentie day of October 1555. they sent deputies of their body vnto the King to informe him of their opinion and take in good part the remonstrances which followe the which they sent vnto him at such time as the Cardinals of Lorraine and of Turnon were gone to Rome By your owne Edict Sire fower yeares since you haue reserued to your selfe and your Iudges the entire connoissance and punishment of the Lutherane heresie without any exception sauing that heresie required some declaration ere that sentence should be giuen vpon those that had receiued holy orders In present the Edict whereof the question groweth ordaineth mearely the contrarie for it subiecteth the people to the iudgment of the Ecclesiastical persons and of the inquisitors In which they diminish your dignitie wherein you surpasse all other Princes giue iust occasion to the people to grieue to see themselues abandoned from you and made subiect to the power of another But yet the displeasure much more aboundeth when without the succour of appeale all their goods their life and their honour shall be in the power of the saide Ecclesiasticall persons For without doubt appeale is the refuge and safegarde of innocencie you are the tutor and protector as well of the appeale as of the innocents and so is there none but you which hath power ouer the people Now if authoritie be giuen to the inquisitors and officers of Bishops to iudge without appeale it shall bee as much as to open a window and beate a path for to condemne the innocent and make them to loose both body and goods Iointe that the iudges of Churches seeing themselues in such authoritie and Royall credit will forget their dutie not keepe within their bounds seeing all estates subiect vnto them and managing them at their owne post wil not only leaue to regarde the vulgar sort but will carrie no respect at all to Princes It lyeth for all that in you if it please you thus to meditate these matters To wit that your Iudges take cognoissance of the causes and therein giue sentence and if there be found any doubtfull Article or opinion that then Ecclesiasticall persons may giue resolution Likewise that such as haue receiued orders be iudged by their Iudges As touching appeales that commission may be obtained at the Popes hands whereby it may bee permitted vnto the subiectes and in case it shall fall out that sentence must
him he seased vpon the strongest places which were about Rome into which he put Garrisons And at the same instance caused to be imprisoned or assigned a brefe day to the authors of their commotion among the rest the Cardinall S. Fleur Camille Collone Iulian Cesarin and Ascaigne de la Corne. All which stomacking that they were so strangely handled fled vnto the Emperour and his sonne vowing themselues vassals vnto them where by they might find succour causing them so much to mislike the forme wherewith the Pope had proceeded and to doubt in such sorte the desseins of the French partie in Italy as they sent straight to the Dukes of Alua and Flourence to assemble all their forces and hauing ioyned them together with such new as they appointed vnto them so to shut vp the Pope and his adherents that no meanes shoulde bee left vnto them but bare words to expresse the repentance of such an attempt which they performed in a very short space hauing by the meanes and conduct of the Colonois among other regained from the Pope manie fortresses whereof they rendred some to these complainants Afterwards building many forts about Rome neere Ostia vpon the banke and course of Tiber they put the Pope in such a straight within the Castle of Sainte Angelo Rome in such necessitie and her supports so bare of meanes as they were constrained to demaund succour of the King of Fraunce as of the first sonne of the Church sending vnto him by the Cardinall Caraffe nephew vnto Pope Paul 4. his Legate a Hat after the fashion of the auncient Romane Senators and a Sword signifying the defence of the Church and Apostolike Sea Who being come to Fontainbleau about the end of Iune deliuered the presents vnto the King whome hee summoned and abiured to succour the head of the Christian Religion according vnto the title of most Christian which was giuen vnto him thourough the endeuour of his predecessors who had many times restored the Popes into their seates against tyrants paganes and other especially as his late father in fresh memorie did touching Pope Clement besieged within Rome afterwards in the Castle of S. Angelo by the troupes of Charles of Bourbon and Prince of Orâ—nge successiuely generals ouer the Imperiall armie To whome hauing answered that he would take counsell vpon it he put him notwithstanding in a good hope assuring him that hee would faile no whit in the vertuous deportments of his auncestors and would succour the holy Father with al his might in any reasonable sort Afterwards notwithstanding hauing giuen aduice to the Emperour and his sonne endeuouring to meditate the whole rather by perswasions then to come to action contrarie to the couenants so solemnly sworne of each parte for the repose of all the Christian Churches According to which at a feast which the King made at Fontaine-bleau he caused before supper all the Embassadours to retire into the Chappell in the presence of whome he told the Emperours to this effect That his master was not able to excuse himselfe but that the warre which the Seigneur Marc Anthoine Colone made against the Pope was maintained and conducted at his expences and prouisions Moreouer this Cardinal had beene not long before seene in Fraunce a man of war at the Kings seruice and was so fauourably entertained that he was soone laden with presents Now for that there was no Bishoppricke voide at that time Bertrande the Lord-keeper of the great Seale being requested by the King lent vnto him his Bishoppricke of Cominges which he bestowed vpon the Cardinall Caraffe and afterwards Bertrande was made Cardinall of Sens. Charles Cardinall of Lorraine being returned a little before from Rome hauing beene sent thether to congratulate the election of the Pope confirme the amitie of the French and if it were possible to draw him in League against the Emperour and who with great capitulations had made Hercules the second Duke of Ferrare the Kinges Lieutenant generally in Italy seemed to fauour the desseine of the Pope In such an occurrence the King wanted no aduise that very diuers they which councelled him to breake the truce laide before him the immortall honour which he should obtaine to defend yea and to free out of such a seruitude the great Pontife the holy Father and the vniuersall head of all the Christians in the world which he was tyed the rather to doe for that he seemed pricked forwardes thereunto by a generall emulation of so many Kings his auncestors who to retire him out of his enemies hands and to carrie themselues as the true piller of the Christian building haue attained and preserued as it were from hand to hand that faire and so honourable title of Most Christian and eldest sonne of the Catholique Church They likewise set before him the incredible profit which he should make in the conquest of that goodly Realme of Naples which being withdrawne from the Crowne of Fraunce by the ingenious malice of the Castilians and Aragonois stoode so smally assured betweene their hands that with the great authoritie which the Pope had thoroughout all Italy and the particular meanes of his owne house within that Realme together with the fauours of so many Princes who desired nothing more then to see againe the Flower de Luce better founded there then heretofore there was no doubt but that the armie which he might send thether would carrie it away euen at their first aboorde considering the discontentment which the Italians carried against the Spanniards who mastred them with all kinde of Rigor and considering the small forces which were there and the retreate of the Emperour Charles the fift who not to confounde himselfe in the vanities of this world had quitted all his goods and estates thereby to liue priuate and out of all managing of humaine affaires And to remoue from him any opinion of dishonour which they would imprint vnto him that diswaded him from breaking of his faith giuen to the obseruing of this truce they declared vnto him that the accident since happened vnto his holines caused so much more all occasions to vanish which might moue him to keepe his word as the Pope is aboue all the persons of the world And as the Sonne could not be thought to doe his dutie if he did not rush vpon his kinsman or allie what friendship soeuer were sworne betweene them which went about to endamage his Father So the malicious ambition of Charles and Philip of Austria who holde the Pope prisonner to enforce him to doe their will to the seruitude of all Italy whence they determined to chase out the credit of the French was sufficient cause enough for him to declare himselfe protectour of the holy Sea against all violence All good conuentions are lawful and to be kept but the Pope Christes Vicar is aboue all is alwaies in al things excepted as euery Soueraigne is in a reciprocall oth made among his subiectes for they
de Foix her Cosin brother in lawe to Charles the first K. of Nauarre and left her there fearing least the Earle of Armignac who had taken from her the Earledome of Comminges should take her to wife to the end he might make himselfe a peaceable Lord and went her selfe to abide with her Vnckle the Earle of Durgel in Arragon but her daughter was married vnto Iohn Duke of Berrie widower of Ioane of Armignac dying notwithstanding without issue succeeded vnto her in the Counties of Bologne Anuergne Mary of Bologne her Cosin germane who was married to the Lord de la Tour and of Montgascon father to Bertrant de la Tour and Gabrielle wife of Lewis de Bourbon first Earle of Montpensier great Grandfather to the Duke liuing Afterwards came Magdalaine wife to Laurence of Medices ancestors to Catherine of Medices Q. Mother to the K. liuing at this present day About this time the Landgraue being come into Fraunce 1533. got of the K. a masse of mony to cōtinue the amitie which he carried vnto the Princes of Germany vpon the morgage of the Countye of Montbelliard in the name of Vlrich D. of Witemberge his Cosin by the league of Suaube expelled his Duchie giuen by the same League to the Emperour who since gaue it to Ferdinand in partage vpon condition that if he were not repaied within three yeares the County should remain vnto him he had besides other monie of his liberalitie and with that hee leuied men and recouered the Countrie and placed against his Cosin in May 1534. Afterwards paide the first monye back gratified with an ouerplus vpon this Clement 7. who at the marriage of his Niece to pleasure the K. had made Cardinals Odet de Chastillon Philip de Bologne Claude de Guiry and Iohn le Venier B. of Liseux hauing runne sundry fortunes died in the end of September 1534. Paul Ferneze succeeding him who presently made Cardinalles Alexander sonne to Pierre Louis his base sonne and Ascanio sonne of Catherine his base daughter As the doctrin of Luther profited in Germany Flanders England Italy cuntries adioyning Fraunce felt it no lesse rather it seemed to increase by the greatnes of persecutions which might be seene by the hotte persecutions in the yeare 1534. for searches and informations were no sooner made of the prisonners but they were as speedily burned quicke tyed to a stake after swinged into the ayre were let fall into the fire and so by a pullise pulled vp and downe vntill a man might see them all roasted and scorched by a small fire without complayning not able to speak by reason that they had taken out their tongue and gagged Afterwards the K. to the ende that might not be a meanes of diminishing of the Princes of the Empire their amitye towards him and to turne away the wrath of God which hee feared would fall vpon his Realme for the opinion of these people made a solemne and generall procession to be made at Paris where the relique of Saint Geneuiefe patrones of the Parisians descended which happeneth but rarely In the meane time hee excused himselfe towards the Protestant Princes by his Embassadour assuring them that he made them to be punished for their sedition not for their faith to conferre whereof hee prayed them to send some of their diuines to meete with his for as hee saide Pope Leo had himselfe heretofore tolde him that he must needes acknowledge many light ceremonies and humane traditions which were fit to be changed in time afterwards Guillaume du Bellay called de Langeay his Embassadour about them being assembled 1535. at Smalcade seeing that he could not conclude a generall alliance with them for they euer excepted the Empire and the Emperour returned without doing ought after hauing exhorted them in the Kings name not to receiue Mantoue for the place of Councell which the Pope promised nor any other place without aduise of the K. of Fraunce and England who would doe nothing the one without the other Louis 12. K. of Fraunce said he by his Embassador in time past maintained that it did not appertain to Pope Iuly to publish a councell without consent of the Emperor and christian Princes and because the K. of Nauarre was of the same opinion Iuly excommunicated him and vnder this title Ferdinande K. of Spaine seased of the Kingdome of Nauarre the K. of Fraunce is at this present of the same opinion that he can alow of no councell but in a sure place not suspitious where it may be lawfull for euery man to deliuer his minde Edward Foxe B. of Hereford Embassador for the K. of England spake much more affectionately and shewed that his maister greatly affected the same doctrine which he had already in a great part established within his Realme for which the protestant Princes humbly thanked thē praying that they would no more suffer such as were of like faith as they to be persecuted After the 12. of December 1535. by a decree made at Smalcade on Christmas euen they renewed for ten yeares their alliance which expired at the end of that yeare and deliberating among the rest of prouision and munitions it was there concluded that they would all receiue the confession of Ausbourgh and be content to runne the same race among other there were the Princes of Pomerany Vlrich of Witemberg Robert of Bauiere he of Deuxponts the Citties of Ausbourg Franckeforde Campodum Hambourg and Hanobry with many more who ioyned themselues at Franckford in April 1536. and after Guillaume de Nassaw and albeit that the Landgraue did not accord with them there in respect of their claim which was made to the signory of Hesse yet he promised that if there should be any outrage for the profession of the Gospel he would not abandon them whatsoeuer ensued theron In the end of March 1538. Christian K. of Denmarck and Iohn Marquesse of Brandebourg brother to the Elector were both receued therin Now for so much as Helde who had bene sent from the Emperour to the Germane Princes to bring them to agree to such a Councell as the Pope had assigned and therein to resolue vpon all their differentes in religion c. could gaine nothing charging them euery way if they refused so reasonable conditions of Peace hee framed a League of which he saide the Emperor King Ferdinande were the authors the associates to be the Archbishops of Mayence and of Salisbourg Guillaume Louis of Bauiere George of Saxe Eric Henry of Brunswich that it was cōcluded vpon at Noremberg vpon cōdition that if any were troubled for the ancient religion succour should be ready at hand and to endure for 12 years vnder the name of the holy League as made for the glory of God and defence of the Church Afterwards 1539. the 19. of Aprill at Francforte the peace of Germany was accorded vpon such conditions the Emperour graunteth to the confederates of the confession of
Ausbourg which are at this present that hee will holde a Colloquie of learned men within 15. moneths for the matter of Religion that he will make an Edict forbidding any to be disquieted for their conscience that the accord of Noremberg and imperiall Edict of Ratisbone shall remaine in full force if within 15. moneths Religion were not fullye accorded this peace should holde vntill the first assembly of the Empire that if a Diette should happen before these 15. moneths were expired then this peace shall take place vntill the next the Protestants should in like sorte doe their duty and remaine in peace To continue the paines and pursutes against the Lutheranes in Fraunce after that Frauncis the first had ordained the like paine to the concealer as to the Lutherain and the fourth part of his goods which was accused to the informer at Paris the 19. of Ianuary 1534. for that it was reported vnto him that with the encrease of their paines encreased the number of Lutheranes to dispatch the cognisance and iudgement of them retarded often through the differente between the royall Iudges and the ecclesiasticall he gaue all to the royall at first instance indifferentlye and concurring with the soueraign Courtes and without attending any degrees of appellations as well against the Layety as Cleargy not hauing sacred orders noble well and free borne or not to the end with speede to certifie the whole vp to the criminall chamber of Parlament yea punishing of Iudges and inferior officers by depriuation of their estates fines or otherwise as they saw them not to haue diligently or faithfully enough proceeded to the accomplishment of their proces in ordayning as much to the Prouostes and other Iudges immediatly resorting to Soueraigne Courtes that they should sende the enditement with the offendor to the Bailifs Seneschales or their Lieuetenants which should certifie them to the Parlament as aboue said And to all temporall subiects and high Iusticers to make diligent inquirie of the Lutheranes to lende a strong hand and all fauour to his Iudges or to certifie vnto them such full proceedings as they should finde against them as aboue saide willing that in case of negligence or other fault his Proctor generall should take the cōclusions to the commitment or depriuation of the Iustices and other paines as reason ledde them and to all other secular and ecclesiasticall subiects vpon paine of incurring high treason enioyning both his generall and perticular Proctors and Aduocates to aduertise him what they should doe from sixe moneths to six moneths vpon paine of suspending of their estates for the first crime and depriuation for the second with condign recompence if they perfourmed their dutie towardes the rooting out of such and like heresies not meaning thereby that the Prelates Clergie their officials Vicars and inquisitors of the faith should cease to informe and proceed against their owne subiectes and iusticiables hauing sacred orders subiect to degradation being culpable of the sectes and heresies vpon the common faulte but exhorted them to doe it and to their iusticers gaue all aide and fauour At Fountanebleau the first of Iune 1542. Afterwards from Lyons the 30. of August hee commaunded his Parlament of Paris to search out and punishe the assemblye of Lutheranes in their resortes and gaue like charge to them of the Church to doe the like who from foure moneths to foure moneths were to certifie the Parlament of their diligence in this behalfe In Ianuary 1540. there was a day assigned by the Emperour at Ratisbone for a peace to be concluded throughout Germany and a vnion of faith and in the meane time was a colloquie at Wormes to prepare the accorde but being broken by the Emperours Letters the whole was referred to Ratisbone in Aprill whether the Emperour came in person in whose name his dutie towardes the Common wealth hauing beene proposed and certaine Diuines chosen on the one side and the other for to conferre with the Presidents witnesses and Notaires the 27. of Aprill Granuelle offred vnto them all a booke in written hand which he said had beene presented vnto the Emperour by certaine well affected and learned men as a matter proper to make both parties of accorde containing the principall points of the doctrine wherfore the Emperour was willing to the end they might haue a lawfull argument and good entrance to the matter that both parties should examine it together approuing and reprouing as best seemed good vnto them it was in some corrected and certaine articles approued other not so as contrary to the Catholique Princes minds and to Conteran the Popes Embassador who saide they would not change ought of the Religion already receaued that the matter of religion ought not to bee determined but by a Councell and the whole should be sent backe to the Pope who for that end had promised one the Emperour made a decree the 28. of Iuly 1541. by which hee put ouer the colloquie of the learned men and all the affayres to a Councell and for defaulte thereof because an opinion was helde that the Pope would shun it by many delayes to an assemblye of all Germany or the estates of the whole Empire hee promised to sollicite the Pope for a Councell and in defaulte of a generall or prouinciall hee would ordaine a day imperiall within 18 moneths to accord Religion and that the Pope should send thither his Embassadour commaunding the Protestants not to innouate ought from the accorded articles which should stand in force vntill then and further suspend the decree of Ausbourge enioyning the cleargie to reforme their life their abuses and Churches after all one side and the other promised succours against the Turke which was come downe into Hungarie Austria and had seased vpon Bude Hungarie and Pest hauing defeated the army of Ferdinande with great mortalitie of the Christians while that their Princes stood disputing and quareling together like people irreconciliable This was also confirmed in a daye at Spire in Iune 1544. And other daye was helde at Wormes in Aprill and May 1545. where the Emperour referring the matter of Religion to a Councell for the Pope had coursed him that he should vndertake to decide the matter of religion by a conference of Laye men appertaining onely to him would meddle only in taking order against the Turke the Protestants contrariwise saide that they would contribute nothing towards it and much lesse goe themselues if they had not first an accord or an assured peace for Religion by reason of which their wiues children and subiects might be tormented in their absence so as nothing being done the Emperour ordained a Colloquie for Religion at Ratisbone among the best learned in December 1546. where the Disputers witnesses and auditors being chosen the Saxon saide that he would not approue of the conditions of the colloquie and reuoked his people after the Landgraue and other of the Protestants did the like promising to returne if the