Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

The answere of the noble and reuerend prin∣ces and states of the sacred Romane Empire, exhibited to the Popes ambassador.

THe noble & renowmed Prince Lord Ferdinandus,* 1.1 Lieutenant to the Emperors maiesty, with other reuerend pieres in Christ, and mighty princes Electors, and other states and orders of this present assemble of the Romane Empire in Norenberge conuen∣ted, haue gratefully receiued, and diligently perused the letters sent in forme of a Brief, with the instructions also of that most ho∣ly father in Christ, and L.L. Adrian, the hie Bishop of the holy and vniuersall Church of Rome, presented vnto them in the cause of Luthers faction.

By the which foresaid letters and wrytings, first where as they vnderstande his holinesse to haue bene borne, and to haue had his natiue origine and parentage out of this noble nation of Germa∣nie, they doe not a little reioyce.* 1.2 Of whose egregious vertues and ornaments both of minde and body, they haue heard great fame and commendation, euen from his tender yeares: by reason wher∣of they are so muche the more ioyous of his aduauncement and preferment, by such consent of election, to the hie tippe of the A∣postolicall dignitie, and yeelde to God most hartie thankes for the same: praying also from the bottome of their hearts, for his excel∣lent clemencie, and perpetuall glory of his name, and for healthe of soules, and incolumitie of the vniuersall Churche, that GOD wil geue his holines long continuance of felicity. Hauing no mis∣dout, but that by such a ful & consenting election of such a pastor of the vniuersall catholike church, great profite and commoditie will ensue. Which thing to hope and looke for, his holinesse ope∣neth to them an euident declaration in his owne letters, testify∣ing

and protesting what a care it is to him both day & night, how to discharge his pastorall function, in studying for the health of the flocke to him committed: and especially in conuertinge the minds of Christian princes, from warre to peace: declaring more∣ouer what subsidie and reliefe his holinesse hath sent to the soul∣diers of Rhodes. &c. All which things they perpēding with them selues, conceiue exceeding hope and comfort in their mindes, thus reputing and trusting that this cōcord of Christian princes, wil be a g••eat helpe and stay to the better quieting of things now out of frame: without which neither the state of the cōmon welth, nor of Christian religion can be rightly redressed, and much lesse the tyrannie of the barbarous Turke repressed.

Wherfore, the excellent prince, Lord Lieutenant to the Empe∣rors maiestie, with the other princes Electors, and orders of this present assemble, most hartily doe pray that his holines wil persist in this his purpose & diligence, as he hath vertuously begun, lea∣uing no stone vnremoued, how the disagreeing hearts of Christē princes may be reduced to quiet and peace:* 1.3 or if that will not be, yet at least some truce and intermission of domestical dissentions may be obtained for the necessity of the time now present, wher∣by all Christians may ioyne their power together, with the helpe of God, to go against the Turke, & to deliuer the people of Christ from his barbarous tyrannie and bondage: Whereunto both the noble prince Lord Lieutenant, and other princes of Germany, wil put to their helping hands, to the best of their abilitie.

And wheras by the letters of his holines, with his instruction also exhibited vnto them by his Legate, they vnderstand, that hys holines is aflicted with great sorow, for the prospering of Luthers sect,* 1.4 wherby innumerable soules committed to his charge, are in danger of perdition, & therefore his holines vehemently desireth some speedy remedy against the same to be prouided, with an ex∣plication of certaine necessary reasons & causes, wherby to moue the Germane princes therunto, and that they will tender the ex∣ecution of the Apostolique sentence, and also of the Emperours edict, set forth touching the suppression of Luther: to these the L. Lieutenant and other princes and states doe answere, that it is to them no lesse griefe and sorow, then to his holines, and also do la∣ment as much for these impieties and perils of soules, and incon∣ueniences which grow in the religion of Christ, either by the sect of Luther, or any otherwise. Further, what help or counsel shall lie in them, for the extirping of errors, & decay of soules health, what their moderation can do, they are willing and ready to performe, considering how they stand bound & subiect, as wel to the Popes holines, as also to the Emperours maiestie.

But why the sentence of the Apostolike see, & the Emperours edict against Luther, hath not ben put in execution hetherto, ther haue bene (said they) causes great and vrgent, which haue led thē therto:* 1.5 as first in weying and considering with them selues, that great euils & inconuenience wold therupon ensue. For the grea∣test part of the people of Germany haue alwaies had thys per∣suasion, & now by reading of Luthers bokes, are more therin cō∣firmed, that great greeuances and inconueniences haue come to this nation of Germanie, by the courte of Rome: and therefore if they shuld haue proceded with any rigor in executing the Popes sentence,* 1.6 & the emperors edict, the multitude would conceiue & suspect in their minds, this to be done for subuerting the verity of the gospell, & for supporting & confirming the former abuses & greuances, wherupon great warres & tumults (no doubt) would haue ensued: which thing vnto the princes & states ther, hath ben wel perceiued by many arguments. For the auoiding wherof, they thought to vse more gentle remedies, seruing more oportunely for the time.

Againe, wheras the reuerend L. Legate (said they) in the name of the Popes holines hath ben instructed, to declare vnto thē, that God suffreth this persecution to rise in the Church for the sins of men,* 1.7 & that his holines doth promise, therefore to begin the re∣formation with his owne court, that as the corruption first sprāg from thence to the inferior parts, so the redres of al againe should first begin with the same: Also, wheras his holines, of a good & fa∣therly heart, doth testify in his letters, that he himselfe did alwaies mislike that the Court of Rome should intermeddle so muche, and derogate from the cōcordates of the princes, and that his holines doeth fully purpose in that behalfe, during his papacie, neuer to practise the like, but so to endeuor, that euery one, and especially the nation of the Germanes may haue their proper due and right, graunting especially to the sayde nation, his peculiar fauour: who setteth not by these premisses, but that this moste holy B. omitteth nothing, which a good father or a deuout pastor may or ought to do to his sheepe? Or who wil not be moued hereby to a louing re∣uerence, and to amendement of his defaultes, namely seeing hys holinesse so intendeth to accomplish the same in deede, which in word he promiseth, according as he hath begon.

And thus vndoubtedly both the noble L. Lieutenant, & all o∣ther princes & states of the empire, wel hope that he wil, and pray most hartily that he may doe, to the glory of our eternall God, to the health of soules, & to the tranquilitie of the publike state. For vnles such abuses and greuances, with certain other articles also, which the seculare princes (assigned purposely for the same) shall draw out in wryting, shall be faithfully reformed,* 1.8 there is no true peace & cōcord betwene the ecclesiasticall & seculer estates, nor any true extirpation of this tumult, & errors in Germanie that cā be hoped. For partly by lōg warres, partly by reason of other gre∣uances & hinderances this nation of Germanie hath bene so wa∣sted and consumed in money, that vnneth it is able to sustaine it selfe in priuate affaires, and necessary vpholding of iustice wythin it selfe: much lesse then to minister aid and succor to the kingdom of Hungary, & to the Croatians, against the Turke. And wheras al the states of the sacred Romane Empire doe not doubte, but the Popes holines doth right well vnderstād how the Germane prin∣ces did graunt & condescend for the money of Annates to be lea∣ued to the see of Rome for terme of certen yeres,* 1.9 vpon condition that the said mony shuld be conuerted to maintain warre against the turkish infidels, and for defence of the catholike faith: & wher∣as the terme of these yeres is now expired long since, when as the said Annates should be gathered, and yet that mony hath not ben so bestowed to that vse, whereto it was first graunted: therefore if any such necessitie should nowe come, that any publike helpes or contributions against the Turke, should be demanded of the Ger∣mane people, they would aunswer againe, why is not that money of Annates reserued many yeares before to that vse, nowe to bee bestowed and applied, and so woulde they refuse to receiue anye more such burdens for that cause to be laid vpon them.

Wherefore the said Lord Lieutenant, and other Princes & de∣grees of the Empire make earnest petition, that the Popes holi∣nes wil with a fatherly consideration expend the premisses, and surcease hereafter to require such Annates,* 1.10 which are accusto∣med after the death of bishops and other prelats, or ecclesiasti∣call persons, to be payd to the court of Rome, and suffer them to remaine to the chamber of the Empire, whereby iustice & peace may be more cōmodiously administred, the tranquilitie of the publike state of Germanie mainteined, and also by the same, due helpes may be ordeined and disposed to other Christen poten∣tates in Germanie, agaynst the Turke, which otherwise without the same, is not to be hoped for.

Item, wheras the Popes holines desireth to be informed what way were best to take, in resisting these errors of the Lutherians: to this the Lord Lieutenant, with other Princes add nobles do answere, that whatsoeuer helpe or counsell they can deuise, with willing harts they will be ready therevnto. Seeing therefore the state, aswell ecclesiasticall, as temporall, is farre out of frame, and haue so much corrupted their wayes, and seeing not onely of Lu∣thers part, and of his sect, but also by diuers other occasions be∣sides, so many errors, abuses, & corruptions, haue crept in: much requisite and necessary it is, that some effectuall remedie be pro∣uided, as well for redresse of the church, as also for repressing of the Turks tyrannie. Now what more present or effectuall remedy can be had, the Lord Lieutenant, with other estates and princes do not see, then this, that the Popes holines,* 1.11 by the consent of the Emperors maiestie, do summon a free Christen Councell in some conuenient place of Germanie, as at Strausburgh, or at Mentz, or at Colen, or at Metz, and that with as much speede as conueniently may be, so that the congregating of the said Coun∣cel be not deferred aboue one yere:* 1.12 in the which Councel it may be lawfull for euery person that there shall haue interest, either temporal or ecclesiastical, freely to speake & consult, to the glory of God, and health of soules, and the publike wealth of Christen∣dome, without impeachment or restraynt, whatsoeuer oth, or o∣ther bond to the contrary notwithstanding: yea and it shalbe eue∣ry good mans part there to speake, not onely freely, but to speake that which is true, to the purpose, and to edifying, & not to plea∣sing or flattering, but simply and vprightly to declare his iudge∣msnt, without all fraud or guile.

And as touching by what waies these errors & tumultes of the Germane people may best be staid and pacified in the meane time, vntil the councell be set: the foresaid L. Lieutenant,* 1.13 with the other princes, therupon haue cōsulted & deliberated, that for as much as Luth. and certaine of his fellowes be within the territorye and dominion of the noble duke Friderike, the saide L. Lieutenant and other states of the Empire shall so labour the matter wyth the a∣forenamed Prince duke of Saxonie,* 1.14 that Luther and his followers shall not wryte, sette foorth, or print any thing during the sayde meane space, neither doe they doubte but that the sayde noble prince of Saxonie, for his Christian pietie, and obedience to the Romane Empire, as becōmeth a Prince of such excellent ver∣tue, will effectually condescend to the same.

Item, the said L. Lieutenant and princes shal labour so with the preachers of Germany, that they shall not in their sermōs teach or blow into the peoples eares, such matters, whereby the multitude may be moued to rebelliō or vpror, or be induced into error: and that they shall preach & teach nothing, but the true, pure, sincere,* 1.15 & holy gospell, & aproued scripture, godly, mildly, & christianly, according to the doctrine and exposition of the Scripture, being approued and receiued of Christes Churche, abstaining from all suche thynges, whych are better vnknowen, then learned of the

people, and which to be subtilly searched, or deepely discussed, it is not expedient. Also that they shall mooue no contention of di∣sputation among the vulgare sorte, but what so euer hangeth in controuersie, the same they shall reserue to the determination of the Councell to come.

Item, the Archbishops, Bishops, and other prelates wythin their diocesse shall assigne godly and learned men, hauing good iudgement in the scripture, which shall diligently and faithfully attende vppon such preachers:* 1.16 and if they shall perceiue the sayde preachers either to haue erred, or to haue vttered any thing vn∣conueniently, they shall godly, mildely, and modestly aduertise, and informe them thereof, in such sort as no man shall iustly com∣plaine the trueth of the Gospell to be impeached. But if the prea∣chers continuing still in their stubbernesse shall refuse to be ad∣monished, and will not desist from their lewdnesse, then shall they be restrained and punished by the Ordinaries of the place, wyth punishment for the same conuenient.

Furthermore, the sayde Princes and nobles shall prouide and vndertake, so much as shall be possible, that from hencefoorth du∣ring the foresaide time,* 1.17 no new booke shalbe imprinted, especially none of these famous libels, neither shall they priuily or apertly be sold. Also order shalbe taken amongst al potestates, that if any shall set out, sell, or imprint any newe worke, it shall first be seene and perused of certaine godly learned, and discrete men appoyn∣ted for the same:* 1.18 so that if it be not admitted and approoued by them, it shal not be permitted to be published in print, or to come abrode. Thus by these meanes, they hope wel, that the tumults, er∣rours, and offensions among the people, shal cease, especially if the Popes holinesse himselfe shall begin with an orderly & due refor∣mation, in the foresaid greuances aboue mentioned, and wil pro∣cure such a free and Christian Councel as hath bene sayde, and so shall the people be well contented and satisfied. Or if the tumult shall not so fully be calmed, as they desire, yet the greater parte thus will be quieted, for all such as be honest and good menne, no doubt, will be in great expectation of that generall Councell, so shortly and now ready at hand to come.

* 1.19Finally, as concerning priests which contract matrimonie, & religious men leauing their cloisters, wherof intimation was also made by the Apostolicall Legate, the foresaid princes do consider, that forsomuch as in the ciuile lawe there is no penaltie for them ordeined, they shalbe referred to the Canonicall constitutions, to be punished therafter accordingly: that is, by the losse of their be∣nefices, and priuiledges, or other condigne censures: and that the said Ordinaries shall in no case be stopped or inhibited by the se∣culer powers, from the correction of such: but that they shal adde their helpe and fauour to the maintenance of ecclesiasticall iuris∣diction, and shal direct out their publike edicts and precepts, that none shal impeach or prohibite the said ordinaries in their eccle∣siastical castigation, vpon such transgressors to be administred.

To conclude, the redoubted prince L. Lieutenaunt and other princes, estates, & orders of the publike Empire, vehemently and most heartily do pray and beseech, that the Popes holinesse, & the reuerend Lord his legate will accept and take all the premisses to be no otherwise spoken and meant, then of a good, free, sincere, & a Christian minde. Neither is there any thing, that al the aforesaid princes, estates, and nobles do more wish and desire, then the fur∣therance and prosperous estate of the holy Catholique church of Rome, and of his holinesse. To whose wishes, desires, & obedience they offer and commend themselues most ready, and obsequious, as faithfull children. Ex Orth. Grat.

Thus hast thou (louing reader) the full discourse both of the popes letter, and of his Legates instructions, with the aunswere also of the states of Germanie to the sayde letter and instructions, to them exhibited in the diete of Noren∣berge. In the which diet, what was concluded, and what order and consultation was taken, first touching the gree∣uances of Germanie, whych they exhibited to the Pope, then concerning a general councell to be called in Germa∣nie, also for printing and preaching, & for priests mariage, hath bene likewise declared.* 1.20 &c.

The occasion of this matter mooued against priests ma∣riage, came first by the ministers of Strausburgh, which about this time began to take wiues, and therfore were ci∣ted by the bishop of Strausburgh to appeare before him at a certaine day,* 1.21 as violaters of the lawes of holy Churche, the holy fathers, the Bishops of Rome, and of the Empe∣rours maiestie, to the preiudice both of their owne order of priesthood, and maiestie of almighty God: But they refer∣red theyr cause to the hearing of the magistrats of the same citie, who being suiters for them vnto the Bishops, labo∣red to haue the matter either released, or at least to be delai∣ed for a time.* 1.22

Long it were to recite all the circumstances following vpon this diete or assemble of Norenberge, howe their de∣cree was receiued of some, of some neglected, of diuers di∣uersly wrasted and expounded. Luther wryting his letters vpon the same decree, to the Princes, thus made his expo∣sition of the meaning thereof, that where as the preachers were commanded to preach the pure Gospel, after the doc∣trine of the church receiued, he expoūded the meaning ther∣of to be, not after the doctrine of Tho. Aquine, or Scotus or suche other late schoole wryters, but after the doctrine of Hilarie, Cyprian, & Austen, and other ancient doctors, and yet the doctrine of the said aunciters no farther to be recei∣ued, but as they should agree with the Scripture.

Secondly, as concerning new bokes not to be sold nor prin••ed, he expounded the meaning therof to extend no far∣ther, but y^e text of the Bible and bookes of the holy Scrip∣ture might be Printed notwithstanding, and published to all men.

And as for the prohibition of Priestes mariage, he wry∣teth to the Princes, and desireth them to beare wyth the weakenes of men, declaring that braunch of their decree to be very hard, which though it stand with the Popes law, yet it accordeth not with the Gospell, neither conduceth to good maners, nor to honestie of life. &c.

Furthermore, where as in the same session of Noren∣berge, mētion was made before of certaine greuances col∣lected to the number of an hundreth,* 1.23 and exhibited to the Bishop of Rome, it were tedious likewise to inserte them all: yet to geue some tas•• of a few, I iudge it not vnprofita∣ble: to the entēt, that the world may see and iudge, not only what abuses and corruptions moste monstruous and in∣credible, lay hid vnder the glorious title of the holy church of Rome: but also may vnderstand, with what hipocrisie & impudēcie the pope taketh vpon him so greuously to com∣plaine vpon M. Luther, and other: when in all the vniuer∣sall Church of Christe, there is none so muche to be blamed all manner of wayes, as he himselfe, according as by these hainous complaints of the Germain princes, here folow∣ing against the popes intolerable oppressions & greuances may right well appeare. Which greuances▪ being collected by the Princes of Germanie at Norenberge, to the num∣ber of an hundreth, I wish might be fully and at large set∣foorth to the studious Reader, whereby might appeare the subtile sleightes and intolerable fraudes of that pretensed Church. But for somuch as it were to long to comprehend the whole, I haue thought good to exhibite some part ther∣of for example, as geuing only a certain tast, wherby thou mayest more easely conceiue, what to thinke and esteeme of all the residue, which both to me wold be tedious to write, and perhaps more greeuous to thee, to heare.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The answere of the Princes of Germany, to the Popes letter, & instructions.
• * 1.2

  Pope Adrian a Germane borne.
• * 1.3

  Can any good thing come out of Rome.
• * 1.4

  The Pope much greeued for the prospering of Luther.
• * 1.5

  Causes why the princes haue not proceded by the Popes sentence against Luther.
• * 1.6

  Greeuances re∣ceaued by the court of Rome.
• * 1.7

  The Pope aun∣swered with his owne wordes.
• * 1.8

  Greuance•• of the Ger∣maynes, cō∣plained of to the pope. Vide infra.
• * 1.9

  Annates falsely pre∣tended of the Pope, to maintaine warre a∣gainst the turke.
• * 1.10

  Annates is a certaine portion of money wont to be paide to the court of Rome, one of the one yeares fruites, at the vacation of an eccle∣siasticall ly∣uing.
• * 1.11

  Remedye of reformatyō.
• * 1.12

  A generall Councell in Germany required.
• * 1.13

  An interim before the Councell.
• * 1.14

  Wryting & Printing for a time sus∣pended.
• * 1.15

  The office of preaching tempered.
• * 1.16

  Preachers limited within cer∣taine bōdes.
• * 1.17

  Against sel∣ling and printing of famous li¦bells.
• * 1.18

  Famouse li∣bels be such bookes as raile against the fame of any person, shewing no name of the author thereof.
• * 1.19

  For priestes or religious men that marry.
• * 1.20

  Ex Ioan. Sledano.
• * 1.21

  Ministers of Straus∣brough troubled for their wiues.
• * 1.22

  Luther ex∣poundeth the decree of Noren∣berge.
• * 1.23

  An hundreth greeuaunces of the Germain•••• against the pope