Tessaradelphus, or The four brothers. The qualities of whom are contayned in this old riddle. Foure bretheren were bred at once without flesh, bloud, or bones. One with a beard, but two had none, the fourth had but halfe one. Collected and translated, by Thomas Harrab.

CHAP. I. Of Martin Luther.

MArtin Luther, the Author of this first Sect, was borne at Isleb in the County of Mansfield, Anno 1483. the two and twentith day of October; his father was called Iohn Ludder, and his mothers name was Margaret, people of meane degree; some say that his mother conceaued him of an Incubus: but whether that be true or no, I wil not heere dispute. Many write that the Deuil and he were very fami∣liar one with another, and that they did eate a bushel of salt together. And howe on a time, when the Gospel was read at Masse, erat Iesus eijciens demonium. Luther threw him∣selfe to the ground, crying that is not I, that is not I: he chaunged his name from Ludder, which signifieth in their tongue Mocker, Theese, or Filth, into Luther, which beto∣keneth a pure man. So the Manichees chaunged their ma∣sters name Manes, that is, madde, into Manichee; which si∣gnifieth to powre downe Manna. Lib. de here. c. 42.

After that Luther had bestowed his young yeares in hu∣mane letters, and had beene brought vp in the colledges of Magdeburge, and Senach in Turing, he gaue himselfe to the studie of ciuil Lawe, but presently after, one of his com∣panions walking with him out of the towne, was strocken starke dead with a thunder-bolte, Luther not hurt, but all on a smoake; with this chaunce he was so frighted, that in∣continently he left the world, and put himselfe into a Mona∣stery of Augustin Friars in the towne of Erford, Anno. 1504. his companions wondren at this chaunge in him, hauing ne∣uer seene so much as one: sparke of religion, or piety in him, but rather plaine signes of debanchements and disorders. He had scarce ended his yeare of probation, but he grewe prowd, and haughty, hauing indeed some more learning then his fellowes, ouer whome he would dominiere and

play the Master. For which cause as an vnruly fellow, he was sent from thence to Wittenberge, to a Couent of the same order, Anno 1508. And at the same time there being a diuision betweene certaine howses of that order, (for sea∣uen Monasteries banded against their Generall) Luther took part with the reuolted, and was sent to Rome as an aduocate of their cause. After this, Pope Leo the tenth hauing sette forth Indulgences, for such as would contribute to the wars against the Turks, the promulgation whereof was assigned to the Iacobin Faiars, and not to the Austenes, as they desi∣red; Stambitius Generall of the said Austenes tooke it in e∣uil parte, because such charge had beene accustomed to be committed to his Order, which was matter of no smal cre∣dit: And for very spite sette vp Luther, whome he knew to be fitte for seditious exployts, and tongued at will, as also bolde and venterous, to preach against the abuse of Prea∣chers, and Collectors of Indulgences. This Stambitius was emboldened so to doe, by the countenance of Fredericke Duke of Saxony, who was soare offended with the Pope, because he had not the Bishopricke of Magdeburge, but it was giuen to the Arche-Bishoppe of Ments, who vnder the Pope had the assigning of the preaching of the Pardons. Lu∣ther then mounting into the pulpit, thundred against the Collectors, and Preachers of Pardons, more vehemently in∣deede then Stambitius would haue had him to haue done, flouting, mocking, and scoffing at them, and now and then girding at the Pope himselfe, insomuch as it irked Stambiti∣us that he had sette him on worke; but now it was past his helpe: For many grew colde in deuotion towards this con∣tribution, by reason of Luther his preaching against it, and sent the Collectors backe not only empty handed, but loa∣ded also with contumelies, and reproaches. He growing more malapert for that the people gaue eare vnto him, was so audacious, as he wrote to the Arch-Bishoppe of Ments, and to him of Brandeburg against the Collectors, who made no reckoning of him, nor of his letters. He sette forth also

certaine Theses or propositions against the foresaide, taxing Eccliasticall persons of negligence and ignorance. Tekell superior of the Iacobins, set forth contrary propositions, an∣swering his, and calleth Luther Heretike.

At this time in very truth, there was great corruption in manners, and the Clergy was nothing so vigilant and care∣full, as aforetime; which thinges facilitated Luther his pro∣ceedings. All the Christian world was Catholike, and for many hundred yeares together, had no Heretical enemies to reckon of: Not any Protestant, or Puritane had euer beene heard of, which made Church-men to grow leffe watchfull, and to liue at their ease, wallowing in wealth and pleasures. Pope Leo hearing of these tumults wrote to the Duke of Saxony, to send Luther to his Legat Caietan, who was with the Emperour Maximilian, or else to send him to Rome, where the cause might be heard; but the Duke excused the matter, and Luther wrote most humbly vnto the Pope, and offered to be silent hereafter, so that his aduersaries would surcease. Neuerthelesse, the matter grew worse; for Siluester Prierias a Iacobin, Master of the Popes pallace, buckled with Luther, and extolled the Popes authority a∣boue all Councels, and powers on the earth, in such sort, as Luther enraged with his assertions, abased the same more then euer. Diuers Iacobins tooke Siluester his part, and ma∣ny Augustines defended Luther: And the broyles grewe so hoate, that at length Luther his complices, called in question the power of the Pope about Indulgences, and questioned workes meritorious, and satisfactory, and sundry other mat∣ters not doubted of before; but Luther himselfe would not seeme to doubt thereof, for in his first tome he auoucheth the same, affirming, that the Pope the immediate Vicar of Ie∣sus Christ, hath authority to distrubute Indulgences.

After all this, he humbled himselfe againe to the Pope, and confessed his faultes and was sent to Cardinall Caietan, before whome, he confeffed the Catholike faith; and with great protestations submitted himselfe.

He was yet once againe cited to Rome, but he appealed to the future general Councell, protesting that he would not deminish the authority of the Pope, so that he be of a sound opinion, for that was his clause. He wrote vnto the Pope also praysing him, and dispraysing his Legate and officers, and laid all faults on others. Many giddy-headed people at this time ranne headlong after Luther, stared on him, flatte∣red him, and encouraged him to higher matters. He writeth to the Emperour, to Knges, and to Princes, crying vpon them to reforme the Church, which phrase of speech pleased many, protesting that he would change nothing, for he li∣ued as yet within his Couent, and saide Masse. The people applauded him on each side, which made him more proude and arrogant, insomuch as he would say, turne thine eyes towardes me Germany, I am sent to saue thee.

The first Clergie-man that euer followed Luther, was Carolastade Archdeacon of Wittenberg: This man and Lu∣ther disputed with D. Eckius a Prebend of Ingolstade, at Lipse before Duke George, brother to Fredericke Duke of Saxony; and they both submitted their opinions to the Di∣uines of Erfor and Paris, but still reuolted againe. In this hoate conference, Luther burst forth into these speeches. This quarrell was not begunne for the honor of God, ney∣ther shall it be ended by him. The Pope wrote againe to the Duke of Saxony, blaming him for protecting of Luther, but he sent him a milde answere, saying that his holines his Nuncio was of opinion, that Luther should not goe out of that coaste, for feare of scattering of Heresies else where. But indeed Luther had resolued, if he had beene driuen out of Saxony, to retire himselfe into Bohemia, yet feared he the Hussites, because he had affirmed them to be Heretikes. In fine, the Pope seing him so rebellious, and so turning in and out, excommunicated him by name, in Bulla Caena Domini. Who presently when he heard of it growing desperate, vo∣mited out all his poyson, calling the Pope Ante-christ, and vnderstanding that his bookes were burned as hereticall, he

in a rage at Wittenberge burned the bookes of the common Law, with the Bull of Leo. He cried out to the people, let vs wash our handes in the bloud of the Pope, of the Cardi∣nals, and of al the Romish filth. So in the dsputation at Lipse when he was admonished to vse modesty in speech, and writings; I will write (said he) other kinde of stuffe, if I knew that it would displease the Sea of Rome: Whilst they triumph ouer some heresie of mine, I will inuent new (saith he) in Praf. cap. Bab. He vsed still in speaking and writing, most filthy wordes and tearmes of ribaudry, and caused the Pope and Cardinals, to be pictured, and sette forth in diuers places, in most filthy and vgly shapes. He resolued forth∣with to build a Religion of liberty, and to abandon Austeri∣ties, Celibates or single liues, Fastings, Chastities, and such like, and to giue euery man leaue to beloeue what him list: And so it should be most pleasing to flesh and bloud, and consequently, be easilie receaued of many. To this end he wrote that it was lawful to beleeue what he would; that we were either predestinated, or reprobated, so as we could not doe withall: That euery Christian was a priest, and might preach the word of God.

The Emperor Charles came into Germany, before whom Luther was conuented, with letters of safe conduct (this was at Worms) where he behauing himselfe heretically, yet with great dissimulation, he was sent backe, and condemned by the Emperor for an Heretike: he retired himself into a castle called Alstat, belonging to the Duke of Saxony, yet with commandement, that he should keep himselfe secret, for feare of the Emperor. This he tearmed his Pathmos, here he wrote bookes sarsed with all manner of contumelies, and oppro∣brious speeches; he called the vniuersity of Paris, which had condemned his doctrine, the vttermost hall of Ante-Christ, the back-dore of Hell. At this time at Wittenberge they be∣ganne to assault the Masse, (for Luther was yet in Friars ha∣bit, and said Masse still and to breake downe Images, which Luther vnderstanding, was very much offended with them.

He did forbidde that eyther Aristotle, or Plato, should be taught in their vniuersities, or any thing but the Bible. Ca∣tolastade and Melancton his followers, were now become the one a ploughman, the other a Baker, for that they would liue by the sweat of their browes; but Luther called them backe, and rebuked Carolastade for breaking Images, affir∣ming, that no Image was forbidden in the Scriptures, but only of God: he translated the Bible into the German tongue which was presently burned in most places. There were no∣ted only in the new Testament, 1400 places corrupted and falsified, yet notwithstanding, a Lutheran minister in Wit∣tenberge, instituted a feastiuall day, and called it the transla∣tion of the Bible; being the first Lutheran feastiuall day that euer was. And for al this, Luther altered the said Bible three times after, and changed many things of the first. Then did others leape out and make translations of their owne, as Zwinglius, whose version was by Luther condemned, yet still others made translations, to the number of 67. versions, one condemning anothers, and taking away, and putting in what them pleased; yea, they rent out of the Bible whole bookes, which made plainely against their opinioms.

Carolastadius began to deny the reall presence of Christ, in the holy Sacrament, but Luther opposed himselfe against it, and reprehended him sharply, which made Carolastade to leaue Wittenberge; but they two meeting in an Inne af∣terward, and Carolastade saying, that he durst defend his o∣ption by writing: Luther tooke to his purse, and gaue him a florence of gould, to doe so if he durst against him, which he tooke on that condition. So Luther bought the warres a∣gainst the Sacramentaries, whereof afterwardes, he had his handes full; he and Zwinglius brawled about the translati∣on of the Bible, he renounced all generall Councels, and an∣cient Fathers, and would not endure the word Clergy. He permitted men to change their wiues, would haue no visible head of the Church; he would gladly haue denyed the reall presence, but the words were so plaine he could not, as he.

He caused Carolo stade to be banished: whilst Frederik Duke of Saxony he durst not alter the Masse, but he pulled out of the litanies, the name of the holy Trinity. He with Melanc∣thon would haue abandoned all liberal arts. He could neuer endure the Zwinglians, nor Sacramentaries, but tearmed them Apostles of the Diuel; Arians, Pelagians, &c. He did al that he could in despite of the Councell of Trent, and prote∣sted that he would oppose himselfe, against the doctrine it should set forth, bee what it will. He was both in doctrine and manners an enemy to good works, and taught that only faith was sufficient, which doctrine brought sorth fruits ac∣cordingly; as for example, one of his Disciples a woman of Lipse a widow, by her owne sonne was gotten with childe, who when shee was great retired her selfe, and caused the child being a girle to be brought vp, her sonne (the father) not knowing of it; when this girle was twelue years of age, the sonne father of it, married the same girle, which by this meanes was his sister, his daughter, and his wife; his mother knowing all. This sinfull woman lying on her death-bedde, confesseth all to Luther, who with his schollers of Witten∣berge pronounced, that the quietnes of this marriage ought not to be troubled, and that they must permitte the woman without other punishment, to goe to heauen with only faith. He stirred vp the common people to rebellion, foa vvhich, many thonsands of them were slaine, and was the cause of the great warres of Germany, vvherin was most cruell car∣nage, and slaughter. He liked faire women so well, as that espying a beautifull damsell, in the Dutches of Saxony her trayne, he protested that if all the Diuels of hell were such, he would gladly be amongst them, which speech the Dut∣chesse thought strange, to proceed out of the mouth of him, who preofossed himselfe to be the Reformer of the Christian world, but the Duke answered, that Luther was flesh and bloud as other men be: He made loue secretly to one Ka∣therine Bore, a Nunne, but durst not marrie her as long as the Duke liued.

Yet Carolastade first of all Priests married a woman, not secretly, but openly; and that with triumph. This wretched Priest (as he himselfe saith) was so enraged with lust, that he was like to lose his sences; and at his marriage, was Masse song after a new fashion, and this collect was made and put in: God which after so long and wicked blinduesse of thy Priests, hast vouchsafed to giue such grace to blessed An∣drew Carolastade, that he first of al not respecting the Popes lawe, durst enterprise to marry a wife, graunt we beseech thee, that all priests comming to their wittes, fallowing his steps, their concubines cast out or married, may be conuer∣ted to the fellowship of a lawfull bed, through the Lord &c. Then followeth the prose. God in thy power, Andrew Ca∣rolastade doth exult & reioyce, coupled in mariage; diuers o∣thers such like stuffe was thrust into that Masse which I omit, and ended with this collect: Let the misteries of the sacra∣ment receiued, O Lord, succour vs, and as we reioyce in the connubial celebrity of Andrew Carolastade, so cause, we be∣seech thee, that marriages of priests may happily beginne through the whole world, more happily goe forward, and most happily ende, through the Lord &c. Many Fryars, Moncks and others followed this example of his, leaping out of the monasteries and cloisters, and got them wenches, and so became Gospellers; some casting their Habites got great breeches, and short cloaks with swords by their sides, and preached in that attire, some in one colour, some in ano∣ther, some of one Sect, some of another; insomuch as almost euery day, you might see a new religion coyned; but euerie one had his woman, or else no bargaine: Luther also, after the Duke was dead married his Nunne, and had by her three sonnes.

Many more thinges are recorded of this man, which are easily seene in diuers writers: These may suffice to giue the vnlearned Reader a taste of this Reformer; and now you shal see what he lest to his followers.