The life and death of Dr Martin Luther: the passages whereof haue bin taken out of his owne and other godly and most learned, mens writings, who liued in his time.

Christian Reader:

DAvid a man after Gods owne heart, as in other respects so e∣specially in not forgetting a∣ny of Gods benefits, but fre∣quently and sweetly descanting on them in his sacred songs of praise, among many other blessings, mentions Gods gracious leading his people out of Egypt, & teach∣ing them by the ministery of Moses and Aaron. The like thankfulnesse to God should we shew in our a hymns of glorie to God, as for infinite other, favours in these later times, so especially for our comming out of the spirituall Egypt, by the Ministery of Dr. Mart. Luther. The goodnesse of God to the Israelites and Us is much alike in both these our deliverances. For when Egypts tyrannie was growne to extremity, and Romes here∣sies at full maturity, God seasonably put to

his hand, and by Moses, then bred up in Pha∣raohs Court, and by D. Luther, lately trai∣ned up in Monkery, shewed a like mercy to us both. However men did project to bend the excellent endowments of these worthy men to their owne purposes, God turned them to bet∣ter use, and seasoning them with his grace, fit∣ted them for the confusion of the Old & New Egypts. God will be b plainly knowne to have matters of great importance at his owne disposing. He of his great goodnesse directs to the right object his servants ardent zeale to do good: as in judgement he lets the malicious and envious zeale of both Egypts persist in an evill course to their overthrow. Hence it was, that as God took off S. Paul from his blinde and unseasonable zeale for Moses Law in the Pharisaicall way, and bent it to the advan∣cing of the Gospell: So he quelled Luthers raging fury and intent c to vex and kill the op∣posers of the Pope: & put a zealous spirit into him for the maintenance of sacred Truth, and the downfall of Popish superstition. And in∣deed rightly did Erasmus judge, that d those corrupt times called for a sharpe, and

launcing and fearing Chirurgion, to cure their long festered maladies. For the worship of God and the truth of Religion was then (as amongst the Israelites in Elias time) much depraved and defaced, and required a magnani∣mous and undaunted spirit, like to that in Eli∣as, to reforme matters extreamly out of frame. Erasmus saw full well, how difficult a taske D. Luther underwent, and for his owne part and undertaking was assured, that if the e knowledge of good Arts, of polite Lear∣ning, of the Originall tongues, of the Sa∣cred Scripture florisht, that the dark fogs of Popery could not long continue undispel'd. And therefore he complyed with all f Princes, and g men studious of good letters what∣soever, to make a knowing world: and would in no wise, though earnestly set upon both by loving intreaties and kinde usage, as also by bitter calumnies, and harsh railings of the Pontificians, doe any thing of speciall moment against Luther. He was confident, that, if Luther, being violently opposed and maliced, should faile, yet the Truth of Christ, by the light of all good literature and Gods blessing,

would, maugre all the Papists malice, get the upper hand, and spread it selfe.

But God was abundantly gracious to D. Luther, and made him, as Ieremy, h a de∣fenced citie, an iron pillar, and a wall of brasse, against which his Antagonists could in no wise prevaile. Had a spirit of pride or contention, or any by-respect set Luther on work against the Pope, or had he stood upon questions litigious, or of an indifferent na∣ture, he could never have begun with that cou∣rage, gone forward with that confidence, come off with that honour, which he did. The bles∣sing of God and a good conscience bore him out, to take such incredible paines in read∣ing, preaching, translating, commenting, dis∣puting, writing, advising the Politicall State, directing the Ecclesiasticall, restrain∣ing the Papists fury from open war, counsel∣ling some Protestants from too hastie proceed∣ings, preventing tumultuous designes, avoid∣ing secret traps set for him, and in daily pray∣ing to God for the prosperity of the Gospell.

All true Christians will heartily blesse God for him, and his resolute and happy be∣ginning

of Reformation: if Papists who noto∣riously defamed and slandered him in his life time, persist still to calumniate him after his death, God in the last day will be judge be∣tweene them. Luther was (and who is not?) subject to such weaknesses, as humanity makes incident to the best men. He knew his slips, he acknowledged them, he craved pardon for them. Yea, he considering, that he was a man, and might erre, intrusted his learned and faithfull friend i Melancthon to revise and moderate some of his Tenents after his de∣cease.

In briefe Luthers faith was admirably strong in his God, his labours and studies of singular benefit to Gods Church, his books and writings very many and learned, his life most pious, and therefore his death full of comfort and blessed.

Accept (good Reader) this Treatise now presented unto you in an English dresse, out of the learned and laborious work of Melchior Adamus: and expect the Lives of other most godly and reverend Fathers in Gods Church, and worthy Champions, against

the enemies of Gods truth, both English and forraine. Some whereof were never extant before, others, but sparingly in English set forth; all of them worthy of everlasting me∣mory for their promoting of Gods glory, and their love to Christian Truth. These will shortly appeare from the Pens of sundry reve∣rend, religious, and faithfull Divines amongst us. God make all these labours usefull to Gods people, and us all thankfull for his Di∣vine and gracious goodnesse to these last and worst times.

Yours in all Christian offices Tho. Hayne.

Notes

• a

  These are a chiefe and ex∣cellent work of the New Testament Church. Rev. 4. Rev. 7.11, 12. Rev. 153.
• b

  When the e∣vent is seene, then wee can observe, how Godshand was in the worke.
• c

  As S. Paul did to vex and kil Christians, Act. 9.1. & 22.19.
• d

  Epist. B. 14. pag. 453..
• e

  He foresaw, that by these Novum saeculun brevi exoritu∣rum. lib. Epist. 3.
• f

  Even with George Duke of Sax. whom Luther found most opposite to the Gospell. Eras. epist. B. 12 pag. 430.
• g

  Hee praised some for lear∣ning, that they might strive to be praise-wor∣thy for it. Epist. pag. 351.
• h

  Ier. 1.18.
• Men may judge some∣thing now by the good effect of his labours.
• i

  These two by conjoyning their studies setled truth: whereas in the Councel of Trent, though some Divines saw the Truth yet the major part confirmed errour.