The true history of the Christian departing of the reverend man, D. Martyne Luther, collected by justus jonas, Michael Celius, and joannes Aurifaber which were present thereat, & translated into English by johan Bale. Arma Ducis Saxoniae. I heard a voice from heaven (saith S. johan) which said thus unto me. Blessed are the dead which depart in the lord. For they from hens forth shall rest from their labours. Apoca. xiv. The true history of the Christian departing of the reverend man D. Martyne Luther, collected by justus jonas, Michael Celius, and joannes Aurifaber which were present thereat, and translated into English by johan Bale. IN the year of our lord a M.D.XLVI. at the instant request of the worthy and noble earls of Mansfelde. the Reverend man of God Doctor Martyne Luther departed from Wittemberge the 23. of Ianuarye, journey and rested the first night at Bitterfelde. For this only cause did they call him thydre at that time, to end by his godly discretion certain grievous schisms and controversies, which had long (& not without apparel) continued betwixt them. Rather coveted they him than any other person to finish those varyaunces. for that they knew him a man of most grounded conscience, learning, & judgement, & also native borne within their dominion in a city called Ißleben. Ißleben. And though the treaty of such polytyck causes pertained not to his vocation▪ yet was he not undylygent in reducing that long conceived malice and dangerous hate, in to a most agreeable Christian concord. And the rather, that it was in his own native country. On the xxiv. day of january about eleven of the clock, halis. he came to halis and remained there all that day forth and iij. days after in the house of Doctor justus jonas. In the mean time he made there a solemn sermon in the temple, of the conversion of S. Paul, out of the Apostles Acts. On the friday after/ which was the xxviii. day of Ianuarye, he departed from halis with Doctor jonas and his iij. sons johan, 3. sons. Martyne, and Paul, & so passed over the dangerous flood in a small whyrye, taking his journey from thence towards Ißleben his own native city. As he had ones entered the county of Mansfelde, he was honourably received of an C. and xiii. horse men. Anon after in the charet he became so sore sick, that all they which were present, Sore sick much doubted of his life. Whereupon they took the next harbour, & relieved him with such provision as there was, so that he was very cheerful that night, and complained no more of sickness. From the xxix. day of january till the xvij. day of Februarye, he was continually occupied about the matters of concord and agreement of the foresaid noble princes, bringing it unto a most godly conclusion. And besides his great labour in so necessary a cause, Preached he preached in the mean time iiij. worthy sermons, and ij. times communycated with the Christian church there in the holy supper of the lord. And in the latter communion, which was upon the sunday, he ordained ij. ministers of the word of God, after the Apostles manner. From the afore said xxix day of january to the xvij. of Februarye, many a wonderful sentence came out of his mouth, and many comfortable words did he utter. Many hard places of the scriptures he opened in the presence of those noble princes, both at their tables and other where else, whereof a book is now compiled and imprinted. And among all other, he oft times complained of his age, and said. If it pleased God that he came again to Wittemberge, he would desire no longer to live, but depart in the lord. And always at even, he used by the space of these xxi. days, to go from the princes great haul into his own chamber, where as standing right up against the window, he occupied a certain time in most fervent prayer unto God the eternal father. Prayer. Whereof we justus jonas, Michael Celius, joannes Aurifaber, & Ambrose his own servant much marveled, understanding oft times certain of his words. And this done, he turned him always from the window towards us with a merry countenance, as one delivered of a very heavy burden. Then would he a little comen with us, and so go to his bed. On the wedynsdaye, which was the xvij. day of Februarye, Princes. both the noble princes & we desired him to keep his chamber, and no longer to accombre himself in their matters, which were afore that fully and clearly pacified. notwithstanding he came forth that morning & again at even, like as he had done every day afore. In the very same evening after supper, about a seven. or viii. hours afore his departing from this world, A sermon he made us a most grounded sermon of death necessary and of the life to come, having therein this sentence among other. O most blessed lord, xx. years are a very small time. Yet if there were no increase therein according to thy godly creation and ordinance, the world would in a manner be clearly valiant, or without people. The greater part of his church, doth God gather unto him from infants. And verily I believe this to be true, that when a young child of one year of age dieth, there departeth out of the world with him▪ a M. or ij. of the same age. Departing. But when I now departed the world which am three score years old, there will scant iij. score departed hens with me of the same age, so few are there which live to that age. And nothing else win we by our long continuance here, but daily afflictions and sorrows, in beholding the wickedness, falsehood, and calamytees of this world. What a cruel spirit our common adversary is, we need to go no farther for record than ourselves. And non other thing else is mankind, than a sheep fold appointed to the slaughter. afterward in the night as we were in diverse communications, he chanced upon this question. Whether in the world to come or in the perpetual congregation, A question one of us should know an other or nay? And as we instantly desired him therein to say his mind, he made us this answer. How dead Adam (said he) how dead Adam? As he arose from the sleep that God cast him in, Gene. 2. and beheld Eva standing by him, whom he never saw afore, he said not, what art thou? or from whence dost thou come? But he said. Adam. This is now a bone taken of my bones, and a very flesde of my flesh. Thus perceived he her, not to be made of a dead stock or a stone, but of his own flesh. And full was he of the holy Ghost in that hour, having the perfect & through knowledge of God. To this full knowledge shall we come after this life, being renovated in Christ and shall know one another by countenance, more perfectly than ever Adam knew Eva his wife. After these communications, he arose and went unto his own chamber▪ his ij. sons Martyne and Paul with Michael Celius following him. Anon after leaning in the window, he gave himself to prayer after his accustomed manner. Prayer. Then went Michael Celius down again/ and master johan Aurifaber came up. Unto whom he said. I wax now very sick, and much pain I feel about my heart. Than said the said master johan unro him. When I was tutor to the young earls here, as either of them felt any grief about the stomach, the countess ministered thereunto such a comfortable medicine as relieved them straight ways. medicine. If ye will have that, I shall procure it for you to the easement of your grief. He desired him so to do. Then went he down, and sent up jonas and Celius unto him. Which axt him, how he did? And he complained of a wonderful grief about his heart. Then did they comfort him with warmed kerchers, whereupon he somewhat amended. Anon after came earl Albert in great haste unto him with M. johan Aurifaber, bringing the afore rehearced medicine. And the earl said unto him. Earl Albert. How do ye master doctor. He answered. No apparel is here to be doubted most benign & gentle prince, but my hope is within a while to be much better than I now am. Then commanded the noble earl, the said medicine to be given unto him. And so after certain communications he departed from him again. immediately after, as he somewhat amended. he desired to lie down upon the bed about ix. of the clock, & slept the requyetouslye by the space of more than half an hour, watching. D. jonas, Michael Celius, his ij. sons Martyne & Paul, with Ambrose his servant remaining still in the chamber. And as he awoke about x. of the clock, he said unto them. What syttye there yet still? Ye may go to your rest. They answered. No, master Doctor, it is meet we watch and see what ye have need of. With that he desired to rise▪ and so went into the study which was next to his chamber. And as he had entered the said study, he spoke these words. The everlasting God be my comfort, unto god for now I go to my bed. Into thy hands, o lord, I commend my spirit. For thou God of truth hast redeemed me. And as he had done of his clothes, and was laid in the bed, he gave to each one of them his hand, and said Far weal to you all sweet brethren in the lord. Pray for the congregation and holy Gospel of God, that they may have prosperou●e success. For the wicked counsel of Trydent & that abominable pope hath sought and yet seeketh to do them both great harm. The pope Anon after he fell again on sleep, & rested quyetouslye till one of the clock. And as he awoke, he called his servant Ambrose, and commanded him to make hot the stove or hot house. Then doctor jonas Asked him, how he felt himself? Whereunto he answered. O my lord God, jonas. how sick am I this hour? O master jonas, I reckon none other than here in Ißleben where I was both borne and baptized, to lay my mortal bones. Then said Doctor jonas and his servant Ambrose unto him. We doubt not but God our eternal father will be your singular comfort, through his son jesus Christ, whom you have so earnestly preached to the world. With that he arose up alone without help, and went into the stove, repeating again the words afore spoken. Into thy hands, o lord, I commend my soul. For thou God of truth without fail hast redeemed me, unto god. And so ones or twice he walked up and down in the stove, & than returned again to his bed. Then came there in unto him, his host and hostasse, master Simon field a Doctor of Physyck, & one Ludovicus a medicine master also, with certain other of the city. Anon after resorted unto him earl Albert and his lady with other noble men and women, Resort. bringing with them all manner of sweet odours, ointments, spices, and confortatyves. And all they did their best to comfort him there. Then called he unto God, saying. O my lord God, how grievous anguish suffer I now about my heart? I shall now die, lord, I thank the highly. I shall now lay my bones in Ißleben mine own native city. Then said Doctor jonas & Michael Celius unto him. To Christ Reverend father, call now upon the lord Jesus' Christ whom you so inteyrlye have loved, our only mediator and high bishop of our souls, and no doubt of it, he will graciously hear you. Ye have now we'll swett, god will (we trust) better it. Whereunto he answered. Yea, but the sweat is cold and full of death. I give over this life, for my pains increase more & more. O my evelasting father, the God & father of our lord jesus Christ, yea the lord of all ghostly comfort. Thanks. I render unto the most high thanks this hour, that it hath pleased thy inestimable goodness, to make open unto me a sinner, thy most dearly beloved son my lord jesus Christ, whom I have now (I thank thee) in full and perfectly believe. Him have I preached, him have I confessed, him have I loved and glorified, whom the most wicked Pope with his cursed cormorontes do still yet darken, The pope disdain, mock, persecute and blaspheme. I beseech the most dear lord jesus Christ, mercifully to receive my soul. O my heavenly father, though I now leave this mortal body, and am taken from this life, yet do I certainly know that I shall evermore dwell with thee, & that none shall be able to withhold me from thy gracious hands. So hath God loved the world, that he hath given it his only son, that none which believe in him should perish, but have the life everlasting. joan. 3. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him, might be saved. He that believeth on him, shall not be condemned. The God (saith David) which is our saver, is even the same lord God, by whom we escape death. Psal. 67. give thanks unto that lord in the congregation, for the welsprynges of Israel. For his glory is here, and his might in the clouds. Then resorted unto him the medicine master, of whose hands he received to the quantity of a spoon full of that he ministered. Anon after he said again, I go hens, I go hens. My soul I commend unto God which created it. And with that he thrice repeated again these words. unto god. Lord and father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Thu God of truth hast truly redeemed me. And as he had thus commended his soul to the heavenly father, he lay quyetouslye still, and moved not at all. Then they which were about him, uttered many ghostly words, they moved him, refreshed him, and called diversly upon him to speak. But he neither opened eye, nor yet answered one word. As he was thus in quiet/ and departed to every man's thinking, Doctor jonas and Michael Celius cried with a loud voice, Reverend father, doctrine. will ye persever in Christ and his holy doctrine, which ye have hitherto taught and constantly now die in the same? He answered with stomach that all which were present might hear it. Yea, And with that he turned himself on the right side, Cōstaun●● and so slept the space of a quarter of an hour, so that many reckoned he should have recovered. But we liked nothing that sleep, but from thence fourth with lights we most diligently marked his eyes. Anon after came in Earl johan Henryck of Swartzenburch with his lady. And by that time he waxed very pale in the face. His feet and hands were deadly cold, and from the heart ward he somewhat panted, but it was so softly that we very little perceived it. In the which light breathing he gave over his life to God, In peace without any pain to all our judgements. For he neither moved hand nor foot therein. Neither was there any of us (as we testify here in conscience both before God & man) that could perceive in him any perturbation, dolour, or other unquietness of body in his departing. But quyetouslye and sweetly with all gentleness of spirit he rested in the lord. Simeon. Like as old simeon said. Now letyst thy servant departed in peace, according to thy promise. So that this saying of Christ in the vii●. of johan may weal be verified on him. Verily I say unto you, he that keep my word shall never see death. This text out of the viii. chapter of johan, was the last clause that in this life he wrote with his own hand, about x. days afore he departed. And for a memorial he registered it in the Bible of huldrick hans his friend, which was there the rend master of that city. And he left it after this sort. Ioann. 8. Never to see death. What an incredible speaking is this, if it be conferred with manifest & common experience? Yet he which is the verity itself, hath so spoken it. truly when a man hath this sentence in seryouse remembrance, stedefastlye believing it, and departeth hens therein, he must pleasantly pass away, and not feel the hard pangs of death. And undoubtedly blessed is that man in that word of believe which he hath so remembered in the very death. hereunto he thus subscribed. Martynus Luther Doctor. 1546. die 7. Februarij. After this was his dead body wrapped in a new white linen vesture, His body. and so laid again upon the bed, remaining there still by the space of v. hours. In the mean time came there in many worshipful and honest cytiezens, beholding it not without tears of faith fullness and love. On the nineteen. day of february about ij. of the clock at after none, was the corpse carried fourth with great solemnity and spiritual songs in their mother tongue, Princes. into the principal church of S. Andrew. And many great princes and earls followed the same, as wolfangus prince of Anhalt with his ij. brethren earl Philipp and earl johan with their wives and whole families, earl Albert, earl johan & earl Wolfange of Mansfelde with their wives & households also, prince Eucrarde with his ij. sons earl George and Christopher with their ladies and assemblies, with a great sort of lords and gentlemen more, and a wonderful number of the comen people. Where as doctor justus jonas made the funeral sermon divided into iij, jonas. parts the first treating of the parsonage and godly gifts of Martyne Luther, the second of the lattre resurrection and life to come, the third comprehendeth certain comminations and thretteninges against the truths adversaries, that he being dead, should not yet cease to invade Antichristes' blasphemous kingdom. And this was upon the lattre part of the fort chapter of S, Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonyanes'. Anon after at the instant petition & request of the most noble prince elector johan Frederick duke of Saxon, The duke the corpse was decred to be carried, with solemn obsequys unto the famous city of Wittemberge, the noble princes and earls aforenamed, accompanyenge it with great worship to the farther gates of Ißleben And about six of the clock at night the next day after, Hallys. they came therewith to halis, where as it was also received with like solemnity of the senate and cytiezens, and so reserved in S. mary's church there all that night. In all the towns & villages as they came by, were the bells solemnly rung, with no small lamentation & dolour of the comen people. The next day was it most honourably received of the lords and high officers of the noble duke of Saxon, the earls of Anhalt, Princes. Swartzemburg & Mansfelde, & other great estates more with a mighty number of horse men, and so brought solempnelye to Bitterfelde, & from thence to the city of Wittemberge. Long were it to rehearse all the funeral ceremonies, and sorrowful mournings among the common people in the towns as they went. As they were once comen to the gates of Wittemberge, at the commandment of the prince elector johan Frederick which was there present, elector the rector and masters of that noble university with their great number of scholars on the one side, & the worthy senate with their great commonalty on the other side, received them worshyplye in their degrees. Afore the hearse went from thence in order, the ministers of the churches & scoles with their scholars, & they sang spiritual songs in their mother tongue, as their common manner is at buryals. Next after the corpse followed his most Christian wife Kateryne Luther with certain sober and discrete matrons. After them followed his iij. sons, His wife & sons johan, Martyne, and Paul, james Luther a burger of Mansfelde, with diverse other of his kinsfolk. Then followed the high rector or dean of the university with such young princes, earls, and barons as were studeauntes in the same. After them followed Doctor Georgius Pontanus, doctor Philippus Melan●hō, Doctor justus jonas, doctors Doctor johan Pomeranus, Doctor Gaspar Cruciger, Doctor Hieronymus, with other ancient doctors and masters of the university in a comely order. After these followed the great commynaltces both of studeauntes and also of the common people. Last of all followed there honest matrons and virgins in a seemly order also. And after them such a number of strangers as never in Wittenberg was scene afore that day. Strangers. And as they had ones brought it into the to church, they set it afore the pulpett, and sang unto God their accustomed songs, had commonly at great burials in their mother tongue. Pomeranus. Then went doctor johan Pomeranus into the pulpit, and made a most comfortable sermon, to that most worshipful audience, which is now imprinted. In like case Phylypp Melanthon made a funeral oration with very earnest spirit to the comfort of that congregation, which is also imprinted and here into English translated. After this oration, certain learned masters thereunto appointed, reverently took the body and so buried it, not far from the tombs of the noble dukes in the same church. Buried. Thus is the precious organ and instrument of the holy Ghost, the body of this Reverend Doctor Martyne Luther, committed to the earth in the tower temple of Wittemberge, not far from that pulpett wherein he made many a notable and godly sermon by his lifetime, in the presence of the most worthy electors Dukes of Saxon, and many other noble princes more. So that it may weal be verified that Saint Paul writeth 1. Corinthiorum 15. That is sown in weakness, 1. Cor. 15 shall arise in power The body that is sown in corruption, shall rise again uncorrupted. So christian a departing from this misery unto the eternal felicity, our everlasting heavenly father grant us of his mercy infinite, which so graciously called this elect servant of his Martyne Luther to so worthy an office, and also the lord jesus Christ whom he so faithfully preached & confessed to the world, with the holy Ghost which gave him most singular strength in dangerous parcls against the wicked pope and the gates of hell. Amen. We justus jonas, Michael Celius, and joannes Aurifaber, witnesses which were present at the godly and gracious departing of Doctor Martyne Luther from the beginning to the end, do testify here in conscience as we saw and heard, as we will be saved afore God in the great day of trial. And not we only, but the noble princes and earls which were there also present, do witness the same. God the father of our lord jesus Christ grant us all his most flowing & abundant grace. Amen. An oration or process rehearsed off Philipp Melanchton at the burial of the Reverend man, Doctor Martyne Luther, Translated by johan Bale. THough in this public and common sorrow, my utterance be somewhat dulled by dolour and heaviness, yet must I in so worthy an assembly as here is now gathered, of duty say somewhat. Not as the pagans used in only commending the dead, but rather in admonishing this auditory of the wonderful governance and parels of the Christian church. 3. things. That they may thereby know afore hand, what is to be cared for, what to be desired, and what to be followed of their youth concerning examples of a Christian life. What though profane & dessolute men in so confuse an order of living, do rashly interpret many things, and judge them to hap by chance or fortune let us yet which are confirmed by the manifold testymonyes of God, seclude the true church from the unfaithful rabble, and let us we'll think it to be governed & preserved of God. Yea, Church. let us rightly behold his politic order, perceive his truly appointed governors▪ and consider weal their just course. finally let us thereupon chose us out right leaders, & able instructors yea, soche as we may faithfully both follow and reverence. Of these so earnest causes, will it be necessary for us both to think and to speak, so oft times as that reverend man of God, Luther. Doctor Martyne Luther, our most dearly beloved father & master is had in remembrance among us. Whom though a great number of wicked livers did most bitterly hate, yet shall it be meet for us which knew him a true minister of the Gospel raised of God, to favour, regard, and allow him, Doctrine. and in the end to show so able testymonyes as may prove his doctrine in no case to be seditious and boystuouse fierceness as the blind beastly belligoddes report him. And though in such orations as are commonly in this place uttered, many things are spoken to the private praises of them they are made for. Yet that thing here omitted, will I now at this time only speak of his ecclesiastic office or function of God's eternal word. office. For men of conscience will judge this always true That if he hath made open in the congregation the wholesome & necessary doctrine (as we can say no less of him) God is greatly to be lauded, which raised him for that purpose, & his just labours, faith perseverance, and other virtues are moche to be commended, & his remembrance to be admitted of all Godly men. let this therefore stand for the fore front of our oration. Christ. The son of God (saith Paul) sitteth at the right hand of his eternal father, and giveth gracious gifts unto men, as are the true utterance of the scriptures, & the holy ghost In whose free distribution, he raiseth up Prophets, Apostles, teachers, and overseers. And these he taketh out of our studious number, which either read, hear, or Christenlye favour the Apostles & Prophets writings. And not only calleth he them unto that labouryouse office, which are in authority afore, Teachers but most commonly he giveth those men sharp battle, by workmen of a much meaner sort to see to. And truly a very pleasant and profitable aspect is it, to behold the church by all ages, and so to consider the great goodness of God, which evermore hath sent good theachers in an order or course of continuance, that they might (as in an host of warryours) one succeed in an others room. Known is the order of our former fathers, Adam, Fathers. Seth, Enoch, Mathusale, No, & Sem, which being alive, & dwelling nigh to the sodomites, as the people there in process of time neglected his good instructions, & the wholesome doctrine of Noah his father, & so miserably inclined to the worshipping of Idols, was Abraham stirred up of God, to be unto the said Sem an assister & fellow helper in that worthy work of the verities furtherance. Abraham. Unto him succeeded in that Godly office, Isaac, jacob, & joseph, which through out the land of Egypt, than being the most flourishing kingdom of the world, plenteously spread the light of that heavenly doctrine. Than followed Moses, joshua, Samuel, David, Helias, and Heliseus, of whom Esaias received knowledge, and of him Hieremias. prophets After that was Daniel instructed of the said Hieremias, & of the said Daniel, Zacharias. Anon after them came fourth Esdras and Onias. Than followed next them, the mighty Maccabees, than simeon and Zacharias the priest, johan baptist. than johan Baptist, Christ, and his Apostles. Moche profitable were it, to mark weal this continual succession of Godly teachers, which is a most manifest sign of the presence of God in his congregation. After the Apostles succeeded an other sort, which though they were not so strong as the other, yet were they bewtyfullye adorned with the testymonyes of God. doctors Of this company was Polycarpus, Ireneus, Gregorius Neocesariensis, Basilius, Chrisostomus, Cyrillus, Augustinus, Prosper, Maximus, Hugo Bernardus, Taulerus, johan Wicleve, johan hufs, and other in diverse quarters. And though this lattre age were more blind than all the rest, remnant yet God always reserved a remnant to his people's behove. And manifest is it, that by the voice of Luther, the light of the Gospel hath appeared more clear, than of long time afore. He is therefore worthily to be joined to this most beautiful number of notable men, whom God hath hither sent to rectyfye and restore his faithful church. Luther. These ought we always to accept for the most orient flowers of the kind of man. No doubt of it, but Themistocles, Scipio, Augustus, and such other like, were men famous & worthy note, Governors. which either constitute or governed great empires, yet were they nothing in comparison to these our leaders isaiah, johan baptist, Paul, Augustyne, Wycleue, & Luther. Convenient is it therefore that we in the congregation know these diversities. What great & notable things than are they, that of Luther are truly opened, which should seem to declare hyscourse praise worthy? Troubles Blown is it abroad of many, that the church is sore troubled, and that inextrycable controversies are spread the world over. Unto those men I answer, that such hath followed always of the churches right governance. As the holy Ghost rebuketh the world of sin, dyssensyons arise by the working of wicked obstynates. And the ground of those seditions are they, which disdain to hear the true son of God, Obstynates. of whom it father everlasting hath said with open voice. In any wise hear him. Luther hath made open to the world the most true & necessary doctrine. evident is it what exceeding darknesses have dwelled in the doctrine or article of penance. They now put aside, he hath clearly taught what true penance is, & what the souls only refuge. What is the strong anchor and sure stay of that troubled conscience, which doubtfully feareth the high displeasure of God. Faith. He throughly cleared and taught that doctrine of Paul, which strongly testifieth man to be justified by faith. He truly declared, what the difference is of the law and Gospel, and of the spiritual justice from the politic or outward rightwiseness. He showed the true invocacyon of God & from the pagans frantic madness, in a manner revoked the whole church, whose frenzy feigned God to be rightly called upon, when the minds were very far of, & busily occupied with Achademycall doubts. invocation. Luther willed invocation non other wise to be, than with a pure faith and an uncorrupted conscience. He sent us alone to Christ, as to our only mediator & true son of God, now sitting at the right hand of his eternal father, Christ. & there becoming our advocate. He neither led us to dead men nor their images, as the horrible madness of beastly blind buzzards hath used afore time, in worshipping both them and their Idols. Other true offices accepted unto god▪ ●ed he most christianly teach. And so he adorned and autorysed the foreign civil order, civil order. as it was never afore done by any man's writings. He also secluded from necessary works, the baby she ordinance of men's traditions & rites, & put aside all laws withstanding the true honouring of God. The Bible. And that the pu●e doctrine of the lord might the better be known to men and women, he translated into the Germanetunge, all the scriptures of the Apostles & Prophets, with so apparent clearness, that his only translation giveth now more light to the readers, than many great commentaries could do afore. More over he adjoined such declarations to the text, as far excelleth the expositions of all men that wrote afore him, Erasmus by the very testimony of Erasmus And as it is verified of the instauration of Jerusalem, that the builders thereof wrought with the one hand, and in the other hand held weapon to fight. So truly did this man. He withstood the enemies of the lords heavenly word, and yet never the less, left behind him works full of ghostly decumentes. a builder Yea, many a feeble and weak conscience have he made strong by his most godly eruditions. For as much as a great part of his doctrine is above man's cumpasse, as are his writings of remission and faith, we must of congruence grant that he was taught of God. And without fail many of us have beholden his troubles, Of God. wherein both he and we have learned, to hold this for a most sure ground, that by only faith we are accepted, & heard of God. continually than at all times from hens fourth, will all good men recognysh soche heavenly benefyghtes as the lord hath now largely given to his congregation by Luther. And first of all they will render thanks unto God for it, Thanks. and than grant themselves beholden greatly to that man for his fruitful labours, what though such wicked workers as disdain the true church, do judge those doctrines a vain dalliance or else mere madness. Never moved he any question of darkness, or yet gave fourth the apple of perilous contention (as they falsely report him) neither proponed he any doubtful matter or obscure allegory. allegory let sober and godly wise men give the judgement, all quarrelers put a part, and it will be easy to perceive, as the sentences are conferred, which of them are agreeable with the sacred scriptures, Scriptures. & which are dyscordaunt, No doubt of it, but each party of those controversies is weal known to men that are christianly faithful. For considering that God hath appointed himself and hy● heavenly will in the scriptures of both testaments to be known (in whom he hath clearly showed himself) it is not to be thought that their speakings are doubtful, Scriptures. as are the fickle flerynges of Sibylla. But some persons, not all ill, have laid unto Luther, that he hath been more sharp in rebukes than hath weal becomen him. I will not much reason upon either of both parts. But I will answer by this oft repeated sentence of Erasmus. That God hath given in this lattre age for the great increase of evils therein reigning, Erasmus. a very hard phesycyane. As he always raiseth any such organ or fierce instrument against the proud & unshamefast adversaries of his heavenly verity, he saith as he said unto the prophet Hieremye. Behold I put my earnest words in thy mouth, that thou mayst both destroy & build. And when it is his pleasure to send fourth such a mighty giant with spear & shield, A giant it availeth no man to reason with him why he doth so. For God never governeth his church after man's wisdom, neither willeth he his working instruments to be all after one sort. Commonly is this scene among men, that mean & soft wits can in no wise abide any vehement or boystuouse handlings, weaklings. be they good or bad, profitable or unprofitable. Aristides beheld how Themystocles with stought stomach took great matters in hand, & borough them weal to pass. And though he were weal contented, that the public wealth had thereby good furtherance yet sought he by all means possible, to moderate that hot hasty passion in him. Neither will I deny it, but that vehement shource offendeth oft times. Neither is there any man without fault, Vehemency. which hath that infirmity of nature. Yet in the mean season, if any such be (as the old writers accounted Hercules, Cimon, & diverse other no less) he that can weal discuss what is commodyouse & profitable, is a full good man & worthy praise And in the congregation (as S. Paul rehearseth it) he that is faithful & hath a good conscience, conscience. pleaseth weal God, & is worthy of man to have honour. For such a wone have we known Martin Luther. For most constantly hath he defended the pure doctrine, and in no point demynyshed the right rules of good conscience. Never regarded he any dissolute wildness, or any seditious mutterynges, either yet any troublous movings. Rather hath he been the occasion, Polycyes that wars in diverse quarters have ceased. No policies used he, to augment the church's power, neither yet his own, nor of any man pertaining to him. This judge I such vertu & wisdom, as should seem not to be obtained by maunies only industry. Of God should men's hearts seem to be directed, specially they which are so strong, mighty, Strong and earnest, as of this Luther the clear experience showeth. What shall I report of his other godly gystes? Myself very oft coming suddenly upon him, have found him in most fervent prayer, Prayer. with abundance of tears com●ynge from his eyes for the prosperous estate of the universal Christian church. He appointed to himself every day, a certain time of psalms reading, wherein he mixed his prayers to God with continual sighings and weepings. And said commonly, that he allowed not them, which either for wordly work or for slothfulness, supposed it enough a little to mourn in their devotions. Tears. For non other purpose (saith he) are fashions of prayer prescribed unto us, by the lords appointment, but that through reading, our minds might be inflamed, and that our voice might so confess outwardly that God, which is only to be called upon. More over than this, as diverse and manifold dangerous doubts of public parels, have oft times chanced unto us, we have always found him strong and mighty stomached, and never cowardly hearted, mighty. nor yet terryfyed with wordly sorrows. He evermore set hand upon the most sure anchor. His trust was in the only help of God, and had always to stand by him a faith invyncyble. furthermore this special grace he had, to see very far in things of great weight or danger, & wisely afore hand to seek out the best remedies. wisdom. Neither was he, as many men have supposed, negligent in consideration of the public wealth, not yet in knowledge whereunto men hath therein been inclined. But he perfectly knew what was most commodyouse thereunto, & most warily perceived & considered the policies & coniecturs of his own cytiezens. & though he were most quick of wit, yet trusted he not all to that but affectuously red the ecclesyastyck writings both old & new, chronicles. sacred and profane, with other histories & chronicles, whose clear examples he proponed in all that was to be done. Of his eloquence are left monuments▪ that never will perish, yea, such as doth prove him equal with them, which had that gift most highly. eloquence. A man of so excellent wit & learning, with so many noble virtues adorned, so long continuing among us, and most syngularlye appointed of God for the instauration of his sore decayed church, now also clearly taken from us to our no small discomfort, let no man blame us though we have dolour. A father. For most like are we now to orphans, deprived of our valiant and faithful father. And though it becometh us to be contented with that our lord God hath done here, yet may we not suffer his benefyghtes and graces in him, to be unrecorded among us. We may weal consider this man, to be the very sweet organ of god, let us not than draw back, but studyouslye embrace his good learning. Organ of God. His necessary virtues also, let us follow to our power as his true fear of God, his faith & fervency in prayer, his gentle behaviour in office, his honest sober living, his wareness in avoiding sedition, and his sore and laborious study to profyght other. And as other godly governors of Christ's church, as Hicremye, johan baptist, Teachers and Paul (whose histories we have) are greatly and oft▪ to be looked upon for example, so let us many times have respect to the doctrine and course of this godly man. And see that we join theunto both thanks and prayer to God, specially at this present as weal becometh us. Say therefore with me no●●, in a faithful heart to that lord almighty. We thank the omnipotent God, the eternal father of our lord jesus Christ, the only founder of thy true church, together with thy son unto the coeternal, our lord jesus Christ, and the holy ghost, wise, good, merciful, righteous, true, mighty, and most liberal, that thou gatheryst unto that son of thine the promised heritage out of mankind, and upholdest the true ministry of thy Gospel, specially now that thou hast restored it unto us by thy faithful servant Luther. The we most heartily desire, Prayer. that from hens fourth thou wit save to preserve and govern that true congregation of thine, and that thou firmelye plant in us the most sure doctrine, like as Esaias desired unto his disciples, and lighten our minds with thy most holy spirit, that we may both rightly call upon thee, and also lead a godly conversation. Amen. And because the departynges of mighty governors, warnings. are oft times no small decay or loss to them that are left behind. We instantly require you, that is to say, both I and all they which are here appointed in Godliness to instruct you, that ye wisely take heed to the dangers of this world. On the one side the Turk cometh upon us very fast, on the other side the enemies threateneth us battle here, even at our own doors. Threttes And much dissolute wantonness of men's wits reigneth every where, which now that Luther's grounded judgement is no longer to be feared will be the moche more bold to corrupt that pure learning which he hath rightly given us. That God may the rather preserve us from these dangers, let us dylygentlye labour to apply both our conversations and stodyes to the best. Christenly And evermore let us bear this weighty sentence in mind. That so long as we shall christianly retain, hear, learn, and love the sincere doctrine of the Gospel, we shall be Gods own congregation, dwelling place, and church, like as the son of God hath most firmly promised. He that loveth me (saith he) will regard my word, Christ. and my father will also love him. And we together shall resort unto him, and appoint our dwelling place within him. let this so large a promise most earnestly move us, to apply to that heavenly doctrine. And let us we'll think, that for his elect congregations sake, God upholdeth mankind and the public policies of regions. Also let us inwardly behold the eternal life to come, whereunto God hath us of his mere goodness called, Life to come. which hath not all without cause thus manifested himself unto us by so many worthy witnesses, neythet hath he sent his most dear son in vain. But truly he both loveth and regardeth all them which are not of these most special benefygtes oblyvyous se and unthankful. I● have said. Thus endeth the oration or process rehearsed off Philipp Melanchton at the burial of the Reverend man, Doctor Martyne Luther. Translated by johan Bale. Anno M.D.LXVI. The Christian sermon made at the burial of the honourable Doctor Martyne Luther, by Doctor johan Pomerane the chief pastor of the church of Wittemberge. Anno Dni M. D. XLVI. Translated by johan Bale. IN his first Epistle to the Thessalonyanes', & the fort chapter, hath S. Paul the Apostle these words. We would not (brethren) that ye should be ignorant, concerning them which are fallen a sleep, neither yet that ye should sorrow as they do which have no hope. For if we believe, that jesus died and rose again, 1. Thes. 4 even so them also which are a sleep, through jesus shall God bring with him. dear friends in the lord, I am now constrained of duty and love, to preach unto you at this solemn burial of our dear father Doctor Martyne Luther, the true Apostle of God. But how to be have myself therein to your consolation, for very heaviness and dolour, I know not. And to speak it truly, who should in this public sorrow solace you if I your pastor & preacher should not do it? pastor. Yet am I in this sermon more like to increase your tears than demynysh them. God hath now taken from us to our great hindrance, that notable servant of his and man honourable, Doctor Martyne Luther, by whom he liberally dispersed innumerable gifts of his grace, not only to us here in Wittemberge, and diverse other Christian churches of germany, but to other foreign nations abroad. For by him both they and we (the praise be given to god) do at this day notably triumph against the blasphemous kingdom of Satan, Triumph. the horrible idolatries and vain traditions of men, or as S. Paul doth call them, the crastye inventions of the devil. By him hath God the father in these lattre days clearly manifested in the Gospel, that ample, ineffable, and heavenly mystery, even his son jesus Christ, as S. Paul to the Ephesyanes' and Collossyanes' calleth him. By this chosen minister of his, have the said son of God Jesus' Christ, defended that Gospel against the most wicked pope, The Gospel. against all sects and tyrants, and against all the gates of hell. Yea, unto this so mighty a servant of his, gave he a spirit so effectual and strong, that he never yet staggered for no worldly power nor threttening. So earnest was he in supporting the pure doctrine of the Gospel against the corrupters thereof, that many have judged evil of his vehement spirit, hypocrites. as did the vyperouse Pharysces of johan baptist and Christ. No greater displeasure can be done to the hypocrites, than their acts to be rebuked by the manifest verity. And against their nature is it always, to give place thereunto. But now that the lord hath thus taken from us this noble doctor and prophet of his, yea, this excellent massinger most graciously sent of him to reform his church, how can we from we pynges desist? Or how shall we obey the former sayings of Saint Paul? that we ought not to be heavy over them that sleep in Christ. S. Paul We must consider therein what followeth. That we ought not desperately to mourn, as doth the unfaithful without hope of resurrection. For we that believe in God, do perfectly know, that they are reserved to a much better life, & shall at the general meeting be raised up again with us, & evermore from thence fourth, we shall dwell together without separation. But truly the world was full unworthy any longer to retain so worthy a servant of God, to rebuke & disdain as it hath done, The world. Many singular benefyghtes hath it received by his administration in the word, specially deliverance from the great throldome of conscience and tyranny of the papysme, yet hath it been unthankful hitherto. notwithstanding a great number of our adversaries, which hath yet had some wit & discretion, Adversaries. have much rather covered his long life than death. All this have I spoken in preface, to show that we mourn not without just cause, so notable a guide taken from us. And I doubt it not, but if mourning might help, all those worthy princes governors, Princes. cities, and comynaltees which knoweth the power of the Gospel, would also lament this dolorous chance with us. Therefore can I not think that we mourn now alone, but many thousands more with us all Christendom over. The pope Neither shall the wicked pope with his cardinal of Magunce, and hysduke of Brunswick, have any great cause to rejoice in the death of this man, which have so many times with the manifest verity confounded them, neither yet any other sturdy adversaries of God. For though his worthy person hath departed hensin the lord, yet tarrieth his sincere doctrine here still, and will hereafter more effectually work. He was without fail that Angel specyfyed Apoc. 14. an angel Which did fly in the mids of heaven or congregation of God, having an everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, innacyons, kindreds, tongues, & peoples, for never was there any, that ever more earnestly uttered this sentence, fear your lord God, and give him due honour (which comprehendeth the law and Gospel) than he. 2. parts of his doctrine. For they without fail were the ij. chief parts of his whole doctrine, by whom the whole scripture is opened, and Christ rightly known, which is our only rightwiseness, health, and perpetual life. It followeth in the text. The hour of his judgement is come. worship him that made heaven and earth etc. Herein taught he the true invocation & prayer to God our heavenly father in spirit & verity without superstition. After the manifestation of this Angel's doctrine, will there yet come an other, another that shall bring consolation to the miserably afflicted congregation of God, and unto the truths adversaries the ponnyshmentes of fire and brimstone in the perpetual judgement of damnation. The voice of this Angel will be this. She is fallen, she is fallen, even Babylon that great city. For making all nations drunken with the wine of her whoredom, Ye shall weal perceive it, that our enemies shall not long rejoice of our sorrows. But as Christ hath spoken it, joan, 16. Our heaviness will be turned to joy. joan. 16. By conferring the Apocalyps with our time, we perceive somewhat past, and as sure we are that more is yet coming. What need I then any farther to wade in this sorrowful oration, concerning the absence of this our pastor and bishop? Yes, & therein to acknowledge the great mercy & goodness of God to wards us, & so to render unto him most earnest thanks. That after an hundred years since the death of that blessed man johan Huss (which in the year of our lord. johan Huss. 1415. was murdered for the verity) he raised unto us by his holy spirit, this mighty Apostle S. Martyne Luther, against the Antichristyane doctrine of that devilish pope and his smoky swarm. Like as the said johan Huss prophesied in the very hour of his death. For Huss in the Bohemysh tongue is as much to say as a gander. a swan Ye roast now the gander (said he) but after my death God will raise soche a swan as ye shall neither be able to roast nor yet to burn. And as they had sore accombred him with more idle clamours and cries than he was weal able to answer, he concluded thus with them. An hundred years hens (said he) shall God and I answer you. This faithful promise of his true prophet have the lord now most justly performed by our most dear father S. Luther, Luther. which in the year next following that hundred, began in his word to invade the kingdom of Antichrist. Most high thanks ought we to give unto God, that he in so hard battles, so long preseruered him to his true churches behove, and that Christ by the space of thirty. years, have so oft in him triumphed over his adversaries. Unto him be honour and glory perpetual without end. Amen. Great cause have we on the other side to rejoice, Rejoice. in that our father here hath so fruitfully performed his course in the Apostles doctrine and prophets office. And therein is so graciously hens departed unto our lord jesus Christ. There hath he now the fellowship of the patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, & other faithful fathers. Namely of them whom here he so faithfully instructed in the Gospel of salvation. with Lazarus is he there in Abraham's bosom, Lazarus. or in the perpetual joy of all heavenly cytiezens. The experiment thereof have we in Saint Paul which said, Phil. 1. A desire I have to die, and to be with Christ. The same have we also in Steven, which said, Acto. 7. Lord jesus, receive my spirit. More over Christ gave us a taft thereof, when he said to the thief, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luce 23. And no doubt of it, our spirit as the spirit of Christ was in the hands of his father till the day of his complete resurrection, after he had said, father into thy hands I commend my spirit. So shall our sprites be in the hands of Christ till our complete resurrection. For so sound the words which Abraham spoke to the rich glutton concerning Lazarus. He is in comfort, where as thou art in affliction, Luce 16. The faithful are in quyett and comfortable solace, the wicked hath unquietness with painful anguish, & shall have to the lattre day full sweet therefore is that sleep which the scripture affirmeth the elects to rest in. the sleep. Yea, and like as in a natural sleep, the hole man resteth pleasantly, is refreshed, and becometh more strong and healthful. So do the syckeman, specially if he be terryfyed with the fear of death, by grievous and horrible dreams, unquyetouslye rest. The sleep of such a won, Death. is oft times more grievous and horrible, than washies watching afore. A great difference therefore is there betwixt the sleeps of the faithful and unfaithful. Of these shall it become us none otherwise to define, than the scripture leadeth us. Now have our dear father here obtained, that he long had in desire. Wherefore if he were now again among us, he would earnestly rebuke our present mournings with these words of Christ, joan. 14. Luther. If ye love me, ye would truly rejoice in my most profitable passage unto God my eternal father, or at the least be contented with my perpetual felicity and quyett. Christ hath for us overcomen the death, why should we than any more fear the sting thereof? Non other is the death of our bodies now, Death. than an entrance of a life continual through jesus Christ our lord, which was for us a most precious sacrifice. I yet remember it weal, that I oft times heard this blessed man Doctor Luther say, as he beheld any faithful person peceablye departed hens in Christ's believe. The eternal God of heaven grant me at his time appointed, so pleasantly to pass hens into the bosom of Christ my redeemer, Prayer. and that my body be not long vexed with the terrors of death. notwithstanding yet Gods will be fulfilled in that matter. In this university now of late years Mastre Ambrose bernard, An example. a man sober, wise, virtuous, and such a won as loved Christ inteyrlye, chanced (as ye know) certain days afore he died, to be sick and to keep his bed. Yet felt he no sore grief of his sickness, but seemed by and by therein transformed, as it had been into an other life. For he spoke unto us most solacyouslye and pleasantly, that he would rejoice with us, as one neither feeling of death nor yet disease. He could not fear the death, for he felt nothing thereof. And ever as mention was made of Christ, from the very heart he rejoiced and said, No fear. that grace, health, and mercy from God the everlasting father, hath only chanced to us by his most meek sufferings. An unspeakable love had he unto Christ and always called upon God the father in only spirit and verity. As mention was made of his dear wife and children, or of his possessions, rents, and debts owing him, he was so ignorant in all such causes, Innocent. as they never had been known to him. Us at all times he knew as we commened of Christ, and named us by our names. He talked joyfully, yea he both dallied and laughed, but all was in spiritual things. That a man not throughly knowing the matter, would have thought him never to have been worldly wise in his life, neither yet to have need of his bed at that hour. In this innocencyeded the lord jesus Christ take him hens, Departure. most pleasantly and sweetly, without other pains to all our sight. So that having knowledge of the Christian faith, with the inteyre lone of God and hope of the lattre resurrection, he neither felt dolour nor death, neither tasted it nor yet see it. As Christ saith joan. 8. He that observeth my word. shall never behold death, but pleasantly pass hens from death unto life. And though all godly believers do not so peaceably departed as did this Ambrose, Ambrose. but have great pains and suffer great anguishes, as did on the cross the dear son of God, yet when the extreme hour cometh, they truly see life and no death. As our sweet father here did, Luther. which so oft times, and so inteyrlye commended his spirit into the hands of God. Which graciously hath now delivered him from this life miserable to a life most happy and sure. To him therefore be honour and glory world without end. Amen. This healthsome and miry history of our ambrose, brought I in here for ii causes. causes. First thereby somewhat to mitigate your present dolours for the absens of our father here, which ye have not without cause. Secundlye for that I see the said history so conform to the matter we have now in hand. This master Ambrose was very nigh of kin to S. Martyne Luther, which caused him oft times to frequent his company both in his sickness and afore. Last words. And these were the last words that ever he spoke unto him. Mastre Doctor, I thank you of your gentle visitation. I hope as gently to visit you again where we shall together comen of most joyful causes. And now in deed they may comen those matters in an other life, and hold such heavenly fellowship as they never could do here. The same very time that Doctor Martyne went so from him, I am weal remembered that he said thus unto me. Thysman is surely gone, though he seem still here. No death. For he knoweth no manner of thing pertaining to the flesh nor yet to death. When we put him in mind of his matters, he knoweth not the world nor yet, this life. He is merry he joyfully laugheth, and propouneth unto us in his innocent state most wonderful mysteries. But in the end he derideth us. As who should say, far ye weal now, I have no more to do with this world. The lord of his infinite mercy (saith he at the last) grant me such a gracious end, Prayer. that in the hour of death, I nothing remember this world. In like manner at an other season, after the said Ambrose was buried in the year of our lord a M.D.XLII. in the month of Ianuarye, as he one day passed by, he pointed with his hand to his grave, Ambrose. and said unto me. This man neither felt himself sick neither yet reckoned of death, yet was he never without Christ's knowledge. Here lieth he enclosed which yet knoweth of no death. O lord jesus Christ, I beseech the wore save to take me so from this miserable life. Yea, many times said this blessed father here both to me and to other. Pray unto our most merciful father, that he shortly take me unto him. good man. for here can I no more do, neither yet am I any longer profitable unto you. Help me hens with your prayers, & prolong not my life on the earth. Herbye may ye we'll perceive, that he had no great pleasure here, but that his full desire was as was Saint Paul's, S. Paul to be dysolued and with Christ. He sang his consummatum long afore he departed, committing his soul to the hands of God. Many other prognostications we had, or signs asore hand, of his going away from us. For all the year afore he said oft times unto us, that he coveted to journey an other way. And as he desired, so came it to pass. For as the noble earls of Mansfelde had sent for him into his own native city of Ißleben, cheerless by his ghostly counsel to quiet their matters of controversy, as he did most graciously, he deceased there clearly from this life. The manner of this Christian departing ye have in writing, by diverse men learned & of most grounded testimony, which were there present, with the prayer which he made afore he gave up his life. Which here to repeat were superfluous. S. Martin. Here am I compelled to call to remembrance the holy bishop S. Martyne. In whose history Severus Sulpicius mention, that the Arryanes' & all other heretics trembled as they heard him but named, and that there was among the christian believers sore lamentation and mourning at his burial. More over that after his death was great disputation between certain cities, which of them should retain his body. And all this hath also (as ye know full we'll) chance ●o our Martyne here, Luther. the elect Apostle and Prophet of God to withstand the great Antichrist in this worthy land of the Germans. Him hath Christ now in his dear bosom, reserving him to honour, for that he so inteyrlye loved him and his true church. Unto us his posterity the lord grant his double spirit, Helias. specially in those churches which he here so fruitfully planted, like as the Prophet Eliseus desired of Helias as he was from hens translated. If we think that God for our sins and unthankfulness hath deprived us of him, let us studyouslye amend our lives and desire of the same God our merciful father, that we may from hens forth persever in the pure doctrine and sincere Christian faith, and that Christ therein may defend us from sects, tyrants, Faith. and the gates of hell. Most gracious lord jesus Christ defend now thy careful congregation that they perpetually may praise the a right. Help us our merciful God, & redeemer, and deliver us for the glory of thy mo●● holy name. Be favourable to our iniquities for thy gracious promise sake. preachers Conserve in our church the sincere and faithful ministers. Grant them by thy holy spirit, thy mighty strength and power, as the 67. Psalm specyfyeth God with strong words, will assist his preachers. Truth is it, that both the unshamefast and horrible blasphemies of the obstinate papists and monks, papists and also our daily unthankefulnesses and vices have deserved sore plagues and penalties Yet let us not cease to call upon god our most merciful father with amendment that he defend us from all false worshippings, for his only sons sake our lord jesus Christ. And that this prophetical verse or Epitaphe of our fathers own making, may be clearly fulfilled. Pestis eram vivens, moriens ero mors tua papa. Alyne I was, thy pestilence. Thu Antichrist, thou pope of Rome. And now I dead, will be from hence. Thy death & thy most dreadful doom. God have the praise for ever. Amen. The Christian prayer of the most noble prince elector johan Frederick duke of Saxon, in his godly wars against Antichrist & his upholders Translated by johan Bale. O Lord eternal and my God/ in the put I all my trust. Preserve me from my pursuers/ and keep me out of their cruel hands. let them not ravin me up/ as the lion the sheep/ neither yet tear me in pieces/ while there is none to assist me. O lord and my God/ if I have done such thing as the pope and Emperor do now lay to my charge/ as that I should support ill doctrine and renounce true obedience. If I have done evil to any faithful servant of thine or begun this war uncompelled. Suffer mine enemies to vex me and take me/ yea let them tread my life into the earth/ and throw my honour/ my power/ possessions/ and people's/ with all that thou hast given me/ into the dust. But thou my righteous lord God/ knowest the hearts of us both. Therefore stand up lord strongly in thy wrath/ and show thyself as a mighty God against the furious indignations of mine enemies. establish me a fresh in the office wherewith thou hast charged me/ that in mine own lands and among mine own folk I may dwell in peace. That they may into a faithful congregation be gathered unto the and not to the pope. let them hear thy blessed word lord/ and not his/ call upon thy name and not on idols/ and bring up their children and famelyes according to thy most holy will and commandments. Therefore arise most blessed lord/ and let it be weal known that thou art more mighty than all our bloudthurstye adversaries. And the much more rather/ for that there is at this day in no kingdom (lord) under the sun/ any other manifest church or Christian congregation/ wherein thy holy word is apertly/ freely/ and purely taught/ and the sacraments according to thy true institution ministered/ neither yet (eternal father) thy holy name called upon rightly by thy dear son jesus Christ our lord in the holy Ghost/ than only our churches and those that be of our true believe. The Pope and the Emperor will in no wise abide this church/ but seat in all their policies the utter destruction thereof. They now labour with tooth and nail/ for 〈◊〉 sincere and pure doctrine to set up men's lies/ and in place of thy true worshippings to advance foul idolatry. We know it (blessed lord) to be our bound duty/ both to stop and withstand their wicked and frantyke enterprise/ as we'll for our own subjects as for their posterytees. And therefore good lord/ what we have/ and what we may/ we put now wholly in hazard/ that the high treasure of grace/ thy precious word and thy holy name/ may graciously remain still among us/ and so be had in continuance/ and left for imitation unto our posterytees. Thu God almighty/ which art the most righteous judge of thy people's/ judge me in this present cause according to thy rightwiseness/ and non otherwise than my innocency therein requireth. For neither the pope nor yet the emperor can show hitherto any honest pretence of this their most detestable enterprise. I beseech the therefore as thou art my true god let the malyee of mine enemies come to nought. Hitherto have they against thy holy word done this violence. Defend thy true servants/ which have both loved and embraced thy Gospel of salvation. Thu God without fail/ art the self righteous judge/ that searchest the inward hearts and reins. Thu lord so clearly beholdest the most hidden secrets of the heart/ that neither they can deceive the nor yet mock the with all their persuasyble gloss/ as they do such men as know not their wyckedcraftes. God is my strong shield of defence/ preserving them which are true hatred. But to such dissemblers and scorners as with crafty colours the clock their inward mischief and m 〈…〉 e/ he is a mo● earnest enemy. the lord is a righteous judge/ 〈◊〉 such a liberal God as giveth himself daily to them that hear his word/ and saveth them all dangers. But where as his word is co 〈…〉 and blasphemed/ as with the cruel Pope and emperor/ which have long time continued in their wicked purpose/ Loo/ behold/ my lord God becometh a strong warrior/ yea his armour and weapons are laid fourth/ he hath sharpened his sword/ he hath bend his bow and made it ready/ thereupon also he hath done his arrows of destruction/ so that perpetual death will upon them fasten that shall with those darts be stricken. The blasphemous Pope and emperor have now conceived mischief/ they travail all great with iniquity/ but a thing of nought are they life to bring fourth. They both have labouryouslye digged a pit/ and with wicked haman shall in conclusion drop into the snare they have made. Their unhappy works will he avylye light upon their own pates/ and upon their backs will their wickedness fall to their no small grief. In the mean season will I render thanks unto my lord God for his righteousness sake/ and magnify the name of the king that is highest. Amen.