❧ A famous and godly history, containing the lives & Acts of three renowned reformers of the Christian Church, Martin Luther, john Ecolampadius, and Huldericke Zuinglius. The declaration of Martin Luther's faith before the Emperor Charles the fift, and the illustre Estates of the Empire of germany▪ with an Oration of his death, all set forth in Latin by Philip Melancthon, Wolfangus Faber, Capito. Simon Grineus, & Oswald Miconus, Newly Englished by Henry Bennet Callesian. (⸫)  
¶ Imprinted at London by john Awdely, dwelling in little Britain Street, by great Saint Bartelmew's▪ Anno▪ 1561.   

¶ Encomy of Martin Luther.  

A head where Pallas mysteries were freight,  
A face where ●oumy brigh●lye did appear,  
An eye that could discern each mind ● sleight,  
And ears contemning private ●au● to hear  
A tongue that did pronounce the sacred truth,  
A prareirs pen, that painted well the same.  
A zeal that moved Tigrish hearts to ru●he,  
And could to virtue mildews minds inflame  
A mind aspiring ay to wisdom's throne.  
A heart that never dread the tyrants might.  
A rock that would remove from truth for none  
Disdaining death in quarrel of the right.  
These golden gifts, in Luther shined bright  
For which he now receives immortal light.   ¶ Psalm cxvi 
¶ The death of the just, is precious before the sight of God.   

To the right honourable▪ and his syng●good lord, Thomas Lord Wentworth, prosperous health, and perpetual fell: city. (⸫)  
NOT without immortal praise, & everlasting renown are the acts and monuments of learned men, commended to posterity. For if life without literature is (as Seneca saith) a death or sepulture of the lively man, & the body (as Plato witnesseth) no body, but a sepulture, cohibiting the mind from his natural vigour: how much excelleth he (right honourable and my singular good Lord) in this frail estate, who with studies of humanity garnished, & with divine knowledge adorned, hath not only enriched his natural understanding: but also made the same almost equivalent to Angels, comprehending the glorious mysteries of the eternal Father, and his Son jesus Christ. Among these, how much Martin Luther excelled, his holy works & profane monuments, besides the learned testimonies of many famous Clerks, abundantly deciare. Reading therefore of late time, the history of his Life and Acts, set foorth by the incomparable ornament of good learning Philip Melanethon: I was therein marvelously delighted, & efrsones perusing the same. I was ravished with incredible desire to bestow sometime in the translation thereof. Many urgent causes moved me, whereof the principal be these. first, his integrity of life, godly conversation, & zealous affection towards the propagation of God's holy word. Secondly, his animosity professing Christ his Master, his learned conference with the temporal & Ecclesiastical Estates of Germany, & his contempt of all worldly felicity & transitori pomp, in respect of Christ his Master, whom he purely professed, and sincerely preached. Lastly, the lamentable verses, & funeral Orations of divers, bewailing the loss of this pearl of Christianity, & the traduction of this present history into the german, French, Spanish & Italian tongues by certain godly persons exiled their natural country, and dispersed in sundry Christian Territories, where God's word is purely preached, and all papistry abolished. By which it appeareth he was no less treasure and glory of his Country, spectacle and absolute Image of godly wisdom, than terror to all Papism, and such as builded the laud of their life, on the s●nde of ambitious seeking. My rude translation & simple travail, I dedicate unto your good Lordship, as to the very Patron and favourable Maecenas of all poor Students. Whose honourable parsonage to powder with condign praise ●● a thing more due to your deserts, the easy for my rude pen, and more appertaineth to my duty, than it standeth with mine ability. For who knoweth your Lordship, and is ignorant of the rare gifts that harbour in your head, & of the natural bounty that so brightly shineth in your countenance Who hath not heard the renowned brute of your constancy in Christian religion, even in these late wretched days, whose noble heart, neither tedious and long imprisonment, neither flowing heaps of worldly adversity could freight with fear, or move to deflect to any sinister way, and whose virtuous mind in greatest troubles evermore aspired to the high temple, where God in glory is in throned. I pass in silence your bounty towards all such as profess God unfeignedly, & publish abroad the fruits of their studies. All which most heavenly deserts, do not only merit to be registered in the book of Fame, but also ministre ample occasion for your honourable parsonage (when the fatal Ladies shall spin out the thre● of mortal life) to be calendred in the Catalogue of those virtuous wights. Who for sundry their prowesses, worthy exploits, goodly graces, and singular gifts, were by antiquity consecrate to immortality. And though your honour, whose life lighteneth his profession, and whose profession purely advanceth the glory of God and his sacred word, disdaineth to be setforth with my rude pen: yet your Lordship must bear with him that of good will pronounceth this of your good deseries. I could wade further in your honour's commendation, but that I have a certain reverence to trouble with my prolixity your graver affairs. And partly fear pulleth me back, lest I be spoiled with the nose of adulation, whose honourable ears abhors to hear your proper praise, and whose judgement would condemn my temerarious attempt herein. Therefore sparing to speak that inwardly I conceive, I remit this argument of blazing your heroical virtues, to such excellent Rethoricians, as far surmounting me in eloquence & good literature, as Phoebus with his bright beams, the lesser celestial bodies.  
Thus humbly beseeching your honour to take in good part, the base and simple travail of a poor Callisian, and also vouchsafe the Patronage of this Christian history, or rather mirror of Christian life. Under whose protection I publish the same abroad. I beseech the eternal God, and his Son jesus Christ, to preserve your lordship, and the right honourable and virtuous Lady your Wife, send ye increase of much honour, and grant ye the accomplishment of your gentle hearts desire.  
From London this. ●●. of November. 1561. (⸫) ¶ Your honour's most humble Orator Henry Bennet.   

❧ The history of the Life and Acts of Martin Luther, Doctor of Divinity. Faithfully set forth by Philip Melan●thon. (. ¶.)  
THE reverend Father Martin Luther promised in his fatal time, to publish, aswell the discourse of his life, as causes of his conslicts: which he resolved to do, if death (to greedy of her pray) had not reft us the society of him, and the heavens accelerated to place this incomparable jewel among the elect organs and vessels of God the father. Therefore I judge it necessary that the consideration of his particular life be luculently set forth. Since the same abounded with many good examples, that may corroborate in sincere minds the fear of god, & not to digres, if I recite the causes also, for that they advertise posterity of many excellent things. Further, by this narration, the sycophancy and sinister report of them, 
slander against Luther.  may be refuted, who vaunt he was encouraged by certain Princes and other eminent Estates of the sacred Empire, to deface the dignity of Bishops, or provoked with inordinate desire, he broke the band of servitude in his monastical estate. And it had been most requisite this discourse had been written by himself. For albe it currish detractors would have objected this common proverb.  

¶ Such as with haughty style, advance their proper praise:  
Deflect from Sophy's golden saws and sue Morias ways.   
Yet we, that know what rare virtues harboured in his head, what constancy lodged in his diu ne breast: are persuaded he would justly and faithfully have recited his proper history, And many grave and godly men live presently, who would have condemned his folly, if he had forged an other history, as Po●tes in their poesies are wont to feign, considering he understood the perfect order & sequel of his acts were not unknown unto them. But since his fatal day hath prevented the publication of such an history: I will truly recite, that partly by familiar conversation I have seen, and partly by information and approved testimonies of his perfect friends I have heard.  
There is an ancient Family, and amply augmented, of mean degree surnamed Luther, in the territory of the Noble Earls of Mansfield. Martine Luther's Parents first inhabited 
His ●o try and rents.  the Town Isleben, anon after they removed to Mansfield, where his Father john Luther, exercised the office of a Magistrate, & was syngularlye esteemed among all sorts, for his integrity of life.  
His Mother named Margaret, besides that the had virtues worthy an honest Matron, this was singular. There shined in her, continency, fear of God, and invocation, and all other virtuous persons constantly planted their eyes upon her, as on a patron & precedent of all moral virtues. I have some time inquired of her, at what time her son was borne: she answered, that she remembered the hour & the day of his nativity, but of the year she was ignorant. She affirmed he was borne the ten day of November at night, about a leaven of the clock. And the cause why he was called Martin, was for that the morrow after he received Baptism, was S. Martin's day. But his brother james, an honest and upright man, said: the whole 
The year of Luther's ●●rth.  Family held opinion, he was borne the year after the Nativity. 1483.  
After he was grown to years of understanding, his Parents diligently taught him to fear & know God, and accustomed him to all domestical duties of honest virtues. They forthwith addressed him to school, and George Aemilius Father led him a little Infant to school, who liveth yet, and can record the truth.  
Even about this time the Grammar 
The ●oun 〈…〉 ations of 〈…〉 is study.  Schools began to flooryshe in the Towns of Sa●ony. Wherefore the said Martin, fully fourteen years old, was sent to Magdeburg, with john Keynech, who hath proved a worthy man, and by his virtue acquired high authority in his Country. There continued since a conglutinate mutual love betwixt Luther & Keynech, proceeding either of agreement of nature, either of society in childish study. And yet Martin studied no longer than one year at Magdeburg.  
Departing from Magdeburge, he repaired to Isenach, where he studied four years under one schoolmaster, who taught him the Grammar more promptly and luckily, than any other. I have heard Luther commend his wit. He was sent to this town, because his Mother was borne in the same, of honest and ancient house. Here he achieved his study in Grammar. And for that he had a lively pregnant & subtle wit, and passingly apt to eloquence: he was preferred above his schoolefeeres, and excelled the other young Imps that learned with him in opposition of hard questions, in copy of words, in composition of an Oration in prose, and in writing of Verses.  
Having then tasted the sweetness of learning, as he was prone there unto: he went to an university, as to 
〈…〉 he liveli 〈…〉 s of spi 〈…〉.  the fountain of all Sciences. And if he had found meet and convenient Instructors: he had known and comprised all kinds of Sciences orderly, so great was the force of his. And it may be some pleasant study of true Philosophy, and care to polish his tongue, would have mollefied his natural vehemency. But at Erford, he met with the Dialectique of that time, the which (by dexterity and readiness of wit, underst anding more exactly the causes & springs of instruction, then others his companions) he greedily devoured, and had in memory.  
And for that the excellency of his wit embracing good literature required many, & those selected things: he privately red divers works of the ancient latin Authors, as Cicero, Titus Livius, Virgil, & others. He studied not these as the young scholars are wont, collecting only the Phrases, but as a doctrine or representation of human life. And therefore intentively applied himself, to under stand the sense & sentence of the Authors. And having a natural good memory, he had as it were before his eyes priest, all that he had learned, or heard. He so excelled in his young years, that the whole University had his wit in great admiration.  
Being twenty years old, he was 
His study in the civi 〈…〉 law.  graded Master of Art, and then he gave himself to the study of the Civil law, by the advise of his familiar and nighest friends, in so much that they judged this marvelous pregnancy of wit and eloquence, ought not to lurk in obscure place: but be made notorious, hereafter to serve and be a neressary instrument of the public weal. And the next year, which was the xxi of his age, he sadaynly, & besides the expectation of his Parents 
His entries into the monastery.  and friends, repaired to the Covent of the Augustine's at Erphord. Where he entreated admission, & being admitted, he learned with marvelous diligence, not only the doctrine of the Covent: but also governed himself with a great severity of discipline, and surpassed all other in all exercises of Religion, in lections, in disputations, in fastings, and in prayers. He was naturally a small feeder, whereat I have mused much, sith he was of stature tall and strong of body. I have considered in him this abstinence: 
Incredible sobriety.  four continual days, when he was well disposed and healthy, he would refrain from meat & drink. And often times I have seen, when a long season he would diet himself with a small piece of bread and one hearing.  
The cause wherefore he addicted himself to this Monastical order of 
What moved him to Monkery.  life: was because he believed the same to be most conformable to sincere religion, and to the understanding of God's doctrine, as he hath related, & many hath known. Often times he was taken with great and trembling fears, when he attentively considered the wrath of God, & the marvelous examples of his punishments, that he was in a manner reft of his wits. And I have marked at a certain time, that being sore abashed in one disputation of this doctrine, because he gave attentive ear thereunto: he was suddenly forced to remove into a nigh Chamber, & there resting on his bed, he meddled & reported oft 
His abashmentes at the wrath of God.  this sentence: God hath shut up all under our unbelief, to the end he might extend mercy to all. These abashmentes increased after, but then most asperously he felt them, when he lost his dear friend & companion, who was stain, I know not by what mishap.  
Then penury pricked him not to this monkery, but the affection he had to learn to serve God. Albeit he learned there the doctrine used in schools, he read the Doctors of sentences, and in public disputations, distinctly expressed the difficulties, which other could not unfold, whereat many mused: Nevertheless, for that he sought not in this kind of life to win brute according to the virtue of his wit, but 
His study in the holy scripture.  to nourish him in the fear of God: he used these studies, as one that esteemed not to be principal of that he searched and easily conceived those scholastical methods. In the mean season he red with great affection the fountains of heavenly doctrine, that is, the Prophets and Apostles, thereby to frame his life and conversation to the will of God, and so be continued in the fear & faith of God, as by many things it was apparent. Yea, how much the more earnestly he coveted this exercise, or holy contemplation, so much the more he was troubled with his dolour and abashment.  
He declared he was many times 
He is comforted by an old man.  confirmed by conference with an old man in the Covent of Augustine's at Erphord. And imparting him with his trembling fears, he learned many things touching faith, and also told us, he reasoned with him of that Article of the Symbol, which is: I believe the remission of sins. He expressed unto Luther this Article in 
●re remission of sins.  this sort: We may not generally believe only that sins are or have been remitted to some, as the Devils believe, they were forgiven Peter or David: but that God's express commandment is, that every man should believe particularly his sins are forgiven. And further he said, that this interpretation was confirmed by the testimonies of Saint Bernard, & he had showed him the place 
An excellent declaration of▪ s. Bernard touching faith.  in the Sermon of the annunciation, where it is thus set forth: But add that thou believest this, that by him thy sins are forgiven the. This is the testimony, that the holy Ghost giveth thee in thy heart, saying: Thy sins are forgiven thee. For this is the opinion of the Apostle, that man is freely justified by faith.  
Luther said he was not only strengthened by these words: but the he was also instructed of the full meaning of saint Paul, who repeateth so many times this sentence: We are justified by faith. And having read the expositions of many upon this place: he then perceived as well by the purpose of the old man, as by the comfort he received in his spirit, the vanity of those interpretations, which he had besides him. And reading by little and little, with conferring the sayings and examples of Prophets and Apostles, & continual invocation of God, and excitation of faith by force of prayers, he perceived that doctrine more evidently.  
Then he began to read S. Austin's books, where he found many goodly 
The profit of s. Augustine's vokes  sentences, among other in the exposition of the Psalms, and in the book of the Spirit and the Letter, which confirmed this doctrine of faith & consolation that was illumined in his heart. And yet he laid not a side the Sentenciaries. He could recite by rote word by word Gabriel and Cameracensis. He red long time the books of Ocean, & preferred his subtlety above Thomas Aquin, and Scotus. He red also and revolved Gerson, but above all the rest, he red and perused all over Saint Austin's works, and committed them to perfect memory. And thus he began diligently to study at Erphord, where he continued four years in the Covent of Augustine's.  
About this time one Staupicius a 
Institution of the university at Vitteberg  famous wight, who ministered his help to further the erection of an University in Vitteberge, endeavoured also to have Schools of divinity founded in this new university. When he had considered the Spirit and erudition of Luther, he called him from Erphord, to place him in Vitteberg, in the year. 1508. and of his age xxvi There his towardness appeared in the ordinary exercise of School and predication. And as it happened that many wise and learned men attentively heard Luther, namely the Doctor Meller●●ad. The said Mellerstad would often times say, Luther was of such a marvelous spirit, and so ingenious, that he gave apparent signification, at one time or other, he would introduce a more compendious, facile and familiar manner of teaching, and alter and abolish the order that then was used.  
There first he expounded the dialectique and physic of Aristotle, and in the mean while intermitted no whit his study in Theologye. Three years after he went to Rome about the differences of the Monks, and returning the same year, he was graded Doctor, at the expenses of Elector Fridericke, Duke of Saxdnye, according to the solemn manner of Schools.  
For he had heard him preach, well understanded the quickness of his spirit, diligently considered the vehemency 
Luther passed Doctor  of his words, and had in singular admiration those profound matters which in his Sermons he luculently and exactly exposed. And that all me● may perceive the degree of Doctor was given him by precipitation o● judgement: it is well known he was then but thirty year old. He declare● that Staupicius against his will enforced him to take that degree, saying merely unto him: that God had man● things to bring to perfection in hy● Church, wherein he would employ● Luther. And though these word were spoken merely: yet it came so t● pass anon after, as many predictions or presages prove true before change.  
After this he began to expound th● Epistle to the Romans, & consequently the Psalms. But how? he declared them so divinely, that it seemed i● the judgement of all faithful & learned men, he was a shining light, ● bright Phoebus, that began to clea● after a long cloudy and obscure sky● There he showed the difference betwixt the law and the Gospel. He also confounded the error that reigned then in schools and Sermons, the which error taught, that men merit remission of sins by their proper works, and that they be just before God, by outward discipline, as the Phariseis taught. Luther diligently reduced the minds of men, to the Son 
Luther taught jesus Christ  of God. And as john Baptist demonstrated the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world: even so Luther expressly showed that sins are freely remitted, for the love of the Son of God, and that we ought faithfully to embrace this bountiful gift. He also illustrated diu●●s other points of ecclesiastical doctrine.  
These happy beginnings of so good matters, got him great authority, considering his life was correspondent to his profession, and it plainly appeared his words were no lip labour, but proceeded from the very heart. This admiration of his holy life much inflected, and alured the hearts of his Auditors, and therefore many notable personages, familiarly knowing him, and seeing him innovate the usual Ceremonies, resisted him nothing, but in respect of the authority, he procured before (as well for that he revealed many good matters, as that his life was holy) consented with him in his opinions, with the which they saw the world divided diversly, and therefore were pensine and very sore grieved.  
At this time Luther altered nothing in the ceremonies, but precisely observed his rule among his fellows, he meddled no doubtful opinions, but expressed this common doctrine, as principallest of all other, in familiar manner to all men, elucidating the same more and more, to say the doctrine of repentance, of remission of sins, of faith, of true comfort in times of adversity. Every man received good taste of this sweet doctrine, and the learned conceived high pleasure to behold jesus Christ, the Prophets and Apostles come forth into light, out of darkness, prison, and other ordures, to understand the difference betwixt the law and the Gospel, betwixt the promises of the Law, and the promise of the Gospel, betwixt spiritual justice, and civil things, which certainly could not have been found in Thomas Aquin, Scotus, nor his semblables.  
He considered this also, that many were instigated & solicited by Erasmus learned works, to study the Greek and Latin tongues, who perceiving a more gentle & ready order of teaching the before, began to have in contempt the Monks barbarous and sophistical doctrine: and specially such as were of a gentle nature & good disposition. Luther began to study the Greek and Hebrew tongues, to this end, that after he had learned the phrase & propriety of the tongues, & drawn the doctrine out of the very fountains, he might give more sound judgement.  
Whilst Luther was in this course of study, a certain Dominicke Friernanied Tecel, a most impudent sycophant (if ever there reigned any) caused the Pope's Indulgences or Pardons to he carried and sold about the Country. Luther, much moved with the blasphemous sermons this shameless Friar preached, and having his heart earnestly bend with ardent desire to maintain true religion, published 
Luther's Propositions of pardons.  certain propositions of Indulgences, which are in the first Tome of his works, and fixed them openly on the Temple that joineth to the Castle of Vitteberg, the morrow after the feast of all saints, the year, 1517.  
This beggarly Friar always like unto himself, hoping to obtain the Pope's blessing, assembled certain Monks and divines, meanly seen in Sophistry, in his Covent, and forth with commanded them to write something against Luther. And whilst he would not seem to be dumb, he began not only to inveigh in his Sermons, but to thunder against Luther, and balking out his Asinine braid, cried: Luther is an heretic, and worthy to be persecuted with the fire, 
The slanders of Tecel jacobite.  and besides this he burned openly Luther's propositions, and the Sermon he wrote of Indulgences. This rage and heliyshe fury of this bag bearer Friar Tecel, enforced Luther to treat more amply of things, and to maintain the truth.  
Behold what were the beginnings of this controversy, wherein Luther neither suspecting ne dreaming of any change that might happen in the ceremonies, did not utterly reject the Indulgences, but required a moderation in them. And therefore they falsely accuse him, that blaze he began with plausible matter, and whereby he might get praise, to the end in process of time, he might change the state of the Common weal, and purchase authority, either for himself or other.  
And sure, he was not suborned or stirred by Courtiers, as the Duke of Brunswike wrote that the Duke Frederick was sore effended that such contention and controversy should arise, having regard to the sequel thereof, that all be it this beginning proceeded favourably, yet the flame by little and little kindled, would have spreadde further, as Homer maketh mention of Fame.  

¶ Fame is an evil, than the which 
Homer.  no swifter can be found:  
For she doth flourish with her change and getteth force by groun●.  
¶ Small with first dread, then large the grows, & lifts her in the air  
Thus to jones seat through clouds & skies, she blasting doth repair.   
And as this good Duke Frederick was one of all the princes of our time that loved best quiet & common tranquillity, 
Praise of Fridericke Duke of Sarony.  neither was avaricious, but willingly bend to refer all his counsels to the common utility of all the world, as it is easy to be conjected divers ways: so he neither encouraged nor favoured Luther, but often represented semblant of heaviness and sorrow, which he bore in his heart, fearing greater dissensions.  
But as he was wise, and followed not only profane judgements, which command the tender springs of ●● changes to be suddenly oppressed: so taking in counsel the divine rule, and well deliberating thereupon which enjoineth obedience to the Gospel, and forbiddeth to resist the tried truth, and termeth it a blasphemy, horribly condemned of God, partinaciously to repugn the truth. He did that many wise and godly would have done, he obeyed God, leaving unto him his divine power, he red diligently that that was written, and he would not abolish, that he judged to be sincere and true.  
I know very well he made inquisition often times, what were the wise and learned men's opinions touching these things. I know he gently besought Erasmus (in that assembly which Themperor Charles the fift made, in the City of Colein after his Coronation) freely to tell him his opinion, if Luther had erred in those differences, whereof he principally entreateth. Then Erasmus said, that 
Erasmus approveth Luther's doctrine.  Luther's opinion was good: but that he desired moderation of style in him. Whereof Duke Frederick wrote after grievously to Luther, exhorting him to temper the vehemency of his style.  
It is also apparent, that Luther promised the Cardinal Caietanus to keep silence, provided also his adversaries would do the like. Whereby we may gather, that at that time he determined not to stir any new debates, but rather coveted the common quiet, and that he was provoked by little & little to other matters, through the excitation of unlearned writers.  
Then followed disputations of difference betwixt divine & human law, 
Declaration of the principal points of Religion.  of the horrible profanation of the supper of our Lord, in selling & applying the same for other purposes. Here he was forced to express the cause of the sacrifice, & to declare the use of the sacraments. Now the godly & faithful Christians, closed in Monasteries, understanding Images ought to be eschewed, began to abandon the wretched thraldom, in which they were detained  
Now Luther, the plainlier to express the doctrine of repentance, of remission of sins, of faith, & of indulgences, he added these matters: The difference of divine & human laws, the doctrine of the use of our Lord's supper, of baptism & of vows, and these were his principal conflicts. As touching the question of the Roman Bishops power, Eccius was the author thereof, & for none other respect, than to inflame the fiery wrath of the Pope & Princes against Luther. The symbol of the Apostles, the same of Nice & Athanasius he conserved in their integrity. Further he declareth in divers his works sufficiently, what innovation is to be required in the ceremonies & traditions of men, & wherefore they ought to be altered. And what form of doctrine & administration of the sacraments he required & approved, it is apparent by the confession the Elector john Duke of Saxony, & Prince Philip Landgrave of Hessia presented to themperor Charles the .v. in the year 1530. in the assembly at Ausburg. It is manifest also by the ceremonies of the Church in this City, & the doctrine that is preached in our Church, the some whereof is fully comprised in this confession: I allege this that the godly may consider not only what errors he hath corrected & reproved, & what images he hath defaced & abolished: but also they may understand he hath comprehended the hole doctrine necessary for the church he hath set the ceremonies in their purity, & given examples to the faithful to repurge & reform the Churches, & it is necessary for posterity to know● what Luther hath approved.  
I will not here commemorate, who 
Who were ●n cause the ceremonies ●ver changed.  were the first that published both parts of the Supper of our Lord, who first omitted the private Masses, & where first the Monasteries were abandoned. For Luther hath disputed very little of these before that assembly which was made in the Town of Vangions, in the year 1521, he changed 
Worms.  not the ceremonies, but in his absence Carolostadius and other altered them. Then Luther returning (after that Carolostadius had devised & done certain things, rather to breed mutiny then otherwise) manifested by evident testimonies, published abroad touching his opinion, what he approved and what he mystyked.  
We know that politic men evermore, detested all changes, and we 
Changes are dangerous.  must confess, there ensueth some evil of dissensions, yea truly moved for right good causes in this horrible confusion of human life, and yet it is our duty evermore in the Church, to advance God's ordinance above human constitutions. The eternal father pronounced this voice of his son: This is my well-beloved son hear him. And menaceth eternal wrath to all blasphemers, that is such as endeavour to abolish the manifest verity. And therefore Luther did as behoved a Christian faithfully to do, considering he was an Instructor of the Church of God. It was his office (I say) to reprehed pernicious errors which Epicures table, with a monstrous impudency heaped one upon an other, and it was expedient his Auditors dissented not from his opinion, since he taught purely. Wherefore if alteration be hateful, and many perils grow of dissension, as we certainly see many, whereof we be right sorry: they are in fault partly that spread abroad these errors, and partly that with devilish disdain presently maintain them.  
I do not recite this only to defend Luther & his Auditors, but also that the faithful spirits may consider now 
The governance ●f the Church.  and in time to come, what is the governance of the true Church of God, and what it hath always been, how God hath gathered to himself one eternal Church, by the voice of the Gospel, of this mass of sin, that is to say, of the huge heap of human ordures, among whom the Gospel shineth as a spark amid the dark. As in the time of the Phariseis Zachary, Elizabeth, Mary, and many other reverenced & observed the true doctrine: So have many preceded us, who purely invocated God, some understanding more clearly, than some the doctrine of the gospel. Such a one was the old man, of whom I wrote, that often times comforted Luther, when his astonishments assailed him, ● after a sort declared unto him the doctrine of the faith. And that God may preserve henceforth the light of his Gospel, shining in many: let us pray with fervent affection, as Esay prayeth for his Hearers: Seal the law in my Disciples. Further, this advertisement showeth plain, that coloured superstitions are not permanent, but abolished by God, and sith this is the cause of changes, we ought diligently to endeavour, that errors be not taught ne preached in the Church.  
But I return to Luther. Even as at the beginning he entered in this matter, with out any particular cupidiy: 
Prudenc● to discern offices.  so though he was of a fiery nature, & subject to wrath, yet he always remembered his office, only contending in his teaching, & prohibited wars to ve attempted, and distingued wisely offices, wherein was any differece, to say: the Bishop f●●dyng the flock of God, and the Magistrates that by authority of the sword committed unto them, repres a certain multitude of people subject unto them.  
Wherefore when Satan contendeth by scandals to dyssipate the Church of God, and contumeliously enrage against him, and delighteth to do evil, and rejoiceth to behold us wallow in the puddle of error and blindness, sinyling at our destruction, he spendeth oil and toil to inflame and stir up mischievous instruments, and mutining spirits to so we sedition, as Monetarius and 
Monetarius seditions.  his like. Luther repelled boldly these rages, and not only adorned, but also corroborated the dignity and bands of politic order and civil government.  
Therefore when I consider in my mind how many worthy men have been in the church, that in this erred, & were abused: I believe assuredly the Luther's heart was not only governed by human diligence, but with a heavenly light, considering how constantly he abode within the limits of his office.  
He held not only in contempt the seditious Doctors of that time, as Monetar us and the Auabaptistes: but also these horned bishops of Rome, who arrogantly & impudently by their devised decrees affirmed, that Saint Peter had not the charge alone to teach the Gospel, but also to govern common weals, and exercise civil jurisdiction.  
Moreover he exhorted every man to render unto God that appertained unto God, and to Cesar that belonged to Cesar, to say that all should serve God, with true repentance, knowledge and propagation of his true doctrine, invocation & works, wrought with a pure conscience. And as touching civil policy, that every one should obey the Maiestcates, under whom he lived in all civil duties, & reverences for God's cause. And certainly Luther was such a one, he gave unto God, that belonged unto God, he taught God, he invocated God, & had other virtues necessary for a man that pleaseth God. Further, in politic conversation he constantly avoided all seditious counsels. I judge these virtues to be so excellent ornaments, as greater and more divine cannot be required in this mortal life.  
And all be it that the virtue of this 
Assurance of the doctrine of the Gospel.  man is worthy commendation, & the rather for that he used the gifts of God in all reverence: yet our duty is to render condign thanks unto God that by him he hath given us the light of the Gospel, and to conserve and enlarge the remembrance of his doctrine. I weigh little the braid & slander of the Epicures and Hypocrites, who scoff and condemn the manifest truth. But I stay wholly here upon, that the universal Church, hath consented perpetually to this very doctrine, which is preached in our Church, where unto we must frame our life and devotion conformable. And I believe that this is the doctrine, whereof the son of God speaketh: If any love me, he will keep my commandments, and my father will love him, and we will come to him, and plant our dwelling with him. I speak of the some of the doctrine, as it is understanded, and explained in our Churches, by the faithful & learned Ministers. For all be it that some one often times expoundeth the same more aptly and elegantly then some other: yet as touching the effect, the learned and faithful do agree in all points.  
Then weighing & perpending with myself long time the doctrine that 
Four changes since the Apostles.  hath been of all times, it seemeth unto me that since the Apostles there have been four notable alterations after the first purity of the Gospel. Origene had his tyme. Al be it there were some of a sound and sacred opinion as Methodius, who reproved the furies and cottages of Origene, yet he converted the Gospel into philosophy in the hearts of many that is to say: he advanced this persuasion, that one mean discipline of reason deserveth remission of sins, and that this is that justice, whereof is said: The just shall live of his faith. That age almost lost the whole difference of the 
Ignorance of time marreth that sentence.  Law and the Gospel, and forgot the words of the Apostles. For they under stood not the natural signification of these words: Letter, Spirit, justice, faith. Now when the propriety of words was ●o●t, which be notes of the very things, it was necessary that other things should be contrived. Out of this seed sprang Pedagius error, which wandered largely abroad. And therefore all be it the Apostles had given unto the Church a pure doctrine, as clear & salutiferous fountains, yet Origene meddled the same with much ordure and impurity.  
Then to correct the errors of that time, or at the least some part of the. 
S. Augustine restorer of the doctrine.  God raised S. Austen, who repurged an some part the fountains, and I doubt not if he were judge of dissensions at this day, but he would speak for us, & defend our cause. Certainly, as concerning free remission, justification by faith, the use of the Sacraments and indifferent things he consenteth wholly with us.  
And albeit that in some places he exp●undeth more eloquently and aptly that he will say, than in some, yet if in reading any do carry with them a godly spirit and quick▪ understanding, and all evil judgement ceaseth, they shall soon perceyne he is of our opinion. And where as our adversaries sometime do cite sentences selected out of his books against us, and with clamour provoke us to the ancient Fathers, they do it not for any affection they bear unto the truth or antiquity, but maliciously to cloak them with the authority of the ancient fathers, in the presence of their Idols, which antiquity never knew of any these horned beasts & dumb Idols, as we have known in these days.  
Nevertheless it is certain, their wer● see●es of superstition in the time of the Fathers and ancient Doctors, & therefore S. Austen ordained some thing of vows, although he wrote not thereof so strangely as other: for sooth the best some times shall be spotted with the blemish of the follies that reign in their age. For as naturally we love our Country, so fond we favour the present fashions, where in we be trained & educated And very well alludeth Euripides to this.  

What customs ●e in tender youth by Nature's lore receive:  
The same we love & like always, and loath our ●ust to leave.   
But would to God, that such as vaunt they follow S. Austen, would always represent one like opinion & mynoe, as S. Austen. Certainly they would not clip and mutilate his sentences, to serve their purpose.  
And the light restored by S. Austin's 
Depravation of Ecclesiastical ministers.  works, hath much profited posterity For Prosper, Maximus, Hugo, and some other like, that governed studies to S. Bernard's time, have for the most part imitated the rule of S. Austen. And this while still the regiment and riches of the Bishops increased, and thereof ensued a mo●e them gigantal or monstrous reign, profane and ignorant men governed the Church, among the which certain were instructed in sciences and practices of the Roman Court, and some other exercised in pleadings.  
Then the orders of Dominicke and S. France's Friars began, who beholding 
The beginning of. 2. sorts of Friars.  the excess and riches of the Bishops, & contemning their ungodly manners, determined to live in more modest order, or as I might say to enclose them in the prisons of discipline, but first ignorance increased the superstitions. Then after, when they considered men's minds wholly addicted to the study of the civil laws, for that pleading at Rome advanced many to great authority, & enrytched them: they endeavoured to revoke men to the study of Divinity, but they miss of their purpose, and their counsel failed them. Albert and his semblables that were given to Aristotle's doctrine, began to convert the doctrine 
The Gospel turned into Philosophy.  of the Church into profane Philosophy.  
And the fourth age, not only filled with ordure the fountains of the Gospel: but vomited poison, to say: opinions manifestly approving all idolatries. Thomas Aquin, Scotus, and their like, have brought in so many labyrinths & false opinions, that▪ the godly & sound sort of divines have always desired a more plain and purer kind of doctrine.  
Neither can we deny without great impudency, but it was expedient to alter this kind of doctrine, when it is manifest that such as employed their whole age in this manner of teaching, 
The impieties of the Scholastical doctrine  understood not the great part of the Sophisms, in their Disputations. Further it is plain Idolatry confirmed, when they teach the applications of sacrifice by work wrought, when they allow the invocation of Images, when they deny that sins be freely remitted by faith, when of ceremonies they make a slaughter of consciences. Finally, there are many other horrible and pernicious devices, that when I think of them, Lord how I tremble and quake of fear.  
Let us render thanks unto God, the eternal Father of our Lord jesus Christ, who hath pleased by the Ministry of Divine and godly Luther, too purify the evangelical fountains of all ordure and papistical 
Luther hath repurged the doctrine.  infection, and restore siucere doctrine to the Church, whereof minding evermore, we may conjoin our lamentable petitions, and with zeious affection beseech God to cō●●rine that he hath achieved in us, for his holy Temple's sake. Th●s is thy voice and promise's lyu●ng and just God, eternal father of our Lord jesus Christ, creator of a● things, and of the Church: I will have compassion on you, for my name's sake. I will do it for my se●●e, yea truly for myself, that I be not blasphemed. I beseech thee with ardent affection, that for thy glory, & the glory of thy son jesus Christ, thou wilt collect unto thyself in the voice of thy Gospel, among us, one perpetual Church, and that for the dear love of thy Son our Lord jesus Christ our mediator & intercessor thou wilt govern us by thy holy Gho●●, that we unfeignedly may call upon thee, and serve thee justly. Rul● also the studies of thy doctrine, govern and conserve the policies and discipline of the same, which be the Nurse's of thy Church & schools. And sith thou hast created mankind that thou mayest be known & invocated of the same, and that for this respect thou hast revealed thyself by many c●●are testimonies, permit not this small number and selected ●●ocke (that profess ●ny sacred w●or●) to be defaced and overcome. And the rather, for that thy son jesus Christ ready to fight against death, hath p●ayed in this manner for us: Father, sanctify them in verity, thy word is verity. We con●oyne our prayer with the prayer of this our ho●ye Priest, & we make petition w●th him, that thy doctrine may th●●e among m●, and that we may be directed by the same. We heard Luther evermore pray in this wise, and so praying, his innocent Ghost peaceably was separated from the earthy corpse, when he had lived all most th●ee score and three years.  
Such as succeeded, have divers monuments 
The some of all that Luther taught.  of his doctrine & godliness He wrote certain instructing works, wherein he comprised a salutiferous and necessary doctrine for men, teaching the sincere minds penitence, the fruits of the same, the use of the Sacraments, the difference betwixt the Gospel and Philosophy, the dignity of politic order, finally the principal articles of the doctrine conducible to the Church. He composed certain works to reprove, wherein he refuteth divers pernicious errors. He also devised books of interpretation, in which he wrote many enarrations and expositions of the Prophets and apostles, and in this kind his very enemies confess, he excelleth all other, whose works are imprinted and published abroad.  
Then all Christians & godly minds conceive what praise he merited, but certainly his exposition of the old & new Testament, with utility and labour, is equivalent to all his works. For in the same is so much perspicuity, that it may serve in steed of a Commentary, though it be red in the German tongue. And yet this is not a naked Exposition, but it containeth very learned Annotations and Arguments of every part. The which both set forth the some of heavenly doctrine, and instructeth the Reader the sacred phrase, and manner of speaking in the Scriptures, that the godly minds may receive firm testimonies of the doctrine, out of the very fountains. His mind was not to keep us occupied in his woor●es: but to guide our Spirits to the very springs. His will was we should hear God speak, and that by his word, true faith and invocation might ve kindled in our minds, that GOD might be sincerely honoured and adored, and that many might be made Inheritors of the everlasting life.  
It behoveth v● thankfully to accept his good will and great labours, and to imitate the same as our Patron, and by him to learn to adorn the Church, according to our power. For we must refer all our life, enterprises, and deliberations, to two principal ends. first, to illustrate the glory● of God. Secondly, to profit the Church. As touching the first, saint Paul saith: Do all things to the glory of God. And of the second, it is said in the hundred twenty and two Psalm. Pray that jerusalem may prosper, and there followeth a singular promise added in this versicle, that such as love the Church, shall prosper and have good success. Let these heavenly commandments, and divine be hests allure all men to learn the true doctrine of the Church, to love the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, and the true Teachers, and to employ their whole study and diligence to augment the true doctrine, and maintain concord and unity in the true Church. (⸫)  

Martin Luther's declaration of his doctrine, before the emperors Majesty, Charles the fift, the Prince's Electors, the Estates of the Empire, in the journey an● assembly of Princes at Worms. (⸫)  
THE year of our salvation▪ 1621. about. 17. ●ayes after passover, Martin Luther entered Worms, being sent for by the Emperor Charles the fift of his name, king of Hispaine & Archeduke of Ostrich. etc. Who the first year of his Empire, made the first assembly of Princes in this regal City. And where as Martin Luther had published three years before, certain new propositions, and such as before were never proponed, to be disputed in the Town of Witteberg in Sarony, against the ●●ranny of the Pope (the which notwithstanding were torn in pieces, condemned and burned by the Papists, and yet by no manifest Scriptures, ●● probable reason convinced) the matter began to tend to tumult and mutiny, and yet Luther maintained a● this while openly his cause against the clergy. Whereupon it seemed good according to the solicitation of the Roman Legates, that Luther should be called, assigning unto him an Herald of Arms, with letter of safe conduct by the Emperor & Princes. Being sent for, he came, and addressed him to the Knights of the Rhodes place, where he was lodged, 
Luther is sent for to Worms.  well entertained, and visited of many Earls, Barons, Knights of thord●r Gentlemen, Priests & the Cōmon●y who frequented his lodging till night.  
To conclude, he came besides the expectation of many, as well adversaries as other. For all be it he was sent for by the emperors Messenger, & had letters of safe conduct: Yet for that a few days before his access, his books were condemned by public proclamations, every man believed for this prejudice he would not come. And the rather, for the his friends deliberated together in a nigh Village called Oppenehim (where Luther was first advertised of these occurrentes) & many persuaded him not to submit himself to any danger, considering these beginnings answered not the faith of promise made. Who, when he had heard their whole persuasion & advise, he answered in this wise: As touching me, since I am sent for, I am resolved & certainly determined to enter Worms, in the 
Constancy in Luther.  name of the Lord jesus Christ: yea, although I knew there were so many Devils to resist me, as there are tiles to cover the houses in Worms.  
The fourth day after his repair a Gentleman, named Vlricke of Pappenhim, Lieutenant general of the men of Arms of the Empire, was commanded by the Emperor before dinner, to repair to Luther, & enjoin the same at. 4. a clock in the after noon to appear before thimperial Majesty, the Prince's Electors, Dukes & other Estates of th'empire, to understand the cause of his appellation. Whereunto he willingly agreed as his duty was.  
And after four of the clock, Vlr●k Pappen him, and Caspar Sturm the emperors Herald (who conducted Mart●n Luther from W●●teberg, to Worms) came for Luther, and accompanied him through the garden of the Knights of the Rhodes place, to the Earl Palatines palace, and lest the people should molest him, that thronged in frequency on the direct way to the Emperors Palace, he was led by secret stairs to the place where he was appointed to have audience. Yet many, who perceived the pretence, violently rushed in, and were resisted to no purpose, many ascended the Galleries, because they desired to be hold Luther.  
Thus standing before the Imperial 
Luther is 〈…〉 roughte ●efore the emperor.  Majesty, the Electors, Dukes, Earls, & all the Estates of the Empire, assembled there. He was first advertised by Vlricke of Pappenhim to keep silence, till such time as he was interrogated. Then the Ambassador of the Empire named john Ecke, the Bishop of Triers general official, with a loud and intelligible voice first in Latin, then in dutch, according to the emperors commandment, said and proponed this sen●ec● in manner as ensueth or like in effect.  
Martin Luther, the sacred and invincible Imperial Majesty, hath enjoined by the consent of all the estates of the holy Empire, that thou shouldest be appealed before the throne of his Majesty, to the end I might interrogate thee of these two points. first, if thou confessest these books 
In●errogacio●.  h●●e (for he showed a heap of Luther's books, written in the Latin and dutch tongues) and which are in all places borne, instituted with thy name, be thine, & thou dost affirm them to be thine or no? Secondly, if thou wilt recant and revoke them, and all that is contained in them, or rather meanest to stand to that thou hast written.  
Then before Luther prepared to answer, Master Jerome Schurffe, 
Jerome Shurffe.  appointed Luther's Advocate, exclaimed: let the titles of the books be red. Forthwith the Official of Triers named certain of the books, & those principally which were imprinted at Basile, among the which he nominated his Commentaries in the Psalter, his book of good works, his Commentary upon the lords prayer, & divers other, which were not contentious.  
After this Luther answered thus in Latin & in dutch: Two things 
Lut●ers answer.  are proponed unto me by the Imperial Majesty. First, if I will avow for mine, all those books that bear my name. Secondly, if I will maintain or revoke any thing that hitherto I have devised and published. Whereunto I will answer as briefly as I can.  
In the first, I can do none other than recognize those books to be mine, which lastly were named, & certainly I will never recant any clause thereof. In the second, to declare if I will wholly defend or call back any thing comprised in them. For as much as there is question of faith, and the salvation of the soul, and this concerneth the word of God, which is the greatest and most excellent matter that can be in heaven or earth, and the which duly we ought evermore to reverence. This might be accounted in me a precipitation of judgement, and even so a most dangerous attempt, if I would pronounce any thing, before I better advised. Considering I might recite something less than the matter importeth, and more than the truth requireth, if I did not premeditate that that I would speak. The which, two things would set before mine eyes this sentence of our Lord jesus Christ, where by is said Who so ever shall deny me before men, I will deny him before my Father. I require then for this cause, and humbly beseech the Imperial Majesty, to grant me liberty and leisure to deliberate, so that I may satisfy the interrogation made unto me, without prejudice of the word of God, and peril of mine own soul.  
Whereupon the Princes began to deliberate. This done, the Official pronounced what was their resolution, saying: albeit Martin Luther, thou hast sufficiently understanded by the emperors commandment, the cause of thy appellation, & therefore dost not deserve to have opportunity given thee to determine: Yet ●he Imperial Majesty of his mere clemency, ● raunteth the one day to m 〈…〉 for thine answer, the which to morrow are this instant hour thou shalt repair to render before him co●●tcionally, thou do not exhibit thine opinion in writing, but pronounce the same with lively voice.  
This done, Luther was led to his lodging by the Heraulo, but herein 
Luther is exhorted to be constant.  I may not be oblivious, that in the way going to the Emperor, & when he was in the assembly of Princes, he was exhorted of other to be courageous, and manly to demean himself, and not to fear them that can kill the body, but not the soul: but rather to dread him that is able to send both body and soul to everlasting fire. Further, he was emboldened with this sentence: When thou art before Kings, think not what thou shall speak, for it shall be given thee in that hour.  
The next day after four of the clock, the Herald came and brought Luther from his lodging, to the Emperors Covet, where he abode tyi six of the clock, for that the Princes wet occupied with grave consultations; a biding there and being environed with a great number of people, and almost smothered for the press that was ther. Then after, when the Princes were set, and Luther entered: the Official begun to speak in this manner  
Yesterday at this hour, Themperial Majesty assigned thee to be here Martin Luther, for that thou hast affirmed those books, that we named yesterday, to be thine. Further to the interrogation by us made, whether thou wouldst approve all that thou confessest in them, or abolish & make voyde any part thereof. Thou didst require time of deliberation, which was granted, & is now expired. albeit thou oughtest not to have opportunity granted to deliberate, considering it was notorious unto thee, wherefore we accited thee. And as concerning the matter of faith, every man ought to be so prepared, that at all times when so ever he shall be required, he may give certain and constant reason thereof, and thou the rather so highly learned, & long time exercised in Theology. Then go to, answer even now to Themperors demand, whose bounty thou hast proved in giving thee leisure to perpend. Wilt thou now maintain all thy books which thou hast acknowledged, or revoke any part of them? or submit and yield thyself? The Official made this interrogation in Latin and in dutch.  
Martin Luther answered in Latin and dutch, in this wise, modestly and lowly, and yet not without magnanimily, and Christian constancy, so as his adversaries would gladly have had him whusted, and abased his courage, but yet more earnestly they desired his revocation, and certain of them persuaded even so, for as much as he obtained leisure to deliberate.  
¶ His answer was thus.  
E Emperor, and my most magnificent Lord, and you most excellent Princes, and my most clement Lords, I appear before you here at the hour prescribed unto me yesterday: yielding the obedience that I own, humbly beseeching, for Goods mercy your most renowned Majesty, and your Graces and Honours will minister unto me this courtesy, to attend this cause benignly, which is the cause (as I trust) of justice and verity.  
And if by ignorance I have not given unto every of you your just titles, or if I have not observed the ceremonies and countenances of the Court, offending against them: it may please ye to pardon me of your benignities. As one that only hath frequented Cloisters, and not courtly civilities. Neither can I give other testimony of myself, but that I have instructed and written in such simplicity of mind, as only I have esteemed the glory of God, and the institution of the faithful Christians in all sincerity of doctrine.  
Most magnificent Emperor, and 
Luther giveth account of his faith before the Emperor.  you most noble Princes, my most gracious Lords, being yesterday interrogated of these two Articles objected by your most excellent Majesty If selves ordain by proper laws, as in the Distinct. 9 and. 25. q 1. and. 2. that the Pope's laws repugnant to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the opinions of the ancient Fathers, be judged erroneous and reprobate.  
If then I shall revoke these, I can do none other but augment for●e ●o their tyranny, & not only open windows, but wide gates, to such an in fernal impiety, the which will extend more wide, and with more liberty, than yet she ●●st. And by the testimony of this my Retractation, their ●aso●ent and malicious kingdom shall be made most licentious, and less subject to punishment, most intolerable to the common people, and yet confirmed and established, spectal●y if this be bruited, that I Luther have done this by the authority of your most excellent Majesty, and the sacred Roman Emp●re. Oh Lord, what a cover or shadow shall I be then? to cloak their naughtiness and tyranny.  
The rest or third sort of my books are such, as I have written against some private, and some (as they term them) singular parsons, to say, against such as with tooth and nail laboured to protect the romish tyranny, and deface true Religion, which I have taught and professed. As touching these, I plainly confess I have been more vehement, than my Religion and profession required. For I make myself no saint, and I dispute not of my life, but of the doctrine of Christ.  
And these I can not without preivoice call back for by this Recantation, it will come to pass, that tyranny and impiety shall reign, supported by my means, and exercise cruelness against God's people, more violently and ragingly, then before.  
Nevertheless, for that I am a man, 
He requireth to be instructed if he have erred.  and not God, I can none otherwise enterprise to defend my books, than my very Lord jesus Christ hath aided his doctrine. Who being exam●ne● of his doctrine before Annas, and having received a buffet of the Minister, said: If I have spoken evil, bear witness of evil.  
If the lord (who was assured he could not err) refused not to have testimony given against his doctrine, yea of a most vile servant: how much the more I that am but vile corruption, and can do nothing but err, ought earnestly to entreat and attend, if any will bear witness against my doctrine.  
Therefore I require for God's mercy, your most excellent Majesty, your Graces, and right honourable lordship's, or what so ever he be of high or low degree bear witness, if ye can prove I have erred, or if ye surpass me in the knowledge of the prophets and Apostles writings, convince mine errors, and I will be most ready (if I be so instructed) to revoke any manner of error. Yea & the first that shall consume my books with flaming fire.  
I suppose by these it is apparent, that I have prepended, & well weighed, the perils and dangers, or the divers opinions and dissensions that have risen and grown throughout the whole world, by reason of my doctrine, of which I was v●hemently & r●bukefully admonished. As touching myself, I conceive no greater delectation in any thing, then when I behold discords and dissensions, resuscitated for the word of God. For such is the course an● issue of the Gospel, jesus Christ saith: I came not to send peace, but a sword. I came to set man at variance against his Father.  
And further, we must think that our God is marvelous and terrible in his counsels, lest perhaps y● that we endeavour with earnest study to achieve & bring to perfection (if we begin, after we have condemned the word of God) that same turn not to a huge sea of evil, and (whereof we had need to be provident) lest the Empire of this young and bounteous Prince Charles (in whom next after God, we all conceive singular hope) be lamentable, unfortunate, and miserably begun.  
I could exemplify this with authorities of the Scriptures more effectually, as by Pharaoh, the King of Babylon, and the Kings of Israel, who then most eclipsed the bright Sun of their glory, & procured their own ruin, when by sage counsels they attempted to pacify and establish their governments and Realms. It is he that entrappeth the wily in their wylin●s, and s●buerteth mountains, ere they feel● his might. Wherefore fear is the work of God.  
I speak not this, supposing that so politic and prudent heads have need of my doctrine or admonition: but because I would not omit to profit my country and offer my duty or service that may tend to the advancement of the same. And thus I humbly commend me to your most excellent Majesty, & your honourable Lordships, beseeching I may not incurr● your displeasures, neither be contemned of you, through the pursuit of my adversaries. I have said.  
These words pronounced the emperors 
Luther solicited again to submit himself.  Ambassador, who made semblant of good will to check Luther: said that Luther had not answered to any purpose, neither it behaved him to call in question, things in time passed condemned and defined by general Counsels. And therefore they required of him a plain and no crooked answer, whether he would revoke or no.  
Then Luther answered: Considering that your sovereign Majesty 
Luther's absolute answer.  and your Honours require a plain answer, I will giveth same, neither crooked ne contumelious in this manner: that if I be not convinced by testimonies of the scriptures, and by probable reason (for I believe not the Pope, neither general Counsels) be overcome in the scriptures alleged by me, and the certitude thereof is not found in the word of God, I will not, nor I may not revoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godly ne lawful to do any thing against conscience. Here upon I rest, I know not what else I should say. God help me. So be it.  
The Princes consulted together upon this answer given by Luther, And when they had diligently examined the same, the Official of Triers' Ambassador of the Empire, began to repel him thus.  
Martin, thou hast more immodestly answered, then beseemed thy person, & also evil to purpose. Thou devidest thy books in three sorts, in such order that all that thou hast said, maketh nothing to the interrogation proponed. And therefore if thou hadst revoked those, wherein the greatest part of thine errors is contained: the Imperial Majesty, and the natural bounty of other would not have suffered the rest that be sound, to be persecuted with fire. But thou resuscitatest and bringest to light, all that the general council of Constance hath condemned, the which was assembled of all the nation of Germany, & requirest to be convinced with scriptures, wherein thou errest greatly. For what availeth it to renew disputation of things so long time passed condemned by the Church and Counsels, unless it should be necessary to give a reason to every man of every thing. That if all such as impugn, that which was decreed by the Church, and Counsels may once get this advantage, to be convinced by the scriptures, we shall have nothing certain and established in Christendom.  
And th●s is the cause wherefore the Imperial Majesty requireth of thee a simple answer, either a negative, or an affirmative, if thou wilt defend all thy works as Christian, or no?  
Then Luther besought the Imperial Majesty not to compel him to yield against his conscience, confirmed w●th the holy scriptures, without manifest arguments, alleged by his adversaries, & declared his answer was not crooked, but simple, and direct, & further he had not to say, than he advertised before, that if his enemies could not extricate with sufficient arguments his conscience occupied (as they said) with errors, he was not able to rid himself out of the snares wherein he was entangled. And whereas the general Counsels have ordained certain things, those therefore not to be true, for that they have erred, & often times gainsaid themselves, & for this cause the enemies argument was of no solidity. Further, he was able to prove, and would constantly stand to the trial the Counsels had erred, and it was not meet for him to revoke and disannul that which is manifest, and diligently set forth in the Scripture.  
Whereunto the official answered simply to purpose, and said: No man could prove the Council had erred, but Luther alleged he could, & promised to prove. And now night approaching, the lords rose and departed. And after Luther had taken his leave of the Emperor, divers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging, hallowing & hooping after him a ●on● while.  
The friday following after, the Prince's electors, Dukes, & other Estates, were assembled: the Emperor sent to all them that were deputed Counseillors, one letter, containing this that followeth: Our Predecessors, 
The Emperor's answer against Luther.  who truly were Christian Princes, were obedient to the Romish Church, which Martin Luther presently impugneth. And for as much as he is not determined to call back his errors in any one point, we cannot without great infamy and stain of honour degenerate from the examples of our Elders, but will maintain the ancient faith, and give ay●e to the sea of Rome. And further, we be resolved to pursue Martin Luther and his adherentes by excommuncations and by other means that may be devised to extinguish his doctrine. Nevertheless, we will not violate our faith, which we have promised him, but mean to give order for his safe return to the place whence he came.  
The Prince's Electors, Dukes and that other Estates of the Empire, sat & consulted upon this sentence, Friday all the after noon, and Saturdaye the whole day, so that Luther yet had no answer of the Emperor.  
During this time divers Princes, Earls, Barons, Knights of the order, Gentlemen, Priests, Monks with other the La●tye and common sort visited him. All these were present at all hours in the emperors court, and could not be satisfied with the sight of him. Also there were hills set up one against Luther, & the other as it seemed with him. Notwithstanding many supposed, & especially such as well conceived the matter, that this was subtly done by his enemies, that thereby occasion might be offered to infringe the safeconduct given him, the which the Roman Ambassadors with all sedulity, endeavoured to bring to pass  
The monday following, before supper, the Archbishop of Triers advertised Luther, that on wednesday next he should appear before him at six of the clock before Dinner, & assigned him the place. On Saint George's day, the Archbishop of Triers great Vicar, about Supper time came to Luther, by the commandment of his Prince, signifying that at the hour and place prescribed, he must the morrow after have access to his Master.  
The morrow after S. George's day Luther obeying the Archbishop's commandment, entered his palace, being accompanied thither with his said great Vicar, and one of the emperors Heralds, and such as came 
●●●la●●cions made to Luther to seduce 〈…〉.  in his company out of Saronye to Worms, with other his chief friends Where as Doctor Voeus, the Marquis of Bades chaplain began to declare and protest, in the presence of the Archbishop of Triers, joachyme Marquis of Brandeburge, George Duke of Sarony, the bishops of Ausburg & Brandeburge, the Earl George, john Back of Strasburge, Verdeheymer & Peutinger Doctors, that Luther was not called to be conferred with, as of a different or disputation, but only that the Princes had procured licence of Themperors Majesty, through Christian charity, to have liberty granted unto thee, to exhort Luther benignly & brotherly.  
He said further, that albeit the Counsels had ordained divers things, yet they had not determined contrary matters. And albeit they had greatly erred, yet their authority was not therefore abased, or at the least not so erred, that it was lawful for every man to impugn their opinions. Further, he alleged certain things of Zacheus & the Centurion, of the decrees and traditions of men, & of the ceremonies ordained, affirming that all these were established to repress the vices, according to the quality & revolution of times, and that the Church could not be destitute of human constitutions. Further, that the tree is known by the fruit, the laws have much profited, and S. Martin, Saint Nicholas, and many other Saints have assisted the Counsels.  
Moreover that Luther's books would breed great tumult, & incredible troubles, & that be abused the common sort with his book of Christian liberty encouraging them to shake of their ●oke, and to confirm in them a disobedience. That presently the world was at an other stay, ●he when the believers were a● of one ha●t & soul, & therefore it was expedient to have laws.  
This was worthy consideration, that albeit he ha● wry●t● many good things, and doubtless with a goodly spirit, as of Triple justice and other: yet now the devil attempted by wily means, that all his works for ever more should be condemned, and that by these his last works it is easy to know the ●re● by the fruit, and not by the blossom.  
Here he added something of the noon devil, of the Spirit coming in the dark, and of the flying arrow. All his Oration was exhortatory, full of common places of Rhetoric, of honesty, of utility, of laws, of the dangers of conscience, and of the common and particular health, repeating oft this sentence in the poem, middle, and ●p●●o●● of his Oration. That this admonition was given him of a singular good will and great clemency. In the shutting up of his Oration, he added m●na●inges, saying: that if he would abide in his purposed intent, the ●mp●rour would proceed further & exterminate him the Empire, persuading him deliberatlye to ponder and advise these and other things.  
Martin Luther answered: Most noble Princes, & my most gracious Lords, I render most humble thanks for your benignities and singular good wills, whence proceedeth this admonition. For I know myself to be so base, as by no means I can deserve admonition of so great Princes.  
Then he frankly pronounced, he 
The council of Constance condemned the word of God.  had not reproved all Counsels, but only the Council of Constance, and for this principal cause, that the same condemned the word of God, which appeared in the condemnation of this Article proponed, by john ●usse. The Church of Christ is the Communion of the Predestinate.  
It is evident the Councils of Const●c● abolished this article, & consequently this article of our faith: I believe the holy Church universal. And that he was ready to spend life and blood, s● he were not compelled to call back the manifest word of God, for in defence thereof, we ought rather to obey God then men.  
And that in this he could not ad-2noyde the scandal of faith, for there is two scandals or offences, to say, of Charity & of Faith. The scandal 
Scandal of Faith & Charity.  of Charity consisteth in manners & in life. The scandal of Faith or doctrine resteth in the word of God, & as touching this last, he could escape it no manner of ways, for it lay not in his power to make Christ not the stone of scandal. If Christ's sh●pe were fed with pure pasture of the Gospel. If the faith of Christ were sincerely preached, & if there were any good & Ecclesiastical Magistrates, who duly executed their office: we should not need to charge the Church with men's traditions. Further he knew well we ought to obey the Magistrates & higher powers, how unjustly & peruers●● so ever they lived. We ought also to give place to our iudgmet, all which he had taught in all his works, adding further, he was ready to obey them in all points, so that they enforced him not to deny the word of God.  
Then Luther was bid stand aside, and the Princes con●u●●ed what answer they might give him. This done they called him into a Parlour, where as the Doctor of Bade repeated his former matters, admonithing Luther ●o submit his writings to the Emperor and Empire's judgement.  
Luther answered humbly and modestly, he could not, neither would permit that men should say he would thunne the judgement of the Emperor, Princes, & supreme Estates of the Empire, weighing so s●lenderlye their examination, that he was contented to suffer his writings most diligently to be read over, considered & judged of the simplest, so that this were done, with the authority of the word of God, & holy scripture. And that the word of God made so much for him, and was so manifest unto him, that he would not give place, unless they taught sound doctrine, than the word of God. And y● S. Austen writeth, he had learned to give this honour only 
The word of 〈…〉 only true.  to those books, which are called Canonical, that he believed them to be true And as touching the other Doctors, albeit in holiness and excellency of learning, they passed, he would not credit them, unless they pronounced truth. Further, that saint Paul had written to the Thessalonians, prove all things, follow that is good. And to the Galathians: although an angel should descend from heaven, if he preach otherwise, let him ●e accursed, and therefore not worthy to be believed. Finally he meekly besought them not to urge his conscience, fastened with the ●andes of the word of God and holy scripture, to deny that same excellent word. And thus he commended his cause and himself to them, and specially to the Emperor's Majesty, requiring their help, he might not be compelled to do any thing in this matter against his conscience. And otherwise he would submit himself in all causes most obediently.  
And answering thus, Ioachime Elector, Marquis of Brandeburge, demanded if he had said he would not yield, unless he were convinced with the scripture Yea truly right noble Lord (quoth Luther) or else by ancient and evident reasons.  
Thus the assemble brake, and the Princes repaired to the emperors court. The Archbishop of Triers' abode, accompanied with his Official john Ecke, & Cochleus, & commanded Luther to come into his chamber, Jerome Schurff, & Nicholas Ambsdorff assisted to maintain Luther's cause. Then the Official began to frame an argument like a Sophist & Canonist, defending the Pope's cause: That for the most part at all times holy scriptures have engendered errors, as the 
False arguments for the Pope  same of helvidius the Arian, out of that place in the Gospel, where is expressed, joseph knew not his wife till she was delivered of her first child. Further, he grew to overthrow this proposition, that the Catholic Church is the Communion of Saints, presuming also of Cocle to make wheat, & of bodily excrements to compact members.  
Martin Luther & Jerome Schurffe reproved these follies, & other vain and ridiculous matters, which Ecke brought forth but modestli, as things not serving to the purpose. Sometime Cochleus would intermeddle his murmuring chattels, and laboured to persuade Luther, to desist from his purpose, & utterly to refrain thenceforth to write or teach, & so they departed.  
About evening, the Archbishop of Triers, advertised Luther by Ambsdorff, the Emperors promise made unto him, was prolonged two days, & in the mean season he would confer with him the next day, and for that cause he would send Doctor Peutinger & the Doctor of Bade the morrow after to him, and he himself would also talk with him.  
The Friday then that was Saint Marks day, Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade travailed in the forenoon 
〈…〉.  to persuade Luther simply and absolutely to submit the judgement of his writings to Themperor & Empire. He answered he would do & submit any thing they would have him, so they grounded with the authority of holy scripture, otherwise he would not consent to do any thing. For god said by his Prophet (saith he:) Trust ye not in Princes, nor in the children of men, in whom there is no health. Also, cursed be he that trusteth in me And seeing them urge him more vehemently, he answered: We ought to submit no more to the judgement of men, than the word of God doth. So they departed, and prayed him to advise for better answer, and said they would return after Dinner.  
After Dinner they returned, exhorting as before, but in vain. They prayed him at the least he would submit his writing to the judgement of the next general Council. Luther agreed thereunto, but with this condition, that they themselves should present the Articles collected out of his books to be submitted to the Council, in this manner, notwithstanding that the sentence awarded by the council, should be authorized by the scripture, and prove the contrary with the testimonies of the same.  
Then leaving Luther, they departed and reported to the Archbishop of Triers that he had promised to submit his writings in certain articles to the next Council, and in the mean space he would keep silence, which Luther never thought, who neither with admonitions, ne yet menaces could be induced to deny or submit his books to the judgements of men, he ha● so fortified them with clear & manifest authorities of the scripture, unless the● could prove by sacred Scripture and apparent reasons he had erred.  
It chanced then by the special grace of god, that the Archbishop of Triers sent for Luther, resolved presently to hear him. And when he perceived otherwise then Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade had told him, he affirmed that Luther should not have revoked for a great deal, that he had said, unless he had heard him speak, but that strait he would have gone to the Emperor, and declared what the Doctors had reported.  
Then the Archbishop treated and 
Familiar talk between the archbishop & Luther.  conferred with Luther very gently, first removing such as were present, as well of the judgement of the Emperor and Empire, as of the sentence of the next general Council. In this conference Luther concealed nothing from the Archbishop, affirming it was dangerous to submit a matter of so great importance to them, who after they had called him under safe-conduct, attempting him with new commandments, condemned his opinion, and approved the Pope's Bull.  
Moreover, the Archbishop bedding a friend of his draw nigh, required Luther to declare what remedy might be ministered to help this. Luther answered: There was no better remedy, than such as Gamali●l 
Counsel's Gamali●l.  allegeth in the fit▪ Chapter of the Apostles, witness saint Luke, saying: If this council or this work proceed of men, it shall be dissolved, but if it be of God, ye cannot dissolve it. And that the Emperor and the Estates of the Empire might advertise the Pope that he knew certainly if this his enterprise proceeded not of God, it would be abolished within three, yea within two years.  
The Archbishop inquired of him what he would do, if certain articles were taken out of his books to be submitted to the general Council. Luther answered: So that they be not those, which the council of Constance condemned. The Archbishop said I fear they will be the very same: but what then? Luther replied: I will not nor I cannot hold my peace of such, 
●uthers cō●●ncy.  for I am su●e by their decrees the the word of God was condemned. Therefore I will rather lose head and life, then abandon the manifest word of my Lord God.  
Then the Archbishop, seeing Luther would in no wise submit the word of God to the judgement of men, gently bad Luther farewell, who at that instant prayed the Archbishop to entreat the emperors Majesty to grant him gracious leave to departed. He answered: he would take order for him, and speedily advertise the emperors pleasure.  
And within a small while after, the Archbishop's official, in the presence of the emperors secretary, who was Maximilians chancellor, said unto Luther in his lodging, by the commandment of the Emperor: that syn●e he had ben● admonished diversly of the Imperial Majesty, the Electors, Princes, & Estates of the Empire, and that notwithstanding he would not return to unity & concord, there remained that Themperor as advocate of the Catholic faith should proceed further. And that it was the emperors ordinance, he should within twenty days, return securely under safeconduct, and be safely guarded to the place whence he came, so that in the mean while he stirred no commotion among the people in his journey, either in conference or Sermons.  
Luther having understanded this, answered very modestly & Christianly: Even as it hath pleased God, so is it come to pass, the name of the Lord be blessed. He said further, he thanked most humbly the Emperor's Majesty, & all the Princes & Estates of the Empire, that they had given to him benign & gracious audience, and granted safeconduct to come & to return. Finally he said: he desired none other in them, than a reformation, according to the sacred word of God, and consonancy of holy scriptures, which effectually in his heart he prayed. Otherwise he was priest to suffer all accidents for the Imperial Majesty, as life and death, good fame and reproach, reserving nothing to himself, but the only word of God, which he would constantly confess, to the latter end, humbly recommending him to the emperors Majesty, and to all the Princes, and other Estates of the sac●e● Empire.  
The morrow after which was the xxvi day of Apryll after he 
Luther's ●parture ●● worms.  had taken his leave of such as supported him, and other his benevolent friends, that o●t●n times visited him, and broken his fast, at ten of the clock, he departed from Worms accompanied with such, as repaired thither with him. The emperors Herald Caspar Sturme followed and overtook him at Oppenhim being commanded by the Emperonr to conduct him safely home. (⸫)   

¶ The prayer which Martyne Luther was accustomed daily to say.  
Confirm (O God) in us that thou haste wrought, and perfect the work that thou haste begun in us to thy glory. So be it.   

❧ An intimation, given by Philip Melancthon to his auditory, at Vitteberg. The year 1546. Of the decease of Martyne Luther. (⸫)  
THE Scholars assembled to hear the Lecture of the Epistle to the Romans, Philip Melancthon recited publicly, this that followeth, at nine of the clock before noon, advertising he gave this information, by the counsel of other Lords, for that the Auditors understanding the express truth (for so much as the lords knew certainly Fame would blow slanderous blasts every where of the death of Luther) should not credit flying tales and false reports.  
My friends, ye know that we have enterprised to expound Grammatical lie the Epistle to the Romans, in the which is contained the true doctrine of the Son of God, the which our Lord by his singular grace hath revealed unto us at this present by the reverend Father, & our dearly beloved Master Martin Luther. Not withstanding we have received heavy news, which have so augmented my dolour, that I am in doubt if I mai continue henceforth in scholastical profession, and exercise of teaching. The cause wherefore I commemorate this thing, is for that I am so advised by other Lords, that ye may understand the true sequel of things lest yourselves blaze abroad vain ●ales of this fatal chance, or give credit to other fables, which commonly are accustomed to be spread everywhere.  
Wedensday last passed, the. 17. day of February, Doctor Martin Luther syckned a little before Supper, of his 
The sickness of Loather.  accustomed malady, to say, the oppression of humours in the orifice or opening of his stomach, whereof I remember I have senhim oft diseased in this place. This sickness occupied him after Supper, with the which vehemently contending, he required secesse into an next chamber, & there he rested on bed two hours, whiles the pains increased, Doctor jonas lying in his chamber, Luther awakened, & prayed him to rise, and call up Ambrose his children's Schoolmaster, to make fire in an other Chamber. In that which being newly entered, Albert Earl of Mansfeld with his wife and divers other (whose names in these letters for haste, were not expressed) at that in stant came into his Chamber. Finally, feelyg his fatal hour to approach, before. 1●. of the clock in the morning the. 18. of Februarye, he commended him to God, with this devout prayer.  
My heavenly father, eternal & merciful God, thou hast manifested unto me thy dear Son our Lord jesus Christ. I have taught him, I have known him, I love him as my life, my health, and my redemption, whom the wicked persecuted, maligned, and with injury affected. Draw my soul to thee. After this he said this that ensueth, thrice.  
I commend my Spirit into thy hands, thou hast redeemed me God of truth. God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that all those that believe in him, should have life everlasting. john. 3.  
Having repeated often times his 
Hisdiseas●  prayers, he was called to God, to the eternal School, and perpetual joys, in the● which he enjoyeth the society of the father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, all the Prophets & Apostles.  
He●as, the conductor and Chariot of Israel is dead, who hath governed the Church in this lass age of the world, for the doctrine of remission of sins, and of the faith of God, hath not been compreheneed by bumayne wisdom, but God hath manifested the same by this holy man, whom we have seen raised of God.  
Let us love the memory of this man and the doctrine that he hath taught. Let us learn to be morest & meek. Let us consider the wretched calamities, and marvelous changes that shall follow this myshay & doleful chance.  
I beseech thee O Son of God, crucified for us, & resuscitate Emanuel; govern, conserve & defend thy Church.  
(⸫)   

¶ Philip Melancthons' Oration, made and recited for the Funerals of the Reverens man Marring Luther at Vitteberge. (⸫)  
ALL best in this common sorrow my voice shallbe troubled with dolour & tears: yet I must say somewhat in this frequent assembly, not (as the Pagans solemn custom was) to sing the Encomye of the dead, but rather to admonish this company of the marvelous government, & perils of the Church, that we may consider for what causes we ought to be careful & pensive, what things we have special need of, & to what examples we ought to direct our life. For although profane men beholding this horrible confusion in this mortal estate, supposing allthings are transported by adventure, and governed by Fortune: yet we confirmed with many evident testimonies of God, let 
The somm of ●uther doctrine.  us separate the Church from the ungodly multitude, let us persuade ourselves the same hath been preserved, and ruled by divine providence, & ●et us perpend what is the policy of the same. Let us acknowledge the true governors, and endeavour to frame our cou●●e conformable to theirs. Let us ●●ec● Guides & convenient Instructors, whom we may godly imitate & have in reverence. It shallbe most expedient for so meditate and speak of these weighty & grave matters, as of ten & when mention shall be made of the Reverend man Martin Luther, our dearly beloved Master. Whom we must tenderly love & commend, since we know that he was divinely raised to be a Minister of the Gospel, although many profane men, & such as contemned the Gospel, hated him deadly. We ought also to collect testimonies, 
The government of the church.  whereby we may demonstrate his doctrine contained no seditious opinions injuriously and with temerarious affection sown, as the Epicurean sect imagineth, but that by his doctrine, the will and faithful worshipping of God, & his holy scriptures are expressed, & the word of God that is, the glad tidings of jesus Christ sincerely announced. All be it in these Drations accustomably made in this place, we were want orderly to depaint the particular ornaments of them, whom we praised: yet I omitting that member of Oration, intend to treat only of this principal article, Ecclesiastical function. For the wise & godly will deliberate & determine in themselves resoluteli this: If Luther hath manifested the necessary doctrine of salvation in the Church, great thanks are to be given to God, who hath raised him, & we must commend his industry, faith, constancy, & many other his celestial virtues, and endeavour the memory of this man may be embraced and reverenced of every man.  
Let this than be the poem of my Oration. The Son of God (as Paul saith) sitteth at the right hand of the everlasting father, & ministereth good things to men, that is, the voice, of the Gospel, & the holy ghost, and to distribute these gifts, he raiseth Prophets, Apostles, Doctors & Pastors, ● taketh these out of our congregation, such as do learn, who profess, hear & embrace the Prophets & Apostles 
Doctor sent of go to gouer● the Church  writings. And calleth not only those to this warfare, which have ordinari power, but also he denounceth war against them often times, by Doctors chosen of an other estate. It is most comfortable, & a pleasant spectacle to consider the Church of all ages, & to remember the bounty of God, who from time to time hat sent successively godly Doctors, to th'end that when the first were in battle consumed, other might supply their ranks to achieve that the former begun.  
The continual order of the first fathers 
The fyr 〈…〉 Guides ● the chur 〈…〉  Adam, Seth, Enoch, Mathusalem Noah Sem is notorious. This Sem living & inhabiting the country nigh to Sodom, when the people had forgotten the doctrine of Noah, & every where honoured Idols, Abraham was raised to be Sem's companion to assist him, to perform this great work. After succeeded Isac, jacob joseph, the which joseph in the universal territori of Egypt (which then excelled all other kingdoms in the world) illumined the light of doctrine. Then followed Moses, joshua, Samuel, David, Elias, Elizeus, whose Auditor was Esay. After Esay came jeremy, after jeremy, Daniel, after Daniel Zachary, immediately succeeded Esoras and Omas, after Onias the Maccabees. Then after ensued Simeon, Zachary, john Baptist, jesus Christ, & the Apostles. It is convenient to consider this continual sequel, for that it is an evident testimony of God's presence in the Church.  
After the Apostles followed an other 
The sucssors of apostles  flock, the which albeit weaker, yet adorned with the testimonies of God, as Policarpe, Ireneus, Gregory Neocesarien, Basile, Austen, Prosper, Marimus, Hugo, Bernard, Taulerus, and many other in divers places. All be it this last age was more gross, and stuffed with ordures, yet God preserved always some remaintes. And it is clear the Gospel hath received much light by the preaching of Luther.  
Then must we collocate him among this select & blissful Troop of godly and excellent Mirrors, whom God hath sent to gather & restore his Church, that we may understand this was the principal flower of humane kin●●▪ Solon, Themistocles, Scipio. Augustus, were excellent & worthy men, who established and governed large Realms & great Empires: yet were they mu●● inferior than these our Guides. Esa● john Baptist, S. Paul, Austen, and Luther. It is necessary for us to understand these differentes in the Church.  
What then are the absolute & true matters that Luther hath manifested, which giveth great glory to his works, and maketh his praise live in the mouth of men? Many cry out that the Church is disturbed, & controversies planted in them, not easy to be unfolded. I answer to these: Such is the government of the Church, when the holy Ghost argueth the world, many dissensions grow through the perverse stubbornness of the wicked, & they are in fault, that will not hear the 
Luther hath manifested the doctrine.  Son of God, of whom the Father pronounceth: Hear him. Luther hath revealed the true & necessary doctrine, for it is most certain, there was wonderful gross darkness in the doctrine of repentannce. This discussed, he declareth what is perfect penitence, which is the trusty port & assured comfort of the spirit astonied with the feeling of God's anger. He hath illumined S. Paul's doctrine, which treateth, ma is justified by faith. He hath expressed what difference is betwixt the Law & the Gospel, betwixt spiritual & civil justice. He hath explained what is the true invocation of God, and revoked the Church wholly from all pagan and profane lunacy and furor, who fain that God is invocated, when the spirits oppressed with Academical doubts, flee God. He hath exhorted to prayer in pure conscience, & hath guided us as it were by the hand to the only mediator the Son of God, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and interceading for us, & not to Images and dead me, as the Infidels moved with horrible madness invocated Idols and senseless Stocks.  
He hath also instructed other duties acceptable to God, and so a dourned and fortified civil life, as none to this day with more perfection. Further he hath sequestered childish institution of human ceremonies, the customs and laws letting true invocation from necessary works. And that this heavenly doctrine manifested might come to posterity, he translated the Prophets and Apostles works, into his maternal tongue, with such perspi●uitye, that his traduction giveth more light to the Readers, than the Commentaries of divers other.  
Hereunto he hath added many Enarrations, the which as Erasmus 
Erasmus testimony of Luther.  in time passed affirmed, passed all others, that be extant. And as it is reported of such as re-edified jerusalem that they builded with one hand, and held the sword with the other: even so Luther fought against the enemies of Christian doctrine, and at that instant devised enarrations, replenished with heavenly doctrine, and in 
Luther's conflicts.  this exploit, he hath comforted and relieved the consciences of many with faithful Counsels.  
And as it appeareth the greatest part of his doctrine, surmounteth the compass of human capacity, as the doctrine of remission of sins & faith. So must we necessarily confess he was taught of God, and divers of us have seen his conflicts, in the which he learned, that we should persuade ourselves this, that by faith we are heard and received of God.  
The sincere & godly wits shall celebrate forever, the benefits which God hath conferred to his Church by Luther, and first they shall render thanks to God, then protest, they are much obliged to his learned labours: albert the Atheists, who universally have the church in derision, esteem an● judge these true offices and duties, a chyidysh pastime, a mere folly, and alienation of the mind.  
He hath not excitated indissoluble disputations, neither proponed to the Church, the Apple of contention, nor published obscurities & enigmes. For he is easy to the faithful & godly, and such as be of sound understanding, & sclaunderouslye will not give judgement, by conference of sentences to consider what agreeth with the heavenly doctrine. and what dissenteth. And that more is, the godly are fully resolved▪ that these differentes were long since appointed. For since God's pleasure is we should behold & know his will in the Prophets and Apostles works (in the which he hath manifested himself) we may not think his words are doubtful, as the leaves of Sibilla.  
But some (which were not perverse) have compiayned that Luther was 
Luther's vehemency excused.  more vehement, then n●de required. I will not dispute against any: but I answer this that Erasmus hath often said: God hath given this last age a sharp Physician, because of the great diseases of the same, & therefore since he hath raised such an organ against the truths enemies, and against the proud and impudent, as he hath said to jeremy, behold I have placed my words in thy mouth, to th'end thou shouldest destroy & edify, & also hath pleased him to set before their beards this Gorgon or buckler, in vain they quarrel with God. God governeth his Church not by man's Counsels, netheir will have his organs all alike. This is a common thing, mean and moderate spirits cannot brook vehement motions, whether they be good or evil. Aristides beholding Themistocles enterprise great matters, with a pathetical incitation of the mind, whereof he had prosperous success, although he did gratulate the common weals prsperity: yet he laboured diligently to revoke Themistocles vehement mind from the course.  
Neither I deny that sometimes vehement motions offend, there is none in this infirmity of Nature, void of spot. Yet if there be any such as the autentick writers have reported of Hercules, Cimon, and other, deformed & misshapen: yet apt and upright in excellent exploits. Certainly I must confess that these be good and praise worthy, and as S. Paul saith, if he do his duty well in the Church, observing faith, and a pure conscience, he is acceptable to God, and we ought to reverence him.  
We know that Luther hath been such, for constantly he hath maintained the sincerity of the Gospel, and retained an integrity of conscience. Now what is he (that hath known Luther) & is ignorant, with what 
Luther's humanity  humanity he was garnished? How of fable he was to all such as in familiar conference, or grave devise had to do with him. How void he was of contention & brawl, & yet among these virtues he had such a gravity, as decently became his calling. His manners were good, his words sweet and pleasant. Finally, allthings (as S. Paul saith) were in him true, honest, just, pure, amiable, & renowned, in so much that we may plainly perceive his vehemency proceeded of a zealous affection he bore to the truth, rather than of any natural sharpness, & here of not only we, but many are evident witnesses. As touching the rest of his 
Luther's integrity.  life, which he prolonged to lxiii years, employing the same with fervent affection in the fear of God, & in all good & liberal scieces, if I had deliberated to say aught in his praise, what ample theme, what abundance of matter is ministered to me to frame an excellent & goodly Oration. No inordinate desires, no seditious counsels reigned in him. He exhorted to peace & dissuaded war. He meddled not private care with ecclesiastical causes, there by to enrich himself, or advance his friends. I judge this to be so great wisdom & virtue, that by human diligence it cannot only be procured, but it behoveth high, vehement, & subtle minds (as it appeareth Luther's was) to be bridled divinely.  
What shall I say of other his virtues? I often times came unwares 
Luther's earnest prayers.  upon him, when he with tears berayning his cheeks, prayed for the universal Church. He prescribed certain hours every day to recite some Psalms, and in pronouncing them, he expressed his affection, with mourning & tears. He rebuked ever those that through negligence, or other domestical business, said: they served God sufficiently, in making a secret zealous prayer, declaring to them that we have forms set forth by divine counsel, to th'end that in reading we may awaken our minds, and with voice testify what God we call upon.  
And when occasion was offered to enter in consultation about imminent dangerous, we always observed his marvelous constancy of courage, neither would he lurk appalled, neither represent any face of fear, with the terror thereof. He leaned always to the Lord, as to his holy ancre, and never waved in any point of his faith.  
Further, he was so ingenious, that alone he considered what was necessary 
subtlety of his Spirit.  to be done in doubtful cases. Neither was he (as many suppose) negligent in the consideration of the public weal, neither ignorant of the minds and inclinations of other, but he well understood the state of the common weal, no man better, & perceived most prudently the natural dispositions and wills of them, with whom he was conversant. And albeit he was of a jolly & politic head: yet he most greedily red the Ecclesiastical Writers, old and new, & all the histories, the examples, whereof he converted with a singular dexterity, to the profit of man's life, and present affairs 
His eloquence.   
Of his eloquenc●e we have everlasting testimonies, wherein certainly he was equivalent to any that excelled in art Oratory.  
Then with good cause we may lament the lack of him, who in wisdom and liveliness of spirit was so excellent, so garnished with doctrine▪ so exercise▪ with vie, so adorned with many & those heroical virtues, so elected of God, for the restoration of the Curch, and finally with so paternal affection, loving and embracing us, we are like Orphelius, deprived of a faithful and famous father. And albeit necessarily we must obey divine order: yet let us endeavour the memory of his benefits & virtues may remain immortal with us. And let us rejoice that presently he is in the blessed & sweet company of God & his well-beloved Son our Lord jesus Christ, the Prophets and Apostles, 
Feliciti in the other life.  whose so 〈…〉 etye through the faith he had in the son of God, he hath daily desired, and attended. Whereas now he heareth his labours only approved by the judgement of God, and the testimony of all the heavenly Church, which he sustained for the propagation of the Gospel: but also taken out of this mortal body as out of a prison, and entered into a school adorned with more excellent doctrine, he beholdeth the essence of god, the two natures conjoined in the son, and all the counsel of h 〈…〉 creation and redemption of the church. The which divine m●ste●●es ●●r●ked, and with compendious oracles proponed he considered here only by faith, out now more ●u●●●nt. y veholding them, he rejoiceth & fervently inflamed with the love of God, he rendereth thanks for this so great & singular benefit.  
There he learneth wherefore the son of God is called the word and Image of the eternal Father, & how the holy ghost is the band of mutual love, not only betwixt the eternal Father and the Son, but also betwixt them and the Church. For he had learned the ru●●mentes and principles of this doctrine in this mortal life, and mentioned oftentimes these celestial matters, the difference betwixt true and false invocation, the true knowledge of God, beholding the divine manifestations, & the discerning of the true God, from foreged and invented Gods, & these matters he disputed very wisely & graue●●  
Many in this Auditory have heard him at certain times expressing this sentence: Ye shall see the heavens opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. In the exposition of this, he exhorted his Auditors to plant in their hearts this singular consolation, the which affirmeth that the heaven is opened, that is to say, way made open for us to pass to God, the bar of God's wrath removed from such as have recourse to the Son, that God is familiarly conversant with us now, and that he receiveth, governeth and conserveth such as invocate him. He admonished that that 
The Angels which ascend & descend.  decree of God, which the Atheists exclaim to be fabulous, aught to resist all those humane doubts & dreads, which keep back the wandering minds, that they dare not innocate God, and repose in him.  
Further, he said that the Angels ascending and descending in the body of jesus Christ, were the Ministers of the Gospel. Who first by Christ their Guide, ascended to God, & received of him the light of the Gospel, and the goly Ghost. Then after they descended, that is to say, they had the charge to profess and instruct among men.  
He added this interpretation, that the very heavenly spirits which we commonly call Angels, beholding the son, are instructed & r●●oy●e in this marvelous conjunction of two natures, & for that they war under the Lord for the defence of the Church, they be also governed by his hand.  
He presently beholdeth these so excellent things, and as before he ascended and descended among the Ministers of the Gospel, by the conduction of jesus Christ, so now he seeth the Angels sent by him, & hath equal fruition with them of the contemplation & consideration, of the divine wisdom and marvelous works of God. We remember well what incredible pleasure he conceived in reciting the policies of the Prophets, their counsels, dangers and deliverances, and how learnedly he conferred all times of the Church, that he well declared with what burning desire he longed to be in the society of these excellent personages. He embraceth these now & rejoiceth to have mutual conference in lively voice. These salute their loving companion newly repaired to them, and jointly yield thanks to God, that he assembleth and conserveth his Church.  
Let us not doubt, but that Luther is in happy & blessed estate. & let us lament the loss & ●acke of so virtuous & heavily a father, & as duty bindeth us to obey the wit of God, who hath reft us such a rare ●ewel: so let us understand God's pleasure is, we should consecrated to etern●●●, the memory of his virtues and benefits. Let us ●hen in this apply ou● diligence, let us imitate as we be able, his virtues which is expediet for us to know, that is, the fear of God, faith, feruecy in prayer, cleanness in ministry, chastity, diligence to eschew counsels tending to sedition, and desire to learn. And as it behoveth us, to remember the other faithful governors of the Church, whose histories we read, as jeremy john Baptist, & S. Paul. So let us consider oftentimes the doctrine and order of this reverend father, & herewith let us add prayer, and action of thanks, as it becometh us now to do in this assembly.  
WE render thanks unto thee, O 
A prayer of thanks giving.  most puissant God, eternal father of our Lord jesus Christ, founder of thy Church, together with thy son coeternal our Lord jesus Christ, & the holy ghost, wise, good, merciful, righteous judge, mighty & having power over allthings, for that thou gatherest unto thy son an inheritance, & conse●uest the ministry of the Gospel, & now by Luther hast restored the same. And we pray thee with fervent affection that thou wilt conserve and govern henceforth the church, & seal in us thy true doctrine as Esay prayeth for his Disciples, & that thou wilt illumine our understanding by thy holy ghost, that in truth we may call upon thee, and live holily.  
Furthermore, because the decease of excellent governors is often a presage or foreshowing of great inconue niences to come to such as shall succeed I and all those that profess ministry require you to consider the dangers whereunto the whole world is subject The Turks invade of one side, & on the other domestical enemies, threaten intestine wars. There ●urke also every where licentious & insolent heads, who after they shall cease to fear Luther's censure & severe correction, will not stick audaciously to corrupt this doctrine of us faithfully taught.  
Finally, that God may withdraw such inconveniences, let us apply our diligence to live well, & to study, & let us retain this setence always impressed in our minds that as long as we shall conserve, hear, learn & love the pure doctrine of the Gospel, we shall be the house & church of God as the son of God saith: If any love me, he will observe my word, and my father will 
john. 14.  love him, & we will come to him and make our abode with him. Let us be alured with this singular promise, to learn the heavenly doctrine, & let us be thoroughly persuaded, that mankind & civil governments are conserved because of the church. Let us ponder this in our mind, & be encouraged with the imortality that is coming, to the which God hath called us, who truly hath not in vain manifested himself unto us by so many testimonies, nor with out good respect sent his son, but tenderly loveth & careth for such as make account of his inestimable benefits. I have said.    

¶ A famous & godly history containing the lives and acts of john Ecolampadius and Huldericke Zuinglius, excellent Divines, set forth by Wolfangus Faber Capito, Simon Grineus, and Oswaldus Miconius, and englished by Henry Bennet Callisian. (:)  
¶ Anno. 1561. The last of November. (⸫)   

To the right honourable and his singular good Lord, the Lord Montioy, his humble Orator Henry Bennet Callesian, wisheth long life with increase of honour. (⸫)  
THAT virtue and felicity have their beginning of laborious and dangerous attempts, Demetrius the Pagan Philosopher abundantly declares. For if blessed estate is accident to none, but to such as fast and endure adversity, & those that live in pleasure & perpetual rest, are esteemed inglorious Epicures, whom God neglects & judgeth unworthy to conten●e with calamity. How famous & excellent were the ancient Greeks and victorious Romans (right honourable, & my singular good Lord) whose virtuous deeds & notable exploits, not without great perils & honourable death achieved, mystify to all posterity their incredible desire, as well to enlarge the ●●myts of their 〈…〉 and illustrate with victories their flourishing public weals, as also their intolerable pains & prudent considerations to attain to felicity by the ragged hills, & sharp thorny ways, which lead to virtue. Hercules, worthily Prince of all Grecia: what labours sustained he? What ugly Monsters did he overcome and with what magnanimity did he penetrate the gresly den of Pl●toes ghastly kingdom? By what other counsel did Homexe (●udged of the learned divine) set before our eyes wandering Ulysses as an absolute Image of wisdom, tossed with many ●rksome travails: but to signify this to be the ready way to climb to the palace of all felicity, and commendable virtue. Such were Epaminundas, Alcibiades, Photion, Alexander the great, Cam●llus, Scipio, Paulus, Aemilius, Pompeius, Augustus, Brutus, Cato & Cicero, no ●es ornaments of their Country then express patterns of virtue. These worthy personages as they shined in glory and live in the learned monuments of virtuous writers: So the infamous and in glorious Princes, as Heliogabalus, Sardanapalus, Nero, Caligula, & Commodus have not only eclipsed the bright sun of their honours by lascivious living, & coward dread, but obscurely lurk in the deep ●onge on of loathsome oblivion. It is then apparent that nothing in this world can establish our seat in securiti, but only virtue, the which with incredible travail is procured. If these excellet Orators and poets have celebrated the memory of these princes, that only endeavoured to gratefy their Country & common weal: What shall we worth lie write in the commendation of john Ecolampadius and Huldericke Zuinglius, who with their monuments of divine sapience, have confirmed our minds in the fear of God, fed us with Euange●ical food, and preached to us the doctrine of salvation, I may justly say they were not only equivalent, but also excelled that other. The one a man of such innocency of life, so sincere in preaching & professing the Gospel, so ready to oppose himself to all worldly danger, as no age can obliterate his memory. The other so magnanimous in thaduaūc● meant of Christ's glory, and his blessed Gospel, so willingly bend to die in quarrel of the right, merits more praise then to be set fourth with foil of my rude pen. Their lives are no less mirrors for us virtuously to live, than their blessed departures comfortable preparatives, teaching us to die godly. Thus desirous to gratefy your honour, with some token of my goodwill I have englished this history, the which for many your virtues & goodly ornaments, I dedicate unto your good Lordship. Which virtues & heavenly gifts, your honour hath not of lats acquired, but naturally are engrafted in your person. There is none at this present that savoureth of any learning but hath red the commendation of your most noble Grandfather William, Lord Montioy. Who besides nobility of race, was adorned with such piety & good literature, as he excelled many noble men in England. For albeit this victorious Realm▪ flourished at those days with many learned instructors, yet the excellency of his courage, could not be contented, unless he were taught of the famous & incomparable Clerk Erasmus of Rotterdam, by whose industry he was so advanced in letters of humanity, that not only in his native Country, but in many foreign regions, his glory and fame eternally shineth. Such is the mutual love of learned men, to consecrate one another in their lucubrations to immortality. And to pass in silence many other his virtues, I will approach nigher. Your honourable father Charles lord Montioy, following the lively steps of his father, was instructed of the notable learned man Andrew Hyperius a German. Who not only in time of peace was diligently incumbent t● good studies, & furthered good learning, but in the late famous war, & assiege of Boulogne showed his magnanimity, & invincible courage, where death envying his glori, claimed her just debt of him not without the lamentable grief and in credible sorrow of a great many. Your honour degenerateth nothing from their laudable steps, entertaining with like zealous affection Heliseus Bomelius a German, who readeth unto your honour the liberal sciences, & whom Philip Melancthon hath in familiar letters praised highly for erudition & godliness. Albeit his learned works published give due testimony thereof. I pretermit many other your worthy virtues, which justly to set forth, I leave to such as with greater vessels can more aptly wade in this sea. Only I will end with your piety which is so great, that you cannot bear with any ●ice, that mai offend God in your honourable house, your unstaid hand to relieve their wants, whom you think worthy to receive your rewards, & your zeal towards true religion, which many to your singular praise pronounce: In sort that when the Patrons of Christian religion are celebrated with just encomys among men, your honour is not▪ unremembered. Thus humbly desiring your good lordship to bear with the rudeness of my translation, I commit the same & the most virtuous Lady your honourable wife, to the tuition of the holy Ghost.  
¶ At London the last of November 1561. your honours most humble. H. B   

The history of the Life of john Ecolampadius, set foorth by Wolfangus Faber. Capito. (⸫)  
¶ To the Christian Reader.  
I Wish thee favourable Reader, to increase in the knowledge & understanding of our Lord jesus Christ reigning in glory. Our friend Simon Grineus, as well flourishing in eloquence and ornate style, as learned in sacred knowledge and sense of the scriptures, hath by his letters faithfully signified unto us the true decease of the very organ of Christ, my well-beloved brother john Ecolampadius. The which information two Counsellors of Basile, men of singular gravity and good fame have with their advertisement verified to be true, who expressed in such manner unto us the words and gesture of the deceased, that me seemed I beheld and heard the lively words he pronounced at the point of death. These Counsellors, were ever present with the Ministers so long as occasion spared them from public affairs, and specially when he was ready to give place to nature▪ They informed he intermitted no time, while he was sick to commend 
The last commendations of john Ecolampadius.  the sincere doctrine of faith, peace, mutual love, and diligent care of the Churches to his brethren, whereof all his life studious, than he was the more earnestly moved, yea inflamed when his sickness was most impatient and dolorous. Pondering also with himself, what occasion of contention and diseord the enemy would minister to the selected Christian flock, destitute of the governance & assistance of their true Pastor. And fully I resolve his prayers availed much for that after his departure, his Successor in most sharpest time of severity & persecution, governed the stern rightly, & was not displaced, in sort that the poor Christians sequestering themselves for a time, & dispersed abroad in the end assembled, & in like order as in few years before established their Church and abode. Our part is to render hearty thanks to the ramous and learned man Simon Grineus, who with compendious clegancy, and singular erudition, hath deserived the decease of this godly man, by whose example we have perfect precedent to learn how to behave ourselves at the latter hour. The rest of Ecolampadius life is no less mirror, which Grineus hath required me fully to set foorth. Aprou●nce (I confess) far passing my power, especially in this miserable and crooked age, & also skill, if any were at all with tract of years, loathsome sickness, and daily exercise impaired and decayed.  
And certes I could none other then incur worthy note of ingratitude, if the glory of Christ which shined in this holy man, if thy desire favourable Reader, proceeding of a zealous affection, finally if Grineus earnest request a man of approved learning and god lines moved me not to descrive the history of Ecolampadius life, and comprise in few words those matters which I perfectly understand. Thou shalt therefore hear of me the very troth (and no pay 〈…〉 history) barren of eloquence and phrases, the truth I repease, will known to many credible persons, fra●●ng ●rast if I should disclose doubtful matters, and which I could not warrant, to deserve worthily 〈…〉, and stain of credit. Attend therefore to this brief discourse of Ecolampadius life, from the beginning to the ●at●er end.  
Ecolampadius was borne in Germany, in the year of our Lord. 14●2. 
Ecolampadius Country.  in a little Village called Viesperg in that Territory which the ancient latins called Cherusci. ●ys Parents according to the Country, very rich, his Mother much renowned for her integrity of life, and holiness. Who for her liberality towards the poor, and good nature, was well regarded and reported among her neighbours. And when God had refte them of all their Children saving this, they endeavoured with all sedulity & diligence to have him instructed, and from the very breast nourished in learning and godly fear. Being grown somewhat elder, his Father determined to make him a Merchant, but his Mother procured longer exhibition for his continue in study. When he learned his ru 〈…〉 me●ts being very young, he represented such a token of towardness, that all those that knew him, ma●ueyled much thereat, for the Lord ripened him the ry●e●●er, that he might employ him in his service. Which was the cause his Father, either overcome with his wives prayer, or won with the towardness of the Child, foreced for no charges. After he had tasted the first foundations of learning, his Father sent him to Helteprune, & Heidelberge, to advance him to the study of the liberal sciences. There he profited so well, that at the xii year of his age he wrote commendable Verses, and within two years after he obtained the degree of Bachelor, as they term it. And this while be fructified no less in the fear of God, and innocency of life, then in 
Discourse of Ecolampadius study.  g●od literature. Being graded Master of Art, he went to Boulogne in Italy, according to his father's mind, to study the Civil law, under a Reader thereof for his excellency in that knowledge much renowned. But within one half year after he was forced to return, as well for the air of Italy, which he could not brook, as for the fraudulency of a Merchant unto whom his father had delivered money for his maintenance. Then he came back to Heidelberge, where giving over the Civil law, he applied his mind to Divinity, cō●oygning therewith good learning & the tongues. Pleas and civil contentions, seemed to base for the excellency of his wit. He was so careful and studious to understand the truth, that the ambiguity & ve●acion of questions & vain sophistry (which pull many pregnant & natural good wits, from the cast of holy scripture) could not discourage him to leave his purpose. After he had red Thomas of Aquine, he gave himself to Richard above all the scholastical writers. He red diligently Gerson, because he seemed more apt to nourish the fear & reverence of God. He made none account of Scotus, albeit he was subtle: he stayed not as one musing, on every subtle question as his companions did, but hastened to attain to the some of this profession. And this while he conferred with certain the fruits of his study, and 
Ecolampadius hated ambition.  contemned evermore the public disputation of such as in common places would contend, esteeming the same to be a mean to corrupt & mar the toward wits & good natures of young men, with pride, arogancy, noise and braw●es. He more desired to learn, then to win Fame by knowledge, which was repugnant to the nature of his tender years, & the institution of his Masters. You would have said he● had been the sucking Infant of sacred Verity, & not the Scholar of doltish Schoolmasters. He attempted diligently, as his capacity served, to understand plainly all the secrets & mysteries of learned truth which was the cause that honest people comen ded him singularly, both for learning and virtue. Yea, Philippe Palatine 
The carl Palatine sent for Ecolampadius  most illustre Prince and Elector of the empire, encouraged with his renown, made him Instructor of his Childre, which was the ready way to grow to great wealth, if he had delighted to savour of the pomp & bravery of the world, but the virtue of his mind borne to embrace godliness, drew him an other way. Wherefore with all celerity he abandoned the Court, and returned to prosecute his godly studies again. Finally, for that his Parents, people very devout, were fully resolved to employ their wealth on God's service, and this their only Son, having no further care, nor hope of any issue, & considering he was of a weak complexion, and apt to prove a notable Preacher, they founded in the Town where they were borne, by the advise and consent of their said son, a Benefice, having the charge of Preacher annexed, and employed thereon the principal part of their revenue. And therefore Ecolampadius 
He was in 〈…〉 ituted Preacher.  was first assigned Governor of that Church, where having resided six weeks, he procured liberty to return to Heidelberg to increase his studies, thinking himself not then able to discharge the office of a Preacher, which he well weighed to be no trivial matter. But first of all he came to Tubinge, and at Stulgarde he conferred with Capnion, a man at those days very perfect and skilful in the knowledge of the tongues. Who in sew days gave him some 〈◊〉 of Greek, which he augmented after with private study, that at his return to Heidelberg, he wrote a Grammar, which he entitled Dragmata, the which since was imprinted. And at the time he learned the Hebrew tongue of a Spaniard, who sometime was my schoolmaster a perverse man, and or an evil conversation, for he hated us because we studied that holy tongue. Even then I was Preacher at Bruschel, and followed the bishops Court, about whose affairs, I had occasion oftentimes to visit Heidelberg, which ministered opportunity to enter in familiarity with him, and to entertain the same with gratifying one an other as time required. This friendship flourished betwixt us without violation, or semblant of unkindness till the latter day. For each of us was participant of others affairs, and we disposed and ordered all our acts and intentes with mutual advise and counsel, saving when he attempted the monkish estate, which was contrary to my will. And now that he is departed out of this mortal life: I will not omit to love him, the which Christ helping me, I will largely declare in his Children, committed to my tuition. Then he thought good to repair to his habitation to discharge his office, 
The vanity of▪ false Preachers  and preserve the same from all contagion, which might happen to his Church by the frequency of such preposterous and vain heads, as ●u●ked in great numbers in the Universities. During which time I was called to Basile, there to preach, and then he preached Christ in his Country, to the great admiration of all faithful & learned people, albeit then he intermeddled many things of the ancient superstition, yet some affirmed he was a very severe Preacher, because he roared not out in the Pulpit, & with pleasant gesture could not move laughter among his glooming▪ Auditors, as was the bestial monks custom, for he ever observed modesty & gravity in his ●●●eraunce. This their corrupt & perverse judgement gave him occasion to write unto me one little treatise entitled, the ●asti●●● of passover▪ wherein be expressed his mind ●●●ye learnedly, and (as I 〈◊〉▪ not▪ 〈◊〉▪ years past. Then I 〈◊〉 with all sedulity to allure such a companion of study and godliness to Basi●●, judging it unworthy that such a toward wit, and hope of Christian Religion, should l●●ke in a s●●●et 〈◊〉 of his Country. I entreated Christopher of V●●nhim, Bishop of Ba●●●●▪ 
〈…〉 a d 〈…〉 to be a 〈…〉 ch●r at Bas●●e.  to send for him, and to ●●●owe him with parochial 〈◊〉 of the Cathedral Church. He brought with him si●e Christian Tra 〈…〉 s, I remember not the arguments of them all, but of one (●●●●s I ●rr●) written of the Virgin Mary. And these Tragedies pleased well the judgement of all learned Readers. He gave himself much to write Greek and Latin verses. The arguments of his Tragedies were not conformable to the rule of faith, for that he wound himself out of the errors used in the Church slowly and deliberately, obeying rather the judgement of an apparent & established religion, than the vain affections of other, which was the cause his Tragedies were not imprinted.  
In this broil, Erasmus of ●otero●ame came to Basile, of purpose to have his Annotacious upon the new 
Erasmus aided of Ecolampadius.  Testament imprinted, & to accelerate the same, he required Ecolampadius to aid him. As he plainly confesseth he was aided of him, naming Ecolampadius a perfect and true divine, and an excellent mirror of holiness in life, and in the knowledge of the three tongues. He was graded Doctor through the impo●run●tye & coaction of his friends, who judged his parsonage worthy to be garnished with such a title, the common people much applauding the same. It was high time the lord should be served of such a Minister so instructed, and ready, & therefore the Canons of the great Church in Auspurg, sent for him to preach there: but the harvest of the Lord was not yet ripe, and the evangelical corn not white enough to receive 
Ecolampadius appointed Preacher in Auspurg.  the sith, considering the life of the common people, was as perverse as the Ecclesiastical Ministers contagious & corrupt, that the same refused the hand of the Physician, which moved him to determine his departure▪ Two miles distant from Auspurg, there is a Monastary consecrated to S. Alton, wherein dwelleth ● Covent of monks, of the order of S. Brigide, who were bruited to live more religiously & holily, than other. Ecolampadius having diligently observed their manners, desired to be admitted one of that order, and required liberty for his studies and faith, the which he testified with these words: Albeit with vi hundred oaths I should oblige myself, I will not keep covenant, if it happen I may supply the office of a Preacher abroad. The monks allowed the condition, and showed their privilege, by which it was permissive to any to have egress and preach, if heresies began to bu●g●n 
Ecolampadius agreeth to be a monk.  in any Country. All this pleased well the Bishop of Fri●●●guen, who highly esteemed and reverenced this holy man. But I (as much as I could conveniently) resisted this his attempt fearing the event, as in deed it came to pass, that he should not find there the repose he desired for his studies, neither opportunity to serve his neighbour, and the Christian Church.  
Being in the cloister, besides certain sermons which he published, he wrote a treatise of Confession, very godly, and therefore unpleasant to such as traffic Ceremonies. For 
He is prrsecuted.  Friar Glapio, Themperor Charles Confessor, put him in great danger for this book, at such time as the Escates of Thempire were assembled at Worms. Wherefore by the persuasion and soliicitation of his friends, and the Monks consent, ●e abandoned that Monastery. Before he departed the brute was, he was committed to prison, the which a learned canon of Auspurge signified unto me for a matter of truth, when I followed the Archbishop of Mences Court then, at Halle Sales in Saxony. The journey of Worms was ended few months before. Forthwith when I was advertised of these heavy news, I required licence for two months under colour of domestical affairs, and addressed me towards men's, to deiuse some good mean to release my brother. Being there arrived, and entered into my lodging, which was the Curates house, suddenly and besides all expectation I found Ecolampadlus, devising with Gaspar Hedio. I do not a little delight, when I call to memory the sweet greetings, and in credible joy we had in our me●iyng, and how lovingly we embraced each other.  
For four years before he departed from Basile, and since we saw not one another. And besides I assuredly believed he was kept in close prison: I was forced two months at the least to keep three horses and two servants, as well at Strasburg and Basile, as in the common Inns in my direct way, till I came to the Prince at Neurenberg, where then the Princes were appointed to assemble. Ecolampadius went from men's, and came to Frances Sickengen, a noble and famous Gentleman, where 
France's Sickengen a lover of truth.  he began to repourge the Mass, and translated certain fragments of Chrisostome, but for that this worthy man was troubled with unfortunate war (a man worthy to live at rest, and bear great authority, so servantly was he be●t to advance justice, religion and good learuing) Ecolampatius departed to Basile, of purpose to have imprinted that he had written, sojourning with the said Gentleman. There, by the advise and consent or 〈…〉 Senate (albeit certain 
Ecolampadius professeth diuini●y● at Basile.  Sophisies repelled) he began to read Esay in public auditory, & immediately after at the request of the Curate of S. Martin's, he took the charge to preach for him, not without the high displeasure of the Papists, but in the end, he whom he sincerely preached (which is Christ) won the field. And all this while he professed Christ five years together, without any meed or salary, either of Curate or Preacher. About this time he translated out of Greek into Latin, Chrisostome upon Genesis, and Theophilactus 
His translations.  wholly. A disputation even now began of the Sacrament of thanks giving, and being required to say his opinion, he declared the same modestly, and according to the mind 
Contention for the Gospel.  of the ancient Fathers, which he faithfully alaedged, whereof grew marvelous cont●nc●ō, because some conceived not the sense of his writing, as he meaned. But it is easy to conject which way he tended, & what he demanded, certainly nothing less than to disturb the Church, or obscure the verity. And this while the troth began to flourish in Suicerland, wherefore Faber, Eccius and other travailed so much (as the brute went) with the Chieftains of Suicerland, that they got a place assigned for a public disputation to discuss the principal points of Religion, that were in contention. 
The journey.  There m●● Ecolampadius not without great peril, although he had letters of safeconduct. And for that Zuinglius would not appear there, or if he would, the principals of Zuricke would not have suffered him, doubting the enemies deliberated otherwise, then with simple disputation to pacify this broil. Ecolampadius sustained the cause of truth alone, against the rankest Papists, & longest experimented Soldiers of Antichrist. that in numbers repaired thither. There be living at this present many credible persons, who can testify with what conscience & dexterity he cleared himself, besides that the adversaries have published the truth also. A year after he employed himself, and did his duty notably well, in disputation & reformation of Berne 
Reformation of the gospel at bern  as the acts received of Notaries solemnly sworn, bear witness to the whole world. incontinently after this a great tumult rose at Basile for 
Sedition at Basile.  that certain of the Senate & the commonty boldly & with particular temerity, withstood matters lawfully & of long time decreed for the purity of the Gospel, myliding to disannul & abolish by private authority, the accords & agrements made by public conser, wherefore it was necessari to reform, establish, & innovate, as well in the city as the villages of this common weal, those matters that before were ordained for religion according to the word of God. And in this stir, none demeaned themselves insolently, for the common people attempted nothing disorderly, save that some pulled down and defaced Images, which were set up for superstition, so vigilant was the Senate to appease all debate, & to reduce allthings to good order, & that they did was done by the mean of this grave & holy man, who exhorted them continually to modesty, peace, & obedience. He was immediately after a mean to re-establish in the Church ecclesiastical discipline, & the censure of 
The censure of excommunication received.  excommunication. The he was called to V●me with Ambrose Blawrer, & Martin Bucer, where he prescribed order for the Church, & reform the same according to the rule of the Gospel. He passed the rest of his life in like holy exercises profiting daily, writing, reading, or giving counsel to 
The exer 〈…〉 ses of Ecolampadiu●  the churches in Germany, to the great discomfort of such as covet not to have Christ reign over them, but to the in estimable emolument, and thankful contentation of the godly and sincere sort. Such hath been the order of this holy man's life to the latter end, true, pure, prone to piety, ready to relieve men, careful to advance the kingdom of god, & diligent to subvert the attempts of sathan. This life hath he led till he departed without any alteration or instability. And for that he laid foundation & builded on a firm stone, he never received torment that could deface, much les ruinated him, he had no● other than Christ in his heart, taking his level at him, as at a blank, & all his cares, actions, conferences and attempts, directing his course by him, as by the aspect of a star, called the lesser Bear, a certain mark. He hoist up, and haled down the sails of Christ's ship, as time required. He succoured the 
The offices of a true 〈…〉 astor.  afflicted with godly consolation, he offered pardon to the penitent, the heavy laden & weary wights he relieved with Christ their only solace. The stony hearts he forced to relent with hammer of divine wrath. He erected nothing, but in his ripe time, & when the profit of the Church urged most. He was a prudent steward, for he well ordered, & equally divided the ordinary food of the lords Family, that which he practised in his exposition upon Ezechiel. For than he was more incumben 〈…〉 o his outward Stewardship, to the 〈…〉 t that the false religion abolished among Christians, he might frame & fas●●ion an uniform & right common w●●le, according to the word of God. Farewell Reader, and pray with me, that we keeping that way which Ecola●●a●ius hath passed, may through the holy Ghost attain to jesus Christ in his father's kingdom. So be it.   

¶ The history of the death of john Ecolampadius, setforth by Simon 〈◊〉 (⸫)  
¶ Simon Grineus wisheth long health, to his friend Wolfangus Fa●er Capito.  
I Understand by your letters, that many as well in France, as in other 
Scla●nde of that death of Ecolanpadius.  places, have written unto you the horrible brute flown in to foreign Countries of the departure of our good friend john Ecolampadius a man of much innocency, as though he had destroyed himself or his friends secretly made him away, and that this rumour is authorized by certain books published, so that many far distant hence, persuade this to be no fable. And thereupon you earnestly require me (yea truly me) that have 〈◊〉 present in all these affairs, observed the sequel thereof more circu● sp●●t●y then other, upsucked his last sighs, & closed my friends eyes: in consideration of our mutual acquaintance long time confirmed, I would grately the deceased with relation of the truth, removing all suspicion from the virtuous & godly, & confounding the sycophancy and slander of the perverse and malicious rabble, in sort, that the utility which the wise & ●earn●● have reaped of his monuments, continually mai increase in thee, & his excellent works be purged of the sacrilegious accusations of the malignant. All be it (dear friend Capito) thanks be given to God, I never yet 
The insatiable malice of the wicked aga●●● the ●●ste & godly.  rested to defend troth with a singular zeal, and to confute these monstrous lies, which evermore troubled my mind: yet for that & see ordinarily this evil accident to the godly, that in their life time they be disdained of evil persons, & after their decease de●o●ed to the devils: I thought it good to pass in silence the clamour of the adversaries, fearing some would conceive this were done of bravery and vain ostentation, rather than of any impelling need, if we trusted our sei●●●s so sclederly in the defence of the good renown of a man exquisite & absolute in many notable a●●es. But allthings deeply prepended, I could never be induced to write any thing of the life or death of him, whom we know well to have lived & died most holily. Albeit certain urged me to this attempt, the which in my iudgemet is notorious enough by his books, unless the venomous tongues of curr●●● detractors in most detestable manner, had compelled me to do the same. And what shall I say (my dear friend Capito) what this meaneth, or how it happeneth, that a thing deliberately & with leisure done in a famous & large city, in the face & audience of a great ●omber, can breed any doubt, much less be taken in contrary part ●● his adversaries, so as he who finished his mortal life most blessedly, & was lamented of all good persons, should be defan●ed to have been murdered (a horrible matter) & that he which was all his life time of a m●ke & gentle nature, should be reported ●● the information of impudent Asses, 〈◊〉 cruel and bloody hand to have pulled cut the wretched and miserable ghost Can there be any so senseless, so infamous, so malevolent to impair the good renown of an other, or with violent irruption to invade a syllye dead carcase▪ But such is the order of destiny & course of human affairs. Certainly the clear sun of righteousness, never riseth charged with dark clouds, but a so●●yn tempest, storm and hurl wind follow, menacing the members of Christ a thousand calamities and deaths: furious wrath & cankered malice spread their force & impudent slanders reign in every place. But as it is our part to endure and despise these evils, with an invincible courage, and heart prepared to the cross of Christ, and disposed to patience, so it behoveth us not to dissimule a lie against the honour of God, nor quail to clear the truth. We therefore that were present in these affairs, answer compendiously and faithfully the truth, touching the departure of this godly man, as well to refute the detractation of the sycophants, as to satisfy the desires of the honest, and bear witness of his innocency, as reason moveth us.  
A year before his decease, he was more afflicted with sickness, than all his life time past, and notwithstanding he was never impeached with weightier affairs then at the instant, for the botch which a little before was stopped, then began to break out, & overronning inwardly his whole body, marvelously weakened his forces extenuated & exhausted with watching. This while he was moved with an incredible solicitude, not only to see the Gospel (which now began to flourish) prosper under him: but also in the broil of civil war, then ●yrye hot▪ and among, sects budding and springing one from another, laboriously to do his duty, and serve his call Wherefore having no respect to the 
Ecolampdius' travails.  troublous season, he watched & travailed much more than ever he did, going on foot through the whole circuit of his Church, exhorting his own flock as well as his enemies, & often times grievously and sharply rebuking them, not without great peril of his life, to reduce them to the right way. Briefly he employed himself in all things most faithfully diligently & with an ardent zeal. Furthermore among so many public & particular affairs, among his ordinary Sermons, he began the Bible, which he was accustomed to read, when his turn was with an other professor of Divinity, & prosecuting daily the exposition of the same, as a true & singular Bishop of Christ, he made an excellent work, bringing to light new & old matters, faithfully & learnedly, through his great know ledge of holy scriptures, & the Greek and Hebrew tongues. This man alone sustained many burdens one whole year together, marvelous patiently with his tedious sickness, when the same inwardly flowed in his members with no less pain, than when it broke out. Besides this he enterprised the interpretation of two strange tongues: I need not to write with what dexterity. For divers works of Theophi lactus, Cyrillus, & Chrisostomus in that behalf bear luculent testimony, although it is apparent they were hastened to timely to the Printers press. He added hereunto the expositions of those places which are most difficile, and removed from common sense in the sacred scripture, as his large & learned Commentaries upon isaiah, jeremy, hag, Zachary, Malachy, Daniel, job, Ezechiel, the Epistle to the Romans, and the hebrews, the Gospel of S. john, and his Canonical Epistle, the which he achieved not long before, evidently declare. And this while he ceased not to preach. I willingly pass over his particular affairs, and an infinite number of answers he gave daily to the Churches I have wondered at his intolerable travails, and privily stealing on him, I would gently rebuke him, saying he could not live long, and persuaded him to repose and spare himself, till time of necessity. But his fatal day at hand, he hastened and perfected all, as one that certainly knew his dying date was not far of. Even at this present Suicerland broiled 
Suyces war.  with civil and lamentable war, Zuinglius the valiant Champion, and deliverer of Papistical thraldom among his, and diligent reformer of the evangelical purity, was cruelly slain in battle.  
There was also a treaty of peace made to the great discomfort and heaviness of such as vnfame●●ye feared God. These doleful & miserable mishaps, abased the courages of all men, when either through pestilent air, wherewith the City & his house was infected, or through the scab which corrupted & putrefied his inward parts, there appeared a b●tch upon his huckle bone, where all the bones assemble, and immediately after inflamed his body with a most vehement heat, no doubt it was a Carbuncle. His colour was pale and earthy, and as hot as fire, and notwithstanding all these common and private diseases, he omitted not to preach, write and read Lectures: but as a worthy soldier hardened and patient in his pains, abandoned not his standing, until the violence of his malady enforces him to keep home, and reit on his bed, setting all business aside. We that were his friends reasoned and conferred with the Physician, then after with the Chirurgeon, as well of the nature as regiment of his sickness, and even the the Physician gave us faint hope of his recovery, partly considering the nature of his disease, & partly the weakness of his body, but when he he had considered allthings, he wrought the best & readiest help for his redress. A day or. 2. after, his heat began meanly to assuage by art & order of the Physician, & the botch being ripened, ministered ease for the vehement heat to respire, so that now we began to hope of his health. And albe it he took in good part the travail and service of his friends: yet he prayed them not to take so great pains, for that he was assured he should not escape this sickness. And this while 
Brotherly & friendly visitation of Ecolampadius.  his friends of all estates, & the godly and grave counsellors of the City visited him, offering to gratefye, and declared their faithful and loving hearts towards him. It was also by decree of the Senate ordained that the Physicians should employ their whole knowledge and endeavour to entreat him well. You should have seen such conflewence of brethren, and devout persons to visit, comfort and watch with him, that where many before frequented his house, now a whole world seemed to occupy the same. His malady still continued at one stay, the eight day passed, the Physicians agreed not in their consultations, although alike they did their duties as friends in all diligence and fidelity. They assayed all remedies, but this raging sickness overcame all their medicines, notwithstanding that the chief ordinary Physician of the City confessed that the sickness so long rooted & grounded in him, overcame not so much as the weakness of his body which of long time had lost all strength. For the botch ran not as it was wont, but retired inward●ye, and yet his sickness decreased nothing (all be it his heat was temperate) but augmented in his bowels, with grievous pain of his head. Then the Physician that had special charge of him, resisted with all force & new medicines his sickness, and concealed no part of his industry & cunning towards his Patient. Furthwyth his strength began to return, & we almost persuaded of his recovery, for it appeared visibly that nature warred stronger in him. And suddenly besides all expectation, the paya ranged along his right side, & apostumed with great quantity of phlegm, gathered in his bowels, & flowing in abundance, but as it appeared since, it was the last conflict nature had, for by & by his heart began to tremble, his eyes to seitle in his head, his members to fail by force & violence of his sickness. Then the Physician began to doubt, & we despair of his recovery, but he the long passed was prepared to this banquet, & with deep sighs groaned for the same, forced not for our consolations, but with an invincible courage bade us be of good comfort Then calling to him the Ministers of the Gospel, his companions in profession, with the principal of the Church, he made the this Oration.  
Ye see brethren in what state mine 
Ecolampadius last exhortation.  affairs rest, the Lord approacheth to call me hence, I am therefore desirous to confirm & establish my soul with the perfect joy of our Lord, & consolation of you my dear friends. What shall we the servants of God say in this fatal farewell, the jointly be coupled together in like love towards the Lord, like study, like care, & like doctrine? Salvation is procured for us, the faithful hope of God's kingdom by Christ is conquered for us, his doctrine is true, his light shineth even at our feet, wherefore abandon all sorrow, all dread of death, all error & all doubt. What resteth then but constantly & faithfully to follow jesus Christ, as we long sith have begun: First in purity of doctrine, secondly in life conformable to the lively word of God. Christ puissant enough, will of his infinite mercy give order for the rest and preserve his Church. Endeavour then with all alacrity of mind, my dear brethren, to make your light 
The way to overthrow Satan.  shine, so as God the Father may be glorified, and the name of Christ resplendish and have light by the brightness and integrity of your conversation. Love one another unfeignedly, having god ever more before your eyes. Men preach the truth in vain, and little prevail words, for if we will subdue Satan, if we determine to shape this world after Christ, this specially that now is we had need of a clear and holy life, of a heavenly courage and mind. See ye not what clouds appear, what tempest gins to noise, what alienation of minds, what impiety reign, yet ye must be constant and courageous, assured the Lord will dispose all in just order. O the I might be with you in your tribulations, and expose this my life for the truth, but it may be so, for as much as the love of godly men, and the band in Christ is indissoluble, and have all things common among them. Such discourse had Ecolampadius concerning religion, generally with us his brethren, and then he began to touch himself. Where I am sc●aundered (saith he) that perversely I have corrupted the truth. I force not, for praised be god, I depart to appear before the throne of Christ in pure conscience there shall I truly know if I have seduced the Church, I leave you witnesses 
His protestation that he taught the verity.  of this mine opinion and attestation, the which I maintain and confirm in these my last sighs. And when he had said this, the brethren gave him their hands, and faithfully promised to take care for the church. The morrow after, which was the. r● day he had laid sick, he commanded his Children to be brought before him, and first he took them by the hand, than he struck them on the head & notwithstanding their tender years could not conceive the father's mind (for the eldest was but three years old) Go to (faith he) Eusebie, you Irena, and you Alith●a, my dear Children, i●u● ye God your father. And when their Mother had made a sign of grant, ●he would fulfil his commandment, he vended his eyes towards his wy●●, his mother in law, & other his 〈…〉, saying: I have with this my last restament bound ye that ye end 〈…〉 my Children be such, as I said even now, and as I have ever desired, that is, fearing God, peaceable, meek, and true. And after all those that were present, had given again consent, and faithful promise to observe his request, he caused his children to be re 〈…〉 ed from him. This was the last night, and all the brothen were with him, with whom (it seemed having de 〈…〉 ●o rest) he conferred very lie 〈…〉. A certain friend of his came in again that went forth, whom he required to ●●l s●m news, the other answered he knew none. But I will tell thee news saith Ecolampadius. Every man was silent to hear what this might be, I shall be shortly saith he with Christ my Lord. Anon after one demanded him if the light hurted him not, and laying his hand on his stomach, answered: here is light enough.  
The dawning of day appeared, and the Sun began with his radiaunt beams to clear the whole world, when his fatal hour approached. His last prayer which we could understand, and which he pronounced with great pain, yet easy to be understanded: was the li Psalm of David, which containeth David's penitent prayer for his sins, the which this godly man recited at large in the presence of us, with sighs drawn from his divine breast.  
This done, he paused a while, and as one suddenly awakened, said this prayer: jesus Christ save me. This was the last voice that issued out of that venerable mouth. We were ten brethren kneeling round about his bed, and lyf●ynge up our hands, we made our prayer unto God.  
It was vow clear and perfect day●▪ and the su●ne ascended our horisont, when this holy man rendered his ghost to God his Creator, so meekly, humbly, & with such affiance in Christ his Lord, that all good people were no less comforted with his godly end, than they had been edified by his virtuous life.  
Thus Ecolampadius ended his days, whose life shied in integrity and innocency. The cause recited in the beginning, moved me (yea truly me, that have been a luculent witness with divers credible persons, of all these things written) not to serve from testification of the truth, but faithfully to advertise the same. And now my dear friend Capito, since you have exhorted me to set forth his fatal end: reduce you to memory, the order of his life. For you know what pleasure the godly shall receive, and what provocation this shallbe for them to imitate his godly steps. I do not in vain require you to attempt this, for no man can more lively descrive the same than you▪ with whom all his syfe time he had great familiarity and learned conference. Then seeing this ample occasion is offered unto you, to satisfy the thirsty expectation of the godly, and gratefy the greedy desires of all honest and virtuous people. I doubt not, and the rather at the contemplation of my request, you will publish to the whole world, the great abundance of grace, it pleased the Lord to poor in this man, who is worthy to be calendred in the Catalogue, of famous and godly pillars of the Christian church. Farewell.▪)   

¶ The history of the Life and Death of Huldericke Zuinglins. written by Oswa●d Mi●●●●●s. (⸫)  
¶ Oswald Miconius wisheth perfect health, to his friend Agathius Ber●●●●●.  
YOUR request is (dear friend Agathy) I should publish a matter as worthy notice, as surmounting the compass ●●ing skill. For great things require supportation of great power, as yet I have ramforced only. For I am both weak to attained to high matters, and naturally given to achieve low enterprises. Think you this is a trivial argument to discourse I will not say descrive the history of Zuinglius life? for such is not your desire, weighing the sterility of my skill and eloquence. Tully the Prince of all good learning, & the famous plutarch, might with their greatest vessels wade in this large sea, without eclipse of their glorious cunning and elegant style. So great is Zuinglius among his sincere friends, & so s●●lly esteemed among his illiterate & profane enemies, hereof springeth your doubt. There be some (you allydge) that in praising him, make the same a mirror of godliness, and some in contemning him, paint him out like an horrible and monstrous wight, which moveth you to marvel, the earth can sustain so facinorous a creature. Thus the laud of his friends alluring you to reverence. & the slander of his foes, provoking you to abhor his life and acts: You seem to suspend your resolute judgement of him, and his learned works, and therefore requires to be credibly informed by some his familiar friends of his demeanour and conversation, that (such is your zealous affection) as his excellent monuments shine in all Christianity and sincere doctrine: so they may receive condign credit, and godly report of all Christian people. I may right boldly affirm, I knew Zuinglius familyarlye, who was my Maecenas, & with whom I had learned conference, for the which I am obliged unto him manyfoldly. But what can I give, so barren of eloquence, and ornate phrase? If you did not remember me, I should forget my just debt, now that you press me, I will do what I can, and the more is, I dare be bold to say, this compendious narration will delight you much For I writ as I have had experience, trusting you will communicate to none this discourse, but keep it to yourself  
Zuinglius was borne about the year of our Lord. 1487. in a Village, 
The place ●her zuinclius was bear.  called Doggiens, otherwise named the wild house, as high situated, as any Mountain in Suicerland. I have been fond to believe he gathered Dininity by his near neighborhed to heaven, considering he had not his like of long time in holiness of life. His Father hight Nicholas Zuinglius, his 
His parents  Mother Margaret Meyline, both persons of good fame. His father was renowned, as well for his integrity, as temporal preferment. In his Country he was a principal Governor, & we● esteemed. This man having good hope of his young son, bestowed him with a Priest his Brother, to try if he were apt to take learning, and understanding by the same his towardness, he put him to a Schoolmaster, under whom he prospered so well, that his Instructor could not limit him so much to learn, as he had ready wit to receive. Therefore he was sent to Basile, being but ten years old, and had to Master one Gregory Binzle a learned and ready Teacher. There he profited in small time so well that he gained in disputation, and conference of study much more than other his fellows, which moved the elder 
Zuinglius was a Musician.  Scholars to stomach him. He excelled in the art of Music, as it is incident to them that be naturally bend more to one science, than an other. His Instructor Binzle, loving him dearly, considered well the manner of teaching then used, was far to base for such a jolly and pregnant wit, and therefore returned him to his Parents praying them to place him, where as he might receive instruction according to his capacity. Then was he sent to Berne, there to study under one Henry Lupulus, a learned man, & famous in Poesy, who first advanced 
Zuinglius is sent to Berne.  and professed letters of humanity in Suicerland. This man red unto him approved authors, of whom he learned the purity of the Latin tongue, & understanding of Authors with good judgement. He also learned to write Verses & could scan & judge others Poesy. He had not fully consumed two years in this study, when he had grounded so 
His study of Philosophy.  well, as he might build thereupon the study of Philosophy. Then he repaired ●● Vienna in Au●triche, where he learned the some of Philosophy, & augmented his knowledge in letters of humanity. In few years after he was called home, and fearing intermission of exercise of learning, he returned to Basile, where he communicated his skill to many. And being elected principal of S. Martin's College, he began to profess good learning, to the singular commodity of all his Auditors. At vacant times he curiously examined Philosophy, and the vain Commentes of sophists, to arm himself the more strongly, if in time to come, it chanced him to dispute against them. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his grave studies with some 〈◊〉 melody, as he was pleasantly wy●●●● lively, & me●y conceited. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●e ●a●ly after, he learned to play on all Musical instruments, to then●e he might quicken his mind, defatigated with studies, & return to them with more alacrity I doubt much (dear friend Agathye) hold you can believe 
The profit of M●●●●.  this, for hereby his enemies have ●a 〈…〉 ●●●asion ton 〈◊〉 him, a●●enging Music is an alluring ●aite to ●eche rous lust, & no encouragement to gentle study. I have heard the perverse pronounce evilly of him, & specially the babylon Priests, who live licentiously, & wallow in Venus' ●●ddie. But who lives so ●●●●e of spot, that can escape Momus blast, we will not be discouraged to advance his praise, what so ever Miöas Mates, & blind Bussards chat. Is not this an evident argument, he used Music saw dably, considering he persuaded 〈◊〉 stubentes to give themselves thereunto, and wherefore might he refrain? since there is nothing that rejoiceth the sorrowful mind more the Music. After he had long time travailed, as well in liberal arts, as in the study of philosophy, he received the due guerdon of Schools, to wit, the degree of Master. The which he took not so willingly, as to condescend to the opinion of men, who judge none learned, unless they ●e ●ecked with these brave titles. A while after as the matter & order required, he employed his study 
theology corrupted with Philosophy.  in school divinity, but by and by he perceived that it was but loss of time, and that by worldly wisdom, God & Philosophy were mixed together, in such sort, that of this vanity, barbarousness, or rather vain glory, there was no certain hope of any sincere doctrine: yet he continued in this exercise, as though he had been an espial or looker on the enemy's camp, till 
Zuinglius chosen Pastor of Glaris.  those of Glaris elected him their superintendant, without taking the order of Priesthood. The which he took afterwards, being constrained to perfect that, that the other had begun Having received this order, he wholly addicted himself to study, specially of holy Scripture. For since that time he made none account of good learning, but where the same served his turn in the sacred scripture, and preachings. And for this purpose he 
Things requisite to a Preacher.  learned Valerius the great by rote, because of his examples. He considered, that he that had the charge to instruct the flock of Christ, aught to be garnished with the science of many things, & specially with divine knowledge, more than with eloquence, and elegant phrase to expound allthings duly, and for the utility & capacity of every one. He endeavoured with all sedulity, to achieve this, perusing always the new and old Testament, elucidating the proprieties of the text & applying them as he thought good, to the profit and benefit of those of the Country that heard him. By this time he had so increased in divine knowledge, that the virtuous & learned judged him well exercised in holy scriptures, and a perfect Divine. Yet he was not contented there with, until he had the knowledge of the tongues to supply that he lacked. Wherefore he gave himself first to the Greek tongue, by help of Lexic●ns, or Greek Dictionaries and translations. He wrote S. Paul's Epistles in Greek, and learned them by rote, so as he understood them better in Greek, then in Latin. The like he did in all other books of the new Testament. But having learned of S. Peter that holy scripture is not understanded by particular interpretation, he lifted his eyes to the heavens, beseeching the holy Ghost to be his Instructor, & prayed daily he might have that grace given him to understand sincerely the sense of the holy Ghost. And fearing 
where we ought to ta 〈…〉 the knowle●e of the holy Scripture  least under colour of the holy Ghost he should abuse himself, he conferred that, that was written, and illustrated the dark places, by the plain, in sort, that when he preached the scripture, every man might plainly perceive he was taught of the holy ghost.  
By this mean the knowledge of heavenly truth long time obscured, to the great detriment & perdition of souls: was happily restored unto us He judged of the Catholic doctors as they judged of themselves, that we must read them with judgement, and try them by the Canonical scriptures, as by a touch stone, otherwise they be ordinarily so corrupted, with medley of Philosophy and man's reasons, that it is impossible there should be any order in conforming them to the authority of holy Scripture, a thing in time passed attempted and put in ure.  
Then he practised his skill in this manner: He proclaimed & made war against a● notable disorders & enormities, specially against the pensions (for so we term the presents that Princes 
Zuinglius zeal against Pensionaries.  make to some particular parsons to levy Soldiers, to aid them in their wars) desiring to abolish them, and to reduce the Country to the pristinate estate, and former simplicity. For he considered, unless he purged the sountaxne of all evils, Christian doctrine could not settle and take sure foundation.  
You may not here Agathy say: Is it possible that Zuinglius yet a Papist, should think of the Gospel? Credit me, it is more than xxvii years past, since these Block heads charged him secretly to be an heritik, as well for this that is rehearsed, as for that he approved john Picus of Mirandolas propositions, set up at Rome by him in time past to dispute, the which notwithstanding he could not obtain. Hereof sprang the hatred, infamy, exclamation, and wily working of the children of the world against Zuinglius, & increased even as his virtues augmented. The other contrarily that were godly affectioned, as some ancient and virtuous personages, with certain Priests of a less corrupt life, esteemed him so highly, as they trusted by his endeavour, the justice & integrity of the ancestors should be remised in their old estate. At that time he announced the grace of the Gospel, in sort, that he said little of the abuses of Rome, or nothing at al. For he thought it was necessary that truth first known, should work in the hearts of his auditors, so that when they had well understanted the true conntaundements, they might discern the false and repugnant. And truly, such was the quality of time, he could do none other. For in this contrariety of opinions and rebellion of people, the truth had rather been rejected, then the abuse reform. Truth it is in this point I cannot clear this young man of all suspicion of sin, although with sacred desire to serve God, he circumspectly took heed by evil example to abase the authority of heavenly doctrine. Thus Zuinglius demean himself at Glaris. And in this broil he had good occasion offered him to repair to the hermitage for a season. Thither the Lord Thibaut Gerolzege a Baron invited him, a man as well affectioned to learning and learned men, as to true religion, who was the administrator of our Lady's Hermitage. The cause that moved Zuinglius to repair thither, was the singular desire he had to publish Christ and the verity, among divers & far distant nations, who for the famous brute of the place, in frequency flowed thither, and partly the goodly opportunity he supposed to find there to come to a more perfect understanding of the Greek tongue. And happily the event answered his expectation, for there he manifested Christ, & got perfect intelligence of the Greek, to understand more easily the new and old Testament. Even about this time the congregation of Zuricke, destitute of a Preuther, suborned certain, who did their undevour to place Zuinglius their superintendant. He was ignorant of this, till that a canon of the City required him, if he would 
Zuinglius called to Zuricke.  discharge the province of a Preacher, and be their Pastor at Zuricke. He answered he was content, and trusted, that if the grace of god was preacher & received in so famous a place, the other Cantons or quarters of Suiderland would follow that example, and by this mean a godly reformation would ensue.  
And all be it he was assured he should not have like salary as before, yet he said, if they would appoint him that function, he would endeavour to discharge the same. But he would not require it at the time of esertion, as many are accustomed, to procure the voice and suffrage of other. I was suborned, I truly Agathye, to give Zuinglius my voice, which I gave, and received grant for him. Who was immediately sent for, & admitted with the incredible joy of all good people. A while after being in the Chapter of the Canons, he proponed unto them, what he determined to teach the people, to wit, the history of our Saviour Christ, according to S. Matthew, so as his virtue, whose name they did advance should not be buried any longer, to the detriment of divine glory, & health of souls. Further, he protested he would not expound the same by human sense, binding himself by oath to any private Interpreter, but by conference & industrious collection of scripture, & by the intelligence of the holy ghost, the which he hoped to obtain with humble prayer made unto God. This his resolution made some heavy & sorrowful, & some joyful, even as the voices before were not all alike to admit Zuing lives. He began to execute his promise at the Nativity of our Lord. 1519. and since pursued the same. During his 
Martin Luther.  continue in this, Luther's name begun to grow in credit, & many bought and red his books. And albeit Zuinglius as then read them not, yet he exhorted in his sermons his auditors to buy & read them. The reason that moved Zuinglius to do this, was because that people, reading them & understanding, Zuinglius employed no time in studi of them, might consider in both a conformity and a grement of teaching & opinion drawn out of the holy scriptures, & be the more inflamed to ground upon and addict themselves to the truth. This godly devise had profitable success a while after. Truth it is, the order he observed in preaching made much also, whereby the simple as well as the learned and ingenious might profit. For he explained the scripture so plainly, and with such dexterity, that he was loath any should departed from his sermons, unless they were edified & enriched with godly lore. And as he manifestly taught the truth, and that with great diligence, so was he vehement, & sharp in reproving vice, as much as ever was any man. Above all the rest, he inveighed against the Pensionaries, the oppressors of the poor, & the dissolute, idle, & delicious livers. He used such a majesty in rebuking, as never none the like before, when he thundered with terrible words against the Pensions & dissolute living, because he would not seem to dash and astonyshe the Estates, or such of the Commonty, as thronged among the perverse, & reprobate in hearing his sermons, he ever more added this: That this my vehement rebuke may not aggrieve & trouble thee, O virtuous man, understand I touch thee not, nor in this matter I have to do with thee. Sometime he digressed from his theme, when matters interceading enforced him too surcease his begun purpose. But now the blessed & happy time expired, the soundest and best part of the people embraced truth, he discoursed in his sermons against things less tolerable in the Church, he condemned the private gains of Priests, & such as by private power abused the church, which moved the priests and laity to omit no time of consultation, by what wile, or policies they might entrap him. But of this perhaps I will discourse more at large. Now let us return to his studies: Among so 
Zuinglius Lectures.  many laborius affairs, he ceased not to read all approved Greek authors, as Homer, Thucydides and Lucian, that is more plain and easy, Theocritus, Hesiodus, Aristophanes and other, till he had red and revolved them all.  
And for that his study required, and Andrew Boscheustyn learned in the Hebrew tongue, was come to Zurick to profess the same. Zuingglius was his diligent Scholar, who received forth with a marvelous taste of this tongue. And having obtained of the Senate, the erection of a College of good learning, and the three tongues, he solicited the same to send for james Cepor 〈…〉 us a young man well learned in those tongues, to be a public professor there. Under whom he determined to achieve all that concerned the Greek Grammar.  
Awhile after by conference of the Seventy and S. Jerome's translation, he took boldness to expound the text of Esay and Hieremy, right excellent Prophets, accompanying himself with Leo juda, who had then studied and travailed in that knowledge and Felix Mantius, who since was defamed with the heresy of the anabaptists. He studied continually stanoing up right, and prescribed certain hours to study, at which he never failed, if he were not pressed with matters of importance.  
From early morning, till ten of the clock, he applied himself to read, interpretate, instruct, & write, as time and occasion required. After Dinner he attended to such as would confer with him in any matter, or required counsel, or he devised and walked with his friends till two of the clocks, at which time he returned to his study. After Supper he walked a little while, and then after he gave himself to write letters, the which sometimes he used till midnight. Further, if the Senate had need of him in any urgent matter, he was always ready at their commandment.  
And now Agathye, if it delight you to hear Zuinglius travails against the enemies of truth, and the attempts of wylye workers, we must derive our discourse from a far there and higher beginning.  
Albeit that Frances Lambert Friar observant of Anguion, whose name is well known to the French & German nation, ought not to be enroled among his enemies: yet for that of the first & principal he broached this business against Zuinglius, he must not here be buried in the vale of oblition. He came to Zurick in his friars weed, & disputed openly against Zuinglius, touching the intercession of Saints, but I cannot tell who pricked him, if it were the truth, or that he set but a face thereon. For after certain propositions, he was contented to be reform, & gave thanks to God, that he had revealed the truth unto him so plainly by his excellent Organ. Awhile after came john Faber, & Martin Blanshe Preacher of Tiding, addressed thither by Hugo, Bishop of constance, at the request of the inhabitants of Zurick. And albeit as they reported, they had none other Commission than to understand the cause of the differentes, and endeavour to pacify and end them: Nevertheless occasion so offered, & matters so falling out, they fell into question of the Gospel, the intercession of saints, humane constitutions, and other things in such ●ort, that they passed and consumed their whole journey in disputation herein, and not with out emolument, For all the assembly, which was about two hundred parsons considered well, how vile & frail all worldly matters were respect of celestial things. It sufficed not the Bishop to have sent these foresaid parsons. For anon after his Suffragan came to Zuricke in deliberation to persuade them to believe the intercession of Saints, & the sacrifice o● the Mass. The which by his book published abroad, and approved by many schools, he hath laboured to confirm. But he lost time: For a certain noble man of illustre family, & magnanimous, being demanded what the Suffragan had gotten, he answered: The Vicar hath driven away the Sow, and we bring the pigs, or as I mought say: the Suffragan hath beaten the bush, and Zuinglius hath taken the Birds. These things so happily finished by the singular goodness of almighty God, Zuinglius was enforced to set pen to the paper. I will not here interlace the Catalogue of his books, nor declare the utinty of them, considering they be published and bear sufficient witness of themselves. I will briefly say this: there is a sound doctrine ivigned with simplicity in them, and I know not where any more efficacy or solid●tye may be found in any man's works, then in his in mine opinion. In this, I cannot tell what advertisement the Pope had hereof, but incontinently he addressed his Ambassador to us, and wrote his Apostolical letters or schedule, the tenor whereof ensueth.  
Adrian the Pope, the syrte of this name. We●de●oned S●●●●e, we great 
A letter sent by Adrian the Pope to Zuinglius.  thee well, and send ou● Apostolical benediction. We a●●●●sse our reverend Brother Enn●u●▪ bishop of Verules, domestical Prelecte, our Messenger, and of our Apostolical Sea a prudent, and faithful member, to repair to the invincible and most confederate nation unto us, an● our Apostolical Sea, to street with the same of matters of importance, and which appertain as well to the said Sea, as to the whole estate of the Christian common weal. Albeit we have enjoined him to propone these things publicly, yet being informed of thy virtue, and effectually 
The Pope's mandate.  embracing thy devotion, as his whom we singularly credit, and have in special regard. We have given express commandment to the said bishop our Messenger, to deliver unto thee our letters apart, and to advertise thee of our good will towards the same. We therefore exhort thy devotion in our Lord, that thou credit him in all things, and that thou have in recommendation our affairs, and the affairs of the Apostolical Sea, as we have thine honour, advancement, and profit, by this mean thou shalt incur our special grace and favour. Given at Rome at S. Peter's, sealed with the fisher's King. 23. day of january. 1523.  
The cause that moved me to publish this letter here, is to testify that if Zuinglius had been more ambitious, than he was sincere & godly, he might have had pre-eminent estate, & abundance of wealth. For not only the Pope wrote unto him, but also to Frances Zuiggien to practise with Zuinglius, to lean to the Apostolical sea, & maintain that part. At a certain time I prayed Frances to tell me what the Pope promised for the same. He answered: certainly all save his Papistical chair, or Apostolical sea. Even now the Gospel began to flourish, and was esteemed of the greatest part, for a heavenly troth, namely of the Senate of Zurick, and of the Council of the. 2. hundred, wherefore Zuinglius began to study to reduce things to a better state & to proceed orderli. They altered first those things which empesched the propagation & advancement of the Gospel. The number of Priests and monks were grown in tract of time to a more huge multitude, then need required, for matter of religion. It was then ordained by the Senate, through the persuasion of Zuinglius: that the number should be abridged & reduced to few, & those necessary for the service of the Church, provided that none should be deprived or expelled their benefice, but enjoy the revenue of the same, during their life, & deceased, none to be substitute in their place. The three orders 
The Monks see at liberty.  of Monks were spoiled of their religious attire, and put all together in a place, whence they might go forth as oft, and when they thought good without any contradiction, either to marry or to apply their study. If any would not savour the sweetness of the Gospel, they had liberty to go and do where & what they would, in such sort, as none had his conscience charged. The ecclesiastical revenues were employed upon the ministers of the Church, the professors of good learning, the rest of the priests & Monks and on the poor. There were found among these young men of great expectation, and purely affectioned to the study of piety. Such were reserved in hope to serve the church, & were nourished through out the whole signory of Zuricke, and after were employed as need required. Zuinglius also a zealous man towards sacred & good learning had builded the foundation of a school, which had not been infer our to any, if death had not dissolved by fatal stroke his godly purpose. Further, he deputed certain of the Counsel to understand and examine the state of matrimony. He persuaded to abolish the Images, which were then worshipped, to deface and tear in pieces the Mass, & to set up the Supper of our lord in his integrity  
From this time forwards the heresy of the anabaptists began to bourgen, who would not permit that 
Heresy of anabaptists.  little Children should be baptized, & after rebaptized themselves, and proceeding with an enraged mind, they rushed into the most horrible heresies that ever reigned. As soon as Zuinglius perceived this, for that the principal Authors▪ were his friends, learned men, of Zuricke and of his flock, he endeavoured by familiar conference to reduce them to ●anity of mind. But when he saw, that what they concluded 
Zuinglius oppo●●th himself against the heresies of the anabaptists.  in his presence, revolting anon after, they observed no part of their promise, and heaped numbers of disciples sequestering them from the Church, and framing another new, it was erpedient for him to resist Satan, and publicly confound them Believe me Agathy, I was present at nine several times, and heard their friendly conference and vehement disputations, it shall be superstitious to enlarge any further hereof. Certainly their mouths so swarmed with injurious 
Injuries & blasphemies against Zuinglius.  reports & blasphemies, that they abashed not to charge and lay on Zuinglius all the evils & mischiefs which are figuratly setforth in the revelation of S. john. This pestiferous sect was of this nature, the more we travailed to repress their insolency, the more they increased in their furor and raging heat. Wherefore the Senate was enforced to proceed against them by way of imprisonment exile, and death, as not against anabaptists, but perjured, rebel, & seditious parsons, for that they esteemed vanity, more than verity, preferred vice above virtue, & embracing sedition, hated security. And it was necessary to sense & fortify the godly with books, lest they might be seduced. The last that was found of this sect was Baldasar Hubmer ensign bearer of the anabaptists, who of a friend & fellow of the Gospel was become a mischievous foe. This first with writing bewrayed his wickedness, after in the presence of the deputed counsellors approved the same. For being escaped from Walshut, a Town situate by the Rhine, he came to render himself to the Lords of Zuricke, where he was apprehended. He required the Lords of the Counsel he might confer with Leo juda, Sebastian Economus and me. The which was granted unto him for the second time. We travalied so much with him, that undoubtedly he promised to submit himself the morrow after. Coming then from the Senate house to the Temple, he ascended the Pulpit, after Zuinglius was gone down, & confirmed all that he had taught before, saying he was moved thereto, because Zuinglius had praised so much that virtue Constancy, intituling and calling so his partinacious opinion. He was then brought back to prison, where he was detained, till Zuinglius secretly released him, and sent him away, not without money & a guide. And arriving at Constance, he so detracted and most impudently defamed Zuinglius, that he was forced with an Apology to clear himself to the brethren, wherein largely he treated 
Disputation at bad●  of the anabaptists horrible heresy.  
Now ye require to understand the disputation at Bade, and first of all what was the cause the Lords of Zuricke would not permit Zuinglius to be there present. But for as much as the whole discourse of the same is diuu●ged & imprinted, I had rather address you thither, yet doubting I should seem ignorant of the whole. I send you the lords letters of Zuricke to john Eccius with the safe-conduct & promise of good men, that invited him to confer with Zuinglius, and discuss the sacred troth of the old and new testament to the common profit of all the Church. For Eccius had enterprised in two Epistles directed to the Ambassadors of the league, to convince and confute the errors and heresy of Zuinglius, by the reading of these letters, & for that Eccius made none account of y● that was written to him, you may understand the lords intention, why they stayed Zuinglius, although he himself answered sufficiently that matter▪ in his works against Faber, & would to God I had even now that disputation to send to you. All be it he was not present in the disputation: yet he laboured as much with care, diligence, counsel, advertisement, exhortation and writing, which he sent to Bade, as though he had aided against the enemies of the truth. For my part I desire nothing more, then to have seen him face to face disputing with Eccius at full liberty: I believe the .v. little Cantons of Suicerland had given perfect judgement, where the lie or troth had rested, but it was not lawful for him to be ther. Since that time, finding security in travail, he went to Berne where was Murnerus & Eccius, with. 4. Bishops, and certain principal monks, which the counsel of Berne required under surety to repair thither. Troth it is, he was guarded with. 200. men of arms to pass by the confederate Countries. He made also a long journey to Marpurge, to confer with Martin Luther, and Philip Melancthon, of the Eucharistical Sacrament, not doubting any thing, because it was a place void of danger. You cannot choose but evidently perceive, he hath endured great travails in these affairs. divers called him teacher of new opinions, because of his judgement of the supper of our Lord. But I believe if they had red with equity, and well weighed that that he wrote to the Princes of Germany, assembled at Ausburg, they would have judged other wise. I remit you to the book, fearing is lose tyme. For what persuasion will avail him, that in the same treatise of the Supper of our Lord, will not perceive and learn the truth? Hitherto we have treated of the pains and travails he sustained to defend the verity, and now we will declare the peryiles he incurred for the same.  
After that the Priests and Monks were expulsed their Cloisters, and other 
The priests and Monks▪ grown on of credit.  Religious houses, and sentence diffinitive pronounced against them, that received Princes pensions, they attempted divers ways to destroy him. I will write of them that be notoriously know, and pass in silence his secret and lurking enemies. At a certain time there knocked one at his door after my▪ night, and prayed him to come and visit one nigh dead. His Deacon answered, that he would not awaken his Master, but repair to the sick himself. The other importunately refused, so as he bewrayed his wretched intent, wherefore the Deacon feigning he would go and awaken his Master, shut the door closely, and suffered the Caitiff to tarry there at his pleasure. And when it was day, Zuinglius had intelligence, this was a subtle sleight. first, to take him suddenly, then to snaffle his mouth, & stop his speech, and so to carry him away in a boat. Awhile after, they had prepared a horse secretly, for the like purpose. Further, we have sent an espial wandering up and down in the Town, & wearing a long sword hired to encounter Zuinglius, & then to murder him. Likewise two Inhabitants of Zurick, whom I will not name, came one night when they we● well whittled, and assailed Zuinglius house, threw stones, broke the windows, belched out railing words, ● so insolently demeaned themselves that no neighbour durst rebuke them They stayed not, till stones, strength and slander failed them. In the morning the Counsel was advertised of this tumult, the gates of the City commanded to be shut, and men clad with armour to search them every where, until that certain women, which consented to this mischievous & scelerate fact, disclosed one of them, for that other a little before was escaped the town. This one was found in a new cask, and committed to prison, & after many sentences given, was appointed a perpetual prisoner, and in few weeks after released at the request of those of Berne. Often times Zuinglius supped with his friends, or with such as came to the town, in his return he never went ungarded home. The Senate in this troublous stir caused ward and watch to be kept about his house. But if he found security in this their vigilant guard, certes, he was molested with thousand other troubles. They called him Pensionary, because in time passed he received a yearly pension of the Pope, ignorant than it was any sin. As touching that he excused himself to the germans in this wise: Where as I have had to do sometime with the Pope, that is ceased now long agone. I thought than it was lawful to receive his money, to maintain his party. But when I knew mine error, I religned his pension, which is the cause the Pope's Deputies con ●e small thanks: yea, defame & scorn me, as though I were culpable, for as much as they persuade men, that in taking the Pope's money, God is sincerely served. And writing to Berchtho●● Ha●●er, and Caspar Megander, touching Princes presents, he saith thus: I esteem the glori of Christ, yea mine own, more than all the treasure of worldly Princes, much less the benefits and largesse of one King. I have learned what princely rewards pretend, so that avarice hath no more place in me, albeit she is familiar and atteding upon old age. And his adversaries not satisfied to call him thief, ad●u●●●erer & heretic, to defame his doctrine & abase his credit, they hissed & barked at him publicly, as though they had been lunatic persons. But when these silly mad dolts saw they prevailed not against the Gospel and servants of God: they converted their stinging & hissing against such as had received the word of God, hoping to irritate them, & pull them from the savour of him, who seemed to be the author (as they perversely judged) of their evil. They so reproached and mocked him, that the Senate of Zuricke determined in re●u●se these injuries, and contumelious assaults. I had need to write a large volume, to such as desire to understand or descrive his affairs. In the end there were appointed new confederacies for the tuition of Christian doctrine, with out violating or doing prejudice to the ancient alliance, which was not done without the singular diligence and great travail of Zuinglius. Not that he attempted any thing against the peace (for never like flagitious devise could penetrate the brain of such a lover of his Country) but that by this policy he hoped to eradicate the vices then swarming, and to plant the true and sincere Religion, to the honour of God▪ and the common profit of Swicerland, or else in defending God's cause, thus to inflame all men's hearts to praise the Lord, and by the magnificence of this new confederacy, to astonish and dash the adversaries, thereby the sooner 
Zuinglius writeth to his friends.  to win and reclaim them to Christ. This incontinently moved certain furious Papists to fall to weapons, and brooch intestine war. Whereupon Zuinglius wrote to his friends in this manner.  
I will repeat unto you that I have often written, that is, that ye be constant, and not dysmayd with the war, for the peace that some solicit so carefully, is a war and no peace, & the war that we enterprise, is peace & not war. For we covet not the blood of any living creature, & abhor the effusion of the same in this commotion: but our whole intent is to interrupt the licentious government of some. If this he not taken in hand, the Gospel shall never have his free course, nor the Ministers of the same live in security. Our determination tendeth to no cruelty, but all that we deliberate, is friendly and paternal. We desire to preserve such as by ignorancy procure their perdition. We be resolved to defend liberty, wherefore disdain not our enterprises, for certainly they be more godly and just then is reported unto you. Credit▪ us, and be not seduced by such as accuse us. Ye have tried our constancy and faithfulness, and well perceived our enemy's levity, and dissimulation. Be present with our company, & observe constantly the faith ye own to God & men. What shall I say further? dread nothing, we will achieve all things so prosperously (God helping us) as ye shall not be a shamed, nor repent ye have combined yourselves with us.  
These were Zuinglius words, which I have recited here to declare how injustly he is nominated of certain a bloodsucker. It is most true he was magnanimous and constant in greatest dangers, but always circumspect, provident and wise. He never thirsted the blood of any, no ●ot of his extremest foes, which every wise man & Christian Minister ought to detest. The very ground & foundation of all his enterprises, was the liberty of his Country, the virtue of the Aunceltors, & the glory of Christ, what so ever his enemies ceblaterate the which I protest in troth before God. He was twice in the wars of the confederates, which bore the name of a monastery called the Chapel. He willingly went to the first, because he would be present at the consultation, fearing any thing should be decree● ther contrary to right and equity. The matter was ended well, and without effusion of broud. I have heard him say he perceived more malice, and perverse counsel there, then ever before he red in vokes, or had learned by experience. In the second war he was elected Pastor of the army, where he went unwillingly, foreseeing the peril that was imminent. The condition of the war misliked him marvelously, and the rather for that he saw the enemies victuals cut of, understanding well what mischief hunger would breed & compel. Albeit to speak truly, after those of Zurick had enterprised the same (whereunto certain whom we know pricked them of a good zeal, hoping in the mean season there would be a consultation and treaty of peace made, notwithstanding the Lords of Zuricke had chose the warce) Zuinglius was not determined to alter any thing, doubting the enemies would make no account of them, as he passed not much to withstand their invasion.  
fourteen days before the army was encamped, I heard him twice say in pulpit where he preached, in the midst of this broil: I know well what this meaneth, all this is to procureiny death. He declared secretly to certain of his friends, that the blazing star which appeared many weeks, and which we supposed to portend Ecolampadius decease: signified his fatal fall. The Soldiers of Zuricke rushed forth in great disorder. I cannot but sorrowfully lament, when I call to mind that doleful tyme. They marched not like men of war in even ranks, but like a sort of venturours, some straggling abroad, some running before and behind the Enseygne, destitute of conduct counsel, and policy, and accorded not one with an other.  
I cannot name them to be any great number of me of arms, for where they were mustered. 5000. they appeared not in the field full. 4000 Then as this little number approached to encounter a huge army and in perfect order, Zuinglius followed mounted on horse back, according to the manner of the Country. I cannot express the dolour and sorrow I sustained, when I beheld him, truly I was astonished there with. We mourned all that day, and made our humble prayer unto God. But he had decreed an other thing for us, and not against us, as I holily expounded the same. For by this we have learned to be more circumspect, and to take better heed, reverencing more the Gospel, and fearing God also. And the enemies that resisted the Gospel, are now disclosed, and manifested to us. About the evening of the day, we were advertised that the battles had joined very hotly, & that we had lost Zuinglius. The brute went he was thrice dismounted, with the check of the Troop, but incontinently he was helped up on horseback again, and the fourth time he was stricken on the chin with a terrible blow, and falling down from his horse upon his knees, he said: what evil hap is this? they may slay the body, but not the soul, and this spoken he departed in our Lord.  
After this overthrow, the enemies havyug good leisure (for our Soldiers were retired into place of safeguard) sought for the body of Zuinglius. But who teld them he was in that battle and slain? The body being found, was condemned, and after sentence given, dismembered & burnt to ashes. Behold the discourse of Zuinglius life, lo the accident of his death which he suffered for the singular affection he bore to his Country, and Christian common weal. Truth it is, this end is horrible in the sight of mortal men, but precious before God, and is predestinate to all faithful Ministers by divine justice, if the Lord of his grace and singular bounty, spare them not.  
I suppose Agathy, I have satisfied your request, I have observed as I promised, troth joined with brevity, not forcing for fine terms, and elegant phrases. I pray God some learned and godly man, succeeding me, may descrive and beautefy this history, as truly, ornately, and learnedly, as the profit of the studious sort, and the dignity of this excellent man do require.  
Farewell, it may please you to accept this my travail in friendly part. At Zurycke the year 1532. (:)  
Virescit vulnere virtus   

¶ To the favourable Reader.  
IHumbly require thee, favourable Reader, to bear with such faults as have escaped in the printing, I trust in the next impression more emendaily to publish these godly histories. In the mean season I thought good to admonish thee of one absurdirye, which might argue mere ignorance, if I would not advertise thee of the same. In my Epistle dedicatory to the Lord Wentworth, where as is written (and the body is no body, but a sepulture) reat sepulchre. The rest I submit to th● learned correction.  
Farewell.   

Imprinted at London by john Awdely, dwelling in little Britain str●te, by great S. Battelmewes'. (⸫)