A Proclamation, PUBLISHED BY THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE ELECTOR JOHN SIGISMOND  
marquess of Brandenburg, the four and twentieth day of February Anno 1614  
Prohibiting all manner of Scandals and Calumniations to be used by the Clergy, in the Pulpit or elsewhere, throughout his Provinces and Dominions: commanding to preach only the true word of God to the edification of his Subjects.  
Translated faithfully cut of the high-Dutch Copy.  
By MICH. VANDERSTEGEN.  
AT LONDON  
Printed for William Houlmes, and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Palace. 1614   

A Proclamation, Published by the high and mighty Prince Elector, john Sigismond, marquess of Brandenburg, the four and twentieth day of February, Anno 1614  
We JOHN STGISMOND by the grace of GOD, marquess of Brandenburg, Arch-Chamberlaine of the sacred Roman Empire, and Prince Elector, Duke in Prussia, of Gulyke, Cle●e, Berg, Sretin, Pomern, of the Cass●bians & Wandals; also in Slesia, of Crossen and Jogernedorff: Viscount of Nurnberg Prince of Rugen, Earl of Mark and R●uensberg, Lord of Ravenstein. To our well-beloved and trusty, the most reverend religious, high, well learned and devoted, all and singular, general and special Superintendants Prelates, Overseers. Parish Priests: And in general, To all Ministers of the Church under our Dominions, of the Electorats and Marquessate of Brandenburg, on this and the other side of the River of Oder, do send our greeting; And beside we do declare and let them know, That godly and Religious Princes, Sovereigns, and Magistrates in all Countries, and at all times have considered properly to belong to their high places, offices, and charges to look unto subordinate causes, and to endeavour themselves, That all the unneedfull and frivolous contentions and disputations in the Pulpits, and all calumniations and comminations may be abolished, put down, and taken away out of the Church, but especially such as stifle, and overboldly do undertake the same, and contrary to all Christian love and charity, arrogantly do either assume or presume authority, to censure, tax, and pronounce for Heretics, yea and wholly to disallow and condemn other churches within and without the Empire (over which they have not any charge to command or censure) not only with unseemly sharp and bitter words, but also with all kind of notable and malicious surnames and slanders, whereby the common people is not only scandalised, and the Church prejudiced: But the edisication thereof is also apparently hindered.  
And to omit and leave all ancient examples and precedents of other Princes, That have been careful and provident to take order for all such trivial and frivolous contentions and disputations in the Pulpits or else where, we find a commendable Example, and Memorial of the late excellent prince Elector, Augustus of Saxonia, in the year of our Lord God 1566. and of the Dukes also of Brownswicke and Lunenburg, in the year of our Lord 1562. in the name of the common and general churches of low Saxonia. Likewise the prince Elector Christian the first of Saxonia, and duke joachim Frederick at Lignitz and Brieg, in the year 1601, Princes of famous memory have left behind them this most commendable Example to imitate them. And not only the aforesaid Precedents have moved us hereunto, but also amongst others this is not the least; That we have had conference with other Electors princes, and States, (howbeit there are very many amongst them, that do profess D. Luther's doctrine, yet we are agreed together) That in our countries and dominions also should be taken such order and provision, that there might every way be used and observed all discretion and moderation by the Clergy in the Pulpits, and other public assemblies: For to shun and avoid all scandal; perturbation, or rather an intrication of consciences, and prejudice to the Church. Therefore every man may easily perceive and consider, what grief it hath been unto us. That now, a reasonable long time, there hath, by some of you (for in general I can not accuse you) and surely by such as are induced and enticed thereunto, not out of a special zeal towards the truth of GOD, but rather out of ambition, arrogancy and pride, yet they could say and speak the least to it, if it should come to a trial, or else, if they could but get a little gain by it, they would turn quite papists, because that they seek rather to be praised by men than God; been used without all shame and fear, so many acclamations, condemnations, slander, thunderings, and reproachings, and at many times little regarding whether they bring forth the truth or untruth or whether it be fitting or not fitting in the pulpit, but only to discomfort true Christians, and to make them grieve at it, when they in cooling their stomachs do power out their gall and venom, and make the Jesuits and Papists (our common and public enemies) rejoice at it and make a laughing stock of us; besides this, they do here withal, but heap upon themselves, and upon their Auditors, the anger and wrath of God. For the holy▪ Scripture teacheth us quite otherwise, not willing that they that are united, and agreed with us in the true grounds of faith and religion, and constantly and faithfully believe only to be saved by, and through GOD'S mercy & the most precious merits of our only redeemer, Mediator and Saviour Jesus Christ▪ excluding and putting away all other Mediators and helpers, should either have any private disturbance of conscience, or receive other wrongs by public scandals and calumniations, nor such as do with us also plant forth Christ his Gospel, and stiffly fight for the same, and for the Gospel's sake, yet have they sustained and suffered of the Pope and his followers (common enemies of our true Religion) many innumerable persecutions, and do daily sustain and suffer them still, yea they have very often with a special courage and magnanimity, gladly spent their bloods for the Gospel's sake, then why should they be excluded and separated out and from the Christian Communion? Moreover, the Scripture doth very earnestly command us: That all matters in controversy and in question should not be rebuked, reproved, and contradicted by frivolous words, and slander, (which is the proper nature of the Devil) nor by heare-saying, and false witnesses, nor in malicious and detestable manner, but out of mere ground of the word of God. The Scripture commandeth moreover, that it shall be done and performed with Christian love, and a meek spirit, with friendship, patience, and with hearty compassion of those that be in error, and not with contentious, slanderous, and injurious words to the undoing and destruction of the erroneous. Therefore every one can judge by himself, how far these thundering exclaimers, above mentioned, do destroy from the right way, and what insupportable judgement in the end shall come upon them that do endeavour themselves to rule much more over the consciences of man, then to further and increase the Church of God with good examples.  
And forasmuch as it belongeth unto us, as Sovereign of these countries▪ by God appointed to follow and use our office according unto the first and the second Table of the ten Commandments of God; and because we will not make ourselves partakers of such heavy sins: Therefore we do statute, ordain, and command (howbeit many of you are already personally admonished thereof, although little by you regarded,) That ye hereafter shall endeavour yourselves to preach and teach to the congregation and flock committed to your several charges, the pure and clear word of GOD, out of the Scriptures, of the Prophets, and Apostles, out of the four capital Symbols or Creeds, out of the reformed confession of Augspurg and the Apology thereof, and without any depravation and falsifying of the Scriptures, as also without the formular glosses of new Doctrine, which some lazy, curious, and proud Theologians have devised and forged amongst themselves, to obtain therewith the primacy in the Church and Secular power to themselves ye shall teach therefore and instruct the people with the pure word of God: For you shall draw more souls to the church of Christ, in seeking only the honour and glory of God, and the salvation of the people. And to the contrary, you shall leave and shun all railing, slandering, cursing, and banning other Churches that are not committed to your charges, and which as yet never were convicted of any error by their due confession. For we cannot for conscience sake, longer abide and be silent unto the same, and therefore if we do hear and perceive, That one or more amongst you (whosoever he or they be, none excepted) that shall hereafter contemptuously transgress this our earnest and strait Edict, being conformable to the word of God, they may certainly assure themselves, that they shall be sent for forthwith to appear at the Court, and there in our behalf to be heard, and our meaning propounded unto them. And if we then yet cannot perceive amendment in them, that he or they shall be put out of their place and office, and dismissed the same. Likewise they there shall be proceeded against with due justice, and severity of the Law that being sent for will not appear, that they may be brought to obedience: And we do admit and grant, and it is not against our will and pleasure, that if there be any zealous and curious among them that shall think their consciences to be too straightly and narrowly charged with this our Christianlike and well-minded Edict and Proclamation, that they may provide themselves otherwise with our full and free liberty and consent, and depart out of our Dominions, and take their residence in such places where such unchristian contentions, railings, calumniations, slandering, cursing, and banning other Christians and their co-members may be permitted and allowed unto them: For which they may expect, in time, of God Almighty their reward. Moreover, we do statute, and our will and pleasure is, That if any of our Clergy for obeying this our Edict & command should be invaded by other peace-hating people, and provoked and enticed to enter into dispute with them by preaching or writing. That they to the contrary shall not commence nor begin any thing without our special privity, consent and leave, much less to make any strife amongst them, but rather shall be contented by the testimony and witness of his conscience, and that he or they are innocent and unguilty to the actions and doings pretended by other unquiet spirits. And we do not doubt, That as we have publicly proclaimed and openly published unto all men this our Edict or Proclamation by induction of the word of God, only to the end to procure, establish and further the peace, quietness, unity, and edification of the Church in those Countries which are by the Almighty GOD committed unto us in these last and very dangerous days, wherein the Roman Antichrist thirsteth more, than before, after the blood of true Christians. That also every one amongst you will be diligent, and endeavour themselves to maintain peace, and unity, to avoid all scandals, and to show their dutiful obedience, considering the command of the Apostle Paul, whereby he doth admonish and exhort every one to be obedient to their Sovereigns and Magistrates, and that ye may know that they do not bear the sword for nothing, and in vain, and that ye do not move us to displeasure or indignation, or to use against you the straight and sharp course of the Law. And hereby you shall fulfil our gracious, and likewise final will, and good meaning, which towards you (upon sure confidence of dutiful acknowledgement and obedience) we will be always willing and ready to make manifest. In witness whereof we have commanded our Signet to be hereupon imprinted. Dated at our Court at Colln upon the River of Sprew the 24. day of the month of February 1614