949: Address of the Papal Nuncio, Vincentius Pimpinellus, to Emperor Carl V, King Ferdinand and the Estates. June 20, 1530.
This speech is found in Latin in Cölestin, Vol. I, p. 105. It was published in German in Augsburg in 1530 in octavo under the title: "eine oralion; oder Rede vor Röm. Kays. Majest. Carolo V. Augusto, King, Princes, Princes and Estates of the Holy Roman Empire, delivered in Latin at the entrance of the present Imperial Diet, by the Reverend Vincent, Cimpinollo, Hereditary Bishop of Rossano, Papal Holiness. Holiness Message. Most diligently translated."
Translated from the Latin by LI. A. Tittel.
Vincentius Pimpinellus, Archbishop of Rossano, Apostolic Nuncio, wishes Her Most Holy Imperial and Catholic Majesty his greetings. Nuncio, his greetings!
Since, Most Sublime Emperor, the Christian religion has been brought about by the sins of men (as I believe), that it has almost never been in greater distress since the birth of Christ, and the little ship of Peter has been driven about in one place by so many sectarian eddies: so it has needed a good hero and undaunted ruler in such perilous circumstances. And therefore God has chosen you an emperor, by whose government and institution everything would be kept in good condition, and what is broken and unstable would be mended and restored. For you have heard that the tyrant of the Turks has spread so far on one side that he has now already (after Greek-Weissenburg, Rhodus and Hungary have been taken away) devastated Austria, your ancient hereditary land, last year with fire and sword, as it were from the bottom; and not all of us know yet which we must wonder more, whether the impudence to venture into such distant lands, or the cruelty against all inanimate creatures, let alone against the people themselves, without distinction of years.
On the other hand, you see new evangelists and seducers of the soul who have torn the Christian faith into so many pieces that it must either fall completely or be called back to its former path. All of which you alone, although you have your brother Ferdinand to help you, can deny.
and the most supportive must bring it to an end. Clement, the Roman Pontiff VII by that name, as a most faithful shepherd, desires every day from the bottom of his heart that it may proceed happily, and that your excellent deeds may be highlighted everywhere throughout the world, for the encouragement (or succession) of all other princes and for the immortal fame of the House of Austria, and has indeed tried everything to this end so far. Who, although he praises your brother, the unconquerable king, for his spiritedness in all dealings, and admires his courage in the resistance against the Turks, has nevertheless wanted to assign me to him, not as an assistant, but as a visible witness of all his deeds and undertakings, and as a faithful messenger, who in everything, in the name of the apostolic see, would like to assist him with counsel and action (where such was needed against the raging enemies). Which I have also done most diligently.
3 But to Your Majesty, who is happily returning from tranquilized Italy and wants to fight as an unconquerable Hercules against unheard-of many-headed monsters, he has placed Cardinal Campegius, apostolic legate, as another Jolaus, 1) at your side, so that what Your Majesty strikes down with the mace of imperial power, Campegius holds down with his learning and fiery eloquence. Campegius will hold down with his erudition and, as it were, fiery eloquence, and with your prestige prevent the monsters from rising again and gathering anew to our destruction. So there is no small salvation and happiness to be hoped for, since two kings, brothers, are leaders of such undertakings, and such a learned Cardinal-Legate contributes to such praise, and becomes a part of it. May God grant that our time may see you, as in the restoration of Christian harmony as courageous authors, so also in the restoration of the Catholic faith and the overcoming of the enemies as brave victors!
4 But since it is the work of all of you to act bravely, in order that I might also have something to do on this battlefield, it has fallen to me (by the command of our most holy Lord) to speak out.
1) "Jolaus", son of Jphiclus, a constant companion of Hercules.
to make good use of it, and to reveal what is necessary to do. Not that I would first encourage you to do what you already find necessary, but that I might persuade others, who are lukewarm and perhaps do not have the same opinion, to do the same by several ideas.
5 And therefore the most noble King Ferdinandus has deemed it good to put into public print this, which with your knowledge and will was presented before the German princes the day before. With your knowledge, this was presented orally by me before the German princes with the usual ceremonies, and now it is to be printed publicly, so that all may read it, and not only Germans, but also all other people may be informed of it. But because all your deeds are praised by all righteous men with full mouth, but our writings are barked at by many envious minds, I did not want to let them pass around in people's mouths and hands without protection and shield. Therefore, if they are not protected under your mace and supported by two firm pillars, they may easily fall.
6 Therefore, I ask your sovereigns and implore them most diligently that what the sovereign Ferdinand has wanted to be issued, you protect with your sovereigns, so that it is read favorably by all, if not for my sake, then for your sake. And if some wish that I would have spoken more learnedly, more delicately, and more neatly, and that I would have set everything more wisely, as often happens, then they may look at my good intention and intentions, and for that reason refrain from censuring me, even replace and improve abundantly in the same piece what I was not able to do through lack of wit, as they wish; if only they do not spurn my bad things, which they see attributed to your Majesty, sanctified and secured, as it were, under your divinity. Fare well, fight and win!
Bineentius Pimpinellus, Archbishop of Roffano, apostolic envoy and nuncio, speech delivered at Augsburg, June 20, 1) 1530, to the most illustrious King of Hungary and Bohemia, Ferdinandum rr. in the public Diet.
1. for the happiness and salvation of the Christian religion and tranquility of the Roman Empire and the whole world, let us ask the Almighty God that what I am going to speak today in this place,
1) In the old edition, by wrong resolution of the date in Latin: "the 19th of June". This was a Sunday. But the Reichstag was not opened until Monday, June 20. See No. 950.
may remain firmly in your hearts in such a way that it does not disappear from them as soon as possible, but is carried out by you with the greatest zeal and diligence.
2. God, who does not want the death of sinners, but that they may be converted and live, look down to the help of Christians, and grant that the opponents of the holy faith, who persist in their hardening, may, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, eagerly return to your ways from which they have long departed.
3 Whether I see many reasons, godly Carl and Emperor, all-time ruler of the Empire, unconquerable King Ferdinand, and most worthy apostolic Cardinal-Legate, Campegius, as well as all you other highborn, great princes, of what rank, honors and dignities you are ! Although I have, I say, many reasons why I could have refused today's duty to speak, and could have left the burden, which is too heavy for me, to other, learned and well-spoken men, I have nevertheless considered it more decent for me to be reprimanded by those present here, at my discretion, rather than to neglect my duty in this, because I could not have denied my duty without shame to my most holy Lord Clement, who entrusted me with this office.
(4) But I am almost sorry for such an undertaking. For when I look at your respectable assembly, which is magnificent in majesty, nobility and power before others, at which I now want to speak first; and if something should slip my mind that is not too well and delicately set, I do not see how it will be held to my credit. Not to mention that if you imagine (as tends to happen with new things) that you will hear something special from me, because a Roman, an archbishop, an apostolic envoy, who has long practiced the art of oratory, will necessarily give and present not words, but thunderbolts; not eloquence, but erudition never heard; not the art of persuasion, but the art of persuasion, as something heavenly; and you therefore expect such things and are of the firm opinion that I can do something, for which my ability is too weak, my reputation will necessarily decrease greatly if you see and hear in me not a god but a man, not a speaker of divine (and incomparable) but of human things, and not to wonder but according to ability.
5 But on the other hand, I am comforted and encouraged by the fact that I believe that you, although you are high and great, are nevertheless very great.
I hope that you, kind and fair judges, will listen to me and, if I should fail today, think that I have not stumbled with my will, and that what I have failed to do, I can mend; even if I have been displeased with the presentation of a hateful and adverse matter, I can once again gain favor in a more pleasant matter.
Since it cannot be otherwise, I will firstly speak of the cruel nature of the Turkish war, secondly, how they must be overcome by us and can also be easily defeated, and thirdly, if you do so, what honor, benefit and reward will result for you from it, with your kindest permission. And before I have gone through this recently, I ask, according to your usual kindness, an attentive and highly favored hearing.
If I wanted to recount all the terrible and bloody wars with which the cruel Turks have oppressed the neighboring peoples, and almost the whole world, because of Christian disunity, to conquer and subjugate their empire, in this place one after the other: since they conquered more countries than others desired (or may desire), and have done such great and famous deeds so far, that I cannot express them all in words in such a short time, and therefore keep them quiet. If I wanted to mention how many years they fought with the Hungarians, whom Christianity once so valiantly defended; what defeats and victories occurred now and then among each other; how many prisoners were dragged away: it would certainly become annoying for me today to tell all this, but for you to listen to such things.
But if we want to tell the story of the unfortunate and lamentable Vienna and the whole of Austria's devastation, we will, as it were, proclaim our shame, and thereby secretly raise the bravery of the enemy to the heavens. For who must not admire and highly praise the Turks' march from such distant lands, while the Christians' lukewarmness, even slothfulness or malice, is to be detested to the highest degree?
9. although I have been willing to describe the Turks' cruelty, so that you may see from it how they, as tyrants, only like to spoil everything and want to seize and dominate it more and more, I will not abuse your patience with too much expansiveness, if I should bring up everything that has happened to plague you, nor will I use futile effort in this.
10. for you Germans know very well, and
I wish you did not know that the cruel Turks plagued you with fire, robbery, blood, destruction, fornication, violence, imprisonment and other such horrible tortures for the past years.
You Germans know, and God would have you not know, that the cities have been burned, the villages devastated, the grapevines uprooted, the seeds substituted, the trees cut down, and finally everything destroyed to the ground.
You Germans know, and would God you did not know, that people have been stabbed to death, some have been cut in half, others have had their limbs mutilated, others have been buried in the ground, others have been hanged in the air, others have been killed by hunger.
(13) You Germans know, and would to God! you would not know that the women were cut out (torn open), and the womb torn out of the wounded place; the children partly smashed to pieces on stones, partly pierced through the gullets with pointed stakes, partly tied like rabbits to the horse saddles at the back with their heads hanging down to the ground in front of the miserable parents' eyes, who have to watch such misery of the children, and so quickly dragged away, and soon after strangled (or suffocated).
14 You Germans know, and would God you did not know, that the enemies' public cruelty, and rather mockery and public disgrace, is that the corpses are stripped, not that the booty is stripped and taken from them (as war brings with it), but that, when all preciousness has already been taken from the head to the legs, they only lie there naked and the Christians' shame is seen. As I have seen her lying naked and bare with my eyes, to the eternal shame of Christianity and its outrageous sloth.
15. and since you Germans know this, you still consider yourselves, you still sleep, you still shut your mouths because of laziness!
16 Where is your ancient strength? where is your bravery? which before, if it was not seen, was nevertheless feared by foreign peoples? Would to God that this tale would not fit you for tears, which hardly puff for women, or for crying and weeping, so nu^for cowardly people; not for lamentation and pity, so only a female mind indicates, but for the fury, anger, hatred and revenge of your and the German nation's innocent blood to ignite and provoke! because today, as another Fabius Maximus, I carry war in my bosom, and no peace; death, and no life; fire, and
no water; revenge, and no kindness. You have lost goods, friends, wives, children etc.; all things that indeed hurt, but are nevertheless to be repaid and not so much to be mourned. For since everything is born to die, it matters not much whether the turn comes to one today or in a few years. For we are born to die. But who will replace our honor, glory and name again, if you Germans, I say, do not do the same harm and damage to the enemy, even much worse harm and damage, and just as they could not have done without anyone's resistance (so without your disgrace), so to speak, they came upon you defenseless people's necks: So also ye, being armed, by your valor come to their asses, and snatch your spoils out of their hands, that they may be laden, and restore to their former liberty the cities, villages, and lands, which they possess by force (as is due to valiant warriors)? All this you will easily accomplish with God and with your united power.
(17) Now you have recently heard of the tyrant's murders and his bloody ways, and that he is not a human ruler, but a quite barbaric and savage executioner.
18 But now hear also how and in what way he is to be destroyed, and how easily he can be beaten and overcome. We read that Fr. Scipio Nasica and Marcus Cato, very wise men, were zealous in the Roman council, the one that Carthage, always emulating the Roman majesty, would be destroyed; the other that the neighbors and allies would always be helped even in the smallest wars; that the warlike Romans, if they lived in Rome in the city in peace and pleasure, would not learn the trade of war and become womanish; or, since they had a lack of foreign enemies, would start internal wars. As long as they kept these rules (but always with zealous worship of their gods), they had such peace at home that they not only maintained a quiet city for a long time, but also, since they preserved religion and helped friends, neighbors and confederates, they managed themselves and expanded their rule.
(19) It is a beautiful thing, noble lords, to abide by the sacred orders of your ancestors, and to help others in such a way that you do not neglect yourself; to keep the fire from your neighbor's house so that your own does not burn. Therefore, also you, dear Germans, do not despise such great people's rules and admonitions, from which you can hope for peace, your descendants for glory, and the empire for continuity.
(20) Are the Germans, who before were so devoted to religion and war, and who were so strong and experienced both in body and in warfare and valor, to lie idle and lazy at home, putting religion aside? What shame is it that those who were accustomed to teach others Christianity are now lacking in it themselves and are being punished for it? and that the Turk keeps on tearing in and destroying everything as he pleases, while the Germans sit quietly by without keeping such devastation from themselves and their neighbors' borders? Beware lest, through God's wrath, if you do not take foreign wars to heart, you again fall into internal ones!
If God had willed, you would have saved and preserved other places according to Cato's example, so that you would not now have to worry about yours. Would to God that you had helped Hungary before it was so miserably oppressed by the robbers! which you could have protected much more easily and comfortably then than you could now save from the enemies.
22 But just as you denied your power to your neighbors and allies, so they inflicted a great defeat on you first, and then on Hungary and Austria as well.
Beware, ah! beware, lest, when you still have to deal with inner dissension, and again keep the enemy low and do not come to the aid of your neighbors, you atone for such unbelief and obstinacy once, but too late. Just look at the wretched and unhappy Austria's misery, which lies torn and miserable on its knees before you, and not without tears begs for help, and cries out to you as friends, allies, neighbors and fathers. And if you do not consider its downfall as good as your own, then I must call you justly hard and inexorable.
(24) The council and people of Rome, even though they were pagans and far from the right religion, were not so slow to maintain their religion, nor did they tolerate the enemies. For they cared for nothing more than to propitiate their gods, whether they had already been invented, with their usual and own ceremonies, and to avenge the enemies' wrongs and violence, even in the slightest, with force, fire and sword, always saying what has now almost become a proverb: if one tolerates the old wrong, one gives rise to a new and different one. Therefore, even in the smallest matter, they started fierce wars, so that the Roman council and people's reputation and dignity would be
foreign peoples would be preserved unbreakably. But you Germans, who are Christians and worshippers of the true and almighty God, with contempt for the sacred customs of your mother, the Church, want to leave the greatest insolence of the enemy and his unheard-of knavery unscented?
(25) The Romans believed that the mayor Varro had fought unhappily with the Carthaginians at Cannae, because of Juno, whom he had offended; but you Germans think that if you abolish the true sacrifice, deny the sacraments, strike down the priests' prestige, even against the will of Him who is a Lord of hosts, valiant and mighty in battle, you will conquer and beat the enemies?
The Romans wanted to raze and destroy Corinth, a famous city in Greece, because they might have heard falsely that their envoys were not held honestly enough: and you want to let live those who tormented your friends, relatives, brothers-in-law, and children with all kinds of pain, and not only heard it, but saw it with your eyes?
The Romans, because of a false god, Aesculapius, cut down the grove that Turullius, M. Antony's colonel of war, had had hewn down to build ships, and when the imperial army overcame Antony, they first had Turullius cruelly beaten in that very place and then hewn to pieces: but you Christians want to let such robbers of the temples of the true God and destroyers of the sanctuaries live? Virginius, a Roman, though of commoner status, yet noble in mind and deeds, has publicly stabbed his daughter, whom Appius Claudius, one of the ten men, had only wanted to incite to fornication, with a dagger in the marketplace, and you, of such noble status, want to let those who have really violated your daughters, without thinking of your honor, ride over them like this and close your eyes to it?
(28) Now, dear Germans, when the whole Roman power has come to you, if you want to be rightly called the heirs of the religion, the rule and the warfare of the Romans, keep what you have received and make yourselves more and more worthy of a higher glory, and do not let such mischief happen in your life.
29. let the misery of your cities, which you cannot leave, go to your hearts in public; let the contempt of religion, the desecrated sanctities, your wives' honor and chastity, for which you have to care above all things, move you, that this may stir you to pity, pity to hatred, hatred to war. For you will
You will become peasants again, or slaves of the Turks, or lead a miserable and pitiful life as exiles. Neither nobility nor wealth will help you, but rather the enemies will be attracted to raid you and take them away because of your discord. Consider the outcome; consider the cases, and learn (as befits wise people) to avoid your pending misfortune by other means. No repentance will help where there has been no counsel or caution for the future.
(30) Oh, that you would hear your captive sons and the noble women carried away into the worst servitude. They would ask nothing day and night for lamentation but that your brave hands might be stretched out against them for salvation, or that death might come upon them for the quieting of their lamentation and their restlessness.
31 So it is up to you to overcome the fierce enemies and to snatch the captives out of their hand. It is up to you to bind and loose the bound. It is up to you to save and liberate Christendom, which you will now do without hindrance, since you may not have been able to do so before.
For since you, most invincible Emperor Carl (for that is how I must address you, the Savior of Christendom), since you, I say, have gone to Italy, where everything was full of war and inner hostility, everything was found sick and, as it were, already decayed by you, you appeared as a desired physician, who, even with the mere arrival, immediately refreshed the sick and brought them back to life through the promise of health. For you, as if sent by God, have healed all the wounds of Italy with your wisdom, care, patience and most delicious medicine. How much hatred, strife and discord you, as the sun, have dispelled! And you have not come there both for your crown, honor and praise (though all should burst who think otherwise!) and for the love of the Christian faith, the desire for peace, and the hope to calm everything in the bet.
For when you saw that the tyrant would come soon after, calling from the former war to another, and from the sword to another, you yourselves, according to the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, whom you constantly follow in everything, wanted to rise from the far western parts and bring peace to us. Neither rain, nor weather, nor storm, nor sour roads, nor any other hardship of yours and yours could have kept you from helping us,
780 Section 5: Handover of the Augsburg Confession. Confession. No. 949. W. xvi,W-SW. 781
and to save us from distress, fear and death itself.
Therefore, peace has come about through your virtue and word: everything that had lain down and wanted to perish before is laughing and living again, which thanks you for its life, salvation and peace. If God had willed, you would not have left in such a short time, and could have strengthened poor Italy, which is only now recovering, and left everything in it well and efficiently preserved and cleansed. But so, most wise emperor, it is the duty of a prudent householder to see first of all where the danger is greatest.
35 And therefore, since you have helped up Italy, which was in danger of falling further, you have risen up in Germany: You have risen up in Germany so that you may restore this sick, devastated empire, which is oppressed by many hardships. Which you will easily do, because you are an excellent, clever and happy physician, and whoever is healed by you will, which is something rare nowadays, not become ill again in eternity.
(36) Now that the quarrels of the French have already been quieted by the emperor, and (for I turn again to you Germans) you will also have quieted your disputes in the Christian faith, how easily will you not be able to start the Turkish war?
You will not lack Italian power; nor will Clement VII, the Roman Pontiff, who is the most benevolent in name and deed, arise, but with his fathers, by virtue of his prestige and fortune, he will help in such a great war, and, if need be, he will himself take on all the trouble, danger and hardship, so that he may be the first in such a war, and will by all means omit nothing, so that the salvation and peace of the world may be promoted.
You, most noble King Ferdinand, can especially testify to the help, money and gifts he sent you, so that he would not leave you in your distress. And if other Christian princes had followed his example, they could not only have prevented the defeat of the past year, but also chased the tyrant out of Hungary and the Turks away from its borders.
The most Christian king Franciscus will not come into being, because he would not want to use this high surname, as everyone would judge, since he is called the most Christian not only from the protection of the Christians, but also from the extermination of the unbelieving enemies.
40. nor Henry, the king of England, the protector of the faith, he wanted (God forbid!) rather the same persecutor (or exterminator).
because that is just as much as persecuting when one leaves and does not protect one.
Nor Joannes, the most powerful king in Portugal, who is the diligent successor of his ancestors. Nor the brave and pugnacious Spaniards, whose bravery and prudence we will perhaps praise in another, more convenient place, where not now, and their victories and praise they deserve that they do not remain hidden, with full mouth.
(42) All other Christian princes, by whatever name they may be called, will not come into being. And if they come into being (which we do not believe), you alone will do it. Let this, you noble Germans, be your own praise!
(43) And the multitude of the Turks need not terrify you; for valiant men need never ask, How many are they? but: Where are the enemies? He who would rule over many must contend with many. Their power is indeed very great, but God's power is much greater, as it scatters and destroys everything before it, wherever it wishes, like dust, chaff and stubble. It is God alone who strengthened and conquered Moses, Joshua, the Maccabees, David, and others who prayed and fought with little multitude. He it is whose hand shall help you, and whose arm shall give you strength. It is he who can do all things; who gives and takes away, in whose hand is life and death, war and peace. For with God there is nothing so hard that will not be lightened, nothing so firm that will not be easily and completely conquered by you.
44 But in such a way that if you want to fight against the Turks, you first fight against yourselves and reconcile the Almighty God, whom you wish to have on your side, and put Christ's faith in order so that you are sure that otherwise none can exist without the other. I will not mention the examples, I will not mention the ancient victories, I will not mention many miraculous deeds of our time.
The Turks have a lot of money, but mainly that which they have torn from the hands of the Christians by force, and which they have acquired almost every year by ransoming your prisoners. But you do not lack money either. You have large numbers of people, among whom there are more Christians than Turks, but you also have enough people. They are fast, that is the praise of the horses. You, however, have more cavalry and heartiness. The Turks always win. Yes, but not so much through their bravery as through your sluggishness, they overcome everything they want. Wake up and think things through, and you may have as much or more in everything than the Turks.
Consider only the tradition, consider the way of life. They are ignoble, you are noble. They are effeminate, you are manly. You weak and soft Asiatic peoples, you hard and strong Germans. They are robbers, and therefore fearful; you (as you have always had this praise) faithful, honest men. But if they are superior to you in something, it is only the captive Christians' wit and strength that makes them attack you and throw you to the ground, if you do not believe nor arm yourselves properly.
(47) Do you think that all the captives will be able to bear their cruel tyranny and servitude, and that, when they see you armed, they will be able to hope that, by your help, they will obtain victory over the enemy, and will not fall to you, or pass up any opportunity of proving themselves enemies of the Turks? They will be the first to go out with you against the Turks, so that they will be free from their hand, which is so burdensome to them; the first to fight against the infidels.
(48) But the Turks fight against you especially with two main enemies, namely your discord and their supreme harmony, which they love and value as a goddess on earth.
Dear Germans, do not take it amiss if I tell you the truth here. I name (as that one says) no one, therefore no one must be angry with me, who does not want to show himself met first. For the Turks are under one prince, whom they obey; but among the Germans there are many who obey no one. It is the Turks alone through whose unanimous counsel everything goes well, but among the Germans there are many through whose discord everything comes to ruin.
Those do not think that they are wiser than the ancients, and therefore, by following them, they always gain new kingdoms. But among the Germans there are many who ridicule their ancestors as fools, and therefore acquire the name of new servants. The Turks live under the same law, custom and religion; but among the Germans there are many who always devise new laws, new orders, new religions and keep them at will, but ridicule the old one as something rotten and stinking. They spoil and destroy the unsewn skirt of Christ, which is already torn into many pieces.
(51) The true and most honorable teachings of Christ, which have been ordered by the agreement of so many pious fathers and confirmed by the Holy Spirit, they disturb out of devilish conceit, and make of them nothing but buffoonery and shameful stuff.
But if this monster should give birth to something, then you should at least have brought forth a better, wiser and holier faith in the place of the former, so that you would have departed without foolishness and disgrace from the true way of our ancient fathers, which has always been and will always be the best.
Would to God that you had not only deceived the poor gullible people, but also the pious and wise princes by your evil and poisonous teachings! But I have many things to say, which I pass over with diligence, lest I fall into a rich field, over which a great laborer (husbandman) is tilled, who (with your, the princes', permission) will make all the fruits better by his wisdom, diligence and teaching.
I come back to my intention. How much are Aristides and Themistocles praised among the Greeks, who were always sent away as envoys or commanders; and therefore, even if they were enemies, they nevertheless used to leave all enmity and injustice at the borders of the Athenian territory, and then (if it was convenient for them) wanted to accept them again on their return.
55 Cretinas and Hermias, who fought for the supreme rule in the city during the Mithridatic War, were also considered just as praiseworthy; but afterwards, seeing that the common people would perish through their enmity, they did not refuse to cede the rule to each other, so that Cretinas finally took over the city with his counsel, but Hermias left with his wife and child, and let the long-sought rule go.
This is true peace, this is harmony, and consequently the salvation of cities and countries, through which small things are elevated. Thereby is victory, life and dominion. With peace dwells justice, with peace truth, with peace bliss. Now, if you consider these things, according to the examples of Aristidis and Themistoclis, Cretinä and Hermiä, you will drive out discord by unity, and disunity by unity, and self-interest by common benefit:
If you imitate Father Scipio Nasica, M. Cato, the Roman people, and, after the manner of your forefathers, keep the one holy Catholic faith, you will not sit quietly at home, but will help your neighbors and covenant relatives, and respect other people's suffering as well as your own.
58. What are you afraid of the Turk? What of the infidel barbarians? What of the whole
The world? Send yourselves to this blessed war, and tear yourselves free from the ropes of wicked people, so that you can do this.
59 Poor devastated Hungary is waiting from you, for whom you cannot refuse help. For if it has resisted the Turk for many years at its own expense, and covered the whole of Christendom with its power, why, now that it has been exhausted and miserably oppressed by its enemies, should not all of you hasten to its aid?
(60) Therefore, if (as is your due and right) you will do with all diligence what we hope of you, only hear patiently and attentively what glory, benefit and welfare you will gain from it.
(61) Two things are chiefly implanted in man, which it is difficult for men who are otherwise rational (rationi cedentibus) to refrain from, namely, virtue and honor or glory; the one of which is the preserver of souls, but the other is a child (alumna) of the body. For virtue is contrary to vice, and he who desires it forsakes all that is shameful and acquires what is honorable. But honor (or glory) is the praiseworthy reward of our bodies and of our good deeds. And if the desire for honor is not there, it can, as everyone can easily see, bring excellent benefits to the soul.
Virtue is obtained through good morals and a well-managed life, but honor is obtained through brave deeds and great examples. For the sake of virtue, St. Paul, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Hilarius, St. Jerome and many others went to forests, lonely and desolate places and sustained themselves with water, dates, sedge and herbs.
For the sake of honor, Curtius threw himself into a pit; the two Decians sacrificed themselves; Mucius Scävola burned his right hand; not to mention others. But how much happier you Germans will be if you diligently carry out what I advise you today. I do not call you to go into solitude to attain virtue; I do not desire that you eat herbs, or drink water, or put on sackcloth and scourge yourselves, or walk barefoot, but that you go to war well armed, well clothed, well fed, yet with restoration of the holy customs of your ancestors, for which the
1) OMLikus, where it should not read dry figs, 6nrioi8, (Walch). - Perhaps rndieidus (roots) is to be read. Because enrioikus (from enrex) is sedge.
Heaven will be opened, but hell will be closed. But if you seek honor, for which all good souls gladly strive, what better opportunity can you have, since more reward and more glorious retribution could come to you than this holy and just war, which no man can speak ill of you? For you do not seek to destroy Christians, but to preserve them; not to shed their blood, but to subdue the enemies of Christianity, or at least to keep them away. Who will blame this? Who will not praise it?
(64) After this, I do not exhort you to conquer and take away any little spots, huts or deserts, but great cities, mighty and famous kingdoms, dominions, silver, gold, precious stones, which I hope you will not spurn. And so you can see what signs of victory, honor, praise and immortal glory await you.
65. For when you have stripped off the larvae of the wicked teachers, who bring forward nothing of their own, but bring forth again to your destruction the embarrassed opinions, which have long since been rejected and put down by the most holy conciliarities; and when the godly princes have subdued their wickedness, you will snatch the holy city of Jerusalem, the tomb of our most glorious Lord JEsu Christ, the place of Judaism, Mount Oel and Mount Sion, and other places where our Savior shed his blood, out of the hands of the unbelieving dogs and shameful murderers, and after that you will win more kingdoms and countries and spread the borders of Christendom everywhere.
Soon you will also restore the Hungarians, such pious and Christian men, who were so useful to you in the past, who protected and preserved the Christian faith for such a long time, to their property, from which they drove the foreigners' wickedness. To you the pious will ascribe their fatherland and their peace (where they are grateful) entirely. All of which, as I have promised you, will bring bliss to the soul and immortal name and fame to the body. Thus you will also ward off war and upheaval, as wise people are wont to do, from your borders, because the calamity is on your head and your destruction. Finally, you will catch (as they say) two wild sows in one forest (or create two good things with one effort).
67 For you will protect Ferdinandum, your son, foster child (nlumnuin), friend and benefactor, the king in Hungary, against all false kings and wicked adversaries in his kingdom, and save you from many a vexation.
For the good prince does not know to whom he should take refuge but to you Germans. To whom, if you (as is fair, and his virtue certainly seems to deserve it) will restore his kingdoms and crush his enemies, he will not only not be allowed to continue to ask you for help, money and assistance, but will rather dedicate all income, all kingdoms, principalities and everything he has or can have to your will and make it your territory.
69 Here I should state all the reasons why the Germans should not have refused to help you, most noble King Ferdinand. But it could not be told without your great praise. But since I know that you do not like to be praised at present, because you are so chaste that, when you hear your own praise, you are overcome with distress, and you prefer to hear the praise of others and the deeds of brave men, which you also like to do, rather than your own in your presence, I would rather keep quiet about the good things you have done in this youth of yours, both because not everything can be said in a short time, and because you are so great and praiseworthy that you do not need my fame, but are already famous throughout the world.
70. But how will you, dear Germans (that I come to you again), be rightly called worthy, if you bring back and restore the true Christian faith, which has been almost completely driven out everywhere, so that it comes back, as it were, through you after a long time; if you prepare yourselves for this holy, just and necessary war; if you take the kingdoms and dominions of the enemies; if you protect the neighbors and confederates by virtue of the law of nature; if you avenge the wrong done to you; if you drive the enemies from your borders; if you reinstate King Ferdinand, as is right, in his kingdom. All the most beautiful epithets of the ancients will be attached to you alone. For you will be just, godly, friendly, wise people; you will be called the conquerors of tyrants and the saviors of kings by all right.
What you will do, what you will contribute to the preservation of religion, what you will use and control in this war, all this will be attributed to you. You will have no companion in this, because without you no one will be victorious. The common good is based on you. Others protect the fatherland, others the parents, others the own goods; but you will not only protect all this, but also Christ, the redeemer of the world.
You will defend the human race and the whole world and keep them unharmed. You will be quite blissful and praised with one mouth by all Christians. The Holy Mother, the Church, will call you children, heirs, and, with disregard for others, saviors. You will be the ones through whose salvation and life our salvation and life will be preserved. You will be rightly honored; you will be owed rewards; you will be prepared triumphs, crowns, and titles of honor. Those who will not pray, pledge and sacrifice for you will be considered unworthy of the Christian name. And because I firmly conclude from your beckoning and attention that you are completely ready and well disposed for these two necessary and most holy works, that you need no further coaxing from me, I will pass over the rest with silence.
I only have to say that because you, most blessed Emperor Carl, have willingly accepted such points, which otherwise would not have been suitable for your Highness and imperial name, that you only want to calm everything down. You, most invincible (bravest) King Ferdinand, have been concerned day and night for the harmony of the whole of Germany and other Christian princes, so that you may establish what is and is called Christian, and that peace in Italy may be sown by you, as much as possible, in such a way that the whole world may reap rich fruit from it: We must ask the Almighty God with each other to keep peace in Italy, because it is well seen that life and death, salvation and destruction of the whole Christian religion hang on it as on a delicate thread. And if some maliciously want to prevent such peace from lasting long, nor the Christian religion from recovering; if some do not want to give help against that seven-headed serpent, the tyrant of the Turks; if some do not want to allow Hungary, as the stronghold of our faith, to be conquered again, Austria to be protected, Germany to be defended: we call upon you, St. Peter and Paul, of the Christian faith. Peter and Paul, heads and causes of the Christian faith, that you, key-bearer, lift up rock-hard and sluggish hearts of all princes and men; and you, sword-bearer and chosen vessel, cut away, separate and set apart such unheard-of hardness from the hearts of mortals.
Come in the clouds of heaven, scatter the nations that love to war against the Christians, and convert these sorcerers of Simone, these Attilas and Totilas, as many as they are, and bring them back to the former Christian faith. And if their wickedness (which God does not want!) is so great that they will not be converted by you holy apostles.
If in blindness they honor the enemy, the devil, more than God, our Savior; if they concede more to the unbelievers than to the Christians, and without mercy on the incoming faith will mock and crucify Jesus Christ again: let not the human race, which is wholly devoted to thee, be lost through the faithlessness of some wicked men; but smite them, O Lord, smite them, that they may have locusts, moths, and maggots enough; Let them be blinded and ravaged, that their ways be not right; let them lack the fruit of the olive tree, and the fields bear no meat; let the sheep be torn from the folds, that there be no cattle at the manger; let death take hold of them, and let them go alive into hell!
But if they think of human weakness, and turn to you, and set you, O God, before their eyes; if they honor your holy catholic and apostolic church (as is right) with a single heart; if they do not break the bonds of peace; if they stand by Ferdinand against the Turks: let them succeed and prosper continually!
Give them, Almighty Lord, abundant blessings, that the streams may flow to them with milk and honey, that the earth may bear them seed of its own free will; let them not, O Lord, lack any good. Their herds, their flocks, their cattle and their sheep must increase and be blessed; their years must be many and long, so that they may see their children's children and their descendants. Fishes of the sea and birds of the air must be obedient to them, so that all may know that you are Lord over all lords, giving to each according to his works, and that you alone do great wonders.
950. narration of the previously held mass de Spiritu Sancto and the subsequent opening of the Imperial Diet.
This document is the continuation of No. 939 and 948. The location is given at No. 939.
On Sunday [June 19], His Imperial Majesty received the Sacrament of the Holy Cross. Majesty, according to his usage, received the reverend Sacrament of the Holy Cross, and after noon summoned all the princes to him, and, for the sake of the session, kindly received them, which could never have happened before at any Imperial Diet. On Monday [June 20] the Mass de Spiritu Sancto was sung with all its glory; the Archbishop of Mainz officiated. After the Credo
that orator pontificius a quick Oration in Latin and German language; promise me, it will be printed and scholirt 1). After the oration, Imperial Majesty went to the sacrifice. Majesty went to the sacrifice, and the Elector of Saxony presented him with the sword. Then the king and all the princes went to the sacrifice, but ours with laughter; only the landgrave did not sacrifice, but was present at the mass.
After the mass, His Imperial Majesty rode up to the house. Majesty rode to the house with the princes and chieftains, began the Imperial Diet there, and held two things before them for deliberation according to length: first, that they should deliberate on how to deal with the Turks, and second, that each prince should submit his opinion on religion in writings for the morning of Wednesdays, in two languages, one Latin, the other German. Please forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty will deal with the matter in his own council, since the princes are opposed to this.
This much has been done so far. Be warned with this; if rumor should come that our princes should have given way somewhat, then know that it is not true. At the highest request of His Imperial Majesty, and in particular of His Majesty the Emperor. Majesty, and especially the Elector for the sake of his office, they could not refuse to go to church with us. However, they protested earlier that the mass is none of their business, and they do not want to pay their respects to it, as has happened. To this end, they do not refrain from preaching, but rather interpret the commandment, because the papists are not allowed to preach either, and those whom the imperial majesty has appointed from high authority are not allowed to preach. Majesty has decreed from high authority, must say nothing more than the Gospel, without all interpretation. Here the eating of meat, and other things, is not contested. Ask God to give his Holy Spirit to preserve his divine word and common peace.
951 Lecture of Count Palatine Frederick in the name and presence of the Emperor to the Estates of the Empire, delivered at Augsburg on Monday, June 20, 1530.
This document is found in Latin in Cölestin, vol. I, p. 116 and in Chyträus, p. 53; in German in des Chyträus deutscher Edition der Historie etc. p. 99. The second part, concerning religion, is also found in the German editions: in the Wittenberg (1569), vol. IX, p. 442b; in the Jena (1566), vol. V, p. 99 (wrong 92); in the Altenburg, vol. V, p. 225 and in the Leipzig, vol. XX, p. 213. Also in Müller's Hist, p. 564.
1) "scholirt" will mean: to be provided with bulkheads, glosses.
First proposition point, concerning the Turkish War.
1. Majesty, our most gracious Lord, has no doubt that Her Majesty's dear friends, nephews, brothers, grandparents, princes and commoners of the Holy Roman Empire have in fresh remembrance and good knowledge that Her Imperial Majesty was elected to the dignity and height of the Imperial office and government of the Holy Roman Empire by a unanimous vote by God Almighty. The Holy Roman Empire was first elected by a unanimous vote, and received its royal crown at Aachen. She received her royal crown at Aachen, held a general imperial diet at Worms, and thereupon discussed the affairs and necessities of the Holy Roman Empire. The kingdom's affairs and necessities, which existed at that time, were carried out and acted upon with the utmost and most gracious diligence. When, at the same imperial diet that was or is still in progress, her imperial majesty was confronted with enemies, the Holy Roman Emperor was forced to take action. When, at the same time, in the same Imperial Diet, which was or is still in progress, her Imperial Majesty was opposed with enmity against her Majesty, war and hostile acts were started and practiced, and her Majesty conceded such great and excellent causes as are possible, that, although she had been completely willing to remain longer in the Empire, she had again withdrawn from it to her Majesty's Hispanic hereditary kingdoms. Hispanic hereditary kingdoms; however, with the good knowledge and will of the estates of the empire, after that all necessary business and things of the holy empire had been established and decided beforehand, and with the consent, advice and decision of the estates, her dear brother Ferdinand, of Hungary and Bohemia, whom her majesty does not respect differently than her majesty himself, to her majesty's state. himself, as her Majesty's governor, and appointed and established a regiment in the Holy Roman Empire consisting of princes, chieftains and all the other estates; which governor and regiment had all the power, in the absence of her Majesty from the Empire, to do and act in accordance with the needs of the Empire and the matters at hand, as if her Majesty herself were present. In addition, her Majesty's brother and governor, as well as the regiment, have not spared their persons' effort, labor and expense, but have at all times done everything that has been possible for his love and them in the form of the matters and events that occurred after the Diet of Worms was held, and the edict and order that were made on it, and have been committed, so that her Majesty's Majesty can be assured of the preservation of peace and rights in the kingdom. to decree nothing for the preservation of peace and rights in the Holy Roman Empire. For this reason, Her Majesty has also left the empire for the kingdoms in question with less complaint.
2. after which Her Majesty's Re-arrival in Hispania, Her Majesty. has now been informed that not only have some troublesome things occurred, but also that there has been some disagreement between the inhabitants of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, on account of the Christian religion and otherwise, but also that the hereditary enemy of the Christian name and faith, the Turk, is in the process of damaging some Christian frontiers, namely the Kingdom of Hungary, as he has begun to do, and has thus conquered by force some of the gates and passes of the place. For this reason, Her Imperial Majesty has been granted the right to use his power. Majesty. brother and brother-in-law, King Louis of Hungary, by his and the common countryside's excellent message, appealed to her Majesty's governor and regiment in the Holy Land. Governor and Regiment in the Holy Empire, thus and besides also to Her Majesty's Commissars and Orators. The Hungarian authorities, the commissioners and orators, as well as the princes, princes and estates of the Imperial Diet held at Nuremberg at that time, were informed of the danger and hardship they were then facing from the Turks after the capture of Greek-Weissenburg and other passes of the Hungarian lands, and especially of the fact that they, the Hungarians, were complaining of the Turks, that they were one thing with the same estates of the empire and other Christians, and that there was a common danger on them.If they, the Hungarians, were not given adequate help, that they would be too weak to avert the Turk's authority and force from them; if they were also assisted in time, that they, the Hungarians, would not only meet their fortune, along with other help from the empire, with sufficient salvation, but would also try to reconquer by force what they had been deprived of. If, however, they were ever not supplied with the shell, they would, as is to be feared, be subjected to Turkish force themselves, and thus would not only no longer be able to prove salvation or help to other attacking Christians, but would also be forced to act against them as the enemy of the Christians. All with further narration of the same messages, advertising how formerly the Christian Empire of Constantinople and Trapezium, the Kingdom of Bosnia, Dalmatia, and a large part of Croatia, together with many other kingdoms, lands and regions, were also conquered by the Turk, thus, that in a short time the Turk has extended his power to such an extent that, besides many other nations and great lands, he has forced two empires and twenty kingdoms under his power, all of which are subjected to him with the most burdensome and humiliating servitude, and must wait and serve him.
3. what complain complaint and submission
In view of the same Hungarian message, as well as the pressing danger that would certainly arise not only for the Crown of Hungary, but also subsequently for common Christendom, Her Imperial Majesty has taken it to heart. Majesty has therefore taken to heart and, in order that this danger may be countered with haste, has taken the measures previously taken by the common estates of the Empire at the Diet of Worms for Her Majesty's march to Rome and the attainment of Her Majesty's crown. Rome and the attainment of her imperial crown. The same, however, is the case with the Hungarians, who have agreed to follow the help promised and granted by the common estates at the Imperial Diet in Worms for their march to Rome and the attainment of their imperial crown. And because the same help granted to Her Majesty was not followed by the Hungarians at that time, but in part, for the rescue of the Hungarians, and because the Hungarians were not able to shoot them at that time, then that the Turk, after conquering Greek-Weissenburg, as reported above, other passes and towns in Hungary were taken by the Turks, with the Christian people being damaged and spoiled, and then, not far from Rhodes, they were overrun and, after a hard siege, they were taken under their control, which were two strong fortresses and passes against the Turks, on which Christianity had no small comfort; And because then the reported Turk directed his power to the Hungarian country, after further conquest of many passes, castles and best spots, the places, the above-mentioned King Ludwigen and the same war people, so by his, the Turk's, rage and invasion to salvation and resistance pushed, beaten in the field, and thus the Christian army lay down burdensome; That the same King Louis should perish, and the said Turk should follow up his victory, forcing all castles, cities and towns between the rivers Sau and Drava by force, and Ofen, the capital of Hungary, and Pesth opposite, and other towns and cities, should be thoroughly plundered and burned, many Christian peoples beaten, and the survivors dragged away with considerable goods; That he also became insatiable, but from one victory to another to damage and ruin the Christian lands much more meager and eager, then directed his fierce mind on common Christianity and especially on the German nation, and her Majesty's kingdom and principality of Croatia and Kram raided, burned, devastated and led away from it more than thirty thousand people, male and female sex, and those who did not want to follow with the robbery, cruelly murdered.
4th And now most recently, in the next past 1529th year, with such great power, as before and since the time of Attila, who there was a scourge
The king, who is called God, was never heard, marched again and in his own person to Hungary, devastated it thoroughly from all sides, turned his innumerable army immediately afterwards to her Majesty's land of Lower Austria, besieged the capital Vienna and forced it with a cruel challenge. There he besieged the capital city of Vienna, and with cruel hostility pressed and coerced it, and besides that, with his roving troops, on the side where Vienna is situated, he roamed everywhere with great rage, and destroyed, devastated, and burned everything that was before him, far and wide, up to Linz, as far as the water, the Ens, old and young Christians and children with inhuman fury, and also abused many women and virgins, as often happened before, and is his, the Turk's, practice and desire, to their worst will, and otherwise dragged away like cattle with them, besides a noticeable loot.
(5) Whereupon, too, if the reported hereditary enemy of our Christian name and faith had not departed, Her Majesty was completely determined and prepared to put aside all things, and to oppose it personally with all her might, and to put all her fortune into it, as then Her Majesty wrote to the aforementioned her brother, and likewise to the supreme commander of the estates in the Holy Roman Empire, and also to the knights and men of war who were besieged in Vienna. wrote to the aforementioned her brother, likewise to the chief captain of the estates in the Holy Roman Empire, also of the knights and men of war who were besieged in Vienna, and finally put them off that they should rely on it completely, but nevertheless, as Her Maj. and, for many good reasons and motives, considered it best and most useful to bring and place the Italian lands in peace and tranquillity before her Majesty's departure; also to dispose of the city of Bonavia for papal sanctity, and to act with her Majesty in this and other matters concerning the welfare of all Christendom, including our holy faith; as is further stated in her Majesty's writ of this Imperial Diet.
6. that also subsequently her Majesty, when she found that the supreme necessity of the matters reported in the above-mentioned invitation to this Diet, and especially the thought of our hereditary enemy the Turk and of our holy faith, required that the same Diet be called; besides this, she considered and judged it best and most useful to immediately take her royal crown there in Bononia, as she has done; which crown, as being known to men, her Maj. without any objection or hindrance at Rome, to dispose of it in her Majesty's Kingdom of Neapolis, and to take advantage of its excellent objects and things, which are especially present at that time,
and the kingdom's welfare and her Majesty's benefit. In this case, however, Her Majesty has also postponed them so that she may promote the common Christian benefit, as she has been and has been inclined to do, and so that they may come and appear here at this Imperial Diet the sooner.
(7) And even though he, the Turk, has not been able to conquer the city of Vienna by the providence of God and by the fortified hand and salvation of the knights and men of war who were located there, nevertheless such great damage to the land and people has been inflicted on Her Majesty the Archduke of Austria by such devastation that it may not soon be recovered and restored. And even though he, the Turk, has departed, he has left his followers, Masha and captains, behind him on the borders there, and has since then challenged the Kingdom of Hungary and Crabatia, as well as the German nation of Austria, Styria 1) and Carniola, with constant raids and incessant damage. Moreover, nothing else and nothing more certain is to be assumed than that he will, for his opportunity and his advantage, with previously used and perhaps more power and rage (because he now unfortunately borders with Christendom), again break in to persecute Christendom, especially also the German nation, thus without ceasing with constant contestation, and to thoroughly and finally destroy and exterminate it. And what and how much the Turks, before and after the conquest of Constantinople, have taken with no less cruelty and Christian bloodshed, weakened Christendom, and thus pushed it into a corner and a place, is partly shown above; and because it may be manly to pity and complain more than is necessary to tell at length.
8. What deeds and rages, which have thus been accomplished with the loss of many Christian lands and people, also with cruel bloodshed, all Christian members and estates should consider with heartfelt compassion, and take an example from the past deeds, and thus certainly hold for it, Whereas now, as before, the Turks have acted negligently, carelessly, and without restraint, and their rash intentions, cruel ravages, and the introduction of the Turks have not been countered with more noble care and braver and more serious counteraction than has hitherto been the case.
1) Walch: "Speier".
that some welfare or arrival of the Christians could no longer be hoped for, but that one Christian country and region after another would be lost, and that in a short time it would be completely under Turkish control and wiped out, finally to be waited for.
9 Now, however, in Her Majesty's absence, the concerns and affairs of the Empire and, most importantly, the unmistakable harassment of the Turks, and how to counter them, have held several imperial diets and assemblies, at which Her Imperial Majesty would have liked to appear in her own person, but has always been prevented from doing so because of the troublesome encounters of her enemies and repugnants. Her Majesty would have liked to appear in person in her own time, but was always prevented from doing so due to the troublesome encounters of her enemies and repugnance, as her Majesty has partly indicated by letter and also verbally by her appointed commissioners in the next Imperial Diet and elsewhere, and has been excused for such absence. With which of her Majesty's enemies and adversaries her Majesty has nevertheless united and come to terms, for the sake of the Empire and the common Christian good, so that these complaints of the Turk and others may be the more strongly rejected, and has not considered their benefit, but for the promotion and affirmation of peace has left a considerable part of hers. He also inquired about it, when her Majesty the Turk's invasion and other above-mentioned ingrown objections in the holy empire appeared more burdensome than ever before, did not want to forgive their arrival for longer, and thus departed from the aforementioned hereditary kingdoms, lands and people; has, not with little danger of the sea, in Italy, where at that time still the several part of her Majesty the Turk was an enemy and repugnant. and, by the grace of the Almighty, also restored peace and unity to the affected Italian lands, which her Majesty then also somewhat prevented, so that her arrival at this Imperial Diet has so far been denied; as her Majesty has also recently made such prevention and causes known to the Electors, Princes and Estates here.
(10) And after Her Imperial Majesty has found that at the nearer assemblies and imperial congresses some notices and records have been drawn up of a substantial persistent aid against the Turks, which has been sent beforehand to all the Estates of the Empire, to consider and discuss with their subjects, so that such a persistent aid might certainly have been decided at the next imperial congress following it: so there is nothing necessary on account of such aid.
neither acted nor decided. And only on several occasions urgent assistance was undertaken and ordered, which urgent assistance was granted by the estates at Worms at the Imperial Diet, only from her Majesty's assigned request, and thus her own money, for her campaign in Rome to attain the imperial crown. Her Majesty nevertheless, regardless of her own disadvantage, extended this aid to the Holy Roman Empire and Christendom for the benefit of the latter and to save them from the Turks, and, as has been mentioned, she also granted it leniently.
11. And because this article, concerning the persistent emergency aid, is the foremost, in which not only the holy kingdom, but also common Christianity is much concerned, and the delay in this is in all ways sensitive, and every hour of delay may bring disaster, Considering the grave and imminent danger, and that the insatiable and meager tyrant of Christian blood does not celebrate, but with daily and persistent damage harasses and challenges Christendom, and his intentions are ever directed to bring it under his power and finally to exterminate it: so is J. K. M. s friendly and gracious request to the princes, princes and the other estates of the empire, who therefore want to take up this matter of persistent help without delay, and, as the occasion and the necessity require, to apply it to the above-mentioned written and handed over note, or in other suitable and expedient ways, so that the unavoidable and urgent resistance may one day be organized, ordered, raised and maintained with strong force and earnestness, shooting warriors in persistent exercise, certain entertainment and stately execution and emphasis. So that the Turk's plots and plans for further rampages against Christendom may, by the Almighty's gracious granting, be turned and broken, and the Christian empire, kingdom, country, cities, castles and villages that have been wrested from him may be conquered again, and he, the Turk, must finally feel the Christian hand of defense in his own lands as well, to compensate for his manifold damage and rampage. In this case, her papal holiness has given her good comfort that she will do everything in her papal holiness's power to advise and help, and to refrain from doing anything that may benefit the present affliction.
(13) Her Imperial Majesty also wishes to be informed of this. Majesty, on the fact that she has not fulfilled the promise made by the common estates of the Empire at the Diet of Worms for her Majesty's accession to Rome and the attainment of her imperial crown. and the crowning of her imperial coronet.
The Holy Roman Emperor has agreed to leniently provide assistance for such necessary work and rescue against the Turks as mentioned above, and to subsequently receive her Imperial Crown at her own not inconsiderable expense. Crown, at its own not inconsiderable expense, also without regard to the fact that Her Majesty without having had so many other considerable, excellent costs and expenses, which amount to many millions of gold, has graciously offered and granted, with all her kingdom's and country's wealth, to keep and show herself so imperial, Christian, and as is befitting in such a case, that males, high and low, shall publicly feel that in this, with comforting, brave and respectable help, her K. M. is neither lacking nor lacking in anything. M. nothing would be lacking nor would it go astray. Her Majesty is also in no doubt that her dear brother, the King of Hungary and Bohemia, who is now the rampart of the common Christendom and especially of the German nation against the raging Turks, will prove and hold himself with his own person, all his and his kingdoms, lands and people's fortunes, no less comforting, brave and helpful; as he has also done so far, which is also quite well shot and has come to good places.
13 In addition, His Holiness is confident that all other Christian kings, princes, and potentates will, according to their common need, also keep up this Christian work in a proper, Christian, and good manner, who will then be requested to do so in part by Their Majesties, and will also receive it in a needy manner.
Second propostion point, concerning religion.
Concerning the confusion and discord of the holy faith and the Christian religion, Their Imperial Majesties have heard with troubled minds how the same confusion and discord have arisen in some places in the Holy Empire. Majesty, soon after receiving her royal crown and accepting her government in the Holy Empire, heard with a heavy heart how the same confusion and division had arisen and grown up in many places in the Empire of the German Nation. as Roman Emperor, Bailiff and Protector of the Christian faith, religion and church, in consideration of her office, at the first Diet of Worms, to meet the same complaints with temporal understanding, and before they took further root, were prevented and rejected, had diligent consideration, and thus for the rejection of such confusion and division, with the knowledge, counsel and consent of princes, princes and other common estates, issued an open edict and spread it throughout the empire.
of the complete oversight, where this was obediently complied with and lived, such error and complaint would not have occurred so far. But regardless of all such most gracious, necessary and well-considered action, Her Majesty did not hear and hear with a little complaint of her mind, how since then in more ways the said most gracious action went against and contrary to. This has resulted not only in the diminution and contempt of their imperial majesty, but also of God the Almighty and His commandments, and 1) in apostasy from the superior authorities ordered by God, which then 2) has all been to the detriment of the estates themselves, and not otherwise than to robbery, fire and war, and all that which may have come to the highest displeasure of God the Almighty and contrary to the holy faith, also otherwise to ruin and death; as this has unfortunately occurred in more ways in the German nation, especially in the recent past in the common peasant uprising, also with the rebaptism and other things that have occurred as a result, and may still occur, occur and occur. Therefore, and now Her Majesty, with the great grievance of her mind, has found that such confusion and discord has increased and grown more and more burdensome, and that the manifold, diligent, and most diligent actions that have been taken now and then, have not yet been left alone or settled, Her Majesty has considered that these confusions could not be more effectively nor more salutary than by the presence of Her Majesty herself, and that they could be brought back into unity. And therefore, out of innate kindness and gentleness, this path has been taken by virtue of the tender, the final hope, that it will have a favorable reputation among all those who understand, and that it will manfully move and guide that all things be turned around and turned to the best again, so that Her Majesty may persevere and remain in her gracious conduct, and furthermore carry out and accomplish what may be beneficial and good for all beings. And therefore, Her Majesty is graciously pleased to take up this matter, to deliberate and to decide how, in addition to the aforementioned averting of the troublesome burden and invasion of Christendom by the Turkish invader, the aforementioned confusion and discord in the holy faith and the Christian religion may and should be acted upon and decided upon; in a very friendly, gracious and
Desiring with the utmost diligence and earnestness that Princes, Princes and the common estates, as much and as this affects each one and is due to him, be similar in all this, and for the advancement of things, each one, according to the ability of their Majesty's touched. For the furtherance of the matter, each of them, according to the authority of their Majesty's writings, will set down in writing and hand over [his] discretion, opinion, and opinion, of the confusion and discord touched upon, including abuses, which the clergy may have against the secular, and again the secular against the clergy, or among themselves, or through each other, so that this confusion and discord may be the better heard and considered, and also the more quickly brought back and compared to a unanimous Christian being.
952 Concerns of some scholars for a papist prince, in which they show that it is necessary first to examine the point of religion, and then to deliberate on the help against the Turks.
(1) To the question: Which of the articles presented by Her Imperial Majesty? 3) of the disunity of the Christian faith and religion, of each one's opinion, delusion and belief, and of the abuses in the church which are pending between the ecclesiastical and secular princes, to be written in German and Latin and presented to Her Imperial Majesty. We answer thus, after having deliberated on the matter:
2. although in kaiserl. Majesty. Although in the Imperial Majesty's invitation to this Imperial Assembly the tax to be levied against the Turks is mentioned first, and it is added that it is then intended to act on the basis of faith: Experience has taught that as often as help against the Turks was spoken of and acted upon at previous imperial assemblies, the Lutheran princes and their envoys never consented to such a request before they were sufficiently assured that no displeasure would be done to them on account of religion and the Gospel, or that any violence would be done to them. From this it is easy to assume that, if one wanted to begin first to make use of the tax and the institution against
1) Walch correctly added this "and".
2) In the old editions: "the that".
3) Added by us.
The Turks are to act and to conclude, but not how the religious disagreement is to be settled: so nothing praiseworthy and fruitful will be concluded and brought about.
Therefore, it seems to us that it would be very helpful for the advancement of the cause if it could be brought about before Your Imperial Majesty that first the religious matter be settled and the dispute about the faith be resolved. However, since some ecclesiastical and secular princes will write down their voice and opinion before Your Majesty, it seems that others, and especially Lutherans, will also ask and insist that the matter of religion and Christian faith be dealt with first; so that Your Majesty will also have the opportunity to accede to such a request.
4 If, however, all others desire and agree that first a quite permanent and lasting measure against the Turks should be taken, your Highness will be able, for many and highly important reasons, to present, request and insist that both matters be dealt with in one and the same treatise, and that council be held on them in due course, according to the necessity of the matter. This seems to be easily done for the sake of this cause, because the matter of religion and faith is dealt with in writings, while the matter of aid and taxation against the Turks is dealt with by Imperial Majesty and princes. This seems to happen very easily for this reason, because the matter of religion and faith is dealt with in writings, but the matter of aid and taxation against the Turks must be dealt with by the imperial majesty and princes, or by certain people appointed for this purpose.
5) Concerning every opinion and delusion in faith: Your Highness can answer to this with the most confident courage and good conscience, and assert that before and after the Imperial Majesty's edict, J. Highness has shown obedience to the Roman Church and the Apostolic See in everything up to this time with the highest diligence and zeal. Majesty's edict, up to this time, the Roman Church and the Apostolic See have been obeyed in everything with the utmost diligence and zeal, and their subjects have also been earnestly enjoined and commanded to do and keep the same; for this reason they have also endured much persecution, and have incurred the scorn and ridicule of almost all men. Nevertheless, her daughter had little regard for such ill-minded mockery and blasphemy, and had thought that everything that the Catholic, holy, Christian and Roman church ordered and decreed had to be observed and kept with seriousness, as it had been kept for such a long time, and had been in the godly and praiseworthy custom, and her daughter had received and handed down from hand to hand, as it were, from her ancestors. - 6 She had kept and done all of this all the more diligently mainly because her imperial family had been the most faithful to her.
By a public edict issued at the Imperial Diet in Worms, His Majesty commanded and enjoined all to observe the same; to which His Holiness also did not in the slightest degree contravene, but maintained the old laudable order and manner established in the church, together with His Imperial command. Majesty's command, until the Catholic and Christian Church, and its unanimous Concilio (or spiritual assembly), and Her Imperial Majesty, do something better here. Majesty, something better would be agreed upon and taught in this regard.
(7) Concerning the matter of the abuses, their rulers may answer that it may happen that in the Catholic Church some abuses are found among the ecclesiastical and secular princes; but why their rulers cannot present them in a Latin and German script is because they have not perceived much of the same in their territories and dominions up to the present time. However, the reason why it could not present and present its directives written in a Latin and German script would be that it has not perceived much of the kind in its territories and dominions up to the present time; especially since its directives have not been inclined to change or innovate anything in the spiritual and secular state since their youth. Should it be admitted, however, that some abuses had crept into the church, they would infallibly be put in writing and handed over by those who had already separated themselves from the church; whereupon their sovereigns, on joint counsel with Imperial Majesty, would gladly do everything possible. Maj. would gladly do everything that can reasonably be done and be indicated, so that by a general concilium (or church assembly) the abuses would be corrected and abolished from the church in every possible way.
953 Speech of the Papal Legate, Laurentius Campegius, to the Imperial Estates, June 24, 1530.
From Cölestin, Vol. I, p. 124. - The time determination given by us is according to the information of Justus Jonas in the 957th Documente. Walch has the 20th of June.
Translated from the Latin by LI. A. Tittel.
If, Emperor Carl, most Christian King Ferdinand, and you other noble, great princes, of what rank, dignities, and honors you are, the matter of which I now wish to speak were mine and not yours; something peculiar and not something common; if it concerned the welfare of only one and not of all: I should like to fear that Your Majesties and Your Serene Highnesses, if I spoke of it, would not speak of it according to dignities, but only to a few,
might not hear me well after all. But I must not worry about such things, since, as you know, necessity forces me to speak of important matters. For the miserable evil that gives rise to so much dissension, discord and enmity, and opens doors and gates ever wider, continues to eat away at me. I am also not allowed to expound at length in many words that which is before everyone's eyes, and which greatly offends the minds of many godly people, lest I seem to reopen the wounds that I really want to heal.
(2) For the Christian religion has now been brought so far down by the malice of wicked men that it has never suffered such great distress from the first beginning of our salvation, and the little ship of Peter, in any place, has never been driven about by so many stormy sects as we see at this most distressing and miserable time. All of which is due to no other reason, and has come to such a pass, than because we have forgotten the commandments of Christ, and have left the true way of obtaining unity in the church. For he himself, when he prays fervently to his Father, includes not only those whose faith has already been proved, but also those whose still doubtful minds would afterwards believe in him, so that in this way they would all become one, just as he in the Father and the Father in him. To which commandment it is also very true that when he wanted to reconcile the eternal Father for the sin of the whole world and depart from this life, he still commands his disciples at the end that they should love one another, and that everyone would know by such love that they were his disciples. But this is not only evident from what we have already mentioned, and which is proved by the testimonies of Scripture, but we also have other passages of Scripture from which it can be seen and perceived that Christ had nothing more often in his mouth, and more often and more diligently driven into the ears of his disciples, than cordial love and goodwill toward one another.
3 Paul also, the chosen vessel, taught that love should be preferred to all other virtues, because it is the bond of perfection to love one's neighbor as oneself, and because it is the fulfillment of the law, and that those who do not practice love depart from the true way, and fall into vain babblings, and become as a tinkling bell unfit for all good works.
4 If we now, dear Emperor Carl, most Christian King Ferdinand, and you other sovereign princes, remember these commandments, keep them in mind.
If they had had the laws of the world before their eyes and had considered them with devotion, not so many disputes and corruptions (errors), not so terrible disorders of horrible opinions, not so impudent propositions and strange doctrines, nor so dangerous errors and confusions would have arisen and taken root in the church. But as in the secular regime, when some abandon the laws of the authorities and choose and forge new statutes for themselves, they not only disturb and destroy the common society of the world, but also introduce a terribly wild life and disorder into the commonwealths: Thus, careless minds also make their dreams, rather than the sayings of the divine word, which they put on the page, their rule, and therefore bring unruly and unpleasant miraculous things (crickets) on the track, and in the church of the same burden godly members and the grafters incorporated into Christ to approve and accept them. Which, unfortunately, some in our time have been tempted to do, and have led to the abandonment of Christian love and common benevolence, and have caused the worst enmity.
5 And such a change of doctrine and ceremonies has not only remained with the church, which it has miserably torn apart, but has also attacked the secular regime and raged horribly within it. For, as it has brought into the latter ungodly doctrines and mad opinions, so it has brought into the former ghastly, miserable and grim wars and hideous defeats and bloodshed, thereby almost completely reversing and destroying both, and the beautiful, highly praised Germany has been so spoiled that hardly a shadow of the flourishing prosperity is to be seen, in which it was a few years ago.
6 Some Roman popes have endeavored to help this lamentation and decayed condition, but on no occasion, by no entreaties and pleas, nor by any legations to the imperial diets in Germany, have they been able to bring about and obtain that these religious dissensions be abolished, the wounded church be healed, and peace and harmony be restored among its teachers. Although their fruitless and futile efforts were not hidden from Clement, by that name the seventh Roman pope and most vigilant shepherd, he nevertheless, so that he would not appear to have left anything undone, or not to have observed his duty in all respects, ordered me, his legate, to this office, that with Your Majesties and Serene Highnesses, who are assembled in this glorious assembly, I should be able to make an appeal to your Majesty.
The church should be careful, and diligently exhort to everything that can promote peace and harmony, and also, with counsel and action, restore, heal, and improve the church's decayed and almost completely shattered and shattered condition.
For since the invincible Emperor Carl V ordered this Imperial Diet as a forerunner, so that the dangerous and all too outdated disease would be countered and controlled with a healing remedy, Clement VII, Pope, has also created the good hope that many would recognize the error and turn back to their dear mother, the Roman Church, Clement VII, the pope, has also entertained the good hope that many would recognize and abandon the error and turn back to their dear mother, the Roman Church, so that in this way such distressing and dangerous disagreements would be tolerated and finally the old peace and harmony, which so many pious people have so long heartily desired and longed for, would be restored. For if these heresies remain in the church and continue to eat away at it, and the enemies of public tranquility are not eradicated, neither will the church be freed from error, nor will it be possible to administer and govern the commonwealth properly.
(8) Which, since Your Majesty and Serene Highnesses, the most invincible Emperor, the most Christian King, and the rest of you sovereign princes, well recognize. They also see at the same time what a godly and holy business, and what a heavy burden we all have upon us, and what important things rest on our deliberations; which, if they are not settled, that we support the unsteady and decrepit condition of the church by our reputation, and severely punish the heretics and disturbers of the common tranquility, we can boldly believe that nothing will come out of it but extreme confusion for the whole church, of all wisely ordered communities, a complete disruption, a terrible confusion of divine and human things, and that finally the wild and cruel boys will come upon the pious members of Christ, and that nothing at all human will remain on earth. If, however, we strive in time to control such great evils, to quell the disunity of the church, to break the course of quarrels, and to reconcile the minds; if we strive to restore public peace and harmony, and then also to maintain them: then the salvation and prosperity of the church will remain unchanged, so that we will accomplish our course of life on earth and among men without error, live quietly and honorably, and finally please all righteous people in it.
(9) Since this is the case, I urge Your Majesty and Your Highness for the sake of eternal blessedness, which we can obtain through the intercession and the
We ask you, if you wish to attain the mediatorial office of our Lord Jesus Christ after this mortal and miserable life, faithfully and brotherly, to work in that which serves for unification and common peace in such a way as befits wise men who have been chosen for such important trade and treaty. And so that this may happen the sooner, the heresies be eradicated and the minds united, the first and foremost concern and effort of the sovereign princes, princes and other imperial estates must be to be obedient to the most invincible emperor and to follow him in everything that her majesty will deem good and order in the matter of religion and the articles of the Christian faith. And we believe that it is known and clear to all what great effort and care she has taken so far to restore, set on good foot and maintain the salvation, peace, tranquility, harmony and former prosperity of the church and of the common people, in such a way that their reputation, fame and honor cannot be called into question, insulted or offended by anyone's malice or malicious gossip. For she has always been concerned, at most, that she should prefer the common good to her own or her own, promote and spread the salvation of the church and of the common people, and then arrange all her actions and deeds not for the benefit of a few who do not understand or judge anything right, but for the benefit of all righteous and intelligent people, and especially for the benefit of the great God who tests hearts and kidneys. And that this is so, no one will doubt or deny who knows to some extent about their diligence, godliness and efforts to put aside disagreements and to advise the common good. But it would be too long to speak of the glorious virtues of the most blessed emperor in particular, which, because they are so well known and praised everywhere that they do not need foreign words, and the most invincible emperor is so modest and chaste that he does not like to hear such things praised and extolled in his presence, so I will pass over the others, which could otherwise be heard here, with all diligence.
10 Since, you German princes, these benefits of Imperial Majesty come upon you and these great services of the most invincible Emperor for you are well known, I have no doubt that such gratitude will be found in your minds. Majesty have come upon you, and these great services of the most invincible Emperor for you are well known, I have no doubt that such gratitude will be found in your minds that you will not only praise and extol the benefits you have received, but also willingly obey and obey Imperial Majesty in everything. Majesty in everything willingly obedient and compliant. So make every effort, noble princes, that you present the person you have chosen, and the person you have chosen.
to administer and do the office commanded to you by God in such a way, keeping God alone before your eyes, that all and everyone may recognize, as in the clear day, that you have taken the best possible care of the holy Catholic and Roman Church (which has always called you its children) and of the common peace and unity. I, in turn, promise all diligence, zeal and due care to work and maintain everything that the Pope can grant and do for the preservation of the holy Church communion and welfare, also common peace and tranquility, without offending his conscience.
(11) Having said this, about the abolition of errors and the healing of the wounds of the church, I now turn to you, you German princes, that I also speak something about the other and absolutely necessary piece. If I had such eloquence that your minds would be awakened and moved to believe that I have spoken nothing fictitious or false, but the truth, I would consider myself highly pleased and believe completely that things would be better for Christianity in the future.
12. But here let it be far from me to think you so imprudent and careless, or so simple-minded and ignorant, that you do not know that up to now not once but many times the immortal God's temples, dwellings, houses, altars, flocks, the graves of the ancestors, laws, freedom, wives, children, friends, and the dear fatherland itself were in extreme danger, and that your and the whole empire's rights were violated by the cruel Turkish tyrant's victories over the corpses of Christians, so that your fields were flooded with the blood of pious but miserably murdered people, and he drove away many thousands of people into horrible servitude. This miserable defeat of the Christians will hopefully move, sadden, grieve and torment you the more you are generous and noble-minded by nature and have much more mercy and compassion than they do.
Consider, therefore, you noble princes of Germany, what a miserable and sad state all German peoples have fallen into because of the cruel Turkish tyrant, and let the great danger that hangs over all our heads move you to earnestly defend the freedom and welfare of our common fatherland, and consider it better and more praiseworthy to die with glorious glory than to suffer shameful servitude and to take upon yourselves all ignominy. For, that the cruel rage has nothing else in mind and is not willing,
It is clear enough from this that he overpowers all Christians, makes them miserable slaves and even destroys them: because he does not desist from the old hatred and fury he harbors against Christians, but increases in it day by day, seizing more territories, kingdoms and dominions, with all Christians' harm and shame, increasing and spreading the borders of his kingdom, taking much from us, but losing little himself, meanwhile, since we ourselves war among ourselves, and do not believe that such a cruel, savage and nefarious people can be overcome and overpowered sooner than when we ourselves are first completely weakened, executed and worn down by terrible wars, internal enmity and miserable fighting. And that this is so, no one who still has an honest heart will deny; to the extent that many do not at all shy away from the flames, fire and destruction of the fatherland, that they also help to do this and help to increase it, so that they again arouse and inflame the evil that has already been half-satisfied and consider war to be beneficial, but peace to be harmful.
Thus Germany, torn and divided into so many disunited and hostile parts, gives the savage enemy a desirable opportunity to attack us with war, and not only to clear away the necessities of life, but also to seek our lives and goods. For what violence he uses, what murder, scorching, burning, robbing, plundering and other inhuman things he commits has long been known and heard enough. And since your mind trembles at such tales, your ears ring, your skin shivers, and your whole body freezes: who then should not wake up, and take care of the common welfare of all Christians, repel the inflicted violence and injustice, and protect the dear fatherland from such tyranny and supreme cruelty of such a barbarian enemy, and keep above the old honor and our honest name?
15. O we sluggish and slothful people! O we careless, rash and insensitive people! O we hard and rock-hearted people! He does us such harm, takes away so many cities and towns, threatens us with such murder, slavery, war and misery (expulsion); but we do not allow ourselves to be challenged by such danger, sit and watch our misery idly, and, to protect our well-being, do not want to dare to become one with the fierce enemy.
16 Can we not conclude and realize from all such circumstances that it will soon happen that we will all be brought under such a tyrant's yoke, our children, the dearest pawns, before our
eyes, as it were, to lust, and our wives and daughters to be forced to surrender and submit their tender bodies to the cruelest enemy of beastly lust, as shameful dung-houses? Now that this danger is at hand, why do we sleep and tarry any longer? Who then has made our minds and eyes so blinded and hard that we cannot understand nor see such great and common evils? What kind of sleep addiction and dizziness has made us so deafened and taken in that we do not wake up, even though we hear such terrible things? What kind of unmerciful and hard heart do we have, that it does not let itself be moved by such a great danger and need of the fatherland and of all Christians?
17. For the fact that we must not be lukewarm and slow or sluggish and foolish in this matter at the present time, we have highly important reasons, since all the shameful and cruel misdeeds and miscreants, which the same arch-enemy and scanty persecutor of the Christians has perpetrated on others, will also hit and plague us or our descendants very soon, and how they will not only hear from afar, as now, which is not so miserable, but will even have to see and experience with these eyes of ours. Which, what misery and misery, yes, shame and dishonor it will entail for us, everyone who does not want to be completely blind and madly respected, must see and grasp.
If now your mind still has something human about it; if the love for the fatherland (for which everyone must be willing to die) is not completely extinguished; if the welfare of your wives and children and friends is dear to you, wake up, you estates, wake up; let the sad and restless quarrels go! Put an end to the dangerous disagreements, and put your minds, necks and shoulders together, so that, if you do not in time, with all your might, diligence and prudence, ward off and avert the danger and harm that lie in wait for you, and chase the savage and cruel enemy out of Germany, lest he first exterminate all Christians, and lest noble and highly renowned Germany, the noblest seat of all godliness and learning, when the Christians have been killed and all estates and orders removed, become a castle or fortress of Mahometan blasphemy, and a refuge of Turkish murderers (robbers); and that this delay and procrastination, in raising and waging the Turkish war, is not only a disgrace to you, but also the greatest harm and ruin. For if the cruel
If such a powerful, cruel, wicked, lecherous, avaricious, lecherous and cruel enemy is not subdued and chased out of Germany by the common council and combined power of the Germans, what will we have to wait for but imprisonment, escape, murder, strangulation and all misery? What will remain for us to wait for but imprisonment, flight, murder, strangulation, devastation, and all other misery and wretchedness? With what eyes, however, will we be able to look upon such bloody victories of the defiant enemy, and where will it finally end with its insatiable lust, will and desire to devour and ruin everything?
19 For you must not in the least think that he, because he is already famous for so many victories and loaded with plunder, will henceforth cease from his hatred of the Christians, or be satisfied with his riches, but rather, as an unfortunately! Rather, as an all-too-certain rumor goes, out of immense eagerness to extend and enlarge his empire, he will first invade the Pannonian (Hungarian) borders with a mighty army and from there into Germany, and also attack and devastate other nations in fury and rage. For the way is open to him now that Ofen and Belgrade, the strongest cities of the same country, have been conquered and captured, and because the Christian princes are at war among themselves, there is no one who can resist his insolence, resist his fierce onslaught, or let the holy church and the common fatherland's welfare complain. Accordingly, I ask you, German princes, for God's sake, that you once become witty, not only through foreign harm, as wise men usually do, but through your own, and that you draw the sword, so that you may stab and strangle yourselves among yourselves for so long, against the cruelest enemies; the strong power, so that you destroy Germany, use it against the worst of the rage, and the council, so that you rage against yourselves and your innermost being, turn to the extermination of the Turks and the reconquest of yours.
20. O iron and inhumane people, if you will not be moved here! O nefarious and wicked people, if you will not fight and wield the sword for God's honor! O foolish and rash people, if you do not respect the danger ahead! O loveless and cruel ones, if you do not take the murder of children, wives and friends to heart! For what can keep you from such a necessary war and such a holy undertaking, I do not see, since the enemies with whom you are to war and fight are soft.
They are used to dancing, but you are used to rifles and weapons; they are unclothed by all things and inexperienced in the art of war, but you are incomparable in the bravery of soldiers and the experience of commanders; they wage unjust wars, but you seek to defend yourselves against injustice; they are predatory and cruel, but you are their protector and devoted to justice; they wage war out of hatred against God, but you seek to save and avenge the honor of God from such a great enemy's dishonor; they call upon Mahomet, their lying prophet, for help and assistance, but you seek protection and help from the power and hand of our Savior Jesus. Now if the matter itself did not exist, whose condition was better and the cause of the war more just, I would endeavor to show and prove it with many and clear reasons and words. But now that I think I have spoken enough about the reasons why it is necessary to take up arms and wage war, I must also say by what means it can be started more easily and waged better.
21 First of all, you have on your side the invincible and most powerful commander, who can drive out and expel the strongest army with a mere wave of his hand, conquer and destroy the strongest castles without artillery, topple the highest towers from the ground, and without sword and helmet can bravely fight and maintain victory. If you ask who he is, I say: God, who, being angered by the great and many disgraces of our Lord Jesus Christ, will not only save the honor of His name, but will also protect the righteous cause. And whoever does not believe this must be a cattle and not a Christian, but a Turk; not a pious, but a denier of God.
Therefore lift up your minds to him; put your trust and hope in him. With him let your salvation, welfare, honor and triumph stand or fall! He will equip you and your peoples with the spirit of joy; he will give you good and useful counsel; he will arrange your battle orders, give you courage, send you provisions (or food) even from heaven, provide all other necessities, if only you will bravely and joyfully save his majesty and name from the dreadful enemy's highest shame and blasphemy.
23 And if you also look around for human help and ask for advice, then I am also finished with the answer here. For all Christian kings, even foreign ones, will help you.
and princes warring nations will not arise to help. The Swiss, a brave and in war well-tried and famous people, will make themselves known; the French, English, Dutch will help; the Bohemians, Hungarians, Poles will bring their power here and with united spirit and weapons break the hostile undertakings, chase the enemy away and come back triumphant full of plunder. Even Clement, the pope and most vigilant shepherd, has decided to spare no expense for such a godly, just and necessary war; that I say nothing of so many free imperial cities, whose combined might would also be almost alone capable of stopping or driving away this terrible enemy's power. Nor must you doubt that you will win the victory and the spoils as often as you look at so many princes and heroes, all of whom flourish so excellently in youth and physique and strength. For their name and fame are so glorious, their stature and strength so great and important, that whoever looks at them easily calculates that the Turks are not only not to be particularly feared, but that one can also expect a certain victory.
(24) For you also have the most experienced warlords; you have a fresh and strong people; you are not only superior to your enemies, but also much more valiant; you defend a more just cause than they; you wage a well-authorized war; you fight out of necessity, and have an abundance of war expenses and all accessories. What then could be the reason or cause why such a useful, necessary, praiseworthy, godly and honest war should not be waged?
(25) Why would you open your mouths and listen to all this as if deaf? Why should your minds not be moved by such great things and miserable murderous games? Why would you not take revenge on such a fierce, ignominious, blasphemous, furious and cruel enemy? Ah! you German princes, an otherwise so feared and powerful people, do you now want to be lazy and indolent, since your virtue and bravery before were not only known to all foreign nations, but also terrible? Will you now be deaf and implacable, since your love and compassion for your fatherland have already been proven by so many trials? be so slow and tardy in averting your own danger and inflicted suffering, which you were otherwise so ready and swift not only to avert but also to avenge on foreign peoples?
26 Therefore, even now, let your courage go from
and such harmful delays must be done away with. Seize the righteous weapons at once; chase the enemy out of the common fatherland, and with united minds, after the abolition of all internal wars, assemble your power; With your old bravery and former zeal, save and defend your fatherland, cities, towns, villages, villages, castles, houses and farms, freedom, women and children from the fury and rage of such a great enemy, so that you may escape a miserable, wretched life, wretched slavery, the disgrace and shame of women and children, the devastation of the fields, the desolation and destruction of the cities, yes, murder and death. For if you let the Turkish armies advance further; if you do not keep the tyrannical undertakings, nor drive back the enemy force, then it is not to be asked first how it will go for you, but only to see where any hole is left for you.
27. Since there is such an urgent, great need, the like of which has never been seen before; since you have been beaten up enough by internal wars and pranks among yourselves; since you have come to such a pass through all too long and persistent disunity that not only the Germans but also the foreign peoples have begun to fear violence and tyranny on the part of the Turks, it is your duty that, since you are the cause of such evils, you also seek to curb them; that, since you have inflicted such dangerous wounds on the church and the state, you also seek to avert them: It is your duty, since you are the cause of such evils, to try to curb and avert them; since you have inflicted such dangerous wounds on the church and the state, to heal and bind them up again; since you have thus divided and wrecked the condition of the common fatherland and the church, you must now, by unanimous counsel and action, straighten it out, set it right and make it firm.
If you do this, you will be considered wise and prudent, but if not, foolish and foolhardy. If you do it, you will be praised for being careful and prudent, but otherwise you will be scolded for being careless and imprudent. If you do, you will help the common fatherland, increase the majesty and sovereignty of the Roman Empire, and restore the common harmony, but if not, you will completely throw the rest of Germany's fortune to the ground, and shamefully lose the Roman Empire, which your bravery acquired and won, and fill everything with discord and disunity among each other.
29 Therefore, because such terrible evils of war and bloodshed and other mischiefs are hanging over your heads, and common peace and harmony have never been more necessary than now among the German princes, both the Christian religion and the Christian religion have never been more important.
than to expel the fierce enemy and restrain his violence and cruel deeds: I beg and exhort, through the death of our Savior and Redeemer, for your and your country's welfare and salvation, from the bottom of my heart, that you put away your errors, give Christ your suffering, injustice and enmity, unite your minds, and preserve and increase the common peace, goods and ornaments, the glory of Almighty God and of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, from Turkish disgrace and blasphemous filth, to defend the freedom of the common fatherland, to expand the Roman Empire, and to spread the glory of your name, to direct all your counsel, all your thoughts, thoughts and deeds to adorn Germany with victory and booty, and to snatch and save us all from miserable misery, murder and common danger.
(30) Which Pope Clement, Peter's successor and most vigilant shepherd, bestows and wishes his apostolic greeting and blessing on all who go to this war.
May God, the author and governor of all salutary counsels and deeds, rule and guide your minds in such a way that whatever you undertake and conclude at this Diet may bring glory to His name, unity to the Church, and peace and tranquility to the common people. Amen.
954 The Archbishop of Mainz's response on behalf of the Estates to the speech of Cardinal Campegius.
From Cölestin, Vol. I, p. 131.
Translated into German by Ll. A. Tittel.
Most Reverend Sir! The invincible Emperor Carl, always the ruler of the Empire, the most noble King of Hungary and Bohemia, Ferdinand, the most noble princes and princes present here, and the envoys who are absent, and all the estates of the Holy Roman Empire, have devoutly listened to and diligently heeded your emphatic, godly, Christian speech, which is especially necessary in these times.
And since the invincible emperor knows that he, as the supreme bailiff of the church and the highest ruler on earth of the common Christianity, is set and given by God, he also considers it his duty to try and do everything that may lead to the abolition of the disunity of the church, to the settling of the disputes of the teachers, and to the rebuilding of the church.
The aim is to serve and serve the restoration of the previous peace.
And since he has experienced the devilish fury and the cruel Turkish rage of Wolfsgrimm for so many years with the greatest sorrow, he also believes that the greatest need requires that henceforth all power and all wealth in gold and silver be used for war against the Turk, so that the danger that hangs over the Germans and the wounds that can strike the German blood may be averted and prevented, that the same savage enemy may be snatched from the Roman Empire, conquered again and taken from it.
To whose Majesty the most illustrious King of Hungary and Bohemia, Ferdinand, and others of the Roman Empire, the Princes, Counts and Estates, as assistants to their care, faithfully accede. The princes, counts, prelates and estates of the Roman Empire, as assistants to their care and toil, faithfully join in, willingly take upon themselves all work and trouble, bear the costs that come to them, and, in case of need, give all the assets of their kingdoms and countries, yes, even themselves, for the protection and preservation of the Christian religion, to the protection and preservation of the Christian religion and the expulsion of the cruel despot from the borders of the empire, and will show themselves in all things in such a way that their counsels and deeds will first of all please the most high God, and then also our most holy father, Pope Clement VII., Shepherd of Christ's sheep and Peter's successor, and they will also do before men what their duty and office entails.
955 Report of Elector John to Luther on the reading of the Confession, which was difficult at first, but was finally approved.
See above the 946th document.
956 D. Luther's answer to the Elector, in which he testifies to his great joy at the reading. July 9, 1530.
As Burkhardt, p. 180 states, the original of this letter is in the Weimar archives; as De Wette says, also a simultaneous copy. The same is printed in Flacius' German collection, no. 3. In the editions: in the Wittenberg (1569), vol. IX, p.420 (incorrect 402); in the Jenaer (1566), vol. V, p. 94; in the Altenburger, vol. V, p. 220; in the Leipziger, vol. XX, p. 176; in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 82 and in the Erlanger, vol. 54, p. 169. - It is obvious that this letter cannot be the answer to the 946th document of June 25 given by Walch in the previous number, since Luther says right at the beginning of this letter that he is answering the Churfursten's letter of July 4.
1. grace and peace in Christ. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I received E. C. F. G.'s letter, given on July 4, today on July 9, and was pleased to hear that E. C. F. G.'s thoughts have been alleviated. For God knows that I do not write such letters to E. C. F. G. for any other reason than that I worry that Satan (who is a master of evil thoughts) would grieve E. C. F. G.. Otherwise, I know and respect that our Lord Christ Himself comforts E.C.F.G.'s heart better than I or anyone else can.
2 The work also exists, and bears witness to it; for the adversaries think they have almost succeeded in having preaching forbidden by imperial decree. On the other hand, the wretched people do not see that more has been preached through the written confession than ten preachers might otherwise have done. Is it not a fine wisdom and a great joke that M. Eisleben and others must remain silent; but instead the Elector of Saxony and other princes and lords appear with the written confession, and preach freely before the imperial majesty and the whole empire under their noses, so that they must hear it and cannot speak against it. They do not want to let their servants listen to the preachers; but they themselves must hear nuisances (as they call them) from such great lords, and fall silent. Christ is not silent at the Diet, and if they should be mad, they must hear more from the confession than they would have heard from the preachers in a year. So St. Paul says that God's word wants to be unbound. If it is forbidden in the pulpit, it must be heard in the palaces. If poor preachers must not speak it, then great princes and lords speak it. Summa, when all is silent, the stones will cry out, says Christ himself.
3. however, on the other, so E. C. F. G. of me desire, I want to indicate only my opinion. Firstly: If Your Imperial Majesty would request that Your Imperial Majesty be allowed to be judge in this matter, because
1) Thus in the original according to Burkhardt. De Wette: broken; Wittenberger and Jenaer: smelled.
816 Erl. 84,170-172, Sect. 5, Uebergabe d. Augsb. Confession. No. 956 f. W. XVI, S71-973. 817
Her Imperial Majesty. Majesty does not intend to dispute much in this matter: I think that E. C. F. G. could indicate that Imperial Majesty will bring a letter of invitation to the court. Majesty will issue a writ of summons to hear the matter graciously. But where this should not be done, such a writ would have been without necessity, and Imperial Majesty would also have been able to take such judgments into consideration. Majesty might well have done such judging in Hispania, and E. C. F. G. should not have demanded such heavy trouble and expense to Augsburg, and may also spare other imperial states the same. For where no more could have been obtained or hoped for, such a reply from Imperial Majesty's postmen would have been of no avail. Majesty's letter carriers could have sent such a reply. It would, however, be a great pity for His Imperial Majesty and the whole Empire. Majesty and the entire empire a great disgrace and perhaps great annoyance and unhappiness, where Imperial Majesty's unheard matter would be badly received. Majesty would want to take a bad approach to the matter and be the judge, and not give any other answer. For, of course, such wise counsel is no one's, but E. C. F. G.'s dear friend N. N.; it is certainly not the emperor, as everyone will and must say.
4 Secondly: Where Imperial Majesty (that is, N. N.) wanted to insist Majesty (that is N. N.) wanted to insist that Her Imperial Majesty should not be allowed to be a judge in this matter, E. C. F. G. can say with all joy: Yes, it should be her Imperial Majesty. Majesty be the judge in this matter: E. C. F. G. can say with all joy: Yes, Imperial Majesty shall be the judge in this matter, and E. C. F. G. can say with all joy: Yes, Imperial Majesty shall be the judge in this matter. Majesty be judge here, and E. C. F. G. will accept and suffer everything, as far as and except that His Imperial Majesty will not go against the light of day. Majesty does not judge against the clear Scriptures or God's Word. For E. C. F. G. cannot set the Emperor above God, nor accept his judgment against God's Word. With this, Imperial Majesty is honored enough. Majesty, because nothing, because only God, who should and must be above all, is preferred to His Imperial Majesty. Majesty.
(5) Thirdly, whether they would claim that one wanted to defile Imperial Majesty with this. Majesty, as one would consider her inclined to do against God, but should believe that Imperial Majesty, as a Christian prince, would not conclude or judge contrary to the divine word. Majesty, as a Christian prince, would not conclude or judge contrary to the divine word etc. (as they also reproached me at Worms, in the same way as now E. C. F. G.): to this E. C. F. G. will well know how to answer, namely, that God has harshly forbidden to trust in princes and men, as the 118th [v. 8.] and 146th Psalm [v. 3.] says: Nolite confidere in principibus. Yes, also the
The first commandment of God does not suffer, because he says: "You shall not have other gods. Also, if the word of their own mouth is right, and if they are Christian princes, they cannot prove it better than that they judge and speak with and according to Christ's word: Thus saith Christ etc.
(6) But if they judge without the Scriptures, or if they want their judgment to be accepted without the Scriptures, they are punished by their own mouths, because they want to be Christian princes without and apart from Christ; this is worse than being a lord without land, rich without money, learned without art; but it is called: Insipientia ipsorum manifesta fit.
7) E.C.F.G. only be confident. Christ is here, and will again confess Him before His Father, as He now confesses Him before this evil generation, as He says: "Whoever honors Me, I will honor again" [1 Sam. 2, 30]. The same Lord who started it will lead it out, amen. I pray for E. C. F. G. with diligence and earnestness; could I do more, I owe it. God's grace be, as before, and multiply in E. C. F. G., Amen. On Saturday, July 9, 1530.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther.
957 Letter to Luther from D. Justus Jonas. June 25, 1530.
From Cölestin, Vol. I, p. 135.
Translated from Latin.
1. grace and peace from God in Christ! Her Imperial Maj. Maj. has postponed and forbidden the sermons here in both parts, since it was discussed for almost two days that against the imperial prohibition it is not possible to act. The two parts of the city have been postponed, since it was discussed for almost two days that no action should be taken against the imperial ban, but that this should be borne in patience and that Her Imperial Maj. Maj.'s command, especially here in the imperial free imperial city, especially since not only we, but also the papists and sacramentarians, who have had the upper hand here, have been forbidden to preach for the sake of peace, until the matter has been investigated. In the meantime, on Sundays
1) De Wette and the Erlanger: "for his father".
On these days, the Gospel text is read to the people without explanation, together with Paul's epistles; as Mr. Philip has already written to you about this matter, and as I have already done in my letters.
Yesterday [June 24] 1) the emperor met with the princes and estates of the empire in the town hall and heard Cardinal Campegium speak, although his speech was not very long. He exhorted the Germans to peace and that they should fight against the Turks. Against the Lutherans he did not say anything adverse or sensitive. Almost at the same time, an envoy arrived from the Austrians, or from the estates of this empire, who complained about the terrible harassment of the Turks, how they, together with all their belongings, wives and children, were already for the fifth time in extreme danger of their lives. Their instructions were read out as King Ferdinand was sitting in the presence. This day was also appointed for our princes, so that they could bring in the articles of their confession on the same day, and they signed them: our Elector, the young Prince, then Margrave George, Duke Ernst of Lüneburg, the Prince of Hesse, the Prince and Lord of Anhalt, the Council of Nuremberg and the Council of Reutlingen. The Landgrave mainly insisted on the fact that one should be able to present the matter to Her Imperial Majesty and to the imperial estates. Maj. and the imperial estates that the articles be read out loud and clearly. But King Ferdinand, in the midst of the ongoing session, soon had this, soon that, which he brought out of the way, blew into the ears of the others, and did not rest until he interfered with the reading on that day.
But today at 2 o'clock, since the assembly will not be too strong, our articles are to be read out before several princes, although in the imperial chamber. They will be read out before a number of princes.
4 We still hope that when Her Imperial Majesty will graciously investigate the matter. Maj. will graciously investigate the matter; although I do not know if it will happen, since he has so many cardinals around him: so, I say, we still hope that you, dearest father, will be summoned here by a herald. I cannot tell how many speeches of carnal prudence will be made, as if you will not be safe from secret persecution and violence; but since God has done great miracles before, we do not want to let our courage sink for now. Although I myself would not like to see you in
1) After this, we have given the time determination of No. 953.
You should not make yourselves suffer for such a difficult matter and embark on the dangerous journey. But the Lord will govern everything. There are six Cardinals here, also many theologians and Spanish bishops. The Cardinal and Bishop of Trent and Salzburg, the Cardinal of Mainz, the Bishop and Cardinal of Rossano, the Pope's envoy to King Ferdinand; they are all in the Emperor's palace every day, and besides these there is a whole swarm of priests, who stand around their Maj. like bees, and are daily taken up by a new hatred against us and you, and burn no differently than the fire in the thorns.
(5) How your prophetic book, which is quite a holy book, has been received, I have written to you? But dear God, what is the use of writing, if we poor people have the misfortune with our letters that none are handed down. I would like you to write to Philip more often; the man is afflicted with a strange sadness, and especially for the sake of the common cause. I have to remember that he takes the Psalm and does not speak to God in his words but in David's words in such an important matter. But he lets himself be carried away by his affect. The Lord knows that I must confess that I consider myself bound to you with my life for your psalm, for I have nothing at all to sustain me in my manifold struggle than your catechism, of which you tell me that I can find my God at home in it. The golden psalms, thanks be to the Lord Christ! I understand, and the blind adversaries know nothing of them; that one must have more compassion for them than they hate. Ah God! Who could give thanks heartily. How much richer is Argula von Staufen than all the bishops who do not know God, and about whom God does not know either.
I beg and implore through Christ that you will not miss any opportunity to write to me. My heartfelt greetings to N. Veit, as well as to your dear wife, and likewise to your sons and daughters. May the Lord Christ grant, if it is His divine will in heaven, that I may see my own healthy and well, Amen. Given in Augsburg, June 25, on the Saturday after St. John's Day, in the year 1530.
2) In a letter of June 12, which is reported in Kolde, Analecta, p. 126 ff. - By the "truly prophetic book" Luther's admonition to the clergy assembled at Augsburg will be meant.
958. D. Martin Luther's Response to the Letter of Just. Jonas. June 30, 1530.
This letter is found handwritten in Ooü. leu. b., Lol. 128 and in Aurifaber, vol. Ill, p. 27. Printed in Oo6l68tinu8, Ilist. VnA. Oouf., torn. I, tot. 136 k; in Chyträus, p. 141; in lluckäeus, x>. 108 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 45 (with the incorrect date: 20 June). German in Chyträus, p. 239 and incomplete in Cyprian's Beilagen zur Hist. der Augsb. Conf., p. 176, of which Walch has given an imprint (without date). The time determination is corrected by us after Köstlin, M. Luther (3), vol. II, p. 656. We have translated after De Wette.
Newly translated from the Latin.
Grace and peace in Christ. Finally your letters have arrived, 1) my dear Jonas, after you have plagued us with your silence for three full weeks, although I have written twice to M. Philip, 2) that you would not be so silent. And certainly, if the nature of the time lice had not prevented me, I would have thought of a revenge. But the time of prayer did not permit anger, and anger did not cease to pray. However, I have taken it upon myself to make you infamous everywhere because of this silence, especially in Wittenberg. Nor is it right for you to accuse the messengers; they have delivered [the letters] faithfully, especially the one hired by you. For from the time when he delivered your letter, I have received nothing but this last one about the arrival and the entry of the emperor 3) and yesterday the one about your complaints. But this I will avenge in its time.
4) I am very glad and rejoice extraordinarily over the exceedingly great gift of God that our prince has such a steady and calm mind. For I believe that our prayers, which are poured out for this heart, are pleasing in the realm of glory before God, and I predict (propheto) that we will be heard in other things as well. This joy of mine has been increased by the fact that I realize that
1) June 29. Köstlin I. o. p. 655.
2) On June 5 and 7; De Wette, vol. IV, 32 and 35.
3) The letter of Jonas of June 18 (Kolde, Anatecta, p. 134) was received by Luther on June 29. See No. 980 in this volume.
4) It is only here that Walch comes in.
5) De Wette: vos; Cyprian: nos.
You are quite confident in the Lord against this raging of Satan. Philip is troubled by his philosophy and nothing else, because the matter is in the hand of him who can say in the most hopeful way: No one will snatch it out of my hand [John 10:28]. I would not, nor would it be advisable, that it should be in our hand. "I have had many of them in my hand, and have lost them all, not keeping one 6)." But the [things] which I have hitherto been able to cast out of my hands upon Him, I have them still intact and whole. For this is the truth [Ps.46:2.], "God is our confidence and strength." Who hath trusted in Him, and been forsaken? saith the wise man, and again [Ps.9:11.], "Thou trustest not them that seek Thee, O Lord."
Here I have become a new student of the holy ten commandments, since, becoming a child again, I learn them from word to word, and see that it is true that His wisdom is not a number, and have begun to judge that the ten commandments are the dialectic of the gospel, and the gospel is the rhetoric of the ten commandments, and that Christ has everything that is in Moses, but Moses does not have everything that is in Christ, and I have called [them (the ten commandments)] by a new name. 7)... Thus they seem to me to be indefinite, but a very definite guide (calendarius) in all things.
With regard to the letters to be written to your wife, nothing has been omitted. For we also send all your letters immediately to Wittenberg, where they are awaited as it were by a thirsty country, and they write to us very frequently, so that I am ashamed on your account that you are surpassed by them in this service of love, whereas you should surpass them. The Elbe has leaked again, although there were no rain showers, but the greatest heat; so my mistress Käthe writes. 8)
6) Thus Walch according to Cyprian. De Wette: "one"; in the codices: "one".
7) Here is a gap in all sources. - Here it seems to be spoken of the ten commandments (Ü66ulo^u8) (after that our addition and the translation of the following).
8) The preceding, from the gap on, is missing in Walch. The same news about the leakage of the Elbe is already in the letter of June 7 to Melanchthon, De Wette, vol. IV,. P. 35, almost with the same words.
I am glad that the pope is given a sign with the birthing mule, so that he has something, that he despises God even more and goes to ruin all the faster. I cannot wonder enough about Ferdinand that he is so oblivious of the Turk, indeed, of the plight of his own. I, if so many people had been snatched from me and killed, would die in an hour, especially if my conscience had added that I had caused it through negligence. But I have never seen an ungodly man perish, unless he was hardened and secure, that the truth might stand [1 Thess. 5:3]: "When they shall say, There is peace, and there is no danger" etc. Such will be the fate of our bishops. For since there is no hope that they can be changed, I like to see them become obdurate and angry as they deserve. Let us only be bold in Christ. He lives, and we will also live, even if we die, and he will provide for the children and wives of the dead. He reigns, and we shall reign, yea, we reign already. If I am called, 1) I will undoubtedly come, if Christ wills it, although I am dealing with the thought that I wish to come unsolicited and uncalled. The grace of God be with you. From the desert, June 30, 2) 1530. Martin Luther.
959. extract from a manuscript of the chancellor Brück, which has the title: Plot of the
Religious affair at Augsburg, 1530.
The manuscript of this writing is in the Weimar Archives, Ue.]. L., toi. 3. seckendorf, nist. Initü., jid. II, x. 202 a already expresses the assumption that Brück is the author of this report. Förstemann, Urkundenbuch, Vol. I, p.459, who had this writing printed in his "Archiv", p. 50, speaks of it as a certain thing. Therefore, we have changed the old caption, as not sufficient. Walch correctly notes that this writing is opposed to the report given in this volume No. 1159. It is found in Müller's History of the Protestation of the Protestant Estates and in Cyprian's Supplements to the History of the Augsburg Confession, p. 105, from which it is included here.
1) This refers to No. 957, §4. This confirms our time determination of this letter, against Burkhardt, p. 177.
2) At De Wette the "20th of June".
Because the five electors and princes, 3) as indicated, have been thus bound to deliver their opinions and articles, and in three days, as on Friday, their electors and princes have ordered their preachers and scholars to do so. However, since it is feared that it will not be possible to finish and write them purely and ad mundum, so that they could be handed over and presented on Friday after a certain amount: it is intended to send to the Archchancellor of Mainz, as the Archchancellor of the Empire, and to ask his Electoral Grace that the articles be presented on Friday. He intends to send to the Archchancellor of Main, as the Archchancellor of the Empire, and to ask his Electoral Grace that the surrender be extended by one day. However, the said von Mainz has given an answer to the skilful one of the five Electors and Princes: "If it is in the power and authority of his Electorate, he is entitled to the surrender. If it were within the power and authority of his Elector, he would gladly comply with his Grace; but since it had been presented to His Majesty, it would not be up to him; he was also concerned that, since His Majesty had been present at the same meeting, it would not be up to him. Majesty had ordered the Papal Legate, Cardinal Campei, to be present on the same Friday as on the day of St. John the Baptist. He was also concerned that, since Imperial Majesty would hear the Papal Legate, Cardinal Campegium, after Vespers on the same Friday as on the day of St. John the Baptist, and would then also await such transfer, it would be difficult to obtain a change from Her Majesty. Therefore, Her Electoral and Princely Grace have sent themselves to Her Majesty. They must therefore send themselves and be prepared with the articles, as well as they could in such a hurry. And because the embassies of the cities, Nuremberg and Reutlingen, have indicated to their sovereigns and princes the order of their lords. And since the embassies of the cities, Nuremberg and Reutlingen, have indicated to their sovereigns and princes that they should settle the matters with their sovereigns, the same embassies have also signed with and according to their sovereigns and princes. The same messages have been signed with and according to their sovereign and princely sovereigns.
2) And as the historian 4) further indicates that over certain four days, including the appointed Tuesday [June 21], the five Electors, Princes and the two cities of the Imperial Majesty wanted to hand over their Christian articles and opinions in duplicate in Latin and German. Majesty their Christian articles and opinions in duplicate, in Latin and German, so it happened:
3. as the imperial. Majesty heard the Cardinal Campegium at about three o'clock, after vespers, after the Cardinal's ending, as papal legates, publicity and then by imperial legates. Legates, advertisement, and thereupon by Imperial. Majesty's answer, after the Cardinal's departure, the five Electors and Princes from their
3) The "five Churfürst and Fürsten" are the five princely signers of the German Confession, which are given in the St. Louis edition of the Concordienbuch, p. 50; likewise in the next following number.
4) The unnamed papist author of Report No. 1159 in this volume.
They have joined together with the two related cities in the opinion that they should present their confession and articles of faith in simplified form to the imperial majesty in the presence of the royal dignities of Hungary and Bohemia, as well as to the other princes, princes and estates. Majesty in the presence of the royal dignities of Hungary and Bohemia, as well as the other princes, princes and estates, to present their confession and articles of faith in twofold form.
4. Majesty has held talks with the King, several Electors and Princes, and has ordered the Elector of Brandenburg to become their elector and prince. He has ordered the Elector of Brandenburg to meet with his electors and princes and the embassies of the cities: Her Majesty graciously requests that they be forgiven a little with their request. For Her Majesty wanted to hear the Austrian, Carniolan and Carinthian embassies, which wanted to present their objections to Her Majesty and the Estates on account of the Turk. After that, Her Majesty also wanted to hear Her Royal and Princely Graces.
5 The aforementioned five princes, rulers, and embassies of the two cities have allowed this to happen, and the aforementioned embassies, due to their burdensome duties, have gladly escaped.
6th Now that the same messages have been heard, and their farewells have been obtained, the aforementioned Electors, Princes and cities have let them be heard:
7. 7. Since Her Imperial Majesty has appointed this Imperial Diet, among other things because of the discord that has arisen in our holy religion, in such a way that every person's opinion, opinion and opinion shall be graciously heard, and thereupon at the beginning of the same Imperial Diet, in Her Majesty's lecture, she has graciously agreed to hand over such articles and opinions of every part in Latin and German in writings. Her Majesty had also been informed by the Committee of the Electors, Princes and Estates that the aforementioned five Electors and Princes would present and hand over their opinions, opinions and views on Friday; and although the time was somewhat short for their electoral and princely graces, they would nevertheless have taken care, as much as was possible in a hurry, to bring their articles together in writing and in both languages. They had them all there in hand, and asked Imperial Majesty in all submissiveness. Majesty in all submission that they want to be free to hear them read together with royal dignitaries, princes, princes and estates. Afterwards, they wanted to submit them to their Majesty, confident that the other Electors, Princes and Estates would now also present their opinions in the same way.
(8) However, it has been requested that Her Majesty hold council and discussion with several Electors, Princes and embassies, and Her Majesty has given the five Electors, Princes and the aforementioned cities the answer that Her Majesty is inclined to listen to their Elector and Prince and the cities' confession. However, it was now almost late and in the evening, it would also be an unnecessary delay. For since the matters were written in documents, Her Majesty requested that the same documents be sent to her, as if Her Majesty wanted to consider and deliberate on them according to necessity.
On the other hand, the five Electors and Princes have indicated that their Majesty should consider it gracious that they would not want to burden their Majesty with unnecessary things as much as they could be sure that it would be inconvenient for their Majesty and other important business. However, it would have been in such a way that their electoral and princely graces would have been affected by their disfavor. It would, however, be in such a form that their electoral and princely graces would have been carried out by their detractors on account of the faith, and what would be pending in the matter, as they would have experienced it, with their Majesty and others in and outside the realm, as they still do today, [as] if they had such articles held for them and preached in their lands and territories, which should be against God and his holy gospel. So that now their majesty and masculine, who would be opposed to them, may hear that such an imposition is done to them for vain innocence:
(10) Their great and immeasurable need requires them to seek this from their Majesty humbly, and they would again ask their Majesty in all humility and for the sake of God, who do not want to be burdened, to hear these articles together with the royal dignities, also the other princes, princes and estates; so it would also be the case with the writings that they would be collected in a hurry and would be difficult to read, therefore the electoral and princely graces of their servants would have ordered one of them to read these articles as soon as possible and not to delay their Majesty in particular. Therefore, the electoral and princely graces of their servants have ordered one to read these articles as quickly as possible and not to delay their majesty in particular.
11 Thereupon Her Imperial Majesty again consulted with the princes and embassies and had almost the previous opinion renewed. 11. Then Her Imperial Majesty again consulted with the princes, as well as with several princes and embassies, and had almost the previous opinion renewed, and beforehand requested that the writings be handed over to Her Majesty, who also wanted Her Majesty to read them no less, and to listen to them, as they heard Her Majesty now and this time, with the request that the same not be meant for any disgrace to them.
12th For this reason the five princes, lords, and embassies of the cities have again spoken: that out of subservience they have lasted high, that they have
If their Majesty should further request to hear their confession: now they urge, for the aforementioned reasons, in particular, that they could not spare their Majesty and other estates so great a burden, as they would otherwise gladly do; and if their Electoral and Princely Graces, even those of related cities, should ever have anything to ask of their Majesty, it would be just this, and that their Majesty would graciously grant them this request. If their electoral and princely graces, as well as the related cities, ever had anything to petition their Majesty, it would be just this, and that their Majesty would graciously oblige them in it.
13 Thus also Her Imperial Majesty would have Her Imperial Majesty has hitherto always abided by the gracious imperial will towards everyone. That Her Imperial Majesty has not refused anyone such a request in much lesser and unimportant matters. Majesty had not refused anyone in much lesser and unimportant matters. These, however, would be matters which their sovereign and princely Their kinsmen's souls and oaths 1) were concerned.
14 Their most imploring request and plea to Her Majesty would again be that Her Majesty would graciously hear their plea for God's sake. As they also wanted to put off this to Her Majesty in all subservience without refusal. However, may it be their sovereign and princely graces and the messages of the cities. If, however, their electoral and princely graces and the messages of the cities were not received by their Majesty, they would have to order it to the eternal God, but for their honor, necessity and Christian glory, and to praise God, they would have done their part. For they could consider that it was not their intention to set their Majesty's measure further than their Majesty's gracious will; with most humble request that their Majesty would not understand such otherwise than for their unavoidable necessity and for no disgrace.
15 Thereupon, the Imperial Majesty has again indicated that After a discussion, His Majesty once again announced that His Majesty would not do this to His Electoral and Princely Grace. The Emperor's Majesty has again indicated, after an address has been held, that Her Majesty will not grant this to Her Electoral and Princely Graces, nor to the related cities, but for the reasons stated. However, in order that Her Majesty should not feel any lack, Her Majesty wished to hear such writings on the morning of Saturday after the eighth day of Corporis Christi, June 25, in the presence of the royal dignitaries, Her Majesty's brothers, as well as electors, princes and estates according to length.
The above-mentioned Electors, Princes and Embassies of the two cities have thanked him in all humility and offered to wait for his gracious decision. On the aforementioned Saturday, almost at four o'clock in the evening, His Imperial Majesty, the now-named Prince, has issued a decree. Majesty held an audience in the presence of the King,
1) Maybe: "Honor"?
Princes, princes and embassies, also estates, in Her Majesty's chapel. The church is a place from which those who are not the princes' and lords' councillors have been ordered to escape.
17 And after a short speech of submission, which the above-mentioned Electors, Princes and the embassies of the cities had made before the Imperial Majesty, the German Confession was publicly and brightly published by the Chancellor of Saxony. Majesty, the German Confession was publicly and clearly presented by the Chancellor of the Elector of Saxony, so that everyone could note the substance, before the Imperial Majesty, in the presence of the persons concerned. After that, both documents were handed over to Her Majesty, and Her Majesty, through Count Palatine Frederick, after the reading and handing over of the documents, had them safely announced.
18) After Her Majesty had heard the presented document, and after it had been delivered to Her Majesty, Her Majesty wanted to have this deal, which would be great and important in itself, moved, and to show himself in it seriously and unprovable.
19 And thereupon the said Count Palatine, by order of the Imperial Majesty, immediately asked the five Electors, Princes, and embassies of the cities not to accept the confession now read out. Majesty, the five princes, princes and embassies of the cities were persuaded that they did not want the confession now read out without Imperial Majesty. Majesty. Majesty's prior knowledge.
20 Thereupon His Princely Grace, the Grace, the aforementioned Electors, Princes and cities replied that they would rely on such Imperial Majesty. Majesty. Majesty's request without reference.
21 And although it is true that at that time no more than two cities, Nuremberg and Reutlingen, were related to their confession, soon after four more cities, namely Weissenburg, Heilbrunn, Kempten, and Winsheim, turned to them and asked them to support them with their sovereign and princely graces and other two cities in their Christian confession. They asked them to join them in their Christian confession. This has thus been done. Thereafter, in the actions that occurred for the sake of faith, they were also consulted by their electoral and princely graces. Their messages were present at the same time. Therefore, the historian praises God that he has increased the lowly house even in weakness, and [not] 2) diminished it, as it will be in the end, should have reported the same also, or afterwards, when he has not done so, therefore he should have reported the same to the one, in which GOt.
2) "not" added by us. It would also like to be read: "and has diminished their pile". - But the author of No. 1159 has reported in § 9 of his report in passing that "in the meantime four other cities have joined them".
828 Section 5: Handover of the Augsb. Confession. No. 959. W. xvi, 984-986. 829
tes Wunderwerk should be praised, has written too little.
22 But too much mildly he writes soon after, since he indicates that the five Electors, Princes and associated cities should have requested to have their confession publicly read out in the town hall, that they sought the chance or the listening of the people.
23 For, he has heard it from those estates which the Imperial Majesty has at that time called upon in her Majesty. Majesty has drawn to that time in Her Majesty's council and discussions. Council and discussions, then it is to be assumed that the public reading in that place was prevented, that is, by them, as those who were so partial, for these inexplicable reasons, or the scribe, who must have invented it himself on the five Electors, Princes and cities: for although he further adds in his booklet that Imperial Majesty, when she understood such a thing, did not give it to her Majesty the Princes, she did not give it to them. Majesty, understanding this, did not want to grant the request of the princes and cities; nevertheless, other causes, namely that it was late in the evening, and not these, were brought forward by Her Majesty.
24 But since such a confession was not to be read out and heard publicly, what would have been so great about it that it would have been considered harmless by the Elector of Mainz, even though their electors and princes and the cities had first handed over such a written confession on the aforementioned Saturday? and the cities would have handed over such a written confession first on the aforementioned Saturday. F. Gn. was still unhappy and not very comforted, since the day for such a transfer had been set for Friday, and since the Imperial Majesty had also ordered the confession to be made on Saturday. Maj. would be in the house without it, together with the fact that the other part does not hand over its opinion, opinion and discretion at all. For since it was to be a mere handover, it would have been unnecessary for the Imperial Maj. The writings could have been handed over to Her Majesty's Council by some of the Electors' Councillors on Friday or early on Saturday morning.
Therefore it is a palliation, which has neither truth nor reason, and by the historian or his pretender to the opposing parties to glorify and supposedly cover up their disgrace, which they incurred at that time with males, that they, to have the truth of God's word publicly read out, prevented Imperial Majesty the Holy Roman Emperor from believing that the five Electors, Princes and related cities for cause asked to hear the writings publicly. Majesty had prevented them from believing that the five Electors, Princes and related cities had asked to hear the writings publicly, which their Electors and Princes had not heard. Gn. and they, as has been stated, have submitted, as namely, the
because they would have been highly complained of and denigrated in the Imperial Majesty and other high and low estates, both within and outside the Empire. Majesty and other high and low estates, both within and outside the empire, would be highly burdened and disparaged on account of their faith, that for this reason they would like to be heard publicly, in which 1) the matters of faith would be on their side. For the fact that they wanted to seek favor with the common people by this means is evident from the assumption, which they have for themselves without this, that their opinion would have been more Christian, better, and more right, since it would not have been possible for them to have been able to convince their electoral and princely graces of the same through history. and princely graces would have been perverted by the historian and his followers, it can be sufficiently understood that Pimpinellus 2) shortly before, in a public audience, where everyone who was of the estates and their councils might have listened, their chur- und prinstl. and their co-relatives, but that he had not named them, had challenged them in the highest and most burdensome way for the sake of faith, and had challenged the Imperial Majesty and everyone else. Majesty, as well as everyone else, against their sovereign and princely graces. He has also violently insisted on the fact that he has not named them, and that the Imperial Majesty, as well as everyone else, has violently insisted on the fact that he has not named them.
26) Furthermore, that it can be clearly understood from several previously indicated reports, namely from the Instruction, 3) which was issued to the Elector of Saxony from Insbruck, and in addition from the trade, that at the hour of Imperial Majesty's arrival in Augsburg and the following days with their electoral and princely representatives. Majesty's arrival at Augsburg and the following days with her electoral and princely graces. All this, as well as other things that are still in progress, should have given the five Electors and Princes sufficient cause to request a public reading.
27. consider what he would consider his need to be in such a case, since it concerns much lesser things than his soul, honor and conscience.
Thus the audience at the town hall has not been such that males who are not members of the Imperial Majesty, nor of the royal dignities, princes, princes and estates, have been allowed to go up. Majesty, nor of the royal dignities, princes, princes and estates, were allowed to go up. For the doorkeepers and guardians were ordered not to permit the same at the door slams: with what truth then might the historian indicate that the many-named electors, princes and cities sought the favor of the people, and yet were not present?
Therefore, everyone can conclude with him with more reason this assumption that the her-
1) wherein" put by us instead of: "why".
2) Document No. 944.
3) Document No. 930.
The five princes, princes, and cities sought the applause of the people by the public reading of the documents, and the prevention of the opposing party on such a pretense, as if they had practiced such with the imperial majesty. Majesty that they had such, because they and their followers had received their electoral and princely favors from the imperial majesty. They have practiced such with the Imperial Majesty and other states that they had such disparagement, because they and their followers had publicly read out the Christian confession of the five Electors, Princes and related cities, that it would be understood from this that they had untruthfully accused the same Electors, Princes and their relatives for unjustified reasons.
30 It is also safe to believe that they would have preferred, as much as they could, to prevent the same confession from being publicly read either at that time or afterwards, if the affected princes, princes and cities had not so often, in all submission and for the sake of God, admonished Imperial Majesty as a noble emperor with necessary and permanent causes. Majesty, as a praiseworthy emperor, with indication of necessary permanent causes.
For the truth is, when the same confession was read out on the other day in the Palatinate, many devout Christian and kind-hearted people, who were not of the common people, said that the things were shown to them by the aforementioned Elector, princes and cities much differently than they understood from the public reading out of the confession. Some also let themselves be heard, how much they did not want to take for it, that they should not have been at the reading.
32 Christ, the mouth of truth, testifies that everyone who shuns the light does not love the truth, but he who does not shun the light loves the truth. Since the five princes, rulers and related cities have requested that their confession be read out publicly, let every reader know whether the people will favor them in it. For what good would it have done them if they had won the favor of twenty or thirty incomprehensible people for an hour or two, and yet, if they themselves had understood that the articles presented did not have the truth on them, they would have had to expect mockery again from the great Hansa and the most intelligent of their foolishness?
For whether the same confession was mocked or ridiculed by anyone, even by them, the adversaries themselves, when it was read out publicly, and that it was not rather listened to with great silence and seriousness, let each one who was present at that time testify with his own conscience.
34 Therefore, the historian should have refrained from discrediting the five princes, princes and adhering cities for their request, which they had made several times for the sake of God, which name they did not want to use uselessly for vanity, and to set themselves up as judges against the office of a historian, or he should have judged according to open and probable truth.
35 It is also safe to assume that the aforementioned historian must condemn himself in that in which he wanted to judge the five Electors and Princes, as namely to gain the common people, among whom these books were to be spread, by accident and to roll the displeasure onto the five Electors, Princes, and dependent cities.
36 With these now heard accusations, he is also sufficiently overcome, in the hope that he has thereby restored his and those who may have incited him with gifts and promises to foolishness and disgrace. 1)