The supplicacion: that the nobles and comons of Osteryke made lately by their messaungers, vnto kyng Ferdinandus, in the cause of the Christen religion Item. The kynges answere to the same. Vvherpon foloweth the wordes that the messaungers spake vnto the kyng agayne at their departing.

❧ The Supplicacion : That the nobles and comons of Osteryke made lately by their messaungers , vnto kyng Ferdinandus , in the cause of the Christen Religion .

Item . The kynges answere to the same .

Wherpon foloweth the wordes that the messaungers spake vnto the kyng agayne at their departing .

Myles . C. to the Reader .

THis last moneth of marche ( most deare Reader ) was delyuered vnto me in the hye Almaynes languaige a copie of this present supplicacion in prynt , wherof trulye I was right glad : Not onely to heare of so many noble men & so great a multitude of comen people thus feruently hongring and thirsting after Gods holy worde , but also it dyd me good at my hert , to reade of the most humble & gentle fashions , that they vse toward the same . For first they runne not rashly together on head , nether take they their clubbes in their handes , to bring in Gods trueth by violence , but lowly & with due subiection seke they such conuenient meanes , as are of Gods ordinaunce : knowinge , that the commen refourmacyon of euery realme countre , or citie , ought to be mynistred by the office of the king , prince , or ruler of the same , and not by anye priuate personne . Secondly , whan they haue their answere , though they can not obteyne their iust sute , yet make they no murmuringe ner grudginge , but committe their cause vnto God , and remayne in their supplicacion . Thirdly , though the kinge be of another mynde , and willeth them to be as popysh in their beleue as their fathers were afore them , yet in that behalfe they preferre the worde of God aboue all the preceptes of men , allbeyt they ceasse not from prayeng for their prynce , ner from ioperding their bodies & goodes with him and for him .

Such holy & vertues ensamples ( gentle reader ) doth god set forth for our instruccion , & all to gyde vs in his right waye , to moue our hertes vnto ernest repentaunce , to make vs honger and thirst after righteousnesse , to plante in vs all louyng obedience , & peaceable behaueour towarde our heades and rulers , & to shame those wycked Babilonians & sedicious Coraites , that disturbe all ordinaunces of God , euen those murmurers & complayners , that had rather sitt in Egypte by the flesh pottes , & to enioye the pleasures of synne for a season , then to be refourmed & fed of God in the wildernesse . O vnthankfull and flowe bellyes . O where is now among vs such feruentnesse towarde Gods glorie , such ernest repentaunce & amendment of life , as the prophet Ionas describeth in the Niniuites & as this present supplcacion declareth planely to be in this people ? which though thy can not be suffred to haue Gods trueth syncerely preached among them ( excepte it be by stealth ) yet are they feruent toward his glory , thirstie after the water of life , wash their chekes with teares for lacke therof , vnfayned in their request , true & faithfull vnto God and their countre , & euen ready with ten handes ( as they saye ) to receaue a right Christen refourmacion , & that in al vnite & peaceable behaueour . Lorde what shall worth of vs then , that hauyng such delite in oure old wicked conuersacion , shame not to refuse all honest amendment of lyuinge ? Full litle remebre we , that the goodnesse of God doth call us to repentaunce . And what els do men procure & heape vp vnto them selues by such obstinate hertes , then the wrath of God agaynst the greate daye of his appearinge ?

Now ( gentle reader ) that thou mayest take some edifieng by this present supplicacion , considre thou these poyntes therin : First , that for all the multytude of dogges which go againe to their vomite the lord ceasseth not yet from raysing vp some to call vpon his holy name , as thou maiest se here in this people , whom the lord hath turned ( as he daylye doth many other moo ) vnto his trueth . Secondly , lerne at their ensample not onely to desyre & wishe for amendment of all abuses , but also take some paynes & labour thy selfe in helping therto , and be content to bestowe thy body and goodes for the same . Thirdly , make thy first complaynte and sute to Allmightie God , and then remembre , that in seking this precious perle and iewel of refourmacion at the office of the hyer powers , thou forget not the frutes of humanite & loue . Fourthly though thou canst not haue thy laufull request , yet leaue not thy dewtie vndone , make no disturbaunce ▪ be peaceable , committe the cause to God , and considre , that our synfull lyues haue deserued no better , & that it is euen the heuy indignacion of God , that so many Prynces and rulers had rather be disceaued with ypocrites ( as Achab was with his foure hundreth chaplens ) then to haue pitie on their owne soules , them to haue compassion on their poore subiectes , them to haue Gods glorie and his holy word to florish in their countrees , them to be lerned be tymes , and to embrace the deare sonne of God : whose wrath whan it is kyndled ( as the .ij. Psalme sayeth ) then blessed are all they , that put their trust in him . Amen

❧ The supplicacyon , whych the lower countres & cyties of Osteryke , made by theyr messaungers vnto the Kynges Ma. of the Romaynes , Ferdinandus , in the cause of the Christen Relygyon .

MOst noble and mightie Prince , oure most gracyous soueraine Lord , ●n most humble wyse besech youre royall Ma. the messaungers of your true & faythfull countre , to tendre gracyously their vnfayned and hartie meaninge , Supplication and request whych they and their affynyte that haue sent them , do with inward sighynge hertes & Christen stomakes make continually vnto Allmyghtye God , To the intent that he maye be praysed of hys people thorowe true repentaunce , thorow assured vndoubted hope , & thorow the stedfast fayth of his godly worde : To the intent also that he maye gracyously & fatherly graunt your Royal Ma. a prosperous victory agaynst the sorest enemye of hys Christendome , and that he maye lende youre grace & youre faythfull countrees a perpetuall peace , accordyng to the hartye request of youre sayde faythfull subiectes . Thys they most humbly beseche youre Royall Ma. to tendre and considre , and in most gracyous and fatherly wyse to accepte it , accordyng to the ernest expectacyon of youre sayde subiectes .

Fyrst , the messaungers of youre sayde faythfull countrees do signyfye to youre grace with hartye lamentacyon , that ( for all theyr faythfull & contynuall iopardyng of their bodies , goodes and bloude ) the destruction of youre sayde countrees is ones so manifest , that ( yf amendement shuld not folow thorow the mercye of god ) ther is nothing more certayne , then the pyteous waystyng and fynall desolacion therof . And euen so must it ensue , yf we all from oure whole hertes , do not turne vnto hym by true penaunce and vnfayned receauynge of his godly worde .

Now for as muche as youre graces sayde faithfull subiectes ( of the very naturall loue that they beare toward youre Royall Ma. ) are greatly desyrous and well wylling , to ioperde and bestow all thier power , that the countre maye remayne to your noble Grace and to youre yssue , in good vnderstondinge , & in all dewties of obedience vnseparable , & that youre graces londes & people may be helped to their welth & maintenaunce : Seing also that of loue which of dewtie we beare toward God & youre grace with most humble & faythfull hertes , we considere not onely the vowe that we fyrst made vnto God in baptyme touching oure synfull lyfe but also oure bownden dewtie which we owe vnto youre royal Ma. as to oure superiorite ordeyned of God : And pondrynge lykewyse oure eternall & temporall lyfe together , we knowlege it oure dewtye to sygnyfye vnto your hyghnesse , oure faythfull & true meanyng , how this intollerable burthen & destruccion of the countre ( which is the very scourge of god ) may be taken awaye , & euery thinge restored agayne vnto true vnderstondinge , & as it ought to be . And consideringe that all oure intent , counsaill & handling is dyrecte onely to your graces worshippe & increace of honoure , and to the welth and prosperite of the londe , we trust your highnesse wyll most gracyously accepte the true and faythfull dealynge of youre sayde countrees , and so tendre the same , that now , in thys extreme necessyte , all such thynges may be taken in hand , as make for the comen peace , and the countrees welfare : And agayne , that all such thinges maye be put downe , as geue occasion to dysturbaunce and destruction of the publyke weale . Whych yet can not so come to passe , vnlesse your Royall Ma. shew it selfe in most gracyous wyse towarde youre sayde countre . And also excepte youre hyghnesse do fatherly accepte and tendre thys matter , whych they haue proued necessary to be a good meane or begynnynge o● good thynges to come , & maye turne to the prosperite both of youre hyghnesse and also of the londe .

For and yf the origenall cause of the destruction of the countre , and the occasion of the manifest scourge of God be well wayed , it maye easely be perceaued , that it commeth for owre vnrepentaunt synfull lyues : & that it foloweth , first because we dispise Gods commaundements and his holy word : & secondly because that in all estates ther is in maner no good politike or cyuile fashion , but too wilfull a kinde of lyuinge agaynst all good maners , ordre and right : & by reason that in priuate houskepinge there is vnmeasurable waistynge and mispendynge , & no good nurtoure . But the most principall occasion and greatest offence is , the despysinge of God and his wholsome worde : for the which God layeth this scourge vpon vs . For thorowout all the stories of the Bible and of the Heythen it is euydent , that Allmightie God punished all Monarchies or empyres & kyngdomes , not so much for the dayly synnes of the people ( to the whyche oure flesh is naturall geuen ) as for ydolatrye and despysing of hys godlye worde . Of this is testimonye sufficient the captyuyte of Babylon among the Iewes , whych came because they receaued not the Prophetes , and because they set vp a new seruyng of God contrary to his worde . This was testified also at the last in their fynall destruction at Hierusalem which folowed , because they crucified the sonne of God , and despised his doctryne .

The same is euydent lykewise by the mightie Monarchies ( or empyres ) or the Assyrians & Grekes , which all were supprest by the Turkes ( being first but a small simple people ) and set from all their Gods seruyces , lawes . dominions , & so vtterly destroyed , that there is now in a maner no demonstracion of their Empyre , suche worthy punyshment haue they receaued . For seinge they wold not embrace allmightie god and his word , but fell from him after they had knowne him , they were therfore constrayned by force to fall in to this deuelysshe darcknesse and captiuite of the Turke . Which bondage yet neuerthelesse , Allmyghtye God dyd not sodenly sende amonge them . For sixe hundreth yeares had the Turcke ynough to do with the empyre of the Grekes , with continuall warre , or euer he conquered it . But seynge that God Almightie dyd thus allure them vnto true repentaunce & to his wholsome word , and they wolde receaue none of hys fatherly monycyons , he therfore suffred them to be fynally destroyed . Wherfore yf we considre well the power and riches of the sayd Monarchies or Empyres ( and the famous prudent men that were amonge them ) & compare the same to the beestlye regyment of the Turkes , we shall perceaue , that sens the great floude , there came neuer a sorer plage vpon the worlde . All which thynges ought indifferently to be wayed of euery Christen hert .

Consyderinge then that the power and ryches of those Monarchies or Empyres , and the excellent wyse men whych were in them , myghte not wythstand so small a people as were then the Turkes , onely because they despysed Gods word : For asmuch also as the Allmightie power of God hath now layed this euident plage vpon your graces Realme & londe , in so much that for oure like tansgression & vnrepentaunt lyuing , he hath vysyted youre realme of Vngarye , with the enemies Tyrannye in sondry terrible maner , as namely in spoylinge youre Royall seate Buda , ( other wise called Offen ) & with cruell burnynge in this kyngdome of Behem , with horrible infections also , death & honger in the lower countrees of Osterike ( whence youre graces most noble progenye dyd springe ) besyde all other aduentures , how manye thousande Christen mens bloud hath bene shed now more than sixtene yeares , and brought in to beestly bondage : These thinges considred , what will happen to the thirde and last Monarchye or empyre , namely of the Romaynes , which ouer and besyde this greate decaye , is also in like transgression toward God ? For the Turke with the other Monarchies or Empyres , hath exalted and increaced his might aboue all Christen heades . And out of his prosperous successe and victories which he hath had agaynst the Christen , he maye coniecture that he is the scourge of God , & that noman can wythstande his punishment . When this sore synne then lyeth vpon vs , alas therfore that we will not receaue Gods worde offred vnto vs ▪ ner entre in to true Christen repentaunce , how is it possible for vs resistyng al good reformacion , to escape this plage , or to defende our selues with the power of all Chrystendome ?

But seinge that the mercye of God hath no ende , and consyderynge that he requyreth no thynge more of vs , then a sure hartye trust in hys wholsome worde : For asmuch also as all kyngdomes and regymentes are made and preserued by hym , & that to set vp a people or head or to destroye it , is his onely doinge : And seing he hath alwaye offred his godly worde vnto the people from whom he thought to turne his plage and preserue them , so that yf they gaue credence vnto it , he delyuered them from all euell , as wytnesse the Niniuites , whyche beleued the Prophet Ionas : & as testyfyeth also the kynge of Assiria at the preachynge of the Prophet Daniel , which he receaued without folowyng of any new or straunge Gods seruyce , conuertyng vnto God , and applyeng hymselfe vnto repentaunce of lyfe , & so was preserued therby : youre graces sayde faythfull countre therfore pondryng these thinges , knowe none other meane for the delyueraunce of theyr soules & bodies , then this , that Gods worde after Christen vnderstandyng be preached euery where , wherby the people may be moued vnto Christen repentaunce , and so encouraged to withstonde the Turke .

The matter then consysteth onely in this , that mens myndes be kepte in ryght understanding to almyghtye God and their rulers , in true nourtoure & ordynate lyuyng , and yet neuerthelesse , the more pitie , an exceadinge erroure is crepte in touchinge the righte true vnderstondinge of Gods holy worde , wherin youre hyghnesse ( as a Christen kyng ) hath bene put to sondrye great paynes now these many yeares , to bringe the same Scysme to an vnyte : The matter also beynge finally so far reset forth in the last assemble , that sondrie articles were discussed , and a generall peace in the cause of Religion concluded vpon , vntill the tyme of farther agrement , which doutlesse foloweth here of , euen because that manye articles ( yea and that the principal ) are come to the right Christen vnderstondinge : and also because that as touchinge outwarde behaueoure and abuses crepte in amonge the spiritualte , they must in a tyme appoynted , be brought to reformacion , & that by them selues .

But yf this generall peace in in the articles ( which ought as Christen poyntes to be kepte ) do not concerne youre graces sayd faithfull subiectes , or yf a man must stonde in ioperdy of losynge body and goodes , whan he kepeth the same articles , your Royall Ma. maye most graciously considre , how tedyous a thing it is , and to what inconvenience it will growe . Wherfore the countre in most hartye and humble wise prayeth and besecheth youre highnesse , to bringe so to passe by the ordynaries and all sprituall offycers , that the holy Gospel in true Christen vnderstondinge maye be preached , & likewyse the hyest article of oure saluacion : namely , that we haue forgeuenesse of synnes thorow the onely merites and death of Iesus Christ : and also that the loue of the neghboure and all good workes may be taught as frutes & sure declaracyons of the inwarde fayth , with the commaundementes of God , for a contynuall true amendement , as for the resystynge of euell synfull affeccions or inclynacions , & to geue thankes for this excellent grace , in that we thorowe the onelye merytes of Christ , are delyuered from death & hell , and become children of eternall saluacion : And also by occasion therof , to rendre all dewties of faithfull obedience to youre Royall Ma. as to the hyer power ordeyned of God , and to shew vnto oure neghboures all loue lykewise : And so to opteyne the rewarde that necessarely foloweth out of this faith and out of the frutes therof , And that the worthy Sacrament of the Altare maye be ministred vnto them that Christenly desyre it , acordinge as it was obserued certayne hundred yeares in the begynnyng of Christendome . Item that the Ordynaries or spiritualtie ( acordinge to the determinacion of the last Perliament ) do put downe all other abuses in the churches , and brynge them in to good Christen ordre , prouidinge the parishes with good honest soule shepardes , & not persecutinge them which preach Gods worde in other places , as they haue done hitherto . And though the same abuses be so sore rooted , that we suppose verely it will be hard to refourme them in a shorte season , yet the sayde mynistracion of the sacrament and preachinge of the worde ( wherin consisteth oure saluacion , and that ought to be purely done , and vnperuerted ) maye not therfore ceasse , yea necessary is it , that all this be most ernestly prynted in to the people , that thei maye so be brought from their rude synfull lyuinge and instructed vnto right true repentaunce in the faith of Christ . For now ( the more pitie it is ) they are come from all knowlege of God : And many curates there be , which are nothing lesse than curates or true shepherdes wherbye the comen people are become so vngodlye and rude , that it is in maner vnpossible to brydle them : And thus commeth it to passe , that they dye lyke brute beestes without eny Christen instruction or Sacrament .

Wherfore the messaungers of youre Graces sayde countrees , with whole Christen myndes , & with sighing he hertes , most humbly beseche youre Royall Ma: to tendre these thinges in most gracious wise , and as a Christen kynge to consente vnto this waightye article , acordinge to their expectation in youre hyghnesse : whom they also most humbly requyre , in no wise to thinke , that youre Graces sayde londe wolde herebye seke the more occasion of disobedience or of any carnall libertye . For they knowe , that we haue forgeuenesse of synnes in the true vnfayned faith , only thorow the passion and merites of Iesus Christ : and that we than in thankfulnesse for suche excellent grace , are detboūd with oure whole hertes to ceasse from all synfull lyuynge , to bringe forth all good workes in true repentaunce , and also with oure bodies and goodes to declare all wyllinge obedience towarde youre Royall Magestie .

Considering now , that for our delyueraunce ther can be none other meane , then to take such a Christen life in hand : And seynge it is not possible for anye man with good hert and fre conscience to go agaynst this enemye ( which is the scourge of God and punishment of vs all ) vnlesse he first be reconciled to God , and sure thorow the certayntie of faith and confidence in his godly promes , that he shall be delyuered from such plage , and that they shall escape in this hoost , which are in daunger eyther them selues or theyr wifes , childern , or other frendes , thorow youre graces generall proclamacion lately made & commaunded , The messaungers therfore of youre Graces sayde londe and the parties that sent them , most ernestly with sighinge hertes & in most humble wise , beseche youre highnesse for the loue of God , to accepte this their Christen and reasonable sute most graciously , and to promes a generall peace vnto all such as behaue them selues acordinge to oure forsayde supplicacion and sute . And then doutlesse will it come to passe , that ( yf such a Christen life be embraced ) Allmightye God shall mercifully cause this present plage to ceasse : and so shall it folowe also , that many well lerned and vertuous men shall take vpon them the worthy office of presthode , which then with Christes doctrine shall bringe the people vnto true repentaunce , to the feare of God , and to all obedice : And thus shall euery man with faithfull hert towarde youre royall Ma: do his best agaynst this enemye , and declare all louynge obedience with body and goodes in this and all other thinges .

Where as the sayde articles then beynge much more excellently wayed , are comprehended in the conclusion of the last Perliament , and seynge it hath pleased God to make vs youre Graces subiectes ( which therfore do knowlege youre highnesse nexte Allmightie God to be oure owne deare Soueraigne lorde , hauynge all expectation of felicite and goodnesse in the same ) for these causes are we in no maner of doubte , but iour royall Ma: in most gracious and fatherly wise carynge for youre sayde faithful countrees , will suffre them to come in to the same estate ( appoynted in the sayd conclusion of the Perliament ) and consente vnto vs here in : Acordinge to oure most humble supplication , which we make vnto your highnesse ( with continuall sighinge and teares euen from oure hertes ) for the loue of God and for his worshippe sake . And here with most humblye committe we vs vnto your royall Ma: in all dewtie of louynge obedience , wherbye ( to the thankfull recompencinge of such a gracious benefite in youre hyghnesse ) we will bestowe oure selues with our bodies , goodes , and bloude . Geuen , At Prage the .xiij. daye of Decembre . Anno. M.D.xli .

YOure Graces most humble subiectes , The messaungers of the lower countrees of Osterike . Piligram lorde of Bucheym chefe debyte in Osteryke . Christofer , Baron of Eytzinge . Sigismund Ludwig , lorde of Bolham . Erasmus , lorde of Starhēberg . Iohan Vngnad , Baron of Suneck , chefe captayne of Steir . Reinprecht lord of Ebersdorf , chefe chamberlayne of Osteryke . Otto , lord of Lychtensteyn , chefe marshall of Kernten . Iohn , Baron of Weysprach . George , Baron of Herbsteyn . George , of Wolmirstorf , knyght Sigismund Wexelberger , knyght . Christofer Rembschussel , knyght Abel of Kolneck , knyght . Erasmus Scheyrer , knyght . Balthasar Gleyntzer , knyght . Bonauenture of Ecken , knyght . George of Berckham . Martyn of Vestreych . William of Bibrach . Erenreich of Rynsperg . Erasmus Hochelperger . George Memmynger . Achatz Hohenfelder . Wolfgang Hohenfelder . The names of the cities . Vienna . Gretz . Lyntz . S. Vitus . Steyn . Steir . Rochelspurg Kornnawenburgh . Lawbach . Ems , Osterike beneth & aboue the water Anisus . Kernten . Krain , and the pryncely Erledome of Gortz .

The answere of the kynges Ma: Of the Romaynes Ferdynandus , to the messaungers of the lower partes and cities of Osterike .

WHereas the appoynted messaungers of the kynges Graces countrees of lower Osterike haue presented vnto him a wrytinge ( concernynge causes of religion ) shewinge and declaringe at large , how Allmightie God hath doubtlesse now this longe season suffred all these plages to come vpon his Christen people , aswell thorow the Tyrannye of the Turcke , as with death and burnynge , because subiectes do lyue in no repentaunce , despisinge Gods worde and not receauyng it , and how that this is the cause why ther coulde hitherto no victory be had agaynst the sayde archenemi of Christendom , with other moo articles : All the same hath the kynges royall Ma. of the Romaynes oure most gracious Seueraigne lorde , considred , with their humble sute and supplicacyon ▪ which is , that it wolde please his highnesse to suffre them and their affinyte for to come in to the generall peace , which ( at the last Perlyament ) was made in causes of religion . And his Ma: hath a gracious & hartie compassyon of his sayde obedient and faythfull subiectes ( and that no lesse then is expressed by the messaungers in theyr wrytinge ) because of the sayde greuous plages . His highnesse also consydreth lykewise , that the same punishmentes do folowe because of the manifold synnes and vyces , wherwith Christen people are defyled .

Wherfore his Ma: sens the begynninge of his raigne hither to , desyred neuer thinge more effectously ( nether yet doth ) then the abolishinge of such manifolde vyces and blasphemies , as are crepte in ( the more pitie ) amonge many men of hye and lowe estate , yea the longer the more , wherbye almightie God doutlesse is moued vnto wrath agaynst his Christen people . And therfore ( as it is openly knowne ) his Royall Ma. in his graces owne countre hath sent forth ernest commaundmentes and proclamacions , and geuen ernest iniunctions vpon the same ( specially vnto all preachers & curates ) that they in most effectuous and diligent wise , shall exhorte the people to turne from such synnes & vyces , vnto a Christen and repentaunt lyfe pleasynge vnto God . Now where as such his Ma: gracious & fatherly monicyon hath not brought forth frute acording to the Christen request of his highnesse , his Royal Ma. is the more sorye , and the same was the cause that moued his grace ( now lately at Lintz afore his departinge ) to renew the sayde proclamacions , as the messaungers then selues do knowe right wel . Againe his Royall Ma. hath neuer denyed hitherto ( nether will do hereafter ) but that the word of God shulde be published acording to the Christen vnderstonding therof , and preached as it was of the Apostles & doctours , which are approued and receaued of the holy Christen church .

His Royall Ma. also can not remembre , that his hyghnesse hath euer caused ought to be taken in hand agaynst any man that ordreth him selfe after the preachinge afore sayde . Morouer his Ma: offreth himselfe in most gracious wyse to geue ernest iniunctions vnto the Ordinaries of such spirituall iurisdiction as extendeth thorow out his graces londes , to make reformacion among the clergie ( acordinge to the conclusion of the last Perliament ) to put downe abuses , and to prouyde the desolate parishes with good and lerned curates and soule shepherdes : to the intent that his subiectes maye be instructe with the true worde of God , & in all other Christen ordinaunce beside . Likewyse the appoynted messaungers do knowe well ynough , that for the puttinge awaye of contencions in the causes of religion , and to bring the same to an vnyte , the kynges Ma: hath taken speciall diligent and ernest paynes , and that he hath spared no trauayle ner laboure at eny tyme : like as his Royall Ma: will likewyse with all benignite dispose himself hencefurth ( and is allready of a gracious hope ) that acordynge to the conclusion of the sayde Perlyament of Regenspurgh , this Scysme maye be brought to an vnyte & agrement , by one of thes thre waies , that is to saye , by a generall counsaill , bi a counsail prouinciall , or els by another comen Perlyament . Wherfore the kynges highnesse doth right graciously trust & doubteth not , but his faithfull comens & subiectes of his londes of lower Osterike ( and these appoynted messaungers of the same ) wyll tarye and wayte obediently for the sayde lyklyode of vnyte in the olde Christen religion , and in the meane season not to seke ner medle with any alteration or chaunge but in Religion and in all other thinges toward his Royal Ma. to behaue and ordre them selues . as theyr awncient fore fathers haue done toward God and to his Graces noble progenitours in all obedience , and in no wise to stoppe from so doynge , ner to take occasion of hinderaunce at that peace made at the Perliament of Regenspurgh : consideringe that the same peace was ordeyned onely betwene both the estates of religion the one toward the other , and not betwene the estates and their subiectes : so that vntyll the nexte counsaill generall , nacionall , or comen Perlyament ( which within the space of eyghtene monethes after the date of that conclusion made at the Perlyament of Regensburgh , shall in the cause of Religion be proclamed ) the catholike sorte must kepe the olde religion : and the estates of the protestantes must holde them vnto it , wherin they were founde at the makyng of the sayde peace . Which peace the kynges Ma: doth knowlege him selfe bounde to manteyne , and therfore will his hyghnesse in no wyse permytte his subiectes to make anye new alteracyon agaynst the same . This hath it pleased the kynges Ma: of a gracious mynd , to signifie vnto the sayde messaungers . Geuen at Prage the xiij . daye of Ianuarij . Anno. M. CCCCC . xlij .

❧ The Conclusion and last sentence of wordes , that the messaungers of the countrees and cities of lower Osterike , made vnto the answere of kynge Ferdinandus

MOst noble and mightie Prynce , oure most gracious Soueraigne lorde : Where as your royall Ma: ( vpon oure most humble and ernest supplicacyon ) hath graciously geuen vs a wrytinge touchinge the cause of Religion we haue in most humble wyse considred the same , and pondred it with Christen , louynge and feruent myndes . And allthough we afore , in oure wrytinge haue knowleged ( as the glory of God requyreth ) that we euery one of vs , haue deserued this present plage , yet is it mencioned there also , that Almightie God ( which is the infinite wisdome ) doth send these sharpe punishmentes , not so much for daylie and corporall synnes ( which we trust are not so rife in youre Graces londes , as in other countrees and Prouincies ) as for the head synne of ydolatrie , and because the true commaundementes of God are turned to the honoure and filthy lucre of men , and for that the word of God is not preached , as God hath taught and commaunded it : For herof sprange the origenall of all such scourge and plage of God , as it is euydent out of sondry hystories . And for asmuch then as there hath bene here now this long season ( the more pitie ) great aduersite and losse of victory , and so foloweth on more and more , oure most humble supplicacion is ( acordinge as we haue be sought youre Royall Ma: vpon oure knees ) that youre highnesse will for the loue of God haue respecte vnto this most waightie matter , & ernestly to manteine the waye of God ( as he hath ordeyned and commaunded it ) and to geue iniunctions therein . For els verely maye we loke for no prosperite , but be sure of decaye . Nether do we doubte any thinge at all , but youre Ma. doth graciously accepte oure Christen sute in the cause of Religion , as the articles therin are Christenly recyted , and acordinge vnto Gods word . And yet neuertheles in oure countrees are not the preachers permitted to shew the worde of God , purely and syncerely , but exyled for it , and specially for preachinge the most waightie article of iustification or righteous makyng , namely , that the remission of synnes commeth thorow the onely merytes and passyon of Iesus Christ : & that we ( onely of thankfullnesse for this grace ) are dett bounde to lyue in true Christen repentaunce as eschuyng of synne , and exercysynge of brotherly loue and other good workes .

Werfore oure most humble & ernest supplicacion is , that youre Royall Ma: ( acordinge to youre hye and suppreme offyce ) wyll haue gracious respecte here vnto , that the preachers which do sincerly set forth thes articles & the word of God likewise in other thinges , maye be suffred . For yf the preachers shulde by the rulers be banished , or otherwyse vexed by the meanes herof ( as they be in certayne countrees ) & yf youre Graces faithfull comens and subiectes shulde be excluded from the peace of the Empyre , and from the articles conteyned in oure wrytinge , or stonde in daunger by the reason therof , your highnesse maye graciously and fatherly considre , how tedious it will be to the same youre Graces faithfull subiectes . For we proteste before God in the trueth , that this oure most humble supplicacion which we make , is of no curiosyte , ner for anye other intent , than onely for the honoure of God , & saluacion of oure soules , & that with all subiection . Here with ( in hope of a right louing answere here after ) we committe oure selues in most humble wise vnto your Royall Maiesty , as to our most gracious doare soueraigne Lorde .