Martyrs 22i: Diaz- awakened by Luther; "can't hold back tears"; Annotations / Sources

      This continues from Part 22h (TOC in Part 1a, Diaz TOC in Part 22a) publishing the book of Hermann Fick on the martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  —  Part 22i presents the sources that Pastor Fick used in presenting this history.  It is quite extensive and adds more to Fick's history.  It shows that Fick was not only a pure Lutheran author, but also an excellent Christian scholar.  How wonderful the Internet is now, especially with Google Books and Google Translate, to have access to almost all of these hard to find source books... at our fingertips!

Some highlighting added hyperlinks added for reference.

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The Martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

by C.J. Hermann Fick

(tr. by BackToLuther)

XXII.(i)

Juan Diaz.

Annotations / Sources

22.  Juan Diaz. Sources: 1. Rabus, Th. 2, p. 273. –  2. Crocius, p. 314. – 3. Seckendorf, Hist. Luth. Lib. III. Sect. 37. – 4. Die ev. lutherische Kirche der ehemaligen Pfalzgrafschaft Neuburg. Ein geschichtlicher Versuch, von G. W. H. Brock, lutherischem Pfarrer, Anhang, p. 195. – 5. Sleidani, comment. pag: 490.  –  The title of the writing by Senarcle is, according to Schelhorn’s Ergötzlichkeiten aus der Kirchenhistorie und Literatur, p 862, thus in German [translated to English]: True history of the death of the holy man, Juan Diaz, a Spaniard, whom his own physical brother Alfonso Diaz followed the example of the first brother murder by Cain, as another Abel was murdered in a godless manner – by Claudius Senarclaeus, with a preface by Martin Bucer, which has included much information about the current state of Germany. [Google Books or BSB] 1546 in 4. Senarcle gives in this a beautiful testimony of the blessed Diaz as follows from Schelhorn’s Neuntes Stück, p. 863:  "I had a familiarity with him in Paris, Geneva, [page VIII] Strasbourg, Regensburg and finally in Neuburg, and can assure the truth that he was so beloved by all people in these places that had some acquaintance with him, so that he could not have been dearer to them than if he had been their own brother.  And I count it for my most excellent blessedness that I knew and befriended this dear holy man.  But again, when I think that one with such learning and virtue, such piety, went down so unhappily, so I cannot hold back the tears."  –  That the blessed Diaz came to the knowledge of evangelical truth through Luther's writings has been testified by Dr. Guericke, Handbuch der Kirchengeschichte, vol. 3, p 270 [? error, see pg 246-247, footnote #3, or here for another ref., footnote # 158], which states:... "Juan Diaz, who awakened through Luther's writings during his studies in Paris."  –  In Schelhorn’s Ergötzlichkeiten, Zehntes Stück, p 996, there is yet the following beautiful letter, which the blessed Diaz had written to Ochino at Neuburg March 22, 1546, only five days before his death.  It reads thus: "My father! We have obtained your letter and that of Mr. Musculus, N. and I.  And as you, he and you, advise me in fact piously and safely, I say unto you my warmest thanks for your Christian and brotherly sense and advice.  However, I think for now this is all for the best, that I consult nothing otherwise than Christ, my Savior, and close my eyes against the world, opening them only for Christ's glory: may the almighty, merciful God grant through the merits His Son that He enlighten me and is my counselor and protector in this matter.  Then in the end I have not yet decided, as I expect Mr. Bucer here tomorrow or at most in two days, with whom I will consult in more detail.  Meanwhile, I commend myself to your intercession and that of the dear brother Musculus.  May it be what the Lord will decide over me, whether I remain, whether I must resign; because you could not believe, if you were not there yourself and heard it with your own ears, with which and how important reasons, that I could almost say a battering ram, my brother assaulted me.  But I trust in Christ, that He will give Himself by His grace a happy ending.  I will visit you and Musculus soon."  –  

Friedrich Hortleder

Seckendorf mentions still hist. luth. III. sect. 37 from Hortleder a writing by Johann Lange [† 1548, see Erfort history here, recent grave discovery here] about the murder of Diaz which states that Diaz became devoted to the art of printing in Strasbourg, wanting the Bible and other evangelical books translated into Spanish and published in Neuburg; also a price was set on his head by the Pope. But Seckendorf thinks that Lange was in this probably only following rumors spread at that time.  Also Lange reported that the blessed Diaz studied theology in Wittenberg, and had been dear to the blessed Luther.  But the remaining sources are silent on this point.  –

Caspar Titius

Titius [portrait here] remarks in his Exempelbuche, p 795 on Alfonso Diaz: “Be it well now that this brother and assassin was persecuted, and duly charged at Innsbruck of committing such a murder of this innocent man, yet he was allowed to get off free (as he was at a papal place), until at last the divine revenge found him and this Cain-like hypocrite Alfonso Diaz, like Cain, fell into despair and hung his mule neck at Trent, and so was a murderer of his own body."

[Caspar Titius - a Lutheran theologian, came to be known for his practical theology.]

= = = = = = = = = = = =   End of Juan Diaz history   = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

There are other accounts of Diaz on the Internet:

• Englishman John Scott wrote another relatively good history of Juan Diaz in his book >> here, << pgs 316-321. This is of course in English, and from the year 1833, demonstrating that even in England, the Lutheran Reformation had a good name in some corners of that country. 
• Philip Schaff's brief flawed account of Diaz here – proving once again that Church History from Reformed theologians is always suspect.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnote for Dr. Robert Kolb  *)  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I promised a footnote for Dr. Robert Kolb (emeritus), who would have us take him to be a great scholar of Luther and the Lutheran Reformation:
*)  Footnote: Robert Kolb reports of Diaz and Malvenda at Regensburg in this way: 

This introduces the drama of the death of Diaz, Bucer's and Senarcleus's mutual friend, at Regensburg in 1546, at the time of the imperial diet there.  Rabus quotes Diaz's confession before the imperial ecclesiastical coun­selors, Peter Malvenda and Peter de Soto. Juan's brother Alphonso, an imperial official at Emperor Charles's court, hired a gang of thugs to as­sassinate Juan because his Evangelical views were embarrassing to his brother. They succeeded in their mission, but were pursued by one Mi­chael Heipffer all the way to Innsbruck. There he had them arrested. Then, "contrary to all justice," they were acquitted and treated as though they had done right.53 The fact that the papal party had approved and used fratricide reinforced one of the chief contentions in Rabus's martyrol­ogy—that the foes of the Evangelical movement embodied the forces of the Antichrist.

Kolb's very brief synopsis of Juan Diaz shows 2 things:

• that his scholarship is not all that great – it wasn't a "gang of thugs", but also
• the brevity and callousness of his retelling of Diaz martyrdom shows how little Kolb cares for the true Lutheran Reformation – implying that surely Rabus is overstating the case about the Antichrist, at least in relation to today's Papacy.

from Historia de la muerte de Juán Díaz

I'm not quite done yet with this dear Spanish Lutheran martyr, for his story provides a picture that I could not resist using for today's LC-MS – in the next Part 22j... (Next martyr in Part 23a)

Martyrs 22h: Diaz – sad tearful spectacle; The Antichrist: The Roman Pope-murderer; Chapter 7

[2019-10-24: fixed broken links to Google Books]
      This continues from Part 22g (TOC in Part 1a, Diaz TOC in Part 22a) publishing the book of Hermann Fick on the martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  —  Part 22h presents the final details of the assassination of Juan Diaz as if they were happening in the present tense, as if you and I were there as onlookers to the whole scene... a dramatic account.  It was especially dramatic as it seem that I too was there with Juan's friends, looking down at the "sad, tearful spectacle" of his body lying on the floor.  ... But I had difficulty translating it in the present tense and so changed it to the past tense.  

Some highlighting added hyperlinks added for reference.

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The Martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

by C.J. Hermann Fick

(tr. by BackToLuther)

XXII.(h)

Juan Diaz.

Chapter 7

Juan Diaz is treacherously murdered by his own brother Alfonso.

Neuburg-Augsburg-Pöttmes map

Meanwhile, however, Alfonso had gone only to Augsburg.  There he sought to restrain his present wagon driver with all sorts of made-up stories, but he himself hit the road again in the early morning of March 26 back to Neuburg.  But the driver caught up with him in Pöttmes, a small town in between Augsburg and Neuburg. There it now became necessary to devise new lists to stifle the growing suspicion of the driver.  Pretending that he had to provide important letters by him to Juan, but that he had yet to write, he was able to have the driver stay on his side.  In the afternoon Alfonso bought an ax at a wheelwright shop.  Then, after he had taken fresh horses and left the Neuburg driver in Pöttmes, he rode fast to Feldkirchen, a village located fifteen minutes from Neuburg, in the company of his henchman and Augsburg messenger, where they stayed overnight.

With the dawn of March 27, 1546, the three [page 170] were already at the gates [of Neuburg]. They tied the horses to a fence and gave the care of them to the Augsburg messenger.  In order to remain undetected, the executioner changed his clothes with those of the messenger.  No sooner had the door opened that  Alfonso and the executioner rushed into the city; the servant went in front because he was experienced in such matters of carrying out murder, the master remained behind in order to possibly render necessary assistance with force.

That night the pious Juan had, as Senarcle reported, spent a long time on his knees in fervent prayer. And when he went to bed, he exhorted his friend Senarcle to consider the works of God and take pains for true godliness.

There the murderer came to the house of the pastor of Neuburg, in which Juan lived.  Here everyone was asleep.  The executioner knocked on the door.  Finally the brother of the pastor, a fine young man, opened it.  The executioner asked him where Juan was, as he had to deliver letters from his brother.  The terrible act was almost thwarted at the last moment and the murderer unmasked because the brother of the pastor was struck by the disguise, and so he asked him what he was all about.  But the assassin drove the youth to wake the still sleeping Juan because his business would suffer no delay.

Once Juan heard of the letters from his brother, he jumped out of bed, threw on a light cloak, and entered the adjoining larger room to receive the messenger.  Then the executioner was led up by the youth.   Alfonso stopped at the bottom of the stairs to prevent any disruption.  Although the murderer now was facing his innocent victim, yet the presence of the young man who had opened the door stopped him.  However, he was removed with the order to get a jug with fresh water.

Now Juan took the letter from the hand of the executioner in which Alfonso reminded him to guard against the snares of Malvenda, the imperial confessor and other enemies of Christ. Because it was not yet quite day, he went to the window to see it more clearly.  Thus, while his mind was occupied, the ruthless killer sneaked up behind him and struck him with the hatchet, which he had hidden under his coat, up to the hilt in the right side of the head, near the [page 171] temple.  Without giving a cry of pain of himself, Juan sank.  The murderer caught the falling body and let him down gently to the floor so that no noise would be heard.  The murderer now hurried to the awaiting Alfonso and both fled out of the house as fast as they could.

Meanwhile Senarcle arose from bed by an anxious notion, and as he was going into the larger room to his friend, he could still hear the clanking spurs of the killer on the stairs.  As he opened the door, he saw to his unspeakable horror the dear martyr lying on the floor in his blood, with the weapon of death in his head.  Initially he could not speak because of terror; his wailing then aroused the house, and all gathered around the sad, tearful spectacle.  Since the late Juan was still breathing, with eyes looking up heavenward and with folded hands, as if he was calling on God's mercy. Whenever he heard mention the name of God, he made a sign with his eyes that he understood him. After an hour he had breathed his last.

So had the glorious and holy martyr of Jesus Christ, Juan Diaz, been treacherously murdered by his own brother, this godless Popish Cain, because he did not worship the Antichrist, the Roman Pope and that mark of the beast, that is, did not want to accept the Popish doctrine.  What he had longed so often to do, to confirm the heavenly truth, the pure Evangelical - Lutheran doctrine, with his blood, he has done. I [Pastor Fick] adorned the glorious martyr's crown, he triumphs in Heaven among those who have overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, Revelation 12:11.

Once this crime which cried to heaven became known, the Lutheran authorities made every effort to deliver the deserved punishment to the criminals.  The Count Palatine Otto Heinrich had them immediately pursued and captured in Innsbruck.  The Lutheran princes and states pressed the emperor that he would punish the murderers.  But all their ideas were only in vain. The Pope, together with his cardinals, took it as meaning that the brother-murderer was freed.  This he shared unabashedly with his bloody comrades at Trent, without raising a shudder from the papal bishops.  Indeed, in Rome he was received with joy. [page 172]  And when he finally returned to his homeland, he was admitted to the company of men of rank and education, who listened attentively to him when he told them the particulars of his horrific crime in a cold tone.

Sepulveda, a Spanish historian reported: "The news of the murder was not unpleasant with any of our compatriots."  Another Spanish historian, Herrera, noted that Alfonso had to undergo great dangers because of his act; but a man who loves honor cannot be confused if he is led by godliness!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =   Annotations in Part 22i   = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

There is a detail that is not reported by Fick, that at least 2 other sources mention: Alfonso Diaz committed suicide:

1. German Wikipedia article on Juan Diaz here, and
2. John E. Longhurst's book (non-Lutheran) on Spanish Lutherans, Part One, Chapter 5, page 81: "...a brief reference to one Alfonso Diaz, cleric at Rome, who committed suicide (I think) about 1555"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Did you hear the roar of Pastor Hermann Fick as he summed up the history of Juan Diaz?

"So was the glorious and holy martyr of Jesus Christ, Juan Diaz, treacherously murdered by his own brother, this godless Popish Cain, because he did not worship the Antichrist, the Roman Pope and that mark of the beast, that is, did not want to accept the Popish doctrine."

 Do you hear Pastor Fick feel honored to present this history?

"I adorned the glorious martyr's crown, he triumphs in Heaven ..."

Oh, dear Pastor Fick, so I adorned your history that adorned the glorious martyr's crown of... Juan Diaz.  May his memory be renewed once again, as the dear Pastor Fick renewed it in 1854, now in this year 2015.  A thousand times I would not want the fate of Juan Diaz, and yet his God is my God; also the God of Hermann Fick is my God... and so I see that He is a God who does not desert us, but stands with us in our tribulations.  The Bible tells me so.  Amen!
      In the next Part 22i is the Annotations for Fick's sources of information which also adds to this history of Juan Diaz.

Martyrs 22g: Diaz; Alfonso's crocodile tears; Chapter 6

[2019-10-24: fixed broken links to Google Books]
      This continues from Part 22f (TOC in Part 1a, Diaz TOC in Part 22a) publishing the book of Hermann Fick on the martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  —  Part 22g presents the further deceptions and plotting for Juan's assassination... and also Juan's dealings with other Lutherans in the year 1546, just after Luther's death.

Some highlighting added hyperlinks added for reference.

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The Martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

by C.J. Hermann Fick

(tr. by BackToLuther)

XXII.(g)

Juan Diaz.

Chapter 6

Alfonso's diabolical dissimulation.

Alfonso became sufficiently convinced of the steadfastness of his brother so that he now changed his tone, and behaved as if Juan's ideas and admonitions had touched his heart and softened it.  But Satan can also pretend to be transformed into an angel of light!  With a deep sigh, and with tears in his eyes he said, "Well, my dear brother, I now know quite well that you are based in the evangelical doctrine so well that even I am attracted to it.  Also, I see very well what a great blessing could arise from your confession for the whole Church, and especially our dear fatherland.  Therefore let us both with all possible diligence work that the pure doctrine of the Son of God is preached in all the world, and so finally come to our nation.

"And in addition you must truly use, dear brother, the gifts and mercies which God has lent to you before all our compatriots.  Here in Germany your pound is only buried uselessly; for since you do not understand the German language, so you'll be able to not do much here. For this purpose there are plenty of learned men in these lands who are well experienced in the true religion.  You can not return to Spain because currently the greatest tyranny rules there.  Therefore I ask you to go with me to Italy; because through this journey you can spread the glory of God and the evangelical doctrine the most.

"First, we will go to Trent, where many bishops and scholars have gathered that are not averse to the Gospel.  If you testify the truth to these, they will also without doubt declare themselves publicly for the same.  Now consider, dear brother, the infinite benefits if an entire Council would be gained through you to the truth; [page 167] otherwise this Council will only confirm the tyranny of some wicked men.  Then we will travel to Rome, Naples and other Italian cities where everywhere secretly is a great predisposition to pure truth. Finally, if you have won the whole of Italy, or at least the noblest, then the gospel will penetrate to Spain and so your dearest wish will come true.

"Do you now, dear brother, despise such a blessed work?  Do you mean, you would be born only to yourself alone?  Why would not you want to come to the aid of the weak, who are hovering in the middle between salvation and despair, between fear and hope, even with weeping eyes and hands lifted, demanding from you the knowledge of the pure doctrine?  Surely, you should not destroy the sighs and complaints of so many pious Christians in the wind, especially since you have now opportunity to such works.

"As for me, I will prove myself as a loyal brother and servant.  At my expense I will lead you to Italy where you will gain access to the nobles, and aid you as a faithful brother in all things.  And when you have done your ministry faithfully through God's grace and desire to return to Germany, I promise you on my oath that I will accompany you back there and provide you there a splendid maintenance: Only I ask you one thing, that you for the salvation of the Christian Church shall go to Italy, where so many Christians call you with a loud voice."

The honest Juan well liked this speech; for he thought it would be that his brother was in earnest.  The idea that he could be the tool to save many souls filled him with joy.  Therefore, he replied to his brother even more friendly than before: "He would be willing to promote the glory of the Lord Christ even with loss of his life for his person.  But because this plan is highly important and dangerous, he would only take the advice of the Evangelical divines still gathered in Regensburg.  What they would decide, he would do."  Alfonso pretended that he was satisfied.

Bernhard Ochino
Italian Lutheran (early)

So Juan wrote to the Lutheran theologians at Regensburg as well as to Bernard Ochino in Augsburg.  This Ochino, an Italian, was recently converted to the Lutheran Church [page 168] and was a preacher at Augsburg.  In Italy, where he was formerly General and Supreme Head of the Capuchins, he had been considered for the place of first preacher.  Emperor Charles V once said of him that this man could move stones to tears.

As Juan's letter was read at Regensburg, the Lutheran collocutors, i.e. the Colloquy councilors, voted unanimously against Alfonso's proposal.  The whole thing seemed to them so suspicious that several prophesied it would be seen as nothing else than the murder of innocent Juan. That is why they wrote it was the unanimous advice of all the brothers that he would give up that plan.  Likewise Ochino urgently warned against this by showing how hopeless such an undertaking in Italy was in former times.

It was very annoying to Alfonso that his plan had been foiled, but he did not give in and so devised a new cunning.  He wanted to at least entice his brother into the open field, the more convenient to murder him in a wilderness.  Therefore he besought him that he could accompany him to Augsburg, where they would again consider and discuss a trip to Italy with Bernard.

And this time the unsuspecting Juan was nearly in the trap.  There came unexpectedly Martin Bucer, Martin Frecht, preacher at Ulm, and Claudius Senarcle, Juan's friend, to Neuburg after completion of the fruitless colloquy at Regensburg.  Worried about the security of their friend, they prevented him from traveling to Augsburg, exhorting him to the greatest caution and deciding for him not to leave Neuburg sooner than  Alfonso.  Then they, believing after the manner of men, thought that the dear Juan was safe and all danger had vanished.  Alfonso decided on March 25 to leave alone.

On the eve of his departure, after dinner, Alfonso held another special conversation with Juan in which he exhorted him to persevere in the confession of the true religion.  He assured him how sorry he was that he would miss his further instruction in the truth after he had become more pious and better by the impulse of the Holy Spirit even in the short time of their being together.  He asked him not to forget him, but to write to him often, that he wanted to continue in [page 169] the work which God had begun in him.  Finally, he yet urged him to purchase a gown as a gift of brotherly love with the sum of 14 ducats.  Then they parted from each other with tears.

On the morning of the next day, Alfonso departed very early.  At the parting arose new weeping and wailing.  But only Juan's tears were sincere; the tears of Alfonso were crocodile tears, on which betrayal and destruction would follow on their heels.  But all others were heartily glad that this suspicious person who had not pleased them was finally gone.

Martin Bucer and Martin Frecht now believed there was no further danger.  Therefore they too, after their meal the same day, moved on.  Juan Diaz and Claudius Senarcle escorted them out of the city, and after they had consecrated each other with tears and wished much fortune and blessings, the two friends returned to Neuburg.

= = = = = = = = = = = =   Cont'd in Part 22h   = = = = = = = = = = = =

 I had to laugh as I read Pastor Fick use the term "crocodile tears" since I thought this term was American slang from later times.  But this term perfectly described Alfonso as he was preparing to murder his own brother... because of his Lutheran faith.
      To learn of Bernhard Ochino was an unexpected treat – a Lutheran who came from Italy, the country so ensnared in servitude to the Pope.  Unfortunately he may have later fallen into false teachings under Reformed influences, but Pastor Fick gives him a good name, at least in his early following of the Lutheran church.  —  In the next Part 22h is the last chapter of Fick's story of Juan Diaz.

Martyrs 22f: Diaz- Lutheran, mortal enemy; sin against Holy Ghost; "Halloween"; Chapter 5

[2019-10-24: fixed broken links to Google Books]
      This continues from Part 22e (TOC in Part 1a, Diaz TOC in Part 22a) publishing the book of Hermann Fick on the martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  —  Part 22f presents Fick's Chapter 5. —  Alfonso Diaz said it well to his brother Juan:

...the name of Lutheran would be the mortal enemy.

Peter Malvenda had early said that Diaz appeared as a monster when he came as a Lutheran.  That pretty much sums up the world's view of true Lutherans today... here and now... as the Savior said:

Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. – Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. – John 15:18

This is one of the so-called "hard sayings" of Jesus, and I remember it well as I came back to my old faith.  But all true Christians know in their heart that the world hates them because of their faith.  And we see Alfonso Diaz as the voice of the world to his brother – the Spanish Lutheran, Juan Diaz.  —  Following the confession of Juan Diaz to his papist brother Alfonso, it makes me laugh even more at today's LC-MS (their "here and now"), whose

1. seminary provost calls the Bible a "plastic text" and 
2. CPH General Editor says that "Vatican II brought substantive changes to the Pope's Church.  (of their books Study Bible and The Lutheran Difference)

Yes, today's LC-MS, you are a laughing-stock, a spectacle, to true Christians.

Some highlighting added hyperlinks added for reference.

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The Martyrs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

by C.J. Hermann Fick

(tr. by BackToLuther)

XXII.(f)

Juan Diaz.

Chapter 5

Juan’s valiant courage of faith.

While they now carried on a friendly brotherly conversation with each other, Alfonso told his brother that he had come to bring him back again into the bosom of the holy Mother, the Church. He pointed out the great dangers which threatened him if he would persist in his teaching.  He represented to him how he would be reviled and hated by the most distinguished and respected men in the world, for all of whom the name of Lutheran would be a mortal enemy.  He also showed him how he thus violated all of his family and would plunge himself into all evils, prison, misery and excommunication, yes! death by fire or sword would receive.  And still many more such things were stated in order to make the heart of his brother waver.

But our dear martyr did not waver.  Although it brought sorrow to his heart that his brother judged so wrongly by making human danger and tyranny higher than the confession of the pure doctrine, he however kindly replied, "Dear brother! [page 164] I have not accepted that doctrine because of ignorance or of its own carnal conceit, but after serious examination and careful consideration.  And since I have explored its beginning and progress with diligence from the right fountain of divine Scripture, I freely confess publicly that it is truly the unanimous and eternally constant doctrine of all the holy Prophets and Apostles.  Therefore, I cannot reject such doctrine which I have recognised particularly by God's grace without great shame and vice.  So also through God’s grace a worldly danger is not to deter me from my Christian plans.  

"Consider, dear brother, if it befits a wise and intelligent man that he escapes transient misfortune and wants on the other hand to rush to eternal destruction.  So, indeed, is the sin against the Holy Ghost nothing other than when one denies the recognized truth and knowingly goes astray.  And this sin will never more be forgiven, neither here nor indeed in eternity.  That's why I have not minor, but great and important causes to persist in my resolution and confession.

"For you, dear brother, I wish with all my heart that you would make up your mind to use so much time and energy for the study of divine truth, as you have done so far in human affairs and quarrels.  And since I know how great is the mercy of our Heavenly Father, I do not doubt that God will also reveal to you the treasures of his heavenly truth that even you yourself, if you only would undertake such diligent work, could well recognize God's will from the Holy Scriptures.

"And would to God, dear brother, that I want to supply you such knowledge, be it also with my own blood!  For that, as the Son of God himself testifies, is truly eternal life, namely the living God, and He has sent Jesus Christ to surely recognize this.  So it is to be regretted in truth that people in such a highly important matter are so negligent and wicked, that they do not consider such wonderful pronouncements of God, which are kept for all men clear and sincere from heaven by the voice of the Eternal Majesty, so even not to consider nor take to heart, indeed to defiantly despise. [page 165]

"Will you now consider this matter without prejudice, so you will indeed find no other reason why we now are condemned by the wicked, yes! almost every day be consigned to death than this, that we have put all our hope in the living God, without which no man can be saved, and set nothing on man’s part.  Therefore, dear brother, learn first how our cause is constituted, then you will judge for yourself that it should not be abandoned for the sake of any earthly danger.  Truly, I for my part am determined by the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God, and certain that I can never more be deterred from the doctrine which I have recognized and have confessed."

However such brotherly images made no impression on the heart of Alfonso, who had nothing to do with the saving truth.  Because now he saw that Juan could not be shaken from his confession by fear of dangers, he tried to make him waver by the promise of great temporal advantages.  He promised he would leave him an annual income of 500 ducats, which he had previously drawn from the Roman Church, if Juan would go with him to Rome.  But God's grace had already so firmly held the heart of the dear Confessor that even this fiery arrow of the villain could not penetrate it.  He answered the tempter:

"Dear brother! I'm not as greedy as you might think.  Because if my sense stood to attain large goods and honours, then I would have to furnish my life completely different.  I esteem this for the highest honor, that I have recognized the right, pure and heavenly doctrine which the Lord has bestowed on me from his gratuitous goodness.  So also is my conscience, that knows of no vice to be guilty of, so very precious and valued than all the treasures in the world.

"Therefore, my dear brother, keep your income for yourself.  It's not to be discarded if you have it with a pious, God-fearing heart and hand.  However, if one does not do this, I do not know what use a lot of money and property are when one needs help and consolation most urgently in the end.  Therefore, dear brother, let us seek with all our heart that we collect the right treasures of true godliness in heaven [page 166] and study God's Word diligently and earnestly.  Because it does not leave those who have it, rather it relieves and mitigates the present cross that we bear in this world so full of tribulation, and also accompanies us into Heaven with its rich consolation."

= = = = = = = = = = = =   Cont'd in Part 22g   = = = = = = = = = = = =

      Why do you suppose there is such a time of year called "Halloween"?  I believe it is based on the popularization instigated by papists to obscure the celebration of Luther's Reformation – it is "celebrated" the same day as Reformation Day, October 31.  And the terrors, and horrors that ones attempt to portray and play with are actually their portrayal of the horrific Lutherans, monsters one and all.  So, Lutherans, do you now want to celebrate "Halloween" with them?

      Diaz echoes Luther, Walther, and Pieper in this chapter, as elsewhere, when he teaches

1. Salvation is only from God, nothing on man's part (Objective)
2. As salvation has been won for all men, so are God's pronouncements. (Universal)

... i.e. UOJ, Universal, Objective Justification.  —  In the next Part 22g is Chapter 6.