Monasticall life upon which perswasion he intended to forsake the Monâ—stery and to betake himselfe againe unto his former profession and for a preparation thereunto being as yet in the Monastery he set forth a booke of confession wherein in many things he opposed the doctrine of the Church of Rome whereby he brought himselfe not onely into danger of his life but the Monks also were greatly afraid lest any inconvenience might happen unto them by reason of his actions and therefore they greatly laboured to free their Monastery of him during their plodding he sharpely reprehended them for their errors perswadâ—ng them to embrace and lay hold on the truth whereby they came to be more and more incensed against him and privately laboured with his friends to be more earnest with him in the leaving of the Monaâ—stery Having beâ—n resident in this place not fully two yeeres he departed and went unto Franciscus Sickingen a man nobly descended by whom he was entertained and iâ— the same houâ—e he laboured to put downe the Masse affiâ—ming it to be an Idolatrous worship but Franciscus being at that time greatly distressed with an unhappy warre he left him and went to Basel in the yeer of our Lord 1522. to publish such things as he had at vacant times collected Here he was againe advanced by the Senats unto a Pastorall office an annuall stipend designed unto him which he performed with great zeale and constancy to the glory of God and good of his Church here he bouldly discovered unto his Auditors those errors which by continuance had got firme footing in the Church he opened unto them the perfection and sufficientcy of the Merits of Christ he declared unto them the true nature of faith he revealed unto them the true doctrine of Charity insomuch that the authority of the Poâ—ish religion began to stagger in the mindes of many Whilst he was totally occupied about these things some there were who laboured to draw him againe to the Pseudo Catholicke religion but more especially Iohannas Cachlaeus who in the yeere 1524. wrote letterâ— unto him wherein he testified himselfe to be deeply afflicted with sorrow to heare that a man so excellently learned should lay aside his coule and adhaere unto such haereticall opinions and withall exhorted him to revoke his opinion and to returne againe into the Monastery promising him a dispensation from the Pope and the favour of the Prior which he had formerly enjoyed but these and such like things were slighted by Oecolampadius who bringing them unto the word of God found that they would not endure the triall In the performance of his Pastorall office an assistanâ— was appointed unt him by publicke authority and he began to settle a more excellent Reformation in the Church commanding the Sacrament of Baptisme to be administred in the mother tongue and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be received under both kinds he taught that the Masse was not a sacrifice for the living and the dead or for those who were tormented in their feigned Purgatory but that perfect satisfaction was obtained for all beleevers by the passion and Merits of Christ he disswaded them from sprinkling themselves with holy-water and from the consecration of Palmes and the like declaring unto them that they who did attribute vertue unto any such things did detract from the glory and power of God which doctrine of his tooke such deepe â—ooting in the hearts of his Auditors that it gave a period unto many superstitious actions amongst them The foundation of future reformation was no sooner laid but the old Dragon began to play his part and to discover his malicious â—nvy against such things as make for the glory of God either by hindâ—ing their proceedings or laying some foule aspersion on them for at that time broke forth that yet continued sacramentary dissention by meanes whereof that good worke begun in the Church was hindred Martin Luther at this time openly opposed and contradicting by writing the doctrine of Huldericus Zuinglius Pastor of the Church at Tigurum concerning the Euchiarist by reason whereof there was a great dissention betwixt the Churches of Helvetia and Saxony for the taking away of w ch Oecolampadius set forth a booke concerning the true understanding of these words Hoc est corpus meum and by many strong arguments he affirmed that a trope lay therein and yet his industry and labour therein tooke not away the contention betwixt the Churches This intended reformation was againe hindred by Eccius and his followers who taught 1 that the substantiall body and blood of Christ was in the Sacrament of the Altar 2 that they were truly offered up in the Masse both for the living and the dead 3 that the virgin Mary and the Saints were to be worshipped as intercessours 4 that the images of Iesus and the Saints were not to be abolished 5 that after this life there was a Purgatory These positions were vehemently opposed by Oecolampadius at the publicke dispuâ—ation held at Baden the event whereof was this some of the Helvetians subscribed unto Eccius some unto Oecolampadius and so there remained still a dissention amongst them which could by no meanes be taken away although attempted by many worthy instruments of Christ who have undergone many dangers for an effectuall performance of the same yet Oecolampadius wrought so with the Saints that liberty of conscience was granted unto the Citizens as touching religion In the yeer following there was a disputation held at Berne which continued for the space of twenty dayes wherein Oecolampadius labored so powerfully for a reformation that his acts there recorded give a sufficient testimony thereof unto the world In the yeer 1529. an assembly was appointed by the Lantgraw of Hassia at Marpurge touching a reformation in the Churches concerning which more in the life of Melancton After the painfull sustaining of so many labours at home and abroad he returned to Basil where he spent the residue of his life in Preaching reading writing setting forth of books visiting the sicke and having also a care of the adjacent Churches untill the yeer 1531. wherein it pleased God to visit him with sicknesse wherewith he was constrained to take his bed hourely exspecting death And forthwith sending for the Pastors of the same place he welcommed them with ashort pithy oration wherein he exhorted them to remaine constant and firme in the purity of the doctrine which they professed because it was conformable unto the word of God as for other things he willed them to be lesse carefull assuring them that the Al-sufficient God would care for them and that he would not be wanting unto his Church His Children standing before him he tooke them by their right hands and afterwards gently stroking their heads he advised them to love God who would be unto them in the place of a Father A little before his death one of his intimate friends comming unto him he asked him what newes he answered
none But said he I will till thee newes being demandâ—d what it was he answered Brevi ero apud Christum Dominum I shall in short time be with Christ my Lord. In the morning before he died he repeated the 51. Psalme of David at the end whereof he addedâ— Salva me Christi Iesu being never heard afterwards to utter any word those who were present betooke themselves unto their prayers wherein they continued untill he had surrendered his Spirit unto his Creator which was willingly and cheerefully performed by him on the first of Dâ—cember in the yeer of our Lord 1531. and in the 49. yeer of his age and was buried with great lamentation in the sâ—me City He died intestâ—te quia unde conderet pauper Christi servas non habebat He was of a meeke and quiet disposition in the undertaking of any businesse he was very circumspect and nothing indeed was more pleasing unto him then to spent his time in reading and commenting the workes which he left behind him are these which follow 1 Annotations on Genesis 2 On Iob. 3 Isaiah 4 Ieremiah 5. Ezekill 6 Daniel 7 Hosea 8 Amos. 9 Ionas 10. Micah Cap. 2. 11. On the three last Prophets 12. On the Plasmes 13 Matthew 14 Romans 15 Hebrewes 16 1 Epistle of Iohn 17 Of the genuine sense of these words Hoc en corpus meum 18â— An exhortation to the reading of Gods word 19 Of the dignity of the Eucarist 20 Of the joy of tâ—e resurrection 21 A speech to the Senaâ— of Basil. 22 A Catectisme 23 Annotations on Chrisostome 24 Enchyidion to the Greeke tongue 25â— Aâ—ainst Anabaptists 26 Annotations upon the Aâ—ts and Corinthians 27 Of Almsdeeds 28 Against Julian the Apostata 29 Of truâ— faith in Christ. 30 Of the praises of Cyprian 31 Of the life of the Mâ—ses 32 Against Vsury Reader behold the rare-adorned Face Of him whose very lookes import a grace He was a Man whose constancy to truth Ripen'd in age and blossom'd in his youth He was a rocke whose daring front disdain'd Papisticke Waves he still oppos'd and gain'd The upper hand though threatning danger lin'd Each word he spoke yet would he speake his minde T was not their proffer'd wealth could make him bold To sin in Want and then repent in Gold Religion was the Starre by which he steer'd His well run-course his heart was still endeer'd Two sollid Principlâ— he lov'd to court The truth Love was his Ship and heav'n his port The life and death of JOHN FRITH Who suffered Martyrdome 1533. IOhn Frith was borne at Weâ—trame in Kent in whom being a child nature had planted a marvelous love unto learning he had also a wonderful Promptnesse of wit a ready capacity to receive understand any thing neither was there any thing wanting in him equall unto that towardness of dispsiâ—ion whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a lover of learning but also became an exquifite learned man He first begun his sâ—udy at Cambridge where he profited much in all sorts of learning At last he fell into knowledge of and acquaintance with William Tindall through whose pious instructions that seed of the Gospel and sincere godlinesse was first instilled into his heart At that time Cardinall Wolsey prepared to build a sumptious Colledge in Oxford now called Christs colledge And sought out for such as did excell in knowledge and learning to be Fellowes in the same and amongst others Iohn Frith was appointed one Now these choice yong men there placed conferâ—ing together upon the abuses of Religion which at that time were crept into the Church were therefore accused of heresie and cast into prison where many of them through the filthy stink thereof dyed Afterwards Iohn Frith with the others remaining alive being dismissed out of prison went beyond the seas and too yeeres after returning he was taken for a Vagabond at Reading and set in the stocks where he remained untill he was almost pined with hunger at lenght he desired that the Schoolmaster of the towne might be brought unto him which was Leoward Coxe a learned man assoone as he came in the Latin tongue he bewailed his captivity unto him The Schoolmaster being overcome with his eloquence did not onely take pity and compassion upon him but also begin to love embrace him especially when he spake unto him in the Greeke tongue and rehersed by heart diverse Verses out of Homer whereupon the Scholemaster went with all speed unto the Magistrates and procured his enlargment Yet this his safety continued not long through the deadly hatred of Sir Thomas Moore at that time chancellor of England who persecuted him both by Sea and land promising great rewards to any man that could bring tidings of him Thus this good man being beset with troubles round about wandred up and downe from place to place untill at the length being betrayed by a seeming friend he was apprehended and sent unto the Tower of London where he had many disputes with Sir Thomas Moore and others touching the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. In which quarrell he withstood the violence of three most obstinate enemies with the Bishop of Rochester Moore and Rastall but he fighting with them all three at once did so refute and confound them that he converted Rastall to his part But when neither Scripture nor reason would prevaile against the firce and crulty of of these furious foes the twentieth day of Iune 1533. he was brought before the Bishops sitting in Pauls Church where they ministred certaine interrogatives unto him touching the Sacrament Purgatory to w ch he answered according to his former disputation and subscribed unto his answer these words with his owne hand I Frith thus doe thinke and as I thinke so have I said written taught and affirmed and in any Bookes published So that when as by no meanes he could be perswaded to recant he was condmned by the Bishop of London to be burned and so being delivered over unto the Mayor and Sheriffes of London the forth day of Iuly he was by them carryed into Smithfield to be burned when he was tyed to the stake he shewed much constancy and courage for when as the fire and faggots were put unto him he willingly embraced the same thereby declaring with what uprightnesse of minde he suffered those torments for Christs and the truths sake whereof that day he gave with his blood a perfect and firme testimony The winde drove away the flame from him unto his fellow Martyr Andrew Hewet who was burned with him which made his death the longer and his paines the greater But God assisted him with such strength and fortifyed his soule with such patience that he seemed rather to rejoyce for his fellow then to be carefull for himselfe as if he had felt no paine in that long torment There is one thing more very observable concerning this constant Martyr Iohn Frith that whereas the Bishop of Canterbury
sober grave wise and discreete sometimes also not unpleasant if occasion were After dinner which he sat not long at he spent about an houre usually either in conference with others or in a game or two at chesse the onely recreation he made use of for the refreshing of himselfe Then he returned againe to his study where he sat unlesse suiters or some other affaires knockt him off untill five of the clock his constant houre for the afternoone Common prayer That finished he supped and after supper haviâ—g passed over about an houre before he returned the third time to his study continuing there untill eleven of the clock at nighâ— his usuall bed houre which yet he went not to before he had spent some time as in the morning in private prayer by himselfe Thus used he to make his religious addresses unto God both as a key to open the door in the morning to his daily employments and as a bolt to shut and close them up all at evening againe For his other vertues he was a man of a very patient spirit which Salomon pronounceth a principall point and part not of wisedome onely but of true valour honour though zealous in Gods cause when occasion was yet in his owne very moderate and temperate taking all thingâ— in good part nor retaining rancor against any but very prone and ready to forgive and forget wrongâ— and those no small ones and offred by those as whose hands he had deserved better usage To his kindred very kinde as nature it selfe required but without partiality or prepesterous affection to all hiâ— brother and sister not excepted not bearing with them in ought not agreeable to right but giving them this generall rule that if they did evill they should looke for nothing aâ— his hands but they should be as meere strangers and alienâ— to him and those in their steed as his brother and sister that carryed themselves honestly and followed a godly course of life Nor was his kinde carryage such to them alone but so lovingly and courteously demeaned he himselfe to his people that never was any good child more deerely beloved of its naturall parents nor gentle and kind parents of their naturall children then he was of his flock and those both of his diocesse and others that had occasion to know him and take notice of his kinde disposition and demeanour That which extended it selfe even to those also of the other side who for his Religion brooked him not yea to the neere kindred and friends of those that for the same most maligned him For not by rage and harshnesse but with much mildnesse and gentlenesse he laboured to reduce such as remained obstinate Papists seeking by kind carryage rather to woe and win them if it might be then by harsh courses and rough dealing either to force them or to exasperate them and so make them thâ— more obstinate This appeared among other instances whereof many might be given in that friendly usage of Bishop Heath who continued for a twelve moneth as prisonner in his house as prisoner I may well say rather then prisoner indeed and yet not a prisonner neither for he could not have enjoyed more liberty or better respect and attendance then he found and had there had he been a free man in his owne But above others in this kind most remarkable which I shall therefore adde onely letting passe all others and the more remarkable because so far otherwise relatiated is this that insueth Being in Bonners room created Bishop of London so oft and so long as he made his aboad at Fulham he made the Mother of the said Bonner whom he used also to call his Mother and indeed used her as if she had been his owne naturall Mother his daily guest constantly at meat and meale dinner and supper which bounty and courtesie he affoorded oft also to one Mistres Mungâ—y Bonner sister and her daughter placeing her continually in a chaire at the upper end of the table nor suffering her to be displaced whatsoever guests he had else at board albeit they were Noblemen or of his Majesties privy Consell as oft as it fell out in way of excuse telling them that by their Lord-ships favour that place of right and custome was for his Mother Bonner But know this his kindnesse was by Bonner others afâ—er requited in his and their carryage both to this man of courtesie himselfe and to another of his neere kindred the sequell will in part shew and those that list further to see may take notice from Master Fox his relations in that his laborious and usefull workes of Acts and Monuments that shineth so much in Popish stomacks though it be not fraught with such rediculous legens and notorious lyes as de Voragine Vsuardus and some others of theirs are In these workes and exercises of piety charity pity mercy and Christian clemency did this worthy Prelate passe his time during the short overshort raign of King Edward working the harder in Christs Vineyard the later hâ— came unto it But the wheele being turned upon the decease of that almost matchlesse Princesse of his yeeres as well for piety as other excellent parts shortly after the entrance of Queene Mary the rather for a Sermon which by the Counseâ—s appointment he had formerly made against her and in favour of the Lady Iane he was with the first of these that suffered clapt up in prison and deprived of his bishoprick and Bonner reinvested in it After repairing to Fremingham where the Queene then abode he was from thence on a lame halting jade sent up to the Tower at London Where during the time of his restrait some conference he had with Fecknam and others about Christs presence in the Sacrament But from thence not long after by the Queenes appointment he was together with Cranmer and Laâ—imer his fellow prisoners conveyed first to Windsor and then sent to Oxford where they were laid in the common joale commonly called Bocardo whereupon in one of his letters he saith merrily that Bocardo was now become a Colledge of Quondams that is such as had once been Bishops but then were not After that they had been detained som space of time there downe came a Commission for a disputation to be held betweene the said three prisoners Christs champions but a part on the one part and certaine Doctores and Divines of either University thereunto designed on the other part whereupon they were severed one from another that they might not have any help either from other and Bishop Ridley was committed to the house of one Irish then Major of the City whence being convented as the other two also were before certaine Commissioners he had certaine Articles tendred him to subscribe unto concerning the reall presence of Christs naturall body and bloud and the utter abolition of the substance of bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and concerning the Masse as containing in it a sacrifice
for his oâ—â—aâ—â—ons When a friend sent him 200. angels of gold from the metal-mines he bestowed them all on poore Students When Iohn the Elector gave him a new gowneâ— he said that he was made to much of for if here we receive a full recompence of our labours we shall hope for none in another life When the same Elector offered him a vayne of Metals at Sneberge he refused it lest he should incurre the tentations of the Divell who is Lord of treasure under the Earth He took nothing of Printers for his copies as he writeth saying I have no plenty of money and thus yet I deale with the Printers I receive nothing from them â—or recompence of my many Copies sometimes I receive of them one copy This I thinke is due to me whereas other writers yea translaters for every eight leaves have an Angel Concerning money given him thus he writeth The hundreth Angels given me I roceived by Tanbenhem and Schart gave me fifty that I stand in feare that God will give me my reward here But I protested that I would not so be satisfied by him I will either presently repay it or spend it For what should I doe with so much money I gave one halfe of it to P. Prior and made him a joyfull man He was very lovingly affectioned towards his children and gave them liberall education He kept in his house a School-master to traine them up in good arts and a godly life When he saw Magdalen his eldest daughter ready to dye he read to her in Esay 26.19 Thy dead servants shall rise againe together with my dead body shall they arise Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust For thy dew is at the dew of hearbs and the earth shall cast out the dead Come my people enter into thy chambers and shut thy doores about thee Hide thy selfe as it were for a littâ—e moment untill the indignation be over-past My daughter enter thou into thy chamber with peace I shall ere long be with thee For God will not permit me to see the punishments hanging over the head of Germany And upon tâ—is wept plentifully But in publick when he went a long with the Herse he bridled his affection and was not seen to shed one teare And as all men of excellent spirits have a zealous anger in due place So Luther by nature was vehement but yet placable As appeareth in this that when Melancthon much moved to passion once came unto him and all the rest were very mute Luther uttered this Verse Vince animos irà mque tuam qui caeterà vinciâ— Thine owne heart overcome thy fury tame Who all things else hast stoutly overcame And then smiling saidâ— we will not further dispute of this matter and turned his speech to other occasions He foresaw and foretold many things as the combustion which rose in Germany saying I am very much afraid that if the Princes give eare to Duke George his ill counsell there will arise some tumult which will destroy all the Princes and Magistrates in all Germany and ingage in it all the Clergy Of the death of Frederick Elector of Saxony thus he writeth If God in heaven hath resolved in wrath to deale with us that neither our prayres nor counsels of amendment can hinder it let us obtaine this that our Josias may sleep in peace though the world be left to goe into its Babylon Of the covetousnesse of Germany and the dearth there thus he speaketh We feare Famine and we shall suffer it and finde no remedy for it And when as without necessity we are solicitous to prevent Famine like wicked and incredulous Gentles and neglect the word of God and his work he will permit shortly a dismall day to come upon us which will bring with it whole Wâ—inloads of ceares which he shall neither have power or meanes to escape Diverse other things he also foretold He had his health competently well but that sometimes he was troubled with the headach especially in his elder yeares Whereupon he was afraid of some violent Apoplexie and when he felt a swimming in his head or noyse in his eares he used to say Lord Iesu smite me gently for I am absolved from my sins according to thy word and am fed unto life eternall by thy body and blood Thine Apostle John and our Elector were taken out of this world by this kinde of death He endured often tentations whereupon he said All here are in health except Luther who is â—ound in body and without suffers at no mans hand in the world onely the Divel and all his Angels vex him He was of an indefferent stature of strong body of so Lion-like a quicknesse of his eyes that some could not endure to looke directly upon him when he intentively beheld them They say that one of mild spirit who could not endure in private to talke with Luther was courteously used by Luther yet was so pierced with the quicknesse of his eyes that being amazed he knew no course better then to run from him His voyce was mild and not very cleare whereupon when on a time there was mention at table about Pauls voyce which was not very perfect and full Luther said I also have a low speech and pronuntiation To whom Melancthon answered But this small voyce is heard very farre and neere In the year 1544. the 17. of November he finished his explication of Genesis which was his last publicke reading in the University which he concluded with these words Thus end I my explication on Genesis God grant that others may more rightly and truely expound it then I have done I cannot proceed farther therein my strength faileth me pray for me that it would please God to grant me a quiet and comfortable departure out of this life In the year 1546. Luther accompanyed with Melancthon viâ—â—ted his owne Country and returned againe in safety Not long after the Councell of Trent being begun and having â—â—te once or twice Luther was called againe by the Eâ—rles of Mansfield to his owne Country for to compose a dissention among them concerning their bounds and heritages Luther was not wont to deale in matters of this nature having been versed in sacred studyes all his life time but because he was borne at Isleben a towne in the territories of Mansfield he was willing to doe his Country service in this kind Wherfore making his last Sermon at Wittenberg the 17. day of Ianuary he toâ—ke his journey on the twenty third day And at Hall in Saxony lodged at Iustas Ionas his house where he stayed three dayes because of the roâ—ghnâ—sse of the waters and preached the 26. of Ianuary upon Pauls Conversion On the 28. day being Thursday at Hall he passed over the river with Iustas Ionas and his owne three sons and being in danger of drowning said to D r. Ionas Thinke you not that it would rejoyce the Divell very much if I and you and my three sons should
literature in the Grammer schoole at New-castle upon Tine which towne situate upon that river which divideth those two Counties though standing within Northumberland is by a bridge joyned unto the Bishoprick of Durham from the schoole there he was first transplanted into the University of Cambridge and from thence as it seemes removed upon some occasions to Oxford for thaâ— learned and industrious Bishop who hath compiled a Catalogue of our English Prelates doth of his certaine knowledge assure us that he was some time fellow of University Colledge there Those of Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge among whom he was first placed could not it seemes well be without him or he without them with whom if he continued not at first yet he returned shortly againe to them whither of his owne accord or invited by them doth not appeare But certaine it is that he was head of that house and there tooke his dâ—gree of Doctor in Divinity Before which or after I cannot certainly say being desirous to see what Schooles of learning are abroad and to try if better meanes for the inproving of himselfe and his excellent parts elswhere be found he left these partâ— for a time and visited the University of Paris being the prime place of note for schoole-divinity in those dayesâ— But there he made no long stay not finding peradventure what he looked for but returned againe to his own Country and his former place of aboade Upon his returne or not long after especiall notice being taken of him as his good parts well deserved he was called to be Chaplaine unto King Henry the eight and waâ— in processe of time preferred to the Bishoprick of Rochester becoming vacant by the translation of Henry Holbeach thence to Lincolne Concerning which his preferment I find different relations for M r Fox in his Martyrologie affirmes that he was by under King Henry promoted to that See wheras the forementioned compiler of the Catalogue of Bishops who seemes to have followed the authentick records referreth both the removall of Holbeach and the advancement of Ridley his successor to the first of King Edward in the yeere of our lord 1547. However in that seat he sat not long for in the third of King Edward upon the deprivation of Bonner that bloudy persecutor of Gods people and butcherer of Christs flock he was translated to the Bishoprike of London wherein how he bemeaned himselfe shall hereafter be related Before these his latter times having long walked in the dark he came at length to see better and clearer light in the points then questioned especially concerning the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and bloud first by reading that worthy for these times especially learned works of Bertram written long since of that argument w câ— is to this day such a mote in the Papists eyes that they know not wel how to handle it or which way to dispose of it though they wish it out of the world not out of their eyes onely as appeareth by their long disput about it in their Index Expurgatorius and afterward by conference with Cranmer and Peter Martyr two other of Christs champions who confirmed him in the same and lastly as himselfe solemnly calling God to witnesse seriously protested upon due enquiry and diligent examination finding the doctrine he after that maintained to be not onely grounded upon Gods word but agreeable also to the writings of the ancient Fathers Nor was he lesse zealous forward in the profession and progatation of the truth and faith of Christ once knowne and embraced then ever he had been in any erronious or superstitious way before and carefull by a godly religious course of life to adorn it in himselfe and commended it to others for being passing well learned which his adversaris themselves neither doe nor dare deny of great reading and endued with dâ—xterity of wit strength of memory and a very gracefull elocution he imployed diligently these hiâ— talents to his Mâ—sters behoofe for the instructing and winning of as mâ—ny to God as he might And to thiâ— purpose following the Apostles instructions to Timothâ—e to preach the word instantly and constantly in season and out of season he suffâ—red no Lords day lightly nor other Festivall to passe over his head but that he preached on it in some place or other unlesse some other very weighty and urgent occasion which unlesse such indeed he gave not way to cast a rub in his way with his Sermons the better sort of people were so taken that they swarmed about him like bees allured by the sweet flowers pleasant jâ—yce of that wholesome doctrine which was in them by him in a very plausible and yet no lesse powerfull and profitable manner delivered Besides that for his owne family while he resided at Fulham his manner was to read to them every day at the time of morning prayer a lecture out of the New Testament which he constantly performed beginning with thâ— Aâ—ts of the Apostles and so going on through all Sainâ— Pauls Epistles to those of his family he used also to read over the hundred and fiâ—st Psalme thereby to admonish them what they ought to be and what he expected from them should they continue in his service or such of them as could read he bestowed Testaments hiring them also with rewards to get some principall Chapters thereof by heart and especially that of Acts the thirteenth By thiâ— his care came his house to be so well ordered that it seemed a schoole or nursery of vertue and patern of piety and good life unto others as himselfe also was to it For he was a man of so holy just sober continent and life generally unblamable that his most malicious and mischievous adversâ—ries could fiâ—d nothing therein to tax him withâ—ll though challenged solomly so to doe Hiâ— very outward making promised a well-composed inside for he was a very comely person and of well proportioned limbs and lineaments nor did his outside deceive those that then conjectured well of him it pleasing God eft even outwardly to imprint in the face and frame of his body a living portraiture of those endowments wherewith the inner man he hath adorned yea what his lookes tesâ—ified his liâ—e gave witnesse to wherein all manner of sound piety and true vertue did most illustriously shine forth For matter of piety he was much addicted to contemplation and prayer wherein his common and constant course if not otherwise enterrupted was this So soone as he waâ— up in the morning nor was he any sluggerd a little sleepe served him and his apparell once on he retired himselfe againe to his bed-chamber and there on his knees he spent some halfe an houre in prayer That done he betook himselfe to his study where he continued till ten of the clock at which time he came to the common prayer which was used daily in his house After that he dined feeding temperately not using much talke at table but that he used
Divinity-Lecturer and willed the Scholars in no wise to beleeve him he carried the Crosse before the Procession Master Bilney seeing and pittying his blinde zeal came to his study and desired him to hear him make a Confession of his Faith which Latimer consenting to was so touched therby that he gave over School-Divinity and studied more Oâ—thodox Divines He used often to confer with Master Bilney and asked Master Stafford forgivenesse before he dyed he became a powerfull Preacher and instructed many in private also whereupon the Devill raised up many Doctors and Fryers against him and the Bishop of Elye forbad him to Preach Anno Christi 1529. yet he continued three yeeres preaching with much applause yea the Bishop himself hearing him upon a time commended him and wished that he had the like gifts himselfe he used oftâ—n to visit the Prisoners to relieve the needy and feed the hungry He was afterwards sent foâ— to the Court and employed in the businesse about King Henries Divorce then by the King he had a Benefice given him at West-Kingston neer Sarum where with much diligence he instructed his flocke whereupon some Popish Priestâ— drew up Articles against him and he was much molested by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury out of whose hands the King rescued him and at the request of the Lord Cromwell made him Bishop of Worcester where also he busily employed himselfe in instructing his flocke and giving them a good example by his holy life yet neither there was he quiet for one of great place accuâ—â—d him to the King for preaching Sedition but the King rested satisfied with his answer At New-years-tide the Bishops used to present the King with a New years gift and Bishop Lâ—timer amongst the rest presented him with the New Testament wrapped up in a Napkin with this Posie about it Forniâ—atores adulteros judiâ—abiâ— Dominus Whoremongerâ— and Adulterers God will judge But the six Articles coming out and he seeing that he could not retaine his Office with a good Conscience of his owne accord he reâ—igned his Bishopricke and when he put off his Rocket in hiâ— chamber amongst his friends he gave a skip in the floore for joy feeling his shoulders lighter and being as he said discharged of so heavie a burthen Yet neither then would the Bishops suffer him to be quiet till he was laid up in the Tower where he remained till Edward the sixt his reigne at which time being restored to his liberty he continued a faithfull and painfull preacher all that Kings dayes preaching twice every Sabbath though sixty seven yeares of age he rose to his study Winter and Summer at two a clocke in the morning he evidently fore-saw and fore-told all those plagues which England afterwards felt under Queen Marie and fore told concerning himselfe that his preaching of the Gospell would cost him his life Sâ—ephen Cranmeâ— and that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose which afterwards proved so In the beginning of Queâ—n Maries Reign he was sent for up by a Pursuivant whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house yet insteâ—d of flying he prepared himselfe for his journey and when the Pursuivant came he said to him My friend you are welcome I goe as willingly to London to give an account of my Faith as ever I went to any place in the world The Pursuivant having delivered his Letter told him that he was commanded not to stay for him and so immediately departed but Latimer hasted after to London and as he rode through Smithfield he said That Smithfield had groaned for him a long time Coming before the Councill after many mocks scorns he was sent to the Tower where the Lord gave him such a valiant spirit that he did not onely bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies This aged Father being kept in the cold winter without a fire he bad the Lievtenants man to tell his Master That if he did not looke better to him perchance he would deceive him the Lievtenant thinking that he intendâ—d to make an escape charged him with his words to whom he answerâ—d You thinke I should burn but except you let me have a firâ— I shall deceiv your expectation for I am here like to starve with cold From thence he was carried to Oxford with Cranmer and Ridley where they spent their time in brotherly conference fervent prayer and fruitfull writing yea many times he continued so long in fervent prayer that he was not able to get up without helpe Three things he more especially prayed for First That as God had appointed him to be a Preacher of his Word so that he would give him grace to stand to his Doctrine that he might give his hearts blood for the same Secondly that God of his mercy would restore his Gosâ—pell to England once againe once againe which he often inculcated in his prayer and that with so much ardor as though he had seen God before him and spoken to him face to face Thirdly that the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth and make her a comfort to this comfortlesse Realm of England The Lord most graciously answering all thosâ— his requests When he came to the stake he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance saying Fidelis est Deus c. God is faithfull who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able c. As he was burning his blood ran out of his heart in such abundance as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither to the great astonishment of the beholders according to his former râ—quest That he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the Truth The other two requests we have found and yet have the benefit When the fire was first kindled he cryed O Father of heaven receive my soule and so receiving the flame and as it were embracing of it having stroaked his face with his hands and bathed them a little in the fire he soone died with very little pain or non at all Anno Christi 1555. Though Latimer was in his heedlesse youth A diviator and abandon'd truth Yet heaven having blest him with a riper age At last he banish'd his too forward rage And from a wandring Commet he became A blazing starre and blush'd not to proclaime Against his former Errours which had spread Upon his heart and almost struck it dead He sought the way of truth and seeking found A better Anchor and a firmer ground Where on he fixt his thoughts and would not be Remov'd by arguments or Tyrannie Thus our brave Latimer became a terrour To Papists and an enemy to errour Though he at first most wilfully deny'd The truth yet for the truth at last he dy'd The Life and Death of John Philpot who died Anno Christi 1555. JOhn Philpot was a Knights son and born in
the Emperour had promulgated a book written concerning Religion called the Interim which he would have to be embraced and confirmed by the States and Cities of the Emprie which when he perceived that it was received by the Senate first he publikly opposed it in the Church and exhorted them to the constant profession of their former doctrine and secondly he told them that he must be compelled to depart from them in case they did refuse his motion but he perceiving no hopes of altering their opinions after that he had taken his supper he left the City being accompanied onely with one Citizen committing his wife and eight children which he left behind him unto the protection of the Almighty and being without the Ports he changâ—d his hablit least through the same he might be discovered by his enemies And having turned a Wagon he went toward Tiâ—urum where he remained a few dayes with Bullinger and from thence he departed and went unto Basil unto Iohanner Hervagius his wife followed immediatly after him not knowing where to find him unlesse at Basil wherefore when she came to Constance for her assuâ—aÌ„ce she sent letters by a trusty friend whom she desired to certifie her husband of her aboade at Constance the messenger finding Musculus at Basil delivered the letters and forthwith returned unto Constance where he found his wife and children upon the Lords day following he preached twice in the City taking for hiâ— text those words in Iohn the 6. ver 66. From that time many of the Disciples went back and walked no more with him Then said Iesus unto the twelve I will yet also goe away c. from which place of Scripture he shewed unto them how greatly those Cities did offend which did fall from the truth of Christ for the favour of mâ—n and withall he earnestly exhorted the people of Constance not to follow the examples of such but constantly to adhaere unto the truth taught by Christ in his Word and this was the last Sermon that was Preached in the peaceable state of the Commonwealth for the day following the Spanish Forces under the conduct of Alfonsus Vives beleagured the City during the Siedge by the perswasion of Ambrosius Blavrerus a reverend Pastor Musculuâ— with his wife and children were conveyed out of the City with safety and they escaped the fury of the enemies intending to goe for Tigurum but by reason of sicknesse which seized on his wife he was compelled to remain at Sangallum after her recovery he went unto Tigurum where he was joyfully received of the Inhabitants with whom he continued six months before he was called to performe his Ministeriall function in which vacancy he was called by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury into England but in regard of his owne age as unfit for travell and in respect of the weaknesse of his wife and the many children which he had he modestly refused Not long after the Inhabitants of Berne were destitute of a Divinity Lecturer for their Schooles wherefore he was called by the Senate unto that profession which indeed was most welcome unto him partly for the excellency of that Church and Commonwealth and partly for the renewing of his acquaintance with his old friend Iohannes Hallerus He entred upon this Lecture in the year 1549. and constantly continued in it for the space of fourteen years to the exceeding benefit of the Church of Christ opening in that space unto his Auditours almost the whole Bible He naturally detested Contraversies and would write his minde without the injury or contempt of others so that his Workes were opposed by no man in publicke during his life onely those two Sermons excepted which he Preached before the Princes at Wormes which were opposed by Cochlaeus The great love which he carried towards the Inhabitants of Berne appeareth in this that he refused great honour and ample Revenues which were profered unto him during his Lectureship at Berne for he was thrice called into England seconded with large rewards also the Inhabitants of Auspurge having againe obtained their former liberty amongst other banished Ministers they first recalled Musculus He was againe desired by the Inhabitants of Strasburge invited by Otho Henricus and Fredericus Prince Elector Palatine and by the Land grave of Hassia many times but he modestly refused all these though honourable calings intending to performe his best service unto the end of his dayes unto that City who had shewed and vouchsafed him such kindnesse in his greatest extremity which indeed was truly performed Not long before his death he was sickly partly by reason of his years his body being spent with infinite cares and labours partly by reason of a vehement cold which did much afflict him whereby he gathered that he was to leave that house of clay and therefore setting all other things aside he entred into a heavenly meditation of death the sum of which he hath left unto the world being written by himselfe before his death Nil super est vitae frigus praecordia captat Sed in Christe mihi vita parennis ad es Quid crepidas anima ad sedes abitura quietis En tibi ductor adest Angelus ille tuus Lingua domum hanc miseram nunc in sua fata ruentem Quam tibi fida Dei dextera restituet Peccasti scio sed Christus ardentibus in se Peccata expurgaâ—sanguinâ— cuncta suo Horribilis mors est fateor sed proxima vita est Ad quam te Christi gratia câ—rta vocat Praesto est de Satana peccaâ—a est morte triumphâ—s Christus ad hunc igitur lâ—â—a alacrisque migra This life is done cold Death doth summon me A life eternall I expect from thée My Saviour Christ why dost thou fear my Dove He will conduct thée to his throne above Forsake this body this corrupted creature Thy God will change it to a better nature Dost thou abound with sin I do confesse That thou art guilty and dost oft transgresse But Christ his blood doth wash and cleanse all those That can themselves in him by Faith repose Doth Death appeare an object full of horror Both ugly ghastly and not wanting terror I do confesse it but that life againe Which followes death doth take away that paine Unto which life we called are by Christ Then do no longer O my soule resist But yéeld thou with all chéerfulnesse to dwell With him triumphing or'e Death Sin and Hell Afterwards the strength of his sicknesse did increase by the addition of an Ague wherby he was brought so weak that he was not able to sit up right in his bed wherefore he sâ—nt unto Master Iohannes Allerus and other Ministers unto whom he declared the Faith which he dyed in and withall committed the care of his Wife and Children unto thâ—m who told him that they would not bâ— deficient in any thing wherein they might shew themselves beneficiall and helpfull unto them As he was a man endewed with an
printed there which Gilpin performed faithfully He returned into England after three years in Queen Maries raign and beheld to his griefe the Church oppressed with blood and fire and being placed by Tunstal in the Rectory of Essingdon he began sharply to tax the viceâ— which then raigned in the Church and propounded the Doctrine of Salvation plainly and soundly which procured him many enemies especially of the Clergy who accused hin often to the bishop for an Heretick but Tunstal could not endure to shed blood and therefore he deâ—lt mildly with him At a certain time the Bishops Châ—plainâ— discoursed with him about Luther and the Sacrament of the Altar whom he answered so judiciously that the Bishop hearing their discourse said to his Chaplains Lâ—thâ—â— alone for he hath more lâ—arning then you all The Archdeaconâ—â— of Durham being annexed to the Parsonage of Essingdon Master Gilpin for a â—ime supplyed both places but after a whâ—â—â— he wrote to the Bishop that he might have his good wâ—ll to resign one of them which the Bishop was very angry 〈◊〉 saying I told thee thou wouldst die a begger Not long after â—he Bishop conferred upon him instead of them the Rectory of Houghton which was a great Parish and a very fine sâ—â—t He took great care to performe the dutyeâ— of the Miniâ—â—ry â—mongst his people and seeing the miserable condition of many places in those parts where â—he Tiâ—hes being Improprâ—ated the Souls of the people were stâ—rved he preached often abroâ—d also and once a year he took a journy into Noâ—thumberland Riddesdale and Tindal usually abouâ— Câ—â—istmas because of the opportunity of so many holy dâ—ieâ— where he gat himselfe muâ—h â—steem by his prâ—achiâ—g to thosâ— barbarouâ— people and distributing money to the poor sometimes hâ— was forced to lodge in the snow all night in that jouâ—ny at which times he made his man to trot his horseâ— up and downe whilst he bestirred himselfe that he might not perish by the could Once as he returned home a husbandman as he was ploughing had a horse in hiâ— team that fell down and dyed for which he made great moan whereupon Master Gilpin caused his man to alight and take off his saddle and bridle and so to carry them to the next town and gave his horse to this husbandman when by chance hâ— met with any naked poor people he would pull off some of his own clothes and give them In the towne of Houghton there was a street of poor people for whose reliese every thursday he caused a great pot of meat to be boylâ—d and distributed amongst them yeâ— his charity was such that he was commonly called The Father of the Poor Yet had he many enemies who often accused him to Bishop Tunstal but he abhorring to shed blood was still a sweet defence to him At last they accused him to Bonner who sent a messenger to apprehend him whereof he had notice before hand and therefore prepared himselfe for Martyrdome commanding his Steward to provide him a long garment to goe to the stake in but it pleased God that by the sudden death of Queen Mary he was freed from thiâ— danger In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's raign Master Gilpin was excâ—eding studious to doe all the good that possibly he could whereupon he erected a Grammer-School allowing maintenance for a Master and Usher divers of the Scholars he also instructed himselfe so that in that School were bred many that were exceedingly profitable to the Church afterwards for there was great resort to it some of which he tabled in his owne house others in the towne yea upon many poor mens sons he bestowed both meat drinke apparell and â—eaching out of this School were sent daily many to the University to diverse of which he allowed maintenance whereby his name was renowned and the Earl of Bedford much esteemed him and procured of the Queen the Bishoprick of Carlile for him and sent him his Congedeslier but Master Gilpin returned it back with many thanks alleging his own insufficiency for the discharge of so great a place Not long after also he was much importuned to take upon him the Provost's place of Queens Colledge in Oxford but he refused it being wholly unwilling to remove from the place where God had set him He was much given to Hospitality insomuch as William Cecill Lord Burghley returning out of Scotland drawn with the same of Master Gilpin came to Houghton where he was entertained with all due respect and when he had well observed Master Gilpin and the diligence and abundance of all things with so compleat service in the entertainment of so great and unlooked for a Guest he said at his parting That he had heard much of Master Gilpin but what he had now seen and tryed was much more then the report and thereupon taking his his leave of Master Gilpin he râ—quested him if he had any occasion or suit at the Court that he would make use of him to meditate it for him He still continued his yearly visit of Riddesdale and Tindale where he was esteemed a Prophet and little lesse then adored by that barbarous people Being once amongst them one had stoln his horses whereupon Hue and Cry was sent abroad for Master Gilpin's horses the fellow that had stoln them hearing that they were Master Gilpin's fell a trembleing and presently carryed them back againe humbly craving pardon and the benediction of Father Gilpin protesting that he feared that he should be thurst into hell if he should doe him any wrong Also he being to preach at a towne called Rothbury there was a deadly fewd between the Inhabitants so that the men of both sides never met at Church without blood-shed and therefore when one party came the other used to stay away but Master Gilpin being in the Pulpit both partyes came to Church one party going into the Chancell and the other into the body of â—he Church armed with Swords and Javelins Master Gilpin though somewhat moved with this uncouth spectacle yet went on in his Sermon but when their weapons began to make a clashing sound and the one side drew near to the other Master Gilpin came downe from the Pulpit and stepping to the ringleaders of either faction he laboured to establish a peace and when he could not prevaile in that yet he got a promise from them to continue the peace whilst he was in the Church afterwards whilst he was in those quarters and so going up againe he spent the rest of the time in discharging that barbarous and bloody custom At another time Master Gilpin coming to a Church in those parts before the people assembled and walking up and downe he espied a glove hanging up in the Church end enquiring of the Sexton the meaning of it he told him that it was a glove of one of the Parish who hung it up as a challenge to his enemy with whom he would fight hand to hand or with any else
conscience amongst them Yet here he continued not fully nine months but he left them and went unto Geneva and after that he had spent other nine Moneths in that place by the meanes of Peter Martyr he was called into England to performe the place of the Divinity Lecturer unto which motion he willingly condescended and having taken his leave of his friends and acquaintance he sets forward in his journey he was detained by the Inhabitants of Strarburge because their Pastor Casper Hedio was then dead and because it was decreed by the Magistrates that an Italian following the Doctrine of Peter Martyr should be called unto the Citieâ— and therfore they first used meanes to bring in the gravâ— Martinengus but he refused to leave his Flocke in Geneva wherefore seing they could not prevaile that way They kindely intreated Zanchy to stay amongst them hither he came in the yeare 1553. and in this place he performed a Pastorall office almost eleven years and at vacant times he expounded Aristotle unto such as were desirous to attain unto some understanding in the Arts. Here he was commanded by the Magistrates if he intended to teach in that City to subscribe unto that Confession of Faith concluded on and set forth at Auspurge called the Augustines Confession unto which he consented with this caution modo Orthodoxe intilligatur now because his opinion about the Sacrament waâ— the chiefest cause which did urge this Subscription he wrote a Treatise concerning the Lords Supper wherein he delivered his opinion thus First that the true body of Christ which was given for us and his true blood which was shed for the remission of â—innes was truely eaten and drunken in the Supper Secondly that it was not eaten with the mouth and teeth of the body but with true faith Thirdly and therefore received of none but of those which were elected And this his opinion was generally answered unto and approved in the City so that when they had made a triall of the sufficiency of his parts for the space of two years and had approved of that method and order which he had observed both in teaching and disputing he was admitted and chosen into the Society of the Thomists where he lived a Canon for the space of nine years in which time he was beloved of all good men that knew him a detester of Contraversies as cauâ—es of strife and he was also a lover and a favourer and a furtherer of peare and quietnesse Yet notwithstanding diverse Controversies and accusations were afterwards instituted and moved against him during his residence here and that by some of the Divines and Professors of the same Common-wealth concerning the Sacrament and concerning the Ubiquity of the humain nature concerning the setting of â—mages in Churches and Chappels concerning Antichrist and the end of the world coâ—cerning Praedestination concerning the perseverance of the Saints in Faith wherein his opinions were condemned by them as haereticall this flame also was increased by the addition of the fuell of a Tractate of the Lords Supper printed by Hestrusius in the same Citie and it came also unto that height that he must either voluntarily depart or else be forced thereunto by the Colledg although meanes were used for a reconciliation and the cause referred unto thirteen men and although he offered publickly to dispute with his adversaries touching the same points and had obtained the judgements of all the Churches and Academies throughout Germanie concerning the same and had presented them in writing unto the Senate yet no conclusion could be effected untill the Senate had procured learned Divines and Lawyers from Tubinge Bipont and Basil who were appointed as Judges to hear both parties and to establish an agreement These Judges after the hearing of the matters controverted privately withdrew themselves and composed câ—rtaine arcicles unto which they desired that the disagreeing partyes would subscribe for the setling of peace and quiâ—tnesse in the City To this request Zanchy used delay in the performance and declared unto them that there were two especiall things which detayned him that he couly not subscribe first because in so doing he should give an occasion of offence unto the godly and secondly it would come to passe that by his subscription those who were seduced from the truth would be confirmed in their errours yet notwithstanding when he perceived that his subscription might be done without any prejudice unto his doctrine for quietnesse sake he subscribâ—d with this Caveat Hanc doctrinâ— formulam ut piam agnosco ita etiam recipio this subscription was so joyful unto his adversaries that after a boasting and tryumphant manner they dispersed the tidings by letters unto their friends in Saxonie in other adjacent Regioâ—s whereas if they had truely understood it they could noâ— have hâ—d received from it such matter and cause of glory But it happily fell out at that time during these actionâ— that the Church at Clavenna by reason of the death of Augustinus Moynardus was dâ—stitute of a Pastor and the inhabitants of that place had with one consent made choyce of Zanchy assoone as he had notice hereof and perceiving little hope of quietnessâ— in the City he forthwith repaires unto the Senate obtaines leave to depart and thereupon resignes his Cannonship and leaves Strasburge and makes towards Clavenna a famous Towne situate in Rhetia During this controversie and contention in Strsburge he was called by the Tigurines to succeed Peter Martyr but he refused to go because he would not be seene to betray and give over the truth and that good cause which he had in hand he was also desired by the Italian Church at Geneva to be their Pastor he was sought for by the Inhabitants of Heidleberg and Marpurge he was invited also unto Lausanna but from these latter he was detayned by the Senate Immediately after his comming unto Clavenna a vehement and heavy pestilence invaded the City which was the cause of great sorrow and lamentation in that place for within the space of seven months three dyed 1200. persons yet Zanchy continued his course of teaching so long as any Auditor came unto him afterwards he removed himselfe out of the towne unto the top of an high Mountaine with his family where he spent three months in reading meditation and prayers and at the end thereof it pleased God to remove his scourge from the City and he returned and performed his ordinary function for the space of four years to the great benefit of that Church but not without many afflictions and crosses unto himself Hence then he was called by that incomparable vertuous and religious Prince Frederick the third Elector Palatine unto that famous Academie at Heidleberge and by him most courteously entertained and constituted successor unto Zachary Vrsin at his entrance into his office which was in the year 1568. he delivered an excellent and learned speech concerning the conservation of the purity of doctrine in the Church and in
Ministeriall function and also to joyn with Calvin in the reading of the Divinity Lecture Where he was also againe advanced to be head Master of a Free-schoole which was set up by the perswasion of Calvin for the future benefit of the same City Notice being taken in France of his Confession of the Christian Faith which without question wrought deepe impression in the hearts of many he was intreated by Letters sent from some Peeres of France that he would be pleased to visit Anthony King of Navarre then residing in Aquitaine and to confer with him concerning matters of importance but especially concerning such things which might be of force to beget true knowledge in the groundâ— of Christian Religion for there was some hopes that if he could be brought thereunto that the Church of God would not be so cruelly inhumanely dealt withall within the Kingdome of France Which enterprize God giving a blessing thereunto wanted not its fortunate and happy successe though not in the dayes of Aâ—thony yet in the dayes of Charles the ninth for he not onely entring into a consideration of the truth of the Doctrinâ— of the Church of Rome but also into the truth of the Doctrine of the reformed Church and with many of his Nobles adhered unto the same and foâ—thwith sâ—nt both Embassadours and Letters to the Senate of Geneva to intreaâ— the presence of reverend Beza concerning the dâ—sciding of those Controversies which were at that time on foot betwixâ— the Papists and the Reformed Churches This request was with great joy condiscended unto by the Senate of Geneva who sent Beza with many prayers for the advancemâ—nt of Gods glory Peter Martyr was also called from Tigurum by the Mother Queen who with all speed came to Paris Great was the conflict which Beza had at that time in the â—resence of the King with Cardinall Lotharingus concerning the Reall Presence â— wherein he confuted the erronious opinion of the Cardinall affirming that the viâ—ible signes were touched with the hands eaten and drunken with the mouth but that the thing signified viz. thâ— Body and Blood of Christ was offered and received by Faith Which judgement of his the Cardinall approved of at the last as he himselfe testified unto the Queene and was also embraced by her selfe The conference being ended with happy successe to the glory of God and furtherance of his truth Martyr returned to Tigurum and Beza intended to goe unto Geneva but he was hindred by the Authority of the Queen who plainly told him that seeing he was a French man he might be the Author of much good unto his own Nation Beza being thus detained contrary to his expectation spent not the time unprofitably but betook himselfe unto the preaching of the Word sometimes in the Pallace of the King of Navarre sometimes in the house of the Prince Cordaeus and sometimes in the suburbes of the City of Paris for then it was by publick Proclamation decreed that the use of the reformed Religion should be tolerated in the suburbes without any Molestation but they enjoyed not that benefit long by reason of a conspiracy performed by Guisius and other wicked persons for the utter extinguishing of the truth who urging the King with the example of Balderinus that Religion was but a thing indifferent and that he might condemne and renounce the day after that which he approved and allowed the day before they received this answer from him That he would never put hiâ— fooâ— so far into the Sea but that he would be able to pluck it back againe when he listed and so he departed and forsooke the truth of Christ and never after sent for Beza to have any conference with him Whereupon a hot persecution entred into the bowels of France against the Protestants forty five of them being put to the sword in the same place where they were gathered together to heare the Word of God preacht whereupon Beza was sent to complaine unto the King of their inhumane cruelty but found no redresse whereupon preparation was made to defend themselves by force of Armes the Prince Condaeus desired Beza to remaine with him in so dangerous and necessary a season who althoughâ— it grieved him greatly to be absent from his flock at Geneva yet he consents unto the request of this religious Prince and remained with him preaching and exhorting Christians privately to a patient wayting of the Lords leasure The Protestants betook themselves unto Orleans to which place the enemies marching in the fields thereof was fought a terrible battle wherein Condaeus was taken prisoner and the Protestants lost the day who notwithstanding this sorrowfull accident were much comforted by those divine letters which were sent unto them by Beza and they still remaining firme in that doctrine which they had received Not long after a peace being concluded and the prisoners restored to their former liberty Beza obtained leave of the same Prince to returne unto Geneva after he had spent two and twenty monthes with great labour and manifest dangers of his life Comming to Geneva not without the great joy of the Inhabitants he went forward in his ordinary course of teaching both in the Church and Schoole continued with Master Calvin in reading the Divinity Lecture untill his death then he performed it onely himselfe appointing Calladonus Danaeus and Fayus to be the Humanity Lecturers in the same City And in this godly couse he laboriously continued untill the time that he was called unto Rupella by the generall intreaty and request of the French Churches and earnest desire of the Queen of Navarre and of other Peeres of France where the confession of the faith of the French Churches was repeated and confirmed and strenthned with the approbation of the Queen of Navarre and the Prince Condaeus and so he returned to Geneva againe and indefatigably continued his constant course of teaching and then he corrected his Annotations on the New Testament From thence he was cealld againe to Berna for the confutation of the error of Albâ—rius concerning justification who taught that our righteousnesse before God was a meere pasive quality inhaerent in our selves w ch opnion with other errorâ— of his hindring the growth of the truth of Christ were there condemned and the reading of his books forbidden by the Senate of Berne which being ended he returned unto Geneva againe and having notice of the great troubles to ensue not onely in France in generall but also in Geneva it selfe in particular he cauâ—ed publick prayers to be sent up unto God twice every weeke extraordinary for the turning away of his wrath and for the peace and flourishing state of the Church and so he continued preaching and praying for the advancement of the Gospell of Christ untill such time as age made him unfit for the performance of these duties Yet here by the way we may observe the great malice of the Romish Jesuites who before the payment of his debt to nature