rage was spent Ye did him good though with an ill intent Pricke up your eares and hâ—are this fatall tone Those fires which made him screek wil make you groâ— The Life and Death of Conrade Pellican who dyed Anno Christi 1556. COnrade Pellican was born at Rubeac in Swedeland Anno 1478. and brought up in learning by his Parents at thirteen yeeres of age he went to Heidleberg after sixteen moneths study there he returned home where he entered into a Monastery yet afterwards returned to Heidleberg and from thence to Tubinge where he studied the Liberall Arts and was much admired for his quick wit he studied also School-Divinity and Cosmography wherein he profited exceedingly he tooke very great pains in the study of Hebrew and at Basil was made Doctor in Divinity afterwards the Popes Legat took him with him towards Rome being affected with his learning but falling sick of a Fever by the way he returned to Basil. Whilst he thus continued a Fryar he was of great esteeme amongst them because of his learning integrity but it pleased God at last that by reading Luthers bookes and conference with learned and godly men he began to dis-relish the Popish Errors and so far to declare his dislike of them that he was much hated and persecuted for a Lutheran but about the same time the Senate of Basil chose him Lecturer in Divinity in that City togeâ—her with Oecolampadius where he began first with reading upon Genesis then on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes An. Christi 1526. he was by the meanes of Zuinglius sent for to Tygure and being come was most courteously entertained by him there he laid downe his Monks Coul and married a wife by whom he had a son which he named Samuel being then preaching upon the history of Samuel that wife dying he married againe but had no children by his second wife he was present at the Disputation at Bern about Religion after Zuinglius his death there were chosen into his room Henry Bullinger and Theodor Bibliander who was an excellent Linguist and began to read upon Iâ—aie to the great astonishment of his hearers for that he was not above 23. yeers of age Pellican â— at the earnest request oâ— learned men Printed all his Lectures and Annotations which were upon the whole Bible excepting onely the Revelations which portion of Scripture he not intending to write upon caused the Commetaâ—y of Sebastian Meyter upon it to be bound with his to make the worke compleat He translated many bookes out of Hebrew which were printed by Robert Stevens and having been Hebrew Professor at Tygure for the space of thirty yeers wherein he was most acceptable to all not onâ—ly in regard of his excellent learning and indefatigable painâ— but also in regard of his sweet and holy Conversation At lasâ— falling into the pain of the stone other diseases he departed this life upon the day of Christs Resurrection 1556. of his Age 78. After our Pellican had wandred long In the worlds wide-wildernesse he grew so strong In grace and goodnesse that he soon became An ample Subject for the mouth of Fame He was admir'd by all that lov'd to be Serious proficients in Divinity He lives he lives although his body lyes Inshrin'd by earth True virtue never dyes The Life and Death of Bugenhagius who died Anno Christi 1558. IOhn Bugenhagius was born at Iulinum in Pomerania Anâ—â— christi 1485. His Parents were of the rank of Senators who bred him up carefully in Learning and sent him to the University of Grypswald where he profited in the study of the Arts and the Greek tongue Being twenty years old he taught School at Trepta and by his learning and diligence he made the School famous and had many Scholaâ—â— to whom also he red daily some portion of Scripture and pâ—â—yed with themâ— and meeting with Erasmus his booke againe the â—â—strâ—onicall carriage of the Fryarâ— the Idolatry of the times he gat so much light thereby that he was stirred up to instruct others therein and for that end in his Schoole he read Matthew the Epistles to Timothy and the Pâ—alms to which he added Catechising and also expounded the Creed and thâ— ten Commandements unto which exercises many â—entlemen Citizens and Priests resorted from the Schoole he was called to preach in the Church and was admitted into the Colledge of Presbyters many resorted to his Sermons of all ranks and his fame spred abroad insomuch as Bogeslauâ— the Prince of that Country employed him in writing an History of the same aud â—urnished him with mony books and records for the enabling of him thereto which History he compleated in two yeeres with much judgement and integrity Anno Christi 1520. one of the Citizens of Trepâ—a having Luthers booke of the Babylonish Captivitie sent him he gave it to Bugenhagius as he was at dinner with his Collegues who looking over some leaves of it told them that many Hereticks had disqâ—ieted the peace of the Church since Christs time yet there was never a more pestilent Hereticke then the Author of that book but after some few dayes having read it with more diligence and attention he made this publick Recantation before them all What shall I say of Luther All the world hath been blinde and in cimmeâ—ian darknesse onely this one man hath found out the Truth And further disputing of those questions with them he brought most of his Collegues to be of his judgement therein Hereupon Bugenhagius read Lutheâ—'s other Works diligently whereby he learned the difference between the Law and the Gospell Justification by Faith c. and taught these things also to his Hearers But the Divell envying the successe of the Gospell stirred up the Bishop to persecute the professours of it some of which he cast into Prison and caused others to flye away insomuch as Bugenhagius also being not safe and desirous to be acquainted and to confer with Luther went to Wittembourg Anno christi 1521. and of his 〈◊〉 36. and came thither a little before Luther's going to thâ— Diet at Worms In whose absence he opposed â—arolostadius who would have all Magistrates to rule by the Judicialâ— of Moses and Images to be cast out of Churches Upon Luther's return out of his Pathmos he was chosen Pastor of the Church of Wittembourg which he taught and governed with much felicity and in many changes of affairs for the space of thirty six years never leaving his station neitheâ— for War nor Pestilence and when he was profered Richeâ— and Preferment both in Denmark and Pomeron yet he would never leave his Charge though he lived but poorly in itâ— Anno christi 1522. he was sent for to Hamburg where hâ— prescribed to them a forme both of Doctrine Ceremonieâ— and Calling of Ministers where he erected a Schoole alsoâ— which afterwards grew very famous and Anno christi 1530 being sent for to Lubec he prescribed to them also an order both for Preaching and Discipline
a Cooper he was religiously given but of a meane estate his mother was named Angela Sartoria descended from an honest and well esteemed Parentage a woman endewed with zeale towards religion with unspotted Chastity and also with a singular wisedome they were blessed with two sons Hammanus and this Wolfangus The former was brought up in his Fathers professions the other appearing more ingenuous and more fit for learning he was set apart thereunto which he prosecuted with such an ardent affection that even in his tender yeeres he would exercise himselfe continually in reading or writing unlesse he were violently withdrawne from and as it were with rains restrained from those actions Reaching unto that maturity of age wherein he appeared fit for more solid studies his father furnishing him with some necessaries for the journey sent him away unto other Schooles wherein according to his owne desire he might attaine unto greater perfection the reason why he sent him so slenderly furnished was because he would have him to get his victuals by singing and beging from doore to doore according to the custome of those times who used although rich to thrust out their sons into the world after that manner that by that meanes they might joyne patience temperance and humility with their learning fearing that if they should be tenderly and delicatly brought up they would be more addicted unto and sooner follow and imbrace Idelnesse and lust then their studies Being sent away after this manner he went into Alsatia and taking a vew of some certaine towns in that Country at the length he came unto Rappersâ—ill where a well disposed widdow fixed her eyes upon him and inwardly lamenting his outward misery whose chearfull countenance promised a more favourable fortune received him into her house and according unto her ability sustained him he frequented the School untill such time as a generall and noble Gentleman living in the same place had notice of him who conferred extraordinary curtesies on him for his maintenance at the Schoole as he himselfe freely confessed Having continued here a certain space he shaped his cours unto Selestadt where he addicted himselfe unto the study of Poetry wherein he proved excellent to the great approbation of his Master and in this course of study he continued unâ—â—l he reached unto the age of 15. yeers Then having a desire to returne unto Dusa to visit his Parents he directed his course unto a Monastery and lying in the Palatinate founded by the Lords of Luzelstein and consecrated to Sâ—int Benedict because he intended to visit his Aunt Sophia living at Westreich neere adjoyning unto the said Monastery where he was lovingly entertained by her who brought him the evening following with her into the Monastery to behold the formes and customs of the place in the performance of their divine exercises where he adjoyned himselfe unto the Choristers and sung his part with them with such a comlinesse of gesture and pleasanâ—nesse of voyce that the Prior was greatly affected towards him intending to allure him if possible he could to be â— member of the said Monastery and for that cause he diligently observes his going out at the end of prayers and withall followes him close at the heeles accompanying his Aunt of whom he demanded whose son he was and fâ—om whence he came she forthwith replied that he wâ—â— her sisters son and that he was returning from School unto Dusa unto his Parents The Prior then turning himselfe unto Musculus he demanded of him how he liked a Monasterical life and withall told him that if he would frame himself thereunto he would use meanes that he should be admitted gratis into the Colledge which favour had as yet been conferred on none and that he should be sufficiently provided of apparrell and lodging and that he would esteeme him as hiâ— owne son His Aunt returned many thanks unto the Prior for thiâ— unexpected favour promising that she would forthwith acquaint his Parents with the motion and would also returne a speedy answer unto him how they stood affectedâ— so taking their leave of the Prior they provided for Dusa where arriving she declared the kinde motions of the Prior his Parents were exceeding joyfull of the news perswaded themselves that it was a blessing proceeded from God and therefore they hasted again to return him to the Pâ—ior who lovingly entertained and received him into the number of his owne family cloathed him wiâ—h an habit sutable to the Monastery sent him unto the Bishop to be admitted according to the custome into his office and lovingly esteemed him as if he had been his owne sonne unill he died In this Monastery he continued for the space of fifteen yeers which time he spent not aâ— lazie and idle Monks commonly doe but in the increasing and perfecting of his learning sometimes perusing the works of Tully somtimes reading the books of Ovid and contracting them into a briefer volume which worke was much applauded by Claudius Cantiuncula a learned Lawyer in those times Somtimes spending time in the Art of musick wherein also he attained unto excellent knowledge neither did he confine himselfe onely unto those studies but passed from them unto Divinity into which he entred about the twentieth yeer of his age and being told by an old devout Monke â—hat if he intended to become a good Preacher he must endeavour to be familiar with the Bible he forthwith gave himselfe unto the reading of the Scriptures reposing and laying up those things in his memory which seemed unto him most usefull for future occasions Aâ—d notice being taken of his knowledge therein and of the ability of his parts the office of a Preacher was imposed on him and he was first designed unto the Church at Leixheim belonging unto the jurisdiction of the Monastery where his Auditors perceiving his excellent gifâ—s â—hey dispersed his fame whereby he came to be called to the exercising of his gifts in many other Churches During his continuance in this exercise many of Luthers books were dispersed through Germany some of which were conveyed to him by an intimate friend of his these he diligently perused and read day and night and not with lesse benefit then labour embracing the purest doctrin that he found therein with great zeale and would confer with his Colleagus many times about the same stifly defending and maintaining that doctrin against their Culumnes disdaining that aspersion of haeresie which was by some of them fastned upon him affirming that although Luther as he was a man might erre in some points yet he was not therefore to be pronounced an haeretick neither did he vindicate this in the Monastery onely but publickly he delivered the same for true and undoubted doctrine unto hiâ— Auditors that for the same he was by many evill disposed persons stiled the Lutheran Monke But his desire of propagating the truth wanted not by the blessing of God good successe for besides many of his Auditors he converted some of
both having beene used by the Popes Agent nor he by perswasion nor love could perswade him to returne to Popery he feigned himselfe friendly to take his leave of him and so deparâ—â—d â—ut shortly after he returned againe with this ruffianly murtherer and by the way they bought an Hatchet of a Carpinter and Alphonsus sending this man disguised with letters to his Brother he himselfe following after as Iohn Diazius was reading the letters this bloudy murtherer cleft his head with the Hatchet and taking Horse they both rode away Anno Christi 1546. and this inhumane Cain was highly commended by the Papists for it But the Lord would not suffer such an unnaturall villanie to goe unpunished for not long after he was so doggâ—d and haunted by the Furies of his own Conscience that being at Trent when the Council was held there he hanged himsâ—lf about the neck of his own Mule Diazius in his youthfull dayes had cloath'd His heart with Popery and after loath'd What he had done for when he was inspir'd By Heaven he searcht for truth and soon untyrâ—d Himselfe and having found the pathes of truth He hated what he acted in his youth Thus being turn'd from those wayes that lead To utter ruine Fame began to spread Her wings abroad and hover in the eare Of the distasted Pope who could not heare Goodnesse without impatience but strove To win him with reward of promis'd love But finding â—'was in vaine he chang'd his minde From Love to Murther and with spéed inclin'd Himselfe to mischiefe being voyd of grace Put out that light which shin'd so much in 's face The Life and Death of CRUCIGER Who died Anno Christi 1548. GAsper Cruciger was born at Lipsich in Misnia Anno 1504. of religious Parents who carefully brought him up in the knowledge of God and in learning He was melancholy by nature and of a retired disposition much in meditation and of few words being principled in the Latine he learned Greek and profited much therein and so went to the University of Wittenberg that having studyed Divinity there he might be more usefull to the Church he studyed also the Hebrew tongue and grew very exquisite therein from thence was called to govern the School at Magdeburg where he taught with much profit and applause till 1527. and then being called back to Wittenberg he preached and â—xpounded the Scriptures with so much dexterity that he was graced with the degree of a Doctor in that University he studyed and practised Physick also He was very helpfull to Luther in his Translation of the Bible He wrote so swiftly that he was chosen Scribe at the disputation at Worms and yet withall suggested to Melancthon many things for answer to Eccius his subtilties insomuch that Glanvell who supplyed the Enperors room said of him That the Lutherans had a Scribe that was more learned then all the Pontificians He alwayes opposed the Anabaptisticall errors and was very careful to preserve the Truch from corruptions he alwayes hated new and ambiguous expressions which often caused much troubles in the Church he often contemplated the foot-steps of God in Nature saying with Paul That God was so near unto us that he might be almost felt with our hands He studyed the Mathematicks in his later time and grew so skilfull therein that few excelled him he was excellent also in the Opticks but with excessive pains and incessant studyes night and day he contracted to himselfe a mortall disease whereby he wasted away and yet his intellectuals decayed not he lay sick for above three moneths all which time he gave forth cleer notable demonstrations of his Faith Patâ—ence and Piety he called up his two young daughters and caused them to repeate their prayers before him and then himselfe prayed with great fervency for himselfe the Church and those his Orphans concluding Invoco te quanquam languida imbecillâ— fide sed fide tamen credo promissioni tuae quam sanguine tuo resurrections obsignasti c. I call upon thee with a weak yet with a true Faith I beleele thy promises which thou hast sealed to mee with thy blood and resurrection c. In his sicknesse he intermitted not his studies for during the same he turned into Latine Luthers books concerning the last words of David he read the Psalms and other Autors his ordinary discourse with his friends was about the Principles of Religion the admirable government of the Church Immortality and our sweet Communion in heaven Upon the sixth of November there was a great Chasm or opening in the heavens and in some places fire fell to the earth and flew up into the ayre againe this Cruciger saw as he lay in his bed in the night and thereupon much bewayled the great commotions and dissipations in the Church which he foresaw by this Prodigie He spent the few dayes which remained in prayer and repentance and so quietly ended his dayes November 16. Anno Christi 1548. and of his Age 45. Considering the mutabilitie of all earthly things he used often to say Omnia praetereunt praeter amare Deum Besides God's love nothing is sure And that for evâ—r doth endure Grave Cruciger was in his life A hater of corroding strife His soule was â—â—l'd with Heaven and he Was alwayes constant alwayes free In his devotions all his dayes He spent to give his maker praise Religions stocke did still encrease Within his heart and crown'd his peace He was a wonder to all Nations For Piety and disputations The Anabaptists felt the force Of his patheticall discourse Truth alwayes shined in his brest All men speake truth that speake him blest PAVLVS FAGIVS The Life and Death of Pauluâ— Fagius IN the yeer of our Lord God 1504. Paulus Fagius alias Buchlin was borne in a Town situate in the Palatinate not farre from Bretta which in the Germain language is called Rhein-taberne his Father was called by the name of Peter Buchlin being chiefe Schoole-master of that Towne his Mother by the name of Margaretta Iager daughter unto Henricus Iazger of Heidelberge who was much beloved of Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine by reason of his excellent knowledge in the art of War He was first acquainted with the grounds of Leaenrng in the same Towne and that through the carefulnesse and paines of his Father which indeed seemed pleasing unto him because of the sharpenesse of wit and quicknesse of apprehension which he saw in the childe and therefore for the better perfection of his naturall parts when he had reached unto the age of eleven yeares he sent him unto Heidelberge and committed him unto the tuition of Iohannes Brentius and Martinus Frechtus two learned men by whose meanes he was furnished with an excellent insight in humaine Learning When he had continued with these learned men for the space of seven yeers and being now eighteene yeers of age and longing for a greater perfection of learning he left Heidelberge and went unto
was observed that he was a sharp reprover of vice in his School-fellowes These were sufficient â—estifications unto his Father wherfore when he came to some maturity of age his father so wrought with the Bishop of Noviodunâ—m that he had a Canons place in the Cathedrall Church and also a Cure in a Parish neere adjoyning where it is thought that he Preached many Sermons although not advanced to the Ministeriall function but this proceeding continued not long partly by reason of his fathers desire who was earnest with him to addict himselfe unto the study of the civill Law a surer step unto wealth and preferment and partly by the perswasion of Roberâ—us Olivetanus a man well deserving of the Frâ—nch Churches for the doing of the Hebrew Bible into French who willed him to give himselfe wholy unto the reading of the sacred Scriptures and to seperate himselfe from those superstitions which were odious in the sight of God Being willing to testifie his obedience unto his father he therefore left his Cure and went to Orleans where hâ— became an Auditor unto Petrus Stella then publicke professor in that place and reputed to be the soundest Civilian then living in France by which meanes he attained unto great perfection in that Art so as he seemed in short time to be rather a teacher then â—n Auditor aud would many timeâ— supply the places of the professors themselves by which meanes he gained so great love in the Academy that at hiâ— departure from Orleance they profered to confer freely on him the dignity of Doctor in the Civill Law this is also remarkable in the prosecution of his Fathers Will he was not forgetfull of the counsell of his kinsman Olivetanus so as withall he diligently gave himselfe unto the study of Divinity in which also he attained unto such perfection that those Inhabitants of Orleans who were touched with a desire of a more pure religion would resort unto him to have private conference with him greatly admiring both his zeale and knowledge during his residence in that Academy besidâ— his daily exercises he used to spend halfe the night in reading the morning following he would meditate awhile in his bed on that w ch he had read by w ch constant watchfulness as it was a means of furnishing him w th solid learning w th a retentive memory so it was also a means of procuring unto him many diseases at the length untimely death About this time the Academy at Burdeaux was famous for the presence of that Prince of Lawirus Andraeas Alciaâ—â—â— who came out of Italy to be their publike Professor whereupon Calvin leâ—t Oâ—leance and came to Burdeaux where he acquainted himselfe with Alciatus and also with Melchior Volmarus then publicke Professor of the Greek tongue whose learning piety and other vertues together with his admirable dâ—xterity in the bringing up of youth cannot receive worthy commendations of this Wolmarus Calvin learned here the Greek tongue and a thankfull rememberance of which benefit he hath recorded unto future ages by dedicating unto him his Commentary on the second Epistle to the Corinthians Whilst he studied this tongue he laid not aside the study of Divinity but made it his onely ayme aâ— it aâ—peared by his actions for during his continuance in Burdeaux he would intreat Wolmarus to walk with him into the Country and to be an Auditor unto his Sermonâ— which were approved by him with no lesse then an asâ—onished admiration Here he continued earnestly prosecuting his Studies with all diligence untill such time as he was called home by his Fathers death where he continued no longer space but untill that he had put off the dayes of mourning and then he went againe unto Paris where at the age of twenty four yeers he wrote a Commentary upon that book of Seneca de clementia he had not continued long here but his worth procured him the favour and love of such zâ—alous persons as desired a Reformatâ—on especially the love of Stephanus Forgeuâ— an honorable Merchant who afterwards suffered Martyrdome for the truth of Christ In this Academy he forsook the study of humaine learning and betook himself wholy unto the study of Diviniâ—y to the exceeding joy of such godly persons who durst not to discover their profession to the world because of the strength of their enemies but kept their private assemblies in Paris During his residence here Nicalaus Copus the son of Gulielmus Copus of Basil the Kings Phisitian was designed Rector of Paris who bâ—ing to deliver his Oration according unto the Custom the same day that religious acts were celeberated by the Pops he requested Calvin to performe it for him who willingly condicended thereunto and in his Oâ—ation he discoursed more freely concerning the purity of Religion then others in that place had formerly done This act being not well brooked by the Senate they call a Parliament and the Rector is summoned to appeare in his journey thither he was admonished by some of his friends to take heed unto himselfe because he wanted neither many nor powerfull enemies He taking these words into a deepe consideration returnes backe againe departs out of the Kingdome and conveighs himselfe to Basil. Neither was Calvin free from danger in this act for some were sent into the School which is called Fortreâ—um where his lodging was but finding him not within they brake open the doores of his Study take such Papers as they finde and amongst them many Letters which were sent by zealous pâ—â—â—sons unto him whereby they also were brought into greâ—â— danger of their lives but they were all delivered by the meanes of the Queen of Navarre who honourably receivâ—â— and entertained Calvin in her house and became an Audiâ—oâ— unto his Sermons Having continued here a while under the protection of the Queen he shapes his course toward Neracum a City iâ— Aquitaine â— to visit Iacobus Stapulensis who was protected and defended by the Queene for the same cause and therefoâ—â— placed in that City under her Dominion This old man having a certaine relation from him how all things wenâ—â— he most courteously entertained him was right glad to conferre with him and withall spending this judgement on him that he would be an excellent instrument for the establishing of the Kingdom of Christ within the Kingdom of France Having continued a few dayes with this Iacobus he returnes again to Paris being led thereunto by the hand of God for the purging of the City of that damned haereâ—iâ— of Servetus concerning the Trinity but after long expectation and secret hiding of himself he was constrained again to leave the City without the effecting of any thing the enemies of the truth still labouring to take away his lifâ— In the year 1534. Gerardus Ruffus and Coraldus zealous professours of the truth of Christ and labouring to promote the Gospell in France were with great cruelty pulled downe out of their Pulpits and cast into prison
son in learning and at eleven years old sent him to Heidleberg to Schoole and at thirteeâ— yeers old he was admitted into the University and at fifteen he commensed Batchelor there also he studied Greek and Hebrew and was so studious that he usually rose â—t midnight to his Booke whereby he contracted such â—n hâ—bit that he could never after whilst he lived sleepe longer then till midnight the rest of the night he spent in holy Meditaâ—ions And in his old age he had a candle by hiâ— bedsidâ— and deceived the time by writing and meditation Partly by his diligence and partly by his acute wit and strong memory he profited so much both in the Artâ— and Tongues that at eighteen years old he was made Master of Arts. About this time Luthers Books coming abroad Brenâ—ius by reading of them came to the knowledge of the Truth which he willingly embraced And being desirous to pâ—opagate it to others he began to read upon Matthew firâ—t to some friends of his own Colledge but his Auditorâ— encreasing out of other Colledges he was fain to read in the publick Schoolâ— for which the Divines hated him because he grew so popular sayâ—ng That neiâ—her was the place fit for Divinity Lectures nor he fit for such a worke being not yet in Orders Whereforâ— to take away that objection he entered into Orders and Preached often for other men to the great delight of his Hearers From thence he was called to be at Pastor at Hale in Sweveland where his gravity gesture phrase voyce and Doctrine did so pleaâ—e the Senate that though he was but three and twenty years of age yet they chose him to that place and he carried himselfe with such gravity holinesse of life integrity of manners and diligence in his Calling that none could contemn his youth and the Lord so blessed his labours there that many were converted to the Truth yea amongst the very Popish Priests som of them were converted others lâ—ft their places for shame and went elsewhere He used much modesty and wisdome in his Sermons and when in the beginning of his Preaching there the Popish Priests railed exceedingly upon him and his Doctrine and the People expected that he would answer them accordingly he contrariwise went on in teaching the fundamentall points of Religion and as he had occasion he confuted their Errors without bitternesse from cleaâ—e Scripture arguments whereby in time he so wrought upon them that he brought them to a sight of their Errors and to a detestation of their Idolatry About this time Muncer and his companions rose up and stirred almost all the Boorâ— in Germany to take Armes against the Magistrates and rich men abusing Scripture to justifie their proceedings whereupon Brentius was in great danger for many cried out that his opposing of Popery and casting out the old Ceremonies was the Cause of these tumults and when as the Boors in Hale were risen up and threatned to besiege the City of Hale the Magistrates and Citizens were in such fear that they were ready to slye or to joyne with the Boors but Brentius encouraged them and told them That if they would take Armes and defend their City God would assist them c. And so it came to passe for six hundred Citizens beat away foure thouâ—and of those Boors He also published a Booke in confutation of their wicked opinions and shewed how dissonant they were to the Word of God Presently after rose up that unhappy contâ—nâ—ion between Luther and Zuinglius about Christ's presence in the Sacrament which continued divers years to the great disturbance of the Church scandall of the reformed Religion and hinderance of the successe of the Gospell and when a conference was appointed for the composing of that differance Luther Brentius and some others met with Zuingliâ—â— and some of his friends but after much debate they pâ—â—ted without an agreement Anno 1530. was the Diet held at Auspurg unto which the Protestant Princes brought their Divines with them and amongst others Brentius at which time George Marquessâ— of Brandenburg told the Emperour That he would rathâ—r shed his blood and lose his life or lay downe hiâ— necke to the heads-man then alter his Religion Here the Divineâ— drew up that famous Confession of Faith which from the place is â—alled the Augustine-Confession Brentius at his â—eturne home married a Wife famous for her chastity modesty and piety by whom he had six children Vlricâ—â— Prince of Wurtenburg intending to reform Religion in hiâ— Dominions thought it the best way first to reform the Universitie of Tubing and considering where he might have a fit man for so great and difficult a worke he at last resolved upon Brentius whom he sent for and who with much diligence prudence and fidelity accomplished the same In the year 1547. the Emperour with his Army coming to Hale Brentius hoping to prevail with the Captaine thâ—â— no Souldiers should be quartered in his House but when hâ— came home he found the souldiers beating at his door and ready to break it down and when they perceived that Brentius was Mâ—â—ter of that House one of them set an Halbert to his brest threatning to kill him if the doore was not presently opened Whereupon they were let in and he caused meat and drinke to be prepared for them and in the mean time conveyed away all his papers and when he saw the fury and rage of the souldiers he conveyed himselfe and family out at a back door The next day came a Spanish Bishop with his train and putting forth the souldiers he quartered in Brentius his house searched his study looked over his papers and letters and finding some letters to his friends wherein he justified the Protestant Princes in taking Armes against the Emperour he presently carried them to the Emperour whereby Brentius was in great danger and was fain to hide himselfe in a very high Tower and not being safe there he changed his apparell left his wife and children and with one onely companion passed through the Spaniards safely and wandred up and down the fields all that night But when the Emperor was removed with his Army he returned to Hale again In the year 1548. when Caesar had published his Booke called the Interim the Protestant Princes and Magistrates required the judgements of their Divines upon it and the Magistrates of Hale desired Brentius to tell them his judgement who when he had considered it told them That it was a wicked Booke and altogether contrary to the Scriptures and that he would lose his life before he would assent to it This coming to Caesar's eares he sent a Commissary to Hale charging him to bring Brentius to him either alive or dead when the Commissary came thither he insinuated himselfe into Brentius his acquaintance invited him to his Table perswaded him to walke abroad with â—im having prepared Horses to carry him away but that succeeding not he called the Senate together and having sworn them
brest but entered not his body not so much by reason of the weake fence of his Gowne held up before him in folds as the strong buckler of faith which whosoever hath on him need not feare any torrour by night nor the arrow that flyeth by day Psalme 91.5 Howbeit though he then shunned the danger of this flightshaâ—t yet he escaped not other arrowâ—s mentioned by the Psalmist even bitter words these sharpe arrowes headed with malice and pointed with envie were daily shot at him not onely by forreigne enemies abroad as namely Weston and Spalatenses after his revolt dictione sarâ—ata studio vanissimus secta fanaticus but by ill willers at home whose loose life kept no good quarter with his strict government Who as he was a most exact observer of the Statutes himselfe so he was a most sever censurer of the contemners and wilfull breakers thereof and though he were of a tender and compassionate disposition yet like a wise Chirurgion when hâ— saw Plaisters and Poultesses would doe no good and the flesh begin to gangreine he cut off by expulsion two rotten members of that Society Cuncta prius tentanda sed immedicabile vulnus â—use recidendum est ne pars sincera traâ—atur The one of them was a Chaplaine of the House homo nullarum artium nullarum parâ—ium a worthlesse man who to his other impardonable crimes added a dull but most malicious Libâ—ll against the President himselfe and therefore deserved not onely to be banished the Colledge but exiled also out of all memory the other was a Batchellour of Art as I take it intra brennium probationes a man of other wise commendablâ— parts but of whom it might be truely said as it was of Galba ingenium Galbae male habitat This Delinquent who by often reiteration of the like offences had encurred the censure of expulsion which the President and seven Seniors were bound by oath to execute upon him craved leave of the President to make his farewell Oration His Theame was Medicum saeverum intemporanes aeger facit that is A waward Patient maketh a froward Physitian In that Speech of his he tooke occasion to justifie the President and Fellowes proceeding against him and depâ—ored his incorrigible enormities with teares but then it was too late nullis ille movetur Fleâ—ibus aut voces ullus tractabiles audit I confesse Senâ—ca his observation is true qui vult amari languida regâ—eâ— manu a Governour that will be loved and generally spoken well ofâ— must hold an easie reine but where mettle Colts or restie jades are to be broken he that holdeth noâ— a streight raine and maketh not use of a strong curâ—e may be cast out of the saddle as Doctor Reynolds his immediate Predecessour had like to have been whose pruning Knife though it were keen and sharpe yet was so discreetly used by him that the choyce Plantâ— in that Nursery never thrivâ—d better then in his time About this time Queen Elizabeth exchanged her mortall crown with â—n immortall and King Iames succeeded her and swayed the Scepter of this Kingdome who in the beginning of his reigne desirous to settle peace in the Church commanded many learned men to meet at Hampton Court to compose some differences about the externall Discipline of the Church In that Conference what part by royall command was put upon Doctor Reâ—nolds and how he acted it with profession and promise of all conformity appears by the Acts thereof set forth by Bishop Barloe After this Conference is pleased his Majesty to set some learned men on worke to translate the Bible into the English tongue among others Doctor Reynolds was thought upon to whom for his great skill in the originall Languages Doctor Smith afterward Bishop of Glosâ—er Doctor Harding President of Magdalens Doctor Kilbie Rector of Lincolne Colledge Doctor Bret and others imployed in that worke by his Majesty had recourse once a weeke and in his Lodgings perfected their Notes and though in the midst of this Worke the gout first tooke him and after a consumption of which he dyed yet in a great part of his sicknesse the meeting held at his Lodging and he lying on his Pallet assisted them and in a manner in the very translation of the booke of 〈◊〉 was translated to a better life All the time of his sicknesse saâ—â— when he conferred with the translators was spent in praâ—er and hearing partly Treatises of devotion and partly bookes of controversie read unto him This course held till Assention day when his sicknesse growing sore upon him he fell in a trance of which when he was recovered he spake comfortably to us all there present saying that He well hoped that he should have ascended that very day of oâ—r Lords ascention but now saith he I shall stay a little longer wâ—â—h you in which time I intreat you to read nothing to me but such chapters of holy Scripture as I shall appoint Among others designed by him when we read the first chapter of Saint Paul to the Philippians and staid a little upon those words God is 〈◊〉 record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Iesus Chriâ—â—â— and this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more 〈◊〉 knowledge and in all judgement that you may approve things thâ—t are excellent that you may be sincere and without offence till the 〈◊〉 of Christ being filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are 〈◊〉 Iesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God And proceeding afterwards in that chapter to the twentieth verse As 〈◊〉 wayes so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it 〈◊〉 by life or by death for to me to live is Christ and to dye is gainâ—â— but if I live in the flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall choose I wot not for I am in a strait between two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better neverthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you And as we were going further and reading the five and twentietâ— verse having this confidence I know that I shall abide and continâ—â— with you he bad us there stop and make an end intimatinâ— thereby that unto us which after a few dayes â—ell out to our great griefe that he was not to continue with us By this time the University being full of the newes of his end approaching the Noble men Sons then reâ—iding in the University and the Heads of divers Colledges together with the Kings Professor Doctor Holland came to visit him who Prayed with him and for him for whose love Doctor Reynolds thanked him the day before he dyed when the Vicechancellour Doctor Aery and Master Boâ—lton of Brazennose Master Wilkinson of Wadsdowne Master Lindle Vice-president of the Colledge and my selfe came to take our last leave of him at the motion of Master Boulton Doctor Aery acquainted Doctor Reynolds what scandalous reports the Papists
is a pregnant instance thereof whose inconsiderable yea contemptable beginning improved it selfe to give a blow under the fift rib in Scripture alwaies observed mortall to the man of sin 2 It would have given much satisfaction to the reader and more to our selves could we present him with exact Particulars of Huss his birth and extraction But alas we are so far from having a starre going before us to direct us to the place of his nativitie that we finde not the least candle-light to guide us to the notice thereof In or neere Prague we conceive him to be borne in which University he had his education 3. Now the learning of that age moved in a very narrow circle in Case and Controversiall Divinity The Schoolmen wanting the wings of the learned tongues therewith to mount into the meaning of the Scriptures in their originall onely employed themselves in running round in the beaten path of common questions whilst such amonst them as were of extraordinary parts impatient to be confined within yet unable to exceed the foresaid compasse let out their soules and made roome for the activitie of their mindes by digging deepe into curious inquiries where their best results are either unnecessarie or certaine or both Wherefore Iohn Huss declining such intricate labyrinthes betooke himselfe to finde out the right way to heaven describ'd in Gods word 4 It happened about this time that Richard the second of England married Anne sister to Wencelaus King of Bohemia and although he had no children by her yet the conversion of Bohemia may fitly be stiled the issue of this their mariage Indeed this Queene Anne taught our English women modestie in riding on Side-saddles in exchange whereof the English taught the Bohemians true religion first discovâ—ring the Romish superstitions unto them For her Courtiers here did light on the bookes of Iohn Wicklief and carried them into their owne Country where Huss had the happinesse to read approve and disperse the same See here the pedegree of the Reformation wherein Germany may be counted the Son Bohemia the Father and England the Grand-father 5. Huss hereupon began zealously to preach and propagate the truth which for the soundnesse thereof was welcome to many for the novelty to more But as the Jewes Acts 22.22 heard Saint Paul patiâ—ntly untill that passage That he was sent to the Gentiles which inraged them beyond all modesty and measure crying out away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live so even some Friers lent attentive eares to Huss his Sermons till their profit began to be concerned in his confuting the gainefull errours of Rome and their malice mustred all opposition against him First by order from his holinesse the Arch-bishop of Suinco was commanded to suppresse him but all in vaine his commands prevailing no more with Huss than the peoples prohibitions to Bartimeus commâ—nding him silence Marke 10.48 which onely made him cry out the more a great deale In so much that the Pope himselfe was faine to take the matter in hand 6 Here happined a most remarkable Accident very advantagious for the propagating of Husses doctrine A Scisme happened in the Church of Rome betwext three Popes at the same time so that Peters chaire was like to be broken betwixt so many sitting downe together This conduced much to the benefit of Huss who hereupon took advantage to decline so good a witt having an usefull Theame would loose nothing in handling it against the Chuch of Rome Pleading that having three it had no leagall head That this monstrous apparition of the Man of â—in presaged his life was â—hort that these three Anti-Popes made up one Antichrist In a word there was opened unto â—im a great doore of utterance made out of that cracke or cleft which now happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome 7 It was now high time a generall Councell should be called The Church was growne fowle with long want of scowring however the vicious Court of Rome declined it wonder not if theeves be unwilling to heare of an Assises expecting that there their faults would be discovered and censured All the world stood on the Tiptoes of Expectation what the Councell would produce Where for a while we leave them with the three Popes tugging one against the other where all Three at last were deposed and Pope Martin substituted in the roome of them 8 Huss during the beginning of this Counsell remained at Pargue constantly preaching in his Church of Bethlehem Where his adversaries chose out of his bookes and preaching severall Articles which they charged against him for Hereticall And it may seeme wonderfull how variously the number of them is rekoned up some times eight errours sometimes nine sometimes one and twenty sometimes five and fourty which numbers the doctors and Masters of the University of Prague collected and objected against him Yet none need justly admire at this difference as if Huss his opinions were like the stones on Salsbury plain falsely reported that no two can count them alike The variety ariseth first because some count onely his primitive Tenets which were breeders whilest others count all the yong Frye of Consequences derived from them Secondly some were more industrous to seeke capatious to expound malicious to deduce far distant Consequences Excellent at the inflaming of a Reckoning and to discover an infant or Embryo errours which others over looked Thirdly It is possible that in processe of time Huss might delate himselfe in additionall and supplementall opinions more than what he maintained at first His principall accusations were that he maintained the Sacrament was to be ministred to the peoplâ— under both Kings Secondly That Priests in a mortall sinne might not minister the Sacrament Thirdly That the Popes power above other Priests was onely invented for covetousnesse Fourthly That Priests once ordained are not to be forbidden preaching c. 9 For these Tenets Huss was excommunicated by Cardinall Delâ—hunna a sure prop of the Romish Church But all in vaine seeing the Gentry and Nobility of Bohemia did highly favour him Whereupon he was brought to the Counsell of Constance under the Safeguard of the whole Empire and a solemne Conduct of the Emperour Sigâ—smunâ—'s double written both in Latine and Almane that whether learned or unlearned might pretend ignorance thereof drawne in a most favourable Latitude for him and strongest legall forme given at Spire the eighteenth of October Anno Dom. 1414. Yea when the Pope waâ— informed by a Bohemian Gentleman what liberty Huss had granted him to remaine in Constance without any trouble vexation or interruption his Holinesse replied that if Huss had killed his brother no violence should be offered unto him during his abode in this City 10 But as the man possessed with a Divell Mark 5.3 None could binde him no not with chaines So strong was the uncleane Spirit of Cruelty in the Romish Court that no duplicates or double cords of safe Conducts
most worthily succeed And as two Twins for their heroick Spirit The one the others honour may inherit For by John Huss Jerom was blestly ayded Where by the Romish rout he was invaded And Jerom hearing Huss was wrong'd by Rome To vindicate his quarrell did presume But in the tryall found his heeles tript up Fearfull by Romish rage to taste his Cup Yet at the last that tempting blast ore blown His doubled and redoubled Zeal was shown Stoutly recanting his forc'd recantation To th' Death he hated Romes abomination Which did their Romish furie so enflame That torturing him they Tygers fierce became His head like Huss with painted Divels arrayd His Soule to Heaven outragious flames convayd MARTINVS LVTHERVS The Life and Death of Martin Luther MArtin Luther was born at Isleben Ann. Dom. 1483. November 10. at 9. a clock at night on Saint Martins day and was calâ—'d Martin His parents brought him up in knowledge and feare of God according to the capacitie of his tender yeeres and taught him to read at home and accustomed him to vertuous demeanour The father of George Aemilius as Luther often hath related first put him to Schoole where though the trueth was much darkned by clouds of Popery yet God preserved still the heads of Catechisme the Elements of the Cistoian Grammer some Psalmes and formes of prayer At fourteene yeeres of age he with Iohn Reineck who proved a man of especiall vertue and authority in those parts were sent to Magdeburg thence by his Parents he was removed to Isenak where was a Schoole of great fame There he prefected his Grammer learning and being of a very quick wit and by nature fitted for eloquence he soone surpassed his School fellowes in copiousnesse of speech and matter and excelled in expression of his minde both in profe and verse He went to Erford Anno 1501. Where he fell upon the crabbed and thorny Logick of that age which he soone attained as one who by the sagacitie of his wit was better able to dive into causes and other places of Arguments then others Here out of a desire of better learning he read over Cicero Livy Virgil and other monuments of ancient latine Authors When at Erphord he was graced with the degree of Master of Aarts at twinty yeeres of age he read as Professor Aristotes Phisicks Ethicks and other parts of Philosophy Afterward his kindred seeing it fit that so worthy indowments of wit and eloquence should be cherishsd for the publque good by their advise he betooke himselfe to the study of the Law But not long after when he was 21. yeeres old of a sudden besides the purpose of his parents and kindered upon an affright from his faithfull mates violent death he betooke himselfe to the Augustine Monks Colledge in Erphord But before he entred the Monastry he entertained his fellow studients with a cheerefull banquet and thereupon sent them letters of valedictory and sending to his parents the Ring gown of his degree of Master of Arts unfolded to them the reason of the change of his course of life It much grieved his parents that so excillent parts should be spent in a life little differing from death But for a moneths space no man could be admitted to speake with him running over the Bookes thereof in order he met with a copie of the Lanine Bible which he never saw before there with admiration he observed that there were moe Evangelicall and Apostolicall Texts then what were read to the people in Churches In the Old Testamenâ— with great â—ttention he read the story of Samuel and Anna hiâ— mother and began to wish that he was the owner of the like book which not long after he obtained Hereupon he spent his time on the Propheticall and Apostolicall writings the fountaines of all heavenly doctrine seeking thence to enforme his minde with Gods will and to nourish in himselfe the feare of God and true faith in Christ from true and undoubted grounds Some sicknesse and feare whet him on to attempt these studyes more earnestly It is said that in this Colledge Luther in his younger years fell into a most violent disease in so much that there was no hope of life and that an ancient Preast came to him and with these words comforted him Sir Be of good courage for your disease is not mortall God will raise you up â—o be a man who shall afford comfort to many other He was often cheered up by conference with the ancient Priest to whom he revealed his feares and scruples of minde Then he began to read Augustinâ— Works where both in his Comment on the Psalmes and in the book Of the Spirit and letter he found many evident places which confirmed this doctrin concerning faith the comfort which was before kindled in his breast Yet did he not utterly cast of the reading of Gabriel and Camaracensis writers on the Sentences but was able to recite them by heart in a manner He spent much time in often reading Occam and esteemed him for acutenesse of wit before Thomas Acquinas and Scotâ—s also he studiously perused Gerson But chiefly he read often Austines Workes and kept them well in memory This earnest prosecution of his studyes he began at Erphord and spent there five years in the Colledge In the year 1507. he put on the priests hood The first Masse which he celebrated was May 2. Domini Cantate Then was he 24. years old In this course he continued 15. years to the year of our Lord 1527. At that time Iohn Staupicius who endeavoured to promote the University of Wittenberg lately begun desired that the study of Theology should there flourish and well knew the wit and learning of Luther and removed him to Wittenberg An. 1508. when he was 26. years old Here in regard of his daily exercises in the Schools his Sermons the eminency of his good parts did more and more shew themselves And among other learned men who attentively heard him Martinus Mellurstad commonly cal'd Lux mundi the light of the world often said of Luther that there was in him so Noble a straine of wit that he did verily presage that he would change the vulger course of Studyes which at that time was usuall in Schooles and prevailed At Wittenberg Luther first explained Aristotles Logick and Physicks yet intermitted not his study of Divinity Three years after that is Anno 1510. he was sent into Italy and to Rome in the behalfe of his Covent for the deciding of some controversies among the Monkes There he saw the Pope and the Popes palace and the manners of the Roman Clergy Concerning which he saith I was not long at Rome There I said and heard others say Masse but in that manner that so often as I call them to minde I detest them For at the tabe I heard among other matters some Curtisans laugh and boast and some concerning the bread and wine on the Altar to say Bread thou art and
make more use of his power and greatnesse then Scholarlike disputations he appealed to Rome and departed from Auspurg October 20. Because the Cardinal charged him not to com into his presence unlesse he would recant Yet Luther left behind him an Epistle to the Cardinall and affixed thereunto a formall appeale unto the Pope Cajetan tooke Luthers departure in ill part and wrote to the Duke of Saxony that he would either send Luther to Rome or banish him out of his territories and intreated him not to give credit to Luthers defâ—ndersâ— and to take heed of staining the illâ—strioâ—â—s Family whence he was discended The Elector returned answer That now it was not in his power to doe this because Luther was not convicted of any errour and did much good service in the Vniversity and did offer his cause to triall and disputation The resolution of the Duke was more confirmed by an Epistle of Eraâ—mus and the intercession and vote of the Vniversity of Wittenberg Here I may not passe over a notable proofâ— of Lutherâ— Heroike courage When Luther came to Auspurg he by the counsel of such as the Prince Elector sent with him waited three dayes for to have the Emperours Letters for his safety In the meane time the Cardinall sent one for Luther but he denyed to come untill the Emperour granted what he desired At this the messenger was offended and said Do you think that Prince Frederick wil take up armes in your behalfe I desire it not said Luther in any wise Then the Partyâ— Where then will you abide Luther answered Vnder the cope of Heaven The Italian replyed Had you the Pope and the Cardinals in your power what would you doe I would said Luther give them all due honor and reverence At this the Messenger after the Italian manner biting his thumbs went away Upon these dealingâ— Luthers spirit fainted not yet least he should cause detriment or danger to any one or derive suspition on his Prince and that he might more freely deale with the Papall cure would have gone into France or some other Country But his friends on the contrary counselled him to sticke firmely to Saxony and that the Popes Legate should be certiâ—ied that was ready in any safe place appointed him to make his answer But Luther having seâ—led his resolution to depart took his leave of the Prince Elector and by a letter sent to him November 29. thanked his Highnesse for all friendly offices of his love The Prince sent that letter to the Legate and appointed Luther to abide at Wittenberg Of this Luther thus wrote The Prince was fully minded that I should stay but what his minde now is since the Royall proceedings are published and I have appealed to the Councell I know not For he understanding by the Cardinalâ— Letter that Judgement should passe on him at Rome he made a new Appeale saying that he was forced of necessity to appeal from the Pope to the Councell ensuing which was in many respects to be prefeâ—red before the Pope About the same time towards the end of the 18. yeare the Pope sent Charles Multitius a Misnian Knight and bestowed on Prince Frederick a golden Rose according to custome consecrated by the Pope on the fourth Sundâ—y in Lenâ— and exhorted him to continuâ— in the faith of his ancestours He was earnest with Luther to be reconciled to the Pope and had seventy Briefes Apostolicall as they call them to shew that if the Prince would deliver him out of his custody for which cause the Pope sent him the Roâ—e in seventy Townes the seventy Briefes should be set up and so he should be brought safe to Rome He further required of Luther that he would have a regard to the Churches peacâ— and promised to endeavous that the Pope should doe the like Luther freely promised most readily to doe what ever â—e could with a safâ— conscience in regard of Gods Truth and affirmed that himselfe was dâ—sâ—rous and studious of peace and thaâ— iâ— was noâ— his fault that these stirres arose for nâ—cessity had urged him to doe what he had done Frederick the Electoâ— a prudent and Religioâ—â— Prince neither yeelded to the Popes desire nor vouchsafed his â—ose any respect though Multitius wornderfully boasted of it at Dresa and said Doctor Mâ—rtin is in my power About this time the Bohemians sending a book writen by Iohn Huâ— to Luther encouraged him to constancy and patienceâ— and confessed that the Divinity taught by Luther was sound and right Matters bâ—ing growne to this height of dispute and Luther having many adversaries at Leipsick a towne in Misniâ— belongâ—ng to George Duke of Saxony Cosen-german to Prince Frederick in the 19. year a Disputation was held Thither câ—me Andreâ—â— Carolostadius accompanied with Luther Melancthon and Barninus Duke of Pomerania He at that time was in office in the University of Wittenberg Thither came also Iohn Eckius a Diâ—ine of Ingolstad Hereupon Iâ—ne the 17. Iohn Eckius and Carolastodius began the Disputation about Free-will Namely whether there be in man any free will to doe good as of himselfe that is as they say whether in congruity we deserve grace when we doe what is in us to doe Eckius granted that there is not in man a genuine and naturall power and ability to doe a good worke but an acquired On this poynt eight dayes were spent by his playing the Sophester Lutâ—er could by no meanes obtaine leave of Duke George freely with his safety to dispute and thereupon came not as a Disputer but as an Auditor to Leipsick under the protection granted to Carolâ—stadius In the year 1520. upon Multitius advise Luther wrote to the Pope and sent him his booke lately written concerning Christian liberty and offered conditions of peace About this time Frederick the Elector fell into a grievous â—icknesse Whereupon Luther moved by some of his friends and out of Christian charity wrote the book called Tesseradecas to comfort him Then also he wrote the book Of Confession of sins in which he took occasion to speak of Vowes and deplored their torturing of mens conscâ—ences Charles the Emperour requested to hear Erasmus judgement concerning Luther and wondred that so great extream hatred should be raised by some Monks and the Pope against Luther whose life and carriage he conceived to be commendablâ— and his doctrine not impious Erasmus answered in a pleasant manner That his Highnesse needed not wonder at that for Luther had in his disputations dealt against the Monks bellies and the Popes crowne It is reported that these advocates of the Pope did promise Erasmus a Bishoprick of rich revenew if he would write against Luther But he answered That Luther was a man too great for him to write against and that he learnâ—d more from one short page of Luthers writings then from all Thomas Aquinas bookes It is also said that Margaret the Emperors Aunt who ruled all Belgium when the Magistri nâ—stri of Lovan complained that Luther
with his writings did subvert all Christendme did demand what manner a man Luther was when they answered that he was an unlearned Monke she replyed Why then sâ—e that all you learned men being a great multitude write aganst that one unlearned fellow and doubtlesse the world will give more credit to many of you being learned then to him being but one and unlearned Luther knowing what was don w th his writings An. 1520. Decemb. 10. called the Students of Wittenberg together and in a frequent assembly of learned men before the gate oâ— Elister near to the great Colledg where a fire was made caâ—t the Popes lawes and the Bull of Leo with some writings of Eckius Emser and others thereinto and said Because thou troublest Christ the holy one of God eternall fire will trouble thee The next day he expounded the Psalmes and earnestly charded his auditors that as they loved the salvation of their souls they should take heed of the Popes statutes And in writing gave a reason presently of this his action Here Frederick Prince Elector obtained of the Emrerour to call Luther â— to the Court held at Wormes in March An. 1521. Luther receiving the Emperours grant for his safety went from Wittenberg Here many did dehort Luther from going to Wormes â— Others said that by the burning of his books he might know what was the Popes censure concerning himselfe Others told him of the usage of Hus and Savâ—narola But Luther with a resolute courage lightly regarded their advise and said that these discâ—uragements were but cast into his way by Satan who knew that by the profession of of the Truth especially in so illustrious a place his kingdome would be shaken and indamaged He further brakâ— forth into thâ—se words If I knew that there were so many Devils at Wormes as tiles on the houses yet would I goe thither They say â—he Duke of Bavaria his Iester whether suborned by others or by some instinct met Luther at his enterance into the towne with a Crosse as is wont in funerals and sung with a loud voyce Wâ—lcome comâ—st thâ—â—â—ither and much desired of us who sate in darknesse On the twenty â—ix of Aprill Luther taking his leave departed from Wormes Casp. Sturmius a Messengâ—r some hours aâ—ter followed him and found him at Openheim Luther being in his journey sent Letters backe both to Caesar and the Pirinces Electorâ— Staâ—â—s of ther Empire commending himselfe and his cause to them aâ—d said he was ready to doe any thing which was meet except to revoke any thingâ— that he knew to be warranted by Gods word Frederick the Elector â— prudent Prince seeing Luther to have incurred the hatred of all that no danger might seize on him â—ommitted the buâ—iness of conveying Luther into some safe place where he might be free from accesse to some faithfull friends of the Nobility that there he shoâ—ld be kept privâ—te till Caesar was departed out of Germany They prâ—sently faithfully and secretly conveyed him to the Castle of Wartenburg neear Isâ—nack This place Luther afterward used to call his Paâ—mos At length not enduring further delay and innovations he returned from his Patmos to Wittenberg In this 2â—2 year the New Testament came forth as it was translated into the German tongue in his Pâ—â—mos afterward reviâ—ed some what by Melancthon He wrote also a letter to the Bohemians conceâ—ning matters of great moment and exhorted them to constancy in the truth whiâ—h they had received and that theâ— would noâ— fall back to Anâ—ichâ—ist for a vaine hope of peace He also disswaded them from making themsâ—lves gâ—ilty of the innocent blood of John Hus anâ— Jerome of Prague About this time also Luthâ—â— â—onfuted Nicolas Stork Thomas Muncer and other fanaticall ringleaders and Prophetâ— broaching new dâ—ctrines who pretended revelations Angilicall and conferences with God and denyed the Bâ—ptisme of infants and thereby sowed the seed of Anâ—baptisme These false prophets came from the Cygnâ—an Ciâ—y to Wittenberg in Luthers absence and molested Carâ—lâ—stâ—de and Melancthon Now also Luther answered Henry the eight King of 〈◊〉 who as other advâ—rsarieâ— also 〈◊〉 ouâ— a booke against Luther and had given him by Pope Leo â—he tiâ—le of Dâ—fender of the Faiâ—h of the Church Then Luther set forth the book concerning â—hâ— dignity and office of the Civill Magistrate He also set forth the five books of Moses in the German tongue â—hrâ—e thousand years since the death of Moses Hâ— published also a book to the Senate of Prague about ordaining of Ministâ—rs and another about avoyding the doctrine of men The year 1526. in October Luther laid aside his Monkishhood and declared his judgemâ—nt concâ—rning the Synod to be called for determination of the Ceremonies Now also Luther renewed the ordination of Ministers of the Gospell in the Church Of whom Geâ—rge Rorarius was the firstâ— Lutâ—er being forty two years old of a sudden and unexspectâ—dly mâ—rried Katherin a Boâ—a a noble Virgin late a Nun. Luthers adversariâ—s not onely observed the time of the marryage but proclaimed the marriage to be incâ—stuous in which a Monk married a Nun. Hereupon the King of England in his Answer to Luther stiles this marriage incestuouâ— and there saith among other opprobries put upon Luther that he could not have committed a â—in of higher natâ—re Against these disgraces Luther thus animated himselfe saying If my marriage bâ— a worke of God what wonder is there if the flesh be offended at it It is offended even at the flesh which God oâ—â— Creator took and gave to be a ransome and food for the salvation of the the world if the world was not offended with me I should be offended with the world and should feare that it was not of God which I have done Now seeing the world is vexea and troublâ—d at I am confirmed in my course and comforted in God Then Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Iohn Husse of Breslow a Teacher of the Gospell notwithstanding the scandall raised by the Hereticks and their fighting against the Articles of our Faith and in speciall manner he â—nimated him against Schwenfeld and Crâ—ntwald In the 27. year the Anabaptiâ—â—s broached their new doctrin about the not baptizing of infants were themselves rebaptised they also taught community of goods Both Luther and Zwinglius wrote against them and the Magistrates punished them in divers places About the beginning of the year 1527. Luther fell suddenly sick of a congealing of blood about his hears which almost kil'd him but the drinking of the water of Carduus Benedictus whose vertues then was not so commonly knowne he was presently helped This year also he put forth the Story of Leonard Keisar his friend who was burnt for the Gospels sake at the Command of William Duke of Bavaria In the beginning of the year 1529. Luther put fortâ— his greater and lesser Catecâ—ismes for the good of the undâ—r sort of people and admonished the Pastors and Ministers that they
Church is most benefited Curates are indeed instructers within their particular Charge but Erasmus instructeth the Instructers to expresse his thankfulnesse for this and many other favours received in this Kingdom he honored Doctâ—r Coleâ— Deane of Pauls and founder of the Schoole caled Catechizatiquis with the Inscription of his Bookes De Copia Verborum et Rerum whereupon he said merrilie that he was turn'd Bankrupt and had no more to part with His Adages the thiâ—â—d tâ—me revised and inlarged with divers Treatises translated out of Plutarch he dedicated to his old Mâ—caoenas the Lord Monâ—joy his Emendations and Censures upon S. Hieroms Epistles an unparalled work to his unparralleld benefactor the Lord Archbishop of Canterburie Longer he intended to have stayed but hearing that Frobenius at the request of many French and Germane Universities had undertaken to reprint his Adages at Basil and having both them and S. Hieroms Epistles ready for the Presse at which he was desirous to be present setting all other businesse aside he took the most compendious way thither Frobenius he found in his grave yet was not disappointed of his welcome that was abundantly supplyed by his Sons Bruno and Basilius and Iohn Frobenius his kinsman in whom the old man still survived both for his skill and honestie they quartered him under the same rooff with Amerbachius whom after S. Ambrose and S. Augustin he found wholly imployed in the restitution of S. Hierom wherin at first he vsed the help of Iohn Reuclin a civilian but afterwards fell upon a more happie Critick Iohannus Conâ—n Norimbergensis the Dominican who out of worm-eaten Manuscrips supplied what he found wanting corrected many places depraved and replaced not a few formerly disioynted Thâ— worke was brought to such perfection before his arrivall that leaving the rest to Amerbachius except when his judgement was required in the variation of Manuscripts he appropriation unto himselfe the only volumn of his Epistles whereunto he prefixed Arguments and added briefe but judicious â—llustrations many are of opinion that it cost Erasmus more oyle and want of sleep in repairing such breaches as time and ignorance had made in them then it did the Author in penning them To this great worke succeeded a greater and much more profitable his Edition of and Annotations upon the whole new Testament which as the chiefe instrument of our Salvation he dedicated to the chiefe Bishop as he supposed Leo the 10. From Basil his private affairs drew him into the Low Countries he arrived at Aquisgrane at what time Charles the fift was inaugurated Emperor and was present at the Diet of Wormâ—s as one of his Councell being thereto admitted before the death of Silvagius the Chancellor The Diet ended and Tourney surrendred to the Emperor he made what hast he could back againe unto Basil from whence the world first saw and admired his Paraphrase upon the foure Evangelists and Saint Pauls Epistles a work uncertaine whether undertaken or received with greater alacrity in composing whereof he applyed himselfe amongst the Latines to Ambrosse Augustin Hierom and Hilary amongst the Greekes to Saint Chrisostom and his follower Theophylact the contexture and style were his owne The whole he dedicated by parts to Charles the 5. and Ferdinand his Brother by both he was highly esteemed and might if he pleased have been as richly rewarded But since preferment and he ran on not by chance but choise like Parallels some may wonder how he supported so vast a charge as the setting forth of so many Bookes of his owne the Emendation of so many written by others And which was an antecedent to both the purchase or transcription of so many Manuscipts to say nothing of his frequent and expensive travels must needs draw upon him There is no better way to cleer this doubt then before we go any further to measure his great esteem with the greatest of his Contemporaries by the Correspondence he held with them and their munificence towards him When he was scarce crept out of the shell he pronounced a Panegirick of his owne Composure before Philip father to Charles 5. as he came out of Spaine into Germany for which he honored him with a yeerly pension during Life King Henry the 8. of England wrot to him with his oâ—ne hand offered him a goodly house belike some dissolâ—ed Abbey worth six hundred Florenes yeerly and besidâ—s gave him severall tastes rather then surfeits of his prâ—â—cely bounty Francis the French King wrote likewise unto him after the same manner as appears by his letter yet extant offered him a Bishoprick and one thousand Florenes pre annum to set up his rest in France Charles the 5. offered him a Bishoprick in Sicily made him of his Councell and besides many of his expressions of his liberality bestowed upon him a yeerly pension of two hundred Florenes Ferdinand his brother King of Hungary made him a tender of four hundred Florenes yeerly with promise to make them up five hundred to professe at Vienna Sigismond as much to come into Poland and further with a Royall and liberall hand supplyed his present necessities Mary Queene of Hungary wrote to him often and ever with her owne Hand her bounty without question eqâ—alled her exceeding Humanity Anne Princess Veriana gave him a yeerly pension of one hundred Florenes Frederick Duke of Saxony presented him with two Medals the one Gold the other silver which in a letter to Spalatinus he prefers before two Attick Talents George Duke of Saxony with diverse Ingots of silver digged out of his owne Mines and a great drinking Bole of the same William Duke of Gulick imitated him in the latter but outstript him in the Capacity Adrian the 6. to whom he consecrateth Arnobius wrot to him thrice which grand respects from the Pope much abated the fury of the Friers his enemies and there is no doubt but he largly contributed towards the charge of that worke undertaken especially for his owne honor He congratulated the Papacie to Clement the 7. who in requitall sent him five hundred Florenes and by his Apostoticall letters invited him to Rome Paul the 3. had brought him into the Colledge of Cardinals but that he was prevented by death in the interim he sent him a Collation to the Prepositure of Daventry which he refused saying he was now neer the end of his journey and hoped to get thither without it William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury changed his Prebend into a pension and scarce ever wrote to him but in letters of Gold his last token was a Gelding of whom he used to say that though he wanted originall sin he was guilty of two mortall ones Sloath and Gluttony Cardinall Wolsey a stately Prelate and not easie of accesse yet wrot unto him letters full of singular humanity and besides other remembrances bestowed on him a Pension out of a Prebend in York The Bishop of Lincolne and Rochester bountifully supplyed him upon all occasiones Hammond and
most regenerate which made him almost abstaine from all such meetings or if he came he commonly brought with him some learned Second with whom he conferred in Latin Ne intelligerent Sacerdotes His custome was to begin and end dinner with the same dish to content himselfe with one glasse of Beer or two at the most and though he loved rich Wines yet he drank of the best but very sparingly knowing that all mens eyes then present were upon him He had a wonderfull happy wit himselfe and was much taken with it in others especially young Boyes and Maids with whose naturall purity softnesse and simplicity he seemed greatly effected and the rather because our Saviour himselfe commends in them those qualities to our imitation In many things he dissented from those who thought themselves learned in some from those who indeed were so to whom onely he unbosomed himselfe especially if they were his friends your Scotists who then seemed to monopolize and divide the whole stock of wit amongst themselves he eâ—teemed of all others the most dull barbarous stupid and insufferable dunces And yet of Acquinas I know not upon what grounds he had a worse opinion then of Scotus In whose defence when it was objected by Erasmus perhaps ironically for he was no great friend to either that of all the ancient Schoolmen Aquinas onely seemed to have read the Fathers witnesse his Aurea Catena and that some of his Workâ— were highly commended for stirring up mens affections to piety Colet answered what tell you me of his reading or stirrring up affections unlesse he had beene transported with the Spirit of Arrogance he had never so rashly and yet so magisterially peremptorily presumed to define all points of Religion and if he had not savored too much of the flesh he had not therewith mixed so much vaine and fruitlesse Phylosophy He was no great admirer of Monks not that he hated the Profession but because he saw the Professors lived not accordingly wherfore whilst he lived he gave them little when he dyed nothing And yet his intent and purpose was to end his dayes in a Monastery if he could have found one qualified to his minde This by many was censured in him that although he himselfe lived most chastly and as Erasmus verily beleeveth dyed a pure Virgin notwithstanding his naturall inclination to the Contrary yet he had a very charilable opinion of such Priests and Frierâ— whose greatest fault was their umcleannâ—sse For said he these out of the Conscience of their owne imperâ—ection are for the most part humble modeâ—t and tractable whereas the divell himselfe were he not what he is could hardly abide the pride avarice and hypocrisie of the other Not that he thought incontinence a light Sinne but intractability and pride far more incompatible with piety And therefore though it was his ill luck to live under a perverse and wrangling Diocesan of whom we shâ—ll say more anon yet he was a true friend to Episcopacy by being a mortal enemy to such Bishops as under an hypocriticall maske of sanctity proâ—tituted their sacred function to ambition and Luxury Relative worship he held no such spur to Devotion as some would make it And was not farre from their opinion who thinke a notoriously wicked Priest operates nothing by his consecration for he abominated irregularity especially in his owne order and could not but wiâ—h indignation looke upon those whose impure and contaminated lives gave the first rise and ground to this suspition whether true or false In his judgement concerning publike Schooles and Vniversities he was not onely heterodox but like the bird spoken of in the Proverb cleerly bewrayed diverse Symptoms of an exulcerated minde but let that passe amongst Moles in the most beautifull faces Secret Confession he generally approved as that whereby himselfe had received much comfort and benefit but as much disliked that which was too anxious and descended to a needlesse enumeration of what can no more be numbered then the starres in heaven or sand upon the Sea shore Priests here in his time Officiated once every day he contented himself with Sundayes and Holy-daies it may be to set the greater edge upon his Devotion which by these intervals was the more sharpned or perhaps to gaine the more time for his private studies the better to fit himselfe for his Cathedrall or Pulpit imployments Learning he really loved and laboured for onely that Encuclopedicall wisdome which cannot be attained but by knowledge of all Arts and devouring of all bookes he esteemed rather a learned sort of madnesse then any true provocation to Christian simplicity and charity He deferred much to the Apostolicall Epistles but when he compared them with that sweetnesse wisdome and majesty which is to be found in our Saviours owne sayings and Sermons he thought them saplesse and scarce to be named the same day which as one of his Paradoxes I leave to be sensured by the Reader for both proceede from the same Spirit Howsoever omitting the former the latter he intended to trichotomize or reduce unto Ternaries but was prevented by death Gods worship and Service as much as in him lay he performed with an equall decency and magnificence and was no great approver either of their zeale or wisdome who tyed Priests every day those wherein they travell not exceped to the private repetition of so many and long prayers which perhaps he knew by experience they rather mumbled over with their lips then considerately evaporated from their hearts He willingly and attentively read over many Hereticall bookes professing he sometimes bettered himselfe more by them then theirs who without dispute define what they please and as they please He indured not that any man should square his stile by the rules of Grammer or Grammarians but by reading and imitating the most approved Authors which opinion brought its owne punishmeat with it for though he was eloquent both by nature and erudition yet when he set himselfe to write in Latin he often tript even in things common and obvious to every School-boy which did so much discourage him that he never set forth any thing it were to be wished his modestey had not so much stumbled at this straw for certainly howsoever his expression had taken the eare his conceptions could not have disrellished the understanding but in this as in many things else he dissented from the common Tenets and practice both of his owne and former times yet so as his private opinions never troubled the publike peace his friends were as many as there were men of learning and Candor in the whole kingdome His greatest enemies were certaine illiterate and irregular Friers and amongst these his own Bishop of whose Sophisticall Scoâ—istry the Deane made no great account and the Bishop as little of his Ciceronian Divinity The heart burning went so farre that at last it broke forth into Articles wherein the Bishop assisted by two of his brethren almost as learned and Cordat
little as the others Anno Christi 1530. when the Diet was held at Augusta for quieting of the controversies about Religion the Duke of Brunswick coming thither by importunity prevailed with Regius to go to Luneburg in his Country to take care of the Church there in which journey at Gobuâ—g he met with Luther and spent a whole day in familiar confâ—rence with him about matters of great moment of which himselfe write's That he never had a more comfortable day in his life Erâ—nestus Duke of Brunswick loved him dearly and esteemed him as his father insomuch as when the City of Augusta sent to the Dâ—ke desiring him to returne Regius to them againe he answered that he would as soone part with his eyes as with him and presently after he made him Bishop and over-seer of all the Churches in his Country with an ample salary for the same afterwards going with his Prince to a meeting at Haganaw he fell sick by the way and within few dayes with much cheerfulnesse yeelded up his soule into the hands of God Anno Christi 1541 he often desired of God that he might dye a sudden and easie death wherein God answered his desires He was of an excellent wit holy of life and painfull in the worke of the Lord. Reader this serious Fathers well-spent dayes Were fill'd with love and love was fill'd with praise He was abjured by a Noble race Which made him onely debtor but not base Heav'n was his port to which he faild through tearsâ— Steer'd by his faith blowne by the winde of prayers Let his example teach us to invest Our hearts with wisdome and we shall be blest With him who now enjoyes the life of pleasure Whose comforts know no end whose joyes no measure He that shall choose true vertue for his guide May march on boldly and not feare a slide The Life and Death of CARALOSTADIUS Who died Anno Christi 1541. ANdreas Bodenstein Caralostadius was borne in France in a towne called Caralostadium by which he received hâ—s name he was brought up at Schoole there where afterwards he went to Rome and having spent sometime in the study of Divinity he went thence to Wittenberg where he commensed Doctor in Divinity and was a publicke Professor Anno Christi 1512. afterwards he became an earnest asâ—ertor of Lutheâ—'s doctrine and a defendor of it against Eccâ—us both by disputation and writing at the time of Luther's being in his Pathmos Caralostadius obtained of the Elector the abolishing of private Masse Auricular confession Images c. at Wittenberg which Luther being offended at returned presently thither and Peeached eagerly against that alteration whereupon Caralostadius wrote in justification of it which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the Sacrament whereupon he left Wittenberg 1524. and went to Orlamund being called to a Pastorall charge there but after a while he was called back to his place in Wittenberg yet before he went Luther being sent by the Elector of Iene and Orlamund in a Sermon where â—aralostadius was present he enveighed bitterly against the Anabaptists and said withall That the same spirit reignd in the Image-haters and Sacramentaries whereupon Caralostadius being much offended went to his lodging to confer with him about it afterwards Luâ—her coming to Orlamund went not to salute Caralostadius but in his Sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of Idols and shortly after he procured the Elector to banish Caralostadius whereof Caralostadius afterwards complained in a letter to his people in Wittenberg that unheard and unconvicted he was banished by Luther's procurement from thâ—nce he went to Basil where hâ— printed some bookâ— that he had written about the Lord's Supper for which the Magistrates being offended with the novelty of the Doctrine cast the Printers into prison and the Senate of Tigurine for bad thâ—ir people to read those books but Zuinglius in his Sermon exhorted them first to read aad then to passe judgement on them saying That Caralostadius knew the truth but had not well expressed it afterwards Caralostadiuâ— wandring up and downe in upper Germany when the sedition of the boorish Anabaptists brake out unto which they were stirred up by Muncer and for which many of them were brought to punishment Caralostadius also escaped very narrowly being let downe in a basket over the wallâ— of Rottenberg being in great streights he wrote to Luther and purged himselfe from having any hand in those uproars entreating him to print his book and undertake his defence which also Luther did desiring the Magistrates that he might be brought to his just triall before he waâ— condemned Caralostadius wrote againe to him a Letter wherein he said That for his opinion about the Sacrament he rather proposed it for disputation sake then that he positively affirmed any thing w ch many imputed to him for levity but Luther thereupon procured his return into Saxonie yet he finding little content there went to Tigurine and taught in that place till the death of Zuinglius and then he went to Basil where he taught ten yeers and An. 1541. he died there of the plague and was very honorably buried This grave Divine ceas'd not from taking paines More for the Churches good then his owne gaines Yet were his gaines as great as his desire He that obtaines true vertue need require No greater profit he that studies how To live here-after must not set his brow On Earths loe things the pleasure of the Earth Prov'd this grave Fathers sorrow not his mirth His thoughts were all divine he could not hide Within his Season'd breast the flames of pride He was an Image-hater and would not Let them be worshipp'd and his God forgot 'T was not a Prison could his heart apale He that has virtue needs no other baile The life and death of CAPITO Who died Anno Christi 1541. WOlfgangus Fabricius Capito was borne at Hagenaw in Alsatia his Father was of the Senatorian ranke who bred him in learning and sent him to Basil where he studied Physick and proceeded Doctor of it aftâ—r hiâ— Father's death he studied Divinity Anno Christi 1504 and under Zasias a great Lawyer he studied Law also and proceeded Doctor of â—t He was a great lovâ—r and admirer of godly Ministers at Heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with Oecolampadius and there was a neer tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives after with him also he studied Hebrew and became a Preacher first in Spire and thencâ— was câ—lled to Basil from thence he was sent for by the Elector Palatine who made him his Preacher and Counsellor and sent him of divers Embassies also by Charles the fifth he was made of the order of Knights from Mentz he followed Bucer to Argenâ—ine where he was called to a Pasâ—oral charge he was a very prudent and eloquent man a good Hebrician and studious of Peace concerning the Sacrament he said Mittendas esse contentiones cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae
fidem nostram pane vino Domini per memoriam carnis sanguinis illius pascendam Anno 1525. being called into his owne Country he Preached and administred the Lord's Supper to his owne Citizens and Baptized without the Popish Ceremonies he was present and disputed at Berne against the Popish Masse c. He was with others chosen by the Protestants to goe the to Diet at Ratisbone for the setling of Religion and returning home in a great and generall infection he died to the Plague An. Christi 1541 of his Age 63. Industrious Capito at first inclind Himselfe to cure the body next the minde Being endow'd with most excellent parts He did as t' were monopolize the Artâ— He lov'd Religion and was alwayes free T' extoll the worth of practis'd piety He honor'd peace his heart was fil'd with hope That he might live to contradict the Pope And so he did he labour'd to prevent The Ceremonâ—es of their Sacrament And to conclude he labour'd to confute Their babling Masse He 's blest without dispute The Life and Death of LEO JUDAE who died Anno Christi 1542. LEo Iudae was born Anno Christi 1482. brought up at Schoole and from thence sent to Basil where he joyned in study with Zuinglius was an hearer of Doctor Wittenbash by whom he was instructed in the knowledge of the Gospel â—here also he was made a Deacon and from thence he was called into Helvetia where he â—et himselfe to the study of the Orientall Tongues and to read the Fathers especially Hierom and Augustine as also he read diligently the books of Luther Eraâ—mus and Capito at length being called to a Pastorall charge at Tigure he opposed the Popish doctrine and Ceremonies both in the Pulpit and Presse thâ—re he continued eighteen yeeres and spent much of it in expounding the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein being growne very skilfull he set upon at the importunity of his breathren of the Ministry the translation of the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein also he was much holpen by the industry of other learned men but this worke proving very great he was so wasted with labor and old age that he died before he finished it Anno Christi 1542. and of his Age 60. leaving undone Iob the forty last Psalmes Proverbs Ecâ—lesiastes Canticles and the eight last Chapters of Ezekiel which he commended to Theodore Bibliander to finish who accordingly did it and he left all to Conradus Pellican to peruse and put to the Presse which he carefully performed Four dayes before his death sending for the Pastors and Professors of Tigure he made before them a Confession of his Faith concerning GOD the Scriptures the Person and Office of CHRIST concluding Huic Iesu Christo Domino liberatori meo c. To this my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ my hope and my salvation I wholly offer up my soule and body I cast my selfe wholly upon his mercy and grace c. Heaven was the object where he fixt his eyes Truth was his Marke Religion was his Prise His studious heart was active to contrive How to keepe other pining Souls alive With heavenly Food he never lov'd to feed In secret Corners and let others need He never usâ—d to sweepe away the Crums From his poore Flock and feed their souls with Hums Like our new-babling Pastors which infuse Illiterate Words patch'd up with flattring News He would not blind them with the intising charms Of Falseties or bid them take up Armes Except for heaven within whose Tent he sings Anthems of Pleasure to the King of Kings The Life and Death of MYCONIUS who died Anno Christi 1546. Fâ—â—idericus Myconius was borne in Franconia of religious parents and bred up at Schoole till he was thirteen yeeres old and then he was sent to Annaeberg where he studied till he was twenty and then entred into a Monastery there without the knowledge of his parents the first night after his entrie he had a dream which proved propheticall In that place he read the Schoole-men and Augustine's Workes He read also at meal-time the Bible with Lyra's notes on it which he did seven yeeres together with so much exactnesse that he had it almost by heart but dispairing of attaining to learning he left his studieâ— and fell to Mechanicall Arts About which time Tecâ—liuâ— brought his Indulgences into Germany boasting of thâ— virtue of them and exhorting all as they loved their owne and their dead friends salvation that they should buy them c. Myconius had been taught by his fâ—ther the Lord's Prayer the Creed the Decalogue and to pray often and that the blood of Christ onely could cleanse uâ— from sin and that pardon of sin eternall life could not be bought with money c. Which caused him to be much tâ—oubled whether he should beleive his father or the Priests but understanding that there was a clause in the Indulgences that they should be given freely to the poore he went to Tecelius entreated him to give him one for he waâ— a poor sinner and one that needed a free remissions of sins and a participation of the merits of Christ Tecelius admired that he could speake Latine so well which few Priests could doâ— in those dayes aud therefore he advised with hiâ— Colleagues who perswaded him to give Myconius one but after much debate he returned him answer That the Pope wanted money without which he could not part with an Indulgence Myconius urged the aforenamed clause in the Indulgences whereupon Tecelius his Colleagues pressed againe that he might have one given him pleading his learning and ingenuity poverty c. And that it would be a dishonor both to God and the Pope to denie him one but still Tecelius refused whereupon some of them wispred Myconius in the eare to give a little money which he refused to doe and they fearing the event one of them profered to give him some to buy one with which he still refused saying That if he pleased he could sell a book to buy one but he desired one for Gods sake which if they denyed him he wished them to consider how they could answer it to God c. but prevailing nothing he went away rejoycing that there was yet a God in heaven to pardon sinners freely c. according to that promise As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner c. Not long after he entred into Orders and read privately Luther's books which the other Friars tooke very haynously and threatned him for it From thence he was called to be a Preacher at Vinaria where at first he mixed some Popish errors with the truth but by the illumination of Gods Spirit and by his reading Luther he at last began to preach against Popery and to hold forth the truth clearly which spread so swiftly not onely through Saxonie but through all countries as if the Angels had been carryers of it Afterwards he was called
Sweet was his life and death his well spent dayes Began in goodnesse and expir'd with praise The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO who died Anno Christi 1552. CAsper Hedio was born at Etling in the Marquisat of Baden of honest Parents and educated in learning at Friburge where also he Commensed Master of Arts and from thence went to Basil where he studied Divinity and Commensed Doctor whence he was called to Preach in the chiefe Church at Mentz but some not liking such plain Preaching and the Monkes raising a persecution against him he went thence to Argentine Anno Christi 1523. where he was a great assistent to Capito and Bucer in reforming of Religion by the command of the Senate there also he married a wife Anno Christi 1533. and though the Papists raised a great persecution in that City yet he Preached â—oldly against Masses Indulgences Auricular Confession c. and wrote against them also Anno Christi 1543. when Herman Archbishop of Collen began a Reformation he sent for Bucer and Hedio to assist him therein whence after he was driven by Caesar and his Spaniards escaping through many difficulties and danger he returned to Argentine what time he could spare from his Ministeriall employment he spent in writing Commentaries and Histories Anno Chrisâ—i 1552. he sickened and died T' was not the rage of Papist could remove The heart of Hedio from the reall love Of true Divinity he still enclin'd Himselfe to Preach with a resolved mind Let his example teach us to repose Our trust in God in spight of threating Foes The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of Aâ—halt whâ— died Anno Christi 1553. GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme who was eminent for training up of youth under whom he profited exceedingly both in humane literature and in principâ—ls of Divinity then he was set to the study of the Law wherein he profited very much also having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres he was chosen by Albert Elector of Menâ—z to be one of his Councell wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations in managing the greatest State-affairs But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time and Luthers books coming abroad he fell to reading of them and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth saying Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse He was frequent in reading the Scriptures Ecclesiasticall Histories Augustine Hierom and Lombard he studied also Greek and Hebrew and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies and after all upon mature deliberation he embraced the Reformed Riligion and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren within his owne jurisdiction Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people he lived with much continencie in a single life he took much pains both in writing and Preaching he was very charitable a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes very free from ambition hatred and revenge he used often to say Subdiâ—us esto Deo ora eum c. Submit thy selfe to God and pray unto him for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart and will save the humble in spirit He employed his time so well that he left none for pleasures and used to say That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes then conference with learned and godly men Falling sick of a most troublesome disease he was frequent in holy prayer for himselfe for all the Princes of that family for his country and for Germany he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him he made his Will wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge He often ruminated upon those texts God so loved the world that he gave c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand Come unto mee all yee that are wearie c. and so in holy meditations and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47. A Prince by birth and of a Princely minde Full frought with vertues of each severall kinde Is here presented ornaments of grace Such as doe challenge not the second place But first by merit here you may behold One whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold In pious duties he did strive to be Transcendant who was by nature frée For to the Poore he reliefe did give During the time that he on earth did live Read but his life and then at large you le sée Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be The life and Death of Justus Jonas who dyed Anno Christi 1555. IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator who falling sick of the Plague and having applyed an Onion to the Soare and taking it off and laid it by him this little Ionas coming tooke the Onion and eat it up yet without any prejudice to himself God miraculously preserving of him He was first brought up at Schoole afterwards he studied Law and made a good progresse therein But upon better thoughâ—s he studied Divinity and proceeded Doctor and embraced the Reformed Religion and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion where he defended the truth strenuously and endevoured to promote peace he was also made a Professor in that Universitie He with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly Luther somtimes resorted thither to him and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben where he dyed after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions and lastly he was set over the Church in Eisfield where he ended his dayes in much peace and comfort Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations and in great agonie he shewed much despondencie but his servant partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him cheared him up and at last through Gods mercy the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh. Justius by name no poyson sure could kill God so protected him from what was ill The venome of the Plague did séeme to be No poyson unto him for he scap'd frée Although the Duyon he by chance did eat That poyson'd was by the Plagues
meane time granted unto them liberty of Conscience which when it came to the eares of Paulus III. Pope of Rome he sharply reproved the Emperour saying That he esteemed of Hereticks as highly as of Catholicks and that he seemed to thrust in his sickle into another mans harvest The Emperour answered That he was perswaded that his act was just And Calvin perceiving the truth of the Gospell to be deeply wounded bâ— these Letters he sharply reprovâ—d the boldnesse of the Pope In this year also there was a Convocation at Spire whereupon Calvin tooke occasion of writing his Booke intituled De necessitate reformandae Ecclesiae And in the same year also he refuted the Anabaptists and Libertines and that with such invincible arguments that none reading and observing hiâ— Worke can unlesse wittingly and willingly be deceived and seduced by them But the Queen of Navarre was greatly offended with that Worke of his against the Libertines because he had particularly reproved Quintinus and Pocquetus two Ringleaders of that Sect and not of small account with her Majesty Calvin being informed of this he so wisely and discreetly behaved himselfe that he gained againe the favour of the Queen and withall caused that impious and blasphemous Sect to be banished out of France who afterwards seated themselves in Amsterlodam the prime town in Holland In the year 1545. by the conspiracy of some wicked and evilly disposed persons the thresholds and posts of the doores in Geneva were done over with an oyntment so strongly composed of poyson that whosoever touched it death imediately followed and from this also proceeded a raging Pestilence in the City whereby an infinite number of soules were swept away this accident procured great envie unto Calvin from all places yet at the last some of the authors of this inhumane act were discovered and suffered worthy punishment for the same In this year also he laboured to remove the false opinion of Osiander concerning the Lords Supper out of the Church and also the errours of the Nicodemites and many other grosse opinions which hindred the growth of the truth of Christ. In which proceedings he was abundantly blessed by the Lord who never permitted his enemies to have their pleasure of him by taking away his life which they intended and more especially he shelterd him from the fury of Amedenus Perinnus a Captaine of great authority in the City but deprived for that fact of his Office These continued dissentions and defamations in the Church at Geneva were motives which drew Farellus and Viretus unto the same place who in the year 1548. delivered before the Senate an eloquent and learned Oration concerning the suppression of Sedition and the taking away of differences out of the Church The motion was approved of all and Perinnus having hopes thereby to attaine againe unto his former preserment consented thereunto but he soone discovered his wicked intent for he was no sooner graced with his former dignitie but he and many others burst forth into reproachfull speeches against Calvin and after a disgracefull manner calling his Dog by the name of Calvin others stile him by the name of Cain and some by reason of that violent and fierce hatred which they conceived against him they would absent themselves from the Communion and so draw downe a double vengeance on themselves In the midst of these evils which were of force to have caused him to have forsaken the City he constantly performed his Ministeriall office and at vacant times he inlightned Pauls Epistles with learned Commentaries He also most learnedly laid open and discovered the falsity and vanity fo Judiciary Astrology He comforted Beratius living as a banished man at Basil and also Bucer in England And this is also remarkable that notwithstanding the daily increaâ—ing of these contentions the Church did wonderfully florish in Geneva and also it injoyed some peace and quietnesse In the year 1551. for then there sprung up a company of factious fellowes who denied the priviledges of the City unto such as were banished for the truth and fled to that place for succour And being perswaded by Calvin in a Sermon Preached for that purpose to grant the priviledges of the City unto them he was well beaten for his paines as soon as he came out of the Pulpit These stirred up also another Tumult in the Temple of St. Gervas because the Minister refused to Baptize a child by the name of Balthazar Calvin not forgetting his late kindnesse received was contented with patience to let it passe In this year the City was also much troubled with that blasphemous heresie of Servetus who by the means of Calvin was apprehended and convicted but remaining obstinate in his opinion he was buâ—nd alive in the same City The cause of Servetus being as yet in hand one of the factious company called Berâ—lerius an impudent and wicked fellow whom the Presbitery had foâ—bidden to come unto the Lords table by reason of his ill lead life and excomunicated came unto the Senate and desired his absolution which he perswaded himselfe was sufficient Calvin earnestly opposes this action of the Senate declaring unto him that he ought to be a defender and maintainer and not a violator of holy good lawes yet Berlterius prevailed with the Senate and he granted unto him his absolutory letters Perinnus by the imitation of Bertlerius thought to take Calvin in a trap and either to raise a tumult against him if he would not obey the Senate or if he consented then no disanull the authority of the Presbitery Calvin being fore-admonished of this intent in his Sermon before the Communion in the presence of both of them he uttered these words with great fervency But I imitating Chrisostome will rather suffer my selfe to be slain then that this hand shall reach the holy things of the Lord unto such as are apparently known to be the contemners and despisers of him which wrought such an impression in them that they durst not presume to come unto the Lords table nay it is probable that he was at that time fearfull of his life for he Preached as if they never afterwards should have heard him again In this troublesom state the Church of Geneva continued unto the yeere 1555. wherein a conspiracy was happily discovered by which meanes most of the factious persons were put to death and banished the City By which example of Divine vengeance others were delivered and kept in awe and that Common-wealtâ— freed from many inconveniences yet in the same yeer the errours of Servetus seemed to revive againe and to be nourished by Matthaeus Gibraldus an excellent Lawyer who came unto Geneva and would willingly have been familiar with Calvin which he most willingly would have had embraced so as he would have consented with him in the Article of the Trinity The same year also yeelded much sorrow unto Calvin in regard that persecution raged in many places and especially in England which tooke away Hooper
to Caesar to Naples to stir him up to take Armes against the Lutherans Anno Christi 1537. he was againe sent into Germany and also Anno Christi 1541. to the Convention at Wormes after which he was called back to Rome and the Pope being to make some Cardinals intended to make Vergeriâ—â— one but some suggested that he had been so long in Germany that he smelled of a Lutheran which made the Pope to alter his purpose which when Vergerius heard of he went into his owne Country purposing to clear himselfe by answering some of Luthers books but it pleased God that whilst he read them with an intent to confute them himselfe was converted by them whereupon he retired himself to his brother the Bishop of Pole and communicated his thoughts to him his brother at first was much asâ—onished but after a while was perswaded by him to read and study the Scriptures especially in the point of Justification by Faith whereby it pleased God that he also saw the Popish Doctrines to be false and so they both became zealous Preachers of Christ to the people of Istria but the Divell stirred up many adversaries against them especially the Fryars who accused them to the Inquisitors whereupon Vergerius went to Mantua to his old friend Cardinall Gonzaga but there he could not stay in safety whereupon he went to the Councill of Trent to purge himselfe but the Pope by his Legate stopt him from being heard there from thence he went to Venice and so to Padua where he was a spectator of the miserable condition of Francis Spira which so wrought upon him that he resoved to leave his Country and all his outward comforts and to goe into voluntary exile where he might freely professe Christ and accordingly he went into Rhetia where he Preached the Gospel sincerely til he was called from thence to Tubing by Christopher Duke of Wurtenburge where he ended his dayes Auno Christi 1565. Those Popish errours which at first bore sway In our Vergerious heart were chast away By the encreasing sun of truth his minde Which was before all drosse was refin'd And from a cruell enemy became A perfect friend and boldly would proclaime The reall truth fear'd not to be withstood Thus brave Vergerius turn'd from bad to good The Life and Death of Strigelius who dyed Anno Christi 1569. VIctorine Strigelius was born at Kausbita in Switzerland Anno Christi 1524. his fathâ—r was Doctor of Physiâ—k who died in his sons infancy when this Sâ—igelius was fit for it his friends finding him of a prompt and ready wit they set him to School in his owne Country where he quickly drunk in the first rudiments of learning and so Anno Christi 1538. he went to the University of Friburg and having studied the Arts there for a while An. Christi 1542. he went to Wittenberge where he was inflamed by God with an ardent desire to know the Doctrin of the Reformed Churches for which end he diligently attended on Luthers and Melancthons Lectures and wholly framed himselâ—â— to the imitation of Melancthom Anno Christi 1544. he Commensed Master of Arts and by the perswasion of Melancthâ—â— he taught a private Schoole at Winâ—â—enberg where he did much good and gat himselfe great repute But when thâ— Wars in Germany waxed hot he left Wittenberg and went to Magdeburge and from thence to Erphurd where he published some Orations being about twenty two years old Anno Christ 1548. he went thence to Ienes and their hâ— Preached and the year after married a wife which lived with him but two years Anno 1553. he maried againe whilst he continued there he had diverse disputations with Major about Good Works and with Flacius but An. 1559. the Flacians prevâ—iled so far that he and Aquila the Pastor of Ienes were both cast into prison the marks whereof he carryed to his grave In Prison he fell very sick insomuch as the Prince suffered him to goe unto his owne housâ— but yet made him â— Prisoner there Christopher Duke of Wurtenburg and Philip Lantgrave of Hâ—sse mediated for his release and yet could not obtaine it but at last the Emperor Maximillian interposing his authority procured it after he had been a prisoner abovâ— three yearâ— But perceiving that he could not be in sâ—fâ—ty in that place hâ— resolved to depart which the University understanding wrote to him earnestly importuning his stay to whom he returned thanks for their love but told them withall That his life was in conâ—inuall danger by reason oâ— false brethren and therefore he waâ— resolved to goâ— where he might do more good and accoâ—dingly from thence he went to Lipswich where he spâ—nt his time in writing upon the Psalmes and having it lefâ— to his choyce whether to stay at Lipswich or to go to Wittenberg being sent for thither he chose to stay where he was and was chosen Professor of Divinity in that University There he continued his Lectures till An. Christi 1566. at which â—imâ— he came to deliver his judgement about the Lords Supper wherâ—upon by the command of the Rector of the University the doors of the Colledge were shut against him and he not suffered to read anâ— more yet they would have restored him to his place if hâ— would have promised to meddle with that point no more but refused to make any such promise and withall comâ—plained to the Elector of Saxonie of the wrong don unto him from whom he received a sharp answer and therefore leaving Lipswich and went to Amberg in the upper Palaâ—inate where after a short stay he recâ—ived letters from the Elector Palatine and the University inviting of him to Heidleberge whither he presently went and was made Professor of Ethicks in which place he took very great pains both in reading his Lectures and Writing But his body having contracted some diseases by his former imprisonment Anno Christi 1569. he fell very sick whereupon he said Sperare se finem vitae suâ— adesse c. That he hoped that his life was at an end whereby he should be delivered from the fraud and miseries of thiâ— evill world and enjoy the blessed presence of God and his Saints to all Eternity and acordingly presently after he quietly departed in the Lord Anno Christi 1569. and of his Age 44. When a resolved heart is once inflam'd With heavenly motions t' will not be reclam'd By easie termes because a faithfull breast Is fil'd with Heaven Heaven is crown'd with restâ— And had not stout Strigelius his heart Been steel'd with courage he had felt the smart Of a bad conscience but he still persisted In what was good and would not be resisted Those wrongs and iniuries which he endur'd On earth was by Heav'ns grand Phisitian cur'd The Life and Death of John Brentius who dyed Anno Christi 1570. IOhn Brentius was born at Wile in Sweveland Anno Christi 1499. his father was Mayor of that City 24. years who carefully brought up his
of Bishops for Iewels sake for he was a carefull overlooker and strickt observer not onely of all the flocks but the Pastors also in his Diocesse according to the Apostles prescription first he attended to himselfe and his owne doctrine and then to all the doctrine which as he heard was Preached in his See first he examined his owne actions and then the proceedings of all his inferiour officers The Chauncellour and Archdeacons are in the count of the law the Bishops eyes and his Collectours and receivers and his hands therefore he had a continuall eye upon these his eyes and held a strickt hand over these his hands and if these his eyes caused him to offend or raised any scandall in his Diocesse by winking at foule abuses and enormities or these hands by exaction and scraping or taking bribes he pluckt out the one and cut off the other And if other Bishops take not the like course though in their owne persons they be never so innocent and uncorrupt yet they will never free their See from foule and scandalous aspertions Iniquity will be committed even in the seat of justice and carnall vices winked at in spirituall Courts and one corruption be borne out by another corporall by pecuniary the heaviest censures of the Church will be inflicted upon the lightest offenders if they offer not to the Officiate shrine and the foulest delinquents will escape away by the Posterne gate of Iuno Moneta's temple Poore gnats if they be taken in their nets will be straigned to death and a camell laden with gold swallowed up and it will be said that Churches are visited before they be sick nay that they are sick of their Visitations and that all the Processes and Citations are ad collegendum not ad corregendum for collection of moneyes not for correction of manners To prevent these and the like abuses for which the court Christians heare ill abroad the good Bishop sate often in his Consistory and saw that all things were carried straight there neither did he onely sit as judge in the Consistory but also oftentimes as assiâ—tant on the bench of justice informing the Judges in such causes where the law of God and of the land seemed to clash and exhorting the prisoners willingly and patiently to subject themselves to the stroak of justice but especially to prostrate themselves before the throne of mercy in heaven and though they were cast by the Jury and condemned by the last yet they might be justified by grace and saved by mercy at the tribunall of Christ. What shall I speake of his peaceable ending for the most part at his Table litigious strifes and contentions of which it is hard to say whether they more nourished the Law or the Law them So was he thrice happy by the judgement of truth it selfe because a threefold peace-maker in his Consistory on the Bench and at his Table as a Judge Justice and an Arbitratour Yet did he no way forget that unum necessarium which Saint Paul so deeply chargeth Timothy before God and his Angels to be carefull of to wit to Preach in season and out of season 1 Cor. 9.16 I have heard of the Hetrurian goddesse that whilest she was clad in a Counâ—rey habit and worshipped under a shed in the field she delivered many Oracles but after she was brought into a Temple and cloathed with Purple and fine linnen she became mute and gave no answer at all So it falleth out with many whose office it is to publish and interpret the Oracles of God like Saul when they come to the high places they make an end of Prophecying Iewell did not so but the more eminent he was in dignity the more diligent in the worke of the Ministery not so much in frequent as in exqâ—isite Teaching for though his Sermons were very frequent yet they were alwayes rare for the matter and manner of his delivery he never Preached quicquit in buccam but as Abraham offered to Melchisedecke as St. Ierome renders it de prenpuis or summiâ—ate a ceri of the top and best of the heape The Roman Orator tels us of negligentia quedam diligens a certaine diligent negligence and learned ignorance when the speaker carefully shunneth all affectation of Art and laboureth that his speech may not seem elaborate But the sober and discreet hearer hath often cause to complaine of diligentia quedam negligens a negligent kinde of diligence in many popular Preachers who ascend frequently into the Pulpit but with extemporaâ—y provision are often in travile but without paine and delivered of nothing for the most part but empty words and idle tautalogies as if Sermons were to be valued by the number and not by the weight These mens Sermons though they exceed the houre in lenâ—th and the dayes of the week in number yet they themselves lye open to the curse of the Prophet denounced against all those that doe the work of the Lord negligently From the danger of which malediction Iewell was freest of all of his parts and place for though he might best of any presume in this kinde upon his multiplicity of reading and continuall practice of Preaching yet never would he Preach in the meanest Village without precedent meditation and writing also the chiefe heads of his Sermons And as his tongue was the pen of a ready writer so was his pen the tongue of a living speaker to all posterity When I perused the catologue of his Sermons I wonder what time he had to write agane when I number and weigh his writing I wonder what time he had to provide for Preaching and when I compare both I wonder how he could doe any thing els Yet did not his constant preaching take him off from his aceurate writing nor both from his discharging each part of his Episcopall function in his owne Person Which that it may not seeme incredible I will open his day booke and read out of it how he spent every houre Rising at four of the clock after praiers with his family at five and in the Cathederall about six he was so affixed to his studies all the morning thâ—â— he could not without great violence be drawne from itâ— after dinner his doores and eares were open to all Suterâ— and it was observed of him as it was of Titus who was stiled amor delitiae humane generae that he never sent any sed from him Suters being thus dismissed he heard wiâ—h great indifferency and patience such causes debuted before him as either were devolved to him as a Judge or referâ—â—d to him as an Arbitrator and if he could spare any tâ—me from thâ—se troublesome businesses he reckoned as cleare gaine to his Study About nine of the clocke at night he called all his sâ—rvants to an account how they had spent the day and then offered up his enening sacrifice together with them to God from his Chappell he withâ—â—ew himselfe againe to hiâ— Study till neer midnight and from thence to
thou hast not received And Not I but the grace of God in mee With which he is gon away ashamed and shall no more return and now I am sure that my battell â—s at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of spirit I shall shortly change this mortall and miserable life with that happy and immortall life that shall never have an end After which one praying by his bed having made an end asked him If he heard the Prayer Yea said he and would to God that all present had heard it with such an ear and heart as I have don Adding Lord Iesus receive my spirit With which words without any motion of hands or feet as one falling a sleep rather then dying he ended his life Never was man more observant of the true just authority of Church-Rulers according to the Word of God and thâ— practise of the purest Primitive time he alwayes pressed due Obedience from the people to the faithfull Pastorâ— and Elders of the Church He dyed Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age 62. Men of all ranks were present at his Buriall The Earl of Murray when the Corps was put into the ground said Here lies the body of him who in his life time never feared the face of any man Undaunted Knox would never fear to tell The bett their follyes if they did not well He was severe to those that would not Observant to his preach'd Divinity He lov'd the wayes of peace and would delight Himselfe in â—ods just Lawes both day and night His soul would be laborious to fullfill The sweet commands of his deare makers will In peace he liv'd and with a peacefull breath He call'd on God and yeelded unto deathâ— The Life and Death of Peter Ramus who dyed Anno Christi 1572. PEter Ramus was born in France Anno Christi 1515. His Grandfather was a Noble-man who having his estate plundered by Charles Duke of Burgundie Generall under the Emperour Charles the fifth was forced to leave his Country and to betake himselfe to the poore and painfull life of an husbandman and his father being left very poor by him was fain to live by making of Charcole Ramuâ— being from his Childhood of an excellent wit of an industrious nature and much addicted to learning was compelled for his subsistance to live as a servant with one of his Uncles but finding that by reason of his many Imployments he had no time to follow his book there he thought it better to betake himselfe to the service of some learned man so going to Paris and being admitted into the Colledge of Navar he laboured hard all day for his Masters and spent a great part of the night in study so that in a short time he was made Master of Arts and Laureat-Poet and the Professors in that Colledge every one taking much delight in his diligence each strove to forward him in learning and lent him such books as he needed then he betook himselfe to instructing of others and to exercise himselfe in private Lectures till thereby he had fitted himselfe for more publick employments then was he appointed publickly to read Logick and when he was twâ—nty one years old he published his Logick with some Animadversions upon Aristotile this procured him much love every one admiring such ripe parts in so young a man and envy being the usuall concomitant of vertue he had also many that envied and aspersed him especially the Sorbone Doctors who accused him of Heresie in Phylosopgy for that he being but a Novice dust take upon him to correct Aristotle the Prince of Phylosophers and by their authority they so far prevailed that Ramus was forbidden to read or write any morâ— of Phylosophy This being very griâ—vous to him it pleased God to stir up the heart of the Governour of another Colledge to send for him to assist him in restoring of that Colledge which was now empty the students being all fled by reason of the infection of the Plague aâ—â— it came to passe that in a short time Ramus being so famouâ— a man the Colledge was better stored with students then ever it was before the Sorbonists much raged at this and laboured to soâ— division betweene the Governour of the Colledge and him yet Ramus carried himselfe with so much candor and ingenuity that they lived together wâ—th much concord at last that Governour dying Ramâ—s succâ—eded him and by the Cardinall of Lorrain's meanes who who was a great favorer of Learning he was made the Regius Professor of Rhetorick and Phylosophy Anno Christâ— 1551. and of his Age thirty six His fame spreading into all the Universities of Christendome there were many Princes that strove to get him out of France profering him large stipends if he would come to them but he being now famous in France preferred his owne Country before all others and therefore rejected all their offers In Pariâ— he had so great esteem that though his enemies strongly opposed it yet he was made Dean of the whole University and so having obtained a more quiet kinde of life he betook himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks wherein he grew very exquisite But when the Civill Wars brake forth in France for Religion and that none could safely enjoy themselves or any thing that they had when under pretence of Religion every one revenged his owne private quarrels upon others Ramus to free himselfe from this tempest left Paris and went to Fontainblew where the Kings Library was yet neither there could he be in safety so that at last he was compelled to betake himselfe to the Camp of the Prince of Conde But when he saw that France was no fit place for him for the present to reside in he resolved to travell into Germany till God should restore peace to his Country againe and accordingly he went to Argentine Basil Lusanna Tâ—gâ—re Heidelbâ—rgeâ— Noreâ—berg and Auspurg and was entertained in all these Universities with great applause and with much joy by all learned men And when the Civill War was ended in France he returned to Pariâ— againe Then he remained in his College till thâ—t horrible Massacre happened on Saint Bâ—rtholomews Eve wherein so many thousands perished by the cruell hands of bloody Papists at which time the Colledge gates being fast shut he locked himselfe up in his owne house till those furious Papistâ— brake open his doorâ— and finding him 〈◊〉 him through and being halfe dead threw him out of his window and not â—â—â—â—â—fied therewith they cut off his head dragged his body about the streets in the channels and at last threw it into the river of Sâ—in Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age seven and fifty After which also they selâ—ed upon his Goods Library and Writings whereby many â—xcellent Commâ—ntaries and other Works not fully compleaâ— perished to the great losse of learned men Indâ—â—â—rious 〈◊〉 from his youth inclin'd Himselâ—e 〈…〉 a well composed minâ—e His hearâ— was serious and he tooke great
the rest amidst all these endowments and the respects of others even the greatest thereby deservedly procured of a most meek and lowly spirit He had two wives successively women of good birth and note and eight children by them He left this world to his eternall joy and gaine but to the great losse of Gods Church and griefe of all sound and godly learned on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord 1595. and in the forty and seventh of his age having held the Professours chaire about sixteene years and the Mastership of Saint Iohns Colledge almost nine His corps was with very great solmnity and generall lamentation brought to the ground and lyeth enterred in the Chappell of the foresaid Colledge his Epitaph being engraven with letters of gold on a faire stone in the wall near to the place of its enterment His Workes extant testifying his worth are these 1 His Translation of Master Nowels Catechisme into Greeke 2 Hiâ— Translation of Bishop Jewels disputâ— against Harding into Laâ—â—ne 3 His Answer to Edmund Campian his ten Reasons 4 His defence of that his answer against John Durey 5 His Refutation of Nicolas Sanders his Demonstration whereby he would prove that the Pope is not Antichrist 6 A collection thereto â—dded of â—nâ—ieâ—t Heresâ—â—s â—aâ—eâ— i◠〈◊〉 to maâ—e up the Popish Apostasie 7 His Thesis propâ—unded and defended at the Commecement 1582. that the Pope is the Antichrist spoken of in Scripture 8 His answer to Willam Reinolds against the Preface to that against Sanders in English 9 His Disputation conâ—erning the Scripture against the Papists of â—hese times Bellarmine and Stapleton especially 10 His defence of the Authority of the Scriptures against Thomas Stapleton his defence of the Authority of the Churches 11 His Lectures on the Controversies concerning the Bishop of Rome set forth by John Allenson after his decease 12 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning the Church set forth by the same Party 13 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning Councels set forth by the same 14 A Treatise of Originall sin against Stapletons three former bookes of Iustifiâ—ation set forth by the same 15 A Lecture on the first of Timothy 2.4 read on Febrvary 27. 1594. before the Earl of Essex and some other Honourable Persons 16 His Lectures concerning the Sacraments in generall the Eucharist and Baptisme in speciall taken by John Allenson and set forth by D r Samuel Ward Let such whose merits whose indifferent fames Keepes life and soul together in their Names With much a doe let such require the praise Of hyred quils to cleare their cloudy dayes With borrow'd Sunshine let them strive to vamp Their wasted Mem'ryes by another Lampe Let those whom ordinary wrrth commends Receive Almes-praise from charitable friends Our learned Whittaker craves no expression Noe vote no Trumpit but his foes confession Whos 's well refuted Arguments proclame His everlasting honor and their shame He was the shield of Truth the scourge of error This Islands Tryumph and proud Babils Terror The Life and Death of Lambert Danaeus who dyed Anno Christi 1596. LAmbert Danaeus was born at Aurelia in France Anno Christi 1530. he was of an acute wit and wonderfully addicted to learning so that by his diligence and extraordinary pains he attained to a great measure of it in his younger years he studyed the civill Law four years at Aurelia under Anna Burgius then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity and imbracing the reformed Religion went to Geneva Anno Christi 1560. He had a vast memory and read over many Authors he was so versed in the Fathers and School-Divines that few attained to the like exactnesse therein whence one saith of him Mirum est homuncionis unius ingenium tot tam diversas scientsas haurire retinere potuisse At Geneva he was admitted into the number of Doctors and Pastors and by his learned labors was exceeding usefull both to the Church and Unixersity alwayes imploying himselfe in writing ann publishing Commentaries upon the Scriptures and other learned treatises which were of speciall concernment From thence he was called to the University of Leiden where he was received with much joy and was exceedingly admired for his learning acutenesse of wit promptnesse and strength of memory in alleaging and reciting the sentences of the Fathers Schoolmen Canonists and prophane writers From thence he was called to Gaunt Anno Christi 1582. where he taught a little while but that City being full of tumults he foreseeing the storm that was coming upon it left it and being sent for went into Navar where by his teaching and writing he made the University of Orthesium famous and at last he there laid downe his earthly tabernacle Anno Christi 1596. and of his age 66. Danaeus that was acute and wise Own'd vertue as his chiefest prize He was a jem that much adorn'd The Church he much contemn'd and scorn'd The wayes of Popery his heart Was fil'd with comfort joyn'd with art He was esteem'd and lov'd of those That were industrious to oppose Erronious principels his minde Was by heav'ns powerfull hand refin'd Who at the last received his spirit And made him happy to inherit The Life and Death of Robert Rollock who dyed Anno Christi 1598. RObert Rollock was borne in Scotland of the ancient Family of the Levingstones in the year 1555. His Father knowing the worth of Learning was very careful to bring up his Son therein and for that end he sent him to Surline and placed him under Thomas Bucanan who finding hiâ— promptnesse and diligence tooke much delight in him From thence he went to the University of Saint Andreweâ— there he spent four years in the study of the Arts and so eminently profited therein that he was chosâ—n a Professor of Phylosophy In the year 1583. the States of Scotland intending to erect a University at Edenburg sent some to Sâ—int Andrews to finde out a fit man that might undertake the Government of it where by the generall vote of all there was none thought so fit for this worke as Rollock which the States being informed of they presently sent foâ— hâ—m and when he was come they entertained him courtâ—ouslâ— after he had been there a while he set upon the workâ— and young Students flock't thither a pace from all parts of the Kingdome whom he instrâ—â—ted in the Arâ—â— and governed with severity mixed with â—lemenâ—y and so educated them in Religion that God blessed his labours â—xceedingly amongst them After four years he examined them strictly and finding their proficiency they commenced Masters of Art then four Professors of Philosophy were joyned with him to share in the paiâ—s which were chosen out of the ablest of thosâ— that had commenced Masters of Arâ—â— Every morning Rollock â—alling the studâ—nts together prayed fervently with themâ— and one day in the weeke expounded some portion of Scriptâ—â—â— to them after which Lecture he took notice which of them had
were not there before Together with a guilt Cut and a Bason and Ewer in all points as weight fashion inscription c. so like to the Cup Bason and Ewer given about 300. yeers since to that Colledge by the religious Foundresse thereof as that not Ovum Ovo â—imilius and these he profest he caused to be made and given not for the continuance of his owne memory but for feare that those which she had given so long since might miscarry and so her remembrance might decay The fift is his Munificence and Bounty To prove which little need be said more then that which hath bin touched in his bountifull Charity But besides that the two famous Universities and they which then were poore Scholars in them will witnesse for him in this point he never coming neer either of them after he was Bishop but that he sent to be distributed among poore Scholars sometimes one hundred poâ—nds and ever fifty pounds at the least One thing I cannot passe over in silence That when King Iames was pleased to grace the University of Cambridge with his presence in 1617. this reverend Father being present also at the Philosophy Act he sent at his departure to foure of the Disputants forty peeces of Gold of two and twenty shillings a peece to be equally divided among them Buâ— what speake I of these Was ever Prince better entertained and in moâ—e magnificent but orderly manner then was hiâ— said Majesty at Farneham Castle one of the Houses belonging to the Bishopricke of Winchester where in the space oâ— three dayes he spent three thousand pounds to the extraordinary contentment of his Majesty and the admiration of all his Followers The next is his Hospitality from the first time of his preferment to meanes of any considerable value even to his dying day he was ever Hospitable and free in entertainment to all people of quality and worthy of respect especially to Schollars and â—trangers his Table being ever bountifully and neatly fâ—rnished with provisions and attendants answerable to whom he committed the care of providing and expending in a plentifull yet orderly way himselfe seldome knowing what meat he had till he came from his Study to Dinner at which he would shew himselfe so noble in his entertainment and so gravely facecious that his guests would often professe they never came to any mans Table where they received better satisfaction in all points and that his Lordship kept Christmas all the yeer in respect of the plenty they ever found there And yet by the way take this that he ever strictly observed in his provisions of dyet the time of Lent Embers and other Fasting dayes according to the Lawes of this Kingdome and the orders of the Church I shall not need to speake of the extraordinary great Hospitality he kept and the large expence he was at in entertainment of all sorts of people in Scotland at what time he attended King Iames thither the Nobility Clergy Gentry and others of both Nations there present will as they often already have speake of it for me to his exceeding great honour So that I know not whether I have fitly couched it under this Head of Hospitality or whether it had more properly belonged to that of his Munificence and Bounty The seventh is his Humanity and affability not onely to the last mentioned his Guests but to every one that did converse with him for which not onely divers famous Scholars and others of this Kingdome but others of Forraigne parts as they had just cause have admired him As not to mention Natives Master Causabow Master Cluâ—vecius Master Vossius Master Grotius Master Moulm Master Barclay and besides many otherâ— Master Erpenius to whom he tendered an Annuall Sâ—ipend to have read and taught here the Orientall tongues wherein long before his death he himselfe had bin well versed as may appeare by his Commencement Verses the experienced Professors whereof he much delighted in and did much for them as Master Bedwell to whom he gave the Vicarage of Tottenham in Midd. if living among others would testifie And the reason for this a late reverend Father of this Church hath given Omnes quid in se amant in aliis venerantur loving and honoring those gifts in others which he had in himselfe for among the other parts of his profound Learning he by his industry had attained to the knowledge of fifteâ—ne tongues if not more To these former may be added his Modesty which was ever such that although the whole Christian world tooke especiall notice of his profound and deep learning yet was he so farre from acknowledging it in himselfe that he would often complaine of his defects even to the extenuating yea vilifying of his owne worth and abilities professing many times that he was but inutilis servas nay inutile pondus insomuch that being preferd by King Iames to the Bishopricke of Chicâ—ester and pretending his owne imperfections and insufficiency to undergoe such a charge as also that he might have not onely his Clergy but all others to take notice thereof he caused to be engraven about the Seale of his Bishopricke those words of Saint Paul Et ad haec quis idoneus and who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 One note of his Modesty mixt with his last vertue of Humanity may be added that after his Chaplaines had Preached in his Chappell before him he would sometime privately request them that he might have a sight of their Notes with very good words and full of encouragement insomuch as they would professe of him that the would never desire a more candid Auditor So that what was said of Bede may as fitly be said of him A pietate modestia â—astitate nomen Venerabilis adeptus est His Indefatigability in Study cannot be paralleld if we consider him from his Childe hood to his old age Never any man tooke such paines or at least spent so much time in Study as this reverend Prelate for even in those dayes when it might have been supposed he would have taken some ease for his former paines then also from the houre he arose his private Devotions finished to the time he was called to Dinner which by his own order was not till twelve at noone at the soonest he kept close at his Booke and would not be interrupted by any that came to speake with him or upon any occasion publick Prayer excepted Insomuch that he would be so displeased with Scholars that attempted to speake with him in a morning that he would say He doubted they were no true Scholars that came to speake with him before noon After Dinner for two or three houres space he would willingly passe the time either in discourse with his guests or other friends or in dispatch of his own temporall affaires or of those who by reason of his Episcopall Jurisdiction attended him and being quit of these and the like occasions he would returne to his Study where he
them and others since have made much use of wherin also by the way he hath inserted the lives Acts and carriages of the Romane Popes that the world might see and know what manner of men or monsters rather many of them have been and how far unlike unto Christ who yet have given themselves out to be Christs Vicars and the chiefe pillars of his Church Shorâ—ly after the happy entrance of that blessed Princess Q. Elizabeth when the storm raised by her sister Mary was now laid he returned over again into England as it semeth stept over from thence into Ireland to visit it may be his former flock if any faithfull of them were remaining yet there or to looke after his library if he might light upon any remaines of it in those places where it had been disor in the hands of those that had seazed upon it But he survived not long to enjoy either the peaceable times of Gods Church here re-established or the comfort of his people if he found any left there or the use and benefit of his books if he recovered any of them For it is by some reported that he dyed in Ireland at sixty and seven yeers of age in the year of our Lord 1558. which yet for the year of his decease may seeme not so to be since that his Catalogue or Centuries of our Brittin Writers Printed by him at Basile while he yet aboad in those parts is dedicated by himselfe to Queen Elizabeth then setled in the throne of this kingdome who began her raigne but in the latter part of that year besides that the latter part of that impression beareth date the Month of February 1559. as alâ—o some verses prefixed before the whole Worke wherein mention is made also of Queen Elizabeths reigne and of the Authors then taking leave of his friends in those parts and intendment of returne with his wife for England again bear date of March the same year which though they may be supposed to imply the close of the yeare 58. according to our computation who begin thâ— year at the latter end of March whereas they begin it at the first of Ianuary yet some space of time must be allowed for his travell out of Swiiâ—serland into England and from thence again into Ireland if there he deceased And it may well be deemed therefore that he survived if not to 1560. yet to 59. at least But this I leave to those that have more certaine records of it nor is the thing it selfe much materiall His Wokes for the most part as himselfe hath related and ranked them together with some few omitted by him and added by others are these First those that he compiled while he was yet a Papists 1 A Bundle of things worth the knowing 2 The Writers from Elias 3 The Writers from Berthold 4 Additions to Trithemius 5 Germane Collections 6 French Collections 7 English Collections 8 Divers writings of divers learned men 9 A Catalogue of Generals 10 The Spirituall War 11 The Castle of Peace 12 Sermons for Children 13 To the Synode at Hull 14 An answer to certaine Questions 15 Addition to Palaonydorus 16 The History of Patronage 17 The Story of Simon the Englishman 18 The Story of Franck of Sene in Italy 19 The Story of Saint Brocard 20 A Commentary on Mantuanis Preface to his Fasti. Secondly those that he wrote after that he had renounced Popery First in Latine 1 The Heliades of the English 2 The Brittish writers 3 Notes on the three Tomes of Walden 4 On his Bundle of Tares 5 On Polydore of the first invention of things 6 On Textors Officine 7 On Capgraves Catalogue 8 On Barnes his lives of Popes 9 The Acts of the Popes of Rome 10 A Translation of Thorps Examination into Latine 11 That of Brittish writers much enlarged with the lives and Acts of the Bishops of Rome inserted 12 An Additton of Scottish Irish and other writers 2 In English 1 In English Meeter and divers sorts of Verse 1 The life of John Baptist. 2 Of John Baptists Preaching 3 Of Christs Tentatinus 4 Two Comedies of Christs Baptisme and Tentations 5 A Comedie of Christ at twelve years old 6 A Comedie of the raising of Lazarus 7 A Comedie of the High Priests Councell 8 A Comedie of Simon the Leper 9 A Comedie of the Lords Supper and the washing of the Deisciples feet 10 Two Comedies or Tragedies rather of Christs Passion 11 Two Comedies of Christs buriall and Resurrection 12 A Poeme of Gods Promises 13 Against those that pervert Gods Word 14 Of the corrupting of God Lawes 15 Against Carpers and Traducers 16 A defence of King John 17 Of King Henries two Mariages 18 Of Popish Sects 19 Of Papists Trecheries 20 Of Thomas Beckets Impostures 21 The Image of love 22 Pammachius his Tâ—agedies translated into English 23 Christian Sonnets 2 In English Prose 1 A Commentarie on Saint Johns Apocalypse 2 A Locupletation of the pocalypse 3 Wicklefs War with the Papists 4 Sir John Oldcastles Trials 5 An Apologie for Bernes 6 A defence of Grey against Smith 7 John Lamberts Confession 8 Anne Askews Martyrdome 9 Of Luthirs Decease 10 The Bishops Alcaron 11 The man of Sinne. 12 The Mistery of Iniquity 13 Against Antichrists or false Christs 14 Against Baals Priests or Balaamites 15 Against the Clergies single life 16 A dispatch of Popish Vowes and Priesthood 17 The Acts of English Votaries in two parts 18 Of Heretickes indeede 19 Against the Popish Masse 20 The Drunkards Masse 21 Against Popish perswasions 22 Against Standish the Imposture 23 Against Bonners Articles 24 Certaine Dialogues 25 To Elizabeth the Kings daughter 26 Against customary swearing 27 On Mantuane of death 28 A Weeke before God 29 Of his Calling to a Bishoprick 30 Of Lelands Iournall or an Abridgement of Leland with Additions 31 A Translation of Sebald Heydens Apologie against Salâ—e Regina 32 A Translation of Gardiners Oration of true Obedience and Bonners Epistle before it with a Preface to it Notes on it and an Epilogue to the Reader Many other things he compiled translated and published which neither himselfe could sodainly call to minde nor others easily light on who yet have added to his recitall But it may well be admired how being so haunted hunted chased and hurried as he was from pillar to post and so oft stript both of bookes and other helps he could come to the sight and view of so many Authors much more how he should have time to surveigh such a multitude of them as by his writings it appeareth he did and most of all how he should be able to write so many volumes to goe no further as you see here related although some of them were but small His industry therefore is very remarkable which as it accompanied him to the last so it surviveth his decease in the fruit of it with us and in the reward of it to him Loe here the man who stir'd Romes
the age of twenty and two years From which time u 〈…〉 de 〈◊〉 Gâ—â—â—ang Cic. oraâ— pro Arch. pâ—â—t repuâ—ing every hour as lost which was not spent in reading or writing something he never gave over till he had brought forth those numerous and voluminous labours whereof you have the Catalogue hereafter written It is the counsell of Ierome w Hiâ—ron ad Rustic put not on too soon in writing nor be transported with a kinde of light headednesse be long in learning that which thou intends to teach And as Philostratus saith x Vit. Apâ—ll Tyâ—n l. 4. c. 11 Palamedes found out letters that men might know not onely what to write but what not But his Works plainly show even those of youngest date that he had learned these grave lessons and that he ran not before he well understood his errand And although I beleeve he might truely say with learned Augustine z Proâ—m li. 3 de Trivit that even by writing for the profit of others he had much profited himselfe Yet I am well assured that he had learned over to good purpose many learned Authors ancient and moderne till he bâ—came himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a living Library I have not without astonishment seen his many large paper books written with his owne hand abundantly testifying how studiously and with singular judgement he had read over most of the old Fathers Councels Ecclesiastick Histories the Civill Code the Body of the Canon Law with many other Writers of all sorts out of which he was able 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 readily to produce apt sentences and observations for every purpose And as a Eccl. 7.25 he applyed his heart to know and so search and to seeke out wisdome and to that end according to that Apostolicall direction gave b 1 Tim. 4.13 attendance unto reading So likewise he followed that godly advice of Cyprian to c Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donatus willing him to mingle frequent prayer with diligent reading sometimes saith he speake thou to God and sometimes let God speake to thee and he professed to his friends how much he had thereby improved his talent Besides all these labors when once he had undertaken the care of souls he well considered what the Apostle Paul by the â—pirit of Godâ— requireth of every Bishop or Pastor of the Church in those his two Epistles to Timothy and â—hat other to Titus d Aug. de docâ— Châ—i li. 4. â— 5. which three Episâ—les Augustine exhorteth â—very Minister of the Word set alwayes before his eyes often lamenting the condition of those poore people who live under ignorant or idle Ministersâ— of whom it may be said in the Words of the Prophet Ieremiah e Lamâ—ntâ—câ— 4. vâ—r 4. The children cry for bread and there was none to breake it unto them and as much bewailing the estate of those proud Prelates who as f Espenc Digres in 1 Tim lib. 2. cap. 2. Espencae speaks of some in his time though able and learned yet hold themselves not learn'd to descend to that servility and basenesse of Preaching because when they have obtained fat Benefices iâ— is not the manner to stoope to such drâ—dgery whilest he like a faithfull and diligent steward of Christ was most paâ—nfull in the execution of his officeâ— Preaching in his Church of Barley for a long time thrice every weeke and diligently himselfe Caâ—echizing the younger sort of his Parish and many of the elder whom hâ— found to have need of g Cry Hieros Cateâ—i 4. such milke as being yet but babes in Christ. And although he had been Chaplaine to that Noble young Prince Henry and both during that time and sometimes since had Preached at Court and knew how to tune his tongue to the most elegant eares yet amongst his own people he taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after a most familiar way affecting h Vt dâ— Eâ—ip◠〈◊〉 a plaine phraise and humble style applying himâ—selfe i Aug. d◠〈◊〉 Chri. l. 4. c. 17 to the capacity of his Hearers reputing that Sermon k Vt Philest de epist. ad Aspâ—th Hier. ad Paâ— best adorned that was least set out with humane learning or eloquence or perplexed with curious questions whiâ—h l Hilar. helpe not towardâ— heaven He was a man of a most comely presence his complextion faire and ruddy even m Iul. in Caes. in age hiâ— countenance composed oâ— gravity and sweetnesse his disposition was pleasanâ— and cheerefull alwayes merry in the Lord whereby his conversation was most delightfull to good Christians that were acquainted with him And as Suidas speakes of Macariuâ— the Egyptian he drew his friends on in the wayes of God with a kind of smoothing perswasions and pleasant discourses upon all occasions And alâ—hough he knew how to râ—prove and to cut up roundly where there was just cause yet he o Chrysâ—st iâ— Tit. was most aptly fitted and enclined to bind up the broaken and wounded consciences and with heavenly consolationâ— drawne from the fountaine of living waters to refresh a wearied and fainting spirit p Iob 16.5 He strengthened them with his mouth and the moving of his lips did asswage their griefe q Cant. 4.11 While his lips dropped as the hony combe How joyfully was he entertained by such even as Ambrose by sick Valentinian whose visits seemed to him as the r Ambr. in Obit Valent. approaches of health He was a man of a most exemplary life both in his owne s Arâ—hi Tare apud Phil. family and abroad with others He was in fastings often and alwayes t Senec. epi 8 Cic. Offic. 1. temperate in his diet many dayes eating little or nothing untill night and that especially when he laboured most as on his Lecture-dayes professing that he v Hippoc. Epid l. 6. sect 4. found himselfe both in body and minde more active by it He was a constant and unwearied Student tying himselfe for the most part to eight houres a day and w Vt Eâ—enoâ— dividing every part of the day unto some peculiar work nor easily suffâ—ing any avocation though he had many secular cares lying upon him having a wife and fourteen children living at his death till as he was wont to speak x Iulian in Misopog ex Menandro he had finished his taske His conversation abroad was a perpetuall instruction to y Ibid. his people That true z Maca. â—o 15 character of a Christian man a Clem. de â—orr eccl stat ca. 22. that highest degree of perfection and most neer to Christ that b Basil. treasury of all graces humility was in him most eminent he was most just and upright in all his dealings and indeed so regardlesse of these earthly things that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 easily beguiled by such aâ— were dishonest yet he was well acquainted with the Laws but very carefull to keepe both himselfe
Here may we not without much wrong deny To this Erpenius honoured memory Who was most famous in his generation A man of exc'llent parts to admiration And in the Orientall tongues so rare That few or none with him deserv'd compare For th'Arabick and Hebrew tongues likewise The Kings of France and Spain did him so prize Yea England Holland Germany Italy Proffer'd great summes t' enjoy his company And rare eudowments deep experience At forty years of age death took him hence The Life and Death of Abraham Scultetuâ— who dyed Anno Christi 1624. ABraham Scultetus was born at Grunberge in Silesia Anno Christi 1566. his Parents were of good rank who carefully brought him up at School where he profited exceedingly and Anno Christi 1582. he went to Vraâ—islavia where he for had his fellow-students Pitiscus Polanus Pelargus men who after proved eminent in the Church of God Having studyed there sometime he went thence to Freistade to hear Melancthon Bucolzer and some others But his active spirit could not long be continued within the bounds of his owne Couny and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a Noble Knight he went to Wittenberg and from thence to Dessavia to acquaint himselfe with Peter Martyr and Casper Pucer Anno Christi 1590. he went to Hiedleberg where he heard Daniel Tossan and Francis Iunius there also he read Lectures of Logick Oratory and Astronomy to diverse young Noblemen and the year after Commenced Master of Arts then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity thereby to fit himselfe for the Ministery which from his childhood he had devoted himselfe to and Preaching before the Elector Palatinâ— he so flowed with elâ—quencâ— and 〈◊〉 that the Prince and all his Courtiers were 〈◊〉 delightâ—d in himâ— which caused the Elâ—â—toâ— to mâ—kâ— hiâ— visitor both of the Schoolâ—â—nd Churches Yea many other Princes made use of his help in reforming their Churches in Iuliâ—rs Brandenburg and Hanovia he was also sent to the Synod of Dort Anno Christi 1612. the Prince Elector Palatine took him into England with him where he was much esteemed respected by King Iames and other learned men at his returne to Hiedleberg he was made Professor in the University and Doctor in Divinity Anno Christi 1618. But about that time grievous Wars breaking forth the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards oveâ— all 〈…〉 Hiedleberg and travelled 〈…〉 met with many affliction◠〈…〉 long tossed up and down in 〈…〉 the Lord at last provided him a quiet 〈…〉 â—here he was choâ—sen a Preacher 〈…〉 orn out wiâ—h travels 〈…〉 Ministery he quietly 〈…〉 1624. and of his age 58. What admiâ—able endowments he had his Works do sufficiently declare especially his Medulla Patrum which is so much esteemâ—d by learned men Most worthy also is Scultetus grave The Palme and prize of praise and fame to have Wâ—â—â—â—r â—is 〈◊〉 wit â—nd worthâ— His learned labours rare in print put forth Chiefly Medulla Patrum that choyce piece Preferred far to Jasons golden fleece By all the learned Had in high request For 's eloquence and diligence exprest By our King Jamâ—s and other Princes great Who with most high applause obtain'd the seat In Hiedlebergâ— brâ—ve University Of the Professour there and worthily Made Doctor of Divinity At last Having much trouble with his comforts past At Embdâ—n God him gave a quiet Statioâ— And there by death crown'd him with heav'ns salvation Robert Bolton Batchelour in diuinity minister of Gods word att Broughton in Northamton shire The Life and Death of Robert Bolton RObert Bolton was born at Blackborn in Lancashire Anno Christi 1572. his Parents finding in him a great promptnesse to learning though they had no great means yet they intended him for a Scholar the rather having an opportunity of a good Schoolmaster in the town where he profited exceedingly and at twenty years old he went to Lincoln Colledge in Oxford and was Master Randaâ—'s Pupil afterwards a famous Preacher there in a short time being well grounded before and industrious he beâ—ame an excellent Logician and Phylosopher at which time his father dying and his meanes failing he took excessive pains and wanting books he borrowed of his Tutor and others read them over and abridged them and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek he wrote out all Homer with intolerable pains so that he could with as much facility dispute in the Schools in Greek as in Latine or English From thence he removed to Brasen-nose Colledge the Fellowships there belonged to Lancashire and Cheshire men yet for want of acquaintance he stayed long without a Fellowship which made him to languish through want but his deserts being known Doctor Bret and some others together with some small stipends he had for his Lectures in that House supported him till he gat a Fellowship about the thirtieth year of his Age then also he Commenced M r. of Arts and being chosen Lecturer he performed it with such exactness that he grew very famous his Disputations in the University were performed with such acutenesse of wit and profound learning that he was chosen by the Vice chancellor at King Iames his first coming to the University to be one of the Disputants before him and to read naturall Phyloâ—sophy in the Publick Sâ—hools he was also well studyed in Metaphysicks Mathamaticks and Schoolâ—Divinity yet all this while he had nothing in him for Religion he loved Stage-playes Cards Dice was a horrible swearer Sabbathâ—breaker and boon-companion he neither loved goodnesse nor good men He hearing the fame of Master Perkins went to Cambridge at a Commencement that he might hear him Preach and hâ—ving heard him said That he was a barren empty fellow and a passing meane Scholar but when God changed his heart he changed his tune and said That Master Perkins was aâ— learned and godly a Divine aâ— our Church hath in many years enjoyed in so young a man He had familiar acquaintance with one Master Anderton a good scholer his Country man and formerly his Schoolfellow but a strong Papist yea a Priest he knowing Master Boulton's good parts and oâ—tward wants took that advantage to perswadeâ— him to go over with him to the English Seminary at Rome where he should be furnished with all necessaries and have gold enough this motion he excepted of and a day and place was appointed in Lanâ—ashire to take shipping from thence and be gone Thither Master Bolton repaired at the time prefixed but Anderton came not whereby escaping that snare he returned to Oxford where he fell into acquaintance with Master Peacock a learned and godly man whereby it pleased God to bring him to repentance but by â—uch a way as the Lord seldome useth but upon such strong vessels as he intendeth for strong encounters and rare employments for the Lord ran upon him as a Giant taking him by the neck and shaking him to pâ—eces as he did Iob beating him to the ground as he did Paul by laying before
the greatest I feel is your cold hand and then being layed downe againe no long after he yeelded up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631. and of his age sixty He was one of a thousand for Piety and Courage which were so excellently mixed with wisdome that they who imagined mischiefe against his Ministry were never able by all their plottings to doe him any more hurt then onely to shew their teeth Laus Deo Of all the worthyes that deserv'd so well And did in parts and piety excell And Garlands therefore of just honour have None more did merit then this Past or grave Renowned Robert Bolton one well known For his divine rare parts second to None Who though in 's youth he seem'd a wicked Saul In 's riper years he prov'd a precious Paul A most renowed preaching Son of thunder Yet a sweet Barnabas even to deep wonder To sons of sorrow and for Gods blest cause Invincible in courage and from pawes Of Sathans power who pull'd afflicted spirits By comforts sweet herein being of high merits And as for 's preaching so for 's writings rare Extant in print even almost past compare One of ten thousand for his piety Constancy wisdome learning gravity Who as he liv'd belov'd so blestly dy'd And now his Sainted soul in heaven doth bide The Life and Death of William Whately who dyed Anno Christi 1639. WIlliam Whately was born in Banbury in Oxfordshire An. Christi 1583. of godly and religious Parents his father was oft Mayor of that Towne his mother carefully bred him up in the knowledge of the Scriptures from a child he was also trained up in learning in the best Schools in those parts and being of a quick apprehention a cleare judgement and a most happy memory he profited so much both in Latine Greek and Hebrew that at fourteen years old he went to Christs Colledge in Cambridge There he was an hard Student and qucikly became a good Logician and Phylosopher a strong Disputant and an excellent Orator He studyed also Poetry and Mathematicks He was a constant hearer of Doctor Chaderton and M r. Perkins And his Tutor calling his Pupils to an â—ccount what they had learned when any was at a stand he would say Whately what say you and he would repeat as readily as if had preached the Sermon himselfe being Batchelor of Arts his Father took him home yet there also he followed his study Afterwards he married a wife the Daughter of Master George Hunt an eminent Preacher who perswaded him to enter into the Minisâ—ery and therefore going to Oxford he commensed Master of Arts and presently after was called to be a Lecturer at Banbury w ch he performed with good approbation for four years and then was called to the Pastorall chargâ— there in which place he continued to his death He was naturally eloquent and had words at willâ— he was of an able body and â—ound lungs and of a strong and audible voyce He was a Bâ—nerges a son of Thunder and yet upon occasion a Barnabas a son of sweet Consolation His speech and preaching was not in the inticing words of man's wisdome but in the Demonstation of the Spirit of Power He was an Apolloâ— eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures he Catechized and Preached twice every Lords day and a weekly Lecture besides yet what he Preached was before well studyed and premeditated He usuall penned his Sermons at large and if he had but so much time as to read over what he had written and to gather it up into short heads he was able to deliver it well-near in the same words His Preaching was plain yet very much according to Scripture and the rules of Art He made good use of his Learning yet without affectation He used to read Books most swiftly yet not cursorily being able when he had don to give an account of the substance and most remarkable passages of what he had read And it pleased Gâ—d to put a Seal to his Minisâ—â—y in the câ—nverting confirming and building up many thousands in the course of his Ministery He was a diligent visitor of the â—ick under his charge without respâ—ct of peâ—sons he was a great Pâ—ace maker amoâ—gst any of hiâ— Flâ—â—k that were at variance he had an heavenly gift in prayer both for aptnâ—sse and fulnesse of Confessions Petitions Supplycations Intercessions and Praises together with fervency of spirit to power them out to God in the name of Christ. Wâ—en he had read a Psalme or Chap. in his Family in his prayer he would discover the scope meaning chiefe notes of observation and their use that his Prayer was an excellent Commentary thereupon and this not onely in the plainer but in the harder Texts of Scripture also His constant practiâ—e was besides Family-prayer twice a dâ—y and sometimes Catechizing to pray also with his wife and alone both morning and evening He set apart private dayes of Humiliation for his Family upon speciall occasions and oft for their preparation to the Lord's Supper at which times he would exceed himselfe in pouring out his soul to God with many tears He was much in dayes of private Fasting and humbling himself alone before God which impaired his health but made much for the health of his soul. He was very able and very ready to confer with and to resolve the doubts of such as came him He bare such a tender love to that great people over which God had set him that though his means was small and he had many offers of great preferment in the Church yet he would not leave them He was daily inquisitive afâ—er the affairs of Gods Church and sympathized with Gods people both in their weal and woe He was much grieved when he saw that difference in opinions bred strangnesse amongst Christians that agreed iâ— that same Fundamentall Truths He was judiciously charitable to such as shewed the power of godliness in their lives though they were not of his judgment in all things He was glad when any of the righteous smote him would tâ—ke it well not from his Superiours onely but from his Equals and far Inferiors and would really shew more testimonies of his love to such afterwards then ever he did before He abounded in works of Mercy he was a truly liberall man one that studyed liberall things seeking out to find objects of his mercy rather thâ—n staying till they were offered he did set apart and expend for many years together for good uses the tenth part of his yearly comings in both out of his Temporall and Ecclesiasticall meanes of maintenanceâ— he entertained somâ— poor Widows or necessitous persons weekly at the least at his Table and his estate prospered the better after he took this course and in his sicknesse he comforted himselfe with that promise Psal. 41.1 2. Blessed is he that considereth the poore the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing c. His last dayes were his best dayes for then he grew exceedingly in humility and in heavenly-mindednesse And a good while before his latter end God gave him victory over his greatest corruptions which for a long time kept him in continuall exercise About eight weeks before his death he was much troubled with a cough and shortnesse of breath which much weakned him yet he Preached divers times till his encreasing weaknesse disabled him In his sicknesse he gave heavenly and wholesome counsell to his people neighbours and friends that came to visit him exhorting them to labor to redeem the time to be much reading hearing and Meditating upon the Word of God much in prayer brotherly love and communion of Saints and that they would be carefull to hold that fast that he had taught them out of the Word of Truth and that whil'st the the meanes of Salvation was to be had they would neither spare pains nor cost to enjoy it His pains towards his end were very great yet he bore them patiently He was much in ejaculations and lifting up his heart to God in behalfe of the Church and State and for himselfe also wherein he was most frequent and earnest a little before his death A godly friend Minister praying with him that if his time were not expired God would be pleased to restore him for the good of his Church or if otherwise that he would put an end to his pains if he saw good he lifting up his eyes stedfastly towards heaven and one of his hands in the close of that prayer gave up the Ghost shutting his eyes himself as if he were fallen into a sweet sleep Anno 1639. and of his age 56. God tooke him away a little before the Civill Wars began and before the sad desolations that fell upon the Town of Banbury in particular Renowned William Whately also wins Like fame with Bolâ—on as two equall twins Of honour and renown for piety And admirable parts in 's Ministry In Latine Greek and Hebrew rarely able A Disputant also unconquerable Of apprehension quick of judgement clear Strong memory and that which was most dear Of a most holy life and Conversation Who many souls did win to Christs salvation And Divine-like in Scriptures eloquent In Prayer Preaching faithfull and fervent Much charity and love who still exprest Among his people a Peacemaking blest Pittifull patient full of courtesie His soul with Christ now raignes most gloriously FINIS
there afterwards for falling not long after into a very dangerous sicknesse whereof he hardly recovered the Fathers of his Order in a generall Assembly shortly after his recovery supposing that the ayre of that City did not so well agree with him made him their Generall Viâ—iter when he had been yet but three yeeres at Naples In which imployment supported by the Cardinall Gonzagâ— the Protector of their Order he so carryed himselfe suppressing some that carryed themselves tyrannously in their places severely chastising others that lived loosly leudly that though he gained much grace and credit to the Order no lesse love and affection to himselfe from the better minded among them yet incurred he withall much envy ill-will from those that were otherwise disposed It is a point of divellish policy too oft practised under a sembleance of honour to prefer men to such places as may prove prejudiciall to them and become a meanes of their overthrow Some of these Machiavilians therefore in a generall meeting of the Fathers of the Order at Manâ—ua knowing a deadly fewd and inveterate hatred to intercede betweene the Inhabitants of Luca and those of Florence our Martyrs Country move to have him made Pryor of Saint Fridian in Luca a place of great esteem for that the Pryor of that House hath Episcopall Jurisdiction over the one moity of the City hoping that for Countries sake he should there find opposition and molestation more then enough The motion was on all hands soon assented unto but the event answered not their expectation For by his wise kind and discreet carryage among them he gained so much good will and esteeme with them that they affected him no otherwise then as if he had been a native and by a solemn embassage made suite to the Principall of the Order that Peter Martyr might not be removed againe from them Here to advance both Religion and Learning among them he procured learned men of great note to read to the younger sort the tongues one Latine and the other Greeke and a third which was Emmanuell Tremellius the Hebrew He himselfe daily read to them some part of Saint Pauls Epistles in Greek and examined them in the same to the whole Company before supper he expounded some Psalme to which exercise diverse learned of the Nobility and Gentry did also usually resort and every Lords day he preached publikly to the People By which his godly labours many attained to much knowledge as appeared afterward by the number of those who after his departure thence sustained exilement for the truth among whom that famous Zanchie one These his good proceedings his adversaries much maligning held a meeting at Genoa and convented him thither But he having intellidence of their complotment and taking warning by their late dealings with a godly Eremite of the same Order resolved to decline them and to betake himselfe to some place of better safety Having therefore committed to his Deputy the charge of the Monastery and his Library his onely wealth to a trusty friend in Luca to be sent after him into Germany he left the City secretly and from thence travelled first toward his owne Country to Pisa where meeting with certaine religious Noble men he celebrated together with them in due manner the Lords Supper and from thence by letters both to Cardinall Poole and to those of Luca he rendred a reason of his departure from them After that coming to Florence but making no long stay there he departed from thence for Germany and passing the Alpes came into Switzerland wher he arrived first at Zurick and passing thence to Basil was by Bucers procurement called over to Strasbourge where for the spâ—c of five yeers with much amity and agreement they joyned together in the Lords worke during which time he expounded the Lamentations of Ieremy the twelve lesser Prophets Genesis Exodus and a good part of Leviticus Here he tooke him a wife one of a religious disposition and in all respects a meete match for one of his ranke and profession who lived with him eight yeeres died in England at Oxford where she had lived in great repute with the best for her singular piety and with the most for he charity corrrespondent thereunto though after her decease in Queen Maries dayes her remaines were inhumanely digged up againe and buried in a dunghill but in Queen Elizabeths dayes restored to their former place of Sepulture againe For after that our Martyr had spent those five yeeres at Strasbourge he was through the procurement of Archbishop Cranmer sent for by letters from King Edward into England and made Reader of Divinity in the University of Oxford There in his readings to which those of the Popish faction also resorted he expounded the first of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and though much envying and stomaking him yet with some patience they his Popish hearers endured him untill he came to handle the Doctrine of the Lords Supper but then they began to breake forth into some outrage to disturbe him in his Lectures to set up mâ—licious and scandalouâ— schedules against him to challing him to disputes which he waved not but maintained first in private in Doctor Cox the Vice chancellors house and afâ—er in publike before his Majesties Commissioners deputed to that purpose where with what strength of Argument and authorty of Scripture he convinced his Antagonists the Acts yet extant may evidently shew This way little prevailing they stirred up the seditious multitude against him by reason whereof he was compelled to retirâ— him to London untill that tumult was supprest Then returning againe for his better security the King made him a Canon of Christs Chuâ—ch by meanes whereof he had convenient housing within the Colledge with more safety Thus setled the second time he proceeded in his wonted employmâ—nt opening now also the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans and being in times of vacation called up to London by the Archbishop for his aid and advice in Ecclesiasticall affaires and in composing of Ordinances for the government of the Church And in this course he continued being never out of action untill by the decease of thâ—t our English Phaenix so much admired in his life and bewailed at his death not with ours at home but by others also and that of a divers religion abroad upon the succession of his sister Queen Mary one of a contrary disposition his employment surceased and with somewhat adoe he gat liberty and departed the land and though being way-laid which he had notice of both on this side and beyond the seas yet by Gods good providence and protection he passed unknown and undiscovered through Brabant and other Popish territories and gat in safety to Strasbourge Thither returning he was received with the greater joy in regard of the dangers he had past and escaped and was restored to his professors place againe Therein being resetled he read upon the booke of Iudges and because the Senate
required that the Readers of Divinity should withall at certaine times read Lectures also of Philosophy it was agreed betweene him and Zanchie his fellow-professor that the one of them should read Morall Philosophy which fell to his lot and the other Naturall which Zanchie undertooke Howbeit here he was not long quiet for some factious ones began to complaine of him to the Magistrates as not concurring with the Augustine confession in the Doctrine of the Lords Supper wherein albeit he gave those in authority good satisfaction yet he perceived much heart-burning in other-some and that manifested oft times as well by scandalous libels scattred abroad as also by open opposition Whereupon supposing that he should not live quâ—etly there and do the good that he desired he began to entertaine thoughts of departure and as God in his holy providence pleased to dispose it a fit and faire occasion thereof offred it selfe to him For they at Zurick whereat first he desired to have setled wanting one to succeede Pellicane lately deceased in the Divinity Lecture invite Peter Martyr to come over to them and supply that place thither he came tho with much griefe and unwillingnesse dismissed by the Magistrates and other godly of Strasbourge his fellow-professors especially accompanied with our worthy Iewel after Bishop of Salisbury then exile in those parts who ever entirely affected and reverenced him as his Father At Zuricke with much gratulation was he most lovingly and respectively received by the Magistrates Ministers Bullinger especially and the maine body of the people and notwithstanding an Order before made to the contrary denying such admittance for some yeeres unto any enrolled instantly for a free Denison There he taught about seven yeers expounding the books of Samuel and a good part of the Kings and writing divers polemicall discoursâ—s against the adversaries of the truth Nor would he remove thence albeit he were with much importunity invited to other places where the meanes were larger as first to Geneva upon the decease of that every way noble Count Maximilian Celsus Pastor of the Italian Church there and after in Queen Elizabeths dayes when Religion was againe here setled Bishop Iewell labouring with him in it to returne into these parts but continued teaching there till he died howbeit being earnestly required by letters as well from the Queen mother of France the King of Navarre the Prince of Condee and other Peeres of that Realm as also from Beza and the rest of the Ministers of the reformed Churches in those parts he obtained leave of the Senate to goe over into France to the solemn Conference at Poysâ—i where how wisely and worthily he demeaned himselfe by the Acts of it may appeare Not long after his accesse to Zuricke desirous to continue the race and name of the Virmilii he tooke him a second wife a Virgin of good note and name commended to him from the Iâ—alian Church at Geneva where she lived an Exile for Religion by whom he had two children a son and a daughter who died both very young before him and left her great with a third that proved a daughter He departed this life quietly after some seven dayes sicknesse sitting in his chaire in the presence of his wife and Religious friends on the twelfth day of Novâ—m in the yeer of grace 1562. and of his owne age the sixty third He was of an able healthy big-boned and well limmed body of a countenance expressing an inward grave and setled disposition of extraordinary parts of learnng as well for humanity as for divinity excellent for disputation much admired wheresoever he came for his discreet and moderate though constant and incorrupt carriage never seen in heat of dispute to breake forth into chollour very painfull and industrious endevouring to doe all the good he could for Gods Church either in the places where he was resiant or elsewhere Nor may be omitted here the speech used of him to those of Zuricke by that learned man Iosias Simler that made the Funerall Oration at his Buriall and hath described his life at large that Another they might have in Martyrs roome but another Martyr they should not have But what he was and how laborious his Workes extant besides many other never published will soon shew which are these 1. A Catechisme or Exposition of the Creed in Italian 2. A Prayeâ—-booke composed out of the Psalmes 3. His Commentaries upon Genesis 4. His Commentaries upon the Booke of Iudges 5. His Commentaries upon the two Books of Samuel 6. His Commentaries upon the first Booke of Kings and eleven chapters of the second 7. His Commentaries upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans 8. His Commentaries upon the first Epistle to the Corinthians 9. His Disputations at Oxford about the Lords Supper 10. His Defence about the orthodox Doctrine of the Lords Supper against Stephâ—n Gâ—rdiner 11. An abridgement of the said Defence made by him afterward 12. His Confession exhibited to the Senate of Strasbourg concerning the supper of the Lord. 13. His judgement concerning the presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament delivered at the Conference of Poyssi 14. A Discourse concerning the Masse 15. A Dialogue concerning the place of Christs Body against the Ubiquitaries 16. His refutation of Richand Smiths two bookes concerning single life and Monkish Vows 17. In his commentaries on the first and second bookes of Aristatle Ethicks and part of the third 18. His Common-Places gathered out of his Commentaries by others and digested into Heads 19. Certain Treatises of Free-wil Gods Providence Predestination and the cause of Sin 20. Propositions some necessary some probable out of Genesis Exodus Leviticus and Judges together with Solutions of a Question or two concerning some Mosaicall Laws and Oathes 21. Divers Sermons and Orations of severall Subjecâ—s and made upon severall occasions 22. His letters to sundry Persons concerning much variety of usefull Discourse Behold this Star which séem'd at the first view Eccâ—ipst with Romish fogs but after grew So bright that his Refulgence did display Truths Banner beaming like the Sun of day His sunshine was not visible alone In true Religions reform'd Horizon But cast his foraign influence as far As th'Artick's distant from th'Antartick star Uext Romes iugenious Malice did compact To quench this flame but failed in the Acts. The seven-crown'd dragons star confronting traine Lasht at this Starâ— but lasht and lasht in vaine Thus he remains sustain'd by higher powers A Saint in heau'ns bright Orbe a Star in Onrs. HVGH LATYMER The Life and Death of Hugh Latimer HVgh Latimer born at Thirkesson in the County of Leicester being of a prompt and sharp wit was by his Parents brought up in learning and at the age of 14. he went to Cambridge where after he had profited in other studies he gave himself to the study of School-Divinity commensed Batchelor in Divinity and was a very zealous Papist made an Oration against Philip Melancâ—hon railed against Master Stafford