what profit came to the people thereby Another decree for the abolishing of Christmas-day and that no holy day should be observed but the Sabbath onely which did so offend some loose persons that they bruited abroad that Master Calvin had abolished the Sabbaths to bring the greater odium upon him This offence taken by some occasionâ—â— Calvin to write his book of Scandals dedicated to Laurenâ—â— Normendius his intimate friend Anno Christi 1551. great contentions brake out in the Church and this year was begun with the death of Bucer to the great grief of the whole Church and of Master Calvin especially who alwayes highly prised him About the same time dyed Joachim Vadian a Senator of Geneva a man endowed with singular learning and piety Whereupon the wickedness of the factious persons brake forth again which had slept a great while These men would by no means suffer the exiles which fled thither for Religion to injoy the priviledges of the City and not content therewith Mast. Calvin having been forth to Preach beyond the Rhodanus as he came home they entertained him with scorns and one Raimund his Colleague having occasion one evening to pass the bridge over the Rhodanus they had almost cast him into the River and lastly they raised a great tumult in the Church of Saint Gervase because a child being brought to be baptized the Minister refused to give him the name of Balthazar which name had beenf or some reason forbidden by their Law Neither could Master Calvin tel how to cure these evils but by his invincible patience About the same time another mischief invaded the Church of Geneva which was occasioned by one Jerome Bolsec a Frier Carmelite of Paris who had indeed laid aside his Coul but not his Monkish mind This man first fled to the Dutchess of Ferrara whom he deceived till being found out he was driven from thence Then pretending to be a Physician he came to Geneva but the learned Physicians there rejecting him that he might manifest himselfe a Divine he vented some false and absurd opinions about Predestination first in private and then in the publick Congregation Him therefore did Master Calvin confute first with a moderate reproof only then sending for him to him he laboured to instruct him better but he either puffed up with his Monkish pride or provoked by the seditious persons seeking by him to provoke Master Calvin took the boldness upon the sixteenth of October to preach upon this Text He that is of God heareth the words of God and they which hear them not are not of God whence he took occasion to preach up Freewill and that Predestination was out of works foreseen withall reproaching the true doctrine and shewing himself seditiously proud and he became the more bold because seeing Master Calvins seat empty he judged him to be absent But indeed Master Calvin coming late sate behind some others and when the Frier had done Master Calvin suddenly standing up though he had thought of no such thing before then truly if at any time he shewed what a man he was confuting the Frier with so many testimonies of Scripture with so many places out of Saint Augustine and lastly with so many weighty arguments that all were ashamed of what he had taught but only the impudent fellow himself Insomuch that one of the Magistrates of the City apprehended him and committed him to prison for a seditious person and after hearing and examining his cause the judgement of the Senat of the Helvetian Churches being also requested upon the 23th day of Decemb. he was publickly condemned for sedition and Pelagianisme and banished the City being rhreatned with severe punishment if he were afterwards found either in the City or territories belonging to it After this going into a neighbour Town he was the cause of many and great stirs there till he was twice expelled the Country of the Bernates From thence going into France he sought to get into the Ministry in the Reformed Churches which he found in a peaceable condition first in Paris then in Orleans pretending great penetency for his former miscarriages and of his own accord seeking reconciliation with the Church at Geneva But presently after when he saw the Churches under affliction he fell back to his Popery loading the reformed Churches with many reproaches At the same time the Colledge of Ministers at Geneva in a publick meeting asserted the true Doctrine of Predestination which Calvin put into writing So that all the Divel gat by these contentions was that that head of Christian Religion which before which was very obscure was now very clearly opened to the understanding of all that were not contentious The year following which was 1551. it further appeared what a flame this wicked Varlet had kindled though condemned by the common judgement of so many Chuâ—ches For the difficulty of the question having not been sufficiently explicated by the Ancients did stir up especially curious wits to make inquiry into the same By which means the factious persons supposing that they had gotten an excellent advantage against Master Calvin thought that by removing him they might subvert all things So that it cannot be imagined what stirs arose not onely in the City but also in other places as if the Divell had set all his engines on work to raise contentions For though there was a sweet agreement amongst the chief Pastors of the Churches yet there were not some wanting in the Country of the Bernates which accused Calvin as if he had made God the Author of sin Being forgetful how far he had professedly opposed that cursed Tenet when he had confuted the Libertines At Basil Castalio a good and simple man though he did all things closely yet it was discerned that he defended Pelagianisme and Melancâ—â—hon had so bâ—gun to write of these things that though he had formerly subscribed Calvins book against Pighius yet he seemed to brand the Genevians as if thâ—y held the Fate of the Stoicks The Pontificians also though they had been a thousand times confuted yet renewed their old slanders These things did much trouble Master Calvins mind and so much the rather because the efficacy of error was so great at this time that thâ— mouth of truth in some places seemed to be stopt by publick Authority Neither was this a controversie of a few years This same year that good Hermite whom we mentioned before appeared publickly to dispute with Calvin who had suffered a repulse when some years before he had sought tâ— creep into the ministry whereupon he turned Lawyer and the Patron of the factious persons Their cause came to be heard before the Senate with a great contention on both sides the first fighting with impudâ—ncy and the favour of the wicked but M Calvin defending his Doctrine only with the authority of truth And the truth prevailed M. Calvins writings being judged pious and
not suffer their Bishop to have any violence done to him Hereupon the people being assembled from all parts a great tumult was raised so that every one expected a Sedition to ensue the President sent presently to the Emperour to acquaint him with these proceedings and in the mean time suffered Athanasius to remain in the City Many days after when the Sedition was well appeased Athanasius privily stole out of the City and went and hid himself in a certain secret place The night after the President and Colonel of the Souldiers went to his house which joined to the Church and there sought every corner for him but not finding him they lost their labours For they thought that now the people were quieted and feared no such matter they might easily apprehend him and so execute the Emperours command But when Athanasius could not be found every one much wondered at it believing that God had discovered the danger to him and thereby preserved him from it Others say that Athanasius mistrusting the heady and rash motion of the common people fearing that if any mischief were wrought by them it would be laid to his charge retired privily and hid himself for the space of four months in his Fathers Monument But in the mean time the Emperour Valence considering how many friends Athanasius had which by reason of his absence might happily raise commotions to the great prejudice of the Empire and withall considering that Valentinian who was an earnest Defender of the Nicene Faith might take the banishment of Athanasius very hainously hereupon he wrote very loving Letters to the people of Alexandria signifying that his pleasure was that Athanasius should quietly according to their hearts desire enjoy his Bishoprick Yet in other places a great Persecution was raised against the Orthodox who were driven out of their Churches and Arians placed in their rooms only the Churches of Egypt enjoyed Peace all the life time of Athanasius whose death fell out not long after when having endured many skirmishes in the quarrel of the Church and having been Bishop 46 years in which time he had often been in great hazard of his life yet at the length through the goodness and mercy of God he dyed in peace in his own City of Alexandria leaving behinde him Peter a godly and zealous man to succeed him Anno Christi 375. It was said of him Non solùm Episcopi c. Not only Bishops but Emperours Kingdoms Nations and Armies opposed him whereupon he used to say Though an Army should encamp about me yet would I not fear In the time of Julian the Apostate who made much use of Conjurers the Magicians and Southsayers in Alexandria cryed out that they could do nothing in their Art except Athanasius were removed out of the City It was said of him Vnus Athanasius contra totum mundum One Athanasius stood firm against all the world Gregory Nazianzen stiles him Tubam ingentem Columnam Ecclesiae The great Trumpet and Pillar of the Church Theodoret stiles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Bulwark of Truth His Works are commonly printed in two Tomes which Scultetus distinguisheth into Germana Dubia Supposita Germana sunt Oratio adversus Gentes Oratio de incarnatione verbi Expositio Fides Respons ad Liberium Epistola de fide ad Jovinianum Sermo de incarnatione Orationes quinque contra Arianos Tractat in illud dictum Omnia mihi sunt tradita à Patre Epistolae and Adelphinum fratrem and Maximum Philosophum de sententia Dionysii Refutatio hypocriseos Miletii Eusebii Pauli Samosetani Sermo de humana natura suscepta Epistolae ad Epictetum de Incarnatione Christi contra Apolinarium Oratio contra Apolinarium Oratio contra gregales Sabellii Epistolae duae ad Scrapionem de spiritu sancto Epistola de Incarnatione Verbi Dei. Apologiae ad Imperatorem Constantinum De fuga sua prima secunda Ad Africà nos Narratio de Concilio Nicaeno Epistola Catholica Epistolae ad Antiochenses ad Serapionem de morte Arii ad omnes solitariam vitam agentes De Synodis Arimini Seleuciae ad omnes ubique Orthodoxos Ad Joan. Antiochum Ad Palladium Ad Dracontium Ad Ruffianum De Sabbato Circumcisione De peccato in S. Sanctum Synopsis Scripturae sanctae Dubia sunt Orationes de Semente De Ascensione Christi Symbolum Athanasii Epistola ad Aremùn Fragmentum Epistolae festalis Vita S. Antonii De Virginitate sive de meditatione Omnia reliqua sunt supposititia The Life of Hilarie who flourished An. Chri. 355. HIlarie Bishop of Poictiers was nobly descended and of excellent gifts He was frequent in Preaching exemplary in Life a great opposer of the Arian Heresie whereupon the Bishops Valence and Vrsacius procured the Emperour to banish him into Phâ—ygia Afterwards the Emperour commanding many Bishops to assemble at Seleucia to give their opinions about the Arian Heresie Hilarie carried himself so well there that he was restored to Poictiers After which he travelled over Italy and France diligently instructing the Bishops of both those countries in the Canons of the Catholick Faith He was a very Eloquent man and wrote many things in the Latine tongue amongst which he wrote 12 Books of the Trinity expounded the Canon containing the clause Of One Substance proved it sufficiently and confuted the arguments of the Arians He was a very Heavenly man both in his Life and Doctrine and by his means especially the Faith confirmed in the Nicene Council was propagated and defended in these Western parts of the World all his life time He wrote also against the Emperour Constantius one Book Two Books to the Emperour against Auxentius the Arian Commentaries on Matthew Epistles to S. Augustine c. He dyed in peace under Valentinian and Valence CYRIL The Life of Cyril who dyed Anno Christi 365. Cyrillus Bishop of Jerusalem was at the first an Arian and therefore by that faction was made Bishop of Hierusalem but shortly after he was accused in a Council for certain hainous crimes by whom he was deposed from his Bishoprick and being often called by them to purge himself from those crimes he still absented himself for the space of 2 years thinking thereby to escape and the crime to be forgotten as soon as he was deposed he sent an appellation in writing to his Deposers appealing from them to the Judges of the Higher Court. Constantius the Emperour admitted his appellation so that Cyril was the first and the only man that brought in this president so prejudicial to the Ecclesiastical constitutions At length he came to Seleucia to have his cause heard where his Deposition was confirmed for his communicating with certain heretical Bishops and Herennius was substituted in his room Bishop of Hierusalem and after him Heraclius and after him Hilarius These continued the Government of that Church till the reign of Theodosius senior At which
Wood or Marble His Table rather for Discourse and Disputation then for rich Banqueting and it had Ingraven upon it Quisquis amat dictis absentem rodere famam Hanc mensam indictam noverit esse sibi He that doth love an absent friend to jeer May hence depart no room is for him heer Which rule some of his Fellow Bishops upon a time forgetting he sharply reprehended them for it and told them that he must either blot those Verses out of his Table or arise from dinner and go to his chamber He would never buy either House or Land but any thing that was given to the Church he would not refuse it yet he often refused Inheritances when dying persons would have given them to the Church not but that he thought theâ— might be profitable to the Poor but because he judged it fit and equal that their Children Parents or Kindred should rather inherit them often saying that it was fitter that Legacies should be left to the Church then Inheritances which are troublesome and sometimes chargeable yet those Legacies he would have freely given and not begged or extorted from men He was almost wholly taken up with heavenly affairs wherein he labored both day and night with Mary choosing the better part which could not be taken from him He was very careful of the Poor and in case of great want would â—ell the Ornaments of the Church for their relief And when the Church stock was spent he used to declare to the people that he had nothing left wherewith to relieve the Poor that thereby he might stir up their charity to contribute to so good a work All his Presbyters lived with him in the same House fed with him at the same Table and were maintained and clothed out of the common purse He always judged it fit that Ministers should be present at Marriages both to testifie the mutual consents and compromises and to bestow his Benediction upon the married persons He always kept Scholars in his house whom he fed and clothed He was so severe against Oaths that he abated of their allowance to those that swore He never admitted women into his house though of his own kindred no not his own Sister when she was a Widdow and had wholly devoted her self to the Service of God nor his Uncles daughter nor his Brothers daughter saying that though they might dwell in his house without suspition yet they could not be without Maids or other Women would come to visit them which could not be without offence and scandal and when any Women sent to him being desirous to see or speak with him he would always have some of his Ministers present and would never speak with them alone He praised one who when he was sick said I have not lived so that I am ashamed to live longer nor do I fear to dye having so good a Master to go to In his latter days he looked over all his Books Those which he wrote at his first Conversion whilst he was a Lay-man and those which he wrote when he was a Minister and lastly those which he wrote when he was a Bishop and whatsoever he found in them less agreeing with the Word of God and the Ecclesiastical Constitutions he corrected or retracted Of which he wrote two Volumes which he called his Retractations He complained also that some Ministers had gotten and divulged some of his Books before he had perfected them though afterwards he amended them Yet being prevented by death he left some of his Books unperfected And being desirous to profit all knowing that many were desirous to read much which yet for want of time they could not do out of the Old and New Testament he collected such Precepts as concerned the rule of a Christian Life and such things as were forbidden in the same which he composed into a Book adding a Preface to it that so every one which pleased might read it and thereby discern how obedient or disobedient he was unto God and this he called A Looking-Glass But shortly after brake out by the permission of God that hideous inundation of Goths and Vandals and other Northern people who were ensis Dei Gods sword to punish the pride of the Romane Empire These sailing out of Spain arrived in Africk over-running the whole Country of Mauritania and other African Provinces and Countries laying all waste before them and destroying all they could with barbarous cruelty and inhumanity filling all places with torments of all sorts murthers burnings and with innumerable and abominable depopulations sparing neither sex nor age no not the Ministers of Jesus Christ The Churches Ornaments they plundered the Churches themselves they demolished and like incarnate Devils made havock of all This holy man of God lived to see these grievous calamities and was not affected with them only as other men were but considering them more deeply and profoundly and in them foreseeing the great danger of souls he poured forth Prayers and tears day and night For he saw Cities subverted Villages destroyed the Inhabitants being either slain or driven away Churches destitute of Ministers holy Virgins defloured some of them dying under their torments some slain with the sword some led into captivity in danger of having their souls infected with Error and Heresie and their bodies enslaved under a cruel Enemy He saw the Psalms of Thanksgiving ceased in the Congregations the Temples burned and the solemn Assemblies to be given over The Sacraments either not to be sought after or none to dispense them to those that desired them And for those which fled into Mountains Woods Desarts Caves of the Earth or to any other places of refuge they were either hunted out and slain or perished with famine and drought The Bishops and Ministers of Churches which had by the goodness of â—od escaped their bloody hands being spoiled of all things went about begging their bread He scarce saw of all the innumerable Churches of Africk three remaining viz. Carthage Hippo and Circe which through Gods mercy yet remained in some safety though not long after his death Hippo being sorsaken of her Inhabitants was burned by the Enemy These things this good man much bewailed and that which much encreased his sorrow was that just now the Enemies were coming to besiege Hippo the Governor whereof was one Earl Boniface This siege lasted fourteen moneths wherein Augustine with his fellow Bishops that were fled thither for refuge and his Presbyters exercised themselves wholly in Prayers and Tears intreating the Father of Mercies to be merciful to them and to preserve his Church from the rage of the Adversaries And one day as they sate at dinner together Augustine said to them You know Brethren that from the beginning of this siege my daily Prayers have been that God would either free us from it or give his servants patience and courage to undergo what he imposeth or to take me out of
not onely to disgrace it but as much as in them lay utterly to have subverted it But the Lord was wiser and stronger then Sathan as the event shewed For Calvin with his Colleagues in a publick and free Disputation did with that gravity out of the Word of God confute the Anabaptists March the 18 1537 that which is seldome seen from that time forwards there never appeared any of them in that Church But the other disturber of their Churches peace Peter Caroli caused greater and longer troubles where of this is a brief account This impudent Sophister was bred in the Colledge of Sorbon from whence at last he was cast out for an Heretick whereupon he went fiâ—st to Geneva then to Lausanna and from thence to Neocom but so infected and inflamed by the Devill that wheresoever be came be left an impression of his foul spirit And when he saw himself opposed by the Protestants he went to the Papists and from them to the Protestants again And at last brake forth into open railing against Mr. Farell Viret and Calvin as if they held some corrupt opinions about the sacred Trinity Hereupon there was a full Synod assembled at Berne in which Peter Caroli was condemned for his calumny and thereupon removed But shortly alter he went to Mediomatrice that he might hinder the work of the Lord happily there begun by Mr. Farell From thence writing an Epistle he railed upon the godly giving hope to the Papists that he would return to them againe Yet was hee sent to Rome that he might give satisfaction to the Pope himself There he was received with scorn and being opperessed with poverty and infected with the French-pox at last with much adoe he gat into an Hospital where shortly after he died miserably and this truly was his unhappy end About the same time Mr. Calvin observing that there were many in France that knew and were convinced of the Truth and yet indulged themselves as if it were enough that they reserved their hearts for Christ though they were present at the Popish Services published two elegant Epistles One to exhort the flying of Idolatry directed to Gerard Russus whom we mentioned before The other of the Popish Priesthood directed to the same man who was now made a Bishop and was fallen from his former zeal But whilst Mr. Calvin was thus employed he met with grievous seditions at home The Gospel indeed was entertained and Popery abjured in Geneva but many were not reformed of the prophane and scandalous courses in which they had been indulged and which they had learned of the impare Popish Clergy and those ancient feuds which had sprung up by reason of the Savoyan Warrs amongst the chiefest Familes were not yet layd aside These at first were gently admonished and when that prevailed not more sharply reprehended and when yet they continued to be stubborn and refractory and that the City by the factious of certaine private persons was divided into parties so that by no means they would endurâ—â— to be brought into that order to which they had been swoâ—n Mr. Farel Calvin and Caroldus inspired with an heroicall spirit did openly professe that they could by no meanes administer the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper to persons who were at such bitter enmity amongst themselves and so utterly averse to all Ecclesiastical Discipline Another evill that fell out was this A difference there was in some Ecclesiastical Rites between the Bernates and the Genevians The Genevians using common bread at the Sacrament and a different sort of Fonts they also abolished all holy daies but the Lord day whereupon the Bernates assembling a Synod at Lausanna decreed that Waters should be used in the Sacrament and required that in Geneva the same practise should be observed But the Colledg of Ministers at Geneva desired that first they might be heard and for this end appointed a Synod at Zurick Upon this occasion the Syndics which were chosen for that year at Geneva who for the time are the chiefest Magistrates assembling the Captains of the seditious persons so farr prevailed though Mr. Calvin and his Colleagues interposed and desired first to be heard the greater part overcoming the better that these three worthy servants of Christ were commanded within two daies to depart the City because as was alledged they refused to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper When this Decree was brought to Mr. Calvin he said Truly if I had served men I should have had but an ill reward but it s well that I have served him who doth alwaies perform to his servants what he hath once promised Who would not now have thought that this business must needs have brought destruction upon the Church of Geneva but the event shewed the wonderfull wisdom of God in turning it to good partly by employing the labours of these his servants elswhere by variety of experiences to fit them for greater employments partly that the seditious persons in Geneva overthrowing themselves by their own violence that Church might be purged from many pollutions So wonderfull doth God shew himself in all his waies especially in the admirable government of his Church At the time appointed these three worthy Fathers to the great grief of all good men left Geneva and went to Zurick where gathering a Synod of the Helvetian Churches the Synod decreed and by the intercession of the Bernates tyred the mindes of the Genevians for their re-admission but when that prevailed not Calvin went to Basil and from thence to Strasborough where by the desire of the Senate and the importunity of those bright Stars which at that time shined in that Church Bucer Hedio Capito Niger and their Colleagues he was designed to be the Professor of Divinity with a competent salary allowed which place he discharged with the great applause of Learned men and by the consent of the Senate he planted the French Church there and setled Discipline in it Thus was the expectation of Sathan frustrated Calvin setled in another place and a new Church erected for the former subverted Yet in the mean time did not the Devil cease to endeavour wholly to eradicate the Church of Geneva for which end he stirred up some wicked men yet under the pretence of piety to bring in that Decree of changing common bread into Wafers indeed onely to stirre up new controversies Wherein also Sathan failed not of his purpose many godly men upon this occasion abstaining from the Sacrament till Mr. Calvin by his holy Letters had perswaded them not to contend for a thing so indifferent in it self By this means unleavened bread was again brought into use in the Genevian Church Concerning which Calvin being afterwards restored would never contend and yet withall did not dissemble his judgement about the same But behold presently after fell out a farre greater evill Anno Christi 1539 which yet by the
was faln asleep then dead So that that day at Sun-setting that great bright light was taken out of this world That night and the day following there was great weeping and wailing all over the City Many Citizens and Strangers desired to see him after he was dead and amongst the rest Queen Elizabeths Ambassadors who being sent into France were then there The next day after being the Sabbath his body was coffined and in the afternoon hee was carried forth the Senators Pastors and Professors of the School and almost the whole City following the corse not without abundance of tears He was buried in the common Church-yard without much pomp no Tombstone being added as himself had commanded whereupon Master Beza made these verses Romae ruentis terror ille maximus Quem moâ—tuum lugem boni horr scunt mali Ipsa à quo potuit virtutem discere virtus Cur adâ—o exiâ—â—io ignot oâ— in cespite clausus Calvinus 〈◊〉 â—ogas Calviâ—â—n assidue comitat Modestia vivum Hoc turmulo mambâ—s cendidâ— ipsa suis. Ote beatum cespitem tanto hospite O cuâ— invidere possunt cuncta Marmora He was a man of an incredible and most ready memory in the middest of almost infinite distractions and of a most exact judgement He was very regardless of means and preferment even when it was often offered He eat little meat took very little sleep was wholly compounded of sweetness and gravity Discreet and mild he was in bearing with mens infirmities yet would he severely without dissimulation reprove their vices which freedom he alwayes used from a child Such a Preacher he was that like another Or pheus he drew England Spain and Italy to him filling Geneva with strangers Such a voluminous writer that as it was said of Saint Augustine he wrote more then another can well read His writings were so eagerly received that as most rare and precious peeces they were forthwith translated into all Languages What shall I speak of his indefatigable industry even beyond the power of nature which being parallelled with our loitring I feare will exceed all creedit and may be a true object of admiration how his leane worne spent and wearyish body could possibly hold out He read every week in the year three Divinity Lectures and every other week over and above he preached every day so that as Erasmus saith of Chrysostome I doe not know whether more to admire the indefatigableness of the man or his hearers Yea some have reckoned up that his Lectures were yearâ—ly one hundred eighty six his Sermons two hundred eighty six besides every Thursday he sat in the Presbytery Every Friday when the Ministers met in conference to expound hard Texts he made as good as a Lecture Yea besides there was scarce a day wherein he spent not some part either by word or writing in answering the questions and doubts of sundry Pastors and Churches that sought unto him for advice and câ—â—â—sell Over and above which there was no year passed wherin came not forth from him some great volume or other in Folio so that in few years besides many golden Tractats and sundry exquisite answers which upon short warning he made to principall adversaries his huge explications upon the five books of Moses Joshua Job Psalms all the Prophets and upon the whole new Testament came forth into the world fuller of pithy sententious matter then of Paper These things considered what breathing time could he find for idleness or loose thoughts In his last grievous sickness procured by his intollerable labours he could scarce be compelled by his friends to pretermit his daily task of preaching and reading his Divinity Lectures and at home when he could not goe abroad he rather wearied others with continuall dictating to them then himself Nothing was more frequent in his mouth then this Of all things an idle life is most irkesome to me and when his friends used all their endeavours to perswade him to favour and respect himself Why saith he will yee have God to finde me idle at his coming Yea such conscience did he make of mispending a minute that he was loath to detaine the Ministers that came to visit him from their publick exercises What wonder then is it that he scarce attained to the age of 56. Yea rather its a wonder that he lived so long Indeed he lived but 54. years ten months and seventeen dayes the half of which time he spent in the holy Ministry of the Gospel Many slanders were cast upon him As that he was Ambitious But how could that be whereas he preferred his abode in the Common-wealth and Church of Geneva before all other places which he called the Shop of poverty Others charge him that he studied to heap up riches whereas his last Testament shews that he was a very poor man for all his goods yea and his Library being sold very dear saith Master Beza scarcely amounted to three hundred crowns And Calvin himself in his life time hearing of this impudent slander answered If I cannot perswade men whilst I am alive that I am no great monied man yet my death will shew it And the Senat at Geneva can testifie that his stipend being very small he was so far from being not contented therewith that when they offered to enlarge his pensions he utterly refused the same and by the small estate which he left at his death it appears also that either his gifts were not great or else that he spent as God sent Some reproached him for his brother A. Calvin because he was divorced from his wife who was proved an adulteresse What would these men have said if he had kept an adulteresse in his house May they not as well reproach Jacob David yea and Christ himselfe for that one of his Disciples was a Divel as himselfe told them Some said that he was given to delights and luxury His many great books easily confute this slander Some gave out impudently that he ruled in Geneva both in Church and Common-wealth so that he sometimes face upon the Tribunall But for these things neither they which knew him nor ensuing ages who may collect his manners out of his writing will give any credit to them But it s far more easie to calumniate then to imitate him Omnia Calvini opera quae diversis chartarum formis edita si uno formae genere imprimerentur justae magnitudinis Tomos 20. in Folio efficerent Most of them are mentioned particularly in his life The Life of William Farellus who died A no Christi 1555. WIlliam Farellus was borne in the Delphinate of a Noble Family Anno Christi 1589. and sent to Paris to be brought up in learning and was one of the first that made a publick Profession of the Gospel in France But when persecution arose he fled into Helvetia the better to propagate the Gospel where he grew into familiarity with Zuinglius Occolampadius
Nowel was born in the County of Lancaster Anno Christi 1511 of an ancient and worshipfull Family and at thirteen years old was sent to Oxford and admitted a member of Brasennose Colledge where hee studied thirteen years and grew very famous both for Religion and Learning In Queen Maries daies he amongst many others left the Kingdom that he might enjoy his conscience and returning when Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory came to the Crown she made him Dean of Pauls where he was a frequent and faithfull Preacher By his writings he defended the truth against some English Popish Renegadoes For thirty years together he preached the first and last Sermons in Lent before the Queen wherein he dealt plainly and faithfully with her He was a great Benefactor to Brasen-nose Colledge where hee had his first education Hee was the enlarger of Pauls School made the threefold Catechism which was much used long after He was very charitable to the poor especially to poor Scholars A great comforter of afflicted consciences He lived till he was ninetie years old and yet neither the eies of his mind nor body waxed dim And dyed peaceably in the Lord Anno Christi 1601. D. TOSSANVS The Life of Daniel Tossanus who dyed A no Christi 1602. DAniel Tossanus was born at Mombelgart in Wirtemberg Anno Christi 1541. His Father was Minister in that town about six and thirty yeares who carefully brought up this his son in learning and 〈◊〉 fourteen years old sent him to the University of Basil where he continued two years and then he commenced Batchelor of Arts From thence Anno Christi 1557 he went to Tubing and was there mainâ—ainâ—d to his studyes for two yeares more by the bounty of 〈◊〉 Châ—istopher who did it for his Fathers sake who for many years had deserved so well of the Church of Mombelgart Our Daniel whilst he was at Tâ—bing applyed himself to the study of humane Arts and Philosophy in which he profited so eminently in a short space that at the end of two years he was made Master of Arts and then was sent for â—ack by his father to Mombelgaâ—t where hee preached for a while and then went to Paris to learne the French Tongue and to proceed in his other studies Anno Christi 1560 he went from Paris to Orleance where he read Hebrew publickly and after a while was made Deacon in that Church and two years after Minister An. Christi 1562 and of his age twenty one which place he undertook there rather than in his own country partly because of the great want of Pastors in the French Churches as also because he agreed with them in his judgement about the manner of Christs presence in the Sacrament At this time there was the most flourishing Church in all France in Orleance consisting of above seven thousand persons that had excellent Pastors over them Into the number of which our Daniel being admitted not long after hee resolved to marry and accordingly viz. 1565 hee married Mary Covet of Paris whose Father had been Advocate to the Queen Mother in the Parliament of Paris and whose Mother being a Widdow and having embraced the Reformed Religion transplanted her self with her two daughters to Orleance for the freer exercise of her Religion Whilst he was there the Civil Wars brake out between the Papists and Protestants and Francis Duke of Guise besieged the City of Orleance where Monsieur de Andelot brother to the Admiral of France commanded in chief Tossan continued there all the time of the siege and took extraordinary pains in instructing exhorting and encouraging both Citizens and souldiers and when the City was in great danger to be lost one Poltrot who had devoted his life for his Countries safety went out and slew the Duke of Guise under the walls whereupon the siege was raised and the Church there preserved almost miraculously from ruin Anno Christi 1567 there brake out a second Civill War at which time the Papists in Orleance conspired together to destroy all the Protestants so that they were every hour in danger of being butchered but it pleased God seasonably to send Monsieur Novie with a small party of souldiers who entring the City and joyning with the Protestants drave out some of the Papists and disarmed the rest But after that famous battel at Saint Denis wherein so many of both sides were slain and wounded Peace was againe concluded Yet did the Papists quickly break it and a great company of Souldiers entering into Orleance beganne to breath forth threatnings against the Church of Christ especially against the Ministers of it Hereupon Tossan was in great danger insomuch that when he went into the Church to preach he knew not whether he should returne alive and that which most troubled him was the fear that he had of his wife and two small children Besides he never went to the Congregation but some threw stones others shot bullets at him and their rage grew so great that they burned down the barn wherein the Church used to meet together and every day he heard of one or other of their members that were slain so that he was compelled severall times to change his lodging yet one day the souldiers caught him and pretended that they would carry him out of the City but indeed intended to have Murthered him whereupon his wife great with child ranne to the Governour and with much importunity prevailed with him that her husband might stay in the City And not long after brake out the third Civill War at which time the Popish souldiers that besieged Orleance were so enraged that they burned all the places where the Church used to meet and barbarously slew above eighty of the faithfull servants of Christ in them yet it pleased God miraculously to preserve the Ministers in that great danger and Tossan with his Colleagues by the help of some of the faithfull was conveighed privately away out of the City in the night but whilst hee sought to hid chim in a wood he fel into an ambush and was taken and carried prisoner into a Castle not far off from Orleance His wife which stayed behind in the City hearing this sad news left no means untried for his delivery and at last for a great summe of money shee procured his release whereupon he went to Agrimont and his wife putting her self into the habit of a Maid-servant went towards Agrimont after him where Renata the daughter of Lewis the twelfth of France and Dowager of Ferrara lived in a very strong Castle and was a great friend to the Protestants entertaining many that fled to her for succour But as his wife was going thitherward after him she was taken by some Souldiers and carried back to the Governour of Orleaence but it pleased God to stir up the Governours wife and daughters to intercede for her
foreseen to be a likely consequent yet was contemned in respect of the Churches necessity and want which was that the Arian King enraged by this act banished about 60 Bishops into Sardinia amongst whom Fulgentius was one who joyfully ascended the Ship being heartily glad that he had a share in such a glorious confession Divers of his Clergy and Friends followed him and being arrived at Calaris in Sardinia he there lived with them at the same Table and by his Sermons converted many Not long after King Thrasamund amongst the crafty fetches and persecutory drifts whereby he endeavoured to allure the Catholicks to the Arian Heresie used this Policy He feigned a desire to become a Catholick and setting down divers captious and deceitful questions pretended that he could not finde any that could sufficiently answer those questions whereupon hearing the fame of Fulgentius he hastily sent for him who with an undaunted courage came to Carthage and not being presently called to the King endeavoured seriously to confirm the Catholicks in their Faith and with much curtesie and affability answered all questions rejecting no man whereby he reclaimed many from their Errors admonishing them to repent of and to bewail their fall others he exhorted not to hazard the damnation of their Souls for temporal advantages and whom he saw in danger of perdition with milde yet effectual words he stayed and encouraged to a noble and generous resolution animating them to suffer any dangers or torments rather then to deny the Truth and it pleased God so to bless his labors that some who before were staggering were now by his means imboldned plainly to reprove the weak-grounded impudence of the Arian party And thus the Omnipotent God turned the Enemies device to the advancement of his own glory Then did the King send for him and questioned with him and met with such solid and judicious answers that he was forced to acknowledge that he found him every way to answer the report which he had heard of his Wisdom and Learning and withall he proposed sundry difficult questions to which he required his answer in writing Fulgentius having drawn up his Answer communicated it to the most learned Catholicks and after their approbation to the people before it was delivered to the King Thrasamund having with great diligence perused it praised his Wisdom wondred at his Eloquence commended his Humility yet had his heart so hardened that he could not understand and submit to the Truth Fulgentius could not be suffered to stay long at Carthage for the Arians with their clamors incensed the King complaining that he had already gained from them some of their Ministers and that the people fell apace to him so that their whole Religion stood in great hazard by his means Then the King to quiet them sent him back into Sardinia Late in the night was he carryed aboard the Ship that his departure might be the better concealed from the people but it pleased God by contrary windes long to detain the Ship in the harbor so that for many days almost the whole City flocked to him to take their farewel and many communicated at his hands And when great lamentation was made for his departure he took one Juliates a very godly man apart and told him he should shortly again return and that the Church should enjoy peace which also came to pass When he was requested to pray for any that were sick or in misery he commonly used this Petition Thou O Lord knowest best what will make for our Souls health Grant of thy mercy a supply unto our necessities so far forth as shall not hinder our spiritual profit And when God graciously answed his Prayers in their behalf he used to say That God did it for their sakes not for his He commonly said that Miracles make not a man just or righteous but famous When he was come back to Sardinia he returned to his former strict course of life with his Associates who had all things in common and when he distributed more to one then to another by reason of sickness or weakness he used thus to say to them Who taketh of the common so much becometh debtor to all which debt he can only pay by humility It was very pleasing to him when any of the Brethren proposed any hard question and gladly he hearkened to the doubts of any though they were never so simple neither would he through weariness or tediousness cease to give them answers until they confessed them selves to be satisfied Though he was sometimes severe towards the obstinate yet he remained even when he seemed most displeased and angry nothing at all in minde troubled or disquieted Thrasamund the King being shortly after taken away by death Hilderick succeeded him who restored peace and liberty to the Catholicks recalling their Bishops from Exile and amongst the rest Fulgentius who was received with great devotion by the Africans no less in every City then if he had been their peculiar Bishop Everywhere they met him with tokens of joy with whom now rejoycing he rejoyced as before with them lamenting he had lamented Yea their love was so great to him that a showre of rain falling they held their garments over his head to keep him dry Then did he return to his proper seat where he would do nothing without the advice of his Clergy In the Council of Vincensa he was by the common suffrage of the Bishops chosen President Though Bishop Quodvultdeus claimed that preheminence as belonging to his Sea and though Fulgentius for the present would not oppose this choice yet at the next Sessions he procured that the Bishop Quodvultdeus was restored to his right A year before his death he retired with some Brethren into the Island of Circina and there lived a most strict life But the necessities of his people requiring and their importunity prevailing he returned to them and shortly after fell into grievous pangs of sickness wherein he continued sixty days often crying out O Lord give me patience and pardon Physitians perswading him to make use of a Bath he answered Can Baths make that man who hath accomplished the course of Nature that he shall not dye Why then do you go about to perswade me now at my last end to remit of that rigor which I have always used Lastly calling together the Brethren about him he thus spake to them Dear Brethren having been careful of your Souls health perhaps I have been austere and harsh towards you If any one be offended I beseech him to pardon me and if my severity have possibly passed measure and due moderation pray ye to God that he may impute it not to me They all kneeling down acknowledged him to have been always loving gentle and milde towards them Then did he pray for his people that God would provide for them a Pastor after his own heart After
humbly desired the Barons to request the Archbishop that if he did suspect him for any Error or Heresie he should declare it openly for that he was ready to suffer correction for the same at the Archbishops hands and that if he had found no such thing in him that then he would give him a Testimonial thereof that being armed therewith he might the more freely go unto the Council Hereupon the Archbishop did openly confess before all the Assembly that he knew not the said John Huss was guilty of any such thing Johannis Hussi opera quae extant omnia impressa sunt Novimbâ—rgae in Officina Montani Neuberi Anno Christi 1558. JEROM OF PRAGVE The Life of Hierom of Prague who dyed An. Christi 1416. HIerom of Pague a Bohemian born a man famous for Courage Comliness Virtue Learning and Eloquence when he understood that the Publick Faith was violated his Country slandered and Huss burnt he travelled to Constance April the 4. Anno Christi 1415. But no sooner came he thither but he understood that watch was laid for him to apprehend him whereupon the next day he went to Iberling a City of the Empire and a mile from Constance From thence he sent to Sigismund King of Hungary and his Barons but especially to the Council most earnestly requesting that they would give him a safe Conduct freely to come and go and then he would come in open Audience to answer every man if any would appear to charge him with any crime but this was denyed him both by the King and Council whereupon the next day he wrote sundry intimations and sent them to Constance causing them to be set upon the gates of the Citie upon the doores of Churches Monasteries of the houses of the Cardinals and other Noble personages the tenor whereof was this Unto the Noble Emperour c. I Jerom of Prague Master of Arts of the University of Paris Cullen Heidleberg and Prague by these my Letters do notifie to the King and Council and to all others that because of many crafty slanderers back-biters and accusers I am ready of mine own free will to come unto Constance there to declare openly before all the Council the purity and sincerity of my Faith and mine Innocency but this I will not do in corners secretly before any private or particular person wherefore if there be any of my slanderers of what Nation soever that will charge me with Error or Heresie let them come forth openly before the Council and in their own names object against me and I wil be ready to answer them and if I shall be found guilty of any Error or Heresie I will not refuse openly to suffer such punishment as shall be meet for an Heretick wherefore I humbly desire a safe Conduct as afore But if seeing I offer such equal terms before any fault be proved against me I shall be arrested imprisoned or have any violence done to me that then it may be manifest unto all the World that this Council doth not proceed according to the rules of equity and justice the rather seeing that I am come hither freely and of my own accord c. But notwithstanding all this no safe Conduct would be granted him wherefore the Lords of Bohemia gave him their Letters Patents under their Seals to testifie the truth of the premises with the which Letters he returned again towards Bohemia but by the treachery and subtilty of his Enemies he was apprehended by the way in Hirsaw and by the Officers was carryed before the Duke who presently after carryed him bound to Constance and for a greater disgrace they put a bolt of Iron upon his wrists with a long Iron chain at it by which they led him through the City to the Cloister of the Fryer Minors where all the Priests Scribes and Pharisees were met together and when he came before them some of the Bishops said to him Hierom why didst thou fly and run away and not appear when thou wast cited To which he answered Because I could get no safe Conduct neither from you nor the King and perceiving that I had many bitter Enemies in the Council I would not be the Author of mine own peril But had I known of your Citation assuredly though I had been in Bohemia I would have appeared Then a great rable of Priests cryed out against him and Gerson the Chancellor of Paris and the Chancellor of Cullen and the Chancellor of Heidleberg charged him with Errors delivered in those Universities to which he answered that what he had delivered there he would justifie now yet if any could convince him of Error therein he would willingly be informed Hereupon some cryed out Let him be burned let him be burned Then was he delivered bound to the Officers to be put into Prison Assoon as he came thither one called to him at his window saying Mr. Hierom be constant and fear not to suffer death for the Truths sake of which when you were at liberty you did Preach much good To whom he answered Truly brother I do not fear death c. But the Prison-keeper coming to the man drove him away with strokes from the window Presently after the Bishop of Rigen sent for Hierom strongly bound with chains both by the hands and neck and sent him to a Tower where they tyed him fast to a great block and his feet in the stocks his hands being also made fast upon them the block being so high that he could by no means sit thereon but his head must hang downwards where also they allowed him nothing but bread and water But within eleven days hanging so by the heels he fell very sick yet thus they kept him in Prison a year wanting seven days and then sent for him requiring him to recant and to subscribe that John Huss was justly put to death which he did partly for fear of death and hoping thereby to escape their hands after which they sent him back to Prison and kept him guarded with Souldiers yet not so strictly chained as before Afterwards they sent to examine him again but he refused to answer in private except he might be brought before the Council and they supposing that he would openly confirm his former recantation sent for him thither May the 25. 1416. suborning false witnesses to accuse him but he so learnedly cleared himself and refelled his Adversaries that they were astonished at his Oration and with shame enough were put to silence He also concluded his Oration with this That all such Articles as Wicklief and Huss had written against the enormities pomp and disorder of the Prelates he would firmly hold and defend even unto the death and that all the sins that he had committed did not so much gnaw and trouble his conscience as did that most pestiferous act of his in recanting what he had
the day and year of their abolishing the Popish Religion upon a Pillar in Golden letters that an everlasting memorial might remain there to future Posterities The like Reformation was effected at Basil. Not long after Quarrels arose between the Popish and Protestant Cantons of the Switzers and Armies were raised on both sides They of Zurick publishing the causes why they took Arms As first that the Popish Switzers beat their men when they came to require their debts Then that the Vnderwalds hung the Arms of Bern Basil and Strasborough upon the Gallows Then that they had made a League with their ancient Enemy King Ferdinand to oppress their Religion Whereby they violate not only the Law of Nature but also their own Covenants But when the Armies drew neer by the mediation of their neighbors the differences were composed and Arms laid down for the present Anno Christi 1529. Philip Landgrave of Hess endeavoured to reconcile the differences between the Saxon and Helvetian Divines concerning the Eucharist For which end he called from Wittenberg Luther Justus Jonas and Melancthon From Helvetia Zuinglius and Oecolampadius From Norenberg Osiander from Hall John Brentius From Strasborough Bucer and Hedio At their coming all were courteously entertained by the Landgrave After dinner Oecolampadius and Bucer went to salute Luther who spake friendly to Oecolampadius but being saluted by Bucer he answered You are naught and a Knave The Disputation continued many days but in the beginning of it Luther told them that he would not depart an hairs bredth from his opinion and when they could not agree yet the Helvetians desired Luther that he would account of them as of Brethren which he would by no means assent unto then did Zuinglius Oecolampadius and Bucer Protest before the whole Assembly that Luther had not defended his Opinion by the Word of God that his Error had been clearly shewed him and that the Truth of their cause had been abundantly demonstrated both out of the Word of God and the most Ancient Fathers And so the Sweating Sickness breaking out the Disputation ended and they returned home Yet it pleased God that this fruit the Conference had that they agreed in thirteen other Articles and promised mutual love each to other and to join in Prayer to God to discover his Truth to them The Landgrave of Hess also was converted to the true Opinion hereby so that he was hardly drawn to subscribe the Augustine Confession protesting that he was not satisfied about the tenth Article Also Francis Lambert his Preacher who had formerly been much addicted to Luther being now overcome with the Truth of Gods Word changed his Opinion about the Sacrament signifying his Opinion to the whole Church by a Confession which he wrote and delivered it to the Ministers of Strasborough when he lay upon his death-bed who after published it About that time there arose up the Cata-baptists which denyed the Baptism of Infants and re-baptized themselves and fell also into many other abominable Errors and Heresies with these Zuinglius at first dealt very mildly and brotherly but when they began to asperse him with lyes to seduce his hearers and make a Schism in the Church he was forced to oppose them more strongly in his publick Ministry and by Disputations but though he had silenced them they raged the more against him whereupon the Senate imprisoned some proscribed others and for falsifying their Faith put some to death The first father of them was Balâ—hasar Hucmâ—rus an Apostate and one that for Zuinglius his kindeness loaded him with lyes and reproaches The Monks and Fryars being cast out of their houses and brought to pensions sought to ensnare him and for that end suborned sometime some to seize upon him and to carry him away others to kill him so that he could not stir abroad in safety in the night whereupon his friends guarded him when he was abroad at supper and the Senate were fain to appoint a guard about his house in the night time Anno Christi 1531. They of Zurick and Bern stopped Provision from being carryed to the five Popish Pages and withall set out this Declaration That being compelled by the wrongs of the five Cities they had barred them from Provision and because they refused the conditions of Peace which were propounded by the Intercessors violating the Covenants of the former years by which order was taken that no mans Religion should be prejudicial to him wherefore say they it is lawful for us to deny them food and if any contest should arise about it it ought to be imputed to them who desire nothing but dissentions But when by reason hereof those five Cities were pinched with want they levyed Troops and came forth with Banners displayed and sooner then was expected entred into the bounds of them of Zurick where was a Garrison of above one thousand men placed This Garrison discerning its own weakness sent messenger after messenger into the Town to hasten help to them but such was the speed of the Enemy that the succors came late yet when they came to the top of the Mountain they saw their Souldiers fighting and in present danger whereupon exhorting and encouraging one another they ran down the hill with all speed but the passage was so narrow that they could go but single so that wanting time to ranck themselves they were oppressed with multitude about three hundred and eighty of them were slain and the rest escaped by flight Zuinglius was in this battel for it is the custom of the Switzers that their chief Minister goeth out with them to battel And Zuinglius being wise couragious and valiant considered with himself that if he should stay at home and the battel prove ill he should be exposed to much envy as if he had encouraged others before danger approached and then proved faint-hearted himself The truth is he never approved this cutting off Provision from the five Pages and when he saw the Magistrates would needs do it he went to them and craved leave to depart from Zurick because his counsel was not obeyed but they being troubled at this motion sent certain choice men to him to request that he would not forsake their Church which at last he assented to though said he it be to the danger of my life About fourteen days before the fight in a Sermon he foretold his own death and a Comet appearing about that time he told a friend privately that the Comet was fatal to him and one other meaning as was supposed Oecolampadius Zuinglius in the battel was overthrown thrice and yet still gat up again the fourth time being wounded with a spear he fell on his knees and said Well they can kill the Body but they cannot kill the Soul As the souldiers were spoiling the slain Zuinglius was found alive lying upon his back his arms folded and his Eyes lift up
saying Let him alone if he die it were a good riddance of him c. Concerning his base usage himself thus writes I paid alwaies saith he to the Warden of the Fleet as a Baron paid as well in Fees as for my board viz. 20 s. per week till I was wrongfully deprived of my Bishoprick and after that time I paide as the best Gentleman in the house yet he alwaies used me worse and more vilely then a very slave Thus I suffered inprisonment almost eighteen monthes my goods living friends and comforts taken from me â—he Queen owing me above 80 pound yet hath she cast me into prâ—soâ— alâ—owes me nothing neither are any suffered to come at me whereby I may be relieved I am under a wicked man and woman and see no remedy but in Gods help But I commit my just cause to him whose will be done whether it be by life or death When he was brought to examination before Winchester and the other Commissioners there was such a tumult whensoever he began to speak that he was forced to keep silence Yet did they proceed to Degrade and condemne him and so delivered him over to the secular Power As they were leading him from the Counter in Southwark to Newgate one of the Sheriffe said to him I wonder that you was so hasty and quick with my Lord Chancellor and used no more patience to him To which he answered Mr. Sheriffe I was nothing at all impatient though I was earnest in my Masters cause and it stands me in hand so to be for it goeth upon life and death not in this World onely but in the World to come Sixe daies he lay close prisoner in Newgate none being suffered to come to him during which time Bonner Harpsfield and diverse others came to him leaving no meanes untried to reduce him to their Antichristian Church sometimes making many great profers and promises to him of worldly riches and promotion other sometimes using grievous threatnings to affright him But they found him alwaies the same man steadfast and unmoveable February the 4 th at night his Keeper gave him some inkling that he should be sent to Gloucester to be burned which he rejoiced very much at lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven and praising God for sending him amongst his people over whom he had been Pastor there to confirme with his blood the truth that before he had taught unto them not doubting but the Lord would give him strength to perform it to his glory And immediately he sent for his boots spurrs and cloke that he might be ready to ride when they should call for him The day following he was delivered to some of the Queens Guard who conveied him to Glocester and when he came neer the City much people met him who cryed and bewailed his condition exceedingly The night before his heath he did eatâ— his meat quietly and slept soundly After his first sleepe â—ee spent the rest of the night in praier The next day Sr Anthonie Kingston coming to him told him that life was swâ—ete and death bitter to which he answered The death to come is more bitter and the life to come more sweet I am come hiâ—her to end this life and suffer death because I will not gainesay the former Truth that I have here taught unto you Also a blinde boie coming to him after he had examined him in the Grounds of Religion he said Ah poor boy God hâ—th taken from thee thy outward sight but hath given thee anotâ—er sight much more pretious having endued thy soul with the eie of knowledge and faith God give thee grace continually to pray uâ—to him that thou lose not that sight for then shouldest thou â—e blind both in body and soul. Being delivered to the Sheriffe he said to him My request to you Master Sheriffe is onely that there may be a quick fire shortly to make an end of me and in the mean time I will be as obedient to you as you can desire if you think I doe amisse in any thing hold up your finger and I have done I might have had my life with much worldly gaine but I am willing to offer up my life for the Truth and trust to die a faithfull servant to God and a true subject to the Queen When he saw the Sheriff's men with so many weapons he said This is more then needs if you had willed me I would have gone alone to the stake and have troubled none of you all As hee went to the stake he was forbid to speak to the people Hee looked chearfully and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary Being come to the place of Execution hee prayed about halfe an hour whereof this was a part Lord said he I am Hell but thou art Heaven I am swill and a sinke of sinne but thou art a gracious and mercifull Redeemer Have mercy therfore upon me most miserable wretched offender after thy great mercy and according to thine inestimable goodnesse Thou art ascended into Heaven receive me Hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with thy Father For will knowest thou Lord wherefore I am come hither to suffer and why the wicked doe persecute thy poor servant Not for my sins and transgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the deniall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to instruct me with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth thy glory Thou well seest O Lord my God what terrible torments and cruell paines are prepared for thy poor creature Even such Lord as without thy strength none is able to beare or patiently to passe But that which is impossible with man is possible with thee therefore strengthen me of thy goodnes that in the fire I break not the rules of patience Or else asswage the terror of the paines as shall seeme fittest to thy glory Having a box with a pardon set before him he cried If you love my soul away with it if you love my soul away with it Three Irons being prepared to fasten him to the stake he onely put on an Iron-hoop about his middle bidding them take away the rest saying I doubt not but God will give me strength to abide the extremity of the fire without binding When reedes were cast to him he embraced and kissed them putting them under his arme where he had bags of gun-powder also When fire was first put to him the fagots being green and the winde blowing away the flame he was but scorched more faggots being laied to him the fire was so supprest that his nether-parts were burn'd his upper being scarce touched He praied mildly as one that felt no paine O Jesus the Sonne of
at him with his drawne sword and if God by a speciall providence had not prevented had slaine him The Flacians especially continually railed upon and threatned him whereupon he said Avide tranquillo animo expecto exilia sicut ad Principes scripsi dixerunt adversarii se perfecturos esse ut non sim habiturus vestigium ubi pedem collocare possem in Germania Utinam hoc cito perficiant ut filius Dei ad Judam dicit Erit mihi vel in caelo morienti vestigium vel si vivam in hoc corpore apud honestos Doctos viros vel in Germania vel alibi At stultitiam inimicorum miror qui sese Dominos Germaniae esse existimant me his minis terreri He was somewhat sickly being sometimes troubled with the Cholick and hypocondriacall winde He had a strong braine without which it had not been possible for him to have gone through so many and great businesses for so many years together In his diet he was content with a little He was modest in all his life In his apparel he had respect to his health He was liberall to all affable and courteous One George Sabine travelling to Italy and Rome for the improvement of his learning a certain Cardinall discoursing with him about Wittenberg asked him what stipend they allowed to Melancthon Sabine answered Three hundred Florences by the year Then said the Cardinal O ungratefull Germany who makest no more account of the many and great labours of so eminent a man On a time Prince Maurice Elector of Saxony asked Melancthon if he wanted any thing for the supplie of his necessities He told him No. Then did the Elector bid him Ask what he would to which he answered that he had his stipenâ—â— with which he was well content yet the Elector bid him again Ask to which he answered Since your Excellency will have me to ask something I crave leave to be dismissed from my place and imployments Whereupon the Elector intreated him to continue in them still wondring at his contentedness with so small means When he was first himselfe converted he thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the Truth in the Ministry of the Gospel But after he had been a Preacher a while he complained that Old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon He is called by one Phoenix Germaniae alter Elizaeus He used to say that there were three labours very difficult Regentis Docâ—ntis Parturientis of Magistrates Ministers and Women in Travel He made his own Epitaph Iste brevis tumulus miseri tenet ossa Philippi Qui qualis fuerit nescio talis erat Here lies iâ— terred in these stones Much afflicted Philips bones For alwayes such 〈◊〉 life was her I know not what in death heel hee Scripsit Melancthon volumina insinita variis in locis impressa Cuâ—us tamen lucubrationes editas usque ad annum 1541. Hervagius excudit Basiliae Tomis quinque anno Christi 1546. But afterwards there were many more of his works published the Catalogue whereof you may find in Verheiden JO ALASCO The Life of Iohn Lascus who died A no Christi 1558. JOhn Lascus was borne of a Noble family in Poland and brought up in learning Afterwards travelling to Zurick in Helvetiad he was by Zuinglius perswaded to betake himself to the study of Divinity and having thereby imbraced that Religion which hath its foundation upon the word of God he was very desirous to increase in holiness He had a very great love to Christ and his people A great hatred to Popery and Superstition and a great contempt of the world so that whereas he might have been preferred to great honour in his own Countrey such was his love to Christ and his Church and such his hatred to Popery that he chose with Moses to suffer affliction with the people of God rather then to live in worldly honour and peace amongst his friends Coming into Frisland Anno Christi 1542. he was called to be a Pastor at Embden where he fed and ruled his flock with great diligence The year after he was sent for by Anne the widow of Count Oldenburg to reform the Churches in East-Frisland and the next year after by Albert Duke of Prussia but when he agreed not with him in judgement about the Lords Supper the work remained unperfected He remained in Frisland about ten years at the end whereof the Emperor persecuting the Protestants he was sent for by King Edwaâ—d the sixth upon Crammer's motion into England where he gathered preached unto and governed the Dutch-Church which remains to this day In the dayes of Queen Mary Anno Christi 1553. he obtained leave to return beyond Sâ—a and went with a good part of his Congregation into Denmark to the Royal City of Coppenhagew But Noviomagus the Court Preacher and a Lutheran took occasion in a Sermon to impugne the error as he called it of the Sacramentaries Hereupon Lascus set forth a writing wherein he asserted the truth and confuted the error of Consubstantia iâ—n This occasioned a conference between Noviomagus and him where Lascus and his Church did not dissemble their opinion but asserted the truth which the K. of Denmark Christian being informed of made a decree that they should not stay in his Kingdom except they would follow the Doctrine of Luther and use the Ceremonies ordained by him Lascus and his Church refused this yet intreated that the 〈◊〉 might be dâ—ferred which the King would be no means permit but commanded them presently to depart his Kingdom By this means they were forced in a most cold winter season with their wives great with child their children to depart out of Denmark the Hanse-towns refused to receive them The Churches of Saxony also rejected them not suffering them to live amongst them upon like reason At length that poor Congregation found entertainment in Frisland under the Lady Ann Oldenburg and setled at Embden Anno Christi 1555 he went thence to Francford upon Main where with the consent of the Senate he gathered a Church of strangers especially out of Belgia From thence the year after he wrote a Letter to the King of Poland and his Council vindicating his Doctrine from some aspersions cast upon it by Westphalus Timan and Pomeran shewing that their Doctrine about Consubstantiation was contrary to the sense of the Scripture to the analogie of faith and to the generall judgement of the Churches of Christ and that it could not be retained without contumely to Christ He complained also that his Doctrine about the Sacrament was onely condemned by reason of prejudice That his adversaries dealt with him after the manner of the Papists who carry their business not by Scripture and arguments but by force accusing all for Hereticks which close not with them in all things About the same time many
under whom by reason of his sharp wit he profited so much that from the Grammer he proceeded to the study of Logick and other arts His Father from the beginning designed him to the study of Divinity which he judged him to be very much inclined to being religiously addicted from his childhood and a severe reprover of his School-fellows faults And being thus resolved he procured a Benefice of the Bishop for him in the Cathedrall Church of Noviodune as also a Cure in a neighbour Village called Bishops-bridge where himself was borne though afterwards he removed to the City of Noviodune in which place our John before his Ordination preached divers Sermons to the people But this purpose of his both their minds changing was afterwards altred For his Father seing that the study of the Law was a certainer step to riches and honour altered his mind upon that account and his Son growing into acquaintance with a certain kinsman of his called Peter Robert Olevitane was by him instructed in the true reformed Religion whereupon he addicted himself to the study of the sacred Scriptures and beganne to abominate and withdraw himselfe from the superstitious services in the Popish Church Upon this occasion hee went to Orleans where Peter Stella the most famous Lawyer in France read his Lectures whose Auditor John Calvin was and in a short space wonderfully profited in that study So that many times occasionally supplying his Masters room he rather seemed a Doctor then a learner of the Law And when he was about to depart all the Professors in that University proffered freely to bestow the degree of a Doctor upon him as having so well deserved of the University But all this while he neglected not the study of the sacred Scriptures and Divinity insomuch as few in that City that were addicted to the reformed Religion but they came to him to be satisfied in their doubts and went away admiring his learning and zeal And some that were intimately acquainted with him at that time testified that his manner was constantly to continue his studies till midnight and in the morning so soon as he wakened to ruminate what he had read over night whereby he fixed it in his memory neither would he suffer himself to be disturbed during the time of his meditation And the better to fit him for his studies he alwaies supped very sparingly By which practise he attained to excellent Learning and a very good memory Yet withall hereby he contracted such weaknesse of stomack as brought upon him many diseases and at last an immature death About this time the University of Biturg grew famous for that they had procured out of Italy the eminentest Lawyer of his time Andrew Alciat whom our John also would needs be a hearer of Thither therefore he went and during his abode there he grew into familiar acquaintance with Melchior Wolmarus a German the publick Professor of Greek in that University a man famous for Religion and Leaâ—ning Under him he studied the Greek tongue for which benefit he so much prized him that afterwards he dedicated to him his Comment upon the second Epistle to the Corinthians Whilst he was imployed in these studies he neglected not that of Divinity so that he preached divers Sermons in a neighbour Towne called Liveria But whilst hee was thus buâ—ied news came to him of his Fathers death which called him back into his own country And having setled his affaires there hee went back to Paris being now about four and twenty years old at which time he wrote that excellent Commentary upon Seneca de Clementia being much affected with that Author whom he used to say agreed very well with his Genius After a few moneths stay at Paris he grew acquainted with all that professed the Reformed Religion and amongst the râ—st with Stephen Forgeus a famous Merchant who afterwards sealed the Truth with his blood From hence forward at the earnest request of all the godly that held their private meetings in Paris he layd aside all other studies and wholly applyed himself to that of Divinity wherein also he found the speciall assistance of God At this time Nicholas Cope was Rector of the University at Paris who being to make an Oration upon the Kalends of November at which time the Pontificians used to celebrate â—heir All-Saints day at the instigation of John Calvin hee spake of Religion more purely and clearly then they used to doe This the Sorbonists could not bear and the Parliament of Paris was angry it insomuch as they cited him to appear before them which accordingly he was about to submit to but as he went some of his friends advised him to take heed of his adversaries whereupon he returned home and immediately after left France and went to Basil where his Father was a Professor of Physick The Officers sent by the Parliament searching for Cope went into Master Calvins house who by chance not being at home they ransacked his study and amongst his papers found many of his friends Letters which had like to have endangered the lives of many So bitterly were the enemies of the Church at that time enraged against the people of God especially one John Morinus whose abhominable cruelty is infamous till this day But it pleased God to divert that Storm by the prudent and pious diligence of the Queen of Navar the onely Sister of King Francis a woman of an admirable wit and exceeding tender of the welfare of the Professors of the Reformed Religion She also sent for Mr. Calvin into her Court used him very honourably and heard him gladly But Mr. Calvin finding Pais too hot for his abode went to Xantone where sojourning with a friend at his request he drew up short Christian admonitions which were dispersed amongst certaine Priests to be taught to their people that so their people might by liâ—tle and little be drawn to searching out of the Truth Shortly aâ—ter he went to Nerac a City of Aquitane where he visited that good old man James Faber Stapulensis who being formerly a Professor of the Mathematicks and Philosophy in Paris was perâ—ecuted for the Trutly by the Scybomsts but by the friendly help of the Queen of Navar was delivered and sent to this Town of her jurisdiction This good old man received young Mr. Calvin with very fatherly affections prophesying that in time to come he would prove a famous instrument for the building up of the French Church From thence Mr. Calvin went again to Paris being called thereto by the speciall providence of God For at this time that wicked Servetus was come thither dispersing his poyson against the sacred Trinity who hearing of Calvin pretended that he was desirous to confer with him and a time and place was appointed for their meeting whither Calvin went not without perill of his life who was faine to hide himselfe from the rage of
prudent diligence of Mr. Calvin was quickly extinguished which was this There was the Bishop of Carpentoratum called James Sadolet a man of great eloquence which yet he abused to the subversion of the Truth for which cause he was made a Cardinall This man seeing the flock deprived of such able and vigilant shepherds thought it a fit time to ensnare them for which end he wrote Letters under the pretence of his neighbourhood directed to his dear friends as he called them the Senate Councell and people of Geneva in which he omitted no arguments whereby he might perswade them to return into the bosome of the Romish Church And at this time there was no man in Geneva that would undertake to answer the same so that probably they would have done much mischief but that they were written in a forraign language But wheâ— Mr. Calvin at Strasborough had read them forgetting all the wrongs which had been done him he returned an answer so speedily truly and eloquently that the Cardinall despairing of accomplishing his end wholly gave over his design Neither indeed did Mr. Calvin deferre till this time the manifesting of his Pastorall bowels which he yet retained to the Genevians especially to those that suffered with him in the same cause as may appeare by those excellent Epistles which he wrote to them the same year wherin he was banished Wherein his principall scope was to exhort them to repentance to bear with the wicked to maintain peace with their Pastors and to bee frequent in calling upon God as also to stirre them up to expect light after those deadly mists of darknesse which he told them would follow as also the event ere long made to appear About the same time also hee published his Institutions much enlarged and his Commentarie upon the Romans dedicated to Simon Grynaeus his dear friend and that golden book of his concerning the Lords Supper which he made for the use of his French Church which Galasius afterwards turned in Latin In which he handled the Doctrine of the Sacrament so dextrously and learnedly that it served to determine the unhappy controversies about it to the satisfaction of all good and learned men Neither was his happinesse lesse in reclaiming many Anabaptists from their errors amongst whom were these two principall men Paul Volsius who afterwards was a Pastor in the Church of Strasborough the other was John Storder who afterwards dying of the Plagne Mr Calvin by the advice of Bucer married his Widdow called Idellita a very grave and honest Matron In these studies and labours did Mr. Calvin continue at Strasborough to the year 1541. In the which year the Emperour Charles the fifth assembled two Diets the one at Worms the other at Ratisbone for compounding the differences about Religion At both which by the desire of the Divines of Strasborough Mr. Calvin was present o the great advantage of the Churches especially of his own French Congregation and where he was most lovingly entertained and highly prised by Philip Melancthon and Gasper Cruciger so that Philip called him His Divine Hee also had much private conference with them about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and they could not but very well appove of his opinion therein But now the time was come wherein the Lord purposed to shew mercy to his poor Church at Geneva For one of the Syndics who had promoted the Decree for their banishment did so misdemeane himself in his Office that being found guilty of sedition whilst he thought to escape out at a window being a fat man he fell down so bruised himself that within a few daies after he died Another of them had his head cut off for a Murther the other two having done the Commonwealth much disservice in an Ambassy wherein they were employed were faign to fly their Country and were condemned in their absence These evill instruments being thus removed the City of Geneva beganne to call for their Farell and Calvin but when by no means they could recover Farell from Neocom where he was now setled they used all their endeavours to procure Calvin and for that end they sent Ambassadors to Strasborough using also the intercession of those of Zurick to request that Mr. Calvin might be sent back to them The Senate of Strasborough were exceeding unwilling to hearken to it Calvin himself although he had not changed his mind towards the Genevians for the miscarriages of some wicked men yet abhorring to enter into new troubles but especially because he found the Lord blessing his Ministery at Strastborough did absolutely refuse to return Besides Bucer and the other Pastors did professe their great unwillingnesse to to part with him But the Genevians still pressing hard for him Bucer at last thought that their requests should be condescended to at least for a time which yet was not granted by Mr. Calvin himself til they had urged him with the judgment of God in case he refused and with the example of Johah But this falling out just at the time when Calvin with Bucer was going to visit the Diet at Ratisbone his return was delayed for a time and in the mean time the Genevians obtained of the Bernates that Peter Viret should go from Lausanna to Geneva and indeed this made Mr. Calvin farre more willing to return to Geneva when he saw that he was to have such a Colleague by whose labours and counsels he might be much furthered in reforming that Church So after some moneths Mr. Calvin went to Geneva Sept. 13 Anno Christi 1541 being singularly welcomed by the people and especially by the Senate who acknowledged the wonderfull mercy and goodnesse of God towards them in restoring him to them again And whereas the Senate of Strasborough had decreed that after a time he should returne to them againe they of Geneva would never give over till they had reversed that Decree which at last was yeelded to by them of Strasborough yet with this Proviso that that pension which they had setled upon him should still be continued to him but Mr. Calvin could never be perswaded to receive it caring for nothing lesse then for riches Mr. Calvin being thus restored to his Church and perceiving that the City needed such bridles he professed that he could not comfortably exercise his Ministry amongst them except together with the Doctrine of the Gospel they would embrace the Presbyterian Government for the well regulating of the Church Hereupon Elders were chosen a Model of the Presbyterial Government was drawn up consonant to the Word of God and gratefull to the Citizens which the Devill afterwards sought by all his artifices to destroy but all in vaine Hee wrote also a Catechism in French and Latine not much different from the former but much larger divided into Questions and Answers which indeed was an admirable peece and found such approbation and entertainment abroad that it was turned
Catalogum Consulum Romanorum alia opuscula Item de consolatione decumbentium De idea boni Pastoris De concionibus Funebribus M. CHEMNICIVS The Life of Martin Chemnisius who died A no Christi 1586. MArtin Chemnisius was born at Britza in Old March Anno Christi 1522 of honest but mean Parents so that his father being poor he met with many impediments to discourage and hinder him in Learning yet bearing a great love to it by his exceeding industry he overcame all difficulties and after some progresse at home he went to Magdeburg where he studied the Tongues and Arts. And from thence to Frankfurt upon Oder where he studied Philosophy under his Kinsman George Sabinâ— and after hee had spent some time there he went to Wittenberg where he prosecuted his former studies together with the Mathematicks under Melancthou and other Professors From thence he went to Sabinum in Borussia where he taught School and commenced Master of Arts and Anno Christi 1552 he was made the Princes Library-keeper and had a competent subsistence in the Court. At that time he wholly applied himself to the study of Divinity By reason of his knowledge and skill in the Mathematicks and Astronomy he was very dear to the Duke of Borussia and for the same cause John Marquesse of Brandenburg favoured him very much Yea by his modest and sincere carriage hee procured much favour from the Courtiers Anno Christi 1555 Chemnistus being desirous after three years stay in the Court to return to the Universities for the perfecting of his studies was rewarded by Prince Albert with ample Letters of commendation and so dismissed After which he went again to Wittenberg where he sojourned with Melancthon and was imployed by him publickly to read Common places From thence after a while he was sent to Brunople in Saxonie by the Senate and made Pastor which place he discharged with singular fidelity and approbation for the space of thirty years partly as Pastor and partly as Superintendent and commenced Doctor in Divinity at Rostoch serving the Church with great faithfulness and commendations both by preaching and reading Lectures Many Princes and Commonwealths made use of his advice and assistance in Ecclesiastical affairs He took great pains in asserting the Truth against the adversaries of it as his excellent Exameâ— of the Tridentine Council shews At last being worn out with study writing preaching c. he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1586 and of his age 63. He is said by one to be Philosophus summus Theologus profundissimus neque veritatis bonarumque artium studio neque laude officit facile cuiquam secundus His Workes are these De origine Jesuitarum Theologiae Jesuitarum praecipua capita Explicatio Doctrinae de duabus in Christo naturis Fundamenta sanae Doctrinae Enchiridion de praecipuis caelestis Doctrinae capitibus De peccato Origin contra Manichaeos Examen decretorum Concilii Tridentini Concio de Baptismo Harmonia Evangelica The Life of Rodolphus Gualter who died Anno Christi 1586. ROdolphus Gualter was born in Zurick An. Christi 1519. When he first applyed his mind to the study of humane Arts and Tongue hee had such an happy wit that he was inferiour to none of his fellows in Poetry and Oratory and being afterwards admitted into the University he became famous first for his knowledge in the Arts and afterwards of Divinity He was chosen Pastor in that City where first he drew his vitall breath neither were which chose him deceived in their expectation for he proved an admirable instrument of Gods glory and their good discharging his place with fingular industry diligence and fidelity not onely by his frequent publick preaching but by his learned private writings as his Homilies upon much of the Old and New Testament do sufficiently declare And having governed and sed that Church for above forty years together he died in a good old age Anno Christi 1586 and of his Life seventie four Scripsit Homilias in Johannis Epistolas In canâ—cum Zachariae De Nativitate pueritia educatione Domini De servitnte peccati libertate fidelium De origine prastantia authoritate S. Scripturae In 12 Prophetas minores In Maâ—thaum Marcum Lucam Johannem Acta Apostol Epist. ad Romanes ad Corinthios ad Galatas In Esaiam With many other Works set down by Verheiden The Life of Ludovicus Lavater who died A no Christi 1586. LUdovicus Lavator was born in Zurick a famous City of the Helvetians and having drunk in the first Rudiments of Learning became famous by his diligence in the Schooles and his excellent wit insomuch as Bullinger gave his daughter in marriage to him And though a Prophet be not without honour but in his own country yet was he chosen a Pastor in that City and made a Lecturer in the Schooles and hee taught and illustrated both faithfully by his Ministry and Writings He published manys his Father-in-law Bullingers Works And having spent himelf in the Work of the Lord and service of his Church he quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father Anno Christi 1586. He wrote Commentaries upon Joshuah both books of the Chronicles Ruth Ester Job Proverbs and Ezekiel Besides his Historia de ortu progressu controversiae Sacramentariae Tractatus de spectris lemuribus fragoribus variisque praesagitionibus quae plerumque obitum hominum magnas clades praecedunt With divers others mentioned in particular by Verheiden GAS. OLEVIAN The Life of Gaspar Olevian who died A no Christi 1587. GAspar Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536. His Fathers name was Gerhard a Baker in that City and Master of his Company but this Gasper was carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather who set him to severall Schooles in that City and at thirteen years old hee was sent to Paris to study the Civill Law from thence also hee went to the Universities of Orleance and Biturg where hee heard the most famous Lawyers of those times He joyned himself also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in both those Cities In Biturg he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers after the solemn manner of the University being made Doctor Anno Christi 1557. About which time there studyed in that Universitie under Nicholas Judex the young Prince Palatine sonne to Frederick the third afterwards Elector And Olevian being very intimate with Judex went one day after dinner to the River Lieg hard by the City together with him and the young Prince and when they came thither they found some young Noble Germans that were students there going into a boat who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely diswaded them from venturing themselves amongst
with the stone and troubled with weaknesse of stomach yet did he not intermit his labours and care of the Church In the Synod of Taoduâ— where the King himself was present Rollock by the suffrages of all was chosen Moderator where the too severe Articles of Perth were qualified and when the King moved that the Synod should choose some Commissioners to take care of the Church in the intervall of National Assemblies it was readily assented to and Rollock was one of the first that was assigned that office Anno Christi 1598 his disease so encreased upon him that he was confined to his house but after a while his intimate friend William Scot perswaded him to go into the Country where was a thinner and more healthfull air which accordingly he did and seemed at first to be better but presently his disease returned with more violence so that he was forced to keep his bed whereupon he set his house in order and his wife after ten years barrennesse being with child he commended to the care of his friends Two Noblemen Patrick Galloway and David Lindsey coming to visit him he professed to them the hearty love which he had alwaies born to the King withall requesting them from him to go to him and to entreat him in his name to take care of Religion and to persevere in it to the end as hitherto he had done not suffering himself to be diverted from it either under the hope of enlarging his dominions or by any other subtill device of wicked men and that he would reverence esteem the Pastors of the Church as it was meet For saith he that Ministry of Christ though in the judgement of man it seem low and base yet at length it shall shine with great glory When the Pastors of Edenborough came to him he made an excellent exhortation to them and profession of his sincerity and integrity in his place that God had called him to When the night grew on his death also seemed to approach which he perceiving made such a divine and heavenly speech as astonished the hearers And when the Physitians were preparing Physick for him he said Tu Deus medeberis mihi thou Lord wilt heal me Then he prayed fervently that God would pardon his sins for Christs sake professing that all other things how great soever they seemed to others yet he accounted them all but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellency of Christs crosse Praying further that he might have an happy departure and enjoy Gods presence which he had often breathed after saying I have hitherto seen but darkly in the glasse of thy Word O Lord grant that I may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance which I have so much desired and longed for Then did he make such an admirable speech about the Resurrection and Life Eternal as if so be he already been translated into heaven Then giving his hand to all that were present like old Jacob he blessed them all adding to his benediction exhortations according to every mans quality or office Yet that night after he slept better then was expected The day after when the City Magistrates came to see him he spake to them to be very careful of the University desiring to choose into his room Henry Charter a man every way fit for that employment He commended to their care also his wife professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend and therefore hee hoped they would provide for her To these requests the Magistrates assented promising faithfully to perform them Then did he intreat the Professors of Philosophy that they would be carefull and diligent in the performance of their duty and that they would be obedient to his successor after which he said I blesse God I have all my senses entire but my heart is in heaven And Lord Jesus why shouldst not thou have it it hath been my care all my life long to dedicate it to thee I pray thee take it that it may live with thee for ever When he had thus spoken he fell into a slumber out of which when he awaked he breathed earnestly to be dissolved and to be with Christ saying Come Lord Jesus put an end to this miserable life hast Lord and tarry not Christ hath redeemed me not unto a frail and momentary but unto eternall life Come Lord Jesus and give mee that life for which thou hast redeemed me Then some of the standers by bewaile their condition when he should be taken away to whom he said I have gone through all the degrees of this life and now am come to my end why should I goe back againe O Lord help me that I may go through this last degree with thy assistance Lead me to that glory which I have seen as through a glass O that I were with thee And when some told him that the next day was the Sabbath he said Thy Sabbath O Lord shall begin my eternall Sabbath My eternall Sabbath shall take its beginning from thy Sabbath The next morning feeling his approaching death he sent for Master Belcanqual to pray with him who in his prayer desired the Lord if he pleased to prolong his life for the good of his Church whereupon he said I am weary of this life all my desire is that I may enjoy that celestiall life that is hid with Christ in God And a while after he prayed again saying Hast Lord and doe not tarry I am a weary both of nights and daies Come Lord Jesus that I may come to thee Break these eye-strings and give me others I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee Hast Lord Iesus and defer no longer Go forth my weak life and let a better succeed O Lord Jesus thrust thy hand into my body and take my soul to thy self O my sweet Lord set this soul of mine free that it may enjoy her husband And when one of the standers by said Sir Let nothing trouble you for now your Lord makes hast he said O welcome message would to God my funerals might be to morrow And thus continued he in such heavenly prayers and speeches til he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1598 and of his age 43. Reliquit Commentarios in aliquot Psalmos selectos In Danielem In S. Johannem eum ejus harmonia in passionem victoriam Dominicam In Epist. ad Ephesios Coloss. Thess. Galat. Scripsit Analysin in Epist. ad Romanos ad Heb. tractaum de vocatione efficaci c. The Life of Nicolas Hemingius who died A no Christi 1600. NIcolas Hemingius was born at Loland in Denmark Anno Christi 1513 of obscure but honest parents but his Father dying when he was young his Uncle who was a Black-smith brought him up carefully in learning placing him in the School at Nystadia where he continued ten yeares Then in the School of
and hee had both one desire but not for the same end The Jesuits said he wish my end but for an evill end I wish for it also but that by death I may passe to eternall life purchased for me by the merits of Christ. Anno 1599 the King of France and the King of Navar lying in siege before the Castle of Saint Katharines in Savoy near to Geneva Beza went to visit them and was entertain'd with abundance of courtesie by them and being asked by the King of France if he had any request to make to him he answered That he had nothing but to commend his sacred Majesty to the blessing of the great God and to pray that his Majesty might govern his people in peace Only he requested that seeing the Church at Lions had not yet enjoyed the benefit of his Majesties Edict that he would be pleased to think of them which the King promised and upon their petition granted their desire About the time of his return he began to be much troubled with want of sleep but lying awake in the nights hee deceived the time with holy meditations And speaking to his friends of it he used that speech Psal. 16. v. 7 8. My reins also instruct me in the night season I have set the Lord alwaâ—es before me in whose favour is life And that of Psal. 63 My soul is filled as with marrow and fatnesse when I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches Many came out of the Kings Camp to Geneva to see the City which was now so famous but especially to see Beza all whom he courteously entertained with holy and savoury discourses and so dismissed them well pleased Anno Christi 1602 Maurice the Lantgrave of Hesse came to Geneva to see him but disguised for which Beza was very sorry after that he had not known him Finding himself to draw near to his end he revised his Will and so easing his mind of all worldly thoughts he wholly betook himself to exspect the time of his departure which he much longed for He often used that saying of the Apostle We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good works And that of St. Augustine Diu vixi diu peccavi fit nomen Domini benedictum I have lived long I have sinned long Blessed be the name of the Lord. And that also Domine quod coepisti perfice nè in portu naufragium accidat Lord perfect that which thou hast begun that I suffer not shipwrack in the haven and that of Bernard Domine sequemur te per te ad te te quia veritas per te quia via ad te quia vita Lord we follow thee by thee to thee Thee because thou art the truth By thee because thou art the way To thee because thou art the life Anno 1605 there came some noble and learned men from Borussia to see him with whose society he was much pleased But diseases encreasing upon him the Pastors of Geneva agreed amongst themselves that every day two of them should visit him by turns and sometimes all of them came together and prâ—ied most fervently with him Octob. 13 being the sabbath-Sabbath-day he rose in the morning and prayed with his family and then desiring to goe to bed again he sate him down on the side of his bed and asked if all things were quiet in the City they answered him yea but perceiving that he was near to his end they ranne for a Minister who immediately coming whilst he was praying with him without the least pain or groaning he quietly yeelded up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1605 and of his Age 86 and of his Ministry 46. James Lectius made this Epigram of him Vezelii genuêre piae tenuêre Gebennae Astratenent vixi non mihi sed populis Aliud Si qua fides famae proles mihi defuit omnis At varia vera prole beatus ego Me Populi Mystae Reges dixere parentem Multa virûm genui millia Christe tibi Quin Populi Mystae Reges nascentur ex me Christe tibi toto dum legar orbe frequens He was a thick set man and of a strong Constitution insomuch that he used to say that he never knew what it was to have his head ake He was of an excellent wit an accurate judgement a firm memory very eloquent affable and courteous so that he was called the Phoenix of his time In his Testament he gave thanks 1. That God at sixteen years old had called him to the knowledge of the Truth though for a while he walked not answerable to it till the Lord in mercy brought him home and carried him to Geneva where under that great Calvin he learned Christ more fully 2. That being infected with the Plague at Lausanna and aspersed with grievous calumnies the Lord had delivered him from them both 3. That coming back to Geneva he was there chosen Pastor when as he deserved not to have been one of the sheep 4. That not long after he was made Colleague to that excellent man John Calvin in reading Divinity 5. That being called into France in the first Civill War and tossed there up and down for twenty two moneths God had preserved him from six hundred dangers c. A Papist objecting to him his youthly Poems This man saith he vexeth himself because Christ hath vouchsafed to me his grace Though there was so great worth in this man and his labours were extraordinary yet he had but 1500 Florens per an for his stipend which amount but to seven or eight and fifty pounds sterling by the year besides 20 Coups of corn and his house His Works were these N. Testamenti nova versio cum Annotationibus Confessio Christianae fidei De Haereticis à civili Magistratu puniendis Summa totius Christianismi De Coena Domini De Hypostatica duarum in Christo naturarum unione De unitate essentiae Divina tribus subsistentibus personis Tractatio de Polygamia Divortio Epistolae Theologicae With many others set down particularly by Verheiden and mentioned in this narrative of his life D. RAINOLDS The Life of John Rainolds who dyed A no Christi 1607. JOhn Rainolds was born in Devonshire Anno Christi 1549 and brought up in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford and for his excellent learning was chosen a Fellow of that House and afterwards Commenced Doctor in Divinity Hee had divers brothers that were all Papists which procured him much sorrow especially his elder brother William Rainolds who wrote seditious and pestilent books against that renowned Queen Elizabeth and her flourishing Kingdome He was so eminent for piety and for his knowledge in the more mysterious parts of Divinity that one saith of him that he was Acad miae lumen Europae decus Divinae gloriae buccinator sanctitatis eximium exemplar
The Life of Anthony Wallaeus who died Anno Christi 1639. ANthony Wallaeus was descended of the ancient family de Wale in the City of Gaunt where his Predecessors had born sundry offices from the year 1345 to that present time his Father was James Wallaeus who was brought up in the Family of Count Egmond who lost his head by the Spanish tyranny His Mother was Margaret Wagenaer a beautifull and pious Matron of an illustrious Family and powerfull Kindred Our Anthony was born Octob. 3. Anno Chr. 1573 in the City of Gaunt just at the same time when the Duke de Alva after all his cruelties exercised in the Low Countryes returned into Spain His Mother in his childhood was very carefull to traine him up in the Rudiments of piety and good manners and his Father was as careful to give him liberall education For which end when he could read and write reasonable well at eight years old he committed him to the care of Titus ab Edingen a Minister to be taught the Latine tongue The boy was very beautifull of a ruddy colour of a sweet and pleasing conversation and therefore his Master loved him above all his other Scholars Not long after this Titus of Edingen was called into Holland to be Minister at Saint Hildegond near to Harlem whereupon our Anthony was necessitated to return to his parents at Gaunt and was by his Father committed to the care of Samuel Lansberg a Minister in that City to be by him further instructed in the Latine tongue About this time the City of Gaunt was full of factions and divisions so that his Father for favouring the Prince of Orange was clapt up in prison whereupon our Anthony returned home to his Mother and by his prompt obedience sweet manners childish blandishments was a great comfort to her during the time of her husbands close imprisonment But at last his Father was set free who considering the troublesom state of the City and not knowing what might be the issue sent away all his most precious moveables to Delph in Holland Shortly after Gaunt was besieged by the Prince of Parma which being foreseen by Jam. Wallaeus he had made such provision before hand that he lived quietly and comfortably during all the siege But at last the City was to be surrendred upon Articles amongst which this was one that six such Citizens should be delivered up to the Prince as he should nominate James Wallaeus upon good grounds suspecting that he should be one of the six a few dayes before the surrender privately stole out of the City and went to Walochrta His Wife Margaret staying at Gaunt to dispose of her goods was so vexed and abused by the Citizens that she resolved rather to leave part of them and goe her wayes then to stay there any longer and because all were forbidden to depart from the City taking her son Anthony who was now tenne years old and her two daughtets they stole away in the night and went on foot to Philippine And shortly after not onely the Citizens of Gaunt but of all the neighbouring places did so molest and abuse the Protestants that they forced them to leave their habitations and to seeke for refuge in other Countries most of which went into Zeland which of all other places shewed the most humanity bounty and hospitality to these pâ—oâ— exiles Yet lest under pretence of flight the enemies should mingle themselves amongst the Protestants and so make some ateâ—pt upon the Isles of Zeland the Zelanderâ— sent some ships of War to Philippine under the conduct of James Wallaeus with a special charge that none should be brought out of Flanders into Zeland but such as he should approve of In the mean time Margaret and our Anthony went to Delph in Holland to fetch away their goods which formerly were sent thither but their friend to whom they had sent them denyed that great part of them ever came to his hands and they wanting sufficient proof were faign to take such as he acknowledged and so they returned to Middleborough James Wallaeus had so well demeaned himself in the aforementioned imployment that the President of Zeland who had formerly known him at Gaunt committed to his care the custody of the Magazine for Provision and Ammunition and because he would not wholly trust his servants in so weighty a businesse he imployed his son Anthony to have an oversight of them who though he was but 11. years old yet was serious and prudent above his Age. His place was to see such things as his Father bought laid up the Publick Granary and Armory as also to see them delivered out and divided to the several Cities as he was appointed and to acquaint his Father where there was any want And thus he was imployed for two years at the end whereof his Father resolved to settle him with his Mother at Middleborough that he might be fitted for some honest course of life But having lost much of his Estate by his Exile and his Family being encreased by the birth of two sons he durst not think of training him up in Learning as formerly he had determined wherefore that he might be fitter for any future imployment he placed him with Jodocus Larenus a Publick Notary a man of much experience of a great judgement and of unspotted honesty with whom by his daily practise he attained to much swiftness in writing and as things were related to him he could readily apprehend fitly word them and draw them into a publick instrument in good order which some Merchants taking notice of each of them strove to get him into his Family profering him good pay for his pains But our Anthony being not yet resolved what course of life to follow continued three years with Larenus At the end whereof lying one night with his Father on the straw he had a sudden instinct that God had designed him for the Work of the Ministry and these thoughts did so follow him night and day wheresoever and about whatsoever he was that he could not blot them out of his memory Hereupon at last he resolved to dedicate himself to his studies and having gotten leave of his Father he went to the Grammer School in Middleborough the chief Master whereof was Iames Gruter a painful man and well versed both in Greek and Latine He had also for his assistant Iohn Murdison who was an acute and solid Philosopher This Murdison lived with Gruter who being desirous to finde out the ingenie of our Anthony he placed him at Gruters Table yet least he should be drawn aside by rude lads his Parents would have him daily to come home to supper With these Masters hee lived six years and profited so much under them that he could make elegant Verses and pronounce Orations publickly which Gruter thought fit both for his own and his Scholars credit to publish in Print Neither did he profit less in the
to heaven whereupon they asked him whether he would have a Priest to confess to which he denyed then they willed him to call upon S. Mary which he also refused ever looking up to Heaven whereupon one gave him his deaths wound and when his body was known the Enemies condemned him to be cut into four parts and burned This fell out Anno Christi 1531 and of his age 44. after he had been Pastor at Zurick twelve years Three days after his death some of friends coming to the place found his heart untouched by the fire He began to preach at Glarona Anno Christi 1516. against many of the Popish Errors and abuses before the name of Luther was so much as heard of in those parts Beza made this Epitaph on him Zuinglius arderet gemino cùm sanctus amore Nempe Dei imprimis deinde suae patriae Dicitur in solidum se devâ—v â—sse duobus Nempe Deo imprimis deinde suae patriae Quam bene persolvit simul istis votâ— duobus Pro Patra examinis pro Pietate câ—nis He had a wit fitted for great matters honest candid sound and vehement yet not cruel or bloody but heroical and cheerfull His Doctrine and judgment were sound His study of Piety and reforming Religion from Popish superstitions is seen in his Works In his Sermons he was very Methodical teaching the Truth with great Perspicuity He was very sharp in reproving Vices especially the Pentions of the Switzers oppression of the Poor and Prodigality He used to say that it was a wicked warfare and nothing more hateful to God then for the hire of forreign Princes to spill blood When he thundred most against sin least the Innocent should be affrighted he used to say Bone vir haec te non moveant nihil ad te quad dico ne cures igitur Honest man be not affrighted at these things I speak not to thee therefore care not for it He used to study standing and tyed himself to certain hours which he would not omit except necessity compelled him From his first rising till ten a clock he imployed himself in reading writing interpreting the Scripture and making his Sermons After dinner till two a clock he conferred with his friends or gave counsel to such as sought it and so to his study till supper after which having walked awhile he busied himself in writing Letters which many times held him till midnight Monumenta ingenii eruditionis reliquit multa quae in quatuor tomos digesta typisque excusa extant JOHN OECVLAMPADIVS The Life of Oecolampadius who dyed Anno Christi 1531. OEcolampadius was born at Winsperg Anno Christi 1482. of rich and religious Parents especially his Mother for Wisdom Charity and Sanctity was very eminent in the place where she lived They brought up this their son in Religion and Learning His Father intending to make him a Merchant but his Mother by her earnest entreaties prevailed with him still to keep him at School where he profited exceedingly At twelve years of age he was sent to the University of Heidleberg and so profited there that at two years end he was made Batchelor of Art In that place he continued till he was Master of Arts and then went by the will of his Father to Bononia to study the Law But the ayr of Italy not argeeing with him he quickly returned to Heidleberg and betook himself to the study of Divinity read the School-men and profited much thereby He grew so famous both for Piety and Learning that Philip Prince Elector Palatine chose him for a Tutor to his sons But growing weary of a Court-life he left that charge and returned to the study of Divinity Not long after his Parents having no other childe gave all their Estate for the maintenance of a Minister in their own Town and chose this their Son to be the first that should undertake that charge which caused his return from Heidleberg to his own Country but finding himself as yet not throughly furnished for such a work he quickly left it and went to Tubing and from thence to Stutgard where under John Capnio he studyed Greek and from thence he went to Heidleberg where he began to study Hebrew And being by this means better furnished he returned into his own Country to his former Charge and became a severe Preacher and very grave in his carriage He associated himself but with a few and those the best But especially he contracted a strict bond of love with Capito which continued betwixt them so long as they lived From this place he was at last called to be a Preacher at Basil and there also he commenced Doctor in Divinity about which time Erasmus Roteradamus coming thither to print his Annotations on the New Testament he chose Oecolampadius as his assistant in that work and confessed that he was much holpen by him Shortly after he was called to Auspurg to be a Preacher there but finding some timorousness in himself in so great a work he thought that a retired life wherein he might betake himself to Prayer and study would be better for him for the present and therefore he entred into a Monastery near to that City in which also he thought to continue but all his friends especially Capito disswaded him from it which advice he at last hearkning unto and taking occasion to declare his judgement in several things against the Popish Doctrine he began to be much hated and threatned with Prison and death yet he daily encreasing in courage contemned their threats But after awhile the danger growing greater at the importunity of his friends he departed and not long after came to Basil to Print some Works which in his retiredness he had made During his abode there having no other means of subsistence he was maintained by Andrew Cratander the Printer where also to finde himself imployment he translated Chrysostom upon Genesis and preached Christ freely to some that resorted to him Anno Christi 1522. Sir Francis Sickengen sent for him concerning which himself thus writeth Because saith he Sir Francis Sickengen that most famous Knight of Germany and Captain of the Emperours Army hath sent for me to instruct his Family yea rather to feed it with spiritual Sermons being long since instructed I thought it my duty to endeavor that the Law of God should be made familiar in it whereby it might grow in the true and sincere study of Christianity whereupon I dayly read the Gospel and expounded it to those that were present familiarly exhorting them to the study of Piety and whereas they had been accustomed to hear Sermons only upon the Sabbaths and to have Masses all the Week after I so prevailed that Masses were laid aside and some part of the Epistles and Gospels was read and expounded every day to them Shortly after the Senate of Basil chose him to be a
Professor of Divinity in that City though the Popish party sought by all means to oppose it where he read on the Prophet Isaiah and after awhile he was called to a Pastoral charge in that City to the great regret of the Papists Anno Christi 1524. In that City he caused Infants to be Baptized in the Dutch Tongue He administred the Lords Supper in both kindes by the consent of the Magistrates He confuted by the holy Scriptures the Sacrifice of the Mass Purgatory and other Popish Traditions of the like kinde whereupon by little and little they vanished away Upon this John â—ochlaeus sent Letters to him from Stutgard full of great promises thereby endeavouring to withdraw him from the Truth and the Mass Priests thundred against him and his companions saying that they deserved the punishment of the worst Hereticks But the Magistrates of Basil commanded all the Preachers within their Jurisdiction to Preach to the People the Word of God and not of men and to abstain from railing and evill speeches threatning severe punishments to those that offended against their Proclamation so that not long after there was a general Reformation of Religion not only in Basil but in the parts adjacent A Decree being made by the Senate that as well within the City of Basil as without throughout all their Jurisdiction the Mass with all Idols should be abandoned and the Ash-wednesday following all the Wooden Images were distributed amongst the Poor of the City to serve them for fire-wood but when they could not agree upon the dividing of them it was Decreed that all the said Images should be burnt together so that in nine great heaps all the stocks and Idols were the same day burnt to ashes before the great Church door Oecolampadius also like a faithful Minister of Jesus Christ was careful to restore Christs Discipline and brought in the censure of Excommunication And presently after being sent for to Vlm together with Blaurerus and Bucer he carryed on the work of Reformation there At Marpurg by the invitation of the Lantgrave of Hess there was a Disputation for three days between Luther Jonas and Melancthon on the one part and Oecolampadius Zuinglius and others on the other about the controversie concerning Christs presence in the Sacrament but the Sweating sickness breaking out there put an end to it yet they agreed about all other Fundamentals in Religion and parted in a brotherly manner Oecolampadius returning to Basil spent the remainder of his days in preaching reading writing publishing of books visiting the sick c. Anno Christi 1531. and of his Age 49. he fell sick about the same time that Zuinglius was so unhappily slain the grief of whose death much aggravated his weakness yet intermitted he not his labors till an Ulcer breaking forth about his Os sacrum he was forced to keep his bed and though his friends Physitians and Chyrurgeons used all means for his cure yet he told them that his disease was mortal He spent his time in Divine meditations and comforting his friends and sending for the Ministers of the Churches to him he spake to this purpose O my Brethren the Lord is come he is come he is now calling me away c. I desired to speak with you to encourage you to continue faithful followers of Christ to persevere in purity of Doctrine in lives conformable to the Word of God Christ will take care for the defence of his Church therefore Let your light so shine forth before men that they may see your good Works c. continue in love unfeigned walk as in Gods presence adorn your Doctrine with holiness of life a cloud is arising atempest is coming and some will fall off but it becomes you to stand fâ—st and God will assist you c. For my self I pass not the aspersions that are cast upon me I bless God I shall with a clear conscience stand before the Tribunal of Christ I have not seduced the Church of Christ as some affirm but leave you all witnesses that at my last gasp I am the same that formerly I was He had nothing to give and therefore made no Will The fifteenth day of his sickness he called for his children took them by the hand strok't them on the head and though the eldest was but three years old yet he said unto them Go to my three children see that you love God Then speaking to his wife and kindred he desired them to take care that his children might be brought up in the fear of God and then commanded them to be taken away The Ministers continued with him that night and a certain friend coming to him Oecolampadius asked him what news his friend answered None but saith he I 'le tell you some news I shall presently be with my Lord Christ and some asking him whether the light offended him he putting his hand to his heart said Here 〈◊〉 abundance of light In the morning he prayed earnestly with the words of David in the 51. Psalm which he repeated from the beginning to the end and presently after said O Christ save me and so he fell asleep in the Lord. The Papists spread many lyes abroad of his death some said that in dispair he slew himself others that he was murthered or poysoned c. He dyed Anno Christi 1521. and of his Age 51. Erasmus wrote to his friends concerning his Book about the Sacrament Oecolampadium emisisse libellum tam accuratè scriptum tot machinis argumentorum tótque testimoniis instructum ut posset vel electos in errorem pertrahere In the beginning of Reformation he was another Doctor in Helvetia of a milde and quiet wit Somewhat slow in dispatching businesses but very circumspect He took pleasure in nothing so much as in reading and writing Commentaries wherein he wrote upon Genesis Psalms Job Isaiah Jeremie Ezekiel Daniel and most of the small Prophets as also upon the Books of the New Testament Before his Conversion he was superstitiously religious So oft as he read the words of Institution of the Lords Supper he thought that some spiritual sense was included in them and yet still drave out those thoughts with this Wilt thou be wiser then other men You should believe as others believe But it pleased God at last to inlighten him with his truth which he submitted to He was most studious of the peace and concord of the Church He excelled in the knowledge of the Latine Greek and Hebrew and was very skilful in Ecclesiastical Antiquities He was older then Martin Luther by one year Scripta ejus vel sunt Exegetica vel Didascalica vel Apologetica vel conversa è Graeco Multa praeterea ab ejus amicis edita multa ab Hedione aliis Germanicè conversa Multa a Gastione collecta quae non sunt impressa
Orthodox by his very adversaries But the repentance of this his adversary is not to be passed over in silence for a few years after when he lay upon his death-bed he professed that he could have no peace of conscience till M. Calvin had forgiven him which he not onely did speedily but comforted and confirmed him to his last hour Anno Christi 1553. The malice of the factious brake out so impetuously that not onely the Church but even the Common-wealth was brought into extream hazard thereby for they proceeded so far by their clamours and threats and by their number oppressing the liberty of good men that the ancient Edicts about constituting of Senators was by them dissolved and pretending that they were afraid of the forreign Exiles they took from them all their weapons and swords except when they travelled abroad so that nothing seemed remaining but when they had got all the power into their own hands that they should then effect what they had often aimed at The Divel also then ministred another occasion of troubles for the ancient enemy of the Sacred Trinity and of the true God Michael Servetus a very monster composed of many ancient and prodigious heresies having gone about a long time as a Physician and spread his blasphemies under the name of Michael Villanovanus at last published a great book at Vienna belonging to Geneva the Printer whereof was Arnollet of Lions the Corrector to the Press William Guerotius long agoe addicted to the factious Genevistes but a few moneths before being like to be punished for his whoredomes and other wickednesses was fled from Geneva to Lions This Servetus having published his Book stuffed with Blasphemies was at Vienna cast into prison for the same but making an escape he came by a secret providence to Geneva thinking to pass further but as God would have it being discovered and Master Calvin acquainting the Magistrates with it they cast him into prison Much means was used to bring him to a sight of his wickedness and to repentance for the same but when this desperate wretch encouraged by some of the chief of the factious persons would not be brought to a recantation of his abominable blasphemies by the common consent of all the Helvetian Churches he was condemned to death and upon the seven and twentieth of October without any signe of repentance was burned alive The same year Master Farell being very sick Master Calvin went to Neocome to visit him but his disease prevailing he left him for dead yet it pleased God wonderfully beyond expectation to raise him up again to the great joy of the Church Whilst the businesses of Servetus were in agitation there rose up one amongst the factious one Bertelerius a most impudent man who for many wickednesses was suspended from the Sacrament by the Presbytery whereupon he went to the Senate desiring by them to be absolved which being effected there was no doubt but the raines of Ecclesiasticall Discipline being let loose all things would grow into confusion therefore Master Calvin in the name of the Presbytery opposed it shewing that the Christian Magistrate ought to preserve not to destroy the Ecclesiasticall constitutions Yet the false clamours of the adversaâ—â—es prevailed who said that the Presbytery encroached upon the authority of the Magistrate so that in a meeting of the Common-Counsell it was decreed that the last appeal ought to be to the Senate who might absolve whom they thought fit After which the Senate not much minding the business suffered this Bertelerius surreptitiously to get letters of absolution from them confirmed by the Seal of the Common-wealth But Perinus and his companions hoped that one of these two things would follow viz. that either Calvin would not obey this mandat of the Senate and so he would be oppressed by the people in a tumult or else that he would obey it and then it would be easie for them to dissolve the Decrees of the Presbytery and so open a door to all licentiousness But M. Calvin though he had notice of this but two days before the Sacrament was to be administred in the moneth of September in the time of his Sermon lifting up his voice and stretching forth his hand spake much against the contemners and profaners of those sacred mysteries But I saith he following Chrysostome will rather suffer my selfe to be slaine then this hand of mine shall reach the holy Elements to those that have been judged contemners of God This speech which is wonderfull to observe did so far prevaile with them who otherwise were head-strong enough that Perinus sent privately to Bertlerius commanding him not to obtrude himself upon the Sacrament and so through Gods mercie the Sacrament was peaceably administred and received with a certain trembling as if God himselfe had been present in their sight In the afternoon Master Calvin preached upon that Text in the Acts wherein Paul took his leave of the Church of Ephesus wherein he professed that he was not the man that would himselfe oppose or teach others to oppose the Decree of the Magistrate exhorting the Congregation to persevere in that Doctrine wherein they had been taught as if he had taken his last farewell of Geneva And seeing saith he things are come to this pass give me leave brethren to use the words of the Apostle to you I commend you to God and the words of his grace which words as they wonderfully daunted the wicked so they prevailed much more with the godly party to put them in mind of their duty The day after Mr. Calvin with his Colleagues and the whole Presbytery intreated the Senate and the Common-Councell that they might be heard before the people whilst they should give in reasons for the abrogating of that fore named Law This was easily assented to their minds being wonderfully changed and it was decreed that that Law should be suspended and that the judgement of the foure Helvetian Cities should be desired therein and that nothing in the meane time should be acted that was prejudiciall to the Laws formerly established Thus this tempest was rather dispersed then wholly quieted which beyond hope being diverted from Mr. Calvin the factious sought to bring it upon the head of Mr. Farell For Mr. Farell as soon as he was recovered of his great sicknesse came to Geneva and there in a Sermon sharply reproved the factious partly relying upon the justnesse of the cause and partly upon his age and that ancient authority which he had amongst them But they complaining that he had done them much wrong when he was returned to Neocome appointed him a day to answer it before the Senate and withall sent to the Senate at Neocome that he might appear at the day appointed He came therefore again to Geneva yet not without danger whilst the factious cryed out that he deserved to be thrown into the River of Rhodanus
but an honest young man of the Citizens advised Perinus that Mr. Farell the common Father of the City might be no way wronged joyning also with himself another honest young man they gave notice to the well-affected Citizens that they should stand by Mr. Farell at the day of hearing which also they did so that his adversaries being astonished and deterred hereat of their own accord craved pardon and Mr. Farell was dismissed About this time a grievous calamity befell the Church of England by the immature death of that godly Prince King Edward the sixth which was a grievous wound to all the Reformed Churches Yet at this same time Mr. Calvin wrote his learn-Commentaries upon the Gospel of St. John Geneva as we heard before having inflicted deserved punishment upon Servetus not as upon a Sectary but as upon a monster for his horrible impieties and blasphemies by which for thirty years space he had infected the Christian world both by his teaching and writings It cannot be imagined how this stirred up the rage of Sathan such a flame arising from hence as set Poland first then Transsylvania and Hungary all on a fire which himself seemed to foretell by the spirit of Sathan when in the beginning of his book he set this sentence out of the Revelation There was a great battle in heaven Michael and his Angels fighting with the Dragon For his ashes being scarce cold a great controversie sprung up about the punishing of Hereticks Some holding that they ought to be restrained but not to be punished with death Others thinking that it could not be clearly stated out of Gods word what was Heresie thereupon said that it was lawfull to hold either part in all the Heads of Religion and that all men though holding a wrong opinion were to be left to the judgement of God This latter opinion some good men inclined to fearing that the contrary Tenet might kindle the cruelty of Tyrants against the godly The principall of these were Sebastian Castalio and Laelius Socinus therein pleading their own cause The former indeed more closely and the latter more openly as one that studyed to vindicate the clear authority of the Scripture in a certain Preface to the perverting of the holy Bible and in his Annotations upon the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians had endeavoured to draw men from the written Word of God as an imperfect Rule as if Paul had taught to some of his Disciples that were more perfect then the rest a certain more hidden Divinity then that which he had committed to writing Hereupon Mr. Calvin Anno Christi 1554 set forth a copious confutation of all the Doctrine of Servetus which was subscribed by all his Colleagues adding many reasons why and how farre a Magistrate might proceed in punishing such an one as was lawfully convicted of Heresie The adversaries on the contrary published a Rapsody collected partly out of the writings of the ancient Fathers which they perverted to their own ends and partly out of the writings of certain unknown Fanaticks and under the name of Martin Bellius which indeed was Castalio though afterwards he forswore it and falsifying also the name of the City in which they falsly pretended that it was published To this book swarming with many other Errors and Blasphemies Mr. Beza answered thereby to free Mr. Calvin from that labour who was now busie in writing his learned Commentaries upon Genesis and in diverting other dangers from the Church For the factious went on to innovate things in the City and though the Amnestie was again renewed before the Senate upon the second of February yet they daily grew worse and worse so that Master Calvin was much busied both in blaming and reproving them for their wickedness and in endeavouring to strengthen the godly against the poison of their impiety for they had proceeded to such a height of wickedness that they turned part of the sacred Scriptures into obscaene songs and used to beat strangers whom they met in the night and sometimes also to rob them They also privately used the books of Bolsecus Castalio and other corrupt men that they might renew the controversie about Predestination yea they proceeded to scatter abroad a false and scandalous libell wherein they grievously aspersed that worthy servant of Christ Master Calvin Castalio also sent another Latine Book to be privately Printed at Paris to which Master Beza answered and Master Calvin also confuted some of the fooleries of the same kind About this time the care of the English exiles lay heavy upon him some of which were come to Vesalia others to Embden and others to Franckford all sending to Master Calvin for advice and counsel Neither was he a little troubled for the andaciousness of some of the Pastors encouraged by the secret favour of others of the French-Church long since planted by him at Strasborough And in short how great pains he took this year for severall Churches may appear by the multitude of Epistles wrote by him by which he stirred up many Noble-men to imbrace the Gospel and strengthned many of the Brethren some of which were in extream danger and others already cast into bonds We spake before of the sweet Harmony that was between the Helvetian and Rhetian Churches about the Doctrine of the Sacrament This concord did exceedingly displease the spirit of error therefore he easily found out one that might easily reinkindle the fire which before was extinguished viz. Joachim Westphalus who was seconded by Heshusius then a Minister of the word but afterwards a Bishop of whom wee shall speak more afterwards Hereupon Master Calvin published an explication of that agreement which by how much it imbittered their spirits by so much the more it satisfied all good men that were lovers of the truth The year following viz. 1555. by the speciall mercy of God brought peace along with it to the Church of Geneva which was now quiet from its domestick stirs for the factious ruined themselves God discovering their horrible treason to the State by the means of one of the conspirators who in his drunken fit discovered it whereupon some of them were beheaded others of them were banished who though a while after they vexed the City yet perished shamefully in the end leaving an example of the just judgement of God upon such persons though it may be deferred for a time Thus the Commonwealth was freed from these Pests To which another mercy was added by the answer of the four Helvetian Cities to whom the question about the Discipline which we spake of before had been proposed who unanimously confirmed the Ecclesiasticall Polity as it had been before settled contrary to the expectation of the factious Yet something was not wanting whereby Mr. Calvin might be further exercised For he took great pains in constituting the Church in Polonia by the will of the King In comforting the afflicted