1555. Gods judgements on the wicked He conforts the English in persecution And the persecuted French Gribaldus favours Servetus Gods judgment on him Calvin accused bâ—â—some Ministers They are punished for it 1556. He falls sick of an Ague He recovers Faction and Famine Westphalus confuted And Castalio Persecution in Paris Christians slandlered Lies confuâ—ed Calvins care for them Gentilis an Heretick He infects some Is confuted Transylvania infected He is punished with death Calvin falls sick He hâ—tes idleneâ—se 1559. A persecution in France The King of France â—â—â—in A School built at Genevâ— Sancarus his heresies Confuted The Bohemian Waldenses Q. Elizabeth in England A French Ch. erected in England K. Charls in France Geneva threatned Defended by Calvin Heshusius answered Ecebolius his errors Confuâ—ed Gods judgements on him 1562. Civil war in France A prodigy 1563. His sickness increaseth His indefatigable pains 1564. His laâ—t Sermon The causes of his sickness His great patience He wil not intermit his labours His speech to the Ministers He goes to the Senate He receives the Sacrament He makes his Will Mr. Calvins Will. His speech to the Senators His speech to the Ministers Hiâ— Letter to Mâ— Viret Viret comes to him His Death Pezâ—s verses on him His Character 〈…〉 〈◊〉 admirable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Slandâ—â—s answered His coâ—â—entation His works His birth and education Flight â—n persecutioâ— He challengeth tâ—e Papists His Theses He is driven from Basil. His Labors He goes to Geneva Popish malice Popish rage His zeal and courage The High Priests charge Popish malice Gods mercy He is driven from Geneva A speciall providence He goes to Metis He goes to Neocome His Friendship His death Sathans malice The great effects of his Ministery His Character His Works His great Learning Sent Legate into Germany His Policy He is sent for â—o Rome He is sent back inâ—o Germany Popish subtilty He bestirs himselfe in Germany He gives an account to the Pope He is sent to the Emperour The Emperor deals with the Pope about a Council Another Legat in vain He is well beloved He is suspected for a Lutheran His wonderfull conversion He retires to his brother Bishop of Pola is converted Gods mercy Sathans malice They are accused to the Inquisitors Popish malice A lying Prophet He goes to Manâ—ua And to Trent And to Venice Spira is a warning to him He goes into Rhetia His Death His Works His Birth His Education He goes to Friburg And to Wittenberg He commenceth Mr. of Arts. He goes to Madgeburg And to Jenes His Marriage He disputes with Menius And with Flacius His imprisonment His sickness His release His Flight in times of danger He goes to Lipsich He is made Professor of Divinity He is stâ—ut out of the Schools His courage He goes to Amberg Aâ—d to Heidleberg His sicknesse His death His works His Birth His Education His studiousnesse His conversion His zeal He is made Minister Preachers patterne power of the word His prudence Anabaptists madnesse Saâ—ans policy Gods mercy Another contention Division dangerous Brandenburgs courage and zeal Augustane Confession His marriage He goes to Tubing His trouble at Hale Unruly souldiers His Policy Popish malice His â—â—ight Gods mercy The Interim His Courage His danger A mâ—racle of mercy His flight A good Pastor He goes to Wirtemberg God preserves him He goes to â—asil Aâ—d to Hornburg He is invited to severall places The Dukes courage Reformation 〈◊〉 courage He goes to Trent His second marriage He is chosen to Stutgard He defends hâ—s Confession of Faiâ—h He goes to Worms Monasteries turned to schooles His sickness He makes his Will His patience His Death His Character His Works His birth and education He goes to Lions He goes to Bern. His death Popish malice His Character His eloquence The great fruit of his Ministry His Birth and Education He goes to Oxford He is chosen Huâ—anity Lectâ—rer His studiousnes His esteem of Peter Martyr He is expâ—lâ— tâ—e Colledge â—rought into the 〈◊〉 Humane infirmity A speciall providence His Recanâ—ation Gods providence Flight in persecution He goes to Frankfurt His Repentance He goes to Strasborough From thence to Zurick Charity to the Exiles Popish malice Gods mercy A blessed Peace-maker A Prediction Qu. Mary dyes Qu. Elizabeth succeedâ— A disputation appointed His paines in Reforming the Church He is made Bishop He preachâ—s at Pauls Crosse. His challenge to the Papists Hiâ— Charity His greaâ— painâ— A good Bishop His Family government He had heart of memory His death foreseen by him His preparation for death Preachâ—rs pattern Gal. 5. 16. Hiâ— speech to his family in his sicknesse Death desired Ambrose His faith His Death Martyrs testimony of his Apology His birth and education He goes to Wittenberg His diligence and zeal His first imployments Inhumane cruelty He is called to Julia. And to Ceglâ—dine He goes to Temeswert His many sold afflictions He is called to Thurin And from thence to Becknese A speciall providence He is taken prisoner Gods mercy He is called to Tholna His second marriage He is ordained His industry and zeal He goes to Calmantsem He is taken prisoner He is taken prisoner Turkish injustice He is again imprisoned Barbarous cruelty He is beaten cruelly Breach of promise Charity to him His Keepers cruelty Gods providence He is favoured by the Courtiers He is solicited to turn Renegado His courage He encourageth the Christian captives Gods mercy What he wrote in prison Three of his children die The meanes of his deliverance His release A great danger Gods providence Foolish pride The Friar baffled Gods judgment on a persecutor His Charity Another danger Gods providence His Death His zeal against Hereticks His Works His Birth and Education 〈…〉 His Conversion His zeal Sathans malice He flies to Berwick His Humility He goes to Frankfort And to Geneva He is sent for into Scotland His zeal The Mass abhorred The effect of his Ministry The Papists rage against him His great pains He writes to the Queen She scoffs at it He is called back to Geneva He leaves Scotland He is condemned His appeal He is sent for into Scotland His return into Scotland The Ministers summonâ—d The peoples zeal They are proscribed Imâ—ges demolished The Queens malice The Protestants write to the Queen Their zeal The Earl of Glencarns courage and zeale Mr. Knox his speech to the Lordâ— The Queens subtilty Her perfidiousnesse The Bishoâ— opposed Kâ—ox 〈◊〉 A Preâ—iction His Courage 〈◊〉 destroyed The peoples zeal The Queens policy St Johnstons rescued Idols destroyed Noâ—e Popish uncâ—eannesse The Qu. flies They write to the Queen The French match to Edâ—nborough Mr. Willock Minister of Edenborough Civil Wars about Religion The Queens blasphemy Qu. Eliz. assists the Protestants The Queens pride cruelty A speciall providence The Qu. dies Peace concluded M. Knox setled at Edneb Earl of Murray slain His losse bewailed A Prophesie Gods judgment on a scoffer Preachers pattern M. Lawson chosen to succeed him His last Sarmon His sincerity His
he gat so great esteem in Italy that he was profered a Pension of five hundred Duckats by the year to imploy himself in the version of some Arabick books into Latine He spent four years in travel and was famous every where for his learning At Paris and some other places he bought many Arabick books and so returned to Leiden Anno Christi 1612. About which time there was a purpose to have called him into England and to have allowed him an honourable stipend but the year after he was chosen Professor of the Oriental languages in Leiden and presently after he set up though with extraordinary charges a Press for those Languages whereby he published many antient Monuments both of his own and other mens Anno Christi 1616 he married a Wife by whom he left three children surviving him Anno Christi 1619 he was made Professoâ— of the Hebrew also and though he had so many and great employments yet he went through each of them with so great exactnesse as if he had nothing else to attend upon Anno Christi 1620 he was sent by the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland into France to procure Peter Moulin or Andrew Rivet to come to Leiden to be the Divinity Professor and though he prevailed not at that journey yet they sent him again the year after to Andr. Rivet and the French-Church to obtain of them their consents for his comming which businesse he transacted with so great prudence that he brought Andrew Rivet along with him to Leiden Erpenius his fame was so great that the King of Spain wrote to him making him exceeding great promises if he would come into Spain to interpret some antient writings which never man yet could doe The King of Morocco also did so exceedingly admire the purity of his Arabick stile in some of his Epistles that he shewed them to his Nobles and other learned men as some great Miracle He was also highly esteemed of by the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland who often made use of his labours in translating the letters which they received from Princes in Asia and Africa out of Arabick or other Languages But whilst he was thus busily imployed in publick and private it pleased God that he fell sick of the Plague whereof he dyed Anno Christi 1624 and of his age forty A. SCVLTETVS The Life of Abraham Scultetus who dyed A no Christi 1624. ABraham Scultetus was born at Grunberg in Silesia Anno Christi 1566. His Parents were of good rank who carefully brought him up at School where he profited exceedingly and Anno Christi 1582 he went to Uratislavia where he had for his fellow-Students Pitiscus Polanus and Pelargus men who after proved eminent in the Church of God Having studied there some time he went thence to Freistade to hear Melancthon Bucâ—lzer and some others But his active spirit could not long be contained within the bounds of his own country and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a Noble Knight he went to Wittenberg and from thence to Dessavia to acquaint himself with Peter Martyr and Caspar Pucer Anno Christi 1590 he went to Heidleberg where hee heard Dâ—niel Tossan and Francis Junius There also he read Lectures of Logick Oratory and Astronomy to divers young Noblemen and the year after Commenced Master of Arts. Then he betook himself to the study of Divinity thereby to fit himself for the Ministry which from his childhood he had devoted himself to And preaching before the Elector Palatine he so flowed with eloquence and sweetnesse of speech that the Prince and all his Courtiers were much delighted in him which caused the Elector to make him Visitor both of the Schools and Churches Yea many other Princes made use of his help in reforming their Churches in Juliers Brandenburg and Hannovia He was also sent to the Synod of Dort Anno Christi 1612 the Prince Elector Palatine tooke him into England with him where he was much esteemed and respected by King James and other learned men At his retuâ—n to Heidleberg he was made Professor in the University and Doctor in Divinity Anno Christi 1618 But about that time grievous Wars breaking forth the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards over all Germany he was forced to leave Heidleberg and travelled into Bohemia yet there also he met with many afflictions and dangers so that having been long tossed up and down in several countries the Lord at last provided him a quiet station at Embden where he was chosen a Preacher of the Gospel But being thus worn out with travels sorrows and pains in the work of the Ministry hee quietly there slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1624 and of his age 58. What admirable endowments he had his works do sufficiently declare especially his Medulla Patrum which is so much esteemed by learned men The Life of John Piscator who died A no Christi 1625. JOhn Piscator was born at Strasborough Anno Christi 1546 at which time Germany was on fire with Civill Wars Yet that hindred not but he followed his studies very hard and profited exceedingly in learning When he came to the study of Logick with great felicity he joyned Ramus and Aristotle together And afterwards having made a good progresse in the study of Divinity he was called to Herborn to be the Professor there and his labours were so gratefull to young Students that many flocked thither out of Germany France Hungary Poland and other Northern Countries He wrote many things with great diligence and labour scarce affording any rest to himself He translated the whole Bible with great pains and faithfulnesse into the German Tongue besides his Logical and Theological Analysis of the greatest part of it He died at Herborn Anno Christi 1625 and of his age 80. R BOLTON The Life of Robert Bolton who died A no Christi 1631. RObert Bolton was born at Blackborn in Lancashire Anno Christi 1572. His Parents finding in him a great prompâ—nesse to learning though they had no great means yet they intended him for a Scholar the rather having an opportunity of a good Schoolmaster in the town where he profited exceedingly and at twenty years old he went to Lincoln Colledge in Oxford and was Master Randal's Pupil afterwards a famous Preacher there in a short time being wel grounded before and industrious he became an excellent Logician and Philosopher But about that time his father dying and his meanes failing hee took excessive paines and wanting bookes he borrowed of his Tutor and others read them over and abridged them and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek he wrote out all Homer with intollerable pains so that he could with as much facility dispute in the Schools in Greek as in Latine or English From thence he removed to
companions who layed a traine to take away his life at least his Arch-Bishoprick by bringing him within the compass of the six articles which by Doctor Parker the first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in Queen Elâ—zabeths dayes is thus related Doctor Cranmer saith he being in great heaviness for the death of the Lord Cromwel was accused by the Papists and much threatned by them and though he knew that he was not safe for one moment of time yet he changed not the cheerfullness of his countenance because as yet he kept the Kings right in the defence of the Gospel by his singular wisdom gravity and modesty But the King being soon entangled by conversing with Winchester and his Popish party they daily so deafned him with their continuall complaints against the Arch-Bishop that through wearisomness he was almost constrained to grant unto them the life of that most innocent man Yet by Gods speciall providence he was so rooted in his heart that when the Papists most presumed and the godly most feared his ruine the King resolved to provide for his safety and welfare In the mean time proud and malicious Gardiner whose favour and authority was thought to be greatest with the King provoked him often to disputations about points of Divinity in the presence of the King In the which the King observed that Cranmer never departed from his innate gravity and modesty whereas Gardiner always rather affected a little glory then the truth And when Gardiner that hâ— might lessen the authority of the scriptures had by many sophistical arguments endeavoured to prove that those called the Apostles Canons were of equall validity and authority with the sacred Scriptures Cranmer so enervated the force of all his arguments in the Kings hearing by his solid calm and moderate answers that the King said in the presence of many unto Gardiner that Cranmer was an old weather-beaten souldier in Divinity and was not to be encountred by such fresh-water souldiers as himselfe For this Gardiner swelling with pride stirred up as many against Cranmer as possibly he could judging that nothing could hinder their counsels and purposes if he were taken out of the way At Canterbury and all over Kent by the procurement of Gardiner many were suborned to accuse Cranmer of Heresie In the Parliament one Goswick a Knight for Bedfordshire said openly that all hereticall sâ—dition flowed from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and his family Some great men about the King hereupon laboured much to perswade him that by reason of these imputations Cranmer should be excluded from the Council-board and committed to the Tower of London till inquiry could be made concerning the truth of those reports for said they so long as he sits in counsell for fear men will conceal that which they know not daring to utter or reveal it They also dispersed â—umors that Cranmer was already condemned in the judgement of the King and should be shortly beheaded as Cromwel had been a little before All this while Cranmer though he set a good face on 't yet privately amongst his friends much bewailed the condition of those evill times rather then his owne But the King diligently searched out all these treacherous designs of the Papists and marked whereunto they tended Once for recreations sake after supper the King would goe in his Barge upon the Thames and being there commanded his Barge-men to land him at Lambeth staires some of the Arch-bishops servants observing that he drew thitherward presently informed their Master who hasted to the bridge either to salute the King as he passed by or to entertain him into his house The King seeing him bid him come into his Barge and setting him by him had much private conference with him the Barge-men in the mean season rowing hither and thither In this conference the King feigningly complained that since the death of Cromwel England was much troubled with hereticall factions and parties that it was to be feared that if these wranglings about religion were nourished more grievous mischiefs and civil wars would arise and therfore that the dissentions about Religion were to be appeased for which end by the advice of his Bishops and Nobles he would endeavour to finde out the Arch-Heretick who was the author of this mischief and whom being found he intended severely to punish yea cruelly to burn him thereby to prevent further disorders Cranmer though he was somewhat affrighted yet answered with a mild countenance that he liked the counsell as wholsome that the whole flock of hereticks was to be restrained by the death of the Arch-Heretick â— but hee admonished the King with fatherly gravity and modesty that hee would not judge them Hereticks who relied wholly upon the Word of God and not to the Traditions or Laws of men Well quoth the King to deal plainly we are told by many that you are the Arch-Heretick of our Kingdome and that in Kent and all your Province you hinder the Faith established in Parliament by the six Articles from being received by our people and therefore tell us plainly both what you think and what you have done concerning them To this the Archbishop stoutly replyed that he was still of the same opinion that he had expressed in Parliament when that Law was made and that yet he had not offended against that Law since it was made Then the King by little and little moderating the severity of his speech asked him pleasantly whether his private bed-chamber was free from the breach of the 6 Articles Cranmer though he understood by the six Articles that it was a capital â—ffâ—nce for a Priest to be married and that the King knew well that he was a married man yet answered That though he had married a wife yet it was in Germany before he took upon him the Archbishopâ—ick but for all that he had done nothing against that severe Law For saith he when the Law was once made I never touched my Wife but sent her into Germany to her kindred and friends By this plain answer without dawbing Cranmer begaâ— in the Kings minde such an opinion of his Learning and Honesty that he cheared him up telling him that those Artâ—â—cles were not ordained for his sake and shewing him what were the chief accusations laid in against him which Cranmer knowing to be false and forged by the envy and malice of his Popish Adversaries intreated the King to appoint Inquisitors whereby the truth might be sifted out For saith he I am not afraid to undergoe the hazzard of a judgement The King trusting to his ingenuity bâ—d him search and try out his own cause himself But Cranmer replied that it would seem unequall to his Adversaries that he should be made Censor of his own acts and theâ—efore still desired another Judge But the King still affirmed that hee would make none other the Inquisitor of his life having pâ—t so much trust and confidence in him alone knowing that he would certainly and
the presence of these Peter Martyr disputed four daies with three of the Popish Doctors Tresham Chad and Morgan wherein he shewed excellent learning and because the adversaries scattered abroad many false reports Martyr afterwards printed the whole Disputation Not long after the Commons in Devonshire and Oxfordshire rose up in armes amongst whom many threatned the death of Martyr so that he could neither read his Lectures nor safely remain in the City whereupon by his friends hee was safely conveied to London which the King much rejoyced at and when his wife and family could not with safety remain at his house his friends hid them till as the seditious multitude were departed out of the City For the Kings raising two Armies quickly suppressed them punishing with death the Ring-leaders of those Rebellions and Martyr thereupon returned to Oxford to his wonted labours But his restlesse Popish adversaries who had been formerly beaten by arguments and durst not again returne to armes yet to shew their spiâ—e often raised tumults before his house in the night throwing stones at his door and breaking his windows Wherefore the King being carefull to provide for his safety made him Deane of Christs-Church alotting to him a fine house and pleasant garden and so though he had formerly taken the Degree of a Doct. amongst the Pontificians yet he took it again according to the rights of that University He was much prized by the godly King highly esteemed by Cranmer Ridley Latimer Hooper and all that loved the truth in the University Cranmer made much use of him and his advice about reforming the Church and setling the government of it But when those bloody Marian dayes came wherein Religion was eradicated the Church laid waste and holy men shut up in prisons Martyr also was forbidden the exercise of his place and commanded not to set a foot out of his own doors nor to carry any thing thence Whereupon he presently wrote to his friends shewing what danger he was in pleading the publick faith given to him when he was sent for by King Edward the sixth and by this means leave being given him he came from Oxford to London repairing immediately to Arch-Bishop Cranmer his intire and old friend About which time a report was spread that Cramner wavered and was ready to change his Religion which he hearing of set forth a writing wherein he professed himselfe ready to maintain the Doctrine of Religion which was authorized by King Edward to be agreable to the word of God and the Doctrine of the Apostles And herein he was incouraged by Peter Martyr whom the Arch-Bishop chose to joyne with him in defending the same against all opposers but this was denyed and the Arch-Bish presently sent to the Tower It was also debated in the Queen's Councel whether Peter Martyr should be imprisoned because as some said hee had done much hurt to their Religion But after debate it was concluded That because he came into England upon the publick faith he should be safely dismissed Whereupon sending him publick Letters signed with the Queens own hand He an Bernardine Ochine went first to Antwerp from thence to Cologne and lastly to Strasborough from whence he came Yet when he first took ship his adversaries vexing at his escape urged that it was fit he should bee drawn out of the ship and cast into prison as a publick enemy to the Pope yet it pleased God that the Master of the ship being a godly man hid him at his house fourteen daies till his adversaries had given over seeking for him and then conveied him safely to Antwerp from whence as we heard before he went to Strasborough where he was entertained with much joy by his old friends and restored to his former place Yet there the Divel also raised him up some enemies who suggested to the Senate that he differed in judgement from the Augustane-Confession about Christ's presence in the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper which might cause much trouble in the Church and that he refused to subscribe the Articles of agreement between Luther and Bucer about this matter Whereupon he wrote to the Senate That there was nothing in the Augustane-Confession rightly understood which he did not concur with and that if his Text at any time should lead him to speak of that subject he would doe it with such modesty that it should be offensive to none and that his not subscribing to the Agreement between Luther and Bucer wherein amongst other things they had set downe That they which wanted true Faith did yet nevertheless eat the bodie of Christ ought not to be objected to him for that he could not assent thereto but he must give offence to the Helvetian English and French Churches and to them at Geneva also yea and that Bucer himself in England had taught far otherwise With this answer the Senate was well satisfied And hee and Zanchie taught diligently both Divinity and Philosophie in that City yet his restless adversaries did nothing but assperse him and seek his disgrace first more privily and then more openly which made him to think upon a remove and God in his wise providence so ordered it that about that time Pellican dying at Zurick the Senate there chose Martyr in his room and presently sent to him to come to them and to the Senate at Strasborough to give way to it Which they did though very unwillingly Martyr himselfe being desirous to imbrace that call in regard of the opposition which he met with at Strasborough so that Anno Christi 1556. to the great grief of his friends who loved him very dearly he departed to Zurick Jâ—â—n Jewel afterwards Bishop of Sarum accompanying him There he was entertained with much joy both by the Senate Schools Ministers and all good men And he at first resided for a while with his old friend Bullinger with whom he lived with much intire friendship which continued to their death Also by his sweet and holy carriage he won the love of 〈◊〉 In somuch that the Senate to shew how highly they esteemed him made him free of their Common-wealth that he might not live as a stranger but as a Citizen amongst them He had buried his wife in England at Oxford whose body the bloody Bishops afterwards causâ—d obeâ—â—igged up under Queen Mary and to be buried in a dunghill whereupon at the desire of his friends and to obtaine issue six years after the death of his former he married againe one Catherine Merenda who for Religion had left her own country and lived at Geneva and had a good testimony of the whole Church there As he was highly prized by them of Zurick so he loved them exceedingly as may appear by two notable examples Celsus the Pastor of the Italian Church at Geveva being dead many of that Congregation having been Martyrs old disciples and very dear to
that taking heed of Blandatra and his followers they should so assert Christ to be our Mediator according to both his natures that in the mean time they should not multiply Deities But this labour of his was vaine towards them that were to perish About this time the Bohemian Waldenses sent two of their brethren to Master Calvin to desire his judgment about some matters of Religion whom he lovingly satisfied exhorting them also that they would enter into a neerer conjunction with other Reformed Churches At the same time also Q. Mary being dead and Queen Elizabeth succeeding many of the godly French relying upon her piety and humanity fled for refuge into England with the consent of tha reverend man Edmund Grindal Bishop of London they craved leave of her that one might be sent from Geneva to plant a French Church there whereupon Galacius was sent Towards the latter end of this yeare King Francis of France dyed suddenly and that in such a juncture of time when all things seemed so desperate that they could not be cured but by God himself and King Charls the ninth a child was searce entred into his Kindom when by a Herald Letters subscribed with his name were brought to Geneva wherein he complained that many were sent out from thence that infected his Kingdom desiring that they might be presently called back threatning that otherwise he would not let passe the revenging of that injury Mast. Calvin being hereupon sent for by the Senate answered in his owne and in his Colleagues names that at the request of the Churches of France they had exhorted certain men that were sound in the faith and of an holy life whom they judged fit for the work that they should not be wanting to lend their help to their Country in so holy a cause especially the Churches craving assistance from them for their further edification And that this they had done not to disturb the Kingdome but that the people might be taught the Gospel of peace and if they were accused for any thing further then this that they were ready to answer their accusers before the King So this business went no further The same year Master Calvin and Master Beza answered the impudent book of Tileman Hushusius Master Calvin also confuted those blasphemies which Gentilis had published at Lions against him and Athanasius He published also his Lectures upon Daniel which he dedicated to the French Churches and as he interpreted that Prophet so in his Praeface he was himselfe a Prophet so etelling the tempest that hung over them At which time also Francis Balduinus afterwards called Ecebolius because he had changed his religion three or four time being suborned by the Cardinall of Lorrain by evill means reconciled to the King of Navar dispersed a certain book up and down the Court written either by himself or as some rather thought by Cassander wherein he stiled himself a pious and moderate man which book was worse then the Emperors Interim for that under the specious pretence of restoring moderation he sought to bring in all the Popish corruptions Master Calvin being informed hereof published an answer to this book to which some other answers were shortly after added which made a full discovery of the wit and purpose of Balduinus which this railer could by no means digest whereupon he never gave over to brand Calvin and Beza with his impudent reproaches till the year after being growne odious both to God and men of both Religions whom he had so often deceived by his turning whilst he was following a suit of Law at Paris he wore away and ended his wretched life In the year 1562. God gave peace and liberty to the French Churches by a publick Edict of the Kings But not long after the King of Navar being suborned by Popish subtilty presently after the Duke of Guise had committted that abominable massacre at Vassy began that civil war which continued many years after to the miserable devastation of France and it cannot be spoken how much Master Calvin was affected and afflicted therewith which so far increased his disease that it was easie to divine that it would not be long before he was translated to a better life yet did he not desist from exhorting and comforting every one no nor from preaching and reading his ordinary Lectures And the same yeare he published that excellent confession of Faith which was sent to the States of the Empire met together at Franckeford in the name of the Prince of Conde and of all the Godly in France who besides the injuries which they sustained by an unjust war were unworthly traduced to the Germans as if they held many false and monstrous opinions One thing also is not to be pretermitted that on the nineteenth of Decem. Master Calvin lying in bed sick of the Gout being the Sabbath day and the North-wind having blowne two dayes strongly said to many that were present Truly I know not what is the matter but I thought this night I heard warlick drums beating very loud and I could not perswade my selfe but it was so Let us therefore goe to prayers for surely some great businesse is in hand And this very day there was a great Battail fought between the Guisians and the Protestants not far from Paris news whereof came unto Geneva within a few days after The year after which was 1563. Master Calvins disease did so far increase that it was almost incredible that so weak a body exhausted with so many labours and worne out with so many diseases should yet retaine so valiant and generous a mind So that even then he could not be perswaded to favour himself and if at any time he abstained from his publick labours which yet he never did but when by necessity he was enforced thereto yet he was busie at home either in giving counsell to those that sought it or in dictating to his Scribes the witnesses whereof are those two serious admonitions to the Polomans to take heed of those blasphemous persons which denyed the Sacred Trinity The answers which he returned to the brethrens Messengers who were now met in a Synod at Lions his Commentaries upon the foure books of Moses which himselfe turned out of Latin into French And lastly his commentary upon Joshua which he now began and finished a little before his death In the year 1564. Feb. the sixth Master Calvin being short-winded by reason of a stopping in his lungs preached his last Sermon and from thence forward he spake little onely now and then he would be carried to the Congregation the last time being March the last His diseases being contracted by the incredible labours both of his mind and body were very many For besides that naturally he was but of a weak body leane and inclinable to a Consumption he slept little spent a great part of the
stripes gained to Christ multitudes in Montbelgard Aquileia Lausanna Geneva and Neocome There was in him besides piety learning innocency of life and exemplary modesty a certain singular presence of mind sharp wit and vehemency of speech so that he rather seemed to thunder then speak and lastly such admirable fervency in his prayers that he seemed to carry his hearers into heaven with him Farellus concionibus magis quam scriptionibus operam dedit Edidit tamen Themata quaedam disputanda Basiliae excusa Latinè Germanicè Disputationem Bernae habitam Latinè anno 1528. Beza made these verses of him Gallica mirata est Calvinum Ecclesia semper Quo nemo docuit doctius Est quoque te semper mirata Farelle tonantem Quo nemo tonuit fortius PET PAV VERGERIVS The Life of Vergerius who died Anno Christi 1562. PEter Paul Vergerius was a man excellently learned both in the Law and Popish Divinity wherein hee attained the highest degrees Anno Christi 1530 at which time that famous Convention at Augsburg was appointed hee was sent by Pope Clement the seventh as his Legate into Germany to improve his uttermost abilities to hinder a National Council and accordingly he bestirred himselfe to hinder and endamage the Lutherans and that he might the better encourage the Popish Divines viz. Faber Eccius Cochlaeus and Nausea to play the men in their Masters cause he bestowed sundry favours and gifts upon them He also by his Legantine power made Eccius Cannon of Ratisbone Anno Christi 1534 Paul the third sent for him to Rome to give an account of the state of affairs in Germany which when he had done the Pope deliberated with his Cardinals what course was fittest to be taken to prevent a Nationall Council till as Caesar and the other Kings could be stirred up to war by their secret instigations and so after a while he sent back Vergerius into Germany to promise the Princes that a General Council should be held at Mantua but withall to prescribe such rules about comming to it as he knew the Protestant Divines would not accept of He had in charge also to stirre up the Prince's mindes against the King of England and to profer his Kingdom to whosoever would conquer it and to try if by any meanes he could take off Luther and Melancthon from prosecuting what they had begunne There were also nine Cardinals and Bishops chosen out the better to delude the Germans who were to consider of and to prescribe a form of Reforming the Church which accordingly they did Hereupon Anno Christi 1535 he went back from Rome into Germany to King Ferdinand where he met with the Lantgrave of Hesse and opened to him the Popes purpose of calling a Councill After which he went to the rest of the Princes to impart the same to them also Then went hee to Luther at Wittenberg where with better diligence then successe hee prosecuted what hee had in Commission to him About the end of that year the Princes by their writing returned answer to Vergerius And the year after when Caesar went to Naples Vergerius was called home by the Pope to whom he shewed the success of his affairs viz. That the Protestants required a free and Christian Councill to be convened within the borders of Germany as the Emperour had promised That there was no hope of gaining Luther and his associates but by their destruction That the Protestant Princes would not hearken to any thing about England and that the other Princes were very cold also in that cause and that George Duke of Saxony had told him that there was great danger from the Lutherans which could by no other means be prevented except the Emperour and Pope would make war with them Hereupon the Pope commanded him to make all the haste he could to Naples to acquaint the Emperour herewith especially to excite him all hee could to take up armes against the Lutherans But when Caesar came to Rome Anno Christi 1536 he pressed the Pope for a Generall Councill desiring to carry back with him into Germany the Patent for it The Pope denyed not his request but told him that hee would chuse a City in Italy for it and that he would prescribe such Rules for it as were most necessary for the Roman Church Caesar answered that if he would call a Councill he much cared not where it was presuming that he could bring the greatest part of the Germans along with him to it Then did the Pope with his assistants draw up a Patent for it at which time he made Vergerius first Bishop of Modrusium and shortly after of Justinople Anno Christi 1537 the Pope intending to send another Legate into Germany commanded Vergerius to acquaint him with the state of the Country and how he should deport himself amongst them but both Master and Scholar lost their labour with the German Princes Anno Christi 1541 Vergerius was again sent into Germany to the Convention at Worms in the name indeed of the King of France but in truth that under that pretence he might the better promote the Popes affairs at which time he wrote his book De unitate pace Ecclesiae The scope whereof was to take off the Germans from thinking of a National Council Thus Vergerius for a long time had been serviceable to the Popes and had promoted their interest he had also â—â—ttained great favour with Princes and Kings and King Ferdinand did so highly esteem him that he made him Godfather to his Daughter Katherine Yet at last he fell off from the Pope by this wonderfull occasion After the Convention at Wormes he was called back to Rome and the Pope being to make some Cardinals intended to make Vergerius one but some suggested that he had been so long in Germany that he smelled of a Lutheran which made the Pope to alter his purpose which when Vergerius was informed of by Cardinal Ginucius to whom the Pope had told it he was wonderfully astonished and that he might purge himself went into his own country purposing to write a booke with this title Against the Apostate Germans But it pleased God that whilst he read over his adversaries books with an intent to confute them himself was converted by them Whereupon casting off all desires of a Cardinalship he retired himself to his brother John Baptista Bishop of Pola and communicating his thoughts to him asked his advice His brother at first was much astonished and bewailed his condition but after a while was perswaded by him to read and study the Scriptures especially in the point of Justification by Faith wherby it pleased God that he also saw the Popish Doctrines to be false and so they both became zealous Preachers of Christ to the people of Istria diligently inculcating the wonderful benefits which we have by Christ and shewing what