â—aeus a Lawyer who perswaded him to submit his writings to the judgement of Caesar and the Princes To whom he answered that he would not decline the judgement of Caesar and the Orders of the Empire if they would be guided by the Word of God which saith he makes so plain for me that unless they convince me of an Error I cannot depart from mine opinion Shortly after the Emperor sent to him to depart home giving him 21 days for his return commanding him neither by writing nor word to declare any thing to the people by the way And after his departure the Emperour proscribed him After the publication whereof Prince Frederick appointed certain Noble men whom he most confided in to convey him to a secret place thereby to avoid the danger who accordingly conveyed him privately to Wartsburg which he called his Patmos where he continued ten moneths and wrote divers useful Treatises The Papists imployed Wizards to descrie him but they could not certainly design the place where he was In Luthers absence the University of Wittenberg sollicited Prince Frederick to abolish the Mass out of his Jurisdiction shewing him the impiety of the same and that it was invented but about 400 years before for the Popes profit to which the Prince gave them a very prudent and pious answer Anno Christi 1522. Luther wrote to Melancthon to provide him a lodging at Wittenberg For saith he the Translation of the Bible will urge me to return For having translated much of the Bible into Dutch in his Patmos it was necessary for him to confer with learned men and to have their help and assistance about the same In his absence Justus Jonas Caralostad Phil. Melancthon Ampsdorfius c. had removed private Mass Images auricular confession Prayer to Saints c. March the sixth Luther came back to Wittenberg and preached every day taxing the Reformers in one of his Sermons as if they had erred in abolishing the Mass Not saith he because it 's sinful to do it but because they have not done it in a right order c. And as touching the pulling down of Images he said If any worship Images they are to be abolished otherwise they are to be endured yet I wish they were all taken away because of the abuse of them which we cannot dissemble Caralostadius was much netled with these and other such like speeches who was the chief doer in these matters saying that Luther would have all men enslaved to his authority and would suffer no man to do or write any thing whereof himself was not the first Author Presently after Luther excused himself by Letters to Prince Frederick for returning to Wittenberg without his leave and concludes that he returned to Wittenberg under a stronger protection then the Elector could give him for saith he God alone can order and promote the Truth without any mans excessive care and helping hand Therefore in this cause he that most strongly trusts to Gods assistance he most surely defends himself and others Anno Christi 1522. He printed the New Testament translated by him in his Patmos into the Germane tongue and revised by Melancthon whereat our King Henry the Eighth and George Duke of Saxony were much troubled About this time Thomas Muncer an Anabaptist wrote a Fanatick Book against him and his Doctrine and the Boors seduced by him rose in Arms publishing their demands whereof these were some That they might choose their own Ministers That they might pay no Tithes but of corn only which also might be distributed partly to the Ministers partly to the Poor and other common uses That they should not be used as servants who were made free by the blood of Christ c. To these Proposals Luther wrote an answer That indeed Princes grievously offend by forbidding the sincere Preaching of the Gospel and for overburdening of their subjects But yet for these things the subjects may not take Arms against their Magistrates That there was no reason why they should place their hope in the multitude seeing God can easily destroy them That they abused the Name of God pretending it for their Sedition as if they desired to promote the sincere glory of God the Doctrine of the Gospel Justice and Equity whereas indeed they go about to take from the Magistrate the power that God hath given him and whom God hath commanded them to obey Afterwards he proceeded to examine their Demands shewing that the most of them were contrary to the Law of Nature and Equity telling them also how great their confusion would be should they be granted And for the rest which seemed to be grounded upon any Equity he referred them to be examined by the Lawyers Lastly he exhorted them lovingly and brotherly to lay down their Arms and to obey their Magistrates telling them that they might remove from those places where the Preaching of the Gospel is forbidden but they may not oppose themselves violently against their Magistrates But when this admonition prevailed nothing he wrote another Treatise wherein he exhorted all men to join together for the utter subversion of these Theevish incendiaries as for the quenching of a common fire Thomas Muncer a phanatical Preacher sowed the seeds of this Sedition and was holpen much by one Pseiffer These vented their dreams and told their followers that they should kill their Enemies as Mice in a Barn Hereupon some of the Princes assembled their Forces and pitying this wretched seduced multitude offered them peace if they would lay down their Arms and depart home But Muncer told his followers that the Princes were afraid and that by a Divine Revelation he could assure them of victory Hereupon they came to a battel wherein 5000 of them were slain and the rest fled to Francusium but the Princes pursuing them took the City put 300 more to death and Muncer being taken was brought before the Princes who chid him for his proceedings and then racked him to confess his complices Upon the wrack he cryed out grievously whereupon Prince George of Saxony said But think upon the slaughter of the poor wretches who being deceived by you perished yesterday Upon this Muncer laughed out right and said Why they would be deceived When he was to be beheaded he was so faint-hearted that he could not rehearse the Apostles Creed with him also was beheaded Pseiffer and some others and shortly after was finished that mournful war of the Clowns whereinin several places were slain above fifty thousand some say one hundred thousand Anno Christi 1525. Luther marryed Catherine a Boreâ— who had formerly been a Nun. This Luthers freinds disliked very much that he should marry at so unseasonable a time when Germany weltred in the blood of the Clowns and Saxony mourned for the death of Frederick their Prince But Phil. Melancthon wrote thus to Camerarius Perhaps some will wonder that Luther
visit them but also administer to them Julian the Emperour having formerly known him at Athens sent and desired him to write to him which he refused to do because of his Apostasie Nay Valence the Emperour when he persecuted the Orthodox and had put eighty Presbyters into a Vessel thinking to have burnt them at Sea yet meeting Basil he spake him fair and sent also to him by many messengers to win him to that Heresie yet neither threats nor promises could once move him for when the messenger gave him good language and promised him great preferment he answered Alas Sir these speeches are fit to catch little children that look after such things but we that are taught and nourished by the Holy Scriptures are readier to suffer a thousand deaths then to suffer one syllable or tittle of the Scriptures to be altered And when Modestus the Praefect asked him Know ye not who we are that command it No body said Basil whilst you command such things Know ye not said the Praefect that we have honours to bestow upon you to which he answered They are but changeable like your selves Hereupon in a rage he threatned to confiscate his goods to torment him to banish or kill him to which he answered He need not fear confiscation that hath nothing to lose nor banishment to whom Heaven only is a Country nor torments when his body would be dasht with own blow nor death which is the only way to set him at liberty the Praefect told him that he was mad to whom he replyed Opto me in aeternum sic delirà re I wish that I may for ever be thus mad yet the Praefect gave him that night to resolve what to do but he was the same next morning whereupon the Praefect related all to the Emperour who went to Church with intentions to have disturbed him in his holy duties but seeing his reverend carriage he was so convinced that he made a large offering which Basil refused as coming from an Heretick At another time the Praefect sending for him commanded him to comply with the Emperour in his opinion or else threatned him with death whereupon Basil unfeignedly and freely spake his minde about the Emperours opinion withall highly commending the Faith Of One Substance and whereas saith he you threaten me with death would it would fall out so well on my side that I might lay down this carkase of mine in the quarrel of Christ and in the defence of his Truth who is my Head and Captain Then said the Praefect Be not so rash in thy answer second thoughts may prove better and therefore I give thee this day and night to consider further of it and to morrow I will expect thy answer desiring that thou mayst not wilfully cast away thy self Whereupon Basil replyed I have no need to take further Counsel about this matter Look what I am to day the same thou shalt finde me to morrow but I pray God that thou change not thy minde For since I am a creature my self I can never be perswaded to Worship one that is like me and to acknowledge him for God or to conform my self to thine and the Emperours Religion For though you be Illustrious Persons and command a great part of the World yet must not I submit to your wils being but men nor obey you with the neglect of my Faith in God which God assisting I will never betray though you confiscate my goods though you banish me or torment me to death Seeing none of these things will trouble me at all As for riches truly I have none besides my torn garments and a few Books and I so dwell here in this World as one that is always ready to leave it and as for my body it is so weak that one only blow will make it insensible both of grief and torments This resolute answer caused the Praefect to dismiss him Yet after this the Arians prevailed again for his banishment but when the writing was brought to Valence to be confirmed the pens would not write the least title being often tried and when the Emperour being mad with rage still endeavoured to confirm the Edict for his banishment he was struck in his right hand with a great trembling So that at last being terrisied with these judgements of God he tore the paper in pieces So having been Bishop at Caesarea and Cappadocia eight years and an half he departed this life with these words Into thine hands O Lord I commend my spirit He used to say To know thy self is very difficult for as the Eye can see all things but it self so some can discern all faults but their own And again Divine Love is a never failing treasure he that hath it is rich and he that wanteth it is poor When he had read the Bible over he faid It 's a physitians shop of Preservatives against poysonous Heresies a pattern of profitable Laws against rebellious spirits a treasury of most costly jewels against beggerly elements and a fountain of most pure water springing up to eternal life Erasmus saith that he rather deserved the name of Maximus then of Magnus Concerning whose Eloquence saith he I take it to be a great disgrace to him if I should compare him with any of those whom the Graecians most admired and endeavoured to imitate For which of all those great Orators did so excel in Eloquence wherein something was not either wanting or offensive Did Perycles Thunder and Lighten in his Orations yet it was without Art Lysias was frozen in his Attick subtlety Phalereus had much sweetness but wanted gravity Isocrates was but the shadow of an Orator Demosthenes whom Tully maketh the compleat example of an exquisite Orator yet wanted affections and urbanity in his Orations But S. Basil was an incomparable man in whom was wanting neither Nature nor Art nor Exercise He was not only an excellent Orator but a great Philosopher and exactly skilled in all kinde of Learning But as I said before it s a disgrace to compare such a Christian with any of the Heathens It s fitter therefore to compare him with Christians like himself and truly that Age produced many excellent men famous both for their Learning and Piety as Athanasius Gregory Nazianzen John Chrysostom and Gregory Nissen And each of these excelled in their several gifts Athanasius for excellent teaching Nazianzen for his florid and acute Orations Chrysostome though he answered his sir-name by reason of his golden mouth yet he hath many superfluous words and was immoderate in his digressions Nissen was content with his pious simplicity But I know not what the most critical Reader can desire more then he shall finde in Basil He shall finde in him a simple and natural form of speech flowing from his most holy breast drained of all humane passions whatsoever Art can do is to be found in him yet without the appearance of
an excellent faculty in perswading wherein he excelled most men of that age He was very frequent and earnest in reproving sin not only in his publick Ministry but by going to the houses of such as were scandalous and dealing privately and plainly with them laying to heart the dishonour done unto God as if himself had been personally wronged by them By this means he became very grateful to the common people but most ungrateful to great and rich men who usually take most liberty in sinning Hereupon his fame spread all over the Roman Empire Such as knew him prized his great experience such as knew him not were drawn by the fame of his great Learning insomuch as the Bishoprick of Constantinople being void he of all others was thought most worthy to succeed therein and thereupon he was unanimously chosen both by the Clergy and Laity the Emperour himself approving well of their choice and sending some messengers to fetch him In the mean time also the Emperour convocated a Synod that by that means his Ordination to the Bishoprick might be better approved of Asterius the Praefect of the East having received the Emperours Letters sent to Antioch for John as if he meant to confer with him about something But as soon as he came taking him up in his Coach he carryed him to Pagra where he delivered him to the Emperours Messengers and this he did because he knew the tumultuous disposition of the Antiochians who would have raised some Sedition rather then have parted with him and would never but by force have suffered him to have gone from them When he came to Constantinople the Clergy were called together But Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria opposed his Ordination endeavouring to prefer to that place one of his own Presbyters called Isidore who had been his Instrument in an action very prejudicial to the Emperour But when Eutropius one of the Courtiers had told him that except he consented with the rest for the choice of John he should be questioned for that former fact he also gave his suffrage for him Thus John being setled in the Bishoprick of Constantinople his first study and care was to reform the lives of his Clergy and making a diligent Inquisition into their conversation their dyet and other carriages he reproved corrected yea and cast some of them out of the Church For John being of a cholerick and hasty Nature and now armed with Authority would not indulge their faults but laboured throughly to reform them And this he did not only to the Clergy of his own Church but being of a great spirit and inflamed with zeal he endeavoured the Reformation of all within his Jurisdiction And finding also a great Rent and Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches he did all that possibly he could for the healing and making up of the same and prevailed somewhattherein though he could not perfectly attain his desire His Gouernment and Ministry through Gods mercy proved very effectuall in Constantinople so that he converted many Pagans to Christianity and reduced many Hereticks from their Errors Many flocked dayly to him some for the profit and benefit which they got by his Doctrine others for the tempting of him all whom he held Captive and prevailed with them to agree with him in matters of Religion So great a confluence of people resorted to his Sermons with an insatiable desire after them that they were ready to stifle one another whilest every one crowded to come neerest to him About this time Chrysostom was informed that the Churches in Asia were generally governed by unworthy Bishops who either for affection or bribes preferred unfit persons to the Ministry whereupon he went to Ephesus and examining these things he deposed thirteen Bishops some in Lycia some in Phrygia and the rest in Asia placing more fit persons in their rooms At Ephesus finding the Bishop to be lately dead he placed Heraclides born in Cyprus and sometimes a Disciple of Evagrius But upon the removal of these Bishops they with their adherents raised many slanders against Chrysostom accusing him every where as a violator of their Country Laws and amongst others they stirred up Eutropius an Eunuch in the Emperours Court against him who was in great favour and was esteemed as the Father of the Emperour and made one of the Consuls of the City This Eutropius procured a Law to be Enacted that Malefactors taking Sanctuary in the Church should be drawn thence and punished according to their demerits Shortly after himself was accused for using the Emperours wife unworthily whereupon he fled to the Church and there lay under the Communion-Table Chrysostom being to Preach the next day took occasion to speak against the Pride and Insolency of Great men and to shew the vanities and uncertaintie of all worldly glory and Eutropius according to his own Law was fetched out of the Church and beheaded About the same time also the Arians who by the Emperour Theodosius were driven out of all the Churches within Constantinople held their Conventicles in the Suburbs where first they met together in the night-time and made certain songs and responsories in favour of their own Heresies and in disgrace of the Catholicks and at last they grew so bold that they went about the streets every morning especially on the first and last days of the Week singing them as they went John Chysostom suspecting least some of his people might be seduced by these means stirred them up to the like practice whereupon the Hereticks being enraged fell upon the Orthodox so that some of both sides were slain which so incensed the Emperour against them that he forbad all the Conventicles of the Arians by which means the people were more in love with John both for his Prudence and profitable Preaching Yet many of the Great Rich men and of the Clergy hated him because he was so free and impartial in his reproofs for as oft as any of his Clergy offended he punished them and such as abused their Riches to Pride Luxury and dishonest Pleasures he laboured by all means to reduce them to Virtue Some of the Clergy joyning with some Monks reproached him as a cholerick and implacable man and endeavoured to alienate the affections of the people from him by suggesting that he was unsociable never inviting any man to his Table nor going to any Feast when he was invited whereas the reason of it was because of his great temperance and by reason of his hard studies he was troubled with Rhumes and Head-ach which made him shun such meetings About this time there arose a great contention amongst the Monks in Egypt whilest some of the more ignorant and illiterate held God to have a body like unto man others denyed it Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria held with and favoured the former laying snares to entrap some of the latter who thereupon went to Constantinople to complain of him to the
studies he went into Germany and there setled himself at Wittenberg where he commenced Doctor in Divinity and was a publick Professor Anno Christi 1512. Afterwards he became an earnest assertor of Luthers doctrine and a defender of it against Eccius both by disputation and writing At the Disputation held at Lipsich Anno Christi 1519. of which you may read in Luthers life Caralâ—stadius and Eccius first began it There was a great dissimilitude between these two persons For Caralostadius shewed the modesty of a Divine in his voice countenance gesture and proceedings disputing not for glory and victory but to search out the Truth wherefore he affirmed nothing but what he soundly proved nor admitted any Quotations brought by the Adverse party till he had gathered the meaning of the Anthor by the words that went before and followed after By this his diligence he commended himself to the learned but the unlearned interpreted it to be duâ—ness and fear But Eccius on the other hand appeared fierce by his outcryes his stern countenance his Theatrical gesture and his impetuous proceedings which outward gestures of the body shewed a minde little Theological he often boasted of himself so highly and impudently that he lost his reputation amongst wise men He most constantly affirmed those things which were false and as shamelesly denyed those things which were true their Disputation was about Freewill the fruit whereof as Luther writes was not the searching out of truth but temporis perditio the loss of time At his return to Wittenberg he published Trecentas septuaginta conclusiones Apologeticas defensionem adversus monomachiam D. Johannis Eccâ—i cum epitome de impii justificatione The year after he set forth his Theses against the Papacy Anno Christi 1521. at the time of Luthers being in his Pathmos Caralostadius obtained or the Elector the abolishing of private Mass Auricular confession Images c. at Wittenberg about which time he marryed a wife concerning which Luther writing to Amsdorfius saith thus Caralostadii nuptiae mirè placent novi puellam conforteâ— cum Dominus in bonum exemplum inhibendae minuendae Papisticae libidinis Amen But Luther hearing of that Reformation in Wittenberg and being offended at it returned presently thither Anno Christi 1522. and preached eagerly against that alteration whereupon Caralostadius who in Luthers absence was the principal man in Wittenberg being netled with those sharp Sermons of Luther wrote in justification of it which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the Sacrament whereupon he left Wittenberg Anno Christi 1524. and went to Orlamund being called to a Pastoral charge there But after a while he was called back to his place in Wittenberg yet before he went Luther being sâ—nt by the Elector to Jene and Orlamund in a Sermon where Caralostadius was present inveighed bitterly against the Anabaptists and said withall That the same spirit reigned in the Image haters and Sacramentaries whereupon Caralostadius being much offended went to his lodging to confer with him about it Afterwards Luther coming again to Orlamund went not to salute Caralostadius but in his Sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of Idols and shortly after he procured the Elector to banish Caralostadius whereof Caralostadius afterwards complained in a Letter to his people in Wittenberg that unheard and unconvicted he was banished by Luthers procurement From thence he went to Basil where he printed some Books that he had written about the Lords Supper for which the Magistrates being offended with the novelty of the Doctrine cast the Printers into Prison and the Senate of Zurick forbade their people to read those Books but Zuinglius in his Sermon exhorted them first to read and then to pass judgement on them saying That Caralostadius knew the truth but had not well expressed it Afterwards whilst Caralostadâ—us was wandring up and down in upper Germany the sedition of the boorish Anabaptists brake out unto which they were stirred up by Muncer for which many of them especially of their Ministers were brought to punishment and Caralostadius also escaped very narrowly being let down in a basket over the wals of Rottenburg Thus being in great straits he wrote to Luther and purged himself from having any hand in those uproars entreating him to print his Book and undertake his defence which also Luther did desiring the Magistrates that he might be brought to his just trial before he was condemned Caralostadius wrote again to him a Letter wherein he said That for his opinion about the Sacrament he rather proposed it for Disputation sake then that he positively affirmed any thing which many imputed to him for levity But Luther thereupon procured his return into Saxony yet he finding little content there went to Zurick Anno Christi 1530. and taught in that place till the death of Zuinglius and then he went to Basil where he taught ten years and Anno Christi 1541. he dyed there of the Plague and was very honorably buryed What esteem Luther had sometimes of him may appear by this superscription of a Letter which he wrote to him Eruditâ—ssimo viro praestantissimo D. Andreae Boâ—enstein Caâ—alostadio syncerioris Theologiae asscrtorâ— facile primario Archidiacono Wittenbergensi Praeceptori ac majori suo in Christo Jesu The Life of Capito who dyed An. Chri. 1541. WOlfgangus Fabricius Capito was born at Hagenaw in Alsatia Anno Christi 1478. His Father was of the Senatorian ranck who bred him in Learning and sent him to Basil where he studyed the Liberal Arts and Tongues and by his singular diligence profited very much therein Afterwards when he applyed himself to the study of Divinity his Father who abhorred the unholy life of those which professed holiness took him off from those studies and set him in a way of studying Physick wherein he made such a progress that Anno Christi 1498 he commenced Doctor of Physick But his Father being dead he returned to the study of Divinity being religiously inclined and profited much in it Then he went to Friburg where he studyed School Divinity but after a while growing weary thereof because he found in the Schoolmen much subtilty but little utility he was ordained a Presbyter And then fell to the study of the Law being for four years space a Hearer of Zâ—sius But above all things he admired and esteemed the Doctrine of the Gospel and was a great lover and admirer of godly Ministers At Heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with Oecolâ—mpadius and there was a near tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives after with him also he studyed Hebrew being therein assisted by Matthew Adrian a converted Jew From thence being sent for by the Senate he went to Basil where he was Preacher in the chief Church for some years and laid the foundation of a blessed Reformation in that City there also he commenced Doctor
David have mercie upon me and receive my soul and wipeing his eies with his hands he said For God's love let me have more fire A third fire being kindled it burn'd more violently yet was he alive a great while in it the last words which he uttered being Lord Jesus have mercy on me Lord Jesus receive my spirit And so he slept in the Lord. In one of his letters he wrote Imprisonment is painfull but libertie upon evill conditions is worse The Prison stink's yet not so much as sweet houses where the fear of God is wanting I must be alone and solitarie it 's better so to be and have God with me then to be in company with the wicked Losse of goods is great but losse of grace and God's favor is greater I cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men Yet it is better to do that then stand naked before God's Tribunal I shall die by the hands of cruâ—ll men he is blessed that loseth his life and fiâ—de's life eteâ—nal There is neither felâ— city nor adversity of this World that is great if it be weighed with the joyes and pâ—ines of the world to come And in the conclusion of the Letter he writes thus I am a precious Jewell now and daintily kept never so daintily before For neither mine owne man nor any of the servants of the house may come to me but my Keeper onely who is a simple rude fellow But I am not troubled thereat In the time of King Edward when he was made Bishop much controversie was betweene him and Doctor Cranmer and Doctor Ridley about the Cappe Rochet c. But when in Queene Maries daies they were all in Prison for the cause of Religion Doctor Ridley wrote thus to him My dear brother forasmuch as I understand by your works which I have but superficially seene that we throughly agree in those things which are the grounds and substantial points of our Religion against which the World so furiously rageth in these daies however formerly in certain by matters and circumstances of Religion your wisdome and my simplicity hath a little jarred each of us following the abundance of his owne sence and judgement Now I say be you assured that even with my whole heart God is my witness in the bowels of Christ I love you in the truth and for the truths sake which abideth in us and shall by the grace of God abide for ever He was above three-quarters of an hour in the fire before he dyed yet even as a Lambe he patiently abode the extremity thereof neither moving forwards backwards or to any side But having his nether parts burned and his bowels faln out he dyed as quietly as a Child in his bed an Christi 1555. The life of Rowland Tailor who died A no. Christi 1555. ROwland Taylor was Doctor of both Laws and Rector of Hadley in Suffolk where Master Thomas Bilney had formerly been a Preacher of the Word and in which place there were few either men or women that were not well learned in the holy Scriptures many having read over the whole Bible and could say a great part of Paul's Epistles by heart Here this D. Taylor preached constantly on Sabbaths Holy-days and at other times when he could get the people together So soon as he was called to this place he left the family of Doct. Cranmer A. B. of Canterbury with whom he had formerly lived like a good shepherd constantly abode with his flock and gave himself wholly to the study of the Sacred Scriptures most faithfully endeavouring to fulfill the precept of Christ to Peter Lovest thou me feed my sheep His life also and conversation was very exemplary and full of holiness He was meek and humble yet would stoutly rebuke sinne in the greatest He was very mild void of all rancor and malice ready to do good to all mer forgiving his enemies and far from doing the least wrong To the poor blinde lame sick bed-rid or that had many children he was a father causing the Parishioners to make good provision for them besides what of his own bounty he gave them He brought up his own children in the fear of God good learning And thus he continued as a good Sheepherd amongst his flock feeding governing and leading them through the wilderness of this wicked world all the days of holy King Edward the sixth But in the beginning of Queen Marie's Reigne two Popish persons suborned a Priest to come and say Mass in his Church Hee being at his study and hearing the Bell to toll went to Church and finding this Priest guarded with drawn swords in his Popish Robes ready to begin the Mass he said unto him Thou Divel who made thee so bold to enter into this Church to profane and defile it with this abominable Idolatry I command thee thou Popish-Wolfe in the name of God to avoid hence and not to presume thus to poyson Christ's flock Then said one Foster the ringleader in this business to Doctor Tailor Thou Traitor what dost thou here to let and disturbe the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I am no Traitor but the Shepherd which God and my Lord Christ hath appointed to feed this his flock and therefore I have good authority to be here Then said Foster Wilt thou Traiterous Heretick make a commotion and resist violently the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I make no commotion it s you Papists that make commotions and tumults I resist onely with Gods word against your Popish Idolatries which are contrary to the same and tend to the dishonour of the Queen and the utter subversion of this Realme Then did Foster with his armed men carry Doctor Tailor out of the Church and so the Priest went on with his Mass. Doctor Tailors wife who had followed her Husband to the Church when she saw their violent proceedings kneeled down and holding up her hands with a loud voice said I beseech God the righteous Judge to avenge this injury which this Popish Idolater doth this day to the blood of Christ Then did they thrust her out of the Church also and presently after Foster wrote a complaint against Doct. Tailor to Steven Gardiner who sent his Letters Missive for Doctor Tailor whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to fly telling him that he could neither expect justice nor favor but imprisonment and cruel death To whom he answered I know my cause to be so good and righteous and the truth so strong upon my side that I will by Gods grace appear before them and to their beards resist their false doings for I beleeve that I shal never be able to doe God so good service as now and that I shal never have so glorious a calling nor so great mercy of God profferd me as I have now wherefore pray for mee and I doubt not but God will
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
them which counsell the Prince and his Tutor neglecting went into the boat and putting from the bank the drunken young men beganne so to thrust and justle one another that at last they overthrew the boat where they were all drowned But Judex being skilfull in swimming caught the young Prince hoping to save him but being unable to draw him with him they both sunk Olevian standing on the bank and seeing this sad spectacle leapt into the water to try if he could help them but at first he stuck in the mud and water up to the chin where he despaired of his owne life In that danger he prayed unto God and vowed that if God would deliver him he would preach the Gospel to his own Citizens if he should be called thereunto At which time it pleased God that a footman of one of the Noblemens coming to the River side and seeing Olevian caught him by the head thinking that it had been his own Master and drew him out whereupon Olevian being delivered by such a speciall providence together with the Law studied Divinity especially reading over the Sacred Scriptures with Calvins Commentaries upon them After a while returning to Trevir he was reteined to plead causes at Law but seeing the great deceit in that calling and the frequent perverting of Justice he gave it over and that he might performe his Vow wholly set himself to the study of Divinity and went to Geneva and after to Zurick where he sojourned with Bullinger and was much holpen by Martyr and Bullinger in his studies before whom also he used privately to preach for his exercise But before this as he was going to Geneva taking ship at Lausanna Mr. Farrel hapned to be with him in the ship who in discourse asked him Whether ever he had preached in his owne Country Olevian told him that he had not then did Master Farrell perswade him to doe it so soon as he could and he accordingly promised that he would Whilst he was busying himself in his studies at Geneva the Church of Metis wanting a Minister applyed themselves to the Presbytery of Geneva for a supply The Presbytery nominated two Olevian and Peter Colonius But Olevian excused himself partly because he had engaged himself by vow to the service of the Church in his owne Country and partly because he had faithfully promised Farrel to doe the same Master Calvin was satisfied with this answer exhorting him to performe what he had thus resolved on Therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to Trevir where he was exceeding kindly entertained by the Senators his kinsmen friends and by his brother Frederick a Doctor of Physick and the Consull and Senators presently requested him to undertake the worke of teaching a School in that City and for his encouragement allowed him a stipend Accordingly he applyed himselfe to explicating the precepts of Melancthons Logick illustrated by many Theologicall examples whereby he gott opportunity of opening the sound doctrine of the Gospel to his hearers which as soon as the Canons heard of they first suspended him from the office of teaching and afterwards shut up the School against him Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall where after he had preached a while his adversaries suborned a Priest to step up into the pulpit before him but as soon as the people saw the Priest they called to him to come down for that they would not hear him Olevian desired them to hear him promising that so soon as he had done his Sermon he wou'd preach himself yet they would not endure it but made a great stir so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled in pieces by them But Olevian comforted him and entreating the people to be quiet took the Priest by the hand and led him forth safely and going into the pulpit himselfe he asked the Auditory whether for fear of further danger they would have him to intermit that Sermon or whether he should go forward according to his former course the people lifting up their hands cryed to him Yea yea Wee desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us For this cause the Arch-Bishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consuls and eight more of the Senators for ten weeks space who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them which accordingly he did Then were they commanded to appear in judgement where their charge consisted of many heads whereupon they requested fourteen days time to put in their answer but that was denyed and onely two daies assigned In which time they sent privily to Frederick Elector Palatine to Wolphgang Duke of Bipâ—nt and to the Senate of Strasborough acquainting them with their case and entreating their seasonable assistance They therefore immediately sent post to forbid the further proceedings at Law and at last obtained that they were all set at liberty And the Ambassadors for the Palatine invited Olevian to goe along with them and accordingly took him to Heidleberg Anno Christâ— 1560. As soon as hee came thither the Elector made him Master of the Colledg of Sapience which he underwent for about a year and a half About this time he married a Wife and commenced Doctor in Divinity and was made Professor of Divinity in that University Also at the importunity of the Counsellors of State he was chosen to the work of the Ministry first in Peters Church and afterwards in the Church of the Holy Ghost which places he carefully and holily discharged til the death of the Elector Frederick the third which was Anno Christi 1576. A few daies after whose death hee was called to Berleburg by Lodowick Count Witgenstein where he preached and instructed some Noble mens sonns in the principles of Divinity and in the Arts and Tongues Anno Christi 1584 he was called by John of Nassau to Herborn where he preached and taught a School three yeares which was erected by the perswasion and counsell of Olevian Anno Christi 1587 hee fell into a mortal sickness which notwithstanding all meanes of cure daily grew upon him and so weakned him that at last hee quietly resigned up his spirit unto God In his sicknesse he made his Will and by pious and holy meditations prepared himself for death Being visited by Lâ—dowick Witgenstein and John of Nassau he told them That by that sickness he had learned to know the greatnesse of sin and the greatness of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before And a while after when the Counts two sons John and George came to visit him he exhorted them carefully to preserve brotherly love to carry on and perfect the business about the School to be liberal and mercifull to the poor and obedient to their Father The next day John Piscator coming to visit him hee told him That the day before for four hours together he was
the Warres in Germany breaking forth under Charles the fifth the Universitie of Wittenberg was dissipated by reason of the same whereupon Chytraeus went to Heidleberg where he studied Hebrew and from thence went to Tubing where hee applyed himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks But when Prince Maurice of Saxonie had restored the Universitie and called back Melancthon hee presently returned to Wittenberg where he buckled close to his former studyes fearing the like interruption againe And Anno Christi 1548 hee beganne privately to read to young Students by which means having gotten some money in his purse hee resolved to travell into Italie and other parts that so hee might see those famous places which hee had often read of and grow into acquaintance with the eminent men of those times For which end having gotten him a faithful companion Andrew Martin of Rostoch he travelled through most parts of Italy And being returned to Wittenberg Melancthon was requested to send two learned men to Rostoch for the advancement of that University whereupon he commended John Aurifaber and Chytraeus to them who accordingly went thither â—nd beganne their Lectures to the great satisfaction of the Auditors and in a short time Chytraeus grew so famous for his learning virtue diligence and excellent dexterity in teaching that first Christian King of Denmark and afterward the Senate of Auspurg sent for him to come to them He was desired also by the University of Strasborough to succeed Hedio lately dead Also Frederick the second Prince Elector Palatine sent earnestly for him to come to Heidleberg but his Prince John Albert would by no means part with him Two yeares after he travelled into Frisland Brabant Flanders and other of the Belgick Provinces Upon his returne the Elector Palatine Otho Henry sent again for him to come to Heidleberg and the King of Denmark profered to double his stipend if hee would come to him but his answer to them both was that his Prince had dealt so friendly with him that hee could by no meanes leave him Some yeares after the Nobilitie of Madgeburg sent to request his presence and assistance in Reforming Religion and ejecting Popery from amongst them but when he could not go himself he wrote his mind fully to them about the same About that time he commenced Doctor in Divinity at the charges of his Prince Anno Christi 1565 the Senate of Stralsund sent for him to be their Superintendent and the King of Sweden also desired him to come thither but nothing would prevail to get him from Rostoch The year after his Prince took him with him to the Diet at Auspurg where matters of Religion were to be debated At which time Ambassadors came to him again from Strasborough to request his remove thither and he gave them some hope of assenting if his Princes good will could be procured but he would by no means part with him and to express his love he profered to enlarge his stipend but Chytraeus refused the same Two yeares after hee was sent for into Austria to assist them in the Reformation which they intended whither he went and gave them such full satisfaction that they sent him back with an ample testimony of his abilities and integrity When he had finished his business in Austria he tooke a journey into Hungarie where he visited many of the chiefe Cities in that Kingdom Anno Christi 1571 his Prince made him the chief Visitor of all the Churches in his Dominions Hee assisted also in the work of Reformation at Berline Then the Marquesse of Brandenburg sent for him to be the Divinity Professor at Franckfurt upon Order but could not obtain him Two years after the States of Stiria sent for him to help them in Reforming their Churches whither he went for half a year and was exceeding useful to them in that work At this return he was sent for by the Elector of Saxonie and the University of Wittenberg to be a Professor there but they could not prevaile The yeare after the Duke of Brunswick being to erect an Vniversity at Juliers sent to him to assist in making Laws for the University in choosing of Professors c. Which he dispatched to his great content Shortly after hee went to divers meetings of Divines in severall places about procuring and setling the peace of the Churches of Christ. Whilst he was at Rostoch he went over in his Lectures the greatest part of the Old and New Testament and wrote divers other learned books When he grew into yeares he began to be diseased and sometimes was confined to his bed yet neither there would he be idle but upon the least intermission of his pain went on with his Exposition of the two and thirtieth Psalm which he had begun before And after that in Commenting upon the Epistle to the Romans But his disease increasing whereby he discerned the approaching of his end hee made a confession of his Faith received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and not long after quietly slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1600 and of his age seventy Whilst he lay sick in his bed if any present had discoursed about a controversal point raising himself up he would call to them to speake out saying that hee should dye with the more comfort if he could learn any new thing before his departure He was a truly good man who directed all his employment not to his private gain and glory but to the glory of God and to the furtherance of the salvation of others souls He obtained of his Princes of Megapoll to bestow 3500 crowns of yearly revenues upon the University of Rostoch He was alwaies ready to assist with his counsell any that repaired to him He was very courteous and affable exceeding patient under great afflictions and perswaded others for peace-sake to put up many wrongs He often turned a deaf eare to calumnies and lies using to say Qui nescit ferre calumnias obtrectationes convitia injurias ille vivere nescit He knows not how to live that knows not how to bear wrongs c. He had these wishes often in his mouth Utinam ambitio avaritia ex animis hominum radicitùs tolleretur utinam publicae tranquilitatis causa magni viri remitterent invicem simultates utinam reges ac potentes rerum Domini majorem Eclesiae ac scholarum curam susciperent c. In difficult matters he was never rash to declare his judgement His private life was very exemplary by reason of his indefatigable studies his diligence in his office his piety modesty sobriety chastity liberality and other virtues He was of a melancholly temper and most desirous of learning Scripsit multa Theologica Philologica Historica quae hic recensere nimis longum foret Some of his Works are mentioned before The Life of Alexander Nowel who died A no Christi 1601. ALexander
Latine and sent beyond sea where to this day they are highly prized and much set by yea some of them are translated into French High-Dutch and Low-Dutch and his Reformed Catholick was translated into Spanish also yet no Spaniard ever since durst take up the Gantlet of Defiance cast down by this Champion He died in the forty fourth year of his age of a violent fit of the Stone Anno Christi 1602 being born the first and dying the last year of Queen Elizabeth He was of a ruddy complexion fat and corpulent Lame of his right hand yet this Ehud with a left-handed pen did stab the Romish cause as one saith Dextera quantumvis fuerat tibi manca docendi Pollebas mirâ dexteritate tamen Though nature thee of thy right hand bereft Right-well thou writest with thy hand that 's left He was buried with great solemnity at the sole charges of Christs Colledge the University and Town striving which should expresse more sorrow at his Funeral Doctor Montague Preached his Funeral Sermon upon that Text Moses my servant is dead Master Perkins his manner was to go with the Prisoners to the plaâ—â— of execution when they were condemned and what 〈◊〉 his labours were crowned with may appeare by this example A young lusty fellow going up the ladder discovered an extraordinary lumpishnesse and dejection of spirit and when he turned himselfe at the upper round to speak to the people he looked with a rueful and heavy countenance as if he had been half dead already whereupon Master Perkins laboured to chear up his spirits and finding him still in an Agony and distresse of minde he said unto him What man what is the matter with thee art thou afraid of death Ah no said the Prisoner shaking his head but of a worser thing Saist thou so said Master Perkins come down again man and thou shalt see what Gods grace will doe to strengthen thee Whereupon the prisoner coming down Master Perkins took him by the hand made him kneel down with himself at the ladder foot hand in hand when that blessed man of God made such an effectuall prayer in confession of sinnes and aggravating thereof in all circumstances with the horrible and eternal punishment due to the same by Gods justice as made the poor prisoner burst out into abundance of tears and Master Perkins finding that he had brought him low enough even to hell gates he proceeded to the second part of his prayer and therein to shew him the Lord Jesus the Saviour of all penitent and believing sinners stretching forth his blessed hand of mercy and power to save him in that distressed estate and to deliver him from all the powers of darkness which he did so sweetly press with such heavenly art and powerfull words of grace upon the soul of the poor prisoner as cheared him up again to look beyond death with the eyes of Faith to see how the black lines of all his sinnes were crossed and cancelled with the red lines of his crucified Saviours precious blood so graciously applying it to his wounded conscience as made him break out into new showres of tears for joy of the inward consolation which he found and gave such expression of it to the beholders as made them life up their hands and praise God to see such a blessed change in him who the prayer being ended rose from his knees chearfully and went up the Ladder again so comforted and tooke his death with such patience and alacrity as if he actually saw himself delivered from the hell which he feared before and heaven opened for the receiving of his soul to the great rejoycing of the beholders His works are printed in three volumes F. JVNIVS The Life of Francis Junius who died A no Christi 1602. FRancis Junius was born in France of a Noble Family An. Christi 1545. His Grandfather was William Lord of Boffardineria who for his valiant service in the wars of Navar was rewarded by King Lewis the twelfth with that honour His Father was Denis who in his youth studied Law in the most famous Universities of France His Mother was Jacoba Hugalda which bore nine children four sons and five daughters amongst which this our Francis was born in Biturg His Mother being sickly the child was very weak not likely to live one houâ— and therefore was hastily baptised And during his childhood this weakness continued which falling into his left legge caused a soare which was difficultly healed When hee was five yeares old his Father beganne to teach him to read as his leisure would permit At six yeares old he began to write and to discover his ingenuity being of a pleasant disposition very desirous of honour quickly angry and for his age of a grave judgement Hee did eat his meat eagerly was very shame-fac'd which continued with him all his life after Hee had the publick Schoolmasters for his instructers besides others that privately taught him at home At twelve years old he attended the publick Lectures and began to study the Civill Law and his Father much encouraged and assisted him therein Yet one thing much impeded him in his first studies For being put forth to School hee met with harsh and severe Masters which used to beat him in a most cruel and barbarous manner yet his love to learning made him conceal it from his friends When he had studied Law about two years he was sent to Lions to have gone with the French Ambassador to Constantinople but coming too late after the Ambassadors departure he staid and studied there turning over many bookes whereof in that place were great plenty But there he met with great temptations to evill a woman and a young mayd labouring upon every opportunity to draw him to lewdnesse This much troubled him having been brought up religiously by his parents whereupon he thought of returning home but his fathers authority who commanded his stay there altered those thoughts and so through Gods assistance he resisted that temptation But presently fell into another For as he was reading over Tully de Legibus there came a certain man to him using the words of the Epicure nihil cur are Deum nec alieni that God cares for nothing And he so pressed it with such subtile arguments that hee prevailed with him to suck in that damnable principle and so he gave up himself to vile pleasures for a year and somewhat more But the Lord suffered him not to continue longer therein For first in a tumult in Lions the Lord wonderfully delivered him from imminent death so that he was compelled to acknowledge a divine providence therein And his Father hearing the dangerous waies that his son was misled into sent for him home where he carefully and holily instructed him and caused him to read over the new Testament of wich himselfe writes thus novum Testamentum aperio exhibet se mihi
very studious Snares laid for him He is expelled the Colledge Gods 〈◊〉 His marriage An harsh Father in Law His poverty A speciall providence He is sent for by the Dutchess of Richmond Persecution in Qu. Maries daies A notable resolution Stephen Gardiner Flight in persecuâ—ion A great storm God providence He arrives at Newport He goes to Basil. A prophesie His return into England His humility His Indfatigable pains His body weakned thereby His excellent endowâ—eâ—ts His feâ—vâ—ncy in prayer His Charity His Prophesies Mrs. Honywood A Prophesie A Miracle Another observable story His many friends Deaâ—h foreseen His Death His Charity Vain glory reproved He reproves his son His Birâ—h and Education He goes to Marpurg His industry He goes to Wittenberg He is Master of Arts. Why he left the study of the Law A speciall Providence His return to Marpurg He is made a Professor His marriage He is made Doctor Preachers pattern His humility He goes to Heidleberg His sicknesse Preparation for death His death His Works His birth and education Flight in persecuâ—ion His return to England He confutes the lesuits His death His birth and education His parents poverty Snepâ—ius provides for him He goes to Tubing He is made Deacon He preaches before the Duke His marriage Gods providence The accursed Interim He is Deacon at Tubing He commenceth Doctor He is made Superintendent Note Sacrilege abhorred A strange story of a Jew He helps forward Reformation Gods providence He is made Chancellour of the University His great pains about the Concord Death foretold and desired His â—icknesse The Confession of his Faith What he gives thanks for His death His Works His birth and education He becomes a Fryar His conversion He flies into Germany He stayes at Strasborough He meets with troubles New opposition Gods providence He goes to Clavenna A great Pestilence 1564. He goes to Heidleberg He is made Doctor Zeal against heresies Hereticks confuted rejected He goes to Neostade His death His Works His Birth and Education He goes to Paris His conversion He goes to Geneva And to Paris He is chosen a Pastor Christ preferred before all Popish cruelty Gods providence The Protestants slandered Vindicated by Sadeel He is imprisoned Delivered by the King of Navaâ— His return to Paris A Synod A persecution raiâ—ed Sadeels faithfulneâ—â—e The Church thrives by persecution His sicknesse His painfulnes A Synod Independents error confuted He is againe driven from Paris He is driven out of France His return into France He goes to the K. of Navar. Gods providence He goes to Geneva 〈◊〉 sent into Germany His sicknesse Death sore old Comfort in death His death His Character His works His birth aâ—d Parentage His education He goes to Cambridge His preferment in the University His gratitude He is made Father at the Commencement He studies Divinity His Inâ—ustry His Temperance He Recreatâ—ons His excellent parts He is chosen Professor His Lectures He confutes the Papists As Campian Dury Sanders Rainolds His marriage Stapleton reproaches him for his marriage He is chosen Master of St. Johns He confutes Bellarmine His fidelity therein Stapleton tails Whitaker answereth His sicknesse His death Bellarmine admired him His carriage in his sicknesse His Character His great charity His piety to his parents His humility His Works His birth and education He goes to Geneva His admirable Learning He is called to Leiden From thence to Gaunt And thence to Navar. His death His Works His Birth and Parentage His Education He goes to St. Andrews A Vniversity erected at Edenborough He is sent for to Edenborough He goes thither He doth much good Four Professors chosen His piety and diligence A lâ—rge increase of Ministers Conversion wrought by his Ministry Beza's testimony His humility His sicknesse He moderates in a Synod Preparation for death His message to the King His exhortation to the Ministers Christ preferred before all things Death desired His exhortation to the Ministers His poverty His heavenly speech His death His Works His birth and Parentage His education He studies Greek He is robbed Charity His Industry His return home He is Pastor of Hafnia He is Hebrew Professor And Doctor Death desired His Death His birth and Parentage His Education He goes to Ulm. 〈◊〉 to Witâ—enberg Mâ—rabilis 〈◊〉 A Predigy His studiousnes He is Master of Arts. His return home He is made Deacon His diligence His marriage He is banished His return He is Doctor Reformation His prefermenâ—s 〈◊〉 self-denial His wives death His sicknesse His patience His death His humility and charity His prudence A good father His works His birth and education He is sent to Tubing His great proficiency He goes to Wittenberg Plato praises God for three things He goes to Heidleberg His travels He goes to Rostoch He is desiâ—ed in divers places His travels He is Doctor He goes to Augsburgh His contentation 1569. He goes into Austria His travels He goes into Stiria His sicknesse His Industry Preparation for death His death His Character Injuries to be born His wishes â—is Works His Birth and Parentage His Education His flight in persecution He is made Dean of Pauls His Charity His Works His death His birth and education He goes to Basil. 〈…〉 Tibing He is Master of Arts. He goes to Paris Thence to Orleance A famous Church at Orleance His marriage Wars in France Duke of Guise slain Gods mercy Popish malice Popish malice He is in great danger A miracle of mercy He is taken prisoner His release Gods mercy The Kâ—â—gs malice He goes to Sancerra Gods mercy He goes to Mombelgart His new troubles He preaches in a Caâ—â—le Popish rage The Massacre at Paris A special providence Popish cruelty Gods mercy He goes to the Dutches of Ferrara He goes into the Palatinate His faithfulnesse He is dismised He is called to Neostade His painfulnesse He is much esteemed He is sent for to Heidâ—eberg His opposition He is made Professor Commenceth Doctor His manifold â—fflictions P. Casimire dyeth A great plague His constancy His weaknesse His faith His Death Hiâ— character His workâ— His birth and education His conversion He preaches to the prisoners He converts many of them He is chosen pastor Preachers pattern His Character Note The powerfulnesse of his ministry His 〈◊〉 in â—â—â—ding His painfulnes His death He was same of his right hand Iosh. 1. 2. A thief converted at his death Power of Prayer His Works His Birth and Parentage His weaknes in his childhood His Education His Masters harshnesse He goes to Lions His Tentations Gods mercys He is drawn to Atheism Gods mercy Iohn 1. He is reclaimed He goes to Geneva His travels His poverty A speciall providence He weakens his body by abstinence His Father murthered His Industry He is chosen to Antwerp The inquisition brought into the Ne herlands Popish malice Miracles of mercy to him An other danger He goes to Limburg Strange tentations A strange example Gods mercy Anabaptists disturb the Church Popish malice Flight
and refresh himselfe with his friends where falling off a ladder he hurt his back-bone which put him to great pain but through Gods mercy he recovered and the year after he went to the Convention at Smalcald where by reason of Luthers sickness almost the whole burthen lay upon him of managing the business about religion A while after he went to Hagenaw to meet the Protestant Divines there and fore-seeing that he should fall into a mortall Disease he made his will and left it with Cruciger saying Viximus in Synodis jam mâ—riemur in illis Imploi'd in Synods living oft was I Now in a Synod I am like to die Accordingly in his journey he fell very sick yet through God's mercy and the care and skill of the Physician he recovered againe his health being much furthered by the earnest praiers of Luther and Cruciger In his disputation with Eccius Eccius brought a very subtil Argument which he being not able suddenly to answer said Cras tibi respondebo I 'le answer you to morrow to whom Eccius replyed That is little for your credit if you cannot answer it presently Whereupon he said Sir I seek not mine owne glory in this businesse but the Truth To morrow God willing you shall hear further When the Wars for Religion brake out in Germany he foresaw in a dream the Captivity of the Elector of Saxonie and the Lantgrave of Hesse fifteen daies before they were taken And when Melancthon did justly bewaile those sad times he was accused to the Emperor as an enemy to his affairs whereupon the Emperor sent to Maurice the Elector to send him to him which he refused to do He was sent also to the Council of Trent but whilst he stayed at Noâ—inberg for the Publick Faith the Warre brake out betwixt Maurice of Saxonie and the Emperour about the Lantgrave of Hesse whereupon he returned to Wittenberg again and shortly after the Plague breaking out there the University was removed to Tergaw but he said He feared not that Plague but a far worse Plague which threatned the ruine of the common-wealth Whilst he was with the Palatine at Heidleberg he had news brought him of the death of his wife who had lived piously and lovingly with him in wedlock 37 years at the hearing whereof he expressed himself thus Farewell Kate I shall follow thee ere long He had many contentions with the Popish party both by disputations and writing The last Lecture that he read was upon that Text in Isa. Lord who hath beliâ—ved our report He was very carefull before hand to prepare himself for death having this Distich in his mouth Sic ego quotidiè de lecto surgo precando lit mens ad mortem sit duce laeta Deo March the 27. before his death he was sent for by the Elector of Saxony to Lipsich for the examination of those which were maintained by the Elector there for the study of Divinity which examination he had held many years There he continued in that employment til April 4 at which time he returned to Wittenberg April the 8 th his sicknes seised upon him whereof he died It was a Feaver which caused him that he could scarce sleep that night Hereupon Doctor Peucer his son-in-law intended to send for Camerarius between whom and Melancthon there had been a very strong bond of friendship for the space of 40 years Seven daies before he died many persons worthy of credit betwixt nine and ten a clock at night saw in the clouds over the Town of Wittenberg five Rods bound together after which two vanishing the other three appeared severed in divers places the branches of the Rods turning towards the North the handles towards the South of which Prodigy when Philip was informed he said Herein Gods fatherly punishments are not Swords but Rods which parents use to correct their children withall And I fear a dearth The night following he slept pretty well and waking about three a clock in the morning he sang sweetly and rose out of his bed April 13. to make an end of his writing which he was to propose on Easter day he followed his study hard that morning which was the last thing that he wrote for his publick Reading On Easter Eve he carried it to the Printing-house after which he went to Church and in the afternoon went againe to the Printing-house to see how the work went forward which was his last going abroad About four a clock that evening he sate upon the staires which went up into his study leaning upon his elbow At which time Joachim Camerarius came from Lipsich to visit him and entering into his house found him in that posture They saluted each other wich great familiarity and about five a clock that evening his Feaver seised on him so that that night he had a very grievous fit yet in the morning hee had a little sleep being April 14. Easter day After which he rose out of his bed and though he was scarce able to goe yet he would have read his Lecture publickly which his friends disswaded him from considering his great weaknesse April the 15 before dinner he professed his desire to depart hence saying I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. April the 16 Camerarius was minded to return home but as they sate at breakfast together on a sudden such a weaknesse came upon Melancthon that he desired to goe to bed so that Camerarius layed aside his purpose of departure April the 17 Camerarius took his leave of him commending him to God whereupon Philip said Jesus Christ the Son of God that sitteth at the right hand of his Father and giveth gifts unto men preserve you and yours and us all This night he was very sick and in his prayers cryed out O Lord make amend April the 18 his water was very troublesome and he was much pained with the stone About eight a clock that morning the Pastors of the Church visited him to whom he said By the goodnesse of God I have no domesticall grief to disquiet me although my Nephewes and Neeces stand here before me whom I love very dearly Yet this is my comfort they have godly parents who take care of them as I have done so long as I was able But publick matters affect me especially the troubles of the Church in this evil and sophisticall age But through Gods goodnesse our Doctrine is sufficiently explained and confirmed Then speaking to the eldest daughter of his Son-in-law Doctor Peucer he said I have loved thee my daughter see that thou honour thy parents be dutifull to them and fear God and he will never forsake thee I beseech him to defend thee and keep thee About nine a clock he spake to his son-in-Son-in-law who was his Physitian saying What think you of my disease have you any hope speak plaine The Physitian answered God is your life and the
length of your daies to whom we commend you but if we look at naturall causes your disease is dangerous for your weaknesse is great and encreaseth every moment I think the same quoth he and an sensible of my weaknesse A while after he made them search for some sheets of paper wherein he had begunne to write his Will purposing to declare his judgement about all the heads of Religion and to testifie it to posterity which was the chief use of Testaments amongst the antient Fathers but they could not be found whereupon he beganne to frame it a new sitting at a table but through weakness was not able to proceed therein Onely he wrote that he had twice formerly set down a Confession of his Faith and a thanksgiving to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ But saith he my papers are intercepted and therefore I will have my Confession to be my answers concerning the Bavarian Articles against Papists Anabapists Flacians c. His minde was sincere and sound to his last gasp his brain never more firm Then he conferred with his Son-in-law about the affairs of the University About six a clock Letters were brought him from his friends at Frankford Mart concerning the persecution of some godly men in France whereupon he said That his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind for his godly friends and for the miseries of the Church That night he had very litâ—le rest About two a clock in the morning he raised himself up in his bed saying that God had brought into his minde againe that speech of Paul If God be for us who can be against us After which he returned to his former complaints of the calamities of the Church Yet saith he my hopes are very great for the Doctrine of our Church is explained And so he proceeded to earnest prayers and groanings for the Church and then betook himself to some rest About eight in the morning in the presence of divers Pastors and Deacons he made three Prayers whereof this was one O almighty eternall ever-living and true God creator of heaven a dearth together with thy coâ—tâ—rnall Son our Lord Jesus Christ crucified for us and raised again together with thy holy Spirit c. Who hast faid thou de firest not the death of a sinner but that he may be converted and lâ—ve As also Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee I confess unto thee that I am a most miserable sinneâ— that I have many sinnes and have been faulty many waies But I am sorry with all my heart that I have offended thee I pray thee for our Lord Jesus Christs sake who was crucified and rose again for us to have pitty upon me and to forgive all my sinnes and to justifiâ— me by and through Jesus Christ thy Sonne thine eternall Word and Image whom by thy unspeakable counsell and unmeasurable wisdome and goodnesse thou wouldst have to be for us a Sacrifice Mediator and Intercessoâ— Sanctifie me also by thy holy lively and true â—pirit that I may truly acknowledge thee firmly believe in thee truly obey thee give thanks unto thee rightly invocate thy name serve thee and see thee gracious to all eternity and the almighty true God creator of heaven and earth and men the eternall Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ thy Son thy eternall Word and Image and the Holy Ghost the comforter In thee O Lord have I trusted let me never be confounded Thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Keep O Lord and governe our Church and Common wealths and this School and give them wholsom peace and wholsom goverment Rule and defend our Princes nourish thy Church gather and preserve thy Church in these Countries and sanctifie it and conjoyne it with thy holy spirit that it may be one in thee in the knowledge and invocation of thy Son Jesus Christ by and for the sake of this thine eternal Son our Lord Jesus Christ c. After this he rested a while Then the Pastors and Deacons by turnes read unto him Psalme 24 25 26. Isa. 53. John 17. Rom. 5. and divers other Psalmes and Chapters After which he said I often thinke upon that saying of St. John The world received him not but to those â—hat received him to them he gave power to be made the Sons of God even them that belieeve in his name After this he seemed to pray secretly for a quarter of an hour yea for an hoar or two he seemed to doe little other then pray and being at length asked by his Son in Law whether he would have any thing he answered Nothing but heaven thereforâ— trouble me no more with speaking to me Then the Pastor prayed with him and the others â—ead again and so about haâ—f an hour after six he quietly and peaceably gave up the Ghâ—st having lived 63. yeares 63. dayes After hee had spent in Preaching and writing 42 years Anno Christi 1560. He was buried close by Luther they having been faithfull and intimate friends in their lives He took much pains in the Vniversitie of Wittenberg reading three or four Lectures every day unto which many resorted He was never idâ—e but spent all his time in reading writing disputing or giving counsell He neither sought after great titles nor richâ—â— He could not be perswaded to take the degree of a Doctor saying That such honour was a great burden He had many and great enemies who often thâ—eatned to banish him Germany of which himselfe writes â— go jam sum hic Dei beneficio quadraginta anâ—os nunquam potuidicere aut certus esse me per unam 〈◊〉 mansurum esse I have through Gods mercy been here theâ—e fourty years and yet I could never say or besure that I should remain here one week to an end A little before his death he said Cupio ex hac vita migrare propâ—er duas causas primum ut fruar desiderato conspectu filii Dei coelestis Ecclesiae deinde ut liberer ab immanibus implacabilibus Theologorum odiis Amongst all his writings and disputations he would never meddle with the controversie about the Sacrament leaving that to Luther and being loth publickly to manifest his dissent from him Yet it is certaine that as they went to the Colloquie of Ratisbon together anno 1541. he communicated his opinion to Luther confirmed by the Testimonies of the ancient Fathers both Greek and Latine and when Luther had made some Annotations upon those sentences which contradicted his opinion Melancthon said Mr. Dr. I could make the like Annotations but sure they are not strong enough After all his great labours in the Church and Vniversity he carried away the usuall reward of the world reproof accusations injuries and reproaches Anno Christi 1555. a tumult being raised amongst the students he went forth to perswade them to peace when one of them ran