and set up a Schoolâ— there also Anno christi 1537. he was sent for by Christiâ—â— King of Denmarke to reform Religion in his Dominionâ— at which time he set forth a Booke about the Ordination of Ministers There also instead of the seven Bishops of Denmarke he setled seven Superintendents to Ordain Ministers and to see to the Government of the Church whom he ordained in the presence of the King and the Senate in the chief Church of Hafnia He set up Lectures also in that University and Ordained Ministers for the Churches of Denmark and Norway of which there were foure and twenty thousand Anno christi 1542. he was employed by the elector of Saxonie to Reform the Churches in the Dukedome of Brunswick the year following the Senate of Hilvesia sent for him to Reform their Churches where he with Corvinus and Henry Winckle wrote them a Form of Ordination and Ordained six Pastors for their six Congregations Anno christi 1533. he proceeded Doctor at thâ— instigation of Ioh. Friderick Elector of Saxonie Afterwards in the Wars of Germanie for Religion Wâ—ttenberg was besieged and Bugenhagius being grown old he met with many troubles yet would he never flye but by daily prayer to God he much cheared up himself considering that in so great tempests the poor Ship of Christ's Church was not swallowed up and devoured The Controversies and Quarrels which sprung up in the Church were the greatest grief to him Being grown old and his strength so decayed that he could no longer Preach he yet resorted daily to Church where he poured forth fervent Prayers both for himself and the afflicted condition of the Church of God at that time Afterwards falling sick though without much pain he continued instant in prayer and holy conference with his friends And drawing near to his end he often repeated This is life eternall to know Thee the onely true God and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and so quietly departed in the Lord Anno christi 1558. and of his Age 73. He was a faithfull Pastor mercifull to the poor severe and stout in reproof an earnest defendour of the Truth against Errors ardent in Prayer c. He joyned with Luther in the Translation of the Bible which being finished every year upon that day he invited his friends and made a Feast which he called The Feast of the Translation of the Bible When the Cimmerian darknesse had forsooke Brave Bugenhagius he rous'd up and tooke Truth by the hand and from a Foe he turn'd A friend to Luther though at first he spurn'd Against his writings yet at last his brest Repented what he rashly had exprest Then like a Starre he shin'd and was content To teach himselfeâ— and others to repent PHILIPPVS MELANTHON The Life and Death of Phillip Melancthon â— IN the year of grace 1497. Philippus Melancthon that vigilant Watchman for the generall good of the Church was borne at Bretta a Towne situate in the Lower Palatinate and onely famous for the birth of so excellent a man His Parents although they were not endewed with any store of earthly treasures yet they were rich in grace both of them being godly wise vertuous grave and honest his Father attaining to no greater advancement then to be chief Gentleman of Armes unto Philippus and Rupertus two German Princes In his youth he was committed unto the tuition of Iohannes Aungarus a man excellently qualified of whom he learned the Latin tongue and afterwards instructed in the knowledge of the Greek by Georgius Simlerus who afterwards became a publicke professor of the Civill Law concerning whom Melancthon used to speak with great reverence and respect both for his eminent gifts and also for that singular care which he had over him being a child and delivered unto him to be instructed in the knowledg of the â—ame tongues Being by these two furnished in some measure with the knowledge of those tongues and being not yet fully twelve yeers old a sufficient testimony of his future worth he was sent to the University of Heidelberge where he studied Poetry and proved also in short time an excellent Historian and he being but a child himselfe he taught the children of the Grave of Lionsten by which means notice being taken of the excellency of his parts he was graced in the same University by a generall consent with the title of Bachilor of Arts and which is also most remarkable in his youth here he frequented the Company of those which were observed to be the greatest and best learned men and especially he used the familiarity of Spangelus a Doctor of Divinity a man learned discreet and wise having continued here for the space of three yeers he went unto Tubinga in the yeer 1512. where he became an Auditor unto Brafficanus and Bebelius the lavrell Poets of those parts and also unto Iohannes Stoflerus an excellent Mathematician and professor of those Arts in that Academie and also Franciscus Stadianus then Logick Lecturer all of them being famous for their excellent endowments and for the bettering of his understanding in Divinity and increased of his knowledge therein he repaired unto Doctor Lempus esteemed the soundest and most judicius in that place concerning whom he used to say that he would paint that horrid Monster of Transubstantiation on a table and present it publickly unto his Auditors and that he could not but much admire and wonder at the insulsitie and blockishnesse of the man here he was also an Auditor unto his Master Simlerus professing the civill Law wherein he came unto sound knowledge as is made apparent by his writings and having attained unto a singular perfection in the Arts and Tongus he was in this University advanced unto the degree of Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in the yeer 1513. and in the seventeenth yeer of his age after this dignity conferred on him he remained four yeers in the Academie where he commented on Virgil and Terâ—nce read the Rhetorick History Lecture with singular judgment with the great approbation and applause of his Auditors About this time there being great tumults raised in Saxonie concerning religion grounded on the doctrine taught by Luther he was called by the Duke of Saxonie God so disposing by his providence unto Wittenberge in the yeer 1518. and in the 22. yeer of his age and in the tenth yeer of Luthers residence in the same place to be a faithfull assistant unto him for the advancing of the Gospell and in this may that City justly glory that it hath been blessed with the labours of these two undaunted Champions whoâ—e actions can hardly be parraleld by any living either in the auncient or in these moderne times At his departure from Tubinga his Master Simlerus said that his going away was to be much lamented of the whole City and forthwith added Quotquot ibi essent docti homines non esse tam doctos ut intelligerent quanta esseâ— doctrina ejus qui
most regenerate which made him almost abstaine from all such meetings or if he came he commonly brought with him some learned Second with whom he conferred in Latin Ne intelligerent Sacerdotes His custome was to begin and end dinner with the same dish to content himselfe with one glasse of Beer or two at the most and though he loved rich Wines yet he drank of the best but very sparingly knowing that all mens eyes then present were upon him He had a wonderfull happy wit himselfe and was much taken with it in others especially young Boyes and Maids with whose naturall purity softnesse and simplicity he seemed greatly effected and the rather because our Saviour himselfe commends in them those qualities to our imitation In many things he dissented from those who thought themselves learned in some from those who indeed were so to whom onely he unbosomed himselfe especially if they were his friends your Scotists who then seemed to monopolize and divide the whole stock of wit amongst themselves he eâ—teemed of all others the most dull barbarous stupid and insufferable dunces And yet of Acquinas I know not upon what grounds he had a worse opinion then of Scotus In whose defence when it was objected by Erasmus perhaps ironically for he was no great friend to either that of all the ancient Schoolmen Aquinas onely seemed to have read the Fathers witnesse his Aurea Catena and that some of his Workâ— were highly commended for stirring up mens affections to piety Colet answered what tell you me of his reading or stirrring up affections unlesse he had beene transported with the Spirit of Arrogance he had never so rashly and yet so magisterially peremptorily presumed to define all points of Religion and if he had not savored too much of the flesh he had not therewith mixed so much vaine and fruitlesse Phylosophy He was no great admirer of Monks not that he hated the Profession but because he saw the Professors lived not accordingly wherfore whilst he lived he gave them little when he dyed nothing And yet his intent and purpose was to end his dayes in a Monastery if he could have found one qualified to his minde This by many was censured in him that although he himselfe lived most chastly and as Erasmus verily beleeveth dyed a pure Virgin notwithstanding his naturall inclination to the Contrary yet he had a very charilable opinion of such Priests and Frierâ— whose greatest fault was their umcleannâ—sse For said he these out of the Conscience of their owne imperâ—ection are for the most part humble modeâ—t and tractable whereas the divell himselfe were he not what he is could hardly abide the pride avarice and hypocrisie of the other Not that he thought incontinence a light Sinne but intractability and pride far more incompatible with piety And therefore though it was his ill luck to live under a perverse and wrangling Diocesan of whom we shâ—ll say more anon yet he was a true friend to Episcopacy by being a mortal enemy to such Bishops as under an hypocriticall maske of sanctity proâ—tituted their sacred function to ambition and Luxury Relative worship he held no such spur to Devotion as some would make it And was not farre from their opinion who thinke a notoriously wicked Priest operates nothing by his consecration for he abominated irregularity especially in his owne order and could not but wiâ—h indignation looke upon those whose impure and contaminated lives gave the first rise and ground to this suspition whether true or false In his judgement concerning publike Schooles and Vniversities he was not onely heterodox but like the bird spoken of in the Proverb cleerly bewrayed diverse Symptoms of an exulcerated minde but let that passe amongst Moles in the most beautifull faces Secret Confession he generally approved as that whereby himselfe had received much comfort and benefit but as much disliked that which was too anxious and descended to a needlesse enumeration of what can no more be numbered then the starres in heaven or sand upon the Sea shore Priests here in his time Officiated once every day he contented himself with Sundayes and Holy-daies it may be to set the greater edge upon his Devotion which by these intervals was the more sharpned or perhaps to gaine the more time for his private studies the better to fit himselfe for his Cathedrall or Pulpit imployments Learning he really loved and laboured for onely that Encuclopedicall wisdome which cannot be attained but by knowledge of all Arts and devouring of all bookes he esteemed rather a learned sort of madnesse then any true provocation to Christian simplicity and charity He deferred much to the Apostolicall Epistles but when he compared them with that sweetnesse wisdome and majesty which is to be found in our Saviours owne sayings and Sermons he thought them saplesse and scarce to be named the same day which as one of his Paradoxes I leave to be sensured by the Reader for both proceede from the same Spirit Howsoever omitting the former the latter he intended to trichotomize or reduce unto Ternaries but was prevented by death Gods worship and Service as much as in him lay he performed with an equall decency and magnificence and was no great approver either of their zeale or wisdome who tyed Priests every day those wherein they travell not exceped to the private repetition of so many and long prayers which perhaps he knew by experience they rather mumbled over with their lips then considerately evaporated from their hearts He willingly and attentively read over many Hereticall bookes professing he sometimes bettered himselfe more by them then theirs who without dispute define what they please and as they please He indured not that any man should square his stile by the rules of Grammer or Grammarians but by reading and imitating the most approved Authors which opinion brought its owne punishmeat with it for though he was eloquent both by nature and erudition yet when he set himselfe to write in Latin he often tript even in things common and obvious to every School-boy which did so much discourage him that he never set forth any thing it were to be wished his modestey had not so much stumbled at this straw for certainly howsoever his expression had taken the eare his conceptions could not have disrellished the understanding but in this as in many things else he dissented from the common Tenets and practice both of his owne and former times yet so as his private opinions never troubled the publike peace his friends were as many as there were men of learning and Candor in the whole kingdome His greatest enemies were certaine illiterate and irregular Friers and amongst these his own Bishop of whose Sophisticall Scoâ—istry the Deane made no great account and the Bishop as little of his Ciceronian Divinity The heart burning went so farre that at last it broke forth into Articles wherein the Bishop assisted by two of his brethren almost as learned and Cordat
little as the others Anno Christi 1530. when the Diet was held at Augusta for quieting of the controversies about Religion the Duke of Brunswick coming thither by importunity prevailed with Regius to go to Luneburg in his Country to take care of the Church there in which journey at Gobuâ—g he met with Luther and spent a whole day in familiar confâ—rence with him about matters of great moment of which himselfe write's That he never had a more comfortable day in his life Erâ—nestus Duke of Brunswick loved him dearly and esteemed him as his father insomuch as when the City of Augusta sent to the Dâ—ke desiring him to returne Regius to them againe he answered that he would as soone part with his eyes as with him and presently after he made him Bishop and over-seer of all the Churches in his Country with an ample salary for the same afterwards going with his Prince to a meeting at Haganaw he fell sick by the way and within few dayes with much cheerfulnesse yeelded up his soule into the hands of God Anno Christi 1541 he often desired of God that he might dye a sudden and easie death wherein God answered his desires He was of an excellent wit holy of life and painfull in the worke of the Lord. Reader this serious Fathers well-spent dayes Were fill'd with love and love was fill'd with praise He was abjured by a Noble race Which made him onely debtor but not base Heav'n was his port to which he faild through tearsâ— Steer'd by his faith blowne by the winde of prayers Let his example teach us to invest Our hearts with wisdome and we shall be blest With him who now enjoyes the life of pleasure Whose comforts know no end whose joyes no measure He that shall choose true vertue for his guide May march on boldly and not feare a slide The Life and Death of CARALOSTADIUS Who died Anno Christi 1541. ANdreas Bodenstein Caralostadius was borne in France in a towne called Caralostadium by which he received hâ—s name he was brought up at Schoole there where afterwards he went to Rome and having spent sometime in the study of Divinity he went thence to Wittenberg where he commensed Doctor in Divinity and was a publicke Professor Anno Christi 1512. afterwards he became an earnest asâ—ertor of Lutheâ—'s doctrine and a defendor of it against Eccâ—us both by disputation and writing at the time of Luther's being in his Pathmos Caralostadius obtained of the Elector the abolishing of private Masse Auricular confession Images c. at Wittenberg which Luther being offended at returned presently thither and Peeached eagerly against that alteration whereupon Caralostadius wrote in justification of it which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the Sacrament whereupon he left Wittenberg 1524. and went to Orlamund being called to a Pastorall charge there but after a while he was called back to his place in Wittenberg yet before he went Luther being sent by the Elector of Iene and Orlamund in a Sermon where â—aralostadius was present he enveighed bitterly against the Anabaptists and said withall That the same spirit reignd in the Image-haters and Sacramentaries whereupon Caralostadius being much offended went to his lodging to confer with him about it afterwards Luâ—her coming to Orlamund went not to salute Caralostadius but in his Sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of Idols and shortly after he procured the Elector to banish Caralostadius whereof Caralostadius afterwards complained in a letter to his people in Wittenberg that unheard and unconvicted he was banished by Luther's procurement from thâ—nce he went to Basil where hâ— printed some bookâ— that he had written about the Lord's Supper for which the Magistrates being offended with the novelty of the Doctrine cast the Printers into prison and the Senate of Tigurine for bad thâ—ir people to read those books but Zuinglius in his Sermon exhorted them first to read aad then to passe judgement on them saying That Caralostadius knew the truth but had not well expressed it afterwards Caralostadiuâ— wandring up and downe in upper Germany when the sedition of the boorish Anabaptists brake out unto which they were stirred up by Muncer and for which many of them were brought to punishment Caralostadius also escaped very narrowly being let downe in a basket over the wallâ— of Rottenberg being in great streights he wrote to Luther and purged himselfe from having any hand in those uproars entreating him to print his book and undertake his defence which also Luther did desiring the Magistrates that he might be brought to his just triall before he waâ— condemned Caralostadius wrote againe to him a Letter wherein he said That for his opinion about the Sacrament he rather proposed it for disputation sake then that he positively affirmed any thing w ch many imputed to him for levity but Luther thereupon procured his return into Saxonie yet he finding little content there went to Tigurine and taught in that place till the death of Zuinglius and then he went to Basil where he taught ten yeers and An. 1541. he died there of the plague and was very honorably buried This grave Divine ceas'd not from taking paines More for the Churches good then his owne gaines Yet were his gaines as great as his desire He that obtaines true vertue need require No greater profit he that studies how To live here-after must not set his brow On Earths loe things the pleasure of the Earth Prov'd this grave Fathers sorrow not his mirth His thoughts were all divine he could not hide Within his Season'd breast the flames of pride He was an Image-hater and would not Let them be worshipp'd and his God forgot 'T was not a Prison could his heart apale He that has virtue needs no other baile The life and death of CAPITO Who died Anno Christi 1541. WOlfgangus Fabricius Capito was borne at Hagenaw in Alsatia his Father was of the Senatorian ranke who bred him in learning and sent him to Basil where he studied Physick and proceeded Doctor of it aftâ—r hiâ— Father's death he studied Divinity Anno Christi 1504 and under Zasias a great Lawyer he studied Law also and proceeded Doctor of â—t He was a great lovâ—r and admirer of godly Ministers at Heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with Oecolampadius and there was a neer tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives after with him also he studied Hebrew and became a Preacher first in Spire and thencâ— was câ—lled to Basil from thence he was sent for by the Elector Palatine who made him his Preacher and Counsellor and sent him of divers Embassies also by Charles the fifth he was made of the order of Knights from Mentz he followed Bucer to Argenâ—ine where he was called to a Pasâ—oral charge he was a very prudent and eloquent man a good Hebrician and studious of Peace concerning the Sacrament he said Mittendas esse contentiones cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae
fidem nostram pane vino Domini per memoriam carnis sanguinis illius pascendam Anno 1525. being called into his owne Country he Preached and administred the Lord's Supper to his owne Citizens and Baptized without the Popish Ceremonies he was present and disputed at Berne against the Popish Masse c. He was with others chosen by the Protestants to goe the to Diet at Ratisbone for the setling of Religion and returning home in a great and generall infection he died to the Plague An. Christi 1541 of his Age 63. Industrious Capito at first inclind Himselfe to cure the body next the minde Being endow'd with most excellent parts He did as t' were monopolize the Artâ— He lov'd Religion and was alwayes free T' extoll the worth of practis'd piety He honor'd peace his heart was fil'd with hope That he might live to contradict the Pope And so he did he labour'd to prevent The Ceremonâ—es of their Sacrament And to conclude he labour'd to confute Their babling Masse He 's blest without dispute The Life and Death of LEO JUDAE who died Anno Christi 1542. LEo Iudae was born Anno Christi 1482. brought up at Schoole and from thence sent to Basil where he joyned in study with Zuinglius was an hearer of Doctor Wittenbash by whom he was instructed in the knowledge of the Gospel â—here also he was made a Deacon and from thence he was called into Helvetia where he â—et himselfe to the study of the Orientall Tongues and to read the Fathers especially Hierom and Augustine as also he read diligently the books of Luther Eraâ—mus and Capito at length being called to a Pastorall charge at Tigure he opposed the Popish doctrine and Ceremonies both in the Pulpit and Presse thâ—re he continued eighteen yeeres and spent much of it in expounding the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein being growne very skilfull he set upon at the importunity of his breathren of the Ministry the translation of the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein also he was much holpen by the industry of other learned men but this worke proving very great he was so wasted with labor and old age that he died before he finished it Anno Christi 1542. and of his Age 60. leaving undone Iob the forty last Psalmes Proverbs Ecâ—lesiastes Canticles and the eight last Chapters of Ezekiel which he commended to Theodore Bibliander to finish who accordingly did it and he left all to Conradus Pellican to peruse and put to the Presse which he carefully performed Four dayes before his death sending for the Pastors and Professors of Tigure he made before them a Confession of his Faith concerning GOD the Scriptures the Person and Office of CHRIST concluding Huic Iesu Christo Domino liberatori meo c. To this my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ my hope and my salvation I wholly offer up my soule and body I cast my selfe wholly upon his mercy and grace c. Heaven was the object where he fixt his eyes Truth was his Marke Religion was his Prise His studious heart was active to contrive How to keepe other pining Souls alive With heavenly Food he never lov'd to feed In secret Corners and let others need He never usâ—d to sweepe away the Crums From his poore Flock and feed their souls with Hums Like our new-babling Pastors which infuse Illiterate Words patch'd up with flattring News He would not blind them with the intising charms Of Falseties or bid them take up Armes Except for heaven within whose Tent he sings Anthems of Pleasure to the King of Kings The Life and Death of MYCONIUS who died Anno Christi 1546. Fâ—â—idericus Myconius was borne in Franconia of religious parents and bred up at Schoole till he was thirteen yeeres old and then he was sent to Annaeberg where he studied till he was twenty and then entred into a Monastery there without the knowledge of his parents the first night after his entrie he had a dream which proved propheticall In that place he read the Schoole-men and Augustine's Workes He read also at meal-time the Bible with Lyra's notes on it which he did seven yeeres together with so much exactnesse that he had it almost by heart but dispairing of attaining to learning he left his studieâ— and fell to Mechanicall Arts About which time Tecâ—liuâ— brought his Indulgences into Germany boasting of thâ— virtue of them and exhorting all as they loved their owne and their dead friends salvation that they should buy them c. Myconius had been taught by his fâ—ther the Lord's Prayer the Creed the Decalogue and to pray often and that the blood of Christ onely could cleanse uâ— from sin and that pardon of sin eternall life could not be bought with money c. Which caused him to be much tâ—oubled whether he should beleive his father or the Priests but understanding that there was a clause in the Indulgences that they should be given freely to the poore he went to Tecelius entreated him to give him one for he waâ— a poor sinner and one that needed a free remissions of sins and a participation of the merits of Christ Tecelius admired that he could speake Latine so well which few Priests could doâ— in those dayes aud therefore he advised with hiâ— Colleagues who perswaded him to give Myconius one but after much debate he returned him answer That the Pope wanted money without which he could not part with an Indulgence Myconius urged the aforenamed clause in the Indulgences whereupon Tecelius his Colleagues pressed againe that he might have one given him pleading his learning and ingenuity poverty c. And that it would be a dishonor both to God and the Pope to denie him one but still Tecelius refused whereupon some of them wispred Myconius in the eare to give a little money which he refused to doe and they fearing the event one of them profered to give him some to buy one with which he still refused saying That if he pleased he could sell a book to buy one but he desired one for Gods sake which if they denyed him he wished them to consider how they could answer it to God c. but prevailing nothing he went away rejoycing that there was yet a God in heaven to pardon sinners freely c. according to that promise As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner c. Not long after he entred into Orders and read privately Luther's books which the other Friars tooke very haynously and threatned him for it From thence he was called to be a Preacher at Vinaria where at first he mixed some Popish errors with the truth but by the illumination of Gods Spirit and by his reading Luther he at last began to preach against Popery and to hold forth the truth clearly which spread so swiftly not onely through Saxonie but through all countries as if the Angels had been carryers of it Afterwards he was called
both having beene used by the Popes Agent nor he by perswasion nor love could perswade him to returne to Popery he feigned himselfe friendly to take his leave of him and so deparâ—â—d â—ut shortly after he returned againe with this ruffianly murtherer and by the way they bought an Hatchet of a Carpinter and Alphonsus sending this man disguised with letters to his Brother he himselfe following after as Iohn Diazius was reading the letters this bloudy murtherer cleft his head with the Hatchet and taking Horse they both rode away Anno Christi 1546. and this inhumane Cain was highly commended by the Papists for it But the Lord would not suffer such an unnaturall villanie to goe unpunished for not long after he was so doggâ—d and haunted by the Furies of his own Conscience that being at Trent when the Council was held there he hanged himsâ—lf about the neck of his own Mule Diazius in his youthfull dayes had cloath'd His heart with Popery and after loath'd What he had done for when he was inspir'd By Heaven he searcht for truth and soon untyrâ—d Himselfe and having found the pathes of truth He hated what he acted in his youth Thus being turn'd from those wayes that lead To utter ruine Fame began to spread Her wings abroad and hover in the eare Of the distasted Pope who could not heare Goodnesse without impatience but strove To win him with reward of promis'd love But finding â—'was in vaine he chang'd his minde From Love to Murther and with spéed inclin'd Himselfe to mischiefe being voyd of grace Put out that light which shin'd so much in 's face The Life and Death of CRUCIGER Who died Anno Christi 1548. GAsper Cruciger was born at Lipsich in Misnia Anno 1504. of religious Parents who carefully brought him up in the knowledge of God and in learning He was melancholy by nature and of a retired disposition much in meditation and of few words being principled in the Latine he learned Greek and profited much therein and so went to the University of Wittenberg that having studyed Divinity there he might be more usefull to the Church he studyed also the Hebrew tongue and grew very exquisite therein from thence was called to govern the School at Magdeburg where he taught with much profit and applause till 1527. and then being called back to Wittenberg he preached and â—xpounded the Scriptures with so much dexterity that he was graced with the degree of a Doctor in that University he studyed and practised Physick also He was very helpfull to Luther in his Translation of the Bible He wrote so swiftly that he was chosen Scribe at the disputation at Worms and yet withall suggested to Melancthon many things for answer to Eccius his subtilties insomuch that Glanvell who supplyed the Enperors room said of him That the Lutherans had a Scribe that was more learned then all the Pontificians He alwayes opposed the Anabaptisticall errors and was very careful to preserve the Truch from corruptions he alwayes hated new and ambiguous expressions which often caused much troubles in the Church he often contemplated the foot-steps of God in Nature saying with Paul That God was so near unto us that he might be almost felt with our hands He studyed the Mathematicks in his later time and grew so skilfull therein that few excelled him he was excellent also in the Opticks but with excessive pains and incessant studyes night and day he contracted to himselfe a mortall disease whereby he wasted away and yet his intellectuals decayed not he lay sick for above three moneths all which time he gave forth cleer notable demonstrations of his Faith Patâ—ence and Piety he called up his two young daughters and caused them to repeate their prayers before him and then himselfe prayed with great fervency for himselfe the Church and those his Orphans concluding Invoco te quanquam languida imbecillâ— fide sed fide tamen credo promissioni tuae quam sanguine tuo resurrections obsignasti c. I call upon thee with a weak yet with a true Faith I beleele thy promises which thou hast sealed to mee with thy blood and resurrection c. In his sicknesse he intermitted not his studies for during the same he turned into Latine Luthers books concerning the last words of David he read the Psalms and other Autors his ordinary discourse with his friends was about the Principles of Religion the admirable government of the Church Immortality and our sweet Communion in heaven Upon the sixth of November there was a great Chasm or opening in the heavens and in some places fire fell to the earth and flew up into the ayre againe this Cruciger saw as he lay in his bed in the night and thereupon much bewayled the great commotions and dissipations in the Church which he foresaw by this Prodigie He spent the few dayes which remained in prayer and repentance and so quietly ended his dayes November 16. Anno Christi 1548. and of his Age 45. Considering the mutabilitie of all earthly things he used often to say Omnia praetereunt praeter amare Deum Besides God's love nothing is sure And that for evâ—r doth endure Grave Cruciger was in his life A hater of corroding strife His soule was â—â—l'd with Heaven and he Was alwayes constant alwayes free In his devotions all his dayes He spent to give his maker praise Religions stocke did still encrease Within his heart and crown'd his peace He was a wonder to all Nations For Piety and disputations The Anabaptists felt the force Of his patheticall discourse Truth alwayes shined in his brest All men speake truth that speake him blest PAVLVS FAGIVS The Life and Death of Pauluâ— Fagius IN the yeer of our Lord God 1504. Paulus Fagius alias Buchlin was borne in a Town situate in the Palatinate not farre from Bretta which in the Germain language is called Rhein-taberne his Father was called by the name of Peter Buchlin being chiefe Schoole-master of that Towne his Mother by the name of Margaretta Iager daughter unto Henricus Iazger of Heidelberge who was much beloved of Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine by reason of his excellent knowledge in the art of War He was first acquainted with the grounds of Leaenrng in the same Towne and that through the carefulnesse and paines of his Father which indeed seemed pleasing unto him because of the sharpenesse of wit and quicknesse of apprehension which he saw in the childe and therefore for the better perfection of his naturall parts when he had reached unto the age of eleven yeares he sent him unto Heidelberge and committed him unto the tuition of Iohannes Brentius and Martinus Frechtus two learned men by whose meanes he was furnished with an excellent insight in humaine Learning When he had continued with these learned men for the space of seven yeers and being now eighteene yeers of age and longing for a greater perfection of learning he left Heidelberge and went unto
Sweet was his life and death his well spent dayes Began in goodnesse and expir'd with praise The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO who died Anno Christi 1552. CAsper Hedio was born at Etling in the Marquisat of Baden of honest Parents and educated in learning at Friburge where also he Commensed Master of Arts and from thence went to Basil where he studied Divinity and Commensed Doctor whence he was called to Preach in the chiefe Church at Mentz but some not liking such plain Preaching and the Monkes raising a persecution against him he went thence to Argentine Anno Christi 1523. where he was a great assistent to Capito and Bucer in reforming of Religion by the command of the Senate there also he married a wife Anno Christi 1533. and though the Papists raised a great persecution in that City yet he Preached â—oldly against Masses Indulgences Auricular Confession c. and wrote against them also Anno Christi 1543. when Herman Archbishop of Collen began a Reformation he sent for Bucer and Hedio to assist him therein whence after he was driven by Caesar and his Spaniards escaping through many difficulties and danger he returned to Argentine what time he could spare from his Ministeriall employment he spent in writing Commentaries and Histories Anno Chrisâ—i 1552. he sickened and died T' was not the rage of Papist could remove The heart of Hedio from the reall love Of true Divinity he still enclin'd Himselfe to Preach with a resolved mind Let his example teach us to repose Our trust in God in spight of threating Foes The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of Aâ—halt whâ— died Anno Christi 1553. GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme who was eminent for training up of youth under whom he profited exceedingly both in humane literature and in principâ—ls of Divinity then he was set to the study of the Law wherein he profited very much also having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres he was chosen by Albert Elector of Menâ—z to be one of his Councell wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations in managing the greatest State-affairs But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time and Luthers books coming abroad he fell to reading of them and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth saying Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse He was frequent in reading the Scriptures Ecclesiasticall Histories Augustine Hierom and Lombard he studied also Greek and Hebrew and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies and after all upon mature deliberation he embraced the Reformed Riligion and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren within his owne jurisdiction Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people he lived with much continencie in a single life he took much pains both in writing and Preaching he was very charitable a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes very free from ambition hatred and revenge he used often to say Subdiâ—us esto Deo ora eum c. Submit thy selfe to God and pray unto him for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart and will save the humble in spirit He employed his time so well that he left none for pleasures and used to say That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes then conference with learned and godly men Falling sick of a most troublesome disease he was frequent in holy prayer for himselfe for all the Princes of that family for his country and for Germany he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him he made his Will wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge He often ruminated upon those texts God so loved the world that he gave c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand Come unto mee all yee that are wearie c. and so in holy meditations and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47. A Prince by birth and of a Princely minde Full frought with vertues of each severall kinde Is here presented ornaments of grace Such as doe challenge not the second place But first by merit here you may behold One whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold In pious duties he did strive to be Transcendant who was by nature frée For to the Poore he reliefe did give During the time that he on earth did live Read but his life and then at large you le sée Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be The life and Death of Justus Jonas who dyed Anno Christi 1555. IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator who falling sick of the Plague and having applyed an Onion to the Soare and taking it off and laid it by him this little Ionas coming tooke the Onion and eat it up yet without any prejudice to himself God miraculously preserving of him He was first brought up at Schoole afterwards he studied Law and made a good progresse therein But upon better thoughâ—s he studied Divinity and proceeded Doctor and embraced the Reformed Religion and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion where he defended the truth strenuously and endevoured to promote peace he was also made a Professor in that Universitie He with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly Luther somtimes resorted thither to him and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben where he dyed after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions and lastly he was set over the Church in Eisfield where he ended his dayes in much peace and comfort Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations and in great agonie he shewed much despondencie but his servant partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him cheared him up and at last through Gods mercy the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh. Justius by name no poyson sure could kill God so protected him from what was ill The venome of the Plague did séeme to be No poyson unto him for he scap'd frée Although the Duyon he by chance did eat That poyson'd was by the Plagues
there afterwards for falling not long after into a very dangerous sicknesse whereof he hardly recovered the Fathers of his Order in a generall Assembly shortly after his recovery supposing that the ayre of that City did not so well agree with him made him their Generall Viâ—iter when he had been yet but three yeeres at Naples In which imployment supported by the Cardinall Gonzagâ— the Protector of their Order he so carryed himselfe suppressing some that carryed themselves tyrannously in their places severely chastising others that lived loosly leudly that though he gained much grace and credit to the Order no lesse love and affection to himselfe from the better minded among them yet incurred he withall much envy ill-will from those that were otherwise disposed It is a point of divellish policy too oft practised under a sembleance of honour to prefer men to such places as may prove prejudiciall to them and become a meanes of their overthrow Some of these Machiavilians therefore in a generall meeting of the Fathers of the Order at Manâ—ua knowing a deadly fewd and inveterate hatred to intercede betweene the Inhabitants of Luca and those of Florence our Martyrs Country move to have him made Pryor of Saint Fridian in Luca a place of great esteem for that the Pryor of that House hath Episcopall Jurisdiction over the one moity of the City hoping that for Countries sake he should there find opposition and molestation more then enough The motion was on all hands soon assented unto but the event answered not their expectation For by his wise kind and discreet carryage among them he gained so much good will and esteeme with them that they affected him no otherwise then as if he had been a native and by a solemn embassage made suite to the Principall of the Order that Peter Martyr might not be removed againe from them Here to advance both Religion and Learning among them he procured learned men of great note to read to the younger sort the tongues one Latine and the other Greeke and a third which was Emmanuell Tremellius the Hebrew He himselfe daily read to them some part of Saint Pauls Epistles in Greek and examined them in the same to the whole Company before supper he expounded some Psalme to which exercise diverse learned of the Nobility and Gentry did also usually resort and every Lords day he preached publikly to the People By which his godly labours many attained to much knowledge as appeared afterward by the number of those who after his departure thence sustained exilement for the truth among whom that famous Zanchie one These his good proceedings his adversaries much maligning held a meeting at Genoa and convented him thither But he having intellidence of their complotment and taking warning by their late dealings with a godly Eremite of the same Order resolved to decline them and to betake himselfe to some place of better safety Having therefore committed to his Deputy the charge of the Monastery and his Library his onely wealth to a trusty friend in Luca to be sent after him into Germany he left the City secretly and from thence travelled first toward his owne Country to Pisa where meeting with certaine religious Noble men he celebrated together with them in due manner the Lords Supper and from thence by letters both to Cardinall Poole and to those of Luca he rendred a reason of his departure from them After that coming to Florence but making no long stay there he departed from thence for Germany and passing the Alpes came into Switzerland wher he arrived first at Zurick and passing thence to Basil was by Bucers procurement called over to Strasbourge where for the spâ—c of five yeers with much amity and agreement they joyned together in the Lords worke during which time he expounded the Lamentations of Ieremy the twelve lesser Prophets Genesis Exodus and a good part of Leviticus Here he tooke him a wife one of a religious disposition and in all respects a meete match for one of his ranke and profession who lived with him eight yeeres died in England at Oxford where she had lived in great repute with the best for her singular piety and with the most for he charity corrrespondent thereunto though after her decease in Queen Maries dayes her remaines were inhumanely digged up againe and buried in a dunghill but in Queen Elizabeths dayes restored to their former place of Sepulture againe For after that our Martyr had spent those five yeeres at Strasbourge he was through the procurement of Archbishop Cranmer sent for by letters from King Edward into England and made Reader of Divinity in the University of Oxford There in his readings to which those of the Popish faction also resorted he expounded the first of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and though much envying and stomaking him yet with some patience they his Popish hearers endured him untill he came to handle the Doctrine of the Lords Supper but then they began to breake forth into some outrage to disturbe him in his Lectures to set up mâ—licious and scandalouâ— schedules against him to challing him to disputes which he waved not but maintained first in private in Doctor Cox the Vice chancellors house and afâ—er in publike before his Majesties Commissioners deputed to that purpose where with what strength of Argument and authorty of Scripture he convinced his Antagonists the Acts yet extant may evidently shew This way little prevailing they stirred up the seditious multitude against him by reason whereof he was compelled to retirâ— him to London untill that tumult was supprest Then returning againe for his better security the King made him a Canon of Christs Chuâ—ch by meanes whereof he had convenient housing within the Colledge with more safety Thus setled the second time he proceeded in his wonted employmâ—nt opening now also the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans and being in times of vacation called up to London by the Archbishop for his aid and advice in Ecclesiasticall affaires and in composing of Ordinances for the government of the Church And in this course he continued being never out of action untill by the decease of thâ—t our English Phaenix so much admired in his life and bewailed at his death not with ours at home but by others also and that of a divers religion abroad upon the succession of his sister Queen Mary one of a contrary disposition his employment surceased and with somewhat adoe he gat liberty and departed the land and though being way-laid which he had notice of both on this side and beyond the seas yet by Gods good providence and protection he passed unknown and undiscovered through Brabant and other Popish territories and gat in safety to Strasbourge Thither returning he was received with the greater joy in regard of the dangers he had past and escaped and was restored to his professors place againe Therein being resetled he read upon the booke of Iudges and because the Senate
required that the Readers of Divinity should withall at certaine times read Lectures also of Philosophy it was agreed betweene him and Zanchie his fellow-professor that the one of them should read Morall Philosophy which fell to his lot and the other Naturall which Zanchie undertooke Howbeit here he was not long quiet for some factious ones began to complaine of him to the Magistrates as not concurring with the Augustine confession in the Doctrine of the Lords Supper wherein albeit he gave those in authority good satisfaction yet he perceived much heart-burning in other-some and that manifested oft times as well by scandalous libels scattred abroad as also by open opposition Whereupon supposing that he should not live quâ—etly there and do the good that he desired he began to entertaine thoughts of departure and as God in his holy providence pleased to dispose it a fit and faire occasion thereof offred it selfe to him For they at Zurick whereat first he desired to have setled wanting one to succeede Pellicane lately deceased in the Divinity Lecture invite Peter Martyr to come over to them and supply that place thither he came tho with much griefe and unwillingnesse dismissed by the Magistrates and other godly of Strasbourge his fellow-professors especially accompanied with our worthy Iewel after Bishop of Salisbury then exile in those parts who ever entirely affected and reverenced him as his Father At Zuricke with much gratulation was he most lovingly and respectively received by the Magistrates Ministers Bullinger especially and the maine body of the people and notwithstanding an Order before made to the contrary denying such admittance for some yeeres unto any enrolled instantly for a free Denison There he taught about seven yeers expounding the books of Samuel and a good part of the Kings and writing divers polemicall discoursâ—s against the adversaries of the truth Nor would he remove thence albeit he were with much importunity invited to other places where the meanes were larger as first to Geneva upon the decease of that every way noble Count Maximilian Celsus Pastor of the Italian Church there and after in Queen Elizabeths dayes when Religion was againe here setled Bishop Iewell labouring with him in it to returne into these parts but continued teaching there till he died howbeit being earnestly required by letters as well from the Queen mother of France the King of Navarre the Prince of Condee and other Peeres of that Realm as also from Beza and the rest of the Ministers of the reformed Churches in those parts he obtained leave of the Senate to goe over into France to the solemn Conference at Poysâ—i where how wisely and worthily he demeaned himselfe by the Acts of it may appeare Not long after his accesse to Zuricke desirous to continue the race and name of the Virmilii he tooke him a second wife a Virgin of good note and name commended to him from the Iâ—alian Church at Geneva where she lived an Exile for Religion by whom he had two children a son and a daughter who died both very young before him and left her great with a third that proved a daughter He departed this life quietly after some seven dayes sicknesse sitting in his chaire in the presence of his wife and Religious friends on the twelfth day of Novâ—m in the yeer of grace 1562. and of his owne age the sixty third He was of an able healthy big-boned and well limmed body of a countenance expressing an inward grave and setled disposition of extraordinary parts of learnng as well for humanity as for divinity excellent for disputation much admired wheresoever he came for his discreet and moderate though constant and incorrupt carriage never seen in heat of dispute to breake forth into chollour very painfull and industrious endevouring to doe all the good he could for Gods Church either in the places where he was resiant or elsewhere Nor may be omitted here the speech used of him to those of Zuricke by that learned man Iosias Simler that made the Funerall Oration at his Buriall and hath described his life at large that Another they might have in Martyrs roome but another Martyr they should not have But what he was and how laborious his Workes extant besides many other never published will soon shew which are these 1. A Catechisme or Exposition of the Creed in Italian 2. A Prayeâ—-booke composed out of the Psalmes 3. His Commentaries upon Genesis 4. His Commentaries upon the Booke of Iudges 5. His Commentaries upon the two Books of Samuel 6. His Commentaries upon the first Booke of Kings and eleven chapters of the second 7. His Commentaries upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans 8. His Commentaries upon the first Epistle to the Corinthians 9. His Disputations at Oxford about the Lords Supper 10. His Defence about the orthodox Doctrine of the Lords Supper against Stephâ—n Gâ—rdiner 11. An abridgement of the said Defence made by him afterward 12. His Confession exhibited to the Senate of Strasbourg concerning the supper of the Lord. 13. His judgement concerning the presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament delivered at the Conference of Poyssi 14. A Discourse concerning the Masse 15. A Dialogue concerning the place of Christs Body against the Ubiquitaries 16. His refutation of Richand Smiths two bookes concerning single life and Monkish Vows 17. In his commentaries on the first and second bookes of Aristatle Ethicks and part of the third 18. His Common-Places gathered out of his Commentaries by others and digested into Heads 19. Certain Treatises of Free-wil Gods Providence Predestination and the cause of Sin 20. Propositions some necessary some probable out of Genesis Exodus Leviticus and Judges together with Solutions of a Question or two concerning some Mosaicall Laws and Oathes 21. Divers Sermons and Orations of severall Subjecâ—s and made upon severall occasions 22. His letters to sundry Persons concerning much variety of usefull Discourse Behold this Star which séem'd at the first view Eccâ—ipst with Romish fogs but after grew So bright that his Refulgence did display Truths Banner beaming like the Sun of day His sunshine was not visible alone In true Religions reform'd Horizon But cast his foraign influence as far As th'Artick's distant from th'Antartick star Uext Romes iugenious Malice did compact To quench this flame but failed in the Acts. The seven-crown'd dragons star confronting traine Lasht at this Starâ— but lasht and lasht in vaine Thus he remains sustain'd by higher powers A Saint in heau'ns bright Orbe a Star in Onrs. HVGH LATYMER The Life and Death of Hugh Latimer HVgh Latimer born at Thirkesson in the County of Leicester being of a prompt and sharp wit was by his Parents brought up in learning and at the age of 14. he went to Cambridge where after he had profited in other studies he gave himself to the study of School-Divinity commensed Batchelor in Divinity and was a very zealous Papist made an Oration against Philip Melancâ—hon railed against Master Stafford
rage was spent Ye did him good though with an ill intent Pricke up your eares and hâ—are this fatall tone Those fires which made him screek wil make you groâ— The Life and Death of Conrade Pellican who dyed Anno Christi 1556. COnrade Pellican was born at Rubeac in Swedeland Anno 1478. and brought up in learning by his Parents at thirteen yeeres of age he went to Heidleberg after sixteen moneths study there he returned home where he entered into a Monastery yet afterwards returned to Heidleberg and from thence to Tubinge where he studied the Liberall Arts and was much admired for his quick wit he studied also School-Divinity and Cosmography wherein he profited exceedingly he tooke very great pains in the study of Hebrew and at Basil was made Doctor in Divinity afterwards the Popes Legat took him with him towards Rome being affected with his learning but falling sick of a Fever by the way he returned to Basil. Whilst he thus continued a Fryar he was of great esteeme amongst them because of his learning integrity but it pleased God at last that by reading Luthers bookes and conference with learned and godly men he began to dis-relish the Popish Errors and so far to declare his dislike of them that he was much hated and persecuted for a Lutheran but about the same time the Senate of Basil chose him Lecturer in Divinity in that City togeâ—her with Oecolampadius where he began first with reading upon Genesis then on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes An. Christi 1526. he was by the meanes of Zuinglius sent for to Tygure and being come was most courteously entertained by him there he laid downe his Monks Coul and married a wife by whom he had a son which he named Samuel being then preaching upon the history of Samuel that wife dying he married againe but had no children by his second wife he was present at the Disputation at Bern about Religion after Zuinglius his death there were chosen into his room Henry Bullinger and Theodor Bibliander who was an excellent Linguist and began to read upon Iâ—aie to the great astonishment of his hearers for that he was not above 23. yeers of age Pellican â— at the earnest request oâ— learned men Printed all his Lectures and Annotations which were upon the whole Bible excepting onely the Revelations which portion of Scripture he not intending to write upon caused the Commetaâ—y of Sebastian Meyter upon it to be bound with his to make the worke compleat He translated many bookes out of Hebrew which were printed by Robert Stevens and having been Hebrew Professor at Tygure for the space of thirty yeers wherein he was most acceptable to all not onâ—ly in regard of his excellent learning and indefatigable painâ— but also in regard of his sweet and holy Conversation At lasâ— falling into the pain of the stone other diseases he departed this life upon the day of Christs Resurrection 1556. of his Age 78. After our Pellican had wandred long In the worlds wide-wildernesse he grew so strong In grace and goodnesse that he soon became An ample Subject for the mouth of Fame He was admir'd by all that lov'd to be Serious proficients in Divinity He lives he lives although his body lyes Inshrin'd by earth True virtue never dyes The Life and Death of Bugenhagius who died Anno Christi 1558. IOhn Bugenhagius was born at Iulinum in Pomerania Anâ—â— christi 1485. His Parents were of the rank of Senators who bred him up carefully in Learning and sent him to the University of Grypswald where he profited in the study of the Arts and the Greek tongue Being twenty years old he taught School at Trepta and by his learning and diligence he made the School famous and had many Scholaâ—â— to whom also he red daily some portion of Scripture and pâ—â—yed with themâ— and meeting with Erasmus his booke againe the â—â—strâ—onicall carriage of the Fryarâ— the Idolatry of the times he gat so much light thereby that he was stirred up to instruct others therein and for that end in his Schoole he read Matthew the Epistles to Timothy and the Pâ—alms to which he added Catechising and also expounded the Creed and thâ— ten Commandements unto which exercises many â—entlemen Citizens and Priests resorted from the Schoole he was called to preach in the Church and was admitted into the Colledge of Presbyters many resorted to his Sermons of all ranks and his fame spred abroad insomuch as Bogeslauâ— the Prince of that Country employed him in writing an History of the same aud â—urnished him with mony books and records for the enabling of him thereto which History he compleated in two yeeres with much judgement and integrity Anno Christi 1520. one of the Citizens of Trepâ—a having Luthers booke of the Babylonish Captivitie sent him he gave it to Bugenhagius as he was at dinner with his Collegues who looking over some leaves of it told them that many Hereticks had disqâ—ieted the peace of the Church since Christs time yet there was never a more pestilent Hereticke then the Author of that book but after some few dayes having read it with more diligence and attention he made this publick Recantation before them all What shall I say of Luther All the world hath been blinde and in cimmeâ—ian darknesse onely this one man hath found out the Truth And further disputing of those questions with them he brought most of his Collegues to be of his judgement therein Hereupon Bugenhagius read Lutheâ—'s other Works diligently whereby he learned the difference between the Law and the Gospell Justification by Faith c. and taught these things also to his Hearers But the Divell envying the successe of the Gospell stirred up the Bishop to persecute the professours of it some of which he cast into Prison and caused others to flye away insomuch as Bugenhagius also being not safe and desirous to be acquainted and to confer with Luther went to Wittembourg Anno christi 1521. and of his 〈◊〉 36. and came thither a little before Luther's going to thâ— Diet at Worms In whose absence he opposed â—arolostadius who would have all Magistrates to rule by the Judicialâ— of Moses and Images to be cast out of Churches Upon Luther's return out of his Pathmos he was chosen Pastor of the Church of Wittembourg which he taught and governed with much felicity and in many changes of affairs for the space of thirty six years never leaving his station neitheâ— for War nor Pestilence and when he was profered Richeâ— and Preferment both in Denmark and Pomeron yet he would never leave his Charge though he lived but poorly in itâ— Anno christi 1522. he was sent for to Hamburg where hâ— prescribed to them a forme both of Doctrine Ceremonieâ— and Calling of Ministers where he erected a Schoole alsoâ— which afterwards grew very famous and Anno christi 1530 being sent for to Lubec he prescribed to them also an order both for Preaching and Discipline
Reformation in the Churches he was informed by Melancthon that Ecclesiasticall government did consist 1. In the soundnesse and puritie of Doctrine 2. In the lawfull use of the Sacraments 3. In a conservation of the Minister of the Gospell and in obedience towards the Pastors of the Churches 4. In the preservation of an honest and godly Discipline which was to be upheld by an Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction 5. In the upholding of Schooles 6. In supplying such persons as are imployed in weightie matters with sufficient necessaries Which points he caused to be dispersed amongst the Churches but they wrought little or no Reformation the yeer following Germanie was oppressed with civill Warres which when it was greatly lamented by Melancthon some out of malice misinterpreting his words accused him unto the Emperour as one who laboured to hinder his proceedings in the Reformation of Religion for which cause the Emperour intended his death but he was defended and delivered by the intreaty of Mauritius the Prince Elector who possessed the Emperour with a contrary opinion Not long after it happened that there were great preparations for the Councill of Trent and safe going and returning being concluded on Melancthon was sent with the Letters of the foresaid Mauritius and taking Norimberge in his way he was commanded to stay there untill he received an answer concerning that faith which was generally to be embraced of all the Churches During his aboad at Noremberge he heard the newes of the Expedition of Mauritius against the Emperor in regard of the Lantgrave of Hassia who was detained captive Wherefore Melancthon lefâ— Noremburge returned again to Wittemberge Many are of opinion that if he had been present at the said Councill and had been suffred to declare his mind freely amongst them he would have redified many of their judgements concerning matters of religion Being come unto Wittenberge he constantly went forward in his exercise of teaching and preaching the word of God untill he fell into an irrecoverable disease whereby his vitall spirits grew so feeble that he was made unfit for the performance of his pastorall office and weaknesse increasing every day more and more upon him he was constrained at the last to yeeld unto death and in the midst of many heavenly prayers he surrendred his soul unto him that gave it in the yeer of our Lord 1560. in the 63. yeere of hiâ— age and after that he had preached the space of 42. yeeres unto the inhabitants of Wettemberge Where he was buried with great sorrow and lamentation being laid side by side with Luther For his excellent gifts he was not onely reverenced by Protestant Divines then living but he also gained a singular approbation of such as were his professed enemies He was of a meane stature not exceeding the common sort of men his forehead smooth and high his haire thin his neck long his eyes beautifull and peircing he was broad breasted and in generall there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all the parts of his body in his youth he stammered something in his speech but reaching unâ—o a maturity of age he so corrected that infirmity that it gave no offence unto his Auditors the learned treatises which he left unto the Church whose reformation both in doctrine and discipline he greatly laboured for in his life are here inserted Tome 1. 1. Commentaries on Genesis 2. Explications on some Psalms 3. Vpon the Proverbs Annotations on 4. Matthew 5. Iohn 6. 1 Corinthians 7. An Apologie for Luther against the Paritians 8. Anabaptistists 9. Sentences of Fathers 10. Of the qualification of Princes 11. Of the tree of consanguinity Tome 2. 1. A Comment on Paul to the Romans 2. School-notes on the Colossians 3. Common places of Divinity Tome 3. 1. A confession of Faith 2. A Catechisme 3. A method of Preaching 4. Theologicall Disputations 5. Of Vowes 6. Of the doctrine of the reformed Church 7. An Epistle to John Earle of Widae Tome 4. 1. Philosophicall workes 2. Commentaries on Aristot. Ethicks 3. Politicks 4. An Epitome of Morall Phylosophy Tome 5. 1. A Latin Grammer 2. A Greeke gram 3. Logicke 4. Rhetoricke 5. Enarrations on Hesiods workes 6. Arithmaticke 7. Epigrams These were printed by Hervagius but there are divers others set forth by Christopher Pezelius As 1. An admonition to those that read the Alcaron 2. A defence for the marriage of Priests 3. Commentaries on Daniel 4. A discourse on the Nicene Creed 5. Luthers Life and Death 6. Schoolâ—-notes on Cicero his Epistles 7. Translations of Demosthenes and Plutarch 8. Greeke and Latine Epigrams 9. Two Tomes of Epistles 10. Carion his Cronologie â—nlarged Would thy ingenious Fancy soare and flye Beyond the pitch of moderne Poesye Or wouldest thou learne to charme the conquerd eare With Reth'riks oyly Magik wouldest thou heareâ— The Majesty of language wouldest thou pry Into the Bowels of Philosophy Morall or Naturall Or wouldest thou sound The holy depth and touch the unfathom'd ground Of deepe Theology Nay wouldest thou need The Sisteme of all excellence and feed Thy empty soule with learning's full perfection Goe search Melancthons Tomes by whose direction Thou shalt be led to Fame if his rare story Can make thee emulous of so great a glory The Life and Death of John a Lasco who died Anno Christi 1560. IOhn Lascus was born of a noble family in Poland and brought up in learning afterwards travelling to Tygure in Helvetia he was by Zuinglius perswaded to betake himselfe to the study of Divinity and when he might have been preferred to great honor in his owne Country such was his love to Christ and his Church and such his hatred to Popery that he chose with Moses to suffer affliction with the people of God rather then to live in worldly honor and peace amongst his friends coming into Frisland Anno Christi 1542. he was called to be a Pastor at Embden where he fed and ruled his flock with great diligence the yeere after he was sent for by Ann the widdow of Count Oldenburg to reform the Churches in East-Frisland and the next yeer after by Albert Duke of Prussia but when he agreed not with him in judgement about the Lords Supper the worke remained unperfected about that time the Emerour persecuted the Protestants he was sent for by King Edward the sixth upon Cranmers motion into England where he gathered Preached unto and governed the Dutch-Church which remain's to this day In the dayes of Queen Mary he obtained leave to return beyond-Sea and went with a good part of his Congregation into Denmarke but there he found but cold entertainment by reason of his differing from them about the Lords Supper the Churches of Saxonie also rejected them not suffering them to live amongst them upon the like reason at length that poore Congregation found entertainment in Frisland under the Lady Anne Oldenburg and setled at Embdem Anno Christi 1555. he went thence to Francford upon Main where with the consent of
and the King was so enraged by reason of certain writings opposing the Masse which were scattered up and down the Câ—ty and fastned unto the door of his Bed chamber that aftâ—â— publick Prayers he commanded at the which he himselfâ— was present together with his three Sonnes being barâ—-headed and holding a burning Torch for expiations sake eight persons supposing to be guilty of that act to be burned alive and in the presence of the People he bound himsâ—lfe with a solemn Oath that he would not spare his own châ—â—dren â—f he should but know that they were infected with that most horrible and damned heresie Calvin beholding the miserable state and condition of things resolved to leave France revealing his intent unto an intimate friend of his with whom he was formerly acquainted during his residence with the Queen of Navarre Who out of his singular affection unto Calvin promised to accompany him in his journey wherefore they forthwith prepare for Basil committing their money unto the custody of one of their servants who being well horst and espying an opportunity answering his wicked intent leavs them to shift and to provide for themselves and doubtlesse they had been driven into great distresse had not the other servant furnished them with ten Crownes which he hâ—d about him by means whereof they came at length to Basil. Here he found Symones Grinaeus and Wolfangus Capito who received him with great joy where he continued and gave himself unto the study of the Hebrew tongu here he also set forth his Institutions a laborious learned worke and well worthy of the Author with a Preface most excellent unto the King of France which if he had read it had without doubt given a great wound unto the Popish religion bâ—t the sins of that King and of that Nation were so great and vengeance so near at hand that leave was not given unto them by the Lord to peruse the same Having set forth this book and in some sort performed his duty to his Country he left Basil and went into Italy to visit the daughter of the King of France a vertuous and a godly Princesse whom he there confirmed and strenthned in her religiouâ— course of life whereby she greatly affected him during the time of his life and also made a kind testiâ—â—â—tion of the same unto the world after his death Hence he returned againe into France with an intent to goe for Germany but in regard of the Wars passages were shut up that he could not travell and therefore he turned into Geâ—eva not thinking to mak any residence at all in that place but by the observation of future actions it is evident that he was guided thither by the hand of God into this City not long before his comming the Gospell of Christ was wonderfully brought and that by the labour and industry of two famous Divines viz. Gulielmus Farellus somtimeâ— Scholer unto Iacobus Stapulensis and Petrus Viretus whose labours were aboundently blessed by the Lord Calvin going for to visit these Genevan lights he was entertained by Farellus with a long discourse and thereby discovering the excellency of his parts desiring him to remaine at Geneva and to be an assâ—ant to him in that place for the advancing of the truth of Christ but when he saw that Calvin could not easily be drawn and perswaded thereunto and being a man of a bould spirit he said unto him after a vehement manner I pronounce unto thee in the name of the living and alpowerfull God that unlesse thou joyne with us in this worke of the Lord it will come to passe that he will curse thee as one that seeketh more his owne then the glory of Christ. Calvin being astonished with this terrible sentence and speech of Farellus he forthwith submitted himselfe unto the pleasure of the Presbytery and Magistrates by whose voyces and consent of the People he was not onely chosen to be a Preacher but was also designed to be their Divinity Lecturer and graced with the title of Doctor in the year 1536. which year also is remarkeable for that League concluded betwixt the Cities of Brene and â—eneva touching Divine Worship and also for the conversion of the Inhabitants of Lausanna unto Christ. The first thing which he attempted after his admission into this City was a more exact reformation in the Church for that cause drew a compendium of Christian Religion and forme of Doctrine unto which he laboured to have the Inhabitants to subscribe and to binde themselves by an Oath to abjure the supersticious Doctrine of Rome and to defend the same with their lives This motion was refused by many at the first yet not long after God so disposing even in the year 1537. the Senate and people of Geneva took their Oathes for the defence of the same The ground being thus laid there wanted not enemies and those bitter ones to oppose him in his proceedings for first the Anabaptists began to sow their erronious opinions in the hearts of many to the great detriment of the Church but these were so confuted by Calvin in publick disputation appointed by the Senate that scarcely any one of them appeared afterwards in the City The other disturber of the peace and happinesse of that Church was Petrus Caroli born at Sarbona who as she brought him forth an impudent Sophister so she cast him out againe as a more wicked haeretick being thence cast out he came to Geneva accompanied w th the spirit of the Divel when he saw himself to be sharply reproved of the Inhabitants he went unto their enâ—mies and from thence he returned unto Geneva againe intending to leave behind him some expressions of his worse then diabolicall opinions and for that cause he first began openly to accuse Farell Calvin and Viret of a misconceived opinion concerning the Trinity wherupon a Synad was called at Berne wherein that calumny of Petrus Caroli was condemned But that which strooke the greatest strok for the crushing of these hopefull beginnings was the intestine dissentions and seditions in the City who would not endure this new forme of Government these Farell and Calvin began first to correct with mild admonitions and when they saw that would not prevaile they used more severe and sharper reprehensions which many not brooking the City came to be divided and many renounced that Oath which they had formerly made in respect of w ch actions Calvin Farell with an undaunted courage openly protested that they could not lawfully administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unto them by reason of the disagreements amongst themselves and by reason of their alienation from all Ecclesiasticall discipline There also happened unto this another evill viz. a difference betwixt the Churches of Geneva and Berne about some ceremonies which because it could not presently be concluded on by the Synod at Lausanna but was referred unto another appointed at Tigurum the Commissioners unpatient of delay assembled the people together and
son in learning and at eleven years old sent him to Heidleberg to Schoole and at thirteeâ— yeers old he was admitted into the University and at fifteen he commensed Batchelor there also he studied Greek and Hebrew and was so studious that he usually rose â—t midnight to his Booke whereby he contracted such â—n hâ—bit that he could never after whilst he lived sleepe longer then till midnight the rest of the night he spent in holy Meditaâ—ions And in his old age he had a candle by hiâ— bedsidâ— and deceived the time by writing and meditation Partly by his diligence and partly by his acute wit and strong memory he profited so much both in the Artâ— and Tongues that at eighteen years old he was made Master of Arts. About this time Luthers Books coming abroad Brenâ—ius by reading of them came to the knowledge of the Truth which he willingly embraced And being desirous to pâ—opagate it to others he began to read upon Matthew firâ—t to some friends of his own Colledge but his Auditorâ— encreasing out of other Colledges he was fain to read in the publick Schoolâ— for which the Divines hated him because he grew so popular sayâ—ng That neiâ—her was the place fit for Divinity Lectures nor he fit for such a worke being not yet in Orders Whereforâ— to take away that objection he entered into Orders and Preached often for other men to the great delight of his Hearers From thence he was called to be at Pastor at Hale in Sweveland where his gravity gesture phrase voyce and Doctrine did so pleaâ—e the Senate that though he was but three and twenty years of age yet they chose him to that place and he carried himselfe with such gravity holinesse of life integrity of manners and diligence in his Calling that none could contemn his youth and the Lord so blessed his labours there that many were converted to the Truth yea amongst the very Popish Priests som of them were converted others lâ—ft their places for shame and went elsewhere He used much modesty and wisdome in his Sermons and when in the beginning of his Preaching there the Popish Priests railed exceedingly upon him and his Doctrine and the People expected that he would answer them accordingly he contrariwise went on in teaching the fundamentall points of Religion and as he had occasion he confuted their Errors without bitternesse from cleaâ—e Scripture arguments whereby in time he so wrought upon them that he brought them to a sight of their Errors and to a detestation of their Idolatry About this time Muncer and his companions rose up and stirred almost all the Boorâ— in Germany to take Armes against the Magistrates and rich men abusing Scripture to justifie their proceedings whereupon Brentius was in great danger for many cried out that his opposing of Popery and casting out the old Ceremonies was the Cause of these tumults and when as the Boors in Hale were risen up and threatned to besiege the City of Hale the Magistrates and Citizens were in such fear that they were ready to slye or to joyne with the Boors but Brentius encouraged them and told them That if they would take Armes and defend their City God would assist them c. And so it came to passe for six hundred Citizens beat away foure thouâ—and of those Boors He also published a Booke in confutation of their wicked opinions and shewed how dissonant they were to the Word of God Presently after rose up that unhappy contâ—nâ—ion between Luther and Zuinglius about Christ's presence in the Sacrament which continued divers years to the great disturbance of the Church scandall of the reformed Religion and hinderance of the successe of the Gospell and when a conference was appointed for the composing of that differance Luther Brentius and some others met with Zuingliâ—â— and some of his friends but after much debate they pâ—â—ted without an agreement Anno 1530. was the Diet held at Auspurg unto which the Protestant Princes brought their Divines with them and amongst others Brentius at which time George Marquessâ— of Brandenburg told the Emperour That he would rathâ—r shed his blood and lose his life or lay downe hiâ— necke to the heads-man then alter his Religion Here the Divineâ— drew up that famous Confession of Faith which from the place is â—alled the Augustine-Confession Brentius at his â—eturne home married a Wife famous for her chastity modesty and piety by whom he had six children Vlricâ—â— Prince of Wurtenburg intending to reform Religion in hiâ— Dominions thought it the best way first to reform the Universitie of Tubing and considering where he might have a fit man for so great and difficult a worke he at last resolved upon Brentius whom he sent for and who with much diligence prudence and fidelity accomplished the same In the year 1547. the Emperour with his Army coming to Hale Brentius hoping to prevail with the Captaine thâ—â— no Souldiers should be quartered in his House but when hâ— came home he found the souldiers beating at his door and ready to break it down and when they perceived that Brentius was Mâ—â—ter of that House one of them set an Halbert to his brest threatning to kill him if the doore was not presently opened Whereupon they were let in and he caused meat and drinke to be prepared for them and in the mean time conveyed away all his papers and when he saw the fury and rage of the souldiers he conveyed himselfe and family out at a back door The next day came a Spanish Bishop with his train and putting forth the souldiers he quartered in Brentius his house searched his study looked over his papers and letters and finding some letters to his friends wherein he justified the Protestant Princes in taking Armes against the Emperour he presently carried them to the Emperour whereby Brentius was in great danger and was fain to hide himselfe in a very high Tower and not being safe there he changed his apparell left his wife and children and with one onely companion passed through the Spaniards safely and wandred up and down the fields all that night But when the Emperor was removed with his Army he returned to Hale again In the year 1548. when Caesar had published his Booke called the Interim the Protestant Princes and Magistrates required the judgements of their Divines upon it and the Magistrates of Hale desired Brentius to tell them his judgement who when he had considered it told them That it was a wicked Booke and altogether contrary to the Scriptures and that he would lose his life before he would assent to it This coming to Caesar's eares he sent a Commissary to Hale charging him to bring Brentius to him either alive or dead when the Commissary came thither he insinuated himselfe into Brentius his acquaintance invited him to his Table perswaded him to walke abroad with â—im having prepared Horses to carry him away but that succeeding not he called the Senate together and having sworn them
to keep private what he should tell them he imparted his Commission telling them how acceptable it would be to the Emperour if they would send to him Brentius but if they refused the Emperour would destroy their City c. It pleased God that whilest he was thus perswading the Magistrates there came in one later then his fellowes and the Commissary not minding it did not tender the Oath to him so when they were dismissed this man wrote to Brentius Fuge fuge Brenti cito citius citissime which note was brought him as he sate at supper having read it he told his Family that he must goe forth upon businesse but would return ere long As he was going out of the City he met the Commissary who asked him whither he went He answered To a sick friend in the Suburbs who had sent for him Well said the Commissary to morrow you must dine with me He replyed God willing and so they parted Being thus escaped he hid himselfe in a thick Wood and for some weeks together he lay in the Wood all day and every night came into a Villege to a friends house where he lodged he wrote also to the Magistrates of Hale that if they could and would protect him he was ready to come back and not to forsake his flock but if they could not he did not desire that they should indanger themselves for his sake They answered that they could not protect him and therefore left him free to goe whither he pleased Presently after Vlricus Prince of Wurtenburge invited him to him and ordered him to be so private that he himselfe might not know where he was that if he was asked he might safely deny his knowledge of him yet upon suspicion his Castle was searched but Brentius was in another place where in his retirement he wrote a Comment upon the ninety third Psalm afterwards he went to Basil as to a safer place where his wife dyed of a Consumption from thence he removed to the Castle of Horrenburge in the Hyrcinian Wood where he changed his name and gave out that he was the Keeper of the Castle and whilst he was there he frequented the Sermons in a neighbor towne where the Minister used to spin out his Sermons to a great length whereupon Brentius took occasion modestly to tell him of it to whom the Minister answered You Castle-keepers think all time too long at Church but no time too long that you spend in drinking Brentius smiling at it said no more Whilest he was there he perfected his Comment upon Isaiah and some other Works afterwards he had great profers made him by the Citizens of Magdeburge by Edward the sixth King of England and by the Duke of Broussia but he refused them all and thus continued in banishment for the space of two years Anno Christi 1550. Vlricus Duke of Wurtenburg dyed and his son Christopher succeeding he resolved to restore the Ministers which were driven away by the Interim to their Charges within his Dominions and to perfect the Worke of Reformation and for that end sent for Brentius and kept him in his Castle of Stutgard that he might have his advice and assistance in carrying on of that work neither was he discouraged by the admonitions of the Princes and Bishops nor by the threats of the Garrisons that were about him but caused Brentius to write a Confession of Faith and of the Doctrine of Christian Religion and â—bout the chiefe points in Controversie which he intended to send to the Councill of Trent about that time Brentius married againe one Catharine Isenmam a choise woman who was a great comfort to him all the rest of his life by whom also he had twelve children the year after the Pastor of Stutgard dying Brentius was chosen in his room in which place he continued all his life and carryed himselfe with much sedulity piety and prudence in the same Anno Christi 1557. he was sent by his Prince to the Conference at Worms which came to nothing because the Popish party would not suffer that the Scripture should be â—he Judge of their Controversies In his old age he wrot upon the Psalmes and whereas there were many Monasteries in Wurâ—enburge out of w ch the Fryars were driven he perswaded his Prince to turn them to Schools for the training up youth in learning which was accordingly don and once in two years Brentius visited those Schools and tooke notice how the Scholars profited in learning and encouraged them to make a daily progresse therein he had almost finished his Comment upon the Psalmes when as his old age worn out with studyes and labors put a period unto the same and his end was hastned by grief for the immature death of hiâ— Prince for whom he professed that he would willingly have sacrificed all his estate and his owne life also Falling inâ—o a Fevor whereby he perceived that his end approached he made his Will wherein he set downe a Confession of his Faith and sending for the Ministers of Stutgard he caused his Son to read it to them requested them to subscribe their hands as witnesses to it he also received the Sacrament and exhorted them to unity in Doctrine and love amongst themselves he was exceeding patient in all his sicknesse neither by word nor gesture shewing the least impatience alwayes saying That he longed for a better even an eternall life the night before his death he slept sweetly and when he awaked the Minister repeated the Apostles Creed and asked him whether he dyed in that Faith to whom he answered Yea which was his laâ—t word and so he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1570. and of his Age 71. He was buried with much honor â—nd had this Epitaph Voce stylo pietate fide candore probatus Johannes tali Brentius ore fuit With voice style piety faith candor grac'd In outward shape Iohn Brentius was thus fac'd Toss'd in the ship of fortune Bâ—entius sail'd From place to place his courage never fail'd But with resolved Constancy he bent His minde to suffer free from discontent The rage of Papists could not make him yeeld To their desires True vertue was his shield The strength of his afflictions added strength Unto his soul his suffrings had no length Except of dayes and them he knew to be Bâ—t servile Subjects to Mortality Thus like a patient sufferer he fled From earth to heaven and there repos'd his head The Life and Death of Peter Viretus who dyed Anno Christi 1571. PEtâ—r Viretus was born in the Country of the Bernates brought up in learning at Paris where he began to be acquainted with Farellus from thence he went to Lusanna where he was chosen Pastor and spent much of his time in teaching and writing there and when Calvin was sent to the Conference at Worms Anno Christi 1541. and from thence to Ratisbone he obtained of the Senate of Lusanna that Viretus should
Prisoners he wonderfully refreshed and comforted them by his godly exhortations and consolations drawn from the Scriptures whereby they were much confirmed in the Christian Faith and whereas before they were almost pined through want of food God so stirred up the heartâ— of some to bring reliefe to Zegedine that all the rest of the prisoners were provided for plentifully thereby Remaining thus in prison he was not idle but wrote there his Common-places and some other Works thus he remained in Prison above a year in which time three of his children dyed which added much to his aâ—fliction and though his people had used the intercession of all their great men there about for his liberty yet all prevailed not till it pleased God that a Noble Baron and his Lady passing by that way saw this worthy man of God in so miserable a plight that the Lady much pitied him and afterwards being in Child bed and ready to dye she requested her Lord who loved her dearly for her sake to improve all his interest in the Bashaw to procure Zegedines liberty which he with an oath promised to perform and accordingly engaged himselfe to the Turk that he should pay 1200. Florens for his ransome thereupon he was released and went about to diverse Cities to gather his ransome and God so enlarged mens hearts towards hâ—m that in a short time he carried 800. Florns to this Baron and so returned to his people at Calmanâ—sem The year after being 1564. as he was going by coach to Buda when the horses came near the great river Danubius being very hot and dry thy ran violently into the river but behold the admirable providence of God when they had swam some twenty paces in the river they turned back again and drew the coach and him safely to the shore The same year by the Imposition of Hands he ordained three excellent men Ministers About that time there came a bragging Fryar and challenged him to a Disputation which he willingly accepting of the great Church was appointed for the place and many of both sides resorted thither and the Fryar came with much confidence his servants carrying a great sacke of Bookes after him but in the Disputation Zegedine did so baffle him that all his friends shrunk away with shame and the Fryar with his great sack was left all alone so that himselfe was fain to take it on his own shoulders and goe his way About that time the Vaivod who had before betrayed him coming to the place where Zegedine was desired to speake with him and requested him to forgive him professing that he could rest neither night nor day he was so haunted with apparitions and the Furies of his own conscience which Zegedine easily affented unto In the year 1566. Zegedine being very hot invited a friend to goe with him to the River of Danubius to bathe himself but as they were swiming his friend looking about him saw not Zegedine and wondering what was become of him so suddenly at last he spyed his hoarie hairs appearing above water and swimming swiftly to him Zegedine was sunk whereupon he diving to the bottome of the river caught hold of him and drew him forth carrying him to a Mill that was not far off where he laid him to bed about midnight Zegedine coming to himself enquired how he came there and who drew him out of the River hiâ— friend told him the whole story and kept him carefully till he recovered In the year 1572. he fell into a mortall dsease which so much the more afflicted him becausâ— he could not sleepe whereupon he sent for a Chirurgion who gave him a bitter potion which caused him to fall a sleepe but after a little while he quietly breathed forth his last being sixty seven years of age How full of patience how divine Was this our learned Zegedine Though cast in prison and restrain'd From food yet he the truth maintain'd His heart resolved from his youth Rather to starve then starve the truth For Disputations few there were That could with Zegedine compare His rare example lets us know Patience o'recomes the greatest woe The Life and Death of John Knox who dyed Anno Christi 1572. JOhn Knox was born at Gifford in Lothain in Scotland Anno 1505. of honest Parentage brought up first at School then sent to the University of Saint Andrews to study under Master Io. Maior who was famouâ— for learning in those dayes and under whom in a short time he profited exceedingly in Philosophy and School Divinity and took hiâ— Degrees and afâ—erwards was admitted very young into Orders then he betook himself to the reading of the Fathers especially Augustine's Works and lastly to the earnest study of the holy Scriptures by w ch being through God's mercy informed of the Truth he willingly embraced it and freely professed it and imparted it to others But when there was a persecution raised up by the Bishops against the Professours of the Truth he fled into England where he preached the Gospel with much zeal fruit both at Berwick Newcastle and London He was much esteemed â—y King Edward the sixt who proffered him a Bishoprick which he rejected as having Aliquid commune cum Antichristo something in it common with Antichrist King Edward being dead the pâ—rsecution raised by Queen Mary made him leave England and goe to Frankefort where for a time he preached the Gospel to the English Congregation but meeting with opposition there both from Papists and false brethren he went to Geneva Anno Christi 1559. and of his age 54. the Nobility of Scotland with some others beginning the Reformation of Religion sent for him home and shortly after he was setled Minister at Edinbrough where he preached many excellent Sermons Anno Christi 1566. the Earl of Murray being slain on the Saturday Knox preaching at Edinbrough the next day amongst the papers given of those that desired the prayers of the Church he found one with these words Take up the man whom yee accounted another God At the end of his Sermon he bemoaned the losse that the Church and State had by the death of that vertuous man adding further There is one in this company that makes this horrible murder the subject of his mirth for which all good men should be sorry but I tell him he shall dye where there shall be none to lament him The man that had written those words was one Thomaâ— Metellan a young Gentleman of excellent parts but bearing small affection to the Earl of Murray he hearing this commination of Iohn Knox went home to his Sister and saâ—d That Iohn Knox was raving to speak of he knew not whom His Sister replyed with tears If you had taken my advice you had not written those words saying further Thaâ— none of Iohn Knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect And so indeed this came to passe for shortly after this Gentleman going to travell dyed in Italy having none to assist
unto the Senate who had hitherto constantly defended the doctrine of the Gospell As he tooke his leave thus of the Pastors by word of mouth so he tooke his leave of the Senate by writing commending the care of the Church and publick-schoole unto them withal desires that Rodolphus Guatterus might be his successor whom he adjudged the most fit for the discharging of a Pastorall office in that place having thus after a friendly manner taken his leave he prepared himselfe to meet the Lord and in the midst of his extremities sometimes repeating the sixteenth sometimes the forty two sometimes the fifty one Psalmes sometimeâ— the Lords prayers sometimes other prayersâ— at the last framing himselfe as it were to sleep he quietly yeelded his soule into the hands of God on the eighteenth of September in the year 1575. and in the 71. year of his age He was thâ— most excellent of all the Divines that Switzerland yeelded he was an undaunted defender of the truth of Christ he was of a weak disposition plainâ— in teaching a lover of truth but a detâ—ster of Sophisticall â—nd unprofitable arguments in his speech he was affable and courteous aswell towards those of his family as towards strangers he was sparing in his dyet loving unto all and studious as it plainly appeares by his works here following which he left behind him as testifications of his desire unto the generall good and benefit of the Church Tome 1. 1. A Catechisme for the Trigurine Schoolmasters 2. An Epitomie of Christian Religion in ten Books 3. Sermons on the â—eads of Christian Religion Tome 2. 1. A Confession and Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 2. A Declaration proving the Protestant Churches â—o be neither Hereticall nor Scismaticall 3. A Compendium of the Popish and Protestant tenets 4. The old Faith and Religion 5. Of Gods eternall Covenant 6. An Assertion of the two natures in Christ. 7. Institâ—tion of Christian Matrimony 8. Instructions for the sicke 9. Declarations of Gods benefits unto the Switzers 10. Exhortations to Repentance Tome 3. 1. A Treatise of the Sabbath and of Christian â—easts 2. Of the Office of Magistrates and of an Oath 3. Of Repentance 4. Of Conversion unto God 5. An Explanation of Daniels Prophesies 6. Of the office Prophetical 7. An Exhortation unto Ministers to leave off Controversies 8. Of the Originall of Maâ—omenatisme 9. Of the Persecutions of the Church Tome 4. 1. A Preface to thâ— Latin Bible 2. Sixtie six Homilies on Daniel 3. Epitomie of the times from the Creation to the Destâ—uction of Jerusâ—lem Tome 5. 1. Homiliâ—s on Isaiah 2. Sermons on Jeremiah 3. An Exposition on the Lamentation Tome 6. 1. Commentaries on Matthew 2. Marke 3. Luke 4. John 5. Acts of the Apostles 6. A Series of times and actions of the Apostles Tome 7. 1. Commentaries on the Epistles of Saint Paul 2. Sermons on the Revelation Tome 8. 1. A Demonstration of Christian perfection to Henry the second King of France 2. Of the authority of the Scripture 3. Of the Iâ—stitution of Bishops Never could worth lodge in a richer brest Those blessings he enjoy'd made others blest He was compos'd of sweetnesse and his heart Was alwayes cheerefull willing to impart The truth to them that studyed how to grieve For sin and would prove willing to believe He was laborious and he could expresse Hatred to nothig more then Idelnesse Grave Doctors of those times would then submit To his profound incomparable wit For his grave judgment was so highly pris'd That most would act what Bullengeâ— advis'd Is it not â—iting then that we should give Due praise to him whose worth will make him live The Life and Death of Edward Deering who dyed Anno Christi 1576. EDward Deering was borne of a very ancient family in Kent and carefully brought up both in Religion and Learning From School he went to Cambridge and was admitted into Chrisâ—'s College where he profited exceedingly and became a very famous Preacher as may appear by his most learned and holy Sermons and Tractates full of heavenly consolation He never affected nor sought after great titles of preferments and therefore rested content with his Fellowship in that Colledge and only Comensed Batchelor of Divinity yet afterwards he was made a Preacher in S t. Pauls Church in London and having worn out himselfe with his labours in the worke of the Lord he fell sick and discerning his approaching death he said in the presence of his friends that came to visit him The good Lord pardon my great negligence that whilest I had time I used nâ—t his precious gifts to the advancement of his glory as I might have done Yet I blesse God withall that I have not abused these gifts to ambition and vain studies When I am once dead my enemies shall be reconciled to me except they be such as either knew me not or have no sence of goodnesse in them for I have faithfully and with a good conscience served the Lord my God A Minister standing by said unto him It is a great happinesse to you that you dye in peace and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like meet with To whom he answered If God hath decreed that I shall sup together with the Saints in heaven why doe I not goe to them but if there be any doubt or hesitation resting upon my spiâ—it the Lord will reveale the truth unto me When he had layen still a while a friend said unto him that he hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whil'st he lay so silentâ— to whom he answered Poore wretch and miserable man that I am the least of all Saints and the greatest of Sinners yet by the eye of Faith I beleeve in and look upon Christ my Saviour yet a little while and we shall â—ee â—ur hope The end of the world is come upon us and we shall quickely receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for Afflâ—ctions deseases sicknesse griefe are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world Iâ—'s not enough to begin for a little while execept we persevere in the fear of the Lord all thâ— dayer of our lives for in a moment we shall be taken away Takâ— heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of nor dis-esteem the Word of God blessed are they that whil'st they have tongues use them to God's glory When he drew near to his end being set up in his bed some of his friends requested him to speak something to them that might be for their â—dification and comfort whereupon the Sun shining in his face he took occasion from thence to say thus unto them There is but one Sun in the world nor but one Righteousnesse one Communion of S ts â— If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world if I weâ—â— equall in righteousnesse to Abraham Isaac and Jacob yet had I reason
to confesse my selfe to be a sinner and that I could expect 〈◊〉 salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christâ— For we all staâ—d in need of the Grace of God And as for my death I blesse God I feel and find so much inward joy and comfort to my soul that if I were put to my choyse whether to die or live I would a thousand times rather chuse death then life if it may stand with the holy wiâ—â— of God and accordingly shortly after the slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1576. What greater Simptomes can there be of grace Then to be penitent the greatest race A Christian can desire to run is this Fron earths base centre to eternall blisse This race our Deering run he spent his time Whilest here he liv'd in studying how to clime To Heav'ns high Court true vâ—â—tue was his prize And God the object where he fixt his eyes Faith Hope and Charity did sweetly rest Within the Councell Chamber of his brest And to conclude the graces did agree To make a happy soul and that was he The Life and Death of Flacius Jlliricus who dyed Anno Christi 1575. MAtthias Flacicus Illiricus was born in Albona in Sclavoâ—a Anno Christi 1520. his Father whil'st he lived broâ—ght him up in learning careâ—ully but after his dâ—ath his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all but when he began to have discretion he desired much to attaine to learning and for that end he went to Venice and after some progresse made at seventeen years old he began to â—tudy Divinity but wanting meanes to maintain him in the University he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery either at Bononia or Padua but a friend diâ—swading him from that kinde of life advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of learned men He went therefore to Basil where he studied under Grynaeus and from thence to Tubing where also he studied a while and then went to Wiâ—tenbâ—rg Anno Christi 1541. where he privately taught Greek and Hebrew for hiâ— maintenance and heard Luther and Melancthon He was much troubled there with temptations about sin God's wrath and Predestination but by the good councell of Pomeâ—â—ne and Luther and the publick prayers of the Church for him it pleased God that he overcame them Melancthon loved him much for his wit and learning there he was made Master of Arts married a wife and had a stipend allowed him by the Prince 〈◊〉 But when by reason of the Wars that University was dissipated he went to Bâ—â—nswiâ—ke got much credit by his publick teaching but the Wars being ended he return'd to Wittenberg Anno 1547. But when the Interâ—m came forth and Melancthon thought that for peace-sake som thing should be yeelded to in things indifferent Flacius with many other Divines strongly opposed it as opening a gap to the retnrne of Popery whereupon he removed from thence to Magdeburg where he strongly opposed whatsoever was contrary to the Augustine Confession there alsâ— he assisted in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries And wheâ— the Duke of Saxony had erected an University at Ieans he sent for him thither Anno Christi 1556. but after five years a great contention arising between Strigelius and him about Free-will he left that place and went to Ratisbone â— anâ— Anno Christi 1567. the Citizens of Anâ—werp having proâ—â—â—â—â— liberty for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion sent for Flacius amongst others thither but Religion being quickly expelled thence he went to Argentine and from thence to Franckefurt upon the Main where after a while falling out with the Ministers about the Essence of Originall Sin he fell into great disgrace and not long after dyed Anno Christi 1575. and of his age 55. He was of an unquiet wit alwayes contending with some or other and brought much griefe to Melancthon yet wrote some excellent works for the benefit of the Church and amongst oothers his Catalogus Testium Veritatis He was a man as some reported fit To be the Master of unquiet wit He was contentious which brought discontent To rare Melancthon yet some time he spent In serious studyes leaving at his death Rare workes behind to give his fame a breath The Life and Death of Josias Simlerus who dyed Anno Christi 1576. IOsias Simlerus was born in Helvetia Anno Christi 1530. his father was a godly learned and prudent man by whom he was carefully brought up in learning and at fourteen years of age he was sent to Tygure where he lived in Bullingeâ—'s family who was his godfather almost two years from thence he went to the University of Basil where he studied the Arts and Tongues one year and from thence he went to Argentine where he made a further progresse in those studies and at the end of three yeares he returned to his fathers with whom he spent his time in study and teaching a School and sometimes also preaching Anno Christi 1552. he began publickly to expound the New Testamâ—nt beginning in Matthew in Tygure being twenty two yeares old which worke he performed with great judgement fidelity and diligence having not onely many of that City to be his hearers but many Exiles especially of the English also four years after he was made Deacon and went on in his former worke with admiration so that he was highly prized by all Bibliander being grown very old Simler supplyed his place and was Collegue to Peter Martyr who fore-told that Simler was like to prove a great ornament to the Church who also when he dyed expressed much joy that he should leav so able a man to succeed him Simler besides his publick labours instructed many also in private and amongst them some Noblemen both in sacred and humain learning he had such an acute wit and strong memory that he was able Extempore to speak of any subject and to answer his friends questions out of any author and to give an account of their wrintings to the great admiraâ—tion of the hearers and though in reading of bookes he seemed to run over them very superficially yet when he had don he was able to give an exact account of any thing that was in them and being so troubled with the gout that many times he was confined to his bed and had the use of none of his members but his tongue onely yet in the mid'st of his pains he used to dictate to his amanuensis such things as were presently printed to the great admiration of learned men besides the gout he was much troubled with the stone so that the pains of these diseases together with his excessive labors in his Ministry hastened his immature death which he also fore-saw yet without any consternation or feare but by his frequent and fervent prayers to God he endeavored to fit himselfe for it and accordingly Anno Christi 1576. he resigned up his spirit unto God being forty five years old and was buried in
who dyed Anno Christi 1584. ABraham Bucholtzer was born at Schovavium in the year 1529. and from his infancy brought up by his Parentâ— in Religion and Learning When he was first set forth to School he profited to admiration outstripping all his Schoolfâ—llows by his acute wit and industry and being well pâ—incipled at Schoole he went to the University at Wittâ—nberg Accounting it his great happinesse that he was borne after the light of the Gospell brakâ— forth and bred up under Mâ—lancthon upon whose Lectures he attended diligenâ—lâ— and â—ucked in from him not onely the principles of Learning but of Religion also About that time there spâ—ang up many errors but by the helpe of Melancthon he was able both to discover and confute them There also he studied Grâ—â—k and Hebrew When he was six and twenty years old he went from thence into Silesia to visit his friends and to see the chiefest Cities and whilst he was there the Senate oâ— Grunberg consulted about the erecting oâ— a School in that Câ—ty and for the aâ—vancement of the same they chose Bucholtzer to be the Master thereof and sent to him by Luke Cunon who was their Pastor desiring him to undertake that office Hereupon he asked Melancthons advice who much encouraged him to accept of the place saying Quantum solatium est pio paedagogâ— assidentibus caâ—stis angelis sedere in coeâ—u incontaminato juniorum qui Deo placent docere tenera ingenia ut rectè agnoscant invocent Deum deinde organa fiant utilia Ecclesiae suis animabus Upon his advice therefore he went thither in the year 1556. and by his excellent abilities and diligence he quickly made that place which before was obscure to become famous Scholars resorting to him from all parts whom he bred up both in Religion and Learning and fitted them so excellently for the University that Melancthon never questioned any that came from his School saying Hoc est persuasum sibi habere â—udes impolitos esse non posse qui à politissimi judicii homine Abrahamo Bucholâ—zero essent informati That he was verily perswaded that they could not be rude or unfitting for the University that came from under the tuition of Abraham Bucholtzer who himselfe was a man of so polite a judgement In the year 1559. he married a wife who proved a great comfort to him and by whom he had many children whom he tendered exceedingly and educated them in the fear of God from their very infancy He grew so famous all over Silesiâ— that many desired to have him for their Pastor and at last Sprottavia enjoyed him where he continued doing much good to 1573. at which time Catharine the relict of Henry Duke of Brunâ—wick sent for him to her Court to whom he went partly by reason of his great engagements to that Family but especially because he enjoyed not his health in Sprottavia The year after this pious Lady dyed he then was called to Eleutheropolis by Euphemia the wife of Sir Fabian Belloquert he Preached â—here in the great Câ—â—rch to which the Citizens flocked exceedingly insomuch as when that pious and illustrious Ernest Prince of Anhalt sent for him and profered him an honorable stipend he refused to leave his place He had an excellent sweetnesse and dexterity in Preaching was of a sound judgment and holy life His Sermons were so piercing that he never Preached but he wrought wonderfully upon the affections of his hearers If any were cast down under the sence of sin and wrath he exceedingly comâ—orted them If any were troubled with tentations and afflictions he raised them up c. He had a lively voyce lively eye lively hand and such were all his gestures also his Ministery was so gratefull that his hearers were never weary or thought hiâ— Sermons too long He was full of self-deniall insomuch as that excellent Lady Catherine of Brandenburg used to say that all the rest of her Courtiers and Family were alwayeâ— craving something of her Bucholtzer on the contrary never asked her for the worth of a farthing yea he refusâ—d gifts when they were profered to him preferring kindnesse before the gift the fruit of his Ministery before the reward of it He was so humble that when his friends blamed him for living in so obscure a place whilst he taught Schoole he told them that he preferred it before a Kingdome he could never endure to hear himself commended and if his friends in their letters had written any thing to his praise he could not read it with patience sed terreri se laudationibus illis tanquam fulminibus dicebat qui nihil in se magni videret c. His candor was such that he never spake or wrote any thing but from his heart he never read or heard any thing from others but he made a candid construction of it His care in his publick Ministery was to avoid those questionâ— that doe but gender unto strife and to instruct his auditors how to live well and dye well He spent his spare houreâ— in reading Ecclesiasticall and Profane histories and profited so much thereby that one affirmed in writing universam antiquitatem in Bucholtzeri pectuscuol latuisse reconditam that all antiquity lay hid in his breast he finding som great errors in Funccius his Chronology set himselfe to write one which with indefatigable pains he brought to perfection whilst he thus publickly and privately busied himselfe he fell into a grievous disease and just about the same time he lost his faithfull and beloved yoak fellow that was the Mother of nine children but upon his recovery he married another with whom he lived not long before the Lord put an end to all his labours and sorrowes Anno Christi 1584. and of his Age 55. Religion Learning both agreed to met And make Bucholtzer prove their winding sheet Nay and their Sepulchre for there they lay Imbracing in his little lumpe of Clay He loved vertue and his heart dispis'd To follow that which Papists had devis'd His balmy language heald the bleeding hearts Of them whose consciences retain'd the darts Of wounding sin his soul still took delight To bring them out of darkenesse into light But since hee 's gon what can we say but this He rested here with love In heaven with blisse The Life and Death of John Wigandus who dyed Anno Christi 1587. JOhn Wigandus was born in Mansfield in the year 1523. of honest Parents of a middle ranke who carefully brought him up in Learning which naturally he was much addicted unto having an excellent wit and firme memory so that having profited much at School he went to the University of Wittenberg where he continued about three years which time he spent in the studiâ— of the Arts and Tongues which night and day he imployed himselfe in and in the year 1541. by the advice of his Tutors and friends he went to Norinberg where he was made Master of the School
the little light allowed them and by the swiftnesse of their wings to regaine the shortnesse of the time So this good man as if presaging that his life was likly to be very short dying at the forty fourth year of his age husbanded it with double diligence to Gods glory and by his industry gained in thicknesse what he wanted in length 16. When Ahab dyed the Epâ—â—affe as I may say was written on his grave That he built an Ivory House A great honour indeed to have a milke-white Pallace and a blacke soul within it But of gracious Iosiah it is said 2. Chron. 35. 26. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his goodnesse and his deeds first and last This indeed was worth remembring I can tell the Reader of no Ivory house no beautifull building no stately structures this Master Perkines erected but as for his goodnesse with Iosiah very much may be spoken thereof For he did not onely as Scripture praise is Serve his Generation that is discharge himselfe with credit in all reference to those persons to whom he stood related in that Age he lived in but also he hath provided in his Workes a Magazine of Learning and Religion for all Generations to come So that the Levites which as yet lurkes in the loynes of Abraham their great Grandfather infants as yet concealed in their causes have just reason alwayes to bâ— thankfull to God for the benefit they receive from thosâ— Monuments he hath left behinde him His Stature was indifferent complexion ruddy hayre bright body inclined to corpulency which proceeded not from any lazinesse but pulse and paines shall make one fat where God gives the blessing He was lame of his right hand like another Ehud Iud. 3.15 yet made the instrument to dispatch many Eglon errors in judgement and vice in conversation And nature commonly compensates corporall defects with a surplusage of the Soule As for such as make bodily markes in men the brands of disgrace â—pon them we will send them to halting but true heartâ—â— Iacob bleare-eyed but faithfull Leah stammering but meeke Moses lame but loyall Mephibosheth with other Saints in the Scripture so to have their erronious judgements rectified into a more charible opinion He was much afflicted with the Stone the attendant of a sedentary life whereby his patience was much exercised This brought him at last to his long home so called Eccles. 12.5 not because man is long going thither but long yea for ever staying there When he quietly surrendred his soul into the hands of his Creator dying rich onely in Grace the love of God and good men It was true of him what Saint Paul said 2 Cor. 6.10 being poore but making many rich Even in a litterall sence the Sellers of his Books gained but small profit came to the Author He was buried in a decent manner where all the spectators were Mourners veris spirantibus lachrymis Doctor Mouâ—tague afterwards Bishop of Wincher Preached his Funerall Sermon taking for his Text Moses my servant is dead Iosh. 1.2 and hath no other Monument then his owne vertues except any will say that the plaine Stones which cover his Grave are made Marble by the worth of the Corps beneath them A Wife and many Children he left behinde him she married successively two other Husbands but no more Mr. Perkinses If any charitable disposed Person hath been blessed by God with a Cup which overfloweth and if he desireth that some drops of the same should fall upon them who are the proper objects of bounty I doubt not but an easie inquiring he may quickly finde out some of this worthy mans Children as not so poore openly to request so not so proud but they would thankfully receive such expressions of his Charity Yea what Saint Paul said of the Iews may truely be applyed to the good mans memory We are debters unto c. So that what is bestowed in this kinde on his is not so much a guift as a paying an obligation He was borne the first and dyed the last year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth so that his life ran parallel with her reigne streaming in equall length and had both their fountains and fals together He dyed Anno Dom. 1602. 1 A foundation of Christian Religion 2 His Golden â—haine or description of Divinity 3 An Exposition of the Apostles Creed 4 An Exposition of the Lords Prayer 5 A Declaration of the state of Gracâ— and Condemnation 6 Cases of Conscience 7. A discourse of the Tongue done in Latine by Thomas Drax 8 Of the nature and practice of Repentance 9 Of the meanes to dye well in all states and â—imes 10 Of the combate of the flesh and spirit into Latine by Drax. 11 Of the course to live well 12 A Treatise of Conscience 13 The Reformed Catholicke 14 Of the â—rue meanes to know Christ crucified and the Graâ—ne of Mustard-seed into Latine by Thomas Draxe 15 Of true Wealth 16 Of the Idolatry of the last times 17 Of Gods free grace and of free will in Men. 18 Of mens callings 19 Of Predestination in Latine by the Author 20 His Bible harmony 21 A Dialogue of the worlds dissolution These that follow were set forth after the Authors death 1 Three bookes of the cases of Conscience translated into Latine by Thomas Draxe and Meyer 2 Commentaries on the five first Chapters on the Galathians 3 Of Christian Equity by Carshaw 4 Of Mans Imagination set forth by Thomas Peirson 5 Problemes against Coxe in Latine by himselfe set forth by Samuel Ward 6 The key of Prophesie set forth by Thomas Tuke 7 Commentaries upon the fifth sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew set forth by Thomas Peirson 8 Commentaries on the three first chapters of the Apocalyps by Robert Hill and Thomas Peirson 9 Of the tentation of Christ from the first verse to the 12. of the fourth chapter of Matthew 10 An exhortation to Repentance 11 Two excellent Treatises of Ministers calling set out by Master Crashaw 12 A Commentary on Judes Epistle by Thomas Pickering 13 Of poysoning a Treatise 14 Against Prognosticks An Answer to a Countrey fellow 15 Of the houshold Discipline in Latine by the Author now Englished Of all the Worthies in this learned role Our English Perkins may without controle Challenge a crowne of Bayes to deck his head And second unto none be numbered For 's learning wit and worthy parts divine Wherein his Fame resplendantly did shine Abroad and eke at home for 's Preaching rare And learned writings almost past compare Which were so high estéem'd that some of them Translated were as a most precious jem Into the Latine French Dutch Spanish tongue And rarely valued both of old and young And which was very rare Them all did write With his left hand his right being uselesse quite Borne in the first dying in the last year Of Quéen Eliza a Princesse without péer Place here Bishop Androwes his Life marked with this Signiture ***
where he spent six years and from thence he went to Tâ—bing where differing from Doctor Andreas abouâ— predestination he went thence to Basil Anno Christi 1583. in which place he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity and being made Tutor to some young Noblemen went to Geneva Heidleberge and to some other places with them he was madâ— Doctor in Divinity by Grynaeus Anno 1590. and having afterwards at Geneva publickly expounded the Prophesie of Malachie he returned to Basil where he was chosen the Professor of Divinity which place he faithfully discharged for fourteen years space expounded Daniel Ezekiel and a good part of the Psalmes afterwards falling sick of a Feaver he wholly resigned up him himselfe to the will of God comforted himselfe with diverse pregnant Texts of Scriptures and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno 1610. and of his age 51. How justly may Polanus have a part Of honour 'mongst these men of high desert A learned Doctor of Divinity And was of Basils University Chosen Professour where with love and fame For fourteen years he managed the same Then falling sick he of a feaver dy'd Whose soul doth in celestiall joyes reside The Life and Death of Thomas Holland who dyed Anno Christi 1612. THomas Holland was born in Shropshire Anno Christi 1538. and brought up in Exceter Colledge in Oxford where he tooke his degrees with much applause afterwards he Commenced Doctor in Divinity was chosen Master of the Colledge and for his learning was preferred to be â—he Regius Professor or Doctor of the Chair wherein he succeeded Doctor Humphred and so deported himselfe in the same that he gat the approbation and admiration both of that Univâ—rsity and of Forreign Universities also Hee was like Apollos a man mighty in the Scriptures and as one saith of him Adeb cum Patribus familiaris ac si ipse Pater cum Scholasticis ac si Seraphicus Doctor i. e. he was so familiarly acquainted wiâ—h the Fathers as if himselfe had been one of them and so verst in the Schoolmen as if he were the Seraphick Doctor He was also a faithfull Preacher of the truth and one that adorned it by his holy life and conversation A zealous defender of the true Religion and a great hater of superstition and Idolatry iusomuch that when he went any journy calling the fellows of the Colledge together he used to say to them Commendo vos dilectioni Dei odio Papatus superstitionis I commend you to the love of God and to the hatred of Popery and superstition He continued Doctor of the Chair twenty yeares and was every way as famous for his Religion and holinesse of life as he was for his learning when in his old age he grew weak and sickly he spent all his time in fervent Prayes and heavenly Meditations aud when his end approached he often sighed out Come O Come Lord Iesus thou morning star Come Lord Iesus I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee and so he qâ—ietly departed in the Lord Aâ—no Christi 1612. and of his age 73. And worthily doth Doctor Holland merit His predecessours praises to inherit Who for 's great learning and his parts most rare Was Regius Professour Doct'r o th' Chair Of Exeter Colledge with approbation Of all that knew him even to admiration I th'Schoolmen aâ—d the Fathers so well seen As if he had Seraphick Doctor been A pious and most painefull Preacher known A faithfull zealous frâ—end to Trâ—th and One That heartily did hate idolatry Who as he liv'd a precious Saint did dye IOHN BALE The Life and Death of John Bale AMong those who in these latter times have laboured in throwing open the skirts of that Romish strumpet who with her cup of fornication had a long time bewitched a great part of the Christian world and laying open her abominations to the light of the Sun and the sight of of the world none have traveled more nor taken pains to better purpose then this our Countriman Iohn Bale whose troublesome life tossed to and fro and exposed to many dangers difficulties and distresses my purpose is briefly to relate in its most remarkable passages that which is testified of him by that worthy and much renouned divine D. r Laurence Humfrey in a Poeme of his intituled the Burden of Rome wherein he affirmeth that Vâ—rgerius had in this kinde done somewhat Platina much more Luther very much or the most of any before him but this our Bale as much almost as could be even all if it were at least possible to rake up all the â—ilth and dirt of that vile â—inke and common sewer He came into this world toward the middest of King Henâ—y the seventh his raigne not many yeares after that famous and usefull invention of printing was grown to some perfection having not been above thirty years as yet in any use by help wherof as learning and knowledg was generally much improved and many Monuments preserved that would otherwise have perished so great use did this our Bale make of it as we shall hereafter shew as well for the bringing to light of auncient Records that had lien long burâ—ey in the dark and but for him might so have done in everlasting oblivion as also for the publishing of many writings and works both of his owne and other mens He was borne in Suffolke his Parents but of meane estate nor free from Romish superstition that then generally overspread the whole surface of this realme by meanes of of their poverty and geeat charge being overburdened with a numerous issue through the advice and perswasion of some of their blinde leaders such as those dayes afforded perceiving the towardlinesse that then appeared in him yet a child being but twelve years of age he was placed in the Convent of Carmelite Fryars at Norwich In which place as also afterward in the University of Cambridge whither he was from thence removed he gave himself to the study of the Artâ— and of Divinity such as in those timeâ— was in repute yea aloâ—e publikely professed But when the light of the Gospell which had formerly for the most part been smothered and supprest began now to break forth by the instigation of that right honourable and truly Noble Lord for it is vertue and piety alone that affordeth true Nobility the Lord Wentworth he diverted his studies and applyed himselfe now not to rake any longer in those muddy streames and miry puddles of Divinity falsly so tearmed which he had plunged himselfe in before but to repaire directly to the well-head to betake himselfe to the fource of all true knowledg to search into the written Word of God where he might be sure to finde the waters cleane and cleere free from all impurity and mixture of humane invention therein to dive and thence to draw that which he might both drink deepe of himselfe and impart of to others without damage and detriment to himsele That which
serious meditation of the reformation of Religion in the Churches he desired to conforme the Citizens of Hassia unto the example of the Primitive Church he desired to remove many reliques of superstition out of the Church he desired to establish that Ecclesiasticall discipline which was ready to fall unto the great detriment of the Church In the midst of these heavenly cogitations it pleased the Lord to send his messenger for him which he well perceiving by the continuall increasing of his paines he desired to have the Communion administred unto him afterwards he told his wife what he would have done after his death after that he had instructed his children how they should carry themselves towards God and how towards their mother and how towardâ— men and his yongest son standing amongst them hâ— laid his hand on his head uttering these Words discemi fili mandata domini ipse enaâ—riet te Keepe the commandaments of the Lord my son and he will provide for thee then â—urning himselfe to those who were present he declareâ— unto them that he dyed in that faith which he had constantly professed so many yeares in that City which words being spoken he fell asleepe and was buried at Marpurge in the year our Lord 1564. and in the 53. year of his life All things which are to be required in a Teacher are to be found in this Gerardus first he was learned and his learning was also joyned with experience secondly he had an excellent faculty and method of teaching thirdly he was laborious in his function fourthly he was gravâ— fiftly of an unspotted life and conversationâ— he was modest patient and constant all which sufficiently declare that he was set apart by the Lord for the converting of many souls unto Christ. His Works which he left unto the world as a rich legacy are here set downe 1 A Commentary on the twentieth Psalme 2 On the twelft Psalme 3 A method for a Preacher 4 On the Romans 5 Of reading and meditating the Scriptures 6. Method of Theologie 7 Theologicall Topicks 8 Catechisme Other Works in two Tomes First 1 Of the study of the Scripture 2 Of the institution of Colledges 3 A triall of students 4 Of Catechising 5 Of justification by faith 6 Of Benificence to the poor 7 Of Feasts Tome 2. 1 Of the duty of hearers 2 Of Providence 3 Of Selfe-examination 4 Of the marriage of Ministers 5 Of the Sacraments 6 Notes upon Aristotles Ethicks 7 Physicks 8 Logicke 9 Rhetoricke 10 Arithmaticke 11 Gromaticke 12 Cosmographik 13 Optics 14 Astronomy Set forth after his death 1 Annotations of Isaiah 2 Commentaries on the Galathians 3 Ephesians 4 Philippians 5 Colossians 6 Thessalonians 7 Timothy 8 Titus 9 Philemon 10 Iude. 11 Hebrewes You that desire to lead a life Free from th'incumbrances of strife Draw neare and with a carefull â—row Let brave Gerarduâ— teach you how Reader observe and thou shalt finde By trauell he inrtch'd his minde His active heart was alwayes free To Propagate true piety He alwayes studied to displace Errours from the Churches face He gain'd no envy but from those That were Religions chiefest foâ—â— He would perswade intreat advise His Fellow-preachers to dispise Those fruits of Idlenesse which he defy'd Thus liv'd Gerarduâ— thus Gerardus dy'd ARETIVS BENEDICTVS The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus AS the Lord hath never been wanting unto his Church both in these and in forraine parts in the stirring up of painfull and â—ealous Watch-men for the Propagating of his truth and for the enlightning of the understanding of those whom he had elected unto salvation in Jesus Christ so he hath not been deficient in procuring the affection of eminent persons towards the same Professors by whose meanes they have been defended and sheltered against the inviterate malice both of the Divell and his members Malicious enemies unto the Word of truth amonst whom the Senate of Berna may justly receive worthy Commendations for the constant love shewed unto the zealous professors of the truth it being indeed the maine pillar which doth support the welfare of a Common-wealth and which doth draw downe a blessing from heaven upon their intended designes In this â—amous City was Benedictus Aretius borne a faithfull zealous professors of the truth of Christ being beautified with excellent endowments both of learning and piety which did sufficiently testifie that he was set apart by the Lord for the winning of many unto Christ. He spent his youth in his owne Country amongst the Switzers wherein he was instructed and trained up in the knowledge of the Arts but ayming at a greater perfection labouring â—or a sounder judgement in the works writings of other learned and Orthodox men he left his Country for a season and went unto Marpurg where by reason of his eminent gifts and qualities he gained the love of many learned Schollers and was designed and oppointed to read the Logick Lecture in the same place which after he had performed for the space of some years to the great profit of his Auditors to the never dying fame of himselfe and to the generall applause of all the City having also attained in some measure to that perfection which he had formerly desired he returned again unto Berne where he was joyfully received and by a generall consent appointed to open the Scriptures and to instruct the inhabitants in the way of life in which exercise he observed such an edifying method both in his publick reading and Preaching that he drew great multitudes of people unto him who beholding his proceedings with great admiration with one consent praised the Lord for sending so learned and so painfull an instrument among them for the plantâ—ng of the truth in their hearts So excellent was his forme of teaching that many Divines came unto his Lectures not onely for the information of their judgements in matters of Controversies but also to learne his method of teaching which being obtained by some they proved excellent instruments in the Church for the converting of the lost sheepe of Israel and many would not in publicke make triall of their owne parts before they had continued for a season to be his Auditors His writings were greatly in request and desired greatly of all that either knew him or heard of him but especially his labours in Divinity one of his bookes called Eramen Theologicâ—m came to the Presse twelve times within the space of three years which doth declare the excellency and how usefull and beneficiall it was unto the Church in those times and in these dayes also it is a Worke fit to be perused of all such as doe intend the study of Divinity After that he had continued this constant course of teaching in the City of Berne for the space of many years to the great furtherance of the glory of God and benefit of his Church it pleased the Lord to take him unto himselfe and to Crowne him with a diâ—dem of everlasting glory
penitenciall exhortations mollified the stony hearts of those who had been before most obdurate in their sins lastly as dew that fals from heaven returnes not thither bâ—ck againe but inricheth the soyle and makes fruitfull the earth so his pains wheresoever he bestowed them were never stirrill but brought much fruit of comfort both to himsâ—lfe and of knowledge in the mysteries of salvation to his hearers In this time of his retired privacy he printed A mirrour of popish subtilties The exhaltation of the Kingdom and priesthood of Christ and first he ruff-hewed and after polished and published his exquisitr tract entituled Antichristi Demonstratio which was not onely highly commended by our learned Andrewes Bishop of Winton but so esteemed by King Iames a second Salomon that of all the fruitfull trees in our Paradise he chose to griffe his meditations upon the Apocalipse upon Abbot his stocke commanding that his Comment upon the 7.8.9 and 10. verses of the twentieth Chapter of the Apocalypse should be joyned unto the end of Abbot de Antichristo and at the last impression of the said book at London 1608. it is Printed after the end of the twelft Chapter before Elenâ—cus capitum of the said book an honour which his Majesty did to no other of the great Clarkes of this Kingdome Like as Mary Magdalens spicknard was so mingled with the oyntment of the Gospell by our Saviours precept that whosoever smelt the one cold not but resent the other so King Iames his savory meditations are incerted into Abbots contemplations of Antichrist that whosoever distasteth not the one cannot but well relish the other To these his labors which made the presse sweat againe and againe I must adde his most accurate Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans which he run through all not with briefe notes as others but large Sermons upon every verse in which he handled as his text gave him occasion all the controverted points of Religion at this day and he enclosed the whole Magazen of his learning and great pitty it is that the Church should be deprived of such a treasure considering Saint Austines observation is true the truth is neither mine nor thine nor his but all of us have a right to it whom thou callest to the Communion thereof threatning to deprive us of it if we keepe it private They therefore who withhold â—his Worke from the publick view as they wrong the Church in generall so in speciall the City and Cathedrall Church of Worcesteâ— to which he bâ—queaâ—hed it as a kind of legacie as the authors owne Words in his dedicatory Epistle to Bishop Babington printed with his Sermons upon the 110. Psalme import I will endeavour as opportunity may serve to present to their eyes meaning his hearers at Worcester the things that did once affect their eares and to make others also partakers of them and a little after in the same Epistle I am willing to expresse my affection to that City wherein I have bestowed the greatest service of my life and wherein I assure my selfe that a few names there are at least I hope many that shall be my crown and rejoycing in the day of the Lord Iesus I have considered him as ros according to the first syllable of his name now let us view him according to the second as ver a spring first passively then actively first as ver in himselfe when taken as a choyce plant and set in the famous nurserie of learning and Religion the University of Oxford he thrived exceedingly springing and growing from one profession to another from one degree to another from an Artist to a Divine from a Bachelour to a Master from a Scholler of Baliâ—l Colledge to a Fellow Though this were the time wherein he replenished his store-house of good Literature both divine and humane yet knowing that this kind of provission is like the oyle in the widdowes cruze which filled still by emptying and like the loaves Iohn 6. which multiplyed by distributing he joyning practise with his contemplation and by Lecturing first at Alâ—allowes and afterwards at Abbington he encreased his store and stocke of saving knowledge and thus he was ver passively in himselfe but when by Bishop Bancrofts meanes he was called to be Governour of Baliol Colledge and much more after when he was advanced to the Chayre he was ver actively and caused a spring in others for then as a carefull and skilfull Gardiner he set his nurserie with the best plants making alwayes choyce of the towardliest young men in all Elections and when he had set them he tooke such care to water and prune them that in no plaâ— or knot in the famous nurserie of the University of Oxford there appeared more beautifull flowers or grew sweeter fruit then in Baliol Colledge whilst he was Master What should I speake of his diligent reading to his owne Schollers and his continuall presence at publicke Exercises whereby he both Countenanced the Readers and encouâ—aged the Hearers Vrget praesentia Turin His first and chiefe care was to plant the feare of God in the hearts of all the Students in his Colledge knowing well that as God is the father of all things so Religionâ— is the mother of all vertues and little hope there is that they will take any care to observe the statutes of these Founders who regard not his statuteâ— who is the Feunder of all nature and grace and beares up the pillar of the whole World To imprint his Lawes therefore in their mindes besides the holy example of his strict and regular life and continuall admonitions and godly exhortations to study the Scriptures and exercise themselves in them day and night he took speciall care of publicke Prayers from which himselfe was never missing if he had his health though the mornings were never so darke and the season bitter and but finding some inconvenience in the absence of many of his company at evening Prayer pretending diverse occasions of businesse he altered the time of those Prayers puting them off from five of the clock in the afternoone untill eight of the clock at night and immediatly after payers he commanded the gates to be lockt to prevent or at least discover all Noctivagators Next to piety he most desired to setle peace in the Colledge and exterpate all faction which had been for a long time the baine of that Society for Doctor Lilly his immediate predecessour was in â—ome sense not free from lilliam inter spinaâ— a Lilly among thornes and which was worse it is though he cherished them for private ends of his owne but Abbot who had learned from his and our Master that blessed are the peace makers and that a house divided within it selfe cannot stand laboured by all good meanes to caement all parties and make up all the breaches he found wherein God so blessed him that by reconciling them one to another he united them all fast to himselfe and he gained more every way by
protracto in victa patientia conflictatus esset tandem non sine ingenâ—i cleri sui populique luctu pene incredibili Salisburiensis civitatis maerore placide in domino conquiescit Imminente morte convocat domesticos fidei suae professiomem interruptis ac moribundis vocibus exorsus cum amici monerent hinc ut supersederet labori extare enim doctrinae ac fidei suae in scriptis a se editisque oporibus confessionem annuit scripta sua omnia suprema hac voce obsignavit Illa inquit fides quam scriptis meis propugnavi veritas Dei est in ejusque assertione morior Scripsit autem varia cum latino â—um vernaculo idiomate quibus illud Solomonis elogium de aureis pomis in calaturis argenteis videtur aptissime posse accommodari Auream enim rerum optimarum ex sacrosanctis scripturis patribus conciliis ab ipso congestam supeliectilem argenteus includit illustrat dictiones candor Sine quo lecet caussa veritatis ut eleganter Lactantius defendi possit ut est a multis saepe defensa tamen claritate ac nitore sermonis illustranda quodammodâ— edisserenda est ut potentius in animos instuat vi sua instructa luce orationis ornata Certe hic nostâ—r quod praecipit Quintilianus non tantum fortibus sed fulgentibus armis contra haereticos pariter schismaticosque dimicat Nec hoc quod prae manibus est opus pene post humum aâ—â—â—loquii niâ—ore aut argumenti digimate reliquis ejusdem authoris cedit In quò pius Amistes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 simul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 niter ecclesias reformatas tuendae zelo flagrans muros Hierichuntinos a Pelagio olim extructos a sanctis patribus dirutos nuper vero a Iesuitis ac numperime ab Arminianis restaurari caeptos non cornea sed argentea tuba demolitur Ita enim â—eritatem catholicam densissimis sacrarum scripâ—urarum sanctorum patrum testimâ—niis ac validissimis rationibus communit contra precipua Semipelagiorum argumenta sive Aâ—minii sive Thompsoni limarasa recenti penitus obterit proâ—ligat ut modestis ingeniis a partium studio aliemit hoc libello non dubitemus abunde hac in parte iri satisfactum Cum Arminio ut extero adversario remotiore velut eminus pagnat cum Thompsono vero ut domistico in ecclesiae Anglicanae venis vâ—sceribus haerente comminus congrediâ—ur tractatuli illius hererodoxi quo justificationis gratia interciditur ita nervos omnes incidit ut qui post hac in Thompsoni Diatribam inciderit Diogenis Zenomis Diatribam dicterium merito poteris â—surpare Thompsonianam hanc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vale benevole lector in Christo cum opus hoc â—uthoris caussa amplectere tum authorem operis caussa pio studio prosequere Meo â—exâ—u non meo filo Daniel Featley S. T. P. Archiepiscopò Canturiensâ— fucius Englished â—hus Thou hast here Christian Reader presented unto thee the Swan-like song of a man let none quarell the phraise above the reach even of envy it selfe with which he expired If then as the glimmering light of the setting Sun renders more delight to the eye of the beholder so the Woâ—kes of dying men are by so much the more indeared unto us thou canst not choos but valew this Book at the greater rate w ch thou mayest understand was perfected by the last care of a learned Doctor and right reverend Prelate Foâ— so soon as the Authâ—r had finished the piece brought it to this lighâ— he himself passed to the light coelestiall Having fitted his labour for the benefit of the Church Militant he was called to the Church Tiumphant and caught up immediatly from his defence of divine grace to the fruition of divine glory Laden he was more with learning and the fame of his most acurate Works then with years and to be thought rather to have lived long then contâ—nued long among us For our life as Plinie defines it is a Watch which this our Prelate seem'd wholly to imploy in the study of Theology For afâ—er that in the renowned University of Oxford he had furnished himself with the knowledg of the best Arts and had exquisiâ—ely fashioned both his tongue and pen he wholly devoted them both unto God and dedicated the rest of his ensuing life partly to publick Preaching wherewith he honoured the Pulpit partly to the reading of publicke Lectures with which he illustrated the Doctors Chayre and partly to the composure of his owne learned writings wherewith he wonderfully enriched the Presse Long was the fame and industry of this reverend Divine locked up in obscurity and for which in the narrow limits of a private Parish he nourished that of glory whereunto few of our times have arrived Afterwards when for the space twenty years he had industriously executed the office of a Pastor and Preacher by soveraigne command he was required to encounter the chiefeâ—t of the Roman Champions in the defence of the Reformed Religion concerning the greatest controversies which our times have produced In which cumbest he not onely over-came his adversaries Bishop and Eudemon but far surpassed the opinion which the world had before conceived of him Not long after by the same our most gracious Soveraign King Iames he was advanced to be Doctor of the Chayre in the famous University of Oxford which eminent place in the University he held with great reputation At length having been famed for a faithfull Doctor and an accurate Professor of Divinity he was promoted to the Episcopall See of Salisbury which he governed but for the terme of two years and three months For whilst he was not onely wrapped in the publick affaires of his Episcopall Government but also continued most sedulous and industrious in his private studyes of Divinity that sedutary life of his brought him to the terrible disease of the stone in his kidniâ—s wherewith being grievously tortured for some weeks and now having attained the fifty eight year of his age aâ—ter good proofe of his unconquerable patience in the extremity of his last â—it he sweetly slept in the Lord to the infinite sorrow both of the Clergy and Laity within his jurisdiction and laments almost incredible of the whol City of Salisbury When death approached he gave command that his family should be called together before whom with broken â—peeches in the language of a dying man beginning to make a profession of his Faith his friends advized him to spare that paines since an ample Testimony both of his faith and learning lived extant in his Workes He yeelded to their advice and signed all his Workes with these his last Words That faith which I have defended in my writings is the truth of God and in the avouching thereof I leave the World Many Workes he set forth both in Latine and our mother tongue to all which that
Vrswick sent him a brase of Geldings Polidore Virgil money â—o buy a third Cromwell the first out of his sacrilegious broak-age at twise 30. Angels Montjoy More Tonstal and Colet were his continuall supporters to say nothing of many others within this kingdome Cardinall Matthaeus offered him a yeerly pension of five hundred Ducats to live at Rome and sent him a Cup of beaten Gold he received another of the same mettle but greater and more curiously engraven with sundry poeticall fancies from Albert Archbishop and Cardinall of Mentz Cardinall Gampegius amongst other tokens sent him a Diamond Ring of no meane value Stanislaus Olmucensis a silver bole double gilt with four peeces of Gold the coyne of ancient Emperors the Bishop of Basil offered him for his society halfe his Bishoprick which alluding to the name he termed half his Kingdome Thurzo Bishop of Vratislavia went ten dayes journey out of his way to behold him and you must not imagine that when they parted he gave him nothing Another of the same name sent him foure Watches foure ingots of pure gold and a Muntiro lined with rich Sables Christopher Shcidlovitz Chancellour of Poland a Clocke Spoone and Forke all of pure gold Peter Bishop of Cracovia thirty Duckâ—ts Iohannes Paungarnerus a good quantity of gold uncoyned with a silver Bole of no meane capacitie Rinkius another Fuggerus a third all gifts as himselfe jested not unbefitting a Hollander Iacobus Piso two peeces of ancient Coyne the one Gold the other Silver resembling Gratian and Hercules Vigilius Zuichemus a gold Ring which explicated became an exact celestiall sphere And William Earle of Eysenburg a Dagger which by the inscription he wished in the heart of his enemies Besides these he held intercourse by Letters and was often supplyed by Erastus Duke of Bavaria Croyus Cardinall of Toledo and Alphonsus Fonseca Archbishop of the same Dominicus Cardinall Crimanus Iohn Cardinall of Bernard Cardinall of Trent Iohn Sylvagius Chancellour of Burgundie the Bishop of Paris and Baion Erardus Leodiensis Philippus Trajectensis Christopherus Augustanus Iacobus Sadoletus Ennius Verulanus Hugo Constantiensis Aloisius Marlianus Conradus Wircemburgensis and Antonius a Bergis Abbot of Saint Bertines This may seeme a large Nomenclature of Friends Patrons and Acquaintance and yet a farre larger might easily be gathered out of his owne Epistles and Prefaces This whatsoever it is I am sure without wrong to posterity could neither be omitted nor contracted seeing thereby we should either deprive him of the honor of so great friends or them of the glory of so great Munificence What a Toâ—quot of Archbishopricks Bishopriâ—ks Prebends and fat Parsonages might not this so Patroned a Clerke had he had but the conscience to digest them have accumulated under one red Hat â—ut he declined civill preferments as not so sutable to his Priesthood and had he accepted Ecclesiasticall he foresaw having already so much spent himselfe to inlighten others that he should either ruine his body by discharging or his more precious soule by neglecting them and therefore chose rather to cast himselfe upon the benevolence of his friends though with disparagement to himselfe then with scandall upon the Church which like a genuine Apostle he laboured to benefit whether graâ—is or ingratiis Learning waâ— never at a greater losse or lower ebbe either in France or Germanie then he found it within few yeeres after the publication of his Adages and Bookes de copia soloecisme in both began to be whooted at Presses to sweat under the Institutions of Theodorus the Grammarian and other Greeke Authors newly translated into Latine and all men who either were or desired to seeme whether learned or promoters of learning to blow the coale that was already kindled To this onely end and purpose Hâ—eronymus Buslidâ—us bequeathed the greatest part of a very great Estate and Erasmus so prevailed with his Executors that putting the money into one Purse they therewith founded endowed a Colledge in Lovaine wherin the three learned Tongues are exactly taught by as many exquisite Professours he himselfe inlivened it with Statutes In emulation of the Spaniard the French King shortly after erected just such another at Paris and because he would have it in nothing inferiour to that at Lovane sent a Commission under his great Seal to Erasmus to prescribe it Statutes and furnish it with Professors but he accepted not thereof perhaps hindered by sicknesse or some other imployment The Trojane Horse was never more pregnant with armed men then those two Colledges have beene ever â—ince with men learned in all those and many other languages His judgement was much questioned especially beyond the Alpes for prostituting in his Chiliades so vast and inâ—valuable a treasure of humain Learning to every purblinde eye and vulgar capacity in which winde Aldus Manutius suffered before him for his Commentaries upon Sophocles and Euripides as though it were an essentiall of learning to be acquired onely in Italie But of all Monopolies he abhorred that of Learning most accounting nothing too good to be communicated nor any thing below him that might bring others to the same height of knowledge wherunto he himselfe had already ascended we cannot have a better proofe of the one then his Adages or witnesse of the other then his Commentaries upon Cato de Moribâ—s France I confesse may with great reason glory in Budaeus No man hath hitherto better discovered whatsoever belongeth unto Money whether you respect the Greek or Roman standard His Commentaries of the Greek tongue and Annoâ—ations on the Pandects are two usefull and excellent Peeces But Erasmus was nothing his inferior in humanity when first he applyed himselfe to Theologie a study by Budaeus either not attempted or persecuted onely upon the bye The next who with best reason can be brought into this Competition is Ludovicus Vives who can hardly extend his Paralell as far as Budaeus and therefore all I will say of him is that he was borne in Spaine bred in Italie Erasmus brought with him more learning out of Germany then he found in both who but Erasmus durst ever have attempted to bring a generation of supercilious and yet ignorant Friers bred up in meer Sophistry and barbarisme to a true relish of Divinity as it is delivered to us by the Fathers most of whose Workes miserably corrupted he restored to their genuine and native splendor others undertook what he was not able to overtake provoked by his letters or aminated by his example So that directly or indirectly he was the true cause of the Restitution of all of them And yet this was but halfe his taske he found the Discipline of the Church in no better case then the Doctrine this turned into Sophistry that into Ceremonies which he labored to abridge not to abolish being as inseperable and proper unto Religion as shadowes are unto Substances Although we may truely account her farre past the Mâ—ridian in that Church where she can hardly be seene for the
length of her owne shadow But how great soever his desire was to see Church discipline purged and restored to its primitive simplicity and integrity he attempted nothing with our late Reformers by way of tumult or Schismatically And yet this very attempt though it never exceeded an unwearied and legall application to those in authority bred him as many Enemies as there were then waspes and hornets who had wanted food if they had wanted Corruption in that kinde to have fed upon of these some accused him of a Correspondency others of a confederacy with Martin Luther the first he never denyed the second they were never able to prove As for the suspicion of Arianismâ— whereof envy it selfe durst not accuse him whilst he lived I hold it a Calumnie scarce worth the answering All that can be said against him is onely this that he seemes to extenuate and it were to be wished he had imployed his wit better some Testimonies alledged by the Fathers against Arius as not so Convincing and ponderous as they imagined But in all the nine great volumes of his owne Workes there is not one Apex positively for him innumerable against him He was the first man I may not except Martin Luther who with sobriety brought us from Hales Holcot to St. Ciprian and Augustin from â—he Fathers to the Scriptures themselves if he had intended to promote Herisie his most compendious way had been to have lefâ— both in the same obscurity he found them But which I am often necessitated to remember by his Annotations he illustrated the one and by his piercing censures removed such ignoble and spurâ—ous Brats as after ageâ— out of intrest or ignorancâ— would needs have fastened upon the other Some not able themselves to judge betwext â—mitating and Apiâ—g are bold to censure his stile though by their owne confession pure Copius flexible and exâ—emporary as not every where Elevated to the true light of the Cicerâ—niâ—m pole He can run but goingly who ties himsâ—lfe to another mâ—â—s fooâ—steps Erasmus had his owne Gâ—nius as well as Cicero held a Bull as compleat a creature as a Baboon and that most comely which was most genuine and masculine not so much taken with the Cadency and Chymâ—ng of words as the sententious density of the matter And therefore rather chose with Saint Augustine to retaine some few words in common use though lesse Ciceronian then by changing them into more eloquent but lesse intelligible torturâ— his simple Readers upon the continuall racke of their Diâ—â—ionaries Many of his noblest Workes he elucubrâ—ted at Basil the rest at Friburge whether he was in a manner compelled to retreat by Bernard Cardinal of Trent doubtâ—ull what might befall him in the Reformation of Religion at Basil. I commend the Cardinals providence but in that Reformation there was no indignity offered to any Clergie mans person whether Regular or Secular they had all free liberty to dispose of their Persons and Personall estates as they pleased At his first Comming to Friburdge he dwelt in a house sometimes inhabited by Ferdinand Vnckle to Charles the fift and built for a retreats to his old age by Villingerus his Treasurer which proving as much to big for Erasmus at it was to little for Ferdinand he purchased one of his owne and sold it within seaven yeeres after at what teme he was recalled into the Low-Countries by Mary Queene of Hungary who succeeded her Aunt in the Government of those Provinces by the way he visited Basil where he published his Ecclesiastes and intended to finish severall other of his Workes yet imperfect before he past into Holland But he must passe no further being arrested by a more violent fit of the Gout then at any time formerly His convulsions were so thick and vehement that oftentimes he was forced to goe upon all foure he thought himselfe in a jumping condition when Crutches served his turne In the intervals of his disease he resumed and renewed the great volume of his owne Epistles perhaps intending to set them forth more fully as many of them fell into his hands he would say Et hic mortus est but upon just account when he found the number of his dead Correspondents exceed the living he burst forth into these words Nec ego diutius vivere Cupio si Christo Domino placeat Nor desire I if so it would please the Lord Iesus to live any longer About the beginning of Autumne from the Gout he dropt into an Hepaticall flux so that for a whole moneth togeâ—her he came seldome out of bed and but once over the threshold of his Chamber yet whilst his body lay tortured upon this double rack he wrote a Treatise De puritate Ecclesiae and made a hard shift to finish his Recognitions upon Origen These were the two last Songs of this dying Swan whose patience ever increased with his torments and in the end surmounted them He retained his speech to the last gasp and breathed out his Soule in these Ejaculations Mercy sweet Iesus Lord loose these hands How long Lord Iesus How long Iesus fountaine of mercy have mercy upon me and the like He changed this mortall life into an immortall the twelfe day of July about midnight in the yeer of grace 1536. and 71. or 73. yeeres of his age he foretold both the yeer and houre of his dissolution the first many months the other three dayes before multitudes of people flocked to see and touch his dead body The Consull and Senators of Basil accompanied it to the grave few of the chiefe Burgers were absent none of the University He lyeth buried in the Cathedrall Church in a Chappell Consecrated to the blessed Virgin and Monument of Parian marble frequently visited both by the Citizens and Srangers He was of a middle Stature well compacted body and of a sweet but tender Complexion which easily yeelded to every little alteration whether of aire or dyet His haire inclined to yellow his eyes were gray his countinance amiable and cheerfull but some what of the palest and his voice shrill though none of the strongest His apprehension was invincible his judgement exact and for Memory he knew not what it was to forget any thing except injuries Terence and Horace he could have intirely repeated without booke when he was but a Schoole-boy He was charitable to the poore in generall bountifull to poor Schollers and Travellers so farre from craft that he inclined rather to simplicity and so free from suspition that he often unbosomed himselfe to his friends though but seeming further then stood with his owne safety Such was his bashfulness that though he had a good face his picture was hardly extorted from him by extreame importunity in the point of friendship he was of an unremoveable Constancy easily placable being offended onely he had such an antipathy with lying that from his youth he would usually tremble at the very sight of a noted Lyer His habit neither garish nor sordid