sent his Spirits to kill Ambrose but they returned answer that God had hedged him in as he did Job Another came with a sword to his bedside to have killed him but he could not stir his hand till repenting he was by the prayer of Ambrose restored to the use of his hands again When Eugenius was Emperour Flavianus the Praefect desired leave of him to build the Altar of Victory at Millain which Ambrose hearing of departed from thence to Bononia but after a while Eugenius and Flavianus going to war against Theodosius he returned to Millain again But before they went they sent word that when they returned Conquerours they would make the great Church in Millain a Stable for Horses but God prevented them for Eugenius was slain by his own Souldiers and Theodosius got the victory This Ambrose was very abstinent full of watchings and prayer diligent in writing never dining but on the Sabbaths he was very couragious for the Truth and merciful to the Poor and Captives he would weep when he heard of the death of any godly Minister Falling sick he appointed Simplicianus a godly old man to succeed him and continuing instant in Prayer he departed this life the third year after Theodosius Anno Christi 397. He used to say When gold is offered to thee thou usest not to say I will come again to morrow and take it but art glad of present possession But Salvation being profered to our Souls few men haste to embrace it And again It is not so much to be enquired how much thou givest as with what heart It 's not liberality when thou takest by oppression from one and givest it to another And again A clear Conscience should not regard slanderous speeches nor think that they have more power to condemn him then his own Conscience hath to clear him And again Death is the burial of all vices for it is the progress and accomplishment of the full mortification of all our Earthly members wherein that filthy flux of sin is dryed up in an instant It is a voluntary sacrificing of the whole man Soul and Body to the Lord the greatest and highest service we can do him on Earth His works are printed in five Tomes The Life of Gregory Nissen who flourished Anno Christi 480. GRegory was sirnamed Nissenus from the City whereof he was Bishop He was born in Cappadocia in the fourth age after Christ. His Fathers name was Basil his Mothers Emmelia His Brothers names were Basil Bishop of Caesarea and Peter Bishop of Sebastia He had a Sister called Macrina From his childhood he was much affected with the study of Rhetorick wherein he grew as famous as any of the ancient Fathers He affected not that solitary life which his Brother Basil did but imployed himself in instructing others First he was a Professor in a School of Rhetorick Afterwards he became a Reader of Divinity in the Church Yet after a while returning to his Rhetorick School again he was reduced to his former work of reading Divinity by Gregory Nazianzen Suidas saith that he was Vir insignis omnique Doctrina exuberans A famous man abounding with all manner of Learning Neither was he less signal for his Piety and Holiness of Life as Nicephorus testifies For his great worth he was preferred to the Bishoprick of Nyssa a chief City in Cappadocia He was banished by the Arian Emperour Valence and from the seventh to the fifteenth year of his Reign he wandred up and down yet still went to such places where the necessity of the Church required his presence and where he might do most good In which godly imployment he was much encouraged by Gregory Nazianzen He lived under Constantius Julian Jovian Valentinian and Valence Gratian and Theodosius the Great and in his time together with Gregory Nazianzen was President in the Universal Council of Constontiple against the Macedonian Hereticks Anno Christi 492. When Hierom wrote his Catalogue of Illustrious men he was alive but the year of his death is not expressed by any Author He was admired for his Eloquence and one calleth him pervigilem Antistitem the faithful and vigilant Prelate He used to read the Scriptures with all diligence reverence and strictness having a special regard to the genuine sense of them He was a strong opposer of Eunomius his Heresie By the Oecumenical Council of Constantinople he was appointed as a man most fit to visit the Churches planted in Arabia After the decease of his brother Basil he finished his Commentaries which he had left imperfect upon the Six Days Works He also preached at Constantinople a Funeral Sermon upon the death of Miletius Bishop of Antioch He wrote an admirable book against Eunomius and another no less famous of the Creation of Man besides many Excellent Sermons which he made But the Treatise Of the Soul which he wrote to his sister Macrina deserves the praise of Learned men in all succeeding Ages Many things are fathered upon him but judicious Scultetus owneth only these Exegetica Scripta in Ecclesiasten In Cantica Canticorum In Psalmos De Occursu Domini De Deo Trinitate De Creatione De Providentia De Christo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De Baptismo De cultus Dei in genere De cultu Dei in specie viz. De Peregrinatione ad loca sancta De Oratione De Pauperum Amore. De Beatitudinibus De Fornicatione fugienda De iis qui aegrè ferunt reprehensiones De iis qui temerè alios damnant De Vsurariis Funebres Orationes sive de morte piorum De Resurrectione mortuorum De Theologia Vniversa in Oratione Catechetica magna He compared the Vsurer to a man giving water to one in a Burning-Feaver which doth him no good but a great deal of mischief so the Vsurer though he seem for the present to relieve his brothers want yet afterwards he doth greatly torment him He gave this Character of an Vsurer He loves no labour but a sedentary life the Pen is his plough Parchment his Field Ink his Seed Time is the Rain to ripen his greedy Desires his Sickle is calling in of Forfeitures his House the Barn where he winnows the Fortunes of his Clients He follows his Debtors as Eagles and Vultures do Armies to Prey upon the dead Corps And again Men come to Vsurers as Birds to an heap of Corn they desire the Corn but are destroyed in the Nets And again There is no excuse for hard-heartedness for where can a rich man cast his eyes but he may behold objects of his charity c. He dyed under Valentinian and Valence The Life of Theodoret who flourished Anno Christi 420. THeodoret Bishop of Cyrus was born at Antioch of Noble and Religious Parents His Mother before she had him was much grieved in minde because she was barren and without hope of issue to inherit
have been called Universal which he cals Nomen istud blasphemia That Name of blasphemy He used to say He is poor whose soul is void of grace not whose coffers are emptie of money Contented poverty is true riches And again God is never absent though the wicked have him not in their thoughts where he is not by favour he is by punishment and terrour He could never read those words Son remember in thy life time thou receivedst good things without horror and astonishment least having such dignities and honors as he had he should be excluded from his portion in Heaven It is said of him that he was the worst Romane Bishop of all those that were before him and the best of all those that followed him He wrote Expositions upon the greatest part of the Bible His Works are contained in 6 Tome The Life of Isidore who dyed Anno Christi 675. ISidorus Hispalensis by birth a Spaniard carefully educated by his Parents of a quick wit and able memory admired for his Learning and Eloquence was chosen Bishop of Sivil under Mauritius the Emperour wherein he was very painful and could accommodate his speech fitly both to the ignorant and learned He was full of mercy and good fruits He was had in great honor his fame spreading abroad far and wide both for his Life and learning He so macerated his body with Labors and enriched his Soul with Divine Learning and Contemplations that he seemed to live an Angels life upon Earth He dyed in the Reign of Heraclius the Emperour about the year 675. He used to say Knowledge and a good life are both profitable yet if both cannot be obtained a good life is to be sought rather then much knowledge And As the Viper is killed by the young ones in her belly so are we betrayed and killed by our own thoughts nourished in our bosomes which consume and poison the soul. And All things may be shunned but a mans own heart a man cannot run from himself a guiltie conscience will not forsake him wheresoever he goes And The Divels have a threefold prescience 1. By natural subtiltie 2. By experience 3. By supernatural revelation And He that begins to grow better let him beware least he grow proud least vain-glory give him a greater overthrow then his former vices BEDE The Life of Bede who dyed Anno Christi 735. VEnerable Bede an English Saxon was born Anno Christi 671. near to the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul in Wyrimunda His Parents dying when he was but seven years old he was bred up in that Monasterie under two Abbots Bennet and Ceolfride men famous in those times for Religion and Learning under whom he was trained up and from his childhood accustomed to Virtue and Piety He proved very learned in Philosophie Astronomie Musick and Poetrie In Greek Rhetorick Arithmetick and Historie but especially he was very studious of the Holy Scriptures Three things were familiar to him in his whole life To Pray Write and Preach He was made Deacon at nineteen years old and a Presbyter at thirty after which time he wholly devoted himself to the meditation of the Holy Scriptures He was so famous for Learning and Piety that he was sent for to Rome by Pope Sergius to help to settle the Churches peace He was very modest never hunting after preferments so devout in reading the Scriptures that he would often shed tears and after he ended reading conclude with Prayers He hated idleness and would oft say That there was so much work to do for a Divine in so little time that he ought not to lose any of it And for pleasures we must deal with them said he as we do with honey onely touch it with the tip of the finger not with the whole hand for fear of surfeit He finished his works Anno Christi 731. and dyed about 735. and of his Age 70. He used to say He is a sluggard that would reign with God and not labor for God in the promised rewad he takes delight but the commanded 〈◊〉 do affright him And Anger doth languish by 〈◊〉 but flames higher by expressing He wrote on all the Liberal Arts sundry excellent Treatises Though he lived in the uttermost corner of the World yet neglected he not the body of the Greek and Hebrew Tongues He had many excellent scholars whom by his counsel and example he drew to an inestimable love of the holy Scriptures endeavouring to make them as famous for their Religion and Piety as they were for their Learning He was of a very bountiful Disposition Venerable for his knowledge and Integrity of Life Full of Charity Devotion and Chastity He was of a comly Stature grave Pace clear Voice Eloquent Tongue amiable Countenance which seemed to be composed of gravity and mildness He was very affable to such as were good A terror to such as were proud and wicked yet milde and humble to his Fraternity What he learned out of Gods Word by study and meditation he communicated it to others without envy He had Scholars that flockt to him but of all parts of England desiring to be trained up in Learning and Manners under such a Master For his Conversation was a rule of Religion and honesty to all about him Anno Christi 731. and of his Age 59. he finished the Catalogue of his Writings which are many and that upon most Books in the Old and New Testament besides Epistles Histories of the Saints the History of his own Abbey the Ecclesiastical History of his own Nation in five Books a Martyrologie a Book of Hymns and many others which are all printed at Collen Anno Christi 1612. In his sickness he comforted himself with that of the Apostle Heb. 12. 6. Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every for whom he receiveth When his Scholars were weeping about him he said in the words of S. Ambrose Non sic vixi ut pudeat me inter vos vivere sed nec mori timeo quiah onum Dominum habemus The time is come if my Creator pleaseth that being freed from the flesh I shall go to him who made me when I was not out of nothing I have lived long and the time of my dissolution is approaching And my soul desireth to see my Saviour Christ in his glory After his death one of his scholars was very desirous to have made an Epitaph Haec sunt in fossa Bede sancti or Presbyteri Ossa yet he could not make up the verse with those words But in the morning this was found on his Tomb Hâc sunt in fossa Bedae venerabilis ossa Here lies intombed in these stones Of Venerable Bead the Bones The Life of John Damascen who flourished Anno Christi 730. IOhn Damascen was born in Damascus of Religious Parents who carefully brought him up in Learning wherein
the Famine out of the Villages to seek relief in the City And thus he continued till the Famine being ceased he returned into his retired house again and not long after he quietly slept in the Lord Anno Christi 404. He was a great opposer of Sabellius Arius Apollinarius and other Hereticks so chaste that he repelled the shameless behaviour of a lewd woman which being instigated by the Devil thought to have enticed him to lust but with his grave Exhortations Admonitions and Divine speeches he caught and overcame the tempter so that by his Fatherly advice she proved a grave modest and religious Matron In his Will he commanded that they should sing no verses in his commendation bury him in no fine linnens nor with ointments raise no monuments for him for saich he I am a stranger and so journey c. He was very merciful to the poor as in part we have heard before and having not of his own to give by his sweet and attractive Sermons he stirred up the hearts of others to relieve them He used to say That the resolute Traveller knows that his journey is long and the may dirty yet goes on in hope to come to his house so let a Christian though the way to Heaven be narrow though it be set With troubles and persecutions yet let him go on till be bath finished his course With Joy for Heaven is his home And again He that feasts his body and starves his soul is like him that feasts his slave and starves his wife He dyed under Valence His Works are contained in three Tomes upon several Subjects BASIL The Life of Basil who flourished An. Chr. 370. BAsil was born in Pontus of noble and religious Parents his Grand-Father and great Grand-Father suffered Martyrdom under Galerius Maximus He was called Basilius Magnus for as one saith of him he was great in wit great in eloquence great in wisdom great in defending great in propagating Gods glory great in convincing Hereticks c. When he was grown up to years of discretion he went to Caesarea of Cappadocia which was then the most famous City of Asia for learning In which place in a short time he made such a proficiency in his studies that he excelled all his equals in all sorts of Learning From thence he went to Constantinople where having studyed a while he went to Athens where he heard those famous Rhetoricians Hymerius and Proaeresius at which place also he fell into acquaintance with Gregory Nazianzen and joining studies together they continued in firm amity all their life after He was of an excellent constitution but by much watching praying fasting reading and spare dyet he much weakned his body Afterwards he went to Antioch in Syria where he frequented the School of Libanius and became an excellent Orator So that he was thought worthy to deliver to the World the Precepts of Philosophy and was much solicited thereunto by many excellent men Others perswaded him to become an Orator but neither of these imployments suted with his purpose wherefore having sufficiently profited in Philosophy under Libanius he provided for himself the Commentaries of Origen who then was famous throughout the World and learned out of them to interpret and expound the Sacred Scriptures Then did he valiantly encounter with the Arians and when as they alleadged Origens Books for the confirmation of their Heretical opinions he refuted their ignorance and shewed by plain demonstrations that they understood not the minde and meaning of Origen Yea Eunomius a favourer of that Sect and as many Arians as were of greatest reputation and accounted the profoundest Scholars when they disputed with him and Gregory Nazianzen proved themselves fools and unlearned persons He was at first Ordained Deacon by Aliletius Bishop of Antioch afterwards Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia where he was born after which he gave himself wholly to benefit and profit the Church And when he greatly feared that the new device of Arius his brain would creep throughout the Province of Pontus in all haste he gat him into those parts instructing the ignorant and confirming the wavering minds of weaklings in the Faith A little before some difference arose betwixt Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea and Basil about their different opinions which Valence the Arian Emperour hearing of hasted thitherward and when he came into Cappadocia according to his usual manner he grievously afflicted the Orthodox thrusting them out of their Churches and placing Arians in their rooms and he hoped easily to do the like when he came to Caesarea because of the enmity that was betwixt Eusebius and Basil But it fell out far otherwaies for Basil in Pontus hearing of the Emperours proceedings in Cappadocia hasted to Caesarea and presently was reconciled to Eusebius and by his Ministry seasonably strengthen the Church So that when Valence came thither finding his hopes frustrated he returned without effecting what he came about Not long after Eusebius dyed and Basil was chosen and ordained Bishop in his room where he performed the Office of a worthy Shepheard to his flock as well by duly and truly feeding them with the sincere milk of Gods Word as by driving away all Hereticks that like Wolves sought to devour his Sheep At last came back the Emperour Valence into Cappadocia fully purposing to drive Basil out of Caesarea but the Lord prevented him by this means The very night after he attempted this wickedness his Wife was grievously troubled with dreadful dreams about him and his only Son Gallates fell sick of a sharp and violent Feaver so that the physitians despairing of his recovery gave him up for dead His Wife also told him of those ugly shapes and fearful visions of Devils and wicked Spirits which she had seen in her sleep adding that their childe also was visited with that sickness because of the evil and mischief which he had purposed against Basil. The Emperour marking diligently the words of his Wife and musing with himself cast in his minde what to do and at length resolved to send for Basil and when he came spake thus unto him If thy Faith and Opinion be true pray that my Son dye not of this disease To whom Basil answered If thou wilt promise me to believe as I do and if thou wilt bring the Church into unity and concord thy childe no doubt shall live But the Emperour would by no means agree unto this Then said Basil Let the Lord deal with the childe as pleaseth him and so departed and immediately after the childe dyed He was very charitable insomuch as in a great Famine he sold his lands and all his other goods to relieve the Poor and stirred up other rich Merchants by Scripture and sweet speeches to contribute to their necessities He was also careful to see the sick provided for and caused publick places to be erected for their maintenance and would often not only
with open mouth upon Gods children to devour them they manfully resist him he thinks to weaken their Faith and they by his assaults are made the stronger he fights against them but they get ground upon him and so what he intended for their destruction full sore against his will makes for their advantage He was called the Champion of the Catholick Faith His Works were printed in two Tomes at Paris Anno Christi 1605. The Life of Peter Chrysologus who flourished Anno Christi 440. PEtrus Chrysologus so called because of his golden Eloquence was born at Imola in France of honest Parents bred under Cornelius Bishop of that City whose care it was not only to instruct him in good Manners and Learning but to fit him for the Work of the Ministry that he might bring glory to God in the service of his Church And not long after he was made Archbishop of Ravenna He excelled in Learning Vertue and all prais-worthy qualities He was present at the Councils the one at Ravenna the other at Rome and sent Letters full of Learning to the Synod of Chalcedon against Eutiches the Heretick He was powerful in Eloquence especially in his Sermons to the people and very holy in Conversation by both which he won many to the Truth Always before he penned any thing he would with great ardency and humility set himself to Prayer to seek unto God for direction therein He lived long having been Bishop about 60 years flourished under Martian the Emperour and dyed Anno Christi 500. He used to say Let not thy care be to have thy hands full whilst the Poors are empty for the only way to have full Barns is to have charitable Hands And God had rather men should love him then fear him to be called Father then Master he wins by Mercy that he may not punish by Justice If thou wilt be like thy Father do likewise And Neither in the Flint alone nor in the Steel alone any fire is to be seen nor extracted but by conjunction and collision So nor by Faith alone nor by good Works alone is Salvation attained but by joining both together And As the Clouds darken Heaven so intemperate Banquetting the Minde as the violence of windes and waves sinks a Ship so drunkenness and gluttony our souls and bodies in the depth of hell And Virtues separated are annihilated Equity without goodness is severitie and Justice without Piety cruelty And some that lived commendably before they attained to dignity being set in the Candlestick of the Church turn their light into darkness It had been better for such lights still to have been hidden under a bushel c. He was a man of an Excellent Wit and by his Ministry and example won many to a love of the Truth He wrote 176. Homilies Lib. ad Eutychen Epistoles alias PROSPER The Life of Prosper who dyed Anno Christi 466. PRosper was born in Aquitane and preferred to be Bishop of Rhegium in France He was Scholar to S. Augustine famous for Learning and Piety learnedly confuted the Pelagian Heresie He was assiduous in reading especially of the Scripture He usually had the four Evangelists in his hands He distributed his goods freely to the Poor His special care was to take away all strife and contentions from amongst his people He was a Father to all ages and sexes that were in the City He much addicted himself to Watching Fasting Prayer and Meditation He continued Bishop there twenty years flourished under Martianus Upon his death-bed speaking to many of his people that wept sore he said The Life which I have enjoyed was but given me upon condition to render it up again not grutchingly but gladly For me to have stayed longer here might seem better for you but for me it is better to be dissolved c. And so Praying and lifting up his hands to God before them all he departed Anno Christi 466. He was excellently versed in the Sacred Scriptures and no less famous in Humane Learning He was a very good Poet and an Eloquent Orator of a profound Judgement subtile Wit a nervous Writer and holy Liver His Works are all printed in Octavo at Cullen Anno Christi 1609. He used to say Thou shalt neither hate the man for his vice nor love the vice for the mans sake And Thou boastest of thy wealth honour strength beauty c. consider what thou arâ— by sin and shalt be in the grave and thy plumes will fall for every proud man forgets himself And As the Soul is the life of the Body so the life of the Soul is God when the Soul departs the Body dies and when God departs the Soul dies And Those things which God would have searched into are not to be neglected but those which God would have hidden are not to be searched into by the later we become unlawfully curious and by the neglect of the former damnably ingrateful And The envious man hath so many tortures as the envied hath praisers It s the Justice of envy to kill and torment the envious And The Life to come is blessed Eternity and Eternal blessedness there is certain security secure quietness quiet joyfulness happy Eternity eternal Felicity The Life of Fulgentius who dyed An. Chri. 529. HVnerick the Arian King of the Vandals having subdued Carthage banished all the Senators thereof into Italy amongst whom was Gordian Grandfather to Fulgentius And after the decease of Gordian Claudius his son returned unto Carthage and though his house was given to an â—rian Priest he recovered a great part of his Inheritance by some favour which he found at the Kings hands and so departing to Lepte he there setled his habitation But shortly after dying he left his son Fulgentius to the care of his Mother Mariana who was very careful to train him up in Learning causing him to be instructed in the Greek Tongue before he learned Latine that thereby he might attain to the greater perfection in that Language and as his years encreased so did he highly profit in all sorts of Learning to the great joy of his Mother who exceedingly rejoyced to see his wisdom and towardness which also much refreshed her after the loss of her dear husband yea she was so well satisfied with his Prudence that she committed to his care the government of her whole house and he so well behaved himself therein that he pleased his friends silenced his il-willers and both by direction and correction procured an awful respect from the servants He was also very careful to preserve his Patrimony By this his deportment he gat so much credit and esteem that he was made the Kings Collector and required to be rigorous in exacting the rated payments But after a while it pleased God that this multiplicity and burden of worldly businesses began to be very heavy to
this day Having notice given on the over-night that the next day he should be burn'd he said I am ready God grant me strength and a joyfull resurrection and so he went to his chamber pouring out his spirit unto the Lord in pâ—ayer and giving him most hearty thanks for accounting him worthy to suffer for his Truth Going into Smithfield the way was very foul whereupon two Officers took him up to bear him to the stake then â—e said merrily Whâ—t will you make me Pope Comming into Smithfield he kneeled down saying I will pay my vows in thee O Smithfield He kissed the stake saying Shall I disdaine to suffer at this stake when my Lord and Saviour refused not to suffer a most vile death for me When the fire was kindled with much meekness and comfort he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1555. In a Letter which he wrote to John Carelesse then prisoner in the Kings-bench he thus writes Indeed my dear Carelesse I am in this world in hell and in the shadow of death but he that for my deserts hath brought me down into hell shall shortly lift me up unto heaven where I shall look continually for your comming and others of my faithful brethren in the Kings-bench And though I tell you that I am in hell in the judgement of the world yet assuredly I feel in the same the consolation of heaven I praise God And this lothsome and horrible prison is as pleasant to me as the walks in the Garden of the Kings-bench And in a Letter that he wrote to his Sister he thus concludes My dissolution I look for daily but the Lord knoweth how unworthy I am of so high an honour as to die for the testimony of his Truth Pray that God would vouchsafe to make me worthy as he hath done of long imprisonment Pray and look for the coming of the Lord c. In another Letter he writes thus Commend me to Mr. Elsing and his wife and thank them for providing me some ease in prison and tell them that though my Lords Cole house be but very black yet it is more to be desired of the faithfull then the Queens Palace The world wondereth how we can be merry in such extream miseries but our God is omnipotent which turneth misery into felicity Beleeve me there is no such â—oy in the world as the people of Christ have under the Crosse I speak by exâ—rence therefore believe me and fear nothing that the world can doe unto you for when they imprison our bodies they set our souls at liberty with God when they cast us down they life us up yea when they kill us then doe they send us to everlasting life and what greater glory can there be then to be made confoâ—mable to our head Christ which is done by afflictions O good God what am I upon whom thou shoulde bestow so great a mercy This is the day which the Lord hath made let us rejoyce and be glad in the same this is the way though it be but narrow which is full of the peace of God and leadeth to eternall blisse Oh how my heart leapeth for joy that I am so near the apprehension thereof God forgive me my unthankfulness and unworthiness of so great glory I hâ—ve so much joy that though I be in a place of darknesse and mourning yet I cannot lament but both night and day am so joyfull as if I were under no crosse at all yea in all the daies of my life I was never so merry the name of the Lord be praised for ever and ever and the Lord pardon my unthâ—nkfulness Our enemies do fret fume and grash their teeth to see and hear that we under this grievous affliction can be so merry Pray instantly that this joy may never be taken from us for it passeth all the delights of this world This is the peace of God which passeth all understanding This peace the more his chosen be afflicted the more they feel and therefore cannot faint neither for fire nor water Whilst Mr. Philpot was prisoner in Newgate a dertaine friend of his that scrupled the Baptizing of Infants wrote to him for his judgement about it to whom he wrote a large and learned Answer proving by Scripture by Arguments by testimony of the Fathers and by the constant practise of the Primitive Church from the Apostles daies the lawfulnesse and necessity of the same which you may read in the Book of Martyrs vol. 3. pag. 606. c. THO. CRANMER The Life of Thomas Cranmer who died Anno Christi 1555. THomas Cranmer was a Gentleman by birth of a very ancient Family born at Arselacton in Nottinghamshirte brought up at School and from thence sent to Cambridge where profiting much in learning he was chosen fellow in Jesus Colledge After which he married a wife and thereby loosing his Fellow-ship he was chosen Divinity-Reader in Buckingham-Colledge but not long after his wife dying in child-bed the Master and Fellows chose him again Fellow into Jesus Colledge After which he commenced Doctor in Divinity From thence hee was chosen a Fellow in the Foundation of Cardinal Wolsey's Colledge in Oxford but fore-seeing the danger which after followed he refused that place Whilst he was in Cambridge the question arose about King Henries Divorce from his brothers widdow and the Plague breaking forth at Cambridge Doctor Cranmer retired to Waltham-Abbey At which time this fell out The King to recreate himselfe and to take private counsell with those in whom he most consided who were the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk and some others went on hunting to Waltham at which time he signified his minde to Steven Gardiner his Secretary and to Fox his Almoner willing them to search what was most expedient for him to doe to end well that controversie about his Marriage and as God would have it these two men lodged in the house of one Master Cressie at Waltham where also Doctor Cranmer was having left Cambridge upon the forementioned occasion â—nd being Tutor to Master Cressies two sons Gardiner and Fox thus meeting with him and knowing him to be famous for learning and piety invited him to their good cheer and asked his advice concerning the Kings cause Dr. Cranmer was at fiâ—st very loath to deliver his judgement but being much importunâ—d by them he at last â—aid I cannot say much on the sudden in so weighty a businesse without study and meditation but in my opinion seeing the King is in so great trouble of mind and conscience nothing can more encrease it then so great delaies and wandring in Romish suites inwhich whosoever are once entangled can source ever extricaâ—e themselves out of the snares I think it better therefore that layâ—ing aside all delayes and Court suites wherein the King hath been too long tossed with great affliction of mind the judgement of Divines hath in our
THE MARROW OF Ecclesiastical History CONTAINED IN The LIVES of one hundred forty eight FATHERS SCHOOLMEN first REFORMERS and MODERN DIVINES which have flourished in the Church since Christ's time to this present Age Faithfully collected and orderly disposed according to the CENTURIES wherein they lived Together With the Lively Effigies of most of the eminentest of them cut in COPPER The second Edition enlarged in most of the Lives with the addition of nine Lives which were not in the Former By SAMUEL CLARK Pastor of Bennet Fink London Vt qui praeceptis non accendimur saltem exemplis incitemur atque in appetitu Rectitudinis nil sibi mens nostra difficile astimet quod perfectè peragi ab aliis videt Greg. Mag. l. 9. c 43. Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race which is set before us Heb. 12. 1. London Printed for T. V. and are to be sold by William Roybould at the Vnicorn in Pauls-Church-yard 1654. To the Christian Reader CHRISTIAN READER THe nature of man is more apt to be guided by Examples then by Precepts especially by the the examples of men eminently learned and of great repute for Pietie and Godliness Such men are as Looking-glasses to the places where they live by which most people dress themselves and when they fall into sin they fall like men in a croud many falling with them The bodies of men are not so subject to be infected by the illness of the ayr as the souls of men by the ill examples of godly learned Ministers When Peter at Antioch dissembled many of the Jews dissembled likewise with him and Barnâ—ibas was brought into their dissimulation also It is very remarkable that this example of Peter is said to be a constraining of the Gentiles to Judaize Why constrainest thou the Gentiles to do as the Jews Gal. 2 14. There is a compulsive power in the ill examples of godly men to constrain others to do the evil that they do and therefore let godly Ministers especially in these days take heed least by any wicked compliance they build men up in sin and bring destruction upon themselves as the two sons of old Ely did who by their wicked examples made the people of Israel to transgress and thereby brought ruine upon their old Father and themselves 1 Sam. 2. 24. And so on the contrary there is a heavenly power and efficacy in the good examples of men eminent in place and godliness to draw others to Pietie and Holiness As long as Joshua lived and the Elders that had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel the children of Israel served the Lord. The religious cariage of Theodosius the Emperour in his family made not only his family but his whole Court to be a nourcery of Religion Pezel Mel Hist. in vita Theodo 2. But this is most especially seen in the godly Lives of godly and learned Ministers Herod the King reverenced John Baptist observed him and when he heard him did many things and heard him gladly not so much for the love of his doctrine as because he was a just and holy man and as Jesus Christ saith of him a burning and shining light burning in holy zeal for God as well as shining in Orthodox Doctrine He is called by the Prophet The voyce of him that cryeth in the wilderness And as Nazianzen saith of him he cryed louder by the holiness of his life then the sincerity of his doctrine He was Tota vox All voyce his apparel his diet and his conversation did Preach holiness as well as his doctrine Mar. 6 20. John 5. 35. Isay 40. 3. And therefore is cannot but be a work very profitable to the Church of Christ for any man to write a History of the Lives of the eminently learned and godly Ministers of former times as a fair Copy for Posterity to write after and a Patten for them to imitate This Reverend religious and learned Author hath undertaken this work in this ensuing Treatise and effected it so well as that I thought it not sufficient to give a naked Imprimatur unto it without this additional commendation both of the Author and of his work The Apostle having in the eleventh Chapter to the Hebrews given us a littleâ—Book of Martyrs in the beginning of the twelfth Chapter he calls them A cloud of witnesses Such a cloud of witnesses is contained in this Book And as the childreu of Israel were directed in their journeys by the Pillar of a Cloud that went before them as long as they were in the Wilderness so let us make this cloud of Witnesses so far as it followeth Christ a Pillar of Cloud to guide us while we are in the Wilderness of this World till we come to enjoy that unexpressible happiness of which they are now made partakers So prayeth your servant in Christ Jesus EDMUND CALAMY TO THE Christian Reader Christian Reader THE right improvement of good Examples doth reach the highest ends of man viz. Gods honor and the souls welfare It was an honor unto King David to have so many men of valor under his command And doubtless the wisdom faith love Zeal courage and humility which Gods faithful servants in the several ages of the Church have expressed in their attendance upon him do publish the high praises of his blessed Majesty For if there appear so much worth in small drops what is there in the Seas of Divine Al-sufficiencie He that seeth the Sun-beams bright will see cause to admire the brightness of the Sun it self The luster left upon Moses his face by the reflection of the glory of Gods back parts was a full demonstration of the incomparable infinite glory of his face When we read of me raised above the World despising promises and scorning threatnings whereby they have been assaulted to desert the Truth of the Gospel and to make shipwrack of a good conscience how can we do less then glorifie God in them For can any power on this side Omnipotencie enable sinful men to deny themselves their dearest relations and the greatest earthly advantages for Jesus Christ How much of Deity shines in their Lives who could trample upon preferments laugh at imprisonment and banishment yea with smiles and joys embrace stakes and endure flames in love unto the Lord Jesus Oh what abundant occasion is administred of adoring the most High God in his rich perfections faithfulness and unchangeableness when we consider how even to admiration he hath furnished many of his Ambassadors with raised parts and graces to defend his cause and edifie his Church in the several corners of the World from generation to generation Histories hold forth the acknowledgements extorted from Heathens to the honor of the true God upon the notice taken of Christians gracious carriage both
of the everlasting fire at the Day of Judgment and of those endless torments which are reserved for the wicked But why make you all these delays appoint me to what death you please Whilest he spake these things he was replenished with joy and boldness and his countenance appeared so full of grace and gravity that it was evident that he was nothing troubled with the cruel threats of the Proconsul but on the contrary the Proconsul himself began to be amazed and sent for the Cryer commanding him in the midst of the Theater to cry three times Polycarp hath confessed himself to be a Christian Hereupon the multitude both of Jews and Gentiles inhabiting Smyrna cryed out in a great rage Iste Asiae Doctor c. This is that Doctor of Asia the Father of the Christians the Overthrower of our gods who hath taught many that our gods are not to be adored and thereupon they cryed to the Proconsul that a Lyon might be let loose to devour him But he told them that he might not do it for that the game of Beasts was now finished Then they cryed with one voice that Polycarp should be burned alive To which when the Proconsul had assented the multitude forthwith carryed logs and wood out of their Shops and Booths especially the Jews after their wonted manner were very forward herein The pile being prepared Polycarp put off his apparrel the faithful assisting and contending amongst themselves who should touch his body at his farewell Being thus made ready when they would have nailed him to the stake he said Nay suffer me even as I am for he that hath given me strength to come to this fire will also give me patience to persevere therein without your fastning of my body with nails Then they bound his hands behind him which done he prayed thus O Father of thy Wel. Beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ through whom we have known thee O God of Angels Powers and of every living creature and of just men which live in thy presence I thank thee that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this day and this hour to allot me a portions amongst the number of Martyrs to drink of the Cup of Christ unto the Resurrection of everlasting life both of Body and Soul through the operation of the Holy Spirit amongst whom I shall this day be received into thy sight for an acceptable Sacrifice And as thou hast prepared and revealed this before hand so thou hast now accomplished and fulfilled the same O thou most true God which canst not lye wherefore for all these things I praise thee I bless thee I glorifie thee through the everlasting Bishop and Shepherd of our Souls Christ Jesus to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all Honour and Glory world without end Amen Having ended his Prayer the tormentors kindled the fire The flame vehemently flashed about which was terrible to the beholders But the slame framing it self after the manner of a vault or sail of a Ship with the blustering blasts of wind touched not the holy Martyrs Body which sent forth a fragrant and sweet smell like unto Frankincense or such like pretious Perfume But the cruel Persecutors perceiving that the fire touched not his body called for a tormentor charging him to thrust him into the side with a spear which being done there issued our such abundance of blood as quenched the fire to the great astonishment of the beholders Then did the Jews stir up Nicetes the Father of Herod and his Brother Dalces to move the Proconsul that his body might not be delivered to the Christians least say they leaving Christ they fall to worship him This they said through their ignorance not knowing that we can never forsake Christ which dyed for our Salvation to worship any other For we worship Christ as the Son of God the Martyrs we love as the Disciples and followers of the Lord and that worthily for the invincible love which they bear to their King and Master c. Hereupon the Proconsul caused his body to satisfie the Jews to be laid upon a pile of wood and burned Irenaeus being young was acquainted with him and writeth of him that Anicetus being Bishop of Rome Polycarp went thither and questioned with him about the celebration of Easter He saith also that there is extant an Epistle of Polycarps unto the Philippians very profitable for such as are careful for their Salvation where they may know the true character of Faith and the right rule of Doctrine It is said of him that he was testis fidelis constansque veritatis A faithful and constant witness to the Truth Nay by his Wisdom Zeal and Piety he recalled many from Heresies and Errors He so detested Hereticks that when Marcion of his former acquaintance met him at Rome and wondering that he took no notice of him said Dost thou not know me Polycarp Yea said he I know thee wel thou art the eldest son to the Divel His manner was to stop his ears if at any time he heard the wicked speeches of Hereticks and to shun those very places where such speeches had been uttered He suffered Martyrdom in the seventh year of Verus Anno Christi 170. of his Age 86. In the midst of the flames he made this excellent Prayer O God the Father of thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ through whom we have received the knowledge of thee O God the Creator of all things upon thee I call thee I confess to be the true God Thee I glorifie O Lord receive me and make me a companion of the resurrection of thy Saints through the merits of our great High Priest thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ to whom with the Father and God the Holy Ghost be honour and glory for ever Amen He was a Bishop about 63 years Herom writing of him saith that he was in great esteem through all Asia for that he was Scholar to the Apostles and to them that did see and were conversant with Christ himself and therefore his authority was of great credit not only with his own Church but with all other Churches about him There is extant an Epistle of his to the Philippians but Scultetus judgeth it spurious The Life of Dionysius Areopagita who dyed Anno Christi 96. DIonysius Areopagita was born at Athens of eminent Parents he was very studious He travelled into Egypt to get skill in Astronomie At the age of 25 years at Heliopolis whilest he lived with Apollophanes the Philosopher he saw that general Eclipse of the Sun at our Saviours passion and as one amazed said Aut Deus naturae patitur aut mundi machina dissolvetur Either the God of Nature now suffers or the frame of the World shall be dissolved And to another Ignotus in carne patitur Deus c. God unknown in the flesh doth suffer for whose sake the Universe is covered with this thick darkness Saint Paul coming
Malefactors but judged them to death not convicted but out of an hatred to their name Other men saith he which are appeached in judgement are not condemned till they are first convicted But for us you take the name for a sufficient crime whereas indeed you ought to see justice done rather upon our accusers So that if a Christian that is accused deny his name him you release being not able to charge him with any other offence But if he stand to his name you condemn him Whereas it were your duty rather to examine their manner of life and so according to their demerits to see justice done upon them And in another place You examine not the Causes but hurried on with rash affections as with the spur of fury you slay and murther the innocent without any respect of justice And if any will say some of them have been taken in evil doings I answer that you use not to enquire after those things but condemn them before due examination of their offences for the cause above mentioned Hereby it appears that you degenerate from the goodness of your predecessors whose examples you follow not For your Father Adrian of famous memory caused to be proclaimed that Christians accused before the Judge should not be condemned unless they were found guilty of some notorious crime c. In the same Apologie he also proves by firm and strong arguments that Christians ought not at the sole will and command of the Emperor and Senate to offer Sacrifice to Idols for which if they be condemned they suffer open wrong He affirms moreover that the only true Religion is the Religion of Christians whose Doctrine and Conversation hath no fault And although by these and such like perswasions he could not prevail with the Emperour to love their Religion and to become a Christian yet thus much he obtained that the Emperour wrote to his Officers in Asia in the behalf of the Christians requiring and commanding them that those Christians only that were found guilty of other crimes should suffer and that none for the bare name of a Christian should be punished as hitherto they had been By this it is apparent with what zeal and â—aith Justine strove against the persecutors of his time who as he used to say could kill but could not hurt At last he went to Rome where he had many open disputations and publique conferences with some Philosophers especially with one Crescens who was of the Sect of the Câ—nikes from whom he alwayes bore away the Bell which tended to the shortning of his life as himself foresaw and foretold in these words I look for no other end then this that I be betrayed by some one of them called Philosophers or knocked on the head with a club by Crescens no Philosopher indeed but a proud boaster For it is not meet to call him a Philosopher which ignorantly reporteth that the Christians are impious and irreligious to the end that he may flatter and please such as are over-shadowed with the mist of error and ignorance For if he impugn the Doctrine of the Christians having never read nor known the same then is he full of malice and far worse then Idiots that sometimes fear to reason of unknown matters least they speak falsely Or if he hath read them yet he understands not the Mysterie and Majestical meaning thereof Or if in any thing he understands them yet is he afraid to confess the Truth least he should be taken for one of them and then he is far more wicked and malitious yea the bondslave of vain glory and brutish fear I desire that you may understand the Truth I have proposed certain Questions and Interrogatories to him whereby I have found that he knows nothing So that if you knew what I propounded and what answer he made thereto you would certainly give sentence that he is altogether ignorant in our Doctrine c. And according to this his prediction he was slain by the procurement of Crescens being beheaded An. Christi 139. Suffering Martyrdom with much cheerfulness under Verus the Emperor or as Epiphanius saith under Adrian Tatianus a learned man writeth thus of it Crescens saith he being in Rome passed all men in that filthy and unnatural sin of Sodomie defiling himself with mankinde inferiour also he was to no man in covetousness He taught that death was not to be feared yet himself was so extreamly fearful of it that he procured Justins death as it were for a great evill Because that he Preaching the Truth reprehended the Philosophers as gluttonous and deceitful persons He confuted Marcion the Heretick and the Valentinians He complain'd to the Emperor Antoninus Pius of the cruelty of the Proconsul in Asia against the Christians who forbad them to read any Books that spake of Christ. His usual saying was That which the Soul is in the Body that are Christians in the World for as the Soul is in but not of the Body so Christians are in but no part of the World Also It is best of all not to sin and next to that to amend upon the punishment Again That it is the greatest slavery in the World to be subject to ones own passions He was one that did not only suffer in his Saviours Cause but took great pains in defending it against all oppositions in his times He gat much repute for his constant zeal against Idolatry and Superstition and perswading the Gentiles to leave it as a vain and unprofitable service declaring unto them the excellency and benefit of the true Worship of God So that he was a blessed Instrument to bring many out of that miserable condition cheerfully to imbrace the Faith of Christ crucified His works are these A Dialogue with Triphon the Jew An Apology to the Senate of Rome Another to Antoninus Pius An Oration to the Gentiles with some Epistles One Ad Zenam Serenum Altera ad Diognetum Paraenetica Oratio ad Graecos IRENAEVS The Life of Irenaeus who dyed An. Chrsti 182. IRenaeus was born in Asia of Greek Parents as both his name and writings do declare In his younger years he was scholar to and a constant hearer of Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna In his riper years he went into France and was Ordained Minister by Photinus Bishop of Lyons and some other Presbyters At this time the Church of Christ was in great trouble both by reason of the Persecution raised by foraign Enemies but especially by reason of Errors and Sects which then sprung up in that time against which he diligently laboured and wrote much His Nature did well agree with his Name for he was a great lover of Peace and endeavoured to the uttermost to procure Unity when Controversies arose in the Church And therefore when the great controversie about keeping Easter day was renewed and Victor the Bishop of Rome would have excommunicated the Eastern Churches as
with above seven swift Notaries who wrote that which he dictated to them Whilest he continued at Alexandria there came a Souldier with Letters from the Governour of Arabia to Demerius the Bishop of that Sea and to the Lieutenant of Egypt desiring them with all speed to send Origen to him which might communicate to him some part of his Doctrine Hereupon he took his voyage into Arabia and instructed the Governour thereof and hearing that Beryllus Bishop of Bostra inâ— Arabia taught that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ before his incarnation had no being and that he had no proper Divinity but only his Fathers Divinity dwelling in him about which Heresie many Bishops had dealt with him by conference and disputation and yet could not reclaim him Origen was sent for who conferred with him at first to finde the ground of his opinion after which perceiving him not to believe aright he rebuked him perswaded him with reasons convinced him by manifest proofs and so restored him to the truth He wrote 22. Tomes upon the Gospel of St. John 12. upon Genesis five upon the Lamentations of Ieremy Annotations upon the first five and twenty Psalms two Books of the Resurrection one of Principal Beginnings ten called Stromateis He wrote also Commentaries upon Isaiah in 30. Tomes upon Ezekiel in 25. Tomes upon the Canticks in ten Books c. Whilst Origen executed his Pastoral Office at Caesarea which was after he had left Alexandria many flocked to his Ministry not only men of that Countrey but also infinite Forreiners who forsaking their Native soil came to be his Disciples amongst whom were Theodorus and Athenodorus two brethren who after they had continued with him five years profited so much in the holy Scripture that they were ordained Bishops in Pontus And now Origen being above sixty years old and much worn and wasted by reason of his incessant studies and painfull exercises at length permitted that those things which he had publickly preached and disputed of should by his Notaries be copied out which before he would not suffer to be done About the same time also he wrote his Book against Celsus the Epicure intituled the word of truth Then 25. Tracts upon the Gospel of St. Matthew and 25 upon the Minor Prophets he wrote also above an hundred Epistles About this time there arose some Hereticks in Arabia who taught that the soul dyeth together with the body and that in the General Resurrection they should arise together and be restored to life again For which cause a Synod was congregated and Origen was sent for who so strenuously disputed against these Hereticks that he withdrew their seduced minds from this foul errour Decius succeeding Thilip in the Roman Empire raised a persecution against the Church wherein amongst others Origen suffered grievous things the spitefull Devil deadly pursuing him with his whole Troop striving against him with all the might and sleight that could be possibly invented so that for the Doctrine of Christ he sustained imprisonments torments of body scourging at Iron stakes stench of dark and loathsom dungeons and for many days his feet lay stretched four spaces asunder in the stocks all which he patiently endured together with the terrible threats of fire and all that the enemie could invent against him After all which he died under Gallus and Volusianus being 69. years old Anno Christi 220. It is to be wondred at what pious ejaculations comfortable prayers and zealous exhortations he made and gave to the Christians in the extremity of his sufferings retaining his valour and constancy to the giving up of his Ghost One saith of him Origeni nulla pars aetatis periit à studiis That Origens whole life was a continued study And another saith Origenis ingenium sufficiebat ad omnia perdiscenda that he had such pregnancy of wit that he could learn any thing that he had a wonderfull faculty in expressing himself ex tempore and that he was wondrous quick and able to explicate obscure places of Scripture Jerome stiles him Magistrum Ecclesiarum post Apostolos Another saith Quis ex Scriptoribus qui post Origenem vixeâ—â— non â—â—â—gniter ab eo est adjutus Who of all the writers that lived after Origen that was not singularly holpen by his Labours He used to say That Gods Providence hath ordained all things for some end and purpose He made not malice and though be can restrain it yet he will not For if malice were not vertue should not have a contrary and so could not shine so clear For the malice of Josephs Brethren was the means whereby God brought about many admirable works of his providence as the story sheweth Opera Origenis Tomis duobus Basiliae 1536. apud Frobenium sunt edita CIPRIAN The Life of Cyprian who dyed Anno Christi 259. CYprian was an African born in the ancient City of Carthage and being educated in the study of the Liberal Arts he profited so much therein that whilest he was young he was chosen Professor of Rhetorick Yet was he at first a Gentile and Idolator loose and profane in his practise and much addicted to the study of Magical Arts But it pleased God who had chosen him to be a vessel of mercy for his own glory to convert him by the means and Ministry of Cecilius a godly Presbyter of Carthage whose name he ever afterwards bore and through the occasion of hearing him preach upon the History of the Prophet Jonas Immediatly upon his conversion he distributed all his goods amongst the poor And the Carthagenians perceiving in him a very great zeal and ardour for the propagation of the Christian Religion they prevailed with him to be ordained a Presbyter in which office he so worthily demeaned himself that not long after he was made the Bishop of the Church of Carthage and therein gave an excellent example of Modesty Humility Charity Greatness of mind and Fidelity His modesty appeared in that in all great and weighty businesses he would never determin or act any thing of himself but by the common consent and advice of his Presbyters yea he many times called in the help and assistance of the whole Church His humility appeared in that he was never tenacious nor wilfull in his own judgement but what was wholsomly advised and counselled by his brethren and Collegues that he willingly assented to His charity was notably seen in that he did not only commend the care of the poor to his Presbyters but himself also according to his ability was alwayes forward in ministring to them The greatness of his mind appeared in this speech of his Si qui sunt c. If there be any saith he that think to adjoyn themselves to the Church not by their prayers but by their threats not by their humiliation and satisfaction when they have scandalized the Brethren but by their great words and
injuria praesentium malorum fiducia futurorum bonorum All injurie of evils present is to be neglected for the hope of good things to come Nihil prodest verbis proferre virtutem factis destruere To set out vertue in words and by deeds to destroy the same is nothing worth Cyprian in another Book mentioneth twelve absurdities in the life of man which are these Sapiens sine operibus A wise man without good works Senex sine Religione An old man without Religion Adolescens sine Obedientia A young man without Obedience Dives sine Elemosyna A rich man without Alms. Famina sine Pudicitia A woman without shamefastness Dominus sine Virtute A guide without Vertue Christianus contentiosus A contentious Christian. Pauper superbus A poor man that is proud Rex inîquns A King that is unjust Episcopus negligens A Bishop that is negligent Plebs sine Disciplina People without Discipline Populus sine Lege Subjects without Law His works are four Books containing 62 Epistles Besides Tractatus contra Demetrianum De Habitu Virginum De Simplicitate Praelatorum De Idolorum Vanitate Sermo de Ele emosyna De Zelo Livore De bono Patientiae De Mortalitate De Lapsis De Oratione Dominica Liber de Exhortatione Martyris The Life of Arnobius who flourished Anno Christi 330. ARnobius was a famous Professor of Rhetorick in a City of Africk called Sicca About the year 330. being converted to the Christian Religion he came to some Bishops earnestly desiring to be admitted into the Church and Baptized but they suspecting nè vir seculari eloquentiâ tumens c. lest a man swelling and puffed up with secular wisdom and who had always hitherto opposed Christian Religion should make a mock both of them and it therefore they rejected him whereupon he offered unto them those seven Excellent Volumes of his Disputations against his former Gentilism which they seeing with great joy received him He was Master to Lactantius He used to say that Persecution brings Death in one hand and Life in the other for while it kils the Body it crowns the Soul He flourished under Dioclesian between Anno Christi 300. 330. Learned Scultetus in his Medulla Patrum holds all the works that go under the name of this Arnobius to be spurious but only those seven Books which he wrote against the Gentiles wherein saith he Eruditè quidem tumido elatoque orationis genere contra gentes disputat The Life of Eusebius who dyed Anno Chri. 340. THe life of Eusebius was written by Acatius his Disciple and successor in the Bishoprick of Caesarea which being lost I can meet with no Author that gives us any account either of his Parents Masters or his first course of life But Eusebius is commended to the Christian World not for his Parents and Masters sake but for his excellent wit and great variety of Learning So that S. Basil saith of him Eusebius Palaestinus est fide dignus propter multiplicem experientiam Eusebius of Palestine is worthy to be credited for his great experience S. Hierom saith Eusebius in Divinis Scripturis studiosissimus Bibliothecae Divinae cum Pamphilo Martyre diligentissimus pervestigator Eusebius was a great student of the sacred Scriptures and together with Pamphilus the Martyr a most diligent seacher of the Divine Library Evagrius saith Eusebius vir sanè cùm in aliis rebus disertissimus tùm in scribendo tantum pollens ut possit lectores suorum librorum etsi non efficere perfectos Christianos ita tamen persuadendo impellere ut Christianam Religionem lubenter colant Eusebius truly was a man as in other things most Eloquent so in writing of such prevalency that though he could not make the Readers of his Books perfect Christians yet he could inforce them by his perswasions willingly to embrace the Christian Religion He was Bishop of Caesarea Palestina and for his great love to Pamphilus sir-named Pamphilus a most learned man of whom Constantine the Great used to say that he was worthy to be Bishop not of one only City but of the whole World and for his eloquence Hierom stiled him Romani eloquii Tubam the Trumpet of Roman Elocution About this time Eustathius Bishop of Antioch was deposed from his Bishoprick as some say for the Sabellian Heresie whereupon there was kindled in Antioch such a fierie flame of Sedition that in a manner the whole City was therewith turned upside down Amongst the common sort of people some cleaved to this side some to that The Garrison Souldiers also were so divided and set one against the other that if God and the Allegiance they owed to the good Emperour Constantine the Great had not been called to remembrance they had lamentably murthered one another But the Emperour by his Letters appeased the Tumult and Sedition that was raised amongst them the cause whereof was this One party of them chose Eusebius Pamphilus for their Bishop and would bring him in the other party would have their former Bishop Eustathius again But Eusebius refused to come to them whereupon the Emperour Constantine highly commended him for his wisdom and moderation Afterwards a Synod being gathered at Tyre to determine the controversies which were sprung up amongst the Bishops Constantine sent Eusebius thither to take cognizance of their differences where this memorable thing fell out Potamon one of the Bishops seeing Eusebius to rit as a Judge and Athanasius standing and pleading his cause before him being overcome with sorrow and weeping for those things which he saw the Professors of the Truth to suffer with a loud voice he inveighed against Eusebius saying Thou sittest there Eusebius and innocent Athanasius stands to be judged by thee Who can endure such things Tell me Eusebius Was thou not in Prison with me in the time of Persecution and I truly lost one of my Eyes for the Truth sake but thou hast nothing mutilated in thy Body neither didst thou give any testimony for thy Confession thou livest and hast had no member cut off How gatest thou out of Prison but because thou either madest a promise of submission to our Persecutors or else didst that which was abominable Eusebius hearing these things grew into great choller and dissolved the Assembly saying If you come hither and now speak such things against us surely your Accusers speak nothing but the truth For if you go about to exercise a Tyranny here much more will you do it in your own Country There is much contest amongst Divines both Ancient and Modern what Eusebius Faith was about the person of the Son of God Some charge him with Arianism for denying the Deity of Christ but Athanasius saith that he recanted it in the Nicaene Council Eustathius of Antioch accused him for innovating the Nicaene Creed when as himself professed that he rested satisfied therewith Hierom nameth him for an open defender of the Arian
impiety On the contrary Socrates out of Eusebius his writings endeavours to vindicate him from that charge Learned Scultetus thus reconciles them Aries saith he denyed two things The Eternity of the Son of God his Co-equality with the Father Eusebius doth every where profess the Eternity of Christ But his Co-equality he never seriously believed He used to say That Moses wrote the Old Law in dead Tables of stone but Christ did write the perfect Documents of the New Testament in living Souls He flourished under Constantinus Magnus and Constantius His Ecclesiastical History is well known besides which he wrote some other Books as Libri Praeparationis Evangelicae 15. Libri Demonstrationis Evangelicae decem and some others which are lost The Life of Lactantius who flourished An. Chri. 308. LUcius Caelius was an Italian by birth and from his Country Firmia was called Firmtanus d lacteo dicendi genere was called Lactantius He sometime lived at Rome where he was scholar to Arnobius under whom he profited exceedingly and became so famous for his Eloquence that he far surpassed his Master therein Wimphelingus contends to have him a German by birth and saith that there is till this day a famous family of the Firmiani in Germany who boast themselves to be the Progenie of Lactantius Having perfected his Studies at Rome he went into Bythinia where he taught Oratory under the raign of Dioclesian and Constantine and when he saw the Christian Religion to want some Eloquent Defenders of it he took pen in hand and besides divers others writings which are perished he wrote his seven Books of Institutions against the Gentiles a Book De Ira Dei of the Anger of God and another of Gods Workmanship Also an Epitome of the Divine Institutions Other things that are fathered upon him are spurious saith the Learned Scultetus About the nineteenth year of Dioclesian there was an horrible Persecution raised against the Church of Christ wherein the Christian Churches were demolished the Sacred Scriptures and other godly Books were burnt the Christians themselves were dragged to most inhumane tortures and torments yea where any were found that constantly adhered unto Christ they were cruelly martyred yet it pleased God to hide Lactantius in this great storm though he retained his Piety fearing no torments but resolved both in Life and Death to cleave close unto Christ. He Dedicated most of his Works to Constantin Magn. Hierom faith of him Lactantius quasi quidâ—m fluvius Tullianae Eloquentis Lactantius flowed with Eloquence yea as abounding as Tullie himself c. In his old Age for his rare Parts he was appointed Tutor to Constantine's Son He was so far from seeking after riches that he died very poor He used to say That godliness alwayes enriches the possessor He flourished under Dioclesian Anno Christi 308. ATHANATIVS The Life of Athanasius who dyed Anno Christi 375. AThanasius was born in Alexandria and by the care of his Parents was brought up in all sorts of Learning both Humane aud Divine Being a boy upon a solemn sestival day he was playing amongst other boys who would needs imitate the Church in her Sacred Offices and for that end they chose Athanasius for their Bishop who acted his part well examining other boys about the Principles of Religion to prepare them for Baptism It fell out that whilest they were at their sport came by Alexander the Bishop of Alexandria and observing the manner of their past-time he called them before him examining every boy what part he had acted thereby gathering their dispositions for future imployments Then did he cause them all to be carefully educated in good Learning but above all he took a love to and was exceeding careful of the education of Athanasius for his ingenuity diligence and towardliness and when he came to ripeness of years he made him Deacon and finding him a nimble and good Disputant he took him with him to the Council of Nice summoned by Constantine the Great against the Arians to aid and assist him in his Disputations which procured him much hatred and trouble from the Arians as afterwards we shall hear Alexander having by long familiarity with him gained experience of his Piety Parts and Zeal in defending the Truth against the Hereticks of those times when he lay upon his death bed was directed by God to choose Athanasius for his successor in his Bishopâ—ick which Athanasius having intelligence of hid himself that he could not be found Yet did Alexander call for him and when he came not being now near death he said O Athanasius thou thinkest that thou canst escape yet shalt thou not escape this Office After the death of Alexander he was searched out and made his Successor This so irritated the Arians who had now crept into favour with the old Emperor that they sought by all means to cast him out of Alexandria and for that end they accused him to the Emperour as the Author of much Sedition and of many tumults in the Church they charged him with keeping many out of the Church which desired to return into the Unity of it by which means Peace and Concord was prevented they procured many Bishops and Presbyters to attest the truth of these things to the Emperour professing themselves to be Orthodox and accusing Athanasius and the Bishops that adhered to him to be the Authors of the murthers bonds unjust stripes wounds and burnings in the Church Athanasius on the contrary wrote to the Emperour that those Arians were the Authors of unlawful Ordinations and of innovating the Decrees of the Council of Nice of corrupting the Faith of Seditions and of prosecuting the Orthodox with unjust contumelies and reproaches The good old Emperour in these various informations knew not whom to believe but the Arians being about him having his Ear at command they procured the Emperour to write to Athanasius to require him to prohibit none from entring into the Church and if he should do otherwise he threatned to drive him out of Alexandria and to place another Bishop in his room Hereupon Athanasius wrote back to the Emperour labouring to convince him that the Arians ought not to be admitted to communicate with the Catholick Church Eusebius one of the chiefest of these Arians perceiving that he could not this way prevail against Athanasius intended secretly to make him away but not finding how to effect it he spake with the Miletians other Hereticks promising that if they would accuse Athanasius to the Emperour he would so far prevail with him and some other great persons about him that their cause should be heard Hereupon they put in a charge against Athanasius that he had imposed a Tribute of Linnen Garments upon the Egyptians affirming that he had also gathered the same But it pleased God that by chance there were present Alippius and Macarius two Presbyters of Alexandria who easily refelled and wiped off
friends and said to them Salvi estote filii c. God bless you my children for Epiphanius shall see your faces no more in this life and â—hortly after he dyed aged 115 years having been Bishop 55 years his loss was exceedingly lamented at Salamine He used to say That he never let his adversary sleep not that he disturbed him in his sleep but because he agreed with him presently and would not let the Sun go down upon his wrath His Works are printed together being most of them against the Heresies of his time the names are Opus contra Octuaginta Haereses Panarium Appellatum Compendium Fidei Christianae Anchoratus docens de Fide Christiana Anacephalaeosis sive summa totius operis Panarii appellatum Libellus de mensuris ponderibus Historia de Prophetarum vita interitu Epistola ad Johannem Episc Constantinopolitanum AMBROSE The Life of Ambrose who dyed An. Christi 397. A Mbrose Bishop of Millain his Father was a Praefect in France when Ambrose was an Infant a swarm of Bees as he lay in his Cradle setled on his Face and flew away without hurting of him whereupon his Father said Si vixerit infantulus iste aliquid magni erit if this childe live he will be some great man Afterwards he went to Rome and gained great knowledge in the Liberal Arts and was excellently accomplished with Eloquence and sweet behaviour whereupon he was made Governor of Insubria and so went to Millain where he was made Lieutenant and being made Lieutenant thereof about the same time this strange act happened When Auxentius whom the Arians had chosen to be Bishop of that Sea dyed all was there on an uprore about the Election of another Bishop and great strife there was whilst some would prefer this man and some others that man unto the Bishoprick The tumult being raised Ambrose the Lieutenant of the City who also was a Consul fearing greatly lest that Schism would breed mischief in the City came purposely into the Church to appease the Sedition And his presence prevailing very much with the people after he had given them many notable exhortations and thereby mitigated the rage of the heady and rash multitude All on a sudden with one voice and as it were with one mouth nominated Ambrose for their Bishop hoping hereby that all things would be reconciled and that all would embrace one Faith and Opinion The Bishops that were present thought verily that the uniform voice of the people was the voice of God himself wherefore without any further deliberation they took Ambrose who was but a Catechumenist and baptized him purposing also to enstal him in the Bishoprick Ambrose came willingly to Baptism yet denyed utterly to be a Bishop whereupon the Bishops made the Emperour Valentinian privy to their doings He wondering at the consent and agreement of the people judged that which was done to be the work of God himself he signified therefore to the Bishops that they should obey the Will of God and create Ambrose Bishop saying that God rather then men preferred him to this dignity Thus Ambrose being made Bishop the Citizens of Millain who aforetime were at discord amongst themselves thenceforth imbraced Peace and Unity Whereupon the good Emperour publickly returned thanks unto God in these words I give thee humble thanks O Omnipotent God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that whereas I had committed the Government of their Bodies to this man thou hast also committed their Souls to his care and thereby hast declared that my sentence was just in appointing him to such a place Not long after Ambrose spake very freely to the Emperour complaining of divers things which were ill administred by sundry of the Magistrates To whom that worthy Emperour answered I knew long ago that thou wast a free-spoken man for which cause I was so far from resisting thine Ordination to the Bishoprick as that I gave my free and full consent to it wherefore according to the rule of Gods Holy Word do thou prepare a medicine for our erring mindes This good Emperour a while after dying Justina his Wife being infected with the â—ilth of Arianism yet whilest her husband lived she could no kinde of way molest those that embraced the Faith of One Substance but after his decease removing to Millain together with her young son she raised such tumults against Ambrose the Bishop that in the end she prevailed for his banishment But the people who bore singular love and affection to Ambrose withstood her Act and hindred their force that went about to convey him into exile and it pleased God that just at the same time news came that Maximus a Britain had rebelled and that Gratian the Emperour was slain in France by Andâ—agathius the Captain of Maximus Which news so cooled the heat of Justina's spleen that she was content to let Ambrose alone Yet did she proceed to work upon the tender and flexible minde of her young son Valentinian junior and to instil into him the Principles of Arianism and the young man deceived by the enticements of his Mother too greedily drank in the poison thereof whereupon at length he began to communicate his minde to Ambrose supposing that if he could but draw him to his opinion he could easily overcome the rest But Ambrose began to minde him of the Piety and Sincerity of his Father exhorting him to defend the Truth which he had received from him as he would defend his Empire He also opened to him the difference between those two opinions shewing him how that of the Arians was directly contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his holy Apostles and that of the Orthodox was most consonant thereunto But the young man as a young man that was blinded with the Error of his Mother was so far from hearkening to the good counsel of Ambrose that on the contrary being inflamed with wrath he compassed the Church where Ambrose was with a great number of armed Souldiers thinking thereby to terrifie him But when he saw that this valiant Champion and Souldier of Christ was no whit affrighted he grew into such a rage that he commanded him to come forth of the Temple To whom Ambrose answered That will I never willingly do neither will I betray the Sheepfold of my Sheep to the Wolves nor deliver up this Temple of God to the Authors of blasphemy but if thou pleasest to kill me here is my breast peirce it either with thy sword or spear as thou pleasest for I desire and am willing to embrace such a death This his resolute answer made the Emperour to withdraw About this time Theodosius the great reigning in the East there fell out a great Sedition in the City of Thessalonica which some of the Magistrates coming to quiet by the furious people they were not only greatly reproached but stoned to death The news hereof being carried to
their large possessions whereupon she with her husband resolved to bequeath all their Revenues to the maintenance of Poor Christians Yet at last God was pleased to answer her requests giving her a son which she named Theodoret The gift of God He proved of great acuteness and in a short time profited so in Piety and in Letters that he was made a Bishop whilest he was yet a young man and shortly after he set forth that excellent work which he called The History of the Lovers of God He was a great opposer of Hereticks and wrote much against them and reduced many round about him that were Marcionites even to the hazard of his life He was wondrous charitable visiting and refreshing the bowels of the poor He was a careful imitator of Chrysostom whom he always proposed as a worthy pattern for his stile in his writings and by this means he proved very fluent and eloquent which his learned Works do plainly declare His Commentaries upon the Scriptures are very excellent wherein he resolved many of the hardest questions in the Old Testament He shewed much learning in his Divine Treatise Of Gods Providence He very strongly opened and confuted the fond conceits of abundance of Hereticks as of Simon Magus Menander Basilides Carpocrates c. A Synod being appointed at Ephesus to stop the Heresie of Nestorius and Cyril coming first thither not knowing that the Bishops of Syria were coming also he of himself condemned Nestorius which afterward caused much contention especially between Theodoret and Cyril But Theodosius junior calling them together to Constantinople by his eare and wisdom healed this breach and Theodoret and Cyril were wondrous loving each to other ever after In that famous Council of Chalcedon wherein were above six hundred Bishops he was stiled by their unanimous consent Catholicus Orthodoxus Ecclesiae Pastor Doctor sincerus A Catholick and Orthodox Pastor of the Church and a sincere Teacher of the Truth Gennadius testifieth of his writings that they were strengthened with impregnable and undeniable Arguments by which with Reasons and Testimonies of Scripture he proves and confirms that Christ was truly incarnate of the Virgin Mary Bellarmine stiles him Viram plane doctissimum An absolute learned man He wrote an Ecclesiastical History which is of great use to the Church He dyed in the reign of Theodosius junior being not very old but rather spent with labors and studies then with age He used to say That the delights of the Soul are to know her Maker to consider his Works and to know her own Estate His Works were printed in two Tomes at Collen Anno Christi 1617. Which besides his Ecclesiastical History contain Expositions upon many portions both of the Old and New Testament JEROM The Life of Hierom who dyed Anno Christi 422. HIerom was born in a Town called Stridon in the confines of Dalmatia and Pannonia Anno Christi 331. His Fathers name was Eusebius a pious and godly man who before his Country was overrun and sacked by the barbarous Goths who about this time laid all waste before them was a man of a middle and competent estate and very careful of the education of this his Son His Mother also was a religious Woman and therefore from his infancy he was trained up like another Timothy in the knowledge of Christ and of the sacred Scriptures and as he grew in years so did he also in learning and when he was a boy he was by his Parents sent to Rome at that time the most famous place both for Piety and Religion in the West where he was brought up in the study of the Liberal Sciences For they seemed to foresee that they had begotten a son for the good of the World and therefore in his Education they did not indulge their private affections but sought to promote the publick good He quickly by reason of his ingenuity became very expert both in the Greek and Latine Tongues then he became a very good Grammarian and Rhetorician having an excellent wit and being of an indefatigable disposition And it was his hap to have excellent Schoolmasters Donatus for the Grammer and Victorinus for Rhetorick who were at that time famous men in Rome Afterwards being grown riper in years he fell to the study of Philosophy of all sorts as Aristotles Platos the Stoicks c. Yet he spent not too much time herein but proceeded to the study of History Cosmography and Antiquities because he perceived that even to that time amongst the Latines Theology was but an Infant whereupon many ahhorred reading of Divinity books and therefore he thought that if a man could attain to set forth the Dignity of Theology with excellency of speech it would come more into request besides he thought by this means to stop the mouths of the Ethnicks who reproached Christians as barren and barbarous persons He had for his fellow Students Pammachius of Noble Parentage a man of such I earning and Integrity that he was solicited to be Bishop of Rome Bonosus who also proved very famous Heliodorus whose vertue advanced him to a Bishoprick Having now sufficiently profited in the knowledge of Humane Arts he proceeded to more grave and weighty studies and after the example of other worthy men for the further polishing of his minde with Wisdom and Experience he travelled all over France procuring the acquaintance of and familiarity with the most worthy men of that Country Bonosus also was his companion in these travels He was very diligent in searching the Libraries in every place where he came and at Trevir he wrote out with his own hand a great Volume of Hilary de Synodis and having much profited himself not only in Learning but Religion also after a long time he returned to visit his Countries both where he was born and where he was new born 〈◊〉 Then did he begin to consider what course of 〈…〉 take himself to and in what place to fix his habitation 〈◊〉 that it would much conduce to his comfort if he 〈…〉 such a course with judgement as was most sutable to his 〈◊〉 He seriously considered that Rome was as yet over spread with Paganism and that it was not safe for a young man to be in a place of so much pleasure which himself sometimes called Babylon He also considered that his own Country was cerrupted with barbarous pleasures as himself somewhere notes in one of his Epistles Whereupon he consulted with some of his intimate friends resolving to depart to some place where he might with more privacy follow the study of Divinity and wholly dedicate himself to Christ. It was also a great trouble to his minde to consider how Christians and Pagans were intermixed together whence it necessarily came to pass that many who professed Christ were Christians rather in name then in truth He considered further that in marriage besides other incumbrances he should
to bring the glad tidings of the Gospel to them And whereas some of the Marcionites had infected the parts about Ancyra with their Errors he procured an Edict from the Emperour which he sent to the Bishop of Ancyra to expel them out of their places Also whereas one Gainas a great man in Scytia of an Insolent and Tyrannical spirit had importuned the Emperour for a Church for himself and his followers being Arians the Emperour acquainted Chrysostom with it telling him that he durst not say him nay He desired to speak with this Gainas before the Emperour where in his presence he so daunted the proud Tyrant with his stout and resolute speeches that he caused him to be ashamed of his request and to be content without it Yea he afterwards so prevailed with Gainas that when he had invaded some parts of the Empire he brought him not only to make peace with the Emperour Arcadius but also to set his Prisoners free He stoutly told Eudoxia the Empress that for her covetousness she would be called a second Jezabel she thereupon sent him a threatning message to which he answered Go tell her Nil◠nisi peccatum timeo I fear nothing but sin yet when she confederating with some others his Enemies had procured his banishment into Hieron as he went forth of the City he said None of these things trouble me but I said within my self If the Queen will let her banish me The Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof if she will let her saw me a sunder Isaiah suffered the same if she will let her cast me into the Sea I will remember Ionah if she will let her cast me into a burning fiery Fornace or amongst wilde Beasts the three Children and Daniel were so dealt with if she will let her stone me or cut off my head I have S. Steven and the Baptist my blessed companions if she will let her take away all my substance Naked came I out of my mothers womb and naked shall I return thither again He was so beloved that on a time when he was like to be silenced the people cryed out Satius est ut Sol non luceat quà m ut non doceat Chrysostomus We had better want the shining of the Sun then the Preaching of Chrysostom He used to say As a great showr of rain extinguisheth the force of fire so meditation of Gods Word puts out the fire of lust in the soul And as a Boat over-laden sinks so much wealth drowns men in perdition And a bulwark of Adamant is not more impregnable then the Love of Brethrer And as a rock though windes and waves beat against it is unmovable so Faith grounded on the Rock Christ holds out in all temptations and spiritual combats And the Divels first assault is violent resist that and his second will be weaker and that being resisted he proves a coward His Works were printed very acurately in Greek by Sir Henry Savill at Eaton Colledge Anno Christi 1613. in eight Volumes AVGVSTINVS The Life of Augustine who dyed An. Christi 430. AVgustine was an African by birth of Thagasta of pious parents Patricius and Monica who by breeding their son in Learning much weakned their estate He attained to singular skill in the liberal Arts wherein he was much holpen by the bountiful contribution of Romanian a Noble Gentleman In his youth he was vitious in manners and erroneous in judgement tainted with the Error of the Manichees He first taught Grammer in his own City where he was born Then Rhetorick in the Regal City of Carthage Afterwards he went to Rome and from thence to Millain where he was Tutor to Valentinian the Fifth And by the Doctrine and Wisdom of Ambrose he was reduced from his Error and Baptized after which he wholly set his heart to seek the Lord regarding neither honour nor riches being then about thirty years old This much rejoyced Monica his Mother then a Widdow who was more glad that her son devoted himself to the Service of God then she would have been of having Grand-children by him He also gave over reading of Rhetorick leaving his Scholars to seek them a new Master After this he returned into Africa spent his time in Watchings Fastings and Prayer serveing God both day and night and at last was chosen Minister in Hippo where he Preached both by Life and Doctrine diligently But before this it fell out that a certain Great man at Hippo hearing the fame of Augustine both for his Life and Learning was very desirous to see and speak with him promising to himself that he should easily be perswaded to forsake the World with the allurements of it and all the lusts of the flesh if he could but once hear the Word of God taught by him which when Augustine was informed of by faithful witnesses being desirous to deliver a soul from the perils of this life and eternal death hereafter he hasted to Hippo where he visited and often preached to the man exhorting him to remember his promise and to perform his Vows to God yet he deferred the performance of it from day to day neither did Augustine at that time see his desires accomplished At this time one Valerius was Bishop of Hippo who the necessity of the Church requiring it was very solicitous to procure a Minister for that place whereupon when the Congregation was assembled he exhorted and perswaded them seeing they now had experience of the Life and Doctrine of Augustine to make choice of him Augustine not suspecting any such matter was present amongst them Hereupon the people laid hold of him and presented him to the Bishop all of them with one heart and mouth earnestly desirng that he might be their Minister At this Augustine wept very much which some of them misinterpreting laboured to comfort him saying that though he deserved a better place yet being called to the Ministry he was in the next degree to a Bishop whereas indeed the cause of his weeping was because he foresaw how many and great perils hung over his head by undertaking the Government of that Church Thus being made a Presbyter for that place he associated to himself some others which might live with him according to the example of the Primitive Church having all things in common Valerius the Bishop being a very godly man rejoyced exceedingly and gave thanks to God for answering his Prayers by such a special Providence sending him one so able by his Doctrine to edifie the Church of Christ and this he did the rather because himself being by Nation a Grecian was not so fit nor able to instruct that people as was Augustine and contrary to the use and custom of the African Churches he permitted yea urged Augustine often to Preach in his own presence for which some other Bishops reproached him But this Venerable and good man knowing that it was usual in
his Soul and the vain flattering selicity of the World yeelding disgust by little and little the love of spiritual life seemed to take root in his heart and this begat in him a desire frequently to pray and to read and study the holy Scriptures Then did he often resort to such men as sequestred themselves from worldly businesses and betook themselves to Monasteries where he learned by experience the sweet conversation of Gods servants those places being not yet degenerated into such superstition and profaness as afterwards they were Amongst them he perceived that as they had no worldly solace so had they no weariness in their present condition as they had no temporal joyes so neither had they that vexation of spirit which other men were subject to by reason of their worldly businesses whereupon with himself he brake out into these words Why travel I in the World which can yeeld me no future nor durable reward inswerable to my pains Though it be better to weep well then joy ill yet if to joy be our desire how much excelleth their joy who have a good conscience before God who dread nothing but sin study to do nothing but to accomplish the Precepts of Christ Now therefore let me change my trade and as before I endeavoured amongst my Noble Friends to prove more Noble so now let my care and imployment be amongst the humble and poor servants of the Highest to become more poor and humble then they and like S. Matthew let me turn from a Publican to a Disciple Thus being resolved to renounce all terrene and worldly delights and to make himself a partaker of that kinde of life which upon mature deliberation and examination his judgement approved as most excellent yet withall wisely considering that sudden changes might breed some distemperature either in body or minde or both he began by degrees to accustom himself to Fasting to avoid the company and accustomed complements of his old acquaintance and familiar friends addicting himself to solitariness much reading and prayer Hereupon all that knew him were stricken with great wonder and amazement at this sudden and unexpected change imputing this strict demeanor in a man so delicately brought up to proceed from necessity and privy poverty But he having thus made some proof of such things wherein he conceived difficulties might occur and now finding by experience that nothing was hard to a willing minde as also lighting upon and reading that Divine Treatise of St. Augustine upon the 36 Psalm his love to and longing after that more retired course of life much encreased in him so that he resolved without any further delay to put his former purposes into practise and accordingly going to Faustus who was one of those Bishops whom the Arian Tyrant Hunerick had confined to a certain place not far from his own Country he beseeched him to admit him into his Monastery The prudent Bishop wel knowing the worldly conversation of the young man in times past gave no credit to his speech nor comfort to his request but willed him first to learn to live less delicately before he entred upon so strict a course of life But he humbly kissing the Bishops hand earnestly requested him that he would not reject him but graciously admit him for one of his Disciples and so by importunity declaring his sincere affections he procured admittance The fame of this thing spreading abroad some dispaired of his perseverance because of his former delicate life others considering the excellency of his wit were raised in expectation of some notable and worthy consequence Divers of his Familiars excited by his example betook themselves to the like course of life only his inconsiderate and worldly-minded mother grew exceedingly discontented at it as if her Fulgentius were already dead and so impatiently running to the Bishop the brawled with him crying out Restore the Son to his Mother the Master to his Servants and Houshold It becomes you to comfort such disconsolate Widdows not to destroy my forlorn house The Bishop mildly reprehended her but wisely concealed her son wherefore she filled the Ayr with her exclamations ever calling upon the name of Fulgentius This violent temptation did he meet with at his first entrance into this strict kinde of life but having his heart fixed in Heaven he gave no Ear to her exclamations so that his Mother verily thinking that he had not been there sorrowfully departed The Bishop having hereby had experience of the valour of his young Disciple judged that he that could thus overcome his natural affections no labour would be hard nor conquest difficult for the time to come Whilst he continued in this place he wholly abstained from Wine and Oil and was so rigorous in Fasting that it much debilitated his body and procured some diseases but his heart being wholly set upon the working forth of his Salvation with fear and trembling he committed himself to God saying The daintiest feeders avoid not sickness and after he had a while been habituated to this course he through Gods mercy recovered his health and pristine beauty His Inheritance though he had a younger Brother called Claudius he wholly left it to his Mother that at her decease she might leave it to Claudius if he deserved well of her by which means his Brother for the Living-sake was made more dutiful and submiss and his Mother by this gift received no small consolation to counterpoise the sorrow of his absence Shortly after the Arians renewing their persecution which for a space they had discontinued under a pretence of more moderation Bishop Faustus was constrained by frequent removes from one place to another to hide himself and Fulgentius had no better shift then to flee to another little Monastery governed by one Felix who having sufficiently heard of his Learning and Vertue would have resigned the government thereof to Fulgentius but he constantly refused it yet at the great importunity of the Brethren he was enforced to take part of the Government upon him So that these two holy men equal in their love to God and their neighbors equal in Vertue and like in Conditions mutually governed the place each fearful of offending the other each vigilantly attending the good of the Society But the Perfecution growing more hot they together with their Disciples were forced to remove into more remote and unknown parts of Africa and at last setled in the Territories of Sicca where they exceedingly profited the people and gained many Souls to Christ But the old Enemy of mankinde envying their godly labours stirred up an Arian Priest called Faeix who not far off had corrupted many with his Heretical opinions to molest and trouble them This fellow great in Power and Authority but greater in malice fearing lest by the means of Fulgentius whose Learning now grew famous many of his seduced Disciples should be reclaimed to the Truth he caused all the
this he called for a sum of money which as a faithful Steward he daily used to distribute amongst the Poor willing it all to be presently divided and reciting by name the Widdows Orphans and Poor he allotted to every one his portion Soon after in the midst of his Prayers dyed this blessed servant of God and famous Doctor of the Church in the 65. year of his Age Anno Christi 529. having been Bishop about 25 years He was very powerful in Prayer as may appear by this example Some time before his death the Moores invaded the Territories of Ruspa filling all places with Rapines Murthers Burnings and Devastations not sparing the Churches themselves but murthering such as fled to them for refuge But yet so long as Fulgentius lived the City of Ruspa remained in safety and when all the rest of the Province was under miserable Captivity that City alone enjoyed an happy Peace He wrote many excellent Treatises against Hereticks besides sundry Sermons and Epistles His moving and affectionate Eloquence was such as that the Bishop of Carthage hearing him Preach two days together in his Church could not refrain from tears Rejoycing that God had given to his Church in those afflicted and comfortless times such a worthy Instrument of his Glory He used to say Christ dyed for Men and Angels for Men that they might rise from sin and for Angels that they might not fall into sin And If they go to Hell that do not feed the hungry cloath the naked c. what will become of them that take away bread from the hungry cloaths from the naked c. If want of charity be tormented in Hell what will become of covetousnass His Mother having committed the charge of her house to him in his youth he so mannaged it that he gat this testimony that he was Matri praefidium domesticis solatium c. A safeguard to his Mother a comfort to the Family and to all with whom he conversed a rare example In the midst of his greatest sufferings he used to say Plura pro Christo toleranda We must suffer more then this for Christ. His Works are Printed at Lyons Anno Christi 1633. GREGORY Y E GREAT The Life of Gregory the Great who dyed Anno Christi 605. GRegory the Great was born in Rome his Father was a Senator by name Gordianus his Mothers name was Sylvia a woman Noble by birth but both of them more Noble for their Piety Our Gregory in his tender years was carefully educated by his Parents being instructed both in Religion and Literature and as he grew in years so he encreased in Learning which he retained with a firm Memory whereby he was enabled afterwards to make good use of it for the profit and benefit of the Church of God Having gone through the study of other Arts he spent two years in reading of Pythagoras but finding little satisfaction therein he at last with much diligence breathed after more Divine studies And after his Fathers death having more freedom in disposing of himself and his estate he gave all his riches towards the relief of the Poor and betook himself to a Monastical life first under Hillarion and afterwards under Maximianus who both of them were famous for their Piety and Learning He was very abstemious in his Dyet frequent in Fasting and Prayer and so studious of the Sacred Srriptures that he could scarse finde leasure to eat his food till necessity urged him thereunto And indeed his abstinence was so great that he much impaired his health thereby yet would he not give over his imployments spending all his time in Prayer Reading Writing or Dictating to others His humility was very exemplary for though he came of Noble Parents yet had he so little respect to his discent that with tears he would often say That all Earthly Glory was miserable if the owner of it did not seek after the Glory of God He was very exact in spending his time saying that he was to give an account of it unto God Neither was he less charitable to the souls of others For on a time when many Merchants were met to sell their commodities at Rome it happened that Gregory passed by them and saw many young boys with white bodies fair faces beautiful countenances and lovely hair set forth to sail whereupon going to the Merchant their owner he asked him from what Country he brought them The Merchant answered from Britain where the Inhabitants were generally so beautiful Then said Gregory Are they Christians or Heathens Heathens replyed the other whereupon Gregory deeply sighing said Alass for grief that such fair faces should be under the power of the Prince of Darkness and that such beautiful bodies should have their souls void of the Grace of God Then did he again ask the Merchant by what name that people were called He answered Angli Truly said he they may be called Angli quasi Angeli for they have Angles countenances and its fit they were made fellow-Citizens with the Angels Again he asked What was the name of the Province whence they came The Merchant answered Deiri well may they be of Deiri for its fit they should be pulled De ira Dei from under the wrath of God and called into the grace of Christ. Again he asked him what was the name of their King The Merchant answered Alle whereupon Gregory alluding to his name said Well is their King called Alle for its fit that Alleluja to their Creator should be sung in those parts And so going strait to Benedict who was Bishop of Rome at that time he earnestly requested him to send some Ministers into Britain for the Conversion of the Inhabitants thereof and when none could be found that would undertake that journey himself would have gone if the Bishop would have permitted it And indeed at the length by his importunity he prevailed for leave and set forwards on his journey but within three days the people of Rome so complained to Benedict of the loss of Gregory that he sent for him back which occasioned his return though with much sorrow that he was hindered in so good a work Not long after he was sent upon some Ecclesiastical affairs to the Emperour at Constantinople where though the splendor of the Court was troublesome to him yet intermitted he not his private studies and devotion and during his abode there at the request of a Bishop who was Embassador for the Visigoths he wrote a Comment upon the Book of Job Also whereas Eutychius Bishop of Constantinople had taught and writ that our bodies at the Resurrection should be impalpable more subtle then the air Gregory confuted that Error both by Reason and by the Example of Christs Body after his Resurrection whereupon ensued an hot Disputation betwixt them This the Emperour Tiberius hearing of sent for them both to him heard the
a little more it s most grievous to me my feet and thighes be swoln as theirs Who are troubled with a Dropsie And in all these things that I may conceal nothing from my friend who desires to know the state of his friend the Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is weak Pray unto my Saviour who desireth not the death of a sinner not that he will defer but that he will guard my departure by his blessed Angels Take ye care that my heel which is naked of merits be strengthened and defended by your Prayers that he which lyeth in wait may not finde where to fasten his tooth and inslict a wound Farewel A little before his death all the Monks came and asked him whether he did not take pity on them and their Monastery To which he answered that he was in a great straight not knowing which to choose Life or Death but left all to the Will of God For faith he my Fatherly love moves me to pity you my children so as to desire to remain here but on the other side my desire to be with Christ draws me to long to depart hence His humility was such that he called himself an unprofitable servant a dry tree from whom no good had come either to himself or others He dyed Aug. 20. Anno Christi 1153. and in the 63 year of his age He accompanyed the Bishop of Hostin the Popes Legat to Tholouse purposely to root out those whom he called Hereticks but indeed were the true servants of Christ and being too facile and misinsormed himself he misreported their Opinions and Doctrines shewing himself the Grand Factor for two Popes viz. Innocent the second and Eugenius the third One Adm a Canon Regular made this Epitaph on him Clare sunt valles sed claris vallibus Abbas Clarior his clarum women in orbe deait Clarus avis clarus meritis clarus honore Clarnt ingenio â—t Religione magis Mors est clars cius clarus clarumg sepulchrum Clarior exutat spirtus ante Deum He had many opinions differing from the Church of Rome As that there were but two Sacraments Denyed Transubslantiation That the wicked receive not Christs Flesh. That we are justified by the imputation of Christs Righteousness That mans Righteousness justifieth not before God That we might be assured of our Salvation Denyed works of Supererogation I ree-will Would not have Traditions obstinately defended nor superstitiously observed Complained that Popes and Bishops were the greatest Perfecutors of Christ c. He used to say Ambtion is a gilded miserie a secret poyson a hidden plague the eagineer of diccit the mother of hypocrisie the parent of envy the original of vices the moth of holiness the blinder of hearts turning medicines into maladies and remedies into diseases Ever when he came to the Church-door he used to say thus to himself Stay here all my worldly thoughts and all vanity that I may entertain he wents meditations His Works are well known being bound up together in one Volume The life of Peter Lombard who flourished Anno Christi 1196. PEter Lombard was born at Navaria afterwards made Bishop of Paris was contemporary with Gratian and as Gratian gathered Canons and was Master of the Canons so this Peter collected sentences out of Ambrose Hilarie Augustine Cassiodore and Remigius and out of them with some addition of his own compiled his Books He wrote Commentaries on the Psalms and Pauls Epistles but the chiefest of his Works were four books of Sentences the first concerning the Trinity and Unity of God the second of the Creation of the World especially of Angles and Men and of the grace of God the third of the Incarnation of the word and of Vertues and Vices the fourth of the Sacraments of the Resurrection and Judgement for which he was called the Master of Sentences Some of his sayings were There can no good dwell in us that cannot will good nor can we perfect good that cannot desire good There are in us evill concupiscences and desires which are the Divels Weapons whereby when God forsakes us he over-throws us and gives our souls a deadly wound God condemns none before he sins nor crowns any before he overcomes Let none glory in the gifts of Preachers in that they edisie more by them for they are not Authors of Grace but Ministers The instruction of words is not so powerful as the exhortation of Works for if they that teach well neglect to do well they shall hardly profit their Audience The Life of Alexander Hales who dyed Anno Christi 1270. ALexander of Hales was born at Hales in Gloucester shire carefully educated of an excllent wit and very industrious He travelled into other Countries Read a long time in Paris he made there the Sum of Divinity divided into four parts A great School-Divine and was called Docter irresragabilis He was master to Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas He writ a most copious and notable sum of Theology by the command of Pope Innocent the fourth He wrote Marginal Notes upon the Old and New Testament and Commented on most of the Bible His life was full of charity and labor He dyed Anno Christi 1245. His sayings A soul patient when wrongs we offered is like a man with a sword in one hand and salve in the other could wound but will bed What the Eye is to the Body Faith is to Soulâ— it 's good for direction if it be kept well and as Flies hurt the Eye so little sins and ill thoughts the Soul Covâ—tousness deserves the hate of all for six reasons 1. It 's a sin against Nature making the Soul Terrene which should be Celestial 2. For the many curses against it in the word Wo to them that join house to house c. 3. For the many evils it subjects us to it 's the root of all evil 4. It makes a man a Fool O Fool this night c. 5. It causes striseâ— From whence are strifes c. 6. It brings men into snares which drown in perdition Every lye is odious but that most which is against points of Faith as to say Christ was not born of the Virgin c. Faith must be defended not opposed An humble man is like a good tree the more full of fruits the branches are the lower they bend themselves The Life of Bonaventure who dyed Anno Christi 1274. BOnaventure born in Etruria in Italie of Noble and devout Parents was of a winning countenance very studious and a great follower of Alexender Hales He engraved in his study that saying of our Lord Learn of me for I am meek c. and to keep his minde from swelling he would sweep rooms wash vessels make beds c. He was very cheerful in ministring to the Poor and when he met with any persons that were troubled in minde he would not leave them
set forth the Form of their Belief Hereupon the Prince Elector of Saxony to be the better prepared against this Diet appointed Luther Justus Jonas Pomeran and Melancthon to set down the form of Doctrine which the Saxon Churches and those which accorded with them did profess Luther comprehended the sum of his Doctrine in seventeen Articles which being revised by Phil. Melancthon and put into a better form was afterwards called the Confession of Auspurg And whereas it was given out that the Emperour when he came into Germany would tread the Gospellers under his feet the Protestant Princes met and consulted together whether it were better to go to the Diet or to meet the Emperour in Arms before he should pass the Alps. Luther who was always a Counsellor of Peace disswaded them from taking Arms under the pretence of Religion perswading them rather by Faith and Prayer to beg and look for help from God whose cause saith he himself will defend Upon this advice the Princes went to Auspurg yet left Luther not far of in Coburg Castle to be nere at hand but out danger that his advice might be had in time of need And when the Diet was met the Elector of Saxony sent to him to know whether the cause of Religion should be referred to the Judgement of the Emperour This Luther would by no means have done For saith he this honor is to be given to the Word of God only to be Judge of holy controversies Anno Christi 1535. the Landgrave of Hess sent for Bucer and Melancthon to Casells to reconcile them together about the business of the Sacrament where after much conference Melancthon mitigated the rigor of his opinion about Christs presence and at his return to Wittenberg he carryed with him Bucers Declaration concerning that point which when Luther had considered of he began to hearken to an agreement with Zuinglius writing most friendly to the Divines of Strasborough and to others that there might be a meeting appointed wherein after deliberation the desired concord might be confirmed And accordingly Anno Christi 1536. Bucer and divers other Divines of Germany came to Wittenberg where a form of concord was drawn up by Bucer and subscribed by both parties But Bucer therein striving to please both parties pleased neither For the Helvetian Divines rejected it and Luther understanding of Bucers various Exposition of it was very wroth with him and would no more reckon him amongst his friends And so all hope of concord was taken away An. Chr. 1537. The Protestants being met at Smalcald drew up and set forth the sum of their Religion and practice in a book called Articuli Smalcaldici unto which Luther prefixed this preface Whereas Pope Paul the third summoned a Council the last year which was to meet at Mantua and a little after adjourned it again without nominating time or place so that it is not certain whether he will or can call it And we also hoped that we should have been called to it or else it was to be feared that we should be condemned not called It was injoyned to me that I should gather and write the Articles of our Doctrine that if perhaps the matter went on it might be known what and how far we would and could yeild to the Papists and in what points we would constantly persevere I have therefore written these Articles and delivered them to our party who have perused and received them with one consent that they might be publickly presented and explain the Confession of our Faith in the Council if any one shall at length be assembled and held by the Pope and Popelings without lyes and deceit in a true lawful and Christian manner But seeing the Court of Rome doth so fear a Christian and free Council and most fouly flyeth the light so that all hopes of seeing such a Council is utterly taken away even from the Papists themselves to the great offence of many of them taking ill the negligence of the Pope herein yea they easily from hence gather that the Pope had rather see the destruction of all Christianity and the damnation of all souls then to suffer a Reformation of himself and Courtiers and the restraint of his Tyranny I thought fit therefore to publish these Articles that if I be taken out of this life before a Council be called which I trust and hope shall so come to pass seeing these wicked flyers of the light labor so much to drive of and hinder a Council That they I say which live after me should have my Confession and Testimony and may adjoin and publish it with the Confession which I have formerly set forth wherein I have hitherto persevered and will by Gods grace persevere unto the end What shall I say How shall I begin my complaint For being yet alive I Preach and read to others publickly and dayly and yet not only my virulent Adversaries but my false Brethren that say that they agree with us in opinion dare bring and alleadge my own Doctrine and Writings against me whilest I am alive and see it and hear it albeit they know that I teach otherwise and they go about to adorn their own poyson with my labors so to deceive and seduce the simple with my name Good God what then will be done after my decease I should answer to all things whilst I am alive But how I pray you can I alone stop all the months of the Devil especially of them who being so full of poyson will neither hear nor heed what I write but wholly imploy themselves wickedly to pervert and deprave my words even in the least letters Let the Devil and Gods wrath answer them as they deserve I oftentimes remember good Gerson who oft doubted whether any thing that is good might be brought to light by writing If writing be omitted many souls are neglected which might have been delivered and if it be done presently the Devil is at hand with plaguy tongues full of slanders which corrupt all things and fill them with poyson that the profit of the writings may be hindred thereby Yet what commodity they receive by this their malice is manifest for whereas by loading us with lyes they seek to draw away the simple from us God so ordereth it by his Providence for the promoting of his own work that their company decreaseth and ours increaseth daily for God hath confounded and still will confound them and their lyes Lately there came a Doctor out of France to Wittenberg who told us openly that his King was made to believe that we had no true Church amongst us no Magistrates no mariages but that we all live promiscuously together like brute beasts With what face will these false Informers look upon us before the Tribunal Seat of Christ in his last Judgement who have so oft told their King such false and prodigious lyes Christ who is the Lord and Judge of us all
end I my Explication of Genesis God grant that others may more rightly expound it then I have done I cannot proceed further my strength faileth pray for me that I may have a quiet and comfortable departure out of this life This year in Italy was spread a most impudent lye about Luthers death which they called Horrendum inâ—ud tum miraculum quod in aeternum laudandus Dâ—us in foedamâ—te Mart. Lutheri corpore anima damnati exhibuit in gloriam Jesu Christi atque in emendationem consolationem piorum The substance of it was this That when he saw he must die he requested that his body should be set upon the Altar and worshipped with Divine Worship but when his body was laid in the grave suddainly so great a stir and terror arose as if the foundations of the Earth were shaken together whereupon all that were present trembling and astonished lift up their Eyes and saw the sacred Host appear in the Air whereupon they placed that upon the Altar But the night following a loud noise and ratling shriller then the former was heard about Luthers sepulchre which terrified all the City and almost killed them with astonishment in the morning when they opened the sepulchre they found neither bodie bones nor clothes but a sulphureous stink came out thereof which almost overcame the standers by c. This Lye coming printed into Germany Luther subscribed with his own hand I Martin Luther do profess and witness under my own hand that receiving this figment full of anger and fury concerning my death I read it with a joyful mind and cheerful countenance And but that I detest the blasphemy which ascribeth an impudent lye to the Divine Majesty for the other passages I cannot but laugh at Satans the Popes and their complices hatred against me God turn their hearts from their Diabolical malice but if he Decree not to hear my Prayer for their sin unto death then God grant that they may fill up the measure of their sins and solace themselves with their libels full fraught with such like lyes Anno Christi 1546. Luther taking Melancthon and some others along with him went into his own country and returned in safety to Wittenberg again And not long after he was sent for back by the Counts of Mansfield to compose a difference amongst them about the borders of their Countries and their inheritances Luther did not use to meddle with such businesses having all his life been accustomed only to deal in Ecclesiastical affairs yet because he was born in that Country he would not be wanting to promote the peace of it And therefore having preached his last Sermon at Wittenberg January the 17. upon the 23. day he began his journey and at Hall in Saxony he lodged at Justus Jonas his house and passing over the River with Jonas and his own three sons they were in danger of drowning whereupon he said to Justus Jonas Think you not that it would rejoyce the Devil very much if I and you and my three sons should be drowned He was honorably entertained by the Earl of Mansfield who sent an hundred Horse that conveyed him to Isleben being very weak whereupon he said that he never undertook any great business but he was attended with such sickness yet after the use of some Fomentations he was pretily well and attended the business about which he came from the 29. of Ianuary to the 17. of February During which time he preached some times in the Church and twice administred the Lords Supper and Ordained two to the work of the Ministry At his Table he used holy conference and was dayly very fervent in his Prayers The day before his death he dined and supped with his friends discoursing of divers matters and amongst the rest gave his opinion that in heaven we shall know one another because Adam knew Eve at first sight c. After supper his pain in his breast increasing he went aside and prayed then went to bed and slept but about midnight being awakened with the pain and perceiving that his life was at an end he said I pray God to preserve the Doctrine of his Gospel amongst us For the Pope and the Council of Trent have grievous things in hand After which he thus prayed O heavenly Father my gracious God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou God of all consolation I give thee hearty thanks that thou hast revealed unto me thy Son Iesus Christ whom I believe whom I profess whom I love whom I glorifie whom the Pope and the rout of the wicked persecute and dishonour I beseech thee Lord Iesus Christ receive my soul O my heavenly Father though I be taken out of this life and must lay down this frail body yet I certainly know that I shall live with thee eternally and that I cannot be taken out of thy hands God so loved the world c. Lord I render up my spirit into thy hands and come to thee And again Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit thou O God of Truth hast redeemed me and so as one falling asleep and without any bodily pain that could be discerned he departed this life February 18. Anno 1546. and in the great Climaâ—terial year of his life This was the Will which he made concerning his Wife with childe and his young son O Lord God I thank thee that thou wouldst have me live a poor and indigent person upon Earth I have neither house nor Land nor possessions nor money to leave Thou Lord hast given me wife and children them Lord I give back to thee nourish instruct and keep them O thou the Father of Orphans and Iudge of the Widow as thou hast done to me so do to them When he was ready to dye Iustus Ionas and Caelius said to him O Reverend Father do you dye in the constant confession of that Doctrine of Christ which you have hitherto preached To which he answered Yea which was the last word that he spake He was ever constant in the known Truth from the confession whereof he could never be removed neither by promises nor threats In the dismal Wars which followed when Wittenberg was yeilded to the Emperour Charles and he came to see Luthers Tomb some of his Spaniards perswaded him that the body of Luther should be taken up and burned the Emperour said Suffer him to rest till the day of the Resurrection and Iudgement of all men When he was fitting himself for his journey to Isleben he confessed to Melancthon that he had gone too far in the Sacramentary Controversie hereupon Melancthon perswaded him to explicate his minde by publishing some Book but he answered hereby I shall bring a suspition upon all my Doctrine as faulty but when I am dead you may do as you see cause He was full of affections towards his children gave them liberal education
by keeping a Schoolmaster in his house to train them up in learning and godliness When he saw his daughter Magdalen ready to dye he read to her Isay 26. 19. Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise c. Adding My daughter enter thou into thy chamber in peace I shall ere long be with thee For God will not permit me to see the punishment which hangs over the head of Germany whereupon he wept plentifully but when he followed the Corps he so restrained his affection that he shed not a tear He used to say that three things make a Divine Meditation Prayer Tentation and that three things were to be done by a Minister 1. To read the Bible over and over 2. To pray earnestly 3. Always to be a learner And that they were the best Preachers who spake as to babes in Christ in an ordinary strain popularly and most plainly He said That in the cause of God he was content totius mundi odium impetum sustinere to undergo the hatred and violence of the whole world He was very liberal to the poor A poor Student asking him some money he bade his wife give him some but she pleading penury he took up a silver cup and gave it him Also a friend sending him two hundred angels of gold he bestowed them all on poor Students and when the Elector gave him a new gown he said That he mas made too much of for saith he if here we receive a full recompence of our labors we shall hope for none in another life And again he said turning my self to God Valdè protestatus sum me nolle sic satiari ab eo I said flatly that God should not put me off with these low things And having a vein of metal offered him he refused it least he should incur the temptation of the Devil who is Lord of treasure under the Earth He never took any thing of Printers for his Copies On a time one brought him a stone that was found in the Mines in Mansfield which had upon it the Image of the Pope with his tripple Crown whereupon he said Hem oportet Papam revelari etiam per metalla metallicos The Pope must be revealed even by metals and metal-diggers His private life was very exemplary At dinner and supper-time he used often to dictate Sermons unto others Sometimes to correct sheets from the Press Sometimes with Musick to refresh his friends He was very temperate both in meat and drink Sometimes he used to fast four days together and other sometimes to eat only a little bread and an herring As much as he could he avoided Feasts that he might not spend time In his converse with his friends he was pleasant courteous and sociable mixed with gravity He sometimes used recreations and amongst the rest turning in a Lathe He would never be idle He was very loving to and tender of his children maintaining a Schoolmaster in his house to instruct them in Piety and Learning He was very passionate but soon appeased Melancthon seeing him once in a passion said Vince animos iramque tuam qui caetera vincis whereupon he smiling said we will no longer dispute of these matters and so he discoursed pleasantly of other things He foretold many things which afterwards came to pass He was very healthful but that sometimes he was troubled with the Headach especially towards his latter end whereupon he feared an Apoplexy and when his head was so out of order he used to say Feri Domine ferâ—â—lementer ego paratus sum quia verbo tuo à peccatis absolutus corpore sarguine tuo pastus He was troubled with frequent tentations whereupon he used to write Valemus omnes praeter Lutherum ipsum qui corpore sanus foris a toto mundo intus à Diabolo patitur omnibus Angelis ejus He was big of stature strong and had such a sharp sight that few could endure stedfastly to look upon him Upon a time one was sent under pretence of private conference to pistol him Luther entertained him friendly but withall stedfastly looking upon him the man was so terrified that he took care for nothing but how he might run away He had a gentle and clear voice He lived chastly and holily in Wedlock above twenty years and after his death left three sons and his Widdow who lived seven years after him who was much grieved that she was absent at his death whereby she could not perform her last duty of love to him as she desired Presently after his death the wars breaking forth she wandred up and down with her children as an Exile through many difficulties and dangers and besides the inconveniences of her widdowhood which were many she met with great ingratitude from many from whom she expected better considering how much her husband had deserved from the Church At length being returned to Wittenberg after a while the Plague brake forth wherefore removing with her children to Fergaw as she was passing in a Wagon the Horses affrighted at some thing ran away whereupon leaping out of the Wagon she bruised her self and falling into a Lake of water she caught a disease whereof she dyed three Months after Anno Christi 1552. One saith of him That Luther a poor Fryar should be able to stand against the Pope was a great miracle That he should prevail against the Pope was a greater and after all to die in peace having so many Enemies was the greatest of all Again it was no less miraculous that he should escape so many dangers for when a certain Jew was suborned to kill him by poyson Luther had warning of it before hand and the picture of the Jew sent him whereby he knew him and avoided the danger concerning which himself thus writes There is saith he here with us a certain Polonish Jew that is hired with two thousand Crowns to poyson me this is discovered to me by Letters from my friends He is a Doctor of Physick and one that dare undertake and is ready to perform any villany of incredible subtilty and dexterity One a time as Luther was walking in his Garden the Devil appeared to him in the shape of a black Boar but he slighted him after which he vanished Another time as he was sitting in a certain place on his stool there was a great stone over his head in the vault which being stayed up miraculously so long as he sate there so soon as he was up immediately it fell upon the place where he sate being able to have crushed him in peices if it had light upon him And again a young man about Wittenberg being kept bare and needy by his Father was tempted by the Devil to yeild himself body and soul to him upon condition to have his wish sastisfied with money and thereupon an Obligation was made by the young man written
the day and year of their abolishing the Popish Religion upon a Pillar in Golden letters that an everlasting memorial might remain there to future Posterities The like Reformation was effected at Basil. Not long after Quarrels arose between the Popish and Protestant Cantons of the Switzers and Armies were raised on both sides They of Zurick publishing the causes why they took Arms As first that the Popish Switzers beat their men when they came to require their debts Then that the Vnderwalds hung the Arms of Bern Basil and Strasborough upon the Gallows Then that they had made a League with their ancient Enemy King Ferdinand to oppress their Religion Whereby they violate not only the Law of Nature but also their own Covenants But when the Armies drew neer by the mediation of their neighbors the differences were composed and Arms laid down for the present Anno Christi 1529. Philip Landgrave of Hess endeavoured to reconcile the differences between the Saxon and Helvetian Divines concerning the Eucharist For which end he called from Wittenberg Luther Justus Jonas and Melancthon From Helvetia Zuinglius and Oecolampadius From Norenberg Osiander from Hall John Brentius From Strasborough Bucer and Hedio At their coming all were courteously entertained by the Landgrave After dinner Oecolampadius and Bucer went to salute Luther who spake friendly to Oecolampadius but being saluted by Bucer he answered You are naught and a Knave The Disputation continued many days but in the beginning of it Luther told them that he would not depart an hairs bredth from his opinion and when they could not agree yet the Helvetians desired Luther that he would account of them as of Brethren which he would by no means assent unto then did Zuinglius Oecolampadius and Bucer Protest before the whole Assembly that Luther had not defended his Opinion by the Word of God that his Error had been clearly shewed him and that the Truth of their cause had been abundantly demonstrated both out of the Word of God and the most Ancient Fathers And so the Sweating Sickness breaking out the Disputation ended and they returned home Yet it pleased God that this fruit the Conference had that they agreed in thirteen other Articles and promised mutual love each to other and to join in Prayer to God to discover his Truth to them The Landgrave of Hess also was converted to the true Opinion hereby so that he was hardly drawn to subscribe the Augustine Confession protesting that he was not satisfied about the tenth Article Also Francis Lambert his Preacher who had formerly been much addicted to Luther being now overcome with the Truth of Gods Word changed his Opinion about the Sacrament signifying his Opinion to the whole Church by a Confession which he wrote and delivered it to the Ministers of Strasborough when he lay upon his death-bed who after published it About that time there arose up the Cata-baptists which denyed the Baptism of Infants and re-baptized themselves and fell also into many other abominable Errors and Heresies with these Zuinglius at first dealt very mildly and brotherly but when they began to asperse him with lyes to seduce his hearers and make a Schism in the Church he was forced to oppose them more strongly in his publick Ministry and by Disputations but though he had silenced them they raged the more against him whereupon the Senate imprisoned some proscribed others and for falsifying their Faith put some to death The first father of them was Balâ—hasar Hucmâ—rus an Apostate and one that for Zuinglius his kindeness loaded him with lyes and reproaches The Monks and Fryars being cast out of their houses and brought to pensions sought to ensnare him and for that end suborned sometime some to seize upon him and to carry him away others to kill him so that he could not stir abroad in safety in the night whereupon his friends guarded him when he was abroad at supper and the Senate were fain to appoint a guard about his house in the night time Anno Christi 1531. They of Zurick and Bern stopped Provision from being carryed to the five Popish Pages and withall set out this Declaration That being compelled by the wrongs of the five Cities they had barred them from Provision and because they refused the conditions of Peace which were propounded by the Intercessors violating the Covenants of the former years by which order was taken that no mans Religion should be prejudicial to him wherefore say they it is lawful for us to deny them food and if any contest should arise about it it ought to be imputed to them who desire nothing but dissentions But when by reason hereof those five Cities were pinched with want they levyed Troops and came forth with Banners displayed and sooner then was expected entred into the bounds of them of Zurick where was a Garrison of above one thousand men placed This Garrison discerning its own weakness sent messenger after messenger into the Town to hasten help to them but such was the speed of the Enemy that the succors came late yet when they came to the top of the Mountain they saw their Souldiers fighting and in present danger whereupon exhorting and encouraging one another they ran down the hill with all speed but the passage was so narrow that they could go but single so that wanting time to ranck themselves they were oppressed with multitude about three hundred and eighty of them were slain and the rest escaped by flight Zuinglius was in this battel for it is the custom of the Switzers that their chief Minister goeth out with them to battel And Zuinglius being wise couragious and valiant considered with himself that if he should stay at home and the battel prove ill he should be exposed to much envy as if he had encouraged others before danger approached and then proved faint-hearted himself The truth is he never approved this cutting off Provision from the five Pages and when he saw the Magistrates would needs do it he went to them and craved leave to depart from Zurick because his counsel was not obeyed but they being troubled at this motion sent certain choice men to him to request that he would not forsake their Church which at last he assented to though said he it be to the danger of my life About fourteen days before the fight in a Sermon he foretold his own death and a Comet appearing about that time he told a friend privately that the Comet was fatal to him and one other meaning as was supposed Oecolampadius Zuinglius in the battel was overthrown thrice and yet still gat up again the fourth time being wounded with a spear he fell on his knees and said Well they can kill the Body but they cannot kill the Soul As the souldiers were spoiling the slain Zuinglius was found alive lying upon his back his arms folded and his Eyes lift up
Most High which I also miserable sinner have often tasted and felt whereas before I had spent all that I had upon these ignorant Physitians so that I had little strength left in me less money and least wit and understanding But at last I heard speak of Jesus even then when the New Testament was translated by Erasmus which when I understood to be eloquently done I bought it being allured thereto rather by the elegant Latine then the Word of God for at that time I knew not what it meant and looking into it by Gods special Providence I met with those words of the Apostle S. Paul This is a true saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners Whereof I am the chief O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul This one sentence through Gods instruction and inward working did so exhilarate my heart which before was wounded with the guilt of my sins and being almost in despair that immediately I found marvellous comfort and quietness in my soul so that my bruised bones did leap for joy After this the Scripture began to be more sweet unto me then the Hony and the Honycomb whereby I learned that all my Travels Fastings Watchings Redemption of Masses and Pardons without Faith in Christ were but as S. Augustine cals them an hasty and swift running out of the right way and as the Fig-leaves which could not cover Adams nakedness Neither could I ever obtain quietness and rest or be eased of the sharp stings and bitings of my sinâ— till I was taught of God that Lesson Joh. 3. 14 15. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Assoon as according to the measure of grace given unto me by God I began to taste and rellish this heavenly Lesson which none can teach but God only I desired the Lord to encrease my Faith and at last desired nothing more then that I being so comforted by him might be enabled by his holy Spirit and Grace from above to teach the wicked his ways which are all Mercy and Truth that so sinners might be converted to him by me I did with my whole power teach that all men should first acknowledge their sins and condemn them and afterwards hunger and thirst for that righteousness which is by Faith in Christ c. For these things I have been cryed out of attached and am now cast into Prison though I exhorted all men not so to cleave to outward Ceremonies as to be satisfied therewith and so to loath and wax weary of Christ c. Yet at last through infirmity rather then by conviction he was drawn to abjure and submit himself Anno Christi 1529. After Mr. Bilneys Abjuration which we mentioned before he fell into such terrors of conscience that he was near the point of utter despair and returning to Cambridge he continued under such terrors that his friends were fain to be with him night and day endeavoring to comfort him but all in vain this continued a whole year he was in such anguish that nothing did him good neither eating nor drinking c. yea he thought that all the Word of God was against him and sounded his condemnation But Anno Christi 1531. he began through Gods mercy to feel some comfort being resolved to lay down his life for that Truth which before he had renounced whereupon taking his leave of his friends he went into Norfolk preaching first in private to confirm the Brethren afterwards in the fields confessing his fact and intreating all to beware by him and never to trust to their fleshly friends in the cause of Religion At Norwich he was apprehended and by the Bishop cast into prison whither Dr. Cole and Dr. Stoaks were sent to dispute with him but Bilneys Doctrine and good life so prevailed with Cole that he was somewhat reclaimed and brought to favor the Gospel Also whilst he was at Ipswich there came one Fryar Brusierd to reason with him about those things which he had taught at which time Mr. Bilney told him that the signs and lying wonders attributed by S. Paul to the Pope were those wonders which were dayly wrought in the Church not by the power of God but by the illusions of Satan whereby he labors to draw men to put their Faith in our Lady and other Saints and not in God alone as we are commanded in the holy Scriptures This free speech so incensed the Fryar that he spake thus to him But that I believe and know that God and all his Saints will take everlasting revenge upon thee I would surely with these nails of mine be thy death for this horrible and enormous injury against the pretious blood of Christ. For whereas God saith I desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should convert and live thou blasphemest him as though he should lay privy snares for us to betray us which were it true we might say with Hugo de Sancta victoria If it be an Error it is of thee O God that we are deceived for these be confirmed with such signs and wonders which cannot be done but by thee alone But I see you rest the Scriptures to a reprobate sense so that I am scarce able to hold mine Eyes from tears hearing these words from you therefore farewel During his latter Imprisonment they used many means to have withdrawn him from his stedfastness which not prevailing he was condemned to death The day before his Execution some friends finding him eating heartily with much cheerfulness and a quiet minde said that they were glad to see him at that time so heartily to refresh himself O said he I imitate those who having a â—uinous house to dwel in yet bestow cost as long as they may to hold it up Discoursing further with them for their edification some put him in minde of the heat of the fire yet told him withal that the comforts of Gods Spirit should cool it to his everlasting refreshing whereupon he putting his finger into the flame of the candle as also he did at divers other times I feel said he by experience that fire is hot yet I am perswaded by Gods holy Word and by the experience of some spoken of in it that in the flame they felt no heat and in the fire no consumption and I believe that though the stubble of my body be wasted yet my soul shall be purged thereby and after short pain will be joy unspeakable alleaging that text Isai. 43. 1 2. The next morning the Officers fetching him to Execution a certain friend intreated him to be constant and to take his death patiently to whom he said I am sailing with the Marriner through a boisterous Sea but shortly shall be in the Haven
that he was made one of the Professors in the University of Ingolstade And Anno Christi 1516 by the order of his Prince he dealt effectually with Erasmus Roterodamus to draw him to Ingolstade And though he could not prevail yet he had this Testimony given him by Erasmus that he was vir candidus prudens facundus eruditus in summa omnibus omnium Gratiarum ac Musarum dotibus praeditus A candid wise eloquent and learned man c. Then Regius falling to the study of Divinity preferred that before all other Learning applying himself wholly to the searching out of the Divine Mysteries therein contained and a while after the controversie growing hot between Luther and Eccius Regius favouring Luthers Doctrine because he would not offend Eccius to whom he was many ways bound left Ingolstade and went to Auspurg and there at the importunity of the Magistrates and Citizens he undertook the Government of the Church and being offended at the gross Idolatry of the Papists he joyned with Luther and preached against the same and having written to Zuinglius to know his judgement about the Sacrament and Original Sin he received such satisfaction that he joined in opinion with him about the same At that time the Anabaptists crept into Auspurg and held private Conventicles to the disturbance of the Publick Peace for which the Magistrates imprisoned the chiefest of them Amongst which there was a woman of good quality cast into Prison who boasted that she could defend her opinion against Regius if she might but have liberty to confer with him hereupon she was called before the Senate where Regius also was appointed to meet with her There she produced divers Texts of Scripture to confirm her Errors But Regius did so clearly and fully open the genuine sense of them that every one which was not wilfully blinde might easily discern the truth But this wilful woman was so far from submitting to it that she impudently spake thus unto Regius Egregia enimvero Vrbane frater haec disputandi ratio inter me te Tu â—n molli culcitra ad later Consulum adsidens quasi ex Apollinis â—â—ipode proloqueris ego misera humi prostrata â—ex duris vinculis causam dicâ—re cogor â—o this Vrbanus answered Nec vero inâ—urin soâ—or ut quae seâ—el è servitute Diaboli per Christum in libertatem adserta tua spâ—â—te iterum cervicem turpi jugo submisisti istiâ— te ornamentis â—esanus ostentat genius aliâ— iâ— exemplum The Senate perceiving that they labored in vain whilst they sought to reclaim them by a Decree banished them the City Regius Preaching against Purgatory and Indulgences the malice and cruelty of the Papists prevailed at length to the driving him out of that City but after a while by the earnest prayer of the Citizens he was called back again to his former Charge where also he marryed a wife by whom he had thirteen children About the same time Eccius came thither and sought by all means to turn him from the Truth but in vain He sent also Fâ—ber and Cochlaeus with flatteries and large promises who prevailed as little as the other Anno Christi 1530. when the Dâ—et was held at Auspurg for quieting 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 Coburg he met with Luther and spent a whole day in familiar conference with him about matters of great moment of which himself writes That he never had a more comfortable day in his life As these words of his in a Letter to one of his friends in Auspurg do testifie wherein he writes thus Cum Saxoniam peterem Coburgi integrum diem solus cum Luthero viro Dei transegeram quo die nullus mihi in vita fuit jucundior Talis enim tantus est Theologus Lutherus ut nulla secula habuerint similem Semper mihi magnus fuit Lutherus at jam mihi Maximus est Vidi enim praesens audivi quae nullo calamo tradi possunt absentibus Ernestus Duke of Brunswick loved him dearly and esteemed him as his Father insomuch as when the City of Auspurg Anno Christi 1535. sent to the Duke desiring him to return Regius to them again he answered That be would as soon part with his Eyes as with him Also at his return from Auspurg when divers of his Nobles asked him what new and pretious ware after the example of other Princes he had brought home with him He answered that he had brought home incomparable treasure for the good of his whole Dukedom which he preferred before all his delights 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 had a humor fell into his right Leg which arising in a Pustle brake and caused an issue which the Physitians advised to keep still open but not long after he stopped the same whereupon many presaged his death whereof indeed this was a cause For when on the Sabbath day he had been at Church and received the Sacrament in the Evening rubbing his Forehead he complained of some obstructions and pain in his Head yet was he still cheerful and not troubled at it and so went to bed with his wife and slept till almost day when rising out of his bed he fell along in the floor and with the fall awaked his wife who leaping our of her bed cryed out and endeavoured to lift him into his bed again but all in vain till help came to her A while after seeing his wife and friends heavy and mourning he comâ—orted them and commended himself wholly unto God and so about two or three hours after quietly and comfortably resigned up his soul into the hands of his heavenly Father Anno Christi 1541. and May the 23. He often desired 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 painful in the work of the Lord. His son Ernest collected all his works together and digested them into several Tomes printed them at Norinberg Afterwards came forth another Book called Loci Theologici ex Patribus Scholasticis Neotericisque collecti per V. Regium The Life of Caralostadius who dyed Anno Christi 1541. ANdreas Bodenstein Caralostadius was born in France in a town called Caralostadium by which he received his name He was brought up at School there and for the improvement of his Learning he went â—o divers Countries and publick Schools such as those times afforded at last he went to Rome to study Divinity such as was then taught there and having spent some time in those
journey the Sheriffe of Essex perswaded him much to returne to the Popish Religion c. to whom at last he answered I well perceive now that I have been deceived my self and shall deceive many in Hadley of their exspectation When the Sheriffe desired him to explain his meaning hoping that he would recant he said I am a man of a very great carkass which I had hoped should have been buried in Hadley Churchyard but I see I am deceived and there are a great number of wormes there which should have had â—olly feeding upon this carrion but now both I and they shall be deceived of our expectation When he came within two miles of Hadley he desired to alight and being down he leap't and fet a frisk or two saying God be praised I am now almost at home and have not past two stiles to go over and I am even at my father's house At Hadley Towns-end a poore man with his five children met him crying O dear father and good shepherd God helpe and succour thee as thou hast many a time succour'd me and my poor children The streetes were ful of people weeping and bewailing their losse saying Ah good God there goes our good Shepherd from us that hath so faithfullâ— taught so fatherly cared for us and so godly governed us 〈◊〉 mercifull od what shall we poor scattâ—red lambs doe What shâ—ll bâ—come of this most wicked World Good Lord strengthen hiâ— and comfort him To whom he said I have preached to â—u God's Word and Truth and am come now to seal it with â—y blood He gave all his money to the poor for whem he wâ—s wont thus to provide formerly Once a fortnight at least 〈◊〉 used to call upon Sir Henrie Doile and other rich Cloâ—lâ—ers to go with him to the Alms-houses to see what the poor lacked in meat drink apparel bedding and other neceâ—â—ries Withall exhorting comforting and rebuking as â—ee saw occasion Comming to the place of execution he was not suffered to speak to the people who much lamented his death yet he was very cheerfull saying Thanks be to God I am even at home and when he had praied and made himself ready he went to the stake and kissed it He would seigne have spoken to the people but one thrust in a tipstaffe into his mouth another stroke him on the head and an other threw a fagot at him which broke his face that the blood ranne down To whom Doctor Tailor said O friend I have harme enough what need that When he was saying the Miserere in English Sir John Shelton stroke him on the lips saying you knave I will make thee speak Latin The fire being kindled he held up his hands calling upon God and saying Merciful father of Heaven for Jesus Christ my Saviour's sake receive my soul into thy hands and so stood still without moving till one with an halberd strook out his brains Anno Christi 1555 JOHN BRADFORD The Life of John Bradford who died A no Christi 1555. JOhn Bradford was born at Manchester in Lancashire and by his parents brought up in learning And afterwards he served Sir John Harrington a man much employed under Hen. the 8th and Edward the 6th In which place he had opportunity of much advantaging himself For his Master found him so active and fit for his imployments that above all others he made most use of his faithfull service And thus he continued with him for certain years But God intending him for better employment having given up a just account to his Master with his good approbation he went to Cambridge where by his diligence in studie he profited so much in knowlege and so pleased all by his godly and blameless conversation that after one years abâ—de in the University he was made Master of Arts and chosen Fellow into Pembroke-Hall There Master Bucer falling into acquaintance with him highly priz'd and perswaded him to enter into the Ministrie which he modestly excused for want of learning To whom Bucer said If thou have not fine Manchet yet give the peoplâ— Barlie-bread or such as thou hast Being thus perswaded to enter into the Ministrie Bishop Ridley made him a Prebend in St Pauls where he continued preaching three yeares faithfully reproving sin 〈◊〉 yet sweetly preaching Christ crucified and pithily iâ—â—â—yning Errors and Heresies and perswading to a â—odliâ— life In the beginning of Queen Marie's reign Bourn Bishop of Bath made a leditious Sermon at Paul's-Crosse which â—o moved the people to indignation that they were ready to pull him out of the Pulpit and one throw a dagger at him Whereupon Bourn requested Master Brâ—dford who was behind him to stand in his place and to quiet the people which accordingâ—y he didâ— whom when the people saw they cried Bradford Bradford 〈◊〉 save thy life Bradford Bourn not yet thinking himselfe safe requested Master Bradford to conveie him into the School-master's house which accordingly he did going at his 〈◊〉 and shelâ—ering him from the people whereupon one said to him Ah Bradford Bradford Thou savest him that will help to burn thee In the afternoon Master Bradford preached at Bow-Church and sharply reproved the people for their seditious carriage Yet within three daies after he was sent for before the Council and charged with sedition for this act and by them was sent prisoner first to the Tower Then from thence they removed him to the Kings Bench in â—outhwark and after his condemnation he was sent to theâ—â—ounter in the Poultry In which places for the time that he remained prisoner he preached twice a day unlesse sicknesse hindred and often administred the Sacrament Preaching Reading and praier was his whole life He eat but one meal a day and that a spare one too and his continual study was upon his knees In the mid'st of dinner he used to meditate with his hat in his eyes from which flowed plenty of teares dropping on his trencher He was in such credit with his Keeper in Southwark that at an Evening he would give him leave upon his bare word to go into London to visit a sick friend and he was so mindfull of his promise that he used to returne to prison again rather preventing his hour then breaking his fidelity He was of person somewhat tall and slender spare of body of a faint sanguine colour with â—n awberne beard Hee â—lept not above four hours in â—he night and till slâ—ep came his book went not out of his â—and His recreation was honest companie and Christian discourse a litte after dinner and so to praier and his book again He counted that hour ill spent wherein he did not some good either with his pen studie or exhorting others c. He was no niggard of his purse but would liberally communicate what he had to his fellow-prisoners Once a week he visited the Thieves on the
kept in the Tower for the same purpose which afterwards proved so In the beginning of Queen Maries Reign he was sent for up by a Pursuivant whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house yet instead of flying he prepared himself for his journey And when the Pursuivant came he said to him My friend you are welcome I goe as willingly to London to give an account of my Faith as ever I went to any place in the world and I doubt not but as God hath made me worthy formerly to preach his Word before two excellent Princes so he will enable me to bear witnesse to the Truth bâ—fore the third either to her eternal comfort or discomfort The Pursuivant having delivered his Letter told him that he was commanded not to stay for him and so immediately departed His Adversaries hopine that he would have fled but Latimer hasted after to London and as he rode through Smithfield he said that Smithfield had groaned for him a long time Coming before the Council after many mocks and scornes he was â—ent to the Tower where the Lord gave him such a valiant spirit that he did not onely bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies This aged Father being kept in the cold winter without a fire bade the Lieutenant's man to tell his Master That if he did not look better to him perchance he would decâ—iâ—e him The Lieutenant thinking that he intendâ—d to make an escape charged him with his words to whom he answered You think I shall burn but except you let mee have a fire I shall deceive your expectation for I am here like to starve with cold Thus he continued a long time in the Tower with as much patience as a man in his case could possibly doe and at last from thence he was carried to Oxford with Cranmer and Ridley where tâ—ey spent their time in brotherly conference fervent prayer and fruitfull writing Yea many time he continued so long in fervent prayer that he was not able to get up without help Three things be more especially prayed for 1. That as God had appointed him to be a Preacher of his Word so that he would give him grace to stand to his Doctrine that hee might give his hearts-blood for the same 2. That God of his mercy would restore his Gospel to England once againe once againe which he often inculcated in his prayer and that with so much ardour as though he had seen God before him and spoken to him face to face 3. That the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth and make her a comfort to this comfortleâ—s Realm of England The lord most graciously answering all those his requests At last he was condemned and with Doctor Ridley was carried to be burned When he came to the stake he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance saying Fidelis est Deus c God is faithfull who will not suffer us to to be tempted above that which we are able c. When the fire was brought he said to Doctor Ridley Be of good comfort Brother and play the man we shall this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England as I trust shall never be put out When hee was stripped into his shroud he seemed a very comply person to all that were present And whereas in his cloaths he appeared a withered and crooked silly old man he now stood bolt-upright as comly a Father as one might likely behold As he was burning his blood ranne out of his heart in such abundance as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither to the great astonishment of the beholders according to his former request That he might be so happy as to shed his hearts-blood for the Truth When the fire was first kindled he cried O father of heaven receive my soul And so receiving the flame and as it were embracing it having stroaked his face with his hands and bathed them a little in the fire he soon died with very little pain or none at all Anno Christi 1555. In a Letter to King Henry the eighth he thus concludes Wherefore gracious King remember your self have pitty upon your soul and think that the day is even at hand when you shall give an account for your Office and of the blood that hath been shed with your sword In the which day that your Grace mâ—â— stand stedfast and may have your Quietus est sealed with the blood of our Saviour Christ which will onely serve at that day is my daily prayer c. The Life of John Philpot who died A no Christi 1555. JOhn Philpot was a Knight's son and born in Hampshire brought up at Schoole and sent from thence to New-Colledge in Oxford where he studied the Liberal Arts and the Tongues and afterwards the Civil-Law for six or seven years space He was of a pregnant wit and singular courage fervent in spirit zealous in Religion of nature apert and far from flattery hypocrisie and dissimulation From Oxford he travelled into Italy where he was in some danger for his Religion In King Edward the sixth's dayes he returned into England again and had many conflicts with Bishop Gardiner He did much good in Hampshire being Archdeacon of Winchester all King Edward's dayes Anno Christi 1553 which was the first year of Queen Mary a Convocation was assembled wherein Doctor Weston was Prolocutor in the beginning whereof a disputation was begunne between the Papists and Protestants wherein Mr. Philpot was so earnest that Doctor VVeston commanded him to hold his peace whereto he replyed You perceive that I have stuffe enough for you whereby I am able to withstand your false positions and therefore you command me silence If you will not give place quoth the Prolocutor I will send you to prison This is not replyed Mr. Philpot according to your promise made at first in this house nor yet according to your brag made at Paul's Crosse when you said that men should be answered in this disputation to whatsoever they could say and now of a dozen arguments that I have you will not suffer me to prosecute one But I see that a sort of you here which hitherto have lurked in corners and dissembled with God and man are now gathered together to suppresse the sincere Truth of Gods V Vord and to set forth your false devices which by the sacred Scriptures you are not able to maintain But six daies after came a Mandate from the Queen to break up the disputation whereupon Doctor VVeston who all along had used many unseemly checks and taunts to the Protestants thus concluded It is not the Queens pleasure that we should spend any longer time here and ye are all well enough for you have the Word and we have the Sword And
Letter advised with Master Calvin and other Ministers who upon mature deliberation told him that he could not refuse this call unlesse he would shew himselfe rebellious against God and unmercifull to his Country Whereupon he returned answer that he would come to them so soon as he could settle the affairs of that dear flock that was committed to his charge Shortly after he began his journy and arrived in Scotland that very day whereon the Bishops ended their Provinciall Councill and hearing that the brethren were met at Dundee he went to them and earnestly requested that he and his brethren might joyne together to make a confession of their faith which being assented to he went to St. Johnstons to them where also he preached to the people But presently came a summons that the Preachers should appear before the Queen Regent at Striveling which being known abroad the Protestants repaired in a peaceable manner to St. Johnstons to accompany their Preachers to the Queen and least such a multitude should affright her the Laird of Dun a zealous godly and prudent man went before to Striveling to acquaint the Queen that the cause of their meeting was onely with their Preachers to give in a confession of their faith and to assist them in their just defence The Queen very craftily solicited him to stay the multitude and the preachers also promising to take some good order about their affairs Yet when the Preachers appeared not upon the day appointed she put them to the Horne prohibiting all men upon pain of Rebellion to assist comfort relieve or receive any of them which treacherous dealing of hers so inflamed the multitude that neither the exhortation of the Preachers nor the command of the Magistrates could restraine them but that they pulled down the Images and all other monuments of Idolatry in St. Johnstons This being told to the Queen she was so much enraged at it that she vowed to destroy man woman and child in that place then utterly to burn the Towne and to sow it with salt for a perpetuall desolation The Protestant Congregation hearing hereof presently wrote a Letter to the Queen and caused it to be laid on her Cushion where she sat at Mass wherein they declared that except she moderated her wrath and stayed her intended cruelty they should be compelled to take the Sword in their just defence against all that should pursue them for matters of Religion and for their Conscience sake which ought not to be subject to any mortal creature farther then Gods Word doth command c. They further requested that she would permit them to live in that peace and liberty which Christ had purchased for them by his blood that they might have his Word truly preached and the holy Sacraments rightly administred to them for that they had rather expose their bodies to a thousand deaths then to hazard their soules to perpetuall damnation by denying Christ and his manifest Truth c. They wrote also another Letter to the Nobility of Scotland which coming abroad the brethren in Cunningam and Kile met together at the Church of Craggy where Alexander Earl of Glencarne said to them Let every man doe as his conscience shall direct him I will by Gods grace see my bâ—ethren at St. Johnstons yea though never a man will goe along with me though I have but a pike on my shoulder for I had rather die with that company then live after them This speech so encouraged the rest that they all resolved to go forward In the meane time the Queen sent her French Forces and the Bishops and Priests their bands against Saint Johnstones whereupon the brethren repaired thither from all quarters for their relief which the Queen hearing of sent the Earle of Argile and the Prior of Saint Andrews to them to know the cause of that great meeting They answered that it was onely to resist the cruell Tyranny decreed against them and to protect the Town from ruin The Lords answered that they were farre otherwise informed Then Master Knox spake thus unto them The present troubles honourable Lords ought to move the hearts of all the true servants of God and of such as bear any true love to their country and country men deeply to consider what will be the end of this intended Tyranny The rage of Sathan seeks the destruction of all those in this Realm that professe the Name of Christ. Therefore I most humbly require you my Lords in my name to tell the Queen that we whom she in her blind rage doth thus persecute are faithfull servants to God and obedient subjects to the authority of the Realm whereas that Religion which she maintains by fire sword is not the religion of Jesus Christ but expresly contrary to the same a superstition devised by mans brain which I offer my self to prove against all men in Scotland which will maintain the contrary Gods word being admitted for Judge Tell her also from me that this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end and that herein she fights against God The Lords promised to deliver his message yet did the Queen straitway send her Herauld to them to command them presently to depart the Towne upon pain of Treason But when she perceived their number to increase and their resolutions fearing the event of a Battel she upon a parley and large promises prevailed with them to depart home But before their departure Master Knox preached a Sermon wherin he exhorted them to constancy adding I am perswaded that this promise shall be no longer kept then till the Queen and her Frenchmen can get the upper hand Which shortly after sell out accordingly for when she was entred St. Johnstons she contrary to promise garrisoned it saying That she was not bound to keep promise with Hereticks This was so distastefull to the Earl of Argile and the Prior of St. Andrews that they forsook the Queen and went toward St. Andrews sending to the Laird of Dun and some others to meet him there which accordingly they performed taking Master Knox along with them who in the way preached in Carrel one day in Anstruddor the second intending the third day to preach at St. â—ndrews The Bishop of St. â—ndrews hearing hereof presently raised a 100 spearmen and went thither on the Saturday whereas the Lords had none but their houshold servants about them and at the same time the Queen and her Frenchmen lay at Faikland 12 miles from St. Andrews The Bishop sent word to the Lords that if John Knox offered to preach the next day he should be saluted with a dozen of Calivers whereof the most part should light on his nose The Lords after long deliberation sent for M. Knox to hear his opinion herein 〈◊〉 withâ—ll advised him to forbear for his owne safety and not to 〈◊〉 that day in contempt of the Bishop To which 〈◊〉 Knox
admonished them especially to take heed of Drunkennesse which was so common amongst the Germans and lastly that they should be very observant to the Senate which had so excellently maintained Religion He wrote also his fare well to the Magistrates exhorting them to continue their care of the Church and Schooles thanked them for their kindnesse to him and entreated them to chuse Ralph Gualter to be his successor The day of his death he continued in prayer repeating the one and fiftieth the sixteenth and the forty second Psalms and the Lords Prayer and so gave up his soul unto God An. Chr. 1575 and of his Age 71. He was one of the chiefest of the Helvetian Divines and after Zuinglius and Oecolampadius a strong assertor of their Confession of Faith Of a mild nature clear in his Ministry and one that hated crabbed and unprofitable questions which many delighted in to shew their wit affable in speech courteous of behaviour both towards his own and strangers An excellent Governour of the Church frugall and temâ—rate in his diet merry and pleasant with those that lived wâ—â—h him He was so industrious that he would never be idle He had one Wife by whom he had six sonnes and five daughters of whom he married one to Zuinglius another to Lavate and a third to Simler all Ministers in Zurick He wrote Commentaries upon all the New Testament His Workes are contained in tenne Tomes besides which hee wrote Contra Anabaptistas lib. 4. De annuis Reditibus De Hebdomadibus Danielis De Sacramentis The Life of Edward Deering who died A no 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 Christs Colledge 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 or preferments and therefore rested content with his Fellowship in that Colledge and onely Commenced Batchelor of Divinity yet afterwards hee was made a Preacher in Saint Paul's Church in London and having worn out himself with his labours in the Work of the Lord hee fell sick and discerning his approaching death hee said in the presence of his friends that came to visit him The good Lord pardon my great negligence that whilst I had time I used not 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 's a great happinesse to you that you die in peace and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like to 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 spirit the Lord will reveal the truth unto me When he had layen still a while a friend said unto him that hee hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whilst hee lay so silent To whom he answered Poor 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 see our hope The end of the world is come upon us and we shall quickly receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for Afflictions diseases sicknesse grief are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world It s not enough to beginne for a little while except we persevere in the fear of the Lord all the daies of our lives for in a moment we shall be taken away Take heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of nor dis-esteem the Word of God blessed are they that whilst they have tongues use them to Gods glory When he drew near to his end being set up in his bed some of his friends requested him to speake something to them that might bee for their edification and comfort Whereupon the Sun shining in his face hee tooke occasion from thence to say thus unto them There is but one Sunne in the world nor but one Righteousnesse one Communion of Saints If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world If I were equall in righteousnesse to Abraham Isaac and Jacob yet had I reason to confâ—sse my selfe to bee a sinner and that I could expect no salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ For we all stand in need of the grace of God And as for my death I blesse God I feel and finde so much inward joy and comfort in my soul that if I were put to my choice whether to dye or live I would a thousand times rather choose death then life if it may stand with the holy will of God And accordingly shortly after he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1576. The Life of Flacius Illiricus who died A no Christi 1575. MAtthias Flacius Illiricus was borne in Albona in Sclavonia Anno Christi 1520 of an ancient and numerous Family His Father being learned himself and discerning a good ingeny in his Sonne began in his tender years to instill into him the first Rudiments of Learning But after his death his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all Yet when he began to have discretion he desired much to attaine to Learning and returned to his studies and to further him therein went to Venice and after some progress made at seventeen years old hee beganne to study Divinity but wanting means to maintaine him in the University he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery either at Bononia or Padua but a friend called Baldus a godly man who afterwards suffered Martyrdom for the Truth disswaded him from that kinde of life and advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of Learned men Hereupon having read over some of the Protestants bookes and liking Baldus his advice hee went into Germany which he had never before seen and first staying at Basil he studied under Simon Grynaeus who did not only entertain him being very poor but provided for him and instructed him in the Truth which was An. 1539. And about the end of the ear he went from thence to Tubing where also he studied a while under Matthias Garbicius then went to Wittenberg An. Chr. 1541 where he privately
filled with ineffable joy so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better whereas indeed hee could never be better For said he I thought that I was in a most pleasant meddow in which as I walked up and down me thought that I was besprinkled with a heavenly dew and that not sparingly but plentifully powred down whereby both my body and soul were filled with ineffable joy To whom Piscator said That good Shepherd Iesus Christ led thee into fresh pastures Yea said Olevian To the springs of living waters Afterwards having repeated some sentences full of comfort out of Psalm 42. Isa. 9 and Matth. 11. and other places of Scripture hee often repeated I would not have my journey to God long deferred I desire to be dissolved and to be with my Christ. He commended to the Senate the care of the poor by his Deacon Iames Alstede giving directions what he would have done with his writings after his death And then he gave his hand farewel to his Colleagues and friends and when he was in the Agony of death Alstedius asking him whether he was sure of his salvation in Christ c. He answered Most sure and so he gave up the Ghost Anno Christi 1587 and of his age 51. His Works are these Concio de Abrahami fide obedientia De coena Domini Admonitio de Eucharistia Tabula de Ministerio Verbi Dei Sacramentis Expositio Symboli Apostolici Epitome Institutionum Calvini Notae in Epist. ad Galatas Notae in Evangelia Dialect lib. 2. Bezae in Epist. ad Rom. Gal. Phil. Col. notae ex Oleviani concionibus excerptae The Life of John Wigandus who died A no Christi 1587. JOhn Wigandus was born in Mansfield Anno Christi 1523 of honest parents of a middle rank who carefully brought him up in Learning which naturally he was much addicted unto having an excellent wit and firm memorie so that having profited much at School he went to the University of Wittenberg where he continued about three yeares which time hee spent in the study of the Arts and Tongues which night and day he imploied himselfe in In that place he had excellent and faithfull Masters who were Professors of all the Arts. And for Divinity he attended the Lectures of Luther heard his Disputations and Sermons as also Melancthons who was both an excellent Divine and Philosopher He contracted friendship with Cruciger heard the Sermons of J. Joâ—as attended the Greek Lectures of Dr Vitus He had for his private instructor Joh Marcellus a godly and learned man He frequented also the Lectures of Law and Physick Anno Christi 1541 by the advice of his Tutors and friends he went to Norinberg where hee was made Master of Saint Laurences School and for three yeares exercised himselfe with much diligence in instructing youth in which time he heard the excellent Sermons of Andreas Osiander Vitus Theodorus and Thomas Venatorius very learned and eloquent Divines But having an earnest desire to perfect his own studies he returned to Wittenberg again Luther being yet living There he commenced Master of Arts before hee was two and twenty years old and applyed himselfe wholly to the study of Divinity But the Wars waxing hot the Emperour placed a Garrison in the Castle and Town of Wittenberg and the students were driven away from thence At which time Wigand was called to Mansfield his own country to bee an assistant to their ancient Pastor Martin Seligman where also he was ordained Minister by Prayer and imposition of hands by John Spangenberg the Superintendent which was the first Ordination in that place after the banishing of Popery and their embracing the truth of the Gospel That Function hee discharged with much fidelity and industry and knowing the Schooles to bee the seminaries both of the Church and State he read Logick and Philosophy to the youth During which time at the request of the superintendent Spangenberg he wrote a confutation of the Popish Catechism of Ments written by Michael Sidonius which answer was afterwards printed in Latine and Dutch He wrote also a Confutation of George Major who held that a man by Faith only is justified but not saved c. He delighted exceedingly in a Garden and in observing the wisdome of God in the nature shape and various colours of hearbs and flowers for which end he gat the greatest variety of them that possibly he could into his Garden Hâ—e was one of those that strongly opposed the Interim Anno Christi 1553 hee was chosen by them of Madgeburg to be their Superintendent but the Earl of Mansfield and the people strongly opposed his remove from them yet at last by the means of the Prince of Anhalt they consented unto it At Magdeburg he tooke excessive pains in reading writing meditating and preaching whereby hee converted many Popish Priests in those parts to the Truth He also took great pains in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries which he together with Mathew Judex Flacius Illiricns Basil Faber Andrew Corvinus and Thomas Holthuterus finished to the great benefit of the Church Of which booke Sturmius gave this Testimony that it was necessary and profitable and had these four virtues in it viz veritatem diligentiam ordinem perspicuitatem Truth Diligence Ordâ—r and Perspicuity Anno Christi 1560 the Elector of Saxonie having begunne a University at Jenes sent earnestly to Wigand to come thither to be the Divinity Professor which for weighty reasons hee assented unto and performed that office with much acceptance of all that heard him yet by the subtilty and malice of one Stosselius he was dismissed from that place and so returned to Madgeburg again But not staying there hee was chosen to bee the Superintendent at Wismare Anno Christi 1562 where hee imployed himself wholly in preaching disputing expounding Scripture and governing the Church Anno Christi 1563 hee commenced Doctor of Divinity in the University of Rostoch He stayed at Wismare seven yeares at the end whereof John William Duke of Saxony sent for him again to Jenes but the Duke of Megapole would by no meanes part with him yet at last after severall Embassies the Duke of Saxonie prevailed that he should come for one year to Jenes His people parted with him very unwillingly with many sighs and teares and at the yeares end sent for him back again but could by no means obtaine his returne He was not only made the Professor of Divinity at Jenes but the Superintendent also Anno Christi 1570 he went with his Prince to the Diet at Spire and at his return to Jenes was received with great joy But after five years Duke John William dying he was againe driven from thence and went to the Duke of Brunswick who entertained him kindly But presently after hee was called into Borussia to
bee the Divinity Professor in the University of Regiomontanum and after two years was chosen to be Bishop there Anno Christi 1587 he fell sick especially upon grief conceived for the afflicted condition of the Church in Poland and the death of his deare friend John Wedman an excellent Divine This disease encreasing and his strength decaying he prepared himselfe for death He made his owne Epitaph In Christo vixi morior vivoque Wigandus Do sordes morti caeâ—era Christe tibi In Christ I liv'd and dy'd through him I live again What 's â—ad to death I give my soul with Christ shall reigne And so in the midst of fervent prayers and assured hope of eternall life hee resigned up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it Anno Christi 1587 and of his Age sixty four Hee was a man of an excellent wit and learning and exemplary in his life Familiar gently answering to every ones question He was very courteous and grave Liberall to the poor insomuch as when he was Bishop and the poor begged of him either money or corn he would command his Steward to give them as much as they needed Hee used to Catechise his family and to require of them an account of the Sermons every Lords day He wrote many Works Explicationes in tria priora capita Geneseos Comment in Psalmos graduum poenitentiales c. Annotationes in Isaiam in Danielem in Prophetas minores in Mattheum Johannem in Epistolas ad Romanos Galatas Ephesios ad Timotheum 1 2 ad Coloss. Histor. Patefactionis divina cum multis aliis I. FOX The Life of John Fox who dyed A no Christi 1587. JOhn Fox was born at Boston in Lincolnshire Anno Christi 1517. His Father died when he was young and his Mother married again Yet his Father in Law and Mother seeing his towardliness and aptness to Learning brought him up at School and afterwards sent him to Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford where he was Chamber-fellow with Doctor Nowell and being of a sharp wit and very induâ—trious withall hee profited so much that in a short time hee gat the admiration of all and the love of many whereupon he was chosen Fellow of Magdalen Colledge Hee much affected Poetry and wrote some Latine Comedies of the Histories of the Bible in a copious and gracefull stile in his youth But afterwards betook himself more seriously to the study of Divinity and discovered himself to favour the Reformation then in hand when King Henry the eighth abolished the Popes Supremacie The first thing that caused him to question the popish Religion was the contradictions in it divers things in their own natures most repugnant being thrust upon men at one time both of them to be beleeved Hereupon he set himself to study the ancient and moderne History of the Church which he performed with such diligence that before he was thirty years old he had read over all that either the Greek or Latine Fathers had written of it As also the Schoolmens Disputation the Councils Acts and the Consistories Decrees and acquired no mean skil in the Hebrew tongue Besides his dayes study he bestowed all or a great part of the night in these labours and many times in the dead of the night he chose a solitary Grove near the Colledge to walk in for his Meditationss and in them he suffered many combats and wrestlings yea many heavy sighs with teares and prayers he poured out to Almighty God in them But hereupon grew suspition of him that hee beganne to dislike the Popish Religion and snares were layd for him and at last being examined he was by the Colledge convicted condemned for an Heretick and expelled the house His Father-in-law also took this occasion to manifest his dislikes against him that he might the better cheat him of his estate which of right belongad to 〈◊〉 from his own Father Being thus left destitute of all humane help and comfort God tooke care for him being sent for into Warwick shine by Sir Thomas Iâ—ucie to live in his house and teach his children Where also he married a Wife and continued till the feare of the Popish inquisitors drove him thence His case was now more hard again having a Wife to provide for and whither to goe hee knew not At last hee resolved to goe to her Father who was a Citizen of Coventrie and in the mean time by Letters to try whether his Father-in-law that married his mother would receive him or not Whose answer was That if he would alter his opinion being condemned for a capital offence he should be welcome otherwise it would be dangerous for him to entertain him long But his Mother under-hand wrote to him to come and so it pleased God that hee found better entertainment and security in both places then hee exspected for being sometimes with his Wives father and sometimes with his Father in law he deceiv'd their diligence who enquired after him and neither of his Fathers grew weary of his company Afterwards he went to London towards the end of King Henry the eights reign but having quickly spent there what his friends had bestowed on him and what he had acquired by his own diligence he beganne to bee in want again But behold Gods providence As he one day sate in Pauls Church spent with long fasting his countenance thinne and his eyes hollow after the gastfull manner of dying men every one shunning a spectacle of so much horrour there came one to him whom he had never seen before and thrust an untold sum of money into his hand bidding him be of good chear and to accept that small gift in good part from his Country-man which common courtesie had enforced him to offer and that he should goe and make much of himself for that within a few daies new hopes were at hand and a more certaine condition of livelihood Master Fox could never learn who this was but three daies after the Dutchesse of Richmond sent for him to live in her house and to be Tutor to the Earl of Surrey's children now under her care and the two young Lords profited so much under him that afterwards the elder Thomas seemed to deserve more then the Kingdom could give him and the younger Henry was able to measure his fortunes not by the opinion of others but by his own satiety And the young Lady Jane profited so much both in Greek and Latine that she might well stand in competition with the most Learned men of that age In that family he continued the remainder of King Henries reign and all King Edwards till the beginning of Queen Maries when a storme of persecution arising Master Fox was sheltered from it by the Duke his Scholar But when he saw all sorts of men troubled for Religions sake so that there was nothing but flight slaughter and
with the stone and troubled with weaknesse of stomach yet did he not intermit his labours and care of the Church In the Synod of Taoduâ— where the King himself was present Rollock by the suffrages of all was chosen Moderator where the too severe Articles of Perth were qualified and when the King moved that the Synod should choose some Commissioners to take care of the Church in the intervall of National Assemblies it was readily assented to and Rollock was one of the first that was assigned that office Anno Christi 1598 his disease so encreased upon him that he was confined to his house but after a while his intimate friend William Scot perswaded him to go into the Country where was a thinner and more healthfull air which accordingly he did and seemed at first to be better but presently his disease returned with more violence so that he was forced to keep his bed whereupon he set his house in order and his wife after ten years barrennesse being with child he commended to the care of his friends Two Noblemen Patrick Galloway and David Lindsey coming to visit him he professed to them the hearty love which he had alwaies born to the King withall requesting them from him to go to him and to entreat him in his name to take care of Religion and to persevere in it to the end as hitherto he had done not suffering himself to be diverted from it either under the hope of enlarging his dominions or by any other subtill device of wicked men and that he would reverence esteem the Pastors of the Church as it was meet For saith he that Ministry of Christ though in the judgement of man it seem low and base yet at length it shall shine with great glory When the Pastors of Edenborough came to him he made an excellent exhortation to them and profession of his sincerity and integrity in his place that God had called him to When the night grew on his death also seemed to approach which he perceiving made such a divine and heavenly speech as astonished the hearers And when the Physitians were preparing Physick for him he said Tu Deus medeberis mihi thou Lord wilt heal me Then he prayed fervently that God would pardon his sins for Christs sake professing that all other things how great soever they seemed to others yet he accounted them all but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellency of Christs crosse Praying further that he might have an happy departure and enjoy Gods presence which he had often breathed after saying I have hitherto seen but darkly in the glasse of thy Word O Lord grant that I may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance which I have so much desired and longed for Then did he make such an admirable speech about the Resurrection and Life Eternal as if so be he already been translated into heaven Then giving his hand to all that were present like old Jacob he blessed them all adding to his benediction exhortations according to every mans quality or office Yet that night after he slept better then was expected The day after when the City Magistrates came to see him he spake to them to be very careful of the University desiring to choose into his room Henry Charter a man every way fit for that employment He commended to their care also his wife professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend and therefore hee hoped they would provide for her To these requests the Magistrates assented promising faithfully to perform them Then did he intreat the Professors of Philosophy that they would be carefull and diligent in the performance of their duty and that they would be obedient to his successor after which he said I blesse God I have all my senses entire but my heart is in heaven And Lord Jesus why shouldst not thou have it it hath been my care all my life long to dedicate it to thee I pray thee take it that it may live with thee for ever When he had thus spoken he fell into a slumber out of which when he awaked he breathed earnestly to be dissolved and to be with Christ saying Come Lord Jesus put an end to this miserable life hast Lord and tarry not Christ hath redeemed me not unto a frail and momentary but unto eternall life Come Lord Jesus and give mee that life for which thou hast redeemed me Then some of the standers by bewaile their condition when he should be taken away to whom he said I have gone through all the degrees of this life and now am come to my end why should I goe back againe O Lord help me that I may go through this last degree with thy assistance Lead me to that glory which I have seen as through a glass O that I were with thee And when some told him that the next day was the Sabbath he said Thy Sabbath O Lord shall begin my eternall Sabbath My eternall Sabbath shall take its beginning from thy Sabbath The next morning feeling his approaching death he sent for Master Belcanqual to pray with him who in his prayer desired the Lord if he pleased to prolong his life for the good of his Church whereupon he said I am weary of this life all my desire is that I may enjoy that celestiall life that is hid with Christ in God And a while after he prayed again saying Hast Lord and doe not tarry I am a weary both of nights and daies Come Lord Jesus that I may come to thee Break these eye-strings and give me others I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee Hast Lord Iesus and defer no longer Go forth my weak life and let a better succeed O Lord Jesus thrust thy hand into my body and take my soul to thy self O my sweet Lord set this soul of mine free that it may enjoy her husband And when one of the standers by said Sir Let nothing trouble you for now your Lord makes hast he said O welcome message would to God my funerals might be to morrow And thus continued he in such heavenly prayers and speeches til he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1598 and of his age 43. Reliquit Commentarios in aliquot Psalmos selectos In Danielem In S. Johannem eum ejus harmonia in passionem victoriam Dominicam In Epist. ad Ephesios Coloss. Thess. Galat. Scripsit Analysin in Epist. ad Romanos ad Heb. tractaum de vocatione efficaci c. The Life of Nicolas Hemingius who died A no Christi 1600. NIcolas Hemingius was born at Loland in Denmark Anno Christi 1513 of obscure but honest parents but his Father dying when he was young his Uncle who was a Black-smith brought him up carefully in learning placing him in the School at Nystadia where he continued ten yeares Then in the School of
Latine and sent beyond sea where to this day they are highly prized and much set by yea some of them are translated into French High-Dutch and Low-Dutch and his Reformed Catholick was translated into Spanish also yet no Spaniard ever since durst take up the Gantlet of Defiance cast down by this Champion He died in the forty fourth year of his age of a violent fit of the Stone Anno Christi 1602 being born the first and dying the last year of Queen Elizabeth He was of a ruddy complexion fat and corpulent Lame of his right hand yet this Ehud with a left-handed pen did stab the Romish cause as one saith Dextera quantumvis fuerat tibi manca docendi Pollebas mirâ dexteritate tamen Though nature thee of thy right hand bereft Right-well thou writest with thy hand that 's left He was buried with great solemnity at the sole charges of Christs Colledge the University and Town striving which should expresse more sorrow at his Funeral Doctor Montague Preached his Funeral Sermon upon that Text Moses my servant is dead Master Perkins his manner was to go with the Prisoners to the plaâ—â— of execution when they were condemned and what 〈◊〉 his labours were crowned with may appeare by this example A young lusty fellow going up the ladder discovered an extraordinary lumpishnesse and dejection of spirit and when he turned himselfe at the upper round to speak to the people he looked with a rueful and heavy countenance as if he had been half dead already whereupon Master Perkins laboured to chear up his spirits and finding him still in an Agony and distresse of minde he said unto him What man what is the matter with thee art thou afraid of death Ah no said the Prisoner shaking his head but of a worser thing Saist thou so said Master Perkins come down again man and thou shalt see what Gods grace will doe to strengthen thee Whereupon the prisoner coming down Master Perkins took him by the hand made him kneel down with himself at the ladder foot hand in hand when that blessed man of God made such an effectuall prayer in confession of sinnes and aggravating thereof in all circumstances with the horrible and eternal punishment due to the same by Gods justice as made the poor prisoner burst out into abundance of tears and Master Perkins finding that he had brought him low enough even to hell gates he proceeded to the second part of his prayer and therein to shew him the Lord Jesus the Saviour of all penitent and believing sinners stretching forth his blessed hand of mercy and power to save him in that distressed estate and to deliver him from all the powers of darkness which he did so sweetly press with such heavenly art and powerfull words of grace upon the soul of the poor prisoner as cheared him up again to look beyond death with the eyes of Faith to see how the black lines of all his sinnes were crossed and cancelled with the red lines of his crucified Saviours precious blood so graciously applying it to his wounded conscience as made him break out into new showres of tears for joy of the inward consolation which he found and gave such expression of it to the beholders as made them life up their hands and praise God to see such a blessed change in him who the prayer being ended rose from his knees chearfully and went up the Ladder again so comforted and tooke his death with such patience and alacrity as if he actually saw himself delivered from the hell which he feared before and heaven opened for the receiving of his soul to the great rejoycing of the beholders His works are printed in three volumes F. JVNIVS The Life of Francis Junius who died A no Christi 1602. FRancis Junius was born in France of a Noble Family An. Christi 1545. His Grandfather was William Lord of Boffardineria who for his valiant service in the wars of Navar was rewarded by King Lewis the twelfth with that honour His Father was Denis who in his youth studied Law in the most famous Universities of France His Mother was Jacoba Hugalda which bore nine children four sons and five daughters amongst which this our Francis was born in Biturg His Mother being sickly the child was very weak not likely to live one houâ— and therefore was hastily baptised And during his childhood this weakness continued which falling into his left legge caused a soare which was difficultly healed When hee was five yeares old his Father beganne to teach him to read as his leisure would permit At six yeares old he began to write and to discover his ingenuity being of a pleasant disposition very desirous of honour quickly angry and for his age of a grave judgement Hee did eat his meat eagerly was very shame-fac'd which continued with him all his life after Hee had the publick Schoolmasters for his instructers besides others that privately taught him at home At twelve years old he attended the publick Lectures and began to study the Civill Law and his Father much encouraged and assisted him therein Yet one thing much impeded him in his first studies For being put forth to School hee met with harsh and severe Masters which used to beat him in a most cruel and barbarous manner yet his love to learning made him conceal it from his friends When he had studied Law about two years he was sent to Lions to have gone with the French Ambassador to Constantinople but coming too late after the Ambassadors departure he staid and studied there turning over many bookes whereof in that place were great plenty But there he met with great temptations to evill a woman and a young mayd labouring upon every opportunity to draw him to lewdnesse This much troubled him having been brought up religiously by his parents whereupon he thought of returning home but his fathers authority who commanded his stay there altered those thoughts and so through Gods assistance he resisted that temptation But presently fell into another For as he was reading over Tully de Legibus there came a certain man to him using the words of the Epicure nihil cur are Deum nec alieni that God cares for nothing And he so pressed it with such subtile arguments that hee prevailed with him to suck in that damnable principle and so he gave up himself to vile pleasures for a year and somewhat more But the Lord suffered him not to continue longer therein For first in a tumult in Lions the Lord wonderfully delivered him from imminent death so that he was compelled to acknowledge a divine providence therein And his Father hearing the dangerous waies that his son was misled into sent for him home where he carefully and holily instructed him and caused him to read over the new Testament of wich himselfe writes thus novum Testamentum aperio exhibet se mihi
before his death he professed to Doctor Meier that he dyed in the same Faith that he had taught others that he had earnestly besought God to provide his people of an able and faithful Pastor c. concluding O praeclarum illum diem cùm ad illud animarum concilium coelumque proficiscar cùm ex hac turba colluvione discedam O happy day when I may depart out of this troublesom and sinfull world and go to Heaven to those blessed soules before departed He used to say Pontifici Romano Erasmum plus nocuisse jocando quà m Lutherum stomachando Writing to Chytraeus he said Si non amplius in his terris te visurus sum ibi tamen conveniemus ubi Luthero cum Zuinglio optimè jam convenit If we never see one another again in this world yet wee shall meet in that place where Luther and Zuinglius agree very well together He used to be up at his study Winter and Summer before sun-rising and spent all the day in Prayer Writing Reading and visiting of the sick He was so famous that many Princes Noblemen and young Gentlemen came from forreign countries to see and hear him He was very dutifull to his parents liberal to a poor brother which he had Temperate in food and apparel all his life long Courteous and affable to every man respectfull to all degrees studious of love and concord amongst the good especially Scholars as his many Epistles shew Many desired to sojourn with him whose bodies he fed with food and minds with pleasant and profitable discourses and sage Apothegmes In bearing wrongs hee was very patient never seeking reveng Scripsit Epitomen Bibliorum Charact. Christianorum Enarrationes aliquot Psalmorum Prophetarum ut Haggai Jonae Habacuc Obadiae Malachiae Danielis 5 priorum cap. Explanationem Mat. Exeg Epistolae aâ— Romanos Col. Heb. Joh. Historiam Ecclesiasticam Chron. Historiae Evangelicae R. ABBAT The Life of Robert Abbat who died A no Christi 1618. RObert Abbat was born at Guilford in the Countie of Surrey Anno Christi 1560 of honest Parents who carefully educated him in learning and when he was fit they sent him to Oxford where he was admitted into Baliol Colledge in which place he followed his studies very hard took all his degrees till he commenced Doctor in Divinity and for his excellent learning and exemplary life he was chosen first Master of the Colledge and afterwards the Regius Professor in which place he succeeded Doctor Thomas Holland and for five years space performed his office so excellently that Anno Chr. 1615 he was by King James preferred to the Bishoprick of Salisbury Whilst he was there he made that learned and solid work De gratia perseverantia Sanctorum He was also very diligent and faithful in the execution of his office But partly by reason of the burthen and care of his place partly by his sedentary life being so hard a student he had a stone bred in his kidneys which put him to intollerable pain yet hee bore the same with invincible patience Till finding his end to approach he called his Family together and began to make before them a Confession of his Faith yet with some pauses by reason of his pains and faintness whereupon some of his friends told him that he need not put himself to that trouble having so fully declared the same in his learned and Orthodox writings This counsel he approved and therefore said to them That Faith which I haue published and defended in my writings is the truth of God and therein I die and so presently after he yeelded up his soul to God Anno Christo 1618 and of his age 58. The Life of William Cowper who died A no Christi 1619. WIlliam Cowper was born in Edenborough and at eight years old was sent by his Father to Dunbar-School where in four years he learn'd the whole course of Grammar and profited above his equals and at that time did God begin to reveal himself to him Many times when he was in the School he used to â—ift up his heart unto God begging of him knowledge and understanding and alwaies as he went to Church he sent up this ejaculation to heaven Lord bow nine ear that I may hear thy word At his entry into his thirteenth year his father sent for him home to Edenburgh and presently after he went to Saint Andrews where he continued to his sixteenth year in the study of Philosophy but made no great progress therein yet the seed of grace was stil working in him inclining him to a careful hearing and penning of Sermons and other Theological Lectures During his abode at Saint Andrews Sathan working upon corrupt nature sought oft to trap him in his snares but as himself testifies the Lord in mercy forgave the vanities and ignorances of his youth and preserved him from such falls as might have made him a 〈◊〉 to the Saints and a reproach to his enemies At the Age of sixteen years he returned to his parents at Edenburgh who propos'd to him sundry courses of life but his heart was stil enclined to the study of the holy Scriptures whereupon he resolved to goe into England and the Lord provided him a place at Hoddesdon eighteen miles from London just as he had spent all his money which he brought with him out of Scotland where he was entertained by one Mr. Gutherie a Scotchman to assist him in teaching of a School There he remained three quarters of a year and then having occasion to goe to London he was unexspectedly called to the service of Master Hugh Broughton with whom he continued a year and a half and daily exercised himself in the study of Divinity At nineteen years old he returned again to Edenburgh where he lived with his elder brother then one of the Ministers in that City who much furthered him in his former studies and at last he was required to give a proof of his gifts privately which he did in the New Church before Master Robert Pont and Master Robert Rollock and somâ— others by whom he was commanded to preach in publick also Being twenty years old he was sent by the Authority of the General Assembly which then was met at Edenburgh to be the Pastor at Bothkenner in Sterlingshire but when he came thither he found in the Church besides ruinous wals neither roof nor doors nor pulpit nor seats nor windows yet it pleased God to give such a blessing to his Ministry that within half a year the Parishioners of their own accord built and adorned the Church in as good a quality as any round about it There he continued seven or eight years yet subject to great bodily infirmities by reason of the wetnesse of the soil and the moistness of the air and in that time dâ—d God begin to acquaint him
found more nervous and quick in Disputing then the rest And in the mean time he exercised himself in Preaching sometimes in Leiden and sometimes in the neighbor Villages which he performed with such a grace that he was called to a Pastoral charge in Leiden This call being so unexpected troubled him so much the more He thought it a great honour to be at first called to a place in so eminent a City where also he had the benefit of the University for the promoting of his Learning But yet he judged it a very hard burden to govern a great Church who had not yet learned to govern a little one Hereupon he betook himself by his ardent Prayers unto God for direction and at last resolved to refer the business wholly to the judgement of his Parents They by Gomarus returned thanks to the Presbytery and make many excuses why he could not accept of the call but the truth is their principal reason was because they would have their son the staffe of their old Age neerer to them And indeed they were not satisfied till leaving the University he came home to them which was in the Spring Anno Christi 1602. The whole course of his life from his childhood both in the University in his travels and hitherto had been very blameless pious modest free from luxury and wantonness and his care was that as he grew in years he might grow in goodness he never minded trifles yet was not his conversation austere and froward but mild and pleasing He was unwearyed in his studies spending not only the days but half the nights therein that going cold to bed sometimes he rose out of it before he was well warm so that once whilst he was at Leiden he fell into a Quartain Ague which held him fourteen moneths which was accompanyed with a Cough notwithstanding which he would not desist from the course of his studies whereby he contracted a weakness of stomach accompanyed with crudities and a stopping in his head from which he was never free all his life after Being thus come to Middleborough he submitted himself to Examination in order to his Ordination and his Examiner was James Cornelii one of the Ministers but being inferior in Learning to Wallaeus not Wallaeus but â—ornelii was examined After his Examination he was to Preach monethly before the Ministers to make him more prompt and ready in it he was also admitted to be weekly present at their Presbyteries that he might be acquainted with their way of Government before he undertook it himself In all which Exercises and Conferences in the Presbyteries they observed that young Wallaeus was of an acute Wit composed Judgement and profound Learning About this time a Pastoral charge was void at Caletus and the Ministers of Middleborough would fain have sent Wallaeus thither But his Parents took it very ill that when they had refused a place in Leiden which was in the heart of the Low-countries he should now be sent into a corner which is exposed to the injuries both of the French and Spaniards whereupon they sharply opposed themselves against it and Wallaeus himself disliked it But when some Ministers shewed themselves very violent the Magistrates to gratifie his Parents put an end to the controversie This also happened at the same time There was neer to Middleborough a Village called Koukerk which wanting a Pastor chose Wallaeus for their Minister which he accepted of and so undertook the charge in Nâ—vemb An. Chri. 1602. accounting it a great honour that God was pleased thus to admit him into his service and withall considering the greatness of the Burthen in procuring the welfare of souls wherein the least miscarriage is a great sin against God he not only now but all his life after never undertook any thing till he had first craved the assistance of God begging of him wisdom and ability to mannage it a right At Koukerk he attained to a promptness and habit of Preaching he learned to Govern a Church to comfort the afflicted to resist the obstinate and Sectaries with whom he so far prevailed that they adjoined themselves to the Church and ever after reverenced Wallaeus as their Father His Sermons were so famous that when Grave Moris besieged Sluce Anno Christi 1604. the Wallachrian Classis made choice of Wallaeus to be joined to John Vtenbogard the Court Preacher to be Chaplain to the Army This Vtenbogard was an Eloquent Preacher one that sought to ingratiate himself with the great ones Whereas Wallaeus sought to please God rather then men and indeed at his first coming what by Prayers and what by Admonition he prevailed with the Colonels and Captains to banish swearing from amongst them Vtenbogard made too much account of Socinus and still carryed about him a New Testament having Annotations every where written in it by Socinus his own hand But Wallaeus abhorred his opinions Sluce being taken Wallaeus returned to Koukerk setling all his affairs as if he meant to live there all his life and having a competent estate he desired not an encrease of his stipend He had a full Congregation yet not burdensome so that besides his Ministerial employments he had sufficient time for his private studies He was well beloved of his people and had good societie with his Elders and Deacons His Town was not above an hours walk from Middleborough and Flushing Fruitful of Pastures had good store of Corn-ground and pleasant Orchards It was neer to that Sea by which greater ships go into the Havens of Zeland He had a large house a spacious garden which he kept very neat and orderly At this time Middleborough had but three Churches and the Auditories grew too big for them whereupon they Petition the Magistrate for a fourth Church and a eighth Minister to have a stipend allowed him The Church was appointed neer to the Fish-Market and by the Presbytery Wallaeus was appointed for the Minister Truly Wallaeus desired to stay at Koukerk and not mingling himself with the troubles of the world to serve God and his people in that place yet durst he not resist this call having thereby an opportunity of more service His two years stay at Koukerk had much changed the course of his life For having in the first year dispatched the work of his Sermons and Catechising he began to bethink himself of entring into a marryed condition and having found out Paschaesia of Isenhout a pious prudent and well-bred maid he consulted with his Parents for their consent and so all things concurring to his and their mindes he marryed her Aug. the seventh Anno Christi 1603. But presently after he lost his Parents first his Mother and then his Father who survived her but a little time In the whole time of their sickness our Wallaeus attended upon them and comforted them with Divine Consolations out of Gods Word wherefore at the hour
and to rest most upon his advice He always as he ought much esteemed the singular good will of the Prince of Orange towards him as also of the Queen of Bohemia and other of the States to whom deservedly he was most dear as they testified by their extraordinary grief at his death He always upon every occasion professed how much he was beholding to the Curators and Magistrates of Leiden for their singular good will towards him whereby they often anticipated and exceeded his modesty in conferring favors upon him The most excellent Princess of Orange also after his death sent to his widdow and eldest son professing that the loss of him was no less a grief to her then if she had lost another husband or dear son so highly did she esteem of him Neither may any man wonder whence it came to pass that he had so many friends if withall he do but consider the multitude of Letters that he sent and received so that his study seemed to be a Compendium of all Europe But behold the mutability of all Earthly things The truth is his labors were so many and great that if his body had been of Oak or Iron he could not have held out long so that we may truly say that the imployment of his soul destroyed its own habitation which was worn out and dissolved with too much exercise For besides the publick labors which he underwent in the Church and University his private and domestical cares his conferences with his friends his frequent intercourse of Letters his various writings and giving counsel to others took up every moment in his life And though he was often admonished by his friends to favour himself and moderate his pains yet would he by no means be perswaded to it Hence it was observed that his strength began sensibly to decay and he was troubled with great obstructions so that himself began to complain of them yet would he not diminish his daily task And thus he continued all the Winter afflicted with weakness and pains at sundry seasons His last Sermon he Preached at Easter upon those memorable words of Saint Paul Phil. 3. 21. Who shall change our vile body that it may be like his glorious body c. Also after his last Lecture returning home he complained of the decay of his strength which was so great that with much difficulty he went on to the end of his Lecture as many of his Auditors observed From thenceforth his health decayed and his strength declined more and more and which was an ill sign his weakness was greater then his disease yet notwithstanding he was delegated in the midst of April by the Church to a Synod of the French Churches which met at Harlem whither he went though the labor was too great for his weak body And at his return he sensibly discerned that he was much worse so that though no signs of death appeared outwardly yet was his weakness such that being taken off his Legs he was confined to his bed Hereupon he foresaw the approach of death and wholly gave up himself to God whom he continually invoked by ardent prayers and sighs which had been his constant practice in the whole course of his life But yet April the 28. he thought himself better and that there were some hopes of his recovery whereupon in the afternoon he sate up at his study window where he had not continued long before he was seized upon by a violent Feaver with a great trembling and shaking of his whole body which at length ended in a burning so that he lay all night as if he had been in the midst of a fire whereupon seeing his end to approach in the presence of his Family he poured forth most ardent Prayers to God Profesting that he knew Christ to be his Redeemer in whom he believed and with whom he knew that he should shortly be and that he desired nothing so much as his happy dissolution his soul still breathing after Christ Only this by earnest prayers he begged of God that he would give him strength to undergo whatsoever he should please to lay upon him and that he would not suffer him to be tempted beyond what he was able to bear that he might have a quiet and comfortable departure out of this miserable and sinful world Presently the famous Physitian Dr. Stratenus was sent for from the Hague who was his special friend to whom was adjoined Dr. Wallaeus who performed all the Offices of good Physitians and did what Art could do But their business was not so much with the disease as with death which refused all remedies The Citizens of Leiden mourned exceedingly for his sickness the Queen of Bohemia and the Princess of Orange shewed most tender affections towards him His wife and family foreseeing their calamity in his loss were dissolved into tears But Heidanus coming to visit him he declared to him the inward peace of his soul his hope of future glory and his faith in Christ together with his earnest desire of leaving this miserable World He also freely forgave all that had wronged him desiring the like from others if he had any way justly offended them Professing that whatsoever he had done he did it out of his love to Truth and his care over the Church The night before his death Dr. Triglandius was sent for to him whom he always loved and honoured as his dear friend and Colleague who being come prayed with him and the next day Dr. Massisius Pastor of the French Church did tho like And thus he spent all that week in Prayers and holy Exercises On Wednesday night he caused his son to read to him the 8. cha of Ezekiel and part of the Epistle to the Romans after which he spake to his eldest son Frederick exhorting him to the study of Divinity requiring him not to be withdrawn from it by any means whatsoever he thought that he could never speak enough of the tender love care and diligence of his wife shewed towards him A little before his death recollecting his spirits in the presence of Samuel Riverius Pastor of Delph with a clear and fervent voice he prayed with such ardency of affections as caused all to wonder In his Prayers he gave immortal thanks to God for all his blessings bestowed so plentifully upon him in the whole course of his life and for that he had blessed him so much amongst strangers acknowledging himself to be lesse then all those blessings and that he had nothing to return to his Majesty for them but his grateful heart Above other things he especially blessed him for bringing him forth in a Reformed and Orthodox Church and for that he had not suffered him to be infected with the Popish Religion whose Doctrine he professed to be erroneous and contrary to the Gospel of Christ and the way of perdition He prayed heartily to God to continue these
publickly undertake his Patronage neither durst Arminius undertake the alteration of Religion with an Heroical spirit such as was in our Reformers who wholly minding the glory of God rested secure whatsoever should befall themselves whereas Arminius being seized upon with sorrow and overwhelmed with grief fell sick and dyed Anno Christi 1609. Arminius being dead amongst all his followers Vtenbogard shewed himself the Ring-leader for though he was far inferior to Arminius in Learning yet in the Government of the Church and State he was well seen and indeed by his wit did more hurt to the Church then Arminius did by his Disputations This Bogard that he might make the Magistrates of Holland displeased with other Ministers and more to favour himself wrote a Book of the Authority of Magistrates in Church-affairs wherein he allowed the Magistrate not only to order the external Government of the Church but to determine controversies in Religion whereby he got great favour to his own party In these stirs the Ministers knew not what better remedy to finde then in a National Synod of all the Reformed Churches which they earnestly solicited the States General for and indeed the States of Gelderland Zeland Frisland Groning and six Cities of Holland were for it who desired no Innovations in Religion and dispaired of any union with the Lutherans and said that the Ecclesiastical Government was no way grievous but a remedy against Oligarchie That the power of the Prince of Orange was not dangerous but rather a means to unite and tye them together But on the contrary the Nobility of Holland and the other twelve Cities as also the States of Vtrick and Overisle though they did not openly deny a Synod yet by â—ergiversations and procrastinations sought to evade it In the mean time the Ministers neglected not the remedy which was in their power viz. to discover those Errors to their people and to confirm their mindes against them both by Preaching and Writing And such as were to be admitted to the Ministry they examined them more strictly and such as they discovered to be already in the Ministry they censured and cast out Vtenbogard and his companions strongly opposed themselves to these proceedings both by word and writing and promoted to the Ministry such as were of their own opinions yet were they inferior to the other party both in number and in the affections of the people fearing therefore that they should be overcome they framed a Remonstrance whence they were called Remonstrants to the States of Holland wherein they request to be taken into their protection who did not only do it but presently commanded that none should meddle with these controversies either by word or writing neither should examine Candidates upon these points or censure any that differed in judgement about them which truly was to set up a party when as the Remonstrant Ministers were scarce forty and the Contra-Remonstrants were fifty Yet the Remonstrants thought that they could not continue long except new ones of their own opinion could be brought in as the other dyed and these must be first formed in the University wherefore to supply Arminius his place in Leiden VVallaeus and others that were desired by honest and learned men were rejected and Vtenbogard was sought for But he knowing himself unfit for such a work wrought by the Curators of those parts who were of kin to Barnevelt that Conradus Vorstius should be brought from Steinfurt to Leiden who in the year 1590. had been convicted by the University of Heidleberg for favouring Socinus and his opinions To the choice of this man the Ministers presently opposed themselves and such Magistrates as favoured them yet had it been impossible to have hindred his Election the Remonstrants did so prevail but that James King of Great Britane frequently admonished and urged the States not do to it yea he condemned him of Heresie and burnt his Books publickly At last certain Laws were obtruded upon the Church which Barnevelt had framed twenty years before but till now the States would never endure them much less bring them in practice in which the choice of Deacons Elders and Pastors was almost wholly given to the Magistrates The censuring of Pastors or Members offending was taken away from the Ministers The Curators of the University and the Magistrates of Leiden did Execute the Decree for restraining of Controversies with mote rigor then any other By this they hindred Gomarus both from defending himself and his Religion At which being offended he prepared to depart By this his departure seeing the Students of Divinity should thereby want a Professor of the Reformed Religion the Churches of Gelderland and Curators of the Illustrious School there sent Anthony Thisius Professor of Theology at Harderwick and the Churches of Zeland and Magistrates of Middleborough sent VVallaeus to Leiden by all means to perswade his stay But Gomarus was resolved to depart whereupon they both of them invited him to make his abode with them and VVallaeus prevailed so that he went to Middleborough Anno Christi 1611. The States of Zeland were resolved long ago and this calamity of Leiden now hastened it to erect an Illustrious School in Zeland but as yet they could not agree about the place But they of Middleborough seeking thereby to get advantage resolved to make the Grammer School more famous For Gruter the Schoolmaster being dead An. Chr. 1607. they sought out another who might with credit bear the Rule in an Illustrious School and therefore called VVallaeus to the place But VVallaeus would by no means accept of it knowing what a tedious thing it was to govern boys and how subject he should be to calumnies in dieting them Wherefore the care of both was devolved upon Giles Bursius Pastor of Middleborough and the instructing them was committed to Justus Lyraeus afterwards Professor at Vtrich Yet VVallaeus undertook the care of the School and to read Lectures of Greek and Philosophy to them In these Lectures he explained Homer Hesiod and other Authors In Philosophy he read Ethicks Physicks Astronomy and Opticks and now Gomarus being come to them they prepared all things that belonged to an Illustrious School the place was appointed in the Quire of the new Church and Gomarus was to read and interpret the sacred Scriptures and to discuss the Common places in his Publick Disputations James Meivartius was to read Philosophy So that the fame of the School began to spread abroad and the Magistrates of Middleborough profered to VVallaeus the place which was reserved â—or him viz. to be Professor of Divinity Common places At this Gomarus who too much indulged his passions was displeased opposed himself and accused VVallaeus of Heresie for that when he was a Student at Leiden he stifly defended that there were three souls in man The Magistrates were more offended this opposition then was VVallaeus for VVallaeus
presently disclaimed the choice who having never in his life sought after any place was now much more content with his present condition and would not so far offend his old Master as against his will to be chosen for his Colleague No injury did ever so disturb the mind of VVallaeus as to discompose it or make him unlike himself But in the mean time the people were very angry that their beloved Minister was thus disgraced by him who formerly by his publick testimony had attested the purity of his Doctrine But it so fell out about that time 〈◊〉 Lord of Plessiâ— called VVallaeus to Salmur who getting leave to depart went thither Anno Christi 1615 but stayed not long Upon this occasion they of 〈◊〉 being stirred up by Hugh Grotius would not suffer the City of 〈◊〉 to have an Illustrious School so that it was nipt in the bud and Meivartius returned to his Grammer School again Only the Magistrates of Middleborough requested Wallaeus that some times he would read Greek and Philosophical Lectures and would go on with his Common places that so they might still keep up the face of an Illustrious School which accordingly he did and yet neglected not his work in the Ministry Shortly after at the command and request of the Churches of Zeland and at the importunity of some of the chief Ministers of Holland he answered Vtenbogard wherein he shewed that the Authority which was granted by the Magistrates to the Belgick Church was agreeable to the sacred Scriptures and the custom of the Primitive Church By this Book Wallaeus everywhere gat the name of a very learned man and of one that deserved well of the Church because he had thereby freed the Church from that aspersion cast upon it by the Remonstrants that it was disobedient to Magistracy He deserved also thanks from many Polititians because he took away from some of their society that pretence whereby they oppressed the Churches Vtenbogard himself could not but acknowledge that the Book was learned and full of modesty yet he pretended that he would return a speedy answer for which cause he gate leave of the Deputies of the States to write again But though he easily obtained leave yet wrote he not only about thirty years after and seven years after the death of Wallaeus he would seem to return an answer though it contained nothing in it but glorious promises and empty performances Wallaeus was not content to have thus taken away the chiefest pillar to the dissention but endeavoured also to quiet the people and to moderate the Magistrates of Holland whereupon he set forth a treatise shewing the people how they should demean themselves when any difference sprang up amongst the Pastors about Religion The Magistrates he sought to reconcile to the Ministers by the means of Hugh Grotius a man very familiar with him because of his Learning who from an hope of succeeding Bâ—â—nevelt in his dignity was looked upon as his right hand From him he extorted this speech That he saw no better means to compose the difference then by a National Synod which if it was denyed God would punish them for it In the mean time the dissentions increased dayly in Holland and threatned the ruine of one if not of both parties Six of the Cities of Holland did openly oppose themselves against the Decrees concerning the Vocation of Pastors and of tolerating the Controversies of Religion on both sides The Ministers also refused to obey them yea the Remonstrants themselves especially those which were framed by Hugh Grotius at the instigation of Vtenbogard that set bounds to the Ministers from which in handling Controversies it was not lawful for them to deviate Yet the Magistrates would have them obeyed and such Pastors as refused were forbidden the exercise of their Ministry and such as were more pertinacious were cast out of their Cities and such Citizens as most favoured them were banished And though they were restored again by the Presidents of Justice who judged it to be not a correction but a faction yet the Magistrates would not suffer them to come into the Cities whereupon they were filled with animosities on both sides and at last the Magistrates not daring to trust their Citizens gathered souldiers But this dissention was no where more conspicuous nor hotter then at the Hague Vtenbogard who had sometimes stirred up his hearers to use all extremity would now seem moderate having gotten so much power in the Church which that he might hold he perswaded them to yeeld something to the Contra-Remonstrants But some sharp sights perceived that this was but a trick to deceive the Pastors and seduce the people whereupon Henry Rosaeus an eloquent and couragious man took heart to discover the fraud to the people shewing that poyson lay under this honey Upon this the Magistrates forbade him the use of his Ministry But the people who now saw the fraud would not hear Vtenbogard any longer but resorted to Sermons in the neighbor Village of Riâ—wick This the Magistrates sought to hinder On the contrary the people urged that either Rosaeus or some other Preacher of the Reformed Religion for which they had spent so much treasure and blood should be allowed them Against this Vtenbogard opposed himself and laying aside his pretence of moderation sought by all means to hinder the gratifying of the people in their request Prince Morice observing that not so much the Ministers as himself was aimed at and that by his connivence the power of Barnevelt and his adversaries was increased he began penly to favour the Contra-Remonstrants and requested the States of Holland that they might have a Church and Minister allowed them But the Nobles and the twelve Cities much opposed it yet still the Prince urged it and seeing the Contra-Remonstrants desired but reason he procured the English Church at the Hague to be allowed them which when it would not receive all the Auditors they took another Church brought in Henry Rosaeus and frequented his Sermons Barnevelt and his associates were much troubled at this as if violence was profered to their authority But seeing that the Contra-Remonstrants had no more granted them but what was equal they suffered that which they knew not how to prevent By this example the Contra-Remonstrants everywhere took courage and the people sided with them seeing the Prince to favour them who was so beloved and esteemed of them But the Contra-Remonstrants of the Hague thought it not enough to have a Church and Preacher but in so illustrious a place they must make it appear that their opinions and Doctrine was better then that of the Remonstrants But when Vtenbogard excelled Rosaeus in Learning and daily provoked him to Disputation some other must be sent for that might cool his boasting For which end none was judged fitter then our Wallaeus and therefore Anno Christi 1617. Deputies were sent from the