Assoon as Walleuâ— came to Leâ—â—â—m the Magistrates chose him for one of the Curators of their School in which Office he continued all his life and by his advice the School was quite turned into another order whereby it became far more famous then before The States of Holland observing that in their Cities there were some Masters of Schools which either wanted ability or prudence in regulating their Schools for the best advantage of the boys they therefore made choice of Anthony Wallaeus Anthony â—â—sius Peter 〈◊〉 Daniel Heinsius Geâ—â—ard Vâ—ssius 〈…〉 all of them Professors in Leiden to frame Laws whereby all the Schoolmasters in Holland should be regulated in teaching both the Tongues and Liberal Arts which accordingly were finished and printed Anno Chriâ—â— 1625. The States of Zeland observing that their young Students began to fall into some loose courses made choice of Wallaeus for Overseer of all in Zelamd with a command that all their youth should be wholly guided in their studies by him where by there was a great Reformation not one of 〈◊〉 proving wicked in his life The 〈…〉 also growing solicitous for the salvation of the poor â—adius and observing that they could get no Ministers go thither but such as could get no places in the Low-Countries which many times were either insufficient or scandalous They resolved therefore to erect a Seminary from whence at their pleasures they might draw forth Pastors for those parts For which end they consulted with the Professors at Leiden and observing that Wallaeus was more zealous then the rest in promoting it they chose him to be Overseer of that Semâ—narie But he judging himself unable to undergo so many Offices refused it yet at the importunity of the Curators of the University of Leiden and by the perswasion of his Colleagues he was at last prevailed with and undertook it Whereupon the students for India were brought into his Family where they were dieted and directed in their studies and found so much content that they never complained either of their Diet or Government And besides their other studies he caused them every day to construe to him a Chapter out of the Hebrew Bible and another out of the Greek Testament whereby they became skilful in the Languages and familiarly acquainted with the sacred Scriptures Twice also in the week he caused them to read in and dispute of his Enchirdion of the Reformed Religion and directed them in the making of their Sermons and the forwardest of them he directed how they might infuse the Principles of the Reformed Christian Religion into the Heathens by reasons drawn from Nature how they should instruct them gather a Church and govern the same Out of this Seminary in a few years were sent forth twelve Ministers famous for Learning and Piety to whom India oweth almost all her knowledge which she hath in the Reformed Religion Then did the Magistrates of Leiden by their Consul importune Wallaeus to give them leave to choose him into their Ecclesiastical Consiâ—ory but his wife and children disswaded him from it perceiving that he would sink under the burthen of so many imployments About this time there brake forth a great contention in Zeland between Telingius and Bursius Telingius was very careful to promote Piety whereupon he sharply reproved the sins of the times and observing much prophanation of the Sabbath by a Book which he published he endeavoured the Reformation of the same Upon this occasion Bursius his son wrote a complaint in verse wherein the Church bemoaned her self as if she had lost her liberty and therein he endeavoured to confute â—elingius about the Institution of the Lords Day Gomarus also who was very intimate with Bursius supplyed him with Arguments Telingius his friends were much offended at this so that there was great danger least the Church should be divided into parties and factions Voetius also published a youthly writing wherein he sought more to jerk his Adversaries then to edifie the Church Hereupon Wallaeus resumed those things which he had formerly read over and drew them into a larger Treatise about the Sabbath which also he printed to the great joy of the Churches who as they highly prized his Learning so now had cause to admire his wisdom And this work of his was so approved of that by Silvius Pastor of Amsterdam it was turned into Dutch their Native Language And it pleased God by this means to put an end to the aforenamed contentions Only Gomarus thinking it dishonorable to be silent published a little Book De Investigatione Sabbathi which Rivet answered and when Gomarus replyed Rivet answered again And though Gomarus found few or no followers yet to prevent the worst Wallaeus in his Publick Lectures answered such things as seemed to be new in Gomarus At the first Reformation of Religion in the Low-Countries there was a certain Elder of the Church of Embdea a godly man that turned Luthers Translation of the Bible into Low-Dutch But being skilful neither in the Hebrew nor Greek nor well acquainted with the High-Dutch there were many Errors in it whereupon the Ministers of the Law-Countries so soon as they were setled in their Lâ—berties from under the Spanish yoak began to think upon Translating the Bible out of the Originals and the States to promote so good a work made choice of Phili◠〈◊〉 of Saint Aldegunâ— to go to Leiden and there wholly to employ himself in this work which he willingly undertook and prosecuted to the year 1602. at which time he dyed having begun many Books of the Old Testament but had only finished Job Psalms and Proverbs Hereupon Arnold Cornelius Pastor of Delph and Warner Helmichius Pastor of Amsterdam were appointed to finish what Marnixius had begun They accordingly prosecuted that work but being much hindered by their Pastoral Office they dyed before they could finish it And presently after the Controversies of the Remonstrants springing up caused that work to cease till the Synod at Dort At which time the Remonstrants being cited to appear before the Synod at a certain day they appeared not whereupon the Moderator considering what the Synod should fall upon till they appeared propounded the version of the Bible into the Belgick Tongue And so they unanimously agreed to carry on that work and set down rules which the Translators were to follow The Translators also were chosen and least by the death of any of them the work should be impeded they substituted some to succeed such as should die Anno Christi 1627. the Synod being before dissolved the Deputies of the Provincial Synods requested the States General that the version of the Bible might now be carryed on which they easily assented to and appointed Wallaeus and Testus Hommius to deal with the Magistrates and Churches that the Translators might during the continuance of that work 〈◊〉 be freed from their Pastoral employments By the authority and perswasions of
time the Duke of Lancaster sent for Wicklief from Oxford who had now proceeded so far as to teach that in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the accidents of Bread and Wine remained not without the substance proving his Assertion by the Authority of Scriptures and the Ancient Fathers and withall rejecting such as had written upon that Argument since Anno 1000 saying that after that time Satan was loosed and men were led into many Errors These things the Bishops hated him for exceedingly yet by the favor of the Duke of Lancaster and of Henry Lord Percy he was preserved from their rage and sury till Anno Christi 1376. at which time they had prevailed with their Archibishop Simon Sudbury who had before deprived him and prohibited him to meddle any more in those matters to send forth his Citation to have him brought before them The Duke having notice hereof and fearing that he being but one should be too weak for such a multitude sent for four Batchelors of Divinity to joyn with him and for more surety when the day of his appearance was come himself with the Lord Percy Marshal of England went along with him As they went along they enconraged him not to fear the faces of the Bishops who say they are all unlearned in comparison of you neither be you troubled at the concourse of the people for we will defend you from them Being thus encouraged Wicklief approached Pauls Church where multitudes of persons were assembled to hear what should be spoken and done insomuch as the Lord Marshal could searce make way in the crowd whereupon Courtney the Bishop of London seeing what stir he made amongst the people said to him if I had known what masteries you would have plaid amongst the people I would have kept you out of this place at which speech the Duke being offended said that he would keep such mastery there though he said nay When they came to the place where the Archbishop and Bishops sate Wicklief presented himself before them to know what should be laid to his charge Then the Lord Percie speaking to him bade him sit down for that having many things to answer to he had need have a soft seat whereupon the Bishop of London growing into a great fume said he should not sit there neither said he is it according to Law or Reason that he that is cited to appear before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but should stand This kindled such a fire betwixt them the one rating and reviling the other that the people began all to be on a hurry Then the Duke taking the Lord Percies part gave some hasty words to the Bishop but neither did the Bishop spare him one jot returning rebukes for rebukes so that the Duke was ashamed that the Bishop should out-rail him telling him that he would take a course to bring down his pride and of all the Prelates in England Hereupon the Londoners cryed out that they would rather lose their lives then suffer their Bishop to be abused So that all things being in a confusion the Assembly was dissolved for that time and the Duke with the Lord Pertie returning to the Parliament that day a Bill was put up in the name of the King by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock another of the Kings sons and the Lord Percie that London should be no more governed by a Major but by a Captain a formerly it had been and that the Marshal of England should have all the power in taking the arrests in the City as he had in other Cities This Bill one John Philpot a Burgess for London stoutly opposed and the next day the Londoners assembled themselves together in Council to consider what to do about it and whilst they were in consultation came in two Lords the Lord Fitz-Walter and the Lord Guy Brian whom the Vulgar sort taking to be Spies were ready to flye upon them till they were enforced to swear that they came for no harm towards them and that if it proved otherwise they would be content to forfeit all their Goods and Possessions in the City Then did the Lord Fitz-Walter tell them of his love to them and of his care to preserve their Liberties which said he If you do not speedily look to and prevent you will lose the same for at this time the Lord Marshal hath one of your Citizens in prison in his house c. This was no sooner spoken but the rash Citizens ran to their houses armed themselves and going to the Lord Percies house brake open his gates rescued the Prisoner took the Stocks and burned them in the midst of the City searched and ransaked his house for the Lord himself whom if they had found they would certainly have slain and when they found him not they tore and cut his rich Beds and Hangings in pieces and then supposing him to be with the Duke they ran to the Savoy where though they were disappointed of their cruel purpose yet they took the Dukes Arms and hung them up in a reproachful manner in the midst of the City as if he had been a Traitor They also so wounded a Priest that spake in his defence that he dyed within a few days after and meeting one of the Dukes men with his Arms hanging in a Plate on his Breast they pulled him off his Horse pulled the Arms from him and had slain the man but that he was speedily rescued by the Maior But these out rages created much trouble to the Londoners which being beside my purpose I shall leave the Reader to search them out in the Chronicles of those times Shortly after the old King Edward dyed and his Grand-son Richard the second succeeded him upon which change the Bishops taking notice that the Duke and the Lord Percie had given over their Offices living privately at their own houses without medling with State affairs they thought it a fit time to revenge themselves upon John Wicklief whereupon they caused these Articles to be gathered and drawn up out of his Sermons against him 1. That the holy Eucharist after the Consecration is not the very body and blood of Christ but figuratively 2. That the Church of Rome is not the head of all other Churches in the World nor that Peter had any more power given him by Christ then any other of the Apostles 3. That the Pope of Rome hath no more power of the Keys then any 〈…〉 4. That the Lords Tomporal may lawfully take away the Temporalties of the Church men offending habitualiter 5. That the Gospel is of it self a sufficient rule both of Faith and Manners without any other rule 6. That neither the Pope nor any other Prelate ought to have Prisons of their own wherein to punish offenders c. These with some others the Bishops gathered out of his Sermons and Writings which they sent to Pope Gregory who
Pulpit alluding to that of Vespasian Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori And thinking upon that of his Master Happy art thou my servant if when I come I find thee so doing His text whereon he preached at Lacock was Walk in the Spirit and presently after Sermon his disease growing more and more upon him hee was forced to take his bed In the beginning of his sicknesse he made his Will and gave most of his estate to his servants to scholars and to the poor of Sarum The Saturday following calling all his houshold about him he expounded the Lords Prayer Cantater â—ygnus funeris ipse sui Wherein hee said It hath alwaies been my desire that I might glorifie God and honour his name by sacrificing my life unto death for the defence of his Truth But seeing God hath not granted my desire yet I rejoice that my body is exhausted and worn away in the labours of my holy calling c. And now that my hour is at hand I earnestly desire you to pray for me and to help me with the ardencie of your affections when you perceive me through the infirmitie of the â—esh to languish in my prayers Hitherto I have taught you but now the time is come wherein I may and desire to be taught and strengthened by every one of you Then hee desired them to sing the 71 Psalm himself also joyning as well as he could somtimes also interposing some words of particular application to himself in the end he said Lord now let thy servant depart in peace Break off all delaies Lord receive my spirit c. Then one standing by prayed with tears that if the Lord pleased he would restore him to his former health Juel over-hearing him seemed to be offended and said I have not lived so that I am ashamed to live longer neither do I fear to die because we have a mercifull Lord. A crown of righteousness is laid up for me Christ is my righteousnesse Father let thy will be done thy will I say and not mine which is imperfect and depraved This day quickly let me see the Lord Jesus c. And so after a few fervent inward prayers and sighs of longing desire the soul returned to him that gave it Anno Christi 1571 and of his Age 50. Concerning his Apology for the Church of England Peter Martyr thus wrote to him Tua Apologia frater charissimè non tantùm mihi omnibus modis numeris satisfecit verùm etiam Bulingero ejusque filiis generis nec non Gualthero Wolphio tam sapiens mirabilis eloquens visâ— est ut ejus laudandae nullum modum faciant nec arbitrantuâ— quicquam hoc tempore perfectius editum fuisse c. i. e. Thy Apology dear brother hath not onely fully satisfied mee but it seems also so wise admirable and eloquent to Bullinger and his sonnes as also to Gualter and Wolphius that they can never make an end of praising it and they believe that there hath not been so compleate a book published in this Age c. The Life of Zegedine who died A no Christi 1572. STeven Kis sirnamed Zegedine from the place where hee was born which was a Town in the lower Pannonia was born Anno Christi 1505 brought up in learning first in the School of Zegedine under the eye of his Parents then was sent to Lippain and after a while to Julia in all which places he made an excellent progresse in Learning and profited to admiration And his parents being dead he betooke himself to teaching a School and for his admirable dexterity therein he procured to himselfe great favour and authority amongst all sorts of persons About which time hearing the fame of Luther and Melancthon he had a great mind to goe to Wittenberg but wanting opportunity in sundry regards he went to the University at Cracovia where having studied a while he was made a Reader to others and grew very famous and having gotten some money there Anno Christi 1541 hee went to Wittenberg where hee studied Logick and Divinity three years being a diligent hearer of the Lectures of Luther and Melancthon all that while and so at the end of that terme returned into his own country where hee was received by the Hungarian youths with great applause in every place And being hired in the City of Thasniadine he not only instructed youth in the knowledge of the Arts but he preached Jesus Christ also to the people before unknown unto them This comming to the ears of the Kings Treasurer he sent for him fell upon him beat him and drove him out of the City There he lost two hundred books and was so barbarously kicked by this Tyrant with his Iron spurs that he was almost slain Thus wandring up and down as an exile Anno Christi 1545 hee was called to Julia where he was made Governour of an illustrious Schoole and hee began to live comfortably but on a sudden came news to him of the death of Luther which was a very great grief to him The year after hee was sent for to Cegledine where he was hired to preach publickly in the Church and with the leave of the Schoolmaster he read Melancthons Common places in the Schooles discovering many of the Popish errors to his hearers and God was pleased so to blesse his labours that many learned young men went out of those Schooles Having continued there about two yeares and an half Anno Christi 1548 hee married his first Wife called Ursula after which leaving Cegledine hee was earnestly sent for by the Governour of Temeswert to govern the School there which indeed was the most famous School in all those parts where he not onely performed the office wherewith he was intrusted but preached weekely to the people But that Governour dying there succeeded him one that was of a most rugged disposition being a souldier and a strong Papist who drove Zegedine from thence togegether with divers other Protestants Being again an exile he wandered up and down till hee was called to govern the School at Thurin where he was received with great honour Anno Christi 1551 and according to his former custome preached to the people who eagerly embraced the Truth and loved him exceedingly From thence Anno Christi 1553 he was called to Bekenese where he preached to the people and read Lectures in the Schools Whilst he was there some Italian souldiers were commanded by their Captain to kill Zegedine out of an hatred to his Religion but it pleased God that a Country man who heard the command running hastily to Zegedine said to him Sir what doe you here when there are some souldiers comming upon you to slay you therefore flie hence speedily if you will save your life and if you have any thing of worth commit it to my custodie who promise faithfully to keep it
himself and therefore knowing the worth of learning was very careful to bring up his son in the study of the Liberall Sciences and for that end sent him to Sterline and placed him under Thomas Bucanan under whom he manifested an excellent wit joyned with such modesty sweetnesse of nature that hee needed no severe discipline and by which he drew Bucanans affections to him exceedingly who could not but love him for his attractive qualâ—ties which love continued with encrease to his lives end After at this School he was fully fitted he went thence to the University of Saint Andrews where he spent four yeares in the study of the Arts And those virtues which before did but sparkle now shon bright and he did ascend to such an height in those studies as scarce any of his fellows attained to but none excelled so that at four years end his excellent abilities being taken notice of he was chosen a Professor of Philosophy which office he performed with great commendation for four yeares space adorning and illustrating it with his industry and piety none of his Colleagues equalizing him therein Anno Christi 1583 the Magistrates of Edenborough began to think of erecting a University in that City which they did at the instigation of that worthy man Master James Luson their chief Pastor the reason was because it was the Metropolis of the Kingdome and they could not send their sonnes to Saint Andrews or other Universities without great trouble and charge and besides they found that divers through poverty were not able to maintain their children abroad whereby many excellent wits were imployed in Mechanick trades upon which considerations when they had resolved to erect an Academy they in the next place considered where they might find a fit man to beginne carry on and perfect so great a work and because they could not otherwise do it they resolved to send one or two to Saint Andrews who by diligent enquiry should find out such a person who accordingly going thither found that by the generall vote of all there was none thought so fit for this worke as Robert Rollock which the Magistrates of Edenborough being informed of presently sent for him intreating that he would undertake a work which was like to prove so exceeding advantageous both to Church and State using also other arguments which so far prevailed that he promised to come to them And accordingly in the same year he went to Edenborough where by the Magistrates he was entertained courteously and in the beginning of winter hee set upon the work And as soon as it was spread abroad that a University was begun at Edenborough young Students flockt thither a pace from all parts of the Kingdom whom he instructed in the Arts and governed with severity mixed with clemencie and so educated them in Religion that God blessed his labours exceedingly amongst them For indeed he laboured in this above all things that his Scholars should have the marks of true holyness appearing in them Neither did God frustrate his expectations for by his exhortations and Divinity Lectures be so far prevailed even with the looser sort of youths that he soon brought them into very good order After four years he examined them strictly and finding their proficiency made them Masters of Art Then four Professors of Philosophy were by the Magistrates substituted under him to share in the pains which were chosen out of the ablest of those that had commenced Masters of Art These insisting in the footsteps of the Doctrine and Discipline of Rollock performed that trust which was committed to them with great faithfulnesse and industry In the meane time Rollock underwent the whole charge and care of the University For it was his office to look over the severall Classes to observe every ones sedulity and progresse in his studies If any discords arose to compose them by his wisdom and to keep every one in the carefull discharge of his duty Every morning calling the Students together he prayed fervently with them and one day in the week expounded some portion of Scripture to them from whence hee raised Doctrines Exhortations and Comminations not painted with humane eloquence but grave and weighty such as might most work upon the minds and hearts of young men And this he did not that he wanted eloquence but because he despised such a kind of affected speech in holy things By these kind of Lectures he did more restraine and reforme the young men then by his Discipline and indeed it brought great profit both to Master and Scholars Yet after every Lecture he took notice which of them had committed any faults that week whom hee would so reprove and lay the wrath of God before their eyes and withall affect them with shame that he much reformed them thereby Yea such as would neither have been reformed with words or stripes from others were so wrought upon by his applying the threatnings of Gods wrath and opening the sweet promises of mercy to them that usually they brake out into sighs and tears He took also extraordinary paines to fit such for the work of the Ministery as were grown up to it so that the Church received very much benefit from thence having so many able Pastors sent forth into it How much trouble care and pains he bestowed in these employments is not possibly to be conceived For he spent the whole day eâ—â—ept dinner time either in the contemplation of the chiefest points of Religion or in searching out the sence of hard places of Scripture or in confuting the errors of the Romanists Besides this he preached every Lords day in the Church and that with such fervencie and evident demonstration of the spirit that he was the instrument of converting very many unto God He wrote also many Commentaries upon the Scriptures which being printed and going abroad into other Countries Beza meeting with that upon the Romans and Ephesians wrote to a friend concerning them that hee had gotten a treasure of incomparable value and that he had not met with the like before for brevity elegancy and judiciousnesse Whereupon he thus concludes I pray God to preserve the Author and daily to encrease his gifts in him especially in these times wherein the vineyard of the Lord hath so few labourers Thus we see how famous Rollock was with all sorts of persons for his learning virtue and piety yea by his curtesie and candor he drew the love of all men He was so humble that though he excelled them yet he preferred all others before himself and laboured after privacy from publick businesse that he might the better apply himselfe to his studies Yet contrary to his mind he was often called forth to publick businesses which he alwaies dispatched with admirable prudence In the two last years of his life he was so involved in publick affairs that it much weakned his health He was greatly tormented
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
blessed Spirit of God makes the Soul like a Fountain whose water is pure wholesom and clear For Grace beautifies cleanseth and so saveth the whole man He wrote divers Epistles To St. John To the Ephesians To the Magnesians To the Trallians To the Romanes To the Philadelphians To Polycarp c. Concerning which the learned Scultetus saith Inter dubia incerta numero Epistolas Ignatii Polycarpi Nondum enim inter Orthodoxos convenit sintne Epistolae istae celeberrimorum Martyrum Ignatii Polycarpi an aliorum For which he gives his reasons POLYCARPVS The Life of Polycarp who dyed Anno Chr. 170 POlycarpus was Disciple to S John and Bishop of Smyrna he going with S. John to a Bath at Ephosus and espying Cerinthus the Heretick in it said Fugiamus ocyùs c. Let us depart speedily for fear least the Bath wherein the Lord's adversary is do fall upon us as one of the Fathers made haste out of the house of a wicked man which soon after fell to the ground The History of his Martyrdom is excellently set forth in an Epistle written by his own Church at Smyrna to the Brethren of Pontus out of which so much as concerns this matter I shall transcribe The Congregation which is at Smyrna to the Congregation which is at Philomilium and to all the Congregations throughout Pontus mercy to you peace and the love of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplyed Amen We have written unto you Brethren of those men which have suffered Martyrdom and particularly of blessed Polycarp who by sheding his blood hath through Gods mercy put an end to this persecution the manner whereof we shall now relate to you This holy man hearing of the cruel persecution abroad was therewith nothing terrified but retained the inmovable tranquility of his minde and continued still in the City till at length he was perswaded through the importunity of his friends to betake himself to a certain Farm-place not far from the City where he remained with a few exercising himself night and day in prayer making humble supplications as his usual manner was for the peace and tranquility of all the Churches in the world Having been in prayer three days before his apprehension and now faln asleep he saw in a Vision by night the pillow under his head set on fire and suddenly consumed to ashes which when he awaked he interpreted to them that were present to fore-signifie that his life was neer an end and that his body should be Burned for the testimony of Christ. When the Searchers were now at hand and all the people cryed out Quaeratur Polycarpus Let us search out Polycarp at the earnest entreaty of his friends he removed to another Village unto which the Searchers coming caught two boys and scourged them till one of them confessed and led them to Polycarps lodging Yet might he easily have escaped but he would not saying the will of the Lord be fulfilled and so coming to them he communed with them very cheerfully so that it was wonderful to see those which a little before knew not the man now beholding and viewing his comey age and his grave and constant countenance lamented that they had so imployed themselves for the apprehension of so worthy a person But he on the contrary commanded that the table should be presently spred for them intreating them to eat and dine well requesting but one hours space to make his prayers unto God in which they assenting to he arose and went to prayer and being replenished with the grace of God he so poured out his soul that all that heard him praying were astonished at it yea many of his enemies were sorry that so holy honest and aged a man should be put to death The hour being now come wherein he was to set forwards they set him upon an Ass and brought him to the City of Smyrna upon a solemn Feast day and there met him Herod the Justice of Peace and his Father Nicetes who receiving him into their Chariot said unto him What harm is it to say Lord Caesar to sacrifice and so to be saved At first he answered nothing but when again they urged him he said I will not do according to your counsel They perceiving that he would not be perswaded gave him very rough language and at last tumbled him out of their Chariot whereby he brake his shins But he as though he had received no injury nor hurt at all went bolt upright cheerfully and apace towards the Theater And being come thither a voice came down from Heaven though by reason of the great tumult few heard it Be of good cheer O Polycarp and play the man The speaker no man saw but the voice was heard by many of us The multitude was in a rage and the Proconsul demanded of him whether he were that Polycarp yet withal beckoning to him to deny it said Have respect unto thine age tender thy self swear by the Fortune of Caesar Repent of what is past and say Remove the wicked But Polycarp looking about upon the multitude with a stedfast countenance and casting up his eyes towards Heaven said Remove O Lord these wicked Yet the Proconsul urged him again saying Swear and I will let thee go Blaspheme and defie Christ and thou shalt be safe To whom Polycarp answered Octoginta sex annos illijam inservivi c. Fourscore and six years have I served Christ neither hath he ever offended me in any thing and how then can I revile my King that hath thus kept me The Proconsul still urged and said Swear by the Fortune of Caesar Polycarp replyed If thou requirest of me this vain glory that I should protest the Fortune of Caesar pretending that thou knowest not what I am Know then that I am a Christian And if thou desirest to know the Doctrine of Christianity appoint a day and thou shalt hear it Perswade the people unto this said the Proconsul Truly said Polycarp I thought it my part to make this tender unto you Because we are commanded of God to give unto Governours and Powers whom he hath ordained the honour and obedience which is due unto them and not hurtful unto us but as for these people I deem them not competent judges and therefore will not purge my self before them Then said the Proconsul I have wild Beasts to devour thee unless thou repent Polycarp answered Bring them forth for we have determined with our selves not to repent nor to turn from the better to the worse It s more convenient for you to turn from evill to that which is good and just I will said the Proconsul tame thee with fire if thou set naught by the wild Beasts and wilt not repent To which Polycarp answered you threaten me with sire which shall last but an hour and is quickly quenched but thou art ignorant
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
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
Constantinople to give an account of the tumults and seditions that he had raised at Alexandria At this time there was one Alexander a godly and worthy man Bishop of Constantinople He in the dimication which arose about Arius shewed himself a very prudent and pious man For as soon as Arius came to Constantinople he presently raised divisions amongst the people there also so that great tumults ensued whilest one part of the people stood for the Faith confirmed by the Nicene Council another part of them said that the opinion of Arius was most consonant and agreeable to reason Hereupon Alexander fell into a great perplexity especially because Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia often and grievously threatned him that he would depose him from his Bishoprick if he would not receive Arius and his companions into Communion with him But Alexander was not so solicitous about his own Deposition as he was careful for to maintain the Nicene Faith and the Doctrine established by that Council For esteeming himself bound to be a Patron of the Decrees of that Council he thought that it was his duty to the uttermost of his power to see that they might not be broken nor made invalid Being therefore ingaged in this contestation he laid aside humane arguments and betook himself to the help and assistance of God and thereupon shutting himself up in the Church he fell to Fasting and Prayer and night and day with tears he begged of God that if the opinion of Arius was true he might never see the day appointed for the trial but if his own Faith were the truth that then God would inflict some visible judgement upon Arius the Author of all those mischiefs In the mean time the Emperour desirous to finde out the opinion of Arius sent for him to his Pallace and asked him whether he did agree to the Decrees of the Council of Nice He without delay willingly and chearfully subscribed them whereas in the mean time he cunningly and fallaciously evaded those things which were determined about matters of Faith The Emperour wondering at it required him to swear to them which he also did but with the like fraud as he had before subscribed them For having writren privately his own opinion he put it into his bosom and then swore that he did truly and from his heart believe according as he had written The good Emperour giving credit to his Subscription and Oath commanded Alexander the Bishop of Constantinople to receive him into Communion This was on the Saturday and Arius expected the next day to be admitted into the Communion of the Church but God prevented it For Arius going out of the Pallace with Eusebius and a great number of his followers in great pomp and pride as having gotten the victory of his adversaries He no sooner came to the chief Market place in the City but his Conscience began to accuse and terrifie him for all his deceit and wickedness through the violence whereof his belly was loosened whereupon he asked whether the Jakes was not nere and being informed that they were hard by he turned aside into them and whilest he was casing Nature first his Fundament came forth then abundance of blood and at last he voided his Bowels with his Spleen and his Liver whereupon he immediately dyed Some of his company thinking him long went in to see the cause and found him dead in this miserable manner Hereupoâ— Eusebius and all his rout were stricken with a wonderful terror The fame of Arius his accursed death presently flew all over the City yea almost over all the World Every one as they went by pointed at the place where he made this wretched end and shunned the use of it Yet his Associates gave it out that his adversaries by the help of Magick had thus destroyed him And whereas many resorted to see the place of his death whereby it became very infamous at length a certain rich Citizen that was an Arian bought it and pulling down the Jakes built an house in the room of it that so the thing in process of time might be wholly forgotten Athanasius being throughly informed of these things writes thus of them Arius saith he the Prince and Author of his Sect and the companion of Eusebius was by the art and industry of the Eusebian Faction sent for to Constantinople by the Emperour of blessed memory who commanded him to write his Faith and this cunning Fox wrote it indeed but after the manner of the Devil in quoting Scripture he craftily suppressed and left out the impudent words of his impiety And when Constantine urged him that if he had no other opinion which he kept secret in his minde he should subscribe and swear to the truth withal telling him that if he forswore himself God would finde him out and plague him for it this miserable wretch swore that he held no other opinion nor thought otherwise then he had written Whereupon saith he going forth from the Emperour Gods hand presently fell upon him and like Judas dying he burst in sunder and his bowels came forth And though death be common to all men so that no man no not our Enemy is to be reproached after death yet the death of Arius being so strange and differing from the death of other men is not to be passed over in silence For when Eusebius and his followers threatned to bring Arius the very next morning into the Congregation and Alexander by Prayer had sought unto God to prevent it It pleased God who was now made the Judge that very day to bring him to such a fearful end Constantine being informed hereof wondred at it assuring himself that Arius had been guilty of perjury But shortly after it pleased God to take away that good Emperour After whose death Eusebius Bishop of Nâ—comedia and Theognis Bishop of Nice supposing that now they had gotten a fit time endeavoured by all means possible to take away the Nicene Creed out of the Church wherein was the clause of One Substance and in the room thereof to settle the detestable heresie of Arius But this they knew they could never effect if Athanasius returned from Exile to Alexandria wherefore they made use of a certain Arian Priest to carry the last Will and Testament of Constantine to Constantius his son together with the Legacies bequeathed him Constantius finding in the Will that which he greatly desired viz. that the Empire of the East was left to him made very much of the Priest granted him great liberty charged him to use his Pallace freely and boldly at his pleasure Hereupon this cunning seducer insinuated into acquaintance with the Empress and with her Eunuchs and Chamberlains and whereas one Eusebius was chief of the Eunuchs through the perswasions of this lewd Priest he became an Arian and infected the other Eunuchs of his Company Yea the Empress also by the enticements of this Priest and her Eunuchs fell into
the pestilent Heresie of Arius Yea a while after the Emperour himself began to favour that opinion and so by little and little it was spread everywhere first the Emperours Guard took it up then it busied the mindes of the multitude in the City the Emperours Chamberlains in the very Pallace began to contend with women about it And this woful Effect followed the countenancing of this Heresie that in every House and Family through the City they brawled and went together by the ears about it Yea this infection spread it self quickly through other Regions and Countries and the controversie much like a spark of fire kindled the mindes of the hearers with the fiery flame of discord and dissention For every one that desired to know why they made tumults by and by had occasion given him to reason and every one was not satisfied with questioning but contentiously would argue thereof By these means the peaceable and quiet state of the Church was turned upside down But in the interim it pleased God that this flame kept in the East whilest the Western Church injoyed peace and quietness For by no means would they suffer the Canons of the Nicene Council to be violated or made null After the heat of contention was blown abroad and burned more and more the Faction of Eusebius doubted not but it would turn to their great advantage for they hoped that it would come to pass that some Bishop would be chosen of Alexandria that would favour and advance their opinion But at the very same time Athanasius returned unto Alexandria carrying along with him Letters from Constantine the Younger who was one of the Emperours The tenour whereof was this Constantine Caesar to the People of the Catholick Church of Alexandria sendeth greeting I hope it is not unknown to your discreet wisdoms that Athanasius the Professor of sacred Divinity was for a time banished into France least that through the mischievous dealing of lewd men for blood suckers and cruel beasts sought to bereave him of his life he should privily be slain wherefore that he might be sheltred from the malice of those despiteful men he was taken out of their jaws and was commanded to live under my Dominion where I took care that he might be fully furnished with all things needful as if he had been in the City where formerly he lived And when as our Lord and Father of famous memory Constantine the Emperour had intended to restore him to his Bishoprick again he was prevented by death before he could accomplish his desires I thought it my part and duty therefore to execute the intent of so godly an Emperour With what estimation and reverence I have entertained the man he shall report with his own mouth at his return to you neither is there any marvel that I shewed him such courtesie For me thought that I saw in him the great longing ye had for him and I beheld also the Fatherly reverence and gravity of the man himself all which moved me not a little thereunto God of his goodness Wel-beloved Brethren have you in his tuition Athanasius upon the confidence of these Letters returned unto Alexandria whom the people received with most willing mindes But such in that City as were infected with the Leprosie of Arianism conspired against him so that many tumults and skirmishes were raised which gave occasion to the confederates of Eusebius to accuse Athanasius falsely to the Emperour that of his own private spirit without the consent of the Assembly of the Bishops he had setled himself in that Church This odious accusation so far incensed the Emperour Constantius that he sent one Gregory an Arian to be Bishop of Alexandria and with him Syrianus a Captain with 5000 Souldiers to drive out Athanasius and to settle Gregory in his room the Arians which were in the City joined themselves with them to help them It was then even-tide and the people were assembled in the Church to prepare themselves for the Sacrament which was the next day to be administred The Captain drew nigh set his Souldiers in battail array and beset the Church Athanasius understanding the danger devised how the people might take no harm for his sake whereupon he commanded his Deacon to read the Collects to the people and after that to sing a Psalm and as the Psalm was sweetly and harmoniously sung all the people went out at one of the Church doors and it pleased God that the Souldiers had no power to meddle with them and Athanasius in the midst of the Singers escaped also without any harm and Gregory took possession of the Church whilest Athanasius being thus through Gods mercy delivered went in all hast to Rome About this time Constantine the younger was slain by the souldiers and Constance the youngest of the three Emperours remained Emperour of the West Athanasius coming to Rome complained to the Bishop Julius of the great wrong which was done to him the like did divers others of the Eastern Bishops who were unjustly thrust out by the Arians Hereupon Julius wrote freely unto the Bishops of the East requiring them to restore those Bishops to their places again sharply rebuking such as had raâ—hly and unjustly procured their deposition The wronged Bishops trusting to Julius his Letter returned every man to his own Church conveying the Letters unto whom they were written who when the Letters came to their hands took it very hainously that Julius should interpose in that cause and thereupon summoned a Council at Antioch In the mean time Athanasius being come to Alexandria there was great stir and many tumults were raised by Gregory and the Arians against him they also forged and divulged this slander viz. That whereas Constantine the Great had given certain grain for Alms to relieve the Poor of the Church of Alexandria this say they Athanasius had sold and converts it to his own private lucre the Emperour takes this slanderous report for truth and threatneth him with death which Athanasius hearing of fled and hid himself in a secret and obscure place At length Julius Bishop of Rome being informed where he lay hid sent for him and when he was come to Rome he acquainted the Emperour Constance with all the injuries which were done to him This good Emperour being much affected with that sad relation wrote to his Brother in the East requesting him to send to him three men that would justifie the accusations against Athanasius Accordingly there were sent Narcissus the Cilician Theodore the Thracian â—aris the Calcedonian and Marcus the Syrian But when they came to Rome they would by no means reason with Athanasius only they exhibited to the Emperour a certain Form of Faith and so took their leave without reasoning of any other matter Not long after the Western Bishops assembled in a Council at Sardis where Athanasius was acquit from the crimes charged upon him and thereupon Constance
not suffer their Bishop to have any violence done to him Hereupon the people being assembled from all parts a great tumult was raised so that every one expected a Sedition to ensue the President sent presently to the Emperour to acquaint him with these proceedings and in the mean time suffered Athanasius to remain in the City Many days after when the Sedition was well appeased Athanasius privily stole out of the City and went and hid himself in a certain secret place The night after the President and Colonel of the Souldiers went to his house which joined to the Church and there sought every corner for him but not finding him they lost their labours For they thought that now the people were quieted and feared no such matter they might easily apprehend him and so execute the Emperours command But when Athanasius could not be found every one much wondered at it believing that God had discovered the danger to him and thereby preserved him from it Others say that Athanasius mistrusting the heady and rash motion of the common people fearing that if any mischief were wrought by them it would be laid to his charge retired privily and hid himself for the space of four months in his Fathers Monument But in the mean time the Emperour Valence considering how many friends Athanasius had which by reason of his absence might happily raise commotions to the great prejudice of the Empire and withall considering that Valentinian who was an earnest Defender of the Nicene Faith might take the banishment of Athanasius very hainously hereupon he wrote very loving Letters to the people of Alexandria signifying that his pleasure was that Athanasius should quietly according to their hearts desire enjoy his Bishoprick Yet in other places a great Persecution was raised against the Orthodox who were driven out of their Churches and Arians placed in their rooms only the Churches of Egypt enjoyed Peace all the life time of Athanasius whose death fell out not long after when having endured many skirmishes in the quarrel of the Church and having been Bishop 46 years in which time he had often been in great hazard of his life yet at the length through the goodness and mercy of God he dyed in peace in his own City of Alexandria leaving behinde him Peter a godly and zealous man to succeed him Anno Christi 375. It was said of him Non solùm Episcopi c. Not only Bishops but Emperours Kingdoms Nations and Armies opposed him whereupon he used to say Though an Army should encamp about me yet would I not fear In the time of Julian the Apostate who made much use of Conjurers the Magicians and Southsayers in Alexandria cryed out that they could do nothing in their Art except Athanasius were removed out of the City It was said of him Vnus Athanasius contra totum mundum One Athanasius stood firm against all the world Gregory Nazianzen stiles him Tubam ingentem Columnam Ecclesiae The great Trumpet and Pillar of the Church Theodoret stiles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Bulwark of Truth His Works are commonly printed in two Tomes which Scultetus distinguisheth into Germana Dubia Supposita Germana sunt Oratio adversus Gentes Oratio de incarnatione verbi Expositio Fides Respons ad Liberium Epistola de fide ad Jovinianum Sermo de incarnatione Orationes quinque contra Arianos Tractat in illud dictum Omnia mihi sunt tradita à Patre Epistolae and Adelphinum fratrem and Maximum Philosophum de sententia Dionysii Refutatio hypocriseos Miletii Eusebii Pauli Samosetani Sermo de humana natura suscepta Epistolae ad Epictetum de Incarnatione Christi contra Apolinarium Oratio contra Apolinarium Oratio contra gregales Sabellii Epistolae duae ad Scrapionem de spiritu sancto Epistola de Incarnatione Verbi Dei. Apologiae ad Imperatorem Constantinum De fuga sua prima secunda Ad Africà nos Narratio de Concilio Nicaeno Epistola Catholica Epistolae ad Antiochenses ad Serapionem de morte Arii ad omnes solitariam vitam agentes De Synodis Arimini Seleuciae ad omnes ubique Orthodoxos Ad Joan. Antiochum Ad Palladium Ad Dracontium Ad Ruffianum De Sabbato Circumcisione De peccato in S. Sanctum Synopsis Scripturae sanctae Dubia sunt Orationes de Semente De Ascensione Christi Symbolum Athanasii Epistola ad Aremùn Fragmentum Epistolae festalis Vita S. Antonii De Virginitate sive de meditatione Omnia reliqua sunt supposititia The Life of Hilarie who flourished An. Chri. 355. HIlarie Bishop of Poictiers was nobly descended and of excellent gifts He was frequent in Preaching exemplary in Life a great opposer of the Arian Heresie whereupon the Bishops Valence and Vrsacius procured the Emperour to banish him into Phâ—ygia Afterwards the Emperour commanding many Bishops to assemble at Seleucia to give their opinions about the Arian Heresie Hilarie carried himself so well there that he was restored to Poictiers After which he travelled over Italy and France diligently instructing the Bishops of both those countries in the Canons of the Catholick Faith He was a very Eloquent man and wrote many things in the Latine tongue amongst which he wrote 12 Books of the Trinity expounded the Canon containing the clause Of One Substance proved it sufficiently and confuted the arguments of the Arians He was a very Heavenly man both in his Life and Doctrine and by his means especially the Faith confirmed in the Nicene Council was propagated and defended in these Western parts of the World all his life time He wrote also against the Emperour Constantius one Book Two Books to the Emperour against Auxentius the Arian Commentaries on Matthew Epistles to S. Augustine c. He dyed in peace under Valentinian and Valence CYRIL The Life of Cyril who dyed Anno Christi 365. Cyrillus Bishop of Jerusalem was at the first an Arian and therefore by that faction was made Bishop of Hierusalem but shortly after he was accused in a Council for certain hainous crimes by whom he was deposed from his Bishoprick and being often called by them to purge himself from those crimes he still absented himself for the space of 2 years thinking thereby to escape and the crime to be forgotten as soon as he was deposed he sent an appellation in writing to his Deposers appealing from them to the Judges of the Higher Court. Constantius the Emperour admitted his appellation so that Cyril was the first and the only man that brought in this president so prejudicial to the Ecclesiastical constitutions At length he came to Seleucia to have his cause heard where his Deposition was confirmed for his communicating with certain heretical Bishops and Herennius was substituted in his room Bishop of Hierusalem and after him Heraclius and after him Hilarius These continued the Government of that Church till the reign of Theodosius senior At which
he so contented Modestus the Emperours Praefect that he drew that wicked man by the shining of his vertue to admire him By this when the Emperour Valence himself entred into his Church he first astonished him and afterwards by his discreet conference deterred him from his cruelty year reclaimed him from the faction of the Arians though afterwards those wicked men prevailed to bring him over to them again He had always a minde so prepared for Martyrdom that he desired it as a great favour In all his writings there is such a peculiar grace and excellency that he never tires his Reader but always dismisseth him with a thirst after more One saith of him that the true beauty of his soul did shine forth in his Eloquence Rhetorick being both his companion and servant Hierom was his scholar He was of such Authority in the Greek Churches that whosoever durst oppose his testimony was suspected for an Heretick He so loved solitude that when for his excellent Learning and Sanctity he should first have been made a Bishop he retired himself into obscurity but being discovered the people chose him for their Bishop At last growing old and unfit for his publick imployment he constituted another Bishop and returned to his former solitude He flourished under Theodosius He used to say That in a great multitude of people of several Ages and Conditions who are like an Harp with many strings it is hard to give every one such a touch in Preaching as may please all and off end none He wrote divers works both in prose and verse The Life of Epiphanius who flourished Anno Christi 370. EPiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus was born in Palestine in an obscure Town called Besanduces of poor and obscure parents his Father dying when he was young he was adopted and brought up by one Tryphon a Jew whereby he attained to an excellent knowledge in the Hebrew He was converted to the Christian Faith by one Lucianus famous for his Learning and Vertue Lucianus put him to Hâ—arion to learn under whom he profited exceedingly Whilest he was a boy certain Hereticks called the Gnosticks cunningly sought to invegle him and to draw him over to their opinions but it pleased God to preserve him from the temptation and to keep him in the Truth In his riper years he was famous in the Church for his Piety Holiness of Life and for the Sincerity of his Doctrine and Elegancy of his Stile as his Books witness which shew their Author to be a man of great reading skilful in the Tongues well acquainted with Controversies prudent in asserting the Truth and acute in confuting Errors whereupon Melancthon saith of him We have no fuller an History of those ancient affairs of the Church then the writings of Epiphanius do contain in which whilest he intends the Confutation of Heresies he inserts many Historical passages So that out of this Author may be collected almost a continued History of the ancient Church if any would with prudence join his Narrations together and I wish that some Prince would take care to see such a work done He was of a very liberal and charitable disposition insomuch as he spent all his estate in relieving the Poor Being afterwards chosen Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus he at first modestly refused that dignity but importunity prevaling with him he so lived that Vitam doctrinâ doctrinam vitâ comprobaret his Doctrine approved his Life and his Life desended his Doctrine He was semper Hereticorum acerrimus oppugnator always a sharp opposer of Hereticks He purged all Cyâ—rus defiled and slurried with divers Heresies and having gained an Edict from Theodosius the Emperour he cast all the Hereticks out of the Island About this time Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria having upon some false surmises conceived displeasure against John Chrysostom Bishop of Constantinople he sought cunningly to thrust him out of his Bishoprick whereupon he sent Letters to the Bishops throughout every City concealing his principal drift and only pretending that he misliked the Books of Origen Epiphanius also being at this time very old Theophilus wrought upon his weakness and prevailed with him to call a Council in Cyprus In which Council the Bishops Decreed that thenceforth none should read the works of Origen and by the instigation of Theophilus they wrote also to Chrysostom exhorting him to abstain from the perusing of those Books and requesting him to summon a Council at Constantinople and to ratifie that Decree with the uniform consent of all After this Epiphanius went to Constantinople and contrary to the Canons of the Church Ordained some Ministers there and administred the Sacrament Yet Chrysostom honoured him highly went with the rest of his Clergy to welcome him to the City invited him to lodge at his own house and to make use of his Church during his abode there But Epiphanius being prepossessed with prejudice answered that he would neither lodge in his house nor join with him in Prayer except he would condemn the Books of Origen and drive away Dioscorus with his associates from him who were favourers of Origen But Chrysostom answered that it would be great injustice to condemn men before their cause was heard especially considering that the time for administration of the Sacrament was now near and with this answer he left him Presently after the Enemies of Chrysostom came to Epiphanius and perswaded him publickly before all the people to condemn the Books of Origen and also Dioscorus and his followers and withall to tax the Bishop of the City for favouring these persons Epiphanius being of too facile a disposition went out the next day to perform these things which Chrysostom hearing of sent Serapion who met him not far from the Church and protested that if he did these things he would do that which was neither just nor equal nor convenient for himself For that hereby he might bring himself into danger if any tumult should be raised amongst the people Hereupon he desisted yet privately he called together some Bishops that stayed in the City and shewed them the Decrees which condemned the Books of Origen and drew some of them to assent to the same but the greatest part refused and Theotymnus Bishop of Scythia blamed him to his face for it and told him that it was altogether unlawful thus to calumniate and asperse a man that was dead long since especially being of so great worth and his writings approved of by their Predecessours c. At last he resolved to return into Cyprus and for a farewel to Chrysostom he said I hope that thou wilt not dye a Bishop To which Chrysostom replyed and I hope thou wilt never return into thy own Country Both which came to pass for a while after Chrysostom was cast out of his Bishoprick and Epiphanius dyed upon the Sea and when he found himself mortally sick he called his
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
an excellent faculty in perswading wherein he excelled most men of that age He was very frequent and earnest in reproving sin not only in his publick Ministry but by going to the houses of such as were scandalous and dealing privately and plainly with them laying to heart the dishonour done unto God as if himself had been personally wronged by them By this means he became very grateful to the common people but most ungrateful to great and rich men who usually take most liberty in sinning Hereupon his fame spread all over the Roman Empire Such as knew him prized his great experience such as knew him not were drawn by the fame of his great Learning insomuch as the Bishoprick of Constantinople being void he of all others was thought most worthy to succeed therein and thereupon he was unanimously chosen both by the Clergy and Laity the Emperour himself approving well of their choice and sending some messengers to fetch him In the mean time also the Emperour convocated a Synod that by that means his Ordination to the Bishoprick might be better approved of Asterius the Praefect of the East having received the Emperours Letters sent to Antioch for John as if he meant to confer with him about something But as soon as he came taking him up in his Coach he carryed him to Pagra where he delivered him to the Emperours Messengers and this he did because he knew the tumultuous disposition of the Antiochians who would have raised some Sedition rather then have parted with him and would never but by force have suffered him to have gone from them When he came to Constantinople the Clergy were called together But Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria opposed his Ordination endeavouring to prefer to that place one of his own Presbyters called Isidore who had been his Instrument in an action very prejudicial to the Emperour But when Eutropius one of the Courtiers had told him that except he consented with the rest for the choice of John he should be questioned for that former fact he also gave his suffrage for him Thus John being setled in the Bishoprick of Constantinople his first study and care was to reform the lives of his Clergy and making a diligent Inquisition into their conversation their dyet and other carriages he reproved corrected yea and cast some of them out of the Church For John being of a cholerick and hasty Nature and now armed with Authority would not indulge their faults but laboured throughly to reform them And this he did not only to the Clergy of his own Church but being of a great spirit and inflamed with zeal he endeavoured the Reformation of all within his Jurisdiction And finding also a great Rent and Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches he did all that possibly he could for the healing and making up of the same and prevailed somewhattherein though he could not perfectly attain his desire His Gouernment and Ministry through Gods mercy proved very effectuall in Constantinople so that he converted many Pagans to Christianity and reduced many Hereticks from their Errors Many flocked dayly to him some for the profit and benefit which they got by his Doctrine others for the tempting of him all whom he held Captive and prevailed with them to agree with him in matters of Religion So great a confluence of people resorted to his Sermons with an insatiable desire after them that they were ready to stifle one another whilest every one crowded to come neerest to him About this time Chrysostom was informed that the Churches in Asia were generally governed by unworthy Bishops who either for affection or bribes preferred unfit persons to the Ministry whereupon he went to Ephesus and examining these things he deposed thirteen Bishops some in Lycia some in Phrygia and the rest in Asia placing more fit persons in their rooms At Ephesus finding the Bishop to be lately dead he placed Heraclides born in Cyprus and sometimes a Disciple of Evagrius But upon the removal of these Bishops they with their adherents raised many slanders against Chrysostom accusing him every where as a violator of their Country Laws and amongst others they stirred up Eutropius an Eunuch in the Emperours Court against him who was in great favour and was esteemed as the Father of the Emperour and made one of the Consuls of the City This Eutropius procured a Law to be Enacted that Malefactors taking Sanctuary in the Church should be drawn thence and punished according to their demerits Shortly after himself was accused for using the Emperours wife unworthily whereupon he fled to the Church and there lay under the Communion-Table Chrysostom being to Preach the next day took occasion to speak against the Pride and Insolency of Great men and to shew the vanities and uncertaintie of all worldly glory and Eutropius according to his own Law was fetched out of the Church and beheaded About the same time also the Arians who by the Emperour Theodosius were driven out of all the Churches within Constantinople held their Conventicles in the Suburbs where first they met together in the night-time and made certain songs and responsories in favour of their own Heresies and in disgrace of the Catholicks and at last they grew so bold that they went about the streets every morning especially on the first and last days of the Week singing them as they went John Chysostom suspecting least some of his people might be seduced by these means stirred them up to the like practice whereupon the Hereticks being enraged fell upon the Orthodox so that some of both sides were slain which so incensed the Emperour against them that he forbad all the Conventicles of the Arians by which means the people were more in love with John both for his Prudence and profitable Preaching Yet many of the Great Rich men and of the Clergy hated him because he was so free and impartial in his reproofs for as oft as any of his Clergy offended he punished them and such as abused their Riches to Pride Luxury and dishonest Pleasures he laboured by all means to reduce them to Virtue Some of the Clergy joyning with some Monks reproached him as a cholerick and implacable man and endeavoured to alienate the affections of the people from him by suggesting that he was unsociable never inviting any man to his Table nor going to any Feast when he was invited whereas the reason of it was because of his great temperance and by reason of his hard studies he was troubled with Rhumes and Head-ach which made him shun such meetings About this time there arose a great contention amongst the Monks in Egypt whilest some of the more ignorant and illiterate held God to have a body like unto man others denyed it Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria held with and favoured the former laying snares to entrap some of the latter who thereupon went to Constantinople to complain of him to the
Emperour and to John These he received very courteously and admitted them to the Prayers of the Church but not to the Sacrament till their cause was heard before the Emperour But a rumour being spread in Alexandria that he had admitted them to the Sacrament Theophilus was extreamly offended with him and sought to put him out of his Bishoprick Whilest he meditated these things he wrote to all the Bishops thereabouts that they should condemn the Books of Origen and considering that it would much advance his affairs if he could draw Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus a man famous for his Life and Learning to side with him he wrote very flattering Letters to him whereby he made him his friend Then did he perswade him to call a Synod in Cyprus to condemn the Works of Origen which the good man too easily affented to and calling a Council they condemned them Then did Epiphanius write to Constantinople to John to call a Council and to condemn them likewise there Theophilus in the mean time considering that he might safely do what such a famous man as Epiphanius had done he also summoned a Council of all the Egyptian Bishops where they also condemned the Books of Origen But John thought that this business did not deserve the calling of a Council and therefore neglected it shewing to his friends the Letters sent him by Theophilus and Epiphanius Hereupon the Clergy and the Rich and Great men who were angry with him for the reasons aforesaid perceiving that the purpose of Theophilus was to remove John from his Bishoprick they studyed how they might promote the same and so far prevailed with the Emperour that a very great Council was summoned to meet at Constantinople which Theophilus much rejoycing at presently commanded all the Bishops of Egypt to repair thither He wrote also to Epiphanius and to all the Eastern Bishops that they should hasten to Constantinople himself following them Epiphanius was the first that arrived and in a Town near to Constantinople he went into the Church where he made publike Prayers From thence going to the City John with all his Clergy met him with all the respect that might be but Epiphanius shewed by his carriage that the calumnies raised against John had made too deep an impression in him for when he was invited to the Bishops house he refued to go in and shunned to have any society with John Yea moreoverâ—calling privately together such Bishops as were at Constantinople he shewed what they had Decreed against the Books of Origen and prevailed with some to give their suffrage to the same though the greater part protracted the doing of it And Theotinusâ—ishop â—ishop of â—ythia blamed him to his face for it saying that it was altogether unlawful thus to condemn a man that was dead so many years before and that it was not without blasphemy thus to calumniate the judgement of our Ancestors and to reject those things which they had Decreed and withall plucking forth a certain Book of Origens he reads part of it and shews how useful and profitable it was for the Church saying further they that discommend these things shew their great folly and it s to be feared that in time they may condemn the Scripture it self about which these Books are written Notwithstanding these things John did much reverence Epiphanius intreating him to partake with him both in his House and Table yea and in the Church too But he returned answer that he would neither come into his House nor Communicate with him at Church except he would condemn the Books of Origen and drive away Dioscorus with the rest of the Monks his companions John thought this very unequal thus to drive them away before their cause was heard the rather because he had appointed a Sacrament in the Apostles Church Then did the Enemies of John suborn Epiphanius that he should come forth in publick and before all the people condemn the Books of Origen with Dioscorus and his companions for holding the same opinions and that withall he should tax the Bishop John for favouring of them The design of these men which thus set him on was to alienate the affections of the people from their Bishop Accordingly two days after Epiphanius went to the Church to accomplish these things at which time John hearing of his purpose sent Scrapion one of his Presbyters to meet him and to protest to him that he was going about that which was neither just nor safe for himself for that hereby he might bring himself into danger if any Tumult or Sedition should arise amongst the people where of he would be judged the Author This cooled his heat and made him desist from his purpose About this time a young son of the Emperours fell sick whereupon the Empress sent to Epiphanius requesting him to pray for him Epiphanius answered that the childe should live and do well if she would forsake Dioscorus and his Heretical Associates But said the Emperess I leave my childe in the hands of God Let him do with him as he pleaseth he gave him me and he may take him away again But for thy part if thou canst raise the dead why didst thou suffer thy Arch-Deacon Crispion to dye who was so dear unto thee Shortly after Epiphanius departed towards Cyprus and as he went down to the Haven to take Shipping he said to John I hope thou shalt never dye a Bishop And John answered him again I hope thou shalt never come alive into thy Country Both which came to pass Epiphanius dying by the way in the Ship and John being deposed and banished as afterwards we shall hear After the departure of Epiphanius Theophilus came to Constantinople but none of the City Clergy went to meet and entertain him because they knew that he was an Enemy to their Bishop yet some Mariners of Alexandria which were then at Constantinople met him singing songs in his praise and so he went to the Emperours Palace where a lodging was provided for him He also cunningly found out many which hated John and were ready to accuse him whereupon he went to Quercus a Suburb of Chalcedon where he gathered a Council and there again condemned the Books of Origen The Council also sent to Constantinople to summon John and some of his Presbyters to appear before them and to answer to such things as should be objected against them John answered that he refused not to come to his trial if first he might know his Accusers and the crime objected against him and be brought before a free Council But said he I am not such a fool as to appear before such Bishops as are my professed Enemies and to suffer them to be my Judges Most of the Bishops were much incensed at this answer only Demerâ—ius and some few that favoured John departed out of the Council Then did the rest cause John to be called four times and because he appeared not
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
Wood or Marble His Table rather for Discourse and Disputation then for rich Banqueting and it had Ingraven upon it Quisquis amat dictis absentem rodere famam Hanc mensam indictam noverit esse sibi He that doth love an absent friend to jeer May hence depart no room is for him heer Which rule some of his Fellow Bishops upon a time forgetting he sharply reprehended them for it and told them that he must either blot those Verses out of his Table or arise from dinner and go to his chamber He would never buy either House or Land but any thing that was given to the Church he would not refuse it yet he often refused Inheritances when dying persons would have given them to the Church not but that he thought theâ— might be profitable to the Poor but because he judged it fit and equal that their Children Parents or Kindred should rather inherit them often saying that it was fitter that Legacies should be left to the Church then Inheritances which are troublesome and sometimes chargeable yet those Legacies he would have freely given and not begged or extorted from men He was almost wholly taken up with heavenly affairs wherein he labored both day and night with Mary choosing the better part which could not be taken from him He was very careful of the Poor and in case of great want would â—ell the Ornaments of the Church for their relief And when the Church stock was spent he used to declare to the people that he had nothing left wherewith to relieve the Poor that thereby he might stir up their charity to contribute to so good a work All his Presbyters lived with him in the same House fed with him at the same Table and were maintained and clothed out of the common purse He always judged it fit that Ministers should be present at Marriages both to testifie the mutual consents and compromises and to bestow his Benediction upon the married persons He always kept Scholars in his house whom he fed and clothed He was so severe against Oaths that he abated of their allowance to those that swore He never admitted women into his house though of his own kindred no not his own Sister when she was a Widdow and had wholly devoted her self to the Service of God nor his Uncles daughter nor his Brothers daughter saying that though they might dwell in his house without suspition yet they could not be without Maids or other Women would come to visit them which could not be without offence and scandal and when any Women sent to him being desirous to see or speak with him he would always have some of his Ministers present and would never speak with them alone He praised one who when he was sick said I have not lived so that I am ashamed to live longer nor do I fear to dye having so good a Master to go to In his latter days he looked over all his Books Those which he wrote at his first Conversion whilst he was a Lay-man and those which he wrote when he was a Minister and lastly those which he wrote when he was a Bishop and whatsoever he found in them less agreeing with the Word of God and the Ecclesiastical Constitutions he corrected or retracted Of which he wrote two Volumes which he called his Retractations He complained also that some Ministers had gotten and divulged some of his Books before he had perfected them though afterwards he amended them Yet being prevented by death he left some of his Books unperfected And being desirous to profit all knowing that many were desirous to read much which yet for want of time they could not do out of the Old and New Testament he collected such Precepts as concerned the rule of a Christian Life and such things as were forbidden in the same which he composed into a Book adding a Preface to it that so every one which pleased might read it and thereby discern how obedient or disobedient he was unto God and this he called A Looking-Glass But shortly after brake out by the permission of God that hideous inundation of Goths and Vandals and other Northern people who were ensis Dei Gods sword to punish the pride of the Romane Empire These sailing out of Spain arrived in Africk over-running the whole Country of Mauritania and other African Provinces and Countries laying all waste before them and destroying all they could with barbarous cruelty and inhumanity filling all places with torments of all sorts murthers burnings and with innumerable and abominable depopulations sparing neither sex nor age no not the Ministers of Jesus Christ The Churches Ornaments they plundered the Churches themselves they demolished and like incarnate Devils made havock of all This holy man of God lived to see these grievous calamities and was not affected with them only as other men were but considering them more deeply and profoundly and in them foreseeing the great danger of souls he poured forth Prayers and tears day and night For he saw Cities subverted Villages destroyed the Inhabitants being either slain or driven away Churches destitute of Ministers holy Virgins defloured some of them dying under their torments some slain with the sword some led into captivity in danger of having their souls infected with Error and Heresie and their bodies enslaved under a cruel Enemy He saw the Psalms of Thanksgiving ceased in the Congregations the Temples burned and the solemn Assemblies to be given over The Sacraments either not to be sought after or none to dispense them to those that desired them And for those which fled into Mountains Woods Desarts Caves of the Earth or to any other places of refuge they were either hunted out and slain or perished with famine and drought The Bishops and Ministers of Churches which had by the goodness of â—od escaped their bloody hands being spoiled of all things went about begging their bread He scarce saw of all the innumerable Churches of Africk three remaining viz. Carthage Hippo and Circe which through Gods mercy yet remained in some safety though not long after his death Hippo being sorsaken of her Inhabitants was burned by the Enemy These things this good man much bewailed and that which much encreased his sorrow was that just now the Enemies were coming to besiege Hippo the Governor whereof was one Earl Boniface This siege lasted fourteen moneths wherein Augustine with his fellow Bishops that were fled thither for refuge and his Presbyters exercised themselves wholly in Prayers and Tears intreating the Father of Mercies to be merciful to them and to preserve his Church from the rage of the Adversaries And one day as they sate at dinner together Augustine said to them You know Brethren that from the beginning of this siege my daily Prayers have been that God would either free us from it or give his servants patience and courage to undergo what he imposeth or to take me out of
foreseen to be a likely consequent yet was contemned in respect of the Churches necessity and want which was that the Arian King enraged by this act banished about 60 Bishops into Sardinia amongst whom Fulgentius was one who joyfully ascended the Ship being heartily glad that he had a share in such a glorious confession Divers of his Clergy and Friends followed him and being arrived at Calaris in Sardinia he there lived with them at the same Table and by his Sermons converted many Not long after King Thrasamund amongst the crafty fetches and persecutory drifts whereby he endeavoured to allure the Catholicks to the Arian Heresie used this Policy He feigned a desire to become a Catholick and setting down divers captious and deceitful questions pretended that he could not finde any that could sufficiently answer those questions whereupon hearing the fame of Fulgentius he hastily sent for him who with an undaunted courage came to Carthage and not being presently called to the King endeavoured seriously to confirm the Catholicks in their Faith and with much curtesie and affability answered all questions rejecting no man whereby he reclaimed many from their Errors admonishing them to repent of and to bewail their fall others he exhorted not to hazard the damnation of their Souls for temporal advantages and whom he saw in danger of perdition with milde yet effectual words he stayed and encouraged to a noble and generous resolution animating them to suffer any dangers or torments rather then to deny the Truth and it pleased God so to bless his labors that some who before were staggering were now by his means imboldned plainly to reprove the weak-grounded impudence of the Arian party And thus the Omnipotent God turned the Enemies device to the advancement of his own glory Then did the King send for him and questioned with him and met with such solid and judicious answers that he was forced to acknowledge that he found him every way to answer the report which he had heard of his Wisdom and Learning and withall he proposed sundry difficult questions to which he required his answer in writing Fulgentius having drawn up his Answer communicated it to the most learned Catholicks and after their approbation to the people before it was delivered to the King Thrasamund having with great diligence perused it praised his Wisdom wondred at his Eloquence commended his Humility yet had his heart so hardened that he could not understand and submit to the Truth Fulgentius could not be suffered to stay long at Carthage for the Arians with their clamors incensed the King complaining that he had already gained from them some of their Ministers and that the people fell apace to him so that their whole Religion stood in great hazard by his means Then the King to quiet them sent him back into Sardinia Late in the night was he carryed aboard the Ship that his departure might be the better concealed from the people but it pleased God by contrary windes long to detain the Ship in the harbor so that for many days almost the whole City flocked to him to take their farewel and many communicated at his hands And when great lamentation was made for his departure he took one Juliates a very godly man apart and told him he should shortly again return and that the Church should enjoy peace which also came to pass When he was requested to pray for any that were sick or in misery he commonly used this Petition Thou O Lord knowest best what will make for our Souls health Grant of thy mercy a supply unto our necessities so far forth as shall not hinder our spiritual profit And when God graciously answed his Prayers in their behalf he used to say That God did it for their sakes not for his He commonly said that Miracles make not a man just or righteous but famous When he was come back to Sardinia he returned to his former strict course of life with his Associates who had all things in common and when he distributed more to one then to another by reason of sickness or weakness he used thus to say to them Who taketh of the common so much becometh debtor to all which debt he can only pay by humility It was very pleasing to him when any of the Brethren proposed any hard question and gladly he hearkened to the doubts of any though they were never so simple neither would he through weariness or tediousness cease to give them answers until they confessed them selves to be satisfied Though he was sometimes severe towards the obstinate yet he remained even when he seemed most displeased and angry nothing at all in minde troubled or disquieted Thrasamund the King being shortly after taken away by death Hilderick succeeded him who restored peace and liberty to the Catholicks recalling their Bishops from Exile and amongst the rest Fulgentius who was received with great devotion by the Africans no less in every City then if he had been their peculiar Bishop Everywhere they met him with tokens of joy with whom now rejoycing he rejoyced as before with them lamenting he had lamented Yea their love was so great to him that a showre of rain falling they held their garments over his head to keep him dry Then did he return to his proper seat where he would do nothing without the advice of his Clergy In the Council of Vincensa he was by the common suffrage of the Bishops chosen President Though Bishop Quodvultdeus claimed that preheminence as belonging to his Sea and though Fulgentius for the present would not oppose this choice yet at the next Sessions he procured that the Bishop Quodvultdeus was restored to his right A year before his death he retired with some Brethren into the Island of Circina and there lived a most strict life But the necessities of his people requiring and their importunity prevailing he returned to them and shortly after fell into grievous pangs of sickness wherein he continued sixty days often crying out O Lord give me patience and pardon Physitians perswading him to make use of a Bath he answered Can Baths make that man who hath accomplished the course of Nature that he shall not dye Why then do you go about to perswade me now at my last end to remit of that rigor which I have always used Lastly calling together the Brethren about him he thus spake to them Dear Brethren having been careful of your Souls health perhaps I have been austere and harsh towards you If any one be offended I beseech him to pardon me and if my severity have possibly passed measure and due moderation pray ye to God that he may impute it not to me They all kneeling down acknowledged him to have been always loving gentle and milde towards them Then did he pray for his people that God would provide for them a Pastor after his own heart After
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
humbly desired the Barons to request the Archbishop that if he did suspect him for any Error or Heresie he should declare it openly for that he was ready to suffer correction for the same at the Archbishops hands and that if he had found no such thing in him that then he would give him a Testimonial thereof that being armed therewith he might the more freely go unto the Council Hereupon the Archbishop did openly confess before all the Assembly that he knew not the said John Huss was guilty of any such thing Johannis Hussi opera quae extant omnia impressa sunt Novimbâ—rgae in Officina Montani Neuberi Anno Christi 1558. JEROM OF PRAGVE The Life of Hierom of Prague who dyed An. Christi 1416. HIerom of Pague a Bohemian born a man famous for Courage Comliness Virtue Learning and Eloquence when he understood that the Publick Faith was violated his Country slandered and Huss burnt he travelled to Constance April the 4. Anno Christi 1415. But no sooner came he thither but he understood that watch was laid for him to apprehend him whereupon the next day he went to Iberling a City of the Empire and a mile from Constance From thence he sent to Sigismund King of Hungary and his Barons but especially to the Council most earnestly requesting that they would give him a safe Conduct freely to come and go and then he would come in open Audience to answer every man if any would appear to charge him with any crime but this was denyed him both by the King and Council whereupon the next day he wrote sundry intimations and sent them to Constance causing them to be set upon the gates of the Citie upon the doores of Churches Monasteries of the houses of the Cardinals and other Noble personages the tenor whereof was this Unto the Noble Emperour c. I Jerom of Prague Master of Arts of the University of Paris Cullen Heidleberg and Prague by these my Letters do notifie to the King and Council and to all others that because of many crafty slanderers back-biters and accusers I am ready of mine own free will to come unto Constance there to declare openly before all the Council the purity and sincerity of my Faith and mine Innocency but this I will not do in corners secretly before any private or particular person wherefore if there be any of my slanderers of what Nation soever that will charge me with Error or Heresie let them come forth openly before the Council and in their own names object against me and I wil be ready to answer them and if I shall be found guilty of any Error or Heresie I will not refuse openly to suffer such punishment as shall be meet for an Heretick wherefore I humbly desire a safe Conduct as afore But if seeing I offer such equal terms before any fault be proved against me I shall be arrested imprisoned or have any violence done to me that then it may be manifest unto all the World that this Council doth not proceed according to the rules of equity and justice the rather seeing that I am come hither freely and of my own accord c. But notwithstanding all this no safe Conduct would be granted him wherefore the Lords of Bohemia gave him their Letters Patents under their Seals to testifie the truth of the premises with the which Letters he returned again towards Bohemia but by the treachery and subtilty of his Enemies he was apprehended by the way in Hirsaw and by the Officers was carryed before the Duke who presently after carryed him bound to Constance and for a greater disgrace they put a bolt of Iron upon his wrists with a long Iron chain at it by which they led him through the City to the Cloister of the Fryer Minors where all the Priests Scribes and Pharisees were met together and when he came before them some of the Bishops said to him Hierom why didst thou fly and run away and not appear when thou wast cited To which he answered Because I could get no safe Conduct neither from you nor the King and perceiving that I had many bitter Enemies in the Council I would not be the Author of mine own peril But had I known of your Citation assuredly though I had been in Bohemia I would have appeared Then a great rable of Priests cryed out against him and Gerson the Chancellor of Paris and the Chancellor of Cullen and the Chancellor of Heidleberg charged him with Errors delivered in those Universities to which he answered that what he had delivered there he would justifie now yet if any could convince him of Error therein he would willingly be informed Hereupon some cryed out Let him be burned let him be burned Then was he delivered bound to the Officers to be put into Prison Assoon as he came thither one called to him at his window saying Mr. Hierom be constant and fear not to suffer death for the Truths sake of which when you were at liberty you did Preach much good To whom he answered Truly brother I do not fear death c. But the Prison-keeper coming to the man drove him away with strokes from the window Presently after the Bishop of Rigen sent for Hierom strongly bound with chains both by the hands and neck and sent him to a Tower where they tyed him fast to a great block and his feet in the stocks his hands being also made fast upon them the block being so high that he could by no means sit thereon but his head must hang downwards where also they allowed him nothing but bread and water But within eleven days hanging so by the heels he fell very sick yet thus they kept him in Prison a year wanting seven days and then sent for him requiring him to recant and to subscribe that John Huss was justly put to death which he did partly for fear of death and hoping thereby to escape their hands after which they sent him back to Prison and kept him guarded with Souldiers yet not so strictly chained as before Afterwards they sent to examine him again but he refused to answer in private except he might be brought before the Council and they supposing that he would openly confirm his former recantation sent for him thither May the 25. 1416. suborning false witnesses to accuse him but he so learnedly cleared himself and refelled his Adversaries that they were astonished at his Oration and with shame enough were put to silence He also concluded his Oration with this That all such Articles as Wicklief and Huss had written against the enormities pomp and disorder of the Prelates he would firmly hold and defend even unto the death and that all the sins that he had committed did not so much gnaw and trouble his conscience as did that most pestiferous act of his in recanting what he had
that minding his pleasures so much whereunto he was wondrously addicted he in the mean time neglected the care of the Church in not timely suppressing the Doctrine of Luther The Bishops also of Germany having condemned the Doctrine of Luther wrote earnestly to the Pope against him whereupon the Pope calling together the Cardinals Bishops Divines and Canonists referred the business wholly to their pleasures who after much contention and wrangling amongst themselves at last concluded that a certain day should be appointed for Luthers appearing and that his Books should be burnt openly The Court of Saxony hearing these things was somewhat troubled which when Luther perceived he began to bethink himself of retiring into Bohemia which being taken notice of Sir Francis of Sickingen Sir Vlrick of Hutten and Silvester of Scavenberg a Noble Franconian offered him both entertainment and patronage intreating him not to go into Bohemia but to come into Franconia if the Romans curses did prevail promising him an hundred Noble Horse-men of Franconia for his guard Hereupon Luthers courage encreaseth and he giveth notice to the Cardinal of Saint George that if the Popes curses drave him out of Wittenberg they should get nothing by it seeing there were now not only in Bohemia but in the midst of Germany such as were able and willing to defend him against the Popes power And then saith he being safe guarded by these Protectors I shall more cruelly inveigh against the Romanists then if you let me alone in peace under my Prince Yet June 15. the Pope publisheth his Bull against Luther and all his partakers Forbidding upon pain of Excommunication the reading or keeping any of his Books commanding all men to apprehend him and bring him to Rome and interdicting all places where he should come This Bull in many places of Germany was opposed and torn in peices and Sir Vlrick Hutten published it with interlineary Glosses and marginal Notes to their great disgrace But before this came abroad Luther had published his Book De Captivitate Babylonica wherein he professed that he was daily made more learned wishing that his Books about Indulgences were burned and that instead thereof this Position were set forth Indulgences are the wickednesses of the flatterers of Rome And when the Popes Bull came forth Luther Excommunicated the Bull it self and the Authors of it He also published a defence of all the Articles condemned by the Pope appealing from the Pope to a Council After this the Cardinals according to the their Commission told the Duke that they could doe no less then burn Luthers Books which accordingly they did But Luther hearing of it being accompanyed with all the University he also openly burnt the Popes Decrees and his Bull lately sent out against him At which time he added these words Because thou hast troubled the holy one of the Lord eternal fire shall trouble thee A while after the Emperour Charles the fifth coming into Germany Prince Frederick of Saxony accompanyed him to Worms from whence he wrote to Luther that he had obtained of the Emperour to hear him openly at the Diet to which Luther answered that it was very welcome news to him that the Emperor would take to himself the hearing of his cause promising to do all which he could with a safe conscience and not wronging the cause of Christ. March the sixth the Emperour sent for him and withall sent him a safe Conduct requiring his repair thither within 21 days but many of his friends disswaded him from going to whom he answered That these discouragements were cast into his way by Satan who knew that by his profession of the truth in so illustrious a place his Kingdom would be shaken and therefore if he knew that there were as many Divels in worms as Tiles on the Houses yet would he go thither c. April the sixteenth Luther came to Worms whereupon some perswaded the Emperor to deal with him as the Council of Constance had dealt with John Huss But the Emperour said That the Publik Faith was not to be violated The next day Luther appeared before the Emperour and a frequent Assembly of the Princes at which time Eccius a Lawyer at the command of the Emperour made a speech in the end whereof he asked him whether he would recant and retract his works To which Luther after deliberation answered Of my Books saith he some tend to Faith and Piety to these my Adversaries give an ample testimony others are against the Pope and his Doctrine should I revoke these I should confirm his Tyranny others are against private men who defend his cause in these I confess I have been too vehement yet I cannot revoke them unless I will set open a gap to the impudency of many But Eccius told him that the Emperour was not satisfied with this answer but required his recantation To which Luther answered I beseech you give me leave to maintain the peace of my own conscience which if I should consent to you I cannot do For unless my Adversaries can convince me by sound Arguments taken out of the holy Scriptures I cannot satisfie my conscience For I can plainly prove that both Popes and Councils have often erred grievously and therefore it would be an ungodly thing for me to assent to them and to depart from the holy Scriptures which is plain and only cannot err And so he departed at that time But the next day the Emperour sent his Letter to the Assembly of the Princes wherein he wrote that his Ancestors had always professed the Christian Religion and had observed the Church of Rome which seeing Luther now opposed and flood stifly to his opinion it behoved him to proscribe him and his companions and to provide fit remedies to quench that flame Yet that he would keep the Publick Faith given him so that he might return safe to his own home The Princes were divided in their opinions but the major part held that he was not rashly to be condemned because the Emperour being a young man was instigated against him by the Pope and his Ministers A few days after the Bishop of Trevers appointed Luther to come unto him with whom also some other of the Princes were assembled at which time they used many Arguments to draw him to a recantation and concluded that they perceived that if he refused the Emperours purpose was to banish him out of the bounds of the Empire and therefore they exhorted him seriously to think upon the same Luther answered that he was very thankful to them that so great Princes would take so much pains for his sake who was so mean and unworthy a person yet he told them that he would rather lose his life then depart from the manifest Truth of the Word of God seeing its better to obey God then man c. Then was he commanded to withdraw and there came to him one
Professor of Divinity in that City though the Popish party sought by all means to oppose it where he read on the Prophet Isaiah and after awhile he was called to a Pastoral charge in that City to the great regret of the Papists Anno Christi 1524. In that City he caused Infants to be Baptized in the Dutch Tongue He administred the Lords Supper in both kindes by the consent of the Magistrates He confuted by the holy Scriptures the Sacrifice of the Mass Purgatory and other Popish Traditions of the like kinde whereupon by little and little they vanished away Upon this John â—ochlaeus sent Letters to him from Stutgard full of great promises thereby endeavouring to withdraw him from the Truth and the Mass Priests thundred against him and his companions saying that they deserved the punishment of the worst Hereticks But the Magistrates of Basil commanded all the Preachers within their Jurisdiction to Preach to the People the Word of God and not of men and to abstain from railing and evill speeches threatning severe punishments to those that offended against their Proclamation so that not long after there was a general Reformation of Religion not only in Basil but in the parts adjacent A Decree being made by the Senate that as well within the City of Basil as without throughout all their Jurisdiction the Mass with all Idols should be abandoned and the Ash-wednesday following all the Wooden Images were distributed amongst the Poor of the City to serve them for fire-wood but when they could not agree upon the dividing of them it was Decreed that all the said Images should be burnt together so that in nine great heaps all the stocks and Idols were the same day burnt to ashes before the great Church door Oecolampadius also like a faithful Minister of Jesus Christ was careful to restore Christs Discipline and brought in the censure of Excommunication And presently after being sent for to Vlm together with Blaurerus and Bucer he carryed on the work of Reformation there At Marpurg by the invitation of the Lantgrave of Hess there was a Disputation for three days between Luther Jonas and Melancthon on the one part and Oecolampadius Zuinglius and others on the other about the controversie concerning Christs presence in the Sacrament but the Sweating sickness breaking out there put an end to it yet they agreed about all other Fundamentals in Religion and parted in a brotherly manner Oecolampadius returning to Basil spent the remainder of his days in preaching reading writing publishing of books visiting the sick c. Anno Christi 1531. and of his Age 49. he fell sick about the same time that Zuinglius was so unhappily slain the grief of whose death much aggravated his weakness yet intermitted he not his labors till an Ulcer breaking forth about his Os sacrum he was forced to keep his bed and though his friends Physitians and Chyrurgeons used all means for his cure yet he told them that his disease was mortal He spent his time in Divine meditations and comforting his friends and sending for the Ministers of the Churches to him he spake to this purpose O my Brethren the Lord is come he is come he is now calling me away c. I desired to speak with you to encourage you to continue faithful followers of Christ to persevere in purity of Doctrine in lives conformable to the Word of God Christ will take care for the defence of his Church therefore Let your light so shine forth before men that they may see your good Works c. continue in love unfeigned walk as in Gods presence adorn your Doctrine with holiness of life a cloud is arising atempest is coming and some will fall off but it becomes you to stand fâ—st and God will assist you c. For my self I pass not the aspersions that are cast upon me I bless God I shall with a clear conscience stand before the Tribunal of Christ I have not seduced the Church of Christ as some affirm but leave you all witnesses that at my last gasp I am the same that formerly I was He had nothing to give and therefore made no Will The fifteenth day of his sickness he called for his children took them by the hand strok't them on the head and though the eldest was but three years old yet he said unto them Go to my three children see that you love God Then speaking to his wife and kindred he desired them to take care that his children might be brought up in the fear of God and then commanded them to be taken away The Ministers continued with him that night and a certain friend coming to him Oecolampadius asked him what news his friend answered None but saith he I 'le tell you some news I shall presently be with my Lord Christ and some asking him whether the light offended him he putting his hand to his heart said Here 〈◊〉 abundance of light In the morning he prayed earnestly with the words of David in the 51. Psalm which he repeated from the beginning to the end and presently after said O Christ save me and so he fell asleep in the Lord. The Papists spread many lyes abroad of his death some said that in dispair he slew himself others that he was murthered or poysoned c. He dyed Anno Christi 1521. and of his Age 51. Erasmus wrote to his friends concerning his Book about the Sacrament Oecolampadium emisisse libellum tam accuratè scriptum tot machinis argumentorum tótque testimoniis instructum ut posset vel electos in errorem pertrahere In the beginning of Reformation he was another Doctor in Helvetia of a milde and quiet wit Somewhat slow in dispatching businesses but very circumspect He took pleasure in nothing so much as in reading and writing Commentaries wherein he wrote upon Genesis Psalms Job Isaiah Jeremie Ezekiel Daniel and most of the small Prophets as also upon the Books of the New Testament Before his Conversion he was superstitiously religious So oft as he read the words of Institution of the Lords Supper he thought that some spiritual sense was included in them and yet still drave out those thoughts with this Wilt thou be wiser then other men You should believe as others believe But it pleased God at last to inlighten him with his truth which he submitted to He was most studious of the peace and concord of the Church He excelled in the knowledge of the Latine Greek and Hebrew and was very skilful in Ecclesiastical Antiquities He was older then Martin Luther by one year Scripta ejus vel sunt Exegetica vel Didascalica vel Apologetica vel conversa è Graeco Multa praeterea ab ejus amicis edita multa ab Hedione aliis Germanicè conversa Multa a Gastione collecta quae non sunt impressa
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
neither was the grace of the Holy-Ghost wanting to satisfie his desire and to open to him the light of true Divinity Thus Mr. Hooper growing more and more in ripeness of spiritual understanding and shewing withall some sparks of his fervent spirit being about the time when the six Articles came out he was so hated by some especially by Doctor Smith that he was compelled to leave the University and went to live with Sir Thomas Arundel and was his Steward til Sir Thomas Aâ—undel having intelligence of his opinions which he by no means liked yet exceedingly loving the conditions of the man found meanes to send him on a message to the Bishop of Winchester writing privately to the Bishop by his learned conference to to doe some good upon him yet requiring him in any case to send him his servant home again Winchester had much conference with him four or five dayes together but when he could doe no good of him he sent him back to Sir Thomas Arundel according to his request much commending his wit and learning but ever after bearing a secret grudg in his stomack against him so that shortly after M. Hooper was warned by some private friends to provide for his own safetie for that there were underhand workings to apprehend him whereupon he left the Kingdome and went to Paris yet after a while he returned again and liv'd with one Mr. Sentlow but understanding that snares were again layd for him with much difficulty and danger he escaped the second time into France and from thence traveled into Germany where he gained acquaintance with many learned men and of them was friendly and lovingly entertained both at Basill and Zurich especiall by M. Bullinger who became his especial friend There he studied Hebrew and married a Wife being a Burgonian And at least hearing that King Edward the sixt was come to the Crown he amongst many other English Exiles was desirous to return into England and when he took his leave of those his worthy friends Mr. Bullinger said to him Mr. Hooper though we are sorry to part with your company for our own sake yet we have much more cause to rejoyce both for yours and the cause of Christs sake that you shall now return out of long banishment into your native Country again where you may not only enjoy your own liberty but may and we doubt not will be very useful for the promoting the good of Christs Church We also rejoice not onely because you shall remove out of exile into liberty but you shall here leave a barren and unpleasant Country rude and savage to goe into a land flowing with milk and honey replenished with all pleasures and fertility yet with this our joy our fear and care is left when you are so far distant and long absent in the midst of your friends wealth and felicity for peradventure you will be a Bishop you should forget us your friends and wel-willers yet though you should do it we assure you that we will not forget our old friend and fellow Mr. Hooper and if you will please not to forget us then pray you let us hear from you To this Master Hooper answered first giving most hearty thanks to Master Bullinger and all the rest for their singular good will and undeserved affection which they had at all times shewed toward him then declaring that it was not the barrennes of that Country which occasioned his remove for that he could be content to live all his life there as soon as in any part of the world or in his own Country were it not that he took himselfe bound in conscience to endeavour the advancement of Religion in his native soil and therefore said he Though I cannot deny that God hath blessed our Country of England with many great commodities yet neither they nor new friends nor any thing else shall cause me to forget such friends and benefactors as you have been unto whom I am so much bound And therefore you shall be sure from time to time to heare from me and I will send you word how it goeth with me But saith he The last newes of all I shall not be able to write for where I shall take most paines there shall you hear of me to be burned to ashes Thus taking his leave of them he returned to London where he preached twice but at least once everie daie The people so flock't to him that the Churches could not contein them In his Doctrine and Ministry he was earnest and zealous In language Eloquent In the Scriptures perfect and ready And in paines indefatigable In this pains-taking he continued to his lives-end neither did his labor break him nor promotion change him nor dainty fare corrupt him He was of a strong bodie sound health pregnant wit and of invincible patience spare of diet sparer of words and sparest of time A liberall hous-keeper and very grave in his carriage Being at length called to preach before King Edward hâ— made him first Bishop of Glocester where he was Bishop two years then of Worcester where he carried himselfe â—o uprightly and inoffensively that his enemies had nothing to say against him He used to goe about from towne to towne and from village to village to preach unto the people He governed his house so that in every corner of â—t there was some smel of virtue good example honest conversation and reading of the Scriptures In his Hall there was daily a table spread with good store of victuals and be set with poor folk of the City of Worcester by turnes who were served by four at a Messe with whole and wholsomâ— meat And when they were served being before examineâ— by himselfe or his deputies of the Lord's Praier Creed an ten Commandements then he himselfe sate down to dinner and not before In the beginning of Queene Marie's daies he was sent for by a Pursivant to London and though hee had opportunity and was perswaded by his friends to flie yet hee refused saying Once I did flie but now being called to this place and vocation I am resolved to stay and to live and die with my sheep By Winchester when he came to London he was railed upon and committed to prison Afterwards also at his examination they called him Beast Hypocrite c. which he bore without answering again In the Fleet where he was prisoner he had nothing but a pad of straw for a bed and a â—otten covering till good people sent him a bed to lie on Of one side his Chamber was the sinke and filth of the House on the other the Town-ditch enough to have choaked him After he had laien thus a while falling sick the doors bars hasps and chaines being all made last he both mourned called and cryed for help Yet the Warden hearing would suffer none to goe to him
saying Let him alone if he die it were a good riddance of him c. Concerning his base usage himself thus writes I paid alwaies saith he to the Warden of the Fleet as a Baron paid as well in Fees as for my board viz. 20 s. per week till I was wrongfully deprived of my Bishoprick and after that time I paide as the best Gentleman in the house yet he alwaies used me worse and more vilely then a very slave Thus I suffered inprisonment almost eighteen monthes my goods living friends and comforts taken from me â—he Queen owing me above 80 pound yet hath she cast me into prâ—soâ— alâ—owes me nothing neither are any suffered to come at me whereby I may be relieved I am under a wicked man and woman and see no remedy but in Gods help But I commit my just cause to him whose will be done whether it be by life or death When he was brought to examination before Winchester and the other Commissioners there was such a tumult whensoever he began to speak that he was forced to keep silence Yet did they proceed to Degrade and condemne him and so delivered him over to the secular Power As they were leading him from the Counter in Southwark to Newgate one of the Sheriffe said to him I wonder that you was so hasty and quick with my Lord Chancellor and used no more patience to him To which he answered Mr. Sheriffe I was nothing at all impatient though I was earnest in my Masters cause and it stands me in hand so to be for it goeth upon life and death not in this World onely but in the World to come Sixe daies he lay close prisoner in Newgate none being suffered to come to him during which time Bonner Harpsfield and diverse others came to him leaving no meanes untried to reduce him to their Antichristian Church sometimes making many great profers and promises to him of worldly riches and promotion other sometimes using grievous threatnings to affright him But they found him alwaies the same man steadfast and unmoveable February the 4 th at night his Keeper gave him some inkling that he should be sent to Gloucester to be burned which he rejoiced very much at lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven and praising God for sending him amongst his people over whom he had been Pastor there to confirme with his blood the truth that before he had taught unto them not doubting but the Lord would give him strength to perform it to his glory And immediately he sent for his boots spurrs and cloke that he might be ready to ride when they should call for him The day following he was delivered to some of the Queens Guard who conveied him to Glocester and when he came neer the City much people met him who cryed and bewailed his condition exceedingly The night before his heath he did eatâ— his meat quietly and slept soundly After his first sleepe â—ee spent the rest of the night in praier The next day Sr Anthonie Kingston coming to him told him that life was swâ—ete and death bitter to which he answered The death to come is more bitter and the life to come more sweet I am come hiâ—her to end this life and suffer death because I will not gainesay the former Truth that I have here taught unto you Also a blinde boie coming to him after he had examined him in the Grounds of Religion he said Ah poor boy God hâ—th taken from thee thy outward sight but hath given thee anotâ—er sight much more pretious having endued thy soul with the eie of knowledge and faith God give thee grace continually to pray uâ—to him that thou lose not that sight for then shouldest thou â—e blind both in body and soul. Being delivered to the Sheriffe he said to him My request to you Master Sheriffe is onely that there may be a quick fire shortly to make an end of me and in the mean time I will be as obedient to you as you can desire if you think I doe amisse in any thing hold up your finger and I have done I might have had my life with much worldly gaine but I am willing to offer up my life for the Truth and trust to die a faithfull servant to God and a true subject to the Queen When he saw the Sheriff's men with so many weapons he said This is more then needs if you had willed me I would have gone alone to the stake and have troubled none of you all As hee went to the stake he was forbid to speak to the people Hee looked chearfully and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary Being come to the place of Execution hee prayed about halfe an hour whereof this was a part Lord said he I am Hell but thou art Heaven I am swill and a sinke of sinne but thou art a gracious and mercifull Redeemer Have mercy therfore upon me most miserable wretched offender after thy great mercy and according to thine inestimable goodnesse Thou art ascended into Heaven receive me Hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with thy Father For will knowest thou Lord wherefore I am come hither to suffer and why the wicked doe persecute thy poor servant Not for my sins and transgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the deniall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to instruct me with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth thy glory Thou well seest O Lord my God what terrible torments and cruell paines are prepared for thy poor creature Even such Lord as without thy strength none is able to beare or patiently to passe But that which is impossible with man is possible with thee therefore strengthen me of thy goodnes that in the fire I break not the rules of patience Or else asswage the terror of the paines as shall seeme fittest to thy glory Having a box with a pardon set before him he cried If you love my soul away with it if you love my soul away with it Three Irons being prepared to fasten him to the stake he onely put on an Iron-hoop about his middle bidding them take away the rest saying I doubt not but God will give me strength to abide the extremity of the fire without binding When reedes were cast to him he embraced and kissed them putting them under his arme where he had bags of gun-powder also When fire was first put to him the fagots being green and the winde blowing away the flame he was but scorched more faggots being laied to him the fire was so supprest that his nether-parts were burn'd his upper being scarce touched He praied mildly as one that felt no paine O Jesus the Sonne of
David have mercie upon me and receive my soul and wipeing his eies with his hands he said For God's love let me have more fire A third fire being kindled it burn'd more violently yet was he alive a great while in it the last words which he uttered being Lord Jesus have mercy on me Lord Jesus receive my spirit And so he slept in the Lord. In one of his letters he wrote Imprisonment is painfull but libertie upon evill conditions is worse The Prison stink's yet not so much as sweet houses where the fear of God is wanting I must be alone and solitarie it 's better so to be and have God with me then to be in company with the wicked Losse of goods is great but losse of grace and God's favor is greater I cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men Yet it is better to do that then stand naked before God's Tribunal I shall die by the hands of cruâ—ll men he is blessed that loseth his life and fiâ—de's life eteâ—nal There is neither felâ— city nor adversity of this World that is great if it be weighed with the joyes and pâ—ines of the world to come And in the conclusion of the Letter he writes thus I am a precious Jewell now and daintily kept never so daintily before For neither mine owne man nor any of the servants of the house may come to me but my Keeper onely who is a simple rude fellow But I am not troubled thereat In the time of King Edward when he was made Bishop much controversie was betweene him and Doctor Cranmer and Doctor Ridley about the Cappe Rochet c. But when in Queene Maries daies they were all in Prison for the cause of Religion Doctor Ridley wrote thus to him My dear brother forasmuch as I understand by your works which I have but superficially seene that we throughly agree in those things which are the grounds and substantial points of our Religion against which the World so furiously rageth in these daies however formerly in certain by matters and circumstances of Religion your wisdome and my simplicity hath a little jarred each of us following the abundance of his owne sence and judgement Now I say be you assured that even with my whole heart God is my witness in the bowels of Christ I love you in the truth and for the truths sake which abideth in us and shall by the grace of God abide for ever He was above three-quarters of an hour in the fire before he dyed yet even as a Lambe he patiently abode the extremity thereof neither moving forwards backwards or to any side But having his nether parts burned and his bowels faln out he dyed as quietly as a Child in his bed an Christi 1555. The life of Rowland Tailor who died A no. Christi 1555. ROwland Taylor was Doctor of both Laws and Rector of Hadley in Suffolk where Master Thomas Bilney had formerly been a Preacher of the Word and in which place there were few either men or women that were not well learned in the holy Scriptures many having read over the whole Bible and could say a great part of Paul's Epistles by heart Here this D. Taylor preached constantly on Sabbaths Holy-days and at other times when he could get the people together So soon as he was called to this place he left the family of Doct. Cranmer A. B. of Canterbury with whom he had formerly lived like a good shepherd constantly abode with his flock and gave himself wholly to the study of the Sacred Scriptures most faithfully endeavouring to fulfill the precept of Christ to Peter Lovest thou me feed my sheep His life also and conversation was very exemplary and full of holiness He was meek and humble yet would stoutly rebuke sinne in the greatest He was very mild void of all rancor and malice ready to do good to all mer forgiving his enemies and far from doing the least wrong To the poor blinde lame sick bed-rid or that had many children he was a father causing the Parishioners to make good provision for them besides what of his own bounty he gave them He brought up his own children in the fear of God good learning And thus he continued as a good Sheepherd amongst his flock feeding governing and leading them through the wilderness of this wicked world all the days of holy King Edward the sixth But in the beginning of Queen Marie's Reigne two Popish persons suborned a Priest to come and say Mass in his Church Hee being at his study and hearing the Bell to toll went to Church and finding this Priest guarded with drawn swords in his Popish Robes ready to begin the Mass he said unto him Thou Divel who made thee so bold to enter into this Church to profane and defile it with this abominable Idolatry I command thee thou Popish-Wolfe in the name of God to avoid hence and not to presume thus to poyson Christ's flock Then said one Foster the ringleader in this business to Doctor Tailor Thou Traitor what dost thou here to let and disturbe the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I am no Traitor but the Shepherd which God and my Lord Christ hath appointed to feed this his flock and therefore I have good authority to be here Then said Foster Wilt thou Traiterous Heretick make a commotion and resist violently the Queens proceedings Doctor Tailor answered I make no commotion it s you Papists that make commotions and tumults I resist onely with Gods word against your Popish Idolatries which are contrary to the same and tend to the dishonour of the Queen and the utter subversion of this Realme Then did Foster with his armed men carry Doctor Tailor out of the Church and so the Priest went on with his Mass. Doctor Tailors wife who had followed her Husband to the Church when she saw their violent proceedings kneeled down and holding up her hands with a loud voice said I beseech God the righteous Judge to avenge this injury which this Popish Idolater doth this day to the blood of Christ Then did they thrust her out of the Church also and presently after Foster wrote a complaint against Doct. Tailor to Steven Gardiner who sent his Letters Missive for Doctor Tailor whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to fly telling him that he could neither expect justice nor favor but imprisonment and cruel death To whom he answered I know my cause to be so good and righteous and the truth so strong upon my side that I will by Gods grace appear before them and to their beards resist their false doings for I beleeve that I shal never be able to doe God so good service as now and that I shal never have so glorious a calling nor so great mercy of God profferd me as I have now wherefore pray for mee and I doubt not but God will
give mee strength and his holy spirit that all my adversaries shal be asham'd of their doings Then said his friends Master Dr. we think it not best so to do you have sufficiently done your duty and borne witness to the truth both in your Sermons and in resisting this Popish Priest and therfore seeing our Savior Christ bids us when we are persecuted in one City to flee to another we think that by flying at this time you should doe best reserving your selfe for better times O said D. Tailor I am now old and have already lived too long to see these terrible and wicked dayes You may doe as your consciences serve you but I am resolved not to fly God shall hereafter raise up Teachers which shall with much more diligence and fruit teach then I have done for God will not forsake his Church though for a time he tryeth and correcteth us and that not without just cause His friends seeing his constancy and resolution with weeping eyes commended him to God and so preparing himself he went to London and presented himself to Steven Gardiner Lord Chancellor of England who railed upon him calling him Knave Traitor Heretick asking him if he knew him not c. To whom he answered Yea I know you and all your greatness yetâ— you are but a mortall man and if I should be affraid of your Lordly looks why fear you not God the Lord of us all How dare you for shame look any Christian in the face seeing you have forsaken the truth denyed our Saviour Christ and his word done contrary to your own oath and writing with what countenance can you appear before the judgement seat of Christ and answer for your oath first made to King Henry the eighth and afterwards to King Edward the sixth Gardiner Tush tush that was Herods oath unlawfull and therefore fit to be broken I did well in breaking it and thanke God that I am come home to our Mother the Church of Rome and so I would thou shouldest doe Tailor Should I forsake the Church of Christ which is founded upon the true foundation of the Prophets and Apostles to approve those lyes errors superstitions and idolatries that are approved of most blasphemously by you God forbid Remember that you wrote truly against the Pope and were sworne against him Gardin I tell thee that was Herods oath and our holy Father the Pope hath discharged me of it Tailor But you shall not be so discharged before Christ who doubtlesse will require it at your hands as a lawful oath made to your King from which no man can assoile you Gardiner I see that thou art an arrogant Knave and a very fool Tailor My Lord leave your railing which is unseemly in one that is in your place I am a Christian man and you know that he that call's his brother Fool is in danger of Hell fire Gardiner Yee are false and liers all the sort of you Tailor We are true men and know that God will destroy all them that speak lies and therefore we abide by the truth of Gods word which ye contrary to your own consciences deny and forsake Gardiner Thou art a married man Tailor Yea and I thanke God that I am and have had nine children and all in lawfuâ— matrimony and blessed be God that ordained matrimoâ—y and commanded that all that had not the gift of continency should marry and not live in whoredom and a dultery After some other discourse the Bishop called hi men commanding them to carry him to the Kings Bench requiring his Keeper to keep him strictly Then Doctoâ— Tailor kneeling down and holding up his hands said Good Lord I thanke thee and from the Tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable errors and abominations good Lord deliver us So they carried him away to prison where he lay almost two years In Prison he spent his time in praier reading the Scriptures preaching to the prisoners and to other that resorted to him And it pleased God that he found in that prison holy Master Bradford whom he began to exhort to Faith strength and patience and to persevere constantly unto the end Master Bradford hearing this thanked God who had provided him so comfortable a prison-fellow and so they both together praised God and continued in praier reading and exhorting one another Insomuch as Doctor Tailor told his friends that God had provided graciously for him to send him to that prison where he found such an Angell of God to be in his company to comfort him He was diverse times examined of his faith and witnessed a good Confession before his adversaries for which at last he was condemned to die When his sentence was read he told them that God the righteous Judge would require his blood at their hands and that the proudest of them all should repent their receiving againe of Antichrist and their Tyranny against the flock of Christ. He also thus wrote to his friends God be praised since my condemnation I was never affraid to die Gods will be done If I shrinke from Gods truth I am sure of an other manner of death then had Judge Hales But God be praised even from the bottome of my heart I am unmovably setled upon the Rock nothing doubting but that my dear God will performe and finish the work that he hath begun in me and others To him be all honor both now and ever through Christ our onely Saviour Amen After his condemnation Bishop Bonner came to the prison to degrade him bringing all the Massing Garments with him which he commanded him to put on No quoth Doctor Tailor I will not Bonner Wilt thou not I shall make thee ere I go Tailor You shall not by the grace of God Bonner I charge thee on thy obedience to do it Tailor I will not Then the Bishop bad his owne man to put them on his back which when it was done setting his hands by his side he walked up and down and said How say you my Lord am I not a goodly fool If I were in Cheap-side would not all the boies laugh at these apishtoies The Bishop having dispoiled him of all would have given him a stroke on his breast with his Crosier But his Chaplain said My Lord strike him not for he will sure strike again Yea by Saint Peter will I quoth Doctor Tailor The cause is Christs and I were no good Christian if I would not fight in my masters quarrell Then the Bishop cursed him but durst not strike him To whom Doctor Tailor answered Though you curse yet God doth blesse me The next night his Wife Son and Servant came to him where before supper they kneeled down and praied saying the Letany He was sent down to Hadley to be burn'd and all the way as he went he was very merry as one that went to a banquet or Bridal In his
and refresh himselfe with his friends where falling off a ladder he hurt his back-bone which put him to great pain but through Gods mercy he recovered and the year after he went to the Convention at Smalcald where by reason of Luthers sickness almost the whole burthen lay upon him of managing the business about religion A while after he went to Hagenaw to meet the Protestant Divines there and fore-seeing that he should fall into a mortall Disease he made his will and left it with Cruciger saying Viximus in Synodis jam mâ—riemur in illis Imploi'd in Synods living oft was I Now in a Synod I am like to die Accordingly in his journey he fell very sick yet through God's mercy and the care and skill of the Physician he recovered againe his health being much furthered by the earnest praiers of Luther and Cruciger In his disputation with Eccius Eccius brought a very subtil Argument which he being not able suddenly to answer said Cras tibi respondebo I 'le answer you to morrow to whom Eccius replyed That is little for your credit if you cannot answer it presently Whereupon he said Sir I seek not mine owne glory in this businesse but the Truth To morrow God willing you shall hear further When the Wars for Religion brake out in Germany he foresaw in a dream the Captivity of the Elector of Saxonie and the Lantgrave of Hesse fifteen daies before they were taken And when Melancthon did justly bewaile those sad times he was accused to the Emperor as an enemy to his affairs whereupon the Emperor sent to Maurice the Elector to send him to him which he refused to do He was sent also to the Council of Trent but whilst he stayed at Noâ—inberg for the Publick Faith the Warre brake out betwixt Maurice of Saxonie and the Emperour about the Lantgrave of Hesse whereupon he returned to Wittenberg again and shortly after the Plague breaking out there the University was removed to Tergaw but he said He feared not that Plague but a far worse Plague which threatned the ruine of the common-wealth Whilst he was with the Palatine at Heidleberg he had news brought him of the death of his wife who had lived piously and lovingly with him in wedlock 37 years at the hearing whereof he expressed himself thus Farewell Kate I shall follow thee ere long He had many contentions with the Popish party both by disputations and writing The last Lecture that he read was upon that Text in Isa. Lord who hath beliâ—ved our report He was very carefull before hand to prepare himself for death having this Distich in his mouth Sic ego quotidiè de lecto surgo precando lit mens ad mortem sit duce laeta Deo March the 27. before his death he was sent for by the Elector of Saxony to Lipsich for the examination of those which were maintained by the Elector there for the study of Divinity which examination he had held many years There he continued in that employment til April 4 at which time he returned to Wittenberg April the 8 th his sicknes seised upon him whereof he died It was a Feaver which caused him that he could scarce sleep that night Hereupon Doctor Peucer his son-in-law intended to send for Camerarius between whom and Melancthon there had been a very strong bond of friendship for the space of 40 years Seven daies before he died many persons worthy of credit betwixt nine and ten a clock at night saw in the clouds over the Town of Wittenberg five Rods bound together after which two vanishing the other three appeared severed in divers places the branches of the Rods turning towards the North the handles towards the South of which Prodigy when Philip was informed he said Herein Gods fatherly punishments are not Swords but Rods which parents use to correct their children withall And I fear a dearth The night following he slept pretty well and waking about three a clock in the morning he sang sweetly and rose out of his bed April 13. to make an end of his writing which he was to propose on Easter day he followed his study hard that morning which was the last thing that he wrote for his publick Reading On Easter Eve he carried it to the Printing-house after which he went to Church and in the afternoon went againe to the Printing-house to see how the work went forward which was his last going abroad About four a clock that evening he sate upon the staires which went up into his study leaning upon his elbow At which time Joachim Camerarius came from Lipsich to visit him and entering into his house found him in that posture They saluted each other wich great familiarity and about five a clock that evening his Feaver seised on him so that that night he had a very grievous fit yet in the morning hee had a little sleep being April 14. Easter day After which he rose out of his bed and though he was scarce able to goe yet he would have read his Lecture publickly which his friends disswaded him from considering his great weaknesse April the 15 before dinner he professed his desire to depart hence saying I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. April the 16 Camerarius was minded to return home but as they sate at breakfast together on a sudden such a weaknesse came upon Melancthon that he desired to goe to bed so that Camerarius layed aside his purpose of departure April the 17 Camerarius took his leave of him commending him to God whereupon Philip said Jesus Christ the Son of God that sitteth at the right hand of his Father and giveth gifts unto men preserve you and yours and us all This night he was very sick and in his prayers cryed out O Lord make amend April the 18 his water was very troublesome and he was much pained with the stone About eight a clock that morning the Pastors of the Church visited him to whom he said By the goodnesse of God I have no domesticall grief to disquiet me although my Nephewes and Neeces stand here before me whom I love very dearly Yet this is my comfort they have godly parents who take care of them as I have done so long as I was able But publick matters affect me especially the troubles of the Church in this evil and sophisticall age But through Gods goodnesse our Doctrine is sufficiently explained and confirmed Then speaking to the eldest daughter of his Son-in-law Doctor Peucer he said I have loved thee my daughter see that thou honour thy parents be dutifull to them and fear God and he will never forsake thee I beseech him to defend thee and keep thee About nine a clock he spake to his Son-in-law who was his Physitian saying What think you of my disease have you any hope speak plaine The Physitian answered God is your life and the
Order he was made Governour of the Colledge at Naples which for the amaenity of the place and profits belonging to it was of great esteem In that City it pleased God that he began to attain to more light and knowledge of the Truth then formerly he had For by his study of the Scriptures through the illumination of the Holy Ghost he began to take notice of the errours and abuses which were crept into the Church whereupon God enclining his heart thereto he began to read some Protestant Authors and gat Bucers Commentaries upon the Evangelists and his Annotations upon the Psalmes As also Zuinglius De vera falsa Religione De Providentia Dei c. by which he confessed afterwards that he profited very much He daily also conferred with some friends which were addicted to the study of the Reformed Religion to the mutuall edification of both parties The chief of these were Benedict Cusanus his old friend Anthony Flaminius and John Valdesius a noble Spaniard made a Knight by Charles the fifth who after he had embraced the Truth in the love of it spent his time in Italy especially in Naples where by his life and doctrine he had gained many to Christ and amongst those divers of the Nobility and learned men and some noble women as the Lady Isabella Manricha who was afterwards banished for Christs cause c. As also the noble Galleacius Caracciolus Marquesse of Vico. A Church being thus by Gods providence gathered in Naples Peter Martyr joyned himself to it and being desirous to impart that light to others which God had revealed to him he began to expound the first Epistle to the Corinthians and that with great fruit For not onely the Fellows of his Colledge resorted to it but many Bishops and Noblemen but when he came to the words of Saint Paul in 1 Cor. 3 13 14. Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire c. and had interpreted them contrary to the received opinion he stirred up many Adversaries against him For it 's commonly thought that these words imply a Purgatory whereas Martyr shewed out of the antient Fathers that these words could not be so understood But such as were addicted to the Pope and their Bellies could by no means endure this interpretation of his knowing that if Purgatory were overthrown a great part of their profits by Masses Indulgences c. would presently cease Whereupon they accused Martyr and so far prevailed that his Lecture was put down but Martyr refused to obey this sentence as unjust and trusting to the goodness of his cause appealed to the Pope and at Rome by the assistance of his friends he overcame his adversaries For at that time he had there potent friends as Cardinall Gonzaga Gasper Contarone Reâ—nold Poole Peter Bembus and Frederick Fregosius all learned men and gracious with the Pope who also acknowledged that the Church needed some Reformation By these mens assistance he took off the Interdict and was restored to his former liberty of Preaching which yet heâ— could not long enjoy For before he had been three yearâ—â— at Naples he fell into a grievous and mortall disease togegether with his old fellow Student Benedict Cusanus who also died there But Martyr by the goodnesse of God and the diligence of his Physitians was though with much difficulty cured Whereupon the Superiours of his Order seeing that the air of Naples did not agree with him in a publick convention made him Generall Visitor of their Order In which Office he so demeaned himself that good men much commended his integrity constancy and gravity and others feared him not daring to discover their hatred against him Not long after in a publick convention of the Superiours of his Order he was made Prior of a Monastery in Luca Some out of love preferred him to this place others thinking that it would bee his ruine for there was an ancient grudge between Florence and Luca the latter suspecting that the Florentines sought to enslave them But Martyr by his excellent learning and vertue did so binde the hearts of those of Luca to him that contrary to the expectation of his adversaries himself being a Florentine was no lesse esteemed at Luca then if he had been born amongst them Whereupon they earnestly desired the Superiours of his Order that by no means he might be removed from them Martyr thus continuing at Luca had in his Colledge many learned men and many hopefull youths amongst whom he setled such a Discipline as might most advance holinesse of life religion and learning Hee took care also that the younger sort should be instructed in the three Languages for which end he had Paul Lacisius of Verona to read Latine Celsus of the noble Family of the Martinengi to read Greek Immanuel Tremelius Hebrew to them and that the younger sort together with the Greek might suck in Divinity himself daily expounded Paul's Epistles to them and afterwards required them to read over the same and every night before supper hee publickly expounded one of David's Psalms Very many out of the City resorted to his Lectures of the Nobility and Senators And that he might the better plant Religion in that Commonwealth he preached to them every Sabbath day And what fruit his Ministry had may be discerned by this that in one years space after his departure out of Italy eighteen Fellowes of that Colledge left their places and the Papacy betaking themselves to the Reformed Churches amongst whom was Celsus Martinengus afterwards Pastor of the Italian Church in Geneva Zanchy Tremelius c. Many Citizens also of Luca went into voluntary exile where they might enjoy the Gospel with peace and safety Whilst Peter Martyr was at Luca there met in that City the Emperour Charles the fifth the Pope Paul the third and Cardinal Contarene coming Legate out of Germany who for old acquaintance sake quartered with Peter Martyr and had daily much conference with him about Religion Most men thought that Martyr would be in no small danger by reason of the presence of the Pope because that his envious enemies would suggest something to the suspicious old man which might turne to Martyrs great trouble But because he was strengthned with his own authority and learning and had much room in the hearts of the people having also great friends they stirred not for the present but waited a fitter opportunity intending rather secretly to set upon him and that they might he better try the patience of the people of Luca they by the Popes command seized upon a Fryer of his Colledge and cast him into Prison accusing him for violation of their Religion which thing some Noblemen of Luca taking grievously who knew the piety innocency of the man breaking open the Prison took him out and conveighed him
forth of the City and bad him fly for his life But it pleased God that by a fall he brake his legg whereby being again apprehended he was sent prisoner to Rome This business succeeding answerable to their desires they intended presently to fal upon Martyr whereupon they laid wait for him in every place They put in an accusation against him at Rome and in all the Colledges of his Order they stirred up his old enemies against him telling them that now the time was come wherein they might recover their former liberty so they called lientiousness â—nd to be revenged on Pet. Martyr So that by these mens instigations they met at Genoa not as usually the Superiours of the Order but those especially that bore the greatest hate to Martyr or envied him most These men summon Martyr presently to appear as Genoa But he being informed of the snares that were laid for him which his enemies being blinded with malice could not conceal And also being admonished by his friends to take heed to himself there being many that sought his life resolved not to goe to this Assembly but rather to convey himselfe else-whither where he might be safe from the power and malice of his adversaries Hereupon first of all hee conveyed part of his Library to Christopher Brent a Godly Senator of Luca who should take care to send it to him into Germany the other part he gave to the Colledge and so setting all things in order in the Colledge he privily departed out of the City onely with three companions Paul Lacis of Verona who was afterwards Greek Professor at Strasborough Theodosius Trebell and Julius Terentian with whom he continued faithfull unto the death Departing from Luca purposing to visit his owne country he went to Pisa where to some Noble men he administred the Lords Supper and meeting there with some faithful messengers he wrote to Cardinal Pool and to some of his friends at Luca. In these Letters he shewed what great errors and abuses were in the Popish Religion and in the Monasticall life with whom he could no longer communicate with a safe conscience He also shewed the other causes of his departure viz. the hatred and snares laid for him by his enmies He signified also what pains and care he had taken for their instruction and what a grief it was to him that he could not more plainely and openly instruct them in the Christian faith The ring also which was the ensigne of his dignity he sent back shewing that he would not imploy any of the Colledge goods to his private use Coming to Florence he met there with a godly and learned man Bernardin Ochine who being cited to Rome was going thitherward but being warned of the danger by his friends he consulted with Martyr and upon deliberation both of them resolved to leave Italy and to go into Germany And accordingly first Ochine departed and went to Geneva and from thence to Ausburg and two dayes after Peter Martyr followed going first to Bononia then to Ferrara then to Verona where being courteously entertained by his old friends He went thence over the Alps into Helvetia In this journey when he came to Zurick he was very kindly entertained by Bullinger Pellicane and Gualter and by the other Ministers belonging to that City to whom he proffered his service if they needed it but having at this time no place void in the Schools they told him that they much desired his company and pains but for the present they had no imployment for him yet would they gratefully remember his kind profer to them He often used to say that as soon as he came to Zurick he fell in love with that City desiring of God that it might be a refuge to him in this his banishment which prayer was afterwards granted though in the interim God pleased to make use of his labours in other places and Nations for his own glory and the good of many From thence he went to Basil where after he had abode about a month he with Paul Lacis was called to Strasborough by the means of Martin Bucer In which place he was made Professor of Divinity and Lacis of the Greek Tongue There he continued five years in which time he interpreted most of the Bible and what his excellency in teaching was may be hence collected in that being joyned with Martin Bucer a great Divine and eminent for learning yet Martyr was not accounted inferiour to him He was very skilful in Hebrew Greek and Latiâ—e He had an admirable dexterity in interpreting Scripture was a very acute disputant and used always to express himselfe very clearly knowing that ambiguity of words is the cause of much contention He lived in most intire friendship with his Collegue Master Bucer At Strasborough being unmarried he lived with his friends that came with him out of Italy being contented with a very small stipend which yet afterwards was augmented For having forsaken his Country his honors and riches for the testimony of Christ he thought it unfit to be solicitous or to trouble any about the increase of his stipend the rather because he was of a frugall disposition so that his stipend did not onely suffice but he spared something out of that little towards the support of his friends But finding some inconvenience of living single by the advice of his friends he married an honest and noble Virgin Katherine Damo-martin who afterwards dyed in England without issue having lived with him eight years She was one that feared God was loving to her husband prudent in administring houshold affairs liberal to the pooâ— and in the whole course of her life pious modest and sober After her death by the command of Cardinal Poole her body was digged up and buried in a dunghill and when he could finde no other cause for it he pretended that it was because she was buried too near to St. Frideswide For though this Cardinall had formerly loved Martyr very well yet when he once forsooke Italy he did not onely give over loving him but shaking off his study of the true Religion which for a time â—e had seemed to like hee became a great hater of Martyr and a bitter prosecutor of the professors of the Truth which occasioned him to deale so with Martyrs Wife seeing that he could not burn her husband as he desired But in Queen Elizabeths daies her body was again taken up and with great solemnity buried in the chiefe place of the Church and to prevent the Popish malice for the time to come her bones were mingled with the boneâ— of St. Frideswide that they should not be distinguished asunder The occasion of Peter Martyrs going into England was this King Henry the eighth being dead and his son Edward the sixth succeeding by the advice of the Protector Edward Duke of Somerset and Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury he
the presence of these Peter Martyr disputed four daies with three of the Popish Doctors Tresham Chad and Morgan wherein he shewed excellent learning and because the adversaries scattered abroad many false reports Martyr afterwards printed the whole Disputation Not long after the Commons in Devonshire and Oxfordshire rose up in armes amongst whom many threatned the death of Martyr so that he could neither read his Lectures nor safely remain in the City whereupon by his friends hee was safely conveied to London which the King much rejoyced at and when his wife and family could not with safety remain at his house his friends hid them till as the seditious multitude were departed out of the City For the Kings raising two Armies quickly suppressed them punishing with death the Ring-leaders of those Rebellions and Martyr thereupon returned to Oxford to his wonted labours But his restlesse Popish adversaries who had been formerly beaten by arguments and durst not again returne to armes yet to shew their spiâ—e often raised tumults before his house in the night throwing stones at his door and breaking his windows Wherefore the King being carefull to provide for his safety made him Deane of Christs-Church alotting to him a fine house and pleasant garden and so though he had formerly taken the Degree of a Doct. amongst the Pontificians yet he took it again according to the rights of that University He was much prized by the godly King highly esteemed by Cranmer Ridley Latimer Hooper and all that loved the truth in the University Cranmer made much use of him and his advice about reforming the Church and setling the government of it But when those bloody Marian dayes came wherein Religion was eradicated the Church laid waste and holy men shut up in prisons Martyr also was forbidden the exercise of his place and commanded not to set a foot out of his own doors nor to carry any thing thence Whereupon he presently wrote to his friends shewing what danger he was in pleading the publick faith given to him when he was sent for by King Edward the sixth and by this means leave being given him he came from Oxford to London repairing immediately to Arch-Bishop Cranmer his intire and old friend About which time a report was spread that Cramner wavered and was ready to change his Religion which he hearing of set forth a writing wherein he professed himselfe ready to maintain the Doctrine of Religion which was authorized by King Edward to be agreable to the word of God and the Doctrine of the Apostles And herein he was incouraged by Peter Martyr whom the Arch-Bishop chose to joyne with him in defending the same against all opposers but this was denyed and the Arch-Bish presently sent to the Tower It was also debated in the Queen's Councel whether Peter Martyr should be imprisoned because as some said hee had done much hurt to their Religion But after debate it was concluded That because he came into England upon the publick faith he should be safely dismissed Whereupon sending him publick Letters signed with the Queens own hand He an Bernardine Ochine went first to Antwerp from thence to Cologne and lastly to Strasborough from whence he came Yet when he first took ship his adversaries vexing at his escape urged that it was fit he should bee drawn out of the ship and cast into prison as a publick enemy to the Pope yet it pleased God that the Master of the ship being a godly man hid him at his house fourteen daies till his adversaries had given over seeking for him and then conveied him safely to Antwerp from whence as we heard before he went to Strasborough where he was entertained with much joy by his old friends and restored to his former place Yet there the Divel also raised him up some enemies who suggested to the Senate that he differed in judgement from the Augustane-Confession about Christ's presence in the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper which might cause much trouble in the Church and that he refused to subscribe the Articles of agreement between Luther and Bucer about this matter Whereupon he wrote to the Senate That there was nothing in the Augustane-Confession rightly understood which he did not concur with and that if his Text at any time should lead him to speak of that subject he would doe it with such modesty that it should be offensive to none and that his not subscribing to the Agreement between Luther and Bucer wherein amongst other things they had set downe That they which wanted true Faith did yet nevertheless eat the bodie of Christ ought not to be objected to him for that he could not assent thereto but he must give offence to the Helvetian English and French Churches and to them at Geneva also yea and that Bucer himself in England had taught far otherwise With this answer the Senate was well satisfied And hee and Zanchie taught diligently both Divinity and Philosophie in that City yet his restless adversaries did nothing but assperse him and seek his disgrace first more privily and then more openly which made him to think upon a remove and God in his wise providence so ordered it that about that time Pellican dying at Zurick the Senate there chose Martyr in his room and presently sent to him to come to them and to the Senate at Strasborough to give way to it Which they did though very unwillingly Martyr himselfe being desirous to imbrace that call in regard of the opposition which he met with at Strasborough so that Anno Christi 1556. to the great grief of his friends who loved him very dearly he departed to Zurick Jâ—â—n Jewel afterwards Bishop of Sarum accompanying him There he was entertained with much joy both by the Senate Schools Ministers and all good men And he at first resided for a while with his old friend Bullinger with whom he lived with much intire friendship which continued to their death Also by his sweet and holy carriage he won the love of 〈◊〉 In somuch that the Senate to shew how highly they esteemed him made him free of their Common-wealth that he might not live as a stranger but as a Citizen amongst them He had buried his wife in England at Oxford whose body the bloody Bishops afterwards causâ—d obeâ—â—igged up under Queen Mary and to be buried in a dunghill whereupon at the desire of his friends and to obtaine issue six years after the death of his former he married againe one Catherine Merenda who for Religion had left her own country and lived at Geneva and had a good testimony of the whole Church there As he was highly prized by them of Zurick so he loved them exceedingly as may appear by two notable examples Celsus the Pastor of the Italian Church at Geveva being dead many of that Congregation having been Martyrs old disciples and very dear to
him chose him to be their Pastor and sent to request his coming to them many also of his old English friends that lived as exiles there much pressed it Yea and Calvin also wrote to him desiring him to imbrace the Call Martyr being thus importunately pressed to remove thither and having many engagements to incline him that way yet referred the whole matter to be determined by the Senate and Ministers at Zurick and they understanding that there were other able and fit men to be placed over the Italian Congregation denying their consents to part with him he resolved to stay notwithstanding all solicitations to the contrary And afterwards when in Queen Elizabeths dayes he was much importuned to return into England and had large proffers made him from the Queen yet he would not leave his flock till his death And how ready he was to be serviceable to other Churches may appear by this example The year before his death the King of France had appointed a meeting of the Bishops and Nobility at Possy whereupon they of the reformed Religion in France thought that it was a very seasonable time to procure a conference about Religion which might much tend to the peace and liberty of the Church Upon this the Churches chose certaine Delegates which in that Parliament should move for the liberty of Religion And they chose also many learned men who should dispute with their adversaries about the same and because the singular learning and incomparable dexterity of Peter Martyr in disputing was sufficiently knowne they in the first place made choice of him for one and sent one Claudius Bradella with Theodore Beza to Zurick to try his willingness to accept of that imployment and when he had declared his readiness shortly after came Letters from the King the Queen Mother the King of Navar the Prince of Conde and the Admirall Coligni to the Senate of Zurick to desire them to send Martyr withall sending him a safe conduct whereupon he undertook the journey and when he came to Possy he made an Oration to the Queen exhorting her to seek not onely the quiet of France but of other Churches by promoting true Religion shewing also what a blessing she might expect from God thereby The Queen entertained him kindly and so did the King of Navar the Prince of Conde and the Admirall of France But the Cardinall of Lorrain sought to hinder the disputation all that possibly he could yet when he could not prevail five of each party were chosen out to dispute the business about the Lords Supper in private having onely two Notaries present and after severall days disputation something was drawn up as the result of all which with some explanations Beza Marlorat Martyr Spina and the Lord of Sole subscribed unto But when the same was presented to the Cardinal and Popish Bishops they complained of their Disputants as having consented to that which was Heresie and so by their authority they brake off the Disputation and departed Whereupon Martyr addressed himself to the Queen seeing that he was like to do no good there desiring license to depart which she consented to and he returned to Zurick with a large testimony of his worthy carriage and a guard from the Prince of Conde and the Admiral for his safety Thus having worn out himself with his indefatigable labours and having his spirits much exhausted with grief for the afflicted condition of the Churches of France he fell sick of a Feaver made his Will and to his Friends that visited him he spake chearfully and comfortably telling them that his body was weak but inwardly he enjoyed much peace and comfort He made before them an excellent Confession of his Faith concluding thus This is my faith and they that teach otherwise to the withdrawing men from God God will destroy them He gave them his hand and bid them farewel and commending his soul to God he slept in the Lord and was buried honourably Anno Christi 1562 and of his age 62. Opera haec ab ipso edita sunt Symboli expositio Comment in Cor. 1. Comment in lib. Judicum Epist. ad Rom. Defensio Doctrinae de Eucharistiae Sacramento contra S. Gardiner Disputatio de Eucharistiae Sacramento habita Oxon. Defensio ad duos libellos Rich. Smithaei Post obitum hi libri editi sunt Comment in Sam. 1. 2. Reg. 1. in 11 capita priora Reg. 2. Comment in 1 librum Mosis Precum ex Psalmis libellus Epitome defensionis adversus S. Gardinerum Confessio de coena Domini ad Senat. Argento Sententia de praesentia corporis Christi in Eucharistia proposita in Colloâ— Possiaco Epistola de causa Eucharistiae Loci communes Conciones Quaestiones Responsa Epistolae Comment in Exod. In Prophetas aliquot minores In tres priores libros Ethicorum Aristotelis Beza made this Epigram of him Tuscia te pepulit Germania Anglia fovit Martyr quem extinctum nunc tegit Helvetia Dicere quae si vera volent re nomine dicent Hic fidus Christi credite Martyr erat Utque istae taceaut satis hoc tua scripta loquuntur Plus satis hoc Italis exprâ—brat exilium The Life of Amsdorfius who died A no Christi 1563. NIcolas Amsdorfius was born in Misnia of noble parents Anno Christi 1â—83 and brought up in Learning Anno Christi 1502 from Schoole he went to the University of Wittenberg about that time that Luther began to preach against Indulgences And contrary to the custome of the Nobility of those times he applied his minde to the study of Theology and contemplation of heavenly things In An. Christi 1504 he commenced Master of Arts and afterwards Licentiate in Divinitie He timely embraced the Truth that brake forth in those times and not consulting with fleshâ—and blood preached it to others He accompanied Luther to Wormes Anno Christi 1521 when he was called to give an account of his Faith before Caesar and the States of the Empire In the time of Luther's recesse into his Pathmos he with Melancthon Justus Jonas and John Dulcius being sent to by the Elector of Saxony for their judgements about the Mass declared that it was an horrible prophanation of the Lords Supper whence ensued the abolishing of it out of all Churches in Wittenberg Anno Christi 1523 he wrote in a book dedicacated to the Elector of Saxony that the Pope was Antichrist Anno Christi 1524 Luther being sent for to Magdeburg went thither and having preached to them commended to them and afterwards sent Amsdorfius to gather and instruct the Churches there who faithfully laboured eighteen years in that place During his abode there the Senate of Goslaria sent for him to reform their Churches and he at his coming setled the same form of Doctrine and Discipline amongst them as was used at Wittenberg and
Magdeburg He also made John Amandus Superintendent of those Churches and Michael Volmetius Master of their School Anno Christi 1541 he was sent by the Elector of Saxonie to govern the Church at Naumberg in the Palatinate where also the year after he was ordained Bishop by Luther three other Pastors also imposing their hands upon him who were Nicholas Medler Pastor of Naoburg George Spalatine Pastor of Aldenburg and â—olphgang Steinius Pastor of Leucopetra But six years after he was driven away from thence by the Emperour Charles the sift whence he fled to Magdeburg which at that time was the common place of refuge for the godly who fled from the indignation of Caesar. Anno Christi 1548 Amsdorf amongst others opposed himself in that sad controversie about things indifferent which continued for whole tenne yeares and when Anno Christi 1550 Madgeburg was besieged Amsdorf yet remained there and the year after George Major having published this proposition That good works were necessary to salvation Amsdorfius in heat of contention wrote That good works were hurtfull and dangerous to salvation In the midst of these digladiations amongst Divines Amsdorf came to his old age having now attained to eighty years at which time he quietly slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1563. Scripsit de sacra coena Epitomen Chronicorum Naucleri de Paparum perfidia in Romanos Imperatores Novi anni votum principibus viris oblatum Subscriptionem censurae sententiae Saxo. Ecclesiarum adversus G. Majoris doctrinam Item contra Tilemannum Heshufium W. MVSCVLVS The Life of Musculus who dyed A no Christi 1563. WOlfgangus Musculus was born at Dusa in Lorrain An. Christi 1497 of honest parents who seeing his aptness to Learning bred him at School When he was young he fell sick of the Plague but it pleased God to restore him He had an exceeding prompt wit and had such an ardent desire to his book that he was never a weary of reading and writing so that he rather needed a bridle than spurs never departing from School and his book till he was forced When he was grown up to some bignes his parents sent him abroad into other countries with slender provision that by singing at doors as the manner of those times was he might get his living and thereby learn patience temperance and humility and might follow his book the better Being thus sent from his parents he came to Rapersvil in Alsatia where a certain Widdow entertained him and in which place hee went to School but met with much hunger and want till as by his honest and modest deportment he became known to the noble Earl of Rapersvil from whom he received many favours From thence after a while he went to Slestade and gat into the School and being naturally much addicted to Poetry he spent his time in reading such Authors And thus he continued till he was fifteen years old about which time he returned to visit his parents and going into the Monastery of Lexheim by the way at the time of their Even-song hee joyned with them in singing and the Prior taking notice of him and liking his ingenious countenance and voice followed him out of the Church when all was ended and enquir'd of him what he was and whether he liked to live in a Monastery and withall proffered if he would accept of it to admit him into that Monastery to cloath him and provide other necessaries for him at his own cost He being very glad of this proffer went to his parents acquainted them with it and they looking upon it as a great mercy went presently with him to the Monastery where the Prior according to his promise entertained him as his own sonne and afterwards sent him to the Bishop for Orders There he lived till he was thirty yeares old and when others were drinking and playing he with a book in his hand would walk into a grove to study For though in his youth he was of a chearfull and merry disposition and much delighted in liberall exercises both of body and mind yet he disliked the illiberall contests of his fellows who spent their time in dice and drinking and such like practises But in the mean time he had a great want of books that Monastery having no Library belonging to it yet at last he found a great heap of parchments at the roof of the house amongst which he met with some of Tullies works and all Ovids These therefore he read over especially Ovid being so much addicted to Poetry that many times he made verses in his sleep and could make a verse upon every thing he met with and grew so perfect therein that with Ovid he could say Sponte sua carmen numeros veniebat in aptos Quicquid conabar dicere versus erat And together with his Poetry hee applyed himself to Musick which the Prior taking notice of caused him to be taught to play on the Organs At twenty years of age hee studied Divinity and excelling all the other Monks in learning and eloquence was presently chosen a publick Preacher and being often told by an old man in that house Si vis fieri bonus Concionator da operam ut sis bonus Biblicus If you will be a good Preacher study to be well acquainted with the Scripture hee betook himself night and day to reading and meditation upon the Bible He first preached in the Church of Lixhâ—im and in three other Churches belonging to that Monastery but his zeal and eloquence making him famous he was requested to preach in divers other places About the year 1518 Luthers books began to come abroad into the world and Musculus having some of them sent him read them with much seriousness and delight and God thereby revealing the Truth to him he became a zealous maintainer of it not onely in the Monastery by conference and disputation but in his publick Sermons also so that he was commonly called the Lutherane Monk and whereas Luthâ—r was charged by some with Heresie he stoutly defended him saying It may be Luther may erre in some things which is common to the nature of man yet he is not therefore to be accounted an Heretick according to thâ— saying of Saint Augustine Errare possum haereticus esse nolo I may erre but I will not be an Heretick And his labours proved not fruitlesse for through Gods blessing upon them he converted many of that fraternity who afterwards left their Abbey and became zealous professors of the Truth unto death And divers others also abroad were converted by him and amongst them a certaine Nobleman called Reinhard of Rotenburg who was Captaine of the Castle at Lutzelsteine and Protector of that Colledge a man of much account with the Palatine by whom he was protected from many dangers and snares that were laid for him especially by the Bishop and some old Monks that were
more obdurate in wickednesse and therefore more opposite to the Truth He was often in great perill of his life and yet by special providences preserved So that perceiving that in that place he could neither enjoy safety nor freedome in the service of God as he desired he resolved to leave the Monastery and to goe elswhere which resolutions he communicated to some of his friends But in the mean time the Prior died and he by common consent of all was chosen to succeed him Musculus looked upon this as a designe of the Devill by these baits of honour pleasure and profit to withdraw him from his zealous purposes of propagating the Truth and to tie him to that kind of life that he was resolved against And thereupon he refused the choice and put it upon another He also married a wife called Margaret Bart an honest and vertuous Virgin At his departure the new Prior gave him a supper after which he bade him and the rest of the Friers farewell who were now but six three also of which shortly after followed him At this time he had but four Florences to which the Prior added four more and so about midnight that he might the more safely escape his enemies he departed being accompanied with a Kinsman called Nicholas Wagner directing his course to Strasborough whether also he came Anno Christi 1527 and of his age thirty and was entertained by the Minister Theobald Niger who also made him a Wedding-feast But his money waxing short and seeing little hopes to be called to the work of the Ministery he placed his wife forth as a servant to Mr. Theobald Niger and agreed with a Weaver to teach him his trade comsorting himself in the mean time with this Distich Est Deus in coelo qui providus omnia ouraâ— Credentes nusquam deseruisse potest A God there is whose providence doth take Care for his Saints whom he will not forsake But it fell out that this Weaver was an Anabaptist and kept one of their Teachers in his house who according to their usual custome laboured not at all but spent his time in eating drinking and sleeping With him Musculus could not agree but often objected that of the Apostle to him He that will not labour ought not to eat This occasioned his Master to fall out with him and having paid him his wages at two months end he turn'd him out of doors contrary to his former bargain Musculus now not knowing how to supply his wants it fell out that at that time the Senate at Strasborough were mending their fortifications about the City Thither he went and was hired to labour in that work amongst oth râ—bâ—t the same nightgoing to set his wife she told him that an Officer had been there to request him to come to the great Church where the Consul and Bucer would speak with him He not knowing the occasion was much troubled at it yet went to the place appointed and when he came thither the Consul commanded him to goe to the Village of Dorlitzheim and there to preach every Sabbath and to teach the people who were prone to Sedition peace and obedience Musculus with joy taking this as a call from God went every Sabbath thither being but three miles off and preached to them and all the wâ—ek lived with Bucer who writing so bad a hand that the Princers could not read it yea many times himselfe could scarce read what he had written imployed Musculus to transcribe his Comments on Lephany which were then in Printing After certain months preaching in that Village and hiâ— wife growing near the time of her travel 〈◊〉 Magistrats sent him and his wife to live there where his bearers entertained him kindly and provided necessaries for his family onâ—ly himself was fain to lie upon the ground in a little straw whilst his wife lay in Thus this man of God waâ— willing to suffer poverty for Christ's cause who amongst the Papists might have lived in much plenty In that Town he preached a whole year without receiving anything for his pains but afterward the Senate at Strasborough allowed him a stipend out of the publick treasury for the supply of his wants There also he began to teach School wherein he carried himselfe with so much industry and affability that he won much love Not far off there was a Monastery in which one a year there was a Feast and a Sermon to which at the request of his neighbours Musculus went The Fryer that preached chose this Text Without Faith it 's impossible to please God In his Sermon he inveighed bitterly against the Lutherans and in particular against them of Strasborough as Apostates c. wherewith many of his hearers were much pleased The Sermon being ended and the Fryer coming downe out of the Pulpit Musculus called to him saying Thou wicked wretch hear me a little and I 'le make thy wickedness appear to all the Congregation And going up into the Pulpit he took the same Text opened the words and preached excellently of the nature and benefit of saving faith and vindicated them of Strasborough from those aspersions which the Fryer had cast upon them wherewith the people were much pleased but the Fryers shrunk away Then came the Steward of the Monastery running in and interrupted him saying Sirrah give over who set you upto preach in this place To whom he answered Who gave you authority to set up a lying Fryer to preach and traduce the Senate and people of Strasborough whom I am bound to defend and vindicate from such false aspersions and so he went on in his Sermon but then the Steward began to entreat him to give over least he caused a tumult but he â—ad him hold his peace and entreated the people to be quiet and so went on to the end of his Sermon without any distraction The fame of this action begat him much credit amongst all good men at Strasborough so that at the years end he was sent for to Strasborough and made a Deacon though he in modesty would have refused it as judging himself unfit and unworthy of it And thus he continued two years longer in that place And whereas in Dosna a Village belonging to Strasborough the people would by no means suffer the Mass to be abolished hee by one Sermon there so wrought upon them that presently they cast it out of their Church together with all the Popish trumpery At Strasborough whil'st he was a Deacon he was a constant hearer of Capito and Bucer and finding his own defect for want of Hebrew fell to the study of it wrote out a Lexicon with his own hand and profited so much therein that he did not onely understand the Bible but the Rabbins also Anno Christ 1531. the Citizens of Ausburg sent to Strasborough to request the Senate to send them Musculus to be their Pastor
This request he himself opposed with all his might as judging himself unfit unable thereunto had not Bucer and the Senate interposed their authority to require his acceptance When he came thither he preached six years before the dregs of Popery where wholly purged out of that City yea the state of it was very troublesome not onely by reason of the Popish partie who with all their might opposed the Reformation but also by reason of some Anabaptists who like serpents had crept in to disturbe the growth of the Gospel and the peace of the Church Yea they carried themselves very impudently and tumultuously coming into the Church at Sermon-time stepping up into the Pulpit and labouring to diffuse their errors and to poyson the people therewith insomuch as the Magistrates were forced for the publick peace sake to cast them into prison Thither Musculus went daily to them and though they called him a Viper a false Prophet a Wolfe in Sheep's cloathing c. yet he bore all with patience and carried them food and other necessaries not speaking a word about their opinions till he had so far insinuated into their affections that they began to love him exceedingly Then began he to confer familiarly with them to hear them with patience and with solid arguments to convince their errors whereupon by degrees he converted them all and brought them to make publick recantations which by more rugged dealings they would never have yeelded to He had also many conflicts with the Popish party and wrought so far with the Senate that Anno Christi 1834. they cast out the Mass and Idolatry out of most of the Churches onely allowing to the Papists eight to say Mass but not to preach in And afterwards Anno Christi 1537. he so prevailed that Popery was cast out of those Churches also and the City wholly imbraced the reformed Religion There he studied the Greek Tongue and profited so much therein that he translated diverse parts of Chrysostome Basil Cyril Athanasius c. At that time also by his owne industâ—y he learned Arabick not having so much as a Grammer to help him onely by observing the proper names which are the same in all languages he found out the Letters and so attained to the reading and understanding of that tongue He taught at Ausburg eighteen years with much diligence and profit His Sermons were very piercing like a two-edged sword both in comforting the afflicted and convincing the obstinate Anno Christi 1536. there was a Synod appointed at Isenac in Thuringia to which Luther and many other Divines out of upper and lower Germany resorted about composing the difference concerning the Lords Supper to which Musculus was sent by the Senate of Strasborough as also to a Diet at Wormes and Ratisbone where he was Scribe at the Disputation between Melancthon and Eccius which afterwards he published Anno Christi 1544. the Inhabitants of Donavert embracing the Gospel sent to the Senate at Ausburg for one their Ministers to assist and further them in their Reformation who thereupon sent Musculus to them and when he came thither he preached every day for a quarter of a year together and so returned to Ausburg Anno Christi 1547. Charls the fifth having ended the Smalcaldian war called a Diet at Auspurg whither himself his brother Ferdinand the Electors Cardinals and Bishops came Then was Musculus put out of his Church yet did he not cease to preach in another during that Diet with as much zeal and freedom of speech as formerly which procured him much hatred from the Popish party who set spies to intrap him They also accused him to the Emperor as one that stirred up the people against the Clergie by reason whereof he was in such danger that the Senate was fain to appoint three men to guard him to and from the Pulpit Tumults were raised before his door his windows broken and himself rail'd upon yet he bore all with a stout courage and sent the Senate word That if they would stick close to the cause of God he would venture his life with them The year after the Senate embraced the Interim which he wrote and preached boldly against insomuch that he was hated and lived in great danger hereupon he resolved to leave the City and acquainting the Consul with his purpose one evening with one only Citizen in his company he left his wife and eight children and departed out of the City and changing his apparel at a friend's house that he might pass unknown he went to Zurick where he stayed a while with Bullinger and from thence to Busil his wife and children following him within a few days but they staying at Constance he went thither to them and the Sabbath following he preached to the Citizens of Constance upon that Text Joh. 6. 66 67 68 69. From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him c. Out of which words he shewed how grievously those Cities had sinned which to please men had basely deserted the Gospel of Christ. Then he exhorted them of Constance not to follow such examples but rather after the examples of the Apostles in this Text constantly to adhere unto Christ who onely hath the words of eternall life The very next day the Spaniards coming to besiege Constance he with his family removed to Zurick Thither Cranmer sent for him to come into England but being grown aged and his wife sickly he excused his going thither After six months stay there he was called to Berne to be the Divinity Professor in their Schools whither he went and where he discharged his place for fourtâ—en years together with much diligence and praise He Printed many works all which he wrote out with his own hands wherby his great labour and sedulity may easiâ—y be discerned He so loved his present imployment and place of habitation that though he had many invitations to places of more eminency and profit yet he wouâ—d never imbrace the same but continued at Bern till his death He lived in much peace and concord with his fellow Ministers and Professors and was very loving to his wife and children in domestical troubles most patient very mercifull to the poor especially to exiles and strangers of a sparing and temperate dier whereby he lived in health to his latter end He used much walking and holy meditation therein He went very upright had a fresh colour sharp sight admirable strong teeth and lastly his hands and feet well performing their office But the year before his death he beganne to be crasie partly by reason of his great age but especially being worne out with infinite cares and labours as also by reason of a great cough which of a long time had been troublesome to him By these means he had many fits of
but an honest young man of the Citizens advised Perinus that Mr. Farell the common Father of the City might be no way wronged joyning also with himself another honest young man they gave notice to the well-affected Citizens that they should stand by Mr. Farell at the day of hearing which also they did so that his adversaries being astonished and deterred hereat of their own accord craved pardon and Mr. Farell was dismissed About this time a grievous calamity befell the Church of England by the immature death of that godly Prince King Edward the sixth which was a grievous wound to all the Reformed Churches Yet at this same time Mr. Calvin wrote his learn-Commentaries upon the Gospel of St. John Geneva as we heard before having inflicted deserved punishment upon Servetus not as upon a Sectary but as upon a monster for his horrible impieties and blasphemies by which for thirty years space he had infected the Christian world both by his teaching and writings It cannot be imagined how this stirred up the rage of Sathan such a flame arising from hence as set Poland first then Transsylvania and Hungary all on a fire which himself seemed to foretell by the spirit of Sathan when in the beginning of his book he set this sentence out of the Revelation There was a great battle in heaven Michael and his Angels fighting with the Dragon For his ashes being scarce cold a great controversie sprung up about the punishing of Hereticks Some holding that they ought to be restrained but not to be punished with death Others thinking that it could not be clearly stated out of Gods word what was Heresie thereupon said that it was lawfull to hold either part in all the Heads of Religion and that all men though holding a wrong opinion were to be left to the judgement of God This latter opinion some good men inclined to fearing that the contrary Tenet might kindle the cruelty of Tyrants against the godly The principall of these were Sebastian Castalio and Laelius Socinus therein pleading their own cause The former indeed more closely and the latter more openly as one that studyed to vindicate the clear authority of the Scripture in a certain Preface to the perverting of the holy Bible and in his Annotations upon the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians had endeavoured to draw men from the written Word of God as an imperfect Rule as if Paul had taught to some of his Disciples that were more perfect then the rest a certain more hidden Divinity then that which he had committed to writing Hereupon Mr. Calvin Anno Christi 1554 set forth a copious confutation of all the Doctrine of Servetus which was subscribed by all his Colleagues adding many reasons why and how farre a Magistrate might proceed in punishing such an one as was lawfully convicted of Heresie The adversaries on the contrary published a Rapsody collected partly out of the writings of the ancient Fathers which they perverted to their own ends and partly out of the writings of certain unknown Fanaticks and under the name of Martin Bellius which indeed was Castalio though afterwards he forswore it and falsifying also the name of the City in which they falsly pretended that it was published To this book swarming with many other Errors and Blasphemies Mr. Beza answered thereby to free Mr. Calvin from that labour who was now busie in writing his learned Commentaries upon Genesis and in diverting other dangers from the Church For the factious went on to innovate things in the City and though the Amnestie was again renewed before the Senate upon the second of February yet they daily grew worse and worse so that Master Calvin was much busied both in blaming and reproving them for their wickedness and in endeavouring to strengthen the godly against the poison of their impiety for they had proceeded to such a height of wickedness that they turned part of the sacred Scriptures into obscaene songs and used to beat strangers whom they met in the night and sometimes also to rob them They also privately used the books of Bolsecus Castalio and other corrupt men that they might renew the controversie about Predestination yea they proceeded to scatter abroad a false and scandalous libell wherein they grievously aspersed that worthy servant of Christ Master Calvin Castalio also sent another Latine Book to be privately Printed at Paris to which Master Beza answered and Master Calvin also confuted some of the fooleries of the same kind About this time the care of the English exiles lay heavy upon him some of which were come to Vesalia others to Embden and others to Franckford all sending to Master Calvin for advice and counsel Neither was he a little troubled for the andaciousness of some of the Pastors encouraged by the secret favour of others of the French-Church long since planted by him at Strasborough And in short how great pains he took this year for severall Churches may appear by the multitude of Epistles wrote by him by which he stirred up many Noble-men to imbrace the Gospel and strengthned many of the Brethren some of which were in extream danger and others already cast into bonds We spake before of the sweet Harmony that was between the Helvetian and Rhetian Churches about the Doctrine of the Sacrament This concord did exceedingly displease the spirit of error therefore he easily found out one that might easily reinkindle the fire which before was extinguished viz. Joachim Westphalus who was seconded by Heshusius then a Minister of the word but afterwards a Bishop of whom wee shall speak more afterwards Hereupon Master Calvin published an explication of that agreement which by how much it imbittered their spirits by so much the more it satisfied all good men that were lovers of the truth The year following viz. 1555. by the speciall mercy of God brought peace along with it to the Church of Geneva which was now quiet from its domestick stirs for the factious ruined themselves God discovering their horrible treason to the State by the means of one of the conspirators who in his drunken fit discovered it whereupon some of them were beheaded others of them were banished who though a while after they vexed the City yet perished shamefully in the end leaving an example of the just judgement of God upon such persons though it may be deferred for a time Thus the Commonwealth was freed from these Pests To which another mercy was added by the answer of the four Helvetian Cities to whom the question about the Discipline which we spake of before had been proposed who unanimously confirmed the Ecclesiasticall Polity as it had been before settled contrary to the expectation of the factious Yet something was not wanting whereby Mr. Calvin might be further exercised For he took great pains in constituting the Church in Polonia by the will of the King In comforting the afflicted
year in Preaching Teaching and dictating For at least ten years together he abstained from dinners taking no food at all till Supper so that it was a wonder how he could escape a Ptisick so long He was often troubled with the head-ach which his abstinence onely could cure whereupon he sometimes fasted thirty six hours together But partly through straining his voice and partly through his too frequent use of Aloeâ— which was taken notice of too late he was first troubleâ— with the Hemorrhoids which at length proved ulcerous and then five years before his death he did many times spit blood And when his Quartan Ague left him the gout took him in his right leg then the Collick and lastly the Stone which yet he never discerned till a few months before his death The Physicians applyed what remedies possibly they could neither was there ever man that was more observant of their rules But in respect of the labours of his mind he was extreame negligent of his health so that the violent paines of headach could never restraine him from preaching And though he was tormented with so many and violent diseases yet did never any man hear him utter one word that did unbeseem a valiant or Christian man Onely lifting up his eyes to heaven he used to say How long Lord For he often used this Motto in his health when he spake of the calamities of his brethren which always more afflicted him then his own When as his Colleagues admonished and earnestly increated him that in his sicknesse he would abstaine from dictating but especially from writing himself He answered What would you have me Idle when my Lord comes March the tenth when al the Ministers came to him they found him cloathed and sitting at his little Table where he used to write and meditate He beholding them when he had rubbed his forehead a while with his hand as he used to doe when he meditated with a cheerfull countenance said I give you hearty thanks my dear Brethren for the great care you have of me and I hope within these fifteen dayes which was the time that they were to meet about Church censures I shall be present at your Consistory For then I beleeve God will declare what he will determine concerning me and that he will receive me to himselfe Accordingly he was present that day which was March the four and twentieth and when all their businesses were quietly dispatched he told them that God had given him some further delay and so taking a French Testament in his hand he read some of the Annotations upon it and asked the Ministers judgements about the same because he had a purpose to amend them The day after he was somewhat worse as being tyred with the former dayes labour March the sever and twentieth he caused himself to bee carried in his chair to the Senate door and then leaning upon two he walked into the Court and there presented to the Senate a new Rector for the School and with a bare head he returned them thanks for all their former favours and in particular for the great care they had of him in his sicknesse For I perceive saith hee that this is the last time that I shall come into this place Which words hee could scarce utter his voice failing him and so with many teares on both sides hee bade them farewell April the second which was easter-Easter-day though hee was very weak yet he caused himself to be carried to the Church in his chaire where after Sermon hee received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper at Mr. Beza's hands and with a chearfull countenance though weak voice sang the Psalme with the rest of the Congregation shewing though in a dying countenance signes of much inward joy April the â—ive and twentieth he made his Will in this form In the name of God Amen Anno Christi 1564 April the five and twentieth I Peter Chenalat Citizen and Notarie of Geneva doe witnesse and professe that being sent for by that Reverend man John Calvin Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Geneva and a free Denizon of the same City who then truly was sick in body but sound in mind told me that his purpose was to make his Testament and to declare his last Will desiring me to write it down as he should dictate unto me with his tongue which I professe I did presently word by word as he told me neither did I adde or diminish any thing from that which hâ— spake but have followed the very form suggested by himâ— Whicâ— was this In the name of the Lord Amen I John Calvin Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Geneva oppreâ—â—ed and afflicted with divers diseases so that I easily think that the Lord God hath appointed shortly to lead me out of this world I therefore have determined to make my Testament and to coâ—mit to writing my last Will in this form following First I give thanks to God that taking pitty on me whom he created and placed in this world hath delivered mee out of the deep darknesse of Idolatry into which I was plunged and that he brought me into the light of his Gospel and made me a partaker of the Doctrine of Salvation whereof I was most unworthy Neither hath he onely gently and graciously born with my faultâ— and sinnes for which yet I deserved to be rejected by him and driven out but hath used towards me so great meckâ—esse and mildnesse that he hath vouchsafed to use my labours in preaching and publishing the Truth of his Gospell And I witnesse and professe that I intend to passe the remainder of my life in the same Faith and Religion which he hath delivered to mee by his Gospell and not to seek any other aid or refuge for Salvation then his free Adoption in which alone Salvation resteth And with all my heart I embrace the Mercy which he hath used towards me for Jesus Christ his sake recompensing my faults with the merit of his death and passion that satisfaction may be made by this meanes for all my sins and crimes and the remembrance of them may be blotted out I witnesse also and professe that I humbly begge of him that being washed and cleansed in the blood of that highest Redeemer shed for the sinnes of mankinde I may stand at his judgement seat under the Image of my Redeemer Also I professe that I have diligently done my endeavour according to the measure of grace received and bounty which God hath used towards me that I might preach his Word holily â—nd purely both in Sermons Writings and Commentaries and interpret his holy Scripture faithfully I also witnesse and professe that I have used noâ—uglings no evill and sophisticall arts in my controversies and disputations which I have held with the enemies of the Gospel but I have been conversant candidly and sincerely in maintaining the Truth But out alasse that study
was faln asleep then dead So that that day at Sun-setting that great bright light was taken out of this world That night and the day following there was great weeping and wailing all over the City Many Citizens and Strangers desired to see him after he was dead and amongst the rest Queen Elizabeths Ambassadors who being sent into France were then there The next day after being the Sabbath his body was coffined and in the afternoon hee was carried forth the Senators Pastors and Professors of the School and almost the whole City following the corse not without abundance of tears He was buried in the common Church-yard without much pomp no Tombstone being added as himself had commanded whereupon Master Beza made these verses Romae ruentis terror ille maximus Quem moâ—tuum lugem boni horr scunt mali Ipsa à quo potuit virtutem discere virtus Cur adâ—o exiâ—â—io ignot oâ— in cespite clausus Calvinus 〈◊〉 â—ogas Calviâ—â—n assidue comitat Modestia vivum Hoc turmulo mambâ—s cendidâ— ipsa suis. Ote beatum cespitem tanto hospite O cuâ— invidere possunt cuncta Marmora He was a man of an incredible and most ready memory in the middest of almost infinite distractions and of a most exact judgement He was very regardless of means and preferment even when it was often offered He eat little meat took very little sleep was wholly compounded of sweetness and gravity Discreet and mild he was in bearing with mens infirmities yet would he severely without dissimulation reprove their vices which freedom he alwayes used from a child Such a Preacher he was that like another Or pheus he drew England Spain and Italy to him filling Geneva with strangers Such a voluminous writer that as it was said of Saint Augustine he wrote more then another can well read His writings were so eagerly received that as most rare and precious peeces they were forthwith translated into all Languages What shall I speak of his indefatigable industry even beyond the power of nature which being parallelled with our loitring I feare will exceed all creedit and may be a true object of admiration how his leane worne spent and wearyish body could possibly hold out He read every week in the year three Divinity Lectures and every other week over and above he preached every day so that as Erasmus saith of Chrysostome I doe not know whether more to admire the indefatigableness of the man or his hearers Yea some have reckoned up that his Lectures were yearâ—ly one hundred eighty six his Sermons two hundred eighty six besides every Thursday he sat in the Presbytery Every Friday when the Ministers met in conference to expound hard Texts he made as good as a Lecture Yea besides there was scarce a day wherein he spent not some part either by word or writing in answering the questions and doubts of sundry Pastors and Churches that sought unto him for advice and câ—â—â—sell Over and above which there was no year passed wherin came not forth from him some great volume or other in Folio so that in few years besides many golden Tractats and sundry exquisite answers which upon short warning he made to principall adversaries his huge explications upon the five books of Moses Joshua Job Psalms all the Prophets and upon the whole new Testament came forth into the world fuller of pithy sententious matter then of Paper These things considered what breathing time could he find for idleness or loose thoughts In his last grievous sickness procured by his intollerable labours he could scarce be compelled by his friends to pretermit his daily task of preaching and reading his Divinity Lectures and at home when he could not goe abroad he rather wearied others with continuall dictating to them then himself Nothing was more frequent in his mouth then this Of all things an idle life is most irkesome to me and when his friends used all their endeavours to perswade him to favour and respect himself Why saith he will yee have God to finde me idle at his coming Yea such conscience did he make of mispending a minute that he was loath to detaine the Ministers that came to visit him from their publick exercises What wonder then is it that he scarce attained to the age of 56. Yea rather its a wonder that he lived so long Indeed he lived but 54. years ten months and seventeen dayes the half of which time he spent in the holy Ministry of the Gospel Many slanders were cast upon him As that he was Ambitious But how could that be whereas he preferred his abode in the Common-wealth and Church of Geneva before all other places which he called the Shop of poverty Others charge him that he studied to heap up riches whereas his last Testament shews that he was a very poor man for all his goods yea and his Library being sold very dear saith Master Beza scarcely amounted to three hundred crowns And Calvin himself in his life time hearing of this impudent slander answered If I cannot perswade men whilst I am alive that I am no great monied man yet my death will shew it And the Senat at Geneva can testifie that his stipend being very small he was so far from being not contented therewith that when they offered to enlarge his pensions he utterly refused the same and by the small estate which he left at his death it appears also that either his gifts were not great or else that he spent as God sent Some reproached him for his brother A. Calvin because he was divorced from his wife who was proved an adulteresse What would these men have said if he had kept an adulteresse in his house May they not as well reproach Jacob David yea and Christ himselfe for that one of his Disciples was a Divel as himselfe told them Some said that he was given to delights and luxury His many great books easily confute this slander Some gave out impudently that he ruled in Geneva both in Church and Common-wealth so that he sometimes face upon the Tribunall But for these things neither they which knew him nor ensuing ages who may collect his manners out of his writing will give any credit to them But it s far more easie to calumniate then to imitate him Omnia Calvini opera quae diversis chartarum formis edita si uno formae genere imprimerentur justae magnitudinis Tomos 20. in Folio efficerent Most of them are mentioned particularly in his life The Life of William Farellus who died A no Christi 1555. WIlliam Farellus was borne in the Delphinate of a Noble Family Anno Christi 1589. and sent to Paris to be brought up in learning and was one of the first that made a publick Profession of the Gospel in France But when persecution arose he fled into Helvetia the better to propagate the Gospel where he grew into familiarity with Zuinglius Occolampadius
c. Dialogi de confusione Mundi De communicatione fidelium Expositio Orationis Dominicae De natura varietate Vâ—torum atque Legum Divinarum Disputationes de statu defunctorum c. J. JVEL The Life of John Juel who dyed A no Christi 1571. JOhn Juel was born at Buden in Devonshire Anno Christi 1522. His Father was a Gentleman that carefully trained him up in piety and learning His singular promptnesse of wit and industry accompanied with ingenuity and modesty procured him much love from his Master At thirteen years old he was sent to Oxford and admitted into Merton Colledge under the tuition of Master â—arkhurst who was as carefull to season him with pure Religion as with other learning afterwards he removed to Corpus Christi Colledg where his proficiency in learning was so remarkable that he took his degree of Bachelor with much applause and shortly after was chosen before many his Seniors to read the Humanity Lecture which he performed with such accuratenesse diligence and excellency that many came from other Câ—lledges to hear him and amongst others Master Parkhurst his former Tutor who the Lecture being ended saluted him thus Olim Discipulus mihi chare Juelle fuisti Nunc ero Discipulus terenuente tuus Dear Juel thou a Scholar wast of mine Hereafter though unwilling I le be thine He was very studious and his onely recreations from hiâ— studies was reading to his Scholars disputing with others and ruminating what he had before read His life was such that the Dean of the Colledge though a Papist thus said I should love thee Juel if thou wert not a Zuinglian In thy Faith I hold thee an Heretick but surely in thy life thou art an Angelâ— thou art very good and honest but a Lutherâ—n In the end of King Henry the eighth's reigne he commenced Master of Arts but he flourished much more under Edward the sixth at which time Peter Martyr being the Divinity Professor in Oxford Juel observed his Art copied ouâ— his Sermons and Lectures and became most intimate with him He preached at Sunningwell and was famous for his Latine Sermons ad Clerum He ever loved Eloquence bâ—t not effeminatam sed virilem Prudentibus viris non placeâ—â— phalerata sed fortia But about the beginning of Queeâ— Maries reign the popish party of that Colledge prevailing they expelled him the house for his Religion After which he â—arried a while at Broadgates-Hall where the same of his learning drew many Scholars to him and the University chose him for her Orator There he stayed so long till the Inquisition caught him urging upon him subscription under pain of Proscription and horrible tortures Now was he brought into such straights that consulting with flesh and blood hee set his name to the paper whereby he approved some articles of Popery This much obscured the glory of his after sufferings and nothing promoted his safety for snares being laid for him he had certainly been caught had he not by Gods speciall providence gone that very night that he was sought for accidentally a wrong way to London and to by going out of the way he found the safest way But afterwards he repented of this publick Subscription by publick confession and contrition As he travelled on foot in a snowie winters night toward London he was found in the way by Master Latimers servant starved with cold and faint with wearinesse lying on the ground panting and labouring for life or for death rather by whose means he was preserved Yet when he came to London he found no safety looking every hour to be delivered up to that cruel butcher Bonner and to be slaughtered at his shambles whereupon he fled from his Native-Soyl and wandring beyond Sea was disappointed of all his friends and means to procure him so much as a nights lodging yet through Gods mercy he came safe to Franckefurt where presently after he made an excellent Sermon and in the end of it openly confessed his fall in these words It was my abject and cowardly minde and faint heart that made my weak hand commit this wickednesse which confession was mixed with hearty sighs and tears and concluded with earnest supplication First to Almighty God whom he had offended and then to his Church which he had scandalized and there was none in that Congregation but ever after imbraced him as a dear brother yea as an Angel of God From thence he was often invited by kinde Letters from Peter Martyr to Strasborough whether at last he went and where he found many Divines Knights and Gentlemen who were fled from England having left their estates honors kindred and dearest friends for the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When he came to Strasborough Martyr invited him to his Common-Table and used his help in compiling of his Commentary upon Judges and afterwards when Martyr was sent for by the Senate of Zurick to succeed Pellican in the Hebrew Lecture and exposition of Scripture he took Juel with him being accompanied also with many other English Exiles who for a while were maintained by the charity of some Londoners till Steven Gardiner having notice of it by imprisoning and impoverishing their benefactors stopped the current of their bounty Yet in this extremity the Lord raised up Christopher Prince of Wirtemberg bountifully to relieve them The Senators of Zurick also at the request of Bullinger opened the treasury of their liberality to them Also Calvin Zuinglius Melancthon Pellican Lavater Gesner and all the greatest ornaments of Religion and learning in all reformed Churches were very kinde to the English Exiles Juel spent most of the time of his banishment in Peter Martyrs house bettering him and being bettered by him He took much paines also in composing the differences and contentions amongst his brethren arising from the difference of opinion concerning ceremonies and Church-discipline and those which groaned most under the burthen of affliction he perswaded them to patience in bearing their part of Christs Crosse shutting up all with that sweet close often repeated by him Haec non durabunt aetatem Bear a while these miseries will not endure an Age Which words proved a Prophesie for it pleased God in mercy to his Church shortly after to cut off that bloody Queen Mary who lived not out half her daies and to set up Queen Elizabeth to be a Nursing Mother to his Church In the beginning of whose Reign those Exiles returned home and Juel amongst the rest Presently after his return he with some others were appointed to dispute at Westminster with some of the Popish party but the Papists declining the Disputation it came to nothing Shortly after the Queen imployed him into the West to visit the Churches to root out Superstition and to plant true Religion where he took much pains in breaking the Bread
of Life where he first drew the Breath of Life After this he was made Bishop of Salisbury though with much reluctancy looking upon it as a great burthen In that office he took much paines both by Preaching and Governing and was very careful in providing faithfull Pastors and in reforming abuses Anno Christi 1560 he was called to preach at Pauls Cross where he took that Text 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you c. In which Sermon he confirmed largely the Protestants Doctrine concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper by Scriptures and Fathers adding this solemn Protestation That if any Learned man of all our adversaries or if all the Learned men that be alive are able to shew any one sufficient sentence out of any old Catholick Doctor or Father or out of any old Generall Council or out of the holy Scriptures of God or any one example of the Primitive Church whereby it may be clearly and plainly proved That there was any private Masses in the world at that time for the space of six hundred years after Christ or that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was ever administred to the people under one kind or that the people then had their Common Prayers in a strange tongue that they understood not or that the Bishop of Rome was then called a Universall Bishop or the Head of the Universall Church or that the people were taught to beleeve that Christs Body is really substantially corporeally carnally or naturally in the Sacrament or that his Body is or may be in above a thousand places at one time or that the Priest did then hold up the Sacrament over his head or that the people did then fall down and worship it with divine honour or that then the Sacrament was hanged up under a Canopy or that in the Sacrament after the words of consecration there remained onely the accidents or shews without the substance of Bread and Wine or that the Priest then divided the Sacrament in three parts and after received all alone himself or that whosoever had then said that the Sacrament is a figure pledge token or remembrance of Christs body had therefore been judged for an Heretick or that it was then lawfull to have thirty twenty fifteen or five Masses said in one Church in one day or that Images were then set up in Churches that the people might worship them or that the Lay-people were then forbidden to read the Word of God in their own language If any man alive can prove any one of these Articles by any one clear or plain clause or sentence of Scripture ancient Fathers or any one Generall Councill or any example of the Primitive Church I here promise that I will give over my opinion and subscribe to him Yea I further promise that if any of all our Adversaries be able clearly and plainly to prove in manner aforesaid that it was then lawfull for a Priest to pronounce the words of consecration closely and in silence to himself or that the Priest had then authority to offer up Christ unto his Father or to receive the Sacrament for another as they now do or apply the virtue of Christs death and passion to any man by means of the Mass or that then it was thought a sound doctrine to teach the people that the Mass ex opere operato is able to remove our sinnes or that any Christian man called the Sacrament his Lord and God or that the people were then taught to beleeve that the Body of Christ remaineth in the Sacranent so long as that bread remaineth without corruption or that a Mouse Worm or other creature may eat the Body of Christ or that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion As I said before so say I new again if any of them can clearly prove any of these things in the manner aforesaid I promise to yeeld and subscribe unto him Indeed they have long boasted of Antiquity c. but when they are put to their proofs they can produce nothing I speake not this out of arrogancy thou Lord knowest it that knowest all things but because it is in the cause of God and for asserting his Truth I should doe God great injury if I should conceal it He was very bountifull in relieving the poor and wise in composing litigious strifes Besides his publick employments he read much and wrote much scarce any yeare in all the time of his Bishoprick passed wherein he published not some famous work or other Diu vixit licet non diâ— fuit He lived long in that short scantling of his life At Meales a Chapter being first read he recreated himself with Scholastical combats between young Scholars whom he maintained at his table the conquerors were bountifully rewarded After Meals his doors and eares were open to all suits and causes and then he retired to his study At nine a clock at night he called all his servants to an account how they had spent that day and after prayer admonished them accordingly Then he returned to his study where often he sate till after midnight When he was layd in bed one that waited upon him read some part of an Author to him which done commending himself to the protection of his Saviour he took his rest His memory was raised by art to the highest pitch of humane possibility for he could readily repeat any thing that he had penned after once reading it And therefore usually at the ringing of the bell he beganne to commit his Sermons to heart and kept what he learned so firmely that he used to say That if he were to make a speech premeditated before a thousand Auditors shouting of fighting all the while yet could he say all that he had provided to speak Many barbarous and hard names out of a Callender and forty strange words VVelsh Irish c. after once or twice reading at the most and short meditation he could repeat both forwards and backwards without hesitation And Sir Francis Bacon reading onely to him the last clauses of tenne lines in Erasmus his Paraphrase in a confused and dismembred manner he sitting silent a while on a sudden rehearsed all those broken parcels of sentences the right way and the contrary without stumbling Long before his sickness he fore-told the approaching and in his sicknesse the precise day of his death And hee was so farre from declining it that by fasting labour and watching he seemed rather to accelerate it that he might be the readier to entertain death and meet his Saviour Being very weak as he was going to preach at Lacock in Wiltshâ—re a Gentleman meeting him friendly admonished him to returne home for his healths sake telling him that it was better the people should want one Sermon then be altogether deprived of such a Preacher To whom he replyed That it best became a Bishop to die preaching in a
to Queen Elizabeth for aid and till it came to retire themselves towards the Highlands for their safety In the mean time the Queen Regent with her French men went from place to place plundering spoyling and making havock of all without resistance which so puffed her up with pride that she boastingly said Where is now John Knox his God My God is now stronger then his yea even in Fife But her brags lasted not long For the Earle of Arrane and the Lord James went to Desert having not above five hundred Horse and a hundred Foot whereas the French were above four thousand besides such Scots as adhered to them and yet the Protestants skirmished daily with them sometimes from morning till night and ever went away with the better killing four for one which continued for one and twenty dayes together during all which time they never put off either clothes or boots And at the end of that time came into Edenborough Frith a Fleet of the English to assist the Protestants which filled their hearts with joy and the French with rage and madnesse Thither came also some Forces by land under the command of the Lord Grey And after an agreement made with the Scottish Lords some of the English and Scots attempted to take Leith by storm and in a cruell conflict some of them gat upon the walls but the scaling-ladders proving too short they were not seconded by their fellows and so after divers hours sight were forced to retire which the Queen Regent beholding from Edenborough Castle walls burst out into a great laughter saying Now wil I go to Masse and praise God for that which mine eyes have seen And when the French had stripped the slaine and layd their naked bodyes along their walls the Queen looking on them said Yonder are the fairest Tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld I would that the whole fields which are betwixt Leith and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe But this joy lasted not long for a fire kindling in Leith many houses and much of their provision was consumed thereby and the Queen Regent falling sick shortly after died whereupon the King of France sent Ambassadors to Queen Eliz. to conclude a peace which was effected and the English and French Armies were drawn out of Scotland to the great joy of that Nation insomuch that Thanksgivings for their great deliverance by the help of the English were inserted into their Liturgie And presently after some Commissioners of the Scottish Nobility were appointed to settle Ministers in their places by whom Master Knox was setled at Edenborough where he preached many excellent Sermons Anno Christi 1566 the Earl of Murray being slaine on the Saturday Knox preaching at Edenborough the next day amongst the papers given in of those that desired the prayers of the Church he found one with these words Take up the man whom ye accounted another God At the end of his Sermon he bemoaned the losse which the Church and State had by the death of that virtuous man adding further There is one in this companie that makes this horrible murther the subject of his mirth for which all good men should be sorry but I tell him hee shall dye where there shall be none to lament him The man that had written those words was one Thomas Metellan a young Gentleman of excellent parts but bearing small affection to the Earle of Murray He hearing this commination of John Knox went home to his Sister and said That John Knox was raving to speak of he knew not whom His Sister replyed with tears If you had taken my advice you had not written those words saying further That none of John Knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect and so indeed this came to passe for shortly after this Gentleman going to travel died in Italy having none to assist much lesse to lament him Towards Master Knox his latter end his body became very infirm and his voice so weak that people could not hear him in the ordinary place wherefore he chose another place wherein he preached upon the history of Christs Passion with which he said It was his desire to close his Ministry Finding his end near he importuned the Council of the City to provide themselves a worthy man to succeed in his place Master Iames Lawson Professor in Aberdene was the man pitched upon and Commissioners were sent from the Church of Edenborough to request him to accept of the place Iohn Knox also subscribed that request adding Accelera mifrater alioqui sero venies Hast my brother otherwise you will come too late This made Master Lawson to hasten his journey and when he was come he preached twice to the good liking of the people whereupon order was taken by the Rulers of the Church for his admission at which time Iohn Knox would needs preach though very weâ—k which also he performed with such servency of spirit that he was never before heard to preach with such great power or more content to the hearers In the end of his Sermon he called God to witnesse That he had walked in a good conscience with them not seeking to please men nor serving either his own or other mens affections but in all sincerity and truth had preached the Gospel of Christ. He exhorted them in most grave and pithy words to stand fast in the faith they had received and so having prayed zealously for Gods blessing upon them and the multiplying of Gods spirit upon their new Pastor hee gave them his last farewell Being conveyed to his lodging that afternoone he was forced to betake himself to his bed and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sickness to whom he spake most comfortably Amongst others the Earl of Morton came to see him to whom hee said My Lord God hath given you many blessings Wisdom Honour Nobility Riches many good and great Friends and he is now about to prefer you to the government of of the Realm the Earl of Marr the late Regent being newly dead In his name I charge you use these blessings better then formerly you have done seeking first the glory of God the furtherance of his Gospel the maintenance of his Church and Ministry and then be carefull of the King to procure his good and the welfare of the Realm If you doe thus God will be with you and honour you If otherwise he will deprive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignominy These speeches the Earl called to mind about nine years after at the time of his execution saying That he had found John Knox to be a Prophet A day or two before Knox ' s death he sent for Master David Lindsey Mr. Lawson and the Elders and Deacons of the Church to whom he said The time is approaching which I have long thirsted for
six anniversarie Sermons in several places of Norfolk To Bennet Colledge he gave thirty Scholarships built them a Library and bestowed many excellent bookes and ancient Manuscripts upon it besides 300 ounces of silver and gilt-plate and the perpetual Patronage of St. Mary-Abchurch London Hee carefully collected and caused to be printed divers ancient Histories of England which probably had otherwise been lost He died in peace Anno Christi 1574 and of his Age 72. H. BVLLINGER The Life of Henry Bullinger who dyed Aâ—â— Christi 1575. HEnry Bullinger was born at Bremogart in Hâ—lvetia Anno Christi 1504 of an ancient and honourable family which had flourished in that town for about two hundred years Twice in his childhood he escaped death very narrowly First being sick of the Plague his funerall was prepared yet it pleased God that beyond expectation he recovered Secondly playing on a Pipe as hee was running hee fell down and struck the Pipe so far into his throat that hee was taken up for dead and for five daies could eat nothing yet the Lord againe restored him His Father being learned himself was a great lover of it and therefore very careful to breed up this his son in learning So that at five years old he â—et him to School in that place where he was born and this young boy quickly discovered an excellent wit but his Master being himself but a weak scholar he made not such a progresse in Learning as otherwise hee might have done Hereupon Anno Christi 1516 when he was twelve years old his Father sent him to Embric where under severall Schoolmasters he was instructed in Grammar and other Elements of Learning was kept under a strict government for his 〈◊〉 and was trained up in the knowledge and feare of God Thiâ— strict discipline was not grievous to Bullinger for having been formerly brought up by his Parents religiously and being endued with a virtuous disposition he did those things willingly which others were forced to by stripes Yea he was then of such an austere carâ—iage that of himself he beganne to entertaine thoughts of entering into a Monastery of the Carthusians which of all others was accounted the strictest Sect yet would he doe nothing rashly therein till he had first cousulted with his parents and procured their consents Having thus continued three years at Embric he went to Collen Anno Christi 1519 being but slenderly provided for by his Father so that according to the custome of those times he procured victuals by singing and begging from door to door not that his father wanted wherewith to supply his necessities or that he withheld it from him out of a covetous mind but he did it that he might enure his Son to patience and hardship and that he might make him more meercifull â—o those that were in want all his life after Aâ— Callen he studied Logick and â—ommenâ—ed Batchelor of Arts at sixteen years old Afterwards betaking himself to the study of Divinity there being at this time many Theological controversies he had recourse to his Tutors for direction what to study and Peter Lombard being at this time most in request they advised him to the study thereof but meeting with many quotations out of the ancient Fathers he thought fit to read the Authors themselves And the Monastery of the Frier Predicants having a good Library belonging to it he by some friends gat leave to make use of it where lighting upon Chrysostomes Homilies upon Matthew he read them over together with divers parts of Augustine Origen and Ambrose and in the meane time read privately at home Luther De captivitate Babylonica and De bonis operibus Yet could he not for the present deliver himself from the errors of the times though hee saw that Luther came nearer to the opinions of the Antients then Lombard did Hee observed also that whereas the Schoolmen quoted the Fathers the Fathers they quoted the Scriptures Hereupon he betook himself to the reading of the Scriptures especially of the New Testament with St. Hierom and some other Commentaries upon it By which at the last through Gods mercy he beganne to abhorre the Popish Errors laying aside his former thoughts of turning Carthusian diligently applyed himself to read over Melancthons Common-places wherewith hee was wonderfully delighted Anno Christi 1522 hee Commenced Master of Arts and so returning home lived a year in his fathers house wholly imploying himself in his studies and private exercises The year after he was called by Wolfgang Joner Abbat of Capella near Zurick to teach a Schoole where hee was to instruct some Friers and other young men both in Divine and Humane Learning There he read to them in Dutch by reason of many that resorted to his Lectures some peeces of Erasmus Melancthons Common-places and a great part of the New Testament and some other Authors and so hee spent six years partly in his private studies and partly in instructing others Anno Christi 1527 hee was sent by his Abbat to Zurick where for five moneths space he heard Zuinglius preaching and reading his Lectures in the Schools and by the help of Pellican he began to study Hebrew and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek There also he gained acquaintance with sundry Learned men and wrote many things some whereof were afterwards printed He also by his preaching at the Monastery of Capella so far prevailed with the Abbat and Friers that the Masse and other Superstitions were cast out and the Lords Supper truly administred and such Friers as were unfit for the Ministry betooke themselves to other trades Anno Christi 1528 He went with Zuinglius to the Disputation at Bern. Anno Christi 1529 he was called to his native place of Bremogart where God so prospered his Ministry that presently after his comming the Magistrates banished Popery and set out a severe Decree against Adultery and Drunkennesse and being chosen Pastor of that place he preached every Sabbath in the afternoon and the three daies following in the morning Besides every day at the time of Evening prayers hee expounded a part of the New Testament But the Divell raised up some Anabaptists which disturbed the peace of that Church With these Bullinger disputed publickly and thereby in a great measure restrained them He wrote also in the defence of Tythes which as those Anabaptists said should be abolished under the New Testament And when afterwards the number of Anabaptists did exceedingly increase in Germany he set forth 6 books against â—hem wherein he shewed the originall progress the various Sects and the chiefe opinions of the Anabaptists which also hee confuted Anno Christi 1529 there arose great commotions in Helvetia and the Bernates sent some souldiers to Bremogart and for the composing of the differences there was a meeting of the chiefest persons at Bremogart where Bullinger preached at
whose Sermons not only the Protestants but many of the Papists were present to hear what and how he taught And indeed both sides commended his study of Peace For he exhorted them to compose their differences not by arms nor mutuall slaughters but by the Disputations of their Divines But God would not suffer his wholsome counsell to take effect at that time For they came to a battell wherein the Popish party prevailed and thereupon Bullinger together with his Father Brother and Colleague Gervase were commanded to depart except they would undergoe the present hazard of their lives Whereupon beginning their journey in the night through Gods providence they escaped the snares which were layd for them by their adversaries and came safely to Zurick Anno Chrâ—â— 1531 and three daies after at the request of Leo Judae with his Colleagues Bullinger preached in the chiefe Church and was entertained by one Werner Steiner his ancient friend that was fled to Zurick for Religion Anno Christi 1532. The Church of Basill wanting a Pastor by the death of Oecolampadius desired Bullinger and at the same time also the Bernates sent for him thither But the Senate of Zurick would by no means part with him choosing him Pastor in the room of Zuinglius who was slaine in the late battell and who had desired before he went into the field with the Army that if any thing befell him otherwise then well Bullinger might succeed him in his office He being thus called to this work in a dangerous time did his endeavour to comfort and rais up the hearts of Gods people under those great afflictions And whereas the Popish adversaries boasted that their Religion was false because they of Zurick were beaten and Zuinglius slain He wrote That the Truth of Religion was not to be judged by the prosperity or adversitie of the Professors of it He took care also to have Synods twice a year to maintain concord and unity in Doctrine and Discipline as Zuinglius had begun before him And finding a great defect of Godly Ministers in the jurisdiction of the Tigurins he tooke care that so many should bee trained up in Religion and Learning as might supply that defect and where there was a want of maintainance he prevailed with the Senate of Zurick to make up a competency out of the Publick Treasury He caused the Publick Library of that City to be set in order by Pellican and by buying Zuinglius his books to be encreased And having gotten Bibliander for his Colleague he wholly applyed himself to his publick Ministry and to writing Commentaries at home Anno Christi 1532 Bucer endeavoured a union between Luther and his followers and the Divines of Zurick perswading them that their differences consisted rather in words then in reality At which time the Tigurins shewed themselves to bee desirous of peace so that it was joyned wiâ—h truth About this time Bullingers Father died being 64 years old who at his death exhorted his sonne to Constancy in Doctrine and Faith which saith he is the onely way to salvation Anno Christi 1534 Bullinger wrote a Confession of Faith in the name of the Tigurian Churches which was sent to Bucer and to the Synod of the Churches of Suevia then met at Constance and was approved by them About the same time he wrote a Tractate of the Covenant of God against some that denied all testimonies out of the Old Testament As also another wherein he asserted the twofold Nature in Christ against Claudius Allobrog Servetus his Emissary of whose poyson the Helvetian Churches were at that time in some danger And when there was a meeting at Basil for to unite Luther and the Helvetian Churches in their difference about the manner of Christs Presence in the Sacrament Bullinger was there and took much pains for the promoting of it The Magistrates also of Zurick by the perswasion of Bullinger erected a new Colledge Anno Christi 1538 which hee had a great care of all his life after Also by his perswasion the Senate of Zurick erected another School in a place where formerly there had been a Nunnery in which fifteen youths were trained up under a good Master having food raiment books and all other necessaries plentifully provided for them and Bullinger took great care to see their proficiency all his life after About this time Schwenfield a Noble man of Silesia taught That Christ's Humane nature being received into Heaven was so farre Deified that it remained a creature no longer and this error beginning to spread into Swevia Bullinger joining with some others confuted it with much modesty Anno Christi 1541 the Plague brake forth in Zurick of which Bullingers Son and Mother died Anno Christi 1542 Leo Judae's Version of the Bible being finished and printed the Printer sent one of them to Luther fair bound up but Luther wrote back to him that hee should send him no more of the Tigurine Ministers bookes for hee would have nothing to doe with them nor read any of their bookes For said he The Church of God can hold no communion with them and whereas they have taken much pains all is in vain for themselves are damned and they lead many miserable men to hell with them Adding that he would have no communion with their damnable and blasphemous Doctrine and that so long as he lived hee would with his prayers and books oppose them Anno Christi 1544 Luther set forth his Annotations on Genesis in which he inveighed bitterly against the Sacramentarians as he called them saying That Zuinglius Oecolampadius and their disciples were Hereticks and eternally damned Melancthon would fain have hindered it but could not whereupon he wrote to Bullinger telling him how much hee was grieved at this violent proceeding of Luther which he knew was so pleasing to their common adversaries the Papists When this book of Luthers came forth there was much dispute whether it should be answered Bucer was against it because Luther was grown old and had deserved well of the Church but others thought that it would bee a betraying of the Truth not to answer it Wherefore Bullinger was appointed to that work which he accordingly performed with much judgement Anno Christi 1546 Luther dyed and the German Warre beganne betwixt the Emperour and the Protestants at which time many accused the Tigurines by reason of Bullingers book as if they had insulted over Luther after his death and gloryed that he dyed of grief because he could not answer that book Hereupon Philip Lantgrave of Hesse acquainted Bullinger with these reports which when Bullinger had read advising with his Colleagues he returned this answer First giving him thanks for his zeale in endeavouring the peace of the Church and for acquainting him with these rumours Then he told him how much he was grieved for that some turbulent spirits sought by such reports
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
constant Preacher of the Truth but a strong Defender of it against errors confuting the Ubiquitarians and that so boldly that he chose rather to hazard banishment then to connive at errors His fame spread abroad exceedingly so that many sought for him especially John of Nassau and John Cassimire the Elector Palatine The first desired him to come and begin his University at Herborn where he should have had greater honour and a larger stipend The other desired him to Heidleberg to bee the Divinity Professor in that place His answer was that he was born rather for labours then honours and therefore chose to goe to Heidleberg being thirty three years old Anno Christi 1584 and was intertained lovingly by the Prince who made him Governour of the Colledge of Sapience and Professor of Divinity His coming was most grateful to the University where he took exceeding great pains and was eminent for piety humility gravity prudence patience and industry so that Anno Christi 1588 he was chosen into the number of the Ecclesiasticall Senators for the government of the Church He had great skill in the Tongues Greater in the Liberal Arts and Philosophy but greatest in the knowledge of Divinity and Ecclesiasticall History He was famous for eloquence faithfulness and diligence in his place and holiness and integrity in his life Anno Christi 1589 he fell sick for which and his change he had been carefully fitting himself beforehand and therefore bore it with much patience and with fervent prayer often repeated O Christ thou art my redeemer and I know that thou hast redeemed me I wholly depend upon thy providence and mercie from the very bottome of my heart I commend my spirit into thy hands and so he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1589 and of his age 38. Hee published not many books but those which hee did were very polite and choice ones Ut sunt de verbo Dei ejus tractatione lib. 2. After his death his works were published in three Tomes Calvin preached his Funeral Sermon The Life of Laurence Humfreid who died A no Christi 1589. LAurence Humfreid was born in the County of Buckingham and Brought up first at School and then sent to Oxford where he was admitted into the Colledge of Mary Magdalen and followed his studies hard all the daies of King Edward the sixth But in the beginning of those bloody Marian dayes wherein so many were forced to forsake their native soyl he amongst the rest went beyond Sea into Germany where he continued till the beginning of Queen Elizabeths Reign whom God raised up to be a Nursing Mother to his Church At which time he came back and returned to Oxford where he was very famous both for his Learning and Preaching Then also he commenced Doctor in Divinity and by reason of his excellent parts was very instrumentall in the advancement of Gods glory And whereas that wicked Sect of the Jesuits was lately risen up he by his learned writings did both from Scripture and Antiquity discover their impostures and Popish deceits Afterwards he was made the Master of Magdalen Colledge and the Regius Professor which places hee discharged with singular commendations for many yeares together and at last quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of God Anno Christi 1589. The Life of James Andreas who died A no Christi 1590. JAmes Andreas was born in Waibling in the Dukedome of Wittemberg Anno 1528. And when his Father had kept him three years at School being unable to maintaine him any longer he intended to have placed him with a Carpenter but being disswaded by Sebastian Mader the Consul he sent him to Stutgard to Erhard Snepfius who was Superintendent of the Wirtembergian Churches intreating him to grant him an exhibition out of the Churches stock for the breeding of him at School Snepfius examining the boy who was now ten years old found him of an excellent wit but withall perceived that hee had been neglected at School whereupon he agreed to allow him part of his maintenance and his Father to make up the rest and so placed him in the School at Stutgard under a choice Schoolmaster with whom in two years space he learned the Latine and Greek Grammar and Rhetorick and so An. Chr. 1541 he went to Tubing where he so profited that at the end of two years he was made Batchelor of Arts and two years after that Mr. of Arts. There also he studied Hebrew Divinity And An. Ch. 1546 and of his age 18 he was made Deacon and for trial preached in the chief Church of Stutgard in a great Auditory and did so well perform that work that his fame spread abroad and at last came to the ears of Ulrick Duke of Wirtemberg who sent for him to Preach before him in his Castle which hee did with much applause so that after Sermon the Duke said Whence soever this chicken came I know that he was hatched and bred up under Snepfius The same year at Tubing he married a Wife by whom hee had eighteen children nine sonne and nine daughters About that time brake forth that fatall Warre betwixt Charles the fifth and the Protestant Princes wherein the Emperour being conquerour hee seised upon the Dukedome of Wirtemberg by reason whereof the Church was in a sad condition yet Andreas with his Wife remained in Stutgard and by Gods speciall providence was preserved in the midst of Spanish Souldiers and yet preached constantly and faithfully all the while And so hee continued till Anno Christi 1548 at which time that accursed Interim came forth which brought so much mischief to the Church of God Andreas amongst other godly Ministers that opposed it was driven from his place Yet it pleased God that the year after he was chosen again to be Deacon at Tubing where by Catechising he did very much good Anno Christi 1550 Ulrick dying his son Christopher succeeded him in the government of Wirtemberg and affected Andreas exceedingly and would needs have him Commense Doctor which degree having performed all his exercises he took the twenty fifth year of his age and was chosen Pastor of the Church of Gompping and was made Superintendant of those parts About the same time he was sent for by Lodwick Count of Oeting to assist him in the reforming of the Churches within his jurisdiction when he took his leave of his own Prince Christopher he charged him and gave it him in writing That if Count Lodwick set upon that Reformation that under pretence of Religion he might robbe the Church and seise upon the Revenues of the Monasteries and turn them to his private use that he should presently leave him and come back again He assisted also in the reformation of the Churches in Helfenstein Anno Christi 1556. About that time hearing of a Jew that
Gods mercy the Pastors escaped To make the prisoners more odious the Friars in all their Sermons gave out that the Protestants met together for no other end but to feast and junket after which putting out the candles they fell to all promiscuous uncleannesses and the Cardinall of Lorrain buzed such things into the Kingâ— head and though the Judges upon enquiry found all these things false yet the Church thought fit by an Epistle to the King and a book to the people to vindicate and clear themselves which work was committed to Sadeel who performed it so excellently that some good effects followed thereupon The year after Sadeel was delivered from a great danger for at midnight many apparitors brake into his house sâ—arching every corner and at last brake into his chamber â—eized on his books and his papers crying out they were Hâ—retical and so laid hold upon him and carried him to prison 〈◊〉 it pleased God that Anthony of Burbon King of Navar who knew him and had often heard him hearing of his â—mprisonment sent to the Officers to release him as being one of his train and when they refused to do it he went himself to the prison complaining of the wrong that was done him by imprisoning one that belonged to him being neither a murtherer nor thief and withall bâ—â—e Sadeel follow 〈◊〉 and so took him away with him Wherupon the day after he publickly before the King gave thanks to God for his deliverance expounding the 124 Psalm Then it being judged the safest for him to absent himself for a while hee went to visit the Churches in other parts of the Kingdome and at Orleance he continued some moneths Preaching to many Citizens and students in the night time to their great advantage A while after he returned to Paris and the number of Churches increasing in France there was a Synod held at Paris of Ministers and Elders the first that ever was there who assembled to draw up a Confession of their Faith unto which Sadeel prefixed an Epistle and which afterwards was presented to the King by the Admiral Colâ—gnie But the King shortly after dying the Queen Mother and the Guises drew all the Government of the Kingdome into their hands and raised a great persecution against the Church drawing many of all ranks to prisons and punishments yet Sadeel intermitted not his office but was wholly imployed in preaching to his flock comforting the dejected confirming the weak c. till the danger encreasing it was thought fit that the care of the Church should be committed to one Macardus a man lesse known and that Sadeel should retire himself And so hee went into severall parts of the Kingdom and thereby much propagated the true Faith The yeare after the persecution not being so violent at Paris Sadeel could not refrain from going to his Flock which he loved so dearly Anno Christi 1561 he fell sick of a Quartan Ague and by the advice of his Physitians and friends he was perswaded to goe into his own Country yet neither there did he live idle but preached up and down to the spirituall advantage of many From thence he was called to be the moderator in a Synod at Orleance where the opinion was discussed and confuted of some that held That the Government of the Church should not be in the Eldership but in the body of the Congregation and Sadeel took so much paines in this point that the first Author of that Schism was confuted and converted and publickly in writing confessed and recanted his error Being returned to Paris the persecution began to grow so hot there again that he was perswaded to retire himself from the same after which he never could return to his flock that so loved and was beloved of him After his departure he was present at and moderated in many Synods of the French Churches but withall hee was so hated of the wicked that at last hee was driven from thence to Lausanna where hee preached for a time and from thence he went to Geneva where for divers years he was a Pastor But the Church in France having some peace he returned thither again and at Lions and Burgundy edified the Churches exceedingly Afterwards he was sent for by Henry the fourth King of Navarr to whom he went very unwillingly not liking a Court life yet by the advice of his friends he went to him for three years space in all his troubles was with him comforting and encouraging him very much and at the battle of Courtrass a little before it began he stood in the head of the Army and prayed earnestly for successe which much encouraged all the Souldiers and when they had gotten the Victory he also gave publick and solemn thanks unto God for the same But by reason of sickness and weakness being unable to follow that kind of life any longer he was with much unwillingness dismissed by the King went through his enemies countries in much danger till hee came to his wife and children at Geneva Shortly after hee was sent by order from the King of Navar into Germany Upon an Ambassie to the Protestant Princes where not onely the Universities but the Princes also received him in a very honourable manner especially Prince Cassimire and the Lantgrave of Hesse Anno Christi 1589 he returned to Geneva where in the middest of many troubles he continued in the worke of his Ministry to the end of his life And when the City was besieged by the Spaniards and others he oft went out with the Citizens to the fights so encouraging them that through Gods mercy a few of them put thousands of the enemies to flight many times At last hee fell sick of a Plurisie and though the Physitians apprehended no danger yet hee foretold that it would be mortal and retiring himself from the world he wholly conversed with God Praiers were made daily for him in the congregations and Beza and the other Ministers visited him often with prayers and tears begging his recovery He enjoyed much inward peace and comfort in his sickness and at last slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1591 and of his age 57. His losse was much bewailed by the whole City his Preaching was not too curious and yet not void of Art and Eloquence So that his Ministry was alwaies most gratefull to the people He was very holy and exemplary in his life and had most of the learned men of those times for his special friends He was tall and slender of his body had a pale face red haire sharp sight a countenance composed of gravity and courtesie He was very sickly so that except he had been very careful of himselfe he could not possibly have endured such labours and studyes as he was exercised in In his Sermons his profitable matter was adorned with eloquence his
Naschovia where he remained three years From thence he removed to Nykopin where also he remained three years And from thence to a School in Zealand where likewise hee continued three years At last hee came to Roschildia where hearing there was one Benedict a famous learned man and a good Grecian that read at Lunden he went thither and was under him three yeares And Benedict perceiving his excellent wit his diligence and modesty was very helpfull to him Then had Hemingius an ardent desire to goe to Wâ—ttenbâ—rg which was made famous by Philips Melancthons Lectures and having gotten some little money in his purse he travelled thitherward but by the way sâ—me theeves met him and stripped him of all that he had yet when he came to Wittenbâ—rg he found the people very charitable to him especially Melancthon There he remained five years and by his writing for and attending upon richer students and teaching some privately he maintained himself When he returned home he had an ample testimony from Melancthon for his excellent wit and learning A while after his return he was intertained by Olaus Nicholas to teach his daughters And from thence he was chosen to be Pastor at Hafnia and accordingly ordained to it which place he discharged with much diligence and faithfulnesse And when many young students resorted to him he read privately to them And by his extraordinary paines gat so much credit that shortly after he was chosen Hebrew Professor in that University In which place he read Hebrew and Logick to the great benefit of many And about the same time he printed that excellent book De Methodo which he dedicated to Christian the third King of Denmark who bountifully rewarded him for the same Anno Christi 1578 he was made Doctor in Divinity and performed the office of a Divinity Professor with admirable diligence and paines for six and twenty years together as appeares by those many excellent bookes published by him in that time Anno Christi 1579 when hee was grown old and exhausted with his daily labours Frederick the second King of Denmark gave him a liberall Pension upon which he lied contentedly and comfortably all the remainder of his daies Yet neither then was he idle but imployed his time in writing and publishing books Some years before his death he grew blind and was troubled with several diseases desiring nothing more then that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. A little before his death he expounded the 103 Psalm with so much fervor efficacy and power of the Holy Ghost that all that heard him wondred at it and shortly after resigned up his spirit unto God Anno 1600 and of his age 87. Scripta ejus sunt varia exegetica didactica polemica The Life of James Heerbrand who died A no Christi 1600. JAmes Heerbrand was born at Noricum Anno Christi 1521 of an ancient Family His Father was one of Luther's Disciples and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his son was carefull to bring him up in Religion and Learning At seven years old he set him to School and yet had a watchfull eye over him to carry on the work of piety requiring him to repeat every Sermon that hee heard At twelve years old hiâ— Father bought him a fair Bible which he diligently read over and used all his life after His Father also perceiving that naturally he was much inclined to Musick he would not sufâ—er him to learn it lest it should be an impediment to him in his other studies And so when he had been sufficiently grounded in Grammar-learning he was sent to Ulm where the Colloquies of Erasmus were publickly reaâ— but Pope Paul suspecting that that book might do much hâ—â—t amongst youth because it discovered many errors and vices of the Papists forbade the use of it yet this caused it more to be read especially by Heerbrand who gat much good by it At Ulm also he studied the Arts and Tongues and a seventeen years old his Father sent him to Wittenberg to hear Luther and Melancthon in the year 1538 which yearâ— was famous for divers things For then the Kingdome of Denmark embraced the Gospel The Emperour and King of France met together to treat of peace The Bible was printed in English at Paris The University of Strasborouâ—h was erected The Sect of the Antinomians was detected The Marquess of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustanâ— Confession And the Sea by the Kingdom of Naples was wholly dry for eight miles together out of which place â—ire and ashes brake forth so abundantly that many places were miserably destroyed thereby In the University of Wittenberg Heerbrand studied the Arts with great diligence and was so sparing of his time that he would not intermit one hour from his studies insomuch that other students called him Suevicam Nâ—ctuam the Swevian Night-crow He heard Luther and Melancthons Lectures with â—uch diligence as also Bugenhag reading upon Deuteronomie Cruciger sen. upon Saint John George Major reading private Lectures upon Genesis Besides which hee attended the publick Sermons of these famous men which he wrote repeated meditated on and laboured to rivet in his memory An. Christi 1540 he commenced Master of Arts. He preached also abroad in the villages on the Sabbath dayes And thus having spent five yeares in his studies he returned home with an ample testimony from Melancthon and the University When he came home the Pastors of the Church appointed him to Preach which he performed with great approbation and commendation of all His Parents rejoycing much at his proficiency would needs have him employ his Talent in his own country and at Stutgard Snepfius being Superintendent examined him and finding his abilities said Dominus te mihi obtulit the Lord hath offered thee unto me Being but twenty two years old he was made Deacon at Tubing In which employment he continued six yeares and followed his studies in that University He also privately read Mathematick Lectures to many and sometimes preached in the Castle of Tubing before Prince Ulrick who loved him very well and told his Courtiers that he would prove a great Divine The year 1546 was fatall by the death of Luther and the war of the Emperour began against the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgrave of Hesse Anno Christi 1547 Heerbrand married a wife Margaret the daughter of Conrade Stamler Consul of Tubing by whom he had eight sons and three daughters An. Christi 1548 came forth that accursed Interim at which time Heerbrand amongst other Ministers that rejected it was banished from Tubing And being out of employment hee studyed Hebrew till Prince Ulrick being dead his son Christopher who succeeded him called back the Ministers and Heerbrand amongst them to their former places Hee also made him Pastor of Herrenberg Anno Christi 1550 he commenced Doctor in Divinity and the
in the evening he was had into the King of Navars chamber where were present the Queen Mother the Prince of Conde the Cardinals of Bourbon and Lorrain with many of the Nobility Beza briefly declared the cause of his coming though it was not unknown unto them and the Queen chearfully answered that she much desired that the publick peace might be principally promoted And the Cardinal of Lorrain exhorted him to study the wayes of peace and concord For saith he in your absence you have been the author of many stirs and tumults therefore it beseems you by your presence to endeavour to compose them which is that which we all desire To this Beza replyed that he was too mean and obscure a person to raise commotions in so large and potent a Kingdom That he was alwaies an enemy to tumults and that his studies and endevours should alwaies be bent to promote the Glory of God and the happinesse of his King and Country Then did the Queen ask him if he had ever published any thing in French Nothing said he besides the Psalmes and a short writing opposed to the Confession of the Duke of Summerset Upon this occasion Lorrain said that he had read in a book published in Beza's name That Christ was in the same manner to be sought in his Supper as he was before he was born of the blessed Virgin And that Christ was so in his Supper as he is in the dung To this Beza answered That this latter speech was blasphemy and that he thought that no Christian had ever spoken or written any such thing As for the former speech saith he if it be taken in a good sence its true for the Church hath alwaies been congregated by one Mediator Christ God-man therefore the Communion of the faithfull with Christ is not to be confined to the time of his Incarnation for the force and efficacy thereof was alwaies present to the eye of Faith For Abraham saw his day and rejoyced The Fathers did eat of the same spirituall and drank of the same spirituall Rock viz. Christ and that he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world To which the Cardinal assented Then was there another question started about the sence of those words This is my body Whereunto Beza answered learnedly and briefly layâ—ng down the Reformed opinion and against Transubstantiation Whereunto the Cardinal answered that for his part he would not contend about Transubstantiation being of Beza's mind and withall told the Queen that Beza had given him great satisfaction in that point and that he hoped their conference would come to a good issue if things were handled peaceably and with right reason When the company was departed the Cardinall spake very lovingly to Beza saying Now that I have heard you speak I rejoice and invite you to the conference by the immortall God hoping that weighing the reasons on both sides some way may be found out for the setling of a firm peace Beza returned him hearty thanks intreating him to persevere in the study and endeavour of procuring publick concord Professing for his own part that according to the abilities God had given him he would promote it Septemb. the fourth they met together in the large Hall of the Monastery at Possy where were present the King the Queen Mother the Duke of Orleance the Kings brother Margaret the Kings Sister the King and Queen of Navar the Prince of Conde and the rest of the Nobility and States of France On the Popish party were the Cardinals Archbishops and Bishops to the number of fifty accompanyed with many Doctors of Sorbon and Canonists For the Reformed Churches were the Ministers before named After the King had in a few words opened the causes why he had called them together and Michael Hospitalius the great Chancellor of France had opened them more largly Beza in the name of all the Protestants made an excellent Oration which he pronounced with such a grace as drew the attention and caused admiration in all that were present In it he comprised the sum of the pure Religion which was professed in the Reformed Churches of France Only this is to be noted by the way that when Beza in his speech sayd That Christ was as far from the Sacrament as the highest heavens are from the earth the Popish Doctors made a great murmur which at last being over he went on to the end of his speech Then Turnovius â—ean of the Colledge being in a great passion against the Ministers whom he called new Professors made some objections and exhorted the King that hee would not suffer himself by any perswasions to be withdrawn from his old Religion and that he would suspend his assent til he had heard the answers which the Prelates would give to that which had been spoken for then he should be able to discern a difference between the truth and lies Then did Beza humbly present to the King a Confession of Faith in the name and with the consent of all the Reformed Churches which had been drawn up in the year 1555. But when the Ministers perceived that the minds of the Pontificians were exasperated they resolved that Beza should write his private Letters to the Queen wherein he should explaine things more fully then he was suffered to doe the day before which accordingly he did September the sixteenth the conference began again in the presence of the said great personages And the Cardinall of Lorrain made a tedious speech wherein he defended the Popish Religion perswading that nothing should be altered in the same And when he had done Beza humbly entreated the King that hee might have liberty to answer ex tempore For the Protestants feared that after this day they should be suffered to meet no more For there was a constant report that the Pontiâ—icians after that day would have no more to doe with the Protestants but would presently excommunicate them Besides there was some fear that the crafty Prelates would evade any further disputation by setting the French and Dutch Churches together by the ears about the matter of the Sacrament But he could obtain nothing that day the conference being adjorned to another and procrastinated by many delaies Yet at last upon an humble supplication to the King from the Protestants they obtained that the conference should goe on And accordingly September the twentie fourth it was again begun in the same Audience and Lorrain protested that this meeting was appointted that so the Protestants if they had a minde to it might freely answer to what had formerly been spoken by him Then did Beza discourse excellently and clearly about the Church and the Supper of the Lord which two heads were principally insisted on by Lorrain Then Espensaeus a Sorbonist being appointed by the Cardinall took up Beza begining about the Vocation of Ministers both ordinary and extraordinary and so proceeding to Traditions and the Lords
Supper Beza was about to answer him but another Sorbonist Sanctaesius rising up and repeating sowerly what Espensaeus had said interrupted him He insisted principally upon Traditions which he affirmed to be certainer then the holy Scriptures quoting something out of Tertullian But Beza shewed that this froward speech of the Sorbonist made little towards setling the peace of the Church and therefore intreated the Queen that such unreasonable clamours might hereafter be restrained After which hee answered Espensaeus about the calling of Ministers and Traditions Whereupon Sanctaesius beginning again his clamours would have thrust in divers other questions but Lorrain fearing that the Queen would be offended at it put an end to that question and propounded a new one about the Supper of the Lord which unlesse it were determined he protested for himself and his associates that he would not change another word with the Ministers and thereupon hee asked them if they were all ready to subscribe the Augustane Confession Beza replyed And are you all ready to joyn with us therein But the Cardinal instead of an answer produced a Writing of the Opinions of some German Divines which he said was lately sent to him importunately urging the Ministers that they also would set down their opinions This was craftily done of him that if the Ministers should refuse to doe it he might set them and the Germans at variance and if they should doe it he might insult over them as a conquerour Beza therefore to shun this Rock said that he and his Colleagues were come thither to defend the Confession of Faith published by their Churches and that they had nothing else in command and that the Disputation was to be continued about the points contained therein as the likeliest way to come to an happy issue And that the best Method was to beginne with such things as were most easie and that since the Sacraments dâ—pended upon the Doctrine that it was fittest to beginne with the Doctrine But when the Cardinall would by no meanes alter his former resolution the Ministers suspecting that if they wholly resisted him he would thence take occasion to dissolve the conference and to transfer the fault upon them they desired that the writing miâ—ht be produced and thaâ— they might have time to consider of it which being granted the meeting was dissolved for that day September the six and twentieth the conference began again and Beza again diâ—â—ouâ—sed of the Calling of the Pastors of the Church and then of the Lords Supper But Lorraâ—n being neâ—ed about some expressions which Beza used about the vitious calling of their Ecclesiasticks cried out that the Maâ—esty of the King was violated Then Beza replyed That he had said nothing which might be justly blamed for that Kings had therefore drawn the choice of Ecclesiasticks inâ—o their own power because it had been so long abused Lâ—râ—â—in passing by that subject asked the Ministers why they refused to subscribe the Augustane Confession To which it was answered That if the Pontificians also would admit it there were hopes that ere long they might agree But saith Beza if you refuse to assent to this Confession its unequall that wee should bee pressed every way to approve of it Then the speech of the Lords Supper being again renewed Espensaeus quoted a speech of Calvin That we receive the substance of Christs Body To which was answered That by substance we are not to understand the fleshly eating of Christ but it signifies the spirituall and true feeding upon him as opposed to the Imaginary and phantasticall upon which occasion Peter Martyr because he could not speak French produced many things in Italian Though Lorrain often interrupted him saying that he would not dispute with men of a strange Language Yet had Peter Martyr for this speech the testimony of Espensaeus That of all the Divines of that age none had handled that question about the Lords Supper so fully and clearly as he Whilst the Ministers were preparing to answer Espensaeus a certain Spaniard that was Generall of the Jesuits standing up for an hour together declamed in Italian calling the Ministers Dissemblers Apes Foxes c. saying that they were not to be heard there but to be commanded to the Council of Trent And so proceeding to the question about the Lords Supper He said that Christ was present as a Prince who having gotten a victory will have the memory of it to be continued by some Anniversary Playes which himself would be over And so by an unusall impudence he laboured to stir up the Queen against the Ministers till he provoked some to laughter others to indignation But Beza advised him to keep his reproaches to himself Told him that the Queen had no need of the counsell of a Fryar who would wisely govern affairs according to the custom of the Kingdom and that he spake of the Lords Supper as if it were a Stage-play wherein Christ should act the first part And so leaving him he turned to Espensaeus saying As it s said This is my body so it s sayd This is the cup of the New Testament which cannot be understood without a Figure For Sacraments should not be Sacraments if they should not resemble those things whereof they are Sacraments and Signs as St. Augustine teacheth But said Espensaeus if our Sacraments should be Signs they would not much differ from the Jewish Sacraments and they would be Signs of Signs which is absurd But Beza shewed that there was no absurdity when the Apostle compared Circumcision with Baptism c. Then said a Sorbonist In this Proposition This is my body what doth This signifie Beza answered It signifies both the Bread and Christs Body The Sorbonist replyed That it was against the Rules of Grammer that Hoc This should bee applyed to the Bread but that it was Individuum vagum Beza took away this answer and told him that his Individuum vagum was unknown to all learned Antiquity Then one of the Sorbon Doctors holding up his finger to Beza in a threatning manner said Oh if we could once catch thee within the walls of Sorbon thou shouldst not get out again Thus the day being spent the conference was dissolved And seeing nothing could be effected this way some thought of another which was that John Monluc Bishop of Valentia and Espensaeus who were counted middle and moderate men should transact these businesses privately with Beza and Galasius which being assented to they met September the seventeenth at Saint Germans in a private house being commanded by the Queen that if it were possible they should agree upon some form about the Lords Supper which might give content to both parts which after much debate they did and the form was this Confitemur Jesum Christum in Coenâ nobis offerre dare verè exhibere substantiam sui corporis sanguinis operante spiritu sancto Nosâ— recipere edere spiritualiter per fidem verum
illud corpus quod pro nobis mortuum est ut simus ossa de ossibus ejus caro de carne ejus ut eo vivificemur eaquae ad salutem nostram necessaria sunt percipiamus Et quoniam fides innixa verbo Dei res perceptas facit praesentes per illam verum naturale corpus sanguinem Jesu Christi per virtutem Spiritus Sancti comedi bibi fatemur eoque respectu praesentiam corporis sanguinis Christi in S. Coenâ agnoscimus Both parties had agreed that not a word of this writing should be divulged till it was communicated to the great Personages at Possie but contrary thereto divers coppies were immediately dispersed through the Court and were received with much applause as if now both parties were agreed in the chiefest point of the controversie And the Queen sending for Beza thanked him and told him that what they had agreed on was very gratefull to her She also with joy shewed it to the Cardinall of Lorrain who when he had read it said That he never beleeved otherwise and that he hoped all the rest of the Great ones at Possie would readily embrace the same But it fell out far otherwise for when on the fourth of October it was exhibited to them they rejected and damned it reproaching Espensaeus for consenting to it and Lorraine for not opposing it And thereupon presently drew up another form which if Beza and his associates should defer to subscribe they declared that it was a great wickedness to treat with them any further and that as incorrigible they were to be excommunicated and punished by the King This was the issue of that great conference at Possie so famous all over Europe which yet answered not mens expectations And so every one returned to his own place Onely the Queen stayed Beza saying Since you are a Frenchman France desires your help to stop future troubles as much as may be But Beza tho he foresaw the seeds of those factions which shortly after brake out and his singular love to Geneva continually put him upon a desire of return where also he was earnestly desired and much longed for yet was hee necessitated to stay there whether he would or no. From that day forward there was a wonderfull encrease of the Gospellers in France and Sermons began to be preached publickly every where yea in some places they took away Churches from the Papists till by the Kings command and their Ministers intreaty they restored them again Beza in the mean time preached often sometimes in the Queen of Navars house sometimes in the Prince of Condies and other sometime in the suburbs of Paris And in January following there was an Edict procured that the Protestants might freely meet together for the service of God in the suburbs of all Cities This provoked the Guisian Faction who by all means sought the hinderance of it But the first thing they attempted was to draw the King of Navar to their party which Beza suspecting and finding him wavering endeavoured by all means to confirme and keep him in the true Religion to whom the King answered Quod Pelago se non ità commissurus esset quin quando liberet pedem referre possit That he would not launch so far into the sea but that when he pleased he might return safe to the shore again And accordingly he fell off from the Protestants and Beza went to him no more Another Disputation was appointed by the Queen Mother about Images the result of which was that the Popish Doctors condemned the making of the Images of the Trinity or of the Father or Holy Ghost and agreed that all Images should be removed out of the Churches but that of the Cross and that no Images should be worshiped But presently after the Civil War began to break forth which was occasioned by this means Whereas many Protestants were met together at Vassi to hear the Word preached the Duke of Guise with a paâ—ty of souldiers set upon them â—lew forty five of them and wounded many more Hereof Beza made complaint but without any redress whereupon both parties betake themselves to Arms and the Prince of Conde by his importunity prevailed with Beza to stay with him in those dangerous times Beza's earnest longings to be with his people at Geneva disswaded him but the importunate desires of so godly a Prince prevailed so that he stayed with him all those first Civil Wars At which time Orleance was the chiefest place of the Protestants refuge and for the better regulating of Ecclesiastical Discipline in those troublesome times a Synod was called in that City at which Beza was present Shortly after the pestilence waxed hot in Oreleance whereof many dyed and amongst the rest Conrade Badius a Pastor in Orleance who from his very childhood had been most dear to Beza yet did not Beza intermit his publick preaching nor private visiting of the sick A few moneths after fell out that memorable battel in Druiden fields where Beza was present and by his prayers and exhortations did much encourage the souldiers yet they lost the day and the Prince of Conde was taken prisoner whom Beza by his Letters much comforted and exhorted the rest not to give way to despondency but to persevere in the defence of the Cause and to commit the success of it unto God Not long after peace ensuing Beza got leave to goe back to Geneva from which he had been absent 22 moneths in which time he had gone through many troubles and dangers both of body and mind At his return to Geneva he fell upon his former employment in the Schools and Church Calvin undergoing the burthen one week and he the other and they continued in those mutual labours till Calvins death and then hee had Nicolas Collodonius for his Colleague and after him Lambertus Danaeus and after him Anthony Faius Presently after his return in the first sermon that he preached to the people hee â—illed the mindes of the hearers with incredible sorrow and grief by relating to them the miserable condition of the Churches of France whereof himself had been an eye-witness and which therefore he painted out to the life which he did for this end to stir up all to commiserate and heartily to pray for their brethren that suffered such great afflictions Shortly after he wrote an answer to Sebastian Castellio who had inveighed against his Translation of the New Testament into Latine He also published an answer to the railings of Francis Balduinus who followed the steps of Ecebolius both of them teaching that men might change their Religion as the state changed Then did he confute the errors of Brentius and James Andreas who held the Omnipresence of the Body of Christ After this he published an excellent Catechism Anno Christi 1567 the Civil Wars breaking out again in France he was
Brasen-nose Colledge because the Fellowships in that house belonged to Lancashire and Cheshire men yet for want of acquaintance he stayed long without a Fellowship which made him to languish through want but his deserts being known Dr. Bret and some others together with some small stipends he had for his Lectures in that house supported him till he gat a Fellowship about the thirtieth year of his age then also he Commenced Master of Arts and being chosen Lecturer he performed it with such exactness that he grew very famous His Disputations in the University were performed with such acuteness of wit and profound learning that he was chosen by the Vice-chancellor at King James his first coming to the University to be one of the Disputants before him and to read Natural Philosophy in the publick Schools He was also well studied in Metaphysicks Mathematicks and School Divinity yet all this while he had nothing in him for Religion he loved Stage-playes Cards Dice was a horrible swearer Sabbath-breaker and boon-companion he neither loved goodness nor good men Yet hearing the fame of Master Perkins he went to Cambridge at a CoÌ„mencement that he might hear him preach and having heard him said That he was a barren empty fellow and a passing mean Scholar but when God changed his heart he changed his tune and said That Master Perkins was as learned and godly a Divine as our Church hath in many yeares enjoyed in so young a man He had familiar acquaintance with one Master Anderton a good scholar his countriman and formerly his schoolfellow but a strong Papist yea a Priest This man knowing Mr. Bolton's good parts and outward wants took that advantage to perswade him to go over with him to the English Seminarie at Rome where he should be furnished with all necessaries and have gold enough This motion he accepted of and a day and place was appointed in Lancashire to take shipping from thence and be gone Thither Mr. Bolton repaired at the time prefixed but Anderton came not whereby escaping that snare he returned to Oxford where he fell into acquaintance with Mr. Peacock a learned and godly man whereby it pleased God to bring him to repentance but by such a way as the Lord seldom useth but upon such strong vessels as he intendeth for strong encounters and rare employments for the Lord ranne upon him as a Gian taking him by the neck and shaking him to pieces as he did â—ob beating him to the ground as he did Pâ—ul by laying before him the ugly visage of his suâ— which lay so heavy upon him that he roared for anguish of heart yea it so affrighted him that he rose somtimes out of his bed in the night for very anguish of spirit and to augment his spiritual misery hee was assaulted with foul temptations Horribili 〈◊〉 Deo teâ—ribilia de side which Luther called colaphum Satanae This continued for many moneths but God at last gave a bâ—essed issue and these grievous pangs in his New-Birth produced two admirable effects in him An invincible courage in the cause of God and a singular dexterity in comforting afflicted spirits Hereupon he resolved to enter into the Ministry and was accordingly ordained the thirty fifth year of his age and about two years after the Parsonage of Broughton in Northamptonshire falling vâ—yd Serjeant Nicols the Pâ—tron preferred him to it About the fortieth year of his age he married Mistris Anne Bois of an antient family in Kent and to her care committed the ordering of his outward estate and applied himself wholly to his studies and the work of the Ministry and for twenty years together preached twice every Lords day and catechised and on every Holyday and Friday before the Sacrament he expounded a Chapter whereby he went over most of the Historical books of the Old and New Testament and therein prepared nothing for his people but what might have seâ—ved a very learned Auditory In all his preaching next after Gods glorâ— he â—imed at the Conversion of souls and God crowned his labours by making him an instrument to beget many sons and daughters unto righteousnesse He had an excellent Art in relieving afflicted consciences so that he was sought to far and near yea divers that lived beyond sea desired his resolution in divers Cases of Conscience Though in his preaching he was a son of Thunder yet to those that mourned in spirit he was a sweet son of Consolation with a tender heart pouring the oyl of mercy into their bleeding wounds He had a singular skill in discovering Satans sleights and in battering down his Kingdom In all his Sermons he used to discover the filthinesse of sin and to presse hard upon the Conscience the duties of Sanctification yea he would spare none great or small in their sins yet in reproving sin he never personated any man to put him to shame His life was so blamelesse that he could not justly be taxed by any of any scandalous sin He prayed constantly six times a day twice with his family twice with his wife and twice in secret He kept many daies of private humiliation alwaies before the Sacrament and upon the occasions of the miseries of the Church at home and abroad which he performed with much ardency of spirit and being advised by Physicians for his healths sake to break off the strong intentions of his studies he rejected their counsel accounting it greater riches to enjoy Christ by those fervent intentions of his mind then to remit them for his healths sake He was of a comely presence his countenance was so mixed with gravity and austerity that it commanded respect from others He oft refused preferment that he might not be divorced from that Country where his Ministry found such entertainment and effect He was universally bountiful but especially he exceeded in those publick distresses of Germany France Bohemia c. He alwaies spent all the revenues of his living which was of good value in the maintainance of his Family Hospitality and Charity He fell sick of a Quartane Ague in September Anno Christi 1631 whereupon finding his disease to get strength and his vigor to grow weaker he revised his Will and then wholly retired himself from the world and solaced his soul with the Meditation of the joyes of heaven and having compiled a discourse De quatuor Novissimis of Death Judgment Hell and Heaven having preached over the three former he told his people that the next day he would preach of Heaven but the Saturday before he fell so sick that he never preached after Though his sicknesse was long and sharp yet he bore it with admirable patience often breathing forth these speeches Oh when will this good hour come when shall I be dissolved when shall I be with Christ Being told that it was better for the Church if God would
he judged prejudicial to the Church he always strongly opposed himself against it not fearing therein the displeasure of great men Yea in the Court amongst the Princes of Orange he would not suffer the Name of God to be taken in vain In his carriage he was affable to all To every one he willingly imparted counsel He was so sollicitous for the good of the Church that upon occasion he would declare which persons in the University were most deserving themselves being ignorant of it He admitted but few into his familiarity judging that thereby their friendship would be the stronger by how much the more united He loved his Colleagues as his own Brethren Next them his kindred and after them his fellow Students and fellow Travellers He would never dissemble no not amongst his friends And to those his friends his house and table was always open which liberality some taking notice of often abused it He was not easily provoked by injuries to cast off his friends as this instance will shew When Rivet was called to live in the Court of the Prince of Orange Wallaeus commended his old Master Gomarus to the Curators of the University for to succeed in the Professorship whereupon Gomarus acknowledged in the presence of many that Wallaeus had overcome him in kindeness and withall asked him forgiveness for that he had opposed his Professorship at Middleborough which saith he I did at the instigation of Giles Bursius He lived most lovingly with his Wife they never brake forth into anger or mutual brawling their mutual care was to please each other and by deeds to prevent each others desires Neither did Wallaeus fear any thing more then that his dear Wife should dye before him For he used her not only for the government of his Family but for his constant companion Whatsoever befel him in the Commonwealth Church or Civil converse he acquainted her with it asked and often followed her advice for she was a modest and prudent woman They were both careful in the education of their children and their first care was to train them up in Piety and good manners for which end he daily read some Chapters and made some application thereof unto them His next care was that they might be brought up in Learning neither would he wholly trust their Masters therein but many times examined them himself to see their proficiency Neither would he train them up to Science but also to Prudence for which cause when they were come to years of discretion he used to impart to them the affairs and condition of Church and State asking their judgements about each of them He sought not to advance his children to high places knowing the danger thereof but rather desired a middle and competent estate for them wherein they might live honestly and more comfortably and according to his desire he lived to see his eldest son Iohn a Doctor of Physick and Professor thereof and imployed by the States into France to fetch that miracle of the World of Learning Claudius Salmasius to Leiden His daughter Margaret marryed to John of Breda Doctor of both Laws His daughter Katherine marryed to Anthony Clement a learned and godly Divine His son Anthony a Lawyer His son Balwin a Student of Divinity Only his youngest daughter Susannae remained at home to be a solace to her aged Mother Wall us enjoyed better health at Leiden then he had done at Middleborough only that tormentor of Students seized upon him there the Stone in the Kidneys which grievously tormented him yet not often once in four or five years He was much troubled with Hypochondriacal winde which was occasioned by his studying so soon after meals yet would he not be disswaded from that course One of these fits brought him to his end For Iune the 29. Anno Christi 1639. he found his appetite to decay and his stomach would not bare food He was grievously also tormented with winde yet would he not intermit his labors in his Professorship in governing the University and assisting in the Synod of South Holland which was then met at Leiden July the 3. being Sabbath he went to Church and gave thanks to God for all his mercies to himself to his Family and to the Church by his means praying for Gods blessing upon them for the time to come this being the last Sermon that he intended to make In reference to his disease such remedies as he had wont to finde ease by would now do no good His disease encreased and his strength decreased yet did 〈◊〉 Bogard and some other Ministers from the Syâ—â—d continually importune him to come to their meeting on Munday after for the great good of the Church Some chief Ministers had endeavoured of late years to renew the Controversie about the power of the Magistrate in Ecclesiastical matters whereupon they drew up a writing which they would have confirmed by all the Synods and those which sought to impede it could not procure this Synod to reject it because of the Authority of the Author this was â—ike to breed a great fraction in the Synod And this Munday was appointed for the debate about this business which made them so importunate to have Wallaeus present that day And accordingly he came to them At his presence all kept silence and he perswaded them that in things which were not clearly determined by Scripture and were in some tolerable manner setled there should be no questions moved and told them that it was dangerous to contend with those men who could suppress them This was Wallaeus his last publick action which if it had been written in some mens mindes the Church had enjoyed more peace and the Magistrates had been more favourable to it The next day the Pastors flocked to him to give him thanks for that he had freed them from trouble and the Church from disturbance All whom he exhorted to bear with those which differed in judgement from them and still to love them both parties being equally necessary for the good of the Church For the moderate would suffer all things to fall into confusion were it not for the more zealous and the more zealous would disturb all things were they not restrained by the moderate The three next days his pain was tolerable so long as he eat nothing whereupon he conversed sweetly with his wife children and friends that came to visit him and attended his other businesses till at last at the importunity of his son Iohn he desisted Yet his strength sensibly decayed and on Thursday night he fell into a sleep out of which he would not be awakened till Friday in the Evening when they set a Cupping-glass to his Neck At which time his son Iohn called his Mother Brothers and Sisters fearing least he should presently fall asleep again withall telling his Father that his life was near an end and therefore if he had any thing to say to
the space of neer thirty years by whom he had seven children He was tall of stature and well set He had quick eyes and lively senses a loud and pleasing voice A sound constitution only by reason of his many occasions of grief somewhat inclining to Melancholy so as he was prone to such diseases wherein that humor did abound In his old age he was somewhat slow of gate not through unwealdiness of body but by reason of the speedy growth of old age upon him He was very pious and learned and adorned with all graces If he set himself to reprove vice he performed it with great gravity If he comforted his friends he did it with admirable dexterity If he admonished any of their duty he did it with much lenity His Ministry was full of Majesty his stile eloquent his matter clear and solid He was very sociable pleasant and loving in his converse with his friends By his practice converse experience and reading both of ancient and modern Ecclesiastical Histories he attained to a great measure of wisdom He was very zealous in defending the Orthodox Religion Very far from busying himself in other mens matters Could not endure strife and contentions Shunned those vain distinctions and fooleries of Sophisters whereby they rather darken then explicate the mysteries of Salvation He could not endure novelties in Divinity holding that of Tertullian Primum quodque verissimum That which is most ancient is most true His profession was without dissimulation his Divinity solid and substantial not that which is fetched out of the puddles of the Schoolmen though he was no stranger to them but out of the pure Fountain of the Sacred Scriptures He was a constant studier of the Peace of the Church yet always so as not to hazard the loss of truth which he ever preferred before the former He was of a constant minde always the same valiant in adversity moderate in prosperity having well learned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sustain and abstain In reproofs he was affectionate without bitterness In admonishing and counselling prudent without passion In choosing his friends of a quick judgement and constant in retaining them When he was to deliver his judgement either in the Academical Senate or in the Ecclesiastick Presbyterie he so went before others with his prudent counsel as not to neglect to hear others judgements neither would he take it ill if they dissented from him If any question of great difficulty happened he would never rest till he had searched out and made plain the truth If any resorted to him in private to ask his advice in Sacred Civil Academical or Oeconomical affairs his answer was instead of an Oracle to them His prudence did futher discover it self by the government of his Family where he kept all in peace order and concord and concerning which this only was known that no body knâ—w what was done therein Anno Christi 1639. he buryed one of his daughters called Mary a beautiful and virtuous young maid which caused so great grief to him that he fell into a Quartane Ague which Physitians hold to be mortal in old men and though at last he was cured of it yet it lest ill reliques in his weakened boâ—y which in the year 1641. brake forth into a far more grievous disease viz. a Lethâ—rgy which threatned an Apoplexie and which the Physitians did foretel to be fatal Yet neither by this sharp affliction could his stedfast minde be cast down For after a while contrary to all mens expectations he began to recover strength though indeed he was never perfectly cured A third affliction which befel him was the death of his dear wife which fell out the year after upon October the 15 the same day upon which formerly he had been chosen Master of the College of Wisdom From that very time of the loss of his wife he was discerned to decay his solitude encreasing his melancholy which afterwards he could never get the mastery over Yea he often foretold that he should not long survive his wife and though the Easter after he went as far as â—â—mbden to visit his friends and recreate himself with their society yet thereby he did but increase his destempers For he was detained there for the space of twenty days by reason of a Catharr and Feaver after which he returned to Groning but much weakned and troubled with obstructions which Physick could not remove nor any Medicines cure Yet it pleased God that he had some lucid intervals at which times he would attend upon his Professorship and the affairs of the University and his friends August following those obstructions so far prevailed that they took away his stomach and thence ensued a sensible decay of his strength which afterwards was accompanied with great pains in his Back and Loins that caused often faintings In his sickness Doctor Maretius visiting him with a firm voice and friendly minde he congratulated him for that he was designed for his successor For saith he it much rejoyceth me that I shall leave to the Vniversity and Church one that is studious of peace Orthodox in judgement and averse from novelties and I require you that as you have ever maintained friendship with me so do the like with mine whom I shall leave behinde me The day before his death he sang the 130 Psalm with a sweet voice and fervent zeal to the Lord and spent the rest of his time in hearty Prayers and holy meditations In the Evening he blessed his children and then commanded his son Doctor James Alting to pray with him and in his Prayers to remember the Church and University The next day which was Sabbath day in the morning he found himself somewhat better yet presently after he fell into a swound After the Morning Exercise his old friends Doctor Camerarius and Doctor Strasbergerus Agents for the Crown of Sweden came to visit him by whose conference he was somewhat refreshed but no sooner were they gone when feeling that his disease had conquered Nature he told those about him that before Sunset he should depart to the Lord and so acting his faith upon the death and merits of Christ upon the promises of the Gospel and cheared up with the comforts of the Holy Ghost he expected death without fear and presently after with a constant voice he bade them all farewel as being ready to depart to Christ which he much longed for Then causing himself to be somewhat raised up they perceived that he was ready to depart wherefore hastily sending for the Reverend Pastor of the Church Wesselus Emmius his old friend he prayed with him and as long as he perceived that he understood him he cheered him up with the sweet promises of the Gospel valiantly to go through that last combate and so about three a clock in the afternoon in the presence of his friends and the Professors of the University without the least
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
worse sense and thereby much exasperated him beseeching him to give credit to this their Testimony They wrote also to Charles Miltitius a Germane who was Chamberlain to the Pope highly commending Luther and desiring him to procure of the Pope that indifferent Judges might be appointed to hear his cause in Germany presuming that he being a German would favour his Country-man who was oppressed with slanders and in danger of his life in an honest cause Prince Frederick also the Elector of Saxony treated with Cardinal Cajetan and so prevailed with him that Luther should be called to Auspurg there to plead his cause before the Cardinal About this time the Bohemians sent a Book to him written by John Huss encouraging him to constancy and patience confesting that what he taught was sound and right In a Letter to Spalatinus he thus writes In what matter soever I have not so roughly dealt with the Romanists let them not ascribe it to my modesty nor to their deserts but to my respect to my Prince and his Authority and to the common good of the Students of Wittenberg As for my self Contemptus à me est Romanus favor furor I contemn Romes favour and fury Let them censure and burn all my books I will do the like by theirs and will put an end to all my humble observance of them which doth but incense them more and more The Elector of Saxony telling Erasmus that he wondred at the Monks and Popes extreme hatred of Luther Erasmus answered Your Highness needs not wonder at it seeing he deals against the Monks Bellies and the Popes Crown And the same Erasmus being profered a great Bishoprick if he would write against Luther answered That Luther was too great a man for him to deal with and that he learned more from one short page of Luthers writings then from all Thomas Aquinas ' s great Books Erasmus also in a Letter to the Archbishop of Mentz saith That many things were in the Books of Luther condemned by Monks and Divines for Heresie which in the Books of Bernard and Augustine are reputed sound and godly About the same time Margaret Caesars Aunt who governed the Low-Countries when the Masters of Lovan complained to her that the writings of Luther overthrew the whole Christian Common-wealth she asked them what kinde of man that Luther was To whom they answered An unlearned Monk whereupon she replyed Therefore do you who are many learned men write against that one unlearned fellow For sure the World will sooner beleive many learned before one unlearned man Luther being cited as we said before to appear before Cardinal Cajetan at Auspurg went thither and having obtained a safe conduct from the Emperour Maximilian he appeared before the Cardinal where he justified his Doctrine and profered to maintain the same either by Disputation or Writing The Cardinal being much offended with him for his bold speech would not suffer him to come before him any more Hereupon Luther after five or six days stay when he heard no more from him appealeth to the Pope and so departeth home But the Cardinal wrote after him to the Duke of Saxony That as he tendered his own honor and safety he should expel Luther out of his Dominions This Letter the Duke sent to Luther who wrote back again that rather then he would any way indanger his Prince he would depart thence and go whitheresoever it should please the Lord to lead him But the whole University of Wittenberg seeing the cause of God in danger by this means to decline wrote to the Prince humbly beseeching him that of his Princely Honor he would not suffer Innocency to be thus oppressed by meer violence but that the Error might first be shewed and Luther be convicted of it before he be pronounced guilty Hereupon the Duke hearing Luther Sermons and reading his Books with more diligence began to favour his quarrel more then he did before and thereupon wrote back to the Cardinal to this purpose That whereas he had promised that Luther should come to Ausparg that being done he could do no more That the Legat had also promised him that he would dismiss Luther in a friendly manner But that it seemed a wonder to him that he would have forced Luther to a recantation before he had pleaded his cause That there were many not only in his Jurisdiction but in other places also that were learned and vertuous persons which did not condemn Luthers Doctrine but they which opposed him were men drawn thereto through filthy covetousness But if they would shew him his Error he would then do therein the Office of a Christian Prince as one that respected the glory of God and desired to provide for the peace of his Conscience and that whereas beyond his expectation he wrote that Luther should be prosecuted at Rome and therefore required that either he should be sent to Rome or banished his Dominions he answered that he could not agree thereto First because his Error is not yet shewed him Secondly because it would be an intolerable loss to the University of Wittenberg which he had lately founded wherein were many Students and Learned men which loved Luther exceedingly who had deserved so well of them That Luther is still willing to come to a Disputation in a place not suspected and to submit to the judgements of such as can bring any thing more right or to answer by writing That he thinketh it just that this be granted him and requesteth that it may be so done that so it may appear why he is counted an Heretick and what himself ought chiefly to follow assuring him that he will maintain no Error And as he is unwilling to depart from the observance of the Church of Rome so neither can he condemn Luther till his Errors and Crimes be detected After the death of Maximilian and the Coronation of Charles the fifth the Pope sent to the Duke of Saxony by some Cardinals requesting him that he would cause all Luthers Books to be burnt and that he would see Luther either to be executed in Saxony or else that he would secure him and send him to Rome To which the Duke answered That he was ready to shew his obedience to the Pope but yet he could not send Luther to him till his cause was heard before the Emperour and till he was convicted of Error and then if he recanted not he should finde no favour at his hands About this time many Adversaries being risen up against Luther there was a Disputation appointed a Lipsick to which Luther came accompanyed with Phil. Melancthon who was come to Wittenberg the year before On the adverse party came John Eckius a bold and confident Divine This Disputation lasted fourteen days which was after published in print by Luther and Petrus Mossellanus Presently after the Fryars grievously charged the Pope with neglect of his duty in