full of yeeres And with much honour left this vail of teares The Life and Death of Rodolphus Gualterus who dyed Anno Christi 1586. ROdolphus Gualter was born in Tigure Anno Christi 1518. was of an excellent wit and therefore carefully brought up at School where he first profited exceedingly in Oratory and Poetry and being admitted into the University he became famous first in the knowledge of the Arts and afterwards of Divinity insomuch as he waâ— chosen Pastor in that City where he first drew in his vitall breath neither were they which chose him deceived in their exspectation for he proved an admirable instrumenâ— of Gods glory and their good discharging his place with singular industry diligence and fidelity not onely by hiâ— frequent publick preaching but by his learned private writingâ— as his Homilies upon much of the Old and Nâ—w Testament doe sufficiently declare and having governed and fed that Church for above forty years together he dyed in a good old age Anno Christi 1586. anp of his Liâ—â— sixty eight Uertue and honor both combin'd T' adorne Gualterus his minde His wise and well composed heart Was principlâ—d in every part He was a Poet too ti 's therefore fit We should applaud his rare Poeticke wit The Life and Death of Casper Olevian who dyed Anno Christi 1587 â— CAsper Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536â— and carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather and at thirteen years old he was sent to Paris to study Law from thence also he went to the Universities of Aurelia and Biturg where he heard the most famous Lawyers of those times he joyned himselfe also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in that place there he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers after the solemn manner of the University Anno Christi 1557. about which time there studied in that University under Nicolas Iudex the young Prince Palatine â— son to Fredericke the third afterwards Elector and Olevian being very intimate with Iudex went one day after dinner to the river hard by the City together with him and the young Prince and when they came thither they found som yong Noble Germans that were students there going into aboat who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely disswaded them from adventuring themselves amongst them which councell the Prince and his Tutor neglecting went into the boat and putting from the bank the drunken young men began so to thrust and jusâ—le one another that at last they overthrew the boat where they were all drowned But Iudex being skilfull in swimming caught the young Prince hoping to save him but being unable to draw him with him they both sunk Olevian standing on the bank and seeing this sad spectacle leap't into the water to try if he could help them but at first he stuck into the mud and water up to the chin where he dispaired of his owne life in that danger he prayed unto God and vowed that if God would deliver him he would preach the Gospell to his owne Citizens At which time it pleased God that a footman of one of the Noblmens coming to the river side seeing of him caâ—ght him by the hand thinking that it had ben his own master and drew him out whereupon Olevian being delivered together with the Law studyed Divinity especially reading over Calvins Commentaries diligently and then returning to Trevir he was retained to plead a cause thâ—re but seeing the great deceit in that calling he gave it over and that he might performe his Vow he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity aud went to Geneva and after to Tigure where he was much holpâ—n by Martyr and Bullinger and after taking ship at Lusanna to goe to Genevaâ— Farrell hapned to be with him in the ship who in disconâ—â— asked him Whether he had ever preached in his ownâ— Country which he denying Farrell perswaded him to doâ— it so soon as he could and he accordingly promised that he would therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to Tâ—â—vir and was by the Senate his friends requested to undâ—â— take the work of the Ministry there and for his encouragement they allowed him a stipend he readLogick also in the School but when he began to preach the Truth of Chriâ—â— and to discover the Errors in Popery he was forbiddenâ— by the Clergy to preach any more and shut out of the School Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall where after he had preached a while his adversariessuborned a Priest to step up into the Pulipt before himâ— but as soon as the people saw the Priest they called to him to come down for that they would not hear him Olevian desired them to hear him promising that so soon as he had don his Sermon he would preach himselfe but they would not endure it but made a great stir so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled a pieces by them but Olevian inâ—reating the people to be quiet took him by the hand and led him forth safely and going into the pulpit himself the people cried to him We desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us for this cause the Archbishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consulâ— and eight more of the Senators for ten weeks who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them which accordingly he did but afterwards they were all freed at the request of the Elector Palatine and some others and the Elector Palatine sent for Olevian to Heidleberge where he made him Rector of a Colledge about which time he married a wife and commensed Doctor in Divinity and was made a Professor of Divinity in that University he was also called to a Pastorall charge in the City which he carefully and holily discharged till the death of the Elector Fredericke the third and shortly after he was called to Berleburg by Lodewicke Count Witgenstein where he Preached and instructed some Noble mens sons In the year 1584. he was called by Iohn of Nassau to Herborn where he preached and taught in a School three years Anno Christi 1587. he fell into a mortall sicknesse which notwithstanding all means of oure daily grew upon him and so weakned him that at last he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God In his sicknesse he made his Will and by pious and holy meditations prepared himselfe for death being visited by some great men he told them That by that sicknesse he had learned to know the greatnesse of Him and the greatnesse of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before Iohn Pisâ—â—â—ur coming to visit him he told him That the day before for four hours together he was filled with ineffable joy so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better when sa indeed he could never be better for said he I thought that
earth and set it in a Crown of pure Gold upon her head in Heaven The Preface to the King before the life is not mine but D r. Overals then Dean of S t. Pauls the Appendix likewise iâ— not mine but Doctor Morton then Lord Bishop of Duresm the modell of the life drawn by me beginneth thus If rare and admirable qualities of our Ancestors deserve a â—hankefull acknowledgement of Posterity And endeth thus Lord adorn and enâ—ich continually thy Church with such Iewels deck her cheeks with rows of such Rubies and her neck with chains make her borders of gold with stâ—ds of silver Amen Holy Learning sacred Arts Gifts of Nature strength of Parts Fluent Grace an humble minde Worth reform'd and wit refinde Swéetnesse both in tongue and Pen Insight both in Bookes and Men Hopes in woe and feares in weals Humble knowledge sprightly zeale A liberall heartâ— and frée from Gall Close to friends and true to all Height of courage in Truths duell Are the stones that made this Jâ—well Let him that would be truly blest Weare this Jewell in his brest The Life and Death of Zegedine who dyed Anno Christi 1572. STeven Zegedine was borne in the lower Fanonia in the yeâ—r 1505. brought up in learning wherein he profited to admiration and became a Schoolmaster himself about which time hearing the fame of Luther and Melancthon he had a great minde to goe to Wittenberg but wanting opportunity in sundry regâ—rds he went to the Uâ—iversity at â—racovia where having studied a while he was made a Reader to others and grew very famous and having gotten some money there he then went to Wittenberg where he studied Logick and Divinity three years and then returned into hiâ— owâ— Coâ—ntrey And in the City of Thasniadine he instructed Youth in the knowledge of Arâ—s and Preached Jesus Christ also to the Peâ—â—le before uâ—knowâ—e unto them whereupon the Kingâ—â— Treasurer fell upon him beat him and drove â—im 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 slaine Thus wandring up and downe as an exile Anno Chisti 1545. he was called to Iulia where he was made governour of an illustrious School and the year after he was sent for to Cegledine where he was hired to Preach publickly in the Church There also he married a wife and after three years stay he went thence and was sent for by the Governour of Temeswert to govern the School there where also he preached to the people but that Governour dying there succeeded him one that was a strong Papist who drove Zegedine from thence Being again an exâ—le he was called to govern the Schoole at Thurin where he also preached to the people who eagerly embraced the Truth and loved him exceedingly From thence he waâ— called to Bekenese where he also preached to the people and read in the Schools whilest he was there a Countrey man coming to him said Sir what doe you here when there are some souldiers coming upon you to slay you therefore flye hence speedily if you will save your life Whilest he was speaking the noyse of th souldiers was heard without whereupon he slipt into his chamber but the souldiers breaking in upon him plundered him of all he had and binding him carried him away with them but behold the gracious providence of God amongst those bloody Souldiers there was one that favoured him and conveyed him away so that swiming over a river he escaped and returned home again shortly after his fame spreading abroad he was called to Tholna to govern a School there and there also he preached to the people and his former wife being dead he married another and not long after he was chosen to Lascovia to be the Pastor there and was Ordained Minister by the Imposition of Hands and taught Schoole also about which time he was made Doctor and the Superintendent of all that Baronry he read also in private to many that repaired to him and intermitted not his pains no not in sickness if he had but strength to speak that his voycâ— might be heard Anno Christi 1558. he was removed thence by the authority of the Governour of the Castles to Calmantsem Anno Christi 1561. the Vayvod of Copasware with his souldiers being Turks came upon the inhâ—bitants of Calmantsem for neglecting to pay their Tribute as they were at Sermon and took many of them prisoners together with Zegedine and carryed them away to Copasware the rest that escaped gathered the Tribute carried it presently to the Vayvâ—d entreated his pardon and the restitution of the prisoners especially of Zegedine but he told them that if they would have them restored to liberty they must goe and pitition the Bashaw for their release which they doing the prisoners were presently releaâ—ed but when they afterwards accused the Vayvod to him of Tyranny and injustice he required that Zegedine and some of the chiefe Citizens should come and testifie those things before him but when Zegedine came he picked a quarrell with him and cast him into prison whereupon his people by rich presents endeavour'd to procure his release and when they had almost obtained their request one whispered the Bashaw in the ear and told him that he might have 1000. Florens for his ransome whereupon he still detained him and told them that he would not release him till they had paid him a 1000. Florens but when the money came in slower then he exspected the barbarous Tyrant chid his Keeper for using him too gently which as he said was the cause that his ransome was not yet paid whereupon his Keeper bound and whip't him with thongs till he was bloudy all over and almost kill'd him afterwards the Bashaw promised that iâ— they would procure the release of the daughter of the Major of Tolne who was prisoner with the Hungarians and bring her unto him he would release Zegedine her therefâ—re his people of Calmantsem redeemed for three hundred Florens and presented her to the Bashaw yet the Infidell falsified his promise and kept him still prisoner then the Prince of Transilvania sent Ambassadors and a rich present to the Bashaw requesting the release of Zegedine yet nothing would prevail many pittying his miserable captivitie came to visit him and gave him money but his cruell Keeper extorted most of it from him Bâ—ing loâ—den with heavy chains the Citizens with much importunity prevailed to get him leave once a day to come to the Christians to whom he preached and so returned to prison againe yet God stired up the hearts of some of the Courtiers to commiserate his deplorable condition During his imprisonment the Bashaw used all means both by threats and promises to draw him to abjure the Christian Religion and to turne Turk but he alwayes answered him stoutly That such arguments might prevaile with children but could not prevaile with him Having leave at last to lye amongst the other
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 Aurelia 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 pains in this point that the 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 againe that he was perswaded to retire himself from the same afâ—er 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 he was so hated of the wicked that at last he was driven from thence to Lusanna where he Preached for a time and from thence he went to Geneva where for diverse years he was a Pastor but the Church in France having some peace he returned thither and at Lions and Burgundy he edified the Churches exceedingly Afterwards he was sent for by Henry the fourth King of Navar to whom he went very unwillingly not liking a Court-life yet by the advice of his friends he went to him and for three years space in all his troubles was with him comforting and encouraging him very much and at the Battle of Courâ—rass 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 sicknesse and weaknesse being unable to follow that kind of life any longer he was with uâ—willingnesse dismissed by the King and went through his enemies Countries in much danger till he came to hiâ— wife and children at Geneva but shortly after he was sent by order from the King into Germany upon an Embassie to the Protestant Princes where not onely the Universities but the Princes also received him in a very honorable 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 work of his Ministery 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 he fell â—ick of a Plurifie and though the Physitians apprehended no danger yet he fore-told that it would be mortall and retiring himself from the world he wholly conversed with God Prayers 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 sicknesse and at last slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1591. and of his age fifty seven 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 Ministery was alwayes most gratefull to the people he was very holy and exemplary in his life and had most of the learnedst men of those times for his special friends Renowned Sadeel spent his dayes In giving the Almighty praise He through floods of danger went To feed his flocke whose great content Fatten'd their souls and made them thrive No foode like truth to kéep alive Iu grace they ceas'd not to applaud His worth that was not over-awde By Papists rage t' was not a Goale Could make his lofty courage faile Let his example teach us to expresse Our selves contented when we féel distresse WILL WHITAKER The Life and Death of William Whittaker UPon the entrance of that gracious Prince of blessed memory King Edward the sixt at which time began the generall â—xilement of Popish superstitions out of this Realm and the setling of sincere Religion in roome therof it pleased God withall to bring into the world with us a choice instrument of his one that should in due time prove an eager and able both opposer of the one and maintainer of the other For in the first yeare of that pious Princes reign was William Whittaker borne at the Manner of Holme in the Parish of Burndley in the County of Lancaster Under his Parents he was brought up at Grammer Schoole untill being now about ten years of age about the time of the second restauration of the sincere profession of Religion shortly after the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth of holy and happy memory he was by that reverend and religious Divine Alexander Nowel Deane of Paâ—ls being his Unckle by the Mothers side sent for up to London from his parents with whom he had been nursed up in Popish â—uperstitions taken into his family and trained up in further matter of learning fit for his years in the publick School founded by Doctor Colet his pious sometime predecessor There he so profited in good literature and gave such presages of what would afterwards ensue that being now eighteen years old he was by the foresaid venerable Deane his Unckle sent to the University of Cambridge and there admitted into Trinity Colledge where making further progresse answerable to his former beginnings he was chosen first Scholar and after Fellow of that House and having received the degree of Master of Arts he began now to grow into no small esteeme and fame by reason of disputes and other exercises performed by him with the good approbation and to the great admiration even of the best and chiefest Among other things that caused the more generall â—otice to be tâ—ken oâ— him and gained him mâ—ch reputation were the translâ—tion of his reverend Unckle Master Nowels Catechisme into pure and elegant Greek and the dispuâ—e â—f that our right precious Iewell against Harding into the lâ—ke Latine Hence it came to passe that contention sometime arising between the two Proctors of the same year whether of them should at the ensuing Commencement be Father of the Philosophy Act to end the controversie being referred to the Heads of the University it was by their joynt consent as deeming none fitter for such a performance devolved to Master Whittaker though one then far younger then either of them and that might for his years have seemed too young for such an office But they were confident as appeared upon former proofe of his sufficiency for the place Neither did he therein either faile their estimation or frustrate their expectation of him For he discharged the office thus imposed upon himâ— with the generall applause of all as well strangers as others From the study of the Arts and Tongues wherein he gave sundry pregnant proofs of his proficiency beyond most of his equals having thereby
from the States of Germany And as he liv'd so honour'd he did dye ALEXANDER NOWELL The Life and Death of Alexander Nowel ALexander Nowel was born in the County of Lancaster Anno Christi 1511. of an ancient aud worshipfull family and at thirteen years old was sent to Oxford and admitted a member of Brasennose Colledge where he studyed thirteen yeares and grew very famous both for Religion and learning In Queen Maries dayes he amongst others left the Kingdome that he might enjoy his conscience and returning when Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory came to the Crown she made him Dean of Pauls where he was a frequent and faithfull Preacher By his writings he defended the truth against some English Popish Renâ—gado's for thirty years together he Preached the first and last Sermons in Lent before the Queen wherein he dealt plainly and faithfully with her He was a great benefactor to Brasennose Colledge where he had his first education He was the enlarger of Pauls School made the threefold Catechism which was much used long after He was very charitable to the poor especially to poor Scholars A great comforter of afflicted consciences he lived til he was ninety years old and yet neither the eyes of his minde nor body waxed dim And dyed peaceably in the Lord Anno Christi 1601. on the thirteenth of February and lyes buryed in the Famous Cathedrall Church of Saint Pauls in London with this Epitaph upon his Tombe Quam spcioÌ„sa vestigia Evangelizantium pacem With some verses also annâ—xed this being the lasâ— of them Sicoritur floret demoriturque Deo His Works set forth are as followeth 1 Against Thomas Dormam an English Papist in two books in quarto English 2 Another Booke against Dorman and Sanders of Transubstantiation in quarto English 3 His greater Catichisme in Latine in quâ—rto 4 Hiâ— lessâ— Catechisme in Latine in Octavo 5 The same in Latine Greeke and Hebrew As grave as godly Nowel Dean of Pauls Most justly for a Crown of honour cals Amongst other worthyes for his piety His learning wisedome and humanity A famous Preatcher in the halcyon-dayes Of Queen Elizabeth of endlesse praise To Pauls-School and to Braz'nnose Colledge he A Benefactor great was known to be For 's three-fold Catechisme worthily Much honour'd and for his great Charity Who at the age of Ninety years in peace And full of love and honour did decease The Life and Death of Daniel Tossanus who dyed Anno Christi 1602. DAniel Tossanus was born at Moumbelgard in Wertemburge Anno Christi 1541. his Parents carefully brought him up in learning and at fourteen years old sent him to the Universâ—ity of Basil and after two years study there he commenced Batchelor of Arts from thence he went to Tubing was there maintained to his studyes for two yearâ— more by Prince Christopher at the end whereof he commenced Master of Arts and then was sent for back by his father to Mounâ—pelier where he Preached for a while and then went to Paris to learn the French Tongue and proceed in his other studyes Anno Christi 1560. he went thence to Aurelia where he read Hebrew publickly there he was first made Deacon and two years after Minister which place he undertooke there rather then in his owne Country partly because of the great want of Pastors in the French Churches as also because he agreed with them in his judgement about the manner of Christs presence in the Sacrament he also marryed a wife Anno Christi 1565. Whilst he was there the civill Wars brake out between the Papists and Protestants and Francis Duke of Guise besieging the City of Aurelia where Mounseur de Andelot brother to the Admirall of France commanded in chieâ—e Tossan continued there all the time of the siege and took extraordinary pains in instructing exhorting and encowraging both Citizens and Souldiers and when the City was in great danger to be lost one Poltrot who had devoted his life for his Countries safety went out and flew the Duke of Guise under the Wall 's whereupon the siege was raised and the Church there preserved almost miraculously from ruine An. Christi 1567. there brake out a second civill War at which time the Papists in Aurelia conspired together to destroy all the Protestants so that they were every hour in danger of being butchered when it pleased God to send Mounser Novie with a small party of Souldiers who entring into the City and joyning wâ—th the Protestants drove out some of the Papists and disarmed the rest but after that famous battell at Saint Danis wherein so many of both â—ides were slain and wounded Peace was againe concluded though the Papists quickly brake it and a great company of Souldiers entring into Aurelia they began to breath forth threatenings against the Church of Christ especially against the Miâ—isters of it hereupon Tossan was in great danger iâ—somuch that when he went into the Church to Preach he knew not whether he should come out alive that which most troubled him was the fear that he had of his wife and two small children besides he never went to the Congregation but some threw stones others shot bullets at himâ— and their rage grew so great that they burned down the barn wherein the Church used to meet together and every day he heard of one or other of their Members that were slain so that he was compelled severall times to change hiâ— lodging yet one day the Souldiers caught him and pretended that they would carry him out of the City but intended to have Murthed him whereupon hiâ— wife great with childe ran to the Governor and with much importunity prevailed that her husband might stay in the City and the third civill War braking out the Popish Souldiers in Aurelia were so enraged that they burned all the places where the Church used to meet and barbarously slew above eighty of the faithfull servants of Christ in them yet it pleased God miraculously to preserve the Ministers in that great dangâ—r and Tossan by the help of some of the faithfull was conveyed privately away out of the Ciâ—y in the night but whilst he fought to hide himselfe in a wood he fell into an ambush and was taken and was carryed to Prisoner into â— Castle not far of from Aurelia which sad newes coming to his wife she left no meanes untryed for his delivery and aâ— last for a great sum of mony she procured his release whereupon he went to Argimâ—nt and hiâ— wife putting her self into the habit of a maâ—d-servant went towards Argimont after him where Renata the daughter of Lewis the twelfâ—h of France and Dowager of Ferrara lived in a very strong Castle and was a great â—â—iend to the Protestants entertaining many that fled to her for succour bâ—t as his wife was going thitherward after him she waâ— takeâ— by some Souldiers and carryed back to the Governour of Aurelia but it pleased God to stir up his owne wife â—nd daughters
serious meditation of the reformation of Religion in the Churches he desired to conforme the Citizens of Hassia unto the example of the Primitive Church he desired to remove many reliques of superstition out of the Church he desired to establish that Ecclesiasticall discipline which was ready to fall unto the great detriment of the Church In the midst of these heavenly cogitations it pleased the Lord to send his messenger for him which he well perceiving by the continuall increasing of his paines he desired to have the Communion administred unto him afterwards he told his wife what he would have done after his death after that he had instructed his children how they should carry themselves towards God and how towards their mother and how towardâ— men and his yongest son standing amongst them hâ— laid his hand on his head uttering these Words discemi fili mandata domini ipse enaâ—riet te Keepe the commandaments of the Lord my son and he will provide for thee then â—urning himselfe to those who were present he declareâ— unto them that he dyed in that faith which he had constantly professed so many yeares in that City which words being spoken he fell asleepe and was buried at Marpurge in the year our Lord 1564. and in the 53. year of his life All things which are to be required in a Teacher are to be found in this Gerardus first he was learned and his learning was also joyned with experience secondly he had an excellent faculty and method of teaching thirdly he was laborious in his function fourthly he was gravâ— fiftly of an unspotted life and conversationâ— he was modest patient and constant all which sufficiently declare that he was set apart by the Lord for the converting of many souls unto Christ. His Works which he left unto the world as a rich legacy are here set downe 1 A Commentary on the twentieth Psalme 2 On the twelft Psalme 3 A method for a Preacher 4 On the Romans 5 Of reading and meditating the Scriptures 6. Method of Theologie 7 Theologicall Topicks 8 Catechisme Other Works in two Tomes First 1 Of the study of the Scripture 2 Of the institution of Colledges 3 A triall of students 4 Of Catechising 5 Of justification by faith 6 Of Benificence to the poor 7 Of Feasts Tome 2. 1 Of the duty of hearers 2 Of Providence 3 Of Selfe-examination 4 Of the marriage of Ministers 5 Of the Sacraments 6 Notes upon Aristotles Ethicks 7 Physicks 8 Logicke 9 Rhetoricke 10 Arithmaticke 11 Gromaticke 12 Cosmographik 13 Optics 14 Astronomy Set forth after his death 1 Annotations of Isaiah 2 Commentaries on the Galathians 3 Ephesians 4 Philippians 5 Colossians 6 Thessalonians 7 Timothy 8 Titus 9 Philemon 10 Iude. 11 Hebrewes You that desire to lead a life Free from th'incumbrances of strife Draw neare and with a carefull â—row Let brave Gerarduâ— teach you how Reader observe and thou shalt finde By trauell he inrtch'd his minde His active heart was alwayes free To Propagate true piety He alwayes studied to displace Errours from the Churches face He gain'd no envy but from those That were Religions chiefest foâ—â— He would perswade intreat advise His Fellow-preachers to dispise Those fruits of Idlenesse which he defy'd Thus liv'd Gerarduâ— thus Gerardus dy'd ARETIVS BENEDICTVS The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus AS the Lord hath never been wanting unto his Church both in these and in forraine parts in the stirring up of painfull and â—ealous Watch-men for the Propagating of his truth and for the enlightning of the understanding of those whom he had elected unto salvation in Jesus Christ so he hath not been deficient in procuring the affection of eminent persons towards the same Professors by whose meanes they have been defended and sheltered against the inviterate malice both of the Divell and his members Malicious enemies unto the Word of truth amonst whom the Senate of Berna may justly receive worthy Commendations for the constant love shewed unto the zealous professors of the truth it being indeed the maine pillar which doth support the welfare of a Common-wealth and which doth draw downe a blessing from heaven upon their intended designes In this â—amous City was Benedictus Aretius borne a faithfull zealous professors of the truth of Christ being beautified with excellent endowments both of learning and piety which did sufficiently testifie that he was set apart by the Lord for the winning of many unto Christ. He spent his youth in his owne Country amongst the Switzers wherein he was instructed and trained up in the knowledge of the Arts but ayming at a greater perfection labouring â—or a sounder judgement in the works writings of other learned and Orthodox men he left his Country for a season and went unto Marpurg where by reason of his eminent gifts and qualities he gained the love of many learned Schollers and was designed and oppointed to read the Logick Lecture in the same place which after he had performed for the space of some years to the great profit of his Auditors to the never dying fame of himselfe and to the generall applause of all the City having also attained in some measure to that perfection which he had formerly desired he returned again unto Berne where he was joyfully received and by a generall consent appointed to open the Scriptures and to instruct the inhabitants in the way of life in which exercise he observed such an edifying method both in his publick reading and Preaching that he drew great multitudes of people unto him who beholding his proceedings with great admiration with one consent praised the Lord for sending so learned and so painfull an instrument among them for the plantâ—ng of the truth in their hearts So excellent was his forme of teaching that many Divines came unto his Lectures not onely for the information of their judgements in matters of Controversies but also to learne his method of teaching which being obtained by some they proved excellent instruments in the Church for the converting of the lost sheepe of Israel and many would not in publicke make triall of their owne parts before they had continued for a season to be his Auditors His writings were greatly in request and desired greatly of all that either knew him or heard of him but especially his labours in Divinity one of his bookes called Eramen Theologicâ—m came to the Presse twelve times within the space of three years which doth declare the excellency and how usefull and beneficiall it was unto the Church in those times and in these dayes also it is a Worke fit to be perused of all such as doe intend the study of Divinity After that he had continued this constant course of teaching in the City of Berne for the space of many years to the great furtherance of the glory of God and benefit of his Church it pleased the Lord to take him unto himselfe and to Crowne him with a diâ—dem of everlasting glory