where he was prisoner he had nothing but a pad of straw for a bâ—d and a rotten covering till good people sent him a bed to lye 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 fast he both mourned called and cryed for helpe yet the Warden hearing would suffer none to go to him saying Let him alone if he dye it were â— good riddance of him c. At last being degraded and condemned he was sent to Glocester to be burned the night before his death he did eat his meat quietly and slept soundly after his first sleep he spent the rest of the night in prayer the next day Sir Anthonie Kingston coming to him told him that life was sweet and death bitter to which he answered The death to come is more bitter and the life to come more sweet I am come hither to end this life and suffer death because I will not gain-say the former Truth that I have here taught unto you also a blinde Boy coming to him after he had examined him in the grounds of Religion he said Ah poor Boy God hath taken from thee thy outward sight but hath given thee another sight much more precious having endued thy soule with the eye of knowledge and faith Being delivered to the Sheriff he said to him My request to you Master Sheriff 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 thinke I doe amisse in any thing hold up your finger and I have done I might have had my liâ—e with much worldly gaine but I am willing to offer up my life for the Truth and trust to dye a faithfull servant to God and a true subject to the Queen when he saw the Sheriffs men with so many weapons he said This is morâ— then needs if you had willed me I would have gone alone to the stake and have troubled none of you all as he went to the stake he was forbid to speake to the people he looked chearfully and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary being comâ— thâ—thâ—r he prayed about half an â—our and having a box with a pardon set before him he cryed 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 reeds were cast to him he embraced and kissed them putting them under his arm where he had bags of gun-power also when fire was first pâ—t to him the faggots being green and the winde blowing away the flâ—me he was but scorched more faggots being laid to him the fiâ—e was so supprest that his nâ—ther-parts were burned his upper being scarce touched he prayed O Iesus the son of David have mercy upon mâ— and receive my soule and wiping his eyes with his hands he said For Gods love let me have more fire A third fire being kindled it burned more violently yet was he alive a great while in it the last words which he uttered being Lord Iesus receive my spirit In one of his Letters he wrote Imprisonment is painfull but liberty upon evill conditions is worse the Prison stinkes yet noâ— so much as sweet houses where the feare of God is wanting I must be alone and solitary it s better to be so and have God with me then to be in company with the wicked Losse of goods is great but losse of grace and Gods favour is greater I cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men yet it is better to doe that then stand naked before Gods tribunall I shall dye by the hands of cruell men he is blessed that looseth this life and findeth life eternall there is neither felicitie nor adversitie of this world that is great if it be weighed with the joyes and pains of the world to come Reader behold and then admire Hoâ—pers most rich Seraphicke fire His constancâ— waâ— great his heart Balsoâ—'d by heav'n out-vi'd all smart Rare was his life rare was his death Whilst time remains his fame shall want no breath The Life and Death of Rowland Tailor who dyed Anno Christi 1555. ROwland Tailor was Doctor in both the Laws and Rector of Hadley in Suffolke 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 often read over the whole Bible and could say a great part of Paul's Epistles by heart Here this Doctor Tailor Preached constantly on Sabbaths Holy-dayes and at other times when he could get the People together His life also and conversation was very exemplary and full of holinesse he was meek and humble yet would stoutly rebuke sin in the greatest to the poore 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 owne bounty he gave them he brought up his children in the fear of God and good learning In the begining of Queen Maries reign two Popish persons suborned a Priest to come and say Masse in his Church he being at his study and hearing the Bell to toul went to Church and finding this Priest guarded with drawn swords in his Popish robes ready to begin the Masse he said unto him Thou Divell who made thee so bold to enter into this Church to prophane and defile it with this abominable Idolatrie I command thee thou Popish Wolfe in the name of God to avoid hence and not to presume thus to poyson Christs flock but the â—tanders by forcing Doctor Tailor out of the Church the Priest went on with his Masse and shortly after the Bishop being informed hereof sent his letters Missive for Doctor Tailor whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to flye telling him that he could neither expect justice nor favour but imprisonment and cruell death to whom he answered I know my Cause to be so good and righteous and the Truth so strong upoâ— my side that I will by Gods grace appeare before them and to their beards resist their false doings for I beleeve that I shall never be able to doe God so good service as now and that I shall never have so glorions a calling nor so great mercie of God profered me as I have now wherefore pray for me and I doubt not but God will give me strength and his holy spirit that all my adversaries shal be ashamed of their doings and so preparing himselfe he went to London and presented himselfe to
and for three years exercised himselfe with much diligence in instructing youth but having an earnest desire to perfect his own studies he returned to Wittenberg again Luther being yet living there he commensed Master of Arts before he was two and twenty years old and applyed himself wholly to the study of Divinity but tht Wars waxing hot the Emperor placed a Garrison in the Castle and Towne of Wittenberg and the Students were driven away from thenceâ— at which time Wigand was called to Mansfield his owne Countrey to be an assistant to their ancient Pastor Martin Seligman where also he was ordained Minister by Prayer and imposition of hands by Iohn Spangâ—rberg the Superintendent there which place he discharged wiâ—h much â—â—delity and industry and read Logick and Phylosophie to the youth in the Schools there also he wrote a confutation of the Popish Catechisme and a confutation of George Mâ—jor who held That a man by Faith onely is justified but not saved c. He delighted exceedingly in a Garden and in observing the wisdome of God in the nature shape and various colours of Hearbs and Flowers for which end he gatt the greatest varietie of them that possibly he could into his Garden He was one of those that strongly opposed the Interim In the year 1553. he was chosen by them of Magdeburg to be their Superintendent but the Earl of Mansfield and thâ— People strongly opposed his remove from them yet at last by the meanes of the Prince of Anhalt they consented unto it At Magdeburg he tooke excessive paines in reading writing meditating and Preaching whereby he converted many Popish Priests in those parts to the Truth he also took great pains in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries which he together with Matthew Iudex Flacius Illiricus Basil Faber Andrew Corvinus and Thomas Holthuterus finished to the great benefit of the Church Of which booke Sturmius gave his Testimony that it was necessary and profitable and had these four vertues in it viz. veritatem diligentiam ordinem perspicuitatem Truth diligence Order and perspicuity In the year 1560. the Elector of Saxonie having begun a University at Ienes sent earnestly to Wigand to come thither to be the Divinity Professor which for weighty reasons he assented unto and performed that office with much acceptance of all that heard him yet by the subtilty and malice of one Stosselius he was dismissed from that place and so returned to Magdebâ—rg againe but not staying there he was chosen to be the Superintendent at Wismare An. Cstristi 1562. where he imployed himselfe wholly in Preaâ—hing disputing expounding the Scripture and governing the Church Anno Christi 1563. he commenced Doctor of Divinity in the University of Rostoch he stayed at Wismare seven years at the end wherof Iohn William Duke of Saxony sent for him againe to Ienes but the Duke of Megapole would by no meanes part with him yet at last after severall embassies the Duke of Saxony prevailed that he should come for one year to Ienes His people parted with him very unwillingly with many sighs and tears and at the years end sent for him back againe but could by no means obtaine his return he was not onely made the Professor of Divinity at Ienes but the Superintendent also Anno Christi 1570. he went with his Prince to the Diet at Spire and at his returne to Ienes was received with great joy but after five years Duke Iohn William dying he was againe driven from thence and went to the Duke of Brunswick who entertained him kindly but presently after he was called into Borussia to be the Divinity Professor in the University of Regiomonâ—anum and after two years was chosen to be Bissiop there Anno Christi 1587. he fell sick especially upon griefe conceived for the afflicted condition of the Church in Poland and the death of his deare friend Iohn Wedman an excellent Divine this desease increasing and his strength decaying he prepared himselfe for death he made his own Epitaph In Christo vixi morior vivóque Wigandus Do sordes morti caetera Christe tibi In Christ I liv'd and dy'd through him I live again What 's bad to death I give my soul with Chist shal raign And so in the mid'st of fervent prayers and assured hope of eternall life he resigned up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age 64. Rare-soul'd Wigandus bow'd his whole desires To warme his spirits by th'inlivning fires Of sacred fuell and he alwayes stood Engag'd to that which heav'ns blest mouth call'd good He was a man whose life and conversation Were well sufficient to adorne a Nation With good examples nothing could devorse His ready lips from the belov'd discourse Of heavenly matters till at last he cry'd My God receive my soul and so he dy'd MARTINVS CHEMNICIVS The Life and Death of Martin Chemnisius MArtin Chemnisius was born at Britâ—â—a in Old March Anno Christi 1522. his father being poor he met with many impediments to discourage and hinder him in Learning yet bearing a great love to it by his exceeding industry he overcame all and after some progresse at home he went to Magdeburg where he studyed the Tongues and Arts and from thence to Frankefurt upon Oder and after he had studyed there a while he went to Wittenberg where he studyed the Mathematickâ— and from thence to Sabinum in Borussia where he taught School and commensed Master of Arts and Anno Christi 1552. he wholly betook himselfe to the study of Divinity By his modest and sincere carriage he procured much favor from the Prince and all his Courtiers after three years stay there he went back to Wittenberg and by Melancthon was imployed publickly to read Common places from thence he was sent for to Brunople â—n Saxny by the Senate and made Pastor which place he discharged with singular fidelity and approbation for the space of thirty years and commensed Doctor in Divinity at Rostoch many Princes and Common-wealths made use of his advice and assistance in Ecclesiasticall affairs He took great pains in asserting the truth against the adversaries of it as his excellent Examen of the Tridentine Councill shews at last being worn out with study writing Preaching c. he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1586. and of his age 63. He is said by one to be Philosophus Summus Theologus proâ—undissimus neque veritatis bonarumque artiâ—m studio neque laude officii facâ—le cuiquam secundus This Authour eminent Chemnisius grave Among these worthies a prime place may have Who by his most industrious pains ore came The many rubs which would have quentcht his fame And to such height of learning did arise As made great Princes him most highly prize Yea so transcendently his fame did shine That One him stil'd a most profound Divine A prime Philosopher one justly known For parts and pâ—ety second to none And thus he liv'd and dyed
Here may we not without much wrong deny To this Erpenius honoured memory Who was most famous in his generation A man of exc'llent parts to admiration And in the Orientall tongues so rare That few or none with him deserv'd compare For th'Arabick and Hebrew tongues likewise The Kings of France and Spain did him so prize Yea England Holland Germany Italy Proffer'd great summes t' enjoy his company And rare eudowments deep experience At forty years of age death took him hence The Life and Death of Abraham Scultetuâ— who dyed Anno Christi 1624. ABraham Scultetus was born at Grunberge in Silesia Anno Christi 1566. his Parents were of good rank who carefully brought him up at School where he profited exceedingly and Anno Christi 1582. he went to Vraâ—islavia where he for had his fellow-students Pitiscus Polanus Pelargus men who after proved eminent in the Church of God Having studyed there sometime he went thence to Freistade to hear Melancthon Bucolzer and some others But his active spirit could not long be continued within the bounds of his owne Couny and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a Noble Knight he went to Wittenberg and from thence to Dessavia to acquaint himselfe with Peter Martyr and Casper Pucer Anno Christi 1590. he went to Hiedleberg where he heard Daniel Tossan and Francis Iunius there also he read Lectures of Logick Oratory and Astronomy to diverse young Noblemen and the year after Commenced Master of Arts then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity thereby to fit himselfe for the Ministery which from his childhood he had devoted himselfe to and Preaching before the Elector Palatinâ— he so flowed with elâ—quencâ— and 〈◊〉 that the Prince and all his Courtiers were 〈◊〉 delightâ—d in himâ— which caused the Elâ—â—toâ— to mâ—kâ— hiâ— visitor both of the Schoolâ—â—nd Churches Yea many other Princes made use of his help in reforming their Churches in Iuliâ—rs Brandenburg and Hanovia he was also sent to the Synod of Dort Anno Christi 1612. the Prince Elector Palatine took him into England with him where he was much esteemed respected by King Iames and other learned men at his returne to Hiedleberg he was made Professor in the University and Doctor in Divinity Anno Christi 1618. But about that time grievous Wars breaking forth the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards oveâ— all 〈…〉 Hiedleberg and travelled 〈…〉 met with many affliction◠〈…〉 long tossed up and down in 〈…〉 the Lord at last provided him a quiet 〈…〉 â—here he was choâ—sen a Preacher 〈…〉 orn out wiâ—h travels 〈…〉 Ministery he quietly 〈…〉 1624. and of his age 58. What admiâ—able endowments he had his Works do sufficiently declare especially his Medulla Patrum which is so much esteemâ—d by learned men Most worthy also is Scultetus grave The Palme and prize of praise and fame to have Wâ—â—â—â—r â—is 〈◊〉 wit â—nd worthâ— His learned labours rare in print put forth Chiefly Medulla Patrum that choyce piece Preferred far to Jasons golden fleece By all the learned Had in high request For 's eloquence and diligence exprest By our King Jamâ—s and other Princes great Who with most high applause obtain'd the seat In Hiedlebergâ— brâ—ve University Of the Professour there and worthily Made Doctor of Divinity At last Having much trouble with his comforts past At Embdâ—n God him gave a quiet Statioâ— And there by death crown'd him with heav'ns salvation Robert Bolton Batchelour in diuinity minister of Gods word att Broughton in Northamton shire The Life and Death of Robert Bolton RObert Bolton was born at Blackborn in Lancashire Anno Christi 1572. his Parents finding in him a great promptnesse to learning though they had no great means yet they intended him for a Scholar the rather having an opportunity of a good Schoolmaster in the town where he profited exceedingly and at twenty years old he went to Lincoln Colledge in Oxford and was Master Randaâ—'s Pupil afterwards a famous Preacher there in a short time being well grounded before and industrious he beâ—ame an excellent Logician and Phylosopher at which time his father dying and his meanes failing he took excessive pains and wanting books he borrowed of his Tutor and others read them over and abridged them and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek he wrote out all Homer with intolerable pains so that he could with as much facility dispute in the Schools in Greek as in Latine or English From thence he removed to Brasen-nose Colledge the Fellowships there 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 Doctor 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 M r. 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 acutenesse of wit and profound learning that he was chosen by the Vice chancellor at King Iames his first coming to the University to be one of the Disputants before him and to read naturall Phyloâ—sophy in the Publick Sâ—hools he was also well studyed in Metaphysicks Mathamaticks and Schoolâ—Divinity yet all this while he had nothing in him for Religion he loved Stage-playes Cards Dice was a horrible swearer Sabbathâ—breaker and boon-companion he neither loved goodnesse nor good men He hearing the fame of Master Perkins went to Cambridge at a Commencement that he might hear him Preach and hâ—ving heard him said That he was a barren empty fellow and a passing meane Scholar but when God changed his heart he changed his tune and said That Master Perkins was aâ— learned and godly a Divine aâ— our Church hath in many years enjoyed in so young a man He had familiar acquaintance with one Master Anderton a good scholer his Country man and formerly his Schoolfellow but a strong Papist yea a Priest he knowing Master Boulton's good parts and oâ—tward wants took that advantage to perswadeâ— him to go over with him to the English Seminary at Rome where he should be furnished with all necessaries and have gold enough this motion he excepted of and a day and place was appointed in Lanâ—ashire to take shipping from thence and be gone Thither Master Bolton repaired at the time prefixed but Anderton came not whereby escaping that snare he returned to Oxford where he fell into acquaintance with Master Peacock a learned and godly man whereby it pleased God to bring him to repentance but by â—uch a way as the Lord seldome useth but upon such strong vessels as he intendeth for strong encounters and rare employments for the Lord ran upon him as a Giant taking him by the neck and shaking him to pâ—eces as he did Iob beating him to the ground as he did Paul by laying before
indited rather from his Cowardise then Conscience Oâ—r Illyricus in His catalogue of the witnesses of the Truth affords him a principall place therein We leave him to stand or fall to his owne master according to that concluding Disticke which we find in an Aauthor Cum nihil ipse vides propria â—uin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo Seeing nought thou seest but faults are in the best Looke Thou unto thy selfe leave God the rest 16 Remarkeable are his words wherewith he breathed out his last gaspe which Illyricus reporteth to this Effect now am I to goe and appeare before God either to be acquitted by him as I hope or condemned by him as I feare Which words as they savour not of that full assurance of Salvation which God vouchsafeth to many of his servants so they carry not with them any offensive Breath of Despaire And it is no contradiction in Christianity to rejoyce before God with trembling And in this Twilight we leave Berengarius to that mercifull God who knoweth whereof we are made and remembereth we are but dust Most worthily may this Divine Old Berengarius fairely shine Within this Skie of lustrious Starres Who 'gainst Romes errours fought Truths warres Confuting with high approbation Romes sigment Transubstantiation Which did that Hierarchie so vex And with such passion so perplex That they would never give him rest But did his Soule so much molest That at the last by fraud and force They made him with most sad remorse Two severall times his Cause recant Him of his Crown thus to supplant Thus O thus oft Sols raye most rare With duskie clouds ecclipsed are IOHâ—N WICKLIâ—â—â— The Life and Deth of John Wicklief AMongst many famous Writers in this Nation as Beda Alckvine Iohn Carnotenesis Nigellus Neckam Sevall Bacanthorpe Ockam Hampoole of Armach this Wicklief is not the least of worth he was famous both for Life and Learning he was brought up in the famous Vniversity of Oxford in Merton Collâ—dge he gave himselfe after he was Master of Arts to the study of Schoole Divinity wherein having an â—xcellent acute wit he became excellently well qualified and was admired of all for his singular Learning and sweâ—tnâ—sse of behavior in King Edward the thirds time who protested that his chiefe end and purpose was to call backe the Church from her Idolatry especially in the matter of the Sacrament He was much favoured by Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Henry Percy who defended and protected him from his raging adversaries and Bishops And when Pope Gregory the eleveeth sent his Bull to Oxford to require them to root out Wicklâ—ef's Tares as he called them the Proctors and Masters were in long debate whether they should receive it or reject it In the time of King Richard the second this Wicklief was brought before the Bishops at Lambeth and had many Articles put in against him but what by the meanes of some Courtiers and Citizens of London he was again released After this William Barton Vice-chancellor of Oxford wiâ—h some other Doctors set forth an Edict against him and his followers whereupon he published a confession of his Doctrine Anno Christi 1382. the Archbishop of Canterburie held a Convocation at London and condemned the Articles of Wicklief as Heretical and when the said Archbishop with many of his adherents were gathered together about this business just as they were readie to begin their debate there fell out a great and generall Earthquake which so affrighted manie of them that they desisted from their business yet all means were used for the suppressing of his opinions but through God's mercie they could never bee exstirpated to this daie He was a great enemie to the swarms of begging Friers with whom it was harder to make war then with the Pope himselfe He denied the Pope to be the Head of the Church and pronounc'd him to be Antichrist he confuted and condemned his Doctrine about Bulls Indulgences c. The Bishop of Rome lost by his Doctrine the power of making and ordaining Bishops in England and the Tenths of spirituall promotions also the gains of his Peter-pence Whereupon Polidore Virgil cals him an infamous Hereticke He affiâ—med the Scripture to be the supreme Judg of Controversies condemned Transubstantiation c. He was a painfull and faithfull preacher of the Gospell under that famous King Edward the thiâ—d who alwaies favored and protected him against the rage of his adversaries In the raign of Richard the second he was by the power of his adversaries banished yet in all his affliction he shewed an undanted spirit At last returning from Exile he died in the yeere of our Saviour Jesus Christ whom he had Preached 1387. and was buried the last day of December at his Parsonage of Lutterworth in Leicester-shire But in the yeer 1428. which was 41. yeeres from the time of his death his dead body was by the Decree of Pope Martin the fifth and Counsell of Sene dig'd up and burned with the Execreations of that fiery Pope thus he found the cruelty of them being dead whom he had being living taught to be so He writ as Pius Aenaeas testifies more then two hundred faire volumnes most of which were burned by Sùbinck Arch-bishop of Prague in Bohemia The Catalogue of his Works you may reade in the Centuries of Ioâ—n Bale somes of them I have here set downe 1 Of Christ and antichrist 2. Of Antichrist and his members 3. Of the truth of the Scriptures 4. Of the fountain of Eâ—rors 5. A booke of Conclusions 6. 7. Of Ecclesiasticall and Civill government 8 Of the Impostures of Hipocrites 9. Of Blasphemy 10. Lectures on Daniel 11. On the Apocalyps 12. Of the marriage of Priests 13. The Divels craft against Religion 14. His policy to overthrow faith 15. Of Apostacy 16. Two bookes of Metaphysickes one containing 12. Bookes 17. Glosses upon the Scripture 18. Of falling away from Christ. 19. Of truth and lying Besides these he writ many of Philosophy and translated the Bible into the English tongue making Prefaces and Arguments to every Booke he also translated the twelve Bookes of Clement the Parson of Lanthon containing the harmony of the Evangelists And thus went out this Lampe of England of whom one thus hath said With our old English writers rare John Wicklief justly might Compare For Learning Life and solid Witt And many Works he rarely Writt Contending stoutly 'gainst Romes Errours Nere daunted by their threats or terrours But to his death still fought faiths fight And thus went out this Lamp of Light But being dead Rome did so rave 'Gainst this Faiths Champion that from 's grave They digged-up his Bones with ire And burnt as Hereticks in fire Thus was Romes Folly Rage exprest To burn dead Bones of Soules at rest IOHANNES HVS The Life and Death of John Huss THE faire fruit of effects is vertually couched in the small seeds of their causes 1 Iohn Huss
little as the others Anno Christi 1530. when the Diet was held at Augusta for quieting of the controversies about Religion the Duke of Brunswick coming thither by importunity prevailed with Regius to go to Luneburg in his Country to take care of the Church there in which journey at Gobuâ—g he met with Luther and spent a whole day in familiar confâ—rence with him about matters of great moment of which himselfe write's That he never had a more comfortable day in his life Erâ—nestus Duke of Brunswick loved him dearly and esteemed him as his father insomuch as when the City of Augusta sent to the Dâ—ke desiring him to returne Regius to them againe he answered that he would as soone part with his eyes as with him and presently after he made him Bishop and over-seer of all the Churches in his Country with an ample salary for the same afterwards going with his Prince to a meeting at Haganaw he fell sick by the way and within few dayes with much cheerfulnesse yeelded up his soule into the hands of God Anno Christi 1541 he often desired of God that he might dye a sudden and easie death wherein God answered his desires He was of an excellent wit holy of life and painfull in the worke of the Lord. Reader this serious Fathers well-spent dayes Were fill'd with love and love was fill'd with praise He was abjured by a Noble race Which made him onely debtor but not base Heav'n was his port to which he faild through tearsâ— Steer'd by his faith blowne by the winde of prayers Let his example teach us to invest Our hearts with wisdome and we shall be blest With him who now enjoyes the life of pleasure Whose comforts know no end whose joyes no measure He that shall choose true vertue for his guide May march on boldly and not feare a slide The Life and Death of CARALOSTADIUS Who died Anno Christi 1541. ANdreas Bodenstein Caralostadius was borne in France in a towne called Caralostadium by which he received hâ—s name he was brought up at Schoole there where afterwards he went to Rome and having spent sometime in the study of Divinity he went thence to Wittenberg where he commensed Doctor in Divinity and was a publicke Professor Anno Christi 1512. afterwards he became an earnest asâ—ertor of Lutheâ—'s doctrine and a defendor of it against Eccâ—us both by disputation and writing at the time of Luther's being in his Pathmos Caralostadius obtained of the Elector the abolishing of private Masse Auricular confession Images c. at Wittenberg which Luther being offended at returned presently thither and Peeached eagerly against that alteration whereupon Caralostadius wrote in justification of it which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the Sacrament whereupon he left Wittenberg 1524. and went to Orlamund being called to a Pastorall charge there but after a while he was called back to his place in Wittenberg yet before he went Luther being sent by the Elector of Iene and Orlamund in a Sermon where â—aralostadius was present he enveighed bitterly against the Anabaptists and said withall That the same spirit reignd in the Image-haters and Sacramentaries whereupon Caralostadius being much offended went to his lodging to confer with him about it afterwards Luâ—her coming to Orlamund went not to salute Caralostadius but in his Sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of Idols and shortly after he procured the Elector to banish Caralostadius whereof Caralostadius afterwards complained in a letter to his people in Wittenberg that unheard and unconvicted he was banished by Luther's procurement from thâ—nce he went to Basil where hâ— printed some bookâ— that he had written about the Lord's Supper for which the Magistrates being offended with the novelty of the Doctrine cast the Printers into prison and the Senate of Tigurine for bad thâ—ir people to read those books but Zuinglius in his Sermon exhorted them first to read aad then to passe judgement on them saying That Caralostadius knew the truth but had not well expressed it afterwards Caralostadiuâ— wandring up and downe in upper Germany when the sedition of the boorish Anabaptists brake out unto which they were stirred up by Muncer and for which many of them were brought to punishment Caralostadius also escaped very narrowly being let downe in a basket over the wallâ— of Rottenberg being in great streights he wrote to Luther and purged himselfe from having any hand in those uproars entreating him to print his book and undertake his defence which also Luther did desiring the Magistrates that he might be brought to his just triall before he waâ— condemned Caralostadius wrote againe to him a Letter wherein he said That for his opinion about the Sacrament he rather proposed it for disputation sake then that he positively affirmed any thing w ch many imputed to him for levity but Luther thereupon procured his return into Saxonie yet he finding little content there went to Tigurine and taught in that place till the death of Zuinglius and then he went to Basil where he taught ten yeers and An. 1541. he died there of the plague and was very honorably buried This grave Divine ceas'd not from taking paines More for the Churches good then his owne gaines Yet were his gaines as great as his desire He that obtaines true vertue need require No greater profit he that studies how To live here-after must not set his brow On Earths loe things the pleasure of the Earth Prov'd this grave Fathers sorrow not his mirth His thoughts were all divine he could not hide Within his Season'd breast the flames of pride He was an Image-hater and would not Let them be worshipp'd and his God forgot 'T was not a Prison could his heart apale He that has virtue needs no other baile The life and death of CAPITO Who died Anno Christi 1541. WOlfgangus Fabricius Capito was borne at Hagenaw in Alsatia his Father was of the Senatorian ranke who bred him in learning and sent him to Basil where he studied Physick and proceeded Doctor of it aftâ—r hiâ— Father's death he studied Divinity Anno Christi 1504 and under Zasias a great Lawyer he studied Law also and proceeded Doctor of â—t He was a great lovâ—r and admirer of godly Ministers at Heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with Oecolampadius and there was a neer tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives after with him also he studied Hebrew and became a Preacher first in Spire and thencâ— was câ—lled to Basil from thence he was sent for by the Elector Palatine who made him his Preacher and Counsellor and sent him of divers Embassies also by Charles the fifth he was made of the order of Knights from Mentz he followed Bucer to Argenâ—ine where he was called to a Pasâ—oral charge he was a very prudent and eloquent man a good Hebrician and studious of Peace concerning the Sacrament he said Mittendas esse contentiones cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae
to Gotha to teach and govern the Thuringian Churches where he lived with his Collegues twenty yeeres in much peace and concord of which himselfe saith Cucurrimus certavimus laboravimus pugnavimus vicimus viximus semper convinctissime c. In the tumult of the Boores he tooke much pains to pacifie their mindes and to keepe them quiet Yea he so quieted with an Oration some that were pulling downe some Noble mens houses that they went away in peace that yeere also he married a wife by whom through Gods blessing he had a numerous posterity He accompanied the Elector of Saxonie in many of his journyes into the Low-Countries and other places where he preached the Gospel sincerely though sometimes to the hazard of his life About this time Henry the eighth King of England fell out with the Pope for not divorcing of him from his wife Katharine of Spain sister to Charles the fifth by reason of whose greatnesse the Pope durst not doe it whereupon the King of England sent over to the Germane Princes especially to the Duke of Saxonie to confederate against the Pope and to joyn with them in an agreement about Religion upon which occasion Myconius was sent over into England partly about matters of Religion but especially about a match between Henry the eighth and Anne of Cleve but coming thither he discovered the Kings hypocrisie about Religion not onely by the six Articles about that time established but also by his imprisoning of Latimer and cutting off the Lord Cromwell'â— head and burning of Master Barnes c. and by his seizing upon all the Abby-lands whereupon he left England and being come home he was called by Henry of Saxonie to visit and reforme the Churches of Misnia together with Luther Ionas Cruciger c. Which fell out upon this occasion George Duke of Saxonie lying on his death-bed sent to his brother Henry all his owne sons being dead before desiring him that succeeding him he should innovate nothing in Religion and withall promised him golden mountains by his Ambassadors if he would assent thereto to whom Henry answered This Embassie of yours is just like the Divels dealing with Christ when he promised him all the world if he would fall downe and worship him but for my owne part I am resolved not to depart from the Truth which God hath revealed unto me but before the returne of the Ambassadour Duke George was dead whereupon this Henry nothwithstanding all the oppositions of the Papists made this Reformation in the Churches which worke being finished Myconius visited all the Churches in Thuringia and with the help of Melancthon and some otheâ— he provided them Pastors and Schoolmasters and procured stipends to be setled upon them for their maintenance Anno Christi 1541. he fell into a Consumption whereof he wrote to Luther That he was sicke not to death but to life which interpretation of the text pleased Luther excellently well unto whom he wrote back I pray Christ our Lord our salvation our health c. that I may live to see thee and some others of our Colleagues to die and goe to heaven and to leave me here amongst the Divels alone I pray God that I may first lay down thiâ— drie exhausted and unprofitable tabernacle farewell and God forbid that I should heare of thy death whiâ—st I live Sed te superstitem faciat mihi Deus hâ—c peto volo fiat voluntas mea Amen quia haec voluntas gloriam nominis Dei crete non meam voluptatem nec copiam quaerit A while after Myconius recovered according to this prayer though his disease seemed to be desperate out-lived it six yeers even till after Luthers death whereupon Iustus Ionas speaking of Luther saith of him Iste vir potuit quod voluit That man could have of God what he pleased A little before Myconius his death he wrote an excellent Epistle to Ioan. Fredericke Elector of Saxonie wherein he praiseth God for raising up three successively in that Family viz. Fredericke Iohn and Iohn Fredericke to undertake the patronage of Luâ—her c. He was a man of singular piety of solid learning of a dextrous judgement of a burning zeal and of an admirable candor and gravity He died of a relapse into his former disease Anno Christi 1546. and of his Age 55. Myconius was a man that lov'd to pry Into the bosome of Divinity His heart was alwayes flexively inclind To what was good he had a golden minde That would not bend to drosse but still aspire To heaven and faith gave wings to his desire He was belov'd of all that lov'd Gods name The trumpet of his voyce would still proclaime The word of God to those that would indure To have their wounds be brought unto a cure By whose examples we may learne to thrive In grace His present worth is still alive The life and Death of John Diazius Who dyed Anno Christi 1546. IOhn Diazius was borne in Spaine brought up at Schoole afterwards he went to Paris to study the Arts where he continued thirteen yeers but it pleased God that whilest he read over the holy Scriptures and some of Luthers bookes and other Protestant Divines he began to see and abominate the errours of Popery and therefore to further himselfe in the knowledge and study of the Truth he went to Geneva where he spake with Calvin and was very dear unto him From thence he went to Argentine where Martin Bucer observed his learning piety and diligence in his studie obtained of the Senate that he should be joyned with him to goe to the Disputation at Ratisbâ—ne and when he came thither he went to Peter Malvinda a Spaniard the Popes Agent in Germanie who when he knew that he camâ— in the company with Bucer and the other Protestant Divines he was much aâ—tonished and admired how he was so much changed from that which he knew him to be at Paris and withall he fretted exceedingly that they had gotten a Spaniard amongst them presuming that they would triumph more in him then in many Germans whereupon he left no meanes untried to draw him backe againe to the Church of Rome sometimes making large proffers and promises to him other-sometimes threatning severe punishments and mixing both with earnest entreaties but when by no meanes he could prevaile to divert him from the Truth he sent for his brother Alphonsus Diazius one of the Popes Lawyers from Rome who hearing that his Brother was turned Protestant came speedily into Germanie bringing a notorious cut-throat with him resolving either to divert or destroy him when he came to Ratisbone Diazius was departed to Neoberg about the Printing of Bucers Booke which Alphonsus hearing of followed him thither where after long debating of matters of Religion between the two Brothers Alphonsus seeing the heart of his Brother Iohn to be so constantly planted â—n thâ— sure rocke of Gods Truth that neither Preferments could allure him nor threats terrifie him
Sweet was his life and death his well spent dayes Began in goodnesse and expir'd with praise The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO who died Anno Christi 1552. CAsper Hedio was born at Etling in the Marquisat of Baden of honest Parents and educated in learning at Friburge where also he Commensed Master of Arts and from thence went to Basil where he studied Divinity and Commensed Doctor whence he was called to Preach in the chiefe Church at Mentz but some not liking such plain Preaching and the Monkes raising a persecution against him he went thence to Argentine Anno Christi 1523. where he was a great assistent to Capito and Bucer in reforming of Religion by the command of the Senate there also he married a wife Anno Christi 1533. and though the Papists raised a great persecution in that City yet he Preached â—oldly against Masses Indulgences Auricular Confession c. and wrote against them also Anno Christi 1543. when Herman Archbishop of Collen began a Reformation he sent for Bucer and Hedio to assist him therein whence after he was driven by Caesar and his Spaniards escaping through many difficulties and danger he returned to Argentine what time he could spare from his Ministeriall employment he spent in writing Commentaries and Histories Anno Chrisâ—i 1552. he sickened and died T' was not the rage of Papist could remove The heart of Hedio from the reall love Of true Divinity he still enclin'd Himselfe to Preach with a resolved mind Let his example teach us to repose Our trust in God in spight of threating Foes The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of Aâ—halt whâ— died Anno Christi 1553. GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme who was eminent for training up of youth under whom he profited exceedingly both in humane literature and in principâ—ls of Divinity then he was set to the study of the Law wherein he profited very much also having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres he was chosen by Albert Elector of Menâ—z to be one of his Councell wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations in managing the greatest State-affairs But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time and Luthers books coming abroad he fell to reading of them and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth saying Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse He was frequent in reading the Scriptures Ecclesiasticall Histories Augustine Hierom and Lombard he studied also Greek and Hebrew and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies and after all upon mature deliberation he embraced the Reformed Riligion and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren within his owne jurisdiction Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people he lived with much continencie in a single life he took much pains both in writing and Preaching he was very charitable a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes very free from ambition hatred and revenge he used often to say Subdiâ—us esto Deo ora eum c. Submit thy selfe to God and pray unto him for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart and will save the humble in spirit He employed his time so well that he left none for pleasures and used to say That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes then conference with learned and godly men Falling sick of a most troublesome disease he was frequent in holy prayer for himselfe for all the Princes of that family for his country and for Germany he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him he made his Will wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge He often ruminated upon those texts God so loved the world that he gave c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand Come unto mee all yee that are wearie c. and so in holy meditations and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47. A Prince by birth and of a Princely minde Full frought with vertues of each severall kinde Is here presented ornaments of grace Such as doe challenge not the second place But first by merit here you may behold One whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold In pious duties he did strive to be Transcendant who was by nature frée For to the Poore he reliefe did give During the time that he on earth did live Read but his life and then at large you le sée Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be The life and Death of Justus Jonas who dyed Anno Christi 1555. IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator who falling sick of the Plague and having applyed an Onion to the Soare and taking it off and laid it by him this little Ionas coming tooke the Onion and eat it up yet without any prejudice to himself God miraculously preserving of him He was first brought up at Schoole afterwards he studied Law and made a good progresse therein But upon better thoughâ—s he studied Divinity and proceeded Doctor and embraced the Reformed Religion and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion where he defended the truth strenuously and endevoured to promote peace he was also made a Professor in that Universitie He with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly Luther somtimes resorted thither to him and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben where he dyed after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions and lastly he was set over the Church in Eisfield where he ended his dayes in much peace and comfort Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations and in great agonie he shewed much despondencie but his servant partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him cheared him up and at last through Gods mercy the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh. Justius by name no poyson sure could kill God so protected him from what was ill The venome of the Plague did séeme to be No poyson unto him for he scap'd frée Although the Duyon he by chance did eat That poyson'd was by the Plagues
Ridley Latimer and afterwards Cranmer men of incomparable piety whereby the propagation of the truth was hindred There hapned also other causes of discontent as the faction of some neighbouring Pastors bewitched with the instigation of that Carmelite Bolsecus who bitterly inveighed against him concerning Predestination whereupon he obtained leave of the Senate to go unto Berne to be censured by the Church concerning that point in which censures the adversaries being found guilty they were expelled banished the Country and he found favor was in great estimation amongst the best In the year 1556. Calvin preaching in Geneva he was taken so strongly with an Ague that he was forst to leave in the midst of his Sermon and to come downe from the Pulpit upon this accident newes was spread abroad concerning his death which in short space came unto Rome and it was so ioyfully entertained by the Pope that he forthwith caused publicke prayers and thanksgivings to be dedicated unto God in all the Church for the same but the prayers of the faithfull prevailed more for he was so far from dying that being as it were endewed with another life he went unto France fuet ad Maenum being thereunto called for the removing the dissentions out of the Churches of France whence returning although somewhat sickly yet he ceased not to execute his constant course in his Ministery and also he carefully and timely confuted the hereticall opinion of Valentinus Gentilis touching three Gods and three Eternals lest by continuation it should take such root that it would hardly be plucked up And these were his actions untill the year 1558. wherein in pleased God to afflict him with a quartan Ague which caused great sorrow and lamentation in Geneva yet it continued with him but for the space of eight weeks in which time it weakned and so enfeebled his body that he was never sound untill the day of his death During this sicknesse he was advised by the Physitians and some of his friends to forbeare his usuall exercises and to cherish his body with a little ease but he would not declaring unto them that he could not endure an idle life In the year following Henry King of France intended to levell Geneva with the ground and to put the Inhabitants thereof to the sword but before he could effect that bloody project he was taken captive by a higher power and the City still flourished even in the midst of her enemies and that nothing might be wanting unto her prosperous and flourishâ—ng state Calvin caused a Schoole to be erected and consecrated unto the great God which should alwayes be furnished with learned Ministers and publicke Professours of the Arts and Tongues and especially of Divinity that so the City might enrich it selfe with its owne treasure In the year 1560. the Waldenses sent unto Calvin for his judgement concerning some points wherein he gave them aboundant satisfaction and exhorted them to joyne themselves with the other Protestant Churches And at the same season many Protestants in France hearing of â—he peace and quietnesse which the Church in England enjoyed at the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth many of them came into England and desired of Edmund Grindal 〈◊〉 Lord Bishop of London that they might have leave to sâ—â—d for a Preacher unto Geneva for the planting of the French Church in London who condiscended thereunto Galasâ—â—â— was sent Calvin having spent his dayes hitherto in extraordinary labours for his life may well be said to be a continued labour mixed with griefe as appeareth by the Works which he wrote being at Geneva The time was now at hand in which he must goe unto his eternall rest his diseases contracted by his indefatigable labours caused him to give over his Divine exercises for indeed how could he continue long when as his body was by nature weake and leane inclining to a consumption and because he slept very little spending almost all the year either in Preaching Teaching or Dictating for ten whole years he never Dined and after the set houre he would not receive his Supper He was subject unto the disease called the Migram for the curing of which he used nothing but fasting and that sometimes for the space of six and thirty houres After that his quartan Ague left him he was troubled with the Gout taking him in his left legge which to make it the more grievous was seconded with the Colick The Physitians applyed what remedies they could and he carefully followed their counsell He was armed against these afflictions with an admired patience no man ever hearing him uttering a word unworthy of himselfe in his greatest extremity but lifting up his eyes unto heaven he would chearfully utter the words of David How long O Lord. When he was exhorted by his friends to desist from reading or writing in the time of sicknesse he would reply What will you have the Lord finde me idle Not long before his death some of his fellow Pastors coming accordingly as they used to visit him they found him contrary to their expectation apparalled and fiâ—ting at his Table in that forme as he used to meditate resting his head on his hand he spake these words unto them I thanke you brethren for the care which you have over me but I hope that within these fifteen dayes the Lord will reveale how he intends to dispose of me and I thinke that I shall leave you and be received of him Growing weaker and weaker he was brought into the Senats Court by his command where after an humble manner he thanked the Senate for the curtesies formerly conferred on him and for the speciall care which they had of him in this his last sicknesse Not long after he received the Communion at the hands of Beza labouring the best that he could to joyne with the rest of the Congregation in singing of Psalmes unto God The day wherein he dyed he seemed to speake somewhat heartily but this was but the last strugling of nature for about eight of the clocke apparant signes of death were seen which being perceived of Beza he ran forth to acquaint his other Collegues with it but besure his returne he had quietly yeelded his soule into the hands of God leaving such a chearfull countenance unto the beholders that he seemed rather to be asleepe then dead Thus was that light taken away even at the seâ—ting of the Sun The day following there was great lamentation throughout the City the Church lamented for the death of her faithfull Pastor the Schoole sorrowed for the losse of so famous a Doctor and in generall all were filled with mourning because they were deprived of their onely comforter next unto God Many of the Citizens desired to behold him after that he was dead so great was their affection to him and some strangers also whom the fame of Calvin had drawne unto that place and amongst them the English Embassadour for France desired greatly to see him being
eyes of the most renowned Doctor of the Chaiâ— Peter Martyr by whom he was presented Batchelour of Divinity and now nothing seemed to stand in his way from orderly ascending to higher degrees and preferment in the Church But the face of the skye is not more changeable then the condition of our estate in this world all the fair weather we spake of but now was overcast in a moment for by the untimely death of Edward the sixt and by the succeeding advancement of Queen Mary to the Crown a bitter storm of persecution fell upon the newly reformed Church of England and blew away many of our prime Doctors and other men of eminent worth and among them our Iewel who now banished from his native Soyl found yet great comfort in conversing first at Frankeford with Sir Francis Knowls and his eldest Son Robert Horn and Edward Sands and afterwards at Argentine with Iohn Poynet Edmund Grindall Iohn Cheek Anthony Cook Richard Morison Peter Carew Thomas Wroth and divers others These noble Confessors deserve rather the naming because in this their retiring they seemed as it were to fetch their fees to make the greater leap in England where after their return they were highly preferred Grindall to the Archbishop first of York then of Canterbury Sir Francis Knowls to be privy Councellour and Lord Treasurer Robert Lorne to the Bishoprick of Winton Sands of London Poynet of Worcester and the rest all of them to eminent places in the Church and Commonwealth to set off their future glory their present poverty and misery served as a foyl It was yet for the present lamentable to see these men of worth who had change of houses in their own Country hardly getting a shed to shelter them from wind weather in forreign parts they who opened the fountain of their bounty to other men in England were now constrained in Germany to fetch waters of Comfort drop by drop from others Conduits At the first the pious charity of the Londoners be it spoken to the honour of that City was as an unexhausted mine to them till by Stephen Gardner it was discovered and the rich vein stopt by the imprisonment of their chief Benefactors And now these servants of Christ of whom England at this time was not worthy were putt o many difficult plunges yet partly by the comfortable letters of Zuinglius Peter Martyr Calvin Melancthon Pelican Lavater Geznar and other privy Pastours of the reformed Churches beyond the Seas they were held up by the chin and partly by the charitable contributions of Christopher Prince of Wittenberg and the Senators of Zurick they were so kept above water as it were with bladders that none of them utterly sunk in their hope And for Iewell in particular though he were tossed from pillar to post and sometimes dashed upon one rock and sometimes upon another yet in the end he found safe harbour in Peter Martyrs house first in Argentine and after in Tigury where it is hard to say utrum Euripides ex Archelai an Archelai ex Euripides familiaritate fama magis incluruerit Whether Iewel gave more luster reputation to his Host or his Host to him certain it is Iewel assisted Peter Martyr in setting forth divers Books and by name his learned Comentaries upon the Iudges And very fortunate to the Church oâ— God was the conjunction of these two Stars of the first magnitude for from them had we the first light to find the tract of those who in the former Ages and purest time walked with a right foot to the Gospel and professed the Doctrine of the reformed Churches Although we must acknowledge our Churches very much indebted in this kind to Reynolds Whitaker Bilson Abbot CaÌ„mier Morney and Chemitius yet it cannot be denied that these later tinded their candles at these Torches for Peter Martyr had cleered the judgement of Antiquity in the point of the Sacrament and some other controversies between us and the Church of Rome and Iewel in all before Chemitius took Andradius to task or Bilson Allen or Reynolds Hart or Whitaker Stapleton or Abbot Bishop or Morney Perrane or Camier Bellarmine our Iâ—wel was the first who made a publick challenge to all the Papists in the world to produce but one cleer and evident testimony out of any Father or famous Writer who flourished within five hundred yeers after Christ for any one of the many Articles which the Romanists at this day maintain against us and upon good proof of any such one allegation to yeeld them the bucklers and reconcile himselfe to Rome and although Harding and some others undertooke him and entered into the lists with him about the controverted Articles yet they came off so poorely and Iewel on the contrary so amazâ—d and confounded them with a cloud of witnesses in every point in question that aâ— Bishop Godwine upon good ground affirmeth no one thing in our age gave the Papacy so deadly a wound as that challenge at Pauls Crosse so confidently made and bravely maintained But this challege was not now made in the time of Iewels banishment but after his returne into England at this time he and many other cleare lights of the Church were hid under a Bushell till the fire of persecution of England in which not onely many faithfull bretheren but diverse reverend Fathers as Latimer Cranmer Ridley and Hooper were burned to ashes for the testimony of the truth was laved out partly by the teares of compassionatâ— Confessors povring out their souls to God in publick and private but especially by the blood of so many Noble Martyres But as soone as God in justice looked upon the persecutours of the truth and called Queen Mary and thoâ—e who diped their hands in his Saint blood to his tribunall and set Queen Elizabeth upon her sisters throne that mirrour of Princes and parragon of her sex and phaenix of her age restoring at the same time preachers to the Gospell and Gospell to the preachers themselves in the first year of her Raigne commanded a survey to be taken of the whole Realme and finding in many parts palpable Egyptian darkenesse sent for all these concealed lights above mentioned and after they were fetcht from under the bushels which had covered them she set them in golden candlesticks in all the Counties within her Dominions and among them Iewell in the diocesse of Sarum Where he shined most brightly for eleaven years and after his extinction by death left a most sweet smell behind him the savour of a good name much more pretius then oyntment for his Apostolick doctrine and Saintlike life and prudent government and incorrupt integrity unspotted chastity and bountifull hospitality In his first visitation he began and in his last he perfected such a reformation not onely in the Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches but in all Courts of his jurisdiction that even those who before esteemed not so well of Iewell as Bishops yet now were brought to have a reverend opinion
to confesse my selfe to be a sinner and that I could expect 〈◊〉 salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christâ— For we all staâ—d in need of the Grace of God And as for my death I blesse God I feel and find so much inward joy and comfort to my soul that if I were put to my choyse whether to die or live I would a thousand times rather chuse death then life if it may stand with the holy wiâ—â— of God and accordingly shortly after the slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1576. What greater Simptomes can there be of grace Then to be penitent the greatest race A Christian can desire to run is this Fron earths base centre to eternall blisse This race our Deering run he spent his time Whilest here he liv'd in studying how to clime To Heav'ns high Court true vâ—â—tue was his prize And God the object where he fixt his eyes Faith Hope and Charity did sweetly rest Within the Councell Chamber of his brest And to conclude the graces did agree To make a happy soul and that was he The Life and Death of Flacius Jlliricus who dyed Anno Christi 1575. MAtthias Flacicus Illiricus was born in Albona in Sclavoâ—a Anno Christi 1520. his Father whil'st he lived broâ—ght him up in learning careâ—ully but after his dâ—ath his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all but when he began to have discretion he desired much to attaine to learning and for that end he went to Venice and after some progresse made at seventeen years old he began to â—tudy Divinity but wanting meanes to maintain him in the University he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery either at Bononia or Padua but a friend diâ—swading him from that kinde of life advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of learned men He went therefore to Basil where he studied under Grynaeus and from thence to Tubing where also he studied a while and then went to Wiâ—tenbâ—rg Anno Christi 1541. where he privately taught Greek and Hebrew for hiâ— maintenance and heard Luther and Melancthon He was much troubled there with temptations about sin God's wrath and Predestination but by the good councell of Pomeâ—â—ne and Luther and the publick prayers of the Church for him it pleased God that he overcame them Melancthon loved him much for his wit and learning there he was made Master of Arts married a wife and had a stipend allowed him by the Prince 〈◊〉 But when by reason of the Wars that University was dissipated he went to Bâ—â—nswiâ—ke got much credit by his publick teaching but the Wars being ended he return'd to Wittenberg Anno 1547. But when the Interâ—m came forth and Melancthon thought that for peace-sake som thing should be yeelded to in things indifferent Flacius with many other Divines strongly opposed it as opening a gap to the retnrne of Popery whereupon he removed from thence to Magdeburg where he strongly opposed whatsoever was contrary to the Augustine Confession there alsâ— he assisted in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries And wheâ— the Duke of Saxony had erected an University at Ieans he sent for him thither Anno Christi 1556. but after five years a great contention arising between Strigelius and him about Free-will he left that place and went to Ratisbone â— anâ— Anno Christi 1567. the Citizens of Anâ—werp having proâ—â—â—â—â— liberty for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion sent for Flacius amongst others thither but Religion being quickly expelled thence he went to Argentine and from thence to Franckefurt upon the Main where after a while falling out with the Ministers about the Essence of Originall Sin he fell into great disgrace and not long after dyed Anno Christi 1575. and of his age 55. He was of an unquiet wit alwayes contending with some or other and brought much griefe to Melancthon yet wrote some excellent works for the benefit of the Church and amongst oothers his Catalogus Testium Veritatis He was a man as some reported fit To be the Master of unquiet wit He was contentious which brought discontent To rare Melancthon yet some time he spent In serious studyes leaving at his death Rare workes behind to give his fame a breath The Life and Death of Josias Simlerus who dyed Anno Christi 1576. IOsias Simlerus was born in Helvetia Anno Christi 1530. his father was a godly learned and prudent man by whom he was carefully brought up in learning and at fourteen years of age he was sent to Tygure where he lived in Bullingeâ—'s family who was his godfather almost two years from thence he went to the University of Basil where he studied the Arts and Tongues one year and from thence he went to Argentine where he made a further progresse in those studies and at the end of three yeares he returned to his fathers with whom he spent his time in study and teaching a School and sometimes also preaching Anno Christi 1552. he began publickly to expound the New Testamâ—nt beginning in Matthew in Tygure being twenty two yeares old which worke he performed with great judgement fidelity and diligence having not onely many of that City to be his hearers but many Exiles especially of the English also four years after he was made Deacon and went on in his former worke with admiration so that he was highly prized by all Bibliander being grown very old Simler supplyed his place and was Collegue to Peter Martyr who fore-told that Simler was like to prove a great ornament to the Church who also when he dyed expressed much joy that he should leav so able a man to succeed him Simler besides his publick labours instructed many also in private and amongst them some Noblemen both in sacred and humain learning he had such an acute wit and strong memory that he was able Extempore to speak of any subject and to answer his friends questions out of any author and to give an account of their wrintings to the great admiraâ—tion of the hearers and though in reading of bookes he seemed to run over them very superficially yet when he had don he was able to give an exact account of any thing that was in them and being so troubled with the gout that many times he was confined to his bed and had the use of none of his members but his tongue onely yet in the mid'st of his pains he used to dictate to his amanuensis such things as were presently printed to the great admiration of learned men besides the gout he was much troubled with the stone so that the pains of these diseases together with his excessive labors in his Ministry hastened his immature death which he also fore-saw yet without any consternation or feare but by his frequent and fervent prayers to God he endeavored to fit himselfe for it and accordingly Anno Christi 1576. he resigned up his spirit unto God being forty five years old and was buried in
Peter Martyr's tomb he was of a very loving and gentle nature free from passion very charitable spending all his Patrimony upon the poor and strangers and such as came thither to study he entertained them in his house and often feasted his friends with whom he would be very merry otherwise he was very sparing of speech He delighted much in history he had two wives the first of which was Bullinger's daughter who dyed without issue by the second he had three sons and one daughter He was a man whose life and conversation Furnish'd both eyes and eares with admiration He was so pithy in his speech that those Which heard him gave a plaudit to his close He alwayes meditated how to be A perfect Scholler in Divinity He liv'd in Peace his heart was still contented His life was well belov'd his death lamented The life and death of Immanuall Tremelius who dyed Anno Christi 1580. IMmanuell Tremelius was born in Ferara having a Jew to his father who so educated him that he was very skilfull in the Hebrew tongue He was converted by Peter Martyr and went with him to Lucca where he taught Hebrew from thence he went with him also to Argentine and from thence into England under King Edward the sixt after whose death he returned into Germanie and in the Schoole â—f Hornback under the Duke of Bipont he taught Hebrew fâ—om thence he was called to Heidleberg under Frederick the third Elector Palatine where he was professor of the Hebrew tongue and translated the Syriack Testament into Latine There also he set upon the translation of the Bible out of Hebrew and associated to himselfe in that worke Francis Iunius From thence also he removed to Seden at the request of the Duke of Bulloin to be the Hebrew-Profesâ—sor in his new University where he dyed Anno 1580. and of his Age seventy This rars Hebritian though at first confâ—n'd To Iewish principles at last inâ—lin'd Himselfe to goodnesse and imploy'd his heart To trace and follow a diviner art And so improv'd himselfe that he became From a small sparke a most aspiring flame And at the last he lay'd his â—empels downe In Abr'ams bosome and receiv'd a Crowne The Life and Death of Peter Boquine who dyed Anno Christi 1582. PEter Boquinus was borne in Aqritane and being in his youth brought up in learning he entred into a Monastery in Biturg where afterwards he was made the Prior and was very much beloved of all the Covent But it pleased God in the midst of all his riches and honors to discover the Truth to him and thereupon after the example of Luther Bucer Oâ—colampadius and Peter Martyr he resolved to leave all and to follow Christ whose example divers of the Fryars also followed From thence he went to Wittenberg travelling through Germany and by the way he went to Basil where he wintered by reason of the Plague very rise at that time in many Countries there he diligently heard the Lectures of Myconius Caralostadius and Sebastian Munster from thence he went to Lipswich where he stayed three weeks and so went to Wittenberg coming thither he had some converse with Luther but more with Melancthon and whilst he was there Bucer â—ent to Melancthon to request him to send an able man to Argentine to supply Calvins place who was now gone backe to Geneva whereupon Melancthon requested Boquine to goe thither which he accordingly did and began to read upon the Epistle to the Galatians Shortly after Peter Martyr came thither also But Boquine finding that the Ecclesiasticall and Scholasticall affaires went but slowly forward in that place upon the request of a friend he resolved to goe backe into France and so taking Basil in his way he went to Geneva where he heard Cavin preach and from thence to Biturg where hoping that the French Churches would have been reformed he began to read Hebrew and to expound the Scriptures About that time Francis King of France being dead the Queen of Navar came into those parts about the marriage of her daughter to whom Boquine went and presented her with a booke about the necessity and use of the holy Scriptures whereupon she undertooke his Patronage and allowed a yeerly stipend appointing him to Preach a publicke Lecture in the great Church in Biturg which place he continued in so long as he had hope of doing any good but when he saw that there was no hope of any further Reformation and that his enemies lay in wait for his life he gave it over of his own accord yet the Fryars and Papists would not let him alone but cited him to the Parliament at Paris and afterwards brought him before the Archbishop of Biâ—urg so that he was in great perill of his life but God raised up some good men to stand for him whereby he was delivered from the present danger then he resolved to flye into England but hearing of King Edward's death he altered his purpose and by the perswasion of a friend he resolved to return to his people in Germanie and so accordingly he went to Argentine and when he had scarce beene there a moneth it so fell out that the French Church in that place wanted a Pastor and chose him to that office yet for sundry reasons he refused to accâ—pt of it till by the perswasion of Iohn Sturmius and some other friends he was content to preach to them till they could provide themselves of another In the year 1557. he went from thence to Heidleberg being sent for by Otho Henrie Prince Elector Palatine who was about to reform his Churches there he was made the publicke Professor of Theologie and met with much oppositions and manifold contentions in that alteration which he bore with much prudence there he continued in the execution of his place twenty yeares under Otho and Frederick the third after whose death in 1576. by reason of the prevalency of the Heterodox party he with other Professors and Divines was driven from thence and it pleased God that immediately he was called to Lusanna where he performed the part of a faithfull Pastor so long as he lived In the year 1582. on a Lords day he preached twice and in the evening heard another Sermon then supped chearfully and after supper refreshed himself by walking abroad then went to visit a sick friend and whilest he was comforting of him he found his spirits to begin to sinke in him and runing to his servant he said unto him Praie saying further Lord receive my soule and so he quietly departed in the Lord in the year 1582. This loyall convert carefully did strive To make Religion and true vertue thrive By his example many Fryars went To séek for Christ and leave their discontent They banish'd former erroâ—s to imbrace The truth and fill themselves with heav'nly grace But sudden death made Bâ—quines heart to faint He liv'd a Convert and he dy'd a Saint WILLIAM GRINDALL The Life and Death of William
was made Batchelor of Arts at the years end Anno Christi 1569. he went to Wittenberg where he studyed Philosophy Law and Divinity with incredible pains so that at three yearâ— end with the approbation of the whole University he waâ— made Master of Arts he intended at first the study of Lawâ— But it pleased God on a sudden so to divert his heart from it and to incline him to the study of Divinity that he could have no rest in himselfe till he had resolved upon itâ— Anno Christi 1571. he returned to Marpurg and studyed Hâ—â—brew and the year after he read the Arts to many studentâ— privately and became Tutor to three Noblemen at twenty three years old he was so famous that by the consent of all the Divines in that University he was chosen into the number and order of Professors of Divinity the year after he married a wife a choyce maid by whom he had three sons and two daughters the same year also he was chosen the Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in that University Anno Christi 1578. he was made Doctor in Divinity and falling sick about that time he made an excellent confâ—ssion of his faith But it pleasâ—d God that he recovered and was not onely a constant preacher of the truth but a strong defender of it against errors confuting the Vbiquitarians and that so boldly that he chose rather to hazard banishment then to connive at errors His fame spread abroad â—xceedingly so that many sought for him especially Iohn of Nâ—ssaw and Iohn Cassimire the Elector Palatine the first desired him to come and begin his University at Herborn where he should have had greater honor and a larger stipend the other desired him to Heidleberg to be 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 and was entertained lovingly of the Prince and his coming was most gratefull to the University where he tooke exceeding great paines and was eminent for Piety Humility Gravity Prudence Patience and Industry so that in the year 1588. he was chosen into the number of the Ecclesiasticall Senators for the government of the Church He was famous for Learning Eloquence Faithfulnesse and Diligence in his place and Holinesse and Integrity in his life In the year 1589. he fell sicke for which and his change he had been carefully fitting himselfe 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 mee I wholly depend upon thy providence and mercy from the very bottome of my heart I commend my spirit into thy hands and so he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1589. aâ—d of his Age 38. Industrious humble prudent patient grave What other vertues that a man could have Sohnius enjoyn'd with peacefulnesse his hand Was apt to write his heart to understand He tooke delight to meditate upon The love of God his owne salvation He study'd how to dye his wel-spent breath Was but a rare preparative to death And having ended his laborious dayes He dy'd in peace and now he lives in praise The Life and Death of Laurence Humfried who dyed Anno Christi 1589. LAurence Humfried was borne in the County of Buckingâ—am and brought up at School and then sent to Oxford where he was admitted into the Colledge of Mary Magdalen and followed his Studies hard all the dayes of King Edward the sixt But in the beginning of those bloudy Marian dayes wherein so many were forced to forsake their native soyle he amongst the rest went beyond Seâ— 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 backe and returned to Oxford where he was very famous both for his Learning and Preaching then also he commensed Doctor in Divinity and by reason of his excellent parts hâ— 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 diâ—cover their impostures and Popish deceits Afterwards he was made the Master of Magdalâ—â— Colledge and the Regius Professor which places he discharged with singular commendations for many years together and at the last quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of God in the year 1589. Though persecuting Times pursu'd and chast This pious Father yet he still embrac'd And hugg'd the Truth his heart remained frée From persecution and captivity Those weighty words which pleasantly persu'd Out of his mouthâ— soon conquer'd and subdu'd Inticing Iesuits he made them know Their errours by a fatall overthrow Thus having labour'd with a faithfell brest Heav'n thought it fit to crown his soul with rest The Life and Death of James Andreas who dyed Anno Christi 1578. JAmes Andreas was born in Waibling in Wittenberg Anno 1538. When his father had kept him three years at School being unable to maintain him any longer he intended to have placed him with a Carpenter but being disswaded by some friends and having obtained an exhibition out of the Church-stock he sent him to Stutgard to a choyce Schoolmaster under whom in â—wo years space he learned Grammer and Rhetorick and so An. Christi 1541. he went to Tubing where he so profited that at the end of â—wo years he was made Batchelor of Arts and two years after that Master of Arts there also he studyed Hebrew and Divinity Anno Christi 1546. and of his age eighteen he was called to Stutgard where Preaching in a great Auditory he was chosen and made Deacon which place he executed so well that he presently grew famous insomuch as the Duke of Wittenberg sent for him to Preach before him in his Castle which he did with much applause at Tubing also that year he married a wife by whom he had eighteen children nine sons and nine daughters about that time brake forth that fatall war betwixt Charles the fifth and the Protestant Princes wherein the Emperor being conquerour he seized upon the Dukecome of Wittenberg by reason whereof the Church there was in a sad condition yet Andreas with his wife remained in Stutgard and by Gods speciall providence was preserved in the middest of the Spanish Souldiers and yet preached constantly and faithfully all the while and so he continued till An. Christi 1548. at which time that accursed Inâ—eirm came forth which brought so much mischiefâ— to the Church of God Andreas amongst other godly Ministers that oppsed it was driven from his place yet it pleased God that the year after he was chosen to be Deacon at Tubing where by Catechising he did very much good Anno Christi 1550. Vlriâ—ke dying his son Christopher succeeding him in the Governâ—ment of Wittenberg and affected Andreas exceedingly and would needs have
him commens D r which degree having performed all his exercises he took the twenty fifth year of his age was chosen Pastor of the Church of Gompping and made Superintendent of those parts about that time he was sent for by Lodwick Count of Oeting to assist him in the reforming of the Churches within his jurisdiction and when he took his leave of his owne Prince Christopher hâ— charged him and gave it him in writing that if Couâ—â— Lodwicke set upon that reformation that under pretence of Religion he might rob the Church and ceaze upon thâ— revenues of Monasteries and turn them to his private usâ— that he should presently leave him and come back againeâ— he assisted also in the reformation of the Churches in Heâ—â—fanstein At that time hearing of a Jew that for these wâ—â— hanged by the heels with his head downe having not seâ—â— that kind of punishment he went to the place where hâ— was hanging between two Dogs that were alwayes snatching at him to eat his flesh the poor wretch repeated iâ— Hebrew some verses of the Psalmes wherein he cryed 〈◊〉 God for mercy whereupon Andreas went nearer to hiâ—â— and instructed him in the Principles of Christian Religioâ— about Christ the Messiah c. exhorting him to beleeve 〈◊〉 him and it pleased God so to blesse his exhortation to him that the Dogs gave over tearing of his flesh and â—hâ— poore Jew desired him to procure that he might be taken down and Baptized and hung by the neck â—or the quicker dispatch which was done accordingly Aâ—dreas was of such esteeme that he was sent for by divers Princes to reform the Churches in their jurisdictions he was present at divers Synods and Disputations about Religion He travelled many thousands of miles being usually attended but with one servant yet it pleased God that in all his journies he never met with any affronâ— The year before his death he used often to say that he should not live long that he was weary of this life and much desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ which was best of all Falling sick he sent for Iames Herbrand saying I expect that after my death many adversaries will rise up to asperse me and therefore I sent for thee to hear the confession of my Faith that so thou maist testifie for me when I am dead and gone that I dyed in the true faith The same Confession also he made afterwards before the Pastors and Deacons of Tubing the night before his death he slept partly upon his bed and partly in his chair when the clock struck six in the morning he said my hour draws near he gave thankes to God for bestowing Christ for revealing of his will in his Word for giving him Faith and the like benefits And when he was ready to depart he said Lord into thy hands I commend my â—â—irit and so he fell a sleep in the Lord Anno Christi 1590. and of his Age 61. Ingenius Andreas alwayes lov'd to pry Into the bosome of Divinity He hated idlenesse and tooke delight In doing good his vertues shin'd as bright As Fame could make them and he alwayes stood A firme maintainer of the Churches good Religion was his helme by which he stéer'd His soule to heav'n and there he was endear'd To his Creator in whose Court he sings Blest halalujahs to the King of Kings HIERONYMVS ZANCHYVS The Life and Death of Hieronimus Zanchiuâ— IN the year of grace 1516. Hieronimus Zanchius descended from a Noble and renowned Family was born in Italie at a Town called Alzanum scituate in the valley Sâ—ria â— who became such a light unto the Gentiles that many parts in Christendome dawned with the luster of his writings His Father was called Franciscus Zanchius famous not oâ—ely for his Parentage but also for his knowledge in the Civill Law he was blessed with many other children which he received from Baâ—bara sister unto Marcus Antonius Morlaâ—tus both Nobly descended This Zanchius in his youth shewing some testifications of his hopefulnesse he was sent forth by his Father to be instructed in the Grounds of Learning in the Schooles he continued untill that he was twelve years old at which time his Father dyed and shortly after his Mother also Being thus deprived of both his Parents he began to consider with himselfe what course to take for the increasing and bettering of his knowledge in the Arts and withall perceiving that not onely his Unckle Eugenius Muâ—ius but also many of his Kinsmen and Cozen-germans had betaken themselves unto a Monasticall life and were advanced unto the dignity of Regular Cannons he perswaded himselfe that there were many learned persons to be found in that Society and that youth might be well instructed brought up amongst thâ—m as well for civill behaviour as for learning he resolved to take that course of life upon him being also thereunto induced by the advice of his intimate friend Basileus Wherefore revealing himselfe unto his Unkle and other friends he was by their meanes elected and chosen into the Monastery In this place he lived almost ninteen years and was by profession a Lateran Canon Regular in which space he gave himselfe first unto the study of the Tongues and proved a good Linguist Secondly unto the study of Aristotle and became a good Logician and thirdly unto the study of School Divinity wherein his excellency is manifest by his Workes For the space of sixteen years he was familiarly acquainted and dearly beloved of that illustrious and vertuous grave Celsus Martinengus who perceiving that his life was sought for the profession of the truth fled out of Italie and went unto Geneva and was the first Pastor which the Italian Church had in that place who when he dyed commended the care of his Flocke to Calvin 1558. During his residence in this Monastery he would walke sometimes with Martinengus for recreations sake unto Luca a Towne in Tuscanie where he heard Peter Martyr openly expounding the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans and in private the Psalmes of David unto their Canons and these Expositions of this learned man wrought so effectually with him that he gave himselfe wholly unto the study of Divinity and made diligent search into the Commentaries of the most learned and authenticke Fathers perused positive and polemicall discourses and delivered for a season the purity of the truth of the Gospell of Christ in Italie But in regard that Italie was too hot for Peter Martyr and much more for his Schollars who were hardly permitted to reside in the Countrey much lesse to be publick Teachers eighteen of them within the space of one year followed their Master amongst whom was this Zanchius Being thus freed and delivered from this Babilonian captivity an expression often used by himselfe in the year 1550. he first went unto the Rhetians because a greater liberty was ganted unto their Churches and because â—e might serve Christ with a free and a good
committed any faultâ— that week whom he would so reprove and lay the wrath of God before them that he much râ—formed them thereby He tooke extraordinary paines to fit such for the worke oâ— the Ministery as were growne up to it so that the Church received very much benefit from thence hâ—ving so many able Pastors sent forth into it Besides this he Preached every Lords day in the Church and that with such fervency and evident demonstration of the spirit that he was the instâ—ument of converting very many unto God He wrote also many Commentaries upon the Scriptures which being Printed and going abroadâ— into other Countries Beza meeting with that upon the Romans and Ephesians he wrote to a friend concerning them that he had gotten a treasure of incomparable value and that he had not met with the like before for breviâ—ie elegancy and judâ—ciousnesse He was so humble that he prefered all others before himselfe and laboured after privacie from publicke businesse that he might the better apply himselfe to his studies yet in the two last years of his life he was so involved in Publicke affaires that it much weakned his health He was greatly tormented with the stone yet did he not intermit his labours He was made Moderator in a Synod and chosen for one of the Commissioners of the Church in the intervalâ— of Synods In the year 1589. his disease so increased upon him that he was confined to his house and being removed into the Countrey ayre he seemed at first to be better but presently his disease returned with more violence so that he was forced to keepe his bed whereupon he set his House in order and his Wiâ—e after ten years barrennesse being with childe he commended her to the care of his friends two Noblemen coming to visit him he requested them from him to goe to the King and to intreat him in his name to take care of Religion and to persevere in it to the end as hitherto he had done and to reverence and esteeme the Pastors of the Church as it was meet And when the Pastors of Edenbrough came to him he made an excellent exhortatioâ— to them and profession of his sincerity and integrity in â—is place that God called him toâ— death approaching he 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 mee then he prayed fervently that God would pardon his sins for Christ's sake and that he might have an happy departure enjoy God's presence which he often breathed after saying I have hitherto seen but darkely in the glasse of his word O Lord grant that I may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance which I have so much desired and longed for the day after diverse of the Magistrates of Edenburg coming to him he spake to them to be very carefull of the University desiring them to choose into his room Henry Charter a man every way fit for that imployment he commended to their care also his wife professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend and therefore hoped they would provide for her when he had their promise for those things he said I blesse God I have all sences intire but my heart is in heaven and Lord Iesus why shouldest 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 C 〈…〉 Lord Iesus put an end to this miserable life hast Lord and tarry not Come Lord Iesus and give me that life for which thou hast redeemed me 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 it's 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 a weary of this life all my desire is that I may enjoy the celestiall life that is hid with Christ in God and thus continued he in such heavenly prayers and speeches till the evening and quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1598. and of his Age forty three Renowned Rollock a most learned Scot Deserves also as his most worthy lot A Crown of Bayes his learned browes to dresse Who did such parts and piety expresse Such gravity mixt with sweet Clemency Such love to truth and spotlesse verity As that the Scottish States minding to make At Edenburg an Academ did take Especiall notice of him and then sent Desiring him to take that Government Which he perform'd with such diligence That Scotland reapt great benefit from thence He on the sacred Scriptures Comments wrote Wherof two were of such renowned note That Beza of them gave his witnesse fair That they were rich and prizelesse Trâ—asures rare This precious Saint thus piouâ—ly did spend His dayes on earth had heavens Crown in th' end The Life and Death of Nicolas Hemingius who dyed Anno Christi 1600. NIcolas Hemingius was born at Loland in Denmarke Anno Christi 1513. of honest Parents but his Father dying when he was young his Grandfather brought him up carefully in learning placing him forth in diverse Schools and when he had laid a good foundation of learning there he had an ardent desire to goe to Wittenberg which was made famous by Philip Melancthon's Lectures and having gotten some little mony in his purse he traveled thitherward but by the way some thieves met him and stripped him of all that he had yet when he came to Wittenberg he found thâ— people very charitable to him especially Melancthon there he remained five yeares and by his writing for and attending upon richer students and teaching some privately he maintained himselfe When he returned home he had an ample testimony from Melancthon for his excellent wit and learning and was there intertained by Olaus Nicholas to teach his daughters and from thence he was chosâ—n to be Pastor at Hafnia and accordingly ordained to itâ— which place he discharged with much diligence and faithfulnesâ— and many young students resorting to him he read privatly to them and afterwards was chosen Hebrew Professor in that University In the year 1557. he was made Doctor in Divinity and performed his place with much sedulity twenty six yâ—â—res Anno Christi 1579. when he was growne old and exhausted with his daily labors Frederick the second King of Dâ—nmark gave him a liberall Pension upon which he lived holily and comfortably all the remainder of his dayes som years before his death he grew blind and was troubled with severall diseases desiring nothing more then that he might be dissolved and be with Christ A little before his death he expounded the 103. Psalme 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 â—nto God Anno 1600. and of his age 87. Hemingius doth deserve to be Recorded in each memory Who for his wit and worthy parts In Learning Tongues and exc'lent Arts Was by Melancthon much respected And for his learned gifts elected Hebrew Professour worthily In Hafnia Universitie Where six and twenty years he stai'd With great estéem and there was made A Doctor in Theologie And full of years and love did dye The Life and Death of James Heerbrand who dyed Anno Christi 1600. JAmes Heerbrand was borne at Noricum in the year 1521. of an ancient Family his Father was one of Luther's Discipleâ— and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his Son was carefull to bring him up in Religion and Learning at twelve years old his Father bought him a fair Bible which he diligently read over Afterwards he went to Vlm where he studied the Tongues and at seventeen years old his Father sent him to Wittenberg to hear Luâ—her and Melancthon in the year 1538. which year was famous for divers things for then the Kingdome of Denmark imbraced the Gospell the Emperour and King of France met together the Bible was Printed in English at Paris the University at Argentine was erected the sect of the Antinomians was detected thâ— Marquesse of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustine Confession and the Sea by the Kingdome of Naples was wholly day for eight miles together out of which place fire 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 timâ— that he would not intermit one houre from his Studies insomuch that other Students called him Suevicam Nocâ—â—am the Swevian night-crow He hâ—ard Lutheâ— and Melancthons Lâ—ctures with much diligence and in the yeâ—r 1540. he commâ—nced Master of Artsâ— He Preachâ—d also abroad in the Villages on the Sâ—bbath dayes Thus having spent five years there in his Studies he returned home with ample testimonies from Melancthon and the University When he came home the Pastors of the Church â—ppointed him to Preach which he performed with great approbation and commendation of all His Parents rejoycing much at his proficâ—ency would needs have him imploy his talent in his owne Countrey and at Stutgard Snepfius being Superintendent examined him â—nd finding his abilities he said Dominus te mihi obtulit the Lord hath offered thee unto me Being but twenty two years old he was made Deacon at Tubing three years after he married a wife by whom he had eight Sons and three Daughters shortly after that accursed Interim coming forth he amongst other Ministers that rejected it was banished from Tubing and being out of imployment he studied Hebrew till Prince Vlrick being dead his Son Christopher succeeding him called back the Ministers and Heerbrand amongst them to their former places He also made him Pastor of Herrenberg shortly after he commenced Doctor in Divinity and for four years and an halfe he studied the Fathers In the year 1556. he was sent for by Charles Marquesse of Baden to reform Religion in his Dominions where also he prescribed a form of Ordination of Ministers Presently after he was chosen to be the Divinity Professor at Tubing and after that the Pastor and Superintendent also In the year 1562. he was sent for by the Duke of Saxonie to be the Professor at Ienes who profered to allow him the stipend of one thousand Florens per annum but he refused it continuing at Tubing where he had much honour and respect his wife having lived with him fifty years and an half dyed who being thâ— staffe of his old age he waâ— much afflicted for her losse and began to grow weaker and weaker whereupon he refigned his Office and had a stipend allowed him by his Prince and so prepared himselfe for death He was much troubled with the Gout which he bore with much patience often using that saying of the Apostle Godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise of this life and that which is to come He fell into a Lethargie and â—o dyed in the year 1600. and of his Age 79. James Heerband was a rare Divine most grave Deserves a Garland of Fames flowers to have Who in all Learning was so excellent And at his Studies constant diligent That his contemporary Tâ—ndents said He was a Sweviary night Crow And he made Such benefit his Studies up to rear When he did Luther and Melancthon hear As oft he did that he himselfe became A Preacher rare and of surpassing fame Commencing Doctor of Divinity Made Tubings Pastor with respect most high Superintendent also there elected And of the Germain Princes much respected At last his wife who fifty years at least Had liv'd with him did dye his strength decreast Together with her losse and sicknesse so Upon his féeble corps began to grow That néer the age of fourscore yéers in peace He chang'd earths wars for heav'ns eternall peace The Life and Death of David Chytraeus who dyed Anno Christi 1600. DAvid Chytreus was born in Ingelfing in Swevland in the year 1530. of godly and religious Parents who seeing his â—owardlinesse and ingenuous nature were carefull to educate him both in Religion and Learning the principles whereof he drunke in with such celerity that his Father â—ooke much pleasure in him and became an earnest and frequent suiter unto God That his Son might be fitted for and imployed in the worke of the Ministry and for this end when he was scarce seven years old he sent him to School to Gemmingen and after two years stay there he removed him to Tubing where he was educated under excellent Schoolmasters and afterwards admitted into that Universitie and whilest he was very young he commenced Bachelor of Art studied the Languages Arts and Divinity under Snepfius In all which time he profited so exceedingly that at fifteen years of age he commenced Master of Arts with the generall approbation of the University and presently after having a large allowance from a worthy Knight Sir Peter Menzingen he travelled to Wittenberg where he waâ— entertained by Philip Melancthon into his Family so that he did not onely gain much profit by his publick Lectures bâ—t by private convers with him also which happinesse he so esteemed that all his life after he acknowledged that next under God he was bound to Philip Melancthon for his proficiency in Learning When he came first to Melancthon and delivered some Letters of commendation in his behalf Melancthon finding in them that he was Master of Arts looking upon him he wondred at it saying Are you a Master of Arts yea said Chytraeus it pleased the University of Tubing to grace me with that degree Can you said Melancthon understand Geeke which he affirming he gâ—ve him Thucydides to read and construe
after Prince Casâ—â—mire dyed which much turned his griefe but Frederick the fourth being now come to hiâ— age was admitted into the number of the Electors â—nd was very carefull of the good both of the Chuâ—â—â— University An. Christi 1594. Tossan was choosen Rector of the University of Heidleberg and the year after there brake out a grievous Pestilence in that City which drove away the students but Tossan remained Preaching comfortably to his people and expounding the Penitentiall Psalmes to those few students that yet remained Anno Christi 1601. he bâ—ing grown very old and infirm laid down his Professors place though the University much opposed it and earnestly sollicited him to retain it still bâ—â— God purposed to give him a better rest after all his labors and â—orrowes for having in his Lectures expounded the booke of Iob to the end of the 31. Chapter he concluded with those words The words of Iob are ended Presently after falling sick he comforted himself with these texts of Scripture I have fought the good fight of Faith c. Bee thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee the Crown of life Wee have a City not made with hands eternall in the heavens and many other such like he also made his Wâ—ll and set down therein a good confession of his Faith and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno Christi 1602. and of his age sixty one He was a very holy man exemplary in his life had an excellent witâ— strong memory eloquent â—n speech was very charitable and cheaâ—full in his conversation and kept correspondence with all the choycest Dâ—â—vines in those times Germane Tossanus doth deserve likewise That we his honoured name should memorize Who notwithstand all th' afflictions great Which furious faithlesse Popish Foes did threat And prosecute him with from place to place And him and his dear wife with terrours chace In danger oft of death yet mightily The Lord preserv'd them from Romes cruelty He was a learned and laborious Preacher And alwayes 'gainst Romes errors a Truth teacherâ— Eloquent witty holy humble wise And now his soul blest Heaven â—eateâ—â—es The Life and Death of William Perkins IF the Mountainâ— of â—ilboahâ— 2 Samuâ—l 1. were condâ—mned and cursed by King David that nâ— dew nor râ—in should fall â—pon them because valiant Saul and piouâ— Ionathan were there unhappily slain then by rules of opposition such places deserve to be praised and blessed where godly men have had their happy Nativity Amongst which let Mâ—rston in Warwickeshire com in for his just share of commendation where Master William Perkiâ—s was born and brâ—d in his infancy 2. How he passed his childhood is â— mattâ—r befoâ—â— daâ—â—d in the Register of my Intilligence whereof I can receivâ— no instructions Onely I dare be bold to conclude that with Saint Paul 1. Cor. 13. 11. When he was a childe he spake 〈◊〉 a childe he understood as a childe he thought as a childe whose infancy as he with simplicity so we passe it over with silence 3. But no sooner 〈◊〉 he admitted 〈◊〉 Christs Colledge in Cambridge but quiâ—â—ly the wilde firâ— of his youth began to break out An age which one may termâ—â—he Midsommer Moone and dog-dayes of mans life It is not certaine whether his owne disposition or the bad company of others chiefly betrayed him to thesâ— extravagancies Sure it is he tooke such wild libâ—â—â—â—es to himselfe 〈◊〉 cost him many a sigh in his reduced â—geâ— Probably 〈…〉 Providence permitted him to ruâ— himselfe with the prodigall Son out of breath that so he might be the better enabled experimentally to reprâ—â—â— others of their vanity 〈◊〉 simpathizing with their sad condition and be th◠〈…〉 skil'd how to comfort and counsell them on their â—â—pentance Why should Godâ— arme which afterwards grâ—â—â—ously overtook Master Perkins be too short to reach others in the same condition 4. When firâ—◠〈…〉 mucâ—â—ddicted to the study of naturall Magicke digging so deepe in natures mine to know the hidden causes and sacred quallities of things that some conceive that he bordered on Hell it â—â—â—fe in his curiosity Beginning to be a practitioner in that black Art the blacknesse did not affright him but name of Art lured him to admit himselfe as â—â—â—dent thereof Howeveâ— herein we afford no certaine beliefe the rather because other mens ignorance might cast this aspersion upon him Who knowes not that many things as pretty as strangâ— may really be effected by a skilfull hand lawfull and laudable meanes which some out of a charitable errour will interpret a Miracle and others out of uncharitable ignorance will nickname Sorcery A very Load-stone in some Scholars hand before a silly Townsmans eye is enough to make the former a Conjurer 5. The happy houre was now come wherein the stragling sheep was brought home to the fold and his vanity and mildnesse corrected into temperance and gravity It is certainly known and beleeved that if Quick-silver could be fired which all confesse difficult and most conclude impossible it would amount to an infinite treasure so when the roving parts the giddy and unstable conceits of this young Scholar began to be setled his extravagant studyes to be confined and centered to Divinity in a very short time he arrived at an incredable improvement 6. He began first to preach to the prisoners in Cambridge Castle being then himselfe Fellow of Christ Colledge Here he truely preached Christs precepts Freely you have received freely give And with Saint Paul made the Gospell of Christ of no expence yea he followed Christs example to preach deliverance to the Captives whose bodies were in a prison and souls in a dungeon such generally their ignorant and desperate condition Here though free himselfe he begot sons to God in fetters Many an Onesimus in bonds was converted to Christ Mock not at this good mans meane imployment neither terme him with such as sit in the seate of the scornfull the Goale-birds Chaplaine But know nothing is base which in it selfe is lawfull and done in order to the glory of God yea better it is to be a true preacher in a prison then a flatterer in a Princes pallace 7. But so great a star could not move alwayes in so small a sphear His merits promoted him to a Cangregation of greater credit in the Town of Cambridge where he was most constant in preaching Wherein as no man did with more vehemency remove sin so none either with more passionate affection bemone the condition of obstinate siners or with sounder judgment give them directions for their future amendment Luther did observe that Thunder without rain doth more harme then good wherof he maks this application that Ministers who are alwaies threatning of legall terrors to offenders except also they seasonably drop the dew of direction giving them orders and instructions to better their estates are noâ— wise Master builders but pluck downe and build nothing up againe Whereas Master Perkins so cunningly interweaved terrours
is a better man then Austine the Bishop And howsoever others admired in Reynolds his knowledge lowlinesse of minde and incredible abstinence in all which he so excelled that he even exceeded wonder yet for my part I doe and ever shall admire at one thing in him chieflâ— even that he could so sleight and neglect all wayes of preferment of whom although I will not say as Illyricus and Wigandus spake of Luther That he was the Germane Prophet yet since neither Luther nor Calvin nor Beza nor Whitaker can challenge any honour which Reynolds hath not merited I cannot but exceedingly congratulate our Countrey where he was borne our Mother the University where he was educated and that most pregnant House of excellent wits wherein he sucked the first rudiments of exquisite Literature who that I may compare him with those of the same Colledge for vertue piety learning in the judgement of many is extolled above their Iewell Wotton Vines Hooker yea and above their Pole Let yet Westone that lewd and shamelesse Rabshake belch out what reproaches he pleaseth against him and charge him not onely with stupid dulnesse but also that he counterfeited sicknesse and pretended onely to a disease to preserve his credit Belike then all we University men were leaden witted who admired so dull a man we were besides our selves who beleeved that he was sicke whom to our great griefe we here see dead Notwithstanding this Weston himselfe so like his Unckle in his ill conditions and ignominious flight when he challenged all the Heads of the University and branded them for impure onely for that some of them had entred into the state of Matrimony could not finde any one Act of Doctor Reynolds in all his life to blemish him with all Let this runnagate Weston passe who was wandered too farre to looke into his life what report was given him by those that were neer Truely every one loved his person his demeanure his integrity If any object against him overmuch strictnesse and a resolution not to be diverted from just proceedings by any motives though never so powerfull If thiâ— or any thing else of this nature might be disliked in him I dare confidently affirme as Seneca doth of Cato that a man may with much more ease prove the fact which he chargeth Reynolds with to be faire then Reynolds to be any way foule But blessed Saint he'â— already in the caelestiall Quire As for us who now honour the remaines of this most excellent and learned man we shall never confidently pronounce Oxford bleâ—â—ed till she can boast of another Reynolds For though we may have men of singular eloquence infinite reading rare wits grave judgements studious courteous and very famous for their Workes to be left behinde them yet a Reynolds in all respects we shall never have But why doe I name this man of a thousand as if we still had him when we see the grave openeth her mouth wide to devoure these small reliques of him bâ—fore us which we now last see salute and musâ— take our farewell of â—or ever This minute is the last we can Behold thiâ— rare accomplisht man For my part I must stand dumbe when I should commend his remaines to their honorable interment for Nor tongue nor pen nor Poets bayes Can set forth hiâ— deserved praise I will therefore borrow part of an Epitaph from Sophocles Come friends and lend your helpe let 's now inter Truths noble champion and Romes conquerer And never let the best the chiefest dare To wrong his ashes by a proud compare Behold in lesse then halfe a span The lovely modell of that Man Whose worth a world as big againe Were all too little to containe That famous Reynolds at the stroke Of whose learn'd Quill Romes sturdy Oke Trembled whom had not early death Prevented thus his very breath Had made such winde fals round about In Babels forrestâ— that no doubt In some few dayes her savage Beasts Had found no covert nor her Uulters nests He was Times wonder vertâ—es story Truths champion and the Churches glory The Life and Death of Joseph Scaliger who dyed Anno Christi 1609. JOseph Scaliger the son of Iulius Caesar Scaliger was borne aâ— Aginum Anno Christi 1540. and at nine years old was sent by his father to School at Burdeaux but after three yeares stay there the Plague breaking forth he returned to his father againe who set him every day to make an Oration whereby he attained to such an exactnesse in the Latine tongue that not long after he composed that excellent Tragedy of Oedipus which caused his friends to admire such ripenesse of wit in such tender years At nineteen years old his father being dead he went to Paris to learne the Greâ—k tongue whâ—re for two months space he applyed himselfe to the Lectures of that learned man Adrian Turneby buâ— wanting other helps he lost most of that time which caused him to shut himselfe up in his study and there by extraordinary diligence joyned with his naturall aptnesse he began to suck in the first rudiments of the Greek tongue and before he had well learned all the coâ—jugatioâ—â—â— he gat him an Homer and in twenty one dayâ—s learned it all over framed for himselfe a Greek Grammer and never usâ—d the help of any other he learned thâ— other Greek Pâ—â—ts in four months more Havâ—ng thus bestowed two yearâ—â—n the study of the Greeke he grew very desirous to adde the knowledge of the Hebrew to it and though he knew not one letter of it yet he fell to the study of it without any other help He wrote much in verse both those languages but to avoid the repute of ambition would not suffer them to be Printed He read over many Greek and Hebrew Authors and spent much time in interpreting and clearing of them from errors Anno Christi 1563. he began to travell into diverse Countries and made little stay any where till he was called to the University of Leiden Anno Christi 1593. to be Professor there in which place he spent sixteen yeares making the place famous both by his Lecâ—ures and Writings and at last dyed of a Dropsie Anno Christi 1609. and of his age sixty nine The aforâ—mentioned Turneby who was an excellently learned man himselfe called this Scâ—liger Portentosi ingenii juvenem a young man of a stupendious wit How can the worthy name and memory Of Scaliger in black oblivion dye Who by his pregnant wit and studious braines And indefatigable care and paines In Greek and Hebrew grew so excellent That being sent for he to Leidâ—n went Where he was made Professour and became A man of high renown and spreading fame And gracing much that University For fifteen years he there at last did dye The Life and Death of Amandus Polanus who dyed Anno Christi 1610. AMandus Polanus was borne in Silesia Anno Christi 1561. when his Parents had bred him up at School they sent him to Vratislavia
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
lesse as he grew great Five Kings and Queenes his dayes did see Enthron'd and septer'd The first three Did view his merit and enhaunc'd him The fourth destroy'd the fift advanc'd him To Lambeth Chayre where he the Church did guide In Peace and full of age and honor dyed The Life and Death of John Drusius who dyed Anno Christi 1616. IOhn Drusious was born at Aldenard Aâ—nn Christi 1550. was first brought up at School in the City of Gaunt and from thence went to the University of Lovain but whilst he was following his study hard there his father was prâ—scribed for Religion and thereby deprived of all his estate which caused him to flye into England taking this his son along with him when he came to London he met with Câ—valerius lately come thither that was exceeding skilfull in the Hebrew his Lectures he attended upon both in publick and private and when Cevalerius was sent to Cambrâ—ge to be the Professor there Drusius went along with him applying himselfe espcially to the study of Greek Afterwards when Cevalerius was called back into France Drusius still accompanied him fell hard to the study of the Hebrew he also privately read the same to two young English Gentlemâ—n After while he returned to London againe and when he was purposed to goe back into France he heard of that bloody Massacre at Paris which made him alter his mindâ— and having preferment prâ—fâ—â—ed to him â—ither in Oâ—ford or Cambridge he chose Oxford where for the space of four years he read Hebrew Chalde and Syriack with great commendation After which time he went back to Lâ—vain but not long enjoying peace there he returned to London againe where he continued till the peace was concluded at Gaunt and then went over into Flanders and from thence into Zealand where the States of Holland chose him to â—e the Professor in Hebrew Chalde and Syriack in the University of Leiden Anno Christi 1577. there he married a wife and the Statâ—s of Frisâ—and having newly erected a University at Franequer they called him thither In which place he continued taking great paines for the space of thirty one years and at length resiged up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1616. and of his age 66. John Drusius was a great Ebrician sound Most meritoriouâ—ly must here by Crown'd With Bayes to 's praise whom for 's ability In Hebrew Syriack Chalde worthily The States of Holland had Professour made Of him in Leiden where not long he stay'd Being call'd to Franquer Univerâ—â—ty By th'Friâ—â—and States where with great industry For thirty years he govern'd it with fame And then deceased with an honored Name The Lif and Death of John James Grynaeus who dyed Anno Christi 1617. JOhn Iames Grynaeus was born at Berne in Helvetâ—a Anno Christi 1540. his father was a Minister who dyed of the Plague Anno Christi 1547. he was brought up at School at Basil and An. 1551. was admitted into the University the next year he fell sick of the Plague but it pleased God to restore him againe and he followed his stâ—dy hard Anno Christi 1559. he began to Preach and was ordained Deacon Anno Christi 1563. he went to Tuâ—ing and the year after was made Doctor in Divinity and the next year after he was senâ— for to succeed his father in the Pastorall charg at Raetela where besides his ordinary â—abors he read privately to the Deacons twice a week and God blessed his labors exceedingly In the year 1569. he married a wife with whom he lived contentedly fourty years and had by her seven children Aboâ—t that time the form of Concord being much pressed he â—ell hard to the studies of the Scriptures and of ancient and modern Divines whereby it pleased God that the light began to appear to him for hitherto he was a Lutheran whereupon dâ—claring his judgement about the ubiquity of Christ's body he began to be hated of manyâ— Anno Christi 1575. he wâ—s sent for to Basil to be a Professor in interpreting the Old Testament there he expounded Genesis the Psalmes and the Prophets and God so blessed his labors that he healed the difference between the Tygurine and Basilian Churches he had many Noble and Gentlemen that came out of other countries to sojourn with him After the death of Lodweck Prince Elector Palatine Prince Cassimire sent for him to Heidleberge where he read Divinity and History almost two years at the end of which time he was called back to Basil Sculcer being dead to succeed him in the Pastorall office which place he discharged faithfully the remainder of his life at last after much pains spent in the Work of the Ministery in Readings in the University and overseeing of the Schools he began to grow weak and sickly and his eie-sight waxed very dim he lost also most of his friends with his wife and children all but one daughter and his son in Law Polanus he was much tormented with the Collick yet bore all with admirable patâ—ence and in the middest of his pains he said Vt nunc triste mori est sic dulce resurgere quondam Christus ut in vita sic quoque morte lucrum est In terris labor est requies sed suavis in urna In summo venient gaudia summa die As death's sad so to rise is sweet much more Christ as in life so be in death is store On earth are troubles sweet rest in the grave I' th last day we the lasting'st joyes shall have After that he fel sick of a Feaver which almost took away his senses but he betook himselfe wholly to Prayer and tasted the joyes of heaven in his soul continually wishing that he might be dissolved and be with Christ which desire God shortly after satisfied when he had lived seventy seven years Anno Christi 1617. the Ministers of Basil carred his corps to the grave A little before his death he professed to Doctor Meier that he dyed in the same Faith that he had taught others that he had earnestly besought God to provide his people of an able and faithfull Pastor c. conculding O praeclarum illum diem cum ad illum animarum concilium coelumque proficiscar cum ex hac turba colluuione discedam O happy day when I may depart out of this troubleâ—some and sinfull World and goe to heaven to those Blessed souls before departed He used to say Pontifici Romaâ—o Erasmum plus no â—uisse â—â—â—andoâ— quam Lutherum stomachando writing to Câ—yâ—raeus he saidâ— Si non amplius in his terris te visurus sum ibi tamen convenieâ—â—â— ubi Lutheâ—o cumâ— Zuinglio optime jam convenit If we never see one another again in this Worldâ— yet we shal meet in that place where Luther Zuinglius agree very well together He used to be up at his study Winter and Summer before Sunâ—â—â—sing and spent all the day in Prayer Writing Reading and visiting the sick He
ABEL REDEVIVUS or The dead yet speaking By T. Fuller and other Eminent Divines Mors vltima linea rerum est Nunc levior cippus non imprimit ossat Laudat yosteritas nunc non é manibus illis Nunc non é tumulo fortunague favilla Nascuntur viola Pers Sam 37 Sould by Iohn Stafford at the George at Fleete bridge 1652 Ro Vaughan Sculp THE EPISTLE To the READER SVch honour saith the a Psalme 149 9. Psalmist have all his Saints His Saints emphatically Divine ProvideÌ„ce foreseeing that in after ages some would usurp the title of Sainâ—ship to whom it did not belong His Saints exclusiuely casting out Saints traitors as Becket and Garnet Saint hyâ—ocrites and many others who in the same sence as Auri sacra fames may be termed Sacri or Sancti Saints 2. But what honour have all his Saints Marke what went before as it is written buâ— by whom and where Though Chapters and Verses be of later date the holy Spirit might have cited the Book O no! He to quicken our Industry referres us to the Word at large However Search the Scriptures and therein we shall meet with many honours afforded to the Saints both whilst they were living and when they were dead on which alone we shall insist 3 This honour also is twofold either what God or what Man bestoweth upon them the latter onely is proper for our present purpose and brancheth it selfe into Honour done to their Bodyes or to their Memories 4 Of the former is their Decent Interment according to their quality Thus Iehojadah was promoted to a Sepulcre amongst the Kings of Iudah b 2 Cron. 24.16 Hezechiah whose signall holinesse was Paramount whilst he was living had his Tombe advanced the c 2 Cron. 32.33 highest of all other Kings However this Honour hath not been universall to all Saints many have missed thereof especially in time of Persecution as appears by the complaint of the Psalmist 5 Honour to their Memories is more certaine being sometimes paid them very abundantly even from those who formerly were so niggardly and covetous as not to afford them a good word in their life time Defunctus amabitur idem Many are made Converts by the godly ends of good men as the d Matth. 27.54 Centurian himself who attended and ordered the crucifying of Christ after his expiring brake forth into that testimony of him Verily this was the Sonne of God So such as rail at revile curse condemne persecute execute pious People speake other language of them when such men have passed the Purgation of Death and confesse them faithfull and sincere servants of God 6 The last Honour is Imiâ—ation of their vertuous examples The Papists bâ—ag that Stapleton their great controversiall Divine was borne on that very day whereon Sir Thomas More was put to death but Providence so ordereth it that out of the ashes of dead Saints many living oneâ— doe spring and sprout by following the pious precedents of such godly persons deceased This was a maine motive of publishing the ensuing Treatise to furnish our present Age with a Magazeen of religious Patterns for their Imitation 7 There is a Monument in Palestine which at e Adricomius de terra sancta Modinum was erected for the Maccabees consisting of seven Pedestals and on them as many Pyramids under the bottoms whereof their Bodies lye buried whilest their tops serve even at this day for Sea-markes to direct Marrâ—ners sailing in the Mediterranean towards the Haven of Ioppa in the Hâ—ly Land Not unlike whereunto for the use and service thereof is this following Discourse mâ—de partly to doe right to the memory of these Heroes deceased and partly to guide and conduct us to arrive at the samâ— hâ—ppinesse by steering our course according to the purity of their lives and constancy of their deaths 8 Here may we finde many excellent Preachers who first reformed themselves that their Doctrine might take the better effect in others For as one who would most mannerly intimâ—te to another any spot or foulenesse in his face doth wipe hiâ— owne face in the same place that so the other beholding him may collect where and how to amend any thing that is amisse So these worthy Ministers gave others to understand how to rectifie their faults by exemplary clensing and clearing their owne lives and Conversations 9 But Most remarkable are many Confessors here briefly described for their constancy in persecution It was as Hegesippus reports an observation of Antonius the Emperour that the Christians were most couragious and confident alwayes in Earthquakes whilst his owne heathen Souldiers were at such accidents most fearfull and dis-spirited The same holds true here in many worthy Saints in such concussions and commotions of Church and State wherein all was almost turned upside-downe they acquited themselves most fearless and valiant still preferring a good conscience a grace very worthy of our Imitation especially in this Age when the very Foundations are shaken and most at a losse how to behave themselves God grant when men are at their wits end they may be at the beginning of their faith valiantly to hold out in the Truth 10 But the valour of some Martyrs shewed most exalted Patience The Roman Gladiators set â—orth and designed to Death when despairing to come off alive tooke all their care honeste decumbere to fall down in a decent posture so contriving their Bodies into a modest Method that no uncomlinesse might therein be discovered So was it in these Martyrs and ought to be in us if called into their condition all their sollicituousnesse was taking leave of life to entertain Death with so sweet a deportment that they might â—etray no unworthinesse or meannesse in minde in their latter end 11 So much for the occasion and matter of this worke As for the Makers thereof they are many some done by Doctor Featly now at rest with God viz. The lives of Iewell Reynolds Abbot and diverse others Some by that reverend and learned Divine Master Gataker viz. The Lives of Peter Martyr Bale Whitgiâ—t Ridley Whitaker d That pa 523. and not that pag. 328. which was printed before a mor exact Copy was procured Parker and others Doctor Willeâ—s life by Doctor Smith his Son in Law Erasmus his life by the reverend Bishop of Kilmore The life of Bishop Andrewes by the judicious and industrious my worthy friend Master Isaackson and my meannesse wrote all the lives of Berengarius Hus Hierom of Prague Archbishop Cranmer Master Fox Perkins Iunius c. Save the most part of the Poetry was done by Master Quarles Father and Son sufficiently known for their abilities therein The rest the Stationer got transcribed out of Mr. Holland and other Authors What remaines but to condole the sad condition of our dayes comming short of the former Age and daily wayning thinnesse in Eminent Divines caused from our present distractions We read Ioshuah 3.16 that the waters of Iordan
heart But when the fire began to be kindled that furious Element was more mercifull unto him then were his Executioners For whereas fire hath a double property to burn and to stifle here it was pleaâ—ed to make use of the latter quality as the milder and meeker of the twaine Except we shall say it was rather the Pitie of the wind than the favour of the fire which drove the flame so full upon his face that it quickly choaked him and may be presumed senselesse though he moved a while after His heart which was found amongst his bowels fiâ—st beaten with staves and Clubbes was afterwards pricked upon a sharpe sticke and rosted at the fire apart untill it was consumed The least remnant of his ashes were gathered up and cast into the rever of Rhine so if possible for ever to extirpate his memory 18 One memorable passage must not be forgotten in the life time of Huss which is conceived almost to amount to a prophecy he had a dreame as he writes in his forty fifth Eâ—istle being a letter written to the Lord Iohn de Clumâ—e how he beheld in his Church at Bethlehem in Paris certaiâ—e men to race and pull out the images of Christ and the next day as it seemed unto hiâ— many other Painters made more and fairer images than formerly and the Painters with much people about them said in merriment and kind of derision Let the Bishops and Priests come now and put out these Pictures Hereat the people much rejoyced and Huss himselfe fell a laughing which caused him to awake 19 I know that generally dreames are nothing but Fancies descant on the former dayes worke And he that layeth too much pressure on such slender props may be layed in the dust How ever it was verified in the event that many worthy Christians the truest Images of Christ as Christ is the image of God were by Huss his preaching and suffering converted to the truth in defiance of all Anchristian opposition who endeavored to deleate and expunge all imâ—ressions of Truth in them This most illustrious Lamp of Gospel Light Which in Bâ—hemia first shon forth most bright By this renowned Martyres industrie Heavenly herâ—ick Huss yet furiously Affronted was by Papall enemies But in the midst of this their rage did rise Among themselves a mighty Schisme and rent Three Anti-Popes at Once by which event Renowned Huss did great advantage gain The Gospels Light to propagate maintain But at the last that Schisme being sew'd-up Againe they fill their wraths and rages Cup And gave it Huss to drink who valiantly Drank-up the same to deaths extremity And though they Painted-Devils placâ—d on his head Yet he their rage and scorn did nothing dread Thus faithlesse Rome breaking her promise given In firey-Chariot sent his Soul to Heaven HIERONYMVS PRAGENSIS The life and Death of Jerom of Prague TRavellours Bydalph Morrison sandye report that the place wherein the Body of Absolon was buried is still extant at Ieruselem and that it is a solenme custome of Pilgrimes passing by it to cast a stone on the place the like in expression of their detestation of his unnaturall Rebellion against his owne father But a well disposed man can hardly goe by the memory or mention of Hierom of Prague without doing his greatfull homage thereunto in bestowing upon him some passage in his praise and Commendation Amongst others therefore who have raised the Heape of this good mans Monuiment we will cast in the Contribution of our Stone also though but a rough and unpolished one to advance the heigth of this History 2 This Ierome of Prague was by his Countrey a Bohemian though we find not the Allowing him 45â— years old at his Deaâ—h he was borne 1372. principall date and place of his Birth nor the Condition of his parents We account it more modisty to confesse our ignorance hereof then to wrong the Reader by obtruding on this Beliefe our roving Conjectures for certaine Truths But Bohemia though she was happy to enjoy him was not so covetous to ingrosse him but that for his profit and her owne honour She lent him to other parts of Europe there to have his Education He travelled into France and at Paris proceeded Master of Arts and in the Vniversity of Collen and Hidlebury had the same degree confirmed unto him He was as exact in observeing as happy in remembering the most note worthy passages which his judicious Eye met with in forraine Parts 3 But there is a secret Loadstone in every mans native Soyle effectually attracting them home againe to their Country their Center This skilfull merchant for Learning having made a long voyage to the most principall Parts and Staple places of Literature and by that his adventure much inriched himselfe hath a mind to returne home to his Haven and safely arived at Prague in Bohemia He needed no other harbenger â—o send before to provide him welcome then the fame of his owne reputation being so well known in that place that the City passeth for his Sir-name and the commonly stiled Hierom of Prague For here he had if not his Birth his first breeding here he made so many pious Sermons here he held so many famous disputations In so much as it is questionable whether Ierom be more honoured w th the Addition of Prague or Prague more renowned with the name of Ierom. For sooner shall the river MVLTAW cease with her silver streames to water and divide that famous City then the memory of Ierom be forgotten 4 Hitherto Ierom was but a wilde stocke and ungrafted going on with the multitude in Erronious wayes having drunke as deepe as the rest of Romes bewitched Cupp till his conversion hapned on this Occasion The Bohemians which brought their lady Anne over into England to be married to our King Richard the second brought back the books of Iohn Wicklief home with them into their Countrey Ierom of Prague lighting on one of them by perusing it perceived the abominable Supersticions then used in the Church and began by degrees first in his judgement to dislike them afterwards in his Practice to disuse them and lastly in his Preaching to Confute them Thus Contemptible beginnings being blessed by divine Providence proversi parents of most considerable effects 5 But no sooner had Ierom publikely opposed the doctrine of Purgatory and prayers for the dead but all the orders of Fryers like a nest of Hornets with there venomous stings were busie about him We read of Elephants that though their whole Body be by reason of the hardnesse of their Skinne of proofe against the sword yet they have a tender and soft place under their Belly wherein they are easily wounded as appeares by the example of Eleazer in the 1. Maccabes 6.46 Maccabes who taking advantage thereof killed one of them in fight But O how tender are the Monkes Bellies those Lazy Lubbers could not abide to be taught in point of Ease and profit
most worthily succeed And as two Twins for their heroick Spirit The one the others honour may inherit For by John Huss Jerom was blestly ayded Where by the Romish rout he was invaded And Jerom hearing Huss was wrong'd by Rome To vindicate his quarrell did presume But in the tryall found his heeles tript up Fearfull by Romish rage to taste his Cup Yet at the last that tempting blast ore blown His doubled and redoubled Zeal was shown Stoutly recanting his forc'd recantation To th' Death he hated Romes abomination Which did their Romish furie so enflame That torturing him they Tygers fierce became His head like Huss with painted Divels arrayd His Soule to Heaven outragious flames convayd MARTINVS LVTHERVS The Life and Death of Martin Luther MArtin Luther was born at Isleben Ann. Dom. 1483. November 10. at 9. a clock at night on Saint Martins day and was calâ—'d Martin His parents brought him up in knowledge and feare of God according to the capacitie of his tender yeeres and taught him to read at home and accustomed him to vertuous demeanour The father of George Aemilius as Luther often hath related first put him to Schoole where though the trueth was much darkned by clouds of Popery yet God preserved still the heads of Catechisme the Elements of the Cistoian Grammer some Psalmes and formes of prayer At fourteene yeeres of age he with Iohn Reineck who proved a man of especiall vertue and authority in those parts were sent to Magdeburg thence by his Parents he was removed to Isenak where was a Schoole of great fame There he prefected his Grammer learning and being of a very quick wit and by nature fitted for eloquence he soone surpassed his School fellowes in copiousnesse of speech and matter and excelled in expression of his minde both in profe and verse He went to Erford Anno 1501. Where he fell upon the crabbed and thorny Logick of that age which he soone attained as one who by the sagacitie of his wit was better able to dive into causes and other places of Arguments then others Here out of a desire of better learning he read over Cicero Livy Virgil and other monuments of ancient latine Authors When at Erphord he was graced with the degree of Master of Aarts at twinty yeeres of age he read as Professor Aristotes Phisicks Ethicks and other parts of Philosophy Afterward his kindred seeing it fit that so worthy indowments of wit and eloquence should be cherishsd for the publque good by their advise he betooke himselfe to the study of the Law But not long after when he was 21. yeeres old of a sudden besides the purpose of his parents and kindered upon an affright from his faithfull mates violent death he betooke himselfe to the Augustine Monks Colledge in Erphord But before he entred the Monastry he entertained his fellow studients with a cheerefull banquet and thereupon sent them letters of valedictory and sending to his parents the Ring gown of his degree of Master of Arts unfolded to them the reason of the change of his course of life It much grieved his parents that so excillent parts should be spent in a life little differing from death But for a moneths space no man could be admitted to speake with him running over the Bookes thereof in order he met with a copie of the Lanine Bible which he never saw before there with admiration he observed that there were moe Evangelicall and Apostolicall Texts then what were read to the people in Churches In the Old Testamenâ— with great â—ttention he read the story of Samuel and Anna hiâ— mother and began to wish that he was the owner of the like book which not long after he obtained Hereupon he spent his time on the Propheticall and Apostolicall writings the fountaines of all heavenly doctrine seeking thence to enforme his minde with Gods will and to nourish in himselfe the feare of God and true faith in Christ from true and undoubted grounds Some sicknesse and feare whet him on to attempt these studyes more earnestly It is said that in this Colledge Luther in his younger years fell into a most violent disease in so much that there was no hope of life and that an ancient Preast came to him and with these words comforted him Sir Be of good courage for your disease is not mortall God will raise you up â—o be a man who shall afford comfort to many other He was often cheered up by conference with the ancient Priest to whom he revealed his feares and scruples of minde Then he began to read Augustinâ— Works where both in his Comment on the Psalmes and in the book Of the Spirit and letter he found many evident places which confirmed this doctrin concerning faith the comfort which was before kindled in his breast Yet did he not utterly cast of the reading of Gabriel and Camaracensis writers on the Sentences but was able to recite them by heart in a manner He spent much time in often reading Occam and esteemed him for acutenesse of wit before Thomas Acquinas and Scotâ—s also he studiously perused Gerson But chiefly he read often Austines Workes and kept them well in memory This earnest prosecution of his studyes he began at Erphord and spent there five years in the Colledge In the year 1507. he put on the priests hood The first Masse which he celebrated was May 2. Domini Cantate Then was he 24. years old In this course he continued 15. years to the year of our Lord 1527. At that time Iohn Staupicius who endeavoured to promote the University of Wittenberg lately begun desired that the study of Theology should there flourish and well knew the wit and learning of Luther and removed him to Wittenberg An. 1508. when he was 26. years old Here in regard of his daily exercises in the Schools his Sermons the eminency of his good parts did more and more shew themselves And among other learned men who attentively heard him Martinus Mellurstad commonly cal'd Lux mundi the light of the world often said of Luther that there was in him so Noble a straine of wit that he did verily presage that he would change the vulger course of Studyes which at that time was usuall in Schooles and prevailed At Wittenberg Luther first explained Aristotles Logick and Physicks yet intermitted not his study of Divinity Three years after that is Anno 1510. he was sent into Italy and to Rome in the behalfe of his Covent for the deciding of some controversies among the Monkes There he saw the Pope and the Popes palace and the manners of the Roman Clergy Concerning which he saith I was not long at Rome There I said and heard others say Masse but in that manner that so often as I call them to minde I detest them For at the tabe I heard among other matters some Curtisans laugh and boast and some concerning the bread and wine on the Altar to say Bread thou art and
truely blest For which rare Doctor let both high and low Blesse God that they so clear Christs truth doe know And pray the Lord that these his Gospels rayes May to the World shine-forth for datelesse dayes Philip Melancthon Dead is grave Luther worthy all due praise Who set forth Christ in Faiths illustrious rayes His Death the Church laments with sighs sincere Who was her Pastour nay her Patron deare Our Israels Chariots and Horsemen rare Is dead with me let All sad Sables weare Let them their griefe in groaning verses sing For such sad Knells such Orphans best may ring Theodore Beza Rome tam'd the World the Pope tam'd Rome so great Rome rul'd by power the Pope by deep Deceit But how morâ— large than theirs was Luthers Fame Who with One Pen both Pope and Rome doth tame Goe fictious Greece goe tell Alcides then His Club is nothing to great Luthers Pen. John Major By Luthers labours Leo the tenth is slaine Not Hercles Club but Luthers Pen's his bane Joachim a Beuft When Luther dy'd then with him dy'd most sure A Crown and credit of Religion pure His Soul soar'd up to heaven on Concords day Which tended Luther thither on his way Deare Christ since Discord followed with Coats rent Give to thy Spouse Elijahs ornament Upon his Tomb-stone the University of Wittenberg as to her beloved father engraved MARTINI LVTHERIS THEOLOGIAE D. CORPVS H. L. S. E. QVI ANNO CHRISTI M. Dâ—XLVI.XII CAL. MARTII EISLEBII IN PATRIAS M. O. C. V. AN. LXIII M.III.D.X Luthers writing were published at Wittenberg and Iene in severall Towns both in Latine and German tongue Part of them were expositions of Scriptures part doctrinall part polemicall Of these this was his own judgement Aâ—ove all I beseech the godly Reader and I beseech him for our Lord Iesus Christs sake that he would read my writings judiciously and with much piâ—ying my case In Wedlock he lived chastly and godly above twenty yeers and when he dyed left three sons and Catharin de Bora a widdow who lived after his death seven years To her it was a great griefe that her husband died in a place far from her so that she could not be with him and performe the last conjugall offices to him in his sicknesse In the time of the war which presently followed she wandred up and down with her orphants and in banishment was exposed to many difficulties and dangers And besides the miseries of widowhood which are full many the ingratitude of many did much afflict her for where she hoped for kindenesse in regard of her husbands worthy and noble deserts of Gods Church often she was put of with great indignity When afterward her house at Wittenberg in time of pestilence was infected she for her childrens safety as became a godly mother betook her selfe to Torg where was also an University But in the way when the horses affrighted ran out and seemed to indanger the waggon she amazed not so much for her owne as her childrens preservation lept out of the Waggon whereby poore wretch she grievously bruised her body in the fall and being cast into a poole of cold water caught thereby a disease of which she lay sick three months in banishment and pining away at length dyed quietly in the year 1552. Welfare those gentle Quilâ— whose ere they be Whose meritorioâ—s labours shall set free The Urne imprisoned Dust of that renown'd Thrice famous Luther Let his head be crown'd With sacred Immortality and rais'd Much rather to be wondred at then prais'd Let Bâ—bes unborn like fruitfull plants bring forth To after dayes new Monumeâ—ts of his worth And time out lasting Name that Babels Whore And all his bald-paâ—e panders may ev'n rore For very anguish and then gnaw and bite Their tongues for malice and their nailes for spite Whilst men made perfect in his well know story May all turne Patrâ—os and protect his Glory ERASMVS ROTERDAMVS The life and Death of Desiderius Erasmuâ— HIs Sirnamâ— implyes the place of his birth Roterdam is a City of Holland Holland the seat of the ancient Batavi but now illustrious by the production of one pen then by all her former harvests of pykes Seaven Citâ—es no coâ—temptible portion of witty and work-like Greece accouâ—ted the Nativitie of Homer so great an access to their other glories that they seriously contested about it Although Homer because Antiquity will have it so be greater then Erasmus yet litle Roterdam hath more to boast of in him then great Athens Smyrna Rhodes Colophon Chios Salamis or Argos in the other For it is certaine Erasmus was born at Roterdam but pitch upon what City of those seven you please it is six to one whether Homer was born there or not But what talke we of Roterdam Rhenamus sticks not to impute his Nativity to the fortune of Emperors and felicity of the whole German Empire within the limits whereof he was born upon the vigil or Eve of Simon and Iude under Frederick the third But in what yeer of our Lord or that Emporors raigne is not remembred this is certaine in the yeer of grace 1519. he was either 50. or 52. his mothers name was Margaret daughter to one Peter a physitian of Zavenberg his father Gerard. These accompanied together secretly but not without promise of marriage untill the young woman proved with childe Gerards father was named Helias his wife Catherine each of them lived till past 95. They had ten Sonnes without any daughters all married except Gerard who was the youngest save one All of them much resented this Clandestine combination and commixture betwixt Gerard and Margaret wherefore to prevent their marriage to gaine his portion to themselves and yet not loose a brother able in time to feast them at his owne cost they resolve out of ten to give Gerard as the Tieth unto God that is to dedicate him to the Church whereby perceiving himselfe excluded from marriage and not yet resolved to enter into holy Orders he fled to Rome By the way he wrot back to his friends the reason of his journey he intimated by the impresse of his seal which had one hand infolded in another In the meane time Margaret was brought to bed and the child the subject of this discourse cheerfully received and carefully nourished by his grandâ—mother Gerard after his arrivall at Rome maintained himselfe by his Pen for he wrote an exellent hand and Printing was not then found out or but in the infancy In processe of time the Copying out of learned bookes begate in him a love to learning it selfe so that besides his knowledge in the Tongues both Greek and Latin he became a considerable proficient in the Lawes which he might the more easily doe Rome then abounding with many learned and able Schollers and he himselfe having the happinesse to be an Hearer of Guarinus His father and brethren having certaine intilligence both of his being and well being at Rome fraudulently advertise
with him or was given him by way of viaticum here no inconsiderable summe in a poore Scollers purse except five pounds was seazed and taken from him by the Customers he was not ignorant of the danger but Sir Thomas Moore perswaded him that no forreigne coyne was liable to such forfeiture it is strange a man so well seene in the Lawes could be so foully mistaken but more strange that neither he nor the Lord Mountjoy at any time thereaftter interposed with the King in his behalfe perhaps being a lavish and indigent Prince they knew him inexorable in such cases All men expected some bitter invective and not without reflexion upon the whole Nation should have followed this barbarous plunder executed upon so poore and yet so conspicuous a stranger but he patiently swallowed the gudgion whereby he infinitly gained upon the affection of the English and was so far from any thought of revenge that not onely in a treatise written of purpose immediatly therafter he made honorable mention both of the King and Kingdom But having recruted in Holland he forthwith returned into England drawn thither by his affection to Grociâ—us Linacer More Pacaeus Coleâ— Latimer and Tonstall Stars of prime magnitude in the British orbe who because they honored learning strove which of them should most honor Erasmus in England he did read publickly at Cambridge in Germany after his returne at Lovane being thereto invited and accommodated with lodgings by Iohannes Paludanus the Rhetorician from Lovane he visited France and waâ— from thence the third time drawne over into Englaud by many large promises which proving in the performance but Timpanous clouds or not with child of so much moisture as he expected made him reâ—olve for Italie perhaps out of desire both to know and be knowne in that Country then which Europe affords none whether for Armes or Arts more accomplished To itch out his travelling charges he agreed with Bapâ—ista Boeria Phyâ—itian to King Henry the 8. to accompany his two sonnes to Bononia By the way as he past the Cottian Alpes he was created Doctor of Divinity at Taurinum thereby importing into Italie what others usally exported learning and Honor. At Bononia beâ—ides other Professors he gained the acquaintance of Paulus Bombasius Beroaldus died before his arrivall and his death was the more lamented because his successor Baptista Pius a bad Critick but no better Antiquary vomited up â—â—thing in his Chaire but Oscos Volscos Here he dismissed â—â—â—â—ia's sons not so much for their owne petulancy as the morosity of their Father finished his Adages or Proverbs whereof he had given the world an essay or taste formerly at Paris and layed a side his Monasticall Habit assumed at Emaus where he was a Probationer and untill that time constantly retained upon this occaâ—ion At Bononia Chirurgians appointed Triers of the Plague weare white linnen Napkins hanging transuerse their shoulders and tyed with a knot to their girdle as Friers doe Scapulars that others fearfull of infection may if they please avoid them in the streets Erâ—smus going abroad somewhat early one morning was met in a narrow lane by a company of madde shavers who perceiving his white Scapular and thereby mistaking him for a Tryer after insinuation by signes but by him not understood to get him out of their way they tooke up stones wherewith they had undoubtedly pelted him if others invited by the noyse into their Balconies whence they beheld both the mistake and danger had not speedily runne downe and puld off his Scapular To prevent such morning salutations for the future by a Dispensation from Iulius 2. confirmed by Leo 10. he changed his Regular Habit of Frier into that of a Secular Priest I see no great reason he had to usurp the Habit since he despised the Profession or why he troubled two Popes about such a trifle but he is past twice one and twenty let him answer for himselfe After a yeer and three mounths stay at Bononia he saluted Venice where he printed his Adages gave us a new edition of Plautus and Terence with the distinction and structure of their verses reprinted his Hecuba and Iphigenia two Tragedies of Euripides and added to his numerous acquaintance Ambrosius Nolanus Baptista Egnatius Paulus Canalis a Patrician and Hieronymus Aleander Mottensis who for his skill in the Tongues was afterwards promoted to a Cardinalship he lodged at the house of Andraeas Asulanus and was supplyed with all things necessary by Aldus Manutius who likwise supplyed him with divers Greek Manuscriâ—â—â— but extreamly corrupted all which at his better leasure â—e red over and corrected at Padua the principal were Pausanius Eustathius the Interpreters of Licophron Euripides Pindarus Sophocles and Theocritus being therein assisted by Marcus Musurus Cretensis and Scipio Carteromachus the one incomparable for his skill in History and Mythology the other for his ingenuity His spare houres he bestowed upon his pupil Alexander the young Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Brother to Iames King of Scots whom he accompanied to Senae in Hetruria and there leaving him for a short time went to Rome where fame as his Harbinger had already taken up his lodging in the affection of most of the Inhabitants It is incredible with how great applause of all sorts of people he was received into the City the Pope offâ—red him a room amongst his Peniâ—entiaries a place both of profit and credit and a step to the highest preferments in that Court Raphael Cardinall S. George Iohn Medices afterwards Leo 10. and Aegidius Viterpiensis outvy'd one another as much in their gifts as complements but he haveing seen Phaedra famous for extemporarie eloquence and reputed an Actor nothing inferior to old Roscius returned according to promiâ—e to his late and Royall charge in whose retinue he took a generall view of most parts of Italie as far as Cumae where not without some Religion and horror amongst other monuments of Antiquitie he beheld the Cave of Sibilla Here the Archbishop was recalled into Scotland and soon after unfortunately slaine by his Fathers side in a battaile fought against the English at what time King Henry the eight besiedged Tourney by the procurement of Iulius the 2. And Erasmus rather satiated then satisfied with Italian delights and rarities began likewise to turne his face homward shaping his course by the Rhetian Alpes he past first â—o Curia thence to Constance and so through the Martian Forrest by Brisgoia to Argentoratum or Strasbury and from thence by the Rhene into Holland where had no sooner saluted his friends at Antwerp and Lovane but he immediatly tooke shipping for England Upon his arrivall William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury collated him to the Rectory of Aldington in Kent whereof he accepted somwhat unwilâ—lingly alleadging how inconvenient it was to abridge thoâ—e of any part of the Benefice who discharged the whole Office But replyed the Archbishop who ought more to be maintained by Church benefices then those by whom the
intercession of the Saints and concerning the sacrifice of the Masse but being easily confuted he recanted confessed his error and gave thankes unto Almighty God that had prepared so excellent an instrument to open his eyes and to shew unto him cleerly the knowledge of the truth This his deniall of the intercession of the Saints and sacrifice of the Masse Stirred up Hugh Bishop of Constance to make an opposition against him insomuch that Zuinglius was inforced to declare publikly unto the world that which he beleeved concerning those and other differences betwixt himselfe and the Church of Rome by reason wherof his report and â—ame was brought unto Adrian the sixt then Pope of Rome who forthwith wrote unto him afâ—â—r this manner Beloved Sonne greâ—ting and Apostolicall Benediction We send our venerable brother Ennius Bishop of Verulan our Domistick Praelate and Apostolicall Nuntio a man wise and trusty unto that strenuous and warlike moâ—ion which hath beene friendly and faithfull unto us and to our Apostolicall Sea that he may treat with them about serious affaires which concerne not onely us and our Sea but also the whole Christian Common-wealth now although we have streightly commanded him that he shall relate those things in publicke before all in generall yet neverthelesse seeing that speciall notice is given unto us of those excellent vertues wherewith thou art endewed we cannot but entirely love and greatly rejoyce in thy zeale reposing a spiciall kind of Confidence in thee wherefore we have commanded the same Bishop our Legate that he deliver these our letters unto thee in particular and withall to declare our great affection towards thee finally we exhort you to be zealous in the Lord and to repose all your confidence in him and looke with what affection we tender your honour and preferment we desire the same from you in respect of our and the affaires of the sea Apostolicall and for which you shall finde no small favour aâ— our hands Given at Rome 23. Januvary 1523. and in the first yeer of our Popedome Letters were also written by the same Pope unto Franciscus Zinggius to this intent that he should not be wanting to use all meanes to draw and to allure this godly man to the prefession of the doctrine of the Church of Reme which Francisâ—us being damanded by Mysconius what reward the Pope had promised unto him on condition that he could perswade Zâ—inglius to revoke his opinion he seriously answered that Peters Chaire excepted he had promised him all things else Whence it is evident that the Divell and his members laboured as much as in them lied to hinder the knowledge of the truth of Christ and to detaine men in blindnesse and ignorance And hence we may observe the constancy of this holy man who could not be allured to forsake and fall from the truth of God and of his word no noâ—â—or all the preferments of the world â—steeming with Saint Paul all things as dung in respect of Christ. The Gospel now with the blessing of God being received and embraced of the Zigurins and gathering strength every day more and more Zuingliâ—s began to enter into a serious consideration of changing the forme of things present into a better state and condition reducing the Monks and Priests unto three orders some for labour some for Marrage some for learning because the number of them seeme greater then might seâ—ve for the use of Religion Being busied about this Reformation there crept in the Heiresie of the Catabaptists who forbad the Baptizing of Infants and did rebaptize themselves with these Zuinglius dealt friendly at the first disputing with them and convincing them of their errors but they being obstinate in their opinions he caused the Senate severely to punish them some with imprisonment some with death But to returne againe his alteration of the state at Tigurum concerning Priests and Mâ—nks and the decree against Pensioners being by his meanes sealed and confirmed caused him to be every way surrounded with enemies who waited daily and hourely to take away his life and also in the night season insomuch that he durst not walke abroad without a strong guard to defend him from his enemies who used openly in the streets all reproachfull speeches against him and these wicked and ungratious villaines when they saw that they could neither prevaile against the Gospel nor against this good Preacher of the Gospel then they bent all their forces against those who were obedient to the word of God imagining nothing but mischiefe towards them alwaies intending their destruction and ruine Hence it was concluded and resolved on to take up Armes for the deâ—ence of the truth of the doctrin of Christ and they all enter into a new League the old being notwithstanding no way violated but remaine firme and that by the great labour and industry of Zuinglius not that he intended any thing hurtfull unto his Countrey but to extirpate and to roote out their vices and to plant in it firmely the doctrine of the Gospel both for the glory of God and also for the good of all Switzerland for he deâ—ired nothing more then that all Nations might confesse the Lord Jesus and therefore he exhorted those that were his friends and which stood up for the truth of Christ to undergoe the hazard of their lives in so good a cause with these expresse words following That whith heretofore I have written unto you I exhort you unto it still beâ—eeching you to remaine constant and immovable and not to be afraid of your enimies for that peace which some so greatly urge and presse is open warre and not peace and that warre which we are to undertake is peace and not open warre for we doe not thirst after any mans blood neither do we desire to spill it by such tuâ—multuous actions but this we maintaine and defend that the nerves and sinewes of an Oligarchy are to be cut off and unlesse it be the truth of the Gospell and the Ministers thereof will never have any safe and quiet residence and dwelling amongst us Alas it is not cruelty that we thinke of but our actions are both fatherly and friendly we desire to be a meanes to save those who are like to perish through ignorance our greatest ambition is to preserve our liberty therefore doe not so much estrange your selves from our determinations you shall find them more peaceable and more just then some have related unto you you are apt to beleeve those which speake false of us who notwithstanding hitherto have had good and sufficient triall of our truth and of their inconstancy I will not say lies In this shew your selves to be men that ye remaine Constant and immovable as we doe for our faith towards God and men In a word let not feare dismay you for through the goodnesse of God we shall so behave our selves in this League that it shall neither purchase shame nor griefe to your selves Thus did he cheerefully
animate and encourage these his friends to fight for the glory of God and to give sufficient testification of his zeale towards God he was himselfe present in Person in two severall Battels fought betwixt them neaâ—e unto Capella a Monastery situate in the fields of Tigurum unto the first he came freely of his owne accord that he might be present at their Consultations and to see that there were no declining from truth and equity This Battell was finished without the shedding of blood concerning which he was often heard to say that he had seene more malice and more wicked Counsell in it then he knew all his life time either by experience or from reading Unto the second he waâ— elected and chosen us chiefe Commander and being unwilling at the first to undertake such a burden the ground of that quarrell being something displeasing unto him it being onely Grameatus denegatio yet at the last he resolved to goe presaging as it were his owne death by the uâ—tring of these words Seio scio quid rei sit ut ego â—ollar fiunt omnia I know I know how the case stands now all these preparations are for my ruine and destruction Wherefore being well horsed and compleatly Armed he followed the Tigurunes in the reare being ready to joyne battell he went not forth as a Captaine or Commander of the Army but as a good Citizen and faithfull Pastor who would not forsake his friends in their greatest perill In this Battell Zuinglius was slaine together with three hundred eighty and three of his confaederates it happening on the eleventh day of Octobrr in the yeer of our Lord 1531. after that he had Preached the Gospel of Christ at Tigurum the space of 12. yeeres and at Glarona and Eremus the space of a 11. yeeres himselfe being 44. yeeres of age They which were neere unto him when he fell wounded even unto death heard him utter these words What misfortune is this Well they can indeed kill the body but they cannot kill the soule being in this misery he was demanded by his enimies whether he would yeeld unto Papisticall invocation of the Saints being not able to speake he refused it apparantly by the motion of his head and by the lifting up of his eyes to heaven he gave thâ—m to understand that he would invoke and call on none but on the Lord above wherefore in a raging and cruell manner tooke his life away from him condemned his body to be cut in foure quarters and to be burnt unto ashes in the fire Some of his faithfull friends greatly lamenting his death came full of sorrow unto the place where his body was burnt and lightly moving the ashes found his heart sound and untouched with the flames some ascribing it unto the power of God who by this miracle would declare unto the world both his innocency and also his zeale others spending their judgements accordingly as they were affected toward the Person And this was the end of the godly Minister of Christ whose great desire for the advancement of the truth of Christ will clearly shew it selfe by those painfull and learned labours of his which are extant in the Church being comprehended and contained in foure Tomes Tome 1. 1. A worke of Articles 2. An exhortation to the whol State of Switzerland 3. A Supplication to the Bishop of Constance 4. Of the certainty and purity of Gods Word 5. An answer unto Valentine of the authority of the Fathers 6. Institutions for Youth 7. A good Shepheard 8. Of Iustice Divine and Humaine 9. Of Providence Tome 2. 1. Of Baptisme 2. Of Originall Sinne. 3. Of true and false Religion 4. An Epistle to the Princes of Germany 5. Of the Lords Supper 6. Of Christian Faith written unto the French King Tome 3. Commentaries on Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Isaiah 4. Jeremiah Psalter out of Hebrew into Latin Tome 4. 1. Annotations on the foure Evangelists 2. History of our Saviours Passion Annotations on 3. The Romans 4. Corinthians 5. Philippians 6. Collossians 7. Thessalonians 8. Hebrewes 9. James 10. John Epist. 1. They that are willing to engage and prove Themselves true Souldiers in the field of Love Must follow Zuinglius whose ample glory Affords the World an everlasting Story Ye Prelats of these Times stoope downe and sée The Wisdome Valour and the Constancie Of this renowned Father whose deserts Ought to be printed in all noble Hearts He fell with Honour and all those that fall Guarded with Truth deserve a Funerall Adorn'd with Angels that all tongues may say Here lyes Relig'ons and the Churches stay Brave Zuinglius dy'd though it be hard to doe A valiant Souldier and a Martyr too IOHN COLLET The Life and Death of John Colet IOhn Colet was borne in London of honest and wealthy Parents His Father was twice Lord Major of that famous City to whom his Mother a chaste and fruitfull Matron brought forth eleven Sonnes and as many daughters of which numerous off-spring Iohn Colet was the eldest and sole Survivor the rest dyed before their Father whereby he became Heir to a very considerable fortune and yet nature to him was no lesse indulgent then fortune being indowed with all the Simmetry almost imaginable in a tall and comely Person In his younger yeeres he gave himselfe to the study of Phylosophy and in the seaventh after his Matriculation in the Vniversity obtained his degree of Master in Arts an honor not so much given to his Standing as due to his knowledge in the Liberall Sciences in none whereof he was ignorant in some exquisitly learned All Tullies woâ—ks were as familiar unto him as his Epistles neither was he any stranger to Plato and Plotinus whom he not oâ—ely read but conferred and paralleld perusing the one as a Commâ—ntator upon the other As for the Mathematickes there is scarce any part thereof wherein he was not seene abovâ— his yeeres certainly above expectation Having thus fethered his nest at home he began to looke abroad and improve his stock in forreigne Countries In France he added his Humanity what he thought necessary to the study of Divinity which thereafter he effectually prosecuted in Italie amongst the Ancients he was most taken with Dionysius Areopagita Origen Saint Cyprian St. Ambrose and Saint Hierom with St. Augustine whether out of Singularity or judgement amongst all the Fathers he seemed most disguised And yet he did not so mancipate himselfe to Antiquity but that as occasion served he sometimes survayed Aquinas Scotus and other Schoolmen In a word he was seene in both Lawes and singularly well read in History both Civill and Ecclesiasticall And because he saw that England had her owne Dant's and Petrarchs as well as Italie who have performâ—d the same here that they there those and these he both read and diligently imitated accommodating thereby his stile to the Pulpit and Preaching of the Gospel After his returne from Italie he made choyse to live at Oxford where he publickly
Stephen Gardiner Lord Chancellor of England who railed upon him asked him if he knew him not c. to whom he answered Yea I know you and all your greatnesse yet you are but a mortall man and if I should be affraid of your Lordly looks why feare you not God the Lord of us all c. But after other discourse he sent him to the Kings Bench commanding his Keeper to keep him strictly In Prison he spent his time in prayer reading the Scriptures Preaching to the prisoners and to others that resorted to 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 dye 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 flocke of Christ. He was sent down to Hadley to be burn'd and all the way as he went he was very merrie as one that went to a banquet or Bridall In his journey the Sheriff of Essex perswaded him much to return to the Popish Religion c. to whom at last he answered I well perceive now that I have been deceived my sâ—lfe and shall deceive many in Hadley of their expectation when the Sheriff desired him to explain his meaning hoping that he would recant he said I am a man of a very great carkasse which I had hoped should have been buried in Hadley Churchyard but I see I am deceived there are a great number of worms there which should have had jollie feeding upon this carryon but now both I and they shall be deceived of our expectation when he came within two miles of Hadley he desired to alight and being downe he leap't and fet a frisk or two saying God be praised I am now almost at home and have not past a mile or two and I am even at my fathers house at Hadley towns-end a poore man with five children met him crying O dear father and good shepheard God help and succour thee as thou hast many a time succouâ—'d me and my poore children The streets were full of people weeping and bewailing their losse to whom he said I have preached to you Gods Word and Truth and am come to seal it with my blood He gave all his money to the poore for whom he was wont thus to provide formerly once a fortnight at least he used to call upon Sir Henry Doil and other rich Clothiers to goe with him to the Alms houses to see what the poore lacked in meat dâ—ink apparell bedding and other necessaries withall â—xhorting comforting and rebuking as he saw occasion Comming to the plâ—ce of execution he was not suffered to speak to the people who much lamented his death yet he was very chearfull saying Thanks be to God I am even at home and when he had prayed and made himselfe ready he went to the stake and kissed it the fire being kindled he held up his hands called upon God saying Mercifull father of heaven for Iesus Christ my Saviours sake receive my soul into thy hands and so stood still without moving till one with an halberd strook out his brains Among the many Champions of the Lord Who with their blood to Truth did beare record And feared not in furious flames to fry That they Christs Gospels light might magnifie Was pious precious Doctor Tailor stout Who did the fight of Faith to th' death fight out A very learned painfull Pastor grave Who to his Flock full testimony gave Of his great wisdomeâ— charity and love And all Soul saving graces from above Who for opposing Romes impiety Being apprehended and condemnâ—d to dye He kist his Stake being bound to it in chaines Burning a Popish wretch beat out his braines And thus this blessed Martyr chéerfully Went to his heavenly home triumphantly IOHN BRADEFORD The Life and Death of John Bradford NExt to this last mad Septenary of unchristian liberty and unparalled distractions the Devill never seem'd to injoy more chaine in this Kiâ—gdome then in the time of Queene Mary wherein laying hold on the weaknesse and superâ—ticion of a silly woman bred up in Popery and by reason of the bar interpos'd betwixt her and the Crowne by her Royall Brother Edward the sixt wholly subjected to the violent and bloody counsels of that faction which finally prevailed in her restitution and establishment he kindled more Bonefires in the space of three or four yeerâ—s in England then the world had at any time beheld in so few yeeres and in one Kingdome since the last of the first â—en Persecutions I dare not upon Master Foxes bare report who was somtimes and perhaps of purpose by the adversaries themselves miserably abus'd in hiâ— informations acknowledge all for Martyrs whom I finde in his Catalogue But what will Stapleton or any other Papist get by that The Church of Englaâ—d as it was of late reformed the Reformation by Law established hath produced added as many genuine knowing valiant Champions to that Noble Army as wiâ—hin these thousand yeers any Church in Christendome which is glory enough without hooking in either Heretique or Schismatique or any other who suffered for nothing lesse then well doing And from a chiefe place amongst those holy men and witnesseâ— to the truth of the Gospell of Iesus Christ all Stapletons exceptions bitter rayling and intemperat scoffes can not ought not exclude this blessed Saint and servant of God Iohn Bradford as shall evidently appeare to as many as wiâ—hout prejudice shall peruse and pondor his insuing History which God willing we will drive throuh the whole Course of his life from his Birth to his Martyrdome But to take our rise from his Birth He was borne in Manchester the quality of his Parentâ— though their meanes be not recorded may be easily gathered by his Education which was the best that either that place or those times could â—fford for he arrived very early at the knowledge of the Latin Tongue and for Ariâ—hmaticke he had few equals in those parts both which bâ—ing adorn'd and helped forward by a faire and speedy hand he became fit for imployment abroad before any great notice was taken of him at home which moved Sir Iohn Harrington a noble Knight and in good esteem both with King Henry the eight and his Son Edward the sixt to assume him into the number of his fellowes and imploy him in his most private and and urgent affaires both at home and abroad For at Bulloigne he was Treasurer at warres and here he had the charge and oversight of all his Majesties buildings In both imployments he found the service of young Bradford who besides his honesty and diligence had a notable dexterity in casting up and Auditing accoumpts of such importance that where ever he imploy'd him he committed all to his trust and own'd whatsoever he did
as immediatly done by himselfe And truly therein he more â—avored himselfe then Bradford who in the whole course of his imployment so acquitted himselfe as it is hard to determine whether therein he used greater diligence or integrity But having spent diverse yeeres in this honest and thrifty course of life wherein if he had persisted he was in a faire way both of wealth and worship he began to Elevate his thoughs above these temporary things and aspire to a service lesse profitable but much more honorable wherefore making up his accoumpts with his Master who neither would nor could diswade him from what he had once resolved he gave himselfe wholly to the study of Divinity and reading of the Scriptures But perceiving how usefull and necessary a Hand-maid Humanity is to Divinity and how short he came of those Tongus and Sciences without which it was improbable if not impossible for him to attaine any perfection in the noblest and most supereminent of all other Sciences at which he chiefely aimed leaving the Temple at London where he usually bestowed some few houres every day in hearing the Reader of the Common-Law he betooke himselfe to the University of Cambridge as neither able nor desirous to suppresse that which inwardly moved him to fit himselfe for an able workman in a more spirituall building After a yeere and some few moneths spent in the University he attained his degree of Master in Arts whereunto others are hardly admitted after long examination and seven yeeres painfull study But such was his Carriage diligence and profeciency that this favour though extraordinary and insolent was thought well bestowed upon him by the whole University And least any man may thinke it was rather out of Charity defer'd to his yeeres then abilities he was immediatly hereafter without any interposall of time chosen Fellow of Pembrooke Hall which first brought him to the eye and afterwards to the bosome of that learned and notable stickler in the reformation Martin Bucer by whom he was again encouraged and stir'd up to the worke of the Ministry not that he found him stagger in his Resolution or fall from his principles but because the greater measure of knowledge he attained the longer he defered the performance of his promise as ever thinking himselfe the more insufficient for so high and laborious a Calling Being one time amongst many moved by Bucer to defer the imployment of his Talent no longer and he pretending as formerly his present inability If thou canst not attaine unto Manchett said Bucer mayest thou not therefore feed this poore and Soul starved People with Barly loaves which proceeding from a man he so sincerely lov'd and upon whose jâ—dgment he so much relyed made him lay aside all his former tergiversations and in good earnest buckle himselfe to the worke But because no man can take upon him that function unlesse he be called as was Aaron though he doubted not of his inward vocation by God yet would he by no meanes thrust his shickle into that sacred harvest before he was called by the Church and seperated thereunto by Imposiâ—ion of Hands which with a Licence to Preach and a Prebeâ—d in Sâ—int Pauls he obtained from that renowned Bishop and glorio 〈◊〉 Martyr Doctor Ridley Bishop of London For three yeeres together he Preached faithfully and diligently in season and out of season being a sharpe and impartiall reprover of vice a vehement exhorter to vertue no man opposing Heresies with greater animosity or asserting the truth with more evidence and perspicuity whereby his fame spread it self almost over the whole kingdome And yet all this was but an Introduction to that which followed For King Edward the sixt of blessed Memory expiring with the last of these three yeeres and his sister Queen Mary contrary the his last will and Testament advanced to the Crown though not without some opposition which she easily overcame he was suddenly deprived both of his livelyhood and and liberty upon an occasion which deserved much rather reward then punishment And this it was In the first yeere of the Queenes Raigne and not long after her Coronation Master Bourne who was shortly thereafter by the favour of Secretary Bourne consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wels made a most invective and seditious Sermon at Pauls Crosse wherein he not onely cast dirt upon his late deceased King Edward the sixt but vented and maintained many Popish tents contrary to the orthodox Religion then established which drove the Common People into such a fury tumult that neither the reverence of the place the perswasion of the Bishop nor the authority and presence of the Lord Major could stop them from pulling him out of the Pulpit gladly he would have ended his Sermon for belike his greatest strength and confidence to lead his auditors hood winkt into their old Mumpsimus lay in his peroration but perceiving by a drawne dagger which amongst other implements was flung at him and missed him but very narrowly that the multitude were in good earnest and his life in jeoperdy he turned himselfe about and perceived Master Bradford standing at his backe within the Pulpit whom he earnestly intreated to supply his place and save his life by pacifying the People He no sooner appeared in the others room but the people joyfully ingeminated with a loud voice Bradford Bradford and by that time he had a little inlarged himselfe in the point of obedience the Tumult seemed more then halfe appeased But the Sermon ended and Bourne as he had reason not yet daring to commit himselfe to the so lately inraged multitude notwithstanding he was back'â— by the Lord Major and Sheriffs besought Master Bradford not to leave him untill he brought him into some place of security whereunto he willingly consented and when the multitude for the greater part were dispersed under the covert of his owne gowne he conveighed him into the next house which was the Scholemasters effecting that by the Word which the Major could not doe for him by the Sword many were â—ore grieved at his escape and some stuck not to Prophesie I know not by what Spirit that by saving this wiling Rashaketh from death he had given a deadly blow to his owne life Howsoever Bradford committed the issue to almighty God nothing repented his Charity which he was sure would finde reward with him what acceptance soever it found amongst wicked and unthankfull men yea so far was he from being afraid or sorry for what he had done that in his afternoones Sermon at Bow Church he sharply reprehended his Auditors for their forenoones tumultuous Carriage and sedition And yet such was the malice of the common adversary and iniquity of the times that about three dayes after for this very fact he was summoned to appeare before the Councell and by the Lords Committed to the Tower from whence within few weeks they removed him to the Kings Bench where through thâ— Keepers connivance he had often conference with Master Laurence
transâ—ported and elevated in his raptures that he seemed already in possession of that Crowne which for the present through fire and faggots he but aspir'd to to the great admiration and comfort of as many of his friends as that day had the happinesse to visit him Having blest and distributed such things amongst the servants of the hous as he thought fit he made a most fervent pacheticall farwell-prayer in the company of his fellow prisoners w th such ravishment of Spirit and abundance of tears that the hardest hearted amongst them could not choose but Simpathize w th him In the midst of this prayers when he put on the shirt wherein he was to be burned he inlarged himselfe in a most sweet meditation of the Wedding Garment and after that about twelve a clock in the night came downe into the Court where the prisoners tooke their finall leave of him as he went from the Counter to Newgate though it was about midnight yet great multitudes of people were gathered together in the streets who much lamented and earnestly pray'd for him to whom he returned their curtesie in both kinds with interest About nine in the morning he was led forth to Smithfield with a very great Guard as he came downe the staires he espied an old friend whom he called unto him imbraced and after some private whisperings bestowed upon him his velvet night-cap handkershiefe and som other trifles And yet Roger Beswicke his brother in law had his head cruelly broken by Seriffe Woodrofe for but offering to speake to him for which and other his barbarous inhumanities committed against the Saints and faithfull witnesses of Iesus Christ at such times a heavy and visible judgment overtooke him within few yeeres thereafter for besides the Palsie which for eight yeers together disinabled him from riding walking or turning himselfe in his bed he fell into a most devouring and insatiable Bulimy As soone as he approached the stake he fell flat on the ground intending there to power forth hiâ— private prayers for he was not permitted to do it publickly unto almighty God But Woodrofe the Sheriffe commanded to him arise and dispatch for that the people increased and pressed upon him whereat eftsoone he got up and when he had imbraced the stake and kissed it he put off his Cloathes which he intreated might be given to his servant because he had nothing else to leave him being tyed to the stake he comforted the stripling that was burned with him and earnestly exhorted the people to repentance which so inraged the Sherieffe that which was not usuall he commanded his hands should be tyed His last audiable Words were those of our Saviours Strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to Salvation and few there be that finde it He indured the flame as a fresh gale of wind in a hot Summers day without any reluctancy confirming by his death the truth of that doctrine which he had so diligently and powerfully Preached during his life which ended Iuly the first 1556. in the prime though in what yeere of his age is not certainly knowne He was for his stature tall but slender of a faintish sanguine Complexion his heir and beard auburne his countenance was full of sweetnesse mix'd with reverence and austerity He spent the whole time of his inprisonment in reading Preaching and praying eating but once every day and that but sparingly scarcely ever rising from that meale wherein his tears did not largly bedew his trencher He slept not commonly above four hours a night from the time he went to bed till dead sleep lock'd up his senses his candle went not out nor his booke out of his hand Halfe an hour he sent usually after dinner in discourse which was all the recreation he used the rest of his time in his owne private devotions and studies His death was generally lamented by all who knew or bus heard of of him yea many Papists themselves being convicted with his innocency of his life or taken with the quicknesse and modisty of his answers but especially considering â—he implacable malice and cruelty of his enemies heartily wished his deliverance for all men observid how they had first committed him without law and then after a yeers imprisonment made one to take away his life He denyed indeed the Popes authority over the Church of England and so had his judges done but the yeere before And for Christs corporall presence in the Sacrament which was the Artickle wherupon they chiefly condemned him he never denyed it in the worthy Receiver as to the eye of Faith no man yet whether Papist or Protâ—stant could never discover it through the accidents of Bread and Wine by the eye of the body We are inform'd by Master Fox that he wrote many comfortable Treatises especially during his imprisonment oâ— which these onely have had the fortune to reach our times 1 Two Sermons the first of Repentance the second of the Lords Supper 2 Some leâ—ters to his fellow Marâ—yres 3 An answere to two letters desiring to know wheâ—her one might goe to Masâ— or not 4 The danger ensuing the hearing of Masse 5 Hiâ— examination before the officers 6 Godly Meditations made in Prison cald his short Prayers 7 Truths Complaints 8 Melancthon translated of Prayers See how undaunted Bradford hath display'd Truths golden Colours nothing could invade His heaven fild thoughts but heaven in whose just cause He liv'd though murther'd by Papistick lawes Relgion told him that his cause was good He need not feare to signe it with his blood And seal it with his heart Bradford agreed To signe whilst Heaven was witnesse to the deed Insulting Papists what can ye declare But this your foulnesse made our Bradford faire Your fire refin'd his heart and made it prove A perfect lover of the God of love NICOLAS RIDLY The Life and Death of Nicolas Ridly AN other Paul otherwise in diverse respects save that we finde not that he ever persecuted the flock or faith of Christ may this choise instrument of God Nicolas Ridley be not unfitly nor unworthily be stiled For he was for a long time a maintainer and practiser of Popish superstitions which his adversaries also twitâ—ng him with in the time of his troubles he denyed not but freely confeâ—sed yet withall profeâ—sing that he had since that time repented him thereof and God he trustâ—d had in mercy pardoned upon his repentance whaâ— in ignorance he then did But after it pleased God to reveale hiâ— truth to him more clearly he laboured as earnestly as any of his fellow labourers in the propagation of it being indowed with as eminent parts as any of them for that purpose and at length sealed it up as did some others of them also with his blood He was borne in Northumberland as some say or as others in the Bishopricke of Durham descended of a worshipfull Family bearing that name and trained up in the first rudiments of
they pleased they affirming that it contained words of blasphemy and he averring that a line or two excepted there was nothing in it but the sayings of the auncient Doctors confirming his assertions hardly could he have leave to utter a few words and that not without oft interruption and with telling on their fingers-ends how many words he had spoken Aâ— length they excomunicated him with the greater excomunication and haveing passed sentance of condemnation against him turned him over to the Secular power On the fifteenth day of the same moneth he was by Brookes Bishop of Glocester assisted by some other degraded at which time he requested the said Bishop to second his petition to the Queene that such Tenants as he had made Leases to while he was possessed of the Bishoprick of London his Sister among the rest might quietly enjoy the sam this he promised to do acknowledging it to be agreeable to equity and right but it seemes it could not be obtained for that cruell bloud-sucker whose Mother and Sister he had so kindly delt with thrust his Sister and her Husband against all Law and conscience out of the keeping of a Park which he had conferred upon them nor is it likely that the rest fared much better then they did The day following he suffred together with Master Latimer who much strengthned him as by conference before so at the Stake then The evening before he suffered he washed his Beard and his Feete and bad those at boord that supped with him to his wedding the next day demanded of his brother Master Shipside whether he thought his sister his wife could find in her heart to be there and he answering that he durst say she would with all her heart he professed to be thereof very glad At suppertime he was very cheerfull and merry desiring those there present that wept of w ch number M rs Irish his Hostesse tho a blind and eager Papist was one to quiet themselves affirming that tho his breakefast was like to be somwhat sharp and painfull yet his supper he was sure should be pleasant and sweet His brother offred to watch all night with him But he refused it telling him that he intended to go to bead hoping to sleepe as quietly that night as ever he did in his life So on the next day being the sixteenth of October this meeke Sheepe of Christ and yet a stout Bel-weather of his flock faithfull and constant to his blessed shepheard and soveraign owner unto death yea unto paines and torments worse then death was together with his copartner both in defence of the Faith and of afflictions for the defence of it brought out to the place of their Martyrdome in a Ditch or low parcell of ground lying on the North side of the City behind Baliol Colledge where Doctor Smith who had before in King Edwards time recanted instead of a Sermon made a bitter invective against them which they offred to answer but when they could not bâ— permitted to speâ—k they committed their cause to God commended their souls into his hands and with much readinesse and resolution yeelded their bodies to the mercilesse flames and such cruel torments therein as other their breathâ—rn and fellow-witnesses of Christ had bâ—fore thâ—m undeâ—gonâ— wherein this our worthy and valianâ— spirituall Champion through the iâ—discretâ—on oâ— those that composed â—he pile and managed the fewell about him hindring there where they thought to helpe and lengthening his torments by those meanes whereby they hoped to have shortened them endured a long time in grievous paines to the heart griefe of the behoulders burning in a manner by piece-meale till at lengâ—h having passed this fiery triall his soule was as in a flaming Chariot with Elias carried up into the highest Heaven Some works of his though not many remaine 1 A Protestation or Determination delivered in the Schooles at a Disputation in King Edwards dayes 2 His Disputations at Oxford in Qâ—eene Maries time 3 An assertion of the true faith concerning the Lords Supper against Transubstantiation translated after into Latine and Printed aâ— Geneva 4 A Treatise concerning the right forme of Administration of the Lords Supper 5 A Treatise against setting up and adoring of Imagis 6 A Conference betweene him and Master Latimer in Prison 7 A large Farewell to his faithfull friends together with a sharp Admonition to obstinate Papists 8 An other Farewell to the imprisoned and exiled for the Gospel 9 A Treatise conâ—aimning a Lamentation for the change of Religion and a comparison of the Romish doctrine with that of the Gospell 10 Divers pious Letters written to divers persons Read in the progresse of this blessed story Romes cursed â—ruelty and Ridlyes glory Romes Sâ—râ—ns song but Ridlyes carelesse eare Was deaf They â—hâ—rmd â—â—t Ridly would not hearâ— Rome sâ—â—g preferment but brave Ridleys tongue Condemn'd that fâ—lse Preferment which Rome â—ung Rome whisâ—red wealthâ— but Ridly whose great gaine Was godlinesse he wâ—v'd it with disdayâ—e Rome threatned Durance but great Ridleys mind Was too too strong for threats or Chaines to binde Româ— thundred death bâ—t Ridlyes dauntlâ—sse eye Star'd in deaths face and scornd death â—tanding by In spite of Rome for Englandâ— Faith he â—tood And in the flames he seald it with his Blood PETRVS MARTYR The Life and Death of Peter Martyr THe yeere from Christs birth 1500. â—s for many matters of much moment very remarkable Among others for the Jubilee that Pope Alexander the sixt whose hâ—â—lish life and dismall end the stories of those times relate held that yeere at Rome and the terrible tempest that ensued the same wherein the Angell that stood on the top of the Popâ— Church was overthrown and the Popâ— owne Chamber by the fall of a â—unnell so â—eaten downe upon him that diverse of those were slain that attended then upon him and he himselfe so buried in the rubish that he was hardly got out alive The same yeere amidâ—â—hiâ— height of Popish imposture together with these direfull presages of its downefall was born to Philip King of Spain his son Charles after Emperor the first of that name under whom the Gospell though much against his will gained good footing in Germany And the same yeer also came into this world that famous Scholler and Divine Peter Martyr Vermily one that much furthered the advancement thereof as well in those parts as else-where He came of that ancient and worshipfull family of Vermily born at Florence in Italie Stephen Vermily his father and Mary Fumantine his Mother His name was given him by his Parents from one Peter of Milaine a Martyr reported to have been slain sometime by the Arrian faction whose Church stood neere unto their house This Peter Martyr being the onely son of his Parents that attained to any yeeres was by them carefully trained up in good literature from a child his mother her selfe a prety scholler reading Terence to him in Latin After which domestick discipline
Divinity-Lecturer and willed the Scholars in no wise to beleeve him he carried the Crosse before the Procession Master Bilney seeing and pittying his blinde zeal came to his study and desired him to hear him make a Confession of his Faith which Latimer consenting to was so touched therby that he gave over School-Divinity and studied more Oâ—thodox Divines He used often to confer with Master Bilney and asked Master Stafford forgivenesse before he dyed he became a powerfull Preacher and instructed many in private also whereupon the Devill raised up many Doctors and Fryers against him and the Bishop of Elye forbad him to Preach Anno Christi 1529. yet he continued three yeeres preaching with much applause yea the Bishop himself hearing him upon a time commended him and wished that he had the like gifts himselfe he used oftâ—n to visit the Prisoners to relieve the needy and feed the hungry He was afterwards sent foâ— to the Court and employed in the businesse about King Henries Divorce then by the King he had a Benefice given him at West-Kingston neer Sarum where with much diligence he instructed his flocke whereupon some Popish Priestâ— drew up Articles against him and he was much molested by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury out of whose hands the King rescued him and at the request of the Lord Cromwell made him Bishop of Worcester where also he busily employed himselfe in instructing his flocke and giving them a good example by his holy life yet neither there was he quiet for one of great place accuâ—â—d him to the King for preaching Sedition but the King rested satisfied with his answer At New-years-tide the Bishops used to present the King with a New years gift and Bishop Lâ—timer amongst the rest presented him with the New Testament wrapped up in a Napkin with this Posie about it Forniâ—atores adulteros judiâ—abiâ— Dominus Whoremongerâ— and Adulterers God will judge But the six Articles coming out and he seeing that he could not retaine his Office with a good Conscience of his owne accord he reâ—igned his Bishopricke and when he put off his Rocket in hiâ— chamber amongst his friends he gave a skip in the floore for joy feeling his shoulders lighter and being as he said discharged of so heavie a burthen Yet neither then would the Bishops suffer him to be quiet till he was laid up in the Tower where he remained till Edward the sixt his reigne at which time being restored to his liberty he continued a faithfull and painfull preacher all that Kings dayes preaching twice every Sabbath though sixty seven yeares of age he rose to his study Winter and Summer at two a clocke in the morning he evidently fore-saw and fore-told all those plagues which England afterwards felt under Queen Marie and fore told concerning himselfe that his preaching of the Gospell would cost him his life Sâ—ephen Cranmeâ— and that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose which afterwards proved so In the beginning of Queâ—n Maries Reign he was sent for up by a Pursuivant whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house yet insteâ—d of flying he prepared himselfe for his journey and when the Pursuivant came he said to him My friend you are welcome I goe as willingly to London to give an account of my Faith as ever I went to any place in the world The Pursuivant having delivered his Letter told him that he was commanded not to stay for him and so immediately departed but Latimer hasted after to London and as he rode through Smithfield he said That Smithfield had groaned for him a long time Coming before the Councill after many mocks scorns he was sent to the Tower where the Lord gave him such a valiant spirit that he did not onely bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies This aged Father being kept in the cold winter without a fire he bad the Lievtenants man to tell his Master That if he did not looke better to him perchance he would deceive him the Lievtenant thinking that he intendâ—d to make an escape charged him with his words to whom he answerâ—d You thinke I should burn but except you let me have a firâ— I shall deceiv your expectation for I am here like to starve with cold From thence he was carried to Oxford with Cranmer and Ridley where they spent their time in brotherly conference fervent prayer and fruitfull writing yea many times he continued so long in fervent prayer that he was not able to get up without helpe Three things he more especially prayed for First That as God had appointed him to be a Preacher of his Word so that he would give him grace to stand to his Doctrine that he might give his hearts blood for the same Secondly that God of his mercy would restore his Gosâ—pell to England once againe once againe which he often inculcated in his prayer and that with so much ardor as though he had seen God before him and spoken to him face to face Thirdly that the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth and make her a comfort to this comfortlesse Realm of England The Lord most graciously answering all thosâ— his requests When he came to the stake he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance saying Fidelis est Deus c. God is faithfull who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able c. As he was burning his blood ran out of his heart in such abundance as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither to the great astonishment of the beholders according to his former râ—quest That he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the Truth The other two requests we have found and yet have the benefit When the fire was first kindled he cryed O Father of heaven receive my soule and so receiving the flame and as it were embracing of it having stroaked his face with his hands and bathed them a little in the fire he soone died with very little pain or non at all Anno Christi 1555. Though Latimer was in his heedlesse youth A diviator and abandon'd truth Yet heaven having blest him with a riper age At last he banish'd his too forward rage And from a wandring Commet he became A blazing starre and blush'd not to proclaime Against his former Errours which had spread Upon his heart and almost struck it dead He sought the way of truth and seeking found A better Anchor and a firmer ground Where on he fixt his thoughts and would not be Remov'd by arguments or Tyrannie Thus our brave Latimer became a terrour To Papists and an enemy to errour Though he at first most wilfully deny'd The truth yet for the truth at last he dy'd The Life and Death of John Philpot who died Anno Christi 1555. JOhn Philpot was a Knights son and born in
Hampshire brought up at Schoole and sent from thence to New Colledge in Oxford where he stuied the Liberall Arts and the Tongues and afterwards the Civil-law He was of a pregnat wit and singular courage zâ—alous in Religion of nature apert and far from flattery hypocrisie and dissimulation from Oxford he travelled into Italie where he was in some danger for his Religion In King â—dward the sixth dayes he returned into England againe and had many conflicts with Bishop Gardiner He did much good in Hampshire being Archdeacon of Winchester all King Edwards dayes but in the beginning of Queene Maries Reign he was cast into Prison where he lay a yeer and a halfe before he was examined then he was sent for by Doctor Story and after some captious questions proposed to him he was committed Prisoner to the Bishop of Londons Cole-house unto which was adjoyned a little Blind house with a great pair of Stocks both for hand and foot but thanks be to God saith he I have not played of those Organs yet there hâ— found a godly Minister of Essex who desiring to speake with him did greatly lament his infirmity for through extremity of imprisonment he had yeelded to the Bishop of London and was seâ— at libertyâ— whereupon he left such an hell in his conscience that he could scarce refrain from destroying himselfe and could have no peace till going to the Bishops Register and desiring to see his Recantation he tore it in pieces whereupon the Bishop sending for him buffeted him pluckt off a great part of his beard and sent him to his Cole-house where Master Philpot found him very joyfull under the Crosse. Philpot being afterwardâ— sent for to the Bishop he asked him amongst other things why they were so merry in Prison to whom he answered We are in a dark comfortlesse place and therefore we solace our selves with singing of Psalmes after other discourse saith he I was carryed to my Lords Cole-house againe where I with my six fellow-prisoners doe rouse together in the straw as chearfully we thank God as others doe in their beds of down After sundry examinations he was by the Bishop set in thâ— stocks in a house alone of which he writes God be praised that he thought me worthy to suffer any thing for his names sake Better it is to sit in the stocks in this world then to sit in the stocks of a damnaple conscience at last he was condemned for an Heretick whereupon he said I thanke God I am an Hereticke out of your cursed Church but I am no Hereticke before God Being sent to Newgate he spake to the People as he went saying Ah good people blessed be God for this day having notice given over-night that the next day he should be burn'd he said I am ready God grant me strength and a joyfull resurrection and so he went to his chamber pouring out his spirit unto the Lord in Prayer and giving him most hearty thanks for accounting him worthy to suffer for his Truth Going into Smithfield the way was very foul whereupon two Officers took him up and bare him to the stake then said he merrily What will you make me a Pope coming into Smithfield he kneeled downe saying I will pay my Vowes in thee O Smithfield he kissed the stake saying Shall I disdain to suffer at thiâ— stake when my Lord and Saviour refused not to suffer a most vile death for me when the fire was hindled with much meekness and comfort he resigned up his spirit unto God An. Christi 1555. Couragious Philpot with a dauntlesse brow March'd to his death and would not once allow The least Submittance to erronious powers But Scorn'd to smell on their impoysn'd flowers And when he labour'd in the most distresse He was most chearfull and would still addresse Himselfe to Heaven where he was sure to find A healing Balsome to confirme his minde He prayed to God and having done he cry'd I thank I thanke thée Father and so dy'd THOMAS CRANMER The Life and Death of Thomas Cranmer THomas Cranmer was extracted from an ancient family in Lincolnshire as that derived it selfe from one of more antiquity still retaining the said name and Armes in â—â—rmandy Of his infancy and childhood we can give no other account then what is common to others of the same age as not capable of any extraordinary Actions but silently shaddowed under the â—nnocency and simplicity thereof Afterwards he was admitted into Iesus Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Master of Arts with generall applause for his learning and manners Here he happened to marry the Inkeepers wives kinswoman at the sign of the Dolphin An act beheld by some as destructive to his future preferment and deepely condemned by those who preferred height before holinesse and a rich and plentifull before a chaste and comfortable life Malicious tongues on this foundation built many foule and false Scandals against him some slandering him for to be an Ostler because of his often repairing to that Inne which causelesse report confuting it selfe with its own improbability his weeknesse and Patience overcame by contemning it Thus worthy Saint Helen Mother to Constantine the great was scoffed at to have been a Stable-groomes Daughter for her Zeale in searching the monuments of Christs nativity in Bethleham of whom Saint Ambrosse Bona Statularia quaedici maluit Stercoraria ut Christum lucrifaceret But Gods Providence who orders all things to the best some yeere after tooke Cranmers wife away which losseâ— proved a great gaine unto him For resuming his Studieâ— thereby to allay his sorrow and solitarinesse he became so eminent that the Society of Iesus Colledge chose him again into his Fellowship Indeed it was against the Fundamentall Law of the Vniversitie which provides Nolimus socios nostros esse mariâ—os vel maritatos yet seeing a Widdower is the second part of a Bachelor and Cranmers extraordinary learning a dispensation for himselfe by peculiar favour he waâ— reelected into that House How excellently he behaved himselfe therein one Instance for many At that time many unworthy Schollars scambled up into the highest degrees whose scarlet Gowns might seeme to blush the wearers Ignorance To prevent the dangerous consequences thereof and to render Degrees more considerable for the future Cranmer by generall consent was chosen Publicke Examiner of the sufficiency of such candidates for Degrees Herein he carried himselfe with such remarkeâ—ble moderation neither over remisse to incourage any unworthinesse to presume nor too riged to dishearten the endeavours of the ingenious that it is questionable whether his Carriage brought more profit to private Persons or credit to the University Some whose Graces for the present were stopt by him returned afterwards to thanke him because prefering rather to displease then hurt them the gentle Checke he gave them occasioned their greater diligence in the race of learning Here Cranmer lived till the infection of the Plague forced the students to leave their Colledges and
he no entertaine the time with more safety and privacy became a teacher to some Gentlemans sonnes in the Country where we leave him for a time requesting the Reader to accompany uâ— to some matters of higher Concernement About this time the Divorse betwixt King Henry Katherine his wife was agitated in the Court of Rome Queen Katherines age was above her Husbands her Gravity above her age more pious at her Beades then pleasant in her Bed a better woman then a wife and a fitter wife for any Prince then King Henry No wonder then if he were impatient to be delayed in his Divorce by the Dilatory tricks of the Romish Court intending first to divorce all the Gold from England kept the Cause some yeers in suspention so torturing King Henâ—y on the racke betwixt hope and feare not to have his dâ—sire effected It hapned that a Courtier came into Cranmers Company who familiarly conversing together amongst other discourse light on this matter of Divorse Cranmer informes the Gentleman that the readiest way for the King to attaine his desire was no longer to trace the Labirinths of the Popes proceedings where Clyents loose themselves in the endlesse Multiplication of affected intricacies but directly to be take himselfe to the Word of God according to which the Kings marriage unlawfull at the first might lawfully be anulled This being brought to the Kings Eare where welcom news would quickly arrive Cranmer is sent for afterwards imployed to the most principal Universities in Europe there publickly to maintain the truth of his aforesaid Assertions and after his returne was rewarded for his undertaking no lesse learned then Laborious with the Archbishopricke of Canterbury Here I have no leisure to listen to much lesse faith to beleeve those false Aspersions which Doctor Sanders castâ—th on this reverend Prelate bottoming the beginning of his Court Advancement on the Basest Employments performed by him Sufficeth it is to know that as the Herneshaw when unable by maine strength to grapple with the Hawke doth Slice upon her bespattering the Hawkes wings with dung or ordure so to conquer with her taile which she cannot doe with her bill and beake So Papists finding themselves unable to encounter the Proâ—estants by force of Argument out of the Scripture cast the dung of foule langvage and filthy railing upon them wherein Sanders exceedeth all of his Sociâ—ty Yea God may seeme to have vindicated the innocence of the one and punished the slanderous mouth of the other in that the foresaid Sanders was afterwards famished in Ireland that mouth being starved for want of food it surfetted with superfluity of Falsehood Cranmer now Archbishop so became the Place with his Piety and Gravity that he indeared himselfe to all conditions of People This was the greatest fault he was guilty of That his nature was bad in being too good he was of too easie and flexible a disposition which made him cowardly to comply with the Church of Rome For although he never did any harme to the Protestants yet he did not unto them so mâ—ch good as he might and ought Some may conceive this passage might well be omitted but the truth of our love to this good mans memory must not make us to forget our love to Truth besides this recording of such slips doth read to us in him a Lecture of our owne Infirmities if Gods grace be not more Active in our Hearts Oh there is more required to make us Valiant then barely to be able to call another Coward During the Reigne of Henry the eight and Edward the sixth our Cranmer flourished in favour But no sooner came Queen Mary to the Crowne but he was scorched with the heat of her Anger As an earnest that his whole Body should afterwards be burnt by her cruelty Indeed he well deserved of Queen Mary in this particular because he with Justice Hales would never consent to the dissinheriting of Queen Mary and refused to subscribe the Will shall I say of Edward the sixt or the Duke of Northumberland translating the Crowne on the Lady Iane But all this would not advance him into the Queenes favour no nor reconâ—ile to hâ—r good Will shee being still troubled with the fit of the mother and meditating revenge against him because Cranmer had been the principall promoter of Queen Kaâ—herines Divorse Or which is more probable being the Queen of her selfe was not cruelly minded some under her which did bite where she did not barke Gardiner the Spanniell Bonner the Bloudhound projected his destruction For being pardoned of Treason of which he stood guilty with the rest of the Privie Council he was châ—rged with Heresie and sent to Oxford there to dispute upon certaine Controversies being nothing else but a plausible contrivance of his Death which was concluded on before any Sylogisme in that Disputation was propounded However his Adversaries improved themselves so much on his facile nature and love of life that their large promisâ—s prevailed on him so far as to make him subscribe to Popery though presently after he recanted his recantation and was burned to ashes for the profession of the Truth first thrusting his owne right Hand faulty for his former subscription into the fire so that his Hand died a Malefactor and the rest of his body a Martyr All which passages are so largely reported by Mâ—ster Fox who in his Hiâ—tory hath so carefully gathered in the Harvest thâ—t his diligence hath left no gleanings for Posterity to picke having omitted nothing in his life remarkeable for such as succeed him to observe He writ many things which are here to his eternall praise truely registred 1. A catechisme of christian Doctrine 2. Ordinations of churhes reformed 3. Of ordaining Priests 4. Of the Eucharist with Luther 5. Of defence of catholicke doctrine 6. To the professors of the Truth 7 Ecclesiasticall Laws in Edward the sixt his reign 8. Against Gardners Sermon 9. Doctrine of the Lords Supper 10. Twelv Books of common places out of the Doctors of the church 11. Christian Homilies 12. To Richard Smiths calumnies 13. Confuâ—aâ—ions of unwritten truths 14. Of not marrying ones sister two Books 15. Against the Popes primacy two books 16. Against Popish purgatory two books 17. Of Iustification two books 18. Epistles to learned men Out of Prison he writ these 1. Against the sacrifice of the Masse 2. Against adoring the Host. 3. To Queen Mary with others 4. Emendations of the Translation of the English Bible and added Prefaces to it 'T was not inticing Honour could remove The constant heart of Cranmer from the love Of sound Divinity he alwayes stood Firme to God's Causâ— and dy'd it with his blood A true Seraphicke and Tyrannicke fire Prov'd as it were ambitious to aspire And both prevail'd being willing to controule Th' one burnt his Body th' other cur'd his Soule Image adoring Papists boast your fils Ye sent a Soule to Heav'n against your wils What can ye say but this your
rage was spent Ye did him good though with an ill intent Pricke up your eares and hâ—are this fatall tone Those fires which made him screek wil make you groâ— The Life and Death of Conrade Pellican who dyed Anno Christi 1556. COnrade Pellican was born at Rubeac in Swedeland Anno 1478. and brought up in learning by his Parents at thirteen yeeres of age he went to Heidleberg after sixteen moneths study there he returned home where he entered into a Monastery yet afterwards returned to Heidleberg and from thence to Tubinge where he studied the Liberall Arts and was much admired for his quick wit he studied also School-Divinity and Cosmography wherein he profited exceedingly he tooke very great pains in the study of Hebrew and at Basil was made Doctor in Divinity afterwards the Popes Legat took him with him towards Rome being affected with his learning but falling sick of a Fever by the way he returned to Basil. Whilst he thus continued a Fryar he was of great esteeme amongst them because of his learning integrity but it pleased God at last that by reading Luthers bookes and conference with learned and godly men he began to dis-relish the Popish Errors and so far to declare his dislike of them that he was much hated and persecuted for a Lutheran but about the same time the Senate of Basil chose him Lecturer in Divinity in that City togeâ—her with Oecolampadius where he began first with reading upon Genesis then on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes An. Christi 1526. he was by the meanes of Zuinglius sent for to Tygure and being come was most courteously entertained by him there he laid downe his Monks Coul and married a wife by whom he had a son which he named Samuel being then preaching upon the history of Samuel that wife dying he married againe but had no children by his second wife he was present at the Disputation at Bern about Religion after Zuinglius his death there were chosen into his room Henry Bullinger and Theodor Bibliander who was an excellent Linguist and began to read upon Iâ—aie to the great astonishment of his hearers for that he was not above 23. yeers of age Pellican â— at the earnest request oâ— learned men Printed all his Lectures and Annotations which were upon the whole Bible excepting onely the Revelations which portion of Scripture he not intending to write upon caused the Commetaâ—y of Sebastian Meyter upon it to be bound with his to make the worke compleat He translated many bookes out of Hebrew which were printed by Robert Stevens and having been Hebrew Professor at Tygure for the space of thirty yeers wherein he was most acceptable to all not onâ—ly in regard of his excellent learning and indefatigable painâ— but also in regard of his sweet and holy Conversation At lasâ— falling into the pain of the stone other diseases he departed this life upon the day of Christs Resurrection 1556. of his Age 78. After our Pellican had wandred long In the worlds wide-wildernesse he grew so strong In grace and goodnesse that he soon became An ample Subject for the mouth of Fame He was admir'd by all that lov'd to be Serious proficients in Divinity He lives he lives although his body lyes Inshrin'd by earth True virtue never dyes The Life and Death of Bugenhagius who died Anno Christi 1558. IOhn Bugenhagius was born at Iulinum in Pomerania Anâ—â— christi 1485. His Parents were of the rank of Senators who bred him up carefully in Learning and sent him to the University of Grypswald where he profited in the study of the Arts and the Greek tongue Being twenty years old he taught School at Trepta and by his learning and diligence he made the School famous and had many Scholaâ—â— to whom also he red daily some portion of Scripture and pâ—â—yed with themâ— and meeting with Erasmus his booke againe the â—â—strâ—onicall carriage of the Fryarâ— the Idolatry of the times he gat so much light thereby that he was stirred up to instruct others therein and for that end in his Schoole he read Matthew the Epistles to Timothy and the Pâ—alms to which he added Catechising and also expounded the Creed and thâ— ten Commandements unto which exercises many â—entlemen Citizens and Priests resorted from the Schoole he was called to preach in the Church and was admitted into the Colledge of Presbyters many resorted to his Sermons of all ranks and his fame spred abroad insomuch as Bogeslauâ— the Prince of that Country employed him in writing an History of the same aud â—urnished him with mony books and records for the enabling of him thereto which History he compleated in two yeeres with much judgement and integrity Anno Christi 1520. one of the Citizens of Trepâ—a having Luthers booke of the Babylonish Captivitie sent him he gave it to Bugenhagius as he was at dinner with his Collegues who looking over some leaves of it told them that many Hereticks had disqâ—ieted the peace of the Church since Christs time yet there was never a more pestilent Hereticke then the Author of that book but after some few dayes having read it with more diligence and attention he made this publick Recantation before them all What shall I say of Luther All the world hath been blinde and in cimmeâ—ian darknesse onely this one man hath found out the Truth And further disputing of those questions with them he brought most of his Collegues to be of his judgement therein Hereupon Bugenhagius read Lutheâ—'s other Works diligently whereby he learned the difference between the Law and the Gospell Justification by Faith c. and taught these things also to his Hearers But the Divell envying the successe of the Gospell stirred up the Bishop to persecute the professours of it some of which he cast into Prison and caused others to flye away insomuch as Bugenhagius also being not safe and desirous to be acquainted and to confer with Luther went to Wittembourg Anno christi 1521. and of his 〈◊〉 36. and came thither a little before Luther's going to thâ— Diet at Worms In whose absence he opposed â—arolostadius who would have all Magistrates to rule by the Judicialâ— of Moses and Images to be cast out of Churches Upon Luther's return out of his Pathmos he was chosen Pastor of the Church of Wittembourg which he taught and governed with much felicity and in many changes of affairs for the space of thirty six years never leaving his station neitheâ— for War nor Pestilence and when he was profered Richeâ— and Preferment both in Denmark and Pomeron yet he would never leave his Charge though he lived but poorly in itâ— Anno christi 1522. he was sent for to Hamburg where hâ— prescribed to them a forme both of Doctrine Ceremonieâ— and Calling of Ministers where he erected a Schoole alsoâ— which afterwards grew very famous and Anno christi 1530 being sent for to Lubec he prescribed to them also an order both for Preaching and Discipline
the Emperour had promulgated a book written concerning Religion called the Interim which he would have to be embraced and confirmed by the States and Cities of the Emprie which when he perceived that it was received by the Senate first he publikly opposed it in the Church and exhorted them to the constant profession of their former doctrine and secondly he told them that he must be compelled to depart from them in case they did refuse his motion but he perceiving no hopes of altering their opinions after that he had taken his supper he left the City being accompanied onely with one Citizen committing his wife and eight children which he left behind him unto the protection of the Almighty and being without the Ports he changâ—d his hablit least through the same he might be discovered by his enemies And having turned a Wagon he went toward Tiâ—urum where he remained a few dayes with Bullinger and from thence he departed and went unto Basil unto Iohanner Hervagius his wife followed immediatly after him not knowing where to find him unlesse at Basil wherefore when she came to Constance for her assuâ—aÌ„ce she sent letters by a trusty friend whom she desired to certifie her husband of her aboade at Constance the messenger finding Musculus at Basil delivered the letters and forthwith returned unto Constance where he found his wife and children upon the Lords day following he preached twice in the City taking for hiâ— text those words in Iohn the 6. ver 66. From that time many of the Disciples went back and walked no more with him Then said Iesus unto the twelve I will yet also goe away c. from which place of Scripture he shewed unto them how greatly those Cities did offend which did fall from the truth of Christ for the favour of mâ—n and withall he earnestly exhorted the people of Constance not to follow the examples of such but constantly to adhaere unto the truth taught by Christ in his Word and this was the last Sermon that was Preached in the peaceable state of the Commonwealth for the day following the Spanish Forces under the conduct of Alfonsus Vives beleagured the City during the Siedge by the perswasion of Ambrosius Blavrerus a reverend Pastor Musculuâ— with his wife and children were conveyed out of the City with safety and they escaped the fury of the enemies intending to goe for Tigurum but by reason of sicknesse which seized on his wife he was compelled to remain at Sangallum after her recovery he went unto Tigurum where he was joyfully received of the Inhabitants with whom he continued six months before he was called to performe his Ministeriall function in which vacancy he was called by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury into England but in regard of his owne age as unfit for travell and in respect of the weaknesse of his wife and the many children which he had he modestly refused Not long after the Inhabitants of Berne were destitute of a Divinity Lecturer for their Schooles wherefore he was called by the Senate unto that profession which indeed was most welcome unto him partly for the excellency of that Church and Commonwealth and partly for the renewing of his acquaintance with his old friend Iohannes Hallerus He entred upon this Lecture in the year 1549. and constantly continued in it for the space of fourteen years to the exceeding benefit of the Church of Christ opening in that space unto his Auditours almost the whole Bible He naturally detested Contraversies and would write his minde without the injury or contempt of others so that his Workes were opposed by no man in publicke during his life onely those two Sermons excepted which he Preached before the Princes at Wormes which were opposed by Cochlaeus The great love which he carried towards the Inhabitants of Berne appeareth in this that he refused great honour and ample Revenues which were profered unto him during his Lectureship at Berne for he was thrice called into England seconded with large rewards also the Inhabitants of Auspurge having againe obtained their former liberty amongst other banished Ministers they first recalled Musculus He was againe desired by the Inhabitants of Strasburge invited by Otho Henricus and Fredericus Prince Elector Palatine and by the Land grave of Hassia many times but he modestly refused all these though honourable calings intending to performe his best service unto the end of his dayes unto that City who had shewed and vouchsafed him such kindnesse in his greatest extremity which indeed was truly performed Not long before his death he was sickly partly by reason of his years his body being spent with infinite cares and labours partly by reason of a vehement cold which did much afflict him whereby he gathered that he was to leave that house of clay and therefore setting all other things aside he entred into a heavenly meditation of death the sum of which he hath left unto the world being written by himselfe before his death Nil super est vitae frigus praecordia captat Sed in Christe mihi vita parennis ad es Quid crepidas anima ad sedes abitura quietis En tibi ductor adest Angelus ille tuus Lingua domum hanc miseram nunc in sua fata ruentem Quam tibi fida Dei dextera restituet Peccasti scio sed Christus ardentibus in se Peccata expurgaâ—sanguinâ— cuncta suo Horribilis mors est fateor sed proxima vita est Ad quam te Christi gratia câ—rta vocat Praesto est de Satana peccaâ—a est morte triumphâ—s Christus ad hunc igitur lâ—â—a alacrisque migra This life is done cold Death doth summon me A life eternall I expect from thée My Saviour Christ why dost thou fear my Dove He will conduct thée to his throne above Forsake this body this corrupted creature Thy God will change it to a better nature Dost thou abound with sin I do confesse That thou art guilty and dost oft transgresse But Christ his blood doth wash and cleanse all those That can themselves in him by Faith repose Doth Death appeare an object full of horror Both ugly ghastly and not wanting terror I do confesse it but that life againe Which followes death doth take away that paine Unto which life we called are by Christ Then do no longer O my soule resist But yéeld thou with all chéerfulnesse to dwell With him triumphing or'e Death Sin and Hell Afterwards the strength of his sicknesse did increase by the addition of an Ague wherby he was brought so weak that he was not able to sit up right in his bed wherefore he sâ—nt unto Master Iohannes Allerus and other Ministers unto whom he declared the Faith which he dyed in and withall committed the care of his Wife and Children unto thâ—m who told him that they would not bâ— deficient in any thing wherein they might shew themselves beneficiall and helpfull unto them As he was a man endewed with an
dead but it could not be granted least it might raise a scandall on him amongst the Papists He was buried in the common Church-yard without any extraordinary pompe and without any Grave-stone laid over him for which cause Beza wrote these Funerall Verses Romae â—uentis terroâ— ille maximus Quem mortuum lugent boni horrescunt mali Ipsa a quo potuit virtutem discere virtus Cur adeo exiguo ignotoque in cespite clausus Calvinus lateat rogas Calvinum assidue comitata modestia vivum Hoc tumulo manibus condidit ipsa suis. O te beatum cespitem tanto hospite O cui invidere cuncta possunt marmorae How happens it that this is Calvins share To lye under this little unknowne pareâ— Is not this he who living did appeare Decaying Romes continued dread and feare Whose death the godly doth with sorrow fill And at whose name the wicked tremble still Whose life was knowne to be so holy cleare That vertue might have learn'd a lesson here 'T is true but know that humble modesty Which in his life did him accompany That hath ordained this green and turfie cover On his deceased Corpes to be laid over But since thou coverest such an one as hee How can the Marbles all but envy thee A little before his death he delivered an excellent Oration unto the Senate unto which was also added a serious exhortation unto all the Pastors of Geneva His Workes which he hath set forth for the generall good of the Church which are sufficient declarations of his worth are these which follow Commentaries upon the old Testament 1. Vpon Genesis 2. An Harmony upon the four bookes of Moses 3. Vpon Iosuah 4. Vpon the Psalmes Lectures 1. Vpon Ieremiah 2. Vpon the twenty one of Ezekiell 3. Vpon Daniel 4. Vpon the lesser Prophets Upon the new Testament 1. His Harmony on the Evangelists 2. His Coment on the Acts. 3. On all Pauls Epistles 4. On the Hebrews 5. On Peter Iames Iohn Iude. His Sermons 1. Vupon Deuteronomy 2. Vpon the Decalogue 3. Vpon Iob. 4. Vpon 119. Psalme 5. Vpon the Canticles 6. Upon 38. Chapters of Isaiah 7. Vpon the eight last Chapters of Daniel 8. Vpon the Nativity Passion Death Resurrection Ascention of Christ. 9. Vpon Gods Election and Providince 10. Vpon the first of Kings 11. Vpon Iosuah Other Works 1. His institutions 2. Vpon the Eucarist 3. Vpon the victory of Iesus 4. Genevaes Catechisme 5. Of Reforming Churches 6. Of Scandals 7. Of Free-will 8. Against Anabaptists 9. Libertines 10. Sorbonists 11. Against Iudiciall Astrology 12. Of Predestination 13. Of a true Communicant 14. Part of Seneca enlightened with a Commentary 15. His answer unto Sadolets Epistle Had we but such Reformers in our dayes As Calvin was we should have cause to praise Their bless endeavours but alas our Times Are daily acting not Reforming Crimes Heroick Calvins heart was alwayes true To truth and still would give the Church her due His soul was truely willing to take paines More for the publicke good then private gaines His life was fil'd with troubles yet his mind Even like the glistring Glow-worme alwayes shin'd Brightest when most surrounded with the night Of sad afflicâ—ions Calvins whole delight Was in the law of God from which his heart Being steelâ—d with truth could not be mov'd to start The Life and Death of William Farellus who dyed Anno Christi 1565. WIilliam Farellus was born in the Delphinate of a Noble family Anno Christi 1589. and senâ— to Paris to be brought up in learning and was one of the first that madâ— a Publick Profession of the Gospell in France but wâ—en persecution arose he fled into Helvetia where he grew inâ—o â—amiliarity with Zuinglius â—ecâ—lampâ—diusâ— and Hallâ—rus Anno Christi 1524. he went to Basil where he profâ—rred a publick Disputation with the Popish Divines of that place but the Masters of the University would not suffer it till the Senate interposing their autohrity and then Farellus set up his Theses publickly which he also maintained by desputation but the Bishop and his Associates drove him from Basil from thence he went to Mont-pelier and to some other places where he Preached the Gospell with so much fervor and zeal that all might see that he was called of God thereunto He coming to Metin Preached in the Chuch-yâ—rd belonging to the Dominicans who by ringing their beâ—lâ— thought to have drowned his voice but having a strong voyce he did so thunder it out that he went on audably to the end of his Sermon Anno Christi 1528. he with Virete went to Geneva where they planted the Church and propagated the Gospell and where by his earnest obtâ—station Calvin was forced to make his aboad Anno christi 1553. the Genevians though they owed themselves to him yet were carried on with such fury that they would have condemned Farell to death And afterwards they did such things against him that Calvin wished that he might have expiated their anger with his blood And from thence he went to Neocome where he discharged his Pastorall office with singular diligence and zeal When he heard of Calvins sicknesse he could not satisfie himselfe though he was seventy years of age but he must goe to Geneva to visit him He survived Calvin one yeare and odd Moneth and dyed age 76. years anno christi 1565. He was very godly learned innocent in life exceeding modest stout and sharp of wit and of such a strong voyce that he seemed to thunder in his speech and so fervent in Prayer that he carried his Hearers into heaven with him Renowned Farell liv'd a life Not spotted with the staines of strife He lov'd the thoughts the name of Peace His vertues had a large encrease Earth was his scorn and Heav'n his pride In Peace he liv'd in Peace he dy'd The Life and Deoth of Vergerius who dyed Anno Christi 1565. PEter Paul Vergerius excellently learned both in the Law and Popish Divinity he was sent by Pope Clement the seventh as his Legate into Germany to improve his uttermost abilities to hinder a Nationall Councill where accordingly he bestirred himselfe to hinder and endamage the Lutherans and to encourage the Popish Divines in opposing of them Anno Christi 1534. Paul the third sent for him to Rome to give him an account of the state affairs in Germany after which he sent him back into Germany to promise the Princes a Generall Councill to be held at Mantua but withall to perscribe such rules about coming to it as he knew the Protestant Divines would not accept of he had in charge also to stir up the Princes mindes against the King of England and to profer his Kingdome to whosoever would conquer it and to try if by any meanes he could take off Luther and Melancthon from prosecuting what they had begun Anno Christi 1535. he was called home againe by the Pope and when he had given him an account of his Legation he was sent presently
to keep private what he should tell them he imparted his Commission telling them how acceptable it would be to the Emperour if they would send to him Brentius but if they refused the Emperour would destroy their City c. It pleased God that whilest he was thus perswading the Magistrates there came in one later then his fellowes and the Commissary not minding it did not tender the Oath to him so when they were dismissed this man wrote to Brentius Fuge fuge Brenti cito citius citissime which note was brought him as he sate at supper having read it he told his Family that he must goe forth upon businesse but would return ere long As he was going out of the City he met the Commissary who asked him whither he went He answered To a sick friend in the Suburbs who had sent for him Well said the Commissary to morrow you must dine with me He replyed God willing and so they parted Being thus escaped he hid himselfe in a thick Wood and for some weeks together he lay in the Wood all day and every night came into a Villege to a friends house where he lodged he wrote also to the Magistrates of Hale that if they could and would protect him he was ready to come back and not to forsake his flock but if they could not he did not desire that they should indanger themselves for his sake They answered that they could not protect him and therefore left him free to goe whither he pleased Presently after Vlricus Prince of Wurtenburge invited him to him and ordered him to be so private that he himselfe might not know where he was that if he was asked he might safely deny his knowledge of him yet upon suspicion his Castle was searched but Brentius was in another place where in his retirement he wrote a Comment upon the ninety third Psalm afterwards he went to Basil as to a safer place where his wife dyed of a Consumption from thence he removed to the Castle of Horrenburge in the Hyrcinian Wood where he changed his name and gave out that he was the Keeper of the Castle and whilst he was there he frequented the Sermons in a neighbor towne where the Minister used to spin out his Sermons to a great length whereupon Brentius took occasion modestly to tell him of it to whom the Minister answered You Castle-keepers think all time too long at Church but no time too long that you spend in drinking Brentius smiling at it said no more Whilest he was there he perfected his Comment upon Isaiah and some other Works afterwards he had great profers made him by the Citizens of Magdeburge by Edward the sixth King of England and by the Duke of Broussia but he refused them all and thus continued in banishment for the space of two years Anno Christi 1550. Vlricus Duke of Wurtenburg dyed and his son Christopher succeeding he resolved to restore the Ministers which were driven away by the Interim to their Charges within his Dominions and to perfect the Worke of Reformation and for that end sent for Brentius and kept him in his Castle of Stutgard that he might have his advice and assistance in carrying on of that work neither was he discouraged by the admonitions of the Princes and Bishops nor by the threats of the Garrisons that were about him but caused Brentius to write a Confession of Faith and of the Doctrine of Christian Religion and â—bout the chiefe points in Controversie which he intended to send to the Councill of Trent about that time Brentius married againe one Catharine Isenmam a choise woman who was a great comfort to him all the rest of his life by whom also he had twelve children the year after the Pastor of Stutgard dying Brentius was chosen in his room in which place he continued all his life and carryed himselfe with much sedulity piety and prudence in the same Anno Christi 1557. he was sent by his Prince to the Conference at Worms which came to nothing because the Popish party would not suffer that the Scripture should be â—he Judge of their Controversies In his old age he wrot upon the Psalmes and whereas there were many Monasteries in Wurâ—enburge out of w ch the Fryars were driven he perswaded his Prince to turn them to Schools for the training up youth in learning which was accordingly don and once in two years Brentius visited those Schools and tooke notice how the Scholars profited in learning and encouraged them to make a daily progresse therein he had almost finished his Comment upon the Psalmes when as his old age worn out with studyes and labors put a period unto the same and his end was hastned by grief for the immature death of hiâ— Prince for whom he professed that he would willingly have sacrificed all his estate and his owne life also Falling inâ—o a Fevor whereby he perceived that his end approached he made his Will wherein he set downe a Confession of his Faith and sending for the Ministers of Stutgard he caused his Son to read it to them requested them to subscribe their hands as witnesses to it he also received the Sacrament and exhorted them to unity in Doctrine and love amongst themselves he was exceeding patient in all his sicknesse neither by word nor gesture shewing the least impatience alwayes saying That he longed for a better even an eternall life the night before his death he slept sweetly and when he awaked the Minister repeated the Apostles Creed and asked him whether he dyed in that Faith to whom he answered Yea which was his laâ—t word and so he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1570. and of his Age 71. He was buried with much honor â—nd had this Epitaph Voce stylo pietate fide candore probatus Johannes tali Brentius ore fuit With voice style piety faith candor grac'd In outward shape Iohn Brentius was thus fac'd Toss'd in the ship of fortune Bâ—entius sail'd From place to place his courage never fail'd But with resolved Constancy he bent His minde to suffer free from discontent The rage of Papists could not make him yeeld To their desires True vertue was his shield The strength of his afflictions added strength Unto his soul his suffrings had no length Except of dayes and them he knew to be Bâ—t servile Subjects to Mortality Thus like a patient sufferer he fled From earth to heaven and there repos'd his head The Life and Death of Peter Viretus who dyed Anno Christi 1571. PEtâ—r Viretus was born in the Country of the Bernates brought up in learning at Paris where he began to be acquainted with Farellus from thence he went to Lusanna where he was chosen Pastor and spent much of his time in teaching and writing there and when Calvin was sent to the Conference at Worms Anno Christi 1541. and from thence to Ratisbone he obtained of the Senate of Lusanna that Viretus should
much lesse to lament him Towards Knox his later end his body became very infirm and his voyce 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 neer 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 Edinborough to request him to accept of the place Iohn Knox also subscribed that request adding Accelera mi frater alioqui â—erò venies Haste 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 wâ—ak which also he performed with such fervency of spiriâ— that he was never before heard to preach with so greaâ— 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 owne or other mens affections but in all sincerity and truth had preached the Gospell 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 he gave them his last farewel Being conveyed to his lodging that afternoon he was forced to betake himselfe to his bed and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sicknesse to whom he spake most comfortably amongst others the Earle of Morton came to see him to whom he said My Lord God hath given you many blessings Wisdome Honor Nobility Riches many good and great friends and he is now about to prâ—fer you to the Government 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 don seeking first the glory of God the furtheance of his Gospell the maintenance of his Church and Ministry and then be carâ—full of the King to procure his good and the welfare of the Realm Iâ— you doe thus God will be with you and honor you if otherwisâ— â—e will dâ—prive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignonminie These speeches the Earl called to minde about nine years after at the time of his Execution saying That he had found Iohn Knox to be a Prophet A day or two before Knox his death he sent for Master David Lindsey Master Lawson and the Elders and Deacons of the Church â—o whom he said The time is approaching which I have long thirsted for wherein I shall be released from all my cares and be with my Saviour Christ for ever and now God is my witnesse whom I have served with my spirit in the Goâ—â—eâ—â— of his Son that I have taught nothing but the true sincâ—râ— Word of God and that the end that I proposed in my Mâ—nistry was To instruct the ignorant to confirm the weaâ— to comfort their consciences who were humbled under the sense of their sins and born down with the threatningâ— oâ— Gods judgments I am not ignorant that many have and doe blame my too great rigor and severity but God knoweth that in my heart I never hated those agaâ—nsâ— whom I thundered Gods judgments I did onely hate theiâ— sins and labored according to my power to gaine them to Christ That I did forbear none of what condition soever I did it out of the fear of my God who hatâ— placed me in the function of his Ministry and I know will bring me to an account Now bretheren for your selveâ— I have no more to say but to warn you that you â—ake heâ—d to the Flocke over which God hath placed you Over seers which 〈◊〉 hath redeemed by the blood of his onely begotten son and you Master Lawson fight a good fight doe the Worke of the Lord with courage and with a willing minde and God from heaven blesse you and the Church whereof you have the charge Against it so long as it continues in the Doctrâ—nâ— of the Truth the gates of hell shall not prevaâ—le having thus spoken and the Elders and Deacons being dismissed he called the two Preacher to him and said There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly you have sometimes seen the Courage and Constancy of the Laird of Grang in the Cause of God and now that unhappy man is casting himself away I pray you go to him from me and tell him That unlesse he forsake that wicked course that he is in the Rock wherein he confideth shall not defend him nor the carnall wisdome of that man whom he counteth halfe a god which was young Leshingâ—on shall yeeld him help but he shall be shamefully pulled out of that nest and his carcasse hung before the Sun meaning the Câ—stle which he kept against the Kings Authority for his soul it is dear to me and if it were possible I would fain have him saved accordingly they went to him conferred with him but could by no meanes divert him from his course But as Knox had fore-told so the year after his Castle was taken and his body was publickly there hanged before the Sun yet at his death he did expresse serious repentance The nex day Knox gave order for the making of his Coffin continuing all the day as he did also through all his sicknesse in fervent prayer crying Come Lord Iesus sweet Jesâ—s into thy hands I commend my spirit being ask'd whether his pains were great he answered That he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles and the beginning of eternall joyes Oft after some deep meditation he used to say Oh serve the Lord in fear and death shall not be troublesome to you Blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Iesus The night before his death he slept some hours with great unquietnesse often fighing and groaning whereupon when he awakened the standers by asked him how he did and what it was that made him mourn so heavily to whom he answered In my life time I have been assaulted with Tempâ—aâ—ionâ— from Satan and he hath oft cast my sinâ— into my teeth to drive me to despair yet God gave me strength to overcome all his Temptations but now the subtill serpent takes another course and seek's to perswade me That all my labors in the Ministery the fidelity that I have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality but blessed be God that brought to my minde these Scriptures What hast thou that
thou hast not received And Not I but the grace of God in mee With which he is gon away ashamed and shall no more return and now I am sure that my battell â—s at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of spirit I shall shortly change this mortall and miserable life with that happy and immortall life that shall never have an end After which one praying by his bed having made an end asked him If he heard the Prayer Yea said he and would to God that all present had heard it with such an ear and heart as I have don Adding Lord Iesus receive my spirit With which words without any motion of hands or feet as one falling a sleep rather then dying he ended his life Never was man more observant of the true just authority of Church-Rulers according to the Word of God and thâ— practise of the purest Primitive time he alwayes pressed due Obedience from the people to the faithfull Pastorâ— and Elders of the Church He dyed Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age 62. Men of all ranks were present at his Buriall The Earl of Murray when the Corps was put into the ground said Here lies the body of him who in his life time never feared the face of any man Undaunted Knox would never fear to tell The bett their follyes if they did not well He was severe to those that would not Observant to his preach'd Divinity He lov'd the wayes of peace and would delight Himselfe in â—ods just Lawes both day and night His soul would be laborious to fullfill The sweet commands of his deare makers will In peace he liv'd and with a peacefull breath He call'd on God and yeelded unto deathâ— The Life and Death of Peter Ramus who dyed Anno Christi 1572. PEter Ramus was born in France Anno Christi 1515. His Grandfather was a Noble-man who having his estate plundered by Charles Duke of Burgundie Generall under the Emperour Charles the fifth was forced to leave his Country and to betake himselfe to the poore and painfull life of an husbandman and his father being left very poor by him was fain to live by making of Charcole Ramuâ— being from his Childhood of an excellent wit of an industrious nature and much addicted to learning was compelled for his subsistance to live as a servant with one of his Uncles but finding that by reason of his many Imployments he had no time to follow his book there he thought it better to betake himselfe to the service of some learned man so going to Paris and being admitted into the Colledge of Navar he laboured hard all day for his Masters and spent a great part of the night in study so that in a short time he was made Master of Arts and Laureat-Poet and the Professors in that Colledge every one taking much delight in his diligence each strove to forward him in learning and lent him such books as he needed then he betook himselfe to instructing of others and to exercise himselfe in private Lectures till thereby he had fitted himselfe for more publick employments then was he appointed publickly to read Logick and when he was twâ—nty one years old he published his Logick with some Animadversions upon Aristotile this procured him much love every one admiring such ripe parts in so young a man and envy being the usuall concomitant of vertue he had also many that envied and aspersed him especially the Sorbone Doctors who accused him of Heresie in Phylosopgy for that he being but a Novice dust take upon him to correct Aristotle the Prince of Phylosophers and by their authority they so far prevailed that Ramus was forbidden to read or write any morâ— of Phylosophy This being very griâ—vous to him it pleased God to stir up the heart of the Governour of another Colledge to send for him to assist him in restoring of that Colledge which was now empty the students being all fled by reason of the infection of the Plague aâ—â— it came to passe that in a short time Ramus being so famouâ— a man the Colledge was better stored with students then ever it was before the Sorbonists much raged at this and laboured to soâ— division betweene the Governour of the Colledge and him yet Ramus carried himselfe with so much candor and ingenuity that they lived together wâ—th much concord at last that Governour dying Ramâ—s succâ—eded him and by the Cardinall of Lorrain's meanes who who was a great favorer of Learning he was made the Regius Professor of Rhetorick and Phylosophy Anno Christâ— 1551. and of his Age thirty six His fame spreading into all the Universities of Christendome there were many Princes that strove to get him out of France profering him large stipends if he would come to them but he being now famous in France preferred his owne Country before all others and therefore rejected all their offers In Pariâ— he had so great esteem that though his enemies strongly opposed it yet he was made Dean of the whole University and so having obtained a more quiet kinde of life he betook himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks wherein he grew very exquisite But when the Civill Wars brake forth in France for Religion and that none could safely enjoy themselves or any thing that they had when under pretence of Religion every one revenged his owne private quarrels upon others Ramus to free himselfe from this tempest left Paris and went to Fontainblew where the Kings Library was yet neither there could he be in safety so that at last he was compelled to betake himselfe to the Camp of the Prince of Conde But when he saw that France was no fit place for him for the present to reside in he resolved to travell into Germany till God should restore peace to his Country againe and accordingly he went to Argentine Basil Lusanna Tâ—gâ—re Heidelbâ—rgeâ— Noreâ—berg and Auspurg and was entertained in all these Universities with great applause and with much joy by all learned men And when the Civill War was ended in France he returned to Pariâ— againe Then he remained in his College till thâ—t horrible Massacre happened on Saint Bâ—rtholomews Eve wherein so many thousands perished by the cruell hands of bloody Papists at which time the Colledge gates being fast shut he locked himselfe up in his owne house till those furious Papistâ— brake open his doorâ— and finding him 〈◊〉 him through and being halfe dead threw him out of his window and not â—â—â—â—â—fied therewith they cut off his head dragged his body about the streets in the channels and at last threw it into the river of Sâ—in Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age seven and fifty After which also they selâ—ed upon his Goods Library and Writings whereby many â—xcellent Commâ—ntaries and other Works not fully compleaâ— perished to the great losse of learned men Indâ—â—â—rious 〈◊〉 from his youth inclin'd Himselâ—e 〈…〉 a well composed minâ—e His hearâ— was serious and he tooke great
paines To sowe good seeds and after reape the gaâ—nes He was belov'd of all that lov'd the â—ame Of learning for he had a winged name His care his love his industry was such That in few yeaâ—s his heart attain'd to much But in conclusion Enviâ— that still crowds Into true Fame involv'd him in the clouds Of sudden ruine Pâ—â—istâ— thought it good To take a furfeit of his guiltlesse blood The Life and Death of Matthew Parker who dyed Anno Christi 1574. MAtthew Parker was born in the City of Norwich Annâ— Christi 1502. and having some years at Schoole hâ— went to Cambridge where he was admitted into Corpuâ— Christi Bennet Colledg in which place he profited so much that he was chosen Fellow and grew so famous thâ—t Queen Ann Bullen mother to Queen Elizabeth made him her Chaplain whereupon he Commensed Doctor in Divinity and after her death King Henry the eighth and after his death King Edward the sixth made him their Châ—plaines and preferred him to be Master of Bennet Colledge besides other Ecclesiasticall dignities which they advanced him to but in Queen Maries dayes he was despoiled of all and was compelled to live a poor and private life but so soon as Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown she made choyce of this Doctor Parker for his admirable learning and piety to be the Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1559. which place he supplyed with great commendation for above fifteen years His works of Charity were very eminent He gave to the Corporation of Norwich where he was born a Bason and Ewr double guilt weighing 173. ounces as also fifty shillings a year for ever to be destributed amongst the poor of that City and six anniversary Sermons in severall places of Norfolk to Bennet Colledge he gave thirty Scholarships built them a Library and bestowed many excellent books and ancient Manuscripts upon it besides three hundred ounces of silver and guilt-plate and the perpetuall Patronage of Saint Mary Ab-church-London He carefully collected and caused to be printed diverse ancient Histories of England which probably had otherwise been lost He dyed in peace An. Christi 1574. and of his Age 72. What Heav'n bestow'd upon him he was frée To give to others for his Charitie Was known to many whose impatient griefe Inforc'd them to implore his sure reliefe His worth was such that t' was disputed which Pray'd for him most either the poore or rich The poore they pray'd as they were bound to do Because he fild their soules and bodies too The rich destr'd his life because his store Sustain'd their soules and help'd maintain the poore Thus having spent his dayes in love he went In peace to Heav'ns high court of Parliament HENRICVS BVLLINGERVS The Life and Death of Henry Bullinger IN the year of our Lord 1504. Henricus Bullingerus was born at Bremogarta a Town in Switzerland he was descended from an ancient and a noble Family much esteemed and honoured in those parts Being an Infant he was twice in great danger of his life but preserved by the powerfull hand of God contrary to the expectation of his Parentâ— and friends first from the Pestilence wherewith those parts were at that time grievously punished and secondly from a wound which he received in his â—hrâ—at by reason of a fall whereby he was made unable to admit of any nourishment for the space of five dayes His Father being a man of great learning and bearing an extraordinary affection unto the Arts and their Professors he was very carefull to provide that the tender years of this his Son might be bathed in the Fountains of Learning and for that cause he being not fully five years old he was sent unto a Countrey School neer adjoyning where he continued seven years but by reason of the inability of his Master he profited not much yet he attained unto that perfection that he exceeded those which learned with him not without the approbation of his Master His Parents well perceiving the towardlinesse of the childe and finding that Schoolmaster not to be a sufficient Tutor for him they presently entred into a consideration of sending him unto some more eminent place where he might be instructed in the Arts for the better perfection of nature and therefore in the year 1516. he was sent unto Embrick a Town in the Dukedom of Clire then famous for the many learned Schollers wherewith it was adorned and here he was comitted unto the tuition of Casparus Glogoriensis and of Petrus Cochemensis Mosellanus and others being men beautified with excellent endowments and famous both for their Method of Teaching and severity of Discipline which latter was most acceptable unto this Bullinger and for that cause being yet a childe he had an intent to unite himself unto the Order of the Carthusians it being the stricâ—est and most severest In this place Bullinger concinued three years to the great perfection of his Studies and increasing of his knowledge in the Arts and Tongues During which time he received little maintenance from his Father He furnished himselfe with victuals sometimes by singing sometimes by begging from doore to doore Which action he performed not because his Father was poore and could not or covetous and would not confer a sufficient annuall pension on him but he did it because he desired to have some experience of the miserable and wretched condition of poore men that iu future times he might be the more willing and ready to relieve and succour them Afterwards he removed unto Colen where he studied Logick and notice being taken of his excellent qualities he proceeded Bachelor of Arts and because there was great controversies in the Churches then touching some points of Divinity he inclined unto the Study of Theologie and withall desired to know of those who were esteemed the best Schollars what Authors were fittest to be read to ground him in the knowledge thereof They all advise him to consult with Lombard his writings being of good account and authority in those times This counsell was embraced by Bullinger who not contenting himselfe with that Author he went unto Georgius Deinerus by whose procurement he obtained an admission into the publick Library at Colen where he studied the Homilies of Chrysostome on Matthew read over some chiefe parts of the Workes of Augustine Ambrose Origen the Workes of Luther he read privately in his own Chamber which indeed were the meanes of inlightning his understanding for by the reading of them he was induced to peruse and to search into the Scriptures and especially into the New Testament whereby he entred into a detestation of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome and into a constant and firme resolution of rejecting the austerâ— life of the Carthusian Monkes In this Academy he went forth Master of Arts and then he returned unto his Fathers house where he spent a whole year in his private studies and meditations at the end whereof he was called by Wolfangus Ionerus unto
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
having no Folioes The Life and Death of the late reverend and worthy Prelate LANCELOT ANDREWES late Bishop of WINCHESTER THis grave and honorable Prelate was borne in the City of London in the Parish of All-Saints Barking of honest and Religious Parents his Father having most part of his life used the Seas in his latter time became one of the society and Master of the Holy Triniâ—y comonly called the Trinity house and was descended from the ancient family of the Andrewes in Suffolke From his tender yeeres he was totally addicted to the study of good letters and in his youth there appeared in him such aptnesse to learne answerable to his endeavours that his two first Schoolmasters Master Ward and Master Mulcaster conceiving or foreseeing that he would prove a rare scholer contended who should have the honor of his breeding From Master Ward Master of the Coopers Free-Schoole in Radcliffe he was sent to Master Mulcaster Master of the Mercantaylors free schoole in London where he answered the former opinion conceived of him for by his extraordinary industry and admirable capacity he soone outstript all the scholers under Master Mulcasters tuition being become an excellent Grecian and Hebrecian Insomuch as Thomas Wattes Doctor of Divinity Prebend and Residentiary of Saint Pauls and Archdeacon of Middle-sex who had newly Founded som Scholerships in Pembrook Hall in Cambridge sent him thither and bestowed the first of his said Scholarships upon his which places aâ—e sincâ— comonly called the Greeke Scholarships As soone as he was a Bachelour of Arâ—s and so capable of a fellowship there being then but one place void in the said Colledge and Thomas Dove late Lord Bishop of Peterburgh being then a scholer also in the said Colledge and very well approved of by many of the Society The Masters and Fellowes put these two young men to a Tryall before them by some Scholasticall exercises upon performance whereof they preferred Sir Andrewes and chose him into the fellowship then void though they liked Sir Dove so well also that being loth to loose him they made him some allowance for his present maintenance under the title of a Tanquam Socius In the meane while Hugh Price having built Iesus Colledge in Oxford had heard so much of this young man Sir Andrewes that without his privity he named him in hiâ— foundation of that Colledge to be one of his first Fellowes there His Custome was after he had been three yeeres in the University to come up to London once a yeer to visit his Parents and that ever about a fortnight before Easter staying till a fortnight after and against the time he should comâ— up hâ—s Father directed by letters from his Son before he came prepared one that should read to him and be his guide in the attaining of some Language or Art which he had not attained before So that within few yeeres he had laid the foundations of all Arts and Sciences and had gotten skill in most of the Modern Languages And it is to be observed that in his journeys betwixt London and Cambridge to and fro he ever used to walke on foot till he was a Baâ—chelour of Divinity and professed that he would not then have ridden on horse-backe but that diverse friends began to finde fault with him and misinterpret him as if he had forborne riding onely to save charges What he did when he was a Child and a schoole-boy is not now knowne But he hath beene sometimes heard to say that when he was a young scholer in the Universiâ—y and so all his time onward he never loved or used any games or ordinary recreations either within doores as Cards Dice Tables Chesse or the like or abroad as Buts Coyts Bowles or any such but his ordinary exercise and recreation was walking either alone by himselfe or with some other selected Companion with whom he might conferre and argue and recount their studies and he would often professe that to observe the grasse herbs corne trees cattle earth waters heavens any of the Creatures and to contemplate their Natures orders qualities vertues uses c. was ever to him the greatest mirth content and recreation that could be and this he held to his dying day After he had been some while a Master of Arts in the University he applied himselfe to the study of Divinity wherein he so profited that his fame began to be spread farre and neare Insomuch as being chosen Catechist in the Colledgâ— and purposing to read the ten Commandements every Saturday and Sunday at three of clocke afternoone which was the hour of Catechizing not onely out of other Colledges in the University but diverse also out of the Country did duely resort unto the Colledge Chappell as a publique Divinity Lecture Before I proceed to his life after he left the University give me leave to relate a story of him while he yet remained there and that as near as I can from his owne mouth and in his owne words Upon his first shewing himselfe at Cambridge in his Divinity studies especiall notice was soone taken of him among his abilities and eminencies as a man deeply seene in all cases of Conscience and he was much sought to in that respect To proceed with his owne particular His worth made him so famous that Henry Early of Huntingdon hearing of it sent for him and thought himselfe much honoured by his accompanying him into the North whereof he was President and whâ—re God so blessed his painfull Preachings and moderate private conference that he converted Recusants Priests and others to the Protestant Religion Sir Francis Walsingham Secretary of State to Queene Elizabeth tooke also especiall notice of his abilities and highly affected him and being loath that he should not be better known to the world wrought meanes to make him Vicar of Saint Giles without Criplegate London then Prebend and Residentiary of Saint Pauls and afterwards Prebend of the Collegiate Church of Southwell Being thus preferred to his owne contentment he lived not idlely but continued a painfull labourer in the Lordâ— vineyard witnesse Saint Giles Pulpit and that in Saint Pauls Church where he read the Lecture thrice a weeke in the Terme time And indeed what by his often Preaching at St. Giles and his no lesse often reading in St. Paâ—ls he became so infirme that his friends despaired of his life Upon the death of Doctor Fulke he was elected to the Mastership of Pembrooke Hall whereof he had been a Schollar and Fellow a place of credit but of little benefit for he ever spent more upon it then he received by it Afterwards he was made Chaplaine in ordinary attendance of which kinde there were then but twelve to Queen Elizabeth who tooke such delight in his Preaching and grave deportment that first she bestowed a Prebend at Westminster upon him and not long after the Deanry of that place and what she intended further to him her death prevented He soone grew into far greater esteem
spent the rest of the after-noone even till Bed-time except some friend tooke him off to Supper and then did he eat but sparingly Of the fruit of this his seed-time the world especially this Land hath reaped a plentifull harvest in his Sermons and writings Never went any beyond him in the first of these his Preaching wherein he had such a dexterty that some would say of him that he was quicke againe as soone as delivered and in this faculty he hath left a patterne unimitable So that he was truly stiled Stella perdicantium and an Angell in the Pulpit And his late Majesty tooke especiall care in causing that volume of his Sermons to be divulged though but a handfull of those which he Preached by enjoying whereof this kingdome hath an inestimable treasure And for his acutenesse and profundity in writing against the Adversary he so excelled all others of his time that neither Bellarmine champion to the the Romanists nor any other of them was ever able to answere what he wrote So that as his Sermons were unimitable his writins were unanswerable To draw to an end of deciphering his vertues and endowments It may truly be said of him that he had those gifts and graces both of Art and Nature so fixed in him as that this age cannot paralell him for his profundity and abisse of learning was accompanied with wit memory judgment Languages gravity and humility insomuch that if he had bin Contemporary with the Ancient Fathers of the Primitive Church he would have bin and that worthily reputed not inferior to the chiefest among them He generally hated all vices but three which he ever repuâ—ed sinnes were most especially odious unto him First Usury from which he was so farre himselfe that when his friends had need of such money as he could spare he lent it to them freely without expectance of ought backe but the Principall Secondly The second was Simony which was so detestable to him as that for refusing to admit diverse men to livings whom he suspected to be Simonically preferd he suffered much by suits of Law choosing rather to be compelled against his will to admit them by Law then voluntarily to doe that which his conscience made scruple of And for the livings and other preferments which fell in his owne gift he ever bestowed them freely as you have seene before upon deserving men without suit So that we may say of him as was said long since concerning Roberâ— Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury Beneficia Ecclesiastica nunquam misi doctis conâ—ulit Precibus ac gracia Noliâ—ium fretos ambientes semper repulit Thirdly The last was Sacriledge which he did so much abhorre that when the Bishopricke of Sarum and that of Ely before it was so much deplumed were offered to him upon termes savoring that way he utterly rejected thâ—m Concerning that of Salisbury give leave to adde a particuler passage of his which happened many yeeres after his said refusall of it which was this At a Parliament under King Iames when an Act was to passe concerning Sherburne Castle it was observed that onely Bishop Andrewes and another gave their Votes against the same That the other should so doe was not much merveiled at but that Bishop Andrewes should doe it when none but that other Lord did so was so remarkeable as that he was demanded by a greaâ— Person what his reason was for it To which he most worthily replyed that it could not be well wondred why he should now vote against that which if he would have yeelded unto many yeeres before in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth he might have had this Bishopricke of Sarum which reason of his when his late Majesty being then Prince and present at the passing of the Act heard He be shrewed him that when he denyed his consent he did not declare the reason of his denyall also Professing that had he bin made acquainted with the state of that Case as now he was he would with the King his Fathers good leave have labored against the passing of the said Act. To close up this point This reverend Prelate went yet a degree further in refusing when he was Bishop of Winchester diverse large and considerable summes to renew some Leases because he conceived that the renewing of them might be prejudiciall to Succession Now let us lay all these together His Zeale and Piety His Charity and Compassion His Fidelity and Integrity His Gratitude and Thankfulnesse His Munificence and Bounty Hospitality Humanity Affability and Modesty aâ—d to these His Indefatigability in study and the fruits of his labours in his Sermons and Writings together with hes profundity in all kinde of Learning his wit memory judgement gravity and humility His detestation of all vices and sinne but especially of three All which by couching them onely in this Compend we have seen in him as ex ungue Leonem or by Hercules foot his whole body and consider whether the Chuech of God in generall and this in particular did not suffer an irreparable losse by his death Having taken a short survey of his Life let us now see him Dying He was not often sicke and but once till his last sicknesse in thirty yeers before the time he dyed which was at Downham in the Isle of Ely the ayre of that place not agreeing with the constitution of his body But there he seemed to be prepared for his dissolution saying oftentimes in that sicknesse It must come once and why not here And at other times before and since he would say The dayes must come when whether we will or nill we shall say with the Preacher I have no pleasure in them Eccles. 12.1 Of his Death he seemed to presage himselfe a yeere before he dyed and therefore prepared his oyle that he might be admitted in due time into the Bride Chamber That of qualis vita c. was truly verified in him for as he lived so dyed he As his fidelity in his health was great so encreased the strength of his Faith in his sicknesse His Gratitude to men was now changed into his Thankfulnesse to God His Affability to incessant and devout Prayers and speech with his Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier His laborious Studies to his restlesse groanes sighes cryes and teares his hands labouring his eyes lifted up and his heart beating and panting to see the living God even to the last of his breath And him no dobut he sees face to face his workes preceding and following him and he now following the Lambe crowned with that immortality which is reserved for every one that lives such a life as he lived He departed this life September 25. 1626. in the seventy one yeer of his age and lyeth buried in the upper Isle of the Parish Church of Saiâ—t Saviours in Southworke His Executors have erected to him a very faire Monument of Marble and Alablaster And one that formerly had beene his Houshold Chaplaine whom this honorable and reverend Prelate
might be the sooner discovered 13. The reader will not be offended if I presume to enterpose a thought of my owne who here did heartily desire I had that picture in my possession which made to doe him mischiefe I would preserve to do him honour but I râ—voke my wish seeing the best image and resemblance of Iunius is what is made by him in his owne workes as that is the best representation of the Sun not made by pen and pencill but by his owne Beames and Irradiations 14. Here I passe by many remarkeable escapes of Iunius whose life was nothing but a mixture of dangers and deliverances perils and preservations At last he went to Limburg there to be Preacher to the truth where this most memorable accident hapned which without diâ—loyalty to Historicall truth cannot be omitteed There was hard by a widdow mother to many childeren wounded in conscience because her attendance on her family had caused her often absence from Masse and griefe so prevailed upon her that she continually exclaimed that she and her childeren were damned The popish priests like the Aegyptian Iannes and Iambres sought by exorcismes and magical spels to cast the Divell out of her whose superstition tooke as little effect as the cruelty of her neighbours who with bonds and whiping in artificiall arguments endevoured to reclaime her to a right mind all in vaine and she making a forcible escape fled into the woods and continued poore soule full thirteene years in this piâ—tifull conditioâ— For such who conceive it no great paine for another to be â—ext but one whole yeare with a wounded conscience would count six moneths of that sorrow to much for themselves if they foundly felt it Iunius understanding the matter obtained privat discourse with her informing her that the Masse was both needlesse and unlawfull whereas she was bound by the specialty both of nature and grace to provide for her children and it pleased God who sharpned the tongue of Iunius so to bore her eares with attention too and apprehension of his arguments that she was converted both to a quiet mind comfortable life and a sincere professor of the Protestant Religion this deserveth to be preferred before milions of Monkish miracles which are onely composed of the concâ—rrence of the boldnesse of some Priests in counterfeiting and the blockishnesse of other people in beleeving them 15. At Limburgh Iunius lived some yeares pestered with Papists Anabaptists as Saint Paul at Athens with Stociks and Epicures farre differing from themselves but joyntly opposing the truth Here the Fryers raised a report that Iunius was a monster and had a cloven foot like the Divel whereas it had borne more proportion with truth if they had said that Iunius had a cloven tongue like the Disciples Acts 2.3 because of his great and exact skill in all learned Languages From Limburg he was called to Hidelberg where he lived many yeares in the University and with Emanuel Tremelius Iew and Ientile well joyned together in a piouâ— imployment made that excellent translation of the Bible out of the Originall into Latin 16. Then Henry the fourth King of France sent for him home into his native Country he returned by Leyden in Holland because his necessary occasions called him thither Gods children are called wanderers Heb. 11.38 and yet they are ever in the right way and these Planets keep a regular motion both in respect of their pious imployment and Gods constant protection At Leyden he was choson to be Divinity professor which place with great industry aud applause he discharged for ten yeares or there abouts till at last he dyed of the Plague Anno 1602. the thirteenth of October in the fifty sixth yeare of his ege 17. His disease hath given occasion to his adversaries to infect his memory as much as lay in their power with their pestilent tongues but such would be silent when considering that that promise Psalme 91.6 to defend men from the Arrow that flyeth by day and the Pestilence which walketh by darknesse is like all other promises of temporall blessings and preservation running with a secret clause of revocation in case God conceiveth the contrary more for his glory and his childrens good 18. Four Wifes he had successively all dying of diferent diseases the first wronged by the cruelty or ignorance or both of the Midwife in her travell lead a dying life a long time after to her owne much misery and no lesse sorrow of her Husband the second by a Feavour the third by a Dropsie the fourth a few dayes before himselfe of the Plague The short lives of these his wives which were godly women Iunius interpreted to be a just punishment of God upon him because in his youth he had been a generall hater of all women-kinde for having formerly â—â—â—â—eited on the base conditions of some beastly women in â—he City of Lions he loathed the whole see for their sakes and would not be reconciled unto it though his owne Mother so vertuous a woman might have been a fit Mediatrix to compose the quarrell which he unjustly bore against all women This Iunius from a false inducement of some few gathered a generall conclusion of all put a dangerous fallacy of uncharitablenesse on his owne soule And was afterwards sensible of Gods holy hand upon him in lending him four good Wives and taking them from him teaching him their goodnesse rather by loosing then enjoying thâ—m 19. To conclude Saint Paul being effectually to move Timothy 2. Tim. 4.6 to the discharge of his office and to be instant in season and out of â—eason in Preaching useth this forcible motive For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand The death of the godly ought to put life into the godly the losse of pious men of the former generations ought to inrich such of the age present to succed in their places take up their Armes and valiantly acquit themselves in their roomes Let those therefore who have read over the life of this worthy man now gathered to God summon their strength and unite their forces according to the distance of their parts and places to discharge themselves to the glory of God and good of his Church For it is high time when such Pauls Set â—for other Timothies to arise His Works are many and are here registered 1 A Speech in French to the Spanish King for the defence of the Low Countries 2 An answer to Sandwich his brethren in England of Images 3 The Translation of the Old Testament with Immanuel Tremelius out of Hebrew 4 Acts of the Apostles and Epistles to the Corinthians out oâ— Arabicke 5 Confession of Faith of Frederick Count Palatine the third 6 Apocrypha translated with Notes 7 Iohannes Tilly of Kings and of the Kings of France translated into Latine 8 A Speech of the Hebrew Tongue 9 An Hebrew Grammer 10 Ecclesiasticus Latine and French 11 A Looking-glasse of Tremelius
against Genebrard 12 Twelve Orations for the reading of the Old Testament 13 An Oration of Ursinus life 14 Vpon Gregory 13. his Cursings against Gebbard Bishop of Colen 15 Vpon Saint Judes Epistle 16 Four Speeches for reading the Old Testament 17 Vpon the four first Psalms 18 A Catholicke Apology in Latine 19 An Hebrew Lexicon 20 His table of Purgatory 21 A Christian admonition against John Haren in French 22 A booke called the Academy 23 His CUROPALATES in Greek and Latin 24 Translation of two Epistles of the Kings one of Plessis in Latin 25 His sacred Paralels 26 Vpon the Prince of Anhalt his death 27 Notes upon the three first Chapters of Genesis 28 A confutation of some Arguments of the Creation 29 Notes upon the Apocalyps 30 Second Edition of his Bible 31 Man lives with corrections and Notes 32 His first defence of the Catholike Doctrine of the Trinity 33 A Commentary one Daniel 34 The King of France his confession in French 35 Vpon the Death of John Cassimire Count Palatine 36 Commentary on Psalm 101. 37 Expositions upon the Apocalyps in French 38 Commentary on Jonah the Prophet 39 An Analysis upon Genesis 40. Ciceroes Epistles to Atticus and Q. his brother with Corrections and Notes 41 A defence of the Catholicke Doctrine of Nature and Grace 42 A praise of Peace 43 The peaceable Christian in French 44 Of the observation of Moses policy 45 Of Divinity 46 An Oration against the Jesuâ—tes in Latine 47 Notes upon Tertullian 48 Notes and Animadversions upon Bellarmine of the Translation of the Roman Empire Reader observe and thou shalt finde A rare and well-reformed minde He that in his youthfull dayes Storch'd his conscience by the blaze Of wanton fires refus'd at last The heat of an Athisticke blast He started from the deep abyss Of vilenessâ— to the height of bliss And then that light which fil'd his breast Gave himselfe and others rest That they which did before contemne His deeds imbrac'd him as a Jem And thought him fitting to be set Within the Churches Cabonet His vertue pay'd what vice had scoar'd And age abhor'd what youth ador'd EDWIN SANDES ARCHRIâ— The Life and Death of Edwin Sands who dyed Aug. 8. Anno Christi 1588. THis learned Doctor and famous Divine was descended of vertuous and godly Parents and bred up in the knowledge of the liberall Arts being well grounded in the rudements of Learning he was sent to the famous University of Cambridge where he tooke the degree of Doctor in Divinity and afterwards was Master of Katharine-Hall and Vice-Chancellour of the said University at that time when Iohn Duke of Northumberland came thither with his Army to proclaime the Lady Iane Gray Queen of England in opposition to Queen Mary Hereupon the Duke required Doctor Sands to Preach on the morrow in relation to the businesse then in hand Though the warning was short and the businesse in agitation very weighty yet he undertooke to Preach so rising at three of the clocke the next morning he tooke his Bible in his hand and after he had prayed a good space he shut his eyes and holding his Bible before him earnestly prayed unto God that it might fall open where a most fit Text should be for him to Preach on that day The Bible as God would have it opened at the beginning of Ioshua where he found a very pregnant text of Scripture for the present occasion viz. Ioshua 1.16 17 18. He that shall consider the Auditory the time and other circumstances shall easily see that this Text most fitly served for the purpose and as God gave the Text so he gave him such discretion wisdome moderation and sincerity in the handling of it that he cavsed the stoutest of them there present to shed teares abundantly Shortly after when the Duke was taken and Queen Mary proclaimed one Master Mildmay was sent to apprehend Doctor Sands and to carry him to the Tower of London who coming unto Doctor Sands he told him that he marvelled that so learned a man as he should so unadvisedly run himselfe into danger To whom he answered I am not ashamed of bonds but if I could doe as you can doe I need not to fear bonds you came downe armed against the Queen and now you are for the Queen before a traytor now a friend But I cannot thus dissemble and with one mouth blow hot and cold As he rode in at Bishops-gate London a wicked woman hurled a stone at him which gave him such a blow on the breast that it almost feld him off his horse To whom he mildely said Woman God forgive thee While he was in the Tower one Iohn Bowler was his Keeper a perverse Papist yet at length by the sweet and gentle perswasions and grave counsell of this holy man he was so far wrought upon as to favour the Gospell and afterwards became a zealous professour of it Upon Sir Thomas â—â— yats insurrection Doctor Sands was removed unto the Marshall-sea where God gave him great favour in the eyes of his Keeper so that he used him very courteously After nine and twenty weekes imprisonment in the Tower and nine in the Marshalsea through the mediation of his friends he was set at liberty But Gardiner Bishop of Winchester repenting of what he had done presently used all meanes possible to apprehend him againe yet through the goodnesse of God and the help of his faithfull friends he got safe out of London and went to the Sea-side to take shipping for Flanders while he stayed at Milton-shore waiting for a Ship he was kindely entertained by one Iames Mower and his wife Now his wife was barren having bin married abovt eight years to whom at parting Doctor Sands said Be of good comfort for ere that a whole year be past God shall give you a Sonne And accordingly it came to passe for that day twelve months lacking but one day she was delivered of a Son He remained in Germany all the reigne of Queene Mary and returned unto London the same day that Queen Elizabeth was crowned The Queen highly esteemed him for his singular piety and learning and shortly after bestowed great preferment upon him He was made Bishop of Worcâ—ster the 21. day of December 1559. He did succeed that famous Archbishop Grindall in two places to wit in the Bishoprick of London and the Archbishoprick of Yorke the one in 1570. and the other in six years after And when he had enjoyed that promotion of Archbishop 12. years he departed this life Aug. 8. 1588. about the age of 60. and lyes buried in the Collegiate Church in Southwel in Noâ—inghamshire A man of whom it is hard to be said whether more famous for his singular vertues and learning or for his Noble Parentage and Of-spring which he left behinde him for he left many Childen of which three were Knights and excelently well qualified Gentlemen either for body or minde But his Sonne Sir Edwin Sands proved the
learneder and more famous and deare to his Countrey There is a Booke of famous Sermons extant in Print of this Prelates which is counted a worthy Peece and doth sufficiently declare his Piety and Schollarship to succeedâ—ng Ages He that will spake his praises well Must study first what 't is t' excell He daily labour'd to oppose The Churches most unsatiate Foes The truth he would be sure to vent Though he endur'd imprisonment Read but his Works and thâ—u shall finde His body was imprisn'd not his minde Gâ—RVAS BABINGTON The Life and Death of Gervas Babington THis Prelate as he was excellent for his parts so was he of a very faiâ— descent being born in the County of Nottingham of the ancient family of the Babingtons in the said County where he drew in the first rudiments of Literature till by his worthy Parentâ— he was sent to Cambridge and was admitted into that worthy Society of Trinity Colledg Doctor Whiâ—guâ—â—â— being then Master This Babington proved so famous in Scholâ—ership that having his degrees he was made Fellow of the same Colledge and giving himselfe to the study of Divinity he proved a worthy Preacher in that University After being Doctor in Divinity he was called by Henry that Noble Earl of Pembrooke to be his Chaplaine by whose favour he was first made Treasurer of the Church of Landaffe in Wales after he was elected Bishop of the same 1591. and when he had sitten four years in that See for his singular Piety and Learning he was by Queene Elizabeth translated to the Bishopricke of Exeter where he scarce stayed three years but he was made Bishop of Worcester and in the middest of all these preferments he was neither tainted with Idlenesse or pride or covetousnesse but wâ—s not onely diligent in preaching but in writing bookes for the understanding of Gods Word so that he was a true patterne of Piety to the people of Learning to the Ministery and of Wisedome to all Governours Whereupon he was made one of the Queenes Counsell for the Marches of Wales He was Bishop of Worcester abovt the space of 13. years He dyed of an Hecticke Feaver and so changed this fraile life for a better in the yeare of our Lord 1610. not without the great griefe of all and had all funerall Rites bestowed on him befitting so great and so grave a Governour and father of the Church and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Worcester in the Moneth of May. His Workes extant are these that follow 1. Consolatory Annotations upon Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy 2. Vpon the ten Commandements the Lords Prayer and the Articles of the Creed 3. A comparison or collation betweene humane frailty and faith 4. Three worthey and learned Seâ—mons Renowned Babington spun out his dayes In truth and peace and had the ecchoing praise Of every tongue his worth was priz'd by all That lov'd religion nothing could recall His heart from goodnesse peace and love did rest Within the closset of his seâ—ious breast Therefore let every tongue proclame and cry The fame of Babington shall never dye IOHN WHITGIFT The Life and Death of John Whitgift IN the year of our Lord 1530. being the twenty and first of King Henry the eight a year very remarkable for the Parliament then held wherein that proud Prelate Cardinall Wolsey was attainted and the first opposition made by the maine body of the the Commons therein assembled against the tirannicall usurpation of the Popish Clergy was Iohn Whitgift born at great Grimesbie in Lincolnshire descended from an ancient and worshipfull Family of the Whitgifts in Yorkeshire An Unckle he had called Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow who though himselfe a professed Monk yet not greaty liked the profession and was by this his Nephew therefore heard sometime to say that they and their Religion could not long continue for that having read the Scripture over and over againâ—â— he could never finde therein that their Religion was founded by God and it is not unlikly that by the cariage of businesses in the State at that time being an understanding man he might shrewdly guesse at those things that shortly after sued Under this his Unckle was he educated together with some other young Gentlemens sonnes for some space of time and whether taking some hints from him or being by some other meanes wrought on through a secret hand of God already moulding and preparing him for future employments he began to grow though very young yet into a dislike of Popish superstitions and to afâ—ect the better way For being by his said Unckle who observed his towardlinesse for his further improvement in learning sent up to London entred there into Saint Antonies schoole and boarded with an Aunt of his wife to one Michael Shaller a Verger of Pauls Church he was after som time by her dismissed againe and thrust out of doores because he refused to frequent the morning Masse with her albeit by some of the Canons earnestly solicited so to doe Upon returne to his Parents according to his Unckles advice and direction finding that he had well profited in learning he was by them sent to the University of Cambridge and there placed in Qâ—eenes Colledge But not so well relishing tâ—e disposition of some in that house he removed from thence to Pembrooke Hall where he was pupill to that blessed Maâ—tyr of God Iohn Bradford Doctor Ridley afterward Bishop of London being then Hed of the house by whom also in regard of his forwardnesse both in learning and godlinesse he was made scholer of the house With his years his worth growing and notice taken of his good parts his preferments likewise accordingly came on For from thence he was chosen to be Fellow of Peter-house Dâ—ctor Pern being then Master thâ—re who very tenderly affected him and when out of tendernesse of conscience in Queen Maries time upon expectation of som Commisâ—ioners that were to come downe visit to the University and settle Popery there he had entertained some thoughts of going beyond the Seas the D r. perceiving it and withall his resolution in matter of religion both encouraged and caused him notwithstand to stay promising him withall to take such order for him that keeping himselfe quiet he should remaine free from molestation that which according to his promise given him he also faithfully fulfilled Having thus by the favour and connivancy of the Doctor God reserving him for further and higher employments rid out those stormy and tempestuous times upon the dispersions of those blacke clouds that had formerly overspread and eclipsed the good parts of many by the happy sunshine of that illustrious Princesse Queene Elizabeths ascent to the throne of this Realme contrary to that that is wont to befall at the naturall Suns rising this our bright Star among others and above many others began now to shine forth and discover its luster Notice whereof being taken as in the Univerâ—ity so at Court he received advancement unto
religious minds with a feare of the Skye falling about our ears and nature breathing out her last gaspe yet we flâ—ttered our selves in to a vaine beliefe that the Muses were eternall and though all other things fade like flowers yet that the Arts were immortall untill this great Atlas of learning with whom sacred studies seemed to totter if not lye on the ground taught us by his death the vanity of that our hope Whose happy passe agreeable to his godly life God forbid that any should deplore with Heathenish rikes lamentable Elegies since our ferventest zeale can now wish him no other addition to his happinesse then that of Virginius Rufus to have another Tacitus to make his Funerall Panegyricke As for me when I behold this solemn and sad Assembly not usually accustomed to such dejected lookes me thinkes I see those teares that fell from the royall eyes of great King Xerxes dropping at the view of his puissant Army which makes me deeply â—igh because in this deplored mirrour blubbered with teares I finde the reflection even of your mortality For which of you now can hope that either learning wisdome or vertue can prolong his life since the churlish Sisters refused to spare this mighty Hercules of the Orthodox Faith this great Champion of Christian Religion though they were solicâ—ted by the teares of our Mother the University and importuned by the prayers of our sorrowing Church Verily if the inâ—stimable treasures of thy minde and indefeizible riches of thy soule could have contributed any thing to the strength and vigour of the body thou shouldest still have lived worthy Reynolds not so much according to thine owne desire who wishedst for heaven as houres who wished longer for thee and so lived 1000. that thou shouldst never have dyed waxed old or drooped But to the great losse of Man-kinde and prejudice of Learning it fals out far otherwise even that in those who more enrich their minde with the treasures of wisdome and knowledge the soule sooner growes weary of her earthly habitation and aspireth to heavenâ— and their body also by reason their spirits are wholly spent in that noble yet laborious worke of study more speedily faileth and decayeth Which was the true cause that thou Reynolds after so many conquests and triumphs over the enemieâ— of our Faith yet the strength of thy body being impayred in the end didst yeeld to nature and breathedst out thy victorious soule and leftest nothing to us but sighes for our sad losse But what could not thy singular piety nor thy vertue nor thy sanctity nor thy so much admired learning preserve thee Or didst thou resolve to live no longer because there was nothing left which thy studies had not already attained unto Was not Ficinus worthy thy perusing who discourseth so learnedly not onely of the preservation of health but also of the prerogation of our life to eternity upon earth Well long enough peradvâ—nture thou hast lived for thy particulâ—r ends long enough to be so truely honoured that 't was not possible that ever thou shouldest out-live thy fame Yet not long enough for the Common-wealth which misseth in thee a perfect sampler of all vertues Not long enough for the University which hath lost in thee the light of a glorious taper of learning nor yet long enough for the good state our pure Religion which tossed in the swelling billowes of a troubled Sea is ready almost to suffer shipwracke for want of thee her skilfull Pylot Truth it is none can denie it that like a second Cocles but yet more couragious thou didst rout the troâ—pâ— of thy stoutâ—st enemies Truth that even wheÌ„ the enemy had cut off the bridge on which thou stoodst thou leaping downe to thiâ—â— eternall honour didst preserve the colourâ— and as â—ast didst beate the adversaries to a shamefull retreat But the leâ—guer is not yet broken up for though thou hast unmaâ—ked the Idolatry of the Church of Rome and exposed it to the detestation of God and man yea and thy sword was evâ—n at the throat of that Antichristian monster and through the sides of Iohn Heart thou struckst Popery it selfe to the very heart yet Sanders remained untouched save that he hath felt the revenging hand of God upon him and dyed miserably being starved on the Irish mountains Bellarmines forces are not quite discomfited or all Baronius his impostures sufficiently discovered to speake nothing of those monsterous heads of heresies which like Hydras continually grow up in the Church one under another In the midst of such troubles how couldest thou finde leasure to dye since the harvest is so great and the labourers so few so few indeed or none like thee since Superstition like to our Virginian Sea swels continually with newer billowes This oh this was the sad complaint of our lamenting Church fetch'd from the deepest sense of bitternesse and sorrow as if she her selfe had been ready to expire with thiâ— our Reynolds But what Timanthes hath the skill to pourtray the sadder if yet a sadder can be immagined and more dejected countenance of our Mother the University Here flow the teares so free That drowne our Niobe Alasse she thinkes still on nothing but Reynolds sees nothing but Reynolds and in the strength of her disturbed fancy heares talks with catches at Reynolds And truely though in this flourishing age our mother be blessed with such a great and numerous issue that she hath more reason to rejoyce that shee s become so fruitfull then bewaile so much her present losse and she might now if ever take up the language of the mother of â—rasidus my son was a good Souldier indeed and valiant but Sparta hath many left that are like him yet I cannot chuse but excuse her tears of piety and my selfe justly lament with her when I consider that she hath lost her Reynolds who let none repine at it did so much out-shine the rest of her sons in the clearest lustre of the best perfections both in languages Arts and Sciences that he seemed to flye above the pitch of humane wit and industry as if he had been borne of purpose to discover the height of the Muses utmost abilities Sirs I detract from no man in giving Reynolds his due I know that neither these grave Fathers assembled who here at home doe honour our Oxford with their authority letters and piety nor those our right reverend religious and learned Prelateâ— abroad who sitting at the helme of the Church are become admired Patterns to the whole Christian world of wisdome sanctity and learning will ever envy his 〈◊〉 encomiums If any man shall thinke lesse of Reynolds then of those great lights either of Church or University because he shined not so gloriously either at home or abroad in lustre of eminent fortunes and outward preferments let him remember the testimony which the great Bishop S t. Austine gave of Saint Ierome Though a Priest be inferiour to a Bishop yet Hierome the Priest
where he spent six years and from thence he went to Tâ—bing where differing from Doctor Andreas abouâ— predestination he went thence to Basil Anno Christi 1583. in which place he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity and being made Tutor to some young Noblemen went to Geneva Heidleberge and to some other places with them he was madâ— Doctor in Divinity by Grynaeus Anno 1590. and having afterwards at Geneva publickly expounded the Prophesie of Malachie he returned to Basil where he was chosen the Professor of Divinity which place he faithfully discharged for fourteen years space expounded Daniel Ezekiel and a good part of the Psalmes afterwards falling sick of a Feaver he wholly resigned up him himselfe to the will of God comforted himselfe with diverse pregnant Texts of Scriptures and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno 1610. and of his age 51. How justly may Polanus have a part Of honour 'mongst these men of high desert A learned Doctor of Divinity And was of Basils University Chosen Professour where with love and fame For fourteen years he managed the same Then falling sick he of a feaver dy'd Whose soul doth in celestiall joyes reside The Life and Death of Thomas Holland who dyed Anno Christi 1612. THomas Holland was born in Shropshire Anno Christi 1538. and brought up in Exceter Colledge in Oxford where he tooke his degrees with much applause afterwards he Commenced Doctor in Divinity was chosen Master of the Colledge and for his learning was preferred to be â—he Regius Professor or Doctor of the Chair wherein he succeeded Doctor Humphred and so deported himselfe in the same that he gat the approbation and admiration both of that Univâ—rsity and of Forreign Universities also Hee was like Apollos a man mighty in the Scriptures and as one saith of him Adeb cum Patribus familiaris ac si ipse Pater cum Scholasticis ac si Seraphicus Doctor i. e. he was so familiarly acquainted wiâ—h the Fathers as if himselfe had been one of them and so verst in the Schoolmen as if he were the Seraphick Doctor He was also a faithfull Preacher of the truth and one that adorned it by his holy life and conversation A zealous defender of the true Religion and a great hater of superstition and Idolatry iusomuch that when he went any journy calling the fellows of the Colledge together he used to say to them Commendo vos dilectioni Dei odio Papatus superstitionis I commend you to the love of God and to the hatred of Popery and superstition He continued Doctor of the Chair twenty yeares and was every way as famous for his Religion and holinesse of life as he was for his learning when in his old age he grew weak and sickly he spent all his time in fervent Prayes and heavenly Meditations aud when his end approached he often sighed out Come O Come Lord Iesus thou morning star Come Lord Iesus I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee and so he qâ—ietly departed in the Lord Aâ—no Christi 1612. and of his age 73. And worthily doth Doctor Holland merit His predecessours praises to inherit Who for 's great learning and his parts most rare Was Regius Professour Doct'r o th' Chair Of Exeter Colledge with approbation Of all that knew him even to admiration I th'Schoolmen aâ—d the Fathers so well seen As if he had Seraphick Doctor been A pious and most painefull Preacher known A faithfull zealous frâ—end to Trâ—th and One That heartily did hate idolatry Who as he liv'd a precious Saint did dye IOHN BALE The Life and Death of John Bale AMong those who in these latter times have laboured in throwing open the skirts of that Romish strumpet who with her cup of fornication had a long time bewitched a great part of the Christian world and laying open her abominations to the light of the Sun and the sight of of the world none have traveled more nor taken pains to better purpose then this our Countriman Iohn Bale whose troublesome life tossed to and fro and exposed to many dangers difficulties and distresses my purpose is briefly to relate in its most remarkable passages that which is testified of him by that worthy and much renouned divine D. r Laurence Humfrey in a Poeme of his intituled the Burden of Rome wherein he affirmeth that Vâ—rgerius had in this kinde done somewhat Platina much more Luther very much or the most of any before him but this our Bale as much almost as could be even all if it were at least possible to rake up all the â—ilth and dirt of that vile â—inke and common sewer He came into this world toward the middest of King Henâ—y the seventh his raigne not many yeares after that famous and usefull invention of printing was grown to some perfection having not been above thirty years as yet in any use by help wherof as learning and knowledg was generally much improved and many Monuments preserved that would otherwise have perished so great use did this our Bale make of it as we shall hereafter shew as well for the bringing to light of auncient Records that had lien long burâ—ey in the dark and but for him might so have done in everlasting oblivion as also for the publishing of many writings and works both of his owne and other mens He was borne in Suffolke his Parents but of meane estate nor free from Romish superstition that then generally overspread the whole surface of this realme by meanes of of their poverty and geeat charge being overburdened with a numerous issue through the advice and perswasion of some of their blinde leaders such as those dayes afforded perceiving the towardlinesse that then appeared in him yet a child being but twelve years of age he was placed in the Convent of Carmelite Fryars at Norwich In which place as also afterward in the University of Cambridge whither he was from thence removed he gave himself to the study of the Artâ— and of Divinity such as in those timeâ— was in repute yea aloâ—e publikely professed But when the light of the Gospell which had formerly for the most part been smothered and supprest began now to break forth by the instigation of that right honourable and truly Noble Lord for it is vertue and piety alone that affordeth true Nobility the Lord Wentworth he diverted his studies and applyed himselfe now not to rake any longer in those muddy streames and miry puddles of Divinity falsly so tearmed which he had plunged himselfe in before but to repaire directly to the well-head to betake himselfe to the fource of all true knowledg to search into the written Word of God where he might be sure to finde the waters cleane and cleere free from all impurity and mixture of humane invention therein to dive and thence to draw that which he might both drink deepe of himselfe and impart of to others without damage and detriment to himsele That which
comon shore Untill it stunk and stunk him out of dore Twlve years he serv'd the Babilonian with Drank of her cup and wallowed in her ditch Untill the sunshine of diviner Truth Shot saving Beames into his hopefull youth And led him thence to serve another Saint Whose mirth was â—eares whose freedom was restraint Whose progresse was a banishment whose food Was want and Famine and whose drinke was blood His dayes were full of troubles and his nights Were sad exchanges stor'd with feares and frights His wealth was Poverty his peace was strife His life was death His death eternall life ANDREAS GERARDVS HYPERIVS The Life and Death of Andraeas Gerardus IN the yeare of our Lord 1511. this Andraeus Gerardus was born at Hyperiâ— a strong and populous Town situate within the Province of Flanders his Father was a man of great estimation amongst the inhabitants of the same town by reason of his singular knowledge in the Law his Mother was discended from one of the Noblest families of that Province both of them being carefull of the education of thâ—s Gerardus they sent him unto Iacobus Papa a famous and excellent Poet to be instructed in the knowledge of the tongues which he attained unto in short time partly by the care of this Iacobus and partly by the help of Iohannes Sepanus being an assistant unto Iacobus Papa a man excellently learned and very skilfull both in the Greek and in the Hebrew tongue where he continued untill he came unto the age of 13. years at which time he desired to be acquainted with the French tongue and for that cause he became an Auditor unto Iohannes Lactaeus a man learned and eloquent who publickly taught the French tongue in those parts here he remained for the space of one year and afterwards by the advice of his father he was sent unto Tovrney where a publick School was newly erected for the information of youth in the Latine Greek Hebrew tongus but the discipline of that School being not pleasing unto his father he took him from thence againe intending to have him instructed in manners aswell as in learning wherefore he intended to send his unto Lavan an Academy in Brabant but hearing that too much liberty was there given and granted unto youth whereby they came to be corrupted with many vices he altered his purpose and bethought himselfe of sending him unto Paris where he himselfe in his youth had studyed but that determination was also hindred by the continued warres betwixt Charles the fift Emperour of Germany and Francis King of France wherefore he resolved to keepe him at home for a space untill he could dispose of him according to his minde employing him in the writing of such thinks as pertaine to the office of a Lawyers Clarke in which action he continued so long that he had almost forgotten whatsoever he had learned before now in the yeare 1525. it pleased God to call for his fathâ—r out of this vale of misery who on his death bed streightly charged and commanded his Mother to send Gerardus unto Paris that so he might goe forward in his studyes as soone as the Warâ— were quieted in France betwixt the Emperour and the King which fell out in the year 1528. then went Gerardus unto Pariâ— being furnished with Commendatory letters unto Antonius Helhucius then Senator of the Pâ—rliament â—nd unto Iohannes Campis Licenciate in Divinity who were also intreated to furnish him with things necessary for his studyâ—s if hiâ— mother were hindred by the continuation of the Wars from the performance of the â—ame this Iohannes de Campiâ— seeing the hopefulnesse of the youth kept him in his owne house the space of one year where he attained unto great perfâ—ction in Logick the year following he wâ—nt unto Paris where he acquainted himselfe with Iâ—â—â—â—imus Bingelbiâ—guâ—â— Bâ—abanâ—er a man excellently qualified from whom Gerardâ—s received good instructions touching a methodicall manner of proceeding in his studies after that hâ— had continued here for the space of three years for the better retayning of tâ—at learning which he had gotten he privâ—tly read both Logick and Rhetorick unto others himselfe remaining still an Auditor unto the publick explanation of Aristotles Phisicks in the Schools In the year following he desired to see Flanders and to visit his friends and to know how much of that Portion was remaining which his Father had left him for the prosecution of his studyes which being done and finding a sufficient competency to remaine which would keep him â— long time at the University he returned unto Paris againe with and an intent to addict himselfe unto studyes of greater moment and so he forthwith entred upon the study of Divinity for which Paris at that time was famous and taking a great delight therein he daily frequented the Divinity Schooles so as he came to be of a singular judgement in matters of Controversies and at vacant times he would be take himselfe unto the Physick Lectures unto which hâ— had a naturall inclination he would also be familias with Cleonard Sâ—urmius Latomus then publick professors of the Tongues in the same University Having now well furnished himselfe with knowledge he desired to take a view of other Countries and Provinces lying within the Kinodome of France and that for two causes first that he might prrfect himselfe in the French Tongue and secondly that he might have a fuller understanding of the custome and disposition of that Nation and so leaving of the University he traveled through most parts of France where having given satisfaction unto himselfe he shaped his câ—urse towards Italie taking a full view of that part which lyeth betweene the Alpes and Bononia being now about the age of twenty four years he returned out of Italie into Flanders in the year 1535. From whence he went unto Lovan because he had sent his library from Paris unto the same place and having safely disposed of the same he betook himselfe againe to traâ—ell viewing almost all Lower Germany viz Gilderland Brabant Cleveland Vtrecht Freezland Holland and Zealand and from hence in the year of our Lord 1537. and in the twenty six year of his age he went into upper Germany to take view of such â—â—mous learned men as were to be found in those parts in which peregrination he saw Colen Marpurge Eâ—ford Lipsieâ— and Wittenberge and then returned againe into Flanders where he was set upon by some of his friends who advised him to betake himselfe unto some staid course of life seeing that his patrimony was all spent the gratesâ— part in the University the remainder in his travels unto which just demand and desire of his friends he was soone perswaded to subscribe and consent and forthwith began seriously to consider with himselfe how he might obtaine a place wherein he might exercise his gifts for the generall good of the Country whilst he was busie about that matter his friends had obtained by letters pattens from the Pope that
was so famous that many Princes Noblemen and young Gentlemen came from forreign Countries to see and hear him And this Grynaeus worthy was likewise That wee his Noble name should memorize Who was a rare Divine in Germany And made a Doctor in Divnity At Tubing and to Basil sent for thence To be Professour where with diligence And profitable pains and in that while The differance he did reconcile 'Twixt the Basilian Church and Tigurine At last his labour made his health decline And in his Pastorall Charge in Basil he Ended his dayes in sweet tranquility ROBERT ABBAT The Life and Death of Robert Abbot THis learned and humble man succeeded Doctor Holland in the Chaire at Oxford and herein exceeded him that although they were both of extraordinary sufficiency and vast if not immense reading yet as Augustus spake of Cassius ingeniâ—â— habet inâ—â—â—â—rato so it mâ—y be trâ—ly said of Abboâ— variam lectionem habuit in numerato he had the command of his learning and the sum of his readings upon any point which offered it selfe to his handling cast up to his hand the other had not so Whence it came to passe that the diligent hearers of the one received alwayes from him that which they expected the Auditors of the other seldome received what they expected or expected what they received from him yet alwayes went away well satisfied from his full table And I conceive the reason hereof may be this Abbot desired rather multum legere than multa Holland rather multa than multum the meditation of the one wrought upon his reading the reading of the other wrought upon his meditation and us it surcharged his memory so it over-ruled his invention also Let both have their due praises Et viridi cingantur tempora lavro For Abbot envy it selfe will afford him this testamoniall that if his tongue had been turned into the pen of a ready writer or all that hâ— wrote upon the History of Christs passion and the Prophet Esay and the Episâ—le to the Romans had seene the light he had come near unto if not over taken the three prime worthies of our Vniversity Iewel Bilson and Reynoldâ— for he gave to W m Bishop as great an overthrow as Iewell to Harding Bilson to Allen or Reynolds to Heart He was borne at Gilford in Surry of honest and industryouâ— Parents who lived fifty years together in wedlock and because they preserved that sacred bond so entire and kepâ— the marriage bed so undefiled God powred the dew of his blessing upon it and made them very happy in the fruit of their body especially in three of their children whereof the first was Bishop of Sarum the second Archbishop of Canterbury the third Lord Mayor of London In the Catalogue of all the Bishoâ—s of England onely Seffred sometimesâ— Bishop of Chichester was consecrated by his brother Archbishop of Canterbury Abbot had this happinesse and more for of two of his younger brethren one of them was advanced to the highest place in the Church and the other to the highest place in the City under his Majesty the youngest of them Maurice Abbot had the honour to be the first Knight who was dub'd by his Majesties royall sword the elder of them had yet a greater to annoynt his sacred Majesty and set the Crown upâ—n his royall head but I leave the two other to a better Herald to blazen their vertues Of this our Robert I will endeavour with my pensill to draw the lineaments whose silver pen I more highly esteeme then the silver Mace of the one or golden of the other He was not as Saint Ierome writeth of Hillarion a rose growing from a thorne but rather a province or double rose growing from a single for his Parents embraced the truth of the Gospell in King Edwards dayes and were persecuted for it in Queen Maries raigne by Dâ—ctor Story of infamous memory and notwithstanding all troubles and molestations continued constant in the profession of the truth till their death and all their children treading in their holy steps walked with a right foot to the Gospell and were zealous professors of the reformed Religion especially George and this our Robert whose zeale for the truth accompaned with indifatigable industry and choyce learning preferred him without any other friend or spokesman to all the dignities and promotions he held in the University and Church He was another Hortensius his eminent parts were seen and allowed yea and rewarded to upon the first glympse of them For upon an Oâ—ation made by him the seventeenth of November the day of Qâ—een Elizabeths inauguration he was chosen Schollar of Baliâ—l Colledge upon the first Sermon he Preached at Worster he was made Lecturer in that City and soon after Rector of All Saints there upon a Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse Master Iohn Stannop one of his hearers having a benefice of great valew in his gift Bingham by name in Nottinghamshire tooke a resolution upon the next voydance of it to conferre it upon him and the Incombent not long after dying sent of his owne accord the Presentation to him upon a Sermon Preached before his Majesty King Iames in the month he waited at Court In the year 1612. newes being brought of Doctor Hollands death the King most gratiously nominated him his successour and lastly upon the â—ame of his incomparable Lectures read in the University de suprema potestate regia contra Bellarminum Suaâ—ezium and the perusall of his Antilogia adversus apolâ—giam Garnetti the See of Sarum falling voyd his Majesty sent his Congedelire for him to the Deane and Chapter Thus as he set forward one foot in the temple of vertue his other still advanced in the temple of honour A curious English Poet making use rather of licencea poetiâ—a than libertas grammatica deriveth Robertus our Divines Christan name from three Monesillibles ros ver â—hus though this etimoligy be affected and constrained yet I will make use of it to branch the History of his life into three parts and first I will consider him as he was ros in his Countries cure secondly as he was ver in his University preferment thirdly as he was thus in his episcopall See First I will speake of him as he was ros Ros signifieth dew which name very fitly agreed unto him whilst for twenty years he lived obscurely in the Country for as dew doth much good to the place where it fals and yet makes no noyse so his paines were very profitable in his private Cures yet was not his fame cryed up nor made any noise in the world secondly as dew dropping on mowen grasse refresheth it and maketh it spring anew so his labors in his Pastorall charge much refreshed the consciences of true converts which had felt the cythe of Gods judgements and made them spring up in hope and newnesse of life thirdly as dew distilling in silver drops mollifieth the parched ground so his heart melting into teares in many
angling in the cleare streame then his predecessours had done by fishing in troubled waters Thirdly because he learned from Saint Ierom that intemperance in dyet facile dispumat in libidinem he every weeke viewed the buttry booke and if he found lavish expence upon any mans name he would punish him severely for it yet was he tender and compassionate to those who were of weaker constitutionâ— of body and he not onely permitted them to have such meats drest for them as might irretate their weake appetite and strengthen nature but he sent to them often from his owne Table and if any were visited with sicknesse he tooke care of them as if they were his owne children and his house was as an Apothecaries shop to furnish them with all such things they needed During the time of his Mastership in Baliol Colledge he finished his answer to Willâ—am Bishop Seminary priest intituled by the Pope Bishop of Chalcedon this nominall Bishop of an Aeriall Diocesse took upon him to refute Master Perkins his reformed Catholicke but our Abbot so refuted his refutation and so learnedly copiously solidly and perspicuously handled all those maine heads of Controversie which his adversary touched upon that many judicious Protestants heartily wished that William Bishop had run through all the above mentioned Refomâ—d Catholicke for then we should have had in our Abbots encounter with him a whole system and body of controversies exactly discussed and the truth of reformed Religion in all points solidly and substantially confirmed by Scriptures Fathers and Reason When Hanibal set upon Minutius at an advantage and put him to some distresse Fabius Maximus brings out his forces against Haniball and puts him to flight and Haniball himselfe was enforced to confesse that if he gained any thing upon Minutius he lost it and a great deale more by Fabius Maximus This William Bishops conscience told him and therefore finding himselfe unable to deale with Abbot at sharpe he challenged him to fight with him at dull and rusty foyles I meane foule language scurrilous sarcasmes like the Orators taxed by Quintilian qui causarum vacua conviâ—â—is explebant At the end of that his M r. piece he added vice coronidis a singular treatise intituled the True ancient Roman Catholick which he dedicated to Prince Henry who so thankefully accepted this his present that he returned him many thankes in a letter written with his Princely hand and promised his helping hand upon the next voydance to lift him up higher in the Church and though by the Princes untimely death this most able Champion of the truth sunk much in his hopes yet within a few yeares he was raised up first ad Cathedram Doctoralem and then Episcopalem for Doctor Holland exchanging this life for a better in the year of our Lord 1612. Abbot was thought the fittest man to succeed him in that Chayre in the judgement of all men save his owne who ever undervalued himselfe and after this place was conferred upon him refused it till his brother procured a Mandate from the King to him to hold it and then being put into the Chayre as it were by force he so well filled and furnished it that all men gave him that Evelogne which Saint Ierom giveth Nepotian ideâ— magis erat dignus quod se pâ—ofitebatur indignum he was by so much the worthier the lesse he knew his worth for contempt of honour makeâ— it more due and humility in excellency excels excellency it selfe And here the third time he made good the second sillable of his name Ver for partly by Sermons ad Clerum partly by his learned Lectures partly by his judicious moderating Divinity disputations partly by his exquisite Tractates printed a little before his death he caused such a spring among Divines as was not seen in many years before I will not revive his contentions with Doctor Howson concerning the Geneva notes and clearing Calvin from Arianisme because they are dead long since and were honourably buried by King Iames by whose command D r Howson being sharpened â—urned 〈◊〉 edge from Geneva to Rome and in the next Sermon he Preached as Saint Mariesâ— fell firce and foule upon the Pope himselfe threatning to loosen him from his Chayre though he were fastened thereunto with a teâ—peny naile Neither will I relate much of his Far well Oration at his parting from the University because I could not light upon a perfect copy thereof but a â—ew fragments onely and fragments though of dainty dishes please not the palat of most men yet to give you some tast of it thus he began Salve veneranda mater Academiarum decus gloria continere me non possum quin exultem animo beatumque me praedicem cui infelicissimae omnium gymnasiorum discere pariter docâ—re datum est mille egâ— tibi salutes mille felicitates prosperitates omnes successus exâ—ptare nunquam desinam tibi hoc negotium sub potentissimi principis auspitiis agitut tibi repetitus labor hic cui pro te aliqâ—ando in scholiâ— tuis sudatum est Id nempe agitur ut cavere discant alumni tui Arminios Bertiâ—s Grevinchonios reliquos istos scripâ—itores quos pruritus ingeniorum occupat ut in assuetiâ— nunquam acquiescant nunquam se aliquid esse credant nisi novitate singulares sinâ— Qui vult uno esse animo cum ecclesia anglicana par est 〈…〉 inchâ—et ab â—jus doctrina notitia quam ejusdem ecclesia esse consâ—â—â— â—â—gat in primis digerat articulos religionis quibus subâ—cribimus omnes illorum recolat explicationes quae continentur in â—omiliis carechismos consulat ea quae publica ejus authoritate prodierunt apologiam ecclesiae Anglicanae omnes ejus defensiones pâ—oillustres viros Iewâ—llum Fuleum Reynoldum Whitakerum Calvini Institutiones opera reverendissimi Whigifti in primis vâ—nerabiles Hookeri nullo modo omnititantur qui vero â—is omnibus relictis conferâ— se ad magistrum sententiarum Thomam Aquinatem â—uius farinae theologos acquid aliter fieri potest quam ut papismo inficiantur qui primâ—m lac sugunt ab istis uberibus neque tamen scholam penitus excludo imo omnimodâ— adhibendam sentio seâ— ita ut sit ancilla non domina affâ—renda ad il lam fidei doctrina non inde referenda sit asina quae te portet quod si te inequitet illa in salibras praecepitia te ducet And after singular directions for studâ—nts and passionat expressions of his love to the University thus he concluded spero ego de te spero de tuis optima charissima mater mâ—a utinam vigeas utinam floreas magisque acâ—magis crescas in columnam fidei firmamentum veritatis usque ad advenium Iesu Christi We have felt him as dew softly distilling in his private Cures according to the first syllable of his name Ros and viewed him also as the Spring growing flourishing in the
dayes they had no Preaching in the morning concerning which meetings himselfe writes That it would have don a Christians heart good to have seen those glorious and joyfull Assemblies to have heard the zealous cryings to God amongst that people with sighings and tears and melting hearts and mourning eyes and concerning himselfe he saith My witnesse is in heaven that the love of Iesus and his people made continuall Preaching my pleasure and I had no such joy as in doing his worke and besides that he preached five times a week he penned also whatsoever he preached many of which holy and godly Sermons are extant in print All â—he time of his aboad there except some little intermissions and breathing times the Lord still exercised him with inward tentations and great variety of spirituall combats the end of all which thâ—ough God's mercy was joy unspeakable as himselfe testifie's Yea once saith he in greatest extremity of horror and anguish of spirit when I had utterly given over and looked for nothing but confusion suddenly there did shine in the very twinkeling of an eye the bright and lightsome countenance of God proclaming peace and confirming it with inviâ—cible reasons O what a change was there in a moment the silly soul that was even now at the brinke of the pit looking for nothing but to be swallowed up was instantly raised up to heaven to have fellowship with God in Christ Iesus and from this day forward my soul was never troubled with such extremity of terrors this confirmation was given unto mee on a Saturday in the morning there found I the power of Religion the certainty of the Word there was I touched with such a lively sence of a Divinity and power of a God-head in mercy reconciled with man and with mee in Christ as I trust my soul shall never forget Glory glory glory be to the joyfull deliverer of my soul out of all adversities for ever In the middest of these wrestlings with God he wanted not combats with wicked men also but the greatnesse of his inward conflicts made him lightly regard all their outward contradictions and to esteem them but as the bitings of a Flea It was no marvell to see Satan stir up his wicked instruments to molest him since he professed himselfe a disquieter of him and his Kingdome and this much supported him that he never had a controversie with any of them but for their sins and the Lord assisting him the power of the Word did so hammer downe their pride that they were all of them at last brought to an acknowledgement of their evill wayes But at length as God turned the heart of Pharaoh and his people the Israelites when the time drew on fâ—r their remove so by little and litle did the zeal and love of most of that people fall away so that his last conflict was not with the prophane but with Justiciaries such as were unrebukeable in their lives These men were stuffed with such pride self-conceit disdain and intolerable contempt that thereby they were carried further from their duty thâ—n any of the former and which should have been his greatest comfort were his greatest crosse Presently hereupon God called him to the Government of the Churches in Galloway in the South-West parts of the Kingdome being chosen by the Assembly and presented by the King thereunto this was effected with out his privity or ambitious seeking after it yea he was so far from it that eightteen weeks passed betwixt the Kings Presentation and the Acceptation of it In that place he was very carefull to advance the Gospel to adorne his Ministery concerning the frame of his Spirit thus he writs My soul is alway in my hand ready to be offered to my God Where or what kinde of death God hath prepared for mee I know not But sure I am there can no evill death befall him that lives in Christ nor sudden death to a Christian Pilgrim who with Job waites every day for his change yea saith he many a day have I sought it with tears not out of impatience distrust or perâ—urbation but because I am weary of sin and fearfull to fall into it This faithfull servant of God who had alwayes beene faithfull and painfull in his Ministery when sicknesse grew daily upon him was no way deficient in the duty of his ordinary Preaching taking great pains also to perfect his worke upon the Revelations which he desired greatly to finish before his death he had also much griefe by reason of some that disturb'd the peace of the Church which he always sought to procure so that his infirmity encreasing he was compelled to keep home yet as his weaknesse permitted he applyed himselfe to revise his writings and to dispose of his worldly estate that he might be ready for his passage which every day he expected and some ten dayes before his decease he manifested to his friends what great contentment hâ— hâ—d in his approaching death Many repaired to him in his sicknesse whom he entâ—rtained with most holy and divine conferences expressing a great willingnesse to exchange this life for a better and at last feeling his strength and spirits to decay after he had conceived a most heavenly prayer in the company of those that were by he desired to goe to bed in which also after he had most devoutly commended himselfe unto the Almighty God he took some quiet rest After which he spake not many words his speech failing though his memory and understanding were perfect and so about seven a clock at night he rendered his soul unto God in a most quiet and peaceable manner Anno Christi 1619. Some of his private Meditations were these Now my soul be glad for at all parts of this prison the Lord hath set to his Piâ—ners to loose thee Head Feet Milt and Liver are fast failing yea the middle strength of the whole body the stomack is weakened long ago Arise make ready shake off thy fetters mount up from the body and go thy way I saw not my children when they were in the womb yet there the Lord fed them without my knowledge I shall not see them when I goe out of the body yet shall they not want a Father Death is somewhat driery and the streams of that Jordan between us and our Canaan run furiously but they stand still when the Ark comâ—s Let your Anchor be cast within the vail and fastened on the Rock Iesus Let the end of the threefold cord be buckled to the heart so shall yee go thorow Soli Deo Gloria Here also Cowper Scotlands Prelate grave A place of honour doth deserve to have Among these Honour'd Heroes whom the Lord Did many exc'llent Ornaments afford In piety and parts but specially Making him prosperous in the Ministry By 's constant and by 's consciencious Preaching And holy life which was a second teaching Famous for 's writings on the Revelation Piously thus persisting to 's tranatsâ—ion The Life
and Death of John Piscator who dyed Anno Christi 1625. JOhn Piscator was born at Argentine Anno Christi 1546. at which time Germany was on fire with civill Wars Yet that hindred not but he followed his studyes very hard and profited exceedingly in learning when he came to the study of Logick with great felicity he joyned Ramus and Aristotle together And afterwards having made a good progresse in the study of Divinity he was called to Herborn to be the Professor there and his labors were so gratefull to young Students that many flocked thither out of Germany France Hungary Poland and other Nothern Countries He wrote many things with great diligence and labor scarce affording any rest to himselfe He translâ—ted the whole Bible with great pains and faithfulnesse into the German Tongue besides his Logicall and Theologicall Analisis of the greatest part of it He dyed at Herborn Anno Christi 1625. and of his age 80. This Jâ—hn Piscator born at Argentine For his rare parts in Arts did fairly shine Iâ— Heâ—bâ—rn where Professor he became And exercis'd that place with so much fame That many Students out of Germany Fâ—â—nce Poland and from out of Hungary Came flocking thither for his grave direction Which he afforded them with sweet affection I' th Germane toâ—gue the Bible he translated And it with learn'd Analisis ornated And thus his dayes in pious pains being spent At fourscore years his soule to heaven he sent ANDREW WILLET The Life and Death oâ— Andrew Willet IT is not long since a large Relation was published a Ann. 1634 prefixed before the fift edition of his Synopsi Papi and written by the same hand with this of the life and death of that faithfull servant of Christ Dr. Andrew Willet yet least omitted in this honorable Catalogue he should lose his b Augu. Cenâ— lib. 10. câ— â—7 right of association in renowne and glory with these his Fellow-labourers in the service of the Gospell I though good not onely to abridge part of that former discours which alone were but c Syne episâ— 141. to bring forth the same birth againe but to d Id. ep 99. adde some remarkeable things then unremembered or undiscovered being such as may conduce both to the advancement of his memory e Terent. in Adelph and the encouragement of our imitation who often follow patterns more then precepts f Lips de Consâ— l. 2. c. 4. This learned prudent and pious man was born of worthy and religious Parents by whom he enjoyed that g Eâ—rip Cyâ—pr Epist. libâ— 4. Ep. 5. choyce blessing and happinesse of ingenuous godly education and example His Father Mr. Thomas Willet was in his yonger time Subalmoner unto King Edward the sixt while Doctor Coxe was chiefe Almoner and Schoolmaster to that royall Prince who was presented of God unto this Iland only ut spectaculi spiraculi res to use Tertullian's words a faire-flourishing and sweet-smelling flower soon withered and taken away The sad times of persecution under Queene Mary then succeeding King Edwards Almoner and Subalmoner with many more were not onely forced from Court but th' one from his Country the other from his comfort of his wife and family for the safety of their lives and consciences till that cloud was blowne over and Queene Mary dead Then roâ—e Englands Deborâ—h that mirrour of her sex and miracle of the World Queen Elizabeth Exiles returned home amongst them Doctor Coxe who was advanced to the Bishoprick of Ely and soon after preferred his old Chaplaine Master Willet this Doctors Father to a Prebend in that Church and to the Parsonage of Barley in Hertfordshire both which in his old age he resigned unto this his Son who lived and dyed in them h Ambros. li. 1. de Abrah cap. 8. never having ambitiously hunted after higher promotions i Aâ—ad Frans sâ—â—lour ch 21 which he rather studied to deserve then to obtaine observing how in ordinary courses some k Lips enjoy prefermentâ— others merit them yet he went on so cheerfully in his praise-worthy labours as if his pains had been his payment according to that reason given by some why they that bore the heat and burthen of the day had put equall pay with him that came at the last hour into the Vinyard Matth. 20.12 l Canâ— Mos 〈◊〉 3. epist. 4. Because say they their worke is reckoned into their wages it being no little honour to be so imployed of God This Doctor was both born and bred in the Towne or City of Ely lying within the Fens of Cambridgeshire a soyle not unlike the place of Augustines birth if we beleeve m In Aug. de Civit. Deâ— lib. 16. cap. â— Lud. Vives and others wherupon Erasmus n Praef. ad lib. Epi. D. Augu takes occasion to divine that had that Father been born and lived in Italy or France his wit though uncomparable had been much more refined and the fruits thereof much more abundant And Apollonius Tyaneus o Apâ—l Philostrat in vit A.T. li. 6. c. 6. ascribes the subtile inventions of the Indians unto the purer beames or cleerer ayre wherein they live Whereas the auncient heathen gave the attribute of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto their choysest wits as if they were men fallen from heaven as they said of p Antip. apud Pâ—uâ— in vit Hoâ— Homer q Tertius â— coelo cecidiâ— Cato Iuven Cato and the like And as Homer said of Aegypt so may we say of every Country r Sophoc l. in Ajac. There 's many good and bad things mixt together Neâ— refert quâ terrâ natus qui renatus it matters not where he was borne that 's new born For that which is of the earth is earthly Joh. 3.31 But every good giving every perfect gift is from above Iam. 1.17 which even the heathen Poet acknowledgeth speaking thus These and all gifts of the mind God I say workes in mankind From the Grammer Schoole in Ely where by reason of his industry unusuall in such years denying himselfe even s Iulian in Caesar. necessary recreation he had given many t Lips de Constat lib. 2. c. 5. Hom. rudiments of future hopes he was at thirteen years of age or thereabout sent to the University of Cambridge He was first admitted into Peter-house where he was well grounded and afterward removed to Christ's Colledge where he was preferred to a Fellowship every where he found Learnings doores open to him Being but nineteen years of age he under-tooke the defence of his Master Aristotle in a Latine Tractate against Tempell a lover of Peter Ramus whereof as I have heard divers Copyes were dispersed one of which not long since I saw with an Epistle deditatory to a Pralaâ—e of that age as if he had intended it for the presse But his first booke which came forth in print was that De animâ— natuâ—a viribus written by him at
him the ugly visage of his sins which lay so heavy upon him that he roared â—or anguish oâ— heart yea it so affrighâ—ed him that he rose sometimes out of his bed in the night for very anguish of spirit and â—o augment his spirituall misery he was assaulted with soul temptations Horribilia de Dâ—o â—erâ—ibilia de fide which Luther called câ—laphum Satanae this continued for many months but God at last gave a blessed issue and these grievous pangs in the New Birth produced two admirable effects in him an invincible courage in the cause of God and a singular deâ—terity 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 Norâ—hamptonshire falling void Serjeant Nicols the Patron preâ—â—rred him to it about the fortieth year of his age he marryed Misâ—ris Ann Bois of an ancient family in Kent and to her care committed the ordering of his outward estate and applyed himselfe wholly to his studyes and the work of the Ministry for twenty years together Prâ—ached twice every Lords-day and Catechized and in every Holy-day and Friday before the Sacrament he expounded a Chapter whereby he went over most of the Historicall books of the Old New Testament and therein preparing nothing for his People but what might have served a very learned Aâ—ditory In all his Preaching next after Gods glory he aymed at the Conversion of souls and God crowned his labors by making him an instrument to beget many sons and daughters unto righteouâ—nesse He had an excellent Art in relieving afflicted consciences so that he was sought to far and near yea diverse beyond Sea desired his resolution in diverse 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 powring the oyl of mercy into their bleeding wounds He had a singular skill in discovering Satans sleâ—ghts and in battering down his Kingdome In all his Sermons he used to discover the filthinesse of sin and to presse hard upon the Consciâ—nce 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 waâ— blamelesse that he could not justly be taxed by any of any scandalous sin He constantly prayed six times a day twice with his family twice with his wife and twice in secret He kept many dayes of private humiliation alwayes before the Sacrament and upon the occasions of the miseries of the Church at home abroad which he performed with much ardency of Spirit and being advised by Phisitians for his healths sake to break off â—he strong intention of his study he rejected their counsell accounting it greater riches to enjoy Christ by those servent intentions of his minde 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 universaly bountifull but especially he â—xceeded in those publick distresses of Germany France Bohemia c. He alwayes spent all the revenews of his living which was of good valew in the maintenance of his Family Hospitality and Charity He fell sick of a Quartane Ague in Septâ—mber An. Christi 1631. whereupon finding his disease to get strength and his vigor to grow weaker he revised his Will and then wholly retired himselfe from the world and solaced his soul with the Meditation of the joyes of heaven and having compiled a discourse De quaâ—uor Novissimis of Death Judgement 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 sharpe yet he bore it with admirable patience often breathing forth these speeches Oh when will this good hour com When shall I be dissolved when shall I be wiâ—h Christ Being told that it was better for the Church if God would for him to stay here He answered If I shall finde favor in the eyes of God hee will bring me againe and shew me both it and his habitation and if otherwise lo here I am let him doe what seemeth good in his eyes 2. Sam. 15.25 26. And being asked of another if he could be content to live if God would grant it him he said I grant that life is a great blessing of God neither will I neglest any meanes that may preserve it and doe heartily desire to submit to Gods will but of the two I infinitely more desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. To those that came to visit him â—n his sicknesse he gave very godly and wise exhortations He thanked God for his wonderfull mercy in pulling him out of hell in â—ealing his Ministry by the Conversion of Souls which he wholly ascribed to his glory a week before his death he called for his wife and desired her to bear his Dissolution with a Chrisâ—ian Fortitude and turning to his chrildren he told them that they should not now expect that in regard of his weakenesse he should say any thing to them he had formerly told them enough and hoped they would remember it and he verily believed that none of them durst think to meet him at the great Tribunall in an unregenerate state Sâ—me of his neighbors moved that as he had in his Ministry discoursed to them the exceeding commforts that were in Christ so he would now tell them what he felt in his soul Alas said he doe you look for that now from mee that want breath and power to speak I have told you enough in mâ— Mâ—nistry yet to satisfie you I am by the wonderfull mercies of God as full of comfort as my heart can hold and feel nothing in my soul but Christ with whom I heartily desire to bee Then seeing some weeping he said Oh what a deal adoe there is before one can dye When the very panges of death were upon him some of his dear friends coming to take their leave of him he caused himselfe to be raised up and after a few gapings for breath he said to them I am now drawing on a pace to my Dissolution hold out Faith and Patience your worke will quickly be at an end then shaking them by the hand he desired them to make sure of heaven and to remember what he had formerly taught them protesting that it was the Truth of God as he should answer it at the Tribunall of Christ before whom he should shortly appear and a dear friend taking him by the hand ask't him if hee felt not much paine Truely no said he
the greatest I feel is your cold hand and then being layed downe againe no long after he yeelded up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631. and of his age sixty He was one of a thousand for Piety and Courage which were so excellently mixed with wisdome that they who imagined mischiefe against his Ministry were never able by all their plottings to doe him any more hurt then onely to shew their teeth Laus Deo Of all the worthyes that deserv'd so well And did in parts and piety excell And Garlands therefore of just honour have None more did merit then this Past or grave Renowned Robert Bolton one well known For his divine rare parts second to None Who though in 's youth he seem'd a wicked Saul In 's riper years he prov'd a precious Paul A most renowed preaching Son of thunder Yet a sweet Barnabas even to deep wonder To sons of sorrow and for Gods blest cause Invincible in courage and from pawes Of Sathans power who pull'd afflicted spirits By comforts sweet herein being of high merits And as for 's preaching so for 's writings rare Extant in print even almost past compare One of ten thousand for his piety Constancy wisdome learning gravity Who as he liv'd belov'd so blestly dy'd And now his Sainted soul in heaven doth bide The Life and Death of William Whately who dyed Anno Christi 1639. WIlliam Whately was born in Banbury in Oxfordshire An. Christi 1583. of godly and religious Parents his father was oft Mayor of that Towne his mother carefully bred him up in the knowledge of the Scriptures from a child he was also trained up in learning in the best Schools in those parts and being of a quick apprehention a cleare judgement and a most happy memory he profited so much both in Latine Greek and Hebrew that at fourteen years old he went to Christs Colledge in Cambridge There he was an hard Student and qucikly became a good Logician and Phylosopher a strong Disputant and an excellent Orator He studyed also Poetry and Mathematicks He was a constant hearer of Doctor Chaderton and M r. Perkins And his Tutor calling his Pupils to an â—ccount what they had learned when any was at a stand he would say Whately what say you and he would repeat as readily as if had preached the Sermon himselfe being Batchelor of Arts his Father took him home yet there also he followed his study Afterwards he married a wife the Daughter of Master George Hunt an eminent Preacher who perswaded him to enter into the Minisâ—ery and therefore going to Oxford he commensed Master of Arts and presently after was called to be a Lecturer at Banbury w ch he performed with good approbation for four years and then was called to the Pastorall chargâ— there in which place he continued to his death He was naturally eloquent and had words at willâ— he was of an able body and â—ound lungs and of a strong and audible voyce He was a Bâ—nerges a son of Thunder and yet upon occasion a Barnabas a son of sweet Consolation His speech and preaching was not in the inticing words of man's wisdome but in the Demonstation of the Spirit of Power He was an Apolloâ— eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures he Catechized and Preached twice every Lords day and a weekly Lecture besides yet what he Preached was before well studyed and premeditated He usuall penned his Sermons at large and if he had but so much time as to read over what he had written and to gather it up into short heads he was able to deliver it well-near in the same words His Preaching was plain yet very much according to Scripture and the rules of Art He made good use of his Learning yet without affectation He used to read Books most swiftly yet not cursorily being able when he had don to give an account of the substance and most remarkable passages of what he had read And it pleased Gâ—d to put a Seal to his Minisâ—â—y in the câ—nverting confirming and building up many thousands in the course of his Ministery He was a diligent visitor of the â—ick under his charge without respâ—ct of peâ—sons he was a great Pâ—ace maker amoâ—gst any of hiâ— Flâ—â—k that were at variance he had an heavenly gift in prayer both for aptnâ—sse and fulnesse of Confessions Petitions Supplycations Intercessions and Praises together with fervency of spirit to power them out to God in the name of Christ. Wâ—en he had read a Psalme or Chap. in his Family in his prayer he would discover the scope meaning chiefe notes of observation and their use that his Prayer was an excellent Commentary thereupon and this not onely in the plainer but in the harder Texts of Scripture also His constant practiâ—e was besides Family-prayer twice a dâ—y and sometimes Catechizing to pray also with his wife and alone both morning and evening He set apart private dayes of Humiliation for his Family upon speciall occasions and oft for their preparation to the Lord's Supper at which times he would exceed himselfe in pouring out his soul to God with many tears He was much in dayes of private Fasting and humbling himself alone before God which impaired his health but made much for the health of his soul. He was very able and very ready to confer with and to resolve the doubts of such as came him He bare such a tender love to that great people over which God had set him that though his means was small and he had many offers of great preferment in the Church yet he would not leave them He was daily inquisitive afâ—er the affairs of Gods Church and sympathized with Gods people both in their weal and woe He was much grieved when he saw that difference in opinions bred strangnesse amongst Christians that agreed iâ— that same Fundamentall Truths He was judiciously charitable to such as shewed the power of godliness in their lives though they were not of his judgment in all things He was glad when any of the righteous smote him would tâ—ke it well not from his Superiours onely but from his Equals and far Inferiors and would really shew more testimonies of his love to such afterwards then ever he did before He abounded in works of Mercy he was a truly liberall man one that studyed liberall things seeking out to find objects of his mercy rather thâ—n staying till they were offered he did set apart and expend for many years together for good uses the tenth part of his yearly comings in both out of his Temporall and Ecclesiasticall meanes of maintenanceâ— he entertained somâ— poor Widows or necessitous persons weekly at the least at his Table and his estate prospered the better after he took this course and in his sicknesse he comforted himselfe with that promise Psal. 41.1 2. Blessed is he that considereth the poore the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing c. His last dayes were his best dayes for then he grew exceedingly in humility and in heavenly-mindednesse And a good while before his latter end God gave him victory over his greatest corruptions which for a long time kept him in continuall exercise About eight weeks before his death he was much troubled with a cough and shortnesse of breath which much weakned him yet he Preached divers times till his encreasing weaknesse disabled him In his sicknesse he gave heavenly and wholesome counsell to his people neighbours and friends that came to visit him exhorting them to labor to redeem the time to be much reading hearing and Meditating upon the Word of God much in prayer brotherly love and communion of Saints and that they would be carefull to hold that fast that he had taught them out of the Word of Truth and that whil'st the the meanes of Salvation was to be had they would neither spare pains nor cost to enjoy it His pains towards his end were very great yet he bore them patiently He was much in ejaculations and lifting up his heart to God in behalfe of the Church and State and for himselfe also wherein he was most frequent and earnest a little before his death A godly friend Minister praying with him that if his time were not expired God would be pleased to restore him for the good of his Church or if otherwise that he would put an end to his pains if he saw good he lifting up his eyes stedfastly towards heaven and one of his hands in the close of that prayer gave up the Ghost shutting his eyes himself as if he were fallen into a sweet sleep Anno 1639. and of his age 56. God tooke him away a little before the Civill Wars began and before the sad desolations that fell upon the Town of Banbury in particular Renowned William Whately also wins Like fame with Bolâ—on as two equall twins Of honour and renown for piety And admirable parts in 's Ministry In Latine Greek and Hebrew rarely able A Disputant also unconquerable Of apprehension quick of judgement clear Strong memory and that which was most dear Of a most holy life and Conversation Who many souls did win to Christs salvation And Divine-like in Scriptures eloquent In Prayer Preaching faithfull and fervent Much charity and love who still exprest Among his people a Peacemaking blest Pittifull patient full of courtesie His soul with Christ now raignes most gloriously FINIS
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
the little light allowed them and by the swiftnesse of their wings to regaine the shortnesse of the time So this good man as if presaging that his life was likly to be very short dying at the forty fourth year of his age husbanded it with double diligence to Gods glory and by his industry gained in thicknesse what he wanted in length 16. When Ahab dyed the Epâ—â—affe as I may say was written on his grave That he built an Ivory House A great honour indeed to have a milke-white Pallace and a blacke soul within it But of gracious Iosiah it is said 2. Chron. 35. 26. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his goodnesse and his deeds first and last This indeed was worth remembring I can tell the Reader of no Ivory house no beautifull building no stately structures this Master Perkines erected but as for his goodnesse with Iosiah very much may be spoken thereof For he did not onely as Scripture praise is Serve his Generation that is discharge himselfe with credit in all reference to those persons to whom he stood related in that Age he lived in but also he hath provided in his Workes a Magazine of Learning and Religion for all Generations to come So that the Levites which as yet lurkes in the loynes of Abraham their great Grandfather infants as yet concealed in their causes have just reason alwayes to bâ— thankfull to God for the benefit they receive from thosâ— Monuments he hath left behinde him His Stature was indifferent complexion ruddy hayre bright body inclined to corpulency which proceeded not from any lazinesse but pulse and paines shall make one fat where God gives the blessing He was lame of his right hand like another Ehud Iud. 3.15 yet made the instrument to dispatch many Eglon errors in judgement and vice in conversation And nature commonly compensates corporall defects with a surplusage of the Soule As for such as make bodily markes in men the brands of disgrace â—pon them we will send them to halting but true heartâ—â— Iacob bleare-eyed but faithfull Leah stammering but meeke Moses lame but loyall Mephibosheth with other Saints in the Scripture so to have their erronious judgements rectified into a more charible opinion He was much afflicted with the Stone the attendant of a sedentary life whereby his patience was much exercised This brought him at last to his long home so called Eccles. 12.5 not because man is long going thither but long yea for ever staying there When he quietly surrendred his soul into the hands of his Creator dying rich onely in Grace the love of God and good men It was true of him what Saint Paul said 2 Cor. 6.10 being poore but making many rich Even in a litterall sence the Sellers of his Books gained but small profit came to the Author He was buried in a decent manner where all the spectators were Mourners veris spirantibus lachrymis Doctor Mouâ—tague afterwards Bishop of Wincher Preached his Funerall Sermon taking for his Text Moses my servant is dead Iosh. 1.2 and hath no other Monument then his owne vertues except any will say that the plaine Stones which cover his Grave are made Marble by the worth of the Corps beneath them A Wife and many Children he left behinde him she married successively two other Husbands but no more Mr. Perkinses If any charitable disposed Person hath been blessed by God with a Cup which overfloweth and if he desireth that some drops of the same should fall upon them who are the proper objects of bounty I doubt not but an easie inquiring he may quickly finde out some of this worthy mans Children as not so poore openly to request so not so proud but they would thankfully receive such expressions of his Charity Yea what Saint Paul said of the Iews may truely be applyed to the good mans memory We are debters unto c. So that what is bestowed in this kinde on his is not so much a guift as a paying an obligation He was borne the first and dyed the last year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth so that his life ran parallel with her reigne streaming in equall length and had both their fountains and fals together He dyed Anno Dom. 1602. 1 A foundation of Christian Religion 2 His Golden â—haine or description of Divinity 3 An Exposition of the Apostles Creed 4 An Exposition of the Lords Prayer 5 A Declaration of the state of Gracâ— and Condemnation 6 Cases of Conscience 7. A discourse of the Tongue done in Latine by Thomas Drax 8 Of the nature and practice of Repentance 9 Of the meanes to dye well in all states and â—imes 10 Of the combate of the flesh and spirit into Latine by Drax. 11 Of the course to live well 12 A Treatise of Conscience 13 The Reformed Catholicke 14 Of the â—rue meanes to know Christ crucified and the Graâ—ne of Mustard-seed into Latine by Thomas Draxe 15 Of true Wealth 16 Of the Idolatry of the last times 17 Of Gods free grace and of free will in Men. 18 Of mens callings 19 Of Predestination in Latine by the Author 20 His Bible harmony 21 A Dialogue of the worlds dissolution These that follow were set forth after the Authors death 1 Three bookes of the cases of Conscience translated into Latine by Thomas Draxe and Meyer 2 Commentaries on the five first Chapters on the Galathians 3 Of Christian Equity by Carshaw 4 Of Mans Imagination set forth by Thomas Peirson 5 Problemes against Coxe in Latine by himselfe set forth by Samuel Ward 6 The key of Prophesie set forth by Thomas Tuke 7 Commentaries upon the fifth sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew set forth by Thomas Peirson 8 Commentaries on the three first chapters of the Apocalyps by Robert Hill and Thomas Peirson 9 Of the tentation of Christ from the first verse to the 12. of the fourth chapter of Matthew 10 An exhortation to Repentance 11 Two excellent Treatises of Ministers calling set out by Master Crashaw 12 A Commentary on Judes Epistle by Thomas Pickering 13 Of poysoning a Treatise 14 Against Prognosticks An Answer to a Countrey fellow 15 Of the houshold Discipline in Latine by the Author now Englished Of all the Worthies in this learned role Our English Perkins may without controle Challenge a crowne of Bayes to deck his head And second unto none be numbered For 's learning wit and worthy parts divine Wherein his Fame resplendantly did shine Abroad and eke at home for 's Preaching rare And learned writings almost past compare Which were so high estéem'd that some of them Translated were as a most precious jem Into the Latine French Dutch Spanish tongue And rarely valued both of old and young And which was very rare Them all did write With his left hand his right being uselesse quite Borne in the first dying in the last year Of Quéen Eliza a Princesse without péer Place here Bishop Androwes his Life marked with this Signiture ***