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
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
most regenerate which made him almost abstaine from all such meetings or if he came he commonly brought with him some learned Second with whom he conferred in Latin Ne intelligerent Sacerdotes His custome was to begin and end dinner with the same dish to content himselfe with one glasse of Beer or two at the most and though he loved rich Wines yet he drank of the best but very sparingly knowing that all mens eyes then present were upon him He had a wonderfull happy wit himselfe and was much taken with it in others especially young Boyes and Maids with whose naturall purity softnesse and simplicity he seemed greatly effected and the rather because our Saviour himselfe commends in them those qualities to our imitation In many things he dissented from those who thought themselves learned in some from those who indeed were so to whom onely he unbosomed himselfe especially if they were his friends your Scotists who then seemed to monopolize and divide the whole stock of wit amongst themselves he eâ—teemed of all others the most dull barbarous stupid and insufferable dunces And yet of Acquinas I know not upon what grounds he had a worse opinion then of Scotus In whose defence when it was objected by Erasmus perhaps ironically for he was no great friend to either that of all the ancient Schoolmen Aquinas onely seemed to have read the Fathers witnesse his Aurea Catena and that some of his Workâ— were highly commended for stirring up mens affections to piety Colet answered what tell you me of his reading or stirrring up affections unlesse he had beene transported with the Spirit of Arrogance he had never so rashly and yet so magisterially peremptorily presumed to define all points of Religion and if he had not savored too much of the flesh he had not therewith mixed so much vaine and fruitlesse Phylosophy He was no great admirer of Monks not that he hated the Profession but because he saw the Professors lived not accordingly wherfore whilst he lived he gave them little when he dyed nothing And yet his intent and purpose was to end his dayes in a Monastery if he could have found one qualified to his minde This by many was censured in him that although he himselfe lived most chastly and as Erasmus verily beleeveth dyed a pure Virgin notwithstanding his naturall inclination to the Contrary yet he had a very charilable opinion of such Priests and Frierâ— whose greatest fault was their umcleannâ—sse For said he these out of the Conscience of their owne imperâ—ection are for the most part humble modeâ—t and tractable whereas the divell himselfe were he not what he is could hardly abide the pride avarice and hypocrisie of the other Not that he thought incontinence a light Sinne but intractability and pride far more incompatible with piety And therefore though it was his ill luck to live under a perverse and wrangling Diocesan of whom we shâ—ll say more anon yet he was a true friend to Episcopacy by being a mortal enemy to such Bishops as under an hypocriticall maske of sanctity proâ—tituted their sacred function to ambition and Luxury Relative worship he held no such spur to Devotion as some would make it And was not farre from their opinion who thinke a notoriously wicked Priest operates nothing by his consecration for he abominated irregularity especially in his owne order and could not but wiâ—h indignation looke upon those whose impure and contaminated lives gave the first rise and ground to this suspition whether true or false In his judgement concerning publike Schooles and Vniversities he was not onely heterodox but like the bird spoken of in the Proverb cleerly bewrayed diverse Symptoms of an exulcerated minde but let that passe amongst Moles in the most beautifull faces Secret Confession he generally approved as that whereby himselfe had received much comfort and benefit but as much disliked that which was too anxious and descended to a needlesse enumeration of what can no more be numbered then the starres in heaven or sand upon the Sea shore Priests here in his time Officiated once every day he contented himself with Sundayes and Holy-daies it may be to set the greater edge upon his Devotion which by these intervals was the more sharpned or perhaps to gaine the more time for his private studies the better to fit himselfe for his Cathedrall or Pulpit imployments Learning he really loved and laboured for onely that Encuclopedicall wisdome which cannot be attained but by knowledge of all Arts and devouring of all bookes he esteemed rather a learned sort of madnesse then any true provocation to Christian simplicity and charity He deferred much to the Apostolicall Epistles but when he compared them with that sweetnesse wisdome and majesty which is to be found in our Saviours owne sayings and Sermons he thought them saplesse and scarce to be named the same day which as one of his Paradoxes I leave to be sensured by the Reader for both proceede from the same Spirit Howsoever omitting the former the latter he intended to trichotomize or reduce unto Ternaries but was prevented by death Gods worship and Service as much as in him lay he performed with an equall decency and magnificence and was no great approver either of their zeale or wisdome who tyed Priests every day those wherein they travell not exceped to the private repetition of so many and long prayers which perhaps he knew by experience they rather mumbled over with their lips then considerately evaporated from their hearts He willingly and attentively read over many Hereticall bookes professing he sometimes bettered himselfe more by them then theirs who without dispute define what they please and as they please He indured not that any man should square his stile by the rules of Grammer or Grammarians but by reading and imitating the most approved Authors which opinion brought its owne punishmeat with it for though he was eloquent both by nature and erudition yet when he set himselfe to write in Latin he often tript even in things common and obvious to every School-boy which did so much discourage him that he never set forth any thing it were to be wished his modestey had not so much stumbled at this straw for certainly howsoever his expression had taken the eare his conceptions could not have disrellished the understanding but in this as in many things else he dissented from the common Tenets and practice both of his owne and former times yet so as his private opinions never troubled the publike peace his friends were as many as there were men of learning and Candor in the whole kingdome His greatest enemies were certaine illiterate and irregular Friers and amongst these his own Bishop of whose Sophisticall Scoâ—istry the Deane made no great account and the Bishop as little of his Ciceronian Divinity The heart burning went so farre that at last it broke forth into Articles wherein the Bishop assisted by two of his brethren almost as learned and Cordat
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
I was in a most pleasant meddow in which as I walked up and downe me thought that I was besprinkled with a heavenly dew and that not sparingly but plentifully powred downe whereby both my body and soule were filled with ineffable joy To whom Piscator That good shepherd of Jesus Christ led thee into fresh pastures Yea said Olevian To the springs of living waters Afterwards having repeated some sentences full of comfort out of Psalme forty two Isaiah nine and Matthew eleven he often repeated I would not have my journy to God long deferred I desire to be dissolved and to be with my Christ he gave his hand and farewell to his Collegues and friends and when he was in the Agony of death Alstedius asked him whether he was sure of his salvation in Christ â— he answered Most sure and so he gave up the Ghost Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age fifty one Nor must Olevian also be omitted But have a place of Honor fairby fitted Unto his fame among these Heroes brave Who of his Parts in Arts much witnesse gave A sound Divine to Rome an enemy Preaching Christs truth with courage constancy And who at last as he had long desir'd Exchanging earth for heaven blestly expir'd IOHN FOXE The Life and Death of John Foâ— JOhn Fox was born aâ— Bosten in Lincolnsâ—ire Anno 1517. his Parents were neither so rich as by their wealth to be exposed to envy nor so meane as by want to be lyable to contempt more enriched they were with the love of their Neighbours and most of all in having this so towardly and hopefull a Son These perceiving that nature pointed out their Son by the rare parts bestowed upon him to be a Scholar and therefore following her directions carefully bred him in learning and sent him to Brazâ—nnose Colledge in Oxford Here he was Chamber-fellow wit Alexander Nowell afterwards Doctor and Dean of Pauls and friendship betwixt them took so deep an impression in their tender years advantaged with the simpathy of their natures that it increased with their Age to be indelible These communicated their studyes together and with harmlesse emulation and loving strife whilest each endeavoured to out-strip others both surpassed themselves Hence Fox was translated and chosen Fellow of Maudliâ— Colledge whereat such as were bred in that foundation counting themselves the proper Heires to all the prâ—ferment in the House were much offended til his patience anâ— humanity reconciled them unto him so that he becamâ— not onely affected but admired And as Naturalistsâ—â— obâ—serue that Plants are meliorated by removing not abatinâ— their old but acquiring new spirits unto them so thâ—â— Scholar by changing his Soyle to a new Colledge wâ—â— thereby marvelously improved in all manner of learnâ—ing Now King Henry had lately set up a mongrell Religiâ—â— in the Land like the Toes of Nabuchadnezars jmage partlâ— Iron partly Clay one moity thereof strong with undeniâ—able Truth the other dawbed with untempered morterâ— in the six Popish Articles still retained Our young Felloâ— in the Colledgeâ— sees and sighâ— at the supâ—rstiâ—ion anâ— retiring â—imselâ—e to a grove entertaines the time with Soâ—litarinesse onely the silent midnight was witnesse to hiâ— sobs and groanes He sees what but not whither to fâ—â—â—â— but at last resolves hereafter to absent himselfe from tâ—e Romish Church Hereupon being accused for a Separatist and unwilling to over purchase his safety at the price of â— lye he is conventâ—d and expelled the Colledge But because Theeves must be thanked for giving what they doe not take away his enemies challenged Commendation due to their courtisâ— because they took not Foxes life from him according to the Severity of the Laws then in force By this time his owne Father was dead and his Mother married againe Fox repairâ—s to his Father in law for succour but finds no entertainment For as when a hunted Deere châ—sed with the Hounds taketh sanctuary by flying to the rest of the herd they out of a Principle of self preservation drive him away for fear least the Hounds in persuit of him fall on them so his Father in law was loath to receive him and sorbad him the protection of his family least Persecutors in quest of his Son should bring him and his whole houshold into trouble Here it would be tedious for us but to tell and then how troublesome for him to endure in how many places this poore man lurked for fear of informers those Birds of prey which have as quick sight as sharp Talons sometimes at Sir Thomas Luceys in Warwickeshire sometimesâ— at Boston most commonly at London taken covert in that forrest of houses it being a strange truth that in such wherein are most eyes a man is least seene The Foxes saith our Saviour have holes litterally true of that cunning creature but ouâ— Fox being indeed a sheep in Innocence and Simplicity had not where to lay his head like Christ his Master But soone after hapned the death of King Henry and Edward the sixt succeeded him This put a period to his frights and flights and for five years this good man enjoyed peace and prosperity till the raigne of Queene Mary Under whom for a while he lived safe in the house of the Duke of Norfolke once his Pupill untill Gardner Bishop of Winchester that cruel Bloud-houÌ„d scenting him out designed his destruction For comming on a visit of respect to the Duke Fox casually passing by the Bishop demanded who that was my Physiâ—ian answered the Duke the Bishop replyed I like well his ingenuous countenance and when I have need will make use of him Thus Herod pretended he would worship Christ when he intended to kill him Winchester ment this Physitian should be his patient on whom he would practice with fire and faggot the usuall dosis Prescribed to all those who were accused to be infected with the Protestant Religion Now flyes our Fox beyond the Seas who escaping fire fell into as mercilesse an element of Water A terrible Tempest overtook him frighting the prophane Sea-men into their prayers and melting their hearts which might seeme made of those Rocks amongst which they sailed Hereby he was driven back againe to Yarmoâ—th but at last by Gods Providence got beyond the Seas and some months after arrived at Basil. Here he began that famouâ— worke of Acts and Monuments which he finished many years after And here making a Sermon to his fellow Exiles he plainly told them that now the Time was come for thâ—ir returne into England and that he brought them that newes by coâ—mandement from God These Words were differently censured by severall mâ—n some took them to be the evaporations of a melancholly Braine others as Words shot at random which if casually hitting the marke would afterwards be observed if otherwise would be buried in Oblivion amongst a heap of othâ—â— Expressions A third condemned them for a presumptiouâ— intrusion into Gods secrets prying into the Arke of future conâ—ingencies which
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
To the better discharge of this part of the account he tooke order still before hand by continuall search and enquiry to know what hopefull young men were in the University his Chapleins and friends receiving a charge from him to certifie him what hopefull and towardly young wit they met with at any time and these till he could better provide for them were sure to taste of his bounty and goodnesse for their better encouragement Diverse eminent men in Learning that wanted preferment when any thing fell in his guift convenient for them though otherwise they had no dependance at all upon him nor interest in him he would send for before they knew why and entertaine them in his owne houseâ— and conferre the preferment upon them and also defray the very charges incident for a dispensation or a faculty yea of their very journey and all this that he might have his Diocesse in generall and his preferments in particular the better fitted So that that may fitly be applyed to him which was sometimes to Saint Chrysostome In administratione Epatus prebuit se fidelem constantem Vigilantem Ministerum Christi And if you looke upon him in those Temporales wherwith he was intrusted you shall find him no lesse faithfull and just As first diverse summes and many of them of good value were sent to him to be distributed among poore scholers and others at his discretion all which he disposed with great care and fidelity even according to the Donors minds and entents For his faithfulnesse in managing those places wherein he was entrusted for others joyntly with himselfe let Pembrooke Hâ—ll and Westminster Colledge speake for him for when he became Master of the first he found it in debt being of a very small endowment then espcially but by his faithful providence he left above eleven hundred pounds in the Treasury of that Colledge towards the bettering of the estate thereof And when he was made Deane of the other it is not unknowne to some yet living who will testfie that he left it for all orders aswell of the Church as of the Colledge and Schoole a place then truly exemplarily Collegiate in all respects both within and without free from debts and arrerages from encrochments evill Customes the Schoole-boyes in the foure yeeres he stayed there being much improved not by his care and oversight onely but by his owne personall and often labours also with them To these may be added that whereas by vertue of his Deanry of Westminster his Mastership aâ— Pembrooke Hall and his Bishopricke of Ely the elction of Scholers into the Schoole of Westminster and from thence to the two Universities as also of many Scholers and fellowes in Pembrook Hall some in Saint Peters Colledge and some in Iesus Colledge were in his power and disposall he was ever so faithâ—full and just that he waved all Letters from great Personages for unsufficient Scholers and cast aside all favor and affection and chose onely such as in his judgment were fittest And lastly which is not the least in this kind being many times desired to assist at the election of Scholers from the free Schooles of the Merchantaylors and from that at Saint Pauls of the Mercers and perceiving favour and affection and other by respects sometimes to oversway merit with those to whom the choyce belonged and that diverse good Scholers were omitted and others of lesse desert preferred he of his owne goodnesse diverse times tooke care for such as were so neglected and sent them to the University where he bestowed proâ—â—ment upon them To conclude this account of his take a view of his fidelity in that great place of trust the Almoâ—orship which was sufficiently evident especially to those who attended him neerly First in that he would never suffer one penny of that which accrewed to him by that place to be put or mingled with any of his own Rents or Revenewes and wherein he kept a more exact account then of his owne private Estate and secondly being so separated he was as faiâ—hfull in the disposing of it not onely in the generall trust of his Soveraigne in the daily charges incident to that place expended by the Sub-Almoner and other yeerly ordinary charges but when he perceived that he had a surplussage those charges defrayed he would not suffer it to lye by him but some of it he disposed to the reliefe of poore Housekeepers some in releasing of poore Prisoners and comforting them which lay in misery and iron and some in furnishing poore people with Gownes hose shooes and the like for all which many so bestowed by him had he reserved to his owne use his Patent being sine computo no man could have questioned him But he was a faithfull Steward in this as in the rest and expected that joyfull Euge Well done thou good and faithfull servant thou hast bin faithfull c. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord which no doubt but he possesseth The next is his Gratitude or thankfulnesse to all from whom he had received any benefit Of this vertue of his there are and were lately divers witnesses as Doctor Ward Son to his first Schoolemaster upon whom he bestowed the Living of Waltham in Hampshire and Master Mulcaster his other Schoolmaster whom he ever reverently respected during his life in all companies and placed him ever at the upper end of his Table and after his death caused his Picture having but few other in his House to be set over hiâ— Study door And not onely shewed he this outward thankfulnesse to him but supplyed his wants many times also privaâ—â—ly in a liberall and plentifull manner and at his owne death the Father being dead he bequeathed a Legacy to his Son of good valune who as is said before bestowed a full Scholarship on him in Pembrooke Hall Concerning the kinred of Doctor Watts after much enquiry he found onely one upon whom being a Scholar he bestowed prâ—ferments in Pembrooke Hall and he dying there hiâ— Lordship much grieved that he could heare of no more of that kinred to whom he might expresse his further thankfulnesse And yet he forgat not his Patron Doctor Watts at his end for by his Will he tooke order that out of the Scholarships of that Foundation the two Fellowships which he himselfe Founded as you shall see by and by in Pembrooke Hall should be supplyed if they should be found fit for them Lastly to Pembrooke Hall omitting the Legacies by him bequeathed to the Parishes of Saint Giles Saint Martin Ludgate where he had dwelt Saint Andrewes in Holborne Saint Saviours in Southwarke Allâ— Saints Barking where he was borne and others to that Colledge I say where he had beene a Schollar Fellow and Master he gave one thousand pounds to purchase Land for tâ—o Fellowships and for other uses in that Colledge expressed in his Will besides three hundred such Folio Books of his own to the encrease of that Colledg Library as
of Eteocles and Polynices wherein both conquered one the other yet neither enjoyed the victory nor kept his prisoner for Iohn Reinolds who before was a Papist by these bickerings became a zealous Protestant and William Reinolds who before had been a zealous Protestant became a Iesuited Papist and wrote most pestilent Bookes against the Church and State and as after the death of Eteocles and Polynices when their corps were burnt the flames are said to have parted so the contention of these Brethren expired not with their death for the writings which they have left behinde them enflamed with contrary fires of zeale hold the quarrell on foot to this day Of these Bella plusquam civilia among Brethren W. A. a learned Divine thus elegantly discourseth in English and Latine Verses Bella inter geminos plâ—squam civilia Fratres Traxerat ambiguas Religionis apex Ille reformandae fidei pro partibus instat Ille reformandam denegâ—â— esse fidem Propositus causae rationibus inter vtruomque Concurrere pares cecidere pures Quod fuit in vatis fratrem capiâ— alter uâ—rumque Quod fuit in fates perdit uterque fidem Captivi gemini sine captivanâ—â— fuerunt Et victor victi transfugor castra petit Quod genus hoc pugnae est ubi victus gaudet uterque Et simul alteruâ—eâ— se superasse dolet Englished by the Author Between two Brethren civill warre and worse The nice point of Religion long did nurse For reformation of the Faith he plyes That Faith should be reformed this denies The reasons of each cause a part propounded Both met alike both fell alike confounded As heart would wish each one his brother takes As fate would have each one his faith forsakes Without captiver both are captive led And to the vanguisht camp the victor fled What war is this when conquer'd both are glad And either to have conquered other sad Iohn Râ—inolds might truely have said to his brother aâ— Caecillius sometimes spake to Octavius in that most exquisit dialogue of Minutius Faelix Vtrique vicimâ—â— tui victor mei ego triumphator erâ—eres thou hast conquered me and I triumph over my foâ—mer errours but William Reinolds might one the contrary side have said we are both loosers for thou hast lâ—st me thy brother and I have lost my mother the Church of England and the true Religion As soone as our Iohn Reinolds according to thâ— manner of Massie bodies after some quavering was fix'd unmoveably upon the grounds of the Protestant Religion the Statutes of the Colledge called upon him to enter into holy Orders after which he wholly addicted himselfe to the study of the holy Scriptures and because an excellent textuary and very often exercised his sweete gift in preaching a tast whereof we have in his Lectures upon Obadiâ—â— published after his death by Master Hindâ— When the time drew neare that by the Founders Statutes he was upon necessity to take his degree in Divinity he was chosen out by the University to answer the Boctovers in the Actâ— Iuly the 13. 1579. and the same year November the third he answered for his degree in the Divinity Schooles the Theses maintained by him in the Act were these 1. The holy Scriptures teacheth the Church all things necessary to salvation 2. The Church militant upon earth is subject to error both in faith and manners 3 The Authority of the Scriptures is greater then that oâ— the Church The Theses propounded by him in the Divinity Sbhool 〈◊〉 thâ— third were these 1. The holy Catholike Church which we beleeve is the whole number of Gods elect 2. The Roman Church is neither the Catholike Church nor a sound member thereof 3. The reformed Churches in England Scotland France Germany and other Kingdomâ— and Common-wealths have lawfully severed themselveâ— from the Church of Rome The handling of these questions gave so good contentment to the whole University that his suppositions as they call them that is the Speeches he made in the explication and confirmation of these Positions were extorted from him to the Presse by the Printing whereof when he understood how he had netled all the Romanists who in diverse virilent pamphlets disparaged them and threatened by a speedy refutation to ecclipse the fame thereof he â—he better to arme himselfe against these Romish locusts with indifatigable paines in a short space read all the Greek and Latine Fathers and perused all auncient records of the Church that he could come by and grew so perfect in themâ— that as Livie conceiveth that if Alexander had turned his progresse Westward towards Italy as he did Eastwards towards the territories of the Persian Empire the Noble Commander of the Romans Paperius surnamend Curser or the raser would have matched him if not out stript him so if Reinolds his owne inclination or Authority had put upon him the taske of examining Caesar Baronius his Annals he would not onely every way have matched that so much admired Cardinall but in such sort have detected his Romish friends in postures and forgeries that any man whose eyes were not darkned with mist of prejudicate affection should have clearly seene that the doctrine of the reformed Churches hath as great a share in true antiquity as in auncient truth But Reinolds was drawn into the Lists with another one Iohn Heart who tooke the heart and boldnesse to challenge the learnedest of both Universities to try the Doctrine of our Church by the touchstone of Scripture and Faith c. To encoâ—nter him Master Reinolds is sent for by a greaâ— Councellour of Estate and many combats lingua calamo he had with this antagonist in all which Master Hearâ— gave ground and in the end quite quiâ—ted the fieldâ— as appeareth by a Letter wriâ—ten with his owne hand whâ—ch I have seene sent from the Tower of London In which Letter prefixt to the Conference he hath words to this effectâ— I acknowledge that the Narration of the conference set forth beâ—weene Master Reinolds and me is true and whereas he somewhere affirmeâ—h namely chap. 7. Sect. 7. that I should grant that it is not lawfull for the Pope to depose Princes it 〈◊〉 trâ—e I said as much and am still of this judgementâ— that howsoever the spirituall power be more excellent and noble then the temporall yet they both are from God and neitheâ— dependeth of the oâ—her Whence I inferre this undoubâ—ed conclusion That their opinion who make the Pope a temporoll Lord over Kings and Princes hath no ground at all nor so much as prâ—bability nor shew of reason This conference confirmed by the â—ubscription of both parties was shortly after printed by authority and it gave such satisfaction to all indifferent readers that thereby the fame of Master Reynolds was cryed up as well at the Court as the University and it pleased Queen Elizabeth after he had taken his degree of Doctor to appoint him to read an extraordinary Divinity Lecture in Oxford in which he grapled
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
a larg stipend should be yearly given unto him out of tâ—e revenews of an adjacent Abby for his maintenance upon condition that Iohannes Charondiletus then Chancâ—llor unto the Emperour and Arthbishop of Panorma would give his free assent thereunto but the Providence of God so disposing he was not onely denied the same by the said Archbishop but he was also threatned with the losse of his life because is was declared unto him that Gâ—rardus had of late been in higher Gâ—rmany unto which place it was not lawfull for any student to goe least he should be infected with the purity of the doctrine taught in the reformed Churches This expectation of himself and also of his friends being now made voidâ— and having no hopes of getting preferment thereabouts because the Archbishop appeared his professed enemy by the advice of some godly and learned men and also because he would not be burdensome unto his friendsâ— he was resolved to travell againe and so determined to view that other part of Italie which he had not seene but here he was againe hindred by the violence of those Wars which at that time raged betwixt the Emperor and the King of France wherefore he being by this occasion deprived of the sight of Italie he shipped himselfe for England intending not to visit France or Germany any more because he might easily understand in that place by letters continually sent from his friends how all things went in Flanders and whether there were any hopes of obtaining preferment in those parts after his arrivall in England as he used in other forraine parts so he here also enqured after such as were esteemed the leanedest Scholars by which meanes he addressed himselfe unto Charles Monâ—joy the Son of William Montjoy Knight Baron a man much commended and approved of by Erasmus Roterdamus in his writings and of great learning in those dayes who conferring after a friendly manner with Gerardus concerning many matters and thereby perceiving his more then ordinary parts received him into his house and withall conferred an annuall stipend on him and that after a bountifull manner which waâ— so well pleasing unto Gerardus that he continued four yeâ—râ— with thiâ— Montjoy in which time he profited much in the knowledgâ— of humane and divine learning In the yeare 1540. with the consent of Charles Montjoy hâ— went to take view of the University of Cambridge about which time there were great troubles in the Church of England the Lord Cromwell was beheaded others were burned for their zealous profession of the truth many also were put to death for denying the King to be supreame head of the Church under Christ. Proclamations were every where set up against exotics and those full of perill and danger which caused Gerardus to enter into a consideration of returning againe into Germany yet before his departure from England he resolved to recreate himselfe with the fight of that other fountaine of learning viz. Oxford from whence he returned to London where after that he had prepared and fitted himselfe with things necessary for his journy he not without great sorrow tooke his leave of his liberall and loving Master who earnehly intreated him to continue longer with him but by no meanes he could be enduced and perswaded thereunto but forthwith he directed his course towards Anâ—werp a famous City in Brabant from whence he went againe into Flanders and for a season he there continued amongst his friends during his aboad in that place he heard of the fame of Bucer and of the flourishing Schoole at Straâ—burge both which but especially the fame of Bucâ—r allured him to take view of that part of high Germany wherefore without any delay he sets forward toward Strasburge taking Marpurge in his way that he might take order for the conveying of his books and trunks unto Frankâ—furt and secondly because he knew that he could maintaine himselfe at a cheaper rate during his aboad there then in any other place situate on the banks of Rhine and thirdly because he hoped that he should easily obtaine commâ—ndatory letters unto the learned Professors at Sâ—rsburge in that place and especially by the means of Gerardus Noviomagus a man of good estemation who also had formerly knowne this Gerardus and had lived also himselfe sometimes at Strasburge Maviomagus hâ—ving notice of the comming of Andraeas Gerardus unto Mâ—rpurge he kindely invited him unto his lodging where they met with mutuall embracâ—ngâ— being exceeding joyfull of the presence of each other not long after Gerardus discovering unto Naviomagus the causes of his comming unto that place together with his intent for Strasburge he was deâ—ired â—o remaine at Marpurge and withall he was promised faithfully by Naviomagus that he would procure him not onely employment but also a sufficient stipend for the performance of the same Gerardus well perceiving the entire love and sincere affection of his old friend consented and remained expecting preferment in the same place whereupon assooue as Iohannes Ficinus their Chancellor was returned home from an assembly appointed at Reinspurge Naviomagus entered into discourse with him concerning Gerardus and withall declared that by reason of his sicknesse he was not able to performe that place whereunto he was called desired that Gerardus might be approved and allowed to be an assistant unto him in the performance of the place the motion was well liked of Ficinus who forthwith called Gerardus unto him and wished him to remaine at Marpurge and to make triall of his gifts in that place which if they were approved of he promised him a sufficient pension for his labours but Gerardus was so well approved in that place by his Auditors that after the death of Naviomagus he was chosen and appointed to be his successour in the performance of a pastorall office which he faithfully discharged with so great labour and zeale for the Propacating of the truth the space of twenty two years that besides his appointed times and seasons he would make use of vacant houres for the performance of the same Here he commanded the publick exercise of Preaching in the Schoolâ— appointed texts unto the young Divines to treat of he would view and correct their Sermons before they were delivered in the Pulpit nay he would cause them to deliver them privately in his study before he would permit them to deliver them unto the publick Congregation that if there were any defect in voyce or gesture it might happily be amended He much praised those who performed their actions well contrariwise he severely rebuked those which were negligent sloathfull and as it were forceably compelled and constrained them unto a greater diligence he would daily examine them in points of Divinity desire their opinions concerning difficult questions explaine and open unto them hard texts of Scriptures insomuch that in short time he was the Author of much good unto the young Students these this he performed without the expectation of any reward He entred also into a
with the rest of his holy Saints in the year of grace 1574. the twentieth two of April his death was much lamented by the Citizens of Berne who received some comfort by the beholding of those excellent and learned Treatises which he left behind him as so many never dying testifications of his zeale for the advancing of the Gospell of Christ. 1 A forme for Students 2 Two tables of the Hebrew Grammar 3 A triall for Divines 4 The History of Valentine the Gentile 5 A censure of the propositions of the Catabaptists 6 Two Treatises of the sacred Scriptures 7 Common places of Divinity 8 Lectures on the Lords Supper 9 Commentaries on the four Evangelists 10 On the Acts of the Apostles 11 An Iitroduction unto the reading of Saint Pauls Epistles 12 Commentaries on all his Epistles 13 On the Revelation 14 Physicall Workes of Compositions and their degrees His name be-speakes him happy and his worth Swels high enough to set his prayses forth In ample volumes for his soul was lin'd With true Divinity his serious mindâ— Was alwayes active labring to invest Distressed souls with true angel-like rest Let his examples teach us how to be Content in truth and love Divinity That so at last we may receive those gaiues That daily waite upon celestiall straines MATHEW PARKER The Life and Death of Mathew Parker IN the year of grace 1504. the nineteenth year of the raign of King Henry the seventh was this worthy Pralate Mathew Parker borne at Norwich on the sixt day of August His Father William Parker a Citizen of that City though of no great eminent note yet of honest repute and of a competent estate and discended from an ancient Family of that name the dignity whereof in the person of this Mathew was not revived onâ—ly but much advanced His Father being taken from him in the time of his minority he was by the carefull provision of Alicâ— Parker his mother now a widow trained up in good literature untill he attained to the age of eighâ—een yeares who then as a discreet woman and regardâ—ull of her childs good that those rudiments of learning which he had already received might not be lost but improved and further addition made thereunto procured his entrance into Corpus Christi Colledge in Cambridge about the fourteenth year of King Henry the eighth where she was resolved to make what shift she could to maintaine him untill he had attained that for which she desired to place him there to wit ability for employment in some learned function There being entered he so carried himselfe and gave so good proofes of his parts and pregnancy that within a few months he was chosen Scholler of the house having a Bible-Clearkes place conferred upon him and so his Mother eased of her charge Having after that taken his first degrees and being made Fellow of the house he began to addict himselfe mainely unto the study of Divinity and therein made good progresse Nor was he either of the number of those that will be flying out of the nest before they be well fledged and teaching of others ere they have learned ought themselves or yet of those that are wont to wrap up their talent in a towell and whelm their light under a bushell regarding more their own ease then the beneâ—it of others the end wherunto their studies should tend but after some four or five years spent in furnishing himself with 〈…〉 thâ—â—ulpit he began now to looke abroad into the neighbouâ—ing placeâ— and considering whaâ— great need the people had of instrucâ—ion in thosâ— blind anâ— darke times wherein the lights were grown dimâ— and vision was geâ—son and because so rare the more prâ—â—ious he employâ—d himselfâ— diligâ—ntly as occasion and opportunity was offrâ—d in dilivering out the Word of God unto them and that in an other manner of way then was usuall in thoâ—e dayes By meanes hereof notice taken of his diligence and dexterity therein that he might the more freely make use of of his talent without opposition or disturbance he had Authority granted him by the Kings letters patent and the Archbishops generall licence to preach where he would without controle with this power backed he lanched further out and being not as yet tyed to any speciall charge he bestowed his labors sometime in one place sometime in another that in the most eminent Cities other parts of the realm where he deemed most good might be don was not long after called to be Chaplaine in ordinery to Queen Anne thâ— pious Mother of that heroicall princesse oâ— blessed memory Qâ—eene Elizabeth by whose favor alâ—o he was made Deane of Stoke in Suffolke where he caused a schoolâ— to be erectâ—d for the education and training up of youth in good literature Aftâ—r the unfortunate deaâ—h of Queen Anne he was by the King taken into his â—ervice And having now taken the degree of Doctor in Divinity he was by his Majesties speciall letters of recommendation chosen Master of the Colledge wherein he had been both Scholler and Fellow bâ—fore the Colledgâ— not long after by unanimous consent â—eâ—ling also upon him the benefice of Landbeach in the I le of Ely not far from Cambridge The forâ— mentioned preferments he retained during the wholâ— reâ—idue of King Henries lifâ— and raigne continuing still constant in the exercise of his mâ—niâ—tery unto the happy entrance of that relious Prince and of wisedome and undâ—râ—tâ—nding above his years King Edward At which time albeit the Deanry of Stoke were dissolved Doctor â—arker much grieving for itâ— and withstanding it whaâ— he could the rather in regard of the School annexed to it and depending upon it yet had he in lieu of it a yearely pension assigned unto him out of the Kings exquecher and being by him also entertained as by his Father before him he was further advanced by him so well he esteemed of him to the Deanry of Lincolne and the prebendary of Coldingham in the same Church Thus continued he in a plentifull and worshipfull estate untill the unâ—imely death of that mirrour of Princes and the disastrons succâ—ssion of his Sister Queen Mary when true religion was suppressed superstition reâ—established and those godly Teachers that continued constant in the profession of Christs truth were deposed jected stript of their meanes and maintenance and constrained either to fly the land or lye hid unlesse they would expose themseleves to fire and fagot the best and â—east they could look for if they came into the hands of those who had never learned what mercy ment But these violent courses now taking place this reverend man among others who stuck still to the better though now weaker side was constrained to leave all and to shift for himselfe and the rather for that he had married a wife a woman of good note by whom in processe of time he had three Sons whereof two survived him as a thing though allowable not by Gods Word alone but by the
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
Testimony of Salomon may be fitly given They are apples of gold in Pictures of silver For the silver brightnesse of his eloquent style expresses and gives a luster unto those goulden pieces of his accurate invention and rich materials furnished out of Scriptures Fathers and Councels Now although as elegantly say's Lactantius the cause of trueth may be defended without eloquence as it hath been often yet it ought to be illustrated by the Nitour any clarity of a perspicuous style so that it may sinke deeper into the minde by its owne strength and the helpe of the Oratory Thirdly this our Champion hath fought against both hereticks and schismaticks noâ— onely with strong but also as Quintilian advises with glâ—stering weapons Nor doth this present Worke of his though born after his death either for a fluent style or weighty matter come short of the others In which this godly Prelate burning with zeale both to defend the doctrine of truth and unity in the Reformed Churches not with Raâ—sâ—hornes as it were but with a silver trumpet hath demolished those wals of Hiericho that were first raised by Pelâ—giuâ— and then battered down by the holy Fathers but againe of late times begun to be repaired by the Jesuites and last of all by the Arminians For he hath so fortified the Catholick truth with the strongest Testimonies of the sacred Scriptures and the holy Fathers and with such powerfull reason against the chieâ—est arguments of the Semi Pelagians lately forbished over with the file of Arminius or Thomson that we doubt not but this very booke alone will abundantly satisfie all Persons of modest ingenuity whatsoever He fights with Arminius as with a forraign and more remote adversary at a kinde of distance but with Tomson he closed and grapels as with a Domestick fostered in the bowels of our Church of England and he hath so coreruated that Pamphlet of his which cuts off the grace of justification that for ever hereafter who so shalâ— fall upon Thomsons Diatriba he may justly make use of the censure of Diogenes upon Zeno's Diatriba This Thomsons Diatriba is truely Catatriba that this his passe-time as he tremes it sporting himselfe with the Precisians being himself one of the concision is a wast mine Courteous Reader farewell in the Lord make much of the Work for the Authors sake and of the Authors memory for the Works sake Surry Oxford Sarum clame Their severall intrests in our Abbots Name Surry bore him Oxford bred him Sarum ripe for high promotion led him To honors Chayre To whom he gave More lasting honor then he could receiveâ— This like a momentary Blaze Lent a faire light but vanisht with his dayes But that like Titans brighter flame Continues coeternall with his Name Nor is' t the least addition to his glory That learned Featlyes pen hath writ his story The Lif and Death of William Cowper who dyed Anno Christi 1619. WIlliam Cowper was born in Edenburgh and at eight years old was sent by his father to Dunbar School where in four years he learn'd the wholâ— course of Grammer and profited above his equals and at that time did God begin to reveale himselfe to him many times in the Schoole he lifted up his heart unto God begging of him knowledge and understanding and alwayes as he went to Church he sent up his ejaculation â—o heaven Lâ—rd how mine ear that I may hear thy Word At his entry into his â—hirteenth year his Father sent for him home to Edenburgh and presently after he went to Saint Andrews where he continued to his sixteenth year in the study of Phylosophy but made no great progressâ— theâ—ein yet the seed of grace was still working in him inclining him to a carefull hearing and penning of Sermons and other Theologicall Lectures During his abode there Satan working in corrupt nature sought oft to trap him in his snares but as himself testifies the Lord in mercy forgave the vanities and ignorances of his youth and preserved him from such fals as might have made him a shame to the Saints and a reproach to his enemies At the age of sixteen years he returned to his Parents at Edenburgh who propos'd to him sundry courses of life but his heart was still enclined to the study of the holy Scriptures whereupon he resolved to goe into England and the Lord provided him a place at Hoddesdon 18. mils from London just as he had spent all his mony which he brought with him out of Scotland where he was entertained by one Master Gutâ—ry a Scotch-man to assist him in teaching of a School There he remained three quarters of a year and then having occasion to goe to London he was unexpectedly called to the service of Master Hugh Broughton with whom he continued a year and a halfe and daily exercised himselfe in the study of Divinity At nineteen years old he returned againe to Edenburgh where he lived with his elder brother then one of the Ministers in that City who much furthered him in his former studyes at last he was required to give a proofe of his gifts privately which he did in the New Church before Master Robert Pont and Master Robert Rollock and some others by whom he was commanded to Preach in publick also Being twenty years old he was sent by the authority of the general Assembly which met at Edenburgh to be the Pastor at Bothkenner in Sterlingshire when he came thither he found in the Church besides ruinous wals neither roof nor doors nor Pulpit nor seats nor windows yet it pleased God to give such a blessing to his ministery that within halfe a year the Parishioners of their owne accord built and adorned the Church in as good a quality as any round about it There he continued seven or eight years yet subject to great bodily infirmities by reason of the wetnesse of the soyl and the moystnesse of the ayre and in that time did God begin to acquaint him with his terrors and with inward tentations so that his life was almost wasted with heavinesse yet thereby he learned more and more to know Christ Jesus About that time there was a Generall Assembly of the Church at Perth unto which some that lived in the North of Scotland sent to desire that a Minister might be sent unto them whereupon the Assembly appointed Master Cowper for that place and accordingly wrote to him by Master Patrick Simpson who comming to Sterling delivered to him the letters from the Assembly and the Town containing his calling to the Ministry of that place and shortly after the Towne sent their Commissioners to transport himselfe and family thither In that place he continued doing the work of the Lord for nineteen years together where he was a comfort to the best and a wound to the worser sort Besides the Sabbath dayes he chose thrice a week to convene the people together in the Evenings viz. Wednesdayes Fridayes and Saturdayes for preparation to the Sabbath upon which