extraordiry patience in his life so he also testified the same during his sicknesse for he 〈◊〉 that afflâ—â—â—ion with admired patience still calling upon and praying unto almighty God relying onely upon him as appeared by that Speech of his unto his Son who standing by his Bed-side weeping he turned to him and told him that he need not doubt of his Fathers Faith which indeed were the last words which he uttered and not long after he yeelded up his soule with all quietnesse into the hands of God in the year of Christ 1563. and in the sixty six year of his age and was buried at Berne He was a man learned and grave affable and courteous sparing in hiâ— dyet he was something tall in stature having a body straight a face red eyes clear and quick-sighted in generall there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all his parts His Works are these 1. Commentaries on Genesis 2. Psalmes 3. Matthew 4. Iohn 5. Romans 6. Corinthians 7. Philippians 8. Colossians 9. Thessalonians 10. 1 Timothy 11. His common places 12. Vpon the Commandements 13. Of Oathes 14. Of the Germane Wars Translations of Greek Authors 1. Commentaries of Chrysostome on Sainâ— Pauls Epistles 2. Epistles of Saint Basil. 3. Ethicks of Basil. 4. Of solitary life 5. Homilies 6. School-notes of Basil on the Psalter 7. Thirty nine Epistles of Cyril 8. A Declaration of the twelue Anathemos in the Ephesnick Councill 9. Opinions of Nestorius conâ—iâ—ed 10. Synopsis of the Scriptures out of Athanaâ—iuâ— 11. 140. questions out of the old and new Testament 12. A Synopsis of Theodore Bishop of Tyre Ecclesiastiâ—all Histories 1. Ten bookes of Eusebius of Ecclesiasticall affaires 2. Five â—ookes of Eusebius of the life of Constantine 3. Eight bookes of Socrates 4. Nine bookes of Zozomen 5. Two bookes of Theodore 6. Six of Evagrâ—us 7. Five of Polybius 'T was neither fear nor danger could estrange Undaunted Musculus or make him change His resolutions nothing could prevaile Against the bulwarkes of his Fort or scale His wel arm'd thought he would in spight of those That were so barbarous to be his Foes â— Proclaim the Truth and would not let it rest Untill discover'd in his serious brestâ— He liv'd Gods faithfull Factor here below To send him souls to heav'n and to bestow That talent he had gave him that he might When 's Master call'd cast his accounts aright The Life and Death of Hyperius who dyed Anno Christi 1564. ANdreas Gerardus Hyperius was born at Ipres in Flanders Anno Christi 1511. his Father was a Counsellour who brought him up carefully in learning At 13. years old he travelled through the Islands of Flanders and learned the French tongue afterwards he went to Paris where he studied in that University the Arts for three years and then went home to visit his friends but after a short stay he returned to Paris and studied Divinity and Physick and every year in the vacation time he traveled abroad into France so that in three years he had seen most part of France and part of Italy and visited the chiefest Universities in both then he went to Lovain and into most parts of the lower Germany â— and at twenty six years old he traveled into upper Germanie then he sailed into England where faling into the company of Charles Montjoy Baron Montjoy's Son he tooke such affection to him that he desired him to live with him where he lived four years with much content and then he visited Cambridge and the Lord Cromwel being beheaded about that time and the six Articles pressed with rigor he thought of returning into his own Countrey fiâ—st visiting Oxford and from thence he went to London and so sailed to Antwarp and from thence he went home but hearing the fame of the University of Argentine and of Bucer there he travelled thither also but in the way he went to Marpurg where Noviomagus was Divinity-professor who importuned him to stay there and to give some taste of his learning and to be his assistant when he had prevailed with him he shortly after dying Hyperius was chosen in his room and after two yeers stay he married a wife one Catharine Orthia with whom he lived with much comfort and had by her six sons and four daughters he taught there with much diligence and faithfulnesse 22. yeers he directed young students in the composing of their Sermons and heard them first Preach in private that if any thing were amisse either in their voyce or gesture he might rectifie them in it he was never idle but alwayes either writing reading or meditating so that he much weakned his body thereby at last falling sick of a Fever he gave diverse instructions to his wife for the education of his children and to his children whom he exhorted to serve God and to obey their mother and when his friends visited him he requested them to bear witness That in that Faith wherin he had lived and which he had taught he now dyed and so continued making a profession of the same till he yeelded up his spirit unto God being about 53. yeers old Anno Christi 1564. having been Pastor of the Church and professor in the University 22. yeers Studious Hyperius alwayes lov'd to be In consultation with Divinity He loâ—'d the truth and alwayes striv'd to fly Upon the wings of true sollidity Religion was his guide he alwayes stood Firmely obedient unto what was good IOHANNES CALVINVS The Life and Death of John Calvin IN the yeer of our Lord God 1509. this reverend and faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ Iohn Calvin was born at Noviodunum a famous towne fituate in that part of Aquitane which borders upon Picardy he may well be termed the Luster of the French Nation for his excellent endewments of learning and piety he was descended from vertuous Parents blessed onely with a competency of worldly riches sufficient to preserve an honest report amongst their neighbours their greatest blessing appeared in the gift of this gratious infant His Fathers name was Gerard Calvin â— man much esteemed of the Nobility inhabiâ—ing Aquitane because he was a singular Politician approving his judgment and advice touching the administration of the Common-wealth desiring his presence wheâ—soever that they consulted about serious affairs and important matters of State whereby it came to passe that his son Calvin was brought up in his youth with the sons of the eminentest persons in that Country His mother was called Ioanna Franca These children he accompanied unto Paris for the increasing of his learning where he had Maturinus Corderius for his Tutor a man much reverenced for his internall and externall qualities and esteemed the best for the instruction and bringing up of youth within the Relme of France The reason why his father brought him up in learning was because he perceived a voluntary inclination in his sonne thereunto which appeared two manner of wayes first because in his youth he was religiously given and secondly because it
make more use of his power and greatnesse then Scholarlike disputations he appealed to Rome and departed from Auspurg October 20. Because the Cardinal charged him not to com into his presence unlesse he would recant Yet Luther left behind him an Epistle to the Cardinall and affixed thereunto a formall appeale unto the Pope Cajetan tooke Luthers departure in ill part and wrote to the Duke of Saxony that he would either send Luther to Rome or banish him out of his territories and intreated him not to give credit to Luthers defâ—ndersâ— and to take heed of staining the illâ—strioâ—â—s Family whence he was discended The Elector returned answer That now it was not in his power to doe this because Luther was not convicted of any errour and did much good service in the Vniversity and did offer his cause to triall and disputation The resolution of the Duke was more confirmed by an Epistle of Eraâ—mus and the intercession and vote of the Vniversity of Wittenberg Here I may not passe over a notable proofâ— of Lutherâ— Heroike courage When Luther came to Auspurg he by the counsel of such as the Prince Elector sent with him waited three dayes for to have the Emperours Letters for his safety In the meane time the Cardinall sent one for Luther but he denyed to come untill the Emperour granted what he desired At this the messenger was offended and said Do you think that Prince Frederick wil take up armes in your behalfe I desire it not said Luther in any wise Then the Partyâ— Where then will you abide Luther answered Vnder the cope of Heaven The Italian replyed Had you the Pope and the Cardinals in your power what would you doe I would said Luther give them all due honor and reverence At this the Messenger after the Italian manner biting his thumbs went away Upon these dealingâ— Luthers spirit fainted not yet least he should cause detriment or danger to any one or derive suspition on his Prince and that he might more freely deale with the Papall cure would have gone into France or some other Country But his friends on the contrary counselled him to sticke firmely to Saxony and that the Popes Legate should be certiâ—ied that was ready in any safe place appointed him to make his answer But Luther having seâ—led his resolution to depart took his leave of the Prince Elector and by a letter sent to him November 29. thanked his Highnesse for all friendly offices of his love The Prince sent that letter to the Legate and appointed Luther to abide at Wittenberg Of this Luther thus wrote The Prince was fully minded that I should stay but what his minde now is since the Royall proceedings are published and I have appealed to the Councell I know not For he understanding by the Cardinalâ— Letter that Judgement should passe on him at Rome he made a new Appeale saying that he was forced of necessity to appeal from the Pope to the Councell ensuing which was in many respects to be prefeâ—red before the Pope About the same time towards the end of the 18. yeare the Pope sent Charles Multitius a Misnian Knight and bestowed on Prince Frederick a golden Rose according to custome consecrated by the Pope on the fourth Sundâ—y in Lenâ— and exhorted him to continuâ— in the faith of his ancestours He was earnest with Luther to be reconciled to the Pope and had seventy Briefes Apostolicall as they call them to shew that if the Prince would deliver him out of his custody for which cause the Pope sent him the Roâ—e in seventy Townes the seventy Briefes should be set up and so he should be brought safe to Rome He further required of Luther that he would have a regard to the Churches peacâ— and promised to endeavous that the Pope should doe the like Luther freely promised most readily to doe what ever â—e could with a safâ— conscience in regard of Gods Truth and affirmed that himselfe was dâ—sâ—rous and studious of peace and thaâ— iâ— was noâ— his fault that these stirres arose for nâ—cessity had urged him to doe what he had done Frederick the Electoâ— a prudent and Religioâ—â— Prince neither yeelded to the Popes desire nor vouchsafed his â—ose any respect though Multitius wornderfully boasted of it at Dresa and said Doctor Mâ—rtin is in my power About this time the Bohemians sending a book writen by Iohn Huâ— to Luther encouraged him to constancy and patienceâ— and confessed that the Divinity taught by Luther was sound and right Matters bâ—ing growne to this height of dispute and Luther having many adversaries at Leipsick a towne in Misniâ— belongâ—ng to George Duke of Saxony Cosen-german to Prince Frederick in the 19. year a Disputation was held Thither câ—me Andreâ—â— Carolostadius accompanied with Luther Melancthon and Barninus Duke of Pomerania He at that time was in office in the University of Wittenberg Thither came also Iohn Eckius a Diâ—ine of Ingolstad Hereupon Iâ—ne the 17. Iohn Eckius and Carolastodius began the Disputation about Free-will Namely whether there be in man any free will to doe good as of himselfe that is as they say whether in congruity we deserve grace when we doe what is in us to doe Eckius granted that there is not in man a genuine and naturall power and ability to doe a good worke but an acquired On this poynt eight dayes were spent by his playing the Sophester Lutâ—er could by no meanes obtaine leave of Duke George freely with his safety to dispute and thereupon came not as a Disputer but as an Auditor to Leipsick under the protection granted to Carolâ—stadius In the year 1520. upon Multitius advise Luther wrote to the Pope and sent him his booke lately written concerning Christian liberty and offered conditions of peace About this time Frederick the Elector fell into a grievous â—icknesse Whereupon Luther moved by some of his friends and out of Christian charity wrote the book called Tesseradecas to comfort him Then also he wrote the book Of Confession of sins in which he took occasion to speak of Vowes and deplored their torturing of mens conscâ—ences Charles the Emperour requested to hear Erasmus judgement concerning Luther and wondred that so great extream hatred should be raised by some Monks and the Pope against Luther whose life and carriage he conceived to be commendablâ— and his doctrine not impious Erasmus answered in a pleasant manner That his Highnesse needed not wonder at that for Luther had in his disputations dealt against the Monks bellies and the Popes crowne It is reported that these advocates of the Pope did promise Erasmus a Bishoprick of rich revenew if he would write against Luther But he answered That Luther was a man too great for him to write against and that he learnâ—d more from one short page of Luthers writings then from all Thomas Aquinas bookes It is also said that Margaret the Emperors Aunt who ruled all Belgium when the Magistri nâ—stri of Lovan complained that Luther
with his writings did subvert all Christendme did demand what manner a man Luther was when they answered that he was an unlearned Monke she replyed Why then sâ—e that all you learned men being a great multitude write aganst that one unlearned fellow and doubtlesse the world will give more credit to many of you being learned then to him being but one and unlearned Luther knowing what was don w th his writings An. 1520. Decemb. 10. called the Students of Wittenberg together and in a frequent assembly of learned men before the gate oâ— Elister near to the great Colledg where a fire was made caâ—t the Popes lawes and the Bull of Leo with some writings of Eckius Emser and others thereinto and said Because thou troublest Christ the holy one of God eternall fire will trouble thee The next day he expounded the Psalmes and earnestly charded his auditors that as they loved the salvation of their souls they should take heed of the Popes statutes And in writing gave a reason presently of this his action Here Frederick Prince Elector obtained of the Emrerour to call Luther â— to the Court held at Wormes in March An. 1521. Luther receiving the Emperours grant for his safety went from Wittenberg Here many did dehort Luther from going to Wormes â— Others said that by the burning of his books he might know what was the Popes censure concerning himselfe Others told him of the usage of Hus and Savâ—narola But Luther with a resolute courage lightly regarded their advise and said that these discâ—uragements were but cast into his way by Satan who knew that by the profession of of the Truth especially in so illustrious a place his kingdome would be shaken and indamaged He further brakâ— forth into thâ—se words If I knew that there were so many Devils at Wormes as tiles on the houses yet would I goe thither They say â—he Duke of Bavaria his Iester whether suborned by others or by some instinct met Luther at his enterance into the towne with a Crosse as is wont in funerals and sung with a loud voyce Wâ—lcome comâ—st thâ—â—â—ither and much desired of us who sate in darknesse On the twenty â—ix of Aprill Luther taking his leave departed from Wormes Casp. Sturmius a Messengâ—r some hours aâ—ter followed him and found him at Openheim Luther being in his journey sent Letters backe both to Caesar and the Pirinces Electorâ— Staâ—â—s of ther Empire commending himselfe and his cause to them aâ—d said he was ready to doe any thing which was meet except to revoke any thingâ— that he knew to be warranted by Gods word Frederick the Elector â— prudent Prince seeing Luther to have incurred the hatred of all that no danger might seize on him â—ommitted the buâ—iness of conveying Luther into some safe place where he might be free from accesse to some faithfull friends of the Nobility that there he shoâ—ld be kept privâ—te till Caesar was departed out of Germany They prâ—sently faithfully and secretly conveyed him to the Castle of Wartenburg neear Isâ—nack This place Luther afterward used to call his Paâ—mos At length not enduring further delay and innovations he returned from his Patmos to Wittenberg In this 2â—2 year the New Testament came forth as it was translated into the German tongue in his Pâ—â—mos afterward reviâ—ed some what by Melancthon He wrote also a letter to the Bohemians conceâ—ning matters of great moment and exhorted them to constancy in the truth whiâ—h they had received and that theâ— would noâ— fall back to Anâ—ichâ—ist for a vaine hope of peace He also disswaded them from making themsâ—lves gâ—ilty of the innocent blood of John Hus anâ— Jerome of Prague About this time also Luthâ—â— â—onfuted Nicolas Stork Thomas Muncer and other fanaticall ringleaders and Prophetâ— broaching new dâ—ctrines who pretended revelations Angilicall and conferences with God and denyed the Bâ—ptisme of infants and thereby sowed the seed of Anâ—baptisme These false prophets came from the Cygnâ—an Ciâ—y to Wittenberg in Luthers absence and molested Carâ—lâ—stâ—de and Melancthon Now also Luther answered Henry the eight King of 〈◊〉 who as other advâ—rsarieâ— also 〈◊〉 ouâ— a booke against Luther and had given him by Pope Leo â—he tiâ—le of Dâ—fender of the Faiâ—h of the Church Then Luther set forth the book concerning â—hâ— dignity and office of the Civill Magistrate He also set forth the five books of Moses in the German tongue â—hrâ—e thousand years since the death of Moses Hâ— published also a book to the Senate of Prague about ordaining of Ministâ—rs and another about avoyding the doctrine of men The year 1526. in October Luther laid aside his Monkishhood and declared his judgemâ—nt concâ—rning the Synod to be called for determination of the Ceremonies Now also Luther renewed the ordination of Ministers of the Gospell in the Church Of whom Geâ—rge Rorarius was the firstâ— Lutâ—er being forty two years old of a sudden and unexspectâ—dly mâ—rried Katherin a Boâ—a a noble Virgin late a Nun. Luthers adversariâ—s not onely observed the time of the marryage but proclaimed the marriage to be incâ—stuous in which a Monk married a Nun. Hereupon the King of England in his Answer to Luther stiles this marriage incestuouâ— and there saith among other opprobries put upon Luther that he could not have committed a â—in of higher natâ—re Against these disgraces Luther thus animated himselfe saying If my marriage bâ— a worke of God what wonder is there if the flesh be offended at it It is offended even at the flesh which God oâ—â— Creator took and gave to be a ransome and food for the salvation of the the world if the world was not offended with me I should be offended with the world and should feare that it was not of God which I have done Now seeing the world is vexea and troublâ—d at I am confirmed in my course and comforted in God Then Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Iohn Husse of Breslow a Teacher of the Gospell notwithstanding the scandall raised by the Hereticks and their fighting against the Articles of our Faith and in speciall manner he â—nimated him against Schwenfeld and Crâ—ntwald In the 27. year the Anabaptiâ—â—s broached their new doctrin about the not baptizing of infants were themselves rebaptised they also taught community of goods Both Luther and Zwinglius wrote against them and the Magistrates punished them in divers places About the beginning of the year 1527. Luther fell suddenly sick of a congealing of blood about his hears which almost kil'd him but the drinking of the water of Carduus Benedictus whose vertues then was not so commonly knowne he was presently helped This year also he put forth the Story of Leonard Keisar his friend who was burnt for the Gospels sake at the Command of William Duke of Bavaria In the beginning of the year 1529. Luther put fortâ— his greater and lesser Catecâ—ismes for the good of the undâ—r sort of people and admonished the Pastors and Ministers that they
inde evocatus discedecet that amongst all the learned men in the City nonâ— could be found guilty of so much learning as to judge truely of that worth which was to be found in that man Presently after his comming unto Wittemberge he publikely began to read his Lctures where Luther being present he received an excellent approbation from him concerning his sufficiency so he proceeded in opening the Scriptures to the great benefit and instruction of his Auditors In the yeer 1519. he was present at the disputation betwxt Luther and Eccius at Leipsich where sometimes he uttered his opinion amongst them concerning the points in contraversie Eccius not well brooking his forwardnesse cryes out unto Luther Amove a te istam saccum distiâ—ctionum remove from thee that budget of distinctions and after a scornfull manner stiled him the Grammarian In the year 1520. he expounded the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans at Wittemberge which worke of his was so well approved by Luther that he caused it to be Printed for the generall benefit of the Church and in his Preface to the same Booke he useth these words unto Melancthon Ego quod impii Thomistae suo Thomae mendaciter arrogant viz. neminem scripsissi melius in sanctum Paulum tibi vere tribuo What the Thomists unjustly ascribed unto their Thomas viz. that none set forth a sounder Comentary on Paul I attribute it justly unto thee And in the year following having intelligence that the Divines of Paâ—is had condemned the Bookes and Doctrine of Luther he opposed by writing their heady Decree affirming his Doctrin to be sound and Orthodox In the year 1527. he was appointed by the Duke of Saxonie to visit all the Churches within his Dukedome in the performance whereof he wanted neither painfull labour nor envious backbiting And finding in them many disorders and corruptions he prescribed unto them a forme written in the German tongue which he willed them to embrace and to make use of in their Churches This action of his caused great contention and strife in the Countrey which by the wisdome and vertue of the same Duke was speedily quieted and taken away In the year 1529. an assembly of Divines was appointed at Spire where the Duke of Saxonie was present with Phillip Melancthon who espying his Mother went unto her and being demanded by her What she should beleeve amongst so many different opinions and controversies he answered that Pergeret hoc credere quod credidisset nec pateretur se turbari conflectibus disputationum That she should beleeve what she had hitherto beleeved and withall willed her not to â—ay to heart nor to be disquieted with those Scholasticke combats The Church being about this time in a troublesome state and so continuing for a season it pleased the Pope to promise the calling of a generall Councill for the extirpating of these differences out of the Church and for the establishing of an Uniforme manner of Doctrine and Discipline but his intent was onely to make triall how Melancthon stood affected for when his Legates requested of him to promise them that he would subscribe to all the Decrees of the Synod then shortly to be called he denyed their unjust request and withall telling them In concillo accusationes defensiones sententias liberas esse ô portêre in epâ—um de evenâ—u pacisci antiquam cognitio sit suscripta That in a generall Councill all occasions defendings opinions and judgements ought to be free and that it was a tying voyd of sence and reason to yeeld a subscription unto those things which as yet he did neither know nor understand And so remaining unmoveable in this resolution there was no generall Councill called because it lay not in the power of the Emperour to command it and because the Pope was unwilling to exercise his authority in that kinde least the event should have proved fatall unto the Apostolicall See About this time Comets were seen in the ayre for the space of three whole yeeres concerning which Melancthon wrote many learned observations unto his friends In the yeer 1535. the fame of Melancthon came into the Kingdome of England and France wherefore he was sent for by Henry the eight and invited by the King of France to settle a Reformation in their Churches but he went unto neither of them in regard the Duke of Saxonie would not consent thereunto In the year 1539. there was an Assembly of the Protestant Princes at Francfort ad Menum concerning a Reformation and Melancthon was commanded to make his personall appearance but being fearfull least any should offer violence unto his person he there published a worke intituled De Defensione Legitima In the year 1541. an Assembly was appointed at Wormes where there happened a sharpe Disputation betwixt Melancthon and Eccius touching Originall sinne but by the Commandement of the Emperour it was forthwith dissolved and both of them appointed to meet at Reinspurge where it fell out that Eccius in his disputation propounded a Sophisticall argument at the which Melancthon pausing a little space for the better untwisting of it said unto Eccius that the next day he would give him an answer whereupon Eccius presently replyed that it would be imputed as a great disgrace unto him to require so long a time unto which he presently answered Mi Doctor non quaero meam gloriam hoc in negotio sed veritatem Sir I seeke not my owne praise in this businesse but the truth within short time the Emperour came to Reispurge appointed certaine learned Persons on both sides for continuation of the conference of whom in the life of Bucer c. this Conference gave no satisfaction neither unto Eccius nor unto the Bishops there present nor unto William Duke of Bavaria and therefore the whol businesse was referred unto the judgement of a generall Councill and peace was injoyned unto both parties by the strict command of the Emperour together with a hope declared as touching the Reformation of the Churches In which Conference Mlancthon objected that axiome against the Papists Christus adest non propter panem sed propâ—er hominem Christ is present in the Sacrament not by reason of the bread but by reason of the receiver Which when Luther heard he joyfully uttered these words Mâ—câ—e Philippe tu eripuisti Pontificiis quod ego non ausus fuissem all happinesse attend thee Philâ—ip for thou hast overthrown the Papists in that Point which I dared not to attempt And wiâ—h that sentence Eccius was so confuted that he had not a word to speake yet at the last in a great rage he told Melancthon that he would dispute with him ad ignem usque even unto the very flames but the night following he drinking somthing beyond measure in regard of the predominancy of his chollar he fell into an Ague wherewith in few dayes he dyed Againe in the yeer 1545. Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine successour unto Lodowick greatly desiring a
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
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
grievous sinnes For the Lord had prepared him for better things and opening his eyes gave him to understand that these were but so many snares laid to intangle him and to draw him into everlasting ruine and perdition wherefore he fully resolved to forsake them all and to adhere and sticke fast unto that Truth whose sweetnesse he had tasted in his youth which that he might the better performe he was fully determined to undergoe any labour and to remove any obstacle and for that cause he vowed a vow that he would never embrace nor countenance the errours of the Church of Rome And purposing a constancy in his intended course and that he might be the better fitted thereunto he resolved to free himselfe from that affection which useth to be predominate in his youth and for that cause he betroathed himselfe unto a vertuous woman acquainting onely two of his intimate friends with the same action and that for two causes First that he might give no occasion of offence unto others Secondly because that mony which he received for the discharging of his offices could not handsomely be avoyded which within short time after was by him performed for his propounded honour and preferment was sâ—ifly rejected not without the great admiration and sharpe reprehension of many of his friends who therefore stiled him after a â—cornfull manner Philosophum novum the new Philosopher These checks and reprehensions of his friends being seconded with the considerations of the great riches wherewith he was endewed and these two being strengthned with the temptation of of the Divell yeelded to many doubts and oppositions unto Beza notwithstanding his former resolutions sometimes intending to embrace God and his truth somtimes casting an eye of love on his present preferments being taken up with this various disposition it pleased the Lord to settle his inconstant minde by afflicting him with sicknesse which indeed was the cause of his spirituall welfare and health for he well perceiving that it was the powerfull hand of the Lord Almighty against which there was no contending after the suffering of many torments both inward and outward he fell into a detestation and loathing hatred of his owne backwardnesse and turning himselfe unto the Lord with teares he renewed that vow which he had formerly made concerning the embracing of the true worship of God promising unfainedly that he would never start from it but consecrate himselfe wholly unto him and unto the furtherance of his glory if it would please him to restore him to his former health during the time of this sicknesse he was often heard to utter those Words of David in his 142. Psalme v. 7. Educ de carcere animam meam ut celebrem nomen tuum Bring my soul out of prison O Lord that I may praise thy name indeed the Lord which cannot withstand the prayers of the faithfull condiscending unto him and he obtayned his desire of the Lord. And being recovered he forthwith forsooke Countrey Parents and friends to follow Christ he forsooke all his preferments preferring the glory of God and the hope of his Kingdome before all the transitory glory of the world which action of his is very remarkable if we consider but the circumstance of time which was presently upon his recovery being fearfull that his remaining there should be offensive unto God or that his familiarity with his friends might draw him into the like inconveniences who without doubt would labour with might and maine to reduce him to his former profession Wherefoâ—e taking the Woman unto whom he was betrothed with him they went unto Geneva in the year of Grace 1548. where openly in the Church after a solemne mâ—nner he was married unto her and there he remained for a season Where he intended to make profession of the Art of Printing but the Lord who knew well that he would be otherwise more advantagious unto his Church hindered this proceeding by calling him to Lausanna an Academy pertaining to the Lords of Berna where he publickly professed the Greek tongue which Beza himselfe acknowledged in his Confession of Christian Religion Dedicated by him unto his Master Walmatius At that time in Lausanna were famous for Learning and Piety Petrus Viretus Pastor of the Church Iohannes Ribbilus Professor of Divinity Iohannes Racmundus Merlinus Professor of the Hebrew tongue with many other excellently well gifted all of which seemed as it were to be ravished with the society of this worthy member of Christ. During his Lectureship at Lausanna a great company of godly minded persons thirsting after Christ and his truth resorted unto the same place Here Beza perceiving a good occasion offered unto him by God not onely for his owne saâ—isfaction concerning Teaching but also for the satisfaction of the desire of these people concerning their instruction in the word of truth He began publickly and in the French tongue to expound the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans and both the Epistles of S. Peter opening unto them the great mysteries of godlinesse and informing their judgments with such Doctrines wherby the scales of ignorance being rubbed away the truth did manifestly appeare unto them whereby without doubt many were drawn neerer and neerer unto Christ. Amongst these his imployments in this place whensoever any leasure was given unto him he would spend that time with Master Calvin at Geneva from whom he received great benefit both for Gods glory and the edification of the Church and by his perswasion he was induced to finish that excellent and Divine Commentary on the Psalms first begun by Marotus which was also Printed and published by authority in France 1561. About this time there happened a persecution in Paris â— wherein many Christians suffered some death some imprisonment wherupon Farellus Beza and Calvin were chosen Embassadours unto the Protestant Princes of Germany â— to intreat them that they would be pleased to intercede for them unto Henry the second then King of France that they might be more kindly deabt withall But little or no peacâ— came unto the Church in respect of this act because of thâ— implacable hatred which great men attending the person of the King did bear unto the truth of Christ. Yet in this journey it was Bezaes good hap to have â— sight of that godly and learned Melanchton who as they exceeding joyfull of the presence of each other so they were also exceeding sorrowfull for the present afflicted and dâ—stressed state of the Church Beza having now remained ten years in Lausanna he left it and not without the good leave and love of the Senate of Berne and came to Geneva where teaching a publicke Schoole he expounded the Orations of Demosthenes together with some Bookes of Aristotle and had daily and familiar conference with Calvin touching things pertaining unto Doctrine and Ecclesiasticall Discipline where in short time he was appointed to succeed Claudius Pontanus a faithfull Minister in the Church of Geneva for the discharging of a
had cast out concerning the nature of his disease and how they were confuted by Doctor Chennell his Physitian Master White his Apothecary and added withall that it was likely they might spreaâ— such a brute of him as they had of Beza that he recanted upon his death bed and therefore that it was earnestly desired by many of his deare friends in the University that he would give some testimony of his constancy in the truth before his departure at this he shookee his head and seemed much to be grieved because his speâ—ch was taken from him which the Vicechancellor perceiving with teares in his eyes besought him that he would give him leave to set downe a forme in writing to which if he liked it God might enable him to set his hand and thereby give satisfaction to all his friends which Doctor Reynolds expressed by sighes that he approved of the Vicechancellors advising with the rest of us there present wrote a few lines to this effect These are to testifie to all the world that I dye in the profession of that faith which I have taught all my life both in my Preaching and in my Writings with an assured hope of my salvation onely by the merits of Christ my saviour this forme being â—wise read unto him he seriously pondered every Word and after clapt his hand upon his nose whereby his servant Iohn Duhurst who attended him in his sicknesse told us that he desired a paire of spectacles which aâ—ter they were reached unto him and he had put them on he tooke the pen out of Doctor Aeries hand and subscribed his name not onely in legible but in very faire caracters at which we all admired the more because he had diverse times that morning assayed to write but could not through extreame weaknesse write one word or syllable in a legible hand whether the earnest intention of his minde at this time strengthned his hand or God extraordinarily assisted him I leave it to the judgement of all that are truely religious and take such things to heart The morrow after death seazing upon all parts of his body he expressed by signes that he would have the passing bell tole for him and as his friends runing in compassed his bâ—d all about and every one cast in his shot which was some choyce and comfortable text of holy Scripture he lifting up one of his hands which presently fell downe and stirâ—d no more and after his lifting up his eyes to heaven and fixing them there immovable without any trouble or signe of paine without so much as any sigh or groan he breathed out his soule into the hands of his redeemer the Thursday after Ascenâ—ion day betweene eleven and twelve of the clock the twenty one of May 1607. on Munday following he wâ—â— honorably interred the Vice-chancellor in close mourning the Noble mens sons heads of Celledges and Hals with all their companies in Academicall habits and the Mayor and Aldermen in their Scarlet gownes attending the Funerall the corps brought out of Corpus Christi Colledge was first carried to Saint Maries where a funerall Sermon was made by Doctor Aâ—rie then Vice-chancellour after the Sermon ended the body being removed to the Chancell M r. Isackâ— Wake then the University Oratour after Lord Embassador in Venice and France successively honoured the dead with â— short but elegant Panegyrick which followes after this 〈◊〉 body was carried back to the Colledge and their a secoâ—d Funerall Oration appointed to be made in the Chappâ—ll neare his grave but the Chappell being not capable of the fourth part of the Funerall troope a Desque was set up and covered with mourning in the quadrangle and there a briefe History of his life with the manner of his death sâ—t forth by Daniel Featley then fellow and deane of Arts in â—hat Colledge After his buriall a Monument and Statue in the Chappell was erected for him by Doctor Spencer his successour with an inscription in golden letterâ— as followeth Virtuti Sacrum JO. RAINOLâ—â— S. Theâ—l D. erudâ—tione Piâ—taâ—e Integritate incomparabili hujus Coll. Pes. qui obiâ—t Mai 21 0. Anno 1607 0. aetaâ— suae 5â— 0. JO. SPENâ—ER audâ—torâ— successor virtutum sanctitatis admirator b.m. amoris erâ—o posuit But these are darke and divine caracters in respect of those wherewith his fame is Printed in his Workes whereof some are come to light others may in good time His Printed Workes are these 1 Two Orations Printed in the year 1576. 2 His six Theses Printed in the year 1579. 3 His conference with Heart Prinâ—ed in English 1585. and afterwards translated into Latine by Henry Pary Bishop of Gloster and Printed by command of Archbishop Bancroft 1610. 4 De Romanae ecclesiae Idololatria Printed in the year 1596. 5. An Apologie of his Theses 1602. 6 Since his death certaine Epistles betweene him Doctor Gâ—gâ—r and Alberiâ—us Gentius concerning Stage playes 7 A Treatise of divorce amd marrying againe in case of adultery 8 A câ—nsure of the Apochrypha in two Tâ—mâ—s containâ—ng in them 250. of his Lectures in the Divinity Schooles 9 Cerâ—aine Epistles and Orations of his in Latine set forth by Henry Jackson 10 His Lectures upon Obediah in English with a Sermon of thanksgiving for the Queens Majesties deliverance from a dangerous treason set forth by Mr. Hinde His Works which remaine in Manuscript never yet printed areâ— 11 A commenâ—ary in Latine upon Aristotles three bookâ—s of Rheâ—oricke 12 The materials and first draught of six bookes de Idololatria Romanae ecclâ—siae 13 Sermons upon Aggi the Prophet Preached in Oxford 14 His learned answer to Sanders de scismate Anglicano in defence of our Reformation the regall supremacy and the booke of Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons 15 A defence of the English liturgie against Robert Browne the father of â—he separatists his scismaticall booke 16 A Treatise of the beginning and progesse of Popish errours and that for the first three hundred yeares after Christ Bishops ruled their owne diocesse without subjection to the Pope 17 A Treatise of Daniel Weekes against Hugh Braughton dedicated to Archbishop Whitgift A Funerall Oration delivered in St. MARIES Church in Oxon at the sad Interment of Doctor Iohn Reynols by Master Isacke Wake the University Orator May 25. 1607. Translated out of Latine HOw fraile and unconstant the condition of our life is and how fitly resembled to a dreame or a tale I could wish most honoured Doctors the rest of the sad troope all the children of our mother the University had it so pleased the highest wee might have learned by any other experiment rather then this sad spectacle doubtlesse we have seene but too many evidences of the decrepit age of the warld now drooping to ruine as the distemper of the Heavens the malignity of the Stars the boysterous gusts of the Windes the deluges of water from the Clouds the foming billoes of the Sea swelling with unheard of fury which sad presages terrifie
protracto in victa patientia conflictatus esset tandem non sine ingenâ—i cleri sui populique luctu pene incredibili Salisburiensis civitatis maerore placide in domino conquiescit Imminente morte convocat domesticos fidei suae professiomem interruptis ac moribundis vocibus exorsus cum amici monerent hinc ut supersederet labori extare enim doctrinae ac fidei suae in scriptis a se editisque oporibus confessionem annuit scripta sua omnia suprema hac voce obsignavit Illa inquit fides quam scriptis meis propugnavi veritas Dei est in ejusque assertione morior Scripsit autem varia cum latino â—um vernaculo idiomate quibus illud Solomonis elogium de aureis pomis in calaturis argenteis videtur aptissime posse accommodari Auream enim rerum optimarum ex sacrosanctis scripturis patribus conciliis ab ipso congestam supeliectilem argenteus includit illustrat dictiones candor Sine quo lecet caussa veritatis ut eleganter Lactantius defendi possit ut est a multis saepe defensa tamen claritate ac nitore sermonis illustranda quodammodâ— edisserenda est ut potentius in animos instuat vi sua instructa luce orationis ornata Certe hic nostâ—r quod praecipit Quintilianus non tantum fortibus sed fulgentibus armis contra haereticos pariter schismaticosque dimicat Nec hoc quod prae manibus est opus pene post humum aâ—â—â—loquii niâ—ore aut argumenti digimate reliquis ejusdem authoris cedit In quò pius Amistes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 simul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 niter ecclesias reformatas tuendae zelo flagrans muros Hierichuntinos a Pelagio olim extructos a sanctis patribus dirutos nuper vero a Iesuitis ac numperime ab Arminianis restaurari caeptos non cornea sed argentea tuba demolitur Ita enim â—eritatem catholicam densissimis sacrarum scripâ—urarum sanctorum patrum testimâ—niis ac validissimis rationibus communit contra precipua Semipelagiorum argumenta sive Aâ—minii sive Thompsoni limarasa recenti penitus obterit proâ—ligat ut modestis ingeniis a partium studio aliemit hoc libello non dubitemus abunde hac in parte iri satisfactum Cum Arminio ut extero adversario remotiore velut eminus pagnat cum Thompsono vero ut domistico in ecclesiae Anglicanae venis vâ—sceribus haerente comminus congrediâ—ur tractatuli illius hererodoxi quo justificationis gratia interciditur ita nervos omnes incidit ut qui post hac in Thompsoni Diatribam inciderit Diogenis Zenomis Diatribam dicterium merito poteris â—surpare Thompsonianam hanc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vale benevole lector in Christo cum opus hoc â—uthoris caussa amplectere tum authorem operis caussa pio studio prosequere Meo â—exâ—u non meo filo Daniel Featley S. T. P. Archiepiscopò Canturiensâ— fucius Englished â—hus Thou hast here Christian Reader presented unto thee the Swan-like song of a man let none quarell the phraise above the reach even of envy it selfe with which he expired If then as the glimmering light of the setting Sun renders more delight to the eye of the beholder so the Woâ—kes of dying men are by so much the more indeared unto us thou canst not choos but valew this Book at the greater rate w ch thou mayest understand was perfected by the last care of a learned Doctor and right reverend Prelate Foâ— so soon as the Authâ—r had finished the piece brought it to this lighâ— he himself passed to the light coelestiall Having fitted his labour for the benefit of the Church Militant he was called to the Church Tiumphant and caught up immediatly from his defence of divine grace to the fruition of divine glory Laden he was more with learning and the fame of his most acurate Works then with years and to be thought rather to have lived long then contâ—nued long among us For our life as Plinie defines it is a Watch which this our Prelate seem'd wholly to imploy in the study of Theology For afâ—er that in the renowned University of Oxford he had furnished himself with the knowledg of the best Arts and had exquisiâ—ely fashioned both his tongue and pen he wholly devoted them both unto God and dedicated the rest of his ensuing life partly to publick Preaching wherewith he honoured the Pulpit partly to the reading of publicke Lectures with which he illustrated the Doctors Chayre and partly to the composure of his owne learned writings wherewith he wonderfully enriched the Presse Long was the fame and industry of this reverend Divine locked up in obscurity and for which in the narrow limits of a private Parish he nourished that of glory whereunto few of our times have arrived Afterwards when for the space twenty years he had industriously executed the office of a Pastor and Preacher by soveraigne command he was required to encounter the chiefeâ—t of the Roman Champions in the defence of the Reformed Religion concerning the greatest controversies which our times have produced In which cumbest he not onely over-came his adversaries Bishop and Eudemon but far surpassed the opinion which the world had before conceived of him Not long after by the same our most gracious Soveraign King Iames he was advanced to be Doctor of the Chayre in the famous University of Oxford which eminent place in the University he held with great reputation At length having been famed for a faithfull Doctor and an accurate Professor of Divinity he was promoted to the Episcopall See of Salisbury which he governed but for the terme of two years and three months For whilst he was not onely wrapped in the publick affaires of his Episcopall Government but also continued most sedulous and industrious in his private studyes of Divinity that sedutary life of his brought him to the terrible disease of the stone in his kidniâ—s wherewith being grievously tortured for some weeks and now having attained the fifty eight year of his age aâ—ter good proofe of his unconquerable patience in the extremity of his last â—it he sweetly slept in the Lord to the infinite sorrow both of the Clergy and Laity within his jurisdiction and laments almost incredible of the whol City of Salisbury When death approached he gave command that his family should be called together before whom with broken â—peeches in the language of a dying man beginning to make a profession of his Faith his friends advized him to spare that paines since an ample Testimony both of his faith and learning lived extant in his Workes He yeelded to their advice and signed all his Workes with these his last Words That faith which I have defended in my writings is the truth of God and in the avouching thereof I leave the World Many Workes he set forth both in Latine and our mother tongue to all which that
Tossan was sent in his room February the second Anno Christi 1620. as Pareus was coming out of his study the steps being slippery with the frost his foot slipt and he fell down sixteen steps and yet it pleased God by a wonderfull Providence that he light upon his feet and received no hurt by the fall which made him think of that promise Psalme 91. Hee will give his Angels charge over thee c. By his Doctrine and Councell he was admirably advantageous to the Church of God in many places He strongly asserted the truth of God against it's adversaries He was a great studyer and promoter of the Churches peace laboring that they which agree in the Fundamentals should not jar about matters of an inferior nature He wrote many â—xcellent Works whereof some were printed by himselfe others remained with his son Philip Pareus who hath since published them to the great benefit of the Church About that time the Spaniapds came into the Palatinate with their Army which brought great miseries upon that poor Country which Pareus fore-saw both by Prodigies and Dreames then did his friends both in Hiedleberge and other places pâ—rswaded him to retire himselfe to some other place of safety to whom he yeelded that so he might not fall into the hands of those bloody Papists whom he had irritated by his writings against them At his departure he cryed out O Hiedleberg O Hiedleberge but it 's better to fall into the hands of God then of man whose tender mercies are cruelty He went to Anvilla where he spent his time in Prayer Study and in Miditation waiting and longing for the time of his chang there also he wrote his Corpus Doctrinae which when he had finished he said Lord now let thy servant depart in peace because he hath finished that which he desired Presently after he felt his strength much to decay and he fell into a feaver and finding that the ayre in that place agreed not with him he went thence to Neapolis earnestly begging of God that if it were his holy will he might yet return to Hiedleberg and lay his bones there He made his will also finding his former Catarrh to return upon him againe yet it pleased God by the help of Phisitians to recover him whereupon he resolved to goe to Hiedleberge and taking his Grand-son young Daniel Pareus with him whom he loved deerly he came safely to Hiedleberge where he was received with wonderfull acclamations of joy about which time Prince Frederick came also thither from his Exile and the Sabbath following they received the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper together with much comfort But three dayes after his former disease returning he was sensible of his approaching death the Professors and Ministers resorted to him much bewailing their owne losse amongst whom was Henry Altingus to whom he freely opened his minde both concerning God house and his owne and presently after quietly departed in the Lord Anno Christi 1622. and of his age 73. Pareus also of high Germany A wreath of Bayes deserves most worthily A very learned godly grave Divine Whose precious labors made his fame to shine Chiefly those on the Romans And although At first he many straits did undergoe Both by his Father and his other friends Yet God who in deep straits assistance sends Made all for his best good t'operate And by them brought him to a blest estate For he became abroad at home renown'd And was with many honours justly crown'd Especially at Hiedleberge where hee From all earths feares was happily set free The Life and Death of Thomas Erpenius who dyed Anno Christi 1624. THomas Erpenius was borne at Gorcome in the Low-Countries Anno Christi 1584. of honest Parents In his childhood he was bred in the School at Leiden and admitted into that University at eighteen years old and in the twenty fifth year of his age he commenced Master of Arts then he fell to the study of Divinity and of the Orientall Languages under Ioseph Scaliger who observing his ingenuity and promptnesse often foretold what an eminent man he would prove in time to come From thence he travelled in England France Italy and Germany in which perâ—grinations he profited exceedingly both in learning and prudence At Paris he became intimately acquainted with Isaac Casaubone and went with him to Samure where he fell hard to the study of Arabick and profited so exceedingly therein that Casaubone had him in great admiration and estimation for the same From thence he went to Venice where by the help of some learned Jews and Turks he learned the Turkish Persian and Aethiopick Ianguages whereby he gat so great esteem in Italy that he was profered a Pension of five hundred Duckats by the year to imploy himself in the version of some Arabick books into Latine He spent four years in travell and was famous every where for his learning at Paris and some other places he bought many Arabick books so returned to Leiden An. Ch. 1612. About which time there was a purpose to have called him into England to have allowed him an honorable stipend but the year after he was chosen Professor of the Orientall languages in Leiden and presently after he set up though with extraordinary charges a Presse for those Languages whereby he published many ancient monuments both of his own other mensâ— 1616. he married a wife by whom he left three children surviving him An. Christi 1619. he was made Professor of the Hebrew also and though he had so many and great imployments yet he went through each of them with so great exactnesse as if he had nothing else to attend upon In the year 1620. he was sent by the Prince of Orang and the States of Holland into France to procure Peter Moulin or Andrew Rivet to come to Leiden to be the Divinity Professor and though he prevailed not at that journey yet they sent him againe the year after to Andrew Rivet and the French-Church to obtain of them their consents for his coming which businesse he transacted with so great prudence that he brought Andrew Rivet along with him to Leiden His fame was so great that the King of Spaine wrote to him making him exceeding great promises if he would come into Spain to interpret some ancient writings which never man yet could doe The King of Morocco also did so exceedingly admire the purity of his Arabick style in some of his Epistles that he shewed them to his Nobles and other learned men as some great Miracle He was also highly esteemed of by the Prince of Orang and the States of Holland who often made use of his labours in translating the letters which they received from Princes in Asia and Africa out of Arabick or other Languages But whilst he was thus busily imployed in Publick and private it pleased God that he fâ—ll sick of the Plague whâ—reof he dyed Anno Christi 1624. and of his age forty
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