much fervor efficacy and power of the holy Ghost that all that heard him wondred at it and shortly after resigned up his spirit â—nto God Anno 1600. and of his age 87. Hemingius doth deserve to be Recorded in each memory Who for his wit and worthy parts In Learning Tongues and exc'lent Arts Was by Melancthon much respected And for his learned gifts elected Hebrew Professour worthily In Hafnia Universitie Where six and twenty years he stai'd With great estéem and there was made A Doctor in Theologie And full of years and love did dye The Life and Death of James Heerbrand who dyed Anno Christi 1600. JAmes Heerbrand was borne at Noricum in the year 1521. of an ancient Family his Father was one of Luther's Discipleâ— and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his Son was carefull to bring him up in Religion and Learning at twelve years old his Father bought him a fair Bible which he diligently read over Afterwards he went to Vlm where he studied the Tongues and at seventeen years old his Father sent him to Wittenberg to hear Luâ—her and Melancthon in the year 1538. which year was famous for divers things for then the Kingdome of Denmark imbraced the Gospell the Emperour and King of France met together the Bible was Printed in English at Paris the University at Argentine was erected the sect of the Antinomians was detected thâ— Marquesse of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustine Confession and the Sea by the Kingdome of Naples was wholly day for eight miles together out of which place fire and ashes brake forth so abundantly that many places were miserably destroyed thereby In the University of Wittenberg Heerbrand studied the Arts with great diligence and was so sparing of his timâ— that he would not intermit one houre from his Studies insomuch that other Students called him Suevicam Nocâ—â—am the Swevian night-crow He hâ—ard Lutheâ— and Melancthons Lâ—ctures with much diligence and in the yeâ—r 1540. he commâ—nced Master of Artsâ— He Preachâ—d also abroad in the Villages on the Sâ—bbath dayes Thus having spent five years there in his Studies he returned home with ample testimonies from Melancthon and the University When he came home the Pastors of the Church â—ppointed him to Preach which he performed with great approbation and commendation of all His Parents rejoycing much at his proficâ—ency would needs have him imploy his talent in his owne Countrey and at Stutgard Snepfius being Superintendent examined him â—nd finding his abilities he said Dominus te mihi obtulit the Lord hath offered thee unto me Being but twenty two years old he was made Deacon at Tubing three years after he married a wife by whom he had eight Sons and three Daughters shortly after that accursed Interim coming forth he amongst other Ministers that rejected it was banished from Tubing and being out of imployment he studied Hebrew till Prince Vlrick being dead his Son Christopher succeeding him called back the Ministers and Heerbrand amongst them to their former places He also made him Pastor of Herrenberg shortly after he commenced Doctor in Divinity and for four years and an halfe he studied the Fathers In the year 1556. he was sent for by Charles Marquesse of Baden to reform Religion in his Dominions where also he prescribed a form of Ordination of Ministers Presently after he was chosen to be the Divinity Professor at Tubing and after that the Pastor and Superintendent also In the year 1562. he was sent for by the Duke of Saxonie to be the Professor at Ienes who profered to allow him the stipend of one thousand Florens per annum but he refused it continuing at Tubing where he had much honour and respect his wife having lived with him fifty years and an half dyed who being thâ— staffe of his old age he waâ— much afflicted for her losse and began to grow weaker and weaker whereupon he refigned his Office and had a stipend allowed him by his Prince and so prepared himselfe for death He was much troubled with the Gout which he bore with much patience often using that saying of the Apostle Godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise of this life and that which is to come He fell into a Lethargie and â—o dyed in the year 1600. and of his Age 79. James Heerband was a rare Divine most grave Deserves a Garland of Fames flowers to have Who in all Learning was so excellent And at his Studies constant diligent That his contemporary Tâ—ndents said He was a Sweviary night Crow And he made Such benefit his Studies up to rear When he did Luther and Melancthon hear As oft he did that he himselfe became A Preacher rare and of surpassing fame Commencing Doctor of Divinity Made Tubings Pastor with respect most high Superintendent also there elected And of the Germain Princes much respected At last his wife who fifty years at least Had liv'd with him did dye his strength decreast Together with her losse and sicknesse so Upon his féeble corps began to grow That néer the age of fourscore yéers in peace He chang'd earths wars for heav'ns eternall peace The Life and Death of David Chytraeus who dyed Anno Christi 1600. DAvid Chytreus was born in Ingelfing in Swevland in the year 1530. of godly and religious Parents who seeing his â—owardlinesse and ingenuous nature were carefull to educate him both in Religion and Learning the principles whereof he drunke in with such celerity that his Father â—ooke much pleasure in him and became an earnest and frequent suiter unto God That his Son might be fitted for and imployed in the worke of the Ministry and for this end when he was scarce seven years old he sent him to School to Gemmingen and after two years stay there he removed him to Tubing where he was educated under excellent Schoolmasters and afterwards admitted into that Universitie and whilest he was very young he commenced Bachelor of Art studied the Languages Arts and Divinity under Snepfius In all which time he profited so exceedingly that at fifteen years of age he commenced Master of Arts with the generall approbation of the University and presently after having a large allowance from a worthy Knight Sir Peter Menzingen he travelled to Wittenberg where he waâ— entertained by Philip Melancthon into his Family so that he did not onely gain much profit by his publick Lectures bâ—t by private convers with him also which happinesse he so esteemed that all his life after he acknowledged that next under God he was bound to Philip Melancthon for his proficiency in Learning When he came first to Melancthon and delivered some Letters of commendation in his behalf Melancthon finding in them that he was Master of Arts looking upon him he wondred at it saying Are you a Master of Arts yea said Chytraeus it pleased the University of Tubing to grace me with that degree Can you said Melancthon understand Geeke which he affirming he gâ—ve him Thucydides to read and construe
strong heat Nor was his body but his minde as frée From the contagion of hels leprosie For all his study was how to obtaine That happy treasure whereby he might gaine Heaven aâ— the last and sure unto that place He 's long since gone who was his Conntries grace The Life and Death of John Rogers who died Anno Christi 1555. IOhn Rogers was borne in England and brought up at the University of Cambridge where he profited very much in good learning and from thence was chosen by the Merchant Aâ—venturers to be their Chaplaine at Antwerpe to whom he Preached many yeeres and there falling into acquaintance with William Tindall and Miles Coverdal who were fled from persecution in England he by their meanes profited much in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and joyned with them in that painefull and profitable worke of Translating the Bible into English there he married a wife and from thence he went to Wittenberg where he much profited in learning and grew so skilfull in the Dutch tongue that he was chosen Pastor to a Congregation there where he discharged his Office with diligence and faithfulnesse many yeeres but in King Edwards time he was sent for home by Bishop Ridley and was made a Prebend of Pauls in which place he Preached faithfully till Queen Maries days and in the beginning of her Reign in a Sermons at Pauls-Croâ—se he exhorted the people constantly to adhere to that Doctrine which they had been taught and to beware of pestilent Popery c. for which he was called before the Lords of the Councill where he made a stout witty and godly answer and was dismissed but after the Queens Proclamation against True-Preaching he was again called the Bishops thirsting for his blood and committed prisoner to his owne house whence he might have escaped and had many motives as his wife and ten children his friends in Germany where he could not want preferment c. But being once called to answer in Christs Cause he would not depart though to the hazard of his life from his own house he was removed by Bonner to Newgate amongst thieves and murtherers he was examined by the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the Councell and by them was re-committed to prison he was much pressed to recant but stoutly refusing was first excommunicated and degraded and then condemned after which he desired that his wife to whom he had been married eighteen yeeres and by whom he had ten children and she being a stranger might be admitted to come to him whilst he lived but Stephen Gardiner then Lord Chancellor would by no meanes suffer it February the fourth Anno Christi 1555. he was warned to prepare for death before he rose If it be so said he I need not tie my points and so he was presently had away to Bonner to be degraded of whom he earnestly requested to be admitted to speake with his wife but could not prevaile from thence he was carryed into Smithfield where scarce being permitted to speake to the people he briefly perswaded them to perseverance in that truth which he had taught them which also he was now ready to seale with his blood then was a pardon profered to him if he would recant but he utterly refused it his wife with nine small children and the tenth sucking at her brest came to him but this sorrowfull sight nothing moved him but in the flames he washed his hands and with wonderfull patience took his death all the people exceedingly rejoycing at his constancy praising God for it He was the Proto-martyr in Queene Maries dayes The Sabbath before his death he dranke to Master Hooper who lay in a chamber beneath him bidding the messenger to commend him to him and to tell him That there was never little fellow that would better stick to a man then he would to him supposing they should be both burned together although it happened otherwise Though this grave Father was enfor'd to flye His envious Countrey for security Yet his undâ—unted courage would not move That alwayes stood as Sentinell to love 'T was not a prison could affection swage He like a Bird sung swéetest in a cage When firâ—t the Bible with great paines and care He into English did translate so far That knowing men did admire the same And justly did extoll his lasting fame Who did contemne the fury of all those Who both to us and him were mortall foes The Life and Death of Laurence Saunders who died Anno Christi 1555. LAurence Saunders was borne of worshipfull Parents brought up in learning at Eaton Schoole and from thence chosen to Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he continued three yeers and profited in learning very much then by his Moâ—her who was very rich he was bound to a Merchant in London but not affecting that course of life his Master gave him his Indentures and he returned to his studies in Cambridge where also he studied Greeke and Hebrew but especially the holy Scriptures he was frequent and very fervent in Prayer and when assaulted by temptations he still found much support and comfort in prayer whereby he gained such experience that he became a great comforter of others he Commensed Master of Arts and stayed long after in the University In the beginning of King Edwards Raign he began to Preach being first Ordeined a Minister and that with such generall approbation that he was chosen to read a Divinity-Lecture at Fotheringay where by his Doctrine and life he drew many to God and stopped the mouths of the adversaries about which time he married a wife and from thence he was removed to the Minster of Leichfield where also he by his Life and Dâ—ctrine gat a good report even from his adversaries from thence he was removed to Church-Langton in Leicestershire and from thence to Alâ—allowes in Breadstreet London and after his admission there he went backe into the Country to resign his Benefice which fell out when Queen Mary raised stirs to get the Crown In his journey he preach'd at Northampton not medling with the State but boldly delivered his conscience against Popish Doctrine and errors which said he are like to spring up againe as a just plague for the little love which England hath borne to the true Word of God so plentifully offered to them And seeing the dreadfull day approaching inflâ—med with godly zeal he Preached diligently at both his Benifices not having opportunity to resign eâ—ther but into the hands of the Papists and notwithstanding the Proclamation to the contrary he taught diligently the Truth at his Country-place where he then was confirming thâ— people and arming them against false doctrine till by force he was resisted some counselled him to fly out oâ— the Kingdome which he refused and being hindred there from preaching he traveled towards London to visit his flock in that place coming near London Master Mordant one of the Qâ—eenes Counsell overtooke him asked him if he did not Preach such a
there afterwards for falling not long after into a very dangerous sicknesse whereof he hardly recovered the Fathers of his Order in a generall Assembly shortly after his recovery supposing that the ayre of that City did not so well agree with him made him their Generall Viâ—iter when he had been yet but three yeeres at Naples In which imployment supported by the Cardinall Gonzagâ— the Protector of their Order he so carryed himselfe suppressing some that carryed themselves tyrannously in their places severely chastising others that lived loosly leudly that though he gained much grace and credit to the Order no lesse love and affection to himselfe from the better minded among them yet incurred he withall much envy ill-will from those that were otherwise disposed It is a point of divellish policy too oft practised under a sembleance of honour to prefer men to such places as may prove prejudiciall to them and become a meanes of their overthrow Some of these Machiavilians therefore in a generall meeting of the Fathers of the Order at Manâ—ua knowing a deadly fewd and inveterate hatred to intercede betweene the Inhabitants of Luca and those of Florence our Martyrs Country move to have him made Pryor of Saint Fridian in Luca a place of great esteem for that the Pryor of that House hath Episcopall Jurisdiction over the one moity of the City hoping that for Countries sake he should there find opposition and molestation more then enough The motion was on all hands soon assented unto but the event answered not their expectation For by his wise kind and discreet carryage among them he gained so much good will and esteeme with them that they affected him no otherwise then as if he had been a native and by a solemn embassage made suite to the Principall of the Order that Peter Martyr might not be removed againe from them Here to advance both Religion and Learning among them he procured learned men of great note to read to the younger sort the tongues one Latine and the other Greeke and a third which was Emmanuell Tremellius the Hebrew He himselfe daily read to them some part of Saint Pauls Epistles in Greek and examined them in the same to the whole Company before supper he expounded some Psalme to which exercise diverse learned of the Nobility and Gentry did also usually resort and every Lords day he preached publikly to the People By which his godly labours many attained to much knowledge as appeared afterward by the number of those who after his departure thence sustained exilement for the truth among whom that famous Zanchie one These his good proceedings his adversaries much maligning held a meeting at Genoa and convented him thither But he having intellidence of their complotment and taking warning by their late dealings with a godly Eremite of the same Order resolved to decline them and to betake himselfe to some place of better safety Having therefore committed to his Deputy the charge of the Monastery and his Library his onely wealth to a trusty friend in Luca to be sent after him into Germany he left the City secretly and from thence travelled first toward his owne Country to Pisa where meeting with certaine religious Noble men he celebrated together with them in due manner the Lords Supper and from thence by letters both to Cardinall Poole and to those of Luca he rendred a reason of his departure from them After that coming to Florence but making no long stay there he departed from thence for Germany and passing the Alpes came into Switzerland wher he arrived first at Zurick and passing thence to Basil was by Bucers procurement called over to Strasbourge where for the spâ—c of five yeers with much amity and agreement they joyned together in the Lords worke during which time he expounded the Lamentations of Ieremy the twelve lesser Prophets Genesis Exodus and a good part of Leviticus Here he tooke him a wife one of a religious disposition and in all respects a meete match for one of his ranke and profession who lived with him eight yeeres died in England at Oxford where she had lived in great repute with the best for her singular piety and with the most for he charity corrrespondent thereunto though after her decease in Queen Maries dayes her remaines were inhumanely digged up againe and buried in a dunghill but in Queen Elizabeths dayes restored to their former place of Sepulture againe For after that our Martyr had spent those five yeeres at Strasbourge he was through the procurement of Archbishop Cranmer sent for by letters from King Edward into England and made Reader of Divinity in the University of Oxford There in his readings to which those of the Popish faction also resorted he expounded the first of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and though much envying and stomaking him yet with some patience they his Popish hearers endured him untill he came to handle the Doctrine of the Lords Supper but then they began to breake forth into some outrage to disturbe him in his Lectures to set up mâ—licious and scandalouâ— schedules against him to challing him to disputes which he waved not but maintained first in private in Doctor Cox the Vice chancellors house and afâ—er in publike before his Majesties Commissioners deputed to that purpose where with what strength of Argument and authorty of Scripture he convinced his Antagonists the Acts yet extant may evidently shew This way little prevailing they stirred up the seditious multitude against him by reason whereof he was compelled to retirâ— him to London untill that tumult was supprest Then returning againe for his better security the King made him a Canon of Christs Chuâ—ch by meanes whereof he had convenient housing within the Colledge with more safety Thus setled the second time he proceeded in his wonted employmâ—nt opening now also the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans and being in times of vacation called up to London by the Archbishop for his aid and advice in Ecclesiasticall affaires and in composing of Ordinances for the government of the Church And in this course he continued being never out of action untill by the decease of thâ—t our English Phaenix so much admired in his life and bewailed at his death not with ours at home but by others also and that of a divers religion abroad upon the succession of his sister Queen Mary one of a contrary disposition his employment surceased and with somewhat adoe he gat liberty and departed the land and though being way-laid which he had notice of both on this side and beyond the seas yet by Gods good providence and protection he passed unknown and undiscovered through Brabant and other Popish territories and gat in safety to Strasbourge Thither returning he was received with the greater joy in regard of the dangers he had past and escaped and was restored to his professors place againe Therein being resetled he read upon the booke of Iudges and because the Senate
serious meditation of the reformation of Religion in the Churches he desired to conforme the Citizens of Hassia unto the example of the Primitive Church he desired to remove many reliques of superstition out of the Church he desired to establish that Ecclesiasticall discipline which was ready to fall unto the great detriment of the Church In the midst of these heavenly cogitations it pleased the Lord to send his messenger for him which he well perceiving by the continuall increasing of his paines he desired to have the Communion administred unto him afterwards he told his wife what he would have done after his death after that he had instructed his children how they should carry themselves towards God and how towards their mother and how towardâ— men and his yongest son standing amongst them hâ— laid his hand on his head uttering these Words discemi fili mandata domini ipse enaâ—riet te Keepe the commandaments of the Lord my son and he will provide for thee then â—urning himselfe to those who were present he declareâ— unto them that he dyed in that faith which he had constantly professed so many yeares in that City which words being spoken he fell asleepe and was buried at Marpurge in the year our Lord 1564. and in the 53. year of his life All things which are to be required in a Teacher are to be found in this Gerardus first he was learned and his learning was also joyned with experience secondly he had an excellent faculty and method of teaching thirdly he was laborious in his function fourthly he was gravâ— fiftly of an unspotted life and conversationâ— he was modest patient and constant all which sufficiently declare that he was set apart by the Lord for the converting of many souls unto Christ. His Works which he left unto the world as a rich legacy are here set downe 1 A Commentary on the twentieth Psalme 2 On the twelft Psalme 3 A method for a Preacher 4 On the Romans 5 Of reading and meditating the Scriptures 6. Method of Theologie 7 Theologicall Topicks 8 Catechisme Other Works in two Tomes First 1 Of the study of the Scripture 2 Of the institution of Colledges 3 A triall of students 4 Of Catechising 5 Of justification by faith 6 Of Benificence to the poor 7 Of Feasts Tome 2. 1 Of the duty of hearers 2 Of Providence 3 Of Selfe-examination 4 Of the marriage of Ministers 5 Of the Sacraments 6 Notes upon Aristotles Ethicks 7 Physicks 8 Logicke 9 Rhetoricke 10 Arithmaticke 11 Gromaticke 12 Cosmographik 13 Optics 14 Astronomy Set forth after his death 1 Annotations of Isaiah 2 Commentaries on the Galathians 3 Ephesians 4 Philippians 5 Colossians 6 Thessalonians 7 Timothy 8 Titus 9 Philemon 10 Iude. 11 Hebrewes You that desire to lead a life Free from th'incumbrances of strife Draw neare and with a carefull â—row Let brave Gerarduâ— teach you how Reader observe and thou shalt finde By trauell he inrtch'd his minde His active heart was alwayes free To Propagate true piety He alwayes studied to displace Errours from the Churches face He gain'd no envy but from those That were Religions chiefest foâ—â— He would perswade intreat advise His Fellow-preachers to dispise Those fruits of Idlenesse which he defy'd Thus liv'd Gerarduâ— thus Gerardus dy'd ARETIVS BENEDICTVS The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus AS the Lord hath never been wanting unto his Church both in these and in forraine parts in the stirring up of painfull and â—ealous Watch-men for the Propagating of his truth and for the enlightning of the understanding of those whom he had elected unto salvation in Jesus Christ so he hath not been deficient in procuring the affection of eminent persons towards the same Professors by whose meanes they have been defended and sheltered against the inviterate malice both of the Divell and his members Malicious enemies unto the Word of truth amonst whom the Senate of Berna may justly receive worthy Commendations for the constant love shewed unto the zealous professors of the truth it being indeed the maine pillar which doth support the welfare of a Common-wealth and which doth draw downe a blessing from heaven upon their intended designes In this â—amous City was Benedictus Aretius borne a faithfull zealous professors of the truth of Christ being beautified with excellent endowments both of learning and piety which did sufficiently testifie that he was set apart by the Lord for the winning of many unto Christ. He spent his youth in his owne Country amongst the Switzers wherein he was instructed and trained up in the knowledge of the Arts but ayming at a greater perfection labouring â—or a sounder judgement in the works writings of other learned and Orthodox men he left his Country for a season and went unto Marpurg where by reason of his eminent gifts and qualities he gained the love of many learned Schollers and was designed and oppointed to read the Logick Lecture in the same place which after he had performed for the space of some years to the great profit of his Auditors to the never dying fame of himselfe and to the generall applause of all the City having also attained in some measure to that perfection which he had formerly desired he returned again unto Berne where he was joyfully received and by a generall consent appointed to open the Scriptures and to instruct the inhabitants in the way of life in which exercise he observed such an edifying method both in his publick reading and Preaching that he drew great multitudes of people unto him who beholding his proceedings with great admiration with one consent praised the Lord for sending so learned and so painfull an instrument among them for the plantâ—ng of the truth in their hearts So excellent was his forme of teaching that many Divines came unto his Lectures not onely for the information of their judgements in matters of Controversies but also to learne his method of teaching which being obtained by some they proved excellent instruments in the Church for the converting of the lost sheepe of Israel and many would not in publicke make triall of their owne parts before they had continued for a season to be his Auditors His writings were greatly in request and desired greatly of all that either knew him or heard of him but especially his labours in Divinity one of his bookes called Eramen Theologicâ—m came to the Presse twelve times within the space of three years which doth declare the excellency and how usefull and beneficiall it was unto the Church in those times and in these dayes also it is a Worke fit to be perused of all such as doe intend the study of Divinity After that he had continued this constant course of teaching in the City of Berne for the space of many years to the great furtherance of the glory of God and benefit of his Church it pleased the Lord to take him unto himselfe and to Crowne him with a diâ—dem of everlasting glory