condition I was saith he about two months close Prisoâ—er in the Tower after that without my sâ—eking I had the liberty of the Tower granted me and so I continued about halfe a year till refusing to be present at Mass I was shut up close prisoner again The last Lent but one by reason of the rising in Kent the Tower was so full of prisoners that my Lord Arch Bish. of Canterbury Master Latimer Master Bradford and my selfe were all put into one Prison where we remained till almost Easter and then Doctor Cranmer Master Latimer and my selfe were sent down to Oxford and were suffered to have nothing with us but what we carried upon us Aâ—bout Whitsuntide following was our disputations at Oxford after which we had Pen Ink and all things taken from us yea and our own servants were removed from us and strangers set in their steads and all of us kept apart as we are unto this daâ— God be blessed we are all three in health and of good cheer and have looked long agoe to have been dispatched for within a 〈◊〉 or two after our disputations we wâ—re condemned for Hereticâ—s The Lords wil be fulfilled in us c When he was brought before the Popes Dâ—legate the Bishop of Lincoln in the Divinity School in Oxford whilst the Commission was reading he stood â—are till he heard the Cardinall named and the Popes holiness and then he put on his Cap and being aâ—monished by the Bishop to pull it off he answered I do not put it on in contempt to your Lordship c. but that by this my behaviour I may make it appear that I acknowledg in 〈◊〉 point the usurped Supremacy of Rome and therfore I utterlâ— contemne and despise all Authority coming from the Pope Then the Bishop commanding the Bedle to pull off his Cap he bowing his head suffered him quietly to do it After diverse examinations he was at last degraded condemned and delivered to the Bailisss to be kept till the nâ—xt day when he should be burned The night before he suffered he caused his beard to be shaven and his feet washed and bad his Hostess and the rest at the board to his wedding He asked his brother also whether his sister could finde in her heâ—r to bâ—e present at it Yea said hee I dare say with all her heart His Hostess Mistris Irish weeping he said O Mistris Irish I see now that you love me not for in that you weep it appears that you will not be at my marriage nor are therewith content I see you are not so much my friend as I thought but quiet your self though my break-fast be somewhat sharpe and painâ—ull yet I am sure my Supper shall be more pleasant and sweet His brother proffering to watch with him he refused it saying I intend to goe to bed and sleep as quietly as ever I did in my life In the morning he came forth in a fair black gowne faced with foins and tippet of velvet c. and looking behind him he spied Master Latimer coming after to whom he said O! bee you there Yea said Latimer have-after as fast as I can follow Coming to the stake he lift up his hands and eyes stedfastly to heaven and espying Master Latimer he ran with a cheerfull countenance to him embraced and kissed him and comforted him saying Be of good heart brother for God will either asswage the fury of the flame or give us strength to abide it So he went to the stake kneeled by it kissed it and prayed earnestly and being about to speak to the people some ran to him and stopped his mouth with their hands Afterwards being stripped he stood upon a stone by the stake saying O heavenly father I give thee hearty thanks for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even unto death I beseech thee Lord God have mercy upon this Realm of England and deliver it from all its enemies As a Smith was knocking in the staple which held the chain he said to him Good fellow knock it in hard for the flesh will have his course Then his brother brought a bag of gunpowder and would have tyed it about his neck Doctor Ridley asked what it was His Brother answered gunpowder then said he I take it as being sent of God therefore I will receive it as sent from him And when he saw the flame a coming up to him he cryed with a loud voice In manus tuas c. Into thy hands Lord I commend my spirit Lord receive my soul But the fire being kept down by the wood he desired them for Christs sake to let the fire come to him which his brother in law mis-understanding still heaped on faggots whereby his nether parts were burned before his upper parts were touched At last his upper parts fell down into the fire also and so he slept in the Lord. Bishop Ridley upon a time crossing the Thames there rose on a sudden such a Tempest that all in the boat were astonished looking for nothing but to be drowned Take heart said he for this boat carrieth a Bishop that must be burned and not drowned He suffered martyrdome Anno Christi 1555. He was a man so reverenced for his learning and knowledge in the sacred Scriptures that his very enemies were enforced to acknowledge that he was an excellent Clerk and if his life might have been redeemed with monie the Lord Dacres of the North being his Kinsman would have given 10000l for the same rather then that he should be burned But so unmercifull and cruel was Q. Mary that notwithstanding D. Ridleys gentleness towards her in King Edward the sixth days she would by no intreaties nor other means be perswaded to spare his life The tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty In a Letter which he wrote to his friends he hath this passage I warne you my friends that ye be not astonished at the manner of my dissolution for I assure you I think it the greatest honor that ever I was called to in all my life and therefore I thank the Lord God heartily for it that it hath pleased him of his great mercy to cal me to this high honor to suffer death willingly for his sake and in his cause wherefore all you that be my true lovers and friends rejoyce and rejoyce with me again and render with me hearty thanks to God our heavenly Father that for his sons sake my Saviour and Redeemer Christ he hath vouchsafed to call me being else without his gracious goodness in my selfe but a sinful and vile wretch to cal me I say to this high dignity of his true Prophets faithfull Apostles and of his holy and chosen Martyrs to dye and to spend this temporall life in the defence and maintenance of his eternall and everlasting truth Whist he was Mr. of Pembrook-hall he used to walk much in the Orchard
this day Having notice given on the over-night that the next day he should be burn'd he said I am ready God grant me strength and a joyfull resurrection and so he went to his chamber pouring out his spirit unto the Lord in pâ—ayer and giving him most hearty thanks for accounting him worthy to suffer for his Truth Going into Smithfield the way was very foul whereupon two Officers took him up to bear him to the stake then â—e said merrily Whâ—t will you make me Pope Comming into Smithfield he kneeled down saying I will pay my vows in thee O Smithfield He kissed the stake saying Shall I disdaine to suffer at this stake when my Lord and Saviour refused not to suffer a most vile death for me When the fire was kindled with much meekness and comfort he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1555. In a Letter which he wrote to John Carelesse then prisoner in the Kings-bench he thus writes Indeed my dear Carelesse I am in this world in hell and in the shadow of death but he that for my deserts hath brought me down into hell shall shortly lift me up unto heaven where I shall look continually for your comming and others of my faithful brethren in the Kings-bench And though I tell you that I am in hell in the judgement of the world yet assuredly I feel in the same the consolation of heaven I praise God And this lothsome and horrible prison is as pleasant to me as the walks in the Garden of the Kings-bench And in a Letter that he wrote to his Sister he thus concludes My dissolution I look for daily but the Lord knoweth how unworthy I am of so high an honour as to die for the testimony of his Truth Pray that God would vouchsafe to make me worthy as he hath done of long imprisonment Pray and look for the coming of the Lord c. In another Letter he writes thus Commend me to Mr. Elsing and his wife and thank them for providing me some ease in prison and tell them that though my Lords Cole house be but very black yet it is more to be desired of the faithfull then the Queens Palace The world wondereth how we can be merry in such extream miseries but our God is omnipotent which turneth misery into felicity Beleeve me there is no such â—oy in the world as the people of Christ have under the Crosse I speak by exâ—rence therefore believe me and fear nothing that the world can doe unto you for when they imprison our bodies they set our souls at liberty with God when they cast us down they life us up yea when they kill us then doe they send us to everlasting life and what greater glory can there be then to be made confoâ—mable to our head Christ which is done by afflictions O good God what am I upon whom thou shoulde bestow so great a mercy This is the day which the Lord hath made let us rejoyce and be glad in the same this is the way though it be but narrow which is full of the peace of God and leadeth to eternall blisse Oh how my heart leapeth for joy that I am so near the apprehension thereof God forgive me my unthankfulness and unworthiness of so great glory I hâ—ve so much joy that though I be in a place of darknesse and mourning yet I cannot lament but both night and day am so joyfull as if I were under no crosse at all yea in all the daies of my life I was never so merry the name of the Lord be praised for ever and ever and the Lord pardon my unthâ—nkfulness Our enemies do fret fume and grash their teeth to see and hear that we under this grievous affliction can be so merry Pray instantly that this joy may never be taken from us for it passeth all the delights of this world This is the peace of God which passeth all understanding This peace the more his chosen be afflicted the more they feel and therefore cannot faint neither for fire nor water Whilst Mr. Philpot was prisoner in Newgate a dertaine friend of his that scrupled the Baptizing of Infants wrote to him for his judgement about it to whom he wrote a large and learned Answer proving by Scripture by Arguments by testimony of the Fathers and by the constant practise of the Primitive Church from the Apostles daies the lawfulnesse and necessity of the same which you may read in the Book of Martyrs vol. 3. pag. 606. c. THO. CRANMER The Life of Thomas Cranmer who died Anno Christi 1555. THomas Cranmer was a Gentleman by birth of a very ancient Family born at Arselacton in Nottinghamshirte brought up at School and from thence sent to Cambridge where profiting much in learning he was chosen fellow in Jesus Colledge After which he married a wife and thereby loosing his Fellow-ship he was chosen Divinity-Reader in Buckingham-Colledge but not long after his wife dying in child-bed the Master and Fellows chose him again Fellow into Jesus Colledge After which he commenced Doctor in Divinity From thence hee was chosen a Fellow in the Foundation of Cardinal Wolsey's Colledge in Oxford but fore-seeing the danger which after followed he refused that place Whilst he was in Cambridge the question arose about King Henries Divorce from his brothers widdow and the Plague breaking forth at Cambridge Doctor Cranmer retired to Waltham-Abbey At which time this fell out The King to recreate himselfe and to take private counsell with those in whom he most consided who were the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk and some others went on hunting to Waltham at which time he signified his minde to Steven Gardiner his Secretary and to Fox his Almoner willing them to search what was most expedient for him to doe to end well that controversie about his Marriage and as God would have it these two men lodged in the house of one Master Cressie at Waltham where also Doctor Cranmer was having left Cambridge upon the forementioned occasion â—nd being Tutor to Master Cressies two sons Gardiner and Fox thus meeting with him and knowing him to be famous for learning and piety invited him to their good cheer and asked his advice concerning the Kings cause Dr. Cranmer was at fiâ—st very loath to deliver his judgement but being much importunâ—d by them he at last â—aid I cannot say much on the sudden in so weighty a businesse without study and meditation but in my opinion seeing the King is in so great trouble of mind and conscience nothing can more encrease it then so great delaies and wandring in Romish suites inwhich whosoever are once entangled can source ever extricaâ—e themselves out of the snares I think it better therefore that layâ—ing aside all delayes and Court suites wherein the King hath been too long tossed with great affliction of mind the judgement of Divines hath in our
companions who layed a traine to take away his life at least his Arch-Bishoprick by bringing him within the compass of the six articles which by Doctor Parker the first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in Queen Elâ—zabeths dayes is thus related Doctor Cranmer saith he being in great heaviness for the death of the Lord Cromwel was accused by the Papists and much threatned by them and though he knew that he was not safe for one moment of time yet he changed not the cheerfullness of his countenance because as yet he kept the Kings right in the defence of the Gospel by his singular wisdom gravity and modesty But the King being soon entangled by conversing with Winchester and his Popish party they daily so deafned him with their continuall complaints against the Arch-Bishop that through wearisomness he was almost constrained to grant unto them the life of that most innocent man Yet by Gods speciall providence he was so rooted in his heart that when the Papists most presumed and the godly most feared his ruine the King resolved to provide for his safety and welfare In the mean time proud and malicious Gardiner whose favour and authority was thought to be greatest with the King provoked him often to disputations about points of Divinity in the presence of the King In the which the King observed that Cranmer never departed from his innate gravity and modesty whereas Gardiner always rather affected a little glory then the truth And when Gardiner that hâ— might lessen the authority of the scriptures had by many sophistical arguments endeavoured to prove that those called the Apostles Canons were of equall validity and authority with the sacred Scriptures Cranmer so enervated the force of all his arguments in the Kings hearing by his solid calm and moderate answers that the King said in the presence of many unto Gardiner that Cranmer was an old weather-beaten souldier in Divinity and was not to be encountred by such fresh-water souldiers as himselfe For this Gardiner swelling with pride stirred up as many against Cranmer as possibly he could judging that nothing could hinder their counsels and purposes if he were taken out of the way At Canterbury and all over Kent by the procurement of Gardiner many were suborned to accuse Cranmer of Heresie In the Parliament one Goswick a Knight for Bedfordshire said openly that all hereticall sâ—dition flowed from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and his family Some great men about the King hereupon laboured much to perswade him that by reason of these imputations Cranmer should be excluded from the Council-board and committed to the Tower of London till inquiry could be made concerning the truth of those reports for said they so long as he sits in counsell for fear men will conceal that which they know not daring to utter or reveal it They also dispersed â—umors that Cranmer was already condemned in the judgement of the King and should be shortly beheaded as Cromwel had been a little before All this while Cranmer though he set a good face on 't yet privately amongst his friends much bewailed the condition of those evill times rather then his owne But the King diligently searched out all these treacherous designs of the Papists and marked whereunto they tended Once for recreations sake after supper the King would goe in his Barge upon the Thames and being there commanded his Barge-men to land him at Lambeth staires some of the Arch-bishops servants observing that he drew thitherward presently informed their Master who hasted to the bridge either to salute the King as he passed by or to entertain him into his house The King seeing him bid him come into his Barge and setting him by him had much private conference with him the Barge-men in the mean season rowing hither and thither In this conference the King feigningly complained that since the death of Cromwel England was much troubled with hereticall factions and parties that it was to be feared that if these wranglings about religion were nourished more grievous mischiefs and civil wars would arise and therfore that the dissentions about Religion were to be appeased for which end by the advice of his Bishops and Nobles he would endeavour to finde out the Arch-Heretick who was the author of this mischief and whom being found he intended severely to punish yea cruelly to burn him thereby to prevent further disorders Cranmer though he was somewhat affrighted yet answered with a mild countenance that he liked the counsell as wholsome that the whole flock of hereticks was to be restrained by the death of the Arch-Heretick â— but hee admonished the King with fatherly gravity and modesty that hee would not judge them Hereticks who relied wholly upon the Word of God and not to the Traditions or Laws of men Well quoth the King to deal plainly we are told by many that you are the Arch-Heretick of our Kingdome and that in Kent and all your Province you hinder the Faith established in Parliament by the six Articles from being received by our people and therefore tell us plainly both what you think and what you have done concerning them To this the Archbishop stoutly replyed that he was still of the same opinion that he had expressed in Parliament when that Law was made and that yet he had not offended against that Law since it was made Then the King by little and little moderating the severity of his speech asked him pleasantly whether his private bed-chamber was free from the breach of the 6 Articles Cranmer though he understood by the six Articles that it was a capital â—ffâ—nce for a Priest to be married and that the King knew well that he was a married man yet answered That though he had married a wife yet it was in Germany before he took upon him the Archbishopâ—ick but for all that he had done nothing against that severe Law For saith he when the Law was once made I never touched my Wife but sent her into Germany to her kindred and friends By this plain answer without dawbing Cranmer begaâ— in the Kings minde such an opinion of his Learning and Honesty that he cheared him up telling him that those Artâ—â—cles were not ordained for his sake and shewing him what were the chief accusations laid in against him which Cranmer knowing to be false and forged by the envy and malice of his Popish Adversaries intreated the King to appoint Inquisitors whereby the truth might be sifted out For saith he I am not afraid to undergoe the hazzard of a judgement The King trusting to his ingenuity bâ—d him search and try out his own cause himself But Cranmer replied that it would seem unequall to his Adversaries that he should be made Censor of his own acts and theâ—efore still desired another Judge But the King still affirmed that hee would make none other the Inquisitor of his life having pâ—t so much trust and confidence in him alone knowing that he would certainly and
not onely to disgrace it but as much as in them lay utterly to have subverted it But the Lord was wiser and stronger then Sathan as the event shewed For Calvin with his Colleagues in a publick and free Disputation did with that gravity out of the Word of God confute the Anabaptists March the 18 1537 that which is seldome seen from that time forwards there never appeared any of them in that Church But the other disturber of their Churches peace Peter Caroli caused greater and longer troubles where of this is a brief account This impudent Sophister was bred in the Colledge of Sorbon from whence at last he was cast out for an Heretick whereupon he went fiâ—st to Geneva then to Lausanna and from thence to Neocom but so infected and inflamed by the Devill that wheresoever be came be left an impression of his foul spirit And when he saw himself opposed by the Protestants he went to the Papists and from them to the Protestants again And at last brake forth into open railing against Mr. Farell Viret and Calvin as if they held some corrupt opinions about the sacred Trinity Hereupon there was a full Synod assembled at Berne in which Peter Caroli was condemned for his calumny and thereupon removed But shortly alter he went to Mediomatrice that he might hinder the work of the Lord happily there begun by Mr. Farell From thence writing an Epistle he railed upon the godly giving hope to the Papists that he would return to them againe Yet was hee sent to Rome that he might give satisfaction to the Pope himself There he was received with scorn and being opperessed with poverty and infected with the French-pox at last with much adoe he gat into an Hospital where shortly after he died miserably and this truly was his unhappy end About the same time Mr. Calvin observing that there were many in France that knew and were convinced of the Truth and yet indulged themselves as if it were enough that they reserved their hearts for Christ though they were present at the Popish Services published two elegant Epistles One to exhort the flying of Idolatry directed to Gerard Russus whom we mentioned before The other of the Popish Priesthood directed to the same man who was now made a Bishop and was fallen from his former zeal But whilst Mr. Calvin was thus employed he met with grievous seditions at home The Gospel indeed was entertained and Popery abjured in Geneva but many were not reformed of the prophane and scandalous courses in which they had been indulged and which they had learned of the impare Popish Clergy and those ancient feuds which had sprung up by reason of the Savoyan Warrs amongst the chiefest Familes were not yet layd aside These at first were gently admonished and when that prevailed not more sharply reprehended and when yet they continued to be stubborn and refractory and that the City by the factious of certaine private persons was divided into parties so that by no means they would endurâ—â— to be brought into that order to which they had been swoâ—n Mr. Farel Calvin and Caroldus inspired with an heroicall spirit did openly professe that they could by no meanes administer the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper to persons who were at such bitter enmity amongst themselves and so utterly averse to all Ecclesiastical Discipline Another evill that fell out was this A difference there was in some Ecclesiastical Rites between the Bernates and the Genevians The Genevians using common bread at the Sacrament and a different sort of Fonts they also abolished all holy daies but the Lord day whereupon the Bernates assembling a Synod at Lausanna decreed that Waters should be used in the Sacrament and required that in Geneva the same practise should be observed But the Colledg of Ministers at Geneva desired that first they might be heard and for this end appointed a Synod at Zurick Upon this occasion the Syndics which were chosen for that year at Geneva who for the time are the chiefest Magistrates assembling the Captains of the seditious persons so farr prevailed though Mr. Calvin and his Colleagues interposed and desired first to be heard the greater part overcoming the better that these three worthy servants of Christ were commanded within two daies to depart the City because as was alledged they refused to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper When this Decree was brought to Mr. Calvin he said Truly if I had served men I should have had but an ill reward but it s well that I have served him who doth alwaies perform to his servants what he hath once promised Who would not now have thought that this business must needs have brought destruction upon the Church of Geneva but the event shewed the wonderfull wisdom of God in turning it to good partly by employing the labours of these his servants elswhere by variety of experiences to fit them for greater employments partly that the seditious persons in Geneva overthrowing themselves by their own violence that Church might be purged from many pollutions So wonderfull doth God shew himself in all his waies especially in the admirable government of his Church At the time appointed these three worthy Fathers to the great grief of all good men left Geneva and went to Zurick where gathering a Synod of the Helvetian Churches the Synod decreed and by the intercession of the Bernates tyred the mindes of the Genevians for their re-admission but when that prevailed not Calvin went to Basil and from thence to Strasborough where by the desire of the Senate and the importunity of those bright Stars which at that time shined in that Church Bucer Hedio Capito Niger and their Colleagues he was designed to be the Professor of Divinity with a competent salary allowed which place he discharged with the great applause of Learned men and by the consent of the Senate he planted the French Church there and setled Discipline in it Thus was the expectation of Sathan frustrated Calvin setled in another place and a new Church erected for the former subverted Yet in the mean time did not the Devil cease to endeavour wholly to eradicate the Church of Geneva for which end he stirred up some wicked men yet under the pretence of piety to bring in that Decree of changing common bread into Wafers indeed onely to stirre up new controversies Wherein also Sathan failed not of his purpose many godly men upon this occasion abstaining from the Sacrament till Mr. Calvin by his holy Letters had perswaded them not to contend for a thing so indifferent in it self By this means unleavened bread was again brought into use in the Genevian Church Concerning which Calvin being afterwards restored would never contend and yet withall did not dissemble his judgement about the same But behold presently after fell out a farre greater evill Anno Christi 1539 which yet by the
answered God is my witnesse that I never preached Christ Jesus in contempt of any man neither doe I now intend to present my self in that place with respect to my own commodity or for the hurt of any creature but to forbear preaching to morrow except I be violently withholden I cannot out of conscience consent to it For in this Town and Church God was pleased first to call me to the honour and office of a Preacher from which I was driven by the tyranny of the French and procurement of the Bishop as ye all know well enough How long I continued prisoner what torments I sustained in the French Gallies and what were the sobs of my heart is now no time to relate This onely I cannot conceal which many heard me speak when my body was far from Scotland that I certainly hoped in open audience to preach in St. Andrews before I departed this life And therefore my Lords saith he seeing God above the expectation of many hath brought me to this place where first I was called to the office of a Preacher and from which I was most unjustly removed I beseech your honours not to hinder me from presenting my self to my brethren And as for the fear of danger that may come to me thereby let no man bee sollicitous for my life is in the custody of him whose glory I seek and therefore I cannot so fear their boasts and tyranny as thereby to be deterred from dâ—ing my duty when God of his mercy offereth me such an occasion I desire the hand and weapon of no man to defend me onely I crave audience which if it be denied me here at this time I must seek further where I may have it Upon this speech the Lords were fully content that hee should supply the place which accordingly he did without interruption and his Sermon so wrought upon the Magistrates and people that presently after Sermon they removed all the monuments of superstition and Idolatry out of that Church The Bishop advertised hereof presently departed to the Queen who with her French Souldiers lay within twelve miles and by his grievous complaints did so farre incense her that it was resolved without delay to assault S. Andrews and the two Lords who were but slenderly accompanied and accordingly order was given immediately to provide quarters for the Queen and her Army at Cowper six miles from St. Andrews The Lords being informed hereof resolved to meet them before they came to Cowper and withall gave speâ—dy advertisement to all the brethren to repair towards them with all possible expedition which also they did with such diligence that Gods wonderfull work appeared therein For when at night the Lords came to Cowper there were not a hundred horse and some few foot and before the next day at noon their number was above three thousand and that number did so continually encrease as if men had rained from the clouds But the enemies being not informed hereof assured themselves of the Victory and therefore hasted away in the night yet when by their Scouts they were informed of the number and order of the Protestants who were ready to receive them their hearts failed and intercessors were sent to make an agreement and a truce was taken for eight daies till an agreement might be finished But all this was done but in policy by the Queen that she might gaine time to draw off her Ordnance and to make a handsome retreat over the water of Forth The Protestants finding themselves thus deluded tooke counsell now they were together to free St. Johnstons from the French Garrison that their exiled brethren might return home and accordingly they sent a Trumpet to summon the Towne but the Captaines answered that they would keep and defend it according to their promise made to the Queen yet as soon as they were besieged they required a Truce for twelve houres at the end whereof they delivered it up to the Lords and the same day being Sabbath thankes were publickly returned unto God and presently the Monuments of Idolatry were demolished and the rude multitude set fire to the Abbey though Master Knox would have prevented it A poor old woman seeing the five rage so furiously and run so swiftly said I see that â—ods Judgements are just and no man is able to save where he will destroy ever since my remembrance this place hath been nothing but a den of Whoremongers It is incredible to beleeve how many Wives have been adulterated and Virgins deflowred by those filthy beasts and especially by that wicked man called the Bishop If all men knew as much as I they would praise God for this destruction The Queen hearing of these proceedings fearing what might follow resolved to send some French bands to Striveling to hinder their coming over the Forth which the Lords having intelligence of privately in the night with great expedition possessed themselves of the Town before the French came whereupon the Queen and her party presently left Edenborough and went to Dunbar Then did the Protestants march to Edenborough where also the Monuments of Idolatry were demolished by the rude multitude Coming thither they wrote to the Q desiring that they might enjoy libertie of their Consciences That Jesus Christ might be truly preached and the Sacraments duly administered and that scandalous and unable Ministers might be removed But shee returning no answer the Protestants returned home the Lords onely staying who were now called The Lords of the Congregation In the meane time the French being informed hereof and presuming that they should meet with no resistance hastened to Edenborough which the Lords hearing of called upon God for assistance in that strait It is true they might have retired themselves but then they had exposed the brethren of Edenborough to danger and therefore they rather resolved to hazard the uttermost extremity The French first marched to Leith and as the Lords were advancing for their assistance the Townsmen surrendered the Town to the French without making any resistance whereupon the Lords retreated to Cragingate there to oppose the enemy Divers Mediators passed to and fro in the meane time to have setled peace and at last sundry Article were agreed upon and the Duke of Castleherald and the Earl of Huntley promised the Lords that if the Queen brake any one of her Articles they would forsake her party and joyn with them The next day the Lords left Edenborough and when it was judged dangerous for Master Knox still to abide Minister at Edenborough the brethren requested Mr. Jo. Willock to remain with them to which hee gladly assented desiring to make it appear that he preferred the comfort of the brethren before his own life Shortly after open Warre brake forth between the Queen Regent and the Protestants and the Queen having more French Forces with Money and Ordnance sent her the Scottish Nobility were faigne to send
with the stone and troubled with weaknesse of stomach yet did he not intermit his labours and care of the Church In the Synod of Taoduâ— where the King himself was present Rollock by the suffrages of all was chosen Moderator where the too severe Articles of Perth were qualified and when the King moved that the Synod should choose some Commissioners to take care of the Church in the intervall of National Assemblies it was readily assented to and Rollock was one of the first that was assigned that office Anno Christi 1598 his disease so encreased upon him that he was confined to his house but after a while his intimate friend William Scot perswaded him to go into the Country where was a thinner and more healthfull air which accordingly he did and seemed at first to be better but presently his disease returned with more violence so that he was forced to keep his bed whereupon he set his house in order and his wife after ten years barrennesse being with child he commended to the care of his friends Two Noblemen Patrick Galloway and David Lindsey coming to visit him he professed to them the hearty love which he had alwaies born to the King withall requesting them from him to go to him and to entreat him in his name to take care of Religion and to persevere in it to the end as hitherto he had done not suffering himself to be diverted from it either under the hope of enlarging his dominions or by any other subtill device of wicked men and that he would reverence esteem the Pastors of the Church as it was meet For saith he that Ministry of Christ though in the judgement of man it seem low and base yet at length it shall shine with great glory When the Pastors of Edenborough came to him he made an excellent exhortation to them and profession of his sincerity and integrity in his place that God had called him to When the night grew on his death also seemed to approach which he perceiving 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 me Then he prayed fervently that God would pardon his sins for Christs sake professing that all other things how great soever they seemed to others yet he accounted them all but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellency of Christs crosse Praying further that he might have an happy departure and enjoy Gods presence which he had often breathed after saying I have hitherto seen but darkly in the glasse of thy Word O Lord grant that I may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance which I have so much desired and longed for Then did he make such an admirable speech about the Resurrection and Life Eternal as if so be he already been translated into heaven Then giving his hand to all that were present like old Jacob he blessed them all adding to his benediction exhortations according to every mans quality or office Yet that night after he slept better then was expected The day after when the City Magistrates came to see him he spake to them to be very careful of the University desiring to choose into his room Henry Charter a man every way fit for that employment He commended to their care also his wife professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend and therefore hee hoped they would provide for her To these requests the Magistrates assented promising faithfully to perform them Then did he intreat the Professors of Philosophy that they would be carefull and diligent in the performance of their duty and that they would be obedient to his successor after which he said I blesse God I have all my senses entire but my heart is in heaven And Lord Jesus why shouldst 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 When he had thus spoken he fell into a slumber out of which when he awaked he breathed earnestly to be dissolved and to be with Christ saying Come Lord Jesus put an end to this miserable life hast Lord and tarry not Christ hath redeemed me not unto a frail and momentary but unto eternall life Come Lord Jesus and give mee that life for which thou hast redeemed me Then some of the standers by bewaile their condition when he should be taken away to whom he said I have gone through all the degrees of this life and now am come to my end why should I goe back againe O Lord help me that I may go through this last degree with thy assistance Lead me to that glory which I have seen as through a glass O that I were with thee 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 its 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 weary of this life all my desire is that I may enjoy that celestiall life that is hid with Christ in God And a while after he prayed again saying Hast Lord and doe not tarry I am a weary both of nights and daies Come Lord Jesus that I may come to thee Break these eye-strings and give me others I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee Hast Lord Iesus and defer no longer Go forth my weak life and let a better succeed O Lord Jesus thrust thy hand into my body and take my soul to thy self O my sweet Lord set this soul of mine free that it may enjoy her husband And when one of the standers by said Sir Let nothing trouble you for now your Lord makes hast he said O welcome message would to God my funerals might be to morrow And thus continued he in such heavenly prayers and speeches til he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1598 and of his age 43. Reliquit Commentarios in aliquot Psalmos selectos In Danielem In S. Johannem eum ejus harmonia in passionem victoriam Dominicam In Epist. ad Ephesios Coloss. Thess. Galat. Scripsit Analysin in Epist. ad Romanos ad Heb. tractaum de vocatione efficaci c. The Life of Nicolas Hemingius who died A no Christi 1600. NIcolas Hemingius was born at Loland in Denmark Anno Christi 1513 of obscure but honest parents but his Father dying when he was young his Uncle who was a Black-smith brought him up carefully in learning placing him in the School at Nystadia where he continued ten yeares Then in the School of
the space of neer thirty years by whom he had seven children He was tall of stature and well set He had quick eyes and lively senses a loud and pleasing voice A sound constitution only by reason of his many occasions of grief somewhat inclining to Melancholy so as he was prone to such diseases wherein that humor did abound In his old age he was somewhat slow of gate not through unwealdiness of body but by reason of the speedy growth of old age upon him He was very pious and learned and adorned with all graces If he set himself to reprove vice he performed it with great gravity If he comforted his friends he did it with admirable dexterity If he admonished any of their duty he did it with much lenity His Ministry was full of Majesty his stile eloquent his matter clear and solid He was very sociable pleasant and loving in his converse with his friends By his practice converse experience and reading both of ancient and modern Ecclesiastical Histories he attained to a great measure of wisdom He was very zealous in defending the Orthodox Religion Very far from busying himself in other mens matters Could not endure strife and contentions Shunned those vain distinctions and fooleries of Sophisters whereby they rather darken then explicate the mysteries of Salvation He could not endure novelties in Divinity holding that of Tertullian Primum quodque verissimum That which is most ancient is most true His profession was without dissimulation his Divinity solid and substantial not that which is fetched out of the puddles of the Schoolmen though he was no stranger to them but out of the pure Fountain of the Sacred Scriptures He was a constant studier of the Peace of the Church yet always so as not to hazard the loss of truth which he ever preferred before the former He was of a constant minde always the same valiant in adversity moderate in prosperity having well learned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sustain and abstain In reproofs he was affectionate without bitterness In admonishing and counselling prudent without passion In choosing his friends of a quick judgement and constant in retaining them When he was to deliver his judgement either in the Academical Senate or in the Ecclesiastick Presbyterie he so went before others with his prudent counsel as not to neglect to hear others judgements neither would he take it ill if they dissented from him If any question of great difficulty happened he would never rest till he had searched out and made plain the truth If any resorted to him in private to ask his advice in Sacred Civil Academical or Oeconomical affairs his answer was instead of an Oracle to them His prudence did futher discover it self by the government of his Family where he kept all in peace order and concord and concerning which this only was known that no body knâ—w what was done therein Anno Christi 1639. he buryed one of his daughters called Mary a beautiful and virtuous young maid which caused so great grief to him that he fell into a Quartane Ague which Physitians hold to be mortal in old men and though at last he was cured of it yet it lest ill reliques in his weakened boâ—y which in the year 1641. brake forth into a far more grievous disease viz. a Lethâ—rgy which threatned an Apoplexie and which the Physitians did foretel to be fatal Yet neither by this sharp affliction could his stedfast minde be cast down For after a while contrary to all mens expectations he began to recover strength though indeed he was never perfectly cured A third affliction which befel him was the death of his dear wife which fell out the year after upon October the 15 the same day upon which formerly he had been chosen Master of the College of Wisdom From that very time of the loss of his wife he was discerned to decay his solitude encreasing his melancholy which afterwards he could never get the mastery over Yea he often foretold that he should not long survive his wife and though the Easter after he went as far as â—â—mbden to visit his friends and recreate himself with their society yet thereby he did but increase his destempers For he was detained there for the space of twenty days by reason of a Catharr and Feaver after which he returned to Groning but much weakned and troubled with obstructions which Physick could not remove nor any Medicines cure Yet it pleased God that he had some lucid intervals at which times he would attend upon his Professorship and the affairs of the University and his friends August following those obstructions so far prevailed that they took away his stomach and thence ensued a sensible decay of his strength which afterwards was accompanied with great pains in his Back and Loins that caused often faintings In his sickness Doctor Maretius visiting him with a firm voice and friendly minde he congratulated him for that he was designed for his successor For saith he it much rejoyceth me that I shall leave to the Vniversity and Church one that is studious of peace Orthodox in judgement and averse from novelties and I require you that as you have ever maintained friendship with me so do the like with mine whom I shall leave behinde me The day before his death he sang the 130 Psalm with a sweet voice and fervent zeal to the Lord and spent the rest of his time in hearty Prayers and holy meditations In the Evening he blessed his children and then commanded his son Doctor James Alting to pray with him and in his Prayers to remember the Church and University The next day which was Sabbath day in the morning he found himself somewhat better yet presently after he fell into a swound After the Morning Exercise his old friends Doctor Camerarius and Doctor Strasbergerus Agents for the Crown of Sweden came to visit him by whose conference he was somewhat refreshed but no sooner were they gone when feeling that his disease had conquered Nature he told those about him that before Sunset he should depart to the Lord and so acting his faith upon the death and merits of Christ upon the promises of the Gospel and cheared up with the comforts of the Holy Ghost he expected death without fear and presently after with a constant voice he bade them all farewel as being ready to depart to Christ which he much longed for Then causing himself to be somewhat raised up they perceived that he was ready to depart wherefore hastily sending for the Reverend Pastor of the Church Wesselus Emmius his old friend he prayed with him and as long as he perceived that he understood him he cheered him up with the sweet promises of the Gospel valiantly to go through that last combate and so about three a clock in the afternoon in the presence of his friends and the Professors of the University without the least
blessed Spirit of God makes the Soul like a Fountain whose water is pure wholesom and clear For Grace beautifies cleanseth and so saveth the whole man He wrote divers Epistles To St. John To the Ephesians To the Magnesians To the Trallians To the Romanes To the Philadelphians To Polycarp c. Concerning which the learned Scultetus saith Inter dubia incerta numero Epistolas Ignatii Polycarpi Nondum enim inter Orthodoxos convenit sintne Epistolae istae celeberrimorum Martyrum Ignatii Polycarpi an aliorum For which he gives his reasons POLYCARPVS The Life of Polycarp who dyed Anno Chr. 170 POlycarpus was Disciple to S John and Bishop of Smyrna he going with S. John to a Bath at Ephosus and espying Cerinthus the Heretick in it said Fugiamus ocyùs c. Let us depart speedily for fear least the Bath wherein the Lord's adversary is do fall upon us as one of the Fathers made haste out of the house of a wicked man which soon after fell to the ground The History of his Martyrdom is excellently set forth in an Epistle written by his own Church at Smyrna to the Brethren of Pontus out of which so much as concerns this matter I shall transcribe The Congregation which is at Smyrna to the Congregation which is at Philomilium and to all the Congregations throughout Pontus mercy to you peace and the love of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplyed Amen We have written unto you Brethren of those men which have suffered Martyrdom and particularly of blessed Polycarp who by sheding his blood hath through Gods mercy put an end to this persecution the manner whereof we shall now relate to you This holy man hearing of the cruel persecution abroad was therewith nothing terrified but retained the inmovable tranquility of his minde and continued still in the City till at length he was perswaded through the importunity of his friends to betake himself to a certain Farm-place not far from the City where he remained with a few exercising himself night and day in prayer making humble supplications as his usual manner was for the peace and tranquility of all the Churches in the world Having been in prayer three days before his apprehension and now faln asleep he saw in a Vision by night the pillow under his head set on fire and suddenly consumed to ashes which when he awaked he interpreted to them that were present to fore-signifie that his life was neer an end and that his body should be Burned for the testimony of Christ. When the Searchers were now at hand and all the people cryed out Quaeratur Polycarpus Let us search out Polycarp at the earnest entreaty of his friends he removed to another Village unto which the Searchers coming caught two boys and scourged them till one of them confessed and led them to Polycarps lodging Yet might he easily have escaped but he would not saying the will of the Lord be fulfilled and so coming to them he communed with them very cheerfully so that it was wonderful to see those which a little before knew not the man now beholding and viewing his comey age and his grave and constant countenance lamented that they had so imployed themselves for the apprehension of so worthy a person But he on the contrary commanded that the table should be presently spred for them intreating them to eat and dine well requesting but one hours space to make his prayers unto God in which they assenting to he arose and went to prayer and being replenished with the grace of God he so poured out his soul that all that heard him praying were astonished at it yea many of his enemies were sorry that so holy honest and aged a man should be put to death The hour being now come wherein he was to set forwards they set him upon an Ass and brought him to the City of Smyrna upon a solemn Feast day and there met him Herod the Justice of Peace and his Father Nicetes who receiving him into their Chariot said unto him What harm is it to say Lord Caesar to sacrifice and so to be saved At first he answered nothing but when again they urged him he said I will not do according to your counsel They perceiving that he would not be perswaded gave him very rough language and at last tumbled him out of their Chariot whereby he brake his shins But he as though he had received no injury nor hurt at all went bolt upright cheerfully and apace towards the Theater And being come thither a voice came down from Heaven though by reason of the great tumult few heard it Be of good cheer O Polycarp and play the man The speaker no man saw but the voice was heard by many of us The multitude was in a rage and the Proconsul demanded of him whether he were that Polycarp yet withal beckoning to him to deny it said Have respect unto thine age tender thy self swear by the Fortune of Caesar Repent of what is past and say Remove the wicked But Polycarp looking about upon the multitude with a stedfast countenance and casting up his eyes towards Heaven said Remove O Lord these wicked Yet the Proconsul urged him again saying Swear and I will let thee go Blaspheme and defie Christ and thou shalt be safe To whom Polycarp answered Octoginta sex annos illijam inservivi c. Fourscore and six years have I served Christ neither hath he ever offended me in any thing and how then can I revile my King that hath thus kept me The Proconsul still urged and said Swear by the Fortune of Caesar Polycarp replyed If thou requirest of me this vain glory that I should protest the Fortune of Caesar pretending that thou knowest not what I am Know then that I am a Christian And if thou desirest to know the Doctrine of Christianity appoint a day and thou shalt hear it Perswade the people unto this said the Proconsul Truly said Polycarp I thought it my part to make this tender unto you Because we are commanded of God to give unto Governours and Powers whom he hath ordained the honour and obedience which is due unto them and not hurtful unto us but as for these people I deem them not competent judges and therefore will not purge my self before them Then said the Proconsul I have wild Beasts to devour thee unless thou repent Polycarp answered Bring them forth for we have determined with our selves not to repent nor to turn from the better to the worse It s more convenient for you to turn from evill to that which is good and just I will said the Proconsul tame thee with fire if thou set naught by the wild Beasts and wilt not repent To which Polycarp answered you threaten me with sire which shall last but an hour and is quickly quenched but thou art ignorant
foreseen to be a likely consequent yet was contemned in respect of the Churches necessity and want which was that the Arian King enraged by this act banished about 60 Bishops into Sardinia amongst whom Fulgentius was one who joyfully ascended the Ship being heartily glad that he had a share in such a glorious confession Divers of his Clergy and Friends followed him and being arrived at Calaris in Sardinia he there lived with them at the same Table and by his Sermons converted many Not long after King Thrasamund amongst the crafty fetches and persecutory drifts whereby he endeavoured to allure the Catholicks to the Arian Heresie used this Policy He feigned a desire to become a Catholick and setting down divers captious and deceitful questions pretended that he could not finde any that could sufficiently answer those questions whereupon hearing the fame of Fulgentius he hastily sent for him who with an undaunted courage came to Carthage and not being presently called to the King endeavoured seriously to confirm the Catholicks in their Faith and with much curtesie and affability answered all questions rejecting no man whereby he reclaimed many from their Errors admonishing them to repent of and to bewail their fall others he exhorted not to hazard the damnation of their Souls for temporal advantages and whom he saw in danger of perdition with milde yet effectual words he stayed and encouraged to a noble and generous resolution animating them to suffer any dangers or torments rather then to deny the Truth and it pleased God so to bless his labors that some who before were staggering were now by his means imboldned plainly to reprove the weak-grounded impudence of the Arian party And thus the Omnipotent God turned the Enemies device to the advancement of his own glory Then did the King send for him and questioned with him and met with such solid and judicious answers that he was forced to acknowledge that he found him every way to answer the report which he had heard of his Wisdom and Learning and withall he proposed sundry difficult questions to which he required his answer in writing Fulgentius having drawn up his Answer communicated it to the most learned Catholicks and after their approbation to the people before it was delivered to the King Thrasamund having with great diligence perused it praised his Wisdom wondred at his Eloquence commended his Humility yet had his heart so hardened that he could not understand and submit to the Truth Fulgentius could not be suffered to stay long at Carthage for the Arians with their clamors incensed the King complaining that he had already gained from them some of their Ministers and that the people fell apace to him so that their whole Religion stood in great hazard by his means Then the King to quiet them sent him back into Sardinia Late in the night was he carryed aboard the Ship that his departure might be the better concealed from the people but it pleased God by contrary windes long to detain the Ship in the harbor so that for many days almost the whole City flocked to him to take their farewel and many communicated at his hands And when great lamentation was made for his departure he took one Juliates a very godly man apart and told him he should shortly again return and that the Church should enjoy peace which also came to pass When he was requested to pray for any that were sick or in misery he commonly used this Petition Thou O Lord knowest best what will make for our Souls health Grant of thy mercy a supply unto our necessities so far forth as shall not hinder our spiritual profit And when God graciously answed his Prayers in their behalf he used to say That God did it for their sakes not for his He commonly said that Miracles make not a man just or righteous but famous When he was come back to Sardinia he returned to his former strict course of life with his Associates who had all things in common and when he distributed more to one then to another by reason of sickness or weakness he used thus to say to them Who taketh of the common so much becometh debtor to all which debt he can only pay by humility It was very pleasing to him when any of the Brethren proposed any hard question and gladly he hearkened to the doubts of any though they were never so simple neither would he through weariness or tediousness cease to give them answers until they confessed them selves to be satisfied Though he was sometimes severe towards the obstinate yet he remained even when he seemed most displeased and angry nothing at all in minde troubled or disquieted Thrasamund the King being shortly after taken away by death Hilderick succeeded him who restored peace and liberty to the Catholicks recalling their Bishops from Exile and amongst the rest Fulgentius who was received with great devotion by the Africans no less in every City then if he had been their peculiar Bishop Everywhere they met him with tokens of joy with whom now rejoycing he rejoyced as before with them lamenting he had lamented Yea their love was so great to him that a showre of rain falling they held their garments over his head to keep him dry Then did he return to his proper seat where he would do nothing without the advice of his Clergy In the Council of Vincensa he was by the common suffrage of the Bishops chosen President Though Bishop Quodvultdeus claimed that preheminence as belonging to his Sea and though Fulgentius for the present would not oppose this choice yet at the next Sessions he procured that the Bishop Quodvultdeus was restored to his right A year before his death he retired with some Brethren into the Island of Circina and there lived a most strict life But the necessities of his people requiring and their importunity prevailing he returned to them and shortly after fell into grievous pangs of sickness wherein he continued sixty days often crying out O Lord give me patience and pardon Physitians perswading him to make use of a Bath he answered Can Baths make that man who hath accomplished the course of Nature that he shall not dye Why then do you go about to perswade me now at my last end to remit of that rigor which I have always used Lastly calling together the Brethren about him he thus spake to them Dear Brethren having been careful of your Souls health perhaps I have been austere and harsh towards you If any one be offended I beseech him to pardon me and if my severity have possibly passed measure and due moderation pray ye to God that he may impute it not to me They all kneeling down acknowledged him to have been always loving gentle and milde towards them Then did he pray for his people that God would provide for them a Pastor after his own heart After
time the Duke of Lancaster sent for Wicklief from Oxford who had now proceeded so far as to teach that in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the accidents of Bread and Wine remained not without the substance proving his Assertion by the Authority of Scriptures and the Ancient Fathers and withall rejecting such as had written upon that Argument since Anno 1000 saying that after that time Satan was loosed and men were led into many Errors These things the Bishops hated him for exceedingly yet by the favor of the Duke of Lancaster and of Henry Lord Percy he was preserved from their rage and sury till Anno Christi 1376. at which time they had prevailed with their Archibishop Simon Sudbury who had before deprived him and prohibited him to meddle any more in those matters to send forth his Citation to have him brought before them The Duke having notice hereof and fearing that he being but one should be too weak for such a multitude sent for four Batchelors of Divinity to joyn with him and for more surety when the day of his appearance was come himself with the Lord Percy Marshal of England went along with him As they went along they enconraged him not to fear the faces of the Bishops who say they are all unlearned in comparison of you neither be you troubled at the concourse of the people for we will defend you from them Being thus encouraged Wicklief approached Pauls Church where multitudes of persons were assembled to hear what should be spoken and done insomuch as the Lord Marshal could searce make way in the crowd whereupon Courtney the Bishop of London seeing what stir he made amongst the people said to him if I had known what masteries you would have plaid amongst the people I would have kept you out of this place at which speech the Duke being offended said that he would keep such mastery there though he said nay When they came to the place where the Archbishop and Bishops sate Wicklief presented himself before them to know what should be laid to his charge Then the Lord Percie speaking to him bade him sit down for that having many things to answer to he had need have a soft seat whereupon the Bishop of London growing into a great fume said he should not sit there neither said he is it according to Law or Reason that he that is cited to appear before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but should stand This kindled such a fire betwixt them the one rating and reviling the other that the people began all to be on a hurry Then the Duke taking the Lord Percies part gave some hasty words to the Bishop but neither did the Bishop spare him one jot returning rebukes for rebukes so that the Duke was ashamed that the Bishop should out-rail him telling him that he would take a course to bring down his pride and of all the Prelates in England Hereupon the Londoners cryed out that they would rather lose their lives then suffer their Bishop to be abused So that all things being in a confusion the Assembly was dissolved for that time and the Duke with the Lord Pertie returning to the Parliament that day a Bill was put up in the name of the King by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock another of the Kings sons and the Lord Percie that London should be no more governed by a Major but by a Captain a formerly it had been and that the Marshal of England should have all the power in taking the arrests in the City as he had in other Cities This Bill one John Philpot a Burgess for London stoutly opposed and the next day the Londoners assembled themselves together in Council to consider what to do about it and whilst they were in consultation came in two Lords the Lord Fitz-Walter and the Lord Guy Brian whom the Vulgar sort taking to be Spies were ready to flye upon them till they were enforced to swear that they came for no harm towards them and that if it proved otherwise they would be content to forfeit all their Goods and Possessions in the City Then did the Lord Fitz-Walter tell them of his love to them and of his care to preserve their Liberties which said he If you do not speedily look to and prevent you will lose the same for at this time the Lord Marshal hath one of your Citizens in prison in his house c. This was no sooner spoken but the rash Citizens ran to their houses armed themselves and going to the Lord Percies house brake open his gates rescued the Prisoner took the Stocks and burned them in the midst of the City searched and ransaked his house for the Lord himself whom if they had found they would certainly have slain and when they found him not they tore and cut his rich Beds and Hangings in pieces and then supposing him to be with the Duke they ran to the Savoy where though they were disappointed of their cruel purpose yet they took the Dukes Arms and hung them up in a reproachful manner in the midst of the City as if he had been a Traitor They also so wounded a Priest that spake in his defence that he dyed within a few days after and meeting one of the Dukes men with his Arms hanging in a Plate on his Breast they pulled him off his Horse pulled the Arms from him and had slain the man but that he was speedily rescued by the Maior But these out rages created much trouble to the Londoners which being beside my purpose I shall leave the Reader to search them out in the Chronicles of those times Shortly after the old King Edward dyed and his Grand-son Richard the second succeeded him upon which change the Bishops taking notice that the Duke and the Lord Percie had given over their Offices living privately at their own houses without medling with State affairs they thought it a fit time to revenge themselves upon John Wicklief whereupon they caused these Articles to be gathered and drawn up out of his Sermons against him 1. That the holy Eucharist after the Consecration is not the very body and blood of Christ but figuratively 2. That the Church of Rome is not the head of all other Churches in the World nor that Peter had any more power given him by Christ then any other of the Apostles 3. That the Pope of Rome hath no more power of the Keys then any 〈…〉 4. That the Lords Tomporal may lawfully take away the Temporalties of the Church men offending habitualiter 5. That the Gospel is of it self a sufficient rule both of Faith and Manners without any other rule 6. That neither the Pope nor any other Prelate ought to have Prisons of their own wherein to punish offenders c. These with some others the Bishops gathered out of his Sermons and Writings which they sent to Pope Gregory who
Haec omnia vir magnae doctrinae pietatis laboris in ipso quasi aetatis vigore hinc discedens nobis reliquit The Life of John Frith who dyed Anno Christi 1531. IOhn Frith was born at Westram in Kent and had from his childehood a marvellous love to Learning a wonderful promptness of Wit and was of a ready Capacity to receive and understand any thing neither was there any diligence wanting in him equal to that worthy disposition that God had given him He was first a Student in Cambridge where he profited exceedingly in the knowledge both of the Arts and Tongues where it pleased God he fell into acquaintance with William Tindal through whose Instructions he first received into his heart the seed of the Gospel and sincere godliness About the same time Cardinal Wolsie undertaking to build a stately College in Oxford sought out the most learned men to be Fellows in the same and amongst others John Frith though but Batchelor of Arts was appointed for one But when divers of them were persecuted for Religion and accused of Heresie he together with some others who were chosen with him out of Cambridge was committed to Prison in a dark Cave where salt fish was then kept the savor whereof infected them all so that some of them dyed but Mr. Frith by Gods Providence escaped the danger in the same year wherein Queen Elizabeth was born having been dismissed out of his former Prison by means of Cardinal Wolsies Letter whereupon he went beyond Sea to avoid the storm But after two years he came back and having some business in Reading he was there taken for a Vagabond and set in the stocks where they suffered him to sit till he was almost pined with hunger At last he desired to speak with the Schoolmaster of the Town who when he came to him Frith in Latine bewailed his captivity The Schoolmaster being overcome with his Eloquence began exceedingly to affect and pity him the rather when he spake in Greek to him also and repeated divers verses out of Homâ—r upon this the Schoolmaster repaired speedily to the Magistrates and procured his enlargement yet neither then was he in safety for Sir Thomas Moor the then Lord Chancellor persecuted him both by Land and Sea promising great rewards to those that could bring any news of him Frith to avoid this storm changed place and apparrel often yet at last he was betrayed by one William Holt a Taylor who Judas-like pretended great friendship to him aud so was sent to the Tower where he had many conflicts with the Bishops but especially in writing with Sir Thomas Moor and in his Disputations he used such strength of Reason and evidence of Scripture that Doctor Canner Archbishop of Canterbury never gave more credit to any Author then to John Frith and at Friths candle he lighted his lamp also he converted Rastal to his part who was Moors son in law During his Imprisonment in the Tower it happened that Doctor Curreine Chaplain in Ordinary to King Henry the Eight preached a Sermon in Kent before his Majesty wherein he inveighed bitterly against the Sacramentaries as they then were called which denyed the Real Presence And he proceeded so far herein as that he said It 's no marvel though this abominable Heresie doth so much prevail amongst us seeing there is now one in the Tower which is so bold as to write in the defence of it and yet no man goeth about his reformation c. This Doctor was set on work by Gardiner Bishop of Winchester on purpose to procure the destruction of Mr. Frith They also suggested to the King that he was kept in the Tower rather for his safeguard then for his punishment by súch as favoured him as by the Lord Cromwel and others Hereupon the King called to him the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Cromwel willing them forthwith to call Frith to Examination that so he might either be compelled to recant or to suffer condign punishment But when as they delayed time the King took it so hainously that he sent a Commission to the Archbishop to Stokesly Bishop of London and some others without further delay to proceed to Examination of him and that there should be no concourse of Citizens at the said Examination the Archbishop removed to Croydon whither Stokesly and the rest of the Commissioners resorted But before the day for his Examination came the Archbishop send one of his Gentlemen and one of his Porters to fetch Frith from the Tower to Croydon This Gentleman had the Archbishops Letter and the Kings Ring to the Lord Fitz-Williams Constable of the Tower for the delivery of the Prisoner The Lord Fitz-Williams lodging then at Westminster understanding for what end they were come fel a cursing and banning Frith and all other Hereticks saying Take your Heretick with you I am glad that I am rid of him Frith being delivered to these two men as they went in a Wherry towards Lambeth the Gentleman being very sorry for his condition said to him Consider the state wherein you are a man altogether cast away in this World if you do not the more wisely behave your self But though your case be very dangerous yet may you help your self by giving way for a time and somewhat relenting of your opinion which hereafter when occasion and opportunity shall serve you may promote again You have many friends which will stand for you so far as they are able and dare do It 's great pitty that one which hath such singulâ—r knowledge in Greek and Latine and is so ready and ripe in all â—inde of Learning as well in the Scriptures as in the Antient Fathers should now suddenly suffer all those excellent gifts to perish with little profit to the World and less comfort to your Wife Children and Kindred And as for your opinion about the Sacrament it 's so unseasonably vented at this time in England that it 's like to do more hurt then good therefore be ruled by good counsel till a â—itter opportunity may serve This I am sure of that my Lord Cromwel and my Lord of Canterbury much favour you knowing you to be an eloquent and learned youngman young in years but old in knowledge and likely to be a profitable Instrument of much good in this Realm and therefore they will never suffer you to sustain any open shame if you will be advised by their counsel But if you stand stiffe in your opinion it 's not possible for them to save your life for as you have good friends so you have mortal foes I most heartily thank you Sir said Mr. Frith for your good will and counsel whereby I see your love to me yet my Cause and Conscience is such that in no wise I either may or can for any worldly respect without danger of damnation start aside and fly from the Truth
which being published and sent over into England became exceeding profitable to the whole English Nation At his first going over into Germany he went into Saxony and had much conference with Luther and other learned men in those quarters and then returning into the Netherlands made his greatest aboad at Antwerp He wrote also divers other Books under sundry titles amongst which is that most worthy monument of his called The Obedience of a Christian Man with divers other Treatises as the Wicked Mammon the Practice of Prelates with divers Expositions upon sundry portions of Scripture As also some answers to Sir Thomas Moore and other Adversaries of the Truth no less delectable then right fruitful to be read These Books being sent over and dispersed in England it cannot be imagined what a dore of Light they opened to the Eyes of all the Nation which for a long time had been shut up in darkness He wrote also one Book of the Declaration of the Sacrament and against the Mass but he kept it by him and did not print it considering how the people for the present were held under their gross Idolatry and therefore judging that it would be odious to them to hear these things at the first he waited a fitter time for the publication of it These godly Books but especially his translation of the New Testament coming abroad as they brought singular profit to the godly So the ungodly Clergy disdaining and envying that the people should be wiser then they and withall fearing least by the shining beams of the Truth their hypocrisie and works of darkness should be unmasked they began to make a great stir but especially the Devil envying the progress of the Gospel sought by all means to hinder the blessed travels of this worthy man For when he had finished his translation of Deuteronomy minding to print it at Hamborough he sailed thitherward But by the way upon the coast of Holland he suffered shipwrack by which he lost all his Books and Writings and so was compelled to begin all again to his great hinderance and doubling of his labors Thus having by that shipwrack lost all his mony copies and time yet through Gods mercy he was not discouraged but taking the opportunity of another Ship he went to Hamborough where he met with Mr. Coverdal who assisted him in the translation of the five Books of Moses the sweating sickness being in that Town all the while which was Anno Chri. 1529. And during their imployment in that work they were entertained by a religious widow Mistress Margaret Van Emerson When his English Testament came abroad Satans and the Popes instruments raged exceedingly some saying that there were a thousand Heresies in it others that it was impossible to Translate the Scriptures into English others that it was not lawful for the Laye people to have it in their own language c. and at last the Bishops and Priests procured of King Henry the Eight a Proclamation prohibiting the buying or reading of it Anno Christ 1527. Yet not satisfied herewith they suborned one Henry Philipâ— to go over to Antwerp to betray him who when he came thither insinuated himself into Mr. Tindalâ— company and pretended great friendship to him and having learned where his abode was he went to Bruxels and there prevailed so far that he brought with him the Emperours Atturney to Antwerp and pretending to visit Mr. Tindal he betrayed him to two Catchpoles which presently carryed him to the Atturney who after examination sent him to Prison in the Castle of Filford 18 miles of and withall they seized upon all his writings and what else he had at his lodging The English Merchants at Antwerp who loved Tindal very well did what they could to procure his release also Letters were sent by the Lord Cromwel and others out of England in his behalf but Philips so bestirred himself that all their endeavours came to nothing and Tindal was at last brought to his answer and after much reasoning although he deserved not death yet they condemned him to dye When he was brought forth to the place of Execution whilst he was tying to the stake he cryed with a fervent and loud voyce Lord open the King of Englands eyes And so he was first strangled by the Hangman and then burnt Anno Christi 1536. The power of his Doctrine and the sincerity of his Life was such that during his imprisonment which was about a year and an half he converted his Keeper and his daughter and some others of his houshold and Philips that betrayed him long enjoyed not the price of innocent blood but by Gods just judgement was devoured by lice The Emperors Atturney that prosecuted against him left this testimony of him that he was Vir doctus pius bonus a learned pious and godly man Whilst Mr. Tindal was Prisoner in the Castle there was much writing and great Disputations betwixt him and them of the University of Lovain which was but nine or ten miles from thence so that they had all enough of him not knowing how to answer the authorities and testimonies of Scriptures whereupon he grounded his Doctrine On a time the Company of English Merchants being a Supper together at Antwerp there was a Jugler amongst them who by his Magical Art could fetch all kinde of dainty dishes and wine from any place they pleased and set it on the Table incontinent before them with many other such like things This being much talked of abroad Mr. Tindal hearing of it desired of some of the Merchants that he might be present at supper to see the Jugler play his pranks Accordingly supper was appointed and Mr. Tindal with the Merchants went to it and the Jugler being requested to play his pranks and to shew his cunning he after his wonted boldness began to utter all that he could do but all was in vain So that at last after all his sweating toiling and labor when he saw that nothing would go forwards but that all his enchantments were void he openly confessed that there was some man present at supper which disturbed and hindred all his doings Concerning his Translation of the New Testament which was so vilifyed by his Adversaries he thus writes in an Epistle to John Frith I call God to record against the day we shall appear before our Lord Jesus to give up reckoning of our doings that I never altered one syllable of Gods Word against my conscience nor would do it for all that is in the Earth whether honour pleasure or profit c. Most of his Works are mentioned before in his Life The Life of Bertholdus Hallerus who dyed Anno Christi 1536. BErthold Haller was born in Helvetia Anno Christi 1502. and from his childhood was much addicted to Learning and therefore after he had been trained up at School he went to
and Naples there to spread his Doctrine privately whereby also he might have the better opportunity of spreading it in Spain but said he we will first go to Trent where are many excellently learned men and from thence into Italy I beseech you therefore Brother go with me and I will furnish you with all things necessary for your journey John Diazius being glad of this presently wrote to Bucer and others at Ratisbone for their advice what he should do They counselled him by no means to stir or go with his brother Then Alphonsus being frustrate of his hope intreated him at least to bear him company to Auspurg But in the interim Bucer coming to Neoburg would not suffer him to stir a foot neither would leave him till his brother Alphonsus was gone Alphonsus hereupon three days after came to take his leave of his brother where he had much conference with him exhorting him to charity and constancy in the profession of the true Religion and at last would needs thrust fourteen Crowns into his brothers hand willing him therewith to buy new cloths and so they parted not without tears Next morning the wagon being ready to depart wherein Alphonsus and his cut-throte were to pass to Auspurg the two brothers again took their leaves with tears and so Alphonsus set forward and came to Auspurg but privately the next day he and his cut-throte returned to Neoburg and by the way they bought an hatchet of a Carpenter and so stayed all night at a Village near Neoburg and the next morning very early went thither disguised that they might not be known and leaving one to hold their horses under an hedge they entered into the City so soon as the gates were open and going strait to the Ministers house where Iohn lodged the Executioner knocked at the door and when a youth came he asked him for Iohn Drazius the youth answered that he was in bed Go said this villain and tell him that I have brought him Letters from his brother Iohn hearing this being in bed with Senarcleus his intimate friend presently leaped up cast a cloke a bout him and so went into a stove which was over against his chamber door then calling for the messenger he went in to him leaving Alphonsus at the stair-foot and presented the Letters to him the effect whereof was the assoon as he came to Auspurg he understood that he was in great danger and therefore out of his brotherly love to him to advised him to beware of Malvenda such as he who being Enemies to Christ went about to shed his blood c. Iohn being busie in reading these Letters the Executioner that stood at his back plucked forth his hatchet and stroke it into the temple of this holy man in the right side of his head even to the helve which in a moment so deprived him of sense that he made no noise and least the fall of his body should make a noise this villain caught it in his arms and laid it own and so went down the stairs softly to his Master Alphonsus and both of them immediately repaired to their horses and fled They of Neoburg hearing of this horrible fact sent out certain Horsemen to pursue the murtherers who coming to Auspurg and hearing that hey were passed the City being out of hope to overtake them returned only one more zealous then the rest would not return but pursued them still and in the City of Oenopont caused them to be apprehended and cast into Prison And Otto the Palatine being informed of all these passages sent to the Magistrates requiring Judgement against them The Magistrates at first seemed very forward But in conclusion through the practice of the Papists and crafty Lawyers suborned by them judgement was deferred from day to day till the Emperours Letters came in post haste to stop their further proceedings pretending to reserve the cause to his own hearing And thus this terrible murther of Cain and his fellow was slipped over by man yea this unnatural act was highly commended by the Papists But the Lord would not suffer such an unnatural villany to go unpunished for not longer after he was so dogged and haunted by the Furies of his own Conscience that being at Trent when the Council was held there he hanged himself about the neck of his own Mule fix years after the murther was committed viz. An. Christi 1551 GASPER CRVCIGER The Life of Cruciger who dyed An. Chri. 1548. GAsper Cruciger was born at Lipsich in Misnia An. 1504. His Fathers name was George a man who was endowed with many virtues but especially to be commended for that in those perillous times he did not onely embrace the Celestial Truth himself but brought up this his son in the knowledge and study of it to the great benefit of the Church His Mother also was eminent for piety This Gasper was melancholy by nature and of a retired disposition much in meditation and of few words Being principled in the Latine he learned Greek and profited much therein and so went to the University of Wittenberg that having studied Divinity there he might be the more useful to the Church He studied also the Hebrew tongue and grew very exquisite therein From thence he was called to govern the School at Magdeburg where he taught with much profit and applause to Anno Christi 1527. In somuch as many of riper years yea some Clerks came to be his hearers So that his School growing too little for his Auditory he was removed into a larger But after a while he was called back to Wittenberg where he preached and expounded the Scriptures with so much dexterity the he was graced with the degree of a Doctor In that University he studyed and practised Physick also and was so much delighted therewith and he endeavoured to know the nature of Herbs and Plats and what Diseases they were good for whereupon he planted two Gardens with his own hands which with singular industry he furnished with variety of Simples and made many excellent Medicines which did much good By reason of his Learning and candid nature he was very dear to Luther and was very helpful to him in his Translation of the Bible He wrote so swiftly that he was chosen Scribe at the Disputation at Worms Anno Christi 1540. and yet withall suggested to Melancthon many things for answer to Eccius his subtilties insomuch that Glanvel who supplyed the Emperours room said of him That the Lutherans has a Scribe that was more learned then all the Pontificians Hee took by characters a great part of Luthers Lectures and Sermons which afterwards he wrote out a large and faithfully printed them after Luthers death He published also some Commentaries of his own upon the Psalms and the Gospel of Saint Iohn which are of excellent use to the learned He was a fine and smooth Orator and always abhorred
Consolation to his Brother Wolphgang in his Sicknesse Two Sermons against False Prophets Sermons containing an assertion of the true Doctrine in the Reformed Churches A Tractate about the Apostolical Rite of Ordination used in the Reformed Churches His opinion about the controverted Articles published by Selneccerus He was of such constancy of Life and Manners that it might truly be said of him which Dion said of the Emperor Marcus Antonniuus In omni vitâ sui similis nec ullâ unquam in re mutatus fuit Itaque verè fuit vir bonus nec fictum aut simulatum quicquam habuit The Life of Justus Jonas who died A no Christi 1555. JUstus Jonas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493 where his Father was a Senator who falling sick of the Plague having applyed an Onion to the Soar and taken it off he layd it by him presently after this little Jonas coming took the Onion and eat it up yet without any prejudice to himself God miraculously preserving him from that danger He was at first brought up at School in his own Country Afterwards being sent to a publick School he studied Law and made a good progress therein but upon better thoughts he studied Divinity and proceeded Doctor and embraced the Reformed Religion and was called an Christi 1521 to a Pastoral Charge in Wittenberg And when sundry Controversies arose especially about abrogating private Masse and the Prince Elector of Saxony feared lest the abolishing of it should cause great tumults Jonas with his Colleagues went to him and rendred such reasons for it that the Prince acquiesced therein He was present at most of the Disputations about Religion where he defended the Truth strenuously and endeavoured to promote Peace He was also made a Professor in that University where he publickly read Divinity Lectures and bore all Offices in the Schooles Anno Christi 1533 he created sundry Doctors of Divinity as Gasper Cruciger John Bugenhag Pomâ—ranus and John Aepinus Pastor of the Church of Haâ—borough At which Commencement John Frederick Elector of Saxony was present and was much delighted with the Eloquent Speeches made by Justus Jonas Anno Christi 1539 when Henry Duke of Saxony who had embraced the Reformed Religion and was admitted into the League of Smalcald succeeded his Brother George in the Government of Misnia and Thuringia he presently by the advice of Luther and his Colleagues Reformed his Churches Luther himself beginning that Reformation but the carrying on and perfecting that work was left to the care of Justus Jonas with Spalatine and Ampersdorf From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxony where he preached and promoted Religion exceedingly And whilst he was imployed there he was not only very useful to those Churches but was sent to from divers others for advice and counsel and being a man of a publick spirit he was never wanting to those that craved his help Luther sometimes resorted thither to him and took him along with him in his last journey to Isâ—eben anno Christi 1546 where he dyed After whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxony's Court and was a constant companion of Frederick's Sonnes in all their afflictions And lastly he was set over the Church in Eisfield and was made Superintendent of the Franconian Churches within the Principality of Coburg where he ended his daies in much peace and comfort Anno Christi 1555 and of his age 63. He was a man of an excellent Wit of great Industry of much Integrity of life joyned with Piety Whilst Luther lived he was his faithful friend and most dear to him Most of the famous men of that age were his great friends On a time Luther coming to his house drank to him out of a curious glass adding this Distich ex tempore Dat vitrum vitrâ—â— Jonae vitrum ipse Lutherus Ut vitro fragili similem se noscat uterque Being once under Temptations and in great Agony he shewed much despondencie but his servant partly by comforting him partly by chiding him cheared him up and at last through God's mercy the Spirit prevailed against the flesh He published a Defence of the mariage of Ministers against John Faber the patron of whoredoms An Oration about the study of Divinity Annotations upon the Acts About privat Masse and the Unction of Priests He turned some of Luthers works into Latin The Life of John Rogers who died A no Christi 1555. JOhn Rogers was born in England and brought up at the Universitie of Cambridg where he profited very much in good learning and from thence was chosen by the Merchant Adventurers to be their Chaplain at Antwerp to whom hee preached many years and there falling into acquaintance with Will Tindal and Miles Coverdal who were fled thither from persecution in England he by heir means profited much in the knowledg of Jesus Christ and joyned with them in that painful and profitable work of Translating the Bible into English and being much enlightened thereby in the saveing knowledge of Jesus Christ he cast off the heavy yoake of Popery perceiving it to be impure and filthy Idolatry 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 and discharged his office with diligence and faithfulness for many years But in King Edward's time hee was sent for home by Bishop Ridley and was made a Prebend of Pauls and the Deane and Chapter chose him to read a Divinity Lecture in that Church in which place hee preached faithfully till Queen Mart's dayes And in the beginning of her Reign in a Sermon at Paul's Cross he exhorted the people constantly to adhere to thaâ— Doctrine which they had been taught and to beware of pestilent Poperie Idolatrie and superstition for which he was called before the Lords of the Council where he made a stout wittie and godly answer yet withall carried himself so prudently that for that time he was dismissed But after the Queen's Proclamation against True Preaching came forth he was again called the Bishops thirsting for his blood and committed Prisoner to his own house whence he might have escaped and had many motives as his wife and ten children his friends in Germanie where he could not want preferment c. But being once called to answer in Christ's Cause he would not depart though to the hazard of his life From his owne house he was removed by Bonner to Newgate amongst thieves and murtherers for a great space At length he was againe carried before the Lords of the Councill where the Lord Chancellor Steven Gardener taunted reviled and checked him not suffering him to speak his mind and so remanded him to prison whereupon he wrote thus I was compelled to leave off what I would have most gladly spoken and
other side the Prison giving them godly exhortations and distributing some mony amongst them An intimate friend of his asked him if hee should procure his liberty what he would doe and whither he would goe To whom he answered that he cared not â—hether he were delivered out of prison or no but if he should that then he would marry and abide secretly in England and teach the people as the time would suffer him He was had in great reverence and admiration of all good men So that many which knew him not but by fame onely much lamented his death yea many Papists wished heartily that he might live Few daies passed wherein he shed not some teares before he went to bed Nor was there any prisoner with him but receiv'd some profit by him He had many opportunities of escaping but would not embrace them The night before he was carried to Newgate he dreamed that chaines were brought for him to the Counter and that the day following he should be carried to Newgate and that the next daie he should be burn'd in Smithfield which accordingly came to pass For that day in the afternoon the Keepers wife came running into his chamber saying O Mr. Bradford I bring you heavy news for to morrow you must be burned your chain is now a buying and presently you must go to Newgate With that Mr Bradford put off his cap lift up his eyes to heaven and said I thank God for it I have looked for this a long time it comes not now to me suddenly but as a thing waited for every day and hour the Lord make me worthy thereof He spent the rest of the evening in prayers well watered with tears whereby he ravished the mindes of the hearers The morning before he should be burn'd as he was putting on a clean shirt in which he was to suffer he made such a prayer of the Wedding Garment that some present were in such great admiration that their eyes were as throughly occupied in looking on him as their ears were attentive to hear his prayer At his departing out of his chamber he prayed earnestly and gave money to every servant and officer in the house exhorting them to fear and serve God continually labouring to eschew all manner of evill Then turning to the wall he prayed vehemently that his words might not be spoken to them in vain but that the Lord would work it effectually in them for his Christs sake The prisoners with weeping tears took their farewel of him Whilst he remained a prisoner he was oft examined before the Bishops and proffered life if he would recent to whom he answered Life with Gods displeasure is worse than death and death in his true favour is true life When he came into Smithfield where another young man was to suffer with him he fell flat on his face and prayed then caking a faggot in his hand he kissed it and the stake also then putting off his raiment hee stood by the stake and lifting up his hands and eyes to heaven said O England England repent of thy sinnes repent of thy sinnes Beware of Idolatry beware of false Antichrists take heed they doe not deceive thee and turning his head to the young man he said Be of good comfort brother for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night and then embracing the reeds he said Strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to eternall salvation and few there be that finde it and so he slept in the Loâ—d He was very charitable in so much as in a hard time he sold his Chaines Rings and Jewels to relieve those that were in want He was so humble from the sense of his corruptions that he subscribed some of his Letters out of â—rison thus The most miserable hard-hearted unthankfull sinner John Bradfoâ—d A very painted Hypâ—crite John Bradford Miserrimus peccator Joh. Bradford The sinfull John Bradford c. He suffered Martyrdome Anno Christi 1555. In his Examination before the Bishop of Winchester Hee often told him that he had sworn six times never to admit of the authority of the Bishop of Rome and therefore said he I dare not answer you if you examine me as a Delegate from him lest I should bâ—eake my oath To which Gardiner answered that he pretended stoutly to defend the Doctrine taught in King Edward's dayes yet said he thou darest not answer me Bradford That all men may know that I am not afraid saving mine oath ask me what you will and I will plainly answer by Gods grace although I see my life lieth thereon But oh Lord into thy hands I commend it come what will onely sanctifie thy name in me as in an instrument of thy grace Now ask me what you will Gardiner What say you to the blessed Sacrament Doe you not believe Christs reall presence there in his naturall body Bradf My Lord I do not believe that Christ is corporally present in the Sacrament but that he is present there to the faith of the due Receiver As for Transubstantiation I plainly and flatly beleive it not At another time one of the Earle of Darby's men came to him saying Ah Master Bradford consider your Mother Sister Friends Kinsfolk and Country what a great discomfort will it be to them to see you die as an Heretick To whom he answered I have learned to forsake Father Mother Brother Sister Friends and all that ever I have yea and my own self for else I cannot be Christs Disciple And in a Letter to his Mother and Brethren hee thus writes I am now in prison sure enough from starting and I thank God I am ready with my life and blood to seale those Truths which I have preached unto you if God shall account me worthy of that honour for its a spâ—ciall benefit of God to suffer for his Name and Gospel as now I doe I heartily thanke him for it and am sure that I shall be partaker of his glory If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him as St. Paul speaks Therefore be not faint-hearted but rather rejoice at least for my sake who am now in the highway to heaven for thorough many afflictions we must enter into that Kingdome Now will God make known who are his When the winde doth not blow we cannot discerne the Wheat from the Chaffe but when the blast comes the Wheat remains but the Chaffe flyes away and the Wheat is so far from being huRt by the winde that its more cleansed and known to be Wheat Gold when it s cast into the fire is made more precious so are Gods children by the crosse of afflictions Gods children are now chastised here that they may not be condemned with the world But sure great plagues from God hang over this Realm for it And no marvell if Gods hand lies so heavy upon us for lately as there
was never more knowledge so never lesse godly living It was counted a foolish thing to serve our God truly and fervent prayer was not passed upon Preaching was but a pastime the Communion was counted too common Fasting to subdue the flesh was far out of use Almes were almost nothiâ—g Maâ—ice Covetousness and Uncleanness were common every where with Swearing Drunkenness and Idlenesse and therefore all this evill is come upon us c. Yea I my selfe loved not his Truth as I should therefore God thus punisheth me nay in punishing blesseth mee And I thanke him more for this prison than for any parlour yea than for any pleasure that ever I had for in it I finde God my sweet good God alwaies And in another place Let us repent and be heartily sorry that wee have so carnally so hypocritically so covetously so vain-gloriously professed the Gospel Let the anger and plagues of God most iustly fallen upon us bee applied â—o our 〈◊〉 that from the bottome of our hearts every one of us may say It 's â— lord that have sinned against thee it 's my hypocrisie my vain-glory my covetousnesse uncleanness carnality security idlenesse unthankfulnesse self love c. that hath deserved the taking away our good King â—of thy Word and true Religion of thy good Ministers by exile imprisonment and death It 's my wickednesse that cause hâ—â—ccesse and encrase of authority and peace to thine enemies O be mercifull be mercifull unto us c. NICHOL RIDLEY The Life of Nicolas Ridley who died A no Christi 1555. NIcholas Ridley was borne in Northumberland of worshipfull parents and bred at School in Newcastle and from thence sent to Cambridge where he grew so famous for his learning that after diverse other offices whereunto he was called in the University hee was chosen Master of Pembroke-Hall and made Doctor in Divinity From thence he was called by Arch-Bishop Cranmer to be Vicar of Herne in East-Kent where he was a fruitfull and painful Preacher at which time it pleased God to reveal to him the true doctrine concerning the Lords Supper and amongst others to convert by his Ministry the Lady Phines who proved an eminent instrument of Gods glory After a while he was made a Prebend of the Cathedral Church of Canterbury but not liking his society there he travelled into France and at his returne was made Chaplaine to King Henry the Eighth and Bishop of Rochester and from thence in Edward the sixth dayes he was removed to be Bishop of London In which places hee took so great pains in preaching that he was dearly beloved of his flock to whom also he was singularly exemplary in his life so that his very enemies had nothing to say against him Every Sabbath and holiday he preached in one place or other except extraordinary occasions hindred him and to his Sermons multitudes of people resorted swarming about him like bees to gather the sweet flowers and wholsom juice of his fruitfull doctrine He was passingly well learned and of such reading that he deserved to be numbred amongst the greatest Schollars that these latter ages produced as appeared by his notable works pithie Sermons and sundry disputations in boâ— Universities which drew an acknowledgment of his learning from his very adversaries He was of a strong memory and of great reading of a deep wit very judicious anâ— very mercifull He was of person right comely and well proportioned in all points both in complexion and lineâ—ments of his body He was free from malice and soon forgat all injuries and offences done against him very kinde to his kindred yet withall telling them that if they did evill they should look for nothing from him buâ— should be as strangers to him He used all meanes to mortifie his flesh being much in prayer and contemplation was sober in discourse and sometimes merry at meals after which he used to play at Chess about an hour and then returned to his study till five a clock at night when coming down he had prayers in his family then went to Supper then plaid a game at Chess and so returned to his study till eleven a clock at night His manner was daily to read a Lecture to his Family at prayer-time giving to every one that could read a new Testament and hiring them with mony to learn Chapters by heart being marvellous carefull that his family might give an example of godliness and virtue to others He called Bishop Bonners mother his Mother and when he was at Fulham had her constantly at meals with him setting her at the upper-end of the Table who ever was present And as he was godly himself so nothing appeared in his family but vertue and godliness He was first converted by reading Bertrams Book of the Sacrament and much confirmed by conference with D. Cranmer Peter martyr In the beginning of Q. Marie's days he was imprisoned with the first first in the Tower and from thence he was sent to Oxford with Cranmer and Latimer and there kept in the common Goal till at length being severed from his brethren he was committed to the custodie of one Irish with whom he remained till the day of his death which was Octob. 16. an Christi 1555. Writing to Latimer in prison he saith I pray you good father let me have something more from you to comfort my stomach for except the Lord assist me in his service I shall pâ—ay but the part of a white-liver'd Knight but he can make a coward in his cause to fight like a man In a Leter to M. Bradford he saith As far as London is from Oxford yet thence we have received both meat mony and shirts not onely from our acquaintance but from some strangers also I know for whole sake they doe it c. And again Ever since I heard of our dear brother Rogers his stout confession and departing blessed be God for it I never felt any â—â—mpish heavines in my heart as sometimes I did before And again Sir Blessed be God notwithstanding our hard restraint and the evil reports raised of us we are mâ—rry in God and all our care is and shall be by Gods grace to please and serve him from whom wâ— expect after these temporary and moment any miseries to have eterâ—al â—oy and perpetual felicity with Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. As yet never a learned man scholer or other hath visited us since our coming to Bocardo which now may be called the Colledge of Quondâ—ms for we be no fewer then three and I dare say every one well contented with his portion which is our heavenly fathers good and gracious gift Farewell We shall by the grace of God one day meet and be merry together which day assuredly approacheth the Lord grant it may shortly come Writing to Master Grindal who was now in exile he thus gives him an account of his
shortly after Mr. Philpot was cast into Prison where he lay a yeare and a half before he was examined Then he was sent for by Doctor Storie and after some captious questions proposed to him was committed prisoner to the Bishop of London's Cole-house unto which was adjoyned a little blinde-house with a great pair of Stocks both for hand and foot but thankes be to God saith he I have not played of those Organs yet There he found a godly Minister of Essex who desiring to speak with him did greatly lament his infirmity for through extremity of imprisonment he had yeelded to the Bishop of London and was set at liberty whereupon he felt such an hell in his conscience that he could scarce refrain from destroying himself and could have no peace till going to the Bishops Register and desiring to see his Recantation he tore it in peeces whereupon the Bishop sending for him buffeted him pluckt off a great part of his beard and sent him to this Cole-house where Mr. Philpot found him very joyfull under the Crosse. Philpot being afterwards sent for to the Bishop he asked him amongst other things why they were so merry in Prison singing and rejoycing as the Prophet saith Exultantes in rebus pessimis Rejoycing in your naughtinesse You do not well said the Bishop herein you should rather lament and be sorry To whom he answered My Lord the mirth which we make is but in singing certain Psalms as we are commanded by Saint Paul to rejoice in the Lord singing together in Hymns and Psalms for we are in a darke comfortlesse place and therefore we solace our selves with singing of Psalmes lest as Solomon saith Sorrowfulness eat up our heart Therefore I trust your Lordship will not be angry seeing the Apostle saith If any man be of an upright mind let him sing and we to declare that we are of an upright minde to God though we be in misery do solace ourselves with singing Then did he ask him what his judgement was about the Sacrament of the Altar To whom he answered My Lord Saint Ambrose saith that the Disputation about matters of Faith ought to be in the Congregation in the hearing of the people and that I am not bound to render an accouâ—t of 〈◊〉 to every man privately unlesse it be to edifie But now I cannot shew you my mind but I must runne upon the pikes and endanger my life Therefore as St. Ambrose said to Valentinian the Emperour so say I unto you Tolle Legem fiet certamen Take away the Law and I shall reason with you And yet if I come in open judgement where I am bound by the Law to answer I trust I shall answer according to my conscience as freely as any that hath come before you After other discourse saith he I was carried to my Lords Cole-house again where I with my six fellow-prisoners do rouse together in the straw as chearfully we thank God as others doe in their beds of down A few dayes after he was called before Bonner with the Bishops of Bath Worcester and Gloucester at which conference the bishop of Worcester said Before we begin to speak to him it 's best that he call to God for grace and to pray that God would open his heart that he may conceive the Truth Hereupon Mr. Philpot kneeling down said Almighty God who are the giver of all wisdome and understanding I beseech thee of thine infinite goodnesse and mercy in Jesus Christ to give me most vile sinner in thy sight the spirit of wisdome to speak and make answer in thy cause that it may be to the contentation of the hearers before whom I stand also to my better understanding if I be deceived in any thing Nay my Lord of Worcester quoth Bonner you did not well to exhort him to make any prayer For this is the thing they have a singular pride in that they can often make their vain prayers in which they glory much For in this point they are like to certain arrant Hereticks of which Pliny speaks that they daily sung antelucanos Hymnos Praises to God before the dawning of the day Then said Mr. Philpot My Lord God make me and all you here present such Hereticks as they were for they were godly Christians with whom the Tyrants of the world were offended for their Christian practises and well doing But all their conference proved to no purpose for the Bishops would not dispute and Mr. Philpot would not take their words without Scripture and Arguments so he was returned to his Cole-house again And in another conference with Doctor Morgan the Doctor asked him How he knew he had the Spirit of God and not they Phil. By the Faith of Christ which is in me Morgan Ah by Faith doe you so I ween it to be the spirit of the Buttery which your fellows had which have been burned before you who were drunk the night before they went to their death and I ween went drunken to it Phil. It appeareth by your speeches that you are better acquainted with the spirit of the buttery then with the spirit of God Wherefore I must now tell thee thou painted wall and hypocrite in the name of the living Lord whose truth I have told thee that God shall rain fire and brimstone upon such scorners of his Word and blasphemers of his people as thou art Morgan What you rage now Phil. Thy foolish blasphemics have compelled the spirit of God which is in me to speak that which I have said to thee thou enemy of all righteousnesse Morgan Why doe you judge me so Phil. By thy own wicked words I judge of thee thou blinde and blasphemous Doctor for as it is written By thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned I have spoken on Gods behalf and now I have done with thee Morg. Why then I tell thee Philpot thou art an Heretick and shalt be burned and afterwards goe to hell fire Phil. I tell thee thou hypocrite that I passe not a rush for thy fire and faggots neither I thank my Lord God doe stand in fear of the same But for the hell fire which thou threatnest me as my portion it 's prepared for thee unlesse thou speedily repent and for such hypocrites as thou art After sundry other examinations he was by the Bishop set in the stocks in a house alone of which he writes God bee praised that hee thought use worthy so suffer any thing for his names sake letter it is to sit in the stocks in this world then to sit in the stocks of a damnable conscience At last he was condemned for an Heretick whereupon he said I thank God I am an Heretick out of your cursed Church but I am no Heretick before God Being sent to Newgate he spake to the people as he went saying Ah good people blessed be God for
owne and forraign Universities be searched out which may be strengthned with the law of God and as they shall by Gods word prove it lawfull or unlawfull so let the King proceed and have the cause then determined in his owne Country whereby he may live in lawfull matrimony with a cheerfull minde and quiet conscience which is much to be desired by all his faithfull subâ—ects When he had thus spoken with great gravity and wisedome Gardiner and Fox resenting that excellent counsell as given from God wished that the King had had such counsell given him before he ever sent to Rome The day after when they câ—â—me to the King he asked them what was done in his business whereupon Fox told him of their meeting and conference had with Doctor Cranmer but proud Gardiner seeking to invest himselfe in the praise which was due unto another would have made himself the Author of that counsell but the King neglecting his speech asked Fox if Cranmer were at Waltham still and being told that he was he presently ordered him to be sent for saying I judge his counsell right if I had knowne it two dayes agoe I had saved infinite charges and had lived with a more safe and quiet conscience When Doctor Cranmer came to him hee much excused himselfe as insufficient to be engaged in so great a matter yet besought him to commit the tryall of it to the best learned men in both Vniversities Which advice the King liked well yet required him to write his judgement upon it also and commanded the Earl of VViltshire to provide him retired lodgings books and whatever else was necessary for so great a work which task being finished and confirmed by Scriptures Councils and Fathers he presented it to the King who having read it asked him whether he would justifie it before the Pope D. Cran. professing his willingness the King hastened his dispatch to Rome and sent other learned men abroad to forraign Vniversities to dispute this question amongst the Divines there where it was concluded that no such matrimony was lawfull by the word of God When the Kings Ambassadors came to Rome the Pope proffering them his foot to kiss the Earl of VViltshire's Spaniel caught his great Toe in his mouth whereupon the Ambassadors scorned to kiss after the dog and the Pope pulled in his foot again There Cranmer and the rest proffered to defend that Jure Divino the brother ought not to marry the brothers wife but none appearing against them the Pope made Doctor Cranmer his Penitentiarie and so dismissed them From thence Doctor Cranmer travelled to the Emperors Court at Vienna proffering to dispute with his Divines upon the said question But Cornelius Agrippa in private conference receiving full satisfaction from him thereupon easily perswaded other learned men that were in the Emperors court not to contend with Cranmer who as he said was in the truth so that no man contradicting him Cranmer departed from the Emperor and having travelled all over Germany he brought home with him into England the opinions and sentences of the most learned men that lived in the Vniversities and Courts of Princes And in the mean season others sent from the King passing through all the Vniversities of Italy and France brought home likewise their determinations in that point confirmed with their publick and authentick seales agreeing with those that Cranmer had brought out of Germany In this journey to and fro he learned all the New Testament by heart August 23. Anno Christi 1533. William Warham Arch-Bi of Canteâ—bury died and the King resolved to place Doctor Cranmer in his room who was at this time in Germany about the Kings business and was loath to take upon him an office of such high dignity in the Church For he knew that there was an oath to be taken to the Pope of Rome before he could be installed in that place He feared also what issue the Kings divorce might have and was not ignorant of the Kings violent disposition He knâ—w that sudden and great changes were dangerous and that the Court to which he was not accustomed was full of deceipts and counterfeitings That he must in all things obey the Kings will and that if he tripped in any thing never so little there would be some who out of envy at his felicity would tumble him downe headlong when he began to fall He also having buried his first wife was now falne in love with a young maid that was neece to Osianders wife whom he determined to marry though he knew it was forbidden bâ— law for a Priest to marry oâ— for a man to be made a Priest who had married a second wife Weighing these things seriously with himselfe when he was sent for by the King to return home so soon as he could he stayed in Germany six whole months framing one excuse or other hoping that in the mean time some or other would get the Arch-Bishoprick â—ut such were the times then that every man feared the slipperiness of that place and therefore declined it At last Doctor Cranmer privately marrying his wife at Norimberg returned home and was made Arch-Bishop though against his will for he refused the dignity offered him because he was to be tyed to the Pope against all right and equity and therefore he gave the Popes Bull into the Kings hands saying that he wouâ—d never receive a Bishoprick of England but from him who was the head of England nor take an oath that was derogatory to the Kings authority And thus being made Arch Bishop he carried himselfe as formerly he had done rising every morning at five a clock to his study and never being idle all the day After dinner if he had no sâ—iters he spent an hour at Chess and so to his study again He was by nature very charitable and gentle so prone to forgive and forget wrongs that it grew into a Proverb Doe my Lord of Canterbury a shrewd turâ— and â—e will be your friend as long as you live Hee stoutly opposed the six bloody Articles and yet with such humility and modesty that the King could not be offended with him for it He was so free from passion that he never miscalled the meanest of his servants He was just in paying all men so that when he was cast into prison he owed no man a â—arthing He relieved many that were in want The whole weight of reforming Religion lay upon his hands so that for sixteen years together his house was never empty of learned men to assist in deciding Ecclesiasticall controversies His charity to the poor was very great for whom he provided lodgings being sick lame wounded c. and appointed an Almoner Physician and Chirurgion to attend them having daily hot broth and meant sent them from his own Kitchin He had many and great enemies of the Papists especially wily VVinchester and his
depended his innocencie being known he might come out with greater credit But said the King I will not have Cranmer so handled nor any that are dear to me But I perceive some crooked and cankred hearts raise these Tragedies which unlesse they bee quiet I will interpose my authority to restrain them and so he departed in a chafe and all the Counsellors shook hands with Cranmer desiring to be reconciled to him And hee being of a most sweet and mild disposition easily forgave all offences blotting them utterly out of his mind and from that time forward he lived secure from all treacheries being in such high favour with the King But when Doctor Cox and Hussey lay loitering at Canterbury not without suspition and did nothing in the inquisition the King secretly sent Doctor Lee to search out what was done in Cranmers behalf who going speedily to Canterbury acquainted himself with some godly persons by whose directions he searched the houses of some Popish Priests at midnight where hee found Letters written from Gardiner which opened the whole plot against Cranmer These he immediately carryed to the King who viewing of them from that time forwards began to withdraw his affections from those Popelings and withall acquainted Cranmer with those Letters bidding him beware of his enemies now hee knew them Amongst the Letters that were found in Kent one was written by the Suffragan of Dover another by Doctor Barber a Civilian which two men were well esteemed of by the Archbishop and promoted by him and he alwayes shewed them great favour When the Archbishop had their Letters he called these two men into his study and said unto them You two are men in whom I have alwaies put most confidence and to whom I have alwaies communicated all my secrets you must now give me some good counsell for I am shamefully abused by one or two whom I have trusted as my self but these persons have not onely disclosed my secrets but also have taken upon them to accuse me of Heresie and are become witnesses against me I require you therefore to give me faithfull advice how I shall behave my self towards them c. Marry quoth Doctor Barber such villains and knaves deserve to be presently hanged without further tryall Hanging is too good saith the Suffragan and if there want an Executioner I would be the Hangman my self At these words the Archbishop lifting up his eyes to heaven said O Lord and most mercifull God whom may a man trust in these dayes It 's true which is said Cursed be he that trusts in man and makes flesh his arme There was never man used as I am but Lord thou hast evermore defended me and lent mee one good Master meaning the King without whose protection I could not be safe for one day I praise thy holy name for it Then did he pull out of his bosome those two Letters saying Know you these Letters my Masters With that they fell down on their knees asking forgivenesse with many tears Well said the gentle Archbishop God make you both good men I never deserved this at your haâ—ds But ask God forgivenesse against whom you have highly offended Thus we see how his enemies from time to time endeavouâ—ed by all meanâ— to have brought him into displeasure with the King Yet it pleased God so to over-rule the King's heart that hee would never be alienated from him which favour the King continued to him so long as he lived and in King Edward the sixth's daies he continued in his place and much holp forward the work of Reformation But in the beginning of Queen Maries Reign he was a principal man whom she maligned Manet altâmentâ— repôstum Judicium Cleri spretaeque injuria Matris Her Mothers wrong was déeply laid to heart And Clergies dooâ— for which they now must smart and therefore she appointed Commissioners to examin him who commanded him to bring to them an Inventory of all his goods which they seized upon and shortly after he was sent prisoner to the Tower for Treason as was pretended but for Religion indeed Before he was committed to the Tower some of his friends perswaded him to fly and to reserve himself for better times but he answered stoutly If I were accused of Theft Murther or any other wickedness perhaps I could more easily be perswaded to fly but now I â—ee that I must be questioned not for my faithfulnesse towards men but for my faith towards God and concerning the truth of the holy Scriptures against Papists and therefore I will rather lose my life in the defence of the truth then by flying out of the Kingdome to desert such a cause From thence he was removed to Oxford where again he was called before the Pope's Delegate and the Queens Commissioners to the latter he did obeisance but to the Pope's Delegate hee would doe none Before them he made a worthy Confession of his Faith When they proceeded to Degrade him he pull'd forth an appeale from the Pope to the next general Councill but his death being determined his appeal was rejected and he Degraded When he came back into prison he desired to eat for he had eaten nothing that day before for said he I was before somewhat troubled but now I thank God my heart is quiet He had not one penny in his purse to help himself but the Lord stirred up a Gentleman's heart to give him some mony for which he had like to have come into great trouble He was kept in prison almost three years and the Doctors in Oxford laboured by many subtle tricks to draw him to a Recantation removing him to the Dean's house of Christ-Church where hee had dainty fare recreations and what else might entice him from Christ to the world they promised him life the Queens favour his former dignity and what not if hee would but with his hands subscribe to a few words by way of Recantation which if he refused there was no hope of pardon With many such provocations and flatteries they at last prevailed with him to subscribe it After which hee neither had inward quietnesse in his own conscience nor any outward help from his adversities For the Queen being glad of his Recantation yet presently resolved his death appointed the time when he least expected it and the persons that should see it performed He had no notice of his death till the very morning a little before he was to suffer At which time there was a great concourse of people some expecting that he should make his publick Recantation at his death others hoping better of him From prison he was brought to St. Maries Church where Doctor Cole by the Queens order preached and in his Sermon affirmed that God was so incensed for the slaughter of Sir Thomas Moore and Doctor Fisher bishop of Rochester who were beheaded in the Reign of K.
length of your daies to whom we commend you but if we look at naturall causes your disease is dangerous for your weaknesse is great and encreaseth every moment I think the same quoth he and an sensible of my weaknesse A while after he made them search for some sheets of paper wherein he had begunne to write his Will purposing to declare his judgement about all the heads of Religion and to testifie it to posterity which was the chief use of Testaments amongst the antient Fathers but they could not be found whereupon he beganne to frame it a new sitting at a table but through weakness was not able to proceed therein Onely he wrote that he had twice formerly set down a Confession of his Faith and a thanksgiving to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ But saith he my papers are intercepted and therefore I will have my Confession to be my answers concerning the Bavarian Articles against Papists Anabapists Flacians c. His minde was sincere and sound to his last gasp his brain never more firm Then he conferred with his Son-in-law about the affairs of the University About six a clock Letters were brought him from his friends at Frankford Mart concerning the persecution of some godly men in France whereupon he said That his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind for his godly friends and for the miseries of the Church That night he had very litâ—le rest About two a clock in the morning he raised himself up in his bed saying that God had brought into his minde againe that speech of Paul If God be for us who can be against us After which he returned to his former complaints of the calamities of the Church Yet saith he my hopes are very great for the Doctrine of our Church is explained And so he proceeded to earnest prayers and groanings for the Church and then betook himself to some rest About eight in the morning in the presence of divers Pastors and Deacons he made three Prayers whereof this was one O almighty eternall ever-living and true God creator of heaven a dearth together with thy coâ—tâ—rnall Son our Lord Jesus Christ crucified for us and raised again together with thy holy Spirit c. Who hast faid thou de firest not the death of a sinner but that he may be converted and lâ—ve As also Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee I confess unto thee that I am a most miserable sinneâ— that I have many sinnes and have been faulty many waies But I am sorry with all my heart that I have offended thee I pray thee for our Lord Jesus Christs sake who was crucified and rose again for us to have pitty upon me and to forgive all my sinnes and to justifiâ— me by and through Jesus Christ thy Sonne thine eternall Word and Image whom by thy unspeakable counsell and unmeasurable wisdome and goodnesse thou wouldst have to be for us a Sacrifice Mediator and Intercessoâ— Sanctifie me also by thy holy lively and true â—pirit that I may truly acknowledge thee firmly believe in thee truly obey thee give thanks unto thee rightly invocate thy name serve thee and see thee gracious to all eternity and the almighty true God creator of heaven and earth and men the eternall Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ thy Son thy eternall Word and Image and the Holy Ghost the comforter In thee O Lord have I trusted let me never be confounded Thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Keep O Lord and governe our Church and Common wealths and this School and give them wholsom peace and wholsom goverment Rule and defend our Princes nourish thy Church gather and preserve thy Church in these Countries and sanctifie it and conjoyne it with thy holy spirit that it may be one in thee in the knowledge and invocation of thy Son Jesus Christ by and for the sake of this thine eternal Son our Lord Jesus Christ c. After this he rested a while Then the Pastors and Deacons by turnes read unto him Psalme 24 25 26. Isa. 53. John 17. Rom. 5. and divers other Psalmes and Chapters After which he said I often thinke upon that saying of St. John The world received him not but to those â—hat received him to them he gave power to be made the Sons of God even them that belieeve in his name After this he seemed to pray secretly for a quarter of an hour yea for an hoar or two he seemed to doe little other then pray and being at length asked by his Son in Law whether he would have any thing he answered Nothing but heaven thereforâ— trouble me no more with speaking to me Then the Pastor prayed with him and the others â—ead again and so about haâ—f an hour after six he quietly and peaceably gave up the Ghâ—st having lived 63. yeares 63. dayes After hee had spent in Preaching and writing 42 years Anno Christi 1560. He was buried close by Luther they having been faithfull and intimate friends in their lives He took much pains in the Vniversitie of Wittenberg reading three or four Lectures every day unto which many resorted He was never idâ—e but spent all his time in reading writing disputing or giving counsell He neither sought after great titles nor richâ—â— He could not be perswaded to take the degree of a Doctor saying That such honour was a great burden He had many and great enemies who often thâ—eatned to banish him Germany of which himselfe writes â— go jam sum hic Dei beneficio quadraginta anâ—os nunquam potuidicere aut certus esse me per unam 〈◊〉 mansurum esse I have through Gods mercy been here theâ—e fourty years and yet I could never say or besure that I should remain here one week to an end A little before his death he said Cupio ex hac vita migrare propâ—er duas causas primum ut fruar desiderato conspectu filii Dei coelestis Ecclesiae deinde ut liberer ab immanibus implacabilibus Theologorum odiis Amongst all his writings and disputations he would never meddle with the controversie about the Sacrament leaving that to Luther and being loth publickly to manifest his dissent from him Yet it is certaine that as they went to the Colloquie of Ratisbon together anno 1541. he communicated his opinion to Luther confirmed by the Testimonies of the ancient Fathers both Greek and Latine and when Luther had made some Annotations upon those sentences which contradicted his opinion Melancthon said Mr. Dr. I could make the like Annotations but sure they are not strong enough After all his great labours in the Church and Vniversity he carried away the usuall reward of the world reproof accusations injuries and reproaches Anno Christi 1555. a tumult being raised amongst the students he went forth to perswade them to peace when one of them ran
him chose him to be their Pastor and sent to request his coming to them many also of his old English friends that lived as exiles there much pressed it Yea and Calvin also wrote to him desiring him to imbrace the Call Martyr being thus importunately pressed to remove thither and having many engagements to incline him that way yet referred the whole matter to be determined by the Senate and Ministers at Zurick and they understanding that there were other able and fit men to be placed over the Italian Congregation denying their consents to part with him he resolved to stay notwithstanding all solicitations to the contrary And afterwards when in Queen Elizabeths dayes he was much importuned to return into England and had large proffers made him from the Queen yet he would not leave his flock till his death And how ready he was to be serviceable to other Churches may appear by this example The year before his death the King of France had appointed a meeting of the Bishops and Nobility at Possy whereupon they of the reformed Religion in France thought that it was a very seasonable time to procure a conference about Religion which might much tend to the peace and liberty of the Church Upon this the Churches chose certaine Delegates which in that Parliament should move for the liberty of Religion And they chose also many learned men who should dispute with their adversaries about the same and because the singular learning and incomparable dexterity of Peter Martyr in disputing was sufficiently knowne they in the first place made choice of him for one and sent one Claudius Bradella with Theodore Beza to Zurick to try his willingness to accept of that imployment and when he had declared his readiness shortly after came Letters from the King the Queen Mother the King of Navar the Prince of Conde and the Admirall Coligni to the Senate of Zurick to desire them to send Martyr withall sending him a safe conduct whereupon he undertook the journey and when he came to Possy he made an Oration to the Queen exhorting her to seek not onely the quiet of France but of other Churches by promoting true Religion shewing also what a blessing she might expect from God thereby The Queen entertained him kindly and so did the King of Navar the Prince of Conde and the Admirall of France But the Cardinall of Lorrain sought to hinder the disputation all that possibly he could yet when he could not prevail five of each party were chosen out to dispute the business about the Lords Supper in private having onely two Notaries present and after severall days disputation something was drawn up as the result of all which with some explanations Beza Marlorat Martyr Spina and the Lord of Sole subscribed unto But when the same was presented to the Cardinal and Popish Bishops they complained of their Disputants as having consented to that which was Heresie and so by their authority they brake off the Disputation and departed Whereupon Martyr addressed himself to the Queen seeing that he was like to do no good there desiring license to depart which she consented to and he returned to Zurick with a large testimony of his worthy carriage and a guard from the Prince of Conde and the Admiral for his safety Thus having worn out himself with his indefatigable labours and having his spirits much exhausted with grief for the afflicted condition of the Churches of France he fell sick of a Feaver made his Will and to his Friends that visited him he spake chearfully and comfortably telling them that his body was weak but inwardly he enjoyed much peace and comfort He made before them an excellent Confession of his Faith concluding thus This is my faith and they that teach otherwise to the withdrawing men from God God will destroy them He gave them his hand and bid them farewel and commending his soul to God he slept in the Lord and was buried honourably Anno Christi 1562 and of his age 62. Opera haec ab ipso edita sunt Symboli expositio Comment in Cor. 1. Comment in lib. Judicum Epist. ad Rom. Defensio Doctrinae de Eucharistiae Sacramento contra S. Gardiner Disputatio de Eucharistiae Sacramento habita Oxon. Defensio ad duos libellos Rich. Smithaei Post obitum hi libri editi sunt Comment in Sam. 1. 2. Reg. 1. in 11 capita priora Reg. 2. Comment in 1 librum Mosis Precum ex Psalmis libellus Epitome defensionis adversus S. Gardinerum Confessio de coena Domini ad Senat. Argento Sententia de praesentia corporis Christi in Eucharistia proposita in Colloâ— Possiaco Epistola de causa Eucharistiae Loci communes Conciones Quaestiones Responsa Epistolae Comment in Exod. In Prophetas aliquot minores In tres priores libros Ethicorum Aristotelis Beza made this Epigram of him Tuscia te pepulit Germania Anglia fovit Martyr quem extinctum nunc tegit Helvetia Dicere quae si vera volent re nomine dicent Hic fidus Christi credite Martyr erat Utque istae taceaut satis hoc tua scripta loquuntur Plus satis hoc Italis exprâ—brat exilium The Life of Amsdorfius who died A no Christi 1563. NIcolas Amsdorfius was born in Misnia of noble parents Anno Christi 1â—83 and brought up in Learning Anno Christi 1502 from Schoole he went to the University of Wittenberg about that time that Luther began to preach against Indulgences And contrary to the custome of the Nobility of those times he applied his minde to the study of Theology and contemplation of heavenly things In An. Christi 1504 he commenced Master of Arts and afterwards Licentiate in Divinitie He timely embraced the Truth that brake forth in those times and not consulting with fleshâ—and blood preached it to others He accompanied Luther to Wormes Anno Christi 1521 when he was called to give an account of his Faith before Caesar and the States of the Empire In the time of Luther's recesse into his Pathmos he with Melancthon Justus Jonas and John Dulcius being sent to by the Elector of Saxony for their judgements about the Mass declared that it was an horrible prophanation of the Lords Supper whence ensued the abolishing of it out of all Churches in Wittenberg Anno Christi 1523 he wrote in a book dedicacated to the Elector of Saxony that the Pope was Antichrist Anno Christi 1524 Luther being sent for to Magdeburg went thither and having preached to them commended to them and afterwards sent Amsdorfius to gather and instruct the Churches there who faithfully laboured eighteen years in that place During his abode there the Senate of Goslaria sent for him to reform their Churches and he at his coming setled the same form of Doctrine and Discipline amongst them as was used at Wittenberg and
year in Preaching Teaching and dictating For at least ten years together he abstained from dinners taking no food at all till Supper so that it was a wonder how he could escape a Ptisick so long He was often troubled with the head-ach which his abstinence onely could cure whereupon he sometimes fasted thirty six hours together But partly through straining his voice and partly through his too frequent use of Aloeâ— which was taken notice of too late he was first troubleâ— with the Hemorrhoids which at length proved ulcerous and then five years before his death he did many times spit blood And when his Quartan Ague left him the gout took him in his right leg then the Collick and lastly the Stone which yet he never discerned till a few months before his death The Physicians applyed what remedies possibly they could neither was there ever man that was more observant of their rules But in respect of the labours of his mind he was extreame negligent of his health so that the violent paines of headach could never restraine him from preaching And though he was tormented with so many and violent diseases yet did never any man hear him utter one word that did unbeseem a valiant or Christian man Onely lifting up his eyes to heaven he used to say How long Lord For he often used this Motto in his health when he spake of the calamities of his brethren which always more afflicted him then his own When as his Colleagues admonished and earnestly increated him that in his sicknesse he would abstaine from dictating but especially from writing himself He answered What would you have me Idle when my Lord comes March the tenth when al the Ministers came to him they found him cloathed and sitting at his little Table where he used to write and meditate He beholding them when he had rubbed his forehead a while with his hand as he used to doe when he meditated with a cheerfull countenance said I give you hearty thanks my dear Brethren for the great care you have of me and I hope within these fifteen dayes which was the time that they were to meet about Church censures I shall be present at your Consistory For then I beleeve God will declare what he will determine concerning me and that he will receive me to himselfe Accordingly he was present that day which was March the four and twentieth and when all their businesses were quietly dispatched he told them that God had given him some further delay and so taking a French Testament in his hand he read some of the Annotations upon it and asked the Ministers judgements about the same because he had a purpose to amend them The day after he was somewhat worse as being tyred with the former dayes labour March the sever and twentieth he caused himself to bee carried in his chair to the Senate door and then leaning upon two he walked into the Court and there presented to the Senate a new Rector for the School and with a bare head he returned them thanks for all their former favours and in particular for the great care they had of him in his sicknesse For I perceive saith hee that this is the last time that I shall come into this place Which words hee could scarce utter his voice failing him and so with many teares on both sides hee bade them farewell April the second which was easter-Easter-day though hee was very weak yet he caused himself to be carried to the Church in his chaire where after Sermon hee received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper at Mr. Beza's hands and with a chearfull countenance though weak voice sang the Psalme with the rest of the Congregation shewing though in a dying countenance signes of much inward joy April the â—ive and twentieth he made his Will in this form In the name of God Amen Anno Christi 1564 April the five and twentieth I Peter Chenalat Citizen and Notarie of Geneva doe witnesse and professe that being sent for by that Reverend man John Calvin Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Geneva and a free Denizon of the same City who then truly was sick in body but sound in mind told me that his purpose was to make his Testament and to declare his last Will desiring me to write it down as he should dictate unto me with his tongue which I professe I did presently word by word as he told me neither did I adde or diminish any thing from that which hâ— spake but have followed the very form suggested by himâ— Whicâ— was this In the name of the Lord Amen I John Calvin Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Geneva oppreâ—â—ed and afflicted with divers diseases so that I easily think that the Lord God hath appointed shortly to lead me out of this world I therefore have determined to make my Testament and to coâ—mit to writing my last Will in this form following First I give thanks to God that taking pitty on me whom he created and placed in this world hath delivered mee out of the deep darknesse of Idolatry into which I was plunged and that he brought me into the light of his Gospel and made me a partaker of the Doctrine of Salvation whereof I was most unworthy Neither hath he onely gently and graciously born with my faultâ— and sinnes for which yet I deserved to be rejected by him and driven out but hath used towards me so great meckâ—esse and mildnesse that he hath vouchsafed to use my labours in preaching and publishing the Truth of his Gospell And I witnesse and professe that I intend to passe the remainder of my life in the same Faith and Religion which he hath delivered to mee by his Gospell and not to seek any other aid or refuge for Salvation then his free Adoption in which alone Salvation resteth And with all my heart I embrace the Mercy which he hath used towards me for Jesus Christ his sake recompensing my faults with the merit of his death and passion that satisfaction may be made by this meanes for all my sins and crimes and the remembrance of them may be blotted out I witnesse also and professe that I humbly begge of him that being washed and cleansed in the blood of that highest Redeemer shed for the sinnes of mankinde I may stand at his judgement seat under the Image of my Redeemer Also I professe that I have diligently done my endeavour according to the measure of grace received and bounty which God hath used towards me that I might preach his Word holily â—nd purely both in Sermons Writings and Commentaries and interpret his holy Scripture faithfully I also witnesse and professe that I have used noâ—uglings no evill and sophisticall arts in my controversies and disputations which I have held with the enemies of the Gospel but I have been conversant candidly and sincerely in maintaining the Truth But out alasse that study
Pulpit alluding to that of Vespasian Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori And thinking upon that of his Master Happy art thou my servant if when I come I find thee so doing His text whereon he preached at Lacock was Walk in the Spirit and presently after Sermon his disease growing more and more upon him hee was forced to take his bed In the beginning of his sicknesse he made his Will and gave most of his estate to his servants to scholars and to the poor of Sarum The Saturday following calling all his houshold about him he expounded the Lords Prayer Cantater â—ygnus funeris ipse sui Wherein hee said It hath alwaies been my desire that I might glorifie God and honour his name by sacrificing my life unto death for the defence of his Truth But seeing God hath not granted my desire yet I rejoice that my body is exhausted and worn away in the labours of my holy calling c. And now that my hour is at hand I earnestly desire you to pray for me and to help me with the ardencie of your affections when you perceive me through the infirmitie of the â—esh to languish in my prayers Hitherto I have taught you but now the time is come wherein I may and desire to be taught and strengthened by every one of you Then hee desired them to sing the 71 Psalm himself also joyning as well as he could somtimes also interposing some words of particular application to himself in the end he said Lord now let thy servant depart in peace Break off all delaies Lord receive my spirit c. Then one standing by prayed with tears that if the Lord pleased he would restore him to his former health Juel over-hearing him seemed to be offended and said I have not lived so that I am ashamed to live longer neither do I fear to die because we have a mercifull Lord. A crown of righteousness is laid up for me Christ is my righteousnesse Father let thy will be done thy will I say and not mine which is imperfect and depraved This day quickly let me see the Lord Jesus c. And so after a few fervent inward prayers and sighs of longing desire the soul returned to him that gave it Anno Christi 1571 and of his Age 50. Concerning his Apology for the Church of England Peter Martyr thus wrote to him Tua Apologia frater charissimè non tantùm mihi omnibus modis numeris satisfecit verùm etiam Bulingero ejusque filiis generis nec non Gualthero Wolphio tam sapiens mirabilis eloquens visâ— est ut ejus laudandae nullum modum faciant nec arbitrantuâ— quicquam hoc tempore perfectius editum fuisse c. i. e. Thy Apology dear brother hath not onely fully satisfied mee but it seems also so wise admirable and eloquent to Bullinger and his sonnes as also to Gualter and Wolphius that they can never make an end of praising it and they believe that there hath not been so compleate a book published in this Age c. The Life of Zegedine who died A no Christi 1572. STeven Kis sirnamed Zegedine from the place where hee was born which was a Town in the lower Pannonia was born Anno Christi 1505 brought up in learning first in the School of Zegedine under the eye of his Parents then was sent to Lippain and after a while to Julia in all which places he made an excellent progresse in Learning and profited to admiration And his parents being dead he betooke himself to teaching a School and for his admirable dexterity therein he procured to himselfe great favour and authority amongst all sorts of persons About which time hearing the fame of Luther and Melancthon he had a great mind to goe to Wittenberg but wanting opportunity in sundry regards he went to the University at Cracovia where having studied a while he was made a Reader to others and grew very famous and having gotten some money there Anno Christi 1541 hee went to Wittenberg where hee studied Logick and Divinity three years being a diligent hearer of the Lectures of Luther and Melancthon all that while and so at the end of that terme returned into his own country where hee was received by the Hungarian youths with great applause in every place And being hired in the City of Thasniadine he not only instructed youth in the knowledge of the Arts but he preached Jesus Christ also to the people before unknown unto them This comming to the ears of the Kings Treasurer he sent for him fell upon him beat him and drove him out of the City There he lost two hundred books and was so barbarously kicked by this Tyrant with his Iron spurs that he was almost slain Thus wandring up and down as an exile Anno Christi 1545 hee was called to Julia where he was made Governour of an illustrious Schoole and hee began to live comfortably but on a sudden came news to him of the death of Luther which was a very great grief to him The year after hee was sent for to Cegledine where he was hired to preach publickly in the Church and with the leave of the Schoolmaster he read Melancthons Common places in the Schooles discovering many of the Popish errors to his hearers and God was pleased so to blesse his labours that many learned young men went out of those Schooles Having continued there about two yeares and an half Anno Christi 1548 hee married his first Wife called Ursula after which leaving Cegledine hee was earnestly sent for by the Governour of Temeswert to govern the School there which indeed was the most famous School in all those parts where he not onely performed the office wherewith he was intrusted but preached weekely to the people But that Governour dying there succeeded him one that was of a most rugged disposition being a souldier and a strong Papist who drove Zegedine from thence togegether with divers other Protestants Being again an exile he wandered up and down till hee was called to govern the School at Thurin where he was received with great honour Anno Christi 1551 and according to his former custome preached to the people who eagerly embraced the Truth and loved him exceedingly From thence Anno Christi 1553 he was called to Bekenese where he preached to the people and read Lectures in the Schools Whilst he was there some Italian souldiers were commanded by their Captain to kill Zegedine out of an hatred to his Religion but it pleased God that a Country man who heard the command running hastily to Zegedine said to him Sir what doe you here when there are some souldiers comming upon you to slay you therefore flie hence speedily if you will save your life and if you have any thing of worth commit it to my custodie who promise faithfully to keep it
of that worthy main James Sime where he beganne privately to instruct such as resorted to him amongst whom was the Laird of Dun David Forresse and Elizabeth Adamson the Wife of James Baranne Burgesse of Edenborough and some others After a while Master Knox perceiving that divers who willingly entertained the Doctrine of Christ yet made no scruple to goe to Masse and to communicate in the abused Sacraments after the Papisticall manner he beganne as well in private conference as in his Ministery to shew the impiety of the Masse and the great danger of communicating with Idolatry wherewith some being terrified in conscience the businesse beganne to be agitated from one to another Hereupon the Laird of Dun invited Master Knox to supper where were present David Forresse Master Kobert Lockart John Willock and William Matland at which meeting the question was proposed and debated and Mr. Knox did so fully and learnedly answer whatsoever was objected against his Doctrine that William Matland concluded in these words I see very well that all our shifts will serve nothing before God seeing they stand us in so small stead before men After these reasonings the Mass beganne to be abhorred and Mr. Knox at the request of the Laird of Dun went with him to Dun where he remained a moneth preaching every day to the people the principall men of that country resorting to his Ministery At the moneths end he went to Calder whether resorted to him the Lord Erskin afterwards Earl of Argile Lord James the Prior of St. Andrews afterwards Earl of Murrey where they heard and so approved his Ministry that they wished it had been more publick A while after the Earl of Glencarne sent for Master Knox to his place of Finlaston where after he had preached to them he administred the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to the Earl his Lady two of his sons and some others and so he went back to Calder to which place many resorted to him from Edenborough and the country round about not onely to hear his Doctrine but also to partake of the holy Sacrament which before they had never received From thence he departed the second time to the Laird of Duns where he preached the Gospel with more liberty and boldnesse then he had before and many of the Gentlemen of the Country after they had heard his Doctrine desired also to be made partakers of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and through Gods mercy his Minâ—stry had such an impression upon their hearts that they presently refused all society with Idolatry and bent themselves to the uttermost of their powers to maintain the truth of Christ. This so vexed the Friers that from all quarters they flocked to their Bishops to complain of Master Knox so that he was summoned to appear in the black-Fryers Church in Edenborough the fifteenth of May following and accordingly he appeared Thither came also Iohn Erskin of Dun with divers other Gentlemen which the Bishops taking notice of durst not proceed against him Insomuch that Master Knox the same day that he should have appeared before them preached in Edenborough in a greater Audience then ever he had before The place where he preached was in the Bishop of Dunkellins great lodging in which place he preached ten days together both forenoon and afternoon Then did the Earl of Glencarne solicit the Earl Marshall to hear Master Knox which he with his Counsellor Drummoâ—d did and so liked his Doctrine that he willed Master Knox to write unto the Queen Regent somewhat that might move her to hear the word of God This M. Knox was willing to do and wrote that which was afterwards printed called A Letter to the Queen Dowager which was delivered by the Earl of Glencarne into her own hands The Queen after she had read the Letter delivered it to that proud Prelate Becon Bishop of Glascow saying in scorne Please you my Lord to read a Pasquill Whilst Master Knox was thus occupied in Scotland there came a Letter to him from the English Congregation which was setled at Geneva Anno Christi 1555. being separated from the contentious and superstitious company at Frankefort requiring him in the name of God that as he was their chosen Pastor so he should repair to them for their comfort Upon this he took his leave in every Congregation where before he had preached exhorting them to fervent prayer frequent reading oâ— the Scriptures and mutuall conference till God should give them greater liberty and then he sent before him to Diep his Mother in law Elizabeth Bowes and his wife but himselfe by the importunity of Robert Campbel stayed a while in Scotland going to the Earl of Argile then in Campbel Castle where he taught certain dayes the Laird of Glenurquaire being one of his Auditors who intreated the Earl of Argile to retain him in Scotland But he was resolved upon his journey and would by no means stay at that time yet promising that if the Lord blessed those small beginnings whensoever they pleased to command him they should find him obedient to their call Shortly after he passed over into France and from thence went to Geneva whereupon the Bishops of Scotland summoned him and for non-appearance condemned him and burnt his effigies at the Crosse at Edenborough From which unjust sentence when Master Knox heard of it he â—ent an appellation which he directed to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland March the tenth Anno Christi 1556. certain of the Nobility of Scotland sent this ensuing Letter to Master Knox at Geneva Grace mercy and peace for salvation Dearly bâ—loved in the Lord the faithfull that are of your acquaintance in these parts thanks be to God are stedfast in the beliefe wherein you left them and have a godly thirst and desire from day to day to injoy your presence againe which if God so move your heart and give you life we desire you in the name of the Lord that you returne to us again into this place where you shall finde all faithfull that you left behind you who will not only be glad to hear your Doctrine but ready to jeopard their estates for the setting forth of the glory of God as he will permit time And albeit the Magistrates of this Country be as yet but in the state you left them yet at the writing hereof we have no experience of any more cruelty used then was before but rather beleeve that God will augment his flock because we see daily the Friers enemies to Christs Gospel in lesse estimation both with the Queens Grace and the rest of the Nobility of the Realme This in few words is the mind of the faithfull here present and of others absent The rest of our minds this faithfull messenger wil shew you when he comes to you Fare you well in the Lord. Subscribed Glencarne Erskin Argile James Steward Master Knox upon the receipt of this
Letter advised with Master Calvin and other Ministers who upon mature deliberation told him that he could not refuse this call unlesse he would shew himselfe rebellious against God and unmercifull to his Country Whereupon he returned answer that he would come to them so soon as he could settle the affairs of that dear flock that was committed to his charge Shortly after he began his journy and arrived in Scotland that very day whereon the Bishops ended their Provinciall Councill and hearing that the brethren were met at Dundee he went to them and earnestly requested that he and his brethren might joyne together to make a confession of their faith which being assented to he went to St. Johnstons to them where also he preached to the people But presently came a summons that the Preachers should appear before the Queen Regent at Striveling which being known abroad the Protestants repaired in a peaceable manner to St. Johnstons to accompany their Preachers to the Queen and least such a multitude should affright her the Laird of Dun a zealous godly and prudent man went before to Striveling to acquaint the Queen that the cause of their meeting was onely with their Preachers to give in a confession of their faith and to assist them in their just defence The Queen very craftily solicited him to stay the multitude and the preachers also promising to take some good order about their affairs Yet when the Preachers appeared not upon the day appointed she put them to the Horne prohibiting all men upon pain of Rebellion to assist comfort relieve or receive any of them which treacherous dealing of hers so inflamed the multitude that neither the exhortation of the Preachers nor the command of the Magistrates could restraine them but that they pulled down the Images and all other monuments of Idolatry in St. Johnstons This being told to the Queen she was so much enraged at it that she vowed to destroy man woman and child in that place then utterly to burn the Towne and to sow it with salt for a perpetuall desolation The Protestant Congregation hearing hereof presently wrote a Letter to the Queen and caused it to be laid on her Cushion where she sat at Mass wherein they declared that except she moderated her wrath and stayed her intended cruelty they should be compelled to take the Sword in their just defence against all that should pursue them for matters of Religion and for their Conscience sake which ought not to be subject to any mortal creature farther then Gods Word doth command c. They further requested that she would permit them to live in that peace and liberty which Christ had purchased for them by his blood that they might have his Word truly preached and the holy Sacraments rightly administred to them for that they had rather expose their bodies to a thousand deaths then to hazard their soules to perpetuall damnation by denying Christ and his manifest Truth c. They wrote also another Letter to the Nobility of Scotland which coming abroad the brethren in Cunningam and Kile met together at the Church of Craggy where Alexander Earl of Glencarne said to them Let every man doe as his conscience shall direct him I will by Gods grace see my bâ—ethren at St. Johnstons yea though never a man will goe along with me though I have but a pike on my shoulder for I had rather die with that company then live after them This speech so encouraged the rest that they all resolved to go forward In the meane time the Queen sent her French Forces and the Bishops and Priests their bands against Saint Johnstones whereupon the brethren repaired thither from all quarters for their relief which the Queen hearing of sent the Earle of Argile and the Prior of Saint Andrews to them to know the cause of that great meeting They answered that it was onely to resist the cruell Tyranny decreed against them and to protect the Town from ruin The Lords answered that they were farre otherwise informed Then Master Knox spake thus unto them The present troubles honourable Lords ought to move the hearts of all the true servants of God and of such as bear any true love to their country and country men deeply to consider what will be the end of this intended Tyranny The rage of Sathan seeks the destruction of all those in this Realm that professe the Name of Christ. Therefore I most humbly require you my Lords in my name to tell the Queen that we whom she in her blind rage doth thus persecute are faithfull servants to God and obedient subjects to the authority of the Realm whereas that Religion which she maintains by fire sword is not the religion of Jesus Christ but expresly contrary to the same a superstition devised by mans brain which I offer my self to prove against all men in Scotland which will maintain the contrary Gods word being admitted for Judge Tell her also from me that this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end and that herein she fights against God The Lords promised to deliver his message yet did the Queen straitway send her Herauld to them to command them presently to depart the Towne upon pain of Treason But when she perceived their number to increase and their resolutions fearing the event of a Battel she upon a parley and large promises prevailed with them to depart home But before their departure Master Knox preached a Sermon wherin he exhorted them to constancy adding I am perswaded that this promise shall be no longer kept then till the Queen and her Frenchmen can get the upper hand Which shortly after sell out accordingly for when she was entred St. Johnstons she contrary to promise garrisoned it saying That she was not bound to keep promise with Hereticks This was so distastefull to the Earl of Argile and the Prior of St. Andrews that they forsook the Queen and went toward St. Andrews sending to the Laird of Dun and some others to meet him there which accordingly they performed taking Master Knox along with them who in the way preached in Carrel one day in Anstruddor the second intending the third day to preach at St. â—ndrews The Bishop of St. â—ndrews hearing hereof presently raised a 100 spearmen and went thither on the Saturday whereas the Lords had none but their houshold servants about them and at the same time the Queen and her Frenchmen lay at Faikland 12 miles from St. Andrews The Bishop sent word to the Lords that if John Knox offered to preach the next day he should be saluted with a dozen of Calivers whereof the most part should light on his nose The Lords after long deliberation sent for M. Knox to hear his opinion herein 〈◊〉 withâ—ll advised him to forbear for his owne safety and not to 〈◊〉 that day in contempt of the Bishop To which 〈◊〉 Knox
wherein I shall be released from all my cares and be with my Saviour Christ for ever And now God is my witnesse whom I have served with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son that I have taught nothing but the true and sincere word of God and that the end that I proposed in my Ministry was To instruct the ignorant to confirm the weak to comfort their consciences who were humbled under the sense of their sins and born down with the threatings of Gods judgements I am not ignorant that many have and doe blame my too great rigour and severity but God knoweth that in my heart I never hated those against whom I thundered Gods judgements I did onely hate their sins and laboured according to my power to gain them to Christ. That I did forbear none of what condition soever I did it out of the fear of my God who hath placed me in the function of his Ministry and I know will bring me to an account Now brethren for your selves I have no more to say but to warn you that you take heed of the Flock over which God hath placed you Over-seers which he hath redeemed by the blood of his onely begotten Son And you Mr. Lawson sight a good fight do the worke of the Lord with courage and with a willing mind and God from Heaven blesse you and the Church whereof you have the Charge Against it so long as it continues in the Doctrine of the Truth the gates of hell shall not prevail Having thus spoken and the Elders and Deacons being dismissed he called the two Preachers to him and said There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly you have sometimes seen the courage and constancy of the Laird of Grang in the cause of God and now that unhappy man is casting himselfe away I pray you goe to him from me and tell him That unlesse he forsake that wicked course that he is in the rock wherein he confideth shall not defend him nor the carnall wisdom of that man whom he counteth halfe a god which was young Leshington shall yeeld him help but he shall be shamefully pulled out of that nest and his carcass hung before the Sun meaning the Castle which he kept against the Kings Authority for his soul it is dear to me and if it were possible I would faine have him saved Accordingly they went to him conferred with him but could by no means divert him from his course but as Knox had foretold so the year after his Castle was taken and his body was publickly there hanged before the Sun Yet at his death he did express serious repentance The next day M. Knox gave order for the making of his coffin Continuing all the day as he did also through all his sicknesse in fervent prayer crying Come Lord Jesus Sweet Jesus into thy hands I commend my spirit Being asked whether his pains were great he answered That he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles and the beginning of eternall joys Oft after some deep meditation he used to say Oh serve the Lord in fear and death shall not be trouble some to you blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Jesus The night before his death he slept some hours with great unquietnesse often sighing and groaning whereupon when he awakened the standers by asked him how he did and what it was that made him mourn so heavily to whom he answered In my life time I have been assulted with Temptations from Sathan and he hath oft cast my sins into my teeth to drive me to despair yet God gave me strength to overcome all his Temptations But now the subtill serpent takes another course and seeks to perswade me that all my labours in the Ministry and the fidelity that I have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality But blessed be God that brought to my minde these Scriptures What hast thou that thou hast not received And Not I but the grace of God in me with which he is gone away ashamed and shall no more return And now I am sure that my battel is at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of spirit I shall shortly change this mortall and miserable life with that happy and immortall life that shall never have an end After which one praying by his bed having made an end asked him if he heard the prayer Yea said he and would to God that all present had heard it with such an ear and heart as I have done Adding Lord Jesus receive my spirit With which words without any motion of hands or feet as one falling asleep rather then dying he ended his life Never was man more observant of the ture and just authority of Church-Rulers according to the word of God and the practise of the purest Primitive times He alwayes pressed due Obedience from the People to the faithfull Pastors and Elders of the Church He died Anno Christi 1572. and of his age 62. Men of all ranks were present at his Buriall The Earl of Murray when the Corps was put into the ground said Here lies the body of him who in his life time never feared the face of any man Script a reliquit ad Londinenses alios Ad Evangeliâ— professores Qualiter sit Orandum In Psalmum ad matrem Contra missam Papisticam Doctrinale Missaticum De fide Eucharistiae Ad Ecclesias afflictas Ad Scotiae Reginam Mariam Consilium in Angustiis Buccinae afflatum primum Appellationem a sententia Cleri Ad populares Scotiae In Genesin consciones et alia quaedam He was a man not lesse learned then endued with vertue a constant Preacher of the Truth and a valiant defendor of the same through his whole life His zeal learning and courage did notably appeare in this example Anno Christi 1550 he was called before Tonstal Bishop of Durham and his Doctors to give an account of his opinion about the Masse where preaching before them he did so sharply taxe their Idolatries and Blasphemies and by such solid arguments confute the same that his adversaries were silenced and had not wherewithall to reply against him P. RAMVS The Life of Peter Ramus who died A no Christi 1572. PEter Ramus was born in France Anno Christi 1515. His Grandfather was a Nobleman who having his estate plundered by Charls Duke of Burgundy Generall under the Emperor Charls the fifth was forced to leave his Country and to betake himselfe to the poor and painfull life of an husbandman And his father being left very poor by him was fain to live by making of Charcoal Ramus being from his childhood of an excellent wit of an industrious nature and much addicted to learning was compelled for his subsistence to live as a servant with one of his Unkles but finding that by
six anniversarie Sermons in several places of Norfolk To Bennet Colledge he gave thirty Scholarships built them a Library and bestowed many excellent bookes and ancient Manuscripts upon it besides 300 ounces of silver and gilt-plate and the perpetual Patronage of St. Mary-Abchurch London Hee carefully collected and caused to be printed divers ancient Histories of England which probably had otherwise been lost He died in peace Anno Christi 1574 and of his Age 72. H. BVLLINGER The Life of Henry Bullinger who dyed Aâ—â— Christi 1575. HEnry Bullinger was born at Bremogart in Hâ—lvetia Anno Christi 1504 of an ancient and honourable family which had flourished in that town for about two hundred years Twice in his childhood he escaped death very narrowly First being sick of the Plague his funerall was prepared yet it pleased God that beyond expectation he recovered Secondly playing on a Pipe as hee was running hee fell down and struck the Pipe so far into his throat that hee was taken up for dead and for five daies could eat nothing yet the Lord againe restored him His Father being learned himself was a great lover of it and therefore very careful to breed up this his son in learning So that at five years old he â—et him to School in that place where he was born and this young boy quickly discovered an excellent wit but his Master being himself but a weak scholar he made not such a progresse in Learning as otherwise hee might have done Hereupon Anno Christi 1516 when he was twelve years old his Father sent him to Embric where under severall Schoolmasters he was instructed in Grammar and other Elements of Learning was kept under a strict government for his 〈◊〉 and was trained up in the knowledge and feare of God Thiâ— strict discipline was not grievous to Bullinger for having been formerly brought up by his Parents religiously and being endued with a virtuous disposition he did those things willingly which others were forced to by stripes Yea he was then of such an austere carâ—iage that of himself he beganne to entertaine thoughts of entering into a Monastery of the Carthusians which of all others was accounted the strictest Sect yet would he doe nothing rashly therein till he had first cousulted with his parents and procured their consents Having thus continued three years at Embric he went to Collen Anno Christi 1519 being but slenderly provided for by his Father so that according to the custome of those times he procured victuals by singing and begging from door to door not that his father wanted wherewith to supply his necessities or that he withheld it from him out of a covetous mind but he did it that he might enure his Son to patience and hardship and that he might make him more meercifull â—o those that were in want all his life after Aâ— Callen he studied Logick and â—ommenâ—ed Batchelor of Arts at sixteen years old Afterwards betaking himself to the study of Divinity there being at this time many Theological controversies he had recourse to his Tutors for direction what to study and Peter Lombard being at this time most in request they advised him to the study thereof but meeting with many quotations out of the ancient Fathers he thought fit to read the Authors themselves And the Monastery of the Frier Predicants having a good Library belonging to it he by some friends gat leave to make use of it where lighting upon Chrysostomes Homilies upon Matthew he read them over together with divers parts of Augustine Origen and Ambrose and in the meane time read privately at home Luther De captivitate Babylonica and De bonis operibus Yet could he not for the present deliver himself from the errors of the times though hee saw that Luther came nearer to the opinions of the Antients then Lombard did Hee observed also that whereas the Schoolmen quoted the Fathers the Fathers they quoted the Scriptures Hereupon he betook himself to the reading of the Scriptures especially of the New Testament with St. Hierom and some other Commentaries upon it By which at the last through Gods mercy he beganne to abhorre the Popish Errors laying aside his former thoughts of turning Carthusian diligently applyed himself to read over Melancthons Common-places wherewith hee was wonderfully delighted Anno Christi 1522 hee Commenced Master of Arts and so returning home lived a year in his fathers house wholly imploying himself in his studies and private exercises The year after he was called by Wolfgang Joner Abbat of Capella near Zurick to teach a Schoole where hee was to instruct some Friers and other young men both in Divine and Humane Learning There he read to them in Dutch by reason of many that resorted to his Lectures some peeces of Erasmus Melancthons Common-places and a great part of the New Testament and some other Authors and so hee spent six years partly in his private studies and partly in instructing others Anno Christi 1527 hee was sent by his Abbat to Zurick where for five moneths space he heard Zuinglius preaching and reading his Lectures in the Schools and by the help of Pellican he began to study Hebrew and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek There also he gained acquaintance with sundry Learned men and wrote many things some whereof were afterwards printed He also by his preaching at the Monastery of Capella so far prevailed with the Abbat and Friers that the Masse and other Superstitions were cast out and the Lords Supper truly administred and such Friers as were unfit for the Ministry betooke themselves to other trades Anno Christi 1528 He went with Zuinglius to the Disputation at Bern. Anno Christi 1529 he was called to his native place of Bremogart where God so prospered his Ministry that presently after his comming the Magistrates banished Popery and set out a severe Decree against Adultery and Drunkennesse and being chosen Pastor of that place he preached every Sabbath in the afternoon and the three daies following in the morning Besides every day at the time of Evening prayers hee expounded a part of the New Testament But the Divell raised up some Anabaptists which disturbed the peace of that Church With these Bullinger disputed publickly and thereby in a great measure restrained them He wrote also in the defence of Tythes which as those Anabaptists said should be abolished under the New Testament And when afterwards the number of Anabaptists did exceedingly increase in Germany he set forth 6 books against â—hem wherein he shewed the originall progress the various Sects and the chiefe opinions of the Anabaptists which also hee confuted Anno Christi 1529 there arose great commotions in Helvetia and the Bernates sent some souldiers to Bremogart and for the composing of the differences there was a meeting of the chiefest persons at Bremogart where Bullinger preached at
admonished them especially to take heed of Drunkennesse which was so common amongst the Germans and lastly that they should be very observant to the Senate which had so excellently maintained Religion He wrote also his fare well to the Magistrates exhorting them to continue their care of the Church and Schooles thanked them for their kindnesse to him and entreated them to chuse Ralph Gualter to be his successor The day of his death he continued in prayer repeating the one and fiftieth the sixteenth and the forty second Psalms and the Lords Prayer and so gave up his soul unto God An. Chr. 1575 and of his Age 71. He was one of the chiefest of the Helvetian Divines and after Zuinglius and Oecolampadius a strong assertor of their Confession of Faith Of a mild nature clear in his Ministry and one that hated crabbed and unprofitable questions which many delighted in to shew their wit affable in speech courteous of behaviour both towards his own and strangers An excellent Governour of the Church frugall and temâ—rate in his diet merry and pleasant with those that lived wâ—â—h him He was so industrious that he would never be idle He had one Wife by whom he had six sonnes and five daughters of whom he married one to Zuinglius another to Lavate and a third to Simler all Ministers in Zurick He wrote Commentaries upon all the New Testament His Workes are contained in tenne Tomes besides which hee wrote Contra Anabaptistas lib. 4. De annuis Reditibus De Hebdomadibus Danielis De Sacramentis The Life of Edward Deering who died A no Christi 1576. EDward Deering was borne of a very ancient Family in Kent and carefully brought up both in Religion and Learning From School he went to Cambridge and was admitted into Christs Colledge where he profited exceedingly and became a very famous Preacher as may appear by his most learned and holy Sermons and Tractates full of heavenly consolation He never affected nor sought after great titles or preferments and therefore rested content with his Fellowship in that Colledge and onely Commenced Batchelor of Divinity yet afterwards hee was made a Preacher in Saint Paul's Church in London and having worn out himself with his labours in the Work of the Lord hee fell sick and discerning his approaching death hee said in the presence of his friends that came to visit him The good Lord pardon my great negligence that whilst I had time I used not his precious gifts to the advancement of his glory as I might have done Yet I blesse God withall that I have not abused these gifts to ambition and vain studies When I am once dead my enemies shall be reconciled to me except they be such as either knew me not or have no sence of goodnesse in them for I have faithfully and with a good conscience served the Lord my God A Minister standing by said unto him It 's a great happinesse to you that you die in peace and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like to meet with To whom he answered If God hath decreed that I shall sup together with the Saints in Heaven why doe I not goe to them but if there be any doubt or hesitation resting upon my spirit the Lord will reveal the truth unto me When he had layen still a while a friend said unto him that hee hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whilst hee lay so silent To whom he answered Poor wretch and miserable man that I am the least of all Saints and the greatest of Sinners yet by the eye of Faith I beleeve in and look upon Christ my Saviour Yet a little while and we shall see our hope The end of the world is come upon us and we shall quickly receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for Afflictions diseases sicknesse grief are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world It s not enough to beginne for a little while except we persevere in the fear of the Lord all the daies of our lives for in a moment we shall be taken away Take heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of nor dis-esteem the Word of God blessed are they that whilst they have tongues use them to Gods glory When he drew near to his end being set up in his bed some of his friends requested him to speake something to them that might bee for their edification and comfort Whereupon the Sun shining in his face hee tooke occasion from thence to say thus unto them There is but one Sunne in the world nor but one Righteousnesse one Communion of Saints If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world If I were equall in righteousnesse to Abraham Isaac and Jacob yet had I reason to confâ—sse my selfe to bee a sinner and that I could expect no salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ For we all stand in need of the grace of God And as for my death I blesse God I feel and finde so much inward joy and comfort in my soul that if I were put to my choice whether to dye or live I would a thousand times rather choose death then life if it may stand with the holy will of God And accordingly shortly after he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1576. The Life of Flacius Illiricus who died A no Christi 1575. MAtthias Flacius Illiricus was borne in Albona in Sclavonia Anno Christi 1520 of an ancient and numerous Family His Father being learned himself and discerning a good ingeny in his Sonne began in his tender years to instill into him the first Rudiments of Learning But after his death his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all Yet when he began to have discretion he desired much to attaine to Learning and returned to his studies and to further him therein went to Venice and after some progress made at seventeen years old hee beganne to study Divinity but wanting means to maintaine him in the University he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery either at Bononia or Padua but a friend called Baldus a godly man who afterwards suffered Martyrdom for the Truth disswaded him from that kinde of life and advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of Learned men Hereupon having read over some of the Protestants bookes and liking Baldus his advice hee went into Germany which he had never before seen and first staying at Basil he studied under Simon Grynaeus who did not only entertain him being very poor but provided for him and instructed him in the Truth which was An. 1539. And about the end of the ear he went from thence to Tubing where also he studied a while under Matthias Garbicius then went to Wittenberg An. Chr. 1541 where he privately
bee the Divinity Professor in the University of Regiomontanum and after two years was chosen to be Bishop there Anno Christi 1587 he fell sick especially upon grief conceived for the afflicted condition of the Church in Poland and the death of his deare friend John Wedman an excellent Divine This disease encreasing and his strength decaying he prepared himselfe for death He made his owne Epitaph In Christo vixi morior vivoque Wigandus Do sordes morti caeâ—era Christe tibi In Christ I liv'd and dy'd through him I live again What 's â—ad to death I give my soul with Christ shall reigne And so in the midst of fervent prayers and assured hope of eternall life hee resigned up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it Anno Christi 1587 and of his Age sixty four Hee was a man of an excellent wit and learning and exemplary in his life Familiar gently answering to every ones question He was very courteous and grave Liberall to the poor insomuch as when he was Bishop and the poor begged of him either money or corn he would command his Steward to give them as much as they needed Hee used to Catechise his family and to require of them an account of the Sermons every Lords day He wrote many Works Explicationes in tria priora capita Geneseos Comment in Psalmos graduum poenitentiales c. Annotationes in Isaiam in Danielem in Prophetas minores in Mattheum Johannem in Epistolas ad Romanos Galatas Ephesios ad Timotheum 1 2 ad Coloss. Histor. Patefactionis divina cum multis aliis I. FOX The Life of John Fox who dyed A no Christi 1587. JOhn Fox was born at Boston in Lincolnshire Anno Christi 1517. His Father died when he was young and his Mother married again Yet his Father in Law and Mother seeing his towardliness and aptness to Learning brought him up at School and afterwards sent him to Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford where he was Chamber-fellow with Doctor Nowell and being of a sharp wit and very induâ—trious withall hee profited so much that in a short time hee gat the admiration of all and the love of many whereupon he was chosen Fellow of Magdalen Colledge Hee much affected Poetry and wrote some Latine Comedies of the Histories of the Bible in a copious and gracefull stile in his youth But afterwards betook himself more seriously to the study of Divinity and discovered himself to favour the Reformation then in hand when King Henry the eighth abolished the Popes Supremacie The first thing that caused him to question the popish Religion was the contradictions in it divers things in their own natures most repugnant being thrust upon men at one time both of them to be beleeved Hereupon he set himself to study the ancient and moderne History of the Church which he performed with such diligence that before he was thirty years old he had read over all that either the Greek or Latine Fathers had written of it As also the Schoolmens Disputation the Councils Acts and the Consistories Decrees and acquired no mean skil in the Hebrew tongue Besides his dayes study he bestowed all or a great part of the night in these labours and many times in the dead of the night he chose a solitary Grove near the Colledge to walk in for his Meditationss and in them he suffered many combats and wrestlings yea many heavy sighs with teares and prayers he poured out to Almighty God in them But hereupon grew suspition of him that hee beganne to dislike the Popish Religion and snares were layd for him and at last being examined he was by the Colledge convicted condemned for an Heretick and expelled the house His Father-in-law also took this occasion to manifest his dislikes against him that he might the better cheat him of his estate which of right belongad to 〈◊〉 from his own Father Being thus left destitute of all humane help and comfort God tooke care for him being sent for into Warwick shine by Sir Thomas Iâ—ucie to live in his house and teach his children Where also he married a Wife and continued till the feare of the Popish inquisitors drove him thence His case was now more hard again having a Wife to provide for and whither to goe hee knew not At last hee resolved to goe to her Father who was a Citizen of Coventrie and in the mean time by Letters to try whether his Father-in-law that married his mother would receive him or not Whose answer was That if he would alter his opinion being condemned for a capital offence he should be welcome otherwise it would be dangerous for him to entertain him long But his Mother under-hand wrote to him to come and so it pleased God that hee found better entertainment and security in both places then hee exspected for being sometimes with his Wives father and sometimes with his Father in law he deceiv'd their diligence who enquired after him and neither of his Fathers grew weary of his company Afterwards he went to London towards the end of King Henry the eights reign but having quickly spent there what his friends had bestowed on him and what he had acquired by his own diligence he beganne to bee in want again But behold Gods providence As he one day sate in Pauls Church spent with long fasting his countenance thinne and his eyes hollow after the gastfull manner of dying men every one shunning a spectacle of so much horrour there came one to him whom he had never seen before and thrust an untold sum of money into his hand bidding him be of good chear and to accept that small gift in good part from his Country-man which common courtesie had enforced him to offer and that he should goe and make much of himself for that within a few daies new hopes were at hand and a more certaine condition of livelihood Master Fox could never learn who this was but three daies after the Dutchesse of Richmond sent for him to live in her house and to be Tutor to the Earl of Surrey's children now under her care and the two young Lords profited so much under him that afterwards the elder Thomas seemed to deserve more then the Kingdom could give him and the younger Henry was able to measure his fortunes not by the opinion of others but by his own satiety And the young Lady Jane profited so much both in Greek and Latine that she might well stand in competition with the most Learned men of that age In that family he continued the remainder of King Henries reign and all King Edwards till the beginning of Queen Maries when a storme of persecution arising Master Fox was sheltered from it by the Duke his Scholar But when he saw all sorts of men troubled for Religions sake so that there was nothing but flight slaughter and
himself and therefore knowing the worth of learning was very careful to bring up his son in the study of the Liberall Sciences and for that end sent him to Sterline and placed him under Thomas Bucanan under whom he manifested an excellent wit joyned with such modesty sweetnesse of nature that hee needed no severe discipline and by which he drew Bucanans affections to him exceedingly who could not but love him for his attractive qualâ—ties which love continued with encrease to his lives end After at this School he was fully fitted he went thence to the University of Saint Andrews where he spent four yeares in the study of the Arts And those virtues which before did but sparkle now shon bright and he did ascend to such an height in those studies as scarce any of his fellows attained to but none excelled so that at four years end his excellent abilities being taken notice of he was chosen a Professor of Philosophy which office he performed with great commendation for four yeares space adorning and illustrating it with his industry and piety none of his Colleagues equalizing him therein Anno Christi 1583 the Magistrates of Edenborough began to think of erecting a University in that City which they did at the instigation of that worthy man Master James Luson their chief Pastor the reason was because it was the Metropolis of the Kingdome and they could not send their sonnes to Saint Andrews or other Universities without great trouble and charge and besides they found that divers through poverty were not able to maintain their children abroad whereby many excellent wits were imployed in Mechanick trades upon which considerations when they had resolved to erect an Academy they in the next place considered where they might find a fit man to beginne carry on and perfect so great a work and because they could not otherwise do it they resolved to send one or two to Saint Andrews who by diligent enquiry should find out such a person who accordingly going thither found that by the generall vote of all there was none thought so fit for this worke as Robert Rollock which the Magistrates of Edenborough being informed of presently sent for him intreating that he would undertake a work which was like to prove so exceeding advantageous both to Church and State using also other arguments which so far prevailed that he promised to come to them And accordingly in the same year he went to Edenborough where by the Magistrates he was entertained courteously and in the beginning of winter hee set upon the work And as soon as it was spread abroad that a University was begun at Edenborough young Students flockt thither a pace from all parts of the Kingdom whom he instructed in the Arts and governed with severity mixed with clemencie and so educated them in Religion that God blessed his labours exceedingly amongst them For indeed he laboured in this above all things that his Scholars should have the marks of true holyness appearing in them Neither did God frustrate his expectations for by his exhortations and Divinity Lectures be so far prevailed even with the looser sort of youths that he soon brought them into very good order After four years he examined them strictly and finding their proficiency made them Masters of Art Then four Professors of Philosophy were by the Magistrates substituted under him to share in the pains which were chosen out of the ablest of those that had commenced Masters of Art These insisting in the footsteps of the Doctrine and Discipline of Rollock performed that trust which was committed to them with great faithfulnesse and industry In the meane time Rollock underwent the whole charge and care of the University For it was his office to look over the severall Classes to observe every ones sedulity and progresse in his studies If any discords arose to compose them by his wisdom and to keep every one in the carefull discharge of his duty Every morning calling the Students together he prayed fervently with them and one day in the week expounded some portion of Scripture to them from whence hee raised Doctrines Exhortations and Comminations not painted with humane eloquence but grave and weighty such as might most work upon the minds and hearts of young men And this he did not that he wanted eloquence but because he despised such a kind of affected speech in holy things By these kind of Lectures he did more restraine and reforme the young men then by his Discipline and indeed it brought great profit both to Master and Scholars Yet after every Lecture he took notice which of them had committed any faults that week whom hee would so reprove and lay the wrath of God before their eyes and withall affect them with shame that he much reformed them thereby Yea such as would neither have been reformed with words or stripes from others were so wrought upon by his applying the threatnings of Gods wrath and opening the sweet promises of mercy to them that usually they brake out into sighs and tears He took also extraordinary paines to fit such for the work of the Ministery as were grown up to it so that the Church received very much benefit from thence having so many able Pastors sent forth into it How much trouble care and pains he bestowed in these employments is not possibly to be conceived For he spent the whole day eâ—â—ept dinner time either in the contemplation of the chiefest points of Religion or in searching out the sence of hard places of Scripture or in confuting the errors of the Romanists Besides this he preached every Lords day in the Church and that with such fervencie and evident demonstration of the spirit that he was the instrument of converting very many unto God He wrote also many Commentaries upon the Scriptures which being printed and going abroad into other Countries Beza meeting with that upon the Romans and Ephesians wrote to a friend concerning them that hee had gotten a treasure of incomparable value and that he had not met with the like before for brevity elegancy and judiciousnesse Whereupon he thus concludes I pray God to preserve the Author and daily to encrease his gifts in him especially in these times wherein the vineyard of the Lord hath so few labourers Thus we see how famous Rollock was with all sorts of persons for his learning virtue and piety yea by his curtesie and candor he drew the love of all men He was so humble that though he excelled them yet he preferred all others before himself and laboured after privacy from publick businesse that he might the better apply himselfe to his studies Yet contrary to his mind he was often called forth to publick businesses which he alwaies dispatched with admirable prudence In the two last years of his life he was so involved in publick affairs that it much weakned his health He was greatly tormented
of York he was chosen Master of Pembrok-Hall in his room and Doctor Cox Bishop of Elie made him his Chaplain Afterwards he was chosen the Margaret-Professor which place he discharged with such high commendations that not long after he was made the Queens Professor and preaching before Queen Elizabeth she liked him so well that she made him her Chaplain and Master of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge Anno Christi 1567. In which place he remained for ten years with the good approbation of all men The Queen also made him Dean of Lincoln He had many Noblemen which were his pupils and bred up also many learned men which afterwards proved famous lights in the Church Anno Christi 1577 the Queen made him Bishop of Worcester and after the death of Grâ—ndal Anno Christi 1583 she removed him to the Archbishoprick of Canterburie Shee had alwaies a very high esteem of him and used him so familiarly that she called him her black husband He was present with and a great comfort to her at her death And when King James came to the Crown he also much reverenced Archbishop Whitgift But he had laid the death of Queen Elizabeth So deeply to heart that within some few moneths hee fell sick which when King James heard of he went to him and laboured to chear him up but within a few daies after hee quietly departed in the Lord Anno Christi 1603 and of his age seventy three having been Archbishop about twenty years He did many and great works of Charity wheresoever he lived viz. at Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent and Surrey One act of Justice done by him is scarce to be parallel'd and may be read at large in the life of Mr. Hugh Clark at the end of my Generall Martyrologie Much Controversie there was between Mr. Tho. Cartwright and him about Ceremonies as appears by the books extant betwixt them T. BEZA The Life of Theodore Beza who died A no Christi 1605. THeodore Beza was born at Veselia Anno Christi 1519. His Father was Peter Beza Praefect of that Town his Mother was Mary Burdolet both of them nobly born As soon as he was weaned he was sent for by his Uncle Nicolas Beza to Paris who was a Counsellor in the Parliament and by him was tenderly and carefully educated and at five years old he placed him with Wolmarus a famous Schoolmaster at Orleance with whom he lived seven years and in that time learned Latine Greek and all the Liberal Arts so that there was no worthy author either in Greek or Latine which hee had not turned over Yea Wolmarus had also read Law to him But that which was principal he instructed him in the true Religion drawn out of the Fountain of Gods Word Afterwards when Wolmarus was returned into his native Country of Germany by the advice of his friends Beza was placed in Orleance to study the Civil Law but disliking their baibarous language he left those and betook himself to more Polite Studies He also affected Poetry very much and made all his Poems before he was twenty years old and imitating Catullus and Ovid therein he writ more wantonly then afterwards he approved of and indeed endeavoured to have suppressed his Poems but the Papists hating him for his Religion often printed them seeking thereby his disgrace all that possibly they could Anno Christi 1539 he went to Paris where he was entertain'd by his kindred and friends with all the expressions of love and respect that might be but above all hee was most welcome to another of his Uncles for the former was now dead who was Abbat of Frigidmont and who designed him for his Successor the profits of which place were worth above five thousand crowns perâ—in besides two Benefices belonging to the same worth seven hundred crowns more Beza by this Uncles means abounding with ease money and all things but good counsell began to find himself compassed about with infinite snares of Sathan For though he hated those vices which discovered open impiety and were disgracefull yet hee squandred away precious houres in pastimes and began to be puffed up with that applause which he gat by his forementioned Poems and by his hopes of the great preferments which his Uncle reserved for him Yet it pleased God that those seeds of piety that were sown in him in his childhood began to appear afresh so that discerning his danger and the Snares of Satan he made a vow to renounce the errors of Popery and lest hee should be overcome by fleshly lusts he privately married a wife having only two of his fast friends present at his marriage yet at the same time he faithfully promised that within a certain space of time breaking through all impediments he would have her to the true Church of God and there publickly confirm the Marriage and that in the mean time he would take none of the Popish Orders Both which he religiously performed afterwards And yet the world heaping more honours and profits upon him by the death of his elder brother and the Abbat his Uncle giving him all his goods hee was long in resolving what to do and slower in performing his Vow then he should have been But whilst he thus delayed the Lord struck him with a sore disease that he almost despaired of life and it continuing long upon him he was at last humbled by it and abhorred himself for his delayes and with many tears begged pardon of God for the same saying Lord bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name And the Lord heard and restored him And as soon as ever he had recovered his health according to his former engagements he took his wife and leaving friends honours riches and country hee went to Geneva Anno Christi 1548 where according to his former vow he publickly solemnized his marriage About the same time also there came to Geneva one John Crispin an antient and intimate friend of Beza's and so both of them consulted together what course of life to betake themselves to purposing to set upon the Art of Printing which their excellent learning and industry did much fit them for But God had appointed Beza to another imployment for before they could bring their purpose to maturity Beza would needs take a journey to Tubing where his old Master Wolmarus lived being now a Counsellor to the Prince of Wirtemberg and as soon as hee was returned to Geneva dreaming of no such matter he was called to be the Greek Professor in the University of Lausanna and by the Senate of Bern admitting that election was brought into that society Beza therefore looking upon it as a call from God embraced it and went to Lausanna In which place hee found many excellent men as Peter Viret the Pastor John Ribbit the Divinity Professor John Raimund Merlin the Hebrew Professor
Supper Beza was about to answer him but another Sorbonist Sanctaesius rising up and repeating sowerly what Espensaeus had said interrupted him He insisted principally upon Traditions which he affirmed to be certainer then the holy Scriptures quoting something out of Tertullian But Beza shewed that this froward speech of the Sorbonist made little towards setling the peace of the Church and therefore intreated the Queen that such unreasonable clamours might hereafter be restrained After which hee answered Espensaeus about the calling of Ministers and Traditions Whereupon Sanctaesius beginning again his clamours would have thrust in divers other questions but Lorrain fearing that the Queen would be offended at it put an end to that question and propounded a new one about the Supper of the Lord which unlesse it were determined he protested for himself and his associates that he would not change another word with the Ministers and thereupon hee asked them if they were all ready to subscribe the Augustane Confession Beza replyed And are you all ready to joyn with us therein But the Cardinal instead of an answer produced a Writing of the Opinions of some German Divines which he said was lately sent to him importunately urging the Ministers that they also would set down their opinions This was craftily done of him that if the Ministers should refuse to doe it he might set them and the Germans at variance and if they should doe it he might insult over them as a conquerour Beza therefore to shun this Rock said that he and his Colleagues were come thither to defend the Confession of Faith published by their Churches and that they had nothing else in command and that the Disputation was to be continued about the points contained therein as the likeliest way to come to an happy issue And that the best Method was to beginne with such things as were most easie and that since the Sacraments dâ—pended upon the Doctrine that it was fittest to beginne with the Doctrine But when the Cardinall would by no meanes alter his former resolution the Ministers suspecting that if they wholly resisted him he would thence take occasion to dissolve the conference and to transfer the fault upon them they desired that the writing miâ—ht be produced and thaâ— they might have time to consider of it which being granted the meeting was dissolved for that day September the six and twentieth the conference began again and Beza again diâ—â—ouâ—sed of the Calling of the Pastors of the Church and then of the Lords Supper But Lorraâ—n being neâ—ed about some expressions which Beza used about the vitious calling of their Ecclesiasticks cried out that the Maâ—esty of the King was violated Then Beza replyed That he had said nothing which might be justly blamed for that Kings had therefore drawn the choice of Ecclesiasticks inâ—o their own power because it had been so long abused Lâ—râ—â—in passing by that subject asked the Ministers why they refused to subscribe the Augustane Confession To which it was answered That if the Pontificians also would admit it there were hopes that ere long they might agree But saith Beza if you refuse to assent to this Confession its unequall that wee should bee pressed every way to approve of it Then the speech of the Lords Supper being again renewed Espensaeus quoted a speech of Calvin That we receive the substance of Christs Body To which was answered That by substance we are not to understand the fleshly eating of Christ but it signifies the spirituall and true feeding upon him as opposed to the Imaginary and phantasticall upon which occasion Peter Martyr because he could not speak French produced many things in Italian Though Lorrain often interrupted him saying that he would not dispute with men of a strange Language Yet had Peter Martyr for this speech the testimony of Espensaeus That of all the Divines of that age none had handled that question about the Lords Supper so fully and clearly as he Whilst the Ministers were preparing to answer Espensaeus a certain Spaniard that was Generall of the Jesuits standing up for an hour together declamed in Italian calling the Ministers Dissemblers Apes Foxes c. saying that they were not to be heard there but to be commanded to the Council of Trent And so proceeding to the question about the Lords Supper He said that Christ was present as a Prince who having gotten a victory will have the memory of it to be continued by some Anniversary Playes which himself would be over And so by an unusall impudence he laboured to stir up the Queen against the Ministers till he provoked some to laughter others to indignation But Beza advised him to keep his reproaches to himself Told him that the Queen had no need of the counsell of a Fryar who would wisely govern affairs according to the custom of the Kingdom and that he spake of the Lords Supper as if it were a Stage-play wherein Christ should act the first part And so leaving him he turned to Espensaeus saying As it s said This is my body so it s sayd This is the cup of the New Testament which cannot be understood without a Figure For Sacraments should not be Sacraments if they should not resemble those things whereof they are Sacraments and Signs as St. Augustine teacheth But said Espensaeus if our Sacraments should be Signs they would not much differ from the Jewish Sacraments and they would be Signs of Signs which is absurd But Beza shewed that there was no absurdity when the Apostle compared Circumcision with Baptism c. Then said a Sorbonist In this Proposition This is my body what doth This signifie Beza answered It signifies both the Bread and Christs Body The Sorbonist replyed That it was against the Rules of Grammer that Hoc This should bee applyed to the Bread but that it was Individuum vagum Beza took away this answer and told him that his Individuum vagum was unknown to all learned Antiquity Then one of the Sorbon Doctors holding up his finger to Beza in a threatning manner said Oh if we could once catch thee within the walls of Sorbon thou shouldst not get out again Thus the day being spent the conference was dissolved And seeing nothing could be effected this way some thought of another which was that John Monluc Bishop of Valentia and Espensaeus who were counted middle and moderate men should transact these businesses privately with Beza and Galasius which being assented to they met September the seventeenth at Saint Germans in a private house being commanded by the Queen that if it were possible they should agree upon some form about the Lords Supper which might give content to both parts which after much debate they did and the form was this Confitemur Jesum Christum in Coenâ nobis offerre dare verè exhibere substantiam sui corporis sanguinis operante spiritu sancto Nosâ— recipere edere spiritualiter per fidem verum
with his terrors and with inward tentations so that his life was almost wasted with heaviness yet thereby he learned more and more to know Christ Jesus About that time there was a General Assembly of the Church at Perth unto which some that lived in the North of Scotland sent to desire that a Minister might be sent unto them whereupon the Assembly appointed Master Cowper for that place and accordingly wrote to him by Master Patrick Simpson who coming to Sterling delivered to him the Letters from the Assembly and those from the Town containing his calling to the work of the Ministry in that place And so shortly after the Town sent their Commissioners to transport him and his family thither In that place he continued doing the work of the Lord for ninteen years together where he was a comfort to the best and a wound to the worser sort Besides the Sabbath dayes he chose thrice a week to convene the people together in the Evenings viz. Wednesdayes Fridayes and Saturdayes for a preparation to the Sabbath upon which daies they had no preaching in the morning concerning which meetings himself writes That it would have done a Christians heart good to have seen those glorious and joyfull assemblies to have heard the zealous cryings to God amongst that people with sighings and tears and melting hearts and mourning eyes And concerning himself he saith My witnsse is in heaven that the love of Jesus and his people made continual preaching my pleasure and I had no such joy as in doing his work And besides that he preached five times a week he penned also whatsoever hee preached many of which holy and godly Sermons are extant in print All the time of his abode there except some little intermissions and breathing times the Lord still exercised him with inward tentation and great variety of spiritual combats the end of all which through Gods mercy was Ioy unspeakable as himself testifies Yea once saith he in greatest extreamitie of horror and anguish of spirit when I had utterly given over and looked for nothing but confusion suddenly there did shine in the very twinkling of an eye the bright and lightsome countenance of God proclaming peace and confirming it with invincible reasons O what a change was there in a moment the silly soul that was even now at the brink of the pit looking for nothing but to be swallowed up was instantly raised up to heaven to have fellowship with God in Christ Jesus and from this day forward my soul was never troubled with such extremity of terrors This confirmation was given unto me on a Saturday in the morning there found I the power of Religion the certaintie of the word there was I touched with such a lively sense of a Divinitie and power of a Godhead in mercy reconciled with man and with me in Christ as I trust my soul shall never forget Glory glory glory be to the joyfull deliverer of my soul out of all adversities for ever In the middest of these wrestlings with God he wanted not combats with wicked men also but the greatnesse of his inward conflicts made him lightly regard all their outward contradictions and to esteem them but as the bitings of a Flea It was no marvel to see Satan stir up his wicked instruments to molest him since he professed himself a disquieter of him and his Kingdom Yet this much supported him that he never had a controversie with any of them but for their sins And the Lord assisting him the power of the Word did so hammer down their pride that they were all of them at last brought to an acknowledgement of their evil wayes But at length as God turned the heart of Pharoah and his people from the Israelites when the time drew on for their remove so by little and little did the zeal and love of most of that people fall away so that his last conflict was not with the prophane but with Justitiaries and such as were unrebukeable in their lives These men were stuffed with such pride self-conceit disdain and intolerable contempt that thereby they were carried further from their duty then any of the former and they which should have been his greatest comfort were his greatest cross Presently hereupon God called him to the Government of the Churches in Galloway in the South-West parts of the kingdom being chosen by the Assembly and presented by the King thereunto This was done without his privity or ambitious us seeking after it yea he was so far from it that eighteen weeks passed betwixt the Kings Presentation and his Acceptation of â—t In that place he was very carefull to advance the Gospel and to adorn his Ministery Concerning the frame of his spirit thus he writes My soul is alway in my hand ready to be offered to my God Where or what kind of death God hath prepared for me I know not But sure I am there can no evil death befall him that lives in Christ nor sudden death to a Christian Pilgrim who with Job waits very hour for his change Yea saith he many a daie have I sought it with teaâ—es not out of impatience distrust or perturbation â—ut because I am weary of sin and fearful to fall into it This faithful servant of God who had alwaies been faithful and painful in his Ministery when sickness grew daily upon him was no way deficient in the duty of his ordinary preaching Taking great pains also to perfect his work upon the Revelations which he desired greatly to finish before his death He had also much grief by reason of some that disturb'd the peace of the Church which he alwaies sought to procure so that his infirmity encreasing he was compelled to keep home yet as his weakness permitted he applyed himself to revise his writings and to dispose of his worldly estate that he might be ready for his passage which every day he exspected some ten daies before his decease he manifested to his friends what great contentment he had in his approaching death Many repaired to him in his sickness whom he entertained with most holy and divine conferences expressing a great willingnesse to exchange this life for a better and at last feeling his strength and spirits to decay after he had conceived a most heavenly prayer in the company of those that were by he desired to you to bed in which also after he had most devoutly commended himself unto Almighty God hee tooke som◠〈◊〉 rest After which time he spake not many words 〈…〉 failing though his memory and understanding 〈…〉 and so about seven a clock at night he rendred 〈…〉 most quiet and peaceable manner An Christi 1619. Some of his private meditations were these Now my soul be glad for at all parts of this prison the Lord hath set to his Pioners to loose thee Head feet milt and liver are
exiles Tossan was chosen Moderator and Pareus the Scribe of it In that Synod Pareus gat leave to goe visit his country and friends and so in three weeks space came safely to them where he was received with much joy and at the request of the Senate he preached the Sabbath following upon John 3. 16. And that with great applause and general approbation His Father also was so well pleased with him that presently after the Sermon he cancelled the writing whereby he had disinherited him The Senate also desired him to undertake a Pastoral charge in that place but he chose rather to return into the Palatinate again and coming to Neostad he was appointed to preach in a village hard by where he continued til Prince Casimire as Guardian to the young Prince Elector Palatine sent for him to be a Preacher in the great Church in Heidleberg and not long after he was made Master of the Colledge of Sapience in that University Anno Christi 1587 according to the Statutes of the Colledge he Commenced Master of Arts and a fterwards by the perswasion of his friends Doctor of Divinitie also Anno Christi 1594 at a Convention of States at Ratisbone the Divines of the Palatinate were accused by the Lutherans as holding opinions neither consonant to the Scriptures Augustane Confession nor to their own Catechiâ—m But Pareus at he appointment of the Palatine easily wiped off those aspersions and vindicated the innocencie of them Anno Christi 1596 there brake forth a great Plague in the University of Heidleberg whereof the learned James Kimedontius Pareus his intimate friend died and some other Professors also and the Students by reason of it were driven away yet Pareus stayd and it pleased God to preserve his Colledge free from the infection Not long after he was chosen Professor of the Old Testament in the room of Kimedontius and presently after Rector of the whole University Anno Christi 1596 he was extremely troubled with a Catarrh insomuch as he despaired of life yet it pleased God after a while to restore him Anno Christi 1602 upon the death of Daniel Tossan he was made Professor of the New Testament and grew so famous that many resorted out of Hungarie Borussia France England Scotland Ireland and Germany to see and hear him Anno Christi 1615 his Wife sicken'd and died which was a great grief to him An Chr. 1618 the Low-Countries being exceedingly indangered by the growth of Arminianism the States appointed a Synod at Dort for the curing of that disease and amongst other famous Divines Pareus was chosen by the Elector Palatine to goe to it but he being grown very old and infirm desired to be excused and so Paul 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 wonderful providence that â—he light upon his feet and received no hurt by the fall which made him think of that promise Psal. 91 He will give his Angels charge over thee c. By his Doctrine and Counsel he was admirably advantageous to the Church of God in many places He strongly asserted the truth of God against its adversaries He was a great studier and promoter of the Churches peace labouring that they which agree in the Fundamentals should not jar about matters of an inferiour nature He wrote many excellent Works whereof some were printed by himself others remained with his son Philip Pareus who hath since published them to the great benefit of the Church About that time the Spaniards came into the Palatinate with their Army which brought great miseries upon that poor Country which Pareus foresaw both by Prodigies and Dreams Then did his friends both in Heidleberg and other places perswade him to retire himself 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 hee cried out O Heidleberg O Heidleberg but it 's better to fall into the hands of God then of men whose tender mercies are cruelty He went to Anvilla where he spent his time in Prayer Study and Meditation waiting and longing for the time of his change 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 air 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 returne to Heidleberg and lay his bones there He made his Will also finding his former Catarrh to return upon him again yet through Gods mercy and by the help of Physicians he recovered whereupon he resolved to goe to Heidleberg and taking his Grand-son young Daniel Pareus with him whom he loved dearly he came safely to Heidleberg where hee was received with wonderfull acclamations of joy about which time Prince Frederick came thither also 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 own loss amongst whom was Henry Alting to whom he freely opened his mind both concerning Gods house and his own and presently after quietly departed in the Lord Anno Christi 1622 and of his age 73. His Works are bound up together in three volumes The Life of Thomas Erpenius who died A no Christi 1624. THomas Erpenius was born at Gâ—rcome in the Low Countries Anno Christi 1584 of honest Parents In his childhood he was bred in the School of 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 fel to the studies of Divinity and of the Oriental Languages under Joseph Scaliger who observing his ingenuity and promptnesse often foretold what an eminent man he would prove in time to come From thence he travelled into England France Italy and Germany in which peregrinations he profited exceedingly both in learning and prudence At Paris he became intimately acquainted with Isaac Causabon and went with him to Samure where he fel hard to the study of Arabick and profited so exceedingly therein that Causabone 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 Tâ—rks he learned the Turkish Persian and Aethiopick languageâ— whereby
needed consolation And if his reproof or exhortation needed pressing home upon the conscience he would enlarge himselfe by shewing motives to urge the duty or disswasives from the vice taking his Arguments from duty to God decency or shamefulnesse pleasure or paine gaine or losse Sometimes also hee would shew the effectuall meanes of attaining the grace or power to performe the duty exhorted to As also the Remedies against Vices And when hee fell upon any Common place or Head of Divinity hee used to prosecute it very judiciously and profitably So that by all this it appeares that hee made good use of his Learning yet without affectation He used to read Books most swiftly and yet not cursorily being able when he had done to give an account of the substance and most remarkable passages of what he had read Though he preached often yet what he preached was before-hand well studied and premeditated And it pleased God to put a Seal to his Ministry in the converting confirming and building up many thousands in the course of his Ministry Hee was a diligent visitor of the sick under his charge without respect of persons Hee was a great Peace-maker amongst any of his flock that were at variance Hee had an heavenly gift in prayer both for aptnesse and fulnesse of Confessions Petitions Supplications Intercessions and Praises together with fervencie of spirit to pour them out to God in the name of Christ. When he had read a Psalm or Chapter in his Family in his Prayer hee would discover the scope meaning and chiefe notes of observation and their use so that his Prayer was an excellent Commentary thereupon and this not onely in the plainer but â—n the harder Texts of Scripture also In his prayers also after Sermon he could collect into a short summe all that hee had delivered to his hearers and make it the matter of his prayer unto God that they might bee inwardly taught of God and become believers and doers of what was taught them His constant practice was besides Family-prayer twice a day and sometimes catechizing to pray also with his Wife and alone both morning and evening He set a part private daies of Humiliation for his Family upon special occasions and oft for their preparation to the Lords Supper at which times he would exceed himself in pouring out his soul to God with many tears He was much in daies 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 to 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 hee would not leave them Hee was daily inquisitive after the affaires of Gods Church and sympathized with Gods people both in their weale and woe He was much grieved when he saw that difference in opinions bred strangenesse amongst Christians that agreed in the same Fundamentall Truths He was judiciously charitable to such as shewed the power of Godlinesse in their lives though they were not of his judgement in all things He was glad when any of the righteous smote him and would take it well not from his Superiours onely but from his Equals and far Inferiours and would really shew more testimonies of his love to such afterwards then ever he did before Hee abounded in workes of Mercy he was a truly liberal man one that studyed liberall things seeking out to finde objects of his mercie rather then staying till they were offered He did set apart and expend for many yeares together for good uses the tenth part of his yearly commings in both out of his Temporall and Ecclesiasticall meanes of maintenance He entertained some poor Widdows or neceâ—â—itous persons weekly at the least at his Table and his estate prospered the better after hee took this course and in his sicknesse he comforted himself with that promise Psal. 41. 1 2. Blessed is he that considereth the poor the Lorâ— will deliver him in the time of trouble the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing c. The truth of grace in his heart was discovered by nothing more then by his slips and strong tentations For hereby hee was made more watchfull over himselfe more humble and more to loath his originall corruption and sinfull nature and so to cry out with the Apostle O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Yea this made him more earnest in his prayers unto God and more pittifull unto others And hee was alwayes the first espier of his own faults when the world could not or did not take notice of them enjoying no rest in himselfe till he had sought and regained pardon and peace with God His last daies were his best dayes for then hee 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 hee preached divers times till his encreasing weaknesse disabled him In his sicknesse he gave heavenly and wholsom counsel to his people neighbours and friends that came to visit him exhorting them to labour to redeem the time to be much in reading hearing and meditating upon the word of God much in praier brotherly love and communion of Saints and that they would be careful to hold that fast that he had taught them out of the Word of Truth and that waiâ—st the means of salvation was to bee had they would neither spare paines nor cost to enjoy it His pains towards his end were very great yet hee bore them patiently He was much in ejaculations and lifting up his heart to God in behalf of the Church and State and for himself also wherein he was most frequent and earnest A little before his death a godly friend and Minister praying with him that if his time were not expired God would bee pleased to restore him for the good of his Church or if otherwise that he would put an end to his pains if hee 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 took him away a little before the Civill Warres began and before the sad desolations that fell upon the Town of Banbury in particular He wrote Prototypes God Husbandry A Treatise of the New Birth The Redemption of time A Care cloth The Bride bush c.
Anno Christi 1516. Anno Christi 1520. through the favor of Sir Vlrick Hutten he was called to Ments by the Archbishop thereof to be the Preacher and Counsellor to the Prince at which time also Gasper Hedeo was made Preacher and chief Governor over the highest Church in Ments Capito did the more willingly embrace this call that he might plant the reformed Religion in Ments Concerning his commencing Doctor he thus writes in an Epistle to Hutten Juris Pontificii ut vocant Doctoratum suscepi propter authoritatem videlicet comparandam scopam subolescis Licet interim sint aliqui qui vitio vertunt Theologum esse unà simul Civilem quasi Theologus necesse habet omnem exuere humanitatem Anno Christi 1521. Tecelius the Merchant of Indulgences being dead by the order of the Archbishop of Ments Letters Patents for the renewing of them were set to sale at Hale in Saxony whereupon Luther wrote to the Archbishop and Melancthon to Capito his Counsellor to disswade them from such Merchandize Capito therefore secretly favouring the Gospel so far prevailed with his Master that he wrote mildly and humbly to Luther And Capito also wrote to him to advise him that in writing against the vices of Prelates he should not name them For saith he Exasperantur potius animi insectatione quà m curantur mens mindes by such bitterness are rather exasperated then cured Capito thus continuing with the Elector of Ments was very dear unto him for his rare Wisdom joined with Piety his happy Eloquence and mild Nature so that by him he was sent upon many Embassies And February the 7. Anno Christi 1523. he was by the Emperour Charles the Fifth endowed for himself and posterity with the Ensignes of Nobility under the Imperial Seal But not much esteeming these things when he saw that he could not accomplish his purpose at Ments to the wonder of the Archbishop and astonishment of the Courtiers he left it and followed Bucer to Strasborough where he was called to a Pastoral charge The fame of Capito and Bucer did so spred abroad that James Faber Stapulensis and Gerard Ruâ—us came privily out of France to them being sent by Margaret Queen of Navar and sister to Francis King of France where they discoursed largely with them of all the heads of Divinity So that France oweth the beginning of her embracing the reformed Religion as to other godly Ministers so especially to Capito and Bucer Capito was a very Prudent and Eloquent man a good Hâ—brician and studious of Peace Concerning the Sacrament he said Mittendas esse contentiones cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae fidem nostram pane vino Domini per memoriam carnis sanguinis illìus pascendam Anno 1525 he was called into his own Country where he instructed his Brethren in the Doctrine of the Gospel preached and administred the Lords Supper to his own Citizens and Baptized without the Popish Ceremonies and whereas in Helvetia many seemed to incline to the reformed Religion Capito often went amongst them confirming them in the Faith And in a Disputation at Bern in Helvetia Anno Christi 1528. Capito with many other Divines was present at it defending the Truth against the Adversaries so that he with the rest prevailed for the abolishing of the Mass and setting up a faithful Ministry in that place The rest of his time he spent in Preaching at Strasborough and giving wholsome counsel to the Churches Anno Christi 1541. when a Diet was appointed at Ratisbone especially for the cause of Religion Capito amongst other Divines was sent by the Protestants to it where he gave an excellent demonstration of his wit and judgement But when nothing could be effected returning home in a great and general infection he dyed of the Plague Anno Christi 1541. of his Age 63. He was a man of an excellent wit and judgement constant in Religion A great lover of the Schools and Learning wherefore he exhorted to the repairing of Schools and keeping up Scholastical Titles that the studious might be distinguished from the slothful the Seniors from the Juniors and that diligence might be spurred on by hope of honest glory When Erasmus halted between two opinions he continually called upon him to put off that Nicodemus-like temper His first wife was Agnes a learned woman after whose death he marryed the Widdow of Oecolampadius his intire friend He left to posterity these excellent works Institutionum Hebraicarum libriduo Enarrationes in Habacuc Hoseans Prophetas Vita Johannis Oecolampadii De formando puro Theologo Explicatio doctissima in Hexameron opus Dei LEO JVDAE The Life of Leo Iudae who dyed An. Chri. 1542. LEO Judae was born An. Chr. 1482. his fathers name was John Judae his mothers name was Elizabeth By the care of his Father he was brought up at School in Slestadia where having learned Grammer he went to Basil An. Chr. 1502. There he joined in study with Zuinglius was an hearer of Dr. Wittenbash by whom he was instructed in the knowledg of the Gospel There also he continued in his studies till he commenced Master of Arts Anno Christi 1512. after which he was made a Deacon and from thence he was called into Helvetia where he set himself to the study of the Oriental Tongues and to read the Fathers especially Hierom and Augustine as also he read diligently the Books of Luther Erasmus and Capito At length being called to a Pastoral charge at Zurick he opposed the Popish Doctrine and Ceremonies both in the Pulpit and Press so that his fame spread far and near there he continned eighteen years and spent much of it in expounding the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein being grown very skilful he set upon at the importunity of his Brethren of the Ministry the translation of the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein also he was much holpen by the industry of other learned men His care was to get the most exact Hebrew copy that he could which also he compared with others neither did he neglect to examine the Greek and Latine versions that by all he might the better finde out the genuine signification of the words and minde of the Holy Ghost But this work proving very great he was so wasted with labor and old age that he dyed before he finished it Anno Christi 1542. and of his Age 60. leaving undone Job the forty last Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles and the eight last Chapters of Ezekiel which he commended to Theodore Bibliander to finish who accordingly did it and he left all to Conradus Pellican to peruse and put to the Press which he carefully performed Four days before his death sending for the Pastors and Professors of Zurick he made before them a Confession of his Faith concerning God the Scriptures the Person and Offices of Christ concluding Huic
Jesu Christo Domino liberatori meo c. To this my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ my Hope and my Salvation I wholly offer up my soul and body I cast my self wholly upon his mercy and grace c. after which he added an hearty thanksgiving unto God for all the blessings and benefits that he had received from him Prayed earnestly to him for the pardon of all his sins made an exhortation to his Brethren and with hearty affections commended to God the Senate and People of Zurick together with his wife and children entreating them to be an husband to the widdow and a Father to the Fatherless He left to posterity Annotationes in Genesin Exodum ex ore Zuinglii exceptas Item in Evangelistas quatuor Passionis Dominicae Historiam Ac in Epistolas Pauli ad Romanos Corinthios Philippenses Collossenses Thessalonicenses Sancti Iacobi Praeterea Opus conclusionum Zuinglii atque Catechismum majorem minorem conscripsit The Life of George Spalatinus who dyed Anno Christi 1545. GEorge Spalatine was born at Noricum An. Chri. 1482. and being brought up in Learning profited so much especially in the knowledge of the Humane Arts that Frederick the Third Elector of Saxony took a great liking to him and made him one of his Privy Counsel and preferred him to some other Offices under him Yet did not he neglect the study of Divinity but profited so much therein that he was ordained a Minister He was also an excellent Historian insomuch as his Prince imployed him in writing a Chronicle from the beginning of the World to his time What favour he was in with his Prince may appear by this in that Pope Leo the tenth endevouring to suppress Luthers Doctrine in the bud wrote to the Duke of Saxony and to our Spalatine to promote his business with the Duke for the destroying of Luther When he first applyed himself to the study of Divinity he wrote to Luther intreating directions from him for the Method of his Studies Luther advised him to read Hierom Augustine and Ambrose as they were published by Erasmus He also advised him always to begin his Studies with Prayer For saith he there is no Master that can instruct us in Divine matters but the Author of them He further perswaded him to read over the whole Bible diligently adjoining Augustine to it And said he if you will have my advice begin with that part which is De spiritu litera which our Carolostad a man of incomparable diligence hath expounded and published Afterwards he named to him other parts of Augustine and of Ambrose After this the Elector of Saxony made him his Court Preacher and whithersoever he went took him along in his train with him as he did when he went to the Diet at Worms Anno Christi 1521. whence he wrote to Luther that there was so much favour shewed to the Gospel but then appearing that he perswaded himself that Luther should not be condemned before he was heard Nine years after this he was at Auspurg when the confession of Faith which was written by Melancthon was presented unto the Emperour And indeed in all the Controversies of Religion he always stood of Luthers side He had many thoughts of leaving his Ministry had not Luther earnestly opposed him amongst other things writing thus to him Those temptations which persue you to desert your Ministry either overcome them or slight them Christ hath called you to that Office yield to him and obey him according to his will What you are doing you know not for the present but you shall know hereafter This is a Diabolical tentation and you know not now why you are afflicted with it we which are spectators know it better therefore you ought rather to trust us then your self who in the Lord before the Lord yea the Lord by us doth exhort and comfort you For we look after nothing else herein then the will of God and his glory And indeed this is a certain sign that your Ministry is neither ingrateful to God nor unprofitable to the Church in that you are troubled with these tentations For if it were unpleasing to God you would rather long after it as they do which run before they be sent They speak when they have nothing commanded them of God whereas Satan when he findes such as are truly sent by God and pleasing to him he makes them aweary of their work but those which are unpleasing to God he fils them with a violent hunting after the work You have no reason to give over your Ministry which is so earnestly desired and embraced c. Upon these perswasions of Luther he continued in his Office unto the end of his life which fell out Anno Christi 1545. and of his age 63. He was a man that lived in great esteem with Princes and Nobles and most of the learned men of his time Erasmus wrote often to him acknowledging him not only his dear friend but his Patron also and Luther wrote six hundred Epistles to him He wrote the Chronicle before mentioned turned Erasmus his Book De Institutione Principis into Dutch with some others The Life of Myconius who dyed Anno Christi 1546. FRidericus Myconius was born in Franconia of religious parents An. Chr. 1491. Decemb. 26. and bred up at School till he was 13 years old and then he was sent to Annaeberg where he studyed till he was 20. and then entred into a Monastery of the Franciscan Fryars there without the knowledg of his Parents and this he did not that he might live in ease fill his belly and follow his pleasures but that he might serve God pray for the pardon of his own and other mens sins and that he might live an holy and innocent life For so men judged in those days The first night after his entry he had a dream which proved Prophetical In that Monastery he almost killed himself with watchings fastings praying and performing other bodily exercises wherein they thought all holiness to consist And in the night time when other Monks were asleep he macerated and weakned himself with reading Peter Lombard Alexander Hales Bonaventure Gabriel Biel Augustine and other like Authors and being made Reader at Meal-times for seven years together every dinner and supper he read the Bible with Lyra's Notes upon it which he turned over so often that he had almost gotten it by heart but yet without understanding and judgement Only he retained in his Memory the Sacred Histories But despairing of attaining to Learning under such Masters he left his studies and fell to Mechanical Arts About which time Tecelius brought his Indulgences into Germany boasting of the virtue of them and exhorting all as they loved their own and their dead friends Salvation that they should buy them c. and withall threatning that if they came not speedily to buy he would lay