down the Cross shut Heaven Gates that now stood wide open that he would extinguish the light and splendor of the Sun and that ere long he would cause that so pretious ware should not be sold at so easie a rate and that whilst the World stood Germany should not have such liberality profered to them from Rome again and therefore he exhorted them seriously to have respect to their own and their deceased friends Salvation For saith he now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation and except ye buy these Indulgences no man can absolve you from your sins He also told the Citizens of Annaeberg that if they would freely part with their mony their metal Mines which were about the Town of S. Anne should abound with pure silver By these means this cunning Hucster procured such honor to his Indulgences that when he came to any Town the Popes Bull was carryed before him wrapped either in silk or cloth of gold and was met with a long and pompous Procession so that probably had God himself come in a visible shape he should not have been entertained with so much magnificence Myconius had been taught by his Father the Lords Prayer the Creed the Decalogue and to pray often and that the blood of Christ only could cleanse us from sin and that pardon of sin and eternal life could not be bought with mony c. which caused him to be much troubled whether he should believe his Father or the Priests but understanding that there was a clause in the Indulgences that they should be given freely to the Poor he went to Tecelius entreated him to give him one for that he was a poor sinner and one that needed a free remission of his sins and a participation of the merits of Christ Tecelius admired that he could speak Latine so well which few Priests could do in those days and therefore he advised with his Colleagues who perswaded him to give Myconius one but after much debate he returned him answer That the Pope wanted mony without which he could not part with an Indulgence Myconius urged the aforenamed clause in the Indulgences which were publickly posted up wherein the Pope had inserted these words ut pauperibus gratis darentur propter Deum whereupon Tecelius his Colleagues pressed again that he might have one given him pleading his learning ingenuity poverty c. and that it would be a dishonour both to God and the Pope to deny him one But still Tecelius refused whereupon some of them whispered Myconius in the Ear to give a little money which he refused to do and they fearing the event one of them profered to give him some to buy one with which he still refused saying that he would not have bought Indulgences and that if he pleased he could sell a Book to buy one but he desired one for Gods sake which if they denyed him he wished them to consider how they could answer it to God c. But prevailing nothing he went away rejoicing that there was yet a God in Heaven to pardon sinners freely c. according to that promise As live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner c. Not long after he entred into Orders at Vinaria and read privately Luthers Books which the other Fryars took very hainously and threatned him for it From thence he was called to be a Preacher at Vinaria where at first he mixed some Popish Errors with the Truth but by the Illumination of Gods Spirit and by his reading Luther he at last began to Preach against Popery and to hold forth the Truth clearly in Thuringia which spied so swiftly in one months space and was so greedily imbraced not only through Saxony but through all Countries as if the Angels had been the carriers of it Anno Christi 15 8. when Luther was going to Auspurg he lodged in the Monastery where Myconius was at Vinaria at which time Myconius first saw him but was not suffered to speak with him Afterwards he was called to â—otha to teach and govern the Thuringian Churches where he lived with his Colleagues twenty years in much peace and concord of which himself faith Cucurriâ—aus certaâ—â—mâ—â— â—â—â—â—ravimus pugnavimus vicimus viximâ—s semper conâ—uâ—â—etâ—ssimè c. Anno. Christi 15â—5 In the tumult of the Anabaptistical Boors Myconius took much pains to pacifie their mindes and to keep them quiet Yea he so quieted with an Oration some that were pulling down some Noble-mens houses that they went away in peace That year also he marryed a wife called Marguet the daughter of an honest Citizen of Gotha by whom through Gods blessing he had a numerous posterity And though Myconius was by Gods Providence called to the Government of the Church in Gotha yet the most illustrious Elector of â—axoâ—y imployed him in many other businesses He also took him along with him thrice into the Low-countries as also into Cullen Julâ—ers and divers other places At Dusseldoâ—p he preached the Gospel sincerely and purely though to the hazard of his life and at Cullen he maintained a publick Disputation with the Fryars which was afterwards printed With the like constancy and faithfulness he preached the Doctrine of the Gospel in Brunswick in Cella of Saxony and in other parts of Westphalia Also in divers publick Conventions at Smalcald Francfurt and Noremberg his counsel being asked with much courage and zeal he handled the affairs of Religion seeking to promote the glory of God and profit and welfare of the Church An. Chr. 1528. Henry the Eighth King of England fell out with the Pope for not divorcing him from his wife Katharine of Spain sister to Charles the Fifth by reason of whose greatness the Pope durst not do it whereupon the King of England sent over to the Germane Princes especially to the Duke of Saxony to confederate against the Pope and to join with them in an agreement about Religion upon which occasion Myconius was sent over into England partly about matters of Religion but especially about a match between Henry the Eighth and Anne of Cleve but coming thither he discovered the Kings hypocrisie about Religion not only by the six Articles about that time established but also by his imprisoning of Latimer and cutting off the Lord Cromwels head and burning of Mr. Barnes c. and by his seizing upon all the Abbey-lands whereupon he left England and being come home Anno Christi 1538. he was called by Henry of Saxony to visit and reform the Churches of Misnia together with Luther Jonas Cruciger c. which fell out upon this occasion George Duke of Saxony lying on his death-bed sent to his Brother Henry all his own sons being dead before desiring him that succeeding him he should innovate nothing in Religion and withall promised him golden mountains by his Ambassadors if he would assent thereto to whom Henry answered
to the poor severe and stout in reproofs an earnest defendor of the Truth against Errors ardent in Prayer c. He joyned with Luther in the Translation of the Bible which being finished every year upon that day he invâ—ted his friends and made a feast which he called the Feast of the Translation of the Bible He was alwaies well content with his station and condition at Wittenberg and would never remove though hee was earnestly pressed to have removed to places of more honour power and profit He attended his charge with great fidelity admirable assiduity and extraordinary pains In his Sermons he was very modest and so devout that sometimes forgetting himself he would spend some hours in preaching He wrote a Commentary upon the Psalmes Annotations upon the Epistles to Gal. Ephes. Phil. Collos. Thess. 1 2. to Timothy 1. 2. to Titus Philemon Hebr. Also Annotations upon Samuel Jonah and Denter besides some Epistles to sundry friends P. MELANCTHON The Life of Philip Melancthon who dyed A no Christi 1560. PHilip Melancthon was born at Bretta in the lower Palatinate Anno Christi 1497. of honest parents of a middle rank by whom he was set to School to learne Grammer of John Hungarus a learned and honest man and to learne Greek of George Simler and afterwards they sent him to Heidleberg at twelve years of age where he had Logick and Physicks read to him and attaining ability to make a verse he fell to reading Poetry and History There also being very young be instructed the Sons of Count Leonstein and Commenced Bachelor of Arts Anno Christi 1511. and of his age fourteen with generall approbation After three years study there the air not agreeing with him and being denyed his degree of Master of Arts by reason of his youth removed to Tubinge anno 1512. He alwayes used to carry his Bible about with him reading often in it both at Church and elsewhere yet was he carried away with the common errors of the times of which himselfe saith I â—remble to think with what blind devotion I went to Images whilst I was a Papist He pivately at Tubinge taught the Law and read over very diligently all the books of Gallen and with Oecolampadius read over Hesiod He stayed in that University four years where he profited so much in the Arts Tongues and Philosophy that he read publick Lectures in the Schools out of Virgil Terence and Tully and was imployed in overseeing the Presse He studied the Mathematicks Law and Physick in all which he profited much There he commenced Master of Arts Anno Christi 1513. and of his age Seventeen Luther about that time beginning to oppose the Pope In August 1518. Philip Melancthon was sent for from Tubinge by Frederick Duke of Saxony to the University of Wittenberge to teach the Greek Tongue He consulted with â—apnio who advised him to imbrace the invitation whereupon August 25. he came to Wittenberg About which time Erasmus wrote thus of him Philip Melancthon is a most learned and exoe Neâ—t Greciâ—â—â— he is a youth and stripling if ye consider his age but one of us if ye look upon his variety of knowledge almost in all books He is very exquisite in the learning of both the Tongues I pray Christ this young man may live long amongst us he wil quite obscuâ—e Erasmus Four dayes after he came to Wittenberg he made a most earned and polite Oration in the University with so much grace as was admirable He came to Wittenberg when he was but 22 years old There he began to expound Pauls Epistle to Titus â—ut of Greek to the great admiration of his hearers which flockâ— exceedingly to his Lectures and â—uther also was exceedingly taken with the same as himself professeth in a Letter to Spalatmus saying Philippum Graecissimum eruditissimum humanissimum habe commendatissimum auditorium habet refertum auditoribus imprimis omnes Theologos summos cum mediis infimis studiosos facit Graecitatis When he first began to teach he found the precepts of arts either false or obscure or out of order and therefore taking the labour upon him he made learned Systemes almost of all Arts cutting off what was false illustrating what was obscure and rightly placing what was out of order so that anno 1519. he published his Rhetorick the year after his Logick and shortly after his Grammer with other Arts in order Anno 1519 he went with Luther to Lipswich where he disputed with Eccius and though Eccius contemned him for his youth and called him saccum distinctionum yet he got himselfe much credit and gave some experience of his abilities in controversies Anno Christi 1520. he expounded the Epistle to the Romans which Commentary Luther printed without the privity of Melancthon The year after when the Divines of Paris had condemned Luthers Doctrine and books he wrote an Apology for him against their furious Decree Anno Christi 1522. he printed his Common-places And his Commentaries on both the Epistles to the Corinthians Anno 1523. he published his Annotations upon Genesis with some other books The year after taking Joac Camerarius along with him he went to visit his friends and at his return at the request of the Lantgrave of Hesse he wrote an Epitome of the Ecclesiasticall Doctrine renewed and a Treatise of the difference between the righteousnes of the world and of Christ. He turned into Latine the Proverbs of Solomon and wrote prefaces to the Psalms and Lamentations An. 1525. In the wars of the Boorish Anabaptists he confuted their Articles whereby they sought to justifie their Rebellion and in the end of that yeare hee was sent for to Norimberg to direct the Senate in the erecting of a School Anno 1527. he was imployed in visiting the Churches in Saxonie Anno Christi 1529. the Elector of Saxonie took him with him to the Convention at Spire where by the consent of the Protestant Princes He drew up a confession of Faith with great pains and exactnesse which by them was presented to the Emperor Charls the Fifth Anno Christi 1534. Henry the eighth King of England sent to invite him into England with promise of Courteous entertainment and good preferment hoping by his meanes to draw the Protestant Princes of Germany into a league with him against the Pope But Melancthon refused to goe rendring the reason in a Letter that he wrote to Camerarius wherin is this passage Perhaps many things are reported amongst you concerning England that it lyeth open now for the Religion of the purer Doctrine but I have intelligence from a good hand that the King hath no great care of the affairs of the Church onely this good comes of his rejecting the Popes Authority that for the present no crueâ—ty is used towards those that are desirous of better Doctrine Anno Christi 1536. he went abroad to visit
the Warres in Germany breaking forth under Charles the fifth the Universitie of Wittenberg was dissipated by reason of the same whereupon Chytraeus went to Heidleberg where he studied Hebrew and from thence went to Tubing where hee applyed himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks But when Prince Maurice of Saxonie had restored the Universitie and called back Melancthon hee presently returned to Wittenberg where he buckled close to his former studyes fearing the like interruption againe And Anno Christi 1548 hee beganne privately to read to young Students by which means having gotten some money in his purse hee resolved to travell into Italie and other parts that so hee might see those famous places which hee had often read of and grow into acquaintance with the eminent men of those times For which end having gotten him a faithful companion Andrew Martin of Rostoch he travelled through most parts of Italy And being returned to Wittenberg Melancthon was requested to send two learned men to Rostoch for the advancement of that University whereupon he commended John Aurifaber and Chytraeus to them who accordingly went thither â—nd beganne their Lectures to the great satisfaction of the Auditors and in a short time Chytraeus grew so famous for his learning virtue diligence and excellent dexterity in teaching that first Christian King of Denmark and afterward the Senate of Auspurg sent for him to come to them He was desired also by the University of Strasborough to succeed Hedio lately dead Also Frederick the second Prince Elector Palatine sent earnestly for him to come to Heidleberg but his Prince John Albert would by no means part with him Two yeares after he travelled into Frisland Brabant Flanders and other of the Belgick Provinces Upon his returne the Elector Palatine Otho Henry sent again for him to come to Heidleberg and the King of Denmark profered to double his stipend if hee would come to him but his answer to them both was that his Prince had dealt so friendly with him that hee could by no meanes leave him Some yeares after the Nobilitie of Madgeburg sent to request his presence and assistance in Reforming Religion and ejecting Popery from amongst them but when he could not go himself he wrote his mind fully to them about the same About that time he commenced Doctor in Divinity at the charges of his Prince Anno Christi 1565 the Senate of Stralsund sent for him to be their Superintendent and the King of Sweden also desired him to come thither but nothing would prevail to get him from Rostoch The year after his Prince took him with him to the Diet at Auspurg where matters of Religion were to be debated At which time Ambassadors came to him again from Strasborough to request his remove thither and he gave them some hope of assenting if his Princes good will could be procured but he would by no means part with him and to express his love he profered to enlarge his stipend but Chytraeus refused the same Two yeares after hee was sent for into Austria to assist them in the Reformation which they intended whither he went and gave them such full satisfaction that they sent him back with an ample testimony of his abilities and integrity When he had finished his business in Austria he tooke a journey into Hungarie where he visited many of the chiefe Cities in that Kingdom Anno Christi 1571 his Prince made him the chief Visitor of all the Churches in his Dominions Hee assisted also in the work of Reformation at Berline Then the Marquesse of Brandenburg sent for him to be the Divinity Professor at Franckfurt upon Order but could not obtain him Two years after the States of Stiria sent for him to help them in Reforming their Churches whither he went for half a year and was exceeding useful to them in that work At this return he was sent for by the Elector of Saxonie and the University of Wittenberg to be a Professor there but they could not prevaile The yeare after the Duke of Brunswick being to erect an Vniversity at Juliers sent to him to assist in making Laws for the University in choosing of Professors c. Which he dispatched to his great content Shortly after hee went to divers meetings of Divines in severall places about procuring and setling the peace of the Churches of Christ. Whilst he was at Rostoch he went over in his Lectures the greatest part of the Old and New Testament and wrote divers other learned books When he grew into yeares he began to be diseased and sometimes was confined to his bed yet neither there would he be idle but upon the least intermission of his pain went on with his Exposition of the two and thirtieth Psalm which he had begun before And after that in Commenting upon the Epistle to the Romans But his disease increasing whereby he discerned the approaching of his end hee made a confession of his Faith received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and not long after quietly slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1600 and of his age seventy Whilst he lay sick in his bed if any present had discoursed about a controversal point raising himself up he would call to them to speake out saying that hee should dye with the more comfort if he could learn any new thing before his departure He was a truly good man who directed all his employment not to his private gain and glory but to the glory of God and to the furtherance of the salvation of others souls He obtained of his Princes of Megapoll to bestow 3500 crowns of yearly revenues upon the University of Rostoch He was alwaies ready to assist with his counsell any that repaired to him He was very courteous and affable exceeding patient under great afflictions and perswaded others for peace-sake to put up many wrongs He often turned a deaf eare to calumnies and lies using to say Qui nescit ferre calumnias obtrectationes convitia injurias ille vivere nescit He knows not how to live that knows not how to bear wrongs c. He had these wishes often in his mouth Utinam ambitio avaritia ex animis hominum radicitùs tolleretur utinam publicae tranquilitatis causa magni viri remitterent invicem simultates utinam reges ac potentes rerum Domini majorem Eclesiae ac scholarum curam susciperent c. In difficult matters he was never rash to declare his judgement His private life was very exemplary by reason of his indefatigable studies his diligence in his office his piety modesty sobriety chastity liberality and other virtues He was of a melancholly temper and most desirous of learning Scripsit multa Theologica Philologica Historica quae hic recensere nimis longum foret Some of his Works are mentioned before The Life of Alexander Nowel who died A no Christi 1601. ALexander
much affected with it and by writing admonishing and exhorting both at home and abroad endeavoured to assist with his counsell whom he could not by his presence Also Anno Christi 1568 that war waxing hot many out of sundry parts of France fled to Geneva as to a safe harbour amongst whom was Nicolas Beza Praefect of Vezelia brother to Beza by the Fathers side who living a while in Beza's house shortly after dyed of the Plague And not long after Beza's wife fell sick of it yet it pleased God to restore her to health again The same year in the midst of many troubles he wrote his books of Polygamie and Divorces against Bernard Ochin who a little before had published his Dialogues upon these subjects stuffed with errors He wrote also against Flacius Illiricus Anno Christi 1571 peace being setled he was sent for by the Queen of Navar the Admiral and the general vote of the Churches of France to Rochell to a Synod where he was made the Moderator and at which the Confession of Faith of the French-Churches was confirmed and subscribed by the Queen of Navar her sonne afterwards King Henry the 4th and the Prince of Conde And the year after he was sent for to Namures to another Synod where the book of the French Church-Discipline was established Anno Christi 1572 after that bloody Massacre at Paris many of the godly that escaped fled to Geneva amongst whom were the Pastors of fiftie Churches that were wholly dispersed These being stript of all and in great want Beza by his Letters into Germany and England procured such reliefe for them that for three years space in which they lived there they were plentifully and comfortably provided for In that Massacre God was pleased wonderfully to preserve Hen. of Burbon son to the great Lodwick Prince of Conde who thereupon retired into Germany for shelter and staying a while at Strasborough he sent for Beza and employed him to Prince Cassimire the Administrator of the Palatinate And afterwards as this Prince returned into France hee went by Geneva where he conferred with Beza about many weighty matters Beza went on indefatigably in his publick employments revised his Translation and Annotations upon the New Testament and enlarged them wrote against Pappus about the Hypostaticall Union against the railings of Holderus against the calumnies of Andreas Made his Harmony of the Law out the Books of Moses He wrote also of the Notes and Authority of the Catholick Church c. Shortly after the Plague breaking forth in Geneva Beza was much afflicted for the sad condition of the Common-wealth yet he cheared up himself much with the hearty and sincere love and societie which he had with all the Pastors thereof whose unity and unanimity was a great means under God to preserve the happiness of Geneva About the same time five Anabaptists Mechanicks began privately to sow the seed of their errors in Geneva whereupon Beza John Pinaldus Charles Perrot and Anthony Faius were chosen to confer with them and after confutation of their errors they recanted and reformed onely â—ne of them left the City and was heard of no more Anno Christi 1586 there was a Disputation appointed at Mombelgard between the German and Helvetian Divines about the difference betwixt them in some points unto which Beza was sent for and the whole Dispute was betwixt Dr. Andreas and him but in conclusion nothing was effected by it yet they parted lovingly without bitternesse This was after published by Beza The year after his wife dyed with whom hee had lived with much comfort forty years which was a great griefe to him yet afterwards by the advice of his friends he married another one Katharine Plania a godly Matron who was a great comfort to him all his life after About the same time he was called to a Synod held at Bern wherein divers controversies were debated and the errors of Alberius who said That we are justified at Gods Tribunal by inherent righteousness also of Huberus about Predestination and eternall Election were condemned Shortly after he wrote about the Sacraments against Hoffman Published in French his Sermons about the Passion of Christ also on the Canticles which he turned into Lyrick verse answered Genebrards calumnies and revised his translation of the New Testament Anno Christi 1589 France being full of bâ—oils Geneva also was molested by the same whereupon publick prayers were appointed twice a week extraordinary which burthen Beza willingly took upon himself whereupon the other Pastors freed him from his daily Sermonâ— which he used to preach before only he preached once on Sabbath mornings betwixt eight and nine a clock Not long after he began to be troubled with a dissiness in his head insomuch as being to preach on Whitsonday Anno Christi 1597 before the Sacrament as soon as he had made Confession of Sins after their usuall manner he was fain to give over and come out of the Pulpit whose place Faius presently supplyed The like happened to him the week following also whereupon he gave over publick preaching only now and then praying publickly yet would he not bee idle but went on teaching daily in the Schooles yet at last because of his dulness of hearing he abstained from the publick Disputations and Consistorial meetings And to satisfie some Noblemen Germans Bohemians and Polonians who would needs hear him read some Lectures he began a briefe Analysis upon the Epistle to the Romans but after he had done it twice he was fain to leave off Yet did he not wholly desist from preaching till the year 1600 when he preached his last Sermon in January being eighty one years old upon the third Petition of the Lords Prayer Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven He had often in his mouth that saying of Vespafian Imperatorem decet stantem mort Not long after being present at a Consistory he invited all his brethren to supper but they at first refused because there was to be a publick Fast that week and the Magistrates had forbidden all Feasting but he told them that he would get leave of the Magistrates and that he intended not a Feast but a frugal supper rather to feast their minds with their mutual love and society then their bodies with dainties Then they all assented and were entertained by him with all the expressions of brotherly love that could be Many Noblemen and others that came from other countries to study at Geneva would alwaies desire to sojourne with him that they might enjoy his societie That year there was a rumor spread abroad all over Europe by the Jesuits that Beza was dead and that he turned Papist before his death which lye the Pastors of Geneva and himself also by publick writings confuted And discoursing with his friends of it he said That the Jesuits
them he desired him to speak it whereupon Wallaeus exhorted them to sear God to reverence their Mother so God would bless and provide for them that every one should take care of all the rest but especially that every one should take care of himself then he bade his son Iohn to have a speciall care of his Mother and so kissing them took his leave of them all and then turning his face from them he again fell asleep out of which he never awaked only sometimes when his pains came upon him he stirred a little and so on the Sabbath about eleven a clock he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God that gave it An. Christi 1639. and of his age 66. How excellent a Divine he was his Common places testifie How Orthodox and solid a disputer he was his fourteen Disputations shew in the Synopsis purioris Theologiae How strong a defender of the Truth against Error will appear by his answer to Corvinus in defence of Du Mollines Anatomy of Arminianism As also his Censura confessionis Remonstrantium How careful he was of Order both Civil and Sacred is manifest by his tractate de Authoritate Magistratus in rebus Ecclesiasticis How a religious observer of the Sabbath his dissertation De Sabbatho declares How desirous he was to reform the Ethnick practical Philosophy appears by his Compendium Ethicae Aristotelicae ad normam veritatis Christianae revocatum His countenance was mixed with gravity His pronunciation was modest and masculine free from dissimulation not without elegancy neither by brevity did he procure obscurity nor by prolixity tediousness Sometimes he was more vehement when the zeal of Gods glory the love of the Truth or the heat of Disputation excited him Against the Adversaries of the Truth he contended not by reproaches or railings but by strong arguments drawn out of the sacred Scriptures As oft as he was called by the Prince of Orange or the States to compose Ecclesiastical differences he never spared his pains therein As oft as he was sent either by Magistrate or Presbyterie to the Camp or about any other difficult businesses no trouble nor danger made him decline the work His conversation both at home and abroad was holy and blameless He was Hospitable to his friends charitable to the poor pleasing to all Not given to wine but sober just temperate and free from covetousness His Works are named before and are bound up together in one Volume The Life of Henry Alting who dyed Anno Christi 1644. HEnry Alting was born at Embden in Frisland Anno Christi 1583. of a very antient and honorable Family His Father Menso Alting was Pastor of Embden his Mother was Mary Biscof a choice Matron In his childhood he was very sickly and weak so that he was four years old before he could go His Parents devoted him to the service of God and his Church from the very Womb and therefore Anno Chri. 1590. when he was seven years old they set him to School in their own City of Embden where he quickly discovered a prompt and ready wit so that in the space of seven years he went through all the forms in that School and being fitted for it at fourteen years old his Father sent him to the University of Groning where he studyed the first year under Buningius and three other years under Vbbo Emmiuâ— the first Rector of that University a man famous through the World for his Learning By his diligence under such Tutors he profited exceedingly writing an excellent Latine stile and being well grounded in the knowledge of the Arts. From thence his Father sent him into Germany for the advancement of his Learning and having saluted Marpurg he went to Herborn Anno Christi 1602. where that famous Divine Iohn Piscator was Professor under whom our Henry applyed himself to his studyes and by his great industry and excellency of his wit was so far approved of that he was imployed in reading Philosophical and Theological Lectures So that after three years abode there he began to think of entring into the Ministry for which end he resolved to go into Helvetia and France to receive Orders in some of those Churches But God for the present intended him to another imployment For upon the commendations of the Professors of Herborn Piscator Zepper and Martinius he was appointed by Count Iohn of Nassau to be Tutor to three young Counts viz. William of Nassau Conrade Lodowick of Solmes and Phil. Ernest of Isenburg who at this time were Students in the University of Sedan together with the young Prince Frederick son to Frederick the fourth Elector Palatine who afterwards was chosen King of Bohemia But before our Henry went to Sedan he went to Heidleberg to Iohn Albert Count of Solmes and from thence to Friedelsheim to the Prince Elector himself by whom he was courteously entertained and being furnished with Letters and necessaries for his journey he went to Sedan where he arrived in the beginning of September An. Christi 1605. and undertook his Office He had continued but awhile in that place before it was requisite for him to withdraw with his charge from that City for fear of a siege which was threatned by Henry the fourth King of France and therefore they all went to Heidleberg and our Henry in the Princes Court attended his former imployments having a fourth added to the former three Noblemen viz. Iohn Conrade the Rheingrave Yea the very same Summer Prince Frederick himself was committed to his tuition to be by him instructed in History and Geography And at last viz. 1608. he was wholly left to the instruction of our Henry and Zachary Collius who went back with him to Sedan the storm being now over where he so carefully attended his charge all day that he was fain to get time out of his sleep for the study of Divinity The University of Sedan had at this time famous Divines in it as Daniel Talenus and Iames Capellus with whom he entred into a strict bond of familiarity Anno Christi 1610. the Prince Elector dying he returned with the young Prince to Heidleberg where he attended his daily imployment Anno Christi 161â— the Prince Elector being to go into England to marry the Lady Elizabeth daughter to King Iames would needs have our Henry to go along in his train In which journey he escaped death very narrowly himself with Scultetus and some other of the Princes company being surprized with a storm upon the Lake of Harlem so that with great difficulty and half drowned they gat to the further shore This was October the seventh in the afternoon just at which time his Father dyed leaving this life for a better Alting having escaped this danger with a better voyage arrived safely in England where he was kindely entertained and became familiar with George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury John King Bishop
against the Masse-Priest and privily removing the Images out of the Church some of which he cast into prison and caused others to fly away insomuch as Bugenhagius also being not safe and desiâ—ous to be acquainted and to confer with Luther the rather being invited thereto by Letters from Peter Suavenius a man excellently learned who signified to him that his converse with Luther would be exceeding profitable to him he left â—repta and went to Wittenberg Anno Christi 1521 and of his Age 36 and came there a little before Luther's going to the Diet at Worms with whom he had presently some converse and began to make himself known by reading the Psalter privately in the Schooles In Luthers absence Berthoâ—mew Bernhard Pastor of Kemberg married a Wife whereupon much controversie arose whether the Marriage of Ministers was forbidden onely by the Popes Law and how farre the Monks vows of Chastity did binde Luther hereupon being sent to for his judgement easily cut insunder the snares of those Laws and of the impious vows as Alexander did the Gordian knot with his sword At this time Suavenius and Bugenhag sojouâ—ned with Melancthon whereupon when those Propositions oâ— Luther were sent to him Bugenhag read them with much diligence and afterwards having seriously thought of them â—e said This businesse will cause a great mutation in the publick state of things About the same â— time also Carolastadiusâ—aiâ—ed â—aiâ—ed a controversieâ— about bringing in the Judicials of Moses into the Civill State and removing Images out of the Churches Against these Bugenhag with some others opposed themselves declaring that the overthrowing of Images was sâ—ditious and that Christian Commonwealths ought not to be governed by the Jewish Judicials Whereupon at Luthers returne out of his Pathmos by the Suffrages both of the University and Senate Bugenhag was chosen Pastor of the Church of Wittenberg which he taught and governed with much â—elicity and in many changes of Affaires for the pâ—ce of thirty six years never leaving his station neither for war nor pestilence and when he was proffered riches and preferment both in Denmark by the good King and in Pomeren by the good Prince yet he would never leave his charge though he lived but poorly in it Anno Christi 1522 he was sent for to Hamburg where hee prescribed to them a form both of Doctrine Ceremonies and Calling of Ministers where he erected a School also in the Monastery of St. John which afterwards grew very famous And Anno Christi 1530 being sent for to Lubec hee prescribed to them also an order both for Preaching and Discipline and set up a School in the Monastery of St Katheâ—â—ne Anno Christi 1537 he was sent for by Christian King of Denmark and Duke of Holsatia to reform Religion in his Dominions and to erect Schooles at which time he set forth a book about the Ordination of Ministers formerly agreed upon by Luther and his Colleagues to which he added some Prayers and a Form or Directory for holy Administrations And about fourteen daies after the Coronation of King Christian Bugenhag instead of the seven Bishops of Denmark ordained seven Superintendents who for the time to come should supply the office of the Bishops and should take care of all Ecclesiastical affaires These he ordained in the presence of the King and his Councill in the chief Church of Hafnia He also prescribed what Lectures should be read in the Hafnian Academy He appointed Ministers in the Kingdomes of Denmark and Norway to the number of four and twenty thousand Anno Christi 1540 Henry Duke of Brunswick being expelled his Country by the Elector of Saxony and the confederate Princes imployed Bugenhag Anthony Corvinus and Martin Gorlicius adding some of the Nobility to them to visit the Churches and Monasteries in that Dukedome and to see them reformed At which time they set forth a Form of Ordination for the Country The year following the Senate of Hildesia sent for him to Reformâ— their Churches where he with Corvinus and Henrie Winckle wrote them a Form of Ordination and placed Pastors and Ministers in their six Churches the oversight of whom was committed to Iodicus Iferman and the Church of the Canons was shut up Anno Christi 1533 he proceeded Doctor at the instigation of John Friderik Elector of Saxonie himself with his Counsellors being present to hear the publick disputations of Luther Cruciger Bugenhag and Aepine The questions were De Justitia De Ecclesia De discrimine Ministerii Evangelici Potestatis Politicae and Bugenhag making an Oration about the last of these the Prince was exceedingly well pleased with it Thus far we have the happier part of Bugenhags life but shortly after followed many confusions and warres both of the Princes and Divines in which the Princes were taken prisoners Wittenberg was besieged and other miseries and mischiefs of war brought exceeding much grief to this good old man as the death of that godly King Josiah did to the Prophet Jeremiah yet did he not give way to despondencie so as either to fly or change his mind but he kept up his spirits by fervent and frequent prayer to God which yeelded him great consolation the rather considering that in so great tempests the poor Ship of Christ's Church was not swallowed up and devoured For Prince Maurice who was made Elector of Saxony changed nothing in Religion as soâ—e feared and others hoped that hee would but sending fâ—â— Melancthon Bugenhag and Crucigir from Wittenberg to Lâ—â—sâ—â—h he desired them to take care of the Church and Univâ—rsity and so gratifying them bountifully dismissed them The Controversies and Quarrels which sprung up in â—â—e Church by Flacius Illericus were the greatest grief to hâ—m For it was well known that he neither in the time of War nor afterwards altered any thing either in the Doctrine 〈◊〉 Discipline of the Church often urging that Text Giâ—â— to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods He was alwaies very averse to seditious Counsels and most constant in retaining the true Doctrine of Christ and though many aspersions were cast abroad of him yet would he never omit the necessary labours belonging to his Office The last act of his life through Gods goodness was quiet and peaceable for when his strength was so wasted that hee could no longer preach yet he resorted daily to Church where he poured forth fervent praiers both for himself and the afflicted condition of the Church of God at that time Afterwards fallâ—ng sick though without much pain he continued instant in prayer and holy conference with his friends and drawing near to his end he often repeated This is life eternall to know thee the onely true God and him whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ and so quietly dâ—parted in the Lord Anno Christ 1558 and of his Age 73. He was a faithfull Pâ—stor just mercifulâ—
c. by all whom he was kindly entertained and so dearly beloved that each seemed to live in the other At his first coming to that University that he might the better arme himselfe against those manifold perturbations which all men especially the godly are molested withall he often and seriously meditated upon the History of Abraham And as often as he had any leisure he went to Geneva to converse with Calvin by whom he was much quickned to improve his parts for Gods glory and the Churches good And upon this he undertook that truly golden work begun by Marot but finished by him of turning the Psalms into French Metre which hee finished Anno Christi 1561 and which were often printed in sundry parts of France About this time many godly men and women flocked out of France to Lausanna which occasion Beza taking as sent from God expounded to them the Epistle to the Romans and afterwards the two Epistles to Peter which were the foundation of that excellent work which afterwards he compleated of turning the New Testament into Latine with Annotations upon the same About that time the Plague waxing hot in Lausanna Beza fell sick of it but Christ who intended him as an instrument of his glory in his Churches good restored him to health again Shortly after which he wrote a book de Haereticis à Magistratu puniendis occasioned by the aspersions raised by Laelius Socinus against Calvin and the Magistrates of Geneva for burning Servetus for his Heresie and Blasphemy He also wrote an explication of Christianity out of the Doctrine of eternall Predestination He also answered Joachim Westphalus about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and afterwards published two learned Dialogues upon the same argument He answered Sebastian Castalio who sought to overthrow Eternall Election Anno Christi 1557 when the Sorbonists in Paris had raised that persecution against the Church of Christ wherein four hundred of them being met together in the night to hear the Word and receive the Lords Supper seven of them were afterwards burnt in the fire and the rest cast into chains and prisons The best means thought on to procure their release was by obtaining the Protestant German Princes to become Intercessors for them to Henry the 2d of France And thereupon Beza with some others were sent to the German Princes to engage them herein which also he obtained from them though it proved to little purpose in regard of the implacable malice of the French Courtiers against the servants of Christ. In that journey hee grew acquainted with Melancthon and they took much delight in the society of each other Having spent ten years at Lausanna as the Greek Professor with the good leave of the Senate of Bern he went to Geneva Anno Christi 1559 and lived with Calvin from whose side he seldom parted and was his great assistant both in matters of Doctrine and Disciplineâ— and that in the mean time he might not be wanting to the Schools he publickly interpreted Demosthenes Orations and part of Aristotle to the young Students And not long after upon the death of Claudius Pontanus he was chosen Pastor into his room He was also chosen the first Rector of the School in Geneva at which time he made an excellent and eloquent Oration in commendation of Learning in the presence of many grave and learned men both to encourage youths to the love of it and the Senators of Geneva to make a further progresse in the advancement of it For whereas the City of Geneva did at this time conflict with innumerable difficulties both at home and abroad which did almost swallow it up yet by the perswasion of thaâ— great Calvin it took so much courage that in that verâ— juncture of time the Senate founded and endowed thaâ— publick School which was a great ornament to the City and out of which issued abundance of godly and learned men to the great benefit of the Churches of God Shortly after at the request of certain Noblemen of France Beza was invited to visit Anthony King of Navar who at this time was at Nerac in Aquitane to conferre with him about some weighty matters but especially if it were possible through Gods mercy to confirm his mind in the true Religion For it was hoped that if that King who was the principall man of the Royall blood and like to govern the affairs of State in the minority of King Francis the second could be confirmed in the truth it would much conduce to the peace of the Churches and to the preservation of the lives of many who were cruelly burned by the Papists in sunday parts of the Kingdome Neither did this design want effect For Anno Christi 1561 the King of France dying at Orleance the King of Navar joyning with the Prince of Conde the Admirall Coligni d' Andelot and other Noblemen caused the Popish party to give over the butcheries and executions which they had formerly done upon many of Christs faithfull servants Charles the ninth coming to the Crown there were various actings about Religion whilst the Pontificians would advance their own and root out the Refoâ—med and on the contrary they of the Reformed Religion contended with all their might to promote their own and therefore lest these severall parties should cause commotions there were Edicts published in the Kings name requiring all upon severe penalty to abstain from arms and to keep the peace till certain select persons of each party at a certain time and place nominated should meet together to consider of the fittest way and means to preserve the publick peace many not onely of the common people but of the Nobility inclining to the Reformed Religion Hereupon the King of Navar sent Letters and Messengers to the Senate of Geneva requesting that Beza might be sent to that great meeting where such weighty matters should be transacted The Prince of Conde also requested the same Beza upon this set forward and came to Paris August the twentieth And the Queen Mother wrote also to the same purpose to the Senate of Zurick to send Peter Martyr to her which accordingly they did and Martyr came to Paris The chief of the Pontificians also repaired to this meeting though they had declared that such as had been long agoe condemned for Heresie ought not to be conferred withall There came also many Ministers of the Reformed Churches in France as Nich. Gallasius August Marlorat Jo. Raimund Merlin Francis Sampaulius Francis Morellus Jo. Malotius Jo. Spinaeus Claudius Bossierus Nich. Folius Mat. Virellus John Tornaeus and N. Barbastus For they had the publick Faith given them for their safe coming stay and return at their pleasures August the three and twentieth they met together at Saint Germans where the Protestants dâ—bating who shou'd speake for them they unanimously chose Beza as a man every way fitted for that employment and
The Life of Anthony Wallaeus who died Anno Christi 1639. ANthony Wallaeus was descended of the ancient family de Wale in the City of Gaunt where his Predecessors had born sundry offices from the year 1345 to that present time his Father was James Wallaeus who was brought up in the Family of Count Egmond who lost his head by the Spanish tyranny His Mother was Margaret Wagenaer a beautifull and pious Matron of an illustrious Family and powerfull Kindred Our Anthony was born Octob. 3. Anno Chr. 1573 in the City of Gaunt just at the same time when the Duke de Alva after all his cruelties exercised in the Low Countryes returned into Spain His Mother in his childhood was very carefull to traine him up in the Rudiments of piety and good manners and his Father was as careful to give him liberall education For which end when he could read and write reasonable well at eight years old he committed him to the care of Titus ab Edingen a Minister to be taught the Latine tongue The boy was very beautifull of a ruddy colour of a sweet and pleasing conversation and therefore his Master loved him above all his other Scholars Not long after this Titus of Edingen was called into Holland to be Minister at Saint Hildegond near to Harlem whereupon our Anthony was necessitated to return to his parents at Gaunt and was by his Father committed to the care of Samuel Lansberg a Minister in that City to be by him further instructed in the Latine tongue About this time the City of Gaunt was full of factions and divisions so that his Father for favouring the Prince of Orange was clapt up in prison whereupon our Anthony returned home to his Mother and by his prompt obedience sweet manners childish blandishments was a great comfort to her during the time of her husbands close imprisonment But at last his Father was set free who considering the troublesom state of the City and not knowing what might be the issue sent away all his most precious moveables to Delph in Holland Shortly after Gaunt was besieged by the Prince of Parma which being foreseen by Jam. Wallaeus he had made such provision before hand that he lived quietly and comfortably during all the siege But at last the City was to be surrendred upon Articles amongst which this was one that six such Citizens should be delivered up to the Prince as he should nominate James Wallaeus upon good grounds suspecting that he should be one of the six a few dayes before the surrender privately stole out of the City and went to Walochrta His Wife Margaret staying at Gaunt to dispose of her goods was so vexed and abused by the Citizens that she resolved rather to leave part of them and goe her wayes then to stay there any longer and because all were forbidden to depart from the City taking her son Anthony who was now tenne years old and her two daughtets they stole away in the night and went on foot to Philippine And shortly after not onely the Citizens of Gaunt but of all the neighbouring places did so molest and abuse the Protestants that they forced them to leave their habitations and to seeke for refuge in other Countries most of which went into Zeland which of all other places shewed the most humanity bounty and hospitality to these pâ—oâ— exiles Yet lest under pretence of flight the enemies should mingle themselves amongst the Protestants and so make some ateâ—pt upon the Isles of Zeland the Zelanderâ— sent some ships of War to Philippine under the conduct of James Wallaeus with a special charge that none should be brought out of Flanders into Zeland but such as he should approve of In the mean time Margaret and our Anthony went to Delph in Holland to fetch away their goods which formerly were sent thither but their friend to whom they had sent them denyed that great part of them ever came to his hands and they wanting sufficient proof were faign to take such as he acknowledged and so they returned to Middleborough James Wallaeus had so well demeaned himself in the aforementioned imployment that the President of Zeland who had formerly known him at Gaunt committed to his care the custody of the Magazine for Provision and Ammunition and because he would not wholly trust his servants in so weighty a businesse he imployed his son Anthony to have an oversight of them who though he was but 11. years old yet was serious and prudent above his Age. His place was to see such things as his Father bought laid up the Publick Granary and Armory as also to see them delivered out and divided to the several Cities as he was appointed and to acquaint his Father where there was any want And thus he was imployed for two years at the end whereof his Father resolved to settle him with his Mother at Middleborough that he might be fitted for some honest course of life But having lost much of his Estate by his Exile and his Family being encreased by the birth of two sons he durst not think of training him up in Learning as formerly he had determined wherefore that he might be fitter for any future imployment he placed him with Jodocus Larenus a Publick Notary a man of much experience of a great judgement and of unspotted honesty with whom by his daily practise he attained to much swiftness in writing and as things were related to him he could readily apprehend fitly word them and draw them into a publick instrument in good order which some Merchants taking notice of each of them strove to get him into his Family profering him good pay for his pains But our Anthony being not yet resolved what course of life to follow continued three years with Larenus At the end whereof lying one night with his Father on the straw he had a sudden instinct that God had designed him for the Work of the Ministry and these thoughts did so follow him night and day wheresoever and about whatsoever he was that he could not blot them out of his memory Hereupon at last he resolved to dedicate himself to his studies and having gotten leave of his Father he went to the Grammer School in Middleborough the chief Master whereof was Iames Gruter a painful man and well versed both in Greek and Latine He had also for his assistant Iohn Murdison who was an acute and solid Philosopher This Murdison lived with Gruter who being desirous to finde out the ingenie of our Anthony he placed him at Gruters Table yet least he should be drawn aside by rude lads his Parents would have him daily to come home to supper With these Masters hee lived six years and profited so much under them that he could make elegant Verses and pronounce Orations publickly which Gruter thought fit both for his own and his Scholars credit to publish in Print Neither did he profit less in the