they are suddenly Sensible with Sorrow if any goe about to abate of their dainty dyet and therefore were bemadded with fury to heare Purgatory called into question the pretended fire whereof did really heat their kitchin But Ierom having Scripture and truth on his side like a valliant Champion asserted his opinions in defence of Opposition having got the Society of Iohn Huss to assist him 6 Two Pillars there were in Solomons 1 Kings 7.15 Temple two Olive-trees dropping oyle into the Candlâ—sticke in Zacâ—â— 4.12 Zacharyes vision Our Saviour sent his Seventy Disciples to Preach two by two And two Witnessâ—s Prophesied in Sackcloath till â—hey were slaâ—ne 1 â—â—ke 9.1 So here God had a Paire of his Preachers who by their mutuall Company abated the tediousnesse of Solitarinesse and by their invited strength twisted together were thereby more effectually enabled against their Adversaries One Soule might seeme to animate them both and as they were lovely in their Lives so in their deaths they were not long devided 7 Now a generall Counsâ—ll was called at Constance which awakened the Christian world with the expectation of the Successe thereof Iohn Huss out of his owne Accord having first obtained full and free licence to come thither and returne thence with safety repaired to the Counsell and there in Confidence of God and a good Cause proffered to defend the doctrine of Wicklief to be sound and true both by Scripture and reason His very name Huss which in the Bohemian Tongue Signifieth a Goose was a plesaâ—t instrument ready strung and tun'd for the wanton fingers of his Enemies to make mirth and musicke upon it and every dull wit was sharp enough to use a jeere made to his hand But let them breake Iests on his name whilest he breake their Superstitions in Earnest and as once the Geese kept the Roman Capitall from their Enemies so this Goose kept the Capital of Truth from the Romans Though Naball was his name yet foâ—â—y was not with him being of a Solid judgement subtill wit and discreet deportment in his Conversation 8 But Huss could in no manner obtaine free Audience yea contrary to his AssuraÌ„ce formerly granted had his person restrained Ierom of Prague hearing thereof would not stay at home when one hand is bound will not the other endeavour the loosing thereof but hasteneth to Constance either to produce the freedome or partake of the Fetters of his Christian Brothers Thus when one Arrow is shot and in hazâ—rd to be lost a second is sent after it and either hiâ— fellow is found or both lost together and happy it had beene for the Church if she had had her Quiveâ— full of such Arrowes Aprill 4. 1415. Ierome comming to the Counsell makes meanes to be heard and puts up the heads of some positions profering publiquely to defend them moving withall that he might have leave to come and goe with Safety confirmed unto him under the Faith of the Counsell 9 This by no meanes could be obtained Liberty they would freely give him to come but not to depart and on the same tearms the Woolfe will grant free Conduct to the Lambe to come to hiâ— den but vestigiâ— Nulla retrorsum Ierom hereupon finding justice obstructed secretly departed the City and in his returne home was taken and brought backe to the Counsell His Adversaries much insult on his flight as one evidence of his guilt whereas if matterâ— be well weighed seeing he could not obtaine Licence Safely to stay Christ gave him a warrant lawfully to deâ—part in those wordâ— not onely Permissive Directive but Injunctive when you are persecuted in one City flee to another 10 Then was he brought with a long Chaine about him like Saint Paul before King Agrippa into the Counsell his fetters on set purpose being shaken by those that led him to make the more noise to render him more ridiculous Whereas indeed the sound of such Shackles made more melodious musicke in the eareâ— of the God of Heaven then all the loud chanting unintelligible affected singing in their Superstitious Quiâ—es They baited him with railing and opprobriaus termes but what is most remarkeable none solidly opposed him concerning the opinions of Wicklief whereof he was accused but charged him with youthfull extravagancies rather importing a Luxury of wit then amounting to any dangerous Opinon But principally the Master of the University of Hidelburoh objected against him that long since when a Sâ—udent there he had câ—used a shield or Eschuchion to be painted in representation of the Persons in Trinity comparing them therein to Water Snow and Ice 11 Ierom denied not the fact but defended the same Seeing God had stamped in naturall matters some countenanceâ— of supernaturall misteries Thus the coeternity of the three Persons besides the aforesaid Instance are Shadowed ouâ— in the Sunne and in light that proceedeth from it in a beam that arisâ—th from â—â—th And seeing that Friars fancies most surfeit with such devices and that more dangerous pictures neerer confining on Blasphemy were commonly presented and priviledged by them they of all other were most unfit to cast the first stone at him for such innocent and harmlesse Portraitures which he had depicted Thus they vexed him with triviall objections about unconcerning matters but as for the maine businesse of Heresie they presumed him to be guilty thereof and he was never brought to a faire and legall disputation concerning the same 12 From the Counsell he was carried home to the Prison and there for many dayes kept with bread and water so that had the proudest Anchorite pretending to the highest abstinence beene Commoner with him it would have tired his swiftest Devotion to keepe pace with him much other hard usage he felt for the space of a twelve moneth wherein his feet were hurt in the Stocks the Irons entered intâ— his Soule So that long durance short dyet hard lodging love of Life hope of Libertie feare of Torture wantig friends to advise him made such impressions upon him that at last he was not onely contented to abjure all Wickliefes opinions for false but also to allow the murder of his deare brother Huss to be a lawfull and laudible Act of exemplary Justice 13 Here let none Tyrannically trample on the prostrate crediâ— of a penitent sinner Consider that he did not surrendeâ— the â—astle of his integrity at the first summons but kept it a full yeer in many a furious assault till the Constant battery of Importunity made at last an unhappy breach in his Soule O there is more required to make a man valiant then onely to call an other Coward Had we beene in Ieromes Case what we ought to have done we know but what we should have done God knowes And may we here remember the Blessing which Iacob bequeathed as a legacie to one of his Sonnes Gen. 49.19 Gad a Troope shall overcome him but he shall overcome at the last Let none looke to long
heart But when the fire began to be kindled that furious Element was more mercifull unto him then were his Executioners For whereas fire hath a double property to burn and to stifle here it was pleaâ—ed to make use of the latter quality as the milder and meeker of the twaine Except we shall say it was rather the Pitie of the wind than the favour of the fire which drove the flame so full upon his face that it quickly choaked him and may be presumed senselesse though he moved a while after His heart which was found amongst his bowels fiâ—st beaten with staves and Clubbes was afterwards pricked upon a sharpe sticke and rosted at the fire apart untill it was consumed The least remnant of his ashes were gathered up and cast into the rever of Rhine so if possible for ever to extirpate his memory 18 One memorable passage must not be forgotten in the life time of Huss which is conceived almost to amount to a prophecy he had a dreame as he writes in his forty fifth Eâ—istle being a letter written to the Lord Iohn de Clumâ—e how he beheld in his Church at Bethlehem in Paris certaiâ—e men to race and pull out the images of Christ and the next day as it seemed unto hiâ— many other Painters made more and fairer images than formerly and the Painters with much people about them said in merriment and kind of derision Let the Bishops and Priests come now and put out these Pictures Hereat the people much rejoyced and Huss himselfe fell a laughing which caused him to awake 19 I know that generally dreames are nothing but Fancies descant on the former dayes worke And he that layeth too much pressure on such slender props may be layed in the dust How ever it was verified in the event that many worthy Christians the truest Images of Christ as Christ is the image of God were by Huss his preaching and suffering converted to the truth in defiance of all Anchristian opposition who endeavored to deleate and expunge all imâ—ressions of Truth in them This most illustrious Lamp of Gospel Light Which in Bâ—hemia first shon forth most bright By this renowned Martyres industrie Heavenly herâ—ick Huss yet furiously Affronted was by Papall enemies But in the midst of this their rage did rise Among themselves a mighty Schisme and rent Three Anti-Popes at Once by which event Renowned Huss did great advantage gain The Gospels Light to propagate maintain But at the last that Schisme being sew'd-up Againe they fill their wraths and rages Cup And gave it Huss to drink who valiantly Drank-up the same to deaths extremity And though they Painted-Devils placâ—d on his head Yet he their rage and scorn did nothing dread Thus faithlesse Rome breaking her promise given In firey-Chariot sent his Soul to Heaven HIERONYMVS PRAGENSIS The life and Death of Jerom of Prague TRavellours Bydalph Morrison sandye report that the place wherein the Body of Absolon was buried is still extant at Ieruselem and that it is a solenme custome of Pilgrimes passing by it to cast a stone on the place the like in expression of their detestation of his unnaturall Rebellion against his owne father But a well disposed man can hardly goe by the memory or mention of Hierom of Prague without doing his greatfull homage thereunto in bestowing upon him some passage in his praise and Commendation Amongst others therefore who have raised the Heape of this good mans Monuiment we will cast in the Contribution of our Stone also though but a rough and unpolished one to advance the heigth of this History 2 This Ierome of Prague was by his Countrey a Bohemian though we find not the Allowing him 45â— years old at his Deaâ—h he was borne 1372. principall date and place of his Birth nor the Condition of his parents We account it more modisty to confesse our ignorance hereof then to wrong the Reader by obtruding on this Beliefe our roving Conjectures for certaine Truths But Bohemia though she was happy to enjoy him was not so covetous to ingrosse him but that for his profit and her owne honour She lent him to other parts of Europe there to have his Education He travelled into France and at Paris proceeded Master of Arts and in the Vniversity of Collen and Hidlebury had the same degree confirmed unto him He was as exact in observeing as happy in remembering the most note worthy passages which his judicious Eye met with in forraine Parts 3 But there is a secret Loadstone in every mans native Soyle effectually attracting them home againe to their Country their Center This skilfull merchant for Learning having made a long voyage to the most principall Parts and Staple places of Literature and by that his adventure much inriched himselfe hath a mind to returne home to his Haven and safely arived at Prague in Bohemia He needed no other harbenger â—o send before to provide him welcome then the fame of his owne reputation being so well known in that place that the City passeth for his Sir-name and the commonly stiled Hierom of Prague For here he had if not his Birth his first breeding here he made so many pious Sermons here he held so many famous disputations In so much as it is questionable whether Ierom be more honoured w th the Addition of Prague or Prague more renowned with the name of Ierom. For sooner shall the river MVLTAW cease with her silver streames to water and divide that famous City then the memory of Ierom be forgotten 4 Hitherto Ierom was but a wilde stocke and ungrafted going on with the multitude in Erronious wayes having drunke as deepe as the rest of Romes bewitched Cupp till his conversion hapned on this Occasion The Bohemians which brought their lady Anne over into England to be married to our King Richard the second brought back the books of Iohn Wicklief home with them into their Countrey Ierom of Prague lighting on one of them by perusing it perceived the abominable Supersticions then used in the Church and began by degrees first in his judgement to dislike them afterwards in his Practice to disuse them and lastly in his Preaching to Confute them Thus Contemptible beginnings being blessed by divine Providence proversi parents of most considerable effects 5 But no sooner had Ierom publikely opposed the doctrine of Purgatory and prayers for the dead but all the orders of Fryers like a nest of Hornets with there venomous stings were busie about him We read of Elephants that though their whole Body be by reason of the hardnesse of their Skinne of proofe against the sword yet they have a tender and soft place under their Belly wherein they are easily wounded as appeares by the example of Eleazer in the 1. Maccabes 6.46 Maccabes who taking advantage thereof killed one of them in fight But O how tender are the Monkes Bellies those Lazy Lubbers could not abide to be taught in point of Ease and profit
Monasticall life upon which perswasion he intended to forsake the Monâ—stery and to betake himselfe againe unto his former profession and for a preparation thereunto being as yet in the Monastery he set forth a booke of confession wherein in many things he opposed the doctrine of the Church of Rome whereby he brought himselfe not onely into danger of his life but the Monks also were greatly afraid lest any inconvenience might happen unto them by reason of his actions and therefore they greatly laboured to free their Monastery of him during their plodding he sharpely reprehended them for their errors perswadâ—ng them to embrace and lay hold on the truth whereby they came to be more and more incensed against him and privately laboured with his friends to be more earnest with him in the leaving of the Monaâ—stery Having beâ—n resident in this place not fully two yeeres he departed and went unto Franciscus Sickingen a man nobly descended by whom he was entertained and iâ— the same houâ—e he laboured to put downe the Masse affiâ—ming it to be an Idolatrous worship but Franciscus being at that time greatly distressed with an unhappy warre he left him and went to Basel in the yeer of our Lord 1522. to publish such things as he had at vacant times collected Here he was againe advanced by the Senats unto a Pastorall office an annuall stipend designed unto him which he performed with great zeale and constancy to the glory of God and good of his Church here he bouldly discovered unto his Auditors those errors which by continuance had got firme footing in the Church he opened unto them the perfection and sufficientcy of the Merits of Christ he declared unto them the true nature of faith he revealed unto them the true doctrine of Charity insomuch that the authority of the Poâ—ish religion began to stagger in the mindes of many Whilst he was totally occupied about these things some there were who laboured to draw him againe to the Pseudo Catholicke religion but more especially Iohannas Cachlaeus who in the yeere 1524. wrote letterâ— unto him wherein he testified himselfe to be deeply afflicted with sorrow to heare that a man so excellently learned should lay aside his coule and adhaere unto such haereticall opinions and withall exhorted him to revoke his opinion and to returne againe into the Monastery promising him a dispensation from the Pope and the favour of the Prior which he had formerly enjoyed but these and such like things were slighted by Oecolampadius who bringing them unto the word of God found that they would not endure the triall In the performance of his Pastorall office an assistanâ— was appointed unt him by publicke authority and he began to settle a more excellent Reformation in the Church commanding the Sacrament of Baptisme to be administred in the mother tongue and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be received under both kinds he taught that the Masse was not a sacrifice for the living and the dead or for those who were tormented in their feigned Purgatory but that perfect satisfaction was obtained for all beleevers by the passion and Merits of Christ he disswaded them from sprinkling themselves with holy-water and from the consecration of Palmes and the like declaring unto them that they who did attribute vertue unto any such things did detract from the glory and power of God which doctrine of his tooke such deepe â—ooting in the hearts of his Auditors that it gave a period unto many superstitious actions amongst them The foundation of future reformation was no sooner laid but the old Dragon began to play his part and to discover his malicious â—nvy against such things as make for the glory of God either by hindâ—ing their proceedings or laying some foule aspersion on them for at that time broke forth that yet continued sacramentary dissention by meanes whereof that good worke begun in the Church was hindred Martin Luther at this time openly opposed and contradicting by writing the doctrine of Huldericus Zuinglius Pastor of the Church at Tigurum concerning the Euchiarist by reason whereof there was a great dissention betwixt the Churches of Helvetia and Saxony for the taking away of w ch Oecolampadius set forth a booke concerning the true understanding of these words Hoc est corpus meum and by many strong arguments he affirmed that a trope lay therein and yet his industry and labour therein tooke not away the contention betwixt the Churches This intended reformation was againe hindred by Eccius and his followers who taught 1 that the substantiall body and blood of Christ was in the Sacrament of the Altar 2 that they were truly offered up in the Masse both for the living and the dead 3 that the virgin Mary and the Saints were to be worshipped as intercessours 4 that the images of Iesus and the Saints were not to be abolished 5 that after this life there was a Purgatory These positions were vehemently opposed by Oecolampadius at the publicke dispuâ—ation held at Baden the event whereof was this some of the Helvetians subscribed unto Eccius some unto Oecolampadius and so there remained still a dissention amongst them which could by no meanes be taken away although attempted by many worthy instruments of Christ who have undergone many dangers for an effectuall performance of the same yet Oecolampadius wrought so with the Saints that liberty of conscience was granted unto the Citizens as touching religion In the yeer following there was a disputation held at Berne which continued for the space of twenty dayes wherein Oecolampadius labored so powerfully for a reformation that his acts there recorded give a sufficient testimony thereof unto the world In the yeer 1529. an assembly was appointed by the Lantgraw of Hassia at Marpurge touching a reformation in the Churches concerning which more in the life of Melancton After the painfull sustaining of so many labours at home and abroad he returned to Basil where he spent the residue of his life in Preaching reading writing setting forth of books visiting the sicke and having also a care of the adjacent Churches untill the yeer 1531. wherein it pleased God to visit him with sicknesse wherewith he was constrained to take his bed hourely exspecting death And forthwith sending for the Pastors of the same place he welcommed them with ashort pithy oration wherein he exhorted them to remaine constant and firme in the purity of the doctrine which they professed because it was conformable unto the word of God as for other things he willed them to be lesse carefull assuring them that the Al-sufficient God would care for them and that he would not be wanting unto his Church His Children standing before him he tooke them by their right hands and afterwards gently stroking their heads he advised them to love God who would be unto them in the place of a Father A little before his death one of his intimate friends comming unto him he asked him what newes he answered
was bâ— them with all joyfulnesse received as one who laboured with them for the converting and wining of Soules unto Christ and for the propagation of his truth and was by them appointed to Preach publickly in â—he Church and to teach openly in the schoole so that within short time the doctrine of the Gospâ—ll tooke firme rooting in many plâ—ces of the City and they altered many things in the Church concerning Masse the Sacraments holy dayes jmages and the like rendring strong reasons for what they did in a booke set forth by them and dedicated unto Frederick the Prince Elector Palatine Now because â—here was a difference betwixt the professors of the Gospell concerning some important matters therefore a meeting was appointed at Marpurge where Bucer and Hedio had conference with Luther and Zuinglius where they agreed in all points the Sacrament of the Lords Lupper onely excepted wherein Consubstantiation was affirmed on the part of Luther yet they departed each from the other friendly intending to abstaine altogether on both sides from strife and contention and to pray unfainedly unto the Lord that he would vouchsafe to instruct and guide them with his holy Spirit in the way of truth But Bucer hearing that this dissention amongst them concâ—rning the Supper of the Lord was very gratefull unto the Papists he went unto Luther againe to urge him to a reconciliation in that point from whom he received such an answer that forthwith he went to Zuinglius and the Switzers to perswade them to adhere unto the same Doctrine for well he foresaw what great hurt that Sacramentary dissention would â—ring unto thâ— Church if it were not quickly cut off and taken away In the yeere of our Lord 1531. it pleased God to open the eyes of the Inhabitants of Vlmes so that they greatly desired a reformation in their Churches and for that cause they requested the Senâ—te of Strasburge thâ—t Bucer might be sent over unto them to lay the ground of so happy a building which was faithfully performed by Bucer together with the helpe and assistance of Oecolampadius and a forme of Divine worship prescribed unto them but perceiving still the course of the truth to be hindred and stopped by this difference about the Sacrament with the consent of the Electâ—r he repaired againe to Luther being resident at Wittenberge where afâ—er some discourse conclusions concerning the Sacrament were agreed on betwixt the Divines of Wittenberge and Highec Gumanie in the yeere 1536. yet after some consideration Bucer renounced the opinion of Luther concerning Consubstantiation although he had subscribed unto it at Wittenberge and taught the Contrary wherefore Bucer with many others were there deteined by the Lantgrave of Hassia untill they came to an agreement amongst themselves the chiefe heads whereof were sent unto Basil which were not approved of by the Senate then Bucer returned to Strasburge went forward in his exercise of Preaching and Teaching not only in the Church but also in a publick schoole w ch had been newly erected at the proper cost and charges of the Senate where he remained unto the yeere 1541. about which time the Emperor Carolus Augustus retâ—rned into Germany and commanded a publick conference at Reinspurge a City in Bavaria concerning the reformation of Religion and through the meanes nnd intreaty of Frederick Prince Elector Palatime and other Protestants and Princes he appointed Iulius Alugius Iohannes Eccius Iohannes Gropperus Papists and Phillip Melancâ—hon Martinus Bucer and Iohannes Pistorius Protestants for the performance thereof the Emperor himselfe greatly charged them in so weighty a matter to have respect onely to the glory of God and of his truth and not to be carryed away w th any other favour or affection whatsoever but in their conferences such disagreements were found amongst them that by no meanes their opinions could be reconciled because also that Germany at that time feared the approching of the Turkes the assembly was dissolved In this Assembly Gropperus tooke great notice of Bucer much applauding him for his lenity conjoyned with a comely gravity and withall commended him unto Heirmannas then Arâ—h-bishop of Colen who at that time endeavoured also a reformation in the Churches and told him that he was a man most fit for such a purpose being excellently learned a lover of peace and a man of an unspotted life and conversation wher upon Hermannus sends for Bucer who in the yeer 1542. came unto him who w th exceeding joy received and entertained him where together with Melancthon he wrote the manner of reforming Churches which they dedicated unto the same Archbishop many of the inhabitants approved of the worke and willingly yeelded unto a reformation but the Clergy and those of the Colledge were mightily incensed against Bncer greatly reproaching and reviling him affirming that they had rather lead their lives under the Turk then under a Magistrate who intended to settle that reformation and thereforâ— they desired that Bucer and all those new Doctors as they termed them might be far removed from that City shuting as it were the gates of mercy against their owne soules and Gropperus who formerly had shewed and professed much love unto him came now to be his greatest enemy and the Archbishop for his desire of a reformation was excommunicated by the Pope and deprived of his functioâ— and gâ—vernment by the Emperor and all those partâ— returned againe like dogs unto their vomit In the yeere 1546. there was another assâ—mbly appointed by the Emperour at Renispurge unto which also Bucer was called who at that time had a great conflict with Petrus Malvanda a Spaniard touching the justification of a sinner before God but in regard of diverse troubles which did accompany these times nothing could be concluded In the yeere 1548. Iulius Pflugius Michael Heldingus and Iohannes Agricola by the commandemâ—nt of the Emperour wrote a forme of Ecclesiasticall reformation little or no way differing from the opinions of the Church of Rome which worke was approved by the Emperour and Bucer was craftily called by a Magistrate of Brandenburge unto Auspurge to subscribe unto the same worke perswading him that it was collected out of the most learned writers but Bucer uderstanding the matter fully told him after a freindly manner that he could not approve of it because it savored too much of the doctrine of the Church of Rome neither would he be drawne thereunto although the same party promised to confer large benefits upon him This Booke by the command of the Emperour was thrust upon the Reformed Churches and those who withstood it were severely punished either with imprisonment or banishment and as it happily fell out the fame of Bucer and hard fortune of his painfull contemporaneans came into England in the reigne of that vertuous Prince of blessed memory Edward the sixt even when a Reformation began to be established in the Church wherefore Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury perceiving that he would be advantagious in
a Cooper he was religiously given but of a meane estate his mother was named Angela Sartoria descended from an honest and well esteemed Parentage a woman endewed with zeale towards religion with unspotted Chastity and also with a singular wisedome they were blessed with two sons Hammanus and this Wolfangus The former was brought up in his Fathers professions the other appearing more ingenuous and more fit for learning he was set apart thereunto which he prosecuted with such an ardent affection that even in his tender yeeres he would exercise himselfe continually in reading or writing unlesse he were violently withdrawne from and as it were with rains restrained from those actions Reaching unto that maturity of age wherein he appeared fit for more solid studies his father furnishing him with some necessaries for the journey sent him away unto other Schooles wherein according to his owne desire he might attaine unto greater perfection the reason why he sent him so slenderly furnished was because he would have him to get his victuals by singing and beging from doore to doore according to the custome of those times who used although rich to thrust out their sons into the world after that manner that by that meanes they might joyne patience temperance and humility with their learning fearing that if they should be tenderly and delicatly brought up they would be more addicted unto and sooner follow and imbrace Idelnesse and lust then their studies Being sent away after this manner he went into Alsatia and taking a vew of some certaine towns in that Country at the length he came unto Rappersâ—ill where a well disposed widdow fixed her eyes upon him and inwardly lamenting his outward misery whose chearfull countenance promised a more favourable fortune received him into her house and according unto her ability sustained him he frequented the School untill such time as a generall and noble Gentleman living in the same place had notice of him who conferred extraordinary curtesies on him for his maintenance at the Schoole as he himselfe freely confessed Having continued here a certain space he shaped his cours unto Selestadt where he addicted himselfe unto the study of Poetry wherein he proved excellent to the great approbation of his Master and in this course of study he continued unâ—â—l he reached unto the age of 15. yeers Then having a desire to returne unto Dusa to visit his Parents he directed his course unto a Monastery and lying in the Palatinate founded by the Lords of Luzelstein and consecrated to Sâ—int Benedict because he intended to visit his Aunt Sophia living at Westreich neere adjoyning unto the said Monastery where he was lovingly entertained by her who brought him the evening following with her into the Monastery to behold the formes and customs of the place in the performance of their divine exercises where he adjoyned himselfe unto the Choristers and sung his part with them with such a comlinesse of gesture and pleasanâ—nesse of voyce that the Prior was greatly affected towards him intending to allure him if possible he could to be â— member of the said Monastery and for that cause he diligently observes his going out at the end of prayers and withall followes him close at the heeles accompanying his Aunt of whom he demanded whose son he was and fâ—om whence he came she forthwith replied that he wâ—â— her sisters son and that he was returning from School unto Dusa unto his Parents The Prior then turning himselfe unto Musculus he demanded of him how he liked a Monasterical life and withall told him that if he would frame himself thereunto he would use meanes that he should be admitted gratis into the Colledge which favour had as yet been conferred on none and that he should be sufficiently provided of apparrell and lodging and that he would esteeme him as hiâ— owne son His Aunt returned many thanks unto the Prior for thiâ— unexpected favour promising that she would forthwith acquaint his Parents with the motion and would also returne a speedy answer unto him how they stood affectedâ— so taking their leave of the Prior they provided for Dusa where arriving she declared the kinde motions of the Prior his Parents were exceeding joyfull of the news perswaded themselves that it was a blessing proceeded from God and therefore they hasted again to return him to the Pâ—ior who lovingly entertained and received him into the number of his owne family cloathed him wiâ—h an habit sutable to the Monastery sent him unto the Bishop to be admitted according to the custome into his office and lovingly esteemed him as if he had been his owne sonne unill he died In this Monastery he continued for the space of fifteen yeers which time he spent not aâ— lazie and idle Monks commonly doe but in the increasing and perfecting of his learning sometimes perusing the works of Tully somtimes reading the books of Ovid and contracting them into a briefer volume which worke was much applauded by Claudius Cantiuncula a learned Lawyer in those times Somtimes spending time in the Art of musick wherein also he attained unto excellent knowledge neither did he confine himselfe onely unto those studies but passed from them unto Divinity into which he entred about the twentieth yeer of his age and being told by an old devout Monke â—hat if he intended to become a good Preacher he must endeavour to be familiar with the Bible he forthwith gave himselfe unto the reading of the Scriptures reposing and laying up those things in his memory which seemed unto him most usefull for future occasions Aâ—d notice being taken of his knowledge therein and of the ability of his parts the office of a Preacher was imposed on him and he was first designed unto the Church at Leixheim belonging unto the jurisdiction of the Monastery where his Auditors perceiving his excellent gifâ—s â—hey dispersed his fame whereby he came to be called to the exercising of his gifts in many other Churches During his continuance in this exercise many of Luthers books were dispersed through Germany some of which were conveyed to him by an intimate friend of his these he diligently perused and read day and night and not with lesse benefit then labour embracing the purest doctrin that he found therein with great zeale and would confer with his Colleagus many times about the same stifly defending and maintaining that doctrin against their Culumnes disdaining that aspersion of haeresie which was by some of them fastned upon him affirming that although Luther as he was a man might erre in some points yet he was not therefore to be pronounced an haeretick neither did he vindicate this in the Monastery onely but publickly he delivered the same for true and undoubted doctrine unto hiâ— Auditors that for the same he was by many evill disposed persons stiled the Lutheran Monke But his desire of propagating the truth wanted not by the blessing of God good successe for besides many of his Auditors he converted some of