in life and death When you be informed of their unwearyed industrie in services and their undaunted magnanimitie in sufferings for Christ their Lord then conceive that you hear themselves thus speaking unto you with a loud voice Why look you thus upon us Not unto us not unto us but unto the Name of God give glory And as our gracious God is advanced so may our selves be very much advantaged by a due consideration of those things which have been exemplary in the Lives and deaths of choise men Champions for Scripture truths and Patriots for the power of godliness For as Gods Laws are the good mans rules so good Examples are his motives and encouragements The holy Scriptures do hint the prevalency hereof for saving conversion And it is reported that Justin Martyr by observing the pious Lives and patient deaths of the Martyrs was brought to Christ. Men likewise may be fast riveted and more strongly rooted in the Truth received by reflecting upon the sound judgements and spotless Lives of them who have published and maintained it In which respect Pauls speech unto young Timothy is very remarkable But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them Such are witnesses with a witness there are none such The common people are more apt to enquire what Ministers do then what they say And the eye is more operative and affecting then the ear Neither is this only true in regard of Gods Worthies who live with us but also in reference unto them who have lived long before us The Apostle writing to the Hebrews concerning Abels faith he tels them that by it though he be dead he yet speaketh Upon which phrase famous Master Perkins hath this note Abels faith is a never dying Preacher It is the pleasure of Almighty God that we should walk in the way of good men and keep the path of the righteous Walk so as you have us for an example The Apostle Paul draws their observation and imitation upon those who were really and eminently good And the Apostle James inculcates the same thing Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an example In Examples there should be excellencie and conspicuitie As the stamps upon coyns which make them current It is most true that wise Solomon sends sluggish man unto School to learn of the Pismire And therefore grant that Christians should imitate Heathens in their virtues how much rather then ought we to make practical improvement of the Epitomized Lives of these many eminent servants of Christ who are presented to our view in this book These fair copies we should spread before our eyes and write after them till our writing our living be like them Frequent meditation upon the wise savorie speeches and holy gratious practices of these renowned Worthies will be a special means to mould us even us into the same similitude Peter Martyr perswading the improvement of good Examples tell 's a storie of a deformed man marryed unto an uncomely woman who being desirous of comely children bought many beautiful pictures and desired his wife daily to look upon them by means whereof their children were handsome and lovely And doubtless brave Christian qualifications might be begotten in our bosoms by filling our heads and hearts frequently with the commendable conversation of these holy men of God who have been burning and shining lights in the Churches of Christ in their respective Ages But whilst we are moving imitation we must not forget to give in some few cautions to prevent miscarrying 1. Do not so Idolize any man in respect of his place parts or graces as to make him your pattern in every particular The Apostle gives in a good Item to the Corinthians which concerns all Christians Be followers of me as I am of Christ. Christians are not bound as Master Latimer expresseth himself to be the Saints Apes laboring to be like them in every thing It 's Christs peculiar honor to be imitated in all morals absolutely This caveat is necessary in these Man-admiring times wherein many pin their faith and consciences upon some mens sleeves Here it might seasonably be remembred that the opinion and practice of the Apostle Peter did once lead many out of the right way When mens parts are high their graces shining or their power great we are in danger either to be dazzelled with their brightness or biassed by their greatness Therefore before you adventure to follow men weigh the chiefest of them in the ballance of the Sanctuary and try their most specious notions and actions by the touchstone of the Temple 2. Beware on the other hand lest you so pry into and peer upon the weaknesses of Gods Worthies as not to value and imitate those virtues which did break forth brightly in their conversations You must give good gold all its allowance and not throw it aside because it wants some grains and hath a crack The Snow-like Swan hath black legs and in many things we offend all And though some of these pretious servants of Jesus Christ who are justly commended in this book had their blemishes in judgement or in some actions yet how much did they in many particulars exceed the most famous Professors of our times 3. When you meet with that in their lives which was not onely truly but eminently good sit not down satisfied till you have attained their measure Be followers of me c. saith the Apostle for our conversation is in Heaven Follow the forwardest Christians with a desire to overtake them His speech savored more of wit then grace who counselled his friend not to come too nigh unto truth lest his teeth should be beaten out with its heels Dwell upon the Exemplarie Lives of these transcendent Saints till you be changed into the same image Their love to Christ his truth and people should enlarge your hearts Their zeal should enflame you Their magnanimity should encourage you Their humility should abase you Their patience should calm you Their labors should quicken your diligence Their temperance should moderate you in the use of all sensual contentments Their confidence should confirm your fiducial dependance upon Gospel-promises Their contempt of the World should call you off yet farther from all empty sublunaries Their high estimation of the holy Scriptures should heighten your reverent respect of them Their many assaults from Satan and sufferings from men in estate liberty credit and body should embolden and arm you in evil times Their experiences of support under grievances of supplies in necessaries of comfort in crosses of deliverance in streights of success in services and of triumphing perseverance notwithstanding all oppositions from within and from without should hold up your faint hopes unweariedly to wait for the full accomplishment of all the pretious promises of Covenant-grace in Jesus
in Latin but Hierom reckons him amongst the Greek Fathers and even till this day some of his Works are extant in Greek which shews him to be a Grecian Varia scripsit sed soli qainque libri adversus Haereses eodie supersunt TERTVLLIAN The Life of Tertullian who dyed An. Christ. 202. TErtullian was born in Carthage his Father was a Centurion of the Proconsular Order He was carefully educated in all manner of learning wherein he profited so much that Lactantius saith of him he was in omni genere doctrine peritus skilled in all kinde of Learning Hierom saith that his Works contained cunctam seculi Doctrinam all sorts of Learning Vincentius Lyrinensis saith Inter Latinos omnes hic facile princeps judicandus that amongst the Latine Fathers he was of chiefest account His Works which he hath left to us shew that he was excellently versed in Physicks Mathematicks and History He was eminent for his study of and knowledge in the Civil Law Afterward falling to the study of Divinity he attained to such excellent skill therein that at Rome he was made a Presbyter where he remained to the middle of his age He flourished under the Emperor Severus Anno Christi 183. And burning in holy zeal he became a great opposite to the Hereticks of those times Marcion Valentinian Praxea Hermogenes c. He was very expert both in Greek and Latin and had great acuteness in disputing and writing eloquently as his Books do sufficiently declare So that Vincentius Lyrinensis saith that the force of his arguments was such that whom he could not perswade them he compelled to consent to him God raised him in the time of great Persecution to be as a pillar or stay to his poor afflicted Church For when the Christians were vexed with wrongs and falsly accused by the Gentiles Tertullian taking their cause in hand defended them against their Persecutors and their slanderous accusations shewing that they never intended aâ—â— stirs or rebellions either against the Empire or Emperors of Rome for so much as the manner of Christians was to pray for the prosperous estate of their Governors And whereas they were falsely accused to be enemies to mankinde how can that be saith he when as the proper office of Christians is to pray for all men to love their Enemies never requiting evil for evil whereas all others do profess only to love their friends and starcely them and as touching the horrible slander of murthering Infants how can that be true saith he in the Christians whose custom is to abstain from all blood and things strangled so that it is not lawful for them when they feed at their Tables to meddle with the blood of any Beast And as for filthy copulations no sort of men are more free then they who have ever been the greatest observers of chastily and if they could have chosen to live in perpetual Virginity all their lives long if they could not their manner is to contract Matrimony for the avoiding all Whoredom and Fornication Neither can it be proved that the Christians do Worship the Sun which false surmise saith he ariseth only from this Because they use to pray towards the East Much less was there any of them so mad as to Worship an Asses Head the occasion of which slander arose from the Jews worshipping the Jaw bone of an Ass from the story of Sampson which therefore was falsely and wrongfully charged upon the Christians Likewise against all other lyes and slanders raised by the Heathen against the Christians he clearly purgeth them and evidently proves that they were persecuted not for any deserts of theirs but only out of an hatred to their name and Profession He sheweth also that by those grievous persecutions the Religion or number of Christians was nothing impaired but increased rather The more saith he we are mown down by you the more we rise up The blood of the Christians proves the seed of the Church For what man saith he beholding the painful torments and the perfect patience of the Christians will not search and enquire into the cause and when he hath found it out will not consent and agree to both and when he agreeth to it who will not be willing and desirous to suffer for it So that this Profession can never be extirpated seeing the more it is cut down the more it encreaseth For every man seeing and wondering at the sufferings of the Saints is moved thereby the more to search into the cause and in searching he finds it and in finding he follows it And as Tertullian thus bestirred himself in defending the innocency of the Christians so he compiled many excellent and fruitful Works whereof some are extant others are not to be found By these excellent Apologies of his he perswaded the Emperor Severus to savour the Christians who prayed for his prosperity and imputed the slaughter of his Subjects at Byzartium as a just judgement upon them for the effusion of so much Christian blood Having written excellently against the Hereticks of his time in the end of his Book he made a Catalogue of all the Hereticks that then tore the Bowels of the Church Yea he continued these labours when the Persecution was at the hottest not hiding his head though the times were so dangerous Once in great triumph all the Emperour Severus his Souldiers for the greater pomp were to put on Crowns of Bayes but one Christian Souldier there was amongst them who wore it on his Arm and being demanded the reason he boldly answered Non decet Christianum in hac vita Coronari that a Christian ought not to wear his Crown in this life Upon which occasion Tertullian wrote his Book De Corona Militis Cyprian when he would read Tertullian used to say Da Magistrum give me my Master His manner was constantly to pray thrice a day at the third sixth and ninth hours Writing De quatuor novissimis of Death Judgment Heaven and Hell he saith Haec nos aliquando risimus cum de vobis fuimus fiunt non nascuntur Christiani I sometimes scoffed at these things when I was a Heathen I now perceive that we are not born but made Christians He was converted by reading the Scriptures and the labours of other learned and holy men In reading the Scriptures he found them full of Majesty and truth And saith he Quicquid agitur praenunciabatur Whatsoever is done was in them foretold and after his conversion he was taken up night day in the reading of them and did with great pains get much of them by heart and that so exactly that he knew each period He highly commended Severus for that knowing many Noble men and women to be Christians he did not only not punish them but greatly praised them and did publickly withstand such as were their enemies Yet notwithstanding the great Learning and famous Vertues of this worthy
finding his defect in the knowledge of the Tongues he learnt Greek wrote out S. Pauls Epistles and gat them by heart and grew so perfect that he understood Greek better then Latine and reading in S. Peter that no Scripture is of private interpretation he betook himself by earnest Prayer to God for the Spirit of Truth to be his Teacher and least he should be misled by a false spirit he compared Scripture with Scripture and expounded obscure Texts by those which were more clear In his Ministry he set himself much against the sins of the times especially against Pensions which the Switzers used to receive of Princes to serve as Mercenaries in their Armies which procured him much hatred After a while he was chosen to a place called Our Lords Hermitage by Theobaldus Guolzeggius the Baron thereof to which place there was great resort of people from all Countries who came on Pilgrimage which much moved him to embrace that Cal that he might have opportunity to disperse the knowledg of the Truth into several parts About this time one of the chief Ministers dying at Zurick they much desired Zuinglius to succeed him and he coming accidentally to that place was chosen Pastor there An. Chr. 1519. and began to Preach unto them the History of Christ out of Matthew Presently after there came one Sampson a Franciscan Fryar and a Preacher of Indulgences who was sent by the Pope into Switzerland to get money Zuinglius strongly opposed himself against him shewing him to be an Impostor The Bishop also of Constance wrote to Zuinglius to keep this Sampson out of Zurick because he had not acquainted him with his authority Yet when this Impostor came to Zurick because he was kept out he went to Badena setting forth the Popes Buls to sale Often crying out Behold they flie behold they flie as if he had seen with his Eyes the Souls which he had delivered out of Purgatory flying into Heaven Zuinglius also caused the Pope to be admonished by his Commissary not to Excommunicate Luther for that he foresaw the Germanes would despise both him and his Excommunication which also came to pass Anno Christi 1520. the Senate of Zurick by the Council of Zuinglius commanded the Preachers of their Jurisdiction freely to teach whatsoever might be proved by the Authority of the Prophets and Apostles passing by the Inventions of men Hereupon the Bishop of Constance by publick Proclamation forbad those of Zurick to Innovate any thing willing them to remain in the Faith of the Church of Rome till a Council might be convened But Zuinglius defended them and his writings and the Magistrates of Zurick entreated the Bishop to come to a Synod where learned men might confer together and determine what the people ought to believe Yet the Bishop wrote again to them shewing them what complaints he had heard of Zuinglius which he could not but take notice of the City belonging to his Jurisdiction But Zuinglius going to the Bench of Aldermen defended his Doctrine and satisfied them Anno Christi 1522. the Bishop wrote again to the College of Canons at Zurick exhorting them to take heed to themselves for that Pope Leo and the Emperour by their Proclamations had condemned those Doctrines he put them in minde therefore to obey those Decrees and not to innovate any thing in Religion till those whom it concerned had by Common-Council set down somewhat Hereupon Zuinglius wrote back to the Bishop that he understood by whose setting on he did these things but he wished him not to follow their Counsel For saith he the Truth is invincible and will not be resisted And afterwards some others joyning with him they wrote to the Bishop entreating him to Decree nothing against the Doctrine of the Gospel and that he would no longer endure the filthy and infamous life of the Priests but that he would suffer them to marry Zuinglius wrote also to the Helvetians that they should not hinder the course of the Gospel that they would not trouble Ministers for marrying for that the command for their living without Wives was the Doctrine of Satan He exhorted them also whereas their manner was in their Pages or parishes when they admitted a Priest to command him to take a Concubine least he should attempt the chastity of other women that instead thereof they should command them to take lawful ways About this time Luthers Books coming abroad though himself abstained from reading of them yet he perswaded his people to buy and read them which he did that they might see the agreement that was in their Doctrine being both taught by the same spirit There also he studyed Hebrew and gat the Senate to erect a School for Latine Greek and Hebrew and associating to himself Leo Judae he gat such skill in the Hebrew that he began to explain Isaiah and Jeremiah Shortly after there came to Zurick Franciscus Lambertus and disputed with Zuinglius about the Intercession of the Saints and the sacrifice of the Mass but being non-plus'd he left his Error and gave praise to God Zuinglius began also to write about this time and Pope Adrian wrote to him with great promises to oblige him to the Papal-Sea but all in vain Shortly after he perswaded the Senate to restrain the exorbitant number of Priests and Fryars yet withall to allow them a competent subsistence for their life time which was done accordingly and their revenues were imployed for the maintenance of the Ministry for advancement of Learning and for the Poor He pressed also the taking away of Images the abolishing of the Mass and the restoring of the Lords Supper which the Senate assented to and performed not only in the City of Zurick but through all the places within their jurisdiction Anno Christi 1523. when the Senators of Zurick understood that the Doctrine of Zuinglius was traduced everywhere as being wicked and ungodly they commanded all the Ministers of their Jurisdiction to meet together on the 29. of January about the differences of Religion promising that every one should be fully heard they beseeched also the Bishop of Constance that he would either come himself or send thither some of his Divines At the day appointed many met together John Faber the Bishops Vicar being also present who pleaded hard that this place was unfit to handle such causes but that they were to be referred to a general Council But Zuinglius urged him that if he had any thing against his Doctrine which he had published in 47 Positions he should produce it and he should be answered either by word of mouth or writing which when Faber would not consent to the Magistrates dismissed the Assembly and proclaimed throughout their Jurisdiction that the Gospel should be purely taught out of the Books of the Old and New Testament the Traditions of men being laid
Professor of Divinity in that City though the Popish party sought by all means to oppose it where he read on the Prophet Isaiah and after awhile he was called to a Pastoral charge in that City to the great regret of the Papists Anno Christi 1524. In that City he caused Infants to be Baptized in the Dutch Tongue He administred the Lords Supper in both kindes by the consent of the Magistrates He confuted by the holy Scriptures the Sacrifice of the Mass Purgatory and other Popish Traditions of the like kinde whereupon by little and little they vanished away Upon this John â—ochlaeus sent Letters to him from Stutgard full of great promises thereby endeavouring to withdraw him from the Truth and the Mass Priests thundred against him and his companions saying that they deserved the punishment of the worst Hereticks But the Magistrates of Basil commanded all the Preachers within their Jurisdiction to Preach to the People the Word of God and not of men and to abstain from railing and evill speeches threatning severe punishments to those that offended against their Proclamation so that not long after there was a general Reformation of Religion not only in Basil but in the parts adjacent A Decree being made by the Senate that as well within the City of Basil as without throughout all their Jurisdiction the Mass with all Idols should be abandoned and the Ash-wednesday following all the Wooden Images were distributed amongst the Poor of the City to serve them for fire-wood but when they could not agree upon the dividing of them it was Decreed that all the said Images should be burnt together so that in nine great heaps all the stocks and Idols were the same day burnt to ashes before the great Church door Oecolampadius also like a faithful Minister of Jesus Christ was careful to restore Christs Discipline and brought in the censure of Excommunication And presently after being sent for to Vlm together with Blaurerus and Bucer he carryed on the work of Reformation there At Marpurg by the invitation of the Lantgrave of Hess there was a Disputation for three days between Luther Jonas and Melancthon on the one part and Oecolampadius Zuinglius and others on the other about the controversie concerning Christs presence in the Sacrament but the Sweating sickness breaking out there put an end to it yet they agreed about all other Fundamentals in Religion and parted in a brotherly manner Oecolampadius returning to Basil spent the remainder of his days in preaching reading writing publishing of books visiting the sick c. Anno Christi 1531. and of his Age 49. he fell sick about the same time that Zuinglius was so unhappily slain the grief of whose death much aggravated his weakness yet intermitted he not his labors till an Ulcer breaking forth about his Os sacrum he was forced to keep his bed and though his friends Physitians and Chyrurgeons used all means for his cure yet he told them that his disease was mortal He spent his time in Divine meditations and comforting his friends and sending for the Ministers of the Churches to him he spake to this purpose O my Brethren the Lord is come he is come he is now calling me away c. I desired to speak with you to encourage you to continue faithful followers of Christ to persevere in purity of Doctrine in lives conformable to the Word of God Christ will take care for the defence of his Church therefore Let your light so shine forth before men that they may see your good Works c. continue in love unfeigned walk as in Gods presence adorn your Doctrine with holiness of life a cloud is arising atempest is coming and some will fall off but it becomes you to stand fâ—st and God will assist you c. For my self I pass not the aspersions that are cast upon me I bless God I shall with a clear conscience stand before the Tribunal of Christ I have not seduced the Church of Christ as some affirm but leave you all witnesses that at my last gasp I am the same that formerly I was He had nothing to give and therefore made no Will The fifteenth day of his sickness he called for his children took them by the hand strok't them on the head and though the eldest was but three years old yet he said unto them Go to my three children see that you love God Then speaking to his wife and kindred he desired them to take care that his children might be brought up in the fear of God and then commanded them to be taken away The Ministers continued with him that night and a certain friend coming to him Oecolampadius asked him what news his friend answered None but saith he I 'le tell you some news I shall presently be with my Lord Christ and some asking him whether the light offended him he putting his hand to his heart said Here 〈◊〉 abundance of light In the morning he prayed earnestly with the words of David in the 51. Psalm which he repeated from the beginning to the end and presently after said O Christ save me and so he fell asleep in the Lord. The Papists spread many lyes abroad of his death some said that in dispair he slew himself others that he was murthered or poysoned c. He dyed Anno Christi 1521. and of his Age 51. Erasmus wrote to his friends concerning his Book about the Sacrament Oecolampadium emisisse libellum tam accuratè scriptum tot machinis argumentorum tótque testimoniis instructum ut posset vel electos in errorem pertrahere In the beginning of Reformation he was another Doctor in Helvetia of a milde and quiet wit Somewhat slow in dispatching businesses but very circumspect He took pleasure in nothing so much as in reading and writing Commentaries wherein he wrote upon Genesis Psalms Job Isaiah Jeremie Ezekiel Daniel and most of the small Prophets as also upon the Books of the New Testament Before his Conversion he was superstitiously religious So oft as he read the words of Institution of the Lords Supper he thought that some spiritual sense was included in them and yet still drave out those thoughts with this Wilt thou be wiser then other men You should believe as others believe But it pleased God at last to inlighten him with his truth which he submitted to He was most studious of the peace and concord of the Church He excelled in the knowledge of the Latine Greek and Hebrew and was very skilful in Ecclesiastical Antiquities He was older then Martin Luther by one year Scripta ejus vel sunt Exegetica vel Didascalica vel Apologetica vel conversa è Graeco Multa praeterea ab ejus amicis edita multa ab Hedione aliis Germanicè conversa Multa a Gastione collecta quae non sunt impressa
This Embassie of yours is just like to the Devils dealing with Christ when he promised him al the World if he would fal down and worship him but for my own part I am resolved not to depart from the Truth which God hath revealed unto me but before the return of the Ambassadour Duke George was dead whereupon this Henry notwithstanding all the opposition of the Papists made this Reformation in the Churches which work being finished Myconius visited all the Churches in Thuringia and with the help of Melancthon and some other he provided them Pastors and Schoolmasters and procured stipends to be setled upon them for their maintenance The rest of his life he spent in Preaching Praying and writing of Letters many great persons in Universities and the chief Churches holding correspondence with him amongst whom were Luther Melancthon Cruciger Menius Basilius Monerus John Langus Mechlerus John Marcellus Matthew Ratzenbergerus c. Anno Christi 1541. He fell into a Consumption whereof he wrote to Luther That he was sick not to death but to life which gloss upon the Text pleased Luther excellently well unto whom he wrote back I pray Christ our Lord our Salvation our Health c. that I may not live to see thee and some others of our Colleagues to dye and go to Heaven and to leave me hear amongst the Devils alone I pray God that I may first lay down this dry exhausted and unprofitable tabernacle farewel and God forbid that I should hear of thy death whil'st I live Sed te superstitem faciat mihi Deus hoc peto volo fiat voluntas mea Amen quia haec voluntas gloriam nominis Dei certè non meam voluptatem nec copiam quaerit A while after Myconius recovered according to this Prayer though his disease seemed to be desperate and out-lived it fix years even till after Luthers death whereupon Justus Jonas speaking of Luther saith of him Iste vir potuit quodvoluit That man could have of God what he pleased A little before Myconius his death he wrote an excellent Epistle to Joan. Frederick Elector of Saxony wherein he praiseth God for raising up three successively in that Family viz. Frederick John and John Frederick to undertake the patronage of Luther c. He was a man of singular piety of solid learning of a dextrous judgement of a burning zeal and of admirable candor and gravity He dyed of a relapse into his former disease Anno Christi 1546. and of his Age 55. His Works were these Expositio in Evan. Marci Enarrationes in Psalmum 101. Expositiones in Evan. secundum Matthaeum Lucam Johannem Commentaria in Jesaiam Jeremiam Jonam Narratio de vita morte Zuinglii Sermo de liberis recte educandis De crapula ebrietate De faenore usura c. Iohn Stigetias made this Epitaph upon him Quo duce Gotha tibi monstrata est Gratia Christi Haec pia Mâ—conii contegit ossa lapis Doctrina vitae tibi moribus ille reliquit Exemplum Hoc ingens Gotha tuere decus The Life of John Diazius who dyed Anno Christi 1546. IOhn Diazius was born in Spain and brought up at School afterwards he went to Parâ— to study the Arts where he continued thirteen years but it pleased God that whilst he read over the holy Scriptures and some of Luthers Books and other Protestant Divines he began to see and abominate the Errors of Popery and therefore to further himself in the knowledge and study of the Truth he went to Geneva where he spake with Calvin and was very dear unto him From thence he went to trasborough where Martia Buâ—er observing his Learning Piety and diligence in his study obtained of the Senate that he should be joined with him to go to the Disputation at Ratisbone and when he came thither he went to Peter Malvenda a Spaniard the Popes Agent in Germany who when he knew that he came in the company of Bucâ—r and the other Protestant Divines he was much astonished and admired how he was so much changed from that which he knew him to be at Paris and withall he fretted exceedingly that they had gotten a Spaniard amongst them presuming that they would triumph more in him then in many Germanes whereupon he left no means untryed to draw him back again to the Church of Rome sometimes making large profers and promises to him other-sometimes threatning severe punishments and mixing both with earnest entreaties He also advised him by no means to stay at Ratisbon till the Emperours coming for saith he that cannot be without great danger to you rather haste to his Court and beg your pardon Also at another conference Malvenda asked him wherefore he was to Ratisbone Diazius answered that he was sent thither by the Senate of Strasborough that he might join his Prayers with the Prayers of the Church and in the publick conference might endeavor reconcilement as much as he could in those Articles which were to be disputed of Then said Malvenda you are come hither in vain for nothing will be concluded at this conference but if you would do good you should rather go to the Council that the Pope hath begun at Trent But when by no means he could prevail to divert him from the Truth he sent for his brother Alphonsus Diazius one of the Popes Lawyers from Rome who hearing that his Brother was turned Protestant came speedily into Germany bringing a notorious cut-throat with him resolving either to divert or destroy him when he came to Ratisbone Diazius was departed to Neoburg about the printing of Bucers Book which Alphonsus hearing of followed him thither carrying with him Letters to Iohn Diazius from Malvenda wherein he wished him to obey his Brother Alphonsus who would give him good Counsel When Alphonsus came to Neoburg his Brother Iohn wondred to see him there asking him the cause of his so unlooked for presence after some other excuses at length he told him that he had undertook that long and dangerous journey to recall him into the bosome of the Church Hereupon they had much conference about matters of Religion and at length Alphonsus told him that he had five hundred Ducats per annum in Church revenues all which he would make over to him if he would go with him to Rome But when by no means he could prevail with him fetching a deep sigh he said Brother I perceive the constancy of your Faith â—nd your unmoveablness in adhering to the Doctrine of the Gospel to be so great that you have almost drawn me unto your opinion Yea upon further discourse he seemed to be in love with the Doctrine of the Gospel and thereupon perswaded Iohn to leave Germany which abounded with learned men and where there was less use of him and to go with him into Italy Rome
unmoveable in the Truth The sufferings of these godly Divines grew famous in forreign Nations whereupon Bucer and Fagius were sent for by Cranmer into England where they arrived Anno Christi 1549. and were honorably entertained by Doctor Cranmer in his own house where they were instrumental to the great encrease of Religion Also by Cranmer they were set upon the Translation of the Bible with brief notes to which they added an enucleation of hard Texts and a reconciliation of seeming contradictions in Scrâ—pture In this work Fagius undertook the Old Testament and Bucer the New But the work was hindred by the sickness of them both and the death of Fagius who being taken with a Feaver about the end of the Dog-days for change of Ayr was carryed to Cambridge where the 13. of November he ended his days joyfully An. Chri. 1550. and of his Age 45. but not without the suspition of Poyson and was there honorably buryed Yet afterwards in Queen Maries time An. Chr. 1556. he was condemned of Heresie his bones digged up and burned to ashes He was tall of stature of a swarthy complexion under a severe countenance full of curtesie and very Eloquent in his Ministry He translated out of Hebrew Thisbites Heliae Apothegmata Patrum Sententias morales Ben Syrâ— Precationes Hebraicas A little Tractate written by a Iew that turned Christian. Expositionem dictionum Hebraicarum in quatuor capita Geneseos â—ui adâ—icitur Paraphrasis Chaldaica Onkel Comment R. David Kimbi in decem primos Psalmos Targum i. e. paraphrasis Onkeli Chaldaica in 5 libros Mosis with divers others MARTIN BVCER The Life of Martin Bucer who dyed Anno Christi 1551. MArtin Bucer was born at Selestade in Alsatia Anno Christi 1491. being of an excellent wit he entred very young into the Monastery of the Dominicans there and afterwards by consent of the Prior he went to Heidleberg for the encrease of Learning and having gone through other Arts he studied Divinity together with the Greek and Hebrew Tongues whilst he was there he met with and read Erasmus and Luthers Works whereupon he began to dis-rellish Popery and Frederick Prince Elector Palatine being much pleased with his Eloquence and singular Humanity as also with his clear and strong Voice and freedom in reproving the vices of men by the instigation of Sir Francis Sickengen chose him to be his Minister so that he Preached often in Heidleberg and elsewhere During his abode in that place Luther came thither whom he heard disputing against Free Will which kindled in his Breast the first sparks of the Divine Truth which by his conversing with Luther were further encreased Afterwards going with his Prince into the Low-countries he Preached freely against the Superstitions and sins of the times and began to bethink himself of leaving his Order whereupon the Monks lay in wait to take away his Life but escaping thence he went to Sir Francis Sickengen who sheltered him from danger till the Controversies about Religion were determined in his Castle at Naustall and when Luther was sent for to the Diet at Worms he went along with him and after some converse he embraced and defended his cause Not long after War arising between Sickengen and Trevir Bucer finding that he could not follow his studies in the midst of those tumults craved leave to depart and obtained it but a Neighbor Pastor of Wissenburg intreated him to Preach in his charge which he did till by the unhappy fall of Sickengen they were both driven thence by the prevailing power so that he fell into great danger About this time the seeds of the reformed Religion began to be sown in Strasborough by Matthew Zellius and Gasper Hedio Sigismund Count of Hohenlâ— favoring them to whom therefore Bucer went and was curteously entertained and Anno Christi 1523. was appointed publick Preacher in the Church and to read Divinity in the Schools These Colleagues excelling in Wit Eloquence and Zeal did propaâ—â—te the Gospel of Christ notably in that City and the year after published in Print the reasons why they changed the Mass into the Lords Supper c. which Book they dedicated to Frederick the Elector Palatine This Book was subscribed by Capito Hedio Zellius Pollio Niger John Latomus Fâ—rn Hag and Bucer Hereupon the Senate of Strasborough by a general Vote reformed their City casting out Popery and establishing the pure Gospel of Christ. An. Chr 1529. when the Gospellers agreed not in all things amongst themselves a conference was appointed at Marpurg between Luther and Zuinglius whereupon Bucer with Hedio went thither and had much discourse with them wherein they agreed upon all points of Divinity except about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and so parted friendly resolving ab omni contentione in posterum abstinendum utrinque esse Deumque orandum ut Spiritu suo erudiat ducatque that both sides should abstain from contention c. The year following at Auspurg he disputed with the Papists and had a large testimony for his Learning and modesty hearing his Adversaries patiently rather seeking Truth then Victory and answering them mildly yet strongly He took much pains to reconcile the difference between Luther and Zuinglius about the Lords Supper fore-seeing the great mischief that that difference would bring upon the Church An. Chr. 1531. the Citizens of Vlm sent for him to Reform their Churches where he with Oecolampadius performed the trust put in him with much prudence and faithfulness He was so studious of peace that some said he complyed too much with Luther in that Doctrine against which he had formerly both Preached and Written Whereupon in the Moneth of May Anno Chrâ—sti 1533. he went to Zurick and there in an Assembly of the Ministers of the Church he purged himself from the suspition of revolt shewing that he did still retain the same Doctrine concerning the Supper of the Lord which he had formerly professed and had defended in the Disputation at Bern against the Adversaries thereof and that by the grace of God he would continue therein to his lives end but yet that it seemed to him that Luther dissented from Zuinglius rather in words then in Doctrine and very deed He requested also the Ministers of Zurick that they would not attempt nor write any thing more bitterly against Luther by reason of that Epistle which he had sent to the Magistrates of Franckford To this they of Zurick answered that they admitted his excuse yet withall shewed him out of that Epistle what Luther seemed to think of the Supper of the Lord and what was to be expected of them hereafter withall telling him that they were determined with Gods help to remain in that Doctrine which they had taught hitherto in the Church of Zurick till they were otherwise convinced out of the holy Scriptures and in the mean time they would do what might conduce to peace so that the Truth was
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
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-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
answered him stoutly That such arguments might prevail with children but could not with him Having leave at last through bribes to lie amongst the other captives in a more open and cleanly place he wonderfully refreshed and comforted them by his godly exhortations and consolations drawn from the Scriptures whereby they were much confirmed in the Christian Faith And whereas before they were almost pined through want of food God so stirred up the hearts of some to bring relief to Zegedine that all the rest of the prisoners were provided for plentifully thereby Remaining thus in prison he was not idle but wrote there his Common-places and some other Works and his Citizens having tried all means and used the intercession of all their friends for his release began now almost to despair of obtaining it And to adde to his affliction it pleased God in the time of his imprisonment which was above a year three of his children died which added much to his affliction But when all hopes failed let us see by what means through Gods mercy he obtained his liberty It pleased God that a noble Baron and his Lady passing by that way saw this worthy man of God in so miserable a plight that the Lady much pittyed him and afterwards being in Child-bed and ready to dye she requested her Lord who loved her dearly for her sake to improve all his interest in the Beg to procure Zegedines liberty which he with an oath promised to perform and accordingly engaged himself to the Turk that he should pay 1200 Florens for his ransom upon which he was released and went about to divers Cities to gather his ransom and God so enlarged mens hearts towards him that in a short time he carried 800 Florens to this Baron and so returned to his people at Calmantsem The year after being 1564 as he was going by coach to Buda when the horses came near the River Danubius being very hot and dry they ran violently into the river but behold the admirable providence of God when they had swam some twenty paces in the river they turned back again of their own accord and drew the coach and him safely to the shore The same year by Imposition of hands he ordained three excellent men Ministers Aboâ—â— that time there came a bragging Friar and challenged him to a disputation which he willingly accepting of the great Church was appointed for the place and many of both sides resorted thither and the Friar came with much confidence hiâ— servants carrying a great sack of book◠〈◊〉 But in the disputation Zegedine did so baffle him that 〈…〉 shrunk away with shame aâ—d he Frier with his great 〈◊〉 was left all alone so that himself was faine to take it on his own shoulders and go his way About that time the Vayvod who had before betrayed him coming to the place where Zegedine was desired to speake with him and requested him to forgive him professing that he could rest neither night nor day he was so haunted with apparitions and the Furies of his own conscience which Zegedine easily assented unto An. Christi 1566 Zegedine being very hot invited a friend to go with him to the River of Danubius to bathe themselves but as they were swimming his friend looking about him saw not Zegedine and wondering what was become of him so suddenly at last spied his hoary hairs appearing above water and swimming swiftly to him Zegedine was sunk whereupon he diving to the bottom of the river caught hold of him and drew him forth carrying him to a Mill that was not far off where he laid him to bed About midnight Zegedine coming to himselfe enquired how he came there and who drew him out of the River his friend told him the whole story and kept him carefully till he recovered Anno Christi 1572 he fell into a lingring disease in which he loathed meat slept little was much troubled with rheume complained of Head-ach and could find no ease either sitting standing or lying yet he drank much milk and thought that if he could procure some sleep hee might easily recover his former health whereupon he sent for a Chirurgion who gave him a bitter potion which caused him to fall asleep but after a little while he quietly breathed forth his last being 67 years old Anno Christi 1572. He was a zealous assertor of the Truth against Arianism Mahometism and Papism with all which Heresies Hungary at that time was much infected His writings were these Adsertio de Trinitate contra quorundam deliramenta in quibusdam Hungariae partibus exorta Speculum Romanorum Pontificum Loci communes Theologicae Tabulae analyticae de fide Christiana J. KNOX The Life of John Knox who died A no Christi 1572. JOhn Knox was born at Gifford in Lothaine in Scotland Anno 1505. of honest parentage Brought up first at School then sent to the University of Saint Andrews to study under Mr. Jo. Mair who was famous for learning in those dayes and under whom in a short time he profited exceedingly in Philosophy and School-Divinity and tooke his Degrees and afterwards was admitted very young into Orders Then he betook himself to the reading of the Fathers especially Augustines and Hieroms Works and lastly to the earnest study of the holy Scriptures by which being through Gods mercy informed of the Truth he willingly embraced it and freely professed it and imparted it to others But the Bishops and Friers could by no means endure that light which discovered their darknesse and therefore presently raised up a persecution against him especially David Beton Archbishop and Cardinal who caused him to be apprehended and cast into prison purposing to have sacrificed him in the flames But it pleased God by a special providence that he was delivered and therefore presently fled to Berwick to the English where he preached the Truth of the Gospel with great fruit and defended it against the Popish party so that his fame spread abroad exceedingly Hee preached also at Newcastle London and in some other places So that K. Edw the sixth taking notice of him profered him a Bishoprick which he rejected as having Aliquid commune cum Antichristo Something in it common with Antichrist King Edward being dead the persecution raised by Queen Mary made him leave England and goe to Franckfort upon Maine where for a time he preached the Gospel to the English Congregation But meeting with opposition there both from Papists and false brethren he went to Geneva where also he preached to an English Congregation and was very intimate with Master Ralvin continuing there some years Anno Christi 1559 and of his Age 54 the Nobility of Scotland with some others beginning the reformation of Religion sent for him home and at his coming to Edenborough he was lodged in the house
for him to stay here He answered If I shall find favour in the eyes of God he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation and if otherwise lo here I am let him do what seemeth good in his eyes 2 Sam. 15. 25 26. And being asked of another if he could be content to live if God would grant it him he said I grant that life is a great blessing of God neither will I neglect any means that may preserve it and do heartily desire to submit to Gods will but of the two I infinitely more desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. To those that came to visit him in his sicknesse he gave very godly and wise exhortations He thanked God for his wonderful mercy in pulling him out of hell in sealing his Ministry by the Conversion of Souls which he wholy ascribed to his glory A week before his death he called for his Wife and desired her to bear his Dissolution with a Christian Fortitude and turning to his children he told them that they should not now expect that in regard of his weaknesse he should say any thing to them he had formerly told them enough and hoped they would remember it and hee verily beleeved that none of them durst think to meet him at the great Tribunal of Christ in an unregenerate state Some of his neighbours moved that as he had in his Ministry discovered to them the exceeding comforts that were in Christ so he would now tel them what he felt in his soul Alass sayd he doe you looke for that now from me that want breath and power to speake I have told you enough in my Ministry yet to satisfie you I am by the wonderful mercies of God as full of comfort as my heart can hold and feel nothing in my soul but Christ with whom I heartily desire to be Then seeing some weeping he said Oh what a deal ado there is before one can dye When the very pangs of Death were upon him some of his dear friends coming to take their leave of him he caused himself to be raised up and after a few gapings for breath he said to them I am now drawing on a pace to my Dissolution hold out Faith and Patience your work will quickly be at an end Then shaking them by the hand he desired them to make sure of heaven and to remember what hee had formerly taught them protesting that it was the Truth of God as he should answer it at the Tribunal of Christ before whom he should shortly appeare and a dear friend taking him by the hand aske him if hee felt not much pain Truly no said he the greatest I feel is your cold hand and then being laid down againe not long after he yeelded up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631 and of his age 60. He was one of a thousand for Piety and Courage which were so excellently mixed with wisdom that they who imagined mischief against his Ministry were never able by all their plottings to doe him any more hurt then only to shew their teeth He wrote a discourse of true happiness Directions for a comfortable walking with God Insâ—â—utions for comforting afflicted Consciences A threefold Treatise of the World Sacrament of the Lords Supper and Fasting De quatuor novissimis Laus Deo W. WHATELIE The Life of William Whately who died A no Christi 1639. WIlliam Whately was born at Banbury in Oxfordshire Anno Christi 1583 of godly and religious Parents His Father Master Thomas Whatelie was oft Major of that Town His Mother Mistris Joyce Whately carefully bred him up in the knowledge of the Scriptures from a child He was also trained up in learning in the best Schools in those parts and being of a quick apprehension a clear judgement and a most happy memory He profited so much both in Latine Greek and Hebrew that at fourteen yeares old he went to Christs Colledge in Cambridge There he was an hard Student and quickly became a good Logician and Philosopher a strong Disputant and an excellent Orator He studied also Poetrie and Mathematicks He was a constant hearer of Doctor Chaderton and Master Perkins And his Tutor calling his Pupills to an account what they had learned when any was at a stand he would say Whately what say you And he would repeat as readily as if he had preached the Sermon himself Being Batechelor of Arts his Father tooke him home yet there also he followed his study Afterwards he married a Wife the Daughter of Master George Hunt an eminent Preacher who perswaded him to enter into the Ministry and therefore going to Oxford he Commenced Master of Arts and presently after hee was called to be a Lecturer at Banbury which he performed with good approbation for foure yeares and then was called to the Pastoral charge there in which place he continued untill his death He was of a quick understanding of a clear and deep judgement of a most firme memory and of a lively spirit Hee was naturally Eloquent and had words at will He was of an able body and sound lungs and of a strong and audible voice And according to his matter in hand he was a Boaâ—erges a sonne of Thunder and yet upon occasion a Barnabas a sonne of sweet Consolation and which was the Crowne of all God gave him an heart sincerely to seek his glory and to aime at the saving of all their soules that heard him His speech and praching was not in the inticing words of mans wisdomâ— but in the Demonstration of the Spirit and Power He was an Apollos eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures He catechized and preached twice every Lords day and a weakly Lecture besides yet what he preached was before well studyed and premeditated He usually penned his Sermons at large and if he had but so much time as to read over what he had written and to gather it up into short heads he was able to deliver it well near in the same words His Sermons were plaine yet very Scriptural according to the Rules of Art and right reason Hee made use of his Grammar learning in Greek and Hebrew to examine his Text by Then of Rhetorick to discover what formes of speech in his Text were genuine and used in their proper signification and what was elegantly clothed in Tropes and Figures that hee might unfold them Then by a Logicall examining of the context he searched out the true scope of the Holy Ghost in the words His Doctrines which hee insisted on were naturall not forced These he first proved by Scriptures then by other arguments and reasons and in his Applications he either confirmed some profitable truth which might be questioned or convinced men of some error or reproved some vice or exhorted to some duty or resolved some doubt or case of Conscience or comforted such as
considering with himself what time was requisite for the learning of these Sciences and purposing to defer it no longer betook himself to the Sect of the Platonists for the great fame that ran of them Wherefore choosing to himself a singularly learned man of that Sect that was lately come into those parts he remained with him profiting not a little in contemplation of supernatural things and invisible forms Insomuch as he hoped ere long through the sharpness of his wit to attain to the comprehension and contemplation of God which is the end of Plato's Philosophy And thus he imployed his Youth But afterwards being grown to riper years he was converted to the knowledge and profession of Christianity by this means Beholding the Constancy Courage and Patience of the Christians in their torments and sufferings he was wonderfully moved therewith which made him thus to reason that it was impossible for that kinde of people to be subject to any vice or carnality which would certainly disable them to sustain such sharp adversity and much more the bitterness of death Hereupon naturally affecting Knowledge he began to love and embrace the Christian Religion This himself testifies in the end of his first Apologie telling us moreover that being afflicted in minde about finding out the truth he resolved for more privacy to retire himself unto a Grange neer the Sea-side where he might be free from the concourse of people whither as he went there met him a grave ancient Father of a comly visage and gentle behaviour who began to reason with him and after long disputation told him plainly that there was no knowledge of the truth amongst the Philosophers who neither knew God nor were directed by the Holy Ghost He also further reasoned with him of the immortality of the soul of the reward of the godly and of the punishment of the wicked So that Justin being convinced by his arguments voluntarily assented to him and demanded of him by what means he might attain to the knowledge of the true God The old man counselled him to read and search the Word of God and to adjoin Prayer thereto But what man quoth Justin shall I use for my instructor therein And who shall be able to help me if these Philosophers as you say lack the Truth and are void of the same To which the old Father answered There have been saith he before these Philosophers others more ancient then they who were just men and beloved of God and who spake by the Spirit of God fore-seeing and fore-Prophesying of those things which we now see are come to pass and therefore they are called Prophets These only have known the Truth and revealed it to men neither fearing nor respecting the persons of any They were seduced with no opinions of mans invention but only spake and taught those things which themselves both heard and saw being inspired with the Holy Spirit of God whose Writings and Books are extant out of which the Reader may receive great profit and knowledge of many things As of the first Creation of the World and of the end of the same with all other things that are necessary for us to know Neither in their teachings do they use any demonstrations the things taught being of themselves more certain then that they need any such demonstration the accomplishment of their Prophesies which we see fulfilled constraining us of necessity to believe the words and Doctrine which they have taught Their Doctrine also hath been confirmed by Wonders and Miracles which induce us to give credit to it They preached of God the Creator and Maker of all things They prophesied also before of Christ the Son of God sent to be the Redeemer of the World which the false Prophets seduced by false and wicked Spirits did not but only took upon them to work certain prodigious wonders for men to gaze at that thereby they might gain belief to their false and unclean opinions But remember before all things to make thy Prayers to Almighty God that he will open a gate of light to thee for otherwise the knowledge of these things cannot be attained to by every man but they are revealed only to such to whom God and his Christ give understanding The old Father having declared these and many other things to Justine departed from him exhorting him carefully to follow those things which he had spoken after which he saw him no more But Justine was presently wonderfully inflamed in his minde to know and study the Prophets in comparison of which all other Philosophy now seemed vain and unprofitable to him and so in time he became a Christian and was baptized After this â—e became an earnest defender of the Truth travelling up and down and disputing against all those which were enemies and opposers of it fearing neither peril of life nor danger of death so that he might maintain the Doctrine of Christ against the malitious blasphemers of the same and also increase the number of Christian Believers as may appear by his vehement disputations against the Heathen Philosophers and by the long disputation of his at Ephesus against Tripho and also by his confutations of Hereticks Yea and by his Apologies which with great zeal and courage he exhibited to the Emperour and Magistrates against the Persecutors of the Christians and in their just defence all which do sufficiently testifie the same The first Apologie which he wrote was to the Senate of Rome in which he wrote with great liberty telling them that of necessity he was compelled thus to utter his minde unto them For that in persecuting the Christians they neglected their duty and highly offended God of which they had need to be admonished This Apology he also sent to Antoninus Pius the Emperour Writing also to Vrbicius Leiutenant of the City he told him that he put men to torments and death for no offence committed but only for the confession of the name of Christ which proceedings saith he neither becometh the Emperour nor his Son nor the Senate In the same Apology he also defended and purged the Christians from those crimes which were falsely charged upon them by the Ethnicks In his second Apology writing to Antoninus the Emperour and his successors with like gravity and freedom of speech he declareth unto them how they had the name and repute of vertuous Philosophers maintainers of Justice lovers of Learning c. But whether they were so indeed their Acts declared As for himself he professeth that neither for flattery nor for favour he wrote unto them but that he was constrained to sue unto them for righteousness in their judgements and sentences For saith he it becomes Princes to follow uprightness and piety in their judgements not tyranny and violence He also in plain words chargeth as well the Emperour as the Senate with manifest wrong for that they did not grant to the Christians that which was not denyed to all other
with open mouth upon Gods children to devour them they manfully resist him he thinks to weaken their Faith and they by his assaults are made the stronger he fights against them but they get ground upon him and so what he intended for their destruction full sore against his will makes for their advantage He was called the Champion of the Catholick Faith His Works were printed in two Tomes at Paris Anno Christi 1605. The Life of Peter Chrysologus who flourished Anno Christi 440. PEtrus Chrysologus so called because of his golden Eloquence was born at Imola in France of honest Parents bred under Cornelius Bishop of that City whose care it was not only to instruct him in good Manners and Learning but to fit him for the Work of the Ministry that he might bring glory to God in the service of his Church And not long after he was made Archbishop of Ravenna He excelled in Learning Vertue and all prais-worthy qualities He was present at the Councils the one at Ravenna the other at Rome and sent Letters full of Learning to the Synod of Chalcedon against Eutiches the Heretick He was powerful in Eloquence especially in his Sermons to the people and very holy in Conversation by both which he won many to the Truth Always before he penned any thing he would with great ardency and humility set himself to Prayer to seek unto God for direction therein He lived long having been Bishop about 60 years flourished under Martian the Emperour and dyed Anno Christi 500. He used to say Let not thy care be to have thy hands full whilst the Poors are empty for the only way to have full Barns is to have charitable Hands And God had rather men should love him then fear him to be called Father then Master he wins by Mercy that he may not punish by Justice If thou wilt be like thy Father do likewise And Neither in the Flint alone nor in the Steel alone any fire is to be seen nor extracted but by conjunction and collision So nor by Faith alone nor by good Works alone is Salvation attained but by joining both together And As the Clouds darken Heaven so intemperate Banquetting the Minde as the violence of windes and waves sinks a Ship so drunkenness and gluttony our souls and bodies in the depth of hell And Virtues separated are annihilated Equity without goodness is severitie and Justice without Piety cruelty And some that lived commendably before they attained to dignity being set in the Candlestick of the Church turn their light into darkness It had been better for such lights still to have been hidden under a bushel c. He was a man of an Excellent Wit and by his Ministry and example won many to a love of the Truth He wrote 176. Homilies Lib. ad Eutychen Epistoles alias PROSPER The Life of Prosper who dyed Anno Christi 466. PRosper was born in Aquitane and preferred to be Bishop of Rhegium in France He was Scholar to S. Augustine famous for Learning and Piety learnedly confuted the Pelagian Heresie He was assiduous in reading especially of the Scripture He usually had the four Evangelists in his hands He distributed his goods freely to the Poor His special care was to take away all strife and contentions from amongst his people He was a Father to all ages and sexes that were in the City He much addicted himself to Watching Fasting Prayer and Meditation He continued Bishop there twenty years flourished under Martianus Upon his death-bed speaking to many of his people that wept sore he said The Life which I have enjoyed was but given me upon condition to render it up again not grutchingly but gladly For me to have stayed longer here might seem better for you but for me it is better to be dissolved c. And so Praying and lifting up his hands to God before them all he departed Anno Christi 466. He was excellently versed in the Sacred Scriptures and no less famous in Humane Learning He was a very good Poet and an Eloquent Orator of a profound Judgement subtile Wit a nervous Writer and holy Liver His Works are all printed in Octavo at Cullen Anno Christi 1609. He used to say Thou shalt neither hate the man for his vice nor love the vice for the mans sake And Thou boastest of thy wealth honour strength beauty c. consider what thou arâ— by sin and shalt be in the grave and thy plumes will fall for every proud man forgets himself And As the Soul is the life of the Body so the life of the Soul is God when the Soul departs the Body dies and when God departs the Soul dies And Those things which God would have searched into are not to be neglected but those which God would have hidden are not to be searched into by the later we become unlawfully curious and by the neglect of the former damnably ingrateful And The envious man hath so many tortures as the envied hath praisers It s the Justice of envy to kill and torment the envious And The Life to come is blessed Eternity and Eternal blessedness there is certain security secure quietness quiet joyfulness happy Eternity eternal Felicity The Life of Fulgentius who dyed An. Chri. 529. HVnerick the Arian King of the Vandals having subdued Carthage banished all the Senators thereof into Italy amongst whom was Gordian Grandfather to Fulgentius And after the decease of Gordian Claudius his son returned unto Carthage and though his house was given to an â—rian Priest he recovered a great part of his Inheritance by some favour which he found at the Kings hands and so departing to Lepte he there setled his habitation But shortly after dying he left his son Fulgentius to the care of his Mother Mariana who was very careful to train him up in Learning causing him to be instructed in the Greek Tongue before he learned Latine that thereby he might attain to the greater perfection in that Language and as his years encreased so did he highly profit in all sorts of Learning to the great joy of his Mother who exceedingly rejoyced to see his wisdom and towardness which also much refreshed her after the loss of her dear husband yea she was so well satisfied with his Prudence that she committed to his care the government of her whole house and he so well behaved himself therein that he pleased his friends silenced his il-willers and both by direction and correction procured an awful respect from the servants He was also very careful to preserve his Patrimony By this his deportment he gat so much credit and esteem that he was made the Kings Collector and required to be rigorous in exacting the rated payments But after a while it pleased God that this multiplicity and burden of worldly businesses began to be very heavy to
Most High which I also miserable sinner have often tasted and felt whereas before I had spent all that I had upon these ignorant Physitians so that I had little strength left in me less money and least wit and understanding But at last I heard speak of Jesus even then when the New Testament was translated by Erasmus which when I understood to be eloquently done I bought it being allured thereto rather by the elegant Latine then the Word of God for at that time I knew not what it meant and looking into it by Gods special Providence I met with those words of the Apostle S. Paul This is a true saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners Whereof I am the chief O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul This one sentence through Gods instruction and inward working did so exhilarate my heart which before was wounded with the guilt of my sins and being almost in despair that immediately I found marvellous comfort and quietness in my soul so that my bruised bones did leap for joy After this the Scripture began to be more sweet unto me then the Hony and the Honycomb whereby I learned that all my Travels Fastings Watchings Redemption of Masses and Pardons without Faith in Christ were but as S. Augustine cals them an hasty and swift running out of the right way and as the Fig-leaves which could not cover Adams nakedness Neither could I ever obtain quietness and rest or be eased of the sharp stings and bitings of my sinâ— till I was taught of God that Lesson Joh. 3. 14 15. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Assoon as according to the measure of grace given unto me by God I began to taste and rellish this heavenly Lesson which none can teach but God only I desired the Lord to encrease my Faith and at last desired nothing more then that I being so comforted by him might be enabled by his holy Spirit and Grace from above to teach the wicked his ways which are all Mercy and Truth that so sinners might be converted to him by me I did with my whole power teach that all men should first acknowledge their sins and condemn them and afterwards hunger and thirst for that righteousness which is by Faith in Christ c. For these things I have been cryed out of attached and am now cast into Prison though I exhorted all men not so to cleave to outward Ceremonies as to be satisfied therewith and so to loath and wax weary of Christ c. Yet at last through infirmity rather then by conviction he was drawn to abjure and submit himself Anno Christi 1529. After Mr. Bilneys Abjuration which we mentioned before he fell into such terrors of conscience that he was near the point of utter despair and returning to Cambridge he continued under such terrors that his friends were fain to be with him night and day endeavoring to comfort him but all in vain this continued a whole year he was in such anguish that nothing did him good neither eating nor drinking c. yea he thought that all the Word of God was against him and sounded his condemnation But Anno Christi 1531. he began through Gods mercy to feel some comfort being resolved to lay down his life for that Truth which before he had renounced whereupon taking his leave of his friends he went into Norfolk preaching first in private to confirm the Brethren afterwards in the fields confessing his fact and intreating all to beware by him and never to trust to their fleshly friends in the cause of Religion At Norwich he was apprehended and by the Bishop cast into prison whither Dr. Cole and Dr. Stoaks were sent to dispute with him but Bilneys Doctrine and good life so prevailed with Cole that he was somewhat reclaimed and brought to favor the Gospel Also whilst he was at Ipswich there came one Fryar Brusierd to reason with him about those things which he had taught at which time Mr. Bilney told him that the signs and lying wonders attributed by S. Paul to the Pope were those wonders which were dayly wrought in the Church not by the power of God but by the illusions of Satan whereby he labors to draw men to put their Faith in our Lady and other Saints and not in God alone as we are commanded in the holy Scriptures This free speech so incensed the Fryar that he spake thus to him But that I believe and know that God and all his Saints will take everlasting revenge upon thee I would surely with these nails of mine be thy death for this horrible and enormous injury against the pretious blood of Christ. For whereas God saith I desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should convert and live thou blasphemest him as though he should lay privy snares for us to betray us which were it true we might say with Hugo de Sancta victoria If it be an Error it is of thee O God that we are deceived for these be confirmed with such signs and wonders which cannot be done but by thee alone But I see you rest the Scriptures to a reprobate sense so that I am scarce able to hold mine Eyes from tears hearing these words from you therefore farewel During his latter Imprisonment they used many means to have withdrawn him from his stedfastness which not prevailing he was condemned to death The day before his Execution some friends finding him eating heartily with much cheerfulness and a quiet minde said that they were glad to see him at that time so heartily to refresh himself O said he I imitate those who having a â—uinous house to dwel in yet bestow cost as long as they may to hold it up Discoursing further with them for their edification some put him in minde of the heat of the fire yet told him withal that the comforts of Gods Spirit should cool it to his everlasting refreshing whereupon he putting his finger into the flame of the candle as also he did at divers other times I feel said he by experience that fire is hot yet I am perswaded by Gods holy Word and by the experience of some spoken of in it that in the flame they felt no heat and in the fire no consumption and I believe that though the stubble of my body be wasted yet my soul shall be purged thereby and after short pain will be joy unspeakable alleaging that text Isai. 43. 1 2. The next morning the Officers fetching him to Execution a certain friend intreated him to be constant and to take his death patiently to whom he said I am sailing with the Marriner through a boisterous Sea but shortly shall be in the Haven
c. help me with your Prayers By the way as he went he gave much Alms and at the place of Execution he spake to the people confessing his Faith by rehearsing the Articles of the Creed and afterwards prayed privately with earnest elevation of his Eyes and Hands to Heaven Being tyed to the stake the Fryars desired him to declare his charity to them by assuring the people that they were not the causers of his death for said they they think that we have procured it and thereupon will withdraw their charitable alms from us whereupon he said I pray you good people be never the worse to these men for my sake for they were not the Authors of my death The fire being kindled the winde drove away the flame from him so that he was the longer a burning holding up his hands crying sometimes Jesus sometimes Credo and so at last yeelded up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1531. WILLIAM TINDALL The Life of William Tindal who dyed Anno Christi 1536 WIlliam Tindal was born about the borders of Wales and brought up from a childe in the University of Oxford where he grew up and encreased in the knowledge of the Tongues and the Liberal Arts but especially in the Scriptures whereunto his minde was singularly addicted insomuch as being in Magdalen-Hall he read privately to some Fellows and Students some parts of Divinity instructing them in the knowledge and truth of the Scriptures His â—ife also was so blameless that he acquired much love and esteem thereby After he had profited exceedingly and taken his degrees there he remoued to Cambridge and being well ripened in the knowledge of Gods Word he went to live with one Mr. Welch in Glocestershire where he was Tutor to his children and many Abbots and Doctors resorting thither Mr. Tindal discoursing with them of Luther Erasmus c. shewed them plainly his judgement in Religion proving the same by the Word of God and confuting their Errors which caused them to bear a secret grudge in their hearts against him Not long after it happened that some of these great Doctors invited Master Welch and his Lady to a banquet where they had talk at will uttering their blinde Superstitions without gainsaying Then Master Welch and his Lady coming home and calling for Master Tindal began to reason with him about those matters whereof they had talked before with the Priests Mr. Tindal answering by the Scriptures maintained the Truth and confuted their Errors whereupon the â—ady Welch said There was such a Doctor as may expend 100 l. per annum and such an one as may spend 200 l. per annum and such another as may spend 300 l. per annum and is it reason think you that we should believe you before them Mr. Tindal gave her no answer at that time and talked but little afterwards of those matters because he saw it was in vain But fell upon translating a book called Enchiridion miliâ—s Christiani and having finished it he gave it to the Knight and his Lady who after they had well read and perused the same did not more so often invite the Doctorly Prelates to their house as before neither had they that chear and countenance when they came as formerly which they well perceiving supposed that it was by the means of Mr. Tindal whereupon they utterly withdrew themselves and came no more thither Then did the Country Priests cluster together storming and railing against Mr. Tindal in their Alehouse-meetings concerning whom himself writes thus I was saith he in that Country much molested by a company of unlearnnd Priests that had never seen more Latine then in their Portesses and Missals which yet many of them can â—carcely read and if they be but sorrily learned they get Albertus Magnus de secretis mulierum which they pore night and day upon making notes therein c. These men railed and raged against him affirming that he held heretical opinions and thereupon accused him to the Bishop and Chancellor whereupon the Chancellor appointed those Priests and Mr. Tindal also to appear before him and Mr. Tindal suspecting the matter as he went prayed heartily unto God to give him strength to stand fast to the Truth When he came the Chancellor threatned him grievously reviling and rating him as though he had been a Dog accusing him of many things whereof no proof could be brought and so dismissed him for the present Not long after Mr. Tindal happening into the company of one that was esteemed a learned Doctor in disputing with him he drave him to that issue that the Doctor burst out into these blasphemous words We had better be without Gods Laws then the Popes Mr. Tindal hearing this full of godly zeal replyed I defie the Pope and all his Laws and if God spare me life ere many years I will cause a boy that drives the Plough to know more of the Scripture then you do The rage of the Priests encreasing Mr. Tindal told Mr. Welch that he well perceived that he could stay there no longer with safety and that his stay might be prejudicial to his Family and therefore with his good leave he departed and went to London where he preached a while as he had done in the Country before And then hearing a great commendation of Cuthbert Tonstal Bishop of London he endeavored to get into his service but the Lord saw that it was not good for him and therefore he found little favor in the Bishops sight Remaining thus in London about the space of a year and being desirous for the good of his Country to translate the New Testament into English he found that there was no place for him to do it in England and therefore being assisted by Master Humphry Manmouth a godly Citizen and other good men he left the land and went into Germany where this good man being inflamed with a tender care of and zeal for his Country refused no travel nor pains if by any means possible he might reduce his Brethren and Countrymen of England to the same taste and understanding of Gods holy Word and Truth which the Lord had endued him withall Then conferring with Master John Frith he thought in his minde that no way would more conduce thereunto then if the Scriptures were translated into their vulgar language that so the people might fee the plain text before them for he well perceived that one great cause of Error was because the knowledge of the Scriptures was hidden from the peoples Eyes upon these considerations he there set upon this work Translating the New Testament Anno Christi 1527. and then setting upon the Old he finished the five Books of Moses with sundry most learned and godly Prologues prefixed before every one of them the like also he did upon the New Testament Besides divers other godly Treatises which he wrote there
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
saying Let him alone if he die it were a good riddance of him c. Concerning his base usage himself thus writes I paid alwaies saith he to the Warden of the Fleet as a Baron paid as well in Fees as for my board viz. 20 s. per week till I was wrongfully deprived of my Bishoprick and after that time I paide as the best Gentleman in the house yet he alwaies used me worse and more vilely then a very slave Thus I suffered inprisonment almost eighteen monthes my goods living friends and comforts taken from me â—he Queen owing me above 80 pound yet hath she cast me into prâ—soâ— alâ—owes me nothing neither are any suffered to come at me whereby I may be relieved I am under a wicked man and woman and see no remedy but in Gods help But I commit my just cause to him whose will be done whether it be by life or death When he was brought to examination before Winchester and the other Commissioners there was such a tumult whensoever he began to speak that he was forced to keep silence Yet did they proceed to Degrade and condemne him and so delivered him over to the secular Power As they were leading him from the Counter in Southwark to Newgate one of the Sheriffe said to him I wonder that you was so hasty and quick with my Lord Chancellor and used no more patience to him To which he answered Mr. Sheriffe I was nothing at all impatient though I was earnest in my Masters cause and it stands me in hand so to be for it goeth upon life and death not in this World onely but in the World to come Sixe daies he lay close prisoner in Newgate none being suffered to come to him during which time Bonner Harpsfield and diverse others came to him leaving no meanes untried to reduce him to their Antichristian Church sometimes making many great profers and promises to him of worldly riches and promotion other sometimes using grievous threatnings to affright him But they found him alwaies the same man steadfast and unmoveable February the 4 th at night his Keeper gave him some inkling that he should be sent to Gloucester to be burned which he rejoiced very much at lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven and praising God for sending him amongst his people over whom he had been Pastor there to confirme with his blood the truth that before he had taught unto them not doubting but the Lord would give him strength to perform it to his glory And immediately he sent for his boots spurrs and cloke that he might be ready to ride when they should call for him The day following he was delivered to some of the Queens Guard who conveied him to Glocester and when he came neer the City much people met him who cryed and bewailed his condition exceedingly The night before his heath he did eatâ— his meat quietly and slept soundly After his first sleepe â—ee spent the rest of the night in praier The next day Sr Anthonie Kingston coming to him told him that life was swâ—ete and death bitter to which he answered The death to come is more bitter and the life to come more sweet I am come hiâ—her to end this life and suffer death because I will not gainesay the former Truth that I have here taught unto you Also a blinde boie coming to him after he had examined him in the Grounds of Religion he said Ah poor boy God hâ—th taken from thee thy outward sight but hath given thee anotâ—er sight much more pretious having endued thy soul with the eie of knowledge and faith God give thee grace continually to pray uâ—to him that thou lose not that sight for then shouldest thou â—e blind both in body and soul. Being delivered to the Sheriffe he said to him My request to you Master Sheriffe is onely that there may be a quick fire shortly to make an end of me and in the mean time I will be as obedient to you as you can desire if you think I doe amisse in any thing hold up your finger and I have done I might have had my life with much worldly gaine but I am willing to offer up my life for the Truth and trust to die a faithfull servant to God and a true subject to the Queen When he saw the Sheriff's men with so many weapons he said This is more then needs if you had willed me I would have gone alone to the stake and have troubled none of you all As hee went to the stake he was forbid to speak to the people Hee looked chearfully and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary Being come to the place of Execution hee prayed about halfe an hour whereof this was a part Lord said he I am Hell but thou art Heaven I am swill and a sinke of sinne but thou art a gracious and mercifull Redeemer Have mercy therfore upon me most miserable wretched offender after thy great mercy and according to thine inestimable goodnesse Thou art ascended into Heaven receive me Hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with thy Father For will knowest thou Lord wherefore I am come hither to suffer and why the wicked doe persecute thy poor servant Not for my sins and transgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the deniall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to instruct me with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth thy glory Thou well seest O Lord my God what terrible torments and cruell paines are prepared for thy poor creature Even such Lord as without thy strength none is able to beare or patiently to passe But that which is impossible with man is possible with thee therefore strengthen me of thy goodnes that in the fire I break not the rules of patience Or else asswage the terror of the paines as shall seeme fittest to thy glory Having a box with a pardon set before him he cried If you love my soul away with it if you love my soul away with it Three Irons being prepared to fasten him to the stake he onely put on an Iron-hoop about his middle bidding them take away the rest saying I doubt not but God will give me strength to abide the extremity of the fire without binding When reedes were cast to him he embraced and kissed them putting them under his arme where he had bags of gun-powder also When fire was first put to him the fagots being green and the winde blowing away the flame he was but scorched more faggots being laied to him the fire was so supprest that his nether-parts were burn'd his upper being scarce touched He praied mildly as one that felt no paine O Jesus the Sonne of
give mee strength and his holy spirit that all my adversaries shal be asham'd of their doings Then said his friends Master Dr. we think it not best so to do you have sufficiently done your duty and borne witness to the truth both in your Sermons and in resisting this Popish Priest and therfore seeing our Savior Christ bids us when we are persecuted in one City to flee to another we think that by flying at this time you should doe best reserving your selfe for better times O said D. Tailor I am now old and have already lived too long to see these terrible and wicked dayes You may doe as your consciences serve you but I am resolved not to fly God shall hereafter raise up Teachers which shall with much more diligence and fruit teach then I have done for God will not forsake his Church though for a time he tryeth and correcteth us and that not without just cause His friends seeing his constancy and resolution with weeping eyes commended him to God and so preparing himself he went to London and presented himself to Steven Gardiner Lord Chancellor of England who railed upon him calling him Knave Traitor Heretick asking him if he knew him not c. To whom he answered Yea I know you and all your greatness yetâ— you are but a mortall man and if I should be affraid of your Lordly looks why fear you not God the Lord of us all How dare you for shame look any Christian in the face seeing you have forsaken the truth denyed our Saviour Christ and his word done contrary to your own oath and writing with what countenance can you appear before the judgement seat of Christ and answer for your oath first made to King Henry the eighth and afterwards to King Edward the sixth Gardiner Tush tush that was Herods oath unlawfull and therefore fit to be broken I did well in breaking it and thanke God that I am come home to our Mother the Church of Rome and so I would thou shouldest doe Tailor Should I forsake the Church of Christ which is founded upon the true foundation of the Prophets and Apostles to approve those lyes errors superstitions and idolatries that are approved of most blasphemously by you God forbid Remember that you wrote truly against the Pope and were sworne against him Gardin I tell thee that was Herods oath and our holy Father the Pope hath discharged me of it Tailor But you shall not be so discharged before Christ who doubtlesse will require it at your hands as a lawful oath made to your King from which no man can assoile you Gardiner I see that thou art an arrogant Knave and a very fool Tailor My Lord leave your railing which is unseemly in one that is in your place I am a Christian man and you know that he that call's his brother Fool is in danger of Hell fire Gardiner Yee are false and liers all the sort of you Tailor We are true men and know that God will destroy all them that speak lies and therefore we abide by the truth of Gods word which ye contrary to your own consciences deny and forsake Gardiner Thou art a married man Tailor Yea and I thanke God that I am and have had nine children and all in lawfuâ— matrimony and blessed be God that ordained matrimoâ—y and commanded that all that had not the gift of continency should marry and not live in whoredom and a dultery After some other discourse the Bishop called hi men commanding them to carry him to the Kings Bench requiring his Keeper to keep him strictly Then Doctoâ— Tailor kneeling down and holding up his hands said Good Lord I thanke thee and from the Tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable errors and abominations good Lord deliver us So they carried him away to prison where he lay almost two years In Prison he spent his time in praier reading the Scriptures preaching to the prisoners and to other that resorted to him And it pleased God that he found in that prison holy Master Bradford whom he began to exhort to Faith strength and patience and to persevere constantly unto the end Master Bradford hearing this thanked God who had provided him so comfortable a prison-fellow and so they both together praised God and continued in praier reading and exhorting one another Insomuch as Doctor Tailor told his friends that God had provided graciously for him to send him to that prison where he found such an Angell of God to be in his company to comfort him He was diverse times examined of his faith and witnessed a good Confession before his adversaries for which at last he was condemned to die When his sentence was read he told them that God the righteous Judge would require his blood at their hands and that the proudest of them all should repent their receiving againe of Antichrist and their Tyranny against the flock of Christ. He also thus wrote to his friends God be praised since my condemnation I was never affraid to die Gods will be done If I shrinke from Gods truth I am sure of an other manner of death then had Judge Hales But God be praised even from the bottome of my heart I am unmovably setled upon the Rock nothing doubting but that my dear God will performe and finish the work that he hath begun in me and others To him be all honor both now and ever through Christ our onely Saviour Amen After his condemnation Bishop Bonner came to the prison to degrade him bringing all the Massing Garments with him which he commanded him to put on No quoth Doctor Tailor I will not Bonner Wilt thou not I shall make thee ere I go Tailor You shall not by the grace of God Bonner I charge thee on thy obedience to do it Tailor I will not Then the Bishop bad his owne man to put them on his back which when it was done setting his hands by his side he walked up and down and said How say you my Lord am I not a goodly fool If I were in Cheap-side would not all the boies laugh at these apishtoies The Bishop having dispoiled him of all would have given him a stroke on his breast with his Crosier But his Chaplain said My Lord strike him not for he will sure strike again Yea by Saint Peter will I quoth Doctor Tailor The cause is Christs and I were no good Christian if I would not fight in my masters quarrell Then the Bishop cursed him but durst not strike him To whom Doctor Tailor answered Though you curse yet God doth blesse me The next night his Wife Son and Servant came to him where before supper they kneeled down and praied saying the Letany He was sent down to Hadley to be burn'd and all the way as he went he was very merry as one that went to a banquet or Bridal In his
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
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
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
to Queen Elizabeth for aid and till it came to retire themselves towards the Highlands for their safety In the mean time the Queen Regent with her French men went from place to place plundering spoyling and making havock of all without resistance which so puffed her up with pride that she boastingly said Where is now John Knox his God My God is now stronger then his yea even in Fife But her brags lasted not long For the Earle of Arrane and the Lord James went to Desert having not above five hundred Horse and a hundred Foot whereas the French were above four thousand besides such Scots as adhered to them and yet the Protestants skirmished daily with them sometimes from morning till night and ever went away with the better killing four for one which continued for one and twenty dayes together during all which time they never put off either clothes or boots And at the end of that time came into Edenborough Frith a Fleet of the English to assist the Protestants which filled their hearts with joy and the French with rage and madnesse Thither came also some Forces by land under the command of the Lord Grey And after an agreement made with the Scottish Lords some of the English and Scots attempted to take Leith by storm and in a cruell conflict some of them gat upon the walls but the scaling-ladders proving too short they were not seconded by their fellows and so after divers hours sight were forced to retire which the Queen Regent beholding from Edenborough Castle walls burst out into a great laughter saying Now wil I go to Masse and praise God for that which mine eyes have seen And when the French had stripped the slaine and layd their naked bodyes along their walls the Queen looking on them said Yonder are the fairest Tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld I would that the whole fields which are betwixt Leith and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe But this joy lasted not long for a fire kindling in Leith many houses and much of their provision was consumed thereby and the Queen Regent falling sick shortly after died whereupon the King of France sent Ambassadors to Queen Eliz. to conclude a peace which was effected and the English and French Armies were drawn out of Scotland to the great joy of that Nation insomuch that Thanksgivings for their great deliverance by the help of the English were inserted into their Liturgie And presently after some Commissioners of the Scottish Nobility were appointed to settle Ministers in their places by whom Master Knox was setled at Edenborough where he preached many excellent Sermons Anno Christi 1566 the Earl of Murray being slaine on the Saturday Knox preaching at Edenborough the next day amongst the papers given in of those that desired the prayers of the Church he found one with these words Take up the man whom ye accounted another God At the end of his Sermon he bemoaned the losse which the Church and State had by the death of that virtuous man adding further There is one in this companie that makes this horrible murther the subject of his mirth for which all good men should be sorry but I tell him hee shall dye where there shall be none to lament him The man that had written those words was one Thomas Metellan a young Gentleman of excellent parts but bearing small affection to the Earle of Murray He hearing this commination of John Knox went home to his Sister and said That John Knox was raving to speak of he knew not whom His Sister replyed with tears If you had taken my advice you had not written those words saying further That none of John Knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect and so indeed this came to passe for shortly after this Gentleman going to travel died in Italy having none to assist much lesse to lament him Towards Master Knox his latter end his body became very infirm and his voice so weak that people could not hear him in the ordinary place wherefore he chose another place wherein he preached upon the history of Christs Passion with which he said It was his desire to close his Ministry Finding his end near he importuned the Council of the City to provide themselves a worthy man to succeed in his place Master Iames Lawson Professor in Aberdene was the man pitched upon and Commissioners were sent from the Church of Edenborough to request him to accept of the place Iohn Knox also subscribed that request adding Accelera mifrater alioqui sero venies Hast my brother otherwise you will come too late This made Master Lawson to hasten his journey and when he was come he preached twice to the good liking of the people whereupon order was taken by the Rulers of the Church for his admission at which time Iohn Knox would needs preach though very weâ—k which also he performed with such servency of spirit that he was never before heard to preach with such great power or more content to the hearers In the end of his Sermon he called God to witnesse That he had walked in a good conscience with them not seeking to please men nor serving either his own or other mens affections but in all sincerity and truth had preached the Gospel of Christ. He exhorted them in most grave and pithy words to stand fast in the faith they had received and so having prayed zealously for Gods blessing upon them and the multiplying of Gods spirit upon their new Pastor hee gave them his last farewell Being conveyed to his lodging that afternoone he was forced to betake himself to his bed and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sickness to whom he spake most comfortably Amongst others the Earl of Morton came to see him to whom hee said My Lord God hath given you many blessings Wisdom Honour Nobility Riches many good and great Friends and he is now about to prefer you to the government of of the Realm the Earl of Marr the late Regent being newly dead In his name I charge you use these blessings better then formerly you have done seeking first the glory of God the furtherance of his Gospel the maintenance of his Church and Ministry and then be carefull of the King to procure his good and the welfare of the Realm If you doe thus God will be with you and honour you If otherwise he will deprive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignominy These speeches the Earl called to mind about nine years after at the time of his execution saying That he had found John Knox to be a Prophet A day or two before Knox ' s death he sent for Master David Lindsey Mr. Lawson and the Elders and Deacons of the Church to whom he said The time is approaching which I have long thirsted for
Catalogum Consulum Romanorum alia opuscula Item de consolatione decumbentium De idea boni Pastoris De concionibus Funebribus M. CHEMNICIVS The Life of Martin Chemnisius who died A no Christi 1586. MArtin Chemnisius was born at Britza in Old March Anno Christi 1522 of honest but mean Parents so that his father being poor he met with many impediments to discourage and hinder him in Learning yet bearing a great love to it by his exceeding industry he overcame all difficulties and after some progresse at home he went to Magdeburg where he studied the Tongues and Arts. And from thence to Frankfurt upon Oder where he studied Philosophy under his Kinsman George Sabinâ— and after hee had spent some time there he went to Wittenberg where he prosecuted his former studies together with the Mathematicks under Melancthou and other Professors From thence he went to Sabinum in Borussia where he taught School and commenced Master of Arts and Anno Christi 1552 he was made the Princes Library-keeper and had a competent subsistence in the Court. At that time he wholly applied himself to the study of Divinity By reason of his knowledge and skill in the Mathematicks and Astronomy he was very dear to the Duke of Borussia and for the same cause John Marquesse of Brandenburg favoured him very much Yea by his modest and sincere carriage hee procured much favour from the Courtiers Anno Christi 1555 Chemnistus being desirous after three years stay in the Court to return to the Universities for the perfecting of his studies was rewarded by Prince Albert with ample Letters of commendation and so dismissed After which he went again to Wittenberg where he sojourned with Melancthon and was imployed by him publickly to read Common places From thence after a while he was sent to Brunople in Saxonie by the Senate and made Pastor which place he discharged with singular fidelity and approbation for the space of thirty years partly as Pastor and partly as Superintendent and commenced Doctor in Divinity at Rostoch serving the Church with great faithfulness and commendations both by preaching and reading Lectures Many Princes and Commonwealths made use of his advice and assistance in Ecclesiastical affairs He took great pains in asserting the Truth against the adversaries of it as his excellent Exameâ— of the Tridentine Council shews At last being worn out with study writing preaching c. he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1586 and of his age 63. He is said by one to be Philosophus summus Theologus profundissimus neque veritatis bonarumque artium studio neque laude officit facile cuiquam secundus His Workes are these De origine Jesuitarum Theologiae Jesuitarum praecipua capita Explicatio Doctrinae de duabus in Christo naturis Fundamenta sanae Doctrinae Enchiridion de praecipuis caelestis Doctrinae capitibus De peccato Origin contra Manichaeos Examen decretorum Concilii Tridentini Concio de Baptismo Harmonia Evangelica The Life of Rodolphus Gualter who died Anno Christi 1586. ROdolphus Gualter was born in Zurick An. Christi 1519. When he first applyed his mind to the study of humane Arts and Tongue hee had such an happy wit that he was inferiour to none of his fellows in Poetry and Oratory and being afterwards admitted into the University he became famous first for his knowledge in the Arts and afterwards of Divinity He was chosen Pastor in that City where first he drew his vitall breath neither were which chose him deceived in their expectation for he proved an admirable instrument of Gods glory and their good discharging his place with fingular industry diligence and fidelity not onely by his frequent publick preaching but by his learned private writings as his Homilies upon much of the Old and New Testament do sufficiently declare And having governed and sed that Church for above forty years together he died in a good old age Anno Christi 1586 and of his Life seventie four Scripsit Homilias in Johannis Epistolas In canâ—cum Zachariae De Nativitate pueritia educatione Domini De servitnte peccati libertate fidelium De origine prastantia authoritate S. Scripturae In 12 Prophetas minores In Maâ—thaum Marcum Lucam Johannem Acta Apostol Epist. ad Romanes ad Corinthios ad Galatas In Esaiam With many other Works set down by Verheiden The Life of Ludovicus Lavater who died A no Christi 1586. LUdovicus Lavator was born in Zurick a famous City of the Helvetians and having drunk in the first Rudiments of Learning became famous by his diligence in the Schooles and his excellent wit insomuch as Bullinger gave his daughter in marriage to him And though a Prophet be not without honour but in his own country yet was he chosen a Pastor in that City and made a Lecturer in the Schooles and hee taught and illustrated both faithfully by his Ministry and Writings He published manys his Father-in-law Bullingers Works And having spent himelf in the Work of the Lord and service of his Church he quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father Anno Christi 1586. He wrote Commentaries upon Joshuah both books of the Chronicles Ruth Ester Job Proverbs and Ezekiel Besides his Historia de ortu progressu controversiae Sacramentariae Tractatus de spectris lemuribus fragoribus variisque praesagitionibus quae plerumque obitum hominum magnas clades praecedunt With divers others mentioned in particular by Verheiden GAS. OLEVIAN The Life of Gaspar Olevian who died A no Christi 1587. GAspar Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536. His Fathers name was Gerhard a Baker in that City and Master of his Company but this Gasper was carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather who set him to severall Schooles in that City and at thirteen years old hee was sent to Paris to study the Civill Law from thence also hee went to the Universities of Orleance and Biturg where hee heard the most famous Lawyers of those times He joyned himself also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in both those Cities In Biturg he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers after the solemn manner of the University being made Doctor Anno Christi 1557. About which time there studyed in that Universitie under Nicholas Judex the young Prince Palatine sonne to Frederick the third afterwards Elector And Olevian being very intimate with Judex went one day after dinner to the River Lieg hard by the City together with him and the young Prince and when they came thither they found some young Noble Germans that were students there going into a boat who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely diswaded them from venturing themselves amongst
was most gratefully and heartily welcomed by them and so soon as he came thither it was observed that there ensued a great alteration both in his stile conceptions phrases and manner of life so that he lived amongst the Hollanders as if he had been born amongst them In his Oration which he made at his Inauguration he shewed himself a learned pious prudent and peaceable Divine In his Disputations he was earnest quick and altogether insuperable as one that knew all the lurking holes of Sâ—phâ—â—iers and withall knew how to overthrow them in their own Artifices He was so acute that at the first word he understood the meaning of his Antagonists and many times did so happily enucleate it that expressing it better then themselves could he taught them thereby and when any difficulty arose he could easily by the light of reason discuss and make it clear But when he handled the cause of God and was to assert his truth and honor against the impudence of adversaries you might have seen him go beyond himself rising up with a great spirit and unusual zeal to dispel the objections of his adversaries Many times also in Disputations least they should be jejune and frigid he would furnish the Oppâ—nent with Arguments and arm him against himself least an hour should pass without profit to the Hearers His care was not only to learn the first grounds of some of the Arts but he rested not till he had gained the exact knowledge of all the Arts and had dived into the profundity of Philosophy For it s the sign of an ignoble and slothful minde to retain and conclude it self with in narrow bounds yet rested he not in the knowledge of humane Arts but only made them Handmaids and Servants to Divinity For that indeed he prized above all other studies and therein he spent most of his time endeavouring throughly to understand the Sacred Scriptures and to vindicate the same from all the false glosses put upon them by Hereticks He if ever any man was studious of the Truth to the defence whereof he consecrated all his studies and indeed was then in his Paradice when he had attained to the knowledge of obscure Truths or had brought light to difficult Texts or had â—reed them from the wrestings or cavils of Hereticks He was truly a Scribe taught to the Kingdom of Heaven who out of his treasury brought forth things new and old And although his minde was estranged from contentions yet was he so great a lover of Truth that no bonds of friendship or acquaintance nor fear could divert him from the defence thereof he alwayes preferred the cause of God before all other relations and respects And though he often professed that his chiefest desire was to grapple with the open Adversaries of the Church yet withall he declared that he could not be silent towards those Brethren who through ignorance or infirmity sought to undermine the Truth for many times a little spark neglected at first proves a dangerous fire When men have once undertaken the Patronage of an opinion they begin to cling close unto it and the Error of it being not timely discovered to them begins to please them and at last shame of detracting what they have published makes them incorrigible A great wit sound judgement and strong memory seldom meet in one man by reason of the different tempers whence they proceed but they did all so concur in our Spanheim that it was hard to say in which he most excelled He was somewhat cholerick by nature yet so suppressed the same that he brake not forth at any time into sinful anger He was a man so addicted to his study and the Schools that its a wonder how he could understand any thing else But God had made him a man both for contemplation and action as may appear by the use which Noble men and women made of him for advice in civil affairs When he wrote of Politicks you would have thought that he had studyed nothing else in the whole course of his life Before he grew old he was an old man for wisdom and intentness upon businesses His whole life was an Idaea of wisdom whereby as occasion required he could accommodate himself to affairs of all sorts He was a wary estimator of humane affairs In his friendships he observed this rule that though he did not admit all promiscuously yet did he admit not a few into his familiarity He was very ready to do good to and to deserve well of all and whereas many had daily occasion to make use of him he rather numbred then weighed the good turns he did them He had almost so many friends as acquaintance especially of those that excelled in Learning In England Vsher Selden Prideaux Morton and Twisse who a little before death would trust no body but our Spanheim with sundry writings which he had prepared for the press In France besides many Noble men who were in great places of dignity he had Molinaeus Troâ—chinus William Rivet Garissolius Beaumontius Mestrezatius Drelincourtius Bouteroviusâ— Muratus Blondellus Ferrius Petitus Croius Vincentius Bochartus almost all of them famous for their writings Iâ— Germany he had Zuingerus Vlricus Buxtorsius Crocius with some others yea out of Sweden the Queen her self the mâ—racle of her sexe did lately salute him very kindely by her Bishop and by her Letters signified how much she esteemed him and how much she was delighted with his Works In Transylvania Bisterfield a very learned man kept constant correspondence with him by frequent Letters But we must not forget Andrew Rivet who was inferior to none of the Divines that then lived with whom he had a most strict bond of friendship so that they seemed to have but one soul in two bodies they willed and nilled the same thing their opinions and judgements never differing But as he was always an acute observer of wit and learning so he never desired more intimacy with any then with such as by an unusual kinde of Learning excelled all others whereupon seeing Salmatius as the bright Sun obscuring all other Stars acknowledging the immensity of his Learning and the magnitude of his Heroick motions he often professed that he delighted in nothing more then in his friendship and Salmatius also willingly imbraced the same insomuch as when Spanheim lay sick hearing that he desired to speak with him though at that time he lay sick of the Gout Salmatius hasted to him where with many tears and sighs they imbraced each other conferring of such things as became Christians and such great men to speak of to their mutual satisfaction He lived also most friendly with his other Colleagues weighing prudently what each of them deserved But amongst all observing Bernard Schot to excel for his skill in the Law and dexterity in dispatching businesses as also for his obsequious minde towards him he made choice of him especially to impart his secrets to