was so famous that many Princes Noblemen and young Gentlemen came from forreign Countries to see and hear him And this Grynaeus worthy was likewise That wee his Noble name should memorize Who was a rare Divine in Germany And made a Doctor in Divnity At Tubing and to Basil sent for thence To be Professour where with diligence And profitable pains and in that while The differance he did reconcile 'Twixt the Basilian Church and Tigurine At last his labour made his health decline And in his Pastorall Charge in Basil he Ended his dayes in sweet tranquility ROBERT ABBAT The Life and Death of Robert Abbot THis learned and humble man succeeded Doctor Holland in the Chaire at Oxford and herein exceeded him that although they were both of extraordinary sufficiency and vast if not immense reading yet as Augustus spake of Cassius ingeniâ—â— habet inâ—â—â—â—rato so it mâ—y be trâ—ly said of Abboâ— variam lectionem habuit in numerato he had the command of his learning and the sum of his readings upon any point which offered it selfe to his handling cast up to his hand the other had not so Whence it came to passe that the diligent hearers of the one received alwayes from him that which they expected the Auditors of the other seldome received what they expected or expected what they received from him yet alwayes went away well satisfied from his full table And I conceive the reason hereof may be this Abbot desired rather multum legere than multa Holland rather multa than multum the meditation of the one wrought upon his reading the reading of the other wrought upon his meditation and us it surcharged his memory so it over-ruled his invention also Let both have their due praises Et viridi cingantur tempora lavro For Abbot envy it selfe will afford him this testamoniall that if his tongue had been turned into the pen of a ready writer or all that hâ— wrote upon the History of Christs passion and the Prophet Esay and the Episâ—le to the Romans had seene the light he had come near unto if not over taken the three prime worthies of our Vniversity Iewel Bilson and Reynoldâ— for he gave to W m Bishop as great an overthrow as Iewell to Harding Bilson to Allen or Reynolds to Heart He was borne at Gilford in Surry of honest and industryouâ— Parents who lived fifty years together in wedlock and because they preserved that sacred bond so entire and kepâ— the marriage bed so undefiled God powred the dew of his blessing upon it and made them very happy in the fruit of their body especially in three of their children whereof the first was Bishop of Sarum the second Archbishop of Canterbury the third Lord Mayor of London In the Catalogue of all the Bishoâ—s of England onely Seffred sometimesâ— Bishop of Chichester was consecrated by his brother Archbishop of Canterbury Abbot had this happinesse and more for of two of his younger brethren one of them was advanced to the highest place in the Church and the other to the highest place in the City under his Majesty the youngest of them Maurice Abbot had the honour to be the first Knight who was dub'd by his Majesties royall sword the elder of them had yet a greater to annoynt his sacred Majesty and set the Crown upâ—n his royall head but I leave the two other to a better Herald to blazen their vertues Of this our Robert I will endeavour with my pensill to draw the lineaments whose silver pen I more highly esteeme then the silver Mace of the one or golden of the other He was not as Saint Ierome writeth of Hillarion a rose growing from a thorne but rather a province or double rose growing from a single for his Parents embraced the truth of the Gospell in King Edwards dayes and were persecuted for it in Queen Maries raigne by Dâ—ctor Story of infamous memory and notwithstanding all troubles and molestations continued constant in the profession of the truth till their death and all their children treading in their holy steps walked with a right foot to the Gospell and were zealous professors of the reformed Religion especially George and this our Robert whose zeale for the truth accompaned with indifatigable industry and choyce learning preferred him without any other friend or spokesman to all the dignities and promotions he held in the University and Church He was another Hortensius his eminent parts were seen and allowed yea and rewarded to upon the first glympse of them For upon an Oâ—ation made by him the seventeenth of November the day of Qâ—een Elizabeths inauguration he was chosen Schollar of Baliâ—l Colledge upon the first Sermon he Preached at Worster he was made Lecturer in that City and soon after Rector of All Saints there upon a Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse Master Iohn Stannop one of his hearers having a benefice of great valew in his gift Bingham by name in Nottinghamshire tooke a resolution upon the next voydance of it to conferre it upon him and the Incombent not long after dying sent of his owne accord the Presentation to him upon a Sermon Preached before his Majesty King Iames in the month he waited at Court In the year 1612. newes being brought of Doctor Hollands death the King most gratiously nominated him his successour and lastly upon the â—ame of his incomparable Lectures read in the University de suprema potestate regia contra Bellarminum Suaâ—ezium and the perusall of his Antilogia adversus apolâ—giam Garnetti the See of Sarum falling voyd his Majesty sent his Congedelire for him to the Deane and Chapter Thus as he set forward one foot in the temple of vertue his other still advanced in the temple of honour A curious English Poet making use rather of licencea poetiâ—a than libertas grammatica deriveth Robertus our Divines Christan name from three Monesillibles ros ver â—hus though this etimoligy be affected and constrained yet I will make use of it to branch the History of his life into three parts and first I will consider him as he was ros in his Countries cure secondly as he was ver in his University preferment thirdly as he was thus in his episcopall See First I will speake of him as he was ros Ros signifieth dew which name very fitly agreed unto him whilst for twenty years he lived obscurely in the Country for as dew doth much good to the place where it fals and yet makes no noyse so his paines were very profitable in his private Cures yet was not his fame cryed up nor made any noise in the world secondly as dew dropping on mowen grasse refresheth it and maketh it spring anew so his labors in his Pastorall charge much refreshed the consciences of true converts which had felt the cythe of Gods judgements and made them spring up in hope and newnesse of life thirdly as dew distilling in silver drops mollifieth the parched ground so his heart melting into teares in many
indited rather from his Cowardise then Conscience Oâ—r Illyricus in His catalogue of the witnesses of the Truth affords him a principall place therein We leave him to stand or fall to his owne master according to that concluding Disticke which we find in an Aauthor Cum nihil ipse vides propria â—uin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo Seeing nought thou seest but faults are in the best Looke Thou unto thy selfe leave God the rest 16 Remarkeable are his words wherewith he breathed out his last gaspe which Illyricus reporteth to this Effect now am I to goe and appeare before God either to be acquitted by him as I hope or condemned by him as I feare Which words as they savour not of that full assurance of Salvation which God vouchsafeth to many of his servants so they carry not with them any offensive Breath of Despaire And it is no contradiction in Christianity to rejoyce before God with trembling And in this Twilight we leave Berengarius to that mercifull God who knoweth whereof we are made and remembereth we are but dust Most worthily may this Divine Old Berengarius fairely shine Within this Skie of lustrious Starres Who 'gainst Romes errours fought Truths warres Confuting with high approbation Romes sigment Transubstantiation Which did that Hierarchie so vex And with such passion so perplex That they would never give him rest But did his Soule so much molest That at the last by fraud and force They made him with most sad remorse Two severall times his Cause recant Him of his Crown thus to supplant Thus O thus oft Sols raye most rare With duskie clouds ecclipsed are IOHâ—N WICKLIâ—â—â— The Life and Deth of John Wicklief AMongst many famous Writers in this Nation as Beda Alckvine Iohn Carnotenesis Nigellus Neckam Sevall Bacanthorpe Ockam Hampoole of Armach this Wicklief is not the least of worth he was famous both for Life and Learning he was brought up in the famous Vniversity of Oxford in Merton Collâ—dge he gave himselfe after he was Master of Arts to the study of Schoole Divinity wherein having an â—xcellent acute wit he became excellently well qualified and was admired of all for his singular Learning and sweâ—tnâ—sse of behavior in King Edward the thirds time who protested that his chiefe end and purpose was to call backe the Church from her Idolatry especially in the matter of the Sacrament He was much favoured by Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Henry Percy who defended and protected him from his raging adversaries and Bishops And when Pope Gregory the eleveeth sent his Bull to Oxford to require them to root out Wicklâ—ef's Tares as he called them the Proctors and Masters were in long debate whether they should receive it or reject it In the time of King Richard the second this Wicklief was brought before the Bishops at Lambeth and had many Articles put in against him but what by the meanes of some Courtiers and Citizens of London he was again released After this William Barton Vice-chancellor of Oxford wiâ—h some other Doctors set forth an Edict against him and his followers whereupon he published a confession of his Doctrine Anno Christi 1382. the Archbishop of Canterburie held a Convocation at London and condemned the Articles of Wicklief as Heretical and when the said Archbishop with many of his adherents were gathered together about this business just as they were readie to begin their debate there fell out a great and generall Earthquake which so affrighted manie of them that they desisted from their business yet all means were used for the suppressing of his opinions but through God's mercie they could never bee exstirpated to this daie He was a great enemie to the swarms of begging Friers with whom it was harder to make war then with the Pope himselfe He denied the Pope to be the Head of the Church and pronounc'd him to be Antichrist he confuted and condemned his Doctrine about Bulls Indulgences c. The Bishop of Rome lost by his Doctrine the power of making and ordaining Bishops in England and the Tenths of spirituall promotions also the gains of his Peter-pence Whereupon Polidore Virgil cals him an infamous Hereticke He affiâ—med the Scripture to be the supreme Judg of Controversies condemned Transubstantiation c. He was a painfull and faithfull preacher of the Gospell under that famous King Edward the thiâ—d who alwaies favored and protected him against the rage of his adversaries In the raign of Richard the second he was by the power of his adversaries banished yet in all his affliction he shewed an undanted spirit At last returning from Exile he died in the yeere of our Saviour Jesus Christ whom he had Preached 1387. and was buried the last day of December at his Parsonage of Lutterworth in Leicester-shire But in the yeer 1428. which was 41. yeeres from the time of his death his dead body was by the Decree of Pope Martin the fifth and Counsell of Sene dig'd up and burned with the Execreations of that fiery Pope thus he found the cruelty of them being dead whom he had being living taught to be so He writ as Pius Aenaeas testifies more then two hundred faire volumnes most of which were burned by Sùbinck Arch-bishop of Prague in Bohemia The Catalogue of his Works you may reade in the Centuries of Ioâ—n Bale somes of them I have here set downe 1 Of Christ and antichrist 2. Of Antichrist and his members 3. Of the truth of the Scriptures 4. Of the fountain of Eâ—rors 5. A booke of Conclusions 6. 7. Of Ecclesiasticall and Civill government 8 Of the Impostures of Hipocrites 9. Of Blasphemy 10. Lectures on Daniel 11. On the Apocalyps 12. Of the marriage of Priests 13. The Divels craft against Religion 14. His policy to overthrow faith 15. Of Apostacy 16. Two bookes of Metaphysickes one containing 12. Bookes 17. Glosses upon the Scripture 18. Of falling away from Christ. 19. Of truth and lying Besides these he writ many of Philosophy and translated the Bible into the English tongue making Prefaces and Arguments to every Booke he also translated the twelve Bookes of Clement the Parson of Lanthon containing the harmony of the Evangelists And thus went out this Lampe of England of whom one thus hath said With our old English writers rare John Wicklief justly might Compare For Learning Life and solid Witt And many Works he rarely Writt Contending stoutly 'gainst Romes Errours Nere daunted by their threats or terrours But to his death still fought faiths fight And thus went out this Lamp of Light But being dead Rome did so rave 'Gainst this Faiths Champion that from 's grave They digged-up his Bones with ire And burnt as Hereticks in fire Thus was Romes Folly Rage exprest To burn dead Bones of Soules at rest IOHANNES HVS The Life and Death of John Huss THE faire fruit of effects is vertually couched in the small seeds of their causes 1 Iohn Huss
none But said he I will till thee newes being demandâ—d what it was he answered Brevi ero apud Christum Dominum I shall in short time be with Christ my Lord. In the morning before he died he repeated the 51. Psalme of David at the end whereof he addedâ— Salva me Christi Iesu being never heard afterwards to utter any word those who were present betooke themselves unto their prayers wherein they continued untill he had surrendered his Spirit unto his Creator which was willingly and cheerefully performed by him on the first of Dâ—cember in the yeer of our Lord 1531. and in the 49. yeer of his age and was buried with great lamentation in the sâ—me City He died intestâ—te quia unde conderet pauper Christi servas non habebat He was of a meeke and quiet disposition in the undertaking of any businesse he was very circumspect and nothing indeed was more pleasing unto him then to spent his time in reading and commenting the workes which he left behind him are these which follow 1 Annotations on Genesis 2 On Iob. 3 Isaiah 4 Ieremiah 5. Ezekill 6 Daniel 7 Hosea 8 Amos. 9 Ionas 10. Micah Cap. 2. 11. On the three last Prophets 12. On the Plasmes 13 Matthew 14 Romans 15 Hebrewes 16 1 Epistle of Iohn 17 Of the genuine sense of these words Hoc en corpus meum 18â— An exhortation to the reading of Gods word 19 Of the dignity of the Eucarist 20 Of the joy of tâ—e resurrection 21 A speech to the Senaâ— of Basil. 22 A Catectisme 23 Annotations on Chrisostome 24 Enchyidion to the Greeke tongue 25â— Aâ—ainst Anabaptists 26 Annotations upon the Aâ—ts and Corinthians 27 Of Almsdeeds 28 Against Julian the Apostata 29 Of truâ— faith in Christ. 30 Of the praises of Cyprian 31 Of the life of the Mâ—ses 32 Against Vsury Reader behold the rare-adorned Face Of him whose very lookes import a grace He was a Man whose constancy to truth Ripen'd in age and blossom'd in his youth He was a rocke whose daring front disdain'd Papisticke Waves he still oppos'd and gain'd The upper hand though threatning danger lin'd Each word he spoke yet would he speake his minde T was not their proffer'd wealth could make him bold To sin in Want and then repent in Gold Religion was the Starre by which he steer'd His well run-course his heart was still endeer'd Two sollid Principlâ— he lov'd to court The truth Love was his Ship and heav'n his port The life and death of JOHN FRITH Who suffered Martyrdome 1533. IOhn Frith was borne at Weâ—trame in Kent in whom being a child nature had planted a marvelous love unto learning he had also a wonderful Promptnesse of wit a ready capacity to receive understand any thing neither was there any thing wanting in him equall unto that towardness of dispsiâ—ion whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a lover of learning but also became an exquifite learned man He first begun his sâ—udy at Cambridge where he profited much in all sorts of learning At last he fell into knowledge of and acquaintance with William Tindall through whose pious instructions that seed of the Gospel and sincere godlinesse was first instilled into his heart At that time Cardinall Wolsey prepared to build a sumptious Colledge in Oxford now called Christs colledge And sought out for such as did excell in knowledge and learning to be Fellowes in the same and amongst others Iohn Frith was appointed one Now these choice yong men there placed conferâ—ing together upon the abuses of Religion which at that time were crept into the Church were therefore accused of heresie and cast into prison where many of them through the filthy stink thereof dyed Afterwards Iohn Frith with the others remaining alive being dismissed out of prison went beyond the seas and too yeeres after returning he was taken for a Vagabond at Reading and set in the stocks where he remained untill he was almost pined with hunger at lenght he desired that the Schoolmaster of the towne might be brought unto him which was Leoward Coxe a learned man assoone as he came in the Latin tongue he bewailed his captivity unto him The Schoolmaster being overcome with his eloquence did not onely take pity and compassion upon him but also begin to love embrace him especially when he spake unto him in the Greeke tongue and rehersed by heart diverse Verses out of Homer whereupon the Scholemaster went with all speed unto the Magistrates and procured his enlargment Yet this his safety continued not long through the deadly hatred of Sir Thomas Moore at that time chancellor of England who persecuted him both by Sea and land promising great rewards to any man that could bring tidings of him Thus this good man being beset with troubles round about wandred up and downe from place to place untill at the length being betrayed by a seeming friend he was apprehended and sent unto the Tower of London where he had many disputes with Sir Thomas Moore and others touching the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. In which quarrell he withstood the violence of three most obstinate enemies with the Bishop of Rochester Moore and Rastall but he fighting with them all three at once did so refute and confound them that he converted Rastall to his part But when neither Scripture nor reason would prevaile against the firce and crulty of of these furious foes the twentieth day of Iune 1533. he was brought before the Bishops sitting in Pauls Church where they ministred certaine interrogatives unto him touching the Sacrament Purgatory to w ch he answered according to his former disputation and subscribed unto his answer these words with his owne hand I Frith thus doe thinke and as I thinke so have I said written taught and affirmed and in any Bookes published So that when as by no meanes he could be perswaded to recant he was condmned by the Bishop of London to be burned and so being delivered over unto the Mayor and Sheriffes of London the forth day of Iuly he was by them carryed into Smithfield to be burned when he was tyed to the stake he shewed much constancy and courage for when as the fire and faggots were put unto him he willingly embraced the same thereby declaring with what uprightnesse of minde he suffered those torments for Christs and the truths sake whereof that day he gave with his blood a perfect and firme testimony The winde drove away the flame from him unto his fellow Martyr Andrew Hewet who was burned with him which made his death the longer and his paines the greater But God assisted him with such strength and fortifyed his soule with such patience that he seemed rather to rejoyce for his fellow then to be carefull for himselfe as if he had felt no paine in that long torment There is one thing more very observable concerning this constant Martyr Iohn Frith that whereas the Bishop of Canterbury
to Gotha to teach and govern the Thuringian Churches where he lived with his Collegues twenty yeeres in much peace and concord of which himselfe saith Cucurrimus certavimus laboravimus pugnavimus vicimus viximus semper convinctissime c. In the tumult of the Boores he tooke much pains to pacifie their mindes and to keepe them quiet Yea he so quieted with an Oration some that were pulling downe some Noble mens houses that they went away in peace that yeere also he married a wife by whom through Gods blessing he had a numerous posterity He accompanied the Elector of Saxonie in many of his journyes into the Low-Countries and other places where he preached the Gospel sincerely though sometimes to the hazard of his life About this time Henry the eighth King of England fell out with the Pope for not divorcing of him from his wife Katharine of Spain sister to Charles the fifth by reason of whose greatnesse the Pope durst not doe it whereupon the King of England sent over to the Germane Princes especially to the Duke of Saxonie to confederate against the Pope and to joyn 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 onely by the six Articles about that time established but also by his imprisoning of Latimer and cutting off the Lord Cromwell'â— head and burning of Master Barnes c. and by his seizing upon all the Abby-lands whereupon he left England and being come home he was called by Henry of Saxonie to visit and reforme the Churches of Misnia together with Luther Ionas Cruciger c. Which fell out upon this occasion George Duke of Saxonie lying on his death-bed sent to his brother Henry all his owne 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 This Embassie of yours is just like the Divels dealing with Christ when he promised him all the world if he would fall downe and worship him but for my owne part I am resolved not to depart from the Truth which God hath revealed unto me but before the returne of the Ambassadour Duke George was dead whereupon this Henry nothwithstanding all the oppositions of the Papists made this Reformation in the Churches which worke being finished Myconius visited all the Churches in Thuringia and with the help of Melancthon and some otheâ— he provided them Pastors and Schoolmasters and procured stipends to be setled upon them for their maintenance Anno Christi 1541. he fell into a Consumption whereof he wrote to Luther That he was sicke not to death but to life which interpretation of the text pleased Luther excellently well unto whom he wrote back I pray Christ our Lord our salvation our health c. that I may live to see thee and some others of our Colleagues to die and goe to heaven and to leave me here amongst the Divels alone I pray God that I may first lay down thiâ— drie exhausted and unprofitable tabernacle farewell and God forbid that I should heare of thy death whiâ—st I live Sed te superstitem faciat mihi Deus hâ—c peto volo fiat voluntas mea Amen quia haec voluntas gloriam nominis Dei crete non meam voluptatem nec copiam quaerit A while after Myconius recovered according to this prayer though his disease seemed to be desperate out-lived it six yeers even till after Luthers death whereupon Iustus Ionas speaking of Luther saith of him Iste vir potuit quod voluit That man could have of God what he pleased A little before Myconius his death he wrote an excellent Epistle to Ioan. Fredericke Elector of Saxonie wherein he praiseth God for raising up three successively in that Family viz. Fredericke Iohn and Iohn Fredericke to undertake the patronage of Luâ—her c. He was a man of singular piety of solid learning of a dextrous judgement of a burning zeal and of an admirable candor and gravity He died of a relapse into his former disease Anno Christi 1546. and of his Age 55. Myconius was a man that lov'd to pry Into the bosome of Divinity His heart was alwayes flexively inclind To what was good he had a golden minde That would not bend to drosse but still aspire To heaven and faith gave wings to his desire He was belov'd of all that lov'd Gods name The trumpet of his voyce would still proclaime The word of God to those that would indure To have their wounds be brought unto a cure By whose examples we may learne to thrive In grace His present worth is still alive The life and Death of John Diazius Who dyed Anno Christi 1546. IOhn Diazius was borne in Spaine brought up at Schoole afterwards he went to Paris to study the Arts where he continued thirteen yeers but it pleased God that whilest he read over the holy Scriptures and some of Luthers bookes and other Protestant Divines he began to see and abominate the errours of Popery and therefore to further himselfe 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 Argentine where Martin Bucer observed his learning piety and diligence in his studie obtained of the Senate that he should be joyned with him to goe to the Disputation at Ratisbâ—ne and when he came thither he went to Peter Malvinda a Spaniard the Popes Agent in Germanie who when he knew that he camâ— in the company with Bucer and the other Protestant Divines he was much aâ—tonished 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 Germans whereupon he left no meanes untried to draw him backe againe to the Church of Rome sometimes making large proffers and promises to him other-sometimes threatning severe punishments and mixing both with earnest entreaties but when by no meanes he could prevaile 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 Germanie bringing a notorious cut-throat with him resolving either to divert or destroy him when he came to Ratisbone Diazius was departed to Neoberg about the Printing of Bucers Booke which Alphonsus hearing of followed him thither where after long debating of matters of Religion between the two Brothers Alphonsus seeing the heart of his Brother Iohn to be so constantly planted â—n thâ— sure rocke of Gods Truth that neither Preferments could allure him nor threats terrifie him
both having beene used by the Popes Agent nor he by perswasion nor love could perswade him to returne to Popery he feigned himselfe friendly to take his leave of him and so deparâ—â—d â—ut shortly after he returned againe with this ruffianly murtherer and by the way they bought an Hatchet of a Carpinter and Alphonsus sending this man disguised with letters to his Brother he himselfe following after as Iohn Diazius was reading the letters this bloudy murtherer cleft his head with the Hatchet and taking Horse they both rode away Anno Christi 1546. and this inhumane Cain was highly commended by the Papists for it But the Lord would not suffer such an unnaturall villanie to goe unpunished for not long after he was so doggâ—d and haunted by the Furies of his own Conscience that being at Trent when the Council was held there he hanged himsâ—lf about the neck of his own Mule Diazius in his youthfull dayes had cloath'd His heart with Popery and after loath'd What he had done for when he was inspir'd By Heaven he searcht for truth and soon untyrâ—d Himselfe and having found the pathes of truth He hated what he acted in his youth Thus being turn'd from those wayes that lead To utter ruine Fame began to spread Her wings abroad and hover in the eare Of the distasted Pope who could not heare Goodnesse without impatience but strove To win him with reward of promis'd love But finding â—'was in vaine he chang'd his minde From Love to Murther and with spéed inclin'd Himselfe to mischiefe being voyd of grace Put out that light which shin'd so much in 's face The Life and Death of CRUCIGER Who died Anno Christi 1548. GAsper Cruciger was born at Lipsich in Misnia Anno 1504. of religious Parents who carefully brought him up in the knowledge of God and in learning He was melancholy by nature and of a retired disposition much in meditation and of few words being principled in the Latine he learned Greek and profited much therein and so went to the University of Wittenberg that having studyed Divinity there he might be more usefull to the Church he studyed also the Hebrew tongue and grew very exquisite therein from thence was called to govern the School at Magdeburg where he taught with much profit and applause till 1527. and then being called back to Wittenberg he preached and â—xpounded the Scriptures with so much dexterity that he was graced with the degree of a Doctor in that University he studyed and practised Physick also He was very helpfull to Luther in his Translation of the Bible He wrote so swiftly that he was chosen Scribe at the disputation at Worms and yet withall suggested to Melancthon many things for answer to Eccius his subtilties insomuch that Glanvell who supplyed the Enperors room said of him That the Lutherans had a Scribe that was more learned then all the Pontificians He alwayes opposed the Anabaptisticall errors and was very careful to preserve the Truch from corruptions he alwayes hated new and ambiguous expressions which often caused much troubles in the Church he often contemplated the foot-steps of God in Nature saying with Paul That God was so near unto us that he might be almost felt with our hands He studyed the Mathematicks in his later time and grew so skilfull therein that few excelled him he was excellent also in the Opticks but with excessive pains and incessant studyes night and day he contracted to himselfe a mortall disease whereby he wasted away and yet his intellectuals decayed not he lay sick for above three moneths all which time he gave forth cleer notable demonstrations of his Faith Patâ—ence and Piety he called up his two young daughters and caused them to repeate their prayers before him and then himselfe prayed with great fervency for himselfe the Church and those his Orphans concluding Invoco te quanquam languida imbecillâ— fide sed fide tamen credo promissioni tuae quam sanguine tuo resurrections obsignasti c. I call upon thee with a weak yet with a true Faith I beleele thy promises which thou hast sealed to mee with thy blood and resurrection c. In his sicknesse he intermitted not his studies for during the same he turned into Latine Luthers books concerning the last words of David he read the Psalms and other Autors his ordinary discourse with his friends was about the Principles of Religion the admirable government of the Church Immortality and our sweet Communion in heaven Upon the sixth of November there was a great Chasm or opening in the heavens and in some places fire fell to the earth and flew up into the ayre againe this Cruciger saw as he lay in his bed in the night and thereupon much bewayled the great commotions and dissipations in the Church which he foresaw by this Prodigie He spent the few dayes which remained in prayer and repentance and so quietly ended his dayes November 16. Anno Christi 1548. and of his Age 45. Considering the mutabilitie of all earthly things he used often to say Omnia praetereunt praeter amare Deum Besides God's love nothing is sure And that for evâ—r doth endure Grave Cruciger was in his life A hater of corroding strife His soule was â—â—l'd with Heaven and he Was alwayes constant alwayes free In his devotions all his dayes He spent to give his maker praise Religions stocke did still encrease Within his heart and crown'd his peace He was a wonder to all Nations For Piety and disputations The Anabaptists felt the force Of his patheticall discourse Truth alwayes shined in his brest All men speake truth that speake him blest PAVLVS FAGIVS The Life and Death of Pauluâ— Fagius IN the yeer of our Lord God 1504. Paulus Fagius alias Buchlin was borne in a Town situate in the Palatinate not farre from Bretta which in the Germain language is called Rhein-taberne his Father was called by the name of Peter Buchlin being chiefe Schoole-master of that Towne his Mother by the name of Margaretta Iager daughter unto Henricus Iazger of Heidelberge who was much beloved of Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine by reason of his excellent knowledge in the art of War He was first acquainted with the grounds of Leaenrng in the same Towne and that through the carefulnesse and paines of his Father which indeed seemed pleasing unto him because of the sharpenesse of wit and quicknesse of apprehension which he saw in the childe and therefore for the better perfection of his naturall parts when he had reached unto the age of eleven yeares he sent him unto Heidelberge and committed him unto the tuition of Iohannes Brentius and Martinus Frechtus two learned men by whose meanes he was furnished with an excellent insight in humaine Learning When he had continued with these learned men for the space of seven yeers and being now eighteene yeers of age and longing for a greater perfection of learning he left Heidelberge and went unto
Sweet was his life and death his well spent dayes Began in goodnesse and expir'd with praise The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO who died Anno Christi 1552. CAsper Hedio was born at Etling in the Marquisat of Baden of honest Parents and educated in learning at Friburge where also he Commensed Master of Arts and from thence went to Basil where he studied Divinity and Commensed Doctor whence he was called to Preach in the chiefe Church at Mentz but some not liking such plain Preaching and the Monkes raising a persecution against him he went thence to Argentine Anno Christi 1523. where he was a great assistent to Capito and Bucer in reforming of Religion by the command of the Senate there also he married a wife Anno Christi 1533. and though the Papists raised a great persecution in that City yet he Preached â—oldly against Masses Indulgences Auricular Confession c. and wrote against them also Anno Christi 1543. when Herman Archbishop of Collen began a Reformation he sent for Bucer and Hedio to assist him therein whence after he was driven by Caesar and his Spaniards escaping through many difficulties and danger he returned to Argentine what time he could spare from his Ministeriall employment he spent in writing Commentaries and Histories Anno Chrisâ—i 1552. he sickened and died T' was not the rage of Papist could remove The heart of Hedio from the reall love Of true Divinity he still enclin'd Himselfe to Preach with a resolved mind Let his example teach us to repose Our trust in God in spight of threating Foes The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of Aâ—halt whâ— died Anno Christi 1553. GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme who was eminent for training up of youth under whom he profited exceedingly both in humane literature and in principâ—ls of Divinity then he was set to the study of the Law wherein he profited very much also having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres he was chosen by Albert Elector of Menâ—z to be one of his Councell wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations in managing the greatest State-affairs But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time and Luthers books coming abroad he fell to reading of them and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth saying Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse He was frequent in reading the Scriptures Ecclesiasticall Histories Augustine Hierom and Lombard he studied also Greek and Hebrew and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies and after all upon mature deliberation he embraced the Reformed Riligion and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren within his owne jurisdiction Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people he lived with much continencie in a single life he took much pains both in writing and Preaching he was very charitable a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes very free from ambition hatred and revenge he used often to say Subdiâ—us esto Deo ora eum c. Submit thy selfe to God and pray unto him for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart and will save the humble in spirit He employed his time so well that he left none for pleasures and used to say That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes then conference with learned and godly men Falling sick of a most troublesome disease he was frequent in holy prayer for himselfe for all the Princes of that family for his country and for Germany he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him he made his Will wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge He often ruminated upon those texts God so loved the world that he gave c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand Come unto mee all yee that are wearie c. and so in holy meditations and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47. A Prince by birth and of a Princely minde Full frought with vertues of each severall kinde Is here presented ornaments of grace Such as doe challenge not the second place But first by merit here you may behold One whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold In pious duties he did strive to be Transcendant who was by nature frée For to the Poore he reliefe did give During the time that he on earth did live Read but his life and then at large you le sée Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be The life and Death of Justus Jonas who dyed Anno Christi 1555. IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator who falling sick of the Plague and having applyed an Onion to the Soare and taking it off and laid it by him this little Ionas coming tooke the Onion and eat it up yet without any prejudice to himself God miraculously preserving of him He was first brought up at Schoole afterwards he studied Law and made a good progresse therein But upon better thoughâ—s he studied Divinity and proceeded Doctor and embraced the Reformed Religion and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion where he defended the truth strenuously and endevoured to promote peace he was also made a Professor in that Universitie He with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly Luther somtimes resorted thither to him and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben where he dyed after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions and lastly he was set over the Church in Eisfield where he ended his dayes in much peace and comfort Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations and in great agonie he shewed much despondencie but his servant partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him cheared him up and at last through Gods mercy the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh. Justius by name no poyson sure could kill God so protected him from what was ill The venome of the Plague did séeme to be No poyson unto him for he scap'd frée Although the Duyon he by chance did eat That poyson'd was by the Plagues
was observed that he was a sharp reprover of vice in his School-fellowes These were sufficient â—estifications unto his Father wherfore when he came to some maturity of age his father so wrought with the Bishop of Noviodunâ—m that he had a Canons place in the Cathedrall Church and also a Cure in a Parish neere adjoyning where it is thought that he Preached many Sermons although not advanced to the Ministeriall function but this proceeding continued not long partly by reason of his fathers desire who was earnest with him to addict himselfe unto the study of the civill Law a surer step unto wealth and preferment and partly by the perswasion of Roberâ—us Olivetanus a man well deserving of the Frâ—nch Churches for the doing of the Hebrew Bible into French who willed him to give himselfe wholy unto the reading of the sacred Scriptures and to seperate himselfe from those superstitions which were odious in the sight of God Being willing to testifie his obedience unto his father he therefore left his Cure and went to Orleans where hâ— became an Auditor unto Petrus Stella then publicke professor in that place and reputed to be the soundest Civilian then living in France by which meanes he attained unto great perfection in that Art so as he seemed in short time to be rather a teacher then â—n Auditor aud would many timeâ— supply the places of the professors themselves by which meanes he gained so great love in the Academy that at hiâ— departure from Orleance they profered to confer freely on him the dignity of Doctor in the Civill Law this is also remarkable in the prosecution of his Fathers Will he was not forgetfull of the counsell of his kinsman Olivetanus so as withall he diligently gave himselfe unto the study of Divinity in which also he attained unto such perfection that those Inhabitants of Orleans who were touched with a desire of a more pure religion would resort unto him to have private conference with him greatly admiring both his zeale and knowledge during his residence in that Academy besidâ— his daily exercises he used to spend halfe the night in reading the morning following he would meditate awhile in his bed on that w ch he had read by w ch constant watchfulness as it was a means of furnishing him w th solid learning w th a retentive memory so it was also a means of procuring unto him many diseases at the length untimely death About this time the Academy at Burdeaux was famous for the presence of that Prince of Lawirus Andraeas Alciaâ—â—â— who came out of Italy to be their publike Professor whereupon Calvin leâ—t Oâ—leance and came to Burdeaux where he acquainted himselfe with Alciatus and also with Melchior Volmarus then publicke Professor of the Greek tongue whose learning piety and other vertues together with his admirable dâ—xterity in the bringing up of youth cannot receive worthy commendations of this Wolmarus Calvin learned here the Greek tongue and a thankfull rememberance of which benefit he hath recorded unto future ages by dedicating unto him his Commentary on the second Epistle to the Corinthians Whilst he studied this tongue he laid not aside the study of Divinity but made it his onely ayme aâ— it aâ—peared by his actions for during his continuance in Burdeaux he would intreat Wolmarus to walk with him into the Country and to be an Auditor unto his Sermonâ— which were approved by him with no lesse then an asâ—onished admiration Here he continued earnestly prosecuting his Studies with all diligence untill such time as he was called home by his Fathers death where he continued no longer space but untill that he had put off the dayes of mourning and then he went againe unto Paris where at the age of twenty four yeers he wrote a Commentary upon that book of Seneca de clementia he had not continued long here but his worth procured him the favour and love of such zâ—alous persons as desired a Reformatâ—on especially the love of Stephanus Forgeuâ— an honorable Merchant who afterwards suffered Martyrdome for the truth of Christ In this Academy he forsook the study of humaine learning and betook himself wholy unto the study of Diviniâ—y to the exceeding joy of such godly persons who durst not to discover their profession to the world because of the strength of their enemies but kept their private assemblies in Paris During his residence here Nicalaus Copus the son of Gulielmus Copus of Basil the Kings Phisitian was designed Rector of Paris who bâ—ing to deliver his Oration according unto the Custom the same day that religious acts were celeberated by the Pops he requested Calvin to performe it for him who willingly condicended thereunto and in his Oâ—ation he discoursed more freely concerning the purity of Religion then others in that place had formerly done This act being not well brooked by the Senate they call a Parliament and the Rector is summoned to appeare in his journey thither he was admonished by some of his friends to take heed unto himselfe because he wanted neither many nor powerfull enemies He taking these words into a deepe consideration returnes backe againe departs out of the Kingdome and conveighs himselfe to Basil. Neither was Calvin free from danger in this act for some were sent into the School which is called Fortreâ—um where his lodging was but finding him not within they brake open the doores of his Study take such Papers as they finde and amongst them many Letters which were sent by zealous pâ—â—â—sons unto him whereby they also were brought into greâ—â— danger of their lives but they were all delivered by the meanes of the Queen of Navarre who honourably receivâ—â— and entertained Calvin in her house and became an Audiâ—oâ— unto his Sermons Having continued here a while under the protection of the Queen he shapes his course toward Neracum a City iâ— Aquitaine â— to visit Iacobus Stapulensis who was protected and defended by the Queene for the same cause and therefoâ—â— placed in that City under her Dominion This old man having a certaine relation from him how all things wenâ—â— he most courteously entertained him was right glad to conferre with him and withall spending this judgement on him that he would be an excellent instrument for the establishing of the Kingdom of Christ within the Kingdom of France Having continued a few dayes with this Iacobus he returnes again to Paris being led thereunto by the hand of God for the purging of the City of that damned haereâ—iâ— of Servetus concerning the Trinity but after long expectation and secret hiding of himself he was constrained again to leave the City without the effecting of any thing the enemies of the truth still labouring to take away his lifâ— In the year 1534. Gerardus Ruffus and Coraldus zealous professours of the truth of Christ and labouring to promote the Gospell in France were with great cruelty pulled downe out of their Pulpits and cast into prison
supply his place at Geneva til his return and when he came backe he much importuned that Viretus might still continue there affirming that it would much conduce to the good of the Church at Geneva to enjoy his labours but he would needs return to Lusanna to his former charge yet afterwards at the earnest entreaty of the French Churches he went to Lions where in the middest of the Civill Wars and the Pestilence which followed he with his Collegues governed the Church with much prudence till by the Jesuits means there was a Proclamation sent abroad that none but such as were Native French should be Preachers in the Protestant Churches then at the request of the Queen of Navar he went to Bern where he continued untill his death which was in the year 1571. and of his Age threescore He was much bewailed of all good men whâ—â—est he lived he was of a very weake constitution the rather by reason oâ— poyson which a Priest had given to him at Geneva as also because of some wounds that he had received from a Priest in another place where he was left for dead He was very learned of a sweet disposition and so exceeding eloquent that he drew many to be his Hearers which were no friends to Religion and they were so chained to his lips that they never thought the time long wherein he Preached but alwayes wished his Sermons longer At Lyons which was a populous City he Preached in an open place aâ—d turned some thousands to the Truth and Faith in Christ yea some that passed by with no purpose to heare his Sermon he did so woâ—ke upon them thâ—t they neglected their other businesse to harken to him Reader observe the Malice of his Foes Who having not the wisedome to oppose Brave Viretus by arguments thought fit To labour with a diabolick wit To work his ruine first by poyson they Contriv'd his fall but poyson scorn'd to bey Their base desires which made them rage and swell Into a madnesse till advis'd by Hell To a more speedy way which soone took place Within their hearts being destitute of grace They thought it good to imploy a Papist whose arme Was ready to performe what might prove harme To harmelesse Viretus and with a knife As they suppos'd depriv'd him of his life But God the great abhorror of such crimes Preserv'd rare Viretus for better times IOHN IEVELL The Life and Death of John Jewell IF ever any were happy in the imposition of names in those whom they dedicate to God at the Font certainly they were who christned this holy and learned man Iohn Iewell for his rare and admirable partâ— and both naturall and supernaturall gifts were every way corresponding to his gracious and precious name According to his christian name Iohn signifying graâ—e he was a gracious instrument of Christ to reforme the gold of the Sanctuary which through the negligence or impiety of later times became dim and drossie with superstition And according to his surname he was a rich Iewell consisting of many Gems shining as well in his life as his incomparable writings extant almost in all languages This great Clerke was borne at Berrenber in the County of Devon of which it may truly be said as it was sometimes of Hyppo that Hyppo was more ennobled by great Saint Austine then Saint Austine by little Hippo. For his education it was first in Morton and after in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford The former hath proved a famous nursery of Phylosophy and Schoole Divinity the latter of the knowledge of Tongus and polite literature in both which our Iewell shewing by his golden thighs what flowers he most sucked and longest sat upon excelled for an acuter Disputant an eloquenter Oratour a more universall Schollar and every way an accomplished Divine the Church hath not had for many hundreds of years The first glistering of this Iewell was in the Rhetoricke Lecture conferred upon him in Corpus Christi Colledg when he was yet but Batchelor of Arts. This Lecture he read with such facility and felicity that all his Auditors perceiving that he spake potius ex arte than de arte rhetorice rather from an excellent faculty he had in that flexanimous Art then of the Art it selfe Neither were these his Lectures onely strewed as it were with flowers of Rhetorick but richly fraught with all varietie of humaine Learning which drew many Auditors unto him from other Colledges and among them his Tutor Master Parkhurst afterwards Bishop of Norwitch who tooke great delight to behold the sparklinâ— of that Diamond which himselfe had first pointed and hâ— could not containe his joy but vented it on the sudden in this extempore Disticon Olim discipulus mihi chare Juelle fuisti Nunc ero Discipulus te renuente tuus Dear Iewell whilome Schollar thou wert mine But now against thy will I will be thine This his fame and love abroad purchased him envy and hatred at home for he found shortly after to his cost thâ— truth of the Philologist his observation concerning truth vertue and curtesie three of the best Mothers are often delivered of three of the worst Daughters truth of hatred curtesie of contempt and vertue of envie Vrit enim fulgore suo the glory of eminent worth dazelleth the infirme eyes of worthlesse men such as at this time the seven Seniors and Officers of that Coledge were who as the Patriarks moved with envie sold Ioseph into Egypt so they sicke of the same malady expelled Iewell out of the House more to their owne discredit and disadvantage then to his For soone after his expulsion they found a great misse of him in the education of their Youth and his greatest enemies who cloaked their envie for the present with pretended zeale for the Romish religion yet after were heard to speak thus of him within themselves we should love thee if thou wert not a Zuinglian though we believed Iewel that thy Belief is not sound yet in thy life thou art an Angel Neither was this all but when Master Welch Dean of the Colledge made his brags before Doctor Brooks sometimes Fellow of that Colledge but then Bishop of Glocester that they alone had kept safe their rich Copes â—ushens Plate and other Ornaments of their Chappell It is true quoth Doctor Wright Arch-deacon of Oxford standing by you have saved them but you have lost a more precious Ornament of your house your Iewel But the best was what the Colledge lost the University found and of a private Lecturer made him their publick Oratour and for the substraction of his maintainance by the losse of his Fellows place in the Colledge that defect was abundantly supplyed by the bounty of some of his Schollars Parâ—nts who procured for him and conferred upon him a good Benefice neer Oxford And now he grows in estate and fame in the University and grace with all the Heads of Colledges and Hals but especially he was precious in the
Peter Martyr's tomb he was of a very loving and gentle nature free from passion very charitable spending all his Patrimony upon the poor and strangers and such as came thither to study he entertained them in his house and often feasted his friends with whom he would be very merry otherwise he was very sparing of speech He delighted much in history he had two wives the first of which was Bullinger's daughter who dyed without issue by the second he had three sons and one daughter He was a man whose life and conversation Furnish'd both eyes and eares with admiration He was so pithy in his speech that those Which heard him gave a plaudit to his close He alwayes meditated how to be A perfect Scholler in Divinity He liv'd in Peace his heart was still contented His life was well belov'd his death lamented The life and death of Immanuall Tremelius who dyed Anno Christi 1580. IMmanuell Tremelius was born in Ferara having a Jew to his father who so educated him that he was very skilfull in the Hebrew tongue He was converted by Peter Martyr and went with him to Lucca where he taught Hebrew from thence he went with him also to Argentine and from thence into England under King Edward the sixt after whose death he returned into Germanie and in the Schoole â—f Hornback under the Duke of Bipont he taught Hebrew fâ—om thence he was called to Heidleberg under Frederick the third Elector Palatine where he was professor of the Hebrew tongue and translated the Syriack Testament into Latine There also he set upon the translation of the Bible out of Hebrew and associated to himselfe in that worke Francis Iunius From thence also he removed to Seden at the request of the Duke of Bulloin to be the Hebrew-Profesâ—sor in his new University where he dyed Anno 1580. and of his Age seventy This rars Hebritian though at first confâ—n'd To Iewish principles at last inâ—lin'd Himselfe to goodnesse and imploy'd his heart To trace and follow a diviner art And so improv'd himselfe that he became From a small sparke a most aspiring flame And at the last he lay'd his â—empels downe In Abr'ams bosome and receiv'd a Crowne The Life and Death of Peter Boquine who dyed Anno Christi 1582. PEter Boquinus was borne in Aqritane and being in his youth brought up in learning he entred into a Monastery in Biturg where afterwards he was made the Prior and was very much beloved of all the Covent But it pleased God in the midst of all his riches and honors to discover the Truth to him and thereupon after the example of Luther Bucer Oâ—colampadius and Peter Martyr he resolved to leave all and to follow Christ whose example divers of the Fryars also followed From thence he went to Wittenberg travelling through Germany and by the way he went to Basil where he wintered by reason of the Plague very rise at that time in many Countries there he diligently heard the Lectures of Myconius Caralostadius and Sebastian Munster from thence he went to Lipswich where he stayed three weeks and so went to Wittenberg coming thither he had some converse with Luther but more with Melancthon and whilst he was there Bucer â—ent to Melancthon to request him to send an able man to Argentine to supply Calvins place who was now gone backe to Geneva whereupon Melancthon requested Boquine to goe thither which he accordingly did and began to read upon the Epistle to the Galatians Shortly after Peter Martyr came thither also But Boquine finding that the Ecclesiasticall and Scholasticall affaires went but slowly forward in that place upon the request of a friend he resolved to goe backe into France and so taking Basil in his way he went to Geneva where he heard Cavin preach and from thence to Biturg where hoping that the French Churches would have been reformed he began to read Hebrew and to expound the Scriptures About that time Francis King of France being dead the Queen of Navar came into those parts about the marriage of her daughter to whom Boquine went and presented her with a booke about the necessity and use of the holy Scriptures whereupon she undertooke his Patronage and allowed a yeerly stipend appointing him to Preach a publicke Lecture in the great Church in Biturg which place he continued in so long as he had hope of doing any good but when he saw that there was no hope of any further Reformation and that his enemies lay in wait for his life he gave it over of his own accord yet the Fryars and Papists would not let him alone but cited him to the Parliament at Paris and afterwards brought him before the Archbishop of Biâ—urg so that he was in great perill of his life but God raised up some good men to stand for him whereby he was delivered from the present danger then he resolved to flye into England but hearing of King Edward's death he altered his purpose and by the perswasion of a friend he resolved to return to his people in Germanie and so accordingly he went to Argentine and when he had scarce beene there a moneth it so fell out that the French Church in that place wanted a Pastor and chose him to that office yet for sundry reasons he refused to accâ—pt of it till by the perswasion of Iohn Sturmius and some other friends he was content to preach to them till they could provide themselves of another In the year 1557. he went from thence to Heidleberg being sent for by Otho Henrie Prince Elector Palatine who was about to reform his Churches there he was made the publicke Professor of Theologie and met with much oppositions and manifold contentions in that alteration which he bore with much prudence there he continued in the execution of his place twenty yeares under Otho and Frederick the third after whose death in 1576. by reason of the prevalency of the Heterodox party he with other Professors and Divines was driven from thence and it pleased God that immediately he was called to Lusanna where he performed the part of a faithfull Pastor so long as he lived In the year 1582. on a Lords day he preached twice and in the evening heard another Sermon then supped chearfully and after supper refreshed himself by walking abroad then went to visit a sick friend and whilest he was comforting of him he found his spirits to begin to sinke in him and runing to his servant he said unto him Praie saying further Lord receive my soule and so he quietly departed in the Lord in the year 1582. This loyall convert carefully did strive To make Religion and true vertue thrive By his example many Fryars went To séek for Christ and leave their discontent They banish'd former erroâ—s to imbrace The truth and fill themselves with heav'nly grace But sudden death made Bâ—quines heart to faint He liv'd a Convert and he dy'd a Saint WILLIAM GRINDALL The Life and Death of William
from the States of Germany And as he liv'd so honour'd he did dye ALEXANDER NOWELL The Life and Death of Alexander Nowel ALexander Nowel was born in the County of Lancaster Anno Christi 1511. of an ancient aud worshipfull family and at thirteen years old was sent to Oxford and admitted a member of Brasennose Colledge where he studyed thirteen yeares and grew very famous both for Religion and learning In Queen Maries dayes he amongst others left the Kingdome that he might enjoy his conscience and returning when Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory came to the Crown she made him Dean of Pauls where he was a frequent and faithfull Preacher By his writings he defended the truth against some English Popish Renâ—gado's for thirty years together he Preached the first and last Sermons in Lent before the Queen wherein he dealt plainly and faithfully with her He was a great benefactor to Brasennose Colledge where he had his first education He was the enlarger of Pauls School made the threefold Catechism which was much used long after He was very charitable to the poor especially to poor Scholars A great comforter of afflicted consciences he lived til he was ninety years old and yet neither the eyes of his minde nor body waxed dim And dyed peaceably in the Lord Anno Christi 1601. on the thirteenth of February and lyes buryed in the Famous Cathedrall Church of Saint Pauls in London with this Epitaph upon his Tombe Quam spcioÌ„sa vestigia Evangelizantium pacem With some verses also annâ—xed this being the lasâ— of them Sicoritur floret demoriturque Deo His Works set forth are as followeth 1 Against Thomas Dormam an English Papist in two books in quarto English 2 Another Booke against Dorman and Sanders of Transubstantiation in quarto English 3 His greater Catichisme in Latine in quâ—rto 4 Hiâ— lessâ— Catechisme in Latine in Octavo 5 The same in Latine Greeke and Hebrew As grave as godly Nowel Dean of Pauls Most justly for a Crown of honour cals Amongst other worthyes for his piety His learning wisedome and humanity A famous Preatcher in the halcyon-dayes Of Queen Elizabeth of endlesse praise To Pauls-School and to Braz'nnose Colledge he A Benefactor great was known to be For 's three-fold Catechisme worthily Much honour'd and for his great Charity Who at the age of Ninety years in peace And full of love and honour did decease The Life and Death of Daniel Tossanus who dyed Anno Christi 1602. DAniel Tossanus was born at Moumbelgard in Wertemburge Anno Christi 1541. his Parents carefully brought him up in learning and at fourteen years old sent him to the Universâ—ity of Basil and after two years study there he commenced Batchelor of Arts from thence he went to Tubing was there maintained to his studyes for two yearâ— more by Prince Christopher at the end whereof he commenced Master of Arts and then was sent for back by his father to Mounâ—pelier where he Preached for a while and then went to Paris to learn the French Tongue and proceed in his other studyes Anno Christi 1560. he went thence to Aurelia where he read Hebrew publickly there he was first made Deacon and two years after Minister which place he undertooke there rather then in his owne Country partly because of the great want of Pastors in the French Churches as also because he agreed with them in his judgement about the manner of Christs presence in the Sacrament he also marryed a wife Anno Christi 1565. Whilst he was there the civill Wars brake out between the Papists and Protestants and Francis Duke of Guise besieging the City of Aurelia where Mounseur de Andelot brother to the Admirall of France commanded in chieâ—e Tossan continued there all the time of the siege and took extraordinary pains in instructing exhorting and encowraging both Citizens and Souldiers and when the City was in great danger to be lost one Poltrot who had devoted his life for his Countries safety went out and flew the Duke of Guise under the Wall 's whereupon the siege was raised and the Church there preserved almost miraculously from ruine An. Christi 1567. there brake out a second civill War at which time the Papists in Aurelia conspired together to destroy all the Protestants so that they were every hour in danger of being butchered when it pleased God to send Mounser Novie with a small party of Souldiers who entring into the City and joyning wâ—th the Protestants drove out some of the Papists and disarmed the rest but after that famous battell at Saint Danis wherein so many of both â—ides were slain and wounded Peace was againe concluded though the Papists quickly brake it and a great company of Souldiers entring into Aurelia they began to breath forth threatenings against the Church of Christ especially against the Miâ—isters of it hereupon Tossan was in great danger iâ—somuch that when he went into the Church to Preach he knew not whether he should come out alive that which most troubled him was the fear that he had of his wife and two small children besides he never went to the Congregation but some threw stones others shot bullets at himâ— and their rage grew so great that they burned down the barn wherein the Church used to meet together and every day he heard of one or other of their Members that were slain so that he was compelled severall times to change hiâ— lodging yet one day the Souldiers caught him and pretended that they would carry him out of the City but intended to have Murthed him whereupon hiâ— wife great with childe ran to the Governor and with much importunity prevailed that her husband might stay in the City and the third civill War braking out the Popish Souldiers in Aurelia were so enraged that they burned all the places where the Church used to meet and barbarously slew above eighty of the faithfull servants of Christ in them yet it pleased God miraculously to preserve the Ministers in that great dangâ—r and Tossan by the help of some of the faithfull was conveyed privately away out of the Ciâ—y in the night but whilst he fought to hide himselfe in a wood he fell into an ambush and was taken and was carryed to Prisoner into â— Castle not far of from Aurelia which sad newes coming to his wife she left no meanes untryed for his delivery and aâ— last for a great sum of mony she procured his release whereupon he went to Argimâ—nt and hiâ— wife putting her self into the habit of a maâ—d-servant went towards Argimont after him where Renata the daughter of Lewis the twelfâ—h of France and Dowager of Ferrara lived in a very strong Castle and was a great â—â—iend to the Protestants entertaining many that fled to her for succour bâ—t as his wife was going thitherward after him she waâ— takeâ— by some Souldiers and carryed back to the Governour of Aurelia but it pleased God to stir up his owne wife â—nd daughters
Ministeriall function and also to joyn with Calvin in the reading of the Divinity Lecture Where he was also againe advanced to be head Master of a Free-schoole which was set up by the perswasion of Calvin for the future benefit of the same City Notice being taken in France of his Confession of the Christian Faith which without question wrought deepe impression in the hearts of many he was intreated by Letters sent from some Peeres of France that he would be pleased to visit Anthony King of Navarre then residing in Aquitaine and to confer with him concerning matters of importance but especially concerning such things which might be of force to beget true knowledge in the groundâ— of Christian Religion for there was some hopes that if he could be brought thereunto that the Church of God would not be so cruelly inhumanely dealt withall within the Kingdome of France Which enterprize God giving a blessing thereunto wanted not its fortunate and happy successe though not in the dayes of Aâ—thony yet in the dayes of Charles the ninth for he not onely entring into a consideration of the truth of the Doctrinâ— of the Church of Rome but also into the truth of the Doctrine of the reformed Church and with many of his Nobles adhered unto the same and foâ—thwith sâ—nt both Embassadours and Letters to the Senate of Geneva to intreaâ— the presence of reverend Beza concerning the dâ—sciding of those Controversies which were at that time on foot betwixâ— the Papists and the Reformed Churches This request was with great joy condiscended unto by the Senate of Geneva who sent Beza with many prayers for the advancemâ—nt of Gods glory Peter Martyr was also called from Tigurum by the Mother Queen who with all speed came to Paris Great was the conflict which Beza had at that time in the â—resence of the King with Cardinall Lotharingus concerning the Reall Presence â— wherein he confuted the erronious opinion of the Cardinall affirming that the viâ—ible signes were touched with the hands eaten and drunken with the mouth but that the thing signified viz. thâ— Body and Blood of Christ was offered and received by Faith Which judgement of his the Cardinall approved of at the last as he himselfe testified unto the Queene and was also embraced by her selfe The conference being ended with happy successe to the glory of God and furtherance of his truth Martyr returned to Tigurum and Beza intended to goe unto Geneva but he was hindred by the Authority of the Queen who plainly told him that seeing he was a French man he might be the Author of much good unto his own Nation Beza being thus detained contrary to his expectation spent not the time unprofitably but betook himselfe unto the preaching of the Word sometimes in the Pallace of the King of Navarre sometimes in the house of the Prince Cordaeus and sometimes in the suburbes of the City of Paris for then it was by publick Proclamation decreed that the use of the reformed Religion should be tolerated in the suburbes without any Molestation but they enjoyed not that benefit long by reason of a conspiracy performed by Guisius and other wicked persons for the utter extinguishing of the truth who urging the King with the example of Balderinus that Religion was but a thing indifferent and that he might condemne and renounce the day after that which he approved and allowed the day before they received this answer from him That he would never put hiâ— fooâ— so far into the Sea but that he would be able to pluck it back againe when he listed and so he departed and forsooke the truth of Christ and never after sent for Beza to have any conference with him Whereupon a hot persecution entred into the bowels of France against the Protestants forty five of them being put to the sword in the same place where they were gathered together to heare the Word of God preacht whereupon Beza was sent to complaine unto the King of their inhumane cruelty but found no redresse whereupon preparation was made to defend themselves by force of Armes the Prince Condaeus desired Beza to remaine with him in so dangerous and necessary a season who althoughâ— it grieved him greatly to be absent from his flock at Geneva yet he consents unto the request of this religious Prince and remained with him preaching and exhorting Christians privately to a patient wayting of the Lords leasure The Protestants betook themselves unto Orleans to which place the enemies marching in the fields thereof was fought a terrible battle wherein Condaeus was taken prisoner and the Protestants lost the day who notwithstanding this sorrowfull accident were much comforted by those divine letters which were sent unto them by Beza and they still remaining firme in that doctrine which they had received Not long after a peace being concluded and the prisoners restored to their former liberty Beza obtained leave of the same Prince to returne unto Geneva after he had spent two and twenty monthes with great labour and manifest dangers of his life Comming to Geneva not without the great joy of the Inhabitants he went forward in his ordinary course of teaching both in the Church and Schoole continued with Master Calvin in reading the Divinity Lecture untill his death then he performed it onely himselfe appointing Calladonus Danaeus and Fayus to be the Humanity Lecturers in the same City And in this godly couse he laboriously continued untill the time that he was called unto Rupella by the generall intreaty and request of the French Churches and earnest desire of the Queen of Navarre and of other Peeres of France where the confession of the faith of the French Churches was repeated and confirmed and strenthned with the approbation of the Queen of Navarre and the Prince Condaeus and so he returned to Geneva againe and indefatigably continued his constant course of teaching and then he corrected his Annotations on the New Testament From thence he was cealld againe to Berna for the confutation of the error of Albâ—rius concerning justification who taught that our righteousnesse before God was a meere pasive quality inhaerent in our selves w ch opnion with other errorâ— of his hindring the growth of the truth of Christ were there condemned and the reading of his books forbidden by the Senate of Berne which being ended he returned unto Geneva againe and having notice of the great troubles to ensue not onely in France in generall but also in Geneva it selfe in particular he cauâ—ed publick prayers to be sent up unto God twice every weeke extraordinary for the turning away of his wrath and for the peace and flourishing state of the Church and so he continued preaching and praying for the advancement of the Gospell of Christ untill such time as age made him unfit for the performance of these duties Yet here by the way we may observe the great malice of the Romish Jesuites who before the payment of his debt to nature
religious minds with a feare of the Skye falling about our ears and nature breathing out her last gaspe yet we flâ—ttered our selves in to a vaine beliefe that the Muses were eternall and though all other things fade like flowers yet that the Arts were immortall untill this great Atlas of learning with whom sacred studies seemed to totter if not lye on the ground taught us by his death the vanity of that our hope Whose happy passe agreeable to his godly life God forbid that any should deplore with Heathenish rikes lamentable Elegies since our ferventest zeale can now wish him no other addition to his happinesse then that of Virginius Rufus to have another Tacitus to make his Funerall Panegyricke As for me when I behold this solemn and sad Assembly not usually accustomed to such dejected lookes me thinkes I see those teares that fell from the royall eyes of great King Xerxes dropping at the view of his puissant Army which makes me deeply â—igh because in this deplored mirrour blubbered with teares I finde the reflection even of your mortality For which of you now can hope that either learning wisdome or vertue can prolong his life since the churlish Sisters refused to spare this mighty Hercules of the Orthodox Faith this great Champion of Christian Religion though they were solicâ—ted by the teares of our Mother the University and importuned by the prayers of our sorrowing Church Verily if the inâ—stimable treasures of thy minde and indefeizible riches of thy soule could have contributed any thing to the strength and vigour of the body thou shouldest still have lived worthy Reynolds not so much according to thine owne desire who wishedst for heaven as houres who wished longer for thee and so lived 1000. that thou shouldst never have dyed waxed old or drooped But to the great losse of Man-kinde and prejudice of Learning it fals out far otherwise even that in those who more enrich their minde with the treasures of wisdome and knowledge the soule sooner growes weary of her earthly habitation and aspireth to heavenâ— and their body also by reason their spirits are wholly spent in that noble yet laborious worke of study more speedily faileth and decayeth Which was the true cause that thou Reynolds after so many conquests and triumphs over the enemieâ— of our Faith yet the strength of thy body being impayred in the end didst yeeld to nature and breathedst out thy victorious soule and leftest nothing to us but sighes for our sad losse But what could not thy singular piety nor thy vertue nor thy sanctity nor thy so much admired learning preserve thee Or didst thou resolve to live no longer because there was nothing left which thy studies had not already attained unto Was not Ficinus worthy thy perusing who discourseth so learnedly not onely of the preservation of health but also of the prerogation of our life to eternity upon earth Well long enough peradvâ—nture thou hast lived for thy particulâ—r ends long enough to be so truely honoured that 't was not possible that ever thou shouldest out-live thy fame Yet not long enough for the Common-wealth which misseth in thee a perfect sampler of all vertues Not long enough for the University which hath lost in thee the light of a glorious taper of learning nor yet long enough for the good state our pure Religion which tossed in the swelling billowes of a troubled Sea is ready almost to suffer shipwracke for want of thee her skilfull Pylot Truth it is none can denie it that like a second Cocles but yet more couragious thou didst rout the troâ—pâ— of thy stoutâ—st enemies Truth that even wheÌ„ the enemy had cut off the bridge on which thou stoodst thou leaping downe to thiâ—â— eternall honour didst preserve the colourâ— and as â—ast didst beate the adversaries to a shamefull retreat But the leâ—guer is not yet broken up for though thou hast unmaâ—ked the Idolatry of the Church of Rome and exposed it to the detestation of God and man yea and thy sword was evâ—n at the throat of that Antichristian monster and through the sides of Iohn Heart thou struckst Popery it selfe to the very heart yet Sanders remained untouched save that he hath felt the revenging hand of God upon him and dyed miserably being starved on the Irish mountains Bellarmines forces are not quite discomfited or all Baronius his impostures sufficiently discovered to speake nothing of those monsterous heads of heresies which like Hydras continually grow up in the Church one under another In the midst of such troubles how couldest thou finde leasure to dye since the harvest is so great and the labourers so few so few indeed or none like thee since Superstition like to our Virginian Sea swels continually with newer billowes This oh this was the sad complaint of our lamenting Church fetch'd from the deepest sense of bitternesse and sorrow as if she her selfe had been ready to expire with thiâ— our Reynolds But what Timanthes hath the skill to pourtray the sadder if yet a sadder can be immagined and more dejected countenance of our Mother the University Here flow the teares so free That drowne our Niobe Alasse she thinkes still on nothing but Reynolds sees nothing but Reynolds and in the strength of her disturbed fancy heares talks with catches at Reynolds And truely though in this flourishing age our mother be blessed with such a great and numerous issue that she hath more reason to rejoyce that shee s become so fruitfull then bewaile so much her present losse and she might now if ever take up the language of the mother of â—rasidus my son was a good Souldier indeed and valiant but Sparta hath many left that are like him yet I cannot chuse but excuse her tears of piety and my selfe justly lament with her when I consider that she hath lost her Reynolds who let none repine at it did so much out-shine the rest of her sons in the clearest lustre of the best perfections both in languages Arts and Sciences that he seemed to flye above the pitch of humane wit and industry as if he had been borne of purpose to discover the height of the Muses utmost abilities Sirs I detract from no man in giving Reynolds his due I know that neither these grave Fathers assembled who here at home doe honour our Oxford with their authority letters and piety nor those our right reverend religious and learned Prelateâ— abroad who sitting at the helme of the Church are become admired Patterns to the whole Christian world of wisdome sanctity and learning will ever envy his 〈◊〉 encomiums If any man shall thinke lesse of Reynolds then of those great lights either of Church or University because he shined not so gloriously either at home or abroad in lustre of eminent fortunes and outward preferments let him remember the testimony which the great Bishop S t. Austine gave of Saint Ierome Though a Priest be inferiour to a Bishop yet Hierome the Priest
where he spent six years and from thence he went to Tâ—bing where differing from Doctor Andreas abouâ— predestination he went thence to Basil Anno Christi 1583. in which place he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity and being made Tutor to some young Noblemen went to Geneva Heidleberge and to some other places with them he was madâ— Doctor in Divinity by Grynaeus Anno 1590. and having afterwards at Geneva publickly expounded the Prophesie of Malachie he returned to Basil where he was chosen the Professor of Divinity which place he faithfully discharged for fourteen years space expounded Daniel Ezekiel and a good part of the Psalmes afterwards falling sick of a Feaver he wholly resigned up him himselfe to the will of God comforted himselfe with diverse pregnant Texts of Scriptures and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno 1610. and of his age 51. How justly may Polanus have a part Of honour 'mongst these men of high desert A learned Doctor of Divinity And was of Basils University Chosen Professour where with love and fame For fourteen years he managed the same Then falling sick he of a feaver dy'd Whose soul doth in celestiall joyes reside The Life and Death of Thomas Holland who dyed Anno Christi 1612. THomas Holland was born in Shropshire Anno Christi 1538. and brought up in Exceter Colledge in Oxford where he tooke his degrees with much applause afterwards he Commenced Doctor in Divinity was chosen Master of the Colledge and for his learning was preferred to be â—he Regius Professor or Doctor of the Chair wherein he succeeded Doctor Humphred and so deported himselfe in the same that he gat the approbation and admiration both of that Univâ—rsity and of Forreign Universities also Hee was like Apollos a man mighty in the Scriptures and as one saith of him Adeb cum Patribus familiaris ac si ipse Pater cum Scholasticis ac si Seraphicus Doctor i. e. he was so familiarly acquainted wiâ—h the Fathers as if himselfe had been one of them and so verst in the Schoolmen as if he were the Seraphick Doctor He was also a faithfull Preacher of the truth and one that adorned it by his holy life and conversation A zealous defender of the true Religion and a great hater of superstition and Idolatry iusomuch that when he went any journy calling the fellows of the Colledge together he used to say to them Commendo vos dilectioni Dei odio Papatus superstitionis I commend you to the love of God and to the hatred of Popery and superstition He continued Doctor of the Chair twenty yeares and was every way as famous for his Religion and holinesse of life as he was for his learning when in his old age he grew weak and sickly he spent all his time in fervent Prayes and heavenly Meditations aud when his end approached he often sighed out Come O Come Lord Iesus thou morning star Come Lord Iesus I desire to be dissolved and to be with thee and so he qâ—ietly departed in the Lord Aâ—no Christi 1612. and of his age 73. And worthily doth Doctor Holland merit His predecessours praises to inherit Who for 's great learning and his parts most rare Was Regius Professour Doct'r o th' Chair Of Exeter Colledge with approbation Of all that knew him even to admiration I th'Schoolmen aâ—d the Fathers so well seen As if he had Seraphick Doctor been A pious and most painefull Preacher known A faithfull zealous frâ—end to Trâ—th and One That heartily did hate idolatry Who as he liv'd a precious Saint did dye IOHN BALE The Life and Death of John Bale AMong those who in these latter times have laboured in throwing open the skirts of that Romish strumpet who with her cup of fornication had a long time bewitched a great part of the Christian world and laying open her abominations to the light of the Sun and the sight of of the world none have traveled more nor taken pains to better purpose then this our Countriman Iohn Bale whose troublesome life tossed to and fro and exposed to many dangers difficulties and distresses my purpose is briefly to relate in its most remarkable passages that which is testified of him by that worthy and much renouned divine D. r Laurence Humfrey in a Poeme of his intituled the Burden of Rome wherein he affirmeth that Vâ—rgerius had in this kinde done somewhat Platina much more Luther very much or the most of any before him but this our Bale as much almost as could be even all if it were at least possible to rake up all the â—ilth and dirt of that vile â—inke and common sewer He came into this world toward the middest of King Henâ—y the seventh his raigne not many yeares after that famous and usefull invention of printing was grown to some perfection having not been above thirty years as yet in any use by help wherof as learning and knowledg was generally much improved and many Monuments preserved that would otherwise have perished so great use did this our Bale make of it as we shall hereafter shew as well for the bringing to light of auncient Records that had lien long burâ—ey in the dark and but for him might so have done in everlasting oblivion as also for the publishing of many writings and works both of his owne and other mens He was borne in Suffolke his Parents but of meane estate nor free from Romish superstition that then generally overspread the whole surface of this realme by meanes of of their poverty and geeat charge being overburdened with a numerous issue through the advice and perswasion of some of their blinde leaders such as those dayes afforded perceiving the towardlinesse that then appeared in him yet a child being but twelve years of age he was placed in the Convent of Carmelite Fryars at Norwich In which place as also afterward in the University of Cambridge whither he was from thence removed he gave himself to the study of the Artâ— and of Divinity such as in those timeâ— was in repute yea aloâ—e publikely professed But when the light of the Gospell which had formerly for the most part been smothered and supprest began now to break forth by the instigation of that right honourable and truly Noble Lord for it is vertue and piety alone that affordeth true Nobility the Lord Wentworth he diverted his studies and applyed himselfe now not to rake any longer in those muddy streames and miry puddles of Divinity falsly so tearmed which he had plunged himselfe in before but to repaire directly to the well-head to betake himselfe to the fource of all true knowledg to search into the written Word of God where he might be sure to finde the waters cleane and cleere free from all impurity and mixture of humane invention therein to dive and thence to draw that which he might both drink deepe of himselfe and impart of to others without damage and detriment to himsele That which
serious meditation of the reformation of Religion in the Churches he desired to conforme the Citizens of Hassia unto the example of the Primitive Church he desired to remove many reliques of superstition out of the Church he desired to establish that Ecclesiasticall discipline which was ready to fall unto the great detriment of the Church In the midst of these heavenly cogitations it pleased the Lord to send his messenger for him which he well perceiving by the continuall increasing of his paines he desired to have the Communion administred unto him afterwards he told his wife what he would have done after his death after that he had instructed his children how they should carry themselves towards God and how towards their mother and how towardâ— men and his yongest son standing amongst them hâ— laid his hand on his head uttering these Words discemi fili mandata domini ipse enaâ—riet te Keepe the commandaments of the Lord my son and he will provide for thee then â—urning himselfe to those who were present he declareâ— unto them that he dyed in that faith which he had constantly professed so many yeares in that City which words being spoken he fell asleepe and was buried at Marpurge in the year our Lord 1564. and in the 53. year of his life All things which are to be required in a Teacher are to be found in this Gerardus first he was learned and his learning was also joyned with experience secondly he had an excellent faculty and method of teaching thirdly he was laborious in his function fourthly he was gravâ— fiftly of an unspotted life and conversationâ— he was modest patient and constant all which sufficiently declare that he was set apart by the Lord for the converting of many souls unto Christ. His Works which he left unto the world as a rich legacy are here set downe 1 A Commentary on the twentieth Psalme 2 On the twelft Psalme 3 A method for a Preacher 4 On the Romans 5 Of reading and meditating the Scriptures 6. Method of Theologie 7 Theologicall Topicks 8 Catechisme Other Works in two Tomes First 1 Of the study of the Scripture 2 Of the institution of Colledges 3 A triall of students 4 Of Catechising 5 Of justification by faith 6 Of Benificence to the poor 7 Of Feasts Tome 2. 1 Of the duty of hearers 2 Of Providence 3 Of Selfe-examination 4 Of the marriage of Ministers 5 Of the Sacraments 6 Notes upon Aristotles Ethicks 7 Physicks 8 Logicke 9 Rhetoricke 10 Arithmaticke 11 Gromaticke 12 Cosmographik 13 Optics 14 Astronomy Set forth after his death 1 Annotations of Isaiah 2 Commentaries on the Galathians 3 Ephesians 4 Philippians 5 Colossians 6 Thessalonians 7 Timothy 8 Titus 9 Philemon 10 Iude. 11 Hebrewes You that desire to lead a life Free from th'incumbrances of strife Draw neare and with a carefull â—row Let brave Gerarduâ— teach you how Reader observe and thou shalt finde By trauell he inrtch'd his minde His active heart was alwayes free To Propagate true piety He alwayes studied to displace Errours from the Churches face He gain'd no envy but from those That were Religions chiefest foâ—â— He would perswade intreat advise His Fellow-preachers to dispise Those fruits of Idlenesse which he defy'd Thus liv'd Gerarduâ— thus Gerardus dy'd ARETIVS BENEDICTVS The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus AS the Lord hath never been wanting unto his Church both in these and in forraine parts in the stirring up of painfull and â—ealous Watch-men for the Propagating of his truth and for the enlightning of the understanding of those whom he had elected unto salvation in Jesus Christ so he hath not been deficient in procuring the affection of eminent persons towards the same Professors by whose meanes they have been defended and sheltered against the inviterate malice both of the Divell and his members Malicious enemies unto the Word of truth amonst whom the Senate of Berna may justly receive worthy Commendations for the constant love shewed unto the zealous professors of the truth it being indeed the maine pillar which doth support the welfare of a Common-wealth and which doth draw downe a blessing from heaven upon their intended designes In this â—amous City was Benedictus Aretius borne a faithfull zealous professors of the truth of Christ being beautified with excellent endowments both of learning and piety which did sufficiently testifie that he was set apart by the Lord for the winning of many unto Christ. He spent his youth in his owne Country amongst the Switzers wherein he was instructed and trained up in the knowledge of the Arts but ayming at a greater perfection labouring â—or a sounder judgement in the works writings of other learned and Orthodox men he left his Country for a season and went unto Marpurg where by reason of his eminent gifts and qualities he gained the love of many learned Schollers and was designed and oppointed to read the Logick Lecture in the same place which after he had performed for the space of some years to the great profit of his Auditors to the never dying fame of himselfe and to the generall applause of all the City having also attained in some measure to that perfection which he had formerly desired he returned again unto Berne where he was joyfully received and by a generall consent appointed to open the Scriptures and to instruct the inhabitants in the way of life in which exercise he observed such an edifying method both in his publick reading and Preaching that he drew great multitudes of people unto him who beholding his proceedings with great admiration with one consent praised the Lord for sending so learned and so painfull an instrument among them for the plantâ—ng of the truth in their hearts So excellent was his forme of teaching that many Divines came unto his Lectures not onely for the information of their judgements in matters of Controversies but also to learne his method of teaching which being obtained by some they proved excellent instruments in the Church for the converting of the lost sheepe of Israel and many would not in publicke make triall of their owne parts before they had continued for a season to be his Auditors His writings were greatly in request and desired greatly of all that either knew him or heard of him but especially his labours in Divinity one of his bookes called Eramen Theologicâ—m came to the Presse twelve times within the space of three years which doth declare the excellency and how usefull and beneficiall it was unto the Church in those times and in these dayes also it is a Worke fit to be perused of all such as doe intend the study of Divinity After that he had continued this constant course of teaching in the City of Berne for the space of many years to the great furtherance of the glory of God and benefit of his Church it pleased the Lord to take him unto himselfe and to Crowne him with a diâ—dem of everlasting glory
with the rest of his holy Saints in the year of grace 1574. the twentieth two of April his death was much lamented by the Citizens of Berne who received some comfort by the beholding of those excellent and learned Treatises which he left behind him as so many never dying testifications of his zeale for the advancing of the Gospell of Christ. 1 A forme for Students 2 Two tables of the Hebrew Grammar 3 A triall for Divines 4 The History of Valentine the Gentile 5 A censure of the propositions of the Catabaptists 6 Two Treatises of the sacred Scriptures 7 Common places of Divinity 8 Lectures on the Lords Supper 9 Commentaries on the four Evangelists 10 On the Acts of the Apostles 11 An Iitroduction unto the reading of Saint Pauls Epistles 12 Commentaries on all his Epistles 13 On the Revelation 14 Physicall Workes of Compositions and their degrees His name be-speakes him happy and his worth Swels high enough to set his prayses forth In ample volumes for his soul was lin'd With true Divinity his serious mindâ— Was alwayes active labring to invest Distressed souls with true angel-like rest Let his examples teach us how to be Content in truth and love Divinity That so at last we may receive those gaiues That daily waite upon celestiall straines MATHEW PARKER The Life and Death of Mathew Parker IN the year of grace 1504. the nineteenth year of the raign of King Henry the seventh was this worthy Pralate Mathew Parker borne at Norwich on the sixt day of August His Father William Parker a Citizen of that City though of no great eminent note yet of honest repute and of a competent estate and discended from an ancient Family of that name the dignity whereof in the person of this Mathew was not revived onâ—ly but much advanced His Father being taken from him in the time of his minority he was by the carefull provision of Alicâ— Parker his mother now a widow trained up in good literature untill he attained to the age of eighâ—een yeares who then as a discreet woman and regardâ—ull of her childs good that those rudiments of learning which he had already received might not be lost but improved and further addition made thereunto procured his entrance into Corpus Christi Colledge in Cambridge about the fourteenth year of King Henry the eighth where she was resolved to make what shift she could to maintaine him untill he had attained that for which she desired to place him there to wit ability for employment in some learned function There being entered he so carried himselfe and gave so good proofes of his parts and pregnancy that within a few months he was chosen Scholler of the house having a Bible-Clearkes place conferred upon him and so his Mother eased of her charge Having after that taken his first degrees and being made Fellow of the house he began to addict himselfe mainely unto the study of Divinity and therein made good progresse Nor was he either of the number of those that will be flying out of the nest before they be well fledged and teaching of others ere they have learned ought themselves or yet of those that are wont to wrap up their talent in a towell and whelm their light under a bushell regarding more their own ease then the beneâ—it of others the end wherunto their studies should tend but after some four or five years spent in furnishing himself with 〈…〉 thâ—â—ulpit he began now to looke abroad into the neighbouâ—ing placeâ— and considering whaâ— great need the people had of instrucâ—ion in thosâ— blind anâ— darke times wherein the lights were grown dimâ— and vision was geâ—son and because so rare the more prâ—â—ious he employâ—d himselfâ— diligâ—ntly as occasion and opportunity was offrâ—d in dilivering out the Word of God unto them and that in an other manner of way then was usuall in thoâ—e dayes By meanes hereof notice taken of his diligence and dexterity therein that he might the more freely make use of of his talent without opposition or disturbance he had Authority granted him by the Kings letters patent and the Archbishops generall licence to preach where he would without controle with this power backed he lanched further out and being not as yet tyed to any speciall charge he bestowed his labors sometime in one place sometime in another that in the most eminent Cities other parts of the realm where he deemed most good might be don was not long after called to be Chaplaine in ordinery to Queen Anne thâ— pious Mother of that heroicall princesse oâ— blessed memory Qâ—eene Elizabeth by whose favor alâ—o he was made Deane of Stoke in Suffolke where he caused a schoolâ— to be erectâ—d for the education and training up of youth in good literature Aftâ—r the unfortunate deaâ—h of Queen Anne he was by the King taken into his â—ervice And having now taken the degree of Doctor in Divinity he was by his Majesties speciall letters of recommendation chosen Master of the Colledge wherein he had been both Scholler and Fellow bâ—fore the Colledgâ— not long after by unanimous consent â—eâ—ling also upon him the benefice of Landbeach in the I le of Ely not far from Cambridge The forâ— mentioned preferments he retained during the wholâ— reâ—idue of King Henries lifâ— and raigne continuing still constant in the exercise of his mâ—niâ—tery unto the happy entrance of that relious Prince and of wisedome and undâ—râ—tâ—nding above his years King Edward At which time albeit the Deanry of Stoke were dissolved Doctor â—arker much grieving for itâ— and withstanding it whaâ— he could the rather in regard of the School annexed to it and depending upon it yet had he in lieu of it a yearely pension assigned unto him out of the Kings exquecher and being by him also entertained as by his Father before him he was further advanced by him so well he esteemed of him to the Deanry of Lincolne and the prebendary of Coldingham in the same Church Thus continued he in a plentifull and worshipfull estate untill the unâ—imely death of that mirrour of Princes and the disastrons succâ—ssion of his Sister Queen Mary when true religion was suppressed superstition reâ—established and those godly Teachers that continued constant in the profession of Christs truth were deposed jected stript of their meanes and maintenance and constrained either to fly the land or lye hid unlesse they would expose themseleves to fire and fagot the best and â—east they could look for if they came into the hands of those who had never learned what mercy ment But these violent courses now taking place this reverend man among others who stuck still to the better though now weaker side was constrained to leave all and to shift for himselfe and the rather for that he had married a wife a woman of good note by whom in processe of time he had three Sons whereof two survived him as a thing though allowable not by Gods Word alone but by the
penitenciall exhortations mollified the stony hearts of those who had been before most obdurate in their sins lastly as dew that fals from heaven returnes not thither bâ—ck againe but inricheth the soyle and makes fruitfull the earth so his pains wheresoever he bestowed them were never stirrill but brought much fruit of comfort both to himsâ—lfe and of knowledge in the mysteries of salvation to his hearers In this time of his retired privacy he printed A mirrour of popish subtilties The exhaltation of the Kingdom and priesthood of Christ and first he ruff-hewed and after polished and published his exquisitr tract entituled Antichristi Demonstratio which was not onely highly commended by our learned Andrewes Bishop of Winton but so esteemed by King Iames a second Salomon that of all the fruitfull trees in our Paradise he chose to griffe his meditations upon the Apocalipse upon Abbot his stocke commanding that his Comment upon the 7.8.9 and 10. verses of the twentieth Chapter of the Apocalypse should be joyned unto the end of Abbot de Antichristo and at the last impression of the said book at London 1608. it is Printed after the end of the twelft Chapter before Elenâ—cus capitum of the said book an honour which his Majesty did to no other of the great Clarkes of this Kingdome Like as Mary Magdalens spicknard was so mingled with the oyntment of the Gospell by our Saviours precept that whosoever smelt the one cold not but resent the other so King Iames his savory meditations are incerted into Abbots contemplations of Antichrist that whosoever distasteth not the one cannot but well relish the other To these his labors which made the presse sweat againe and againe I must adde his most accurate Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans which he run through all not with briefe notes as others but large Sermons upon every verse in which he handled as his text gave him occasion all the controverted points of Religion at this day and he enclosed the whole Magazen of his learning and great pitty it is that the Church should be deprived of such a treasure considering Saint Austines observation is true the truth is neither mine nor thine nor his but all of us have a right to it whom thou callest to the Communion thereof threatning to deprive us of it if we keepe it private They therefore who withhold â—his Worke from the publick view as they wrong the Church in generall so in speciall the City and Cathedrall Church of Worcesteâ— to which he bâ—queaâ—hed it as a kind of legacie as the authors owne Words in his dedicatory Epistle to Bishop Babington printed with his Sermons upon the 110. Psalme import I will endeavour as opportunity may serve to present to their eyes meaning his hearers at Worcester the things that did once affect their eares and to make others also partakers of them and a little after in the same Epistle I am willing to expresse my affection to that City wherein I have bestowed the greatest service of my life and wherein I assure my selfe that a few names there are at least I hope many that shall be my crown and rejoycing in the day of the Lord Iesus I have considered him as ros according to the first syllable of his name now let us view him according to the second as ver a spring first passively then actively first as ver in himselfe when taken as a choyce plant and set in the famous nurserie of learning and Religion the University of Oxford he thrived exceedingly springing and growing from one profession to another from one degree to another from an Artist to a Divine from a Bachelour to a Master from a Scholler of Baliâ—l Colledge to a Fellow Though this were the time wherein he replenished his store-house of good Literature both divine and humane yet knowing that this kind of provission is like the oyle in the widdowes cruze which filled still by emptying and like the loaves Iohn 6. which multiplyed by distributing he joyning practise with his contemplation and by Lecturing first at Alâ—allowes and afterwards at Abbington he encreased his store and stocke of saving knowledge and thus he was ver passively in himselfe but when by Bishop Bancrofts meanes he was called to be Governour of Baliol Colledge and much more after when he was advanced to the Chayre he was ver actively and caused a spring in others for then as a carefull and skilfull Gardiner he set his nurserie with the best plants making alwayes choyce of the towardliest young men in all Elections and when he had set them he tooke such care to water and prune them that in no plaâ— or knot in the famous nurserie of the University of Oxford there appeared more beautifull flowers or grew sweeter fruit then in Baliol Colledge whilst he was Master What should I speake of his diligent reading to his owne Schollers and his continuall presence at publicke Exercises whereby he both Countenanced the Readers and encouâ—aged the Hearers Vrget praesentia Turin His first and chiefe care was to plant the feare of God in the hearts of all the Students in his Colledge knowing well that as God is the father of all things so Religionâ— is the mother of all vertues and little hope there is that they will take any care to observe the statutes of these Founders who regard not his statuteâ— who is the Feunder of all nature and grace and beares up the pillar of the whole World To imprint his Lawes therefore in their mindes besides the holy example of his strict and regular life and continuall admonitions and godly exhortations to study the Scriptures and exercise themselves in them day and night he took speciall care of publicke Prayers from which himselfe was never missing if he had his health though the mornings were never so darke and the season bitter and but finding some inconvenience in the absence of many of his company at evening Prayer pretending diverse occasions of businesse he altered the time of those Prayers puting them off from five of the clock in the afternoone untill eight of the clock at night and immediatly after payers he commanded the gates to be lockt to prevent or at least discover all Noctivagators Next to piety he most desired to setle peace in the Colledge and exterpate all faction which had been for a long time the baine of that Society for Doctor Lilly his immediate predecessour was in â—ome sense not free from lilliam inter spinaâ— a Lilly among thornes and which was worse it is though he cherished them for private ends of his owne but Abbot who had learned from his and our Master that blessed are the peace makers and that a house divided within it selfe cannot stand laboured by all good meanes to caement all parties and make up all the breaches he found wherein God so blessed him that by reconciling them one to another he united them all fast to himselfe and he gained more every way by