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
the Senate he gathered a Church of strangers especially out of Belgia from thence he wrote a Letter to the King of Poland and his Council vindicating his Doctrin from some aspersions cast upon it by his adversaries many enemies also rose up against him and his Congregation for differing from them about Christ's presence in the Sacrament especially oâ—e Westphalus who wrote bitterly against them calling them Zuinglians and affirming that all those which had suffered about that point in Belgia England or Francâ— were the Divel's Martyrs At last Lascus returning into his own Country from which he had been absent twenty years there he found God's harvest to be great and the labourers to be very few His coming was very unwelcome to the Popish Clergy who sought by all meanes to destroy him or to get him banished and therefore they accused him to the King for an Hereticke beseeching him not to suffer him to stay in the Kingdome to whom the King answered That though they pronounced him an Hereticke yet the Sâ—ates of the Kingdome did not so esteeme him and that he was ready to clear himselfe from those aspersions When they thus prevailed not they cast abroad reproaches and all manner of lyes as if he would stir up a civill War in the Kingdome but it pleased God when he had spent a little time in instructing his friends that he sickned and dyed anno christi 1569. He was of an excellent wit and judgement and tooke much paines to have composed that difference in the Churches about Christ's presence in the Sacrament though it succeeded not The King of Poland had him in such esteem that he made use of his advice and help in many great and difficult businesses Wisdome and goodnesse both conjoyn'd To beautifâ—e Alascos mind He was laborious to fulfill And prosecute his makers will His heart was proud to undertake To doe or suffer for Gods sake Therefore no question but hée 's blest And rests in peace and endlesse rest AVGVSTINVS MARLORATVS The Life and Death of Augustine Marlorat AVgustine Marlorat was born in the Dukedome of Lorrain anno christi 1506. His Parents dyed whil'st he was young and his kindred gaping after his estate thrust him at eight years of age into a Monastery of Augustine Fryers by which meanes God so ordering of it he was brought up in learning and having studied the body of Divinity in France came to the University of Lasanna which is a famous Towne of the Lords and States of the Countrey of Bern scituated hard by the Lake of Lemon and is a place famous for Divinity where he profited much in learned and came to the knowledge of the Truth and from thence he was chosen to be Pastor at Vivia and from thence he was sent for to Rottomag where he behaved himselfe with much piety and wisdome Anno Christi 1561. he was present at the conference at Posiah between the Cardinall of Lorrain and Theodore Beza where he acquitted himselfe with much courage The year following when the Civil Wars brakâ— forth in France the City of Rotomag was besieged and after a hard siege was taken where Marlorat and foure other chiefe Citizens by the malice of Mont-Morenzie and Francis Duke of Guize were hanged though some of his adversaries would have saved him This was done the thirtieth of October anno chris 1562. and of his Age six and fifty whose Workes being ever living Monuments are preserved to the benefit of the Church of God and are here set down 1. A Catholicke and Ecclesiasticall Exposition of the new Testament 2. An Exposition upon Genesis 3. An Exposition on the Psalmes of David 4. An Exposition upon the Prophecie of Jsaiah 5. His Thesaurus or Treasure-house of the whole Canonicall Scripture digested into common places Also the hard Phrases Alphabetically Printed which usully are met withall in the Scriptures by the care and industry of William Feugerius of Rohan professor of Divinity to whom Marlorat left this Worke being not altogether perfected at the time of his Dissolution Renowned Marlorat did breath to give A breath to worth which worth shall make him live Uertue shall be his Heravl'd and his name Shall stand recorded in roules of fame The trumpet of his praise shall sound the bolder Because true vertue neede crave no upholder The Life and Death of Amsdorfius who died Anno Christi 1563. NIcolas Amsdorfius was born in Misnia of noble Parents Anno Christi 1483. and brought up in learning From School he went to the University of Wittenberge about that time that Luther began to preach against Indulgence in Anno Christi 1504. he Commensed Master of Arts and aftewards Licentiary in Divinity he embraced the Truth â—hat brake forth in those times and preached it to others he accompanied Luther to Worms in the time of Luthers recesse into his Pathmos he with Melancthon and Iustus Ionas being sent to by the Elector of Saxonie for their judgement about the Masse declared that it was an horrible profanation of the Lords Supper whence ensued the abolishing of it out of all Churches in Wittenberg he wrote also that the Pope was Antichrist Anno Christ 1524. Luther being sent for to Magdenburg he went thither and having preached to them he commended to them and afterwards sent Amsdorfius to gather and instruct the Churches there who faithfully laboured eighteen yeeres in that place Anno Christi 1541. he was sent by the Elector of Saxonie to govern the Church at Naumberg in the Palatinate where also the yeere after he was ordained Bishop by Luther three other Pastors also imposing of their hands upon him but six yeers after he was driven away from thence by the Emperor Charles the fifth whence he fled to Magdenberg and was there during the siege of it Anno Christi 1550. and the yeere after George Major having Published this propositioâ— That good Works were necessary to Salvation Amsdorfius in heat of contention wrote That good Works were hurtfull and dangerous to Salvation he died about the four score and eight yeer of his age Anno Christi 1563. Amsdorfius was the life of worth his dayes Were fil'd with trouble yet perpetuall praise Waited upon him for he did oppose The Errours of the Pope in spight of those That were his enemies he did maintaine The Pope was Antichrist the Masse prophane He fear'd them not but boldly did professe The truth and now is Crown'd with happinesse WOLFGANGVS MVSCVLVS The Life and Death of Wolfangus Musculus IN the yeer of our Lord God 1497. and on the sixt of the Ides of September a day much observed by our Ancestors for the birth of the Virgin Mary and also for the destruction of Ierusalem by Titus the son of Vespasian was Wolfangâ—â— Musculus that faithfull servant of Christ born at Dusa a little towne situate in Litharingia famous onely for the aboundance of Salt-pits wherewith it is richly stored His father was called Antonius Musculus who by his profession was
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
most worthily succeed And as two Twins for their heroick Spirit The one the others honour may inherit For by John Huss Jerom was blestly ayded Where by the Romish rout he was invaded And Jerom hearing Huss was wrong'd by Rome To vindicate his quarrell did presume But in the tryall found his heeles tript up Fearfull by Romish rage to taste his Cup Yet at the last that tempting blast ore blown His doubled and redoubled Zeal was shown Stoutly recanting his forc'd recantation To th' Death he hated Romes abomination Which did their Romish furie so enflame That torturing him they Tygers fierce became His head like Huss with painted Divels arrayd His Soule to Heaven outragious flames convayd MARTINVS LVTHERVS The Life and Death of Martin Luther MArtin Luther was born at Isleben Ann. Dom. 1483. November 10. at 9. a clock at night on Saint Martins day and was calâ—'d Martin His parents brought him up in knowledge and feare of God according to the capacitie of his tender yeeres and taught him to read at home and accustomed him to vertuous demeanour The father of George Aemilius as Luther often hath related first put him to Schoole where though the trueth was much darkned by clouds of Popery yet God preserved still the heads of Catechisme the Elements of the Cistoian Grammer some Psalmes and formes of prayer At fourteene yeeres of age he with Iohn Reineck who proved a man of especiall vertue and authority in those parts were sent to Magdeburg thence by his Parents he was removed to Isenak where was a Schoole of great fame There he prefected his Grammer learning and being of a very quick wit and by nature fitted for eloquence he soone surpassed his School fellowes in copiousnesse of speech and matter and excelled in expression of his minde both in profe and verse He went to Erford Anno 1501. Where he fell upon the crabbed and thorny Logick of that age which he soone attained as one who by the sagacitie of his wit was better able to dive into causes and other places of Arguments then others Here out of a desire of better learning he read over Cicero Livy Virgil and other monuments of ancient latine Authors When at Erphord he was graced with the degree of Master of Aarts at twinty yeeres of age he read as Professor Aristotes Phisicks Ethicks and other parts of Philosophy Afterward his kindred seeing it fit that so worthy indowments of wit and eloquence should be cherishsd for the publque good by their advise he betooke himselfe to the study of the Law But not long after when he was 21. yeeres old of a sudden besides the purpose of his parents and kindered upon an affright from his faithfull mates violent death he betooke himselfe to the Augustine Monks Colledge in Erphord But before he entred the Monastry he entertained his fellow studients with a cheerefull banquet and thereupon sent them letters of valedictory and sending to his parents the Ring gown of his degree of Master of Arts unfolded to them the reason of the change of his course of life It much grieved his parents that so excillent parts should be spent in a life little differing from death But for a moneths space no man could be admitted to speake with him running over the Bookes thereof in order he met with a copie of the Lanine Bible which he never saw before there with admiration he observed that there were moe Evangelicall and Apostolicall Texts then what were read to the people in Churches In the Old Testamenâ— with great â—ttention he read the story of Samuel and Anna hiâ— mother and began to wish that he was the owner of the like book which not long after he obtained Hereupon he spent his time on the Propheticall and Apostolicall writings the fountaines of all heavenly doctrine seeking thence to enforme his minde with Gods will and to nourish in himselfe the feare of God and true faith in Christ from true and undoubted grounds Some sicknesse and feare whet him on to attempt these studyes more earnestly It is said that in this Colledge Luther in his younger years fell into a most violent disease in so much that there was no hope of life and that an ancient Preast came to him and with these words comforted him Sir Be of good courage for your disease is not mortall God will raise you up â—o be a man who shall afford comfort to many other He was often cheered up by conference with the ancient Priest to whom he revealed his feares and scruples of minde Then he began to read Augustinâ— Works where both in his Comment on the Psalmes and in the book Of the Spirit and letter he found many evident places which confirmed this doctrin concerning faith the comfort which was before kindled in his breast Yet did he not utterly cast of the reading of Gabriel and Camaracensis writers on the Sentences but was able to recite them by heart in a manner He spent much time in often reading Occam and esteemed him for acutenesse of wit before Thomas Acquinas and Scotâ—s also he studiously perused Gerson But chiefly he read often Austines Workes and kept them well in memory This earnest prosecution of his studyes he began at Erphord and spent there five years in the Colledge In the year 1507. he put on the priests hood The first Masse which he celebrated was May 2. Domini Cantate Then was he 24. years old In this course he continued 15. years to the year of our Lord 1527. At that time Iohn Staupicius who endeavoured to promote the University of Wittenberg lately begun desired that the study of Theology should there flourish and well knew the wit and learning of Luther and removed him to Wittenberg An. 1508. when he was 26. years old Here in regard of his daily exercises in the Schools his Sermons the eminency of his good parts did more and more shew themselves And among other learned men who attentively heard him Martinus Mellurstad commonly cal'd Lux mundi the light of the world often said of Luther that there was in him so Noble a straine of wit that he did verily presage that he would change the vulger course of Studyes which at that time was usuall in Schooles and prevailed At Wittenberg Luther first explained Aristotles Logick and Physicks yet intermitted not his study of Divinity Three years after that is Anno 1510. he was sent into Italy and to Rome in the behalfe of his Covent for the deciding of some controversies among the Monkes There he saw the Pope and the Popes palace and the manners of the Roman Clergy Concerning which he saith I was not long at Rome There I said and heard others say Masse but in that manner that so often as I call them to minde I detest them For at the tabe I heard among other matters some Curtisans laugh and boast and some concerning the bread and wine on the Altar to say Bread thou art and
as himselfe accused him before the Arch-bishop of Canterbury that preaching upon the triple Pasce ous meas he expounded the first by good example the Second by Sound Doctrine according to the common Interpretation and consent of the Doctors But that in the third which they expound Subsidio vitae he had dessented from them affirming that something else must be there understood and that the Aâ—postles being extreame poore could not be bound to feed their flocks with what they had not themselves Secondly that in another Sermon he had Preached against worshiping of jmages and thirdly that in the same Sermon he seem'd to tap those who Preached out of their note books which the Bishop took to himselfe for at that time he was aged eighty and forced by this help to piece out a Seniâ—e and decayed Memory The Archbishop received the accusation but answered it himselfe not suffering Colet to be so much as Summoned to his Consistory Their second attempt at Court succeeded little better the occasion this The King being resolâ—ed upon a warre with France Colet was invited to Preach at Court His Theame was Christs victory in handling whereof he preferred the most unjust peace before the justest warre for said he when the evill out of hatred or ambition fight against the evill and kill one another there they fight not under Christs but the Divels Banner shewing how difficult a thing it was to dye like a good Christian how few followed the Warres not tainted with envy or avarice and how almost inconsistent brotherly charity is with sheathing our sword in the Bowels of our brethern Concluding that it was better for Christians to imitate in their warfare their blessed Lord and Saviour then either Caesars or Alexanders At this Sermon amongst others were present the Bishop and two Friers Minorites whereof the one was the chiefe incendiary to the warre for which his ghostly counsell he was soone after rewarded with a Bishopricke the other an obstreperous stentorian whorson who in all his Sermons which in all were not many was sure to have a fling at Poets and poetry intending thereby to mump Colet who though he had skill in musicke yet never wrote a verse in his life But so ignorant was the vulgar of that frye in those dayes that they knew not â—he difference betwixt a peece of Tully and Virgil accounting all Poetry that was not meere barbarisme These three made agrievous complaint of him both to the King cheife Martialists as though Colet had done all â—his of purpose to weaken the hands of his Majesties Forces and discourage the Commons from so noble aâ—d necessary expedition and to speak the truth the King himselfe was somewhat startled at it But in the Carthusian gardens at Greenwitch he gave his Majesty such satisfaction that when most men gave him for lost he never parted from the King more loaded with promises both of protection and preferment who injoyned him onely in his next Sermon to cleere such misprissions and Scruples as the Common people and Souldiery had ignorantly collected from his former after w ch neither the Bishop nor his Bricot durst meddle no more with him But he lived not long to reape and injoy the fruits of this double victory for after the third relapse into a pestilentiall Fever a disease almost peculiar to the English he fell into a Dyssentery where of he died Some of his Physitians judged him far gone in an Hydropsie but upon his imbowelling there appeared no such thing to the Anatomists onely the extremities of his liver seemed as it were bearded with certaine rough and curled strings or pendants he lyeth buried in Saint Pauls upon the south side of the Quire a place designed by himselfe and almost in the eye of all who passe that way Behold his Embleme whose admired worth Few Pens can prove sufficient to set forth Unto the World and much lesse mine whose skill Can be deriu'd but from an Infant Quill He had a rare and well innobled heart Whose rich endeavours gave a life to Art He alwayes was ambitious to embrace Although t' were seated in the meanest place True vertue and he tooke delight to sée Youth well adorn'd with Ingenuitie Pauls Schoole can witnesse that his liberall Purse Was ever open to reward the Nurse That gave true Wisdome sucke therfore his Name Shall alwayes ride upon the wings of Fame IOHANES OECVLAMPADIVS The life and Death of John Oecolompadius IN the yeere of our Lord God 1482. this worthy instrument of advancing the truth of Christ Iohannes Oecolompadius was borne at Weinsperge a towne scituated in Germanie which yeere also was remarkable for the birth of Georgius Spalatinus who afterwards proved a faithfull and laborious Minister in the Church of God being sometimes Chaplaine unto the Duke of Saxonie His Parents were greatly esteemed amongst their neighbours for their vertuous and civill demeanour being endewed with a sufficient competency of outward necessaries both for the supporting of themselves and also for the education of such Children as it pleased the Lord to blesse them with and with a great number of these they were for a time beautified but it pleased God to take againe those which he had given during the life of these Parents leaving unto them onely this Oecolompadius unto whom he had granted a longer life for the good and benefit of his Church Both of them beholding the ingenious disposition of the childe and finding him to be capable of Learning they carefully sent him to be instructed and brought up in the rudiment of Learning his Father intending that after he had attained unto some knowledge and perfection to place him with a Merchant supposing that course of life to be the most fittest for him but his Mother being acquainted with this resolution of her Husbands and finding it not sutable to her owne will she never ceased from intreating him to desist from his intent untill such time as she obtained of him that he should continue longer in the Schooles unto which there appeared in him a naturall inclination the Lord beginning even in his Infancy to frame his minde unto that wherein he afterwards used him as his instrument for the converting of many unto himselfe Not long after his Father yeelding unto the request of his Mother who was as carefull of Oecolompadius as ever Monica was of Augustine he sent him unto Heilbronna which place was famous in Germanie for an exact training up of Youth in the knowledge of the Latine tongue where he having remained a few yeeres he removed him unto Heidelberge an Accademy eminent both for the Arts and tongues here he attained unto that perfection in Learning that at the age of 14. yeeres he proceeded with great approbation Bachiler of Arts. And unto his proceeding in the knowledge of humaine Learning he adjoyned a Religious and civill behaviour perswading himselfe eum qui proficiat in literis deficiat in moribus non proficere
Monasticall life upon which perswasion he intended to forsake the Monâ—stery and to betake himselfe againe unto his former profession and for a preparation thereunto being as yet in the Monastery he set forth a booke of confession wherein in many things he opposed the doctrine of the Church of Rome whereby he brought himselfe not onely into danger of his life but the Monks also were greatly afraid lest any inconvenience might happen unto them by reason of his actions and therefore they greatly laboured to free their Monastery of him during their plodding he sharpely reprehended them for their errors perswadâ—ng them to embrace and lay hold on the truth whereby they came to be more and more incensed against him and privately laboured with his friends to be more earnest with him in the leaving of the Monaâ—stery Having beâ—n resident in this place not fully two yeeres he departed and went unto Franciscus Sickingen a man nobly descended by whom he was entertained and iâ— the same houâ—e he laboured to put downe the Masse affiâ—ming it to be an Idolatrous worship but Franciscus being at that time greatly distressed with an unhappy warre he left him and went to Basel in the yeer of our Lord 1522. to publish such things as he had at vacant times collected Here he was againe advanced by the Senats unto a Pastorall office an annuall stipend designed unto him which he performed with great zeale and constancy to the glory of God and good of his Church here he bouldly discovered unto his Auditors those errors which by continuance had got firme footing in the Church he opened unto them the perfection and sufficientcy of the Merits of Christ he declared unto them the true nature of faith he revealed unto them the true doctrine of Charity insomuch that the authority of the Poâ—ish religion began to stagger in the mindes of many Whilst he was totally occupied about these things some there were who laboured to draw him againe to the Pseudo Catholicke religion but more especially Iohannas Cachlaeus who in the yeere 1524. wrote letterâ— unto him wherein he testified himselfe to be deeply afflicted with sorrow to heare that a man so excellently learned should lay aside his coule and adhaere unto such haereticall opinions and withall exhorted him to revoke his opinion and to returne againe into the Monastery promising him a dispensation from the Pope and the favour of the Prior which he had formerly enjoyed but these and such like things were slighted by Oecolampadius who bringing them unto the word of God found that they would not endure the triall In the performance of his Pastorall office an assistanâ— was appointed unt him by publicke authority and he began to settle a more excellent Reformation in the Church commanding the Sacrament of Baptisme to be administred in the mother tongue and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be received under both kinds he taught that the Masse was not a sacrifice for the living and the dead or for those who were tormented in their feigned Purgatory but that perfect satisfaction was obtained for all beleevers by the passion and Merits of Christ he disswaded them from sprinkling themselves with holy-water and from the consecration of Palmes and the like declaring unto them that they who did attribute vertue unto any such things did detract from the glory and power of God which doctrine of his tooke such deepe â—ooting in the hearts of his Auditors that it gave a period unto many superstitious actions amongst them The foundation of future reformation was no sooner laid but the old Dragon began to play his part and to discover his malicious â—nvy against such things as make for the glory of God either by hindâ—ing their proceedings or laying some foule aspersion on them for at that time broke forth that yet continued sacramentary dissention by meanes whereof that good worke begun in the Church was hindred Martin Luther at this time openly opposed and contradicting by writing the doctrine of Huldericus Zuinglius Pastor of the Church at Tigurum concerning the Euchiarist by reason whereof there was a great dissention betwixt the Churches of Helvetia and Saxony for the taking away of w ch Oecolampadius set forth a booke concerning the true understanding of these words Hoc est corpus meum and by many strong arguments he affirmed that a trope lay therein and yet his industry and labour therein tooke not away the contention betwixt the Churches This intended reformation was againe hindred by Eccius and his followers who taught 1 that the substantiall body and blood of Christ was in the Sacrament of the Altar 2 that they were truly offered up in the Masse both for the living and the dead 3 that the virgin Mary and the Saints were to be worshipped as intercessours 4 that the images of Iesus and the Saints were not to be abolished 5 that after this life there was a Purgatory These positions were vehemently opposed by Oecolampadius at the publicke dispuâ—ation held at Baden the event whereof was this some of the Helvetians subscribed unto Eccius some unto Oecolampadius and so there remained still a dissention amongst them which could by no meanes be taken away although attempted by many worthy instruments of Christ who have undergone many dangers for an effectuall performance of the same yet Oecolampadius wrought so with the Saints that liberty of conscience was granted unto the Citizens as touching religion In the yeer following there was a disputation held at Berne which continued for the space of twenty dayes wherein Oecolampadius labored so powerfully for a reformation that his acts there recorded give a sufficient testimony thereof unto the world In the yeer 1529. an assembly was appointed by the Lantgraw of Hassia at Marpurge touching a reformation in the Churches concerning which more in the life of Melancton After the painfull sustaining of so many labours at home and abroad he returned to Basil where he spent the residue of his life in Preaching reading writing setting forth of books visiting the sicke and having also a care of the adjacent Churches untill the yeer 1531. wherein it pleased God to visit him with sicknesse wherewith he was constrained to take his bed hourely exspecting death And forthwith sending for the Pastors of the same place he welcommed them with ashort pithy oration wherein he exhorted them to remaine constant and firme in the purity of the doctrine which they professed because it was conformable unto the word of God as for other things he willed them to be lesse carefull assuring them that the Al-sufficient God would care for them and that he would not be wanting unto his Church His Children standing before him he tooke them by their right hands and afterwards gently stroking their heads he advised them to love God who would be unto them in the place of a Father A little before his death one of his intimate friends comming unto him he asked him what newes he answered
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
Bucer wee Ascribe the second we bequeath to thee Whose knowledge in the holy dialect A fame eternall will to thee erect In that thou first didst bid the world godnight Thou seem'st inferior to that burning light But being first with heavens glory cround Thou dost appeare a Saint more worthy found In other things both fitly did agree Both faithfull preachers of his veritie Both painfull Sowers of the heavenly graine Both blest with good successe it sprung againe Wherefore God blest you both with honor high And cloath'd you both with immortality O happy soules though heaven keepe you there Your fame shall ever be intombed here Your worthy praises all the earth shall know Divulged by our Muses here below He was of a tall stature somewhat blacke-visaged his countenance appeared outwardly severe extorting reverence but he was inwardly of an affable and courteous disposition loving meeke and lowly he was an excellent Orator a great Student as appeares by his Workes here inserted 1 A worke called Thysby 2 Apothegmes of the Fathers 3 Morall Sentences ef Ben Syra alphabetically digested 4 The translation of Tobias the Hebrew 5 Hebrew Prayers 6 A literall exposition of the Hebrew sayings on the foure first chapters of Genesis with a Chalde Paraphrase 7 Of the truth of Faith 8 Commentaries on certaine Psalmes by Kirachi 9 An Hebrew Preface to Elias Levila his Chalde Lexicon 10 Thargum 11 An Introduction to the Hebrew tongue Reader behold here stands before thine eye The perfect â—mbleme of true gravity Turne from his face then read and thou shalt finde The rare endeavours of a serious minde He was a man whose ever-active heart Was alwayes digging in the Mines of Art And like a Bée he labour'd every houre To sucke some Hony from each spreading Flowre T was not the face of poverty could fright His soule from goodnesse Heaven was his delight And earth his scorne he study'd how to give A life to Language and make Uertue live It is not unfit that he whose Workes affords So many Languages should want for words MARTINVS BVCERVS The Life and Death of MARTIN BUCER IN the yeer of our Lord 1491. Martinus Bucerus was born at Selestadt a towne in Germanie famous for many learned Schollars which it hath afforded unto the World in these latter times amongst which this Bucer deserveth not the meanest approbation if we shall but consider those excellent vertues wherewith he was endewed or his learned and laborious acts for the propagation of the truth of Christ. In his youth he was trained up in the knowledge of the liberall Arts and Sciences in his owne Countrey wherein he profited beyond expectation to the great credit of his Maâ—â—er and to the unspeakable comfort of his friends About the yeer of our Lord 1506. and about the fifteenth yeer of his age through the advice and perswasion of his friends he adjoyned himselfe unto the order of the Dominicans where he manifested and gave them so singular a glympse of his industry and towardnesse that the most judicious and best eye-sighted Fryers conceived him to be set apart for the performance of more â—hen ordinary Acts. Being now a Dâ—minican he greatly desired to take a view oâ— Heidelberge which was granted unto him by the Pryor here he earnestly gave himselfe to the study of Rhetoricke and Phylosophie and not to these Arts onely but also to Divinity but when he found by experience that the knowledge of the Tongues was so necessary unto the study therof that without them it could not by any meanes possible be attained to any perfection he forthwith bent all his forces for the gaining of the knowledge of the Greeke and Hebrew tongues About that time came forth the Workes of Erasmus Roterodamus in the reading whereof Bucer greatly delighted and was by them first instructed God opening his eyes in the grounds of Evangelicall truth and happening also on some of Luthers Workes newly published and comparing the Doctrine therein delivered and taught with the holy Scripturâ—s he fell into a suspâ—tion of the truth of the doctrine of the Church of Rome Bucer having now attained unto some perfection of learning and notice being taken of those excellent qualities wherewith he was adorned upon the commendation and approbation of Franciscus Sickingen he was entertained by Fredericke Prince Elector Palatine to be his Chaplaine and forsaking that profession which he had formerly taken he professed himselfe to be a Protestant and Preached the word both privatly and publickly as occasions were offered and given unto him being much strengthened and animated thereunto by hearinâ— the disputation of Luther at Heidelberge concerning Free-will whereby he became better satisfied in the point of justification And thiâ— waâ— the first acquaintance which he had with that burning light of the Church by whom it pleased God to worke an alteration in his heart and an earnest intent to beat downe the sinnes of the times to dispell the foggie mists of darkenesse and ignorance that the glorious light of Christs Gospel might the better appear For the Prince Elector having urgent occasions to goe into Belgiuno and taking him with him as his associate he sharpely reproved in his Sermons and Exercises the supersticious impieties of those places wherein he proceeded with that eagernesse of spirit that the Monkes and Fryers there living were much offended at his Doctrine as a thing prejudiciall to their lazie manner of life Wherefore to prevent his proceeding they intended secretly to take away his life an old practise of that hellish brood but the providence of God would not suffer this light to be thus extinguished for he having notice of the snares which were laid for him secretly fled away and went unto Franciscus Sickingem of whom he was kindely and lovingly entertained promising him safety untill that the times were better quieted as touching Religion with whom he remained untill such such time as Luther was called unto Wormes unto whom he went and having spâ—nt many dayes in conference with him he departed from him not without he embracing of his Doctrine with an intent to make publicke profession of the same for the glory of God untill he had finished that time which was alotted unto him here in earth and resolving to take his journey for Wittemberge he was stayed by the intreaty of the faithfull Pasâ—ors of the Church at Wissenburge where he continued Preaching for the space of halfe a yeere not without the great benefit of the Church untill that he with Henricus Mothererus were with great sorrow compelled to depart that place through the means of the Vicar of Spire which at that time was a great enemy and an opposer of the truth of Christ. Now although the Word of God had no good successe in this place yet it pleased God that it florished in Strasburge by the pains of Matthias Lellius and Casper Hedio faithfull labourers in the Lords Vineyard hither came Bucer in the yeere of our Lord 1523. and
was bâ— them with all joyfulnesse received as one who laboured with them for the converting and wining of Soules unto Christ and for the propagation of his truth and was by them appointed to Preach publickly in â—he Church and to teach openly in the schoole so that within short time the doctrine of the Gospâ—ll tooke firme rooting in many plâ—ces of the City and they altered many things in the Church concerning Masse the Sacraments holy dayes jmages and the like rendring strong reasons for what they did in a booke set forth by them and dedicated unto Frederick the Prince Elector Palatine Now because â—here was a difference betwixt the professors of the Gospell concerning some important matters therefore a meeting was appointed at Marpurge where Bucer and Hedio had conference with Luther and Zuinglius where they agreed in all points the Sacrament of the Lords Lupper onely excepted wherein Consubstantiation was affirmed on the part of Luther yet they departed each from the other friendly intending to abstaine altogether on both sides from strife and contention and to pray unfainedly unto the Lord that he would vouchsafe to instruct and guide them with his holy Spirit in the way of truth But Bucer hearing that this dissention amongst them concâ—rning the Supper of the Lord was very gratefull unto the Papists he went unto Luther againe to urge him to a reconciliation in that point from whom he received such an answer that forthwith he went to Zuinglius and the Switzers to perswade them to adhere unto the same Doctrine for well he foresaw what great hurt that Sacramentary dissention would â—ring unto thâ— Church if it were not quickly cut off and taken away In the yeere of our Lord 1531. it pleased God to open the eyes of the Inhabitants of Vlmes so that they greatly desired a reformation in their Churches and for that cause they requested the Senâ—te of Strasburge thâ—t Bucer might be sent over unto them to lay the ground of so happy a building which was faithfully performed by Bucer together with the helpe and assistance of Oecolampadius and a forme of Divine worship prescribed unto them but perceiving still the course of the truth to be hindred and stopped by this difference about the Sacrament with the consent of the Electâ—r he repaired againe to Luther being resident at Wittenberge where afâ—er some discourse conclusions concerning the Sacrament were agreed on betwixt the Divines of Wittenberge and Highec Gumanie in the yeere 1536. yet after some consideration Bucer renounced the opinion of Luther concerning Consubstantiation although he had subscribed unto it at Wittenberge and taught the Contrary wherefore Bucer with many others were there deteined by the Lantgrave of Hassia untill they came to an agreement amongst themselves the chiefe heads whereof were sent unto Basil which were not approved of by the Senate then Bucer returned to Strasburge went forward in his exercise of Preaching and Teaching not only in the Church but also in a publick schoole w ch had been newly erected at the proper cost and charges of the Senate where he remained unto the yeere 1541. about which time the Emperor Carolus Augustus retâ—rned into Germany and commanded a publick conference at Reinspurge a City in Bavaria concerning the reformation of Religion and through the meanes nnd intreaty of Frederick Prince Elector Palatime and other Protestants and Princes he appointed Iulius Alugius Iohannes Eccius Iohannes Gropperus Papists and Phillip Melancâ—hon Martinus Bucer and Iohannes Pistorius Protestants for the performance thereof the Emperor himselfe greatly charged them in so weighty a matter to have respect onely to the glory of God and of his truth and not to be carryed away w th any other favour or affection whatsoever but in their conferences such disagreements were found amongst them that by no meanes their opinions could be reconciled because also that Germany at that time feared the approching of the Turkes the assembly was dissolved In this Assembly Gropperus tooke great notice of Bucer much applauding him for his lenity conjoyned with a comely gravity and withall commended him unto Heirmannas then Arâ—h-bishop of Colen who at that time endeavoured also a reformation in the Churches and told him that he was a man most fit for such a purpose being excellently learned a lover of peace and a man of an unspotted life and conversation wher upon Hermannus sends for Bucer who in the yeer 1542. came unto him who w th exceeding joy received and entertained him where together with Melancthon he wrote the manner of reforming Churches which they dedicated unto the same Archbishop many of the inhabitants approved of the worke and willingly yeelded unto a reformation but the Clergy and those of the Colledge were mightily incensed against Bncer greatly reproaching and reviling him affirming that they had rather lead their lives under the Turk then under a Magistrate who intended to settle that reformation and thereforâ— they desired that Bucer and all those new Doctors as they termed them might be far removed from that City shuting as it were the gates of mercy against their owne soules and Gropperus who formerly had shewed and professed much love unto him came now to be his greatest enemy and the Archbishop for his desire of a reformation was excommunicated by the Pope and deprived of his functioâ— and gâ—vernment by the Emperor and all those partâ— returned againe like dogs unto their vomit In the yeere 1546. there was another assâ—mbly appointed by the Emperour at Renispurge unto which also Bucer was called who at that time had a great conflict with Petrus Malvanda a Spaniard touching the justification of a sinner before God but in regard of diverse troubles which did accompany these times nothing could be concluded In the yeere 1548. Iulius Pflugius Michael Heldingus and Iohannes Agricola by the commandemâ—nt of the Emperour wrote a forme of Ecclesiasticall reformation little or no way differing from the opinions of the Church of Rome which worke was approved by the Emperour and Bucer was craftily called by a Magistrate of Brandenburge unto Auspurge to subscribe unto the same worke perswading him that it was collected out of the most learned writers but Bucer uderstanding the matter fully told him after a freindly manner that he could not approve of it because it savored too much of the doctrine of the Church of Rome neither would he be drawne thereunto although the same party promised to confer large benefits upon him This Booke by the command of the Emperour was thrust upon the Reformed Churches and those who withstood it were severely punished either with imprisonment or banishment and as it happily fell out the fame of Bucer and hard fortune of his painfull contemporaneans came into England in the reigne of that vertuous Prince of blessed memory Edward the sixt even when a Reformation began to be established in the Church wherefore Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury perceiving that he would be advantagious in
as immediatly done by himselfe And truly therein he more â—avored himselfe then Bradford who in the whole course of his imployment so acquitted himselfe as it is hard to determine whether therein he used greater diligence or integrity But having spent diverse yeeres in this honest and thrifty course of life wherein if he had persisted he was in a faire way both of wealth and worship he began to Elevate his thoughs above these temporary things and aspire to a service lesse profitable but much more honorable wherefore making up his accoumpts with his Master who neither would nor could diswade him from what he had once resolved he gave himselfe wholly to the study of Divinity and reading of the Scriptures But perceiving how usefull and necessary a Hand-maid Humanity is to Divinity and how short he came of those Tongus and Sciences without which it was improbable if not impossible for him to attaine any perfection in the noblest and most supereminent of all other Sciences at which he chiefely aimed leaving the Temple at London where he usually bestowed some few houres every day in hearing the Reader of the Common-Law he betooke himselfe to the University of Cambridge as neither able nor desirous to suppresse that which inwardly moved him to fit himselfe for an able workman in a more spirituall building After a yeere and some few moneths spent in the University he attained his degree of Master in Arts whereunto others are hardly admitted after long examination and seven yeeres painfull study But such was his Carriage diligence and profeciency that this favour though extraordinary and insolent was thought well bestowed upon him by the whole University And least any man may thinke it was rather out of Charity defer'd to his yeeres then abilities he was immediatly hereafter without any interposall of time chosen Fellow of Pembrooke Hall which first brought him to the eye and afterwards to the bosome of that learned and notable stickler in the reformation Martin Bucer by whom he was again encouraged and stir'd up to the worke of the Ministry not that he found him stagger in his Resolution or fall from his principles but because the greater measure of knowledge he attained the longer he defered the performance of his promise as ever thinking himselfe the more insufficient for so high and laborious a Calling Being one time amongst many moved by Bucer to defer the imployment of his Talent no longer and he pretending as formerly his present inability If thou canst not attaine unto Manchett said Bucer mayest thou not therefore feed this poore and Soul starved People with Barly loaves which proceeding from a man he so sincerely lov'd and upon whose jâ—dgment he so much relyed made him lay aside all his former tergiversations and in good earnest buckle himselfe to the worke But because no man can take upon him that function unlesse he be called as was Aaron though he doubted not of his inward vocation by God yet would he by no meanes thrust his shickle into that sacred harvest before he was called by the Church and seperated thereunto by Imposiâ—ion of Hands which with a Licence to Preach and a Prebeâ—d in Sâ—int Pauls he obtained from that renowned Bishop and glorio 〈◊〉 Martyr Doctor Ridley Bishop of London For three yeeres together he Preached faithfully and diligently in season and out of season being a sharpe and impartiall reprover of vice a vehement exhorter to vertue no man opposing Heresies with greater animosity or asserting the truth with more evidence and perspicuity whereby his fame spread it self almost over the whole kingdome And yet all this was but an Introduction to that which followed For King Edward the sixt of blessed Memory expiring with the last of these three yeeres and his sister Queen Mary contrary the his last will and Testament advanced to the Crown though not without some opposition which she easily overcame he was suddenly deprived both of his livelyhood and and liberty upon an occasion which deserved much rather reward then punishment And this it was In the first yeere of the Queenes Raigne and not long after her Coronation Master Bourne who was shortly thereafter by the favour of Secretary Bourne consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wels made a most invective and seditious Sermon at Pauls Crosse wherein he not onely cast dirt upon his late deceased King Edward the sixt but vented and maintained many Popish tents contrary to the orthodox Religion then established which drove the Common People into such a fury tumult that neither the reverence of the place the perswasion of the Bishop nor the authority and presence of the Lord Major could stop them from pulling him out of the Pulpit gladly he would have ended his Sermon for belike his greatest strength and confidence to lead his auditors hood winkt into their old Mumpsimus lay in his peroration but perceiving by a drawne dagger which amongst other implements was flung at him and missed him but very narrowly that the multitude were in good earnest and his life in jeoperdy he turned himselfe about and perceived Master Bradford standing at his backe within the Pulpit whom he earnestly intreated to supply his place and save his life by pacifying the People He no sooner appeared in the others room but the people joyfully ingeminated with a loud voice Bradford Bradford and by that time he had a little inlarged himselfe in the point of obedience the Tumult seemed more then halfe appeased But the Sermon ended and Bourne as he had reason not yet daring to commit himselfe to the so lately inraged multitude notwithstanding he was back'â— by the Lord Major and Sheriffs besought Master Bradford not to leave him untill he brought him into some place of security whereunto he willingly consented and when the multitude for the greater part were dispersed under the covert of his owne gowne he conveighed him into the next house which was the Scholemasters effecting that by the Word which the Major could not doe for him by the Sword many were â—ore grieved at his escape and some stuck not to Prophesie I know not by what Spirit that by saving this wiling Rashaketh from death he had given a deadly blow to his owne life Howsoever Bradford committed the issue to almighty God nothing repented his Charity which he was sure would finde reward with him what acceptance soever it found amongst wicked and unthankfull men yea so far was he from being afraid or sorry for what he had done that in his afternoones Sermon at Bow Church he sharply reprehended his Auditors for their forenoones tumultuous Carriage and sedition And yet such was the malice of the common adversary and iniquity of the times that about three dayes after for this very fact he was summoned to appeare before the Councell and by the Lords Committed to the Tower from whence within few weeks they removed him to the Kings Bench where through thâ— Keepers connivance he had often conference with Master Laurence
transâ—ported and elevated in his raptures that he seemed already in possession of that Crowne which for the present through fire and faggots he but aspir'd to to the great admiration and comfort of as many of his friends as that day had the happinesse to visit him Having blest and distributed such things amongst the servants of the hous as he thought fit he made a most fervent pacheticall farwell-prayer in the company of his fellow prisoners w th such ravishment of Spirit and abundance of tears that the hardest hearted amongst them could not choose but Simpathize w th him In the midst of this prayers when he put on the shirt wherein he was to be burned he inlarged himselfe in a most sweet meditation of the Wedding Garment and after that about twelve a clock in the night came downe into the Court where the prisoners tooke their finall leave of him as he went from the Counter to Newgate though it was about midnight yet great multitudes of people were gathered together in the streets who much lamented and earnestly pray'd for him to whom he returned their curtesie in both kinds with interest About nine in the morning he was led forth to Smithfield with a very great Guard as he came downe the staires he espied an old friend whom he called unto him imbraced and after some private whisperings bestowed upon him his velvet night-cap handkershiefe and som other trifles And yet Roger Beswicke his brother in law had his head cruelly broken by Seriffe Woodrofe for but offering to speake to him for which and other his barbarous inhumanities committed against the Saints and faithfull witnesses of Iesus Christ at such times a heavy and visible judgment overtooke him within few yeeres thereafter for besides the Palsie which for eight yeers together disinabled him from riding walking or turning himselfe in his bed he fell into a most devouring and insatiable Bulimy As soone as he approached the stake he fell flat on the ground intending there to power forth hiâ— private prayers for he was not permitted to do it publickly unto almighty God But Woodrofe the Sheriffe commanded to him arise and dispatch for that the people increased and pressed upon him whereat eftsoone he got up and when he had imbraced the stake and kissed it he put off his Cloathes which he intreated might be given to his servant because he had nothing else to leave him being tyed to the stake he comforted the stripling that was burned with him and earnestly exhorted the people to repentance which so inraged the Sherieffe that which was not usuall he commanded his hands should be tyed His last audiable Words were those of our Saviours Strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to Salvation and few there be that finde it He indured the flame as a fresh gale of wind in a hot Summers day without any reluctancy confirming by his death the truth of that doctrine which he had so diligently and powerfully Preached during his life which ended Iuly the first 1556. in the prime though in what yeere of his age is not certainly knowne He was for his stature tall but slender of a faintish sanguine Complexion his heir and beard auburne his countenance was full of sweetnesse mix'd with reverence and austerity He spent the whole time of his inprisonment in reading Preaching and praying eating but once every day and that but sparingly scarcely ever rising from that meale wherein his tears did not largly bedew his trencher He slept not commonly above four hours a night from the time he went to bed till dead sleep lock'd up his senses his candle went not out nor his booke out of his hand Halfe an hour he sent usually after dinner in discourse which was all the recreation he used the rest of his time in his owne private devotions and studies His death was generally lamented by all who knew or bus heard of of him yea many Papists themselves being convicted with his innocency of his life or taken with the quicknesse and modisty of his answers but especially considering â—he implacable malice and cruelty of his enemies heartily wished his deliverance for all men observid how they had first committed him without law and then after a yeers imprisonment made one to take away his life He denyed indeed the Popes authority over the Church of England and so had his judges done but the yeere before And for Christs corporall presence in the Sacrament which was the Artickle wherupon they chiefly condemned him he never denyed it in the worthy Receiver as to the eye of Faith no man yet whether Papist or Protâ—stant could never discover it through the accidents of Bread and Wine by the eye of the body We are inform'd by Master Fox that he wrote many comfortable Treatises especially during his imprisonment oâ— which these onely have had the fortune to reach our times 1 Two Sermons the first of Repentance the second of the Lords Supper 2 Some leâ—ters to his fellow Marâ—yres 3 An answere to two letters desiring to know wheâ—her one might goe to Masâ— or not 4 The danger ensuing the hearing of Masse 5 Hiâ— examination before the officers 6 Godly Meditations made in Prison cald his short Prayers 7 Truths Complaints 8 Melancthon translated of Prayers See how undaunted Bradford hath display'd Truths golden Colours nothing could invade His heaven fild thoughts but heaven in whose just cause He liv'd though murther'd by Papistick lawes Relgion told him that his cause was good He need not feare to signe it with his blood And seal it with his heart Bradford agreed To signe whilst Heaven was witnesse to the deed Insulting Papists what can ye declare But this your foulnesse made our Bradford faire Your fire refin'd his heart and made it prove A perfect lover of the God of love NICOLAS RIDLY The Life and Death of Nicolas Ridly AN other Paul otherwise in diverse respects save that we finde not that he ever persecuted the flock or faith of Christ may this choise instrument of God Nicolas Ridley be not unfitly nor unworthily be stiled For he was for a long time a maintainer and practiser of Popish superstitions which his adversaries also twitâ—ng him with in the time of his troubles he denyed not but freely confeâ—sed yet withall profeâ—sing that he had since that time repented him thereof and God he trustâ—d had in mercy pardoned upon his repentance whaâ— in ignorance he then did But after it pleased God to reveale hiâ— truth to him more clearly he laboured as earnestly as any of his fellow labourers in the propagation of it being indowed with as eminent parts as any of them for that purpose and at length sealed it up as did some others of them also with his blood He was borne in Northumberland as some say or as others in the Bishopricke of Durham descended of a worshipfull Family bearing that name and trained up in the first rudiments of
and set up a Schoolâ— there also Anno christi 1537. he was sent for by Christiâ—â— King of Denmarke to reform Religion in his Dominionâ— at which time he set forth a Booke about the Ordination of Ministers There also instead of the seven Bishops of Denmarke he setled seven Superintendents to Ordain Ministers and to see to the Government of the Church whom he ordained in the presence of the King and the Senate in the chief Church of Hafnia He set up Lectures also in that University and Ordained Ministers for the Churches of Denmark and Norway of which there were foure and twenty thousand Anno christi 1542. he was employed by the elector of Saxonie to Reform the Churches in the Dukedome of Brunswick the year following the Senate of Hilvesia sent for him to Reform their Churches where he with Corvinus and Henry Winckle wrote them a Form of Ordination and Ordained six Pastors for their six Congregations Anno christi 1533. he proceeded Doctor at thâ— instigation of Ioh. Friderick Elector of Saxonie Afterwards in the Wars of Germanie for Religion Wâ—ttenberg was besieged and Bugenhagius being grown old he met with many troubles yet would he never flye but by daily prayer to God he much cheared up himself considering that in so great tempests the poor Ship of Christ's Church was not swallowed up and devoured The Controversies and Quarrels which sprung up in the Church were the greatest grief to him Being grown old and his strength so decayed that he could no longer Preach he yet resorted daily to Church where he poured forth fervent Prayers both for himself and the afflicted condition of the Church of God at that time Afterwards falling sick though without much pain he continued instant in prayer and holy conference with his friends And drawing near to his end he often repeated This is life eternall to know Thee the onely true God and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ and so quietly departed in the Lord Anno christi 1558. and of his Age 73. He was a faithfull Pastor mercifull to the poor severe and stout in reproof an earnest defendour of the Truth against Errors ardent in Prayer c. He joyned with Luther in the Translation of the Bible which being finished every year upon that day he invited his friends and made a Feast which he called The Feast of the Translation of the Bible When the Cimmerian darknesse had forsooke Brave Bugenhagius he rous'd up and tooke Truth by the hand and from a Foe he turn'd A friend to Luther though at first he spurn'd Against his writings yet at last his brest Repented what he rashly had exprest Then like a Starre he shin'd and was content To teach himselfeâ— and others to repent PHILIPPVS MELANTHON The Life and Death of Phillip Melancthon â— IN the year of grace 1497. Philippus Melancthon that vigilant Watchman for the generall good of the Church was borne at Bretta a Towne situate in the Lower Palatinate and onely famous for the birth of so excellent a man His Parents although they were not endewed with any store of earthly treasures yet they were rich in grace both of them being godly wise vertuous grave and honest his Father attaining to no greater advancement then to be chief Gentleman of Armes unto Philippus and Rupertus two German Princes In his youth he was committed unto the tuition of Iohannes Aungarus a man excellently qualified of whom he learned the Latin tongue and afterwards instructed in the knowledge of the Greek by Georgius Simlerus who afterwards became a publicke professor of the Civill Law concerning whom Melancthon used to speak with great reverence and respect both for his eminent gifts and also for that singular care which he had over him being a child and delivered unto him to be instructed in the knowledg of the â—ame tongues Being by these two furnished in some measure with the knowledge of those tongues and being not yet fully twelve yeers old a sufficient testimony of his future worth he was sent to the University of Heidelberge where he studied Poetry and proved also in short time an excellent Historian and he being but a child himselfe he taught the children of the Grave of Lionsten by which means notice being taken of the excellency of his parts he was graced in the same University by a generall consent with the title of Bachilor of Arts and which is also most remarkable in his youth here he frequented the Company of those which were observed to be the greatest and best learned men and especially he used the familiarity of Spangelus a Doctor of Divinity a man learned discreet and wise having continued here for the space of three yeers he went unto Tubinga in the yeer 1512. where he became an Auditor unto Brafficanus and Bebelius the lavrell Poets of those parts and also unto Iohannes Stoflerus an excellent Mathematician and professor of those Arts in that Academie and also Franciscus Stadianus then Logick Lecturer all of them being famous for their excellent endowments and for the bettering of his understanding in Divinity and increased of his knowledge therein he repaired unto Doctor Lempus esteemed the soundest and most judicius in that place concerning whom he used to say that he would paint that horrid Monster of Transubstantiation on a table and present it publickly unto his Auditors and that he could not but much admire and wonder at the insulsitie and blockishnesse of the man here he was also an Auditor unto his Master Simlerus professing the civill Law wherein he came unto sound knowledge as is made apparent by his writings and having attained unto a singular perfection in the Arts and Tongus he was in this University advanced unto the degree of Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in the yeer 1513. and in the seventeenth yeer of his age after this dignity conferred on him he remained four yeers in the Academie where he commented on Virgil and Terâ—nce read the Rhetorick History Lecture with singular judgment with the great approbation and applause of his Auditors About this time there being great tumults raised in Saxonie concerning religion grounded on the doctrine taught by Luther he was called by the Duke of Saxonie God so disposing by his providence unto Wittenberge in the yeer 1518. and in the 22. yeer of his age and in the tenth yeer of Luthers residence in the same place to be a faithfull assistant unto him for the advancing of the Gospell and in this may that City justly glory that it hath been blessed with the labours of these two undaunted Champions whoâ—e actions can hardly be parraleld by any living either in the auncient or in these moderne times At his departure from Tubinga his Master Simlerus said that his going away was to be much lamented of the whole City and forthwith added Quotquot ibi essent docti homines non esse tam doctos ut intelligerent quanta esseâ— doctrina ejus qui
words in the audience of the congregation O thou wicked fâ—llow stay here a while and thou shalt hear me lay open thy wickednesse unto all this Congregation then ascending the Pulpit he repeated againe the same words of Saint Paul â— where he shewed unto them that by faith in that place wâ—â— meant a true and a saving faith in Jesus Christ and that those professors at Strasburge did rely on none but on this faith and therefore unjustly wronged by the Monks The Priests and Monkes hearing this they withdrew themselves out of the Chappell in comes the Pryor interrupts him and commands him to desiâ—t and to come down and withall asked him who gave him authority to Preach in that place He forthwith replyed Who gave thee authority to constitute a lying Monke here who doth unjustly and impudently reproach the Senate and people of Strasburge and know thou this that I am in duty bound to clear my Magistrates from unjust and false aspersionâ— The Pryor being repulsed with this answer was for a while quiet and he went forward in his Sermon But being not so contented sets on him againe and kindely intrâ—ats him that he would give over telling him that his proceeding would cause a seditious tumult He againe desireth him to be pacified and exhorteth the people to be quiet and so with a bould and couragious spirit he continued even unto the end of his Sermon The report of this comming to Strasburge it procured unto him great applauâ—e and a reverent esteeme amongst all good men Having spent a year in this Village he was called by the Ministers of Strasburge to take upon him the Office of a Deacon which Office hâ— was very unwilling to take upon him urging his own inability yet by thâ— perswasion of the Ministers he yeelded and performed it for the space of two years In which time this memorable act is recorded of him that being sent unto Dosna a Village neer Strasburge to Preach unto the Inhabitants who were obstinate Papists he wrought upon them so effectually at his first Sermon that of their owne accord they abrogated the Masse and cast the Priest with all his ornaments out of the Churchâ— after that he had taught here six weeks he was called again unto the City to performe the office of a Deacon during his residence in the City he became an Auditor unto the Lectures of Wolfangus Capito and Martin Bucer and also at vacant â—imes he gave himselfe to the study of the Hebrew tongue wherein he attained unto that perfection that with his own hand he writ an Hebrew Lexicon and understood the most obscured Commentaries of the Rabbins together with the Caldey Interpreters At the end of two years the Citizens of Auspâ—re sent unto Strasburge to desire Musculus a few years for their Churches they consented unto so pious a motion but Musculus was unwilling to goe pleading again his insufficiency neither had he gone notwithstanding the intreaty of the Ministers had not the Senate commanded him thereunto At his comming unto Auspurge he found the Church much troubled and afflicted not onely by reason of the evill attempts and indeavour of the Papists who never ceased to extinguish the light of the Gospell but also by reason of the Anabaptists who seduced and led away many whose bouldnesse also advanced it selfe unto that height that they would come publikly into the Protestant Churches and openly in their Pulpits they would divulge their errours whereby sedition and tumults were raised in the City for which many of the Anabaptisâ—s were committed by the Magistrate unto Prison Musculas deales first with the Anabaptists in their first conference they did obstinatly opposed him but afterwards considering his solid and weighty reasons and arguments which they could not withstand they acknowledged their errour and many of them made a publicke recantation forsooke their errors and became members of the Church Afterwards he had a sharpe conflict with the Papâ—sts whom also in the presence of the Senate and people of Auspurge he openly confuted with such powerfull arguments that the Senate expeled banished them al the City purged the Churches from all Idolatrous worship consecrated them onely unto the Evangelicall truth designing unto Musculus one of the principallest Churches in the City and having him in a reverent Estimation in this place besides his labours in the Ministery which were great he attained the knowledge of the Greeke tongue together with the Arabick He taught in this City eighteen yeeres to the great benefit of his Auditors in his Sermons he was vehement and powerfull wonderfully working upon the hearts of the people he was a sharp reprover of vice his method which he observed in teaching was exact and easie which drew the greater concourse of people unto him for their better instruction and information in the way of truth In the yeer 1536. there was a Sinod proclaimed at Isenacam a towne situate in the Dukdome of Saxonie for the reconciling of the Churches about the Sacrament whither Musculus was sent by the Senate of Ausburge but because Luther came not thither he with many other Divines went unto Wittenberge touching the conclusion viz. Bucer Melancthon In the yeer 1540. the Princes and Senates of the Empire were assembled at Wormes and Reinspurge to hear a disputation betwixt the Protestant Ministers and the Papists touching Religion where Musculus by the command of the Senate was present and delivered two Sermons before the Princes concerning the Popish Masse which for their excellency were afterwards Printed at Wittenberge The Assembly being desolved without any thing affected he returned againe to Auspurge where he continued in his Ministeriall function untill the yeer 1547. wherein Carolus the Emperor commanded an assembly of the Princeâ— and Senates of the Empire at Auspurge unto which both himselfe with his brother Ferdinand King of the Romans and also the Princes being accompanied with Cardinals and Bishops At the first entrence of the Emperour into the City Musculus was put void oâ— his Church it being given unto the Emperour yet he ceased not to performe his office and boldly to preach in other places of the City â—he Senate and people as yet constantly retaining the proâ—â—ssion of the Gospell He wanted not enemies at that time in the City who acquainted the Emperour the King the Cardinals and Bishops with his proceeding accusing him of sedition and heresie and the Senate perceiving the danger that he was in they commanded a Guard to accompany him unto the Church and home againe which his enemies perceiving and not daring to use any violence against his person in the streetâ— they wiâ—h one consent flockt unto his house using many reprochfull speeches laying on him many false aspersions and withal breaking his windowes with stones all which he suffered with an undaunted Spirit resolving to persevere in that truth which he taught even to the period of his dayâ— But it so fel out that in the yeer following
extraordiry patience in his life so he also testified the same during his sicknesse for he 〈◊〉 that afflâ—â—â—ion with admired patience still calling upon and praying unto almighty God relying onely upon him as appeared by that Speech of his unto his Son who standing by his Bed-side weeping he turned to him and told him that he need not doubt of his Fathers Faith which indeed were the last words which he uttered and not long after he yeelded up his soule with all quietnesse into the hands of God in the year of Christ 1563. and in the sixty six year of his age and was buried at Berne He was a man learned and grave affable and courteous sparing in hiâ— dyet he was something tall in stature having a body straight a face red eyes clear and quick-sighted in generall there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all his parts His Works are these 1. Commentaries on Genesis 2. Psalmes 3. Matthew 4. Iohn 5. Romans 6. Corinthians 7. Philippians 8. Colossians 9. Thessalonians 10. 1 Timothy 11. His common places 12. Vpon the Commandements 13. Of Oathes 14. Of the Germane Wars Translations of Greek Authors 1. Commentaries of Chrysostome on Sainâ— Pauls Epistles 2. Epistles of Saint Basil. 3. Ethicks of Basil. 4. Of solitary life 5. Homilies 6. School-notes of Basil on the Psalter 7. Thirty nine Epistles of Cyril 8. A Declaration of the twelue Anathemos in the Ephesnick Councill 9. Opinions of Nestorius conâ—iâ—ed 10. Synopsis of the Scriptures out of Athanaâ—iuâ— 11. 140. questions out of the old and new Testament 12. A Synopsis of Theodore Bishop of Tyre Ecclesiastiâ—all Histories 1. Ten bookes of Eusebius of Ecclesiasticall affaires 2. Five â—ookes of Eusebius of the life of Constantine 3. Eight bookes of Socrates 4. Nine bookes of Zozomen 5. Two bookes of Theodore 6. Six of Evagrâ—us 7. Five of Polybius 'T was neither fear nor danger could estrange Undaunted Musculus or make him change His resolutions nothing could prevaile Against the bulwarkes of his Fort or scale His wel arm'd thought he would in spight of those That were so barbarous to be his Foes â— Proclaim the Truth and would not let it rest Untill discover'd in his serious brestâ— He liv'd Gods faithfull Factor here below To send him souls to heav'n and to bestow That talent he had gave him that he might When 's Master call'd cast his accounts aright The Life and Death of Hyperius who dyed Anno Christi 1564. ANdreas Gerardus Hyperius was born at Ipres in Flanders Anno Christi 1511. his Father was a Counsellour who brought him up carefully in learning At 13. years old he travelled through the Islands of Flanders and learned the French tongue afterwards he went to Paris where he studied in that University the Arts for three years and then went home to visit his friends but after a short stay he returned to Paris and studied Divinity and Physick and every year in the vacation time he traveled abroad into France so that in three years he had seen most part of France and part of Italy and visited the chiefest Universities in both then he went to Lovain and into most parts of the lower Germany â— and at twenty six years old he traveled into upper Germanie then he sailed into England where faling into the company of Charles Montjoy Baron Montjoy's Son he tooke such affection to him that he desired him to live with him where he lived four years with much content and then he visited Cambridge and the Lord Cromwel being beheaded about that time and the six Articles pressed with rigor he thought of returning into his own Countrey fiâ—st visiting Oxford and from thence he went to London and so sailed to Antwarp and from thence he went home but hearing the fame of the University of Argentine and of Bucer there he travelled thither also but in the way he went to Marpurg where Noviomagus was Divinity-professor who importuned him to stay there and to give some taste of his learning and to be his assistant when he had prevailed with him he shortly after dying Hyperius was chosen in his room and after two yeers stay he married a wife one Catharine Orthia with whom he lived with much comfort and had by her six sons and four daughters he taught there with much diligence and faithfulnesse 22. yeers he directed young students in the composing of their Sermons and heard them first Preach in private that if any thing were amisse either in their voyce or gesture he might rectifie them in it he was never idle but alwayes either writing reading or meditating so that he much weakned his body thereby at last falling sick of a Fever he gave diverse instructions to his wife for the education of his children and to his children whom he exhorted to serve God and to obey their mother and when his friends visited him he requested them to bear witness That in that Faith wherin he had lived and which he had taught he now dyed and so continued making a profession of the same till he yeelded up his spirit unto God being about 53. yeers old Anno Christi 1564. having been Pastor of the Church and professor in the University 22. yeers Studious Hyperius alwayes lov'd to be In consultation with Divinity He loâ—'d the truth and alwayes striv'd to fly Upon the wings of true sollidity Religion was his guide he alwayes stood Firmely obedient unto what was good IOHANNES CALVINVS The Life and Death of John Calvin IN the yeer of our Lord God 1509. this reverend and faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ Iohn Calvin was born at Noviodunum a famous towne fituate in that part of Aquitane which borders upon Picardy he may well be termed the Luster of the French Nation for his excellent endewments of learning and piety he was descended from vertuous Parents blessed onely with a competency of worldly riches sufficient to preserve an honest report amongst their neighbours their greatest blessing appeared in the gift of this gratious infant His Fathers name was Gerard Calvin â— man much esteemed of the Nobility inhabiâ—ing Aquitane because he was a singular Politician approving his judgment and advice touching the administration of the Common-wealth desiring his presence wheâ—soever that they consulted about serious affairs and important matters of State whereby it came to passe that his son Calvin was brought up in his youth with the sons of the eminentest persons in that Country His mother was called Ioanna Franca These children he accompanied unto Paris for the increasing of his learning where he had Maturinus Corderius for his Tutor a man much reverenced for his internall and externall qualities and esteemed the best for the instruction and bringing up of youth within the Relme of France The reason why his father brought him up in learning was because he perceived a voluntary inclination in his sonne thereunto which appeared two manner of wayes first because in his youth he was religiously given and secondly because it
meane time granted unto them liberty of Conscience which when it came to the eares of Paulus III. Pope of Rome he sharply reproved the Emperour saying That he esteemed of Hereticks as highly as of Catholicks and that he seemed to thrust in his sickle into another mans harvest The Emperour answered That he was perswaded that his act was just And Calvin perceiving the truth of the Gospell to be deeply wounded bâ— these Letters he sharply reprovâ—d the boldnesse of the Pope In this year also there was a Convocation at Spire whereupon Calvin tooke occasion of writing his Booke intituled De necessitate reformandae Ecclesiae And in the same year also he refuted the Anabaptists and Libertines and that with such invincible arguments that none reading and observing hiâ— Worke can unlesse wittingly and willingly be deceived and seduced by them But the Queen of Navarre was greatly offended with that Worke of his against the Libertines because he had particularly reproved Quintinus and Pocquetus two Ringleaders of that Sect and not of small account with her Majesty Calvin being informed of this he so wisely and discreetly behaved himselfe that he gained againe the favour of the Queen and withall caused that impious and blasphemous Sect to be banished out of France who afterwards seated themselves in Amsterlodam the prime town in Holland In the year 1545. by the conspiracy of some wicked and evilly disposed persons the thresholds and posts of the doores in Geneva were done over with an oyntment so strongly composed of poyson that whosoever touched it death imediately followed and from this also proceeded a raging Pestilence in the City whereby an infinite number of soules were swept away this accident procured great envie unto Calvin from all places yet at the last some of the authors of this inhumane act were discovered and suffered worthy punishment for the same In this year also he laboured to remove the false opinion of Osiander concerning the Lords Supper out of the Church and also the errours of the Nicodemites and many other grosse opinions which hindred the growth of the truth of Christ. In which proceedings he was abundantly blessed by the Lord who never permitted his enemies to have their pleasure of him by taking away his life which they intended and more especially he shelterd him from the fury of Amedenus Perinnus a Captaine of great authority in the City but deprived for that fact of his Office These continued dissentions and defamations in the Church at Geneva were motives which drew Farellus and Viretus unto the same place who in the year 1548. delivered before the Senate an eloquent and learned Oration concerning the suppression of Sedition and the taking away of differences out of the Church The motion was approved of all and Perinnus having hopes thereby to attaine againe unto his former preserment consented thereunto but he soone discovered his wicked intent for he was no sooner graced with his former dignitie but he and many others burst forth into reproachfull speeches against Calvin and after a disgracefull manner calling his Dog by the name of Calvin others stile him by the name of Cain and some by reason of that violent and fierce hatred which they conceived against him they would absent themselves from the Communion and so draw downe a double vengeance on themselves In the midst of these evils which were of force to have caused him to have forsaken the City he constantly performed his Ministeriall office and at vacant times he inlightned Pauls Epistles with learned Commentaries He also most learnedly laid open and discovered the falsity and vanity fo Judiciary Astrology He comforted Beratius living as a banished man at Basil and also Bucer in England And this is also remarkable that notwithstanding the daily increaâ—ing of these contentions the Church did wonderfully florish in Geneva and also it injoyed some peace and quietnesse In the year 1551. for then there sprung up a company of factious fellowes who denied the priviledges of the City unto such as were banished for the truth and fled to that place for succour And being perswaded by Calvin in a Sermon Preached for that purpose to grant the priviledges of the City unto them he was well beaten for his paines as soon as he came out of the Pulpit These stirred up also another Tumult in the Temple of St. Gervas because the Minister refused to Baptize a child by the name of Balthazar Calvin not forgetting his late kindnesse received was contented with patience to let it passe In this year the City was also much troubled with that blasphemous heresie of Servetus who by the means of Calvin was apprehended and convicted but remaining obstinate in his opinion he was buâ—nd alive in the same City The cause of Servetus being as yet in hand one of the factious company called Berâ—lerius an impudent and wicked fellow whom the Presbitery had foâ—bidden to come unto the Lords table by reason of his ill lead life and excomunicated came unto the Senate and desired his absolution which he perswaded himselfe was sufficient Calvin earnestly opposes this action of the Senate declaring unto him that he ought to be a defender and maintainer and not a violator of holy good lawes yet Berlterius prevailed with the Senate and he granted unto him his absolutory letters Perinnus by the imitation of Bertlerius thought to take Calvin in a trap and either to raise a tumult against him if he would not obey the Senate or if he consented then no disanull the authority of the Presbitery Calvin being fore-admonished of this intent in his Sermon before the Communion in the presence of both of them he uttered these words with great fervency But I imitating Chrisostome will rather suffer my selfe to be slain then that this hand shall reach the holy things of the Lord unto such as are apparently known to be the contemners and despisers of him which wrought such an impression in them that they durst not presume to come unto the Lords table nay it is probable that he was at that time fearfull of his life for he Preached as if they never afterwards should have heard him again In this troublesom state the Church of Geneva continued unto the yeere 1555. wherein a conspiracy was happily discovered by which meanes most of the factious persons were put to death and banished the City By which example of Divine vengeance others were delivered and kept in awe and that Common-wealtâ— freed from many inconveniences yet in the same yeer the errours of Servetus seemed to revive againe and to be nourished by Matthaeus Gibraldus an excellent Lawyer who came unto Geneva and would willingly have been familiar with Calvin which he most willingly would have had embraced so as he would have consented with him in the Article of the Trinity The same year also yeelded much sorrow unto Calvin in regard that persecution raged in many places and especially in England which tooke away Hooper
his Bed in which after he was laid the Gentleman of his Bed-chamber red to him till wearied nature shut up the offices of hiâ— senses long after his Porter had lockt up the Gates of his Pallace This watchfull and laborious kind of life without any recreation at all save what his necessary refection at hiâ— meals and a very few hours of rest in the night aforded him spent the oyl of this sweet Lamp the faster and thereby hastened his extinction and death in this world Which as he foresaw by the spirit so he foretold by letters to the Bishop of Noâ—wich Yet upon record in the works of Doctor Humfrey and as he forefaw it and foretold it so accordingly he prepared for it as a Traveller who hath little day and much way left spurreth on faster that he may reach home by day-light so he desirous to finish his course before the night of death approached mended his pace and dispatched all sorts of businesse with more celerity and as he was visiting his Diocesse more severely then ever before God visited him and as he preached at Lacock upon the words of the Apostle Walk in the Spirit Death arested him in the Pulpit from whence he was carried to his bed where he still continued preached to all that came to visit him either by heavenly instructâ—ons or pious ejaculations or divine meditations and paraphrases upon the pâ—ssages of Scripture which were read unto him even till at one and the self-same instant he committed both his hearers and his soul to God Valerius Maximus writeth of Sylla that it was hard to say whether he or his anger were first extinct for he threatned his enemies dying and dyed threatning but on the contrary it may be said of this servant of Christ Jesus it is hard to determine whether his naturall heat or his zeal first was extinguished whether his Prayers or his soul first arrived at Heaven for he dyed praying and prayed dying His last words worthy to be written with a pen of Diamond never to be rased out were theseâ— A Crown of righteousnesse is laid up for me Christ is my righteousnesse this is my body this day quickly let me come â—nto theâ— this day let me see the Lord Iesu. He was buried in the midst of the Quire where after he had been interred two yeers Dr. Humfrey laid upon him a faire marble stone with an inscription upon it containing a brief Chronicle of his life of which monument of that religious Professor it may be truly said as it was of that which Iulius Caesar raised to Pompey Caesar dum Pompeii statuas erexti suas confirmavit In making this monument to continue the memory of Iewel he eternized his own but Iewel left himself a second monument more famous then that the Library he built in Salisbury and yet a third more lasting then either of the former his Works here ensuing whereof these were Manuscripts 1. A Paraphrasticall Exposition of the Epistles and Gospels through the whole yeer 2. A continuate Exposition of the Creed Lords Prayer and ten Commandements 3. A Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galathians 4. A Commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Peter The Printed are these 1. Anno Dom. 1550. A latine Sermon preached at Saint Maries upon 1 Pet. 4.11 2. An. Dom. 1558. Divers Sermons preached before Queen Elizabeth at Pauls Crosse. 3. An. Dom. 1559. Epistola ad Scipionem patritium veneâ—um de causis cur Episcopi Angliae ad Concilium Tridentinum non convenerint 4. Anno 1560. A Challenge to all Papists at Pauls Crosse with an Answer to Doctor Cole in defence of a Sermon preached before the Queens Majesty and her most honourable Councell 5. Anno 1561. Apologia Ecclesiae Anglicanae 6. Anno 1562. An Exposition upon the first Epistle to the Thessalonians 7. Anno 1563. An Exposition upon the second Epistle to the Thessalonians 8. An. 1564. A Reply to Master Hardings Answer concerning the seven and twenty Articles contained in Master Jewel his Challenge viz. 1. Of private Masse 2. Communion under both kinds 3. Of Prayer in a strange tongue 4. Of the Supremacy 5. Of the reall presence 6. Of Polytopue or being in many places at once 7. Of the Elevation 8. Of adoration of the Host. 9. Of carrying the Sacrament under a Canopy 10. Of accidents without subject 11. Of dividing the Sacrament 12. Of a figure in the Sacrament 13. Of plurality of Masses 14. Of adoration of Images 15. Of reading the Scripture in the mother tongue 16. Of Consecration under silence 17. Of the Sacrifice of the Masse 18. Of receiving the Communion for others 19. Of the application of Christâ— death by the Masse 20. Of Opus Operatum 21. Of the Title of the Sacrament Lord and God 22. Of remaining under accidents 23. Of Mice eating the body of Christ. 24. Of Individium Vagum 25. Of the form and shews of Bread and Wine 26. Of hiding and covering the Sacrament 27. Of Ignorance whether it be the mother of Devotion 9. Anno 1565. A Rejoynder to Mr. Hardings Reply 10. An. 1566. A defence of the Apology of the Church of England 11. An. 1567. An answer to Mr. Hardings Preface 12. An. 1568. A Treatise of the Sacraments 13 An. 1569. The view of a seditious Bull sent into England 14. An. 1570. A Treatise oâ— the holy Scriptures If any desire to be more familiarly acquainted with Iewels and to be particularly informed of his method and course of study his witty and learned Discourses at Table his Poems and penned Speeches in the Colledge his Exercises for his Degrees his holding the golden Ballances of Minerva before Vrania being Moderator in Divinity Disputations in the presence of Queen Elizabeth at an Act at Oxford as also how he attained to that admirable faculty of memory whereby he waâ— able on the sudden to repeat Chapters of names read to him backward and forward broken sentences and exutick words Welsh Irish or any other Language after once or twice reading at the most let him read the story of his life at large in Doâ—tor Humfrey or at least the abridgement thereof which I drew in the year of our Lord 1611. being then Student in Corpus Christi Colledge at the command of Archbishop Bancroft which as soon as it was sent up was suddenly printed and prefixed to Iewels Works before I had time to revise it and note the Errata which I entreat thee for thine own sake as well as for mine thus now to correct Page 5. line 30. The wisdome of God so ordered this matter adde For Jewel his greater honour and the advantage of the truth P. 7. l. 10. for the blessed Spouse of Christ r. the blessed husband of the Spouse of Christ. P. 8. l. 21. for Valerius r. Vellerius p. 9. l. 16. for his Apologie fell in the yeer 1566. r. the defence of his Apologie And l. 23. for cene r. scene p. 12. l. 17. which is his Church adde on
earth and set it in a Crown of pure Gold upon her head in Heaven The Preface to the King before the life is not mine but D r. Overals then Dean of S t. Pauls the Appendix likewise iâ— not mine but Doctor Morton then Lord Bishop of Duresm the modell of the life drawn by me beginneth thus If rare and admirable qualities of our Ancestors deserve a â—hankefull acknowledgement of Posterity And endeth thus Lord adorn and enâ—ich continually thy Church with such Iewels deck her cheeks with rows of such Rubies and her neck with chains make her borders of gold with stâ—ds of silver Amen Holy Learning sacred Arts Gifts of Nature strength of Parts Fluent Grace an humble minde Worth reform'd and wit refinde Swéetnesse both in tongue and Pen Insight both in Bookes and Men Hopes in woe and feares in weals Humble knowledge sprightly zeale A liberall heartâ— and frée from Gall Close to friends and true to all Height of courage in Truths duell Are the stones that made this Jâ—well Let him that would be truly blest Weare this Jewell in his brest The Life and Death of Zegedine who dyed Anno Christi 1572. STeven Zegedine was borne in the lower Fanonia in the yeâ—r 1505. brought up in learning wherein he profited to admiration and became a Schoolmaster himself about which time hearing the fame of Luther and Melancthon he had a great minde to goe to Wittenberg but wanting opportunity in sundry regâ—rds he went to the Uâ—iversity at â—racovia where having studied a while he was made a Reader to others and grew very famous and having gotten some money there he then went to Wittenberg where he studied Logick and Divinity three years and then returned into hiâ— owâ— Coâ—ntrey And in the City of Thasniadine he instructed Youth in the knowledge of Arâ—s and Preached Jesus Christ also to the Peâ—â—le before uâ—knowâ—e unto them whereupon the Kingâ—â— Treasurer fell upon him beat him and drove â—im out of the City there he lost two hundred Books and was so barbarously kicked by this Tyrant with his iron Spurs that he was almost slaine Thus wandring up and downe as an exile Anno Chisti 1545. he was called to Iulia where he was made governour of an illustrious School and the year after he was sent for to Cegledine where he was hired to Preach publickly in the Church There also he married a wife and after three years stay he went thence and was sent for by the Governour of Temeswert to govern the School there where also he preached to the people but that Governour dying there succeeded him one that was a strong Papist who drove Zegedine from thence Being again an exâ—le he was called to govern the Schoole at Thurin where he also preached to the people who eagerly embraced the Truth and loved him exceedingly From thence he waâ— called to Bekenese where he also preached to the people and read in the Schools whilest he was there a Countrey man coming to him said Sir what doe you here when there are some souldiers coming upon you to slay you therefore flye hence speedily if you will save your life Whilest he was speaking the noyse of th souldiers was heard without whereupon he slipt into his chamber but the souldiers breaking in upon him plundered him of all he had and binding him carried him away with them but behold the gracious providence of God amongst those bloody Souldiers there was one that favoured him and conveyed him away so that swiming over a river he escaped and returned home again shortly after his fame spreading abroad he was called to Tholna to govern a School there and there also he preached to the people and his former wife being dead he married another and not long after he was chosen to Lascovia to be the Pastor there and was Ordained Minister by the Imposition of Hands and taught Schoole also about which time he was made Doctor and the Superintendent of all that Baronry he read also in private to many that repaired to him and intermitted not his pains no not in sickness if he had but strength to speak that his voycâ— might be heard Anno Christi 1558. he was removed thence by the authority of the Governour of the Castles to Calmantsem Anno Christi 1561. the Vayvod of Copasware with his souldiers being Turks came upon the inhâ—bitants of Calmantsem for neglecting to pay their Tribute as they were at Sermon and took many of them prisoners together with Zegedine and carryed them away to Copasware the rest that escaped gathered the Tribute carried it presently to the Vayvâ—d entreated his pardon and the restitution of the prisoners especially of Zegedine but he told them that if they would have them restored to liberty they must goe and pitition the Bashaw for their release which they doing the prisoners were presently releaâ—ed but when they afterwards accused the Vayvod to him of Tyranny and injustice he required that Zegedine and some of the chiefe Citizens should come and testifie those things before him but when Zegedine came he picked a quarrell with him and cast him into prison whereupon his people by rich presents endeavour'd to procure his release and when they had almost obtained their request one whispered the Bashaw in the ear and told him that he might have 1000. Florens for his ransome whereupon he still detained him and told them that he would not release him till they had paid him a 1000. Florens but when the money came in slower then he exspected the barbarous Tyrant chid his Keeper for using him too gently which as he said was the cause that his ransome was not yet paid whereupon his Keeper bound and whip't him with thongs till he was bloudy all over and almost kill'd him afterwards the Bashaw promised that iâ— they would procure the release of the daughter of the Major of Tolne who was prisoner with the Hungarians and bring her unto him he would release Zegedine her therefâ—re his people of Calmantsem redeemed for three hundred Florens and presented her to the Bashaw yet the Infidell falsified his promise and kept him still prisoner then the Prince of Transilvania sent Ambassadors and a rich present to the Bashaw requesting the release of Zegedine yet nothing would prevail many pittying his miserable captivitie came to visit him and gave him money but his cruell Keeper extorted most of it from him Bâ—ing loâ—den with heavy chains the Citizens with much importunity prevailed to get him leave once a day to come to the Christians to whom he preached and so returned to prison againe yet God stired up the hearts of some of the Courtiers to commiserate his deplorable condition During his imprisonment the Bashaw used all means both by threats and promises to draw him to abjure the Christian Religion and to turne Turk but he alwayes answered him stoutly That such arguments might prevaile with children but could not prevaile with him Having leave at last to lye amongst the other
unto the Senate who had hitherto constantly defended the doctrine of the Gospell As he tooke his leave thus of the Pastors by word of mouth so he tooke his leave of the Senate by writing commending the care of the Church and publick-schoole unto them withal desires that Rodolphus Guatterus might be his successor whom he adjudged the most fit for the discharging of a Pastorall office in that place having thus after a friendly manner taken his leave he prepared himselfe to meet the Lord and in the midst of his extremities sometimes repeating the sixteenth sometimes the forty two sometimes the fifty one Psalmes sometimeâ— the Lords prayers sometimes other prayersâ— at the last framing himselfe as it were to sleep he quietly yeelded his soule into the hands of God on the eighteenth of September in the year 1575. and in the 71. year of his age He was thâ— most excellent of all the Divines that Switzerland yeelded he was an undaunted defender of the truth of Christ he was of a weak disposition plainâ— in teaching a lover of truth but a detâ—ster of Sophisticall â—nd unprofitable arguments in his speech he was affable and courteous aswell towards those of his family as towards strangers he was sparing in his dyet loving unto all and studious as it plainly appeares by his works here following which he left behind him as testifications of his desire unto the generall good and benefit of the Church Tome 1. 1. A Catechisme for the Trigurine Schoolmasters 2. An Epitomie of Christian Religion in ten Books 3. Sermons on the â—eads of Christian Religion Tome 2. 1. A Confession and Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 2. A Declaration proving the Protestant Churches â—o be neither Hereticall nor Scismaticall 3. A Compendium of the Popish and Protestant tenets 4. The old Faith and Religion 5. Of Gods eternall Covenant 6. An Assertion of the two natures in Christ. 7. Institâ—tion of Christian Matrimony 8. Instructions for the sicke 9. Declarations of Gods benefits unto the Switzers 10. Exhortations to Repentance Tome 3. 1. A Treatise of the Sabbath and of Christian â—easts 2. Of the Office of Magistrates and of an Oath 3. Of Repentance 4. Of Conversion unto God 5. An Explanation of Daniels Prophesies 6. Of the office Prophetical 7. An Exhortation unto Ministers to leave off Controversies 8. Of the Originall of Maâ—omenatisme 9. Of the Persecutions of the Church Tome 4. 1. A Preface to thâ— Latin Bible 2. Sixtie six Homilies on Daniel 3. Epitomie of the times from the Creation to the Destâ—uction of Jerusâ—lem Tome 5. 1. Homiliâ—s on Isaiah 2. Sermons on Jeremiah 3. An Exposition on the Lamentation Tome 6. 1. Commentaries on Matthew 2. Marke 3. Luke 4. John 5. Acts of the Apostles 6. A Series of times and actions of the Apostles Tome 7. 1. Commentaries on the Epistles of Saint Paul 2. Sermons on the Revelation Tome 8. 1. A Demonstration of Christian perfection to Henry the second King of France 2. Of the authority of the Scripture 3. Of the Iâ—stitution of Bishops Never could worth lodge in a richer brest Those blessings he enjoy'd made others blest He was compos'd of sweetnesse and his heart Was alwayes cheerefull willing to impart The truth to them that studyed how to grieve For sin and would prove willing to believe He was laborious and he could expresse Hatred to nothig more then Idelnesse Grave Doctors of those times would then submit To his profound incomparable wit For his grave judgment was so highly pris'd That most would act what Bullengeâ— advis'd Is it not â—iting then that we should give Due praise to him whose worth will make him live The Life and Death of Edward Deering who dyed Anno Christi 1576. EDward Deering was borne of a very ancient family in Kent and carefully brought up both in Religion and Learning From School he went to Cambridge and was admitted into Chrisâ—'s College where he profited exceedingly and became a very famous Preacher as may appear by his most learned and holy Sermons and Tractates full of heavenly consolation He never affected nor sought after great titles of preferments and therefore rested content with his Fellowship in that Colledge and only Comensed Batchelor of Divinity yet afterwards he was made a Preacher in S t. Pauls Church in London and having worn out himselfe with his labours in the worke of the Lord he fell sick and discerning his approaching death he said in the presence of his friends that came to visit him The good Lord pardon my great negligence that whilest I had time I used nâ—t his precious gifts to the advancement of his glory as I might have done Yet I blesse God withall that I have not abused these gifts to ambition and vain studies When I am once dead my enemies shall be reconciled to me except they be such as either knew me not or have no sence of goodnesse in them for I have faithfully and with a good conscience served the Lord my God A Minister standing by said unto him It is a great happinesse to you that you dye in peace and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like meet with To whom he answered If God hath decreed that I shall sup together with the Saints in heaven why doe I not goe to them but if there be any doubt or hesitation resting upon my spiâ—it the Lord will reveale the truth unto me When he had layen still a while a friend said unto him that he hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whil'st he lay so silentâ— to whom he answered Poore wretch and miserable man that I am the least of all Saints and the greatest of Sinners yet by the eye of Faith I beleeve in and look upon Christ my Saviour yet a little while and we shall â—ee â—ur hope The end of the world is come upon us and we shall quickely receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for Afflâ—ctions deseases sicknesse griefe are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world Iâ—'s not enough to begin for a little while execept we persevere in the fear of the Lord all thâ— dayer of our lives for in a moment we shall be taken away Takâ— heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of nor dis-esteem the Word of God blessed are they that whil'st they have tongues use them to God's glory When he drew near to his end being set up in his bed some of his friends requested him to speak something to them that might be for their â—dification and comfort whereupon the Sun shining in his face he took occasion from thence to say thus unto them There is but one Sun in the world nor but one Righteousnesse one Communion of S ts â— If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world if I weâ—â— equall in righteousnesse to Abraham Isaac and Jacob yet had I reason
and for three years exercised himselfe with much diligence in instructing youth but having an earnest desire to perfect his own studies he returned to Wittenberg again Luther being yet living there he commensed Master of Arts before he was two and twenty years old and applyed himself wholly to the study of Divinity but tht Wars waxing hot the Emperor placed a Garrison in the Castle and Towne of Wittenberg and the Students were driven away from thenceâ— at which time Wigand was called to Mansfield his owne Countrey to be an assistant to their ancient Pastor Martin Seligman where also he was ordained Minister by Prayer and imposition of hands by Iohn Spangâ—rberg the Superintendent there which place he discharged wiâ—h much â—â—delity and industry and read Logick and Phylosophie to the youth in the Schools there also he wrote a confutation of the Popish Catechisme and a confutation of George Mâ—jor who held That a man by Faith onely is justified but not saved c. He delighted exceedingly in a Garden and in observing the wisdome of God in the nature shape and various colours of Hearbs and Flowers for which end he gatt the greatest varietie of them that possibly he could into his Garden He was one of those that strongly opposed the Interim In the year 1553. he was chosen by them of Magdeburg to be their Superintendent but the Earl of Mansfield and thâ— People strongly opposed his remove from them yet at last by the meanes of the Prince of Anhalt they consented unto it At Magdeburg he tooke excessive paines in reading writing meditating and Preaching whereby he converted many Popish Priests in those parts to the Truth he also took great pains in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries which he together with Matthew Iudex Flacius Illiricus Basil Faber Andrew Corvinus and Thomas Holthuterus finished to the great benefit of the Church Of which booke Sturmius gave his Testimony that it was necessary and profitable and had these four vertues in it viz. veritatem diligentiam ordinem perspicuitatem Truth diligence Order and perspicuity In the year 1560. the Elector of Saxonie having begun a University at Ienes sent earnestly to Wigand to come thither to be the Divinity Professor which for weighty reasons he assented unto and performed that office with much acceptance of all that heard him yet by the subtilty and malice of one Stosselius he was dismissed from that place and so returned to Magdebâ—rg againe but not staying there he was chosen to be the Superintendent at Wismare An. Cstristi 1562. where he imployed himselfe wholly in Preaâ—hing disputing expounding the Scripture and governing the Church Anno Christi 1563. he commenced Doctor of Divinity in the University of Rostoch he stayed at Wismare seven years at the end wherof Iohn William Duke of Saxony sent for him againe to Ienes but the Duke of Megapole would by no meanes part with him yet at last after severall embassies the Duke of Saxony prevailed that he should come for one year to Ienes His people parted with him very unwillingly with many sighs and tears and at the years end sent for him back againe but could by no means obtaine his return he was not onely made the Professor of Divinity at Ienes but the Superintendent also Anno Christi 1570. he went with his Prince to the Diet at Spire and at his returne to Ienes was received with great joy but after five years Duke Iohn William dying he was againe driven from thence and went to the Duke of Brunswick who entertained him kindly but presently after he was called into Borussia to be the Divinity Professor in the University of Regiomonâ—anum and after two years was chosen to be Bissiop there Anno Christi 1587. he fell sick especially upon griefe conceived for the afflicted condition of the Church in Poland and the death of his deare friend Iohn Wedman an excellent Divine this desease increasing and his strength decaying he prepared himselfe for death he made his own Epitaph In Christo vixi morior vivóque Wigandus Do sordes morti caetera Christe tibi In Christ I liv'd and dy'd through him I live again What 's bad to death I give my soul with Chist shal raign And so in the mid'st of fervent prayers and assured hope of eternall life he resigned up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age 64. Rare-soul'd Wigandus bow'd his whole desires To warme his spirits by th'inlivning fires Of sacred fuell and he alwayes stood Engag'd to that which heav'ns blest mouth call'd good He was a man whose life and conversation Were well sufficient to adorne a Nation With good examples nothing could devorse His ready lips from the belov'd discourse Of heavenly matters till at last he cry'd My God receive my soul and so he dy'd MARTINVS CHEMNICIVS The Life and Death of Martin Chemnisius MArtin Chemnisius was born at Britâ—â—a in Old March Anno Christi 1522. his father being poor he met with many impediments to discourage and hinder him in Learning yet bearing a great love to it by his exceeding industry he overcame all and after some progresse at home he went to Magdeburg where he studyed the Tongues and Arts and from thence to Frankefurt upon Oder and after he had studyed there a while he went to Wittenberg where he studyed the Mathematickâ— and from thence to Sabinum in Borussia where he taught School and commensed Master of Arts and Anno Christi 1552. he wholly betook himselfe to the study of Divinity By his modest and sincere carriage he procured much favor from the Prince and all his Courtiers after three years stay there he went back to Wittenberg and by Melancthon was imployed publickly to read Common places from thence he was sent for to Brunople â—n Saxny by the Senate and made Pastor which place he discharged with singular fidelity and approbation for the space of thirty years and commensed Doctor in Divinity at Rostoch many Princes and Common-wealths made use of his advice and assistance in Ecclesiasticall affairs He took great pains in asserting the truth against the adversaries of it as his excellent Examen of the Tridentine Councill shews at last being worn out with study writing Preaching c. he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1586. and of his age 63. He is said by one to be Philosophus Summus Theologus proâ—undissimus neque veritatis bonarumque artiâ—m studio neque laude officii facâ—le cuiquam secundus This Authour eminent Chemnisius grave Among these worthies a prime place may have Who by his most industrious pains ore came The many rubs which would have quentcht his fame And to such height of learning did arise As made great Princes him most highly prize Yea so transcendently his fame did shine That One him stil'd a most profound Divine A prime Philosopher one justly known For parts and pâ—ety second to none And thus he liv'd and dyed
him commens D r which degree having performed all his exercises he took the twenty fifth year of his age was chosen Pastor of the Church of Gompping and made Superintendent of those parts about that time he was sent for by Lodwick Count of Oeting to assist him in the reforming of the Churches within his jurisdiction and when he took his leave of his owne Prince Christopher hâ— charged him and gave it him in writing that if Couâ—â— Lodwicke set upon that reformation that under pretence of Religion he might rob the Church and ceaze upon thâ— revenues of Monasteries and turn them to his private usâ— that he should presently leave him and come back againeâ— he assisted also in the reformation of the Churches in Heâ—â—fanstein At that time hearing of a Jew that for these wâ—â— hanged by the heels with his head downe having not seâ—â— that kind of punishment he went to the place where hâ— was hanging between two Dogs that were alwayes snatching at him to eat his flesh the poor wretch repeated iâ— Hebrew some verses of the Psalmes wherein he cryed 〈◊〉 God for mercy whereupon Andreas went nearer to hiâ—â— and instructed him in the Principles of Christian Religioâ— about Christ the Messiah c. exhorting him to beleeve 〈◊〉 him and it pleased God so to blesse his exhortation to him that the Dogs gave over tearing of his flesh and â—hâ— poore Jew desired him to procure that he might be taken down and Baptized and hung by the neck â—or the quicker dispatch which was done accordingly Aâ—dreas was of such esteeme that he was sent for by divers Princes to reform the Churches in their jurisdictions he was present at divers Synods and Disputations about Religion He travelled many thousands of miles being usually attended but with one servant yet it pleased God that in all his journies he never met with any affronâ— The year before his death he used often to say that he should not live long that he was weary of this life and much desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ which was best of all Falling sick he sent for Iames Herbrand saying I expect that after my death many adversaries will rise up to asperse me and therefore I sent for thee to hear the confession of my Faith that so thou maist testifie for me when I am dead and gone that I dyed in the true faith The same Confession also he made afterwards before the Pastors and Deacons of Tubing the night before his death he slept partly upon his bed and partly in his chair when the clock struck six in the morning he said my hour draws near he gave thankes to God for bestowing Christ for revealing of his will in his Word for giving him Faith and the like benefits And when he was ready to depart he said Lord into thy hands I commend my â—â—irit and so he fell a sleep in the Lord Anno Christi 1590. and of his Age 61. Ingenius Andreas alwayes lov'd to pry Into the bosome of Divinity He hated idlenesse and tooke delight In doing good his vertues shin'd as bright As Fame could make them and he alwayes stood A firme maintainer of the Churches good Religion was his helme by which he stéer'd His soule to heav'n and there he was endear'd To his Creator in whose Court he sings Blest halalujahs to the King of Kings HIERONYMVS ZANCHYVS The Life and Death of Hieronimus Zanchiuâ— IN the year of grace 1516. Hieronimus Zanchius descended from a Noble and renowned Family was born in Italie at a Town called Alzanum scituate in the valley Sâ—ria â— who became such a light unto the Gentiles that many parts in Christendome dawned with the luster of his writings His Father was called Franciscus Zanchius famous not oâ—ely for his Parentage but also for his knowledge in the Civill Law he was blessed with many other children which he received from Baâ—bara sister unto Marcus Antonius Morlaâ—tus both Nobly descended This Zanchius in his youth shewing some testifications of his hopefulnesse he was sent forth by his Father to be instructed in the Grounds of Learning in the Schooles he continued untill that he was twelve years old at which time his Father dyed and shortly after his Mother also Being thus deprived of both his Parents he began to consider with himselfe what course to take for the increasing and bettering of his knowledge in the Arts and withall perceiving that not onely his Unckle Eugenius Muâ—ius but also many of his Kinsmen and Cozen-germans had betaken themselves unto a Monasticall life and were advanced unto the dignity of Regular Cannons he perswaded himselfe that there were many learned persons to be found in that Society and that youth might be well instructed brought up amongst thâ—m as well for civill behaviour as for learning he resolved to take that course of life upon him being also thereunto induced by the advice of his intimate friend Basileus Wherefore revealing himselfe unto his Unkle and other friends he was by their meanes elected and chosen into the Monastery In this place he lived almost ninteen years and was by profession a Lateran Canon Regular in which space he gave himselfe first unto the study of the Tongues and proved a good Linguist Secondly unto the study of Aristotle and became a good Logician and thirdly unto the study of School Divinity wherein his excellency is manifest by his Workes For the space of sixteen years he was familiarly acquainted and dearly beloved of that illustrious and vertuous grave Celsus Martinengus who perceiving that his life was sought for the profession of the truth fled out of Italie and went unto Geneva and was the first Pastor which the Italian Church had in that place who when he dyed commended the care of his Flocke to Calvin 1558. During his residence in this Monastery he would walke sometimes with Martinengus for recreations sake unto Luca a Towne in Tuscanie where he heard Peter Martyr openly expounding the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans and in private the Psalmes of David unto their Canons and these Expositions of this learned man wrought so effectually with him that he gave himselfe wholly unto the study of Divinity and made diligent search into the Commentaries of the most learned and authenticke Fathers perused positive and polemicall discourses and delivered for a season the purity of the truth of the Gospell of Christ in Italie But in regard that Italie was too hot for Peter Martyr and much more for his Schollars who were hardly permitted to reside in the Countrey much lesse to be publick Teachers eighteen of them within the space of one year followed their Master amongst whom was this Zanchius Being thus freed and delivered from this Babilonian captivity an expression often used by himselfe in the year 1550. he first went unto the Rhetians because a greater liberty was ganted unto their Churches and because â—e might serve Christ with a free and a good
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
and counsels in his Sermons that as a changable taffaty where the wooffe and the warpe are of severall colours appeare now of one colour now of another according to the different standing of the beholders so one and the same Sermon of hiâ— seemed all Law and all Gospell all cordials and all corrasivts as the different necissities of people apprehended it 8. Amongst those his many vertues worthy our imitation his humility was eminent in condescending to the capacity of his meanest Auditors He had well read Saint Paul who calleth the people understanding him mine understanding in w ch sence he may be said to be the most intelligent Preacher who preacheth plainest to others apprehention And Ministers being turned Gods interpreters it is ill wheÌ„ their langvage is so high and hard that these Interpreters need others to interpret them to their Congregations But this may be said of Master Perkins that as Physitians order Infusions to be made by steeping ingredients in them and taking them out againe so that all their strength and vertue remaines yet none of the Bulke or Masse is visible therein he in like manner did distill soake much deep Scholarship into his Preaching yet so insensibly as nothing but familiar expressions did appeâ—râ— In a word his Church consisting of the University and Town the Scholar could heare no learneder the Townsmen plainer Sermons 9. He used alwayes before his Sermons as to this day is attested by many surviving witnesses a set form of prayer not that out of poverty he wanted variety and exchange of phraseâ— or that out of niggarliness he begrudged his Auditors the use of them but out of holy and heavenly Thriâ—t he found this the most profitable way for his people He would not that his soul should goe to Heaven alone but in his prayers would have the company of the meanest of his Congregation along with him and therefore alwayes used the same forme that others might keepe pace with him in his devotions 10. Commendable was his contentment with his Estate considering his income so small his charge of children so great and his Professors of removall so many so advantagious Yet he still was true to his first love continuing his paines in the Church of Saint Andrewes where â—he meanes inconsiderable in it selfe was made up to a competency not so much by the bountifull hands of others in giving as by the moderate mind of Master Perkins in takeingâ— yet wanted he not severall Patrons about the Towne who relieved him in a faire proportion amongst whom Master Wendey of Haslingfield must stand in the chiefe place Now if honourable mention be made in Scripture of Iohanna Susanna and other benefactors to our Saviour who Ministred unto him of their substance let not this worthy Esquires memory be forgotten with his singular Courtesy to this painfull Minister of Gods word 11. Many and most excellent are the books which Master Perkins left behind him His learning appeares most in his Problemes a difficult taske no lesse valiantly performed than venturously undertaken to assert the truth of the Protestant Religion by the testimony of the Fathers for the first five hundred years Which shews that his industry did not onely drive a retale trade in moderne Writers but that he fetched his learning and bought his wares from the best hands of the most ancient Authors 12. Herein excellent his judgement in fanning the Chaffe from the Corn the true from the forged writings of the Fathers The ancient Germanes are said to casâ— their new born children into the river of Rhine thereby to make an experiment whether they be true born or no accounting them legitimate if swimming but concluding themselves wronged by their wives dishonesty obtruding a bastard issue upon them if the infant sunk in the water Perkings had neater and more infallible touchstones to discerne the native and genuine from the spurious and adulterate workes of the Fathers by the manner of their stile strength of their matter time of their writing censure of other learned men upon them whereby many counterfeit Books are not onely denyed authenticke authority but also justly pillored for cheaters to all posterity I know it is layed to Perkins his chargâ— learned Whitaker is accuâ—ed for the same fault that he made all the Fathers Puritans but certainly in one sense they were Puritans of themselveâ— without his making I mean strict in their lives and conversations and how far he was from wresting their doctrines to the Countenancing of any error be it reported to men of unprejudiced judgement 13. In case Divinity he had an excellent dexterity to State controversies for the satisfaction of tender douting consciences to show what is lawfull and what unlawfull in mixt actions where good and bad are blinded together wherewith many are deceived like children swallowing the bones with the flesh to their great danger of choaking great was the fan and fire of his discretion and judgement to winnow the chaffe from the corn and separate the one from the other And sure in this case Divinity Protestantâ— are now defective for save that a smith or two of late have built them forges and set up shop we for the most part go downe to our adversaries to sharpen our instruments and are beholden to the Romanists the more our sham and their credit both for offensive and defensive weapons iâ— this kind Some object that his doctrine referring all to an absolute Decree cut off the sinnewes of mens endeavours towards salvation But were this the hardest objection against Master Perkins his doctrine his owne life was a sufficient answer thereunto So pious so spotlesse that malice was afraid to bite at his credit into whch she knew her teeth would never enter He lived Sermons and as his Preaching was a comment on his Text so his Practise was a comment on his Preaching 14. As for his Books it is a miracle almost to conceive how thick they lye and yet how far they over-spread all over Christendome When the Disciples were inspired with severall languages Acts 2.7 the strangers of Ierusalem were amazed and mervelled saying one to another Behold are not all these that speake Galileans And how heare we every man in our tongue wherein we were born Here I confesse was no inspiration but much industry much labour taken by others much honour done to Master Perkins when the Dutch Spaniards French and Italians stand wondring at his Workes who understood none of these tongues exactly speake them all being by severall pens translated into all these languages Thus good Ware never lyeth long on the Merchants hands but is ready money into what Country so ever it be brought 15. Thus for some years he constantly Preached to his people even to and above his strength It is observed of the birdâ— of Norway that they having in winter very short daies flye faster then any foul in other Countries as if principled by the instinct of nature thriftily to improve
might be the sooner discovered 13. The reader will not be offended if I presume to enterpose a thought of my owne who here did heartily desire I had that picture in my possession which made to doe him mischiefe I would preserve to do him honour but I râ—voke my wish seeing the best image and resemblance of Iunius is what is made by him in his owne workes as that is the best representation of the Sun not made by pen and pencill but by his owne Beames and Irradiations 14. Here I passe by many remarkeable escapes of Iunius whose life was nothing but a mixture of dangers and deliverances perils and preservations At last he went to Limburg there to be Preacher to the truth where this most memorable accident hapned which without diâ—loyalty to Historicall truth cannot be omitteed There was hard by a widdow mother to many childeren wounded in conscience because her attendance on her family had caused her often absence from Masse and griefe so prevailed upon her that she continually exclaimed that she and her childeren were damned The popish priests like the Aegyptian Iannes and Iambres sought by exorcismes and magical spels to cast the Divell out of her whose superstition tooke as little effect as the cruelty of her neighbours who with bonds and whiping in artificiall arguments endevoured to reclaime her to a right mind all in vaine and she making a forcible escape fled into the woods and continued poore soule full thirteene years in this piâ—tifull conditioâ— For such who conceive it no great paine for another to be â—ext but one whole yeare with a wounded conscience would count six moneths of that sorrow to much for themselves if they foundly felt it Iunius understanding the matter obtained privat discourse with her informing her that the Masse was both needlesse and unlawfull whereas she was bound by the specialty both of nature and grace to provide for her children and it pleased God who sharpned the tongue of Iunius so to bore her eares with attention too and apprehension of his arguments that she was converted both to a quiet mind comfortable life and a sincere professor of the Protestant Religion this deserveth to be preferred before milions of Monkish miracles which are onely composed of the concâ—rrence of the boldnesse of some Priests in counterfeiting and the blockishnesse of other people in beleeving them 15. At Limburgh Iunius lived some yeares pestered with Papists Anabaptists as Saint Paul at Athens with Stociks and Epicures farre differing from themselves but joyntly opposing the truth Here the Fryers raised a report that Iunius was a monster and had a cloven foot like the Divel whereas it had borne more proportion with truth if they had said that Iunius had a cloven tongue like the Disciples Acts 2.3 because of his great and exact skill in all learned Languages From Limburg he was called to Hidelberg where he lived many yeares in the University and with Emanuel Tremelius Iew and Ientile well joyned together in a piouâ— imployment made that excellent translation of the Bible out of the Originall into Latin 16. Then Henry the fourth King of France sent for him home into his native Country he returned by Leyden in Holland because his necessary occasions called him thither Gods children are called wanderers Heb. 11.38 and yet they are ever in the right way and these Planets keep a regular motion both in respect of their pious imployment and Gods constant protection At Leyden he was choson to be Divinity professor which place with great industry aud applause he discharged for ten yeares or there abouts till at last he dyed of the Plague Anno 1602. the thirteenth of October in the fifty sixth yeare of his ege 17. His disease hath given occasion to his adversaries to infect his memory as much as lay in their power with their pestilent tongues but such would be silent when considering that that promise Psalme 91.6 to defend men from the Arrow that flyeth by day and the Pestilence which walketh by darknesse is like all other promises of temporall blessings and preservation running with a secret clause of revocation in case God conceiveth the contrary more for his glory and his childrens good 18. Four Wifes he had successively all dying of diferent diseases the first wronged by the cruelty or ignorance or both of the Midwife in her travell lead a dying life a long time after to her owne much misery and no lesse sorrow of her Husband the second by a Feavour the third by a Dropsie the fourth a few dayes before himselfe of the Plague The short lives of these his wives which were godly women Iunius interpreted to be a just punishment of God upon him because in his youth he had been a generall hater of all women-kinde for having formerly â—â—â—â—eited on the base conditions of some beastly women in â—he City of Lions he loathed the whole see for their sakes and would not be reconciled unto it though his owne Mother so vertuous a woman might have been a fit Mediatrix to compose the quarrell which he unjustly bore against all women This Iunius from a false inducement of some few gathered a generall conclusion of all put a dangerous fallacy of uncharitablenesse on his owne soule And was afterwards sensible of Gods holy hand upon him in lending him four good Wives and taking them from him teaching him their goodnesse rather by loosing then enjoying thâ—m 19. To conclude Saint Paul being effectually to move Timothy 2. Tim. 4.6 to the discharge of his office and to be instant in season and out of â—eason in Preaching useth this forcible motive For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand The death of the godly ought to put life into the godly the losse of pious men of the former generations ought to inrich such of the age present to succed in their places take up their Armes and valiantly acquit themselves in their roomes Let those therefore who have read over the life of this worthy man now gathered to God summon their strength and unite their forces according to the distance of their parts and places to discharge themselves to the glory of God and good of his Church For it is high time when such Pauls Set â—for other Timothies to arise His Works are many and are here registered 1 A Speech in French to the Spanish King for the defence of the Low Countries 2 An answer to Sandwich his brethren in England of Images 3 The Translation of the Old Testament with Immanuel Tremelius out of Hebrew 4 Acts of the Apostles and Epistles to the Corinthians out oâ— Arabicke 5 Confession of Faith of Frederick Count Palatine the third 6 Apocrypha translated with Notes 7 Iohannes Tilly of Kings and of the Kings of France translated into Latine 8 A Speech of the Hebrew Tongue 9 An Hebrew Grammer 10 Ecclesiasticus Latine and French 11 A Looking-glasse of Tremelius
is a better man then Austine the Bishop And howsoever others admired in Reynolds his knowledge lowlinesse of minde and incredible abstinence in all which he so excelled that he even exceeded wonder yet for my part I doe and ever shall admire at one thing in him chieflâ— even that he could so sleight and neglect all wayes of preferment of whom although I will not say as Illyricus and Wigandus spake of Luther That he was the Germane Prophet yet since neither Luther nor Calvin nor Beza nor Whitaker can challenge any honour which Reynolds hath not merited I cannot but exceedingly congratulate our Countrey where he was borne our Mother the University where he was educated and that most pregnant House of excellent wits wherein he sucked the first rudiments of exquisite Literature who that I may compare him with those of the same Colledge for vertue piety learning in the judgement of many is extolled above their Iewell Wotton Vines Hooker yea and above their Pole Let yet Westone that lewd and shamelesse Rabshake belch out what reproaches he pleaseth against him and charge him not onely with stupid dulnesse but also that he counterfeited sicknesse and pretended onely to a disease to preserve his credit Belike then all we University men were leaden witted who admired so dull a man we were besides our selves who beleeved that he was sicke whom to our great griefe we here see dead Notwithstanding this Weston himselfe so like his Unckle in his ill conditions and ignominious flight when he challenged all the Heads of the University and branded them for impure onely for that some of them had entred into the state of Matrimony could not finde any one Act of Doctor Reynolds in all his life to blemish him with all Let this runnagate Weston passe who was wandered too farre to looke into his life what report was given him by those that were neer Truely every one loved his person his demeanure his integrity If any object against him overmuch strictnesse and a resolution not to be diverted from just proceedings by any motives though never so powerfull If thiâ— or any thing else of this nature might be disliked in him I dare confidently affirme as Seneca doth of Cato that a man may with much more ease prove the fact which he chargeth Reynolds with to be faire then Reynolds to be any way foule But blessed Saint he'â— already in the caelestiall Quire As for us who now honour the remaines of this most excellent and learned man we shall never confidently pronounce Oxford bleâ—â—ed till she can boast of another Reynolds For though we may have men of singular eloquence infinite reading rare wits grave judgements studious courteous and very famous for their Workes to be left behinde them yet a Reynolds in all respects we shall never have But why doe I name this man of a thousand as if we still had him when we see the grave openeth her mouth wide to devoure these small reliques of him bâ—fore us which we now last see salute and musâ— take our farewell of â—or ever This minute is the last we can Behold thiâ— rare accomplisht man For my part I must stand dumbe when I should commend his remaines to their honorable interment for Nor tongue nor pen nor Poets bayes Can set forth hiâ— deserved praise I will therefore borrow part of an Epitaph from Sophocles Come friends and lend your helpe let 's now inter Truths noble champion and Romes conquerer And never let the best the chiefest dare To wrong his ashes by a proud compare Behold in lesse then halfe a span The lovely modell of that Man Whose worth a world as big againe Were all too little to containe That famous Reynolds at the stroke Of whose learn'd Quill Romes sturdy Oke Trembled whom had not early death Prevented thus his very breath Had made such winde fals round about In Babels forrestâ— that no doubt In some few dayes her savage Beasts Had found no covert nor her Uulters nests He was Times wonder vertâ—es story Truths champion and the Churches glory The Life and Death of Joseph Scaliger who dyed Anno Christi 1609. JOseph Scaliger the son of Iulius Caesar Scaliger was borne aâ— Aginum Anno Christi 1540. and at nine years old was sent by his father to School at Burdeaux but after three yeares stay there the Plague breaking forth he returned to his father againe who set him every day to make an Oration whereby he attained to such an exactnesse in the Latine tongue that not long after he composed that excellent Tragedy of Oedipus which caused his friends to admire such ripenesse of wit in such tender years At nineteen years old his father being dead he went to Paris to learne the Greâ—k tongue whâ—re for two months space he applyed himselfe to the Lectures of that learned man Adrian Turneby buâ— wanting other helps he lost most of that time which caused him to shut himselfe up in his study and there by extraordinary diligence joyned with his naturall aptnesse he began to suck in the first rudiments of the Greek tongue and before he had well learned all the coâ—jugatioâ—â—â— he gat him an Homer and in twenty one dayâ—s learned it all over framed for himselfe a Greek Grammer and never usâ—d the help of any other he learned thâ— other Greek Pâ—â—ts in four months more Havâ—ng thus bestowed two yearâ—â—n the study of the Greeke he grew very desirous to adde the knowledge of the Hebrew to it and though he knew not one letter of it yet he fell to the study of it without any other help He wrote much in verse both those languages but to avoid the repute of ambition would not suffer them to be Printed He read over many Greek and Hebrew Authors and spent much time in interpreting and clearing of them from errors Anno Christi 1563. he began to travell into diverse Countries and made little stay any where till he was called to the University of Leiden Anno Christi 1593. to be Professor there in which place he spent sixteen yeares making the place famous both by his Lecâ—ures and Writings and at last dyed of a Dropsie Anno Christi 1609. and of his age sixty nine The aforâ—mentioned Turneby who was an excellently learned man himselfe called this Scâ—liger Portentosi ingenii juvenem a young man of a stupendious wit How can the worthy name and memory Of Scaliger in black oblivion dye Who by his pregnant wit and studious braines And indefatigable care and paines In Greek and Hebrew grew so excellent That being sent for he to Leidâ—n went Where he was made Professour and became A man of high renown and spreading fame And gracing much that University For fifteen years he there at last did dye The Life and Death of Amandus Polanus who dyed Anno Christi 1610. AMandus Polanus was borne in Silesia Anno Christi 1561. when his Parents had bred him up at School they sent him to Vratislavia
a larg stipend should be yearly given unto him out of tâ—e revenews of an adjacent Abby for his maintenance upon condition that Iohannes Charondiletus then Chancâ—llor unto the Emperour and Arthbishop of Panorma would give his free assent thereunto but the Providence of God so disposing he was not onely denied the same by the said Archbishop but he was also threatned with the losse of his life because is was declared unto him that Gâ—rardus had of late been in higher Gâ—rmany unto which place it was not lawfull for any student to goe least he should be infected with the purity of the doctrine taught in the reformed Churches This expectation of himself and also of his friends being now made voidâ— and having no hopes of getting preferment thereabouts because the Archbishop appeared his professed enemy by the advice of some godly and learned men and also because he would not be burdensome unto his friendsâ— he was resolved to travell againe and so determined to view that other part of Italie which he had not seene but here he was againe hindred by the violence of those Wars which at that time raged betwixt the Emperor and the King of France wherefore he being by this occasion deprived of the sight of Italie he shipped himselfe for England intending not to visit France or Germany any more because he might easily understand in that place by letters continually sent from his friends how all things went in Flanders and whether there were any hopes of obtaining preferment in those parts after his arrivall in England as he used in other forraine parts so he here also enqured after such as were esteemed the leanedest Scholars by which meanes he addressed himselfe unto Charles Monâ—joy the Son of William Montjoy Knight Baron a man much commended and approved of by Erasmus Roterdamus in his writings and of great learning in those dayes who conferring after a friendly manner with Gerardus concerning many matters and thereby perceiving his more then ordinary parts received him into his house and withall conferred an annuall stipend on him and that after a bountifull manner which waâ— so well pleasing unto Gerardus that he continued four yeâ—râ— with thiâ— Montjoy in which time he profited much in the knowledgâ— of humane and divine learning In the yeare 1540. with the consent of Charles Montjoy hâ— went to take view of the University of Cambridge about which time there were great troubles in the Church of England the Lord Cromwell was beheaded others were burned for their zealous profession of the truth many also were put to death for denying the King to be supreame head of the Church under Christ. Proclamations were every where set up against exotics and those full of perill and danger which caused Gerardus to enter into a consideration of returning againe into Germany yet before his departure from England he resolved to recreate himselfe with the fight of that other fountaine of learning viz. Oxford from whence he returned to London where after that he had prepared and fitted himselfe with things necessary for his journy he not without great sorrow tooke his leave of his liberall and loving Master who earnehly intreated him to continue longer with him but by no meanes he could be enduced and perswaded thereunto but forthwith he directed his course towards Anâ—werp a famous City in Brabant from whence he went againe into Flanders and for a season he there continued amongst his friends during his aboad in that place he heard of the fame of Bucer and of the flourishing Schoole at Straâ—burge both which but especially the fame of Bucâ—r allured him to take view of that part of high Germany wherefore without any delay he sets forward toward Strasburge taking Marpurge in his way that he might take order for the conveying of his books and trunks unto Frankâ—furt and secondly because he knew that he could maintaine himselfe at a cheaper rate during his aboad there then in any other place situate on the banks of Rhine and thirdly because he hoped that he should easily obtaine commâ—ndatory letters unto the learned Professors at Sâ—rsburge in that place and especially by the means of Gerardus Noviomagus a man of good estemation who also had formerly knowne this Gerardus and had lived also himselfe sometimes at Strasburge Maviomagus hâ—ving notice of the comming of Andraeas Gerardus unto Mâ—rpurge he kindely invited him unto his lodging where they met with mutuall embracâ—ngâ— being exceeding joyfull of the presence of each other not long after Gerardus discovering unto Naviomagus the causes of his comming unto that place together with his intent for Strasburge he was deâ—ired â—o remaine at Marpurge and withall he was promised faithfully by Naviomagus that he would procure him not onely employment but also a sufficient stipend for the performance of the same Gerardus well perceiving the entire love and sincere affection of his old friend consented and remained expecting preferment in the same place whereupon assooue as Iohannes Ficinus their Chancellor was returned home from an assembly appointed at Reinspurge Naviomagus entered into discourse with him concerning Gerardus and withall declared that by reason of his sicknesse he was not able to performe that place whereunto he was called desired that Gerardus might be approved and allowed to be an assistant unto him in the performance of the place the motion was well liked of Ficinus who forthwith called Gerardus unto him and wished him to remaine at Marpurge and to make triall of his gifts in that place which if they were approved of he promised him a sufficient pension for his labours but Gerardus was so well approved in that place by his Auditors that after the death of Naviomagus he was chosen and appointed to be his successour in the performance of a pastorall office which he faithfully discharged with so great labour and zeale for the Propacating of the truth the space of twenty two years that besides his appointed times and seasons he would make use of vacant houres for the performance of the same Here he commanded the publick exercise of Preaching in the Schoolâ— appointed texts unto the young Divines to treat of he would view and correct their Sermons before they were delivered in the Pulpit nay he would cause them to deliver them privately in his study before he would permit them to deliver them unto the publick Congregation that if there were any defect in voyce or gesture it might happily be amended He much praised those who performed their actions well contrariwise he severely rebuked those which were negligent sloathfull and as it were forceably compelled and constrained them unto a greater diligence he would daily examine them in points of Divinity desire their opinions concerning difficult questions explaine and open unto them hard texts of Scriptures insomuch that in short time he was the Author of much good unto the young Students these this he performed without the expectation of any reward He entred also into a
angling in the cleare streame then his predecessours had done by fishing in troubled waters Thirdly because he learned from Saint Ierom that intemperance in dyet facile dispumat in libidinem he every weeke viewed the buttry booke and if he found lavish expence upon any mans name he would punish him severely for it yet was he tender and compassionate to those who were of weaker constitutionâ— of body and he not onely permitted them to have such meats drest for them as might irretate their weake appetite and strengthen nature but he sent to them often from his owne Table and if any were visited with sicknesse he tooke care of them as if they were his owne children and his house was as an Apothecaries shop to furnish them with all such things they needed During the time of his Mastership in Baliol Colledge he finished his answer to Willâ—am Bishop Seminary priest intituled by the Pope Bishop of Chalcedon this nominall Bishop of an Aeriall Diocesse took upon him to refute Master Perkins his reformed Catholicke but our Abbot so refuted his refutation and so learnedly copiously solidly and perspicuously handled all those maine heads of Controversie which his adversary touched upon that many judicious Protestants heartily wished that William Bishop had run through all the above mentioned Refomâ—d Catholicke for then we should have had in our Abbots encounter with him a whole system and body of controversies exactly discussed and the truth of reformed Religion in all points solidly and substantially confirmed by Scriptures Fathers and Reason When Hanibal set upon Minutius at an advantage and put him to some distresse Fabius Maximus brings out his forces against Haniball and puts him to flight and Haniball himselfe was enforced to confesse that if he gained any thing upon Minutius he lost it and a great deale more by Fabius Maximus This William Bishops conscience told him and therefore finding himselfe unable to deale with Abbot at sharpe he challenged him to fight with him at dull and rusty foyles I meane foule language scurrilous sarcasmes like the Orators taxed by Quintilian qui causarum vacua conviâ—â—is explebant At the end of that his M r. piece he added vice coronidis a singular treatise intituled the True ancient Roman Catholick which he dedicated to Prince Henry who so thankefully accepted this his present that he returned him many thankes in a letter written with his Princely hand and promised his helping hand upon the next voydance to lift him up higher in the Church and though by the Princes untimely death this most able Champion of the truth sunk much in his hopes yet within a few yeares he was raised up first ad Cathedram Doctoralem and then Episcopalem for Doctor Holland exchanging this life for a better in the year of our Lord 1612. Abbot was thought the fittest man to succeed him in that Chayre in the judgement of all men save his owne who ever undervalued himselfe and after this place was conferred upon him refused it till his brother procured a Mandate from the King to him to hold it and then being put into the Chayre as it were by force he so well filled and furnished it that all men gave him that Evelogne which Saint Ierom giveth Nepotian ideâ— magis erat dignus quod se pâ—ofitebatur indignum he was by so much the worthier the lesse he knew his worth for contempt of honour makeâ— it more due and humility in excellency excels excellency it selfe And here the third time he made good the second sillable of his name Ver for partly by Sermons ad Clerum partly by his learned Lectures partly by his judicious moderating Divinity disputations partly by his exquisite Tractates printed a little before his death he caused such a spring among Divines as was not seen in many years before I will not revive his contentions with Doctor Howson concerning the Geneva notes and clearing Calvin from Arianisme because they are dead long since and were honourably buried by King Iames by whose command D r Howson being sharpened â—urned 〈◊〉 edge from Geneva to Rome and in the next Sermon he Preached as Saint Mariesâ— fell firce and foule upon the Pope himselfe threatning to loosen him from his Chayre though he were fastened thereunto with a teâ—peny naile Neither will I relate much of his Far well Oration at his parting from the University because I could not light upon a perfect copy thereof but a â—ew fragments onely and fragments though of dainty dishes please not the palat of most men yet to give you some tast of it thus he began Salve veneranda mater Academiarum decus gloria continere me non possum quin exultem animo beatumque me praedicem cui infelicissimae omnium gymnasiorum discere pariter docâ—re datum est mille egâ— tibi salutes mille felicitates prosperitates omnes successus exâ—ptare nunquam desinam tibi hoc negotium sub potentissimi principis auspitiis agitut tibi repetitus labor hic cui pro te aliqâ—ando in scholiâ— tuis sudatum est Id nempe agitur ut cavere discant alumni tui Arminios Bertiâ—s Grevinchonios reliquos istos scripâ—itores quos pruritus ingeniorum occupat ut in assuetiâ— nunquam acquiescant nunquam se aliquid esse credant nisi novitate singulares sinâ— Qui vult uno esse animo cum ecclesia anglicana par est 〈…〉 inchâ—et ab â—jus doctrina notitia quam ejusdem ecclesia esse consâ—â—â— â—â—gat in primis digerat articulos religionis quibus subâ—cribimus omnes illorum recolat explicationes quae continentur in â—omiliis carechismos consulat ea quae publica ejus authoritate prodierunt apologiam ecclesiae Anglicanae omnes ejus defensiones pâ—oillustres viros Iewâ—llum Fuleum Reynoldum Whitakerum Calvini Institutiones opera reverendissimi Whigifti in primis vâ—nerabiles Hookeri nullo modo omnititantur qui vero â—is omnibus relictis conferâ— se ad magistrum sententiarum Thomam Aquinatem â—uius farinae theologos acquid aliter fieri potest quam ut papismo inficiantur qui primâ—m lac sugunt ab istis uberibus neque tamen scholam penitus excludo imo omnimodâ— adhibendam sentio seâ— ita ut sit ancilla non domina affâ—renda ad il lam fidei doctrina non inde referenda sit asina quae te portet quod si te inequitet illa in salibras praecepitia te ducet And after singular directions for studâ—nts and passionat expressions of his love to the University thus he concluded spero ego de te spero de tuis optima charissima mater mâ—a utinam vigeas utinam floreas magisque acâ—magis crescas in columnam fidei firmamentum veritatis usque ad advenium Iesu Christi We have felt him as dew softly distilling in his private Cures according to the first syllable of his name Ros and viewed him also as the Spring growing flourishing in the
fidem nostram pane vino Domini per memoriam carnis sanguinis illius pascendam Anno 1525. being called into his owne Country he Preached and administred the Lord's Supper to his owne Citizens and Baptized without the Popish Ceremonies he was present and disputed at Berne against the Popish Masse c. He was with others chosen by the Protestants to goe the to Diet at Ratisbone for the setling of Religion and returning home in a great and generall infection he died to the Plague An. Christi 1541 of his Age 63. Industrious Capito at first inclind Himselfe to cure the body next the minde Being endow'd with most excellent parts He did as t' were monopolize the Artâ— He lov'd Religion and was alwayes free T' extoll the worth of practis'd piety He honor'd peace his heart was fil'd with hope That he might live to contradict the Pope And so he did he labour'd to prevent The Ceremonâ—es of their Sacrament And to conclude he labour'd to confute Their babling Masse He 's blest without dispute The Life and Death of LEO JUDAE who died Anno Christi 1542. LEo Iudae was born Anno Christi 1482. brought up at Schoole and from thence sent to Basil where he joyned in study with Zuinglius was an hearer of Doctor Wittenbash by whom he was instructed in the knowledge of the Gospel â—here also he was made a Deacon and from thence he was called into Helvetia where he â—et himselfe to the study of the Orientall Tongues and to read the Fathers especially Hierom and Augustine as also he read diligently the books of Luther Eraâ—mus and Capito at length being called to a Pastorall charge at Tigure he opposed the Popish doctrine and Ceremonies both in the Pulpit and Presse thâ—re he continued eighteen yeeres and spent much of it in expounding the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein being growne very skilfull he set upon at the importunity of his breathren of the Ministry the translation of the Old Testament out of the Hebrew wherein also he was much holpen by the industry of other learned men but this worke proving very great he was so wasted with labor and old age that he died before he finished it Anno Christi 1542. and of his Age 60. leaving undone Iob the forty last Psalmes Proverbs Ecâ—lesiastes Canticles and the eight last Chapters of Ezekiel which he commended to Theodore Bibliander to finish who accordingly did it and he left all to Conradus Pellican to peruse and put to the Presse which he carefully performed Four dayes before his death sending for the Pastors and Professors of Tigure he made before them a Confession of his Faith concerning GOD the Scriptures the Person and Office of CHRIST concluding Huic Iesu Christo Domino liberatori meo c. To this my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ my hope and my salvation I wholly offer up my soule and body I cast my selfe wholly upon his mercy and grace c. Heaven was the object where he fixt his eyes Truth was his Marke Religion was his Prise His studious heart was active to contrive How to keepe other pining Souls alive With heavenly Food he never lov'd to feed In secret Corners and let others need He never usâ—d to sweepe away the Crums From his poore Flock and feed their souls with Hums Like our new-babling Pastors which infuse Illiterate Words patch'd up with flattring News He would not blind them with the intising charms Of Falseties or bid them take up Armes Except for heaven within whose Tent he sings Anthems of Pleasure to the King of Kings The Life and Death of MYCONIUS who died Anno Christi 1546. Fâ—â—idericus Myconius was borne in Franconia of religious parents and bred up at Schoole till he was thirteen yeeres old and then he was sent to Annaeberg where he studied till he was twenty and then entred into a Monastery there without the knowledge of his parents the first night after his entrie he had a dream which proved propheticall In that place he read the Schoole-men and Augustine's Workes He read also at meal-time the Bible with Lyra's notes on it which he did seven yeeres together with so much exactnesse that he had it almost by heart but dispairing of attaining to learning he left his studieâ— and fell to Mechanicall Arts About which time Tecâ—liuâ— brought his Indulgences into Germany boasting of thâ— virtue of them and exhorting all as they loved their owne and their dead friends salvation that they should buy them c. Myconius had been taught by his fâ—ther the Lord's Prayer the Creed the Decalogue and to pray often and that the blood of Christ onely could cleanse uâ— from sin and that pardon of sin eternall life could not be bought with money c. Which caused him to be much tâ—oubled whether he should beleive his father or the Priests but understanding that there was a clause in the Indulgences that they should be given freely to the poore he went to Tecelius entreated him to give him one for he waâ— a poor sinner and one that needed a free remissions of sins and a participation of the merits of Christ Tecelius admired that he could speake Latine so well which few Priests could doâ— in those dayes aud therefore he advised with hiâ— Colleagues who perswaded him to give Myconius one but after much debate he returned him answer That the Pope wanted money without which he could not part with an Indulgence Myconius urged the aforenamed clause in the Indulgences whereupon Tecelius his Colleagues pressed againe that he might have one given him pleading his learning and ingenuity poverty c. And that it would be a dishonor both to God and the Pope to denie him one but still Tecelius refused whereupon some of them wispred Myconius in the eare to give a little money which he refused to doe and they fearing the event one of them profered to give him some to buy one with which he still refused saying That if he pleased he could sell a book to buy one but he desired one for Gods sake which if they denyed him he wished them to consider how they could answer it to God c. but prevailing nothing he went away rejoycing that there was yet a God in heaven to pardon sinners freely c. according to that promise As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner c. Not long after he entred into Orders and read privately Luther's books which the other Friars tooke very haynously and threatned him for it From thence he was called to be a Preacher at Vinaria where at first he mixed some Popish errors with the truth but by the illumination of Gods Spirit and by his reading Luther he at last began to preach against Popery and to hold forth the truth clearly which spread so swiftly not onely through Saxonie but through all countries as if the Angels had been carryers of it Afterwards he was called
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