Abel redevivus, or, The dead yet speaking by T. Fuller and other eminent divines.

Abel redevivus, or, The dead yet speaking by T. Fuller and other eminent divines.

Table of contents

Title page

THE EPISTLE To the READER.

THE TABLE.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

W

Z

[Figure] The Life and Death of Berengarius.

[Figure] The Life and Deth of John Wicklief.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Huss.

[Figure] The life and Death of Jerom of Prague.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Martin Luther.

[Figure] The life and Death of Desiderius Erasmu•.

[Figure] The life and Death of Huldericus Zuinglius.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Colet.

[Figure] The life and Death of John Oecolompadius.

The life and death of JOHN FRITH, Who suffered Martyrdome, 1533.

The Life & Death of THOMAS BILNEY, who suffered Martyrdome, Anno Christi 1531.

[Figure] The Life and Death of William Tindal.

The life and Death of URBANUS REGIUS, who died Anno Christi 1541.

The Life and Death of CARALOSTADIUS Who died Anno Christi 1541.

The life and death of CAPITO, Who died Anno Christi 1541.

The Life and Death of LEO JUDAE, who died Anno Christi 1542.

The Life and Death of MYCONIUS, who died Anno Christi 1546.

The life and Death of John Diazius, Who dyed Anno Christi 1546.

The Life and Death of CRUCIGER, Who died Anno Christi 1548.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Paulu• Fagius.

[Figure] The Life and Death of MARTIN BUCER.

The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO, who died Anno Christi 1552.

The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of A•halt, wh• died Anno Christi 1553.

The life and Death of Justus Jonas, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

The Life and Death of John Rogers, who died Anno Christi 1555.

The Life and Death of Laurence Saunders, who died Anno Christi 1555.

The Life and Death of John Hooper, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

The Life and Death of Rowland Tailor, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Bradford.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Nicolas Ridly.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Peter Martyr.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Hugh Latimer.

The Life and Death of John Philpot, who died Anno Christi 1555.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Thomas Cranmer.

The Life and Death of Conrade Pellican, who dyed Anno Christi 1556.

The Life and Death of Bugenhagius, who died Anno Christi 1558.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Phillip Melancthon •

The Life and Death of John a Lasco, who died Anno Christi 1560.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Augustine Marlorat.

The Life and Death of Amsdorfius, who died Anno Christi 1563.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Wolfangus Musculus.

The Life and Death of Hyperius, who dyed Anno Christi 1564.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Calvin.

The Life and Death of William Farellus, who dyed Anno Christi 1565.

The Life and Deoth of Vergerius, who dyed Anno Christi 1565.

The Life and Death of Strigelius, who dyed Anno Christi 1569.

The Life and Death of John Brentius, who dyed Anno Christi 1570.

The Life and Death of Peter Viretus, who dyed Anno Christi 1571.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Jewell.

The Life and Death of Zegedine, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.

The Life and Death of John Knox, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.

The Life and Death of Peter Ramus, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.

The Life and Death of Matthew Parker, who dyed Anno Christi 1574.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Henry Bullinger.

The Life and Death of Edward Deering, who dyed Anno Christi 1576.

The Life and Death of Flacius Jlliricus, who dyed Anno Christi 1575.

The Life and Death of Josias Simlerus, who dyed Anno Christi 1576.

The life and death of Immanuall Tremelius, who dyed Anno Christi 1580.

The Life and Death of Peter Boquine, who dyed Anno Christi 1582.

[Figure] The Life and Death of William Grindall.

The Life and Death of Bernard •ilpin, who dyed Anno Christi 1583.

The life and death of Zachary Ursin, who dyed Anno Christi 1583.

The Life and Death of Abraham Bucholtzer, who dyed Anno Christi 1584.

The Life and Death of John Wigandus, who dyed Anno Christi 1587.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Martin Chemnisius.

The Life and Death of Rodolphus Gualterus, who dyed Anno Christi 1586.

The Life and Death of Casper Olevian, who dyed Anno Christi 1587 •

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Fo•.

The Life and Death of George So•nius who dyed Anno Christi 1589.

The Life and Death of Laurence Humfried, who dyed Anno Christi 1589.

The Life and Death of James Andreas, who dyed Anno Christi 1578.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Hieronimus Zanchiu•.

The Life and Death of Anthony Sadeel, who dyed Anno Christi 1591.

[Figure] The Life and Death of William Whittaker.

The Life and Death of Lambert Danaeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1596.

The Life and Death of Robert Rollock, who dyed Anno Christi 1598.

The Life and Death of Nicolas Hemingius, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

The Life and Death of James Heerbrand, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

The Life and Death of David Chytraeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Alexander Nowel.

The Life and Death of Daniel Tossanus, who dyed Anno Christi 1602.

[Figure] The Life and Death of William Perkins.

The Life and Death of the late reverend and worthy Prelate, LANCELOT ANDREWES, late Bishop of WINCHESTER.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Franciscus Juniu•.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Edwin Sands, who dyed Aug. 8. Anno Christi 1588.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Gervas Babington.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Whitgift.

The Life and Death of Lucas Trelcatius, who dyed Anno Christi 1602.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Theodorus Beza.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Reinolds.

The Life and Death of Joseph Scaliger, who dyed Anno Christi 1609.

The Life and Death of Amandus Polanus, who dyed Anno Christi 1610.

The Life and Death of Thomas Holland, who dyed Anno Christi 1612.

[Figure] The Life and Death of John Bale.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Andraeas Gerardus.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Mathew Parker.

The Life and Death of John Drusius. who dyed Anno Christi 1616.

The Lif and Death of John James Grynaeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1617.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Robert Abbot.

The Lif and Death of William Cowper, who dyed Anno Christi 1619.

The Life and Death of John Piscator, who dyed Anno Christi 1625.

[Figure] The Life and Death o• Andrew Willet.

The Lif and Death of David Pareus. who dyed Anno Christi 1622.

The Life and Death of Thomas Erpenius, who dyed Anno Christi 1624.

The Life and Death of Abraham Scultetu•, who dyed Anno Christi 1624.

[Figure] The Life and Death of Robert Bolton.

The Life and Death of William Whately, who dyed Anno Christi 1639.

§

§

[Page]

ABEL REDEVIVUS or The dead yet speaking

By T. Fuller and other Eminent Divines.

Mors vltima linea rerum est

Nunc levior cippus non imprimit ossat

Laudat yosteritas, nunc non é manibus illis

Nunc non é tumulo fortunague favilla

Nascuntur viola? Pers: Sam 37

Sould by Iohn Stafford at the George at Fleete bridge 1652 Ro: Vaughan Sculp:

THE EPISTLE To the READER.

[Page]

[Page]

SVch honour (saith the Psalme 149 9. Psalmist) have all his Saints. His Saints emphatically; Divine Providēce foreseeing that in after ages some would usurp the title of Sain [...]ship to whom it did not belong. His Saints exclusiuely, casting out Saints traitors as Becket and Garnet, Saint hy [...]ocrites, and many others; who in the same sence, as Auri sacra fames, may be termed Sacri or Sancti, Saints.

2. But, what honour have all his Saints? Marke what went before, as it is written, bu [...] by whom and where? Though Chapters and Verses be of later date, the holy [Page] Spirit might have cited the Book. O no! He, to quicken our Industry referres us to the Word at large. However, Search the Scriptures, and therein we shall meet with many honours afforded to the Saints; both whilst they were living, and when they were dead; on which alone we shall insist.

3 This honour also is twofold, either what God or what Man bestoweth upon them; the latter onely is proper for our present purpose, and brancheth it selfe into Honour done to their Bodyes or to their Memories.

4 Of the former, is their Decent Interment, according to their quality: Thus Iehojadah was promoted to a Sepulcre amongst the Kings of Iudah; 2 Cron. 24.16. Hezechiah (whose signall holinesse was Paramount whilst he was living) had his Tombe advanced the 2 Cron. 32.33 highest of all other Kings. However, this Honour hath not been universall to all Saints; many have missed thereof, especially in time of Persecution; as appears by the complaint of the Psalmist.

5 Honour to their Memories is more [Page] certaine, being sometimes paid them very abundantly, even from those who formerly were so niggardly and covetous, as not to afford them a good word in their life time:

— Defunctus amabitur idem.

Many are made Converts by the godly ends of good men; as the Matth. 27.54. Centurian himself, who attended and ordered the crucifying of Christ, after his expiring, brake forth into that testimony of him, Verily this was the Sonne of God. So, such as rail at, revile, curse, condemne, persecute, execute pious People, speake other language of them, when such men have passed the Purgation of Death, and confesse them faithfull and sincere servants of God.

6 The last Honour, is Imi [...]ation of their vertuous examples. The Papists b [...]ag that Stapleton, their great controversiall Divine, was borne on that very day, whereon Sir Thomas More was put to death; but Providence so ordereth it, that out of the ashes of dead Saints, many living one [...] doe spring and sprout, by following the pious precedents [Page] of such godly persons deceased. This was a maine motive of publishing the ensuing Treatise, to furnish our present Age with a Magazeen of religious Patterns for their Imitation.

7 There is a Monument in Palestine, which at Adricomius de terra sancta. Modinum was erected for the Maccabees, consisting of seven Pedestals, and on them as many Pyramids, under the bottoms whereof their Bodies lye buried, whilest their tops serve (even at this day) for Seamarkes to direct Marr [...]ners, sailing in the Mediterranean, towards the Haven of Ioppa in the H [...]ly Land. Not unlike whereunto, for the use and service thereof, is this following Discourse, m [...]de partly, to doe right to the memory of these Heroes deceased, and partly to guide and conduct us to arrive at the sam [...] h [...]ppinesse, by steering our course according to the purity of their lives, and constancy of their deaths.

8 Here may we finde many excellent Preachers, who first reformed themselves, that their Doctrine might take the better effect in others. For as one who would [Page] most mannerly intim [...]te to another any spot or foulenesse in his face, doth wipe hi [...] owne face in the same place, that so the other beholding him, may collect where and how, to amend any thing that is amisse: So these worthy Ministers gave others to understand how to rectifie their faults, by exemplary clensing and clearing their owne lives and Conversations.

9 But, Most remarkable are many Confessors (here briefly described) for their constancy in persecution; It was as Hegesippus reports, an observation of Antonius the Emperour, that the Christians were most couragious and confident alwayes in Earthquakes whilst his owne heathen Souldiers, were at such accidents most fearfull and disspirited; The same holds true here in many worthy Saints, in such concussions and commotions of Church and State, wherein all was almost turned upside-downe, they acquited themselves most fearless and valiant, still preferring a good conscience; a grace very worthy of our Imitation, especially in this Age, when the very Foundations are [Page]shaken, and most at a losse, how to behave themselves. God grant when men are at their wits end, they may be at the beginning of their faith, valiantly to hold out in the Truth.

10 But the valour of some Martyrs shewed most exalted Patience. The Roman Gladiators, set [...]orth and designed to Death, when despairing to come off alive, tooke all their care; honeste decumbere, to fall down in a decent posture; so contriving their Bodies into a modest Method, that no uncomlinesse might therein be discovered. So was it in these Martyrs (and ought to be in us, if called into their condition) all their sollicituousnesse was, taking leave of life to entertain Death with so sweet a deportment, that they might [...]etray no unworthinesse or meannesse in minde, in their latter end.

11 So much for the occasion and matter of this worke. As for the Makers thereof, they are many; some done by Doctor Featly, now at rest with God, viz. The lives of Iewell, Reynolds, Abbot and diverse others. Some by that reverend and learned Divine Master Gataker, viz. The Lives of Peter [Page]Martyr, Bale, Whitgi [...]t, Ridley, Whitaker, That, pa 523. and not that pag. 328. which was printed before a mor exact Copy was procured. Parker and others. Doctor Wille [...]s life by Doctor Smith, his Son in Law. Erasmus his life by the reverend Bishop of Kilmore. The life of Bishop Andrewes, by the judicious and industrious, my worthy friend Master Isaackson: and my meannesse wrote all the lives of Berengarius, Hus, Hierom of Prague, Archbishop Cranmer, Master Fox, Perkins, Iunius, &c. Save the most part of the Poetry was done by Master Quarles, Father and Son, sufficiently known for their abilities therein. The rest the Stationer got transcribed out of Mr. Holland and other Authors.

What remaines but to condole the sad condition of our dayes, comming short of the former Age, and daily wayning? thinnesse in Eminent Divines, caused from our present distractions. We read Ioshuah 3.16. that the waters of Iordan which came downe from above (namely from the two Springs of Ior and Dan) stood still, and the rest failed and were cut off, running into the the Sea of the Plaine (otherwise called [Page] the DEAD SEA) so that betwixt both, the river of Iordan was dryed up into a faire passage over it. I feare whilst the streame of a new supply from the two Fountaines of Learning and Religion in this Kingdome is much disturbed and partly obstructed in these tumultuous times, and whilst the present Generation of eminent Divines, maketh haste to their graves, able Ministers will almost be drayned dry in the Kingdome: The rather, because as the arrow mortally wounded Ahab betwixt the joynts of his Armour, so in the interstitium betwixt two Disciplines (and give me leave to tearme Discipline the Armour of the Church) Episcopacy put off, and another Government not as yet close buckled on, Prophanenesse and Licenciousnesse have given a great & grievous wound to the Church of God; for the speedy cure whereof joyn thy Prayers with his, who is

Thy servont in any Christian office, THO. FULLER.

Walth. Abbey.

[Page]

THE TABLE.

[Page]

[Page]

A

A

page

Amsdorsius.

246

Andreas.

387.

Andrewes.

440.

Abbat.

538.

B

B

Berengarius.

1.

Bilney.

121.

Bu [...]re.

153.

Bradford.

179.

Bugenhagius.

280.

Brentius.

292.

Bullenger.

329.

Boquine.

347.

Bucolizer.

364.

Babington.

455.

Beza.

465.

Bale.

502.

Benedictus.

520.

Bolton.

586.

C

C

Colet.

97.

Caralostadius.

113.

Capito.

135.

Cruciger.

144.

Cranmer.

223.

Calvin.

266.

C [...]emnisius.

307.

Chytraeus.

417.

Cowper.

558.

D

D

Diazeus.

142.

Deering.

341.

Danaeus.

408.

Drusius.

533.

E

E

Erasmus.

57.

Erpenius.

582.

F

F

Frith.

118.

Farellus.

286.

Fox.

377.

Fagius.

146.

G

G

George Prince of Anhalt.

164.

Grindall.

350.

Gilpin.

352.

Gulterus.

372.

Gerardus.

511.

Grynaeus.

535.

H

H

Husse.

[...]2.

Hooper.

172.

Hesperius.

264.

Humfried.

386.

Hemingius.

413.

Heerbrand.

415.

Holland.

500.

[Page]Hedio.

163.

I

I

Ierom of Prague.

21.

Iustas Ionas.

165.

Iohn a Lasco.

243.

Iewell

301.

Illiricus.

343.

Iunius.

441.

K

K

Knox.

319.

L

L

Luther.

31.

Leo Iudae.

136.

Latimer.

217.

M

M

Myconius.

138.

Melancthon.

234.

Marlorat.

245.

Musculus.

248.

N

N

Nowell.

422.

O

O

Oecolampadius.

109.

Olevian.

373.

P

P

Peter Martyr.

205.

Philpot.

221.

Pellican.

229.

Parker.

328 and 523.

Perkins.

431.

Polanus.

499.

Piscator.

564.

Pareus.

577.

R

R

Rogers.

167.

Ridley.

191.

Ram [...].

325.

Roll [...]k.

410.

Reynolds.

477.

S

S

Saunders.

169.

Strigelius

290.

Simlerus.

344.

Sohinus.

384.

Sadeel.

397.

Sands.

452.

Scaliger.

498.

Scultetus.

584.

T

T

Tindall.

126.

Taylor.

176.

Tremelius.

346.

Tossanus.

424.

Trelca [...]ius.

464.

V

V

Vrbanius Regius.

130.

Vergerius.

288.

Viretus.

299.

Vrsin.

361.

W

W

Wicklief.

8.

Wigandus.

367.

Whitaker.

401.

Whitgift.

457.

Willet.

565.

Whatley.

592.

Z

Z

Zuinglius.

85

Zegedine.

314.

Zanchius.

390.

BERENGARIVS.

The Life and Death of Berengarius.

[Page]

WE read Acts 27.20. when Saint Paul was tossed with the Tempest, that neither Sunne nor Starres for many dayes appeared: This may passe for the dolefull Embleme of the dismall darkenesse in the depth of Popery, wherein Berengarius lived, the subject of our ensuing discourse, and before whom, from the expiring of the Primative Age till his entrance into the Church, little considerable light of knowledge shined amongst many Errours and much ignorance.

2 We have not been idle in seeking, but unsuccesfull in the finding the date of Berengarius birth; and can likewise [Page] give no account of his Parentage and extraction. Herein he was not unlike the River Nilus, unknown and obscure for its Fountaine, but famous and renowned for his Streames; and his birth may seeme to be eclips [...]d, by the resplendant lustre of his life. And Towres in France seated on the river Loyer, was his native City, wherein he was borne about t [...]e ye [...]r of our Lord 1020. as by proportion of Cronologie may probably be collected. And it is observable, that as the City of Towres gave the first being to Berengarius, so [...] Gate of that City called Saint Hues gate (in, at, and neere which, they used to meet) gave the denomination to the Hu [...]anites, or modern French Protestants, which in the point of Transubstantiation s [...]cceed to the opinion of Berengarius or rather to the truth of the doctrine it selfe.

3 Here we must not omit, that some have m [...]intained that this Berengarius came over with William the Conquerour into England, and by his bounty received the Castle of Camb. Brittan in Northhampton. Barnewell in Northamptonshire for his possession. But the mistake ariseth, by confounding him with another Berengarius his namesake, surnamed Le M [...]igne, or the Monke, (which also added countenance to their first error) though indeed he was a Martiall man, and no Ecclesiasticall person, on whom the King conferred that Castle. Thus, though we should have [...]eene right glad to have had this worthy Schollar our Country [...]man, though not by birth yet by habitation, accounting it Englands honour that he was infeofted with faire demeynes therein; yet because all is grounded upon an Errour, no counterfeit credit, nor false favours shall be assumed by us on others mistakes.

4 Having profited in the Schoole above his equals under Fulbertus his Master, the World began to take notice of his abilities, and at last he was preferred to be Archdeacon of A [...]giers; a man of a bold spirit, and daring resolution, as God alwayes suits men for the worke they undertake. We may observe in B [...]ttels, that they set those who are best arm'd [...]o charge in the first ranke, and order them to follow who are not so compleatly weaponed: [Page] God in like manner, in his wisdome appointed that suc [...] Confessours of the Truth, who were to make the firs [...] Breach into the Armies of Antichrist, should be accoutred Cappa [...]pae with undaunted courages (such as this Berengarius and Luther were) though men of meeker mindes and milder dispositions may afterwards be well used in the same service.

5 For his life and conversation, it was so blamelesse that therein he starved the malice of all his adversaries, the long teeth of whose spight could finde nothing to feede upon. He is reported not to have suffered any woman to come in his sight; not because he was a hater of their sex, but because he was to deale with dangerous adversaries, he would warily cut off all occasions of suspition; and in some cases we may say, that over-much warīnesse is but even measure and caution, if it be not too much, will be too little.

6 The maine matter wherein he dissented from the current of the Roman Church, and is honoured for a Champion of the Truth, was, in the point of Transubstantiation; an Errour which crept one of the last into the Church, and was the first that was most vigorously opposed. It took the rise from some extravagant expressions of Damascene and Theophilact, who endeavouring to shew the reality of Christs presence in the Sacrament, scattered such florishing language to that purpose (flowers, though they cannot feede, may sometimes infect) that though well intending, yet ill interpreted, gave occasion to their unskilfull R [...] ders, who more minded the words then the matter, from such Rhetoricall premises to conclude a Dogmaticall point of the Elements being corporally transubstantiated, against the very being and nature of a Sacrament.

7 The first that effect [...]ally opposed this Errour was Leuthericus (remark [...]ble for his name, confining on Lactherus) Archbishop of Senes in France. But the French King [...]o kept him under with his heavy weight upon him, that he never grew up to any generall notice in the world. More [Page] active was the undertaking of our Belengarius (who is challenged by Baronius for reviving the opinions of Leuthericus) and would not be taken off by the smiles or frowns of any who endeavoured by all meanes possible to perswade him to desist in his opposition.

8 There was one Adelmanus Bishop of Brixia schoolefellow with Berengarius, who by most loving letters perswaded him to be reconciled to the Romish Church; he often in his Epistolary addresses intituled Berengarius (even when little better than under the Popes curse) sancte Frater, holy Brother; and addulced his discourse with all luscious expressions unto him. Moreover, he minded him of the counsell which Fulbertus their Master often gave him in horto, in the Garden; who suspecting the activity (nick-named by him turbulency) of Berengarius, often forwarned him with teare [...], not to innovate any thing in matters of Religion, and humbly to submit his judgement to the censure of the Church. Nor were promises of preferment wanting, on condition he would comply with the Court of Rome; who, on the revocation of his opinion, might easily have turned his Arch-deaconry into a Bishopricke. But all was in vaine, he still persisted loyall to his first principles, and no golden promises could bribe his judgement against his conscience.

9 Here it is no part of our imployment, much lesse of our purpose to be advocate for all the fauls of Berengarius. It being madnesse in any man, who is unable to pay the score of his owne faults, utterly to breake himselfe by being surety for the offences of others. Onely we submit the ensuing particulars to the judgement of the impartiall Reader; that when he meets with the manifold charges drawne up against this party accused, he would be pleased to take what followeth into his serious consideration.

10 First, that he was a man, and so subject to errour: And therefore he is no man who will not afford him a pardon of course, for those failings proceeding from human infirmity. Secondly, that he lived in a darke age; and [Page] therefore was more obnoxious to stumble. So that we need not condemne him that his errours were [...]o many; but rather praise Gods goodnesse, that they were no more; yea, this I dare bouldly affirme, that if the morning grow so proud as to scorne the dawning of the day, because mixed with darkenesse, Midde day will revenge her Quarrell, and may justly take occasion to conteme the Morning, a [...] in lustre infiriour to her selfe. Thirdly, Berengarius was vexed with oposition, which makes men reele into violence, and no reason it is, that the constant temper of his soule, should be guessed from som ague-fits (as I may terme them) of his passion, and that his positive opinion should be stated from his polemicall heate, when he was chafed in disputation. Lastly, to render him whilest living, and his memory when dead more odious, his Adversaries have fastened many false accusations upon him.

11 We that live in this distracted age, know too well how ready men are to cast aspersions on thos [...] who differ from them in point of opinion: which should make us more charitable in passing our verdicts on those in former ages, which dissented from the received opionions. Wherefore, when we read Baronius calling him hominem mendacissimum, impudentissimum, with other epithets to the same sence, we know how to defalce our credit accordingly. True it is, one fault he was guilty of, which we are so far from excusing or extenuating, that we would throw the first stone against him our selves, but that consciousnesse to our owne frailtyes commands us to hold our hands, lest hitting of him we wound our selves, as subject without heavens especiall support to the same infirmiti [...]s. However seeing God is gloryfied in his servants weaknesse, and every stumble of man is a steppe to Gods throne, we will plainly and simply set downe the unexcusable inconstancy of Berengarius.

12 Being summoned to appeare before Pope Leo the ninth, at first he refused to obey his command, therein following the Councell of Peter de waldez (from whom the [Page] Waldenses received their names) but afterwards being otherwise advised, and wearied with the importunity of his adversaries, he not onely made his personall appearance before the Pope, but also solemnely in the presence of the Councell at Rome retracted and abjured his opinions. Indeed formerly he had set forth a worke in the nature of an Expedient, wherein he did much qualifie and mitigate his expressions, abating much of their edge and sharpnesse, if possibly he might have made them comply with the Sence of Rome. But this proving ineffectuall and not giving expected satisfaction to the Conclave, he was last faine in terminis to renounce and recant his opinion in the presence of 113. Bishops.

13 But having got out of the reach of his enemies pawes he reassumed his Tenents again, remitting nothing of his former zeale, but rather asserting them with more ardour and vehemency then before. But alasse, no sooner was he seazed on the second time, but that he again abjured his opinions in the Lateran Councell under Pope Gregorie the seventh, to the indeleblest staine of his name for his inconstancy.

14 After his second Recantation, we find little of the manner of his demeanour unto the day of his death. And we easily conceive, that clouded with shame for his former fact, he affected obscurity, and lived as invisible as might be in the World. We find not that he excepted of any preferment in the Church, or that any was offered him. A presumption that he was not re-estated in the favour of the Popish party, not confiding in him as thorow paced in their Religion. Charity commands us to hope that at the crowing of the Cocke of his Conscience, he might awake out of his former sleepe, and weepe bitterly with him, who on his repentance was received into Christs favour.

15 Two especiall adversaries Berengarius had, Guitmundus, and Lanke Franke a Lumbard, the latter of more learning than Piety, more parts then learni [...]g, more pride then both, was well rewa [...]ded for his paines for disputing and [Page] wri [...]eing against Berengarius with the rich Arch bishopricke of Canterbu [...]y. But B [...]rengarius never mounted higher then his Arch Deaconry of Angiers where he died on Epiphanie or Twelfe day, Anno 1088. D [...]fferent is the judgement of learned men concerning his finall estate. Heildebert bishop of Maine and our William of Malmesbury, say that he died homo novus, a reclaimed man, and dandle him in the lappe of the Romish Church as a true childe thereof. But Cardinall Baronius lookes upon him under the notion of a Hereticke, accounting his Recantation but superficiall indited rather from his Cowardise then Conscience. O [...]r Illyricus, in His catalogue of the witnesses of the Truth, affords him a principall place therein. We leave him to stand or fall to his owne master, according to that concluding Disticke, which we find in an Aauthor:

Cum nihil ipse vides propria [...]uin labe laboret,

Tu tua fac cures, caetera mitte Deo.

Seeing nought thou seest but faults are in the best,

Looke Thou unto thy selfe, leave God the rest.

16 Remarkeable are his words wherewith he breathed out his last gaspe, which Illyricus reporteth to this Effect: now am I to goe, and appeare before God, either to be acquitted by him as I hope, or condemned by him as I feare. Which words, as they savour not of that full assurance of Salvation which God vouchsafeth to many of his servants, so they carry not with them any offensive Breath of Despaire. And it is no contradiction in Christianity, to rejoyce before God with trembling. And in this Twilight we leave Berengarius to that mercifull God, who knoweth whereof we are made and remembereth we are but dust.

Most worthily may this Divine

Old Berengarius, fairely shine

Within this Skie of lustrious Starres,

Who, 'gainst Romes errours fought Truths warres;

Confuting, with high approbation,

Romes sigment, Transubstantiation;

[Page]Which did that Hierarchie so vex,

And with such passion so perplex,

That they would never give him rest,

But did his Soule so much molest,

That at the last, by fraud and force,

They made him (with most sad remorse)

Two severall times his Cause recant.

Him of his Crown, thus, to supplant.

Thus, O, thus, oft, Sols raye most rare,

With duskie clouds ecclipsed are.

IOH [...]N WICKLI [...].

The Life and Deth of John Wicklief.

AMongst many famous Writers in this Nation, as Beda, Alckvine, Iohn Carnotenesis, Nigellus, Neckam, Sevall, Bacanthorpe,[Page]Ockam, Hampoole of Armach, this Wicklief is not the least of worth, he was famous both for Life, and Learning; he was brought up in the famous Vniversity of Oxford, in Merton Coll [...]dge; he gave himselfe, after he was Master of Arts, to the study of Schoole Divinity, wherein having an [...]xcellent acute wit, he became excellently well qualified, and was admired of all for his singular Learning, and swe [...]tn [...]sse of behavior, in King Edward the thirds time: who protested that his chiefe end and purpose was to call backe the Church from her Idolatry, especially in the matter of the Sacrament. He was much favoured by Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and the Lord Henry Percy, who defended and protected him from his raging adversaries and Bishops.

And when Pope Gregory the eleveeth sent his Bull to Oxford to require them to root out Wickl [...]ef's Tares (as he called them) the Proctors, and Masters were in long debate whether they should receive it, or reject it. In the time of King Richard the second, this Wicklief was brought before the Bishops at Lambeth, and had many Articles put in against him, but what by the meanes of some Courtiers, and Citizens of London, he was again released. After this William Barton Vice-chancellor of Oxford, wi [...]h some other Doctors, set forth an Edict against him, and his followers: whereupon he published a confession of his Doctrine. Anno Christi 1382. the Archbishop of Canterburie held a Convocation at London, and condemned the Articles of Wicklief as Heretical: and when the said Archbishop with many of his adherents were gathered together about this business, just as they were readie to begin their debate, there fell out a great and generall Earthquake, which so affrighted manie of them, that they desisted from their business: yet all means were used for the suppressing of his opinions; but through God's mercie they could never bee exstirpated to this daie. He was a great enemie to the swarms of begging Friers, with whom it was harder to make war, then with the Pope himselfe. He denied the Pope to be the Head of the [Page] Church, and pronounc'd him to be Antichrist: he confuted, and condemned his Doctrine about Bulls, Indulgences, &c. The Bishop of Rome lost by his Doctrine the power of making and ordaining Bishops in England, and the Tenths of spirituall promotions, & also the gains of his Peter-pence. Whereupon Polidore Virgil cals him an infamous Hereticke. He affi [...]med the Scripture to be the supreme Judg of Controversies, condemned Transubstantiation, &c. He was a painfull, and faithfull preacher of the Gospell under that famous King Edward the thi [...]d, who alwaies favored and protected him against the rage of his adversaries. In the raign of Richard the second, he was by the power of his adversaries banished, yet in all his affliction he shewed an undanted spirit. At last returning from Exile, he died in the yeere of our Saviour Jesus Christ, (whom he had Preached) 1387. and was buried the last day of December at his Parsonage of Lutterworth in Leicester-shire. But in the yeer 1428. which was 41. yeeres from the time of his death, his dead body was by the Decree of Pope Martin the fifth, and Counsell of Sene, dig'd up, and burned with the Execreations of that fiery Pope; thus he found the cruelty of them being dead, whom he had, being living, taught to be so. He writ (as Pius Aenaeas testifies) more then two hundred faire volumnes, most of which were burned by Sùbinck Arch-bishop of Prague in Bohemia: The Catalogue of his Works you may reade in the Centuries of Io [...]n Bale, somes of them, I have here set downe.

1 Of Christ and antichrist. 2. Of Antichrist and his members. 3. Of the truth of the Scriptures. 4. Of the fountain of E [...] rors. 5. A booke of Conclusions. 6. 7. Of Ecclesiasticall and Civill government. 8 Of the Impostures of Hipocrites. 9. Of Blasphemy. 10. Lectures on Daniel. 11. On the Apocalyps. 12. Of the marriage of Priests. 13. The Divels craft against Religion. 14. His policy to overthrow faith. 15. Of Apostacy.

16. Two bookes of Metaphysickes, one containing 12. Bookes. 17. Glosses upon the Scripture. 18. Of falling away from Christ. 19. Of truth and lying.

[Page]Besides these, he writ many of Philosophy, and translated the Bible into the English tongue, making Prefaces and Arguments to every Booke: he also translated the twelve Bookes of Clement, the Parson of Lanthon, containing the harmony of the Evangelists: And thus went out this Lampe of England: of whom one thus hath said:

With our old English writers rare,

John Wicklief, justly might Compare;

For Learning, Life, and solid Witt,

And many Works he rarely Writt;

Contending stoutly, 'gainst Romes Errours,

Nere daunted by their threats or terrours;

But, to his death, still, fought faiths fight,

And thus went out this Lamp of Light.

But, being dead, Rome did so rave,

'Gainst this Faiths Champion, that from's grave,

They digged-up his Bones, with ire,

And burnt (as Hereticks) in fire.

Thus was Romes Folly, Rage, exprest,

To burn dead Bones, of Soules, at rest.

IOHANNES HVS.

The Life and Death of John Huss.

[Page]

THE faire fruit of effects, is vertually couched in the small seeds of their causes.

1 Iohn Huss is a pregnant instance thereof, whose inconsiderable, yea contemptable beginning, improved it selfe to give a blow under the fift rib in Scripture alwaies observed mortall to the man of sin.

2 It would have given much satisfaction to the reader, and more to our selves, could we present him with exact Particulars of Huss his birth and extraction. But alas we are so far from having a starre going before us to direct us to the place of his nativitie, that we finde not the least candlelight to guide us to the notice thereof. In or neere [Page] Prague we conceive him to be borne, in which University he had his education.

3. Now the learning of that age moved in a very narrow circle, in Case and Controversiall Divinity. The Schoolmen wanting the wings of the learned tongues, therewith to mount into the meaning of the Scriptures in their originall, onely employed themselves in running round in the beaten path of common questions: whilst such amonst them as were of extraordinary parts, impatient to be confined within, yet unable to exceed the foresaid compasse, let out their soules, and made roome for the activitie of their mindes, by digging deepe into curious inquiries, where their best results are either unnecessarie, or certaine, or both. Wherefore Iohn Huss declining such intricate labyrinthes, betooke himselfe to finde out the right way to heaven describ'd in Gods word.

4 It happened about this time, that Richard the second of England married Anne sister to Wencelaus King of Bohemia; and although he had no children by her, yet the conversion of Bohemia may fitly be stiled the issue of this their mariage. Indeed this Queene Anne, taught our English women modestie in riding on Side-saddles; in exchange whereof the English taught the Bohemians true religion; first discov [...] ring the Romish superstitions unto them. For her Courtiers here did light on the bookes of Iohn Wicklief, and carried them into their owne Country, where Huss had the happinesse to read, approve, and disperse the same. See here the pedegree of the Reformation, wherein Germany may be counted the Son, Bohemia the Father, and England the Grand-father.

5. Huss hereupon began zealously to preach and propagate the truth, which for the soundnesse thereof was welcome to many, for the novelty to more. But as the Jewes Acts 22.22. heard Saint Paul pati [...]ntly, untill that passage, That he was sent to the Gentiles, which inraged them beyond all modesty and measure, crying out, away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that he should live; so even [Page] some Friers lent attentive eares to Huss his Sermons, till their profit began to be concerned in his confuting the gainefull errours of Rome, and their malice mustred all opposition against him. First, by order from his holinesse, the Arch-bishop of Suinco was commanded to suppresse him; but all in vaine, his commands prevailing no more with Huss, than the peoples prohibitions to Bartimeus comm [...]nding him silence, Marke 10.48. which onely made him cry out the more a great deale. In so much that the Pope himselfe was faine to take the matter in hand.

6 Here happined a most remarkable Accident, very advantagious for the propagating of Husses doctrine. A Scisme happened in the Church of Rome betwext three Popes at the same time, so that Peters chaire was like to be broken betwixt so many sitting downe together. This conduced much to the benefit of Huss, who hereupon took advantage to decline (so good a witt having an usefull Theame, would loose nothing, in handling it) against the Chuch of Rome: Pleading that having three, it had no leagall head: That this monstrous apparition of the Man of [...]in, presaged his life was [...]hort; that these three Anti-Popes made up one Antichrist. In a word, there was opened unto [...]im a great doore of utterance, made out of that cracke or cleft, which now happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome.

7 It was now high time a generall Councell should be called. The Church was growne fowle with long want of scowring: however the vicious Court of Rome declined it (wonder not if theeves be unwilling to heare of an Assises) expecting that there their faults would be discovered and censured. All the world stood on the Tiptoes of Expectation, what the Councell would produce. Where for a while we leave them with the three Popes tugging one against the other; where all Three at last were deposed and Pope Martin substituted in the roome of them.

8 Huss during the beginning of this Counsell remained at Pargue, constantly preaching in his Church of Bethlehem. Where his adversaries chose out of his bookes and preaching [Page] severall Articles, which they charged against him for Hereticall. And it may seeme wonderfull, how variously the number of them is rekoned up, some times eight errours, sometimes nine, sometimes one and twenty, sometimes five and fourty, which numbers the doctors and Masters of the University of Prague, collected and objected against him. Yet none need justly admire at this difference, as if Huss his opinions were like the stones on Salsbury plain, falsely reported that no two can count them alike. The variety ariseth, first because some count onely his primitive Tenets, which were breeders; whilest others count all the yong Frye of Consequences derived from them. Secondly, some were more industrous to seeke, capatious to expound, malicious to deduce far distant Consequences. Excellent at the inflaming of a Reckoning, and to discover an infant or Embryo, errours which others over looked. Thirdly, It is possible that in processe of time, Huss might delate himselfe in additionall and supplementall opinions, more than what he maintained at first. His principall accusations were, that he maintained, the Sacrament was to be ministred to the peopl [...] under both Kings. Secondly, That Priests in a mortall sinne might not minister the Sacrament. Thirdly, That the Popes power above other Priests, was onely invented for covetousnesse. Fourthly, That Priests once ordained are not to be forbidden preaching &c.

9 For these Tenets Huss was excommunicated by Cardinall Del [...]hunna, a sure prop of the Romish Church. But all in vaine, seeing the Gentry and Nobility of Bohemia did highly favour him. Whereupon he was brought to the Counsell of Constance under the Safeguard of the whole Empire, and a solemne Conduct of the Emperour Sig [...]smun [...]'s double written, both in Latine and Almane, (that whether learned or unlearned might pretend ignorance thereof) drawne in a most favourable Latitude for him, and strongest legall forme, given at Spire the eighteenth of October Anno Dom. 1414. Yea when the Pope wa [...] informed [Page] by a Bohemian Gentleman, what liberty Huss had granted him to remaine in Constance, without any trouble, vexation, or interruption: his Holinesse replied, that if Huss had killed his brother, no violence should be offered unto him during his abode in this City.

10 But as the man possessed with a Divell, Mark 5.3. None could binde him, no not with chaines: So strong was the uncleane Spirit of Cruelty in the Romish Court, that no duplicates or double cords of safe Conducts in Dutch and Latine, granted and accepted, could protect the innocence of this godly man: but that contrary to the solemne faith formerly pledged, he was persecuted and imprisoned.

11 And now, what can be sacred, what armour of proofe against the Artillery of malice, when such Conducts are shot thorow? In vaine do men make Contracts, and stipulations when faith publickly given, the best waxe of all Inden [...]ures, and fairest seale of waxe, shall thus be prostituted to private designes. Had these great pretended Schollers read and seriously consider Davids Psalmes 15.4. He that sweareth to his owne hurt and changeth not, (and did not the Emperour passe on his honour, and Popes word speaking alwais in verbo sacerdatis amount to an oath:) yet had they but wayed the answere of Festus a Pagan, Acts 25, 16. It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to dye before he that is accused have his Accusers face to face, &c. They could never had adventured on so unexcusable a Marter.

12 Here we conceive we shall not unprofitably bestow our paines, if we tender a catalogue of the principal friends and Enemies of Huss, that Posterity may know who added the part of helpfull Onesiphorus to this Paul in bonds, and who were like Demetrius the Copper-smith, the active persecntors of him.

His Friends.

1. John de Glum a Bohemian [Page] Nobleman.

2. Nicholas Titular Bishop of Nazareth, who gave him an especiall testimony, though by his place the Apostolicall I [...]quis [...]or of H [...]r [...]se for the Vniversity of Prague.

3. Conrade Archbishop of Swinco, who openly cleared him.

4. Henry Latzembog, well extracted a great Advocate for Huss.

5. Wencelaus de Duba, a Gentleman and especiall pleader, for the validity of his safe conduct, when Huss was imprisoned.

6. A considerable part of the Nobility and Gentry both of Bohemia and Poland.

His Foes.

1. Stephen Paletz, principall of the Doctors of Prague.

2. Andreas de Broda, a Doctor[Page] who writ a Book against him.

3. A nam [...]lesse charterhouse M [...]ncurate of St. Sebauld in the City of Norenberge.

4. Stanisl [...]us Znoma a Bohemian Doctor, who coming to Constan [...]z, dyed by the way of an Impostume.

5. Michael de Causis, a great disputant against Huss, whose very sirname may seem to speake Phylosophy.

6. Didacus a Lumbart, esteemed a great Schollar.

7. Stok [...]s, an Englishman then present at the Councell, his serene Antagonist.

8. The Pope, Cour [...], and Cardinals of Rome, but chiefly the Cardinall of Cambray.

Thus though Huss had many friends, yet the number, power and activity of his Foes did preponderate; so that notwithstanding his many appeales and protestations, he was cast into a stinking Prison, loaden with chaines of Iron, kept with hungry and bad Fare. But as Men thrown flat on their backs, alwayes have their faces looking up to heaven; so this godly Man, being over-thrown with the fury of his Enemies, made the more ferven [...]ly his addresse unto God, by a lively faith, having all his dependance on dame Providence, even in the depth of cruell Sicknesse, which in the Prison seized upon him.

13 The sentence of condemnation being at last solemnly passed upon him, Huss falling downe on his knees, Lord Iesus Christ (said he) forgive mine enemies, by whom thou knowest that I am falsely accused. How did his charity triumph over his persecutors malice? an action which will finde more [Page] commenders, than followers in our age. Whereas indeed he that revengeth himselfe of his adversarie, is but even with him, and in his owne expression cries quits with him: whiles such as forgive him, are above him; it being the Prerogative of Princes to pardon.

14 Then the seaven Bishops, who were appointed for that purpose, began to degrade Huss of his seaven Orders, and such Vestments as were the badges thereof. The best was, though they uncased him out of his other garments, they could not strip him of the white robe of his innocence. Yea, so cruelly did they act their part therein, that they resolved instead of a rasor, with sheares to pare a way a part of his crowne, left (forsooth) any relique of their holy oyle should remaine upon it. However Huss was no looser thereby, for God no doubt made good to him his promise, Revel. 2.10. I will give unto thee a crowne of life. Which did cover his deformitie, and plentifully compensate the losse of his Skin.

15 Here I confesse it was once my designe, to contract and insert the last speech of Iohn Huss to the people, but my revised thoughts disswaded me from it. For it is all so excellent, that compendium would be dispendium thereof. In it selfe the onely fault thereof is the shortnesse of it, and pity it should be more abri [...]ged; for he that undertakes the same, will leave out as good as he chooseth in. Wherefore we remit the Reader to the entire narration of Master Fox, where his speech is recorded; which left an eccho in the eares and hearts of all that heard him.

16. Hence Huss was hurried to the stake, where the Emperour, Duke of Bavaria chanced to be present, profering him pardon but on such unworthy conditions, as Huss his conscience could not accept. He did love, but did not dote on life; as he shall never grow rich by the barga [...]ne, who purchaseth it with the prise of his soule; no doubt he called to mind what was written, Heb. 11.35. And others were tortured not accepting deliverance, that thay might obtaine a better resurrection. And now the fire was kindled, with which Huss [Page] must grapple, being in this kind as I take it, the first that suffered in this manner. For as for Wicklief, only his corpes were burnt after his death, more to his enemies shame; who in vaine revenged themselves on the empty Cage after the bird was flowne: whereas Huss was the first that entred the list with that furious element, and fought body to body wi [...]h the fire. Seriveners use with gawdy flourishes to decke and garnish the initiall caracters of copies. The like may be expected from me, seeing Huss may be tearmed a leading letter; in the patterne of patience, that semnably with rhetoricall flusculations I should endevour to adorne his memoriall. But such superfluous paines may well be spard, seeing this Letter is conspicuous enough in it selfe, died red in its own blood. Being tyed with a chaine to the stake, by chance he was turned towards the east; And here behold the Criticisme of Superstition; For some cryed out, Hee should not looke towards the East, because he was an hereticke. Whereupon his tormentors (who had power to turne his body, not to move his mind) reversed him westward. Sad indeed it is to come out of Gods Blessing into the warme sunne; but happy he that is turned out of the warme sun into Gods blessing, and deny [...]d the benefit and beauty of the orient beames, had the inward Comfort of heavenly grace to solace and support him.

17 A paper whereon devils were antiquely painted was put upon him, he wearing those shadowes on his head, whose Substance his enemies felt in their heart. But when the fire began to be kindled, that furious Element was more mercifull unto him then were his Executioners. For whereas fire hath a double property to burn and to stifle, here it was plea [...]ed to make use of the latter quality, as the milder and meeker of the twaine. Except we shall say it was rather the Pitie of the wind, than the favour of the fire, which drove the flame so full upon his face that it quickly choaked him; and may be presumed senselesse, though he moved a while after. His heart which was found amongst his bowels, fi [...]st beaten with staves and [Page] Clubbes, was afterwards pricked upon a sharpe sticke, and rosted at the fire apart untill it was consumed. The least remnant of his ashes were gathered up and cast into the rever of Rhine, so if possible for ever to extirpate his memory.

18 One memorable passage must not be forgotten, in the life time of Huss, which is conceived almost to amount to a prophecy, he had a dreame (as he writes in his forty fifth E [...]istle, being a letter written to the Lord Iohn de Clum [...]e) how he beheld in his Church at Bethlehem in Paris, certai [...]e men to race and pull out the images of Christ, and the next day (as it seemed unto hi [...]) many other Painters made more and fairer images than formerly; and the Painters with much people about them said, (in merriment and kind of derision) Let the Bishops and Priests come now and put out these Pictures. Hereat the people much rejoyced and Huss himselfe fell a laughing, which caused him to awake.

19 I know that generally dreames are nothing, but Fancies descant on the former dayes worke. And he that layeth too much pressure on such slender props may be layed in the dust. How ever it was verified in the event, that many worthy Christians the truest Images of Christ (as Christ is the image of God,) were by Huss his preaching and suffering converted to the truth, in defiance of all Anchristian opposition, who endeavored to deleate and expunge all im [...]ressions of Truth in them.

This most illustrious Lamp of Gospel Light,

Which in B [...]hemia, first, shon forth most bright,

By this renowned Martyres industrie,

Heavenly her [...]ick Huss; yet, furiously,

Affronted was by Papall enemies.

But, in the midst of this their rage, did rise,

Among themselves, a mighty Schisme and rent;

Three Anti-Popes, at Once; by which event,

Renowned Huss did great advantage gain,

[Page]The Gospels Light to propagate, maintain.

But, at the last, that Schisme being sew'd-up,

Againe, they fill their wraths and rages Cup;

And gave it Huss to drink, who, valiantly,

Drank-up the same, to deaths extremity;

And, though, they Painted-Devils plac [...]d on his head

,

Yet, he their rage and scorn did nothing dread.

Thus, faithlesse Rome breaking her promise given

In firey-Chariot sent his Soul to Heaven.

HIERONYMVS PRAGENSIS.

The life and Death of Jerom of Prague.

TRavelloursBydalph Morrison sandye. report, that the place wherein the Body of Absolon was buried, is still extant at Ieruselem, and that it is a solenme custome of Pilgrimes passing by it to [Page] cast a stone on the place; the like, in expression of their detestation of his unnaturall Rebellion against his owne father. But a well disposed man can hardly goe by the memory, or mention of Hierom of Prague, without doing his greatfull homage thereunto, in bestowing upon him, some passage in his praise and Commendation. Amongst others therefore who have raised the Heape of this good mans Monuiment, we will cast in the Contribution of our Stone also, (though but a rough and unpolished one) to advance the heigth of this History.

2 This Ierome of Prague was by his Countrey a Bohemian, though we find not the Allowing him 45 [...] years old at his Dea [...]h, he was borne 1372. principall date and place of his Birth, nor the Condition of his parents. We account it more modisty, to confesse our ignorance hereof, then to wrong the Reader, by obtruding on this Beliefe our roving Conjectures for certaine Truths. But Bohemia, though she was happy to enjoy him, was not so covetous to ingrosse him, but that for his profit; and her owne honour. She lent him to other parts of Europe, there to have his Education. He travelled into France, and at Paris proceeded Master of Arts, and in the Vniversity of Collen and Hidlebury, had the same degree confirmed unto him. He was as exact in observeing, as happy in remembering, the most note worthy passages, which his judicious Eye met with in forraine Parts.

3 But there is a secret Loadstone, in every mans native Soyle, effectually attracting them home againe to their Country, their Center. This skilfull merchant for Learning, having made a long voyage to the most principall Parts and Staple places of Literature, and by that his adventure much inriched himselfe, hath a mind to returne home to his Haven, and safely arived at Prague in Bohemia. He needed no other harbenger [...]o send before to provide him welcome, then the fame of his owne reputation, being so well known in that place, that the City passeth for his Sir-name, and the commonly stiled Hierom of Prague. For here he had, if not his Birth, his first breeding, here he made so many [Page] pious Sermons, here he held so many famous disputations. In so much as it is questionable, whether Ierom be more honoured wth the Addition of Prague, or Prague more renowned with the name of Ierom. For sooner shall the river MVLTAW cease with her silver streames to water and divide that famous City, then the memory of Ierom be forgotten.

4 Hitherto Ierom was but a wilde stocke and ungrafted, going on with the multitude in Erronious wayes, having drunke as deepe as the rest of Romes bewitched Cupp, till his conversion hapned on this Occasion: The Bohemians which brought their lady Anne over into England to be married to our King Richard the second, brought back the books of Iohn Wicklief home with them into their Countrey. Ierom of Prague lighting on one of them, by perusing it, perceived the abominable Supersticions then used in the Church, and began by degrees, first in his judgement, to dislike them; afterwards, in his Practice, to disuse them; and lastly, in his Preaching to Confute them. Thus Contemptible beginnings, being blessed by divine Providence, proversi parents of most considerable effects.

5 But no sooner had Ierom publikely opposed the doctrine of Purgatory and prayers for the dead, but all the orders of Fryers, like a nest of Hornets, with there venomous stings were busie about him. We read of Elephants, that though their whole Body be by reason of the hardnesse of their Skinne of proofe against the sword, yet they have a tender and soft place under their Belly, wherein they are easily wounded, as appeares by the example of Eleazer in the 1. Maccabes 6.46. Maccabes, who taking advantage thereof killed one of them in fight. But O how tender are the Monkes Bellies; those Lazy Lubbers could not abide to be taught in point of Ease and profit, they are suddenly Sensible with Sorrow, if any goe about to abate of their dainty dyet, and therefore were bemadded with fury to heare Purgatory called into question, the pretended fire whereof did really heat their kitchin. But Ierom having Scripture and truth on his side, like a valliant Champion asserted his opinions [Page] in defence of Opposition, having got the Society of Iohn Huss to assist him.

6 Two Pillars there were in Solomons 1 Kings 7.15. Temple; two Olive-trees dropping oyle into the Candl [...]sticke in Zac [...]. 4.12. Zacharyes vision. Our Saviour sent his Seventy Disciples to Preach two by two. And two Witness [...]s Prophesied in Sackcloath till [...]hey were sla [...]ne. 1 [...]ke 9.1. So here God had a Paire of his Preachers, who by their mutuall Company, abated the tediousnesse of Solitarinesse, and by their invited strength twisted together, were thereby more effectually enabled against their Adversaries. One Soule might seeme to animate them both, and as they were lovely in their Lives, so in their deaths they were not long devided.

7 Now a generall Couns [...]ll was called at Constance, which awakened the Christian world with the expectation of the Successe thereof. Iohn Huss, out of his owne Accord, having first obtained full and free licence, to come thither and returne thence with safety, repaired to the Counsell, and there, in Confidence of God and a good Cause, proffered to defend the doctrine of Wicklief, to be sound and true both by Scripture and reason. His very name Huss which in the Bohemian Tongue Signifieth a Goose, was a plesa [...]t instrument ready strung and tun'd, for the wanton fingers of his Enemies, to make mirth and musicke upon it, and every dull wit was sharp enough to use a jeere made to his hand. But let them breake Iests on his name, whilest he breake their Superstitions in Earnest, and as once the Geese kept the Roman Capitall from their Enemies; so this Goose kept the Capital of Truth from the Romans. Though Naball was his name, yet fo [...]y was not with him, being of a Solid judgement, subtill wit, and discreet deportment in his Conversation.

8 But Huss could in no manner obtaine free Audience; yea contrary to his Assurāce, formerly granted, had his person restrained. Ierom of Prague, hearing thereof, would not stay at home, (when one hand is bound will not the other endeavour the loosing thereof?) but hasteneth to Constance, [Page] either to produce the freedome or partake of the Fetters of his Christian Brothers. Thus when one Arrow is shot, and in haz [...]rd to be lost, a second is sent after it, and either hi [...] fellow is found, or both lost together, and happy it had beene for the Church, if she had had her Quive [...] full of such Arrowes. Aprill 4. 1415. Ierome comming to the Counsell, makes meanes to be heard, and puts up the heads of some positions, profering publiquely to defend them, moving withall that he might have leave to come and goe with Safety confirmed unto him under the Faith of the Counsell.

9 This by no meanes could be obtained, Liberty they would freely give him to come but not to depart, and on the same tearms the Woolfe will grant free Conduct to the Lambe, to come to hi [...] den, but vestigi [...] Nulla retrorsum. Ierom hereupon finding justice obstructed, secretly departed the City, and in his returne home was taken and brought backe to the Counsell. His Adversaries much insult on his flight, as one evidence of his guilt; whereas if matter [...] be well weighed, seeing he could not obtaine Licence Safely to stay, Christ gave him a warrant lawfully to de [...]part, in those word [...], not onely Permissive Directive, but Injunctive, when you are persecuted in one City flee to another.

10 Then was he brought with a long Chaine about him (like Saint Paul before King Agrippa,) into the Counsell, his fetters on set purpose being shaken by those that led him, to make the more noise, to render him more ridiculous. Whereas indeed the sound of such Shackles made more melodious musicke in the eare [...] of the God of Heaven, then all the loud chanting & unintelligible affected singing in their Superstitious Qui [...]es. They baited him with railing and opprobriaus termes; but what is most remarkeable, none solidly opposed him concerning the opinions of Wicklief, whereof he was accused, but charged him with youthfull extravagancies, rather importing a Luxury of wit, then amounting to any dangerous Opinon. But principally the Master of the University of Hidelburoh objected against him, that long since, when a S [...]udent there, [Page] he had c [...]used a shield or Eschuchion to be painted, in representation of the Persons in Trinity, comparing them therein to Water, Snow and Ice.

11 Ierom denied not the fact but defended the same, Seeing God had stamped in naturall matters, some countenance [...] of supernaturall misteries. Thus the coeternity of the three Persons (besides the aforesaid Instance) are Shadowed ou [...] in the Sunne, and in light that proceedeth from it, & in a beam, that aris [...]th from [...]th. And seeing that Friars fancies most surfeit with such devices, and that more dangerous pictures neerer confining on Blasphemy, were commonly presented and priviledged by them, they of all other were most unfit to cast the first stone at him, for such innocent and harmlesse Portraitures which he had depicted. Thus they vexed him with triviall objections about unconcerning matters; but as for the maine businesse of Heresie, they presumed him to be guilty thereof, and he was never brought to a faire, and legall disputation concerning the same.

12 From the Counsell he was carried home to the Prison, and there for many dayes kept with bread and water, so that had the proudest Anchorite, pretending to the highest abstinence beene Commoner with him, it would have tired his swiftest Devotion to keepe pace with him; much other hard usage he felt for the space of a twelve moneth, wherein his feet were hurt in the Stocks, the Irons entered int [...] his Soule. So that long durance, short dyet, hard lodging, love of Life, hope of Libertie, feare of Torture, wantig friends to advise him, made such impressions upon him, that at last he was not onely contented to abjure all Wickliefes opinions for false, but also to allow the murder of his deare brother Huss to be a lawfull and laudible Act of exemplary Justice.

13 Here let none Tyrannically trample on the prostrate credi [...] of a penitent sinner. Consider that he did not surrende [...] the [...]astle of his integrity at the first summons, but kept it a full yeer, in many a furious assault, till the Constant [Page] battery of Importunity, made at last an unhappy breach in his Soule. O there is more required to make a man valiant, then onely to call an other Coward. Had we beene in Ieromes Case, what we ought to have done we know, but what we should have done God knowes. And may we here remember the Blessing which Iacob bequeathed as a legacie to one of his Sonnes, Gen. 49.19. Gad a Troope shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last. Let none looke to long on the intermediate fals and failings to which the best Saints of God, in this life, are Subject, but lift up their eyes to the ultimate and finall victories of Gods servants, who at last, through Christ, prove more then Conquerours.

14 But Ieromes Condition was rather impar'd then improu'd by his recantation. Great is the Differance betwixt deliverance out of dangers o [...] Gods giving in his due time, and forcible escapes by sinister courses, which men rashly snatch to themselves. The former is ever attended with inward joy and quiet of Conscience, the Soule Sola [...]cing it selfe, not onely in the end attained, but also in the lawfulnsse of the means used therunto; wheras when men doe not ishue out of a danger by a doore of Gods opening unto them, but breake through the wall, (as Ierome by perjury) by violent and unwarrantable wayes, their minds are daily haunted with scruples and perplexities, even sometimes to dolefull distraction: besides, such escapes never [...]row prosperous, rather easing then curing, and the comfort got by them unraueleth againe, as it hapned in Ierome of Prague. By whose objuration his conscience was wounded, God offended, truth betrayed, good m [...]n made to grieve, and bad men to insult, the malice of his Adversari [...]s being no what abated in violence, but increased in subtilty. For conceiving his recantation (as indeed [...]t was) rather indited from his Tongue then his Heart, these Spanels resolved to Retrive the game, and to put him a fresh on the triall.

15 No fewer then 107. Articles were fr [...]med against [Page] him, and he brought to his purgation before the Councell, neere the titular Patriarch of Constantinople, who formerly had condemned Huss was appointed his judge; Happy had it beene, if this pragmaticall persecutor had had no more power in Constance, then he received profit from Constantinople, whence he was onely qualified and dignified with an Aeriall title. Ierom most valiently and elequently assessed the truth, recanting his recantation? And protesting that nothing more troubled him in his life, then his former cowardize. Thus, as the well levelled Canon, though at the discharging by the force of the powder it recoyleth some paces backward, yet it [...]endeth the Bullet to the right marke. So Ierom now hit home, notwithstanging his former fearfull failing, and became the more couragious in Gods cause, yea bashfull blushing for their former faults, so becometh the faces of good men, that it maketh them looke the more beautifull.

16 Sentence of condemnation was presently passed upon him, and a paper Mite was made for him to weare, wherein red divels with monstrous visage [...] were depainted, done to affright the vulgar, who commonly carry their soules in their eyes, much affected wth such representations; the heathē Romans had a custome that at the Apotheosis, or Pagan Canonizing of an Emperor for a god, when his body was solemnly burned, an artificial Eagle was curiously made at the top of the Rogus or funerall pile; and people perswaded, that that soaring Eagle did withall carry and convey the Emperors soule into heaven: Or at leastwise was an Embleme of his mounting up into happinesse. Thus this pageant of painted divels was presented to the people to possesse them with an opinion, that in the same sort the Fiends of hell did arrest and seaze on the soule of Ierom, who notwithstanding would have done well enough, if the divels in flesh their present had not done more to him, then the divels in paper. This Saint rather smiling at the folly then angry at the malice of his enemies, cheerfully put the Miter on his head; Did my Savour, [Page]said he, weare a Crowne of thornes for me, and shall not I as willingly weare this foolish Cap for his sake?

17 He was fastened to the stacke, which was an [...]mage of wood made to resemble Iohn Huss. (sometimes deepe malice expresseth it selfe but in shallow fancies) and singing all the while, suffered (as I may say) many Marterdomes. It was almost quarter of an houre, before he gave up the ghos [...], rather roasted then burnt: so as blisters, as big as Egs were raised upon his skin: the fire tormented him at distance, being made round about him. Here my soule being to be sent on two severall errands, knoweth not which first to dispatch: whether I should enveigh on the cruelty of his Murderers, who had martired all humanity in themselves, artificially skilfull to descant on the dolefull plain [...]ong of death, that the poore man might feele himself dye, whilest their revengefull eyes plaid the Epicures on his torment: or shall I first admire the patience of Ierom, who standing as stiffe as the stake to which he was fastened, like Eliah went up to heaven in a Chariot of fire: But to omit both, I had best adore the goodnesse of God, which gave such strength unto men, conquering the cruelty of their tormentors by their sufferings.

18 The ashes of Ierom were cast into the river of Rhine, so that he might say with David, Psalm 66.12. We went through fire and water: what the Poets fain of [...]he river Tayns car [...]ying golden sand in the streame thereof, is herein mistically verified of Rhine; now the chanell was enriched with the precious dust of this Saint: that river long since hath perchance scattered their reliqu [...]s to the German sea, as that to the mayne Ocean, though his memory & fame is more dispersed abroad on the Continent. All this separations of his d [...]t shall no [...] pose an omnipotent power, but that at the last day he shall have a glorious resurrection. Wicked men said of St. Paul, Away with such a fellow from the Earth, for it is not fit that he should live. God saith of his soule, of whom the world was not worthy. Both agree in this, though grounding their agreement on contray wayes, that men of great piety are not to be long lived in this world.

[Page]19 I had almost forgot a perpetuall speech of this Ierom, I summon you all (said he) a hundred yeers hence to appeare before God, and give an account of my innosent blood; severall coments are made of this text, his enemies derided his words as the fantasticall issue of an idle prayer, onely wise and wary in taking the safe terme of a hundred yeers, th [...]t none then present might have the advantage to confute him of falshood. Others conceived the expression, a generall commination, using a certaine time for an uncertaine, amounting to this efect; that the longest lived of them all should one day be called to a sad reckoning for their cruelty. But ma [...]ny Protestants not content to have his words an arrow shot at rovers, but ayming at and hitting a marke, interpret them of Martin Luther, who in oriticall computation at the end of that Century (as herein to Ieromes opinions & Executer of his will herein) gave that deadly wound to that man of sin, which hath brought him to an incurable consumption attended with an hectique Fever, the infallible forerunner of the speedy approching of his finall destruction.

This brave Bohemian worthy may, indeed,

His brother Huss 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.

[Page]

MArtin Luther was born at Isleben, Ann. Dom. 1483. November 10. at 9. a clock at night on Saint Martins day, and was cal [...]'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 [Page] 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 [Page] to the people in Churches. In the Old Testamen [...] with great [...]ttention he read the story of Samuel and Anna hi [...] 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 [...]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 Augustin [...] 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 Scot [...]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 [Page] 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 bread thou shalt remaine; Wine thou art, and wine thou shalt remaine. He further addeth, that the Priests celeberated the Masses so hastily and perfunctorily, that he left of saying Masse, before he betook himselfe to the Gospell. And cryed out, A way with it, a way with it. In talke with his familiar friends he would often rejoyce at this his journey to Rome, and say; that he would not for 1000. florens have been without it. After his returne from Rome, Staupicious so advising, he was made Doctor in Divinity, after the manner of the Schools, and at the charge of Duke Fredrick Elector of Saxony. For the Prince heard him Preach, and admired the soundnesse of his invention, the strength of his arguments, and the excellence of the things which he dilivered. Now was Luther thirty years old, and had attained a maturity of Judgement. Luther himselfe used to professe, that [Page] he would have refused this honour, and that S [...]aupicius would have him permit himselfe to be grac [...]d with this degree, saying pleasently; That there were many businesses in Gods Church, wherein he would use Luthers helpe. Thi [...] speech then spoken in a complementall way, at length proved true by the event. Thus many presage [...] goe before great changes. Soon after he began (as the place required) to explaine the Epistle to the Romans and some Psalmes: which he so cleared, that after a long and darke night, there seemed a new day to arise in the judgement of all pious and prudent men. Here he shewed the difference of the Law and Gospell, and refuted an errour then most frequent both in the Schools and Sermons: nam [...]ly, that men b [...] their workes can deserve remission of their sinnes; and that menare just before God by observing the discipline commanded: as the Pharisees taught. Luther therefore recal'd mens mindes to the son of God, and (as Iohn Baptist) shewed them the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.

And taught them that for Christ [...] sake their sins are forgiven, and that this benefit is received by faith. He cleared also other points of Ecclesiasticall truth: This beginning made him of great authority, and that much the more, because his demeanor was sutable to his doctrine, so that his speech seemed to come from his heart, not from his lippes onely. For the saying is as true as old, [...], A mans pious carriage makes his speech perswasive. Hence it was that men easily assented to him, when afterward he changed some of their rites. As yet he attempted not to doe it, but was a rigid observer of good order, and add [...]d something more strict then usuall. With the sweetnesse of this doctrine all godly minded men were inamoured, and much it affected the learned, that Ch [...]ist, the Prophets and Apostles were brought out of darkenesse and prison, and that the diff [...]rence of [...]he Law and the Gospell, of Gods Word and Phylosophy, (of which they read nothing in Thom [...]s, Scotus and their fellowes) now was manifested. Now also Luther betook himselfe to the study of the Greek and Hebrew [Page]tongues, that upon his knowledge o [...] the phraise and propriety of the Originall, he might more exactly judge of Doctrines grounded thereupon.

Luther being thus busied, into Misnia and Saxonie, Iohn Tecelius a Domanican Fryer brought Indulgences to be sold. This Tecelius arrived (as other matters, so especially) that he had so large a commission from the Pope, that though a man should have defloured the blessed Virgin, for money he could pardon the sin. And further he did not onely give Pardon [...] for sins past, but for sins to come. Luthers godly zeale being inflamed with these proceedings, set forth certaine propositions concerning Indulgences. These he publickly affixed at the Church next to the Castle of Wittenberge, on All-Saint [...] Eve, Anno 1517.

When Luther perceived that the Positions were very well liked of, and entertained as sound and Orthodox; which he at first propounded to be discussed by Disputation, till the Church defined what was to be thought concerning Indulgences; he wrote to Ierom Bishop of Brandenburg, under whose Jurisdiction he was, and submitted what he had written to the Bishops judgement; and intreated him tha [...] he would dash out with his pen, or consume with the fire, what he thought unsound. The Bishop answered Luther, and declared that his desire was, that the setting forth of his arguments about those matters should a little while be deferred: and that he wished that the common talke about Indulgences had never been. Luther answered: I am content so [...]o doe; and had rather obey, then worke Miracles, if I could well do them.

In the year 1518 [...] Luther, though most men disswaded him, yet to shew his observance of authority, went (for the most part on foot) to the Colledge of Hidleberg. In the Colledge of the Augustinians, now cal'd the Colledge of Sapience, he disputed about Justification by Faith.

Upon Luthers re [...]urne, he wrote an Epi [...]le to Iudocus a Divine and Phylosopher of Isenac, once his Tutour. Where he hath this speech; All the Doctors of Wittenberge (in the doctrine concerning grace and good workes) are of my Iudgement, yea the[Page]whole Vniversity, except one licentiat Doctor Sebastian: even the Prince himself and our Ordinary Bishop, and many of the Chieftains, and all the Ingenious Citizens with joynt consent affirme, that before they neither knew nor heard of the Gospell, nor of Christ. The Pope by Thomas Cajetan Cardinall cited Luther to Rome. Luther having notice hereof, mainly endeavoured that the cause might be handled in Germany under competent Judges: and at length he prevailed, by the mediation of Wittenberge University to the Pope, and by Charles Multitius a German the Popes Chamberlain, and the mediation of the Elector of Saxony to Cajetan then the Popes Legate, that at Auspurg before the Legate himselfe, Luther might plead his owne cause.

About the beginning of October, Luther came on foot to Auspurg, and upon assurance of his safety was admitted to the Cardinals presence. Who admonished him; first, To become a sound member of the Church, and to recant the errours which he had divulged: secondly, to promise that he would not againe teach his former doctrines: thirdly, that he would abstain from other Doctrines which would disturb the Peace of the Church. Here also it was objected to him, that he denyed the Merit of Christ to be a treasure of Indulgences: and that he taught that Faith was necessary for all which should come to the Sacrament. Luther intreated some time to deliberate thereon: and returned the next day, and in the presence of some witnesses and a Scribe, and four of the Empeours Counsellors, professed, that he gave the Church of Rome all due observance, and if he had spoken any thing dissenting from the judgement of the Church, he would reverse it: but could revoke no errour, being not yet convicted by Scripture of any, and did appeale to the judgement of the Church. But Luther not convinced as yet by Scripture, persisted in the truth. Yet at length fearing least the Cardinall should make more use of his power and greatnesse, then Scholarlike disputations, he appealed to Rome, and departed from Auspurg, October 20. Because the Cardinal charged him not to com into his presence, unlesse he would recant. Yet Luther left behind him an Epistle to the Cardinall, and affixed thereunto a formall appeale unto the Pope.

[Page] Cajetan tooke Luthers departure in ill part, and wrote to the Duke of Saxony, that he would either send Luther to Rome, or banish him out of his territories, and intreated him not to give credit to Luthers def [...]nders [...] and to take heed of staining the ill [...]strio [...]s Family, whence he was discended. The Elector returned answer; That now it was not in his power to doe this, because Luther was not convicted of any errour, and did much good service in the Vniversity, and did offer his cause to triall and disputation. The resolution of the Duke was more confirmed by an Epistle of Era [...]mus, and the intercession and vote of the Vniversity of Wittenberg. Here I may not passe over a notable proof [...] of Luther [...] Heroike courage. When Luther came to Auspurg, he by the counsel of such as the Prince Elector sent with him, waited three dayes for to have the Emperours Letters for his safety. In the meane time the Cardinall sent one for Luther; but he denyed to come, untill the Emperour granted what he desired. At this the messenger was offended and said; Do you think that Prince Frederick wil take up armes in your behalfe? I desire it not said Luther, in any wise. Then the Party [...] Where then will you abide? Luther answered, Vnder the cope of Heaven. The Italian replyed, Had you the Pope and the Cardinals in your power, what would you doe? I would said Luther, give them all due honor and reverence. At this the Messenger after the Italian manner biting his thumbs, went away.

Upon these dealing [...] Luthers spirit fainted not, yet least he should cause detriment or danger to any one, or derive suspition on his Prince, and that he might more freely deale with the Papall cure, would have gone into France or some other Country. But his friends on the contrary, counselled him to sticke firmely to Saxony: and that the Popes Legate should be certi [...]ied, that was ready in any safe place appointed him to make his answer. But Luther having se [...]led his resolution to depart, took his leave of the Prince Elector, and by a letter sent to him, November 29. thanked his Highnesse for all friendly offices of his love. The Prince sent that letter to the Legate: and appointed Luther to abide at Wittenberg. Of this Luther thus wrote; The Prince was fully [Page]minded that I should stay: but what his minde now is, since the Royall proceedings are published, and I have appealed to the Councell, I know not.

For he understanding by the Cardinal [...] Letter, that Judgement should passe on him at Rome, he made a new Appeale, saying, that he was forced of necessity to appeal from the Pope to the Councell ensuing, which was in many respects to be prefe [...]red before the Pope.

About the same time towards the end of the 18. yeare, the Pope sent Charles Multitius a Misnian Knight, and bestowed on Prince Frederick a golden Rose, according to custome consecrated by the Pope on the fourth Sund [...]y in Len [...]: and exhorted him to continu [...] in the faith of his ancestours. He was earnest with Luther to be reconciled to the Pope: and had seventy Briefes Apostolicall (as they call them) to shew; that if the Prince would deliver him out of his custody, for which cause the Pope sent him the Ro [...]e, in seventy Townes, the seventy Briefes should be set up, and so he should be brought safe to Rome. He further required of Luther, that he would have a regard to the Churches peac [...]; and promised to endeavous, that the Pope should doe the like: Luther freely promised most readily to doe what ever [...]e could with a saf [...] conscience in regard of Gods Truth: and affirmed that himselfe was d [...]s [...]rous and studious of peace, and tha [...] i [...] was no [...] his fault that these stirres arose; for n [...]cessity had urged him to doe, what he had done.

Frederick the Electo [...] a prudent and Religio [...] Prince neither yeelded to the Popes desire, nor vouchsafed his [...]ose any respect: though Multitius wornderfully boasted of it at Dresa, and said, Doctor M [...]rtin is in my power. About this time the Bohemians sending a book writen by Iohn Hu [...] to Luther, encouraged him to constancy and patience [...] and confessed that the Divinity taught by Luther was sound and right.

Matters b [...]ing growne to this height of dispute, and Luther having many adversaries; at Leipsick a towne in Misni [...] belong [...]ng to George Duke of Saxony Cosen-german to Prince Frederick, in the 19. year a Disputation was held. [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Thither c [...]me Andre [...] Carolostadius accompanied with Luther, Melancthon and Barninus Duke of Pomerania. He at that time was in office in the University of Wittenberg. Thither came also Iohn Eckius a Di [...]ine of Ingolstad. Hereupon, I [...]ne the 17. Iohn Eckius and Carolastodius began the Disputation about Free-will. Namely, whether there be in man any free will to doe good as of himselfe? that is, as they say; whether in congruity we deserve grace, when we doe what is in us to doe? Eckius granted that there is not in man a genuine and naturall power and ability to doe a good worke, but an acquired. On this poynt eight dayes were spent by his playing the Sophester. Lut [...]er could by no meanes obtaine leave of Duke George freely with his safety to dispute, and thereupon came not as a Disputer, but as an Auditor to Leipsick, under the protection granted to Carol [...]stadius.

In the year 1520. upon Multitius advise, Luther wrote to the Pope, and sent him his booke lately written concerning Christian liberty, and offered conditions of peace. About this time Frederick the Elector fell into a grievous [...]icknesse. Whereupon Luther moved by some of his friends, and out of Christian charity wrote the book called Tesseradecas to comfort him. Then also he wrote the book Of Confession of sins: in which he took occasion to speak of Vowes, and deplored their torturing of mens consc [...]ences. Charles the Emperour requested to hear Erasmus judgement concerning Luther, and wondred that so great & extream hatred should be raised by some Monks and the Pope against Luther, whose life and carriage he conceived to be commendabl [...], and his doctrine not impious; Erasmus answered in a pleasant manner; That his Highnesse needed not wonder at that; for Luther had in his disputations dealt against the Monks bellies, and the Popes crowne.

It is reported that these advocates of the Pope did promise Erasmus a Bishoprick of rich revenew, if he would write against Luther. But he answered; That Luther was a man too great for him to write against; and that he learn [...]d more from one short page of Luthers writings, then from all Thomas [Page] Aquinas bookes. It is also said, that Margaret the Emperors Aunt, who ruled all Belgium; when the Magistri n [...]stri of Lovan complained, that Luther with his writings did subvert all Christendme, did demand what manner a man Luther was; when they answered, that he was an unlearned Monke, she replyed: Why then, s [...]e that all you learned men, being a great multitude, write aganst that one unlearned fellow: and doubtlesse the world will give more credit to many of you being learned, then to him being but one and unlearned.

Luther knowing what was don wth his writings, An. 1520. Decemb. 10. called the Students of Wittenberg together, and in a frequent assembly of learned men, before the gate o [...] Elister near to the great Colledg, where a fire was made, ca [...]t the Popes lawes and the Bull of Leo with some writings of Eckius, Emser, and others thereinto; and said, Because thou troublest Christ the holy one of God, eternall fire will trouble thee. The next day he expounded the Psalmes, and earnestly charded his auditors that as they loved the salvation of their souls, they should take heed of the Popes statutes. And in writing gave a reason presently of this his action.

Here Frederick Prince Elector obtained of the Emrerour to call Luther [...] to the Court held at Wormes in March An. 1521. Luther receiving the Emperours grant for his safety, went from Wittenberg.

Here many did dehort Luther from going to Wormes [...] Others said, that by the burning of his books, he might know what was the Popes censure concerning himselfe: Others told him of the usage of Hus and Sav [...]narola. But Luther with a resolute courage lightly regarded their advise, and said, that these disc [...]uragements were but cast into his way by Satan, who knew, that by the profession of of the Truth, especially in so illustrious a place, his kingdome would be shaken and indamaged. He further brak [...] forth into th [...]se words: If I knew that there were so many Devils at Wormes as tiles on the houses, yet would I goe thither. They say [...]he Duke of Bavaria his Iester, whether suborned by others, or by some instinct, met Luther at his enterance into the towne with a Crosse, as is wont in [Page] funerals, and sung with a loud voyce: W [...]lcome, com [...]st th [...] [...]ither, and much desired of us, who sate in darknesse.

On the twenty [...]ix of Aprill Luther taking his leave departed from Wormes. Casp. Sturmius a Messeng [...]r some hours a [...]ter followed him, and found him at Openheim. Luther being in his journey sent Letters backe both to Caesar and the Pirinces Elector [...] & Sta [...]s of ther Empire, ‘commending himselfe and his cause to them; a [...]d said he was ready to doe any thing which was meet, except to revoke any thing [...] that he knew to be warranted by Gods word.’ Frederick the Elector [...] prudent Prince, seeing Luther to have incurred the hatred of all; that no danger might seize on him, [...]ommitted the bu [...]iness of conveying Luther into some safe place, where he might be free from accesse, to some faithfull friends of the Nobility, that there he sho [...]ld be kept priv [...]te, till Caesar was departed out of Germany. They pr [...]sently, faithfully and secretly conveyed him to the Castle of Wartenburg neear Is [...]nack: This place Luther afterward used to call his Pa [...]mos.

At length not enduring further delay and innovations, he returned from his Patmos to Wittenberg. In this 2 [...]2. year the New Testament came forth, as it was translated into the German tongue in his P [...]mos, & afterward revi [...]ed some what by Melancthon. He wrote also a letter to the Bohemians conce [...]ning matters of great moment, and exhorted them to constancy in the truth whi [...]h they had received, and that the [...] would no [...] fall back to An [...]ich [...]ist for a vaine hope of peace: He also disswaded them from making thems [...]lves g [...]ilty of the innocent blood of John Hus an [...] Jerome of Prague.

About this time also, Luth [...] [...]onfuted Nicolas Stork, Thomas Muncer and other fanaticall ringleaders, and Prophet [...] broaching new d [...]ctrines, who pretended revelations Angilicall, and conferences with God, and denyed the B [...]ptisme of infants: and thereby sowed the seed of An [...]baptisme. These false prophets came from the Cygn [...]an Ci [...]y to Wittenberg, in Luthers absence, and molested Car [...]l [...]st [...]de and Melancthon. Now also Luther answered Henry the eight King [Page] of [...], who as other adv [...]rsarie [...] also, [...] ou [...] a booke against Luther, and had given him by Pope Leo [...]he ti [...]le of D [...]fender of the Fai [...]h of the Church.

Then Luther set forth the book concerning [...]h [...] dignity and office of the Civill Magistrate. He also set forth the five books of Moses in the German tongue, [...]hr [...]e thousand years since the death of Moses. H [...] published also a book to the Senate of Prague, about ordaining of Minist [...]rs, and another, about avoyding the doctrine of men.

The year 1526. in October, Luther laid aside his Monkishhood: and declared his judgem [...]nt conc [...]rning the Synod to be called for determination of the Ceremonies. Now also Luther renewed the ordination of Ministers of the Gospell in the Church: Of whom Ge [...]rge Rorarius was the first [...] Lut [...]er being forty two years old, of a sudden and unexspect [...]dly m [...]rried Katherin a Bo [...]a a noble Virgin, late a Nun.

Luthers adversari [...]s not onely observed the time of the marryage, but proclaimed the marriage to be inc [...]stuous, in which a Monk married a Nun. Hereupon the King of England in his Answer to Luther, stiles this marriage incestuou [...], and there saith among other opprobries put upon Luther, that he could not have committed a [...]in of higher nat [...]re. Against these disgraces Luther thus animated himselfe, saying; If my marriage b [...] a worke of God, what wonder is there, if the flesh be offended at it? It is offended even at the flesh which God o [...] Creator took, and gave to be a ransome, and food for the salvation of the the world: if the world was not offended with me; I should be offended with the world, and should feare that it was not of God, which I have done. Now seeing the world is vexea and troubl [...]d at, I am confirmed in my course and comforted in God.

Then Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Iohn Husse of Breslow a Teacher of the Gospell, notwithstanding the scandall raised by the Hereticks, and their fighting against the Articles of our Faith: and in speciall manner he [...]nimated him against Schwenfeld and Cr [...]ntwald.

In the 27. year the Anabapti [...]s broached their new doctrin, [Page] about the not baptizing of infants; & were themselves rebaptised: they also taught community of goods. Both Luther and Zwinglius wrote against them, and the Magistrates punished them in divers places.

About the beginning of the year 1527. Luther fell suddenly sick of a congealing of blood about his hears, which almost kil'd him: but the drinking of the water of Carduus Benedictus, whose vertues then was not so commonly knowne, he was presently helped. This year also he put forth the Story of Leonard Keisar his friend, who was burnt for the Gospels sake, at the Command of William Duke of Bavaria.

In the beginning of the year 1529. Luther put fort [...] his greater and lesser Catec [...]ismes for the good of the und [...]r sort of people, and admonished the Pastors and Ministers that they would seriously attend their offices, and teach car [...] fully in the Villages. That they would preach still the same things [...] the same points and often presse them upon the people. Her [...] also Luther put forth a book against the Turk in the German tongue. In this year was held that solemne and numerous assembly before the Emperour & the States of the Empire, wch was printed & made known to all the Nations of Europe. Luther composed the seventeen Articles, before the Divines of Saxony took their journey to A [...]gusta: In these Articles he omitted scholastick disputes and point [...] unnec [...]ssary for the peoples instruction, and comprised the summe of wholsome and necessary doctrin for the salvation of mens souls and true piety.

Af [...]er this the Confession written by Melancthon according to Luthers direction and advise, was exhibited in the Latine and German tongues in Caesars palace, Iune 25. at two a clock in the afternoone, and was read by the Chancellor of Saxony before Charles the fifth, Ferdinando and all the El [...]ctors and Princes being assessors, and that with so shrill and loud a voyce, that not onely in that large Hall, but also in the Court beneath and in the places adjoyning it was well heard. They who subscribed to this Conf [...]ssion were [Page] Iohn Duke of Saxony, George Marquesse of Brandenb [...]ugh, Ernest and Franci [...] brothers, Dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburgh; Philip Landgrave of Has [...]ia, Wolfgang Prince of Anhalt; and two Citi [...]s of the Empire, Norinberg and Reutling.

In the year 1533. Luther comforted the Citizens of Oschatz by his letter, who had been turned out for hi [...] confession of the Gospell; In his letter h [...] saith, The Devill i [...] [...]he Host, and the World is his Inne: so that where ever yo [...] come, you shall be sure to finde this ugly Hoste. In the year 1534. the German Bible translated by him, and brought into one body, was first printed, as the old priviledge dated at Bibliopol [...] under the Electors hands sheweth.

In the year 1535. this Bible was publish [...]d. Th [...]n the fancies of the Anabaptists began to appeare in Westphalia, and made a very great combustion. This year Lut [...]er began publickly to preach on Genesis, which taske [...]e ended (as himselfe was wont to ominate) with his life, six yeares after. In February the year following the Duke El [...]ctor of Saxony with the Confederate Princes and Cities, and their Divines held an Assembly at Smalcald fo [...] matters of Religion.

At this meeting Luther fell sick of a grievous disease, so that there was no hope of his life. He was pained of the stone, and obstruction in the bladder eleven dayes. Here he, though most of his friends disliked and reasoned against it, would be carried thence; the event proved his resolution good. George Sturk the Physitian being s [...]nt for from Erphord went along with him. Luther as he was carried along, made his Will; in which he bequ [...]athed his detestation of Popery to his friends and Pastors: as before in the house of Spalatinus in the year 1530. where he made thi [...] Verse.

Pestis eram vivus, moriens ero mors tua Papa.

I living, stopt Romes breath,

And Dead, will be Romes Death.

But the night after his departure thence he begen to be somewhat better.

[Page]He tooke delight to expresse some things in his owne tongue, and in Ryme. Of which some were to this sense and meaning.

Ea [...]e what is sodden well;

Dr [...]ke what is pure and cleare:

That th [...]u the truth doth tell,

To all let it appeare.

Speake not to all, what e [...]er thou doest know [...]

If thou [...]e well, keepe wisely were thou art:

Conserve with care, what ever is thine [...]ne,

Mischan [...] [...] [...]ooted comes like th'nimbling [...]art.

Be silent in [...]ue time, abstaine, sustaine,

Hold up thy head. Of need to none compl [...]ine;

Dispaire not of Gods helpe, thy state to [...]sy,

Who sends as [...]stance to us every day.

He was in his private converse of such behaviour that his life was a patterene of vertue. As he dined or supped, oftentimes he would dicta [...]e matter to be preached; sometimes corrected the faults of the presse, sometim [...]s he would recreate himselfe and others with Musick. He was by nature (which Melancthon would often wonder at) a moderate eater and drinker: and yet had no small or weake body: He hath beene seene for four d [...]yes together and being in health, to eate and drinke nothing at set meale times: and often at other times for many dayes to be content with a little bread and fish. I will say nothing how in the Cloysters he macerated himselfe with watchings, fasting, labors. Oftentimes being invited to Banquets, he went not, because he would not lose his time, I, said he, lose too much time by invitations to Feasts here in the City: I know Sa [...]n hath such an hand in it: that I may not deny it, and yet it doth me harme to accept the courtisy. In company he was familiar, pleasent courteous yet grave, as beseemed a man of his place. He was [...]ffable, and studious of truth.

[Page] Melancthon affirmeth, that he often found him [...]t prayer with great ardency and tears imploring God for the whole Church. He set apart every day a certaine time for the reading some Psalmes, and intermixt his owne prayers and teares with them. He often used to say; that he was offended with them, who either through Idlenesse or variety of imployment said, that it was enough to pray with groanes onely. And for that end said he, formes of prayer are prescr [...]bed us by the will of God, that reading might in [...]l [...]me our mindes, yea that the voyce also might professe, wha [...] God we call upon.

When [...]e recreated his minde, and took it of from study, he delighted to play at Chesse, and was skilfull at it. He sometimes practised the art of Turning with his serv [...]nt Wolfgang; and would say, if the world should den [...] us s [...]stenance for my paines in Gods word, we would learne to get our living [...] with our hands. Sometimes he did play on an Instrument, sometimes shoote. He was carefull also of the neatnesse of his Garden, and desired of his friends variety of plants to furnish it: So that he had no vacant time. Of his imployments thus he writeth; I am very full of imployment preaching to the people might well require all my paines, my course of worshiping God and prayer might wholly busie m [...], my paines b [...] expounding Scriptures by writing, my writing Epistles, my care of othe [...] mens affaires tak [...]t [...] up my time; my converse with my friends (which I use to call a feeding of my corps) doth very badly steale away a grea [...] part of my time. It was his usuall course either to meditate, or to read, or preac [...], or to give good counsell to his friends: so that h [...] was never idle.

He was very liberall to the poore. On a time when a Stdents asked some money of him, he bad his wife give him some thi [...]g: and when she excused the matter in regard of their penury at that time: he tooke up a silver cup and gave it to the Schollar, and bid him sell it to the G [...]ld-smith, and keep the money for his o [...]a [...]ons. When a friend sent him 200. angels of gold from the metal-mines he bestowed them all on poore Students: When Iohn the [Page] Elector, gave him a new gowne [...] he said, that he was made to much of, for if here we receive a full recompence of our labours, we shall hope for none in another life. When the same Elector offered him a vayne of Metals at Sneberge: he refused it, lest he should incurre the tentations of the Divell, who is Lord of treasure under the Earth. He took nothing of Printers for his copies, as he writeth, saying, I have no plenty of money, and thus yet I deale with the Printers, I receive nothing from them [...]or recompence of my many Copies, sometimes I receive of them one copy. This I thinke is due to me, whereas other writers, yea translaters, for every eight leaves have an Angel. Concerning money given him thus he writeth; The hundreth Angels given me I roceived by Tanbenhem, and Schart gave me fifty: that I stand in feare, that God will give me my reward here. But I protested that I would not so be satisfied by him, I will either presently repay it or spend it. For what should I doe with so much money? I gave one halfe of it to P. Prior, and made him a joyfull man.

He was very lovingly affectioned towards his children, and gave them liberall education: He kept in his house a School-master to traine them up in good arts and a godly life. When he saw Magdalen his eldest daughter ready to dye, he read to her in Esay 26.19. Thy dead servants shall rise againe, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust: For thy dew is at the dew of hearbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come my people, enter into thy chambers, and shut thy doores about thee: Hide thy selfe as it were for a litt [...]e moment, untill the indignation be over-past,. My daughter enter thou into thy chamber with peace, I shall ere long be with thee. For God will not permit me to see the punishments hanging over the head of Germany. And upon t [...]is wept plentifully. But in publick when he went a long with the Herse he bridled his affection, and was not seen to shed one teare. And as all men of excellent spirits have a zealous anger in due place: So Luther by nature was vehement, but yet placable: As appeareth in this, that when Melancthon much moved to passion once came unto him, and all the rest were very mute, Luther uttered this Verse.

[Page]

Vince animos iràm (que) tuam, qui caeterà vinci [...].

Thine owne heart overcome, thy fury tame,

Who all things else hast stoutly overcame.

And then smiling, said [...] we will not further dispute of this matter, and turned his speech to other occasions.

He foresaw and foretold many things, as the combustion which rose in Germany; saying I am very much afraid, that if the Princes give eare to Duke George his ill counsell, there will arise some tumult, which will destroy all the Princes and Magistrates in all Germany, and ingage in it all the Clergy. Of the death of Frederick Elector of Saxony, thus he writeth, If God in heaven hath resolved in wrath to deale with us, that neither our prayres, nor counsels of amendment can hinder it, let us obtaine this that our Josias may sleep in peace, though the world be left to goe into its Babylon.

Of the covetousnesse, of Germany and the dearth there, thus he speaketh. ‘We feare Famine, and we shall suffer it, and finde no remedy for it. And when as without necessity, we are solicitous to prevent Famine, like wicked and incredulous Gentles, and neglect the word of God and his work; he will permit shortly a dismall day to come upon us, which will bring with it whole W [...]inloads of ceares; which he shall neither have power or meanes to escape.’ Diverse other things he also foretold.

He had his health competently well, but that sometimes he was troubled with the headach, especially in his elder yeares. Whereupon he was afraid of some violent Apoplexie: and when he felt a swimming in his head, or noyse in his eares, he used to say, Lord Iesu, smite me gently, for I am absolved from my sins according to thy word, and am fed unto life eternall by thy body and blood. Thine Apostle John and our Elector were taken out of this world, by this kinde of death. He endured often tentations, whereupon he said, All here are in health except Luther, who is [...]ound in body, and without suffers at no mans hand in the world: onely the Divel and all his Angels vex him.

[Page]He was of an indefferent stature, of strong body, of so Lion-like a quicknesse of his eyes, that some could not endure to looke directly upon him, when he intentively beheld them. They say that one of mild spirit, who could not endure in private to talke with Luther; was courteously used by Luther, yet was so pierced with the quicknesse of his eyes, that being amazed he knew no course better then to run from him. His voyce was mild and not very cleare; whereupon, when on a time there was mention at table about Pauls voyce, which was not very perfect and full: Luther said, I also have a low speech and pronuntiation. To whom Melancthon answered, But this small voyce is heard very farre and neere.

In the year 1544. the 17. of November he finished his explication of Genesis: which was his last publicke reading in the University, which he concluded with these words: Thus end I my explication on Genesis; God grant that others may more rightly and truely expound it; then I have done I cannot proceed farther therein, my strength faileth me, pray for me, that it would please God to grant me a quiet and comfortable departure out of this life.

In the year 1546. Luther accompanyed with Melancthon vi [...]ted his owne Country, and returned againe in safety. Not long after, the Councell of Trent being begun, and having [...]te once or twice, Luther was called againe by the E [...]rles of Mansfield to his owne Country, for to compose a dissention among them concerning their bounds and heritages. Luther was not wont to deale in matters of this nature, having been versed in sacred studyes all his life time: but because he was borne at Isleben, a towne in the territories of Mansfield, he was willing to doe his Country service in this kind. Wherfore making his last Sermon at Wittenberg the 17. day of Ianuary, he to [...]ke his journey on the twenty third day: And at Hall in Saxony lodged at Iustas Ionas his house, where he stayed three dayes because of the ro [...]ghn [...]sse of the waters, and preached the 26. of Ianuary upon Pauls Conversion. On the 28. day being Thursday at [Page] Hall he passed over the river with Iustas Ionas and his owne three sons, and being in danger of drowning said to Dr. Ionas; Thinke you not, that it would rejoyce the Divell very much, if I and you and my three sons should be drowned? When he came to the Earles of Mansfield, he was entertained by a hundred horsemen or more of the Court, and was brought into Isleben very honourable, but very sick, and almost past recovery: which thing he said did often befall him when he had any great businesse to undertake. But using some meanes for cure of his infirmity, he sate at supper with the company; and so continued to doe from the 29. of Ianuary to the 17. of February, and treated of the dfferences, for whose determination he came thither. In this time he preached sometimes, and twice received the Lords Supper, and publickely received two Students into the sacred order of the Ministery. And at his lodging used much godly conference at Table with his friends, and every day devoutly prayed. The day before his death, though he was somewhat weake, yet he dined and supped with his company; and at supper spak of divers matters, and among other passages asked, Whether in heaven we should know one another? when the rest desired to heare his judgement thereof. He said, What befell Adam? he never saw Eve, but was at rest in a deep sleep when God formed her, yet when he awaked and saw her, he asketh not, what she was, nor whence she came; but saith, that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone. Now how knew he that? He being full of the Holy Ghost, and endued with the knowledge of God, thus spake. After the same manner we also shall be in the other life renewed by Christ; and shall know our parents, our wives and children, and all about us, much more perfectly, then Adam knew Eve at her bringing to him.

After supper, when he went aside to pray, as was his custome, the paine in his breast began to increase: whereupon by the advise of some there present, he tooke a little Vnicornes horne in wine: and after that slept quietly an houre or two on a pallat neer the fire. When he awaked, he betooke himselfe to his chamber, went to bed, & bidding his friends good nght, admonished them, who were present [Page] to pray God for the propagation of the Gospell; because the Councell of Trent and the Pope would attempt wonderfull devises against it. Having thus said, after a little silence he fell a sleep: But was awaked by the violence of his disease after midnight. Then complained he againe of the narrownesse of his breast, and perceiving that his life was at an end, he thus implored Gods mercy, and said.

O heavenly father my gratio [...]s God, and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, thou God of Consolation, I give the all hearty thanks, that thou hast revealed to me thy Son Iesus Christ; whom I beleeve, whom I professe, whom I love, whom I glorifie, whom the Pope of Rome and the rout of the wicked persecute a [...]d dishonour. I beseech thee, Lord Iesus Christ [...]o receive my soul. O my gracious heavenly Father, though I be taken out of this life, though I must now lay downe this frail [...] body: yet I certainely know, that I shall live with with thee eternally, and that I cannot be taken out of thy hands. He added moreover. God so loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten Son, that every one, who beleeveth in him should not perish, but have life everlasting. And that in the 68. Psalme. Our God is the God of salvation: and our Lord is the Lord, who can deliver from death. And here taking a medicine and drinking it, he further said, Lord I render up my spirit into thy hands and come to thee. And againe, Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit, thou, O God of truth hast redeemed me. Here as one falling asleep and without any bodily pain, that could be discerned, he departed this life. And when Doctor Ionas and Caelius said, O reverend father doe you dye in the constant confession of [...] that doctrine of Christ, which you have hitherto preached? He answered so as he might be heard: yea, which was the last word he spake. Thus he in his native Country, not having seen it many years before, dyed much lamented by many. This [...]ell on the eighteen day of Febru. on the day in the Calender ascribed to Concord, about three a clock in the morning, in the great climactericall year of his age. Soon after his body put into a coffin of Lead, was carried in funerall manner to the Temple of Isleben: where Iustas Ionas preached.

Then the Earles of Mansfield desired that his body should be [Page]interred within their territories: But the Elector of Saxony, required that he should be brought bark to Wittenberge. In the returne thereof, which way so [...]v [...]r it went, it was honourably attended, and with much griefe accompanied out of each Princes Dominion: and at lengh upon the twenty two of February in the afternone, was brought to Wittenberg, and was carried into the Temple neare adjoyning to the Castle, with such a troope of Princes, Earles, Nobles, their living as students, and other people, that the like was seldome or never se [...]n in that towne. When the funerall rites were perforned, Pomeranus preached to an ass [...]mbly of many thousands. And after that Melancthon with many teares and [...]ighe [...] made a funerall Oration. When this was don, the coffin with his body was put by the hands of divers learned men, into the tombe near to the Pulpit, in which he had made many learned Sermon [...] before divers Princes, Electors, and the Congregation of many faithfull Christians. In a brazen plate his picture, lively deciphered was there set up, with Verses by it to this effect.

This Sepulchre great Luthers Corpes contanes

This might su [...]ice: yet, read these following strains.

HEre, in this Vrne doth Martin Luther res [...],

And sweetly sleep in hope to rise most blest.

By whose rare pains, firme faith and Christs free Grace;

Which formerly, thick Fogs of Error base.

And Duskie Clouds [...]j W [...]rks desert hid quite,

Were well reduced to their ancient Light.

For, when blind Superstition ruled All,

And did fair Trnth, long time, suppresse and thrall;

He, by Gods Word and Spirits inspiration,

The Gospels Light re-spred, for every Nation.

And, well-instructed by Pauls sacred voyce,

(Scorning Romes Cheats,) to teach pure Truth, made choyce.

[Page]And as John Baptist in the Wildernesse,

Did Gods Lamp, who heals Sin Preach and expresse:

So (O Sweet Christ) did Luther cleare thy booke,

When all the World was caught with Errors [...]ooke.

And what the difference was betwixt the Law

(Whose tables Moses brake, though God he saw

Vpon Mount-Sinai) and the Gospell sweet,

Which heales Sin conscious hearts, which Gods wrath meet.

This difference lost to th'World he did restore,

That so Christs gifts of Grace might shine the more;

He stoutly did oppose Romes Cheats and Charmes,

And Papall rule, which wrought Gods Saints great harmes.

Exhorting all, Romes idols for to flye,

He many souls wan to true piety.

And, mauger all Romes threats and snares most slie,

Finisht in Faith, his Course most valiantly.

Dying in peace, his Soule with Christ doth rest,

Crown'd with immortall Glory, truely blest.

For which rare Doctor, let both high and low

Blesse God, that they so clear Christs truth doe know.

And pray the Lord that these his Gospels rayes

May to the World shine-forth for datelesse dayes.

Philip Melancthon.

Dead is grave Luther, worthy all due praise,

Who set forth Christ, in Faiths illustrious rayes.

His Death the Church laments, with sighs sincere,

Who was her Pastour, nay, her Patron deare,

Our Israels Chariots and Horsemen rare;

Is dead, with me let All sad Sables weare;

Let them their griefe in groaning verses sing,

For such sad Knells, such Orphans best may ring.

Theodore Beza.

Rome tam'd the World, the Pope tam'd Rome, so great;

Rome rul'd by power, the Pope by deep Deceit.

[Page]But, how mor [...] large, than theirs, was Luthers Fame,

Who, with One Pen, both Pope and Rome doth tame?

Goe, fictious Greece, goe tell Alcides, then,

His Club is nothing to great Luthers Pen.

John Major.

By Luthers labours Leo the tenth is slaine;

Not Hercles Club, but Luthers Pen's his bane.

Joachim a Beuft.

When Luther dy'd, then with him dy'd most sure

A Crown, and credit of Religion pure.

His Soul soar'd up to heaven, on Concords day,

Which tended Luther thither, on his way:

Deare Christ, since Discord followed with Coats rent,

Give to thy Spouse Elijahs ornament.

Upon his Tomb-stone the University of Wittenberg, as to her beloved father, engraved.

MARTINI LVTHERIS. THEOLOGIAE D. CORPVS. H. L. S. E. QVI ANNO CHRISTI M.D [...]XLVI.XII. CAL. MARTII EISLEBII IN PATRIAS. M. O. C. V. AN. LXIII.M.III.D.X.

Luthers writing were published at Wittenberg and Iene in severall Towns both in Latine and German tongue. Part of them were expositions of Scriptures, part doctrinall, part polemicall. Of these this was his own judgement. A [...]ove all I beseech the godly Reader, and I beseech him for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, that he would read my writings judiciously and with much pi [...]ying my case.

In Wedlock he lived chastly and godly above twenty yeers, and when he dyed, left three sons and Catharin de Bora [Page] a widdow, who lived after his death seven years. To her it was a great griefe that her husband died in a place far from her, so that she could not be with him, and performe the last conjugall offices to him in his sicknesse. In the time of the war which presently followed, she wandred up and down with her orphants, and in banishment was exposed to many difficulties and dangers: And besides the miseries of widowhood; which are full many, the ingratitude of many did much afflict her, for where she hoped for kindenesse in regard of her husbands worthy and noble deserts of Gods Church, often she was put of with great indignity. When afterward her house at Wittenberg in time of pestilence was infected, she for her childrens safety, as became a godly mother, betook her selfe to Torg, where was also an University. But in the way, when the horses affrighted ran out and seemed to indanger the waggon, she amazed not so much for her owne, as her childrens preservation, lept out of the Waggon, whereby poore wretch she grievously bruised her body in the fall, and being cast into a poole of cold water, caught thereby a disease, of which she lay sick three months in banishment, and pining away at length dyed quietly in the year 1552.

Welfare those gentle Quil [...] (whose ere they be)

Whose meritorio [...]s labours shall set free

The Urne imprisoned Dust of that renown'd

Thrice famous Luther: Let his head be crown'd

With sacred Immortality, and rais'd

Much rather to be wondred at then prais'd.

Let B [...]bes unborn, like fruitfull plants bring forth

To after dayes new Monume [...]ts of his worth,

And time out lasting Name: that Babels Whore

And all his bald-pa [...]e panders may ev'n rore

For very anguish, and then gnaw and bite

Their tongues for malice and their nailes for spite;

Whilst men made perfect in his well know story

May all turne Patr [...]os, and protect his Glory.

ERASMVS ROTERDAMVS.

The life and Death of Desiderius Erasmu [...].

[Page]

HIs Sirnam [...] implyes the place of his birth, Roterdam is a City of Holland; Holland the seat of the ancient Batavi: but now illustrious by the production of one pen, then by all her former harvests of pykes. Seaven Cit [...]es, no co [...] temptible portion of witty and work-like Greece, accou [...] ted the Nativitie of Homer, so great an access to their other glories, that they seriously contested about it. Although Homer (because Antiquity will have it so) be greater then Erasmus; yet litle Roterdam hath more to boast of in him, then great Athens, Smyrna, Rhodes, Colophon, Chios, Salamis or Argos, in the other. For it is certaine, Erasmus was born at Roterdam, but pitch upon what City of those [Page] seven you please, it is six to one, whether Homer was born there or not. But what talke we of Roterdam? Rhenamus sticks not to impute his Nativity to the fortune of Emperors, and felicity of the whole German Empire: within the limits whereof he was born, upon the vigil or Eve of Simon and Iude, under Frederick the third: But in what yeer of our Lord, or that Emporors raigne, is not remembred; this is certaine in the yeer of grace 1519. he was either 50. or 52. his mothers name was Margaret, daughter to one Peter, a physitian of Zavenberg; his father Gerard. These accompanied together secretly (but not without promise of marriage) untill the young woman proved with childe. Gerards father was named Helias, & his wife Catherine: each of them lived till past 95. They had ten Sonnes, without any daughters, all married except Gerard, who was the youngest save one. All of them much resented this Clandestine combination and commixture betwixt Gerard and Margaret; wherefore to prevent their marriage, to gaine his portion to themselves, and yet not loose a brother, able in time, to feast them at his owne cost; they resolve out of ten, to give Gerard, as the Tieth, unto God: that is to dedicate him to the Church; whereby perceiving himselfe excluded from marriage, and not yet resolved to enter into holy Orders, he fled to Rome. By the way he wrot back to his friends; the reason of his journey he intimated by the impresse of his seal, which had one hand infolded in another. In the meane time Margaret was brought to bed, and the child (the subject of this discourse) cheerfully received, and carefully nourished by his grand [...]mother. Gerard after his arrivall at Rome, maintained himselfe by his Pen; for he wrote an exellent hand, and Printing was not then found out, or but in the infancy: In processe of time the Copying out of learned bookes begate in him a love to learning it selfe: so that besides his knowledge in the Tongues both Greek and Latin, he became a considerable proficient in the Lawes, which he might the more easily doe, Rome then abounding with many learned and able Schollers, and he himselfe [Page] having the happinesse to be an Hearer of Guarinus.

His father and brethren having certaine intilligence, both of his being and well being at Rome, fraudulently advertise him by letters, that she was dead, whom he intended to marry, and therefore advise him to dispose of himselfe to his best advantage; wch he rashly beleeving, out of meer griefe, became a Priest: applyed himselfe wholly to those studies which he judged most instrumentall to his function: after his returne into Holland (whereby the Popes favour he obtained a Benefice) though he plainly saw how he had been deluded, yet would he never thereafter keep her company, or she marry any other. Notwithstanding he tooke speciall care for the liberall education of the childe, whom he put to Schoole when he was yet scarce foure yeeres of age.

From Vtrecht, where for the sweetnesse of his voyce he had been chosen Querister; and after some yeers spent (but without any notable proficiency) in reading, writing, Musick, and the elements of Grammer, he removed him to D [...] ventry. That his tender yeers must not want a nurse, his mother (impatient of his absence) accompanied him: what learning that semibarbarus schoole afforded was formerly raked out of Ebrardus, and Iohannes de Garl [...]dia; this was also in the fate of Erasmus, to finde there before him, Alexander Hegius skilfull in Latin, and not ignorant in Greek: having had Rodolphus Agricola, and Guarinus Veronersis, the one for his Companion, the other for his schoolmaster: together with Zi [...]thius, a man not unlettered, considering the times; who perceiving in Erasmus an admirable wit, joyned with an incomparable memory, promoted him to the third Class, and dismissing him with a kiss, foretold he should become the envie and wonder of all Germany [...] And indeed the event came nothing short of his prophesie.

At Daventry, in the thirteenth yeer of his age, his mother died of the Plague; and with her most of the family where she lodged: those sad and sudden newes, so affected Gerard that within few dayes after, he followed her to the next [Page] world whom he was not permitted to, enjoy in this. Which caused Erasmus (now an Orphane) to returne into his own Country; where he found three Curators or Gardians assigned him by h [...]s Father (the cheiefe was one Peter Winkell a schoolmaster) these three trusty Trojans in hope to make a bootie of his Patrimony, in sted of an Vniversity, for which he was ripe, resolve to s [...]rve him into a Monastery: From Daventry therefore they committed him to a convent of Friers regular at Boslednt in Brabar [...]; Here he lived, that is (as himselfe expou [...]ds it) almost lost three yeers, Romboldus their reader, partly out of affection, and partly prompted thereto by Winkell, did what he could to draw him to their Order, but in vaine; he had already seen enough to disswade him from that, or any other Fraternity of that kinde. Whilst he remained a Recluse at Bosleduc, he became intimatly acquainted with Hermannus Gaudensis, a learned young man, and a notable student, by whose perswasion, and help, he most accurately red over almost all the Classicall Authors extant in the Latin tongue; whether in prose or verse. But whilst, for bettering his minde, he overcharged and neglected his tender body, he fell into a tertian Ague: His Guardians lay hold on the occasion, presse him againe & againe to a Regular profession, to blandishments adde threats leaving no stone unroled, in prosecution of their perfidious designe: He excuseth himselfe modestly, and by many arguments defendeth his diniall; but they pricked on by avarice, resolve not to be satisfied with reason.

Wherefore from Bosleduc, they hurry him to Sion, a Monastery neer Delfe: At Emaus a nighbouring Convent, it was his fortune to meet with Cornelius his Companion and Chamberfellow at Daventry; by whose importunity rather then arguments, he was perswaded to spin out his Probasion yeer at Emaus; which almost finished, through poverty, which hindered his present removall, and shame to seem averse from Religion, though he persisted in his opinion, he made a shift for some few dayes longer, to dissemble his resolution. In the meane time Henricus a Birgis, a [Page] noble man by extraction, and Bishop of Cambray, preparing for Rome, in hope of a Gardinals Cap, wanted nothing so much as ready money, and a young man skilfull in the Latin tongue, to accompanie him; this fell out pat for Erasmus, whose great abilities in that kind, being reported to the Bishop, he thought it needles to go further and speed worse. And Erasmus (now in Sacred orders) to avoid the profession he so much disaffected, readily under [...]ook the journey. The Bishop of Vtrecht with the consent of the Prior and Generall of the Order, was easily perswaded to licence his departure; but Cambray, in whom avarice counterpoysed ambition, choosing rather to keep his old Mitre with his money, then purchase a new Hat at so vast a summe as was demanded, upon b [...]tter consideration stay'd at home: this made Erasmus, fearing his inconstancy in other things, beg leave to prosecute his Studies at Paris; which he obtained, with promise of a yeerly pension for his better incouragement, and many other good-morrows, which like other great men in like cases, he never performed. At Paris in the Colledge (named) of the Mount, he studied Schoole divinity, applying himselfe therein according to the custom of the pla [...]e, to the precepts and principles of Sco [...]us, who for his great wit, and inextricable distinctions, was there chiefely followed, and in greatest admiration: but these conimbrums, whether Reall or Nominall, went downe with Erasmus like chopt hay, having some shew indeed of soliditie, but scarce the substance of a meer shaddow. He was a sworne enemy to whatsoever savord of barbaritie, and heer he found nothing, whether for food or physick, but Rabarbarum, unlesse you will needs reckon rotten egges, and a stinking infectious chamber into the bargaine; which in processe of time so poysoned his dainty and amiable complexion, as inforced him to quit the place, & return to his old Patron the Bishop of Cambray: with whom he not only advanced his private studies, but s [...]rued himselfe into the familiar acquaintance of many famous and learned men, amongst whom the principall were Antonius Abbas, and Iacobus Battus Recorder of Be [...]gen.

[Page]Having recovered his health, he returned into Holland, with a full purpose to settle himselfe in his owne Countrey: from whence notwithstanding, whether by advise of friends, or upon some emergent discouragement, he went immediatly back again to Paris. Where the Pestilence raging for a long time without intermission, & benevolences coming either short, or but slowly from the Bishop, for his private supply he was forced to make a journey once everie yeere into Holland, to the great interruption of his other imployments; this made him lend a more willing eare to the motion of young Montjoy, who being at that time a Traveller in France, made choise of him for his Tutor: and thereafter invited him into England, where his civilities far exceeded his munificence. Howsoever upon this occasion, he began here first to be taken notice of; at his returne, there befell him a very shrewd misfortune in Dover, where all the gold he brought with him, or was given him by way of viaticum here, (no inconsiderable summe in a poore Scollers purse) except five pounds, was seazed and taken from him by the Customers; he was not ignorant of the danger, but Sir Thomas Moore perswaded him that no forreigne coyne was liable to such forfeiture: it is strange a man so well seene in the Lawes could be so foully mistaken; but more strange that neither he, nor the Lord Mountjoy at any time thereaftter, interposed with the King, in his behalfe: perhaps being a lavish and indigent Prince, they knew him inexorable in such cases. All men expected some bitter invective, and not without reflexion upon the whole Nation, should have followed this barbarous plunder executed upon so poore, and yet so conspicuous a stranger: but he patiently swallowed the gudgion, whereby he infinitly gained upon the affection of the English; and was so far from any thought of revenge, that not onely in a treatise written of purpose immediatly therafter, he made honorable mention both of the King and Kingdom. But having recruted in Holland, he forthwith returned into England, drawn thither by his affection to [Page] Groci [...]us, Linacer, More, Pacaeus, Cole [...], Latimer, and Tonstall, Stars of prime magnitude in the British orbe: who because they honored learning, strove which of them should most honor Erasmus: in England he did read publickly at Cambridge; in Germany (after his returne) at Lovane; being thereto invited, and accommodated with lodgings by Iohannes Paludanus the Rhetorician? from Lovane he visited France, and wa [...] from thence the third time drawne over into Englaud, by many large promises, which proving in the performance, but Timpanous clouds, or not with child of so much moisture as he expected, made him re [...]olve for Italie; perhaps out of desire, both to know, and be knowne in that Country; then which Europe affords none, whether for Armes or Arts, more accomplished. To itch out his travelling charges he agreed with Bap [...]ista Boeria Phy [...]itian to King Henry the 8. to accompany his two sonnes to Bononia: By the way as he past the Cottian Alpes, he was created Doctor of Divinity at Taurinum: thereby importing into Italie, what others usally exported, learning and Honor. At Bononia (be [...]ides other Professors) he gained the acquaintance of Paulus Bombasius: Beroaldus died before his arrivall, and his death was the more lamented, because his successor Baptista Pius, a bad Critick, but no better Antiquary, vomited up [...]thing in his Chaire, but Oscos & Volscos: Here he dismissed [...]ia's sons, not so much for their owne petulancy, as the morosity of their Father; finished his Adages or Proverbs whereof he had given the world an essay or taste formerly at Paris: and layed a side his Monasticall Habit assumed at Emaus, where he was a Probationer, and untill that time constantly retained, upon this occa [...]ion. At Bononia, Chirurgians appointed Triers of the Plague weare white linnen Napkins hanging transuerse their shoulders, and tyed with a knot to their girdle, as Friers doe Scapulars; that others fearfull of infection, may (if they please, avoid them in the streets. Er [...]smus going abroad somewhat early one morning, was met in a narrow lane by a company of madde shavers, who perceiving his white Scapular, and thereby [Page] mistaking him for a Tryer, after insinuation by signes, (but by him not understood) to get him out of their way, they tooke up stones, wherewith they had undoubtedly pelted him, if others invited by the noyse into their Balconies, whence they beheld both the mistake and danger, had not speedily runne downe and puld off his Scapular: To prevent such morning salutations for the future, by a Dispensation from Iulius 2. confirmed by Leo 10. he changed his Regular Habit of Frier, into that of a Secular Priest. I see no great reason he had to usurp the Habit, since he despised the Profession, or why he troubled two Popes, about such a trifle; but he is past twice one and twenty, let him answer for himselfe.

After a yeer and three mounths stay at Bononia, he saluted Venice; where he printed his Adages, gave us a new edition of Plautus and Terence, with the distinction and structure of their verses, reprinted his Hecuba and Iphigenia two Tragedies of Euripides, and added to his numerous acquaintance Ambrosius Nolanus, Baptista Egnatius, Paulus Canalis a Patrician, and Hieronymus Aleander Mottensis, who for his skill in the Tongues, was afterwards promoted to a Cardinalship: he lodged at the house of Andraeas Asulanus and was supplyed with all things necessary by Aldus Manutius, who likwise supplyed him with divers Greek Manuscri [...] but extreamly corrupted, all which, at his better leasure [...]e red over and corrected at Padua: the principal were Pausanius, Eustathius, the Interpreters of Licophron, Euripides, Pindarus, Sophocles, and Theocritus; being therein assisted by Marcus Musurus Cretensis, and Scipio Carteromachus; the one incomparable for his skill in History and Mythology, the other for his ingenuity: His spare houres he bestowed upon his pupil Alexander the young Archbishop of Saint Andrews, and Brother to Iames King of Scots whom he accompanied, to Senae, in Hetruria, and there leaving him for a short time, went to Rome: where fame as his Harbinger had already taken up his lodging in the affection of most of the Inhabitants. It is incredible with how great applause of [Page] all sorts of people, he was received into the City: the Pope off [...]red him a room amongst his Peni [...]entiaries, a place both of profit and credit, and a step to the highest preferments in that Court. Raphael Cardinall S. George, Iohn Medices afterwards Leo 10. and Aegidius Viterpiensis outvy'd one another as much in their gifts, as complements; but he, haveing seen Phaedra famous for extemporarie eloquence, and reputed an Actor nothing inferior to old Roscius, returned according to promi [...]e, to his late and Royall charge, in whose retinue, he took a generall view of most parts of Italie as far as Cumae, where (not without some Religion and horror) amongst other monuments of Antiquitie, he beheld the Cave of Sibilla.

Here the Archbishop was recalled into Scotland, and soon after unfortunately slaine by his Fathers side, in a battaile fought against the English, at what time King Henry the eight besiedged Tourney by the procurement of Iulius the 2. And Erasmus, rather satiated then satisfied with Italian delights, and rarities; began likewise to turne his face homward, shaping his course by the Rhetian Alpes, he past first [...]o Curia, thence to Constance, and so through the Martian Forrest by Brisgoia, to Argentoratum or Strasbury, and from thence by the Rhene into Holland: where had no sooner saluted his friends at Antwerp and Lovane, but he immediatly tooke shipping for England. Upon his arrivall William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury collated him to the Rectory of Aldington in Kent, whereof he accepted somwhat unwil [...]lingly, alleadging how inconvenient it was to abridge tho [...]e of any part of the Benefice, who discharged the whole Office. But, replyed the Archbishop, who ought more to be maintained by Church benefices, then those by whom the Church is most benefited? Curates are indeed instructers within their particular Charge, but Erasmus instructeth the Instructers; to expresse his thankfulnesse for this, and many other favours received in this Kingdom, he honored Doct [...]r Cole [...] Deane of Pauls, and founder of the Schoole caled Catechizatiquis, with the Inscription of his Bookes De Copia[Page]Verborum et Rerum; whereupon he said merrilie that he was turn'd Bankrupt, and had no more to part with. His Adages the thi [...]d t [...]me revised and inlarged with divers Treatises translated out of Plutarch, he dedicated to his old M [...]caoenas the Lord Mon [...]joy: his Emendations and Censures upon S. Hieroms Epistles, an unparalled work to his unparralleld benefactor the Lord Archbishop of Canterburie. Longer he intended to have stayed, but hearing that Frobenius, at the request of many French and Germane Universities, had undertaken to reprint his Adages at Basil, and having both them and S. Hieroms Epistles ready for the Presse, at which he was desirous to be present, setting all other businesse aside, he took the most compendious way thither. Frobenius he found in his grave, yet was not disappointed of his welcome, that was abundantly supplyed by his Sons Bruno and Basilius, and Iohn Frobenius his kinsman, in whom the old man still survived, both for his skill and honestie; they quartered him under the same rooff with Amerbachius; whom after S. Ambrose, and S. Augustin, he found wholly imployed in the restitution of S. Hierom; wherin at first he vsed the help of Iohn Reuclin a civilian, but afterwards fell upon a more happie Critick Iohannus Con [...]n Norimbergensis the Dominican; who out of worm-eaten Manuscrips supplied what he found wanting; corrected many places depraved; and replaced not a few formerly disioynted. Th [...] worke was brought to such perfection before his arrivall, that leaving the rest to Amerbachius (except when his judgement was required in the variation of Manuscripts) he appropriation unto himselfe the only volumn of his Epistles; whereunto he prefixed Arguments, and added briefe, but judicious [...]llustrations: many are of opinion that it cost Erasmus more oyle and want of sleep, in repairing such breaches, as time and ignorance had made in them, then it did the Author in penning them. To this great worke succeeded a greater, and much more profitable; his Edition of, and Annotations upon the whole new Testament, which as the chiefe instrument of our Salvation, he dedicated to the [Page] chiefe Bishop (as he supposed) Leo the 10. From Basil his private affairs drew him into the Low Countries, he arrived at Aquisgrane, at what time Charles the fift was inaugurated Emperor; and was present at the Diet of Worm [...]s as one of his Councell, being thereto admitted before the death of Silvagius the Chancellor. The Diet ended, and Tourney surrendred to the Emperor, he made what hast he could back againe unto Basil; from whence the world first saw, and admired his Paraphrase upon the foure Evangelists, and Saint Pauls Epistles? a work uncertaine, whether undertaken, or received with greater alacrity: in composing whereof, he applyed himselfe, amongst the Latines, to Ambrosse, Augustin, Hierom, and Hilary; amongst the Greekes, to Saint Chrisostom, and his follower Theophylact; the contexture and style were his owne. The whole, he dedicated by parts, to Charles the 5. and Ferdinand his Brother; by both he was highly esteemed, and might (if he pleased) have been as richly rewarded. But since preferment and he ran on (not by chance but choise) like Parallels, some may wonder how he supported so vast a charge, as the setting forth of so many Bookes of his owne, the Emendation of so many written by others: And, (which was an antecedent to both) the purchase or transcription of so many Manuscipts (to say nothing of his frequent and expensive travels) must needs draw upon him: There is no better way to cleer this doubt, then (before we go any further) to measure his great esteem, with the greatest of his Contemporaries, by the Correspondence he held with them, and their munificence towards him.

When he was scarce crept out of the shell, he pronounced a Panegirick of his owne Composure, before Philip father to Charles 5. as he came out of Spaine into Germany, for which he honored him with a yeerly pension during Life. King Henry the 8. of England, wrot to him with his o [...]ne hand, offered him a goodly house (belike some dissol [...]ed Abbey) worth six hundred Florenes yeerly: and besid [...]s, gave him severall tastes, rather then surfeits of his pr [...]cely [Page] bounty. Francis the French King wrote likewise unto him after the same manner, (as appears by his letter yet extant) offered him a Bishoprick, and one thousand Florenes pre annum to set up his rest in France. Charles the 5. offered him a Bishoprick in Sicily, made him of his Councell, and (besides many of his expressions of his liberality) bestowed upon him a yeerly pension of two hundred Florenes; Ferdinand his brother King of Hungary made him a tender of four hundred Florenes yeerly, with promise to make them up five hundred, to professe at Vienna. Sigismond as much to come into Poland, and further with a Royall and liberall hand supplyed his present necessities: Mary Queene of Hungary wrote to him often, and ever with her owne Hand; her bounty (without question) eq [...]alled her exceeding Humanity. Anne Princess Veriana gave him a yeerly pension of one hundred Florenes. Frederick Duke of Saxony presented him with two Medals, the one Gold, the other silver, which in a letter to Spalatinus, he prefers before two Attick Talents: George Duke of Saxony, with diverse Ingots of silver digged out of his owne Mines, and a great drinking Bole of the same: William Duke of Gulick imitated him in the latter, but outstript him in the Capacity: Adrian the 6. to whom he consecrateth Arnobius, wrot to him thrice, which grand respects from the Pope, much abated the fury of the Friers his enemies: and there is no doubt, but he largly contributed towards the charge of that worke, undertaken especially for his owne honor; He congratulated the Papacie to Clement the 7. who in requitall sent him five hundred Florenes, and by his Apostoticall letters invited him to Rome: Paul the 3. had brought him into the Colledge of Cardinals, but that he was prevented by death: in the interim he sent him a Collation to the Prepositure of Daventry, which he refused, saying he was now neer the end of his journey, and hoped to get thither without it: William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury changed his Prebend into a pension, and scarce ever wrote to him, but in letters of Gold; his last token was a Gelding, of whom he used to [Page] say, that though he wanted originall sin, he was guilty of two mortall ones, Sloath and Gluttony. Cardinall Wolsey a stately Prelate, and not easie of accesse, yet wrot unto him letters full of singular humanity; and besides other remembrances, bestowed on him a Pension out of a Prebend in York? The Bishop of Lincolne, and Rochester, bountifully supplyed him upon all occasiones; Hammond and Vrswick sent him a brase of Geldings; Polidore Virgil money [...]o buy a third. Cromwell the first, out of his sacrilegious broak-age, at twise, 30. Angels: Montjoy, More, Tonstal, and Colet, were his continuall supporters; to say nothing of many others within this kingdome: Cardinall Matthaeus offered him a yeerly pension of five hundred Ducats to live at Rome, and sent him a Cup of beaten Gold: he received another of the same mettle, but greater and more curiously engraven with sundry poeticall fancies, from Albert Archbishop and Cardinall of Mentz; Cardinall Gampegius amongst other tokens, sent him a Diamond Ring of no meane value: Stanislaus Olmucensis, a silver bole double gilt, with four peeces of Gold, the coyne of ancient Emperors? the Bishop of Basil offered him for his society halfe his Bishoprick, which alluding to the name he termed half his Kingdome. Thurzo Bishop of Vratislavia went ten dayes journey out of his way to behold him; and you must not imagine that when they parted, he gave him nothing. Another of the same name sent him foure Watches, foure ingots of pure gold, and a Muntiro lined with rich Sables. Christopher Shcidlovitz Chancellour of Poland, a Clocke, Spoone, and Forke all of pure gold. Peter Bishop of Cracovia thirty Duck [...]ts. Iohannes Paungarnerus a good quantity of gold uncoyned, with a silver Bole of no meane capacitie; Rinkius another; Fuggerus a third; all gifts (as himselfe jested) not unbefitting a Hollander. Iacobus Piso two peeces of ancient Coyne, the one Gold, the other Silver, resembling Gratian and Hercules. Vigilius Zuichemus a gold Ring, which explicated, became an exact celestiall sphere. And William Earle of Eysenburg a Dagger, which by the inscription [Page] he wished in the heart of his enemies. Besides these he held intercourse by Letters, and was often supplyed by Erastus Duke of Bavaria, Croyus Cardinall of Toledo, and Alphonsus Fonseca Archbishop of the same, Dominicus Cardinall Crimanus, Iohn Cardinall of Bernard Cardinall of Trent, Iohn Sylvagius Chancellour of Burgundie, the Bishop of Paris and Baion, Erardus Leodiensis, Philippus Trajectensis, Christopherus Augustanus, Iacobus Sadoletus, Ennius Verulanus, Hugo Constantiensis, Aloisius Marlianus, Conradus Wircemburgensis, and Antonius a Bergis Abbot of Saint Bertines. This may seeme a large Nomenclature of Friends, Patrons and Acquaintance; and yet a farre larger might easily be gathered out of his owne Epistles and Prefaces. This (whatsoever it is) I am sure without wrong to posterity, could neither be omitted nor contracted, seeing thereby we should either deprive him of the honor of so great friends, or them of the glory of so great Munificence.

What a To [...]quot of Archbishopricks, Bishopri [...]ks, Prebends and fat Parsonages might not this so Patroned a Clerke (had he had but the conscience to digest them) have accumulated under one red Hat: [...]ut he declined civill preferments as not so sutable to his Priesthood, and had he accepted Ecclesiasticall, he foresaw (having already so much spent himselfe to inlighten others) that he should either ruine his body by discharging, or his more precious soule, by neglecting them; and therefore chose rather to cast himselfe upon the benevolence of his friends, though with disparagement to himselfe, then with scandall upon the Church, which like a genuine Apostle he laboured to benefit, whether gra [...]is or ingratiis. Learning wa [...] never at a greater losse or lower ebbe, either in France or Germanie, then he found it: within few yeeres after the publication of his Adages and Bookes de copia, soloecisme (in both) began to be whooted at; Presses to sweat under the Institutions of Theodorus the Grammarian, and other Greeke Authors newly translated into Latine; and all men, who either were or desired to seeme, whether learned or promoters of learning [Page] to blow the coale that was already kindled. To this onely end and purpose H [...]eronymus Buslid [...]us bequeathed the greatest part of a very great Estate; and Erasmus so prevailed with his Executors, that putting the money into one Purse, they therewith founded & endowed a Colledge in Lovaine, wherin the three learned Tongues are exactly taught by as many exquisite Professours, he himselfe inlivened it with Statutes. In emulation of the Spaniard, the French King shortly after erected just such another at Paris; and because he would have it in nothing inferiour to that at Lovane, sent a Commission under his great Seal to Erasmus to prescribe it Statutes, and furnish it with Professors; but he accepted not thereof, perhaps hindered by sicknesse, or some other imployment. The Trojane Horse was never more pregnant with armed men, then those two Colledges have beene ever [...]ince, with men learned in all those, and many other languages.

His judgement was much questioned, especially beyond the Alpes, for prostituting in his Chiliades, so vast and in [...]valuable a treasure of humain Learning to every purblinde eye and vulgar capacity; in which winde Aldus Manutius suffered before him, for his Commentaries upon Sophocles and Euripides, as though it were an essentiall of learning to be acquired onely in Italie. But of all Monopolies he abhorred that of Learning most, accounting nothing too good to be communicated; nor any thing below him, that might bring others to the same height of knowledge wherunto he himselfe had already ascended; we cannot have a better proofe of the one then his Adages, or witnesse of the other, then his Commentaries upon Cato de Morib [...]s.

France (I confesse) may with great reason glory in Budaeus; No man hath hitherto better discovered whatsoever belongeth unto Money, whether you respect the Greek or Roman standard; His Commentaries of the Greek tongue, and Anno [...]ations on the Pandects, are two usefull and excellent Peeces. But Erasmus was nothing his inferior in humanity, when first he applyed himselfe to Theologie; a study, by [Page] Budaeus, either not attempted, or persecuted onely upon the bye. The next who with best reason can be brought into this Competition, is Ludovicus Vives, who can hardly extend his Paralell as far as Budaeus, and therefore all I will say of him, is, that he was borne in Spaine, bred in Italie; Erasmus brought with him more learning out of Germany, then he found in both; who but Erasmus, durst ever have attempted to bring a generation of supercilious, and yet ignorant Friers, bred up in meer Sophistry, and barbarisme, to a true relish of Divinity, as it is delivered to us by the Fathers? most of whose Workes miserably corrupted, he restored to their genuine and native splendor; others undertook what he was not able to overtake, provoked by his letters, or aminated by his example: So that directly or indirectly, he was the true cause of the Restitution of all of them. And yet this was but halfe his taske, he found the Discipline of the Church in no better case then the Doctrine, this turned into Sophistry, that into Ceremonies; which he labored to abridge, not to abolish; being as inseperable and proper unto Religion, as shadowes are unto Substances. Although we may truely account her farre past the M [...]ridian, in that Church, where she can hardly be seene, for the length of her owne shadow: But how great soever his desire was, to see Church discipline purged, and restored to its primitive simplicity and integrity, he attempted nothing (with our late Reformers) by way of tumult, or Schismatically: And yet this very attempt, though it never exceeded an unwearied and legall application to those in authority, bred him as many Enemies, as there were then waspes and hornets, who had wanted food, if they had wanted Corruption in that kinde to have fed upon: of these some accused him of a Correspondency; others, of a confederacy with Martin Luther? the first he never denyed, the second they were never able to prove. As for the suspicion of Arianism [...], whereof envy it selfe durst not accuse him whilst he lived, I hold it a Calumnie scarce worth the answering. All that can be said against [Page] him is onely this, that he seemes to extenuate, (and it were to be wished, he had imployed his wit better) some Testimonies alledged by the Fathers against Arius; as not so Convincing and ponderous as they imagined: But in all the nine great volumes of his owne Workes, there is not one Apex positively for him, innumerable against him; He was the first man (I may not except Martin Luther) who with sobriety brought us from Hales & Holcot to St. Ciprian and Augustin, from [...]he Fathers, to the Scriptures themselves; if he had intended to promote Herisie, his most compendious way had been, to have lef [...] both in the same obscurity he found them. But (which I am often necessitated to remember) by his Annotations, he illustrated the one, and by his piercing censures removed such ignoble and spur [...]ous Brats, as after age [...], out of intrest or ignoranc [...], would needs have fastened upon the other: Some, not able themselves to judge betwext [...]mitating and Api [...]g, are bold to censure his stile (though by their owne confession, pure, Copius, flexible, and ex [...]emporary) as not every where Elevated to the true light of the Cicer [...]ni [...]m pole: He can run but goingly, who ties hims [...]lfe to another m [...]s foo [...]steps. Erasmus had his owne G [...]nius as well as Cicero; held a Bull as compleat a creature as a Baboon, and that most comely, which was most genuine and masculine; not so much taken with the Cadency and Chym [...]ng of words, as the sententious density of the matter. And therefore rather chose with Saint Augustine to retaine some few words in common use, though lesse Ciceronian, then by changing them into more eloquent, but lesse intelligible, tortur [...] his simple Readers upon the continuall racke of their Di [...]ionaries.

Many of his noblest Workes he elucubr [...]ted at Basil, the rest at Friburge, whether he was (in a manner) compelled to retreat by Bernard Cardinal of Trent, doubt [...]ull what might befall him in the Reformation of Religion at Basil. I commend the Cardinals providence, but in that Reformation there was no indignity offered to any Clergie mans person, whether [Page] Regular or Secular: they had all free liberty to dispose of their Persons, and Personall estates, as they pleased; At his first Comming to Friburdge, he dwelt in a house sometimes inhabited by Ferdinand Vnckle to Charles the fift, and built for a retreats to his old age, by Villingerus his Treasurer: which proving as much to big for Erasmus, at it was to little for Ferdinand, he purchased one of his owne, and sold it within seaven yeeres after: at what teme he was recalled into the Low-Countries by Mary Queene of Hungary, who succeeded her Aunt in the Government of those Provinces: by the way he visited Basil, where he published his Ecclesiastes, and intended to finish severall other of his Workes yet imperfect, before he past into Holland. But he must passe no further, being arrested by a more violent fit of the Gout, then at any time formerly. His convulsions were so thick and vehement, that oftentimes he was forced to goe upon all foure: he thought himselfe in a jumping condition, when Crutches served his turne. In the intervals of his disease he resumed and renewed the great volume of his owne Epistles, perhaps intending to set them forth more fully: as many of them fell into his hands, he would say, Et hic mortus est: but upon just account, when he found the number of his dead Correspondents exceed the living, he burst forth into these words, Nec ego diutius vivere Cupio si Christo Domino placeat. Nor desire I (if so it would please the Lord Iesus) to live any longer. About the beginning of Autumne, from the Gout, he dropt into an Hepaticall flux: so that for a whole moneth toge [...]her, he came seldome out of bed, and but once over the threshold of his Chamber: yet whilst his body lay tortured upon this double rack, he wrote a Treatise De puritate Ecclesiae, and made a hard shift to finish his Recognitions upon Origen: These were the two last Songs of this dying Swan, whose patience ever increased with his torments, and in the end surmounted them. He retained his speech to the last gasp, and breathed out his Soule in these Ejaculations; Mercy sweet Iesus: Lord loose these hands: How long Lord Iesus? How [Page]long? Iesus fountaine of mercy, have mercy upon me, and the like. He changed this mortall life into an immortall, the twelfe day of July about midnight, in the yeer of grace 1536. and 71. or 73. yeeres of his age: he foretold both the yeer and houre of his dissolution, the first many months, the other three dayes before; multitudes of people flocked to see, and touch his dead body. The Consull and Senators of Basil accompanied it to the grave, few of the chiefe Burgers were absent, none of the University. He lyeth buried in the Cathedrall Church, in a Chappell Consecrated to the blessed Virgin, and Monument of Parian marble? frequently visited both by the Citizens, and Srangers. He was of a middle Stature, well compacted body, and of a sweet, but tender Complexion, which easily yeelded to every little alteration, whether of aire, or dyet: His haire inclined to yellow, his eyes were gray, his countinance amiable and cheerfull, but some what of the palest, and his voice shrill, though none of the strongest. His apprehension was invincible, his judgement exact, and for Memory, he knew not what it was, to forget any thing except injuries: Terence and Horace he could have intirely repeated without booke, when he was but a Schoole-boy; He was charitable to the poore in generall, bountifull to poor Schollers, and Travellers; so farre from craft that he inclined rather to simplicity, and so free from suspition that he often unbosomed himselfe to his friends (though but seeming) further then stood with his owne safety: Such was his bashfulness, that though he had a good face, his picture was hardly extorted from him by extreame importunity: in the point of friendship he was of an unremoveable Constancy; easily placable being offended: onely he had such an antipathy with lying, that from his youth, he would usually tremble at the very sight of a noted Lyer; His habit neither garish, nor sordid, spake him at the same time, a Priest to God, and Councellor to Caesar; His conversation was an exact mixture of sweetnesse and severity, without any the least admixture of pride, ambition or avarice: [Page] which rendred him inflexible to imbarque in any thing interruptive of his Studies, or destructive of his liberty. And though few hath written, either more, or better; none, whose Bookes have been further, or more frequently exported; yet upon all occasions, he used no lesse rigidity in the Censure of his owne workes, then Candor, in giving judgement upon other mens: He seldome injoyed perfect health, for any Considerable time together: abundance of rhume (the bane of a sedeutary, and cellish life) inclined him to the stone, wherewith he was often, and sometimes above measure tormented; Eating of fish, the very smell whereof he abominated, drove him into many and dangerous Agues, especially every Lent? And the Gout was no stranger to his elder yeeres. The Monkes and Friers were generally his enemies, the greater by how much the more illiterate; and yet their successors by his painfull labours, and example, are since become exqui [...]itely learned. Before the fiftieth yeere of his age, no man wrote against him, he against none; resolved (if possible) not to imbrue his stile in any mans reputation; The flame betwixt him & Dorpius, was quickly quenched; Faber was the first, who put him to a just Apology: By his last will and Testament, (confirmed both by the Emperor and Pope) he declared Bonifacius Amerbachius his heir: Hieronymus Frobenius and Nicholaus Episcopius, Overseeres of his Will: wherin to severall friends he bequeathed severall Legacies; as a Clock of gold to Ludovicus Berus, a Spoon and fork of the same to Beatus Rhenanus; to Petrus Vetere [...]s 150. Crowns, as much to Philippus Montanus. To his servant Lambert 200. Florenes: To Brischius a Silver Tankerd: To Faulus Volfius 100. Florenes: To Sigismundus Tilenius 150. Duckats: To Erasmius Frobenius his God-son two Rings: To Hieronimus Frobenius, his wearing cloathes, bedding and houshold stuffs. To his wife a ring wherein was set a pretious stone having therein ingraven, a woman looking over her left shoulder. To Episcopius a faire silver Bole with a cover; to his wife a Diamond Ring. To Goclenius a silver Bole; His [Page] Library he sold upon his death bed to Iohannes a Lasco: His medals, antient Coyne, ready money and debpts, with the remain'der of his Watches, Clockes, Rings, Plate, Jewels, and other curiosities of no small value, to his Heir Amerbachius, not for his owne use, but to be sold, and the money by advice of the forenamed Overseers, to be distributed: first to the poor infirim Persons, whether through age or sicknesse; Secondly to Portionlesse Virgins to procure them husbands; and thirdly to poor, but hopefull young Schollers, for advancement of their studies. His heir he restrayned meerly to his Lagacy, whith was none of the greatest. Concerning his owne worke, he left nothing in charge, at his death; as modestly doubtfull of their Genius, or how they might take with ensuing, and more learned times; whereof notwithstanding Frobenius was so confident, that immeadiatly after his death, he reprinted them (to his as infinit cost, as Commendation) in nine great Tomes in folio: wi [...]h promise of a Tenth (which never came forth) Contaying onely his Animaduersions, Castigations and Censures upon the Fathers, and other Authors: whereof thou mayest behold both the names and number, in this Ensuing Catalogue.

Librorum Erasmicorum Classis prima quae Grammeticen & Ethicen Spectant.

DE copia verborum ac rerum, libri duo. Syntaxis in usum Scholae coletanae. Declamatio Tyrannicidae Luciani respondens. De ratione conscribendi Epistolas. De pueris statim ac liberaliter instituendi [...]. De Ratione Studii. La [...] Medicinae. Similium lib. unus. Colloquiorum lib. unus. De recta Latini Graetique Sermonis pronuntiatione. Ciceronianus, sive de optimo dicendi genere. De civilitate morum puerilium. Epitome in Elegantias Laurentii vallae. Carminum diversi gener [...]s, lib. unus. A [...]agiorum Chiliades. Epistolarum, lib. 3 [...]. Apot [...]egmatum, lib. 8. Moriae Eucomium sive laus stul [...]itiae. Panagyricus ad Philippum Burgundionum [Page] principem. Ad eundem carmen Gra [...]ulatorium. Institutio Principis Chr [...]iani. De Morte Declamatio. Declamatiuncula Gra [...]ulatoria. Pacis Querimonia. Lingua. De senectute Carmen.

Libri secundae Classis, qui pietatem spectant.

Euchiridion Christiani Militis. Oratio de virtute amplect [...]nda. Ratio verae Theologiae. Paraclesis. Modus confitendi. Enarratio Psalmi, Beatus vir. Enarratio Psalmi, Quare fremuerunt Gentes. Paraphrasis in Psal. Domine quid mul [...]iplica [...]ti. Concio in Psal. Cum invocarem. Enarratio in Psal. Dominus regit me. Enarratio in Psal. Benedicam Domino in omnitempore. Enarratio in Psalm. Dixi Custodiam vias. Concio in Psalm. 85. De puritate Ecclesiae Christi. De Bello Turcis inferendo consult [...]tio. De Amabili Ecclesiae concordia. De Misericordia Domini coucio. Virginis & Marcyris comparatio. Concio de Puero Iesu. Epistola consolatoria ad Virgines sacras. Christiani Matrimonii Institutio. Vidua Christiana. Ecclesiastes sine de Ratione concionandi. Modus Orandi Deum. Symbolum sive Catechismus. Precationum, lib. 1. Poean Virgini Matri dicendus. Oratio ad Mariam in Rebus adversis. De contemptu mundi. De taedio & pavore Christi Disputatio. De praeparatione ad Mortem, lib. 1. Ode de casa natalicia Iesu. Expostulatio Iesu cum Homine pereunt. Hymni varii. Liturgia Virginis Lauretanae. Carmen votiuum Genovefae. Commentarius in duos Hymnos prudentii de Natali & Epiphania pueri Iesu. Christiani Hominis Institutum. Epitaphia in Odiliam.

Libri tertiae Classis.

Nouum Testamentum cum Annotationibus.

Paraphrases in

S. Matthaeum.

S. Marcum.

S. Lucam.

S. Iohannem.

Acta Apostolorum.

[Page] Paraphrases in D. Paulum Epistolas ad

Romanos.

Corinthios 1.

Corinthios 2.

Galatas.

Ephesios.

Philippenses.

Collocenses.

Thessalonicenses 1.

Thessalonicenses 2.

Timotheum 1.

Timotheum 2.

Titum.

Philemonem.

Paraphrases in Epistolas SS.

Petri 1.

Petri 2.

Iudae.

Iacobi.

Iohannis 1.

Iohannis 2.

Iohannis 3.

Ad Hebraeos.

Libri quartae Classis, sive Polemica.

Epistola Apologetica ad Dorpium. Epist. Apolog. ad Iacobum Fabrum Stapulensem. Epist. Apologetica ad [...] Iacobum Latomum. Ad Atonsem pro Declamatione Matrimonii. Adversus sanctium Caranzam. Apologia; de in principio erat Sermo. Apologiae tres ad Notationes Edvardi Lei. Apologia adversus ea quae in Nono Testam. ab Erasmo Recognito & Annotato, taxaverat Iacobus Lopez. In Natalem Beddam de loco. Omnes quidem re [...]urgemus. Adversus Petrum sutorem Carthusianum. Appendix de Scriptis Clithovei. Declamationes adversus Theologos Parienses. Ad Phimosthomum de Divortio. Ad suvenem Geron [...]odidascalum. Ad Monachos quosdam Hispanos. Apologia contra Albertum Pium Carporum Principem. De Esu carnium. De libero Arb [...]rio collatio. Hyperaspistae Diatribes, libri duo. Purgatio adversus Epistolam [Page] Lutheri. Detectio Praestigiarum libelli cujusdam. Adversus Pseudoruaengelicos. Ad Ele [...]therium. Ad Grunnium. Ad Fratres Germaniae inferioris. Spongia adversus aspergines Hutteni. Pantalabus, sine adversus f [...]bricitantem. Adversus Mendacium & obtrectationem. Antibarbarorum, liber 1. Ad quosdam Gracculos Epistola. Responsio ad Petri cur [...]ii defensionem. De Termino. De vita, phrasi & Operibus Originis.

Besides these you have in the University Library at Oxford; not set forth by Frobenius.

De novo Evangelio novisque Evangelistis judicium. Auris Batana [...] Vita Coleti. Duo Diplomata Papae Adriani [...]um responsionibus. Detestatio Belli. Precatio ad Iesum cum aliis Ejaculationibus. De Hollandis.

Translated out of Greeke.

Classis 5.

Ex S. Chrysostomo.

Adversus Iudaeos. Homiliae 5.

De Lazaro & Divite, Hom. 4.

De Vis [...]one, Hom. 5.

De Philogone Martyre, Hom. 1.

De Orando Deum, Libri 2.

De Davide et Saul, lib. 3.

Quam Presbyter esset designatus Hom. 1

In psalm Cantate Domino.

Quam Sarionius et Aureliamus acti essent in exilium, Hom. 1.

De fide Annae, Hom. 2.

Commentariorum in Acta Apost. Hom. 4

Commentariorum in 2. dam ad Cor. Hom. 7.

In Epistolam ad Galatas.

In Epistol. ad Philipp. Hom. 2.

Ex S. Athanasio.

De Spiritu Sancto Epistolae, 2.

Contra Eusebium de Nicaena Sinod Ep. 2

Apologetici Duo adversus eos qui Calumniabanter quod in Persequutio nefugisset.

[Page] Ex S. Athanasio.

De Passione Domini, Hom. 1.

De hoc quod Scriptum est in Evangelio. Vicum q. Contra vos est.

De Virginitate.

De peccato in Spiritum.

De Spiritu Sancto.

Ex S. Basilio.

Principium Esaiae.

De Spiritu Sancto, lib. 1.

De laudibus Iejunii, lib. 2.

Fragmentum Originis in Evang. S. Matth.

Euripidis.

Hecuba.

Iphigenia.

Theodori Gazae Grammatices, lib. 2.

Declamatio & alia quaedam ex Libanio.

Ex Plutarcho.

De discrimine Adulatoris & Amici.

Quo pacto capi possit utilitas ex inimico.

De Tuenda bona valetudine.

Principi maxime Philosophandum.

An graviores sint Animi morbi, quam Corporis.

De Cupiditate divitiarum.

An recte dictum sit ab Epicuro.

[...]

De cohibenda iracundia.

De Curiositate.

De vitiosa verecundia.

Galeni exhortatio ad bonas litera [...] Isocrates de Regno administrando, ad Nicodem Regem. Tyrannus Zenophonius.

[Page] Luciani.

Saturnalia.

Cronosolon, sive leges Saturnaliciae.

Epistolae Saturnales.

De Luctu.

Icoromenippus.

Toxaris.

Pseudomantis.

Somnium sive Gallus.

Timon.

Abdicatus.

Tyrannicida.

De mercede conductus.

Dialogus Cnemonis & Damippi.

Dialogus Zenophantae & Callidemi.

Dialogus Menippi & Mercurii.

Dialogus Menippi Amphilochi & Triphonie.

Dial. Charontis & Menippi.

Dial. Cratetis ac Diogenis.

Dial. Mirei ac Thersitae.

Dial. Diogenis ac Mausoli.

Dial. simyli ac Polystrati.

Dial. Veneris ac Cupidinis.

Dial. Doridis ac Galateae.

Dial. Martis ac Mercurii.

Dial. Mercurii ac Maiae.

Dial. Diogenis ac Alexandri.

Dial. Menippi & Chironis.

Dial. Menippi & Cerberi.

Hercules Gallicus.

Eunuchus.

De Sacrificiis.

De Astrologia.

Lapithae sive convivium.

[Page]

Fathers and other Authors set forth, Corrected and Commented upon by Erasmus. Classis 6.

Augustini opera omnia, 10. Tomis. Hieronymi opera omnia, 9. Tomis. Cypriani opera omnia. Irenaei opera. Arnobius.

Ciceronis.

Officia.

De Amici [...]ia.

De Senectute.

Paradoxa.

Quintus Curtius. Suetoni [...]s. Aelius Spartia [...]us. Iulius Capitolinus. Aelius Lampridius. Vulc [...]tius Galli [...]s. Trebellius Pollio. Flavius Vopiscus. In Nucem O [...]idii Commentarii. In Catonem de Moribus Commentarii. Notae in Plautum. Notae in Terentium. Notae in Quintilianum. Notae in utrumque Senecam.

Two Bookes of his Antibarbarus was lost in England; many of his most elabo [...]te Declamations at Rome: two Books de Eucharistia he finished, but supprest. He left imperfect at his death, a just Commentary upon S. Pauls Epistle to the Romans; with many other Treatises, since crept into other Mens Workes. And it is to be noted that the Index Expurgatorius hath made more bold with no Mans Bookes then with his; so that the first Impression are infinitely the best.

This famous and renowned Writer,

Erasmus, Author and Inditer

Of many learned Workes of Worth,

Which, in his life time he set forth;

[Page]Was (for his Learning) and rare Parts;

His Wit, his Wisedome, skill in Arts

And Languages, and Uertues rare,

Wherein, he justly might compare

With his Contemporaries best,

In such esteeme and high request,

With all the Princes, Potentates,

And learned Clerkes of all the States

In Christendome, which knew or saw him;

That they contended who should draw him

To live with them, Him to enjoy,

And with them, his rare Parts t'employ:

Sending him many Gifts most great,

His presence with them to entreat.

But, crown'd (at last) with honours Bayes,

In Basil He did end his dayes,

As full of yéeres, as fragrant fame;

Leaving behinde, an honoured Name.

HVLRICVS ZVINGLIVS.

The life and Death of Huldericus Zuinglius.

[Page]

In the yeer of our Lord God one thousand four hundred eighty and seven, Huldericus Zuinglius the Angel of the Church at Tigurum, was borne, and on the first of Ianuary in a little village which in the language of the Switzers, is called Wild-house: he was descended from pious, vertuous and Religious Parents; his Father also being a man advanced unto great dignity and authority, amongst the Switzers in regard of his approved and well deserving parts.

He by daily observation, (without doubt to his great comfort) seeing and perceiving more then an ordinary towardlinesse in his Sonne; and beholding a future worth to discover it selfe, even from his infancy and cradle: not [Page] onely for the advancement of the glory of God, but also for the benefit and profit, of his native soyle and Countrey, (therein conferring a more charitable and friendly censure on him, then that School-master on Thenistocles) and causing others also to make triall of his ingenious disposition, who beheld his naturall parts with astonishment and admiration: he was very carefull to perfect nature by Art, & for that cause (his age condescending thereunto) he committed him unto the tuition of a certain School-master, living not far from the place of his birth to be instructed & trained up in the elements & grounds of the Latin tongue: with whom in short time, by reason of the vigilancy and watchfulnesse of the one, and the carefulnesse and industry of the other, he attained not without great applease to that discretion and judgement, that he esteemed those things which were read unto him, as a subject fitter and more convenient for duller braines, then for his quick and ready apprehension.

This proceeding therefore not answering his expectation, he removed thence and being not yet fully ten yeeres old, he was sent unto Basil a City in Germany situate upon the River of Rhine, where he obtained for his Tutor Gregorius Bi [...]zlius, eminent in those da [...]es for the excellent endowments of learning and piety wherewith he was invested; under whom this Huldericus attained unto that perfection both in civil behaviour and learning, that he seemed alwaies to exceed, out-strip, go beyond, and carry away the victory from those who were his contemporanean School-fellowes; and that nothing might seem to be wanting to the perfection of so hopefull a Plant, he reached unto the knowledge of the Scince of M [...]sicke, wherein he shewed himselfe so excellent, and so compleat an Artist, that his judgement compared with the tendernesse of his yeeres, enforced his spectators to the greater admiration: and his Master Bintzlius, well perceiving that his S [...]udies and learning were incongruous and too mean for so apt and so vertuous a disposition, sent him back againe unto his Father [Page] together with his judicious opinion concerning him, advising him to provide otherwise for him, and to search out for such a Master whose learning might be correspondent unto the promptnesse of his naturall disposition.

His Father being joyfull with this approbation of his Master, and also fearfull least these springing vertues should suffer an Eclipse by the interposition of that odious vice of Idlenesse, he forthwith sent him unto Berna, a famou [...] City in Switzerland, to be instructed and brought up by Henricus Lupulus, a man well learned, and excelling in Po [...]try: from whom, through the reading of Classi [...] Writers he became a good Orator & got some knowledg in the art of Logickes: having now spent at Berna almost two yeers, and longing after the knowledge of Phylosophy, whose ground and Basis was already laid, he removed unto Vienna, a famous City of Austria, situate on the river Danubius, where he not onely attained to the knowledge of Phylosophy, but he also augmented and perfitted those things which in former time he had learned; and having spent here some few yeeres, he returned againe to Basil, where he first began to imploy that talent which God had bestowed on him; for here he began first to teach others that which he himselfe had learned; and having spent some time in the instructing of others, and in furnishing himselfe with the knowledge of the Liberall Arts, he wa [...] advanced unto the title of Master, which being obtained, h [...] forthwith addicted himselfe (being guided thereunto by the spirit of God) unto the study of Schoole. Divinity, wherein he remained silent for a while, being rather a spectator then an Actor, untill he was called by the Glareanes to the discharge of a Pastorall function & office amongst them, where with all alacrity and cheerfulness [...], he finished that which had beene formerly begun by others.

And by this meanes having received holy Orders, he gave himselfe wholy to the study of Divinity, spent all his time in searching into the old and new T [...]stament, [...]hat so he might be able not onely to speake, but also to judge [Page] of the Scriptures: as for the writings of the Ethnicks, he did not gre [...]tly esteeme and accompt, onely he made use of V [...]lerius Maximus, who by reason of the variety of his examples, he perceived it would be beneficiall unto him.

But bec [...]use he well understood, that he could have no sound judgement concerning the Scriptures, nor concerning the writings of pious and learned men, unlesse that he were wel skild in the tongues; he forthwith betook himself to the study of the Greek tongue, wherin in short time he so well profited, that the Greek seemed more easier unto him then the Latin, and he better able to judge of a Greek then of a Latin Author; and for the better understanding of the tongue, he used help of the best Lexicons and translations, and with them translated Saint Pauls Epistles, committing them all to Memory, and other bookes of the New Testament. But when he had found it written in Saint Peter, that the Scripture was not of private interpretation: he lifted up his eyes to heaven, beseeching the holy Ghost, and earnestly wrestling with him by prayer, that he would be pleased so to illuminate his understanding that he might rightly and truely understand the sense and meaning of the holy Scriptures: so that he might neither decieve himselfe, nor lead away others with a false image of the spirit.

Having thus in some measure fitted himselfe for the beating down of sin, & advancing & furthering of the truth; he then first began to condemne the Helvetian Pensions, labouring to overthrow them, and to reduce and bring backe againe former sanctity and worship into the Countrey; and hence hatred and reproachfull speeches had and took their beginning against this good, pious and laborious man; who notwiths [...]anding this affront, at the first shewing of himselfe for the glory of God, and that in his owne Country, chearfully proceeded Preaching the Gospel, and endeavouring rather as yet to plant truth in the hearts of his Auditors, and to cause them fully to understand it rather then to open and to discover unto them the vices and wickednesses of the whore of Babilon.

[Page]Not long after, occasion being offered and D. Theobaldus Gerolzeggius, desiring or rather earnestly intreating the sam, he departed from Glarona, and went to Eremus; there intending to continue for a time, but indeed the chiefest cause of his reparing unto that place, was the happy opportunity of preaching Christ and his truth unto diverse remote and forreine Nations, being at that time gathered togethered unto that place, from all parts of the world.

In the meane time it fell out that the Church of Tigurum, was destitute of a Curate or Priest; many there were which greatly laboured to bring in Zuinglius, he being altogether ignorant of this matter comes to Tigurum; where being demanded, by a certaine Canon who accidentally met him; Whether he could preach the word of the Lord unto those of Tigurum: he presently answered, that he could; upon which answer he is called unto the Church of Tigurum, not without the great joy of many godly minded persons: and that which he promised, he began with happy successe to performe, (the Lord being with him and giving a blessing unto his labours) in the yeer of grace one thousand five hundred twenty and one: During the time of this happy proceeding of his at Tigurum, the Switzers had taken great notice of the name of Martin Luther, by reason many of his writings which in all places came unto their hands, these he exhorted them to read and to peruse, that so they might perceive the vnity of the spirit drawne out of those holy writings in them both, and so by that meanes, nothing doubting but that they would be the more willing to consent and to give place unto the truth.

This is also remarkable in the godly man, that notwithstanding his continued paines in the discharging of his Pastorall office, he omitted not his reading of the difficultest Greek Authors for the preserving of that knowledg wch he had formerly gotten, & not cea [...]ing here, he adventured on the Hebrew; wherein, by the helpe & assistance of some who were his associates he profited so much that he was able aptly to expound the two major Prophets, Isaiah and Ieremiah.

[Page]About the same time Franciscus Lamberius a Frier Minorite forsaking his Monastry came to Tigurum, who disputed publiquely, with Zuinglius, concerning the intercession of the Saints, and concerning the sacrifice of the Masse; but being easily confuted he recanted, confessed his error, and gave thankes unto Almighty God, that had prepared so excellent an instrument to open his eyes, and to shew unto him cleerly the knowledge of the truth.

This his deniall of the intercession of the Saints and sacrifice of the Masse, Stirred up Hugh Bishop of Constance, to make an opposition against him, insomuch that Zuinglius was inforced to declare publikly unto the world, that which he beleeved concerning those and other differences betwixt himselfe and the Church of Rome; by reason wherof his report and [...]ame was brought unto Adrian the sixt then Pope of Rome, who forthwith wrote unto him af [...]r this manner:

Beloved Sonne, gre [...]ting and Apostolicall Benediction.

We send our venerable brother Ennius Bishop of Verulan our Domistick Praelate and Apostolicall Nuntio, a man wise and trusty, unto that strenuous and warlike mo [...]ion which hath beene friendly and faithfull unto us, and to our Apostolicall Sea: that he may treat with them about serious affaires which concerne not onely us and our Sea, but also the whole Christian Common-wealth; now although we have streightly commanded him that he shall relate those things in publicke before all in generall, yet neverthelesse seeing that speciall notice is given unto us of those excellent vertues wherewith thou art endewed, we cannot but entirely love and greatly rejoyce in thy zeale reposing a spiciall kind of Confidence in thee: wherefore we have commanded the same Bishop our Legate, that he deliver these our letters unto thee in particular, and withall to declare our great affection towards thee; finally, we [Page] exhort you to be zealous in the Lord and to repose all your confidence in him: and looke with what affection we tender your honour and preferment, we desire the same from you in respect of our, and the affaires of the sea Apostolicall: and for which you shall finde no small favour a [...] our hands.

Given at Rome; 23. Januvary 1523. and in the first yeer of our Popedome.

Letters were also written by the same Pope, unto Franciscus Zinggius to this intent, that he should not be wanting to use all meanes to draw and to allure this godly man to the prefession of the doctrine of the Church of Reme; which Francis [...]us being damanded by Mysconius, what reward the Pope had promised unto him, on condition that he could perswade Z [...]inglius to revoke his opinion, he seriously answered that Peters Chaire excepted, he had promised him all things else.

Whence it is evident that the Divell and his members laboured as much as in them lied to hinder the knowledge of the truth of Christ and to detaine men in blindnesse and ignorance.

And hence we may observe the constancy of this holy man, who could not be allured to forsake and fall from the truth of God and of his word, no no [...] [...]or all the preferments of the world, [...]steeming with Saint Paul, all things as dung in respect of Christ.

The Gospel now with the blessing of God being received and embraced of the Zigurins and gathering strength every day more and more, Zuingli [...]s began to enter into a serious consideration of changing the forme of things present into a better state and condition, reducing the Monks and Priests, unto three orders: some for labour, some for Marrage, some for learning; because the number of them seeme greater then might se [...]ve for the use of Religion.

Being busied about this Reformation, there crept in the Heiresie of the Catabaptists, who forbad the Baptizing of [Page] Infants, and did rebaptize themselves; with these Zuinglius dealt friendly at the first, disputing with them and convincing them of their errors: but they being obstinate in their opinions, he caused the Senate severely to punish them, some with imprisonment some with death.

But to returne againe, his alteration of the state at Tigurum concerning Priests and M [...]nks, and the decree against Pensioners being by his meanes sealed and confirmed, caused him to be every way surrounded with enemies, who waited daily, and hourely to take away his life: and also in the night season; insomuch that he durst not walke abroad without a strong guard to defend him from his enemies: who used openly in the streets all reproachfull speeches against him; and these wicked and ungratious villaines, when they saw that they could neither prevaile against the Gospel, nor against this good Preacher of the Gospel, then they bent all their forces against those who were obedient to the word of God, imagining nothing but mischiefe towards them, alwaies intending their destruction and ruine.

Hence it was concluded and resolved on to take up Armes for the de [...]ence of the truth of the doctrin of Christ, and they all enter into a new League, the old being notwithstanding no way violated but remaine firme, and that by the great labour and industry of Zuinglius: not that he intended any thing hurtfull unto his Countrey but to extirpate and to roote out their vices, and to plant in it firmely the doctrine of the Gospel, both for the glory of God, and also for the good of all Switzerland: for he de [...]ired nothing more, then that all Nations might confesse the Lord Jesus, and therefore he exhorted those that were his friends, and which stood up for the truth of Christ, to undergoe the hazard of their lives, in so good a cause with these expresse words following:

That whith heretofore I have written unto you, I exhort you unto it still, be [...]eeching you to remaine constant and immovable, and not to be afraid of your enimies; for that [Page] peace which some so greatly urge and presse, is open warre and not peace, and that warre which we are to undertake is peace, and not open warre: for we doe not thirst after any mans blood, neither do we desire to spill it by such tu [...]multuous actions; but this we maintaine and defend, that the nerves and sinewes of an Oligarchy, are to be cut off: and unlesse it be the truth of the Gospell and the Ministers thereof, will never have any safe and quiet residence and dwelling amongst us. Alas, it is not cruelty that we thinke of, but our actions are both fatherly and friendly, we desire to be a meanes to save those who are like to perish through ignorance, our greatest ambition is to preserve our liberty: therefore doe not so much estrange your selves from our determinations, you shall find them more peaceable and more just, then some have related unto you; you are apt to beleeve those which speake false of us, who notwithstanding hitherto have had good and sufficient triall of our truth and of their inconstancy, I will not say, lies. In this shew your selves to be men, that ye remaine Constant and immovable as we doe, for our faith towards God and men; In a word, let not feare dismay you, for through the goodnesse of God, we shall so behave our selves in this League, that it shall neither purchase shame nor griefe to your selves.

Thus did he cheerefully animate and encourage these his friends to fight for the glory of God, and to give sufficient testification of his zeale towards God: he was himselfe present in Person in two severall Battels fought betwixt them nea [...]e unto Capella, a Monastery situate in the fields of Tigurum: unto the first he came freely of his owne accord, that he might be present at their Consultations, and to see that there were no declining from truth and equity. This Battell was finished without the shedding of blood, concerning which he was often heard to say, that he had seene more malice and more wicked Counsell in it, then he knew all his life time either by experience or from reading.

[Page]Unto the second he wa [...] elected and chosen us chiefe Commander, and being unwilling at the first to undertake such a burden; the ground of that quarrell being something displeasing unto him, it being onely Grameatus denegatio: yet at the last he resolved to goe, presaging as it were his owne death by the u [...]tring of these words, Seio, scio quid rei sit ut ego [...]ollar fiunt omnia. I know, I know, how the case stands now, all these preparations are for my ruine and destruction.

Wherefore being well horsed and compleatly Armed, he followed the Tigurunes in the reare, being ready to joyne battell; he went not forth as a Captaine or Commander of the Army, but as a good Citizen and faithfull Pastor, who would not forsake his friends in their greatest perill. In this Battell Zuinglius was slaine together with three hundred eighty and three of his confaederates; it happening on the eleventh day of Octobrr, in the yeer of our Lord 1531. after that he had Preached the Gospel of Christ at Tigurum the space of 12. yeeres, and at Glarona and Eremus the space of a 11. yeeres, himselfe being 44. yeeres of age.

They which were neere unto him when he fell, wounded even unto death heard him utter these words; What misfortune is this? Well, they can indeed kill the body, but they cannot kill the soule: being in this misery he was demanded by his enimies, whether he would yeeld unto Papisticall invocation of the Saints; being not able to speake, he refused it apparantly by the motion of his head, and by the lifting up of his eyes to heaven, he gave th [...]m to understand, that he would invoke and call on none but on the Lord above; wherefore in a raging and cruell manner tooke his life away from him, condemned his body to be cut in foure quarters, and to be burnt unto ashes in the fire.

Some of his faithfull friends greatly lamenting his death came full of sorrow unto the place where his body was burnt, and lightly moving the ashes, found his heart sound and untouched with the flames; some ascribing it unto the [Page] power of God, who by this miracle would declare unto the world both his innocency and also his zeale: others spending their judgements accordingly as they were affected toward the Person.

And this was the end of the godly Minister of Christ, whose great desire for the advancement of the truth of Christ, will clearly shew it selfe, by those painfull and learned labours of his which are extant in the Church, being comprehended and contained in foure Tomes.

Tome 1.

1. A worke of Articles. 2. An exhortation to the whol State of Switzerland. 3. A Supplication to the Bishop of Constance. 4. Of the certainty and purity of Gods Word. 5. An answer unto Valentine of the authority of the Fathers. 6. Institutions for Youth. 7. A good Shepheard. 8. Of Iustice Divine and Humaine. 9. Of Providence.

Tome 2.

1. Of Baptisme. 2. Of Originall Sinne. 3. Of true and false Religion. 4. An Epistle to the Princes of Germany. 5. Of the Lords Supper. 6. Of Christian Faith, written unto the French King.

Tome 3.

Commentaries on Genesis. 2. Exodus. 3. Isaiah. 4. Jeremiah. Psalter out of Hebrew into Latin.

Tome 4.

1. Annotations on the foure Evangelists. 2. History of our Saviours Passion.

[Page]

Annotations on

3. The Romans. 4. Corinthians. 5. Philippians 6. Collossians. 7. Thessalonians. 8. Hebrewes. 9. James. 10. John Epist. 1.

They that are willing to engage, and prove

Themselves true Souldiers in the field of Love

Must follow Zuinglius, whose ample glory

Affords the World an everlasting Story.

Ye Prelats of these Times, stoope downe and sée

The Wisdome, Valour and the Constancie

Of this renowned Father; whose deserts

Ought to be printed in all noble Hearts:

He fell with Honour, and all those that fall,

Guarded with Truth, deserve a Funerall

Adorn'd with Angels, that all tongues may say,

Here lyes Relig'ons and the Churches stay.

Brave Zuinglius dy'd (though it be hard to doe)

A valiant Souldier, and a Martyr too.

IOHN COLLET.

The Life and Death of John Colet.

[Page]

IOhn Colet was borne in London, of honest and wealthy Parents: His Father was twice Lord Major of that famous City, to whom, his Mother (a chaste and fruitfull Matron) brought forth eleven Sonnes, and as many daughters: of which numerous off-spring, Iohn Colet was the eldest, and sole Survivor; the rest dyed before their Father, whereby he became Heir to a very considerable fortune: and yet nature to him was no lesse indulgent then fortune, being indowed with all the Simmetry almost imaginable in a tall and comely Person. In his younger yeeres he gave himselfe to the study of Phylosophy, and in the seaventh after his Matriculation in the Vniversity, obtained his degree of [Page] Master in Arts, an honor not so much given to his Standing, as due to his knowledge, in the Liberall Sciences; in none whereof he was ignorant, in some exquisitly learned. All Tullies wo [...]ks were as familiar unto him as his Epistles, neither was he any stranger to Plato and Plotinus, whom he not o [...]ely read, but conferred and paralleld, perusing the one, as a Comm [...]ntator upon the other: As for the Mathematickes, there is scarce any part thereof, wherein he was not seene abov [...] his yeeres, certainly above expectation. Having thus fethered his nest at home, he began to looke abroad, and improve his stock in forreigne Countries: In France he added his Humanity, what he thought necessary to the study of Divinity: which thereafter he effectually prosecuted in Italie; amongst the Ancients he was most taken with Dionysius, Areopagita, Origen, Saint Cyprian, St. Ambrose, and Saint Hierom: with St. Augustine (whether out of Singularity, or judgement) amongst all the Fathers he seemed most disguised: And yet he did not so mancipate himselfe to Antiquity, but that as occasion served he sometimes survayed Aquinas, Scotus, and other Schoolmen. In a word, he was seene in both Lawes; and singularly well read in History, both Civill and Ecclesiasticall. And because he saw that England had her owne Dant's and Petrarchs as well as Italie, who have perform [...]d the same here, that they there: those and these, he both read and diligently imitated; accommodating thereby his stile to the Pulpit, and Preaching of the Gospel.

After his returne from Italie, he made choyse to live at Oxford, where he publickly, but freely without stipend, [...]xpounded all Saint Pauls Epistles; when he was not yet full thirty yeeres of age. At Oxford, Erasmus and he became first acqu [...]inted, who witnesseth ( [...]o his no smal commendation) that though at that time, he was neither Graduat, nor Candidat in Theologie; that yet there was neither Doctor, Abbot, nor Master in the whole Vniversity, who frequented not, and (which is more) tooke notes of hi [...] Lectures: Howsoever before he left the Vniversity, they honored [Page] him with the degree of Doctor, whereof he accepted rather to please the givers, then himselfe. From Oxford, and these sacred imployments, he was called to London by King Henry the seventh, who bestowed upon him the Denary of St. Pauls; of all the Denaries in England the highest in the ranke, but not the deepest in the manger: which Colet imbraced rather as aburdensome charge, then honor; And therfore as soone as he had regulated his Colledge of Canons, and restored it to its antient Discipline, he resolved (which was not Customary in those times) to Preach every Holy-day in the Cathedrall, over and above his Sermons at Court, and many other Churches in the City, to one or other whereof, the want of able Predicants, invited him almost every Lords-day: In his owne Church he expounded the Scriptures, not by retale, but whole-sale; running over, sometimes a whole Epistle, sometimes a whole Gospell; wheresoever he Preached, he was exceedingly followed, both by Courtiers and Citizens. The Deans Table, which in former times had been two much prostituted to excesse and luxury, he reduced to temperance and moderated by his frugality: For he restrained himselfe to one meale a day for many yeeres together, both before and after his preferment; which at one blow c [...]t off all his Supper-guests, late dinners not a few, and the more, because his entertainment, though neat, was neither costly nor excessive, his sitting short, and his whole discourse attemperd either to learning or piety, for immediately after grace, his boy red a Chapter, out of which, he himselfe (for the most part) chose the theme or subject of that meales discourse: wherein not onely Schollers, but idiots also his Conviu's had their share, if he perceived their want of learning supplyed with a good mother wit, and ready naturall judgement; Casting one bone after another, untill he dismissed them with no lesse satisfaction to their minds, then refreshments to their bodies; fo [...] although he hated prodigality and scurrility, he was no enemy to good Company; who came more frequently, because with [Page] lesse charge to his Evening Collations, then set Dinners: and with whom (commonly) he spunne out a good part of the night in ventilating one point of Divinity or other; if none came, or such onely as had no great feli [...]ity in these sacred Saturnals, having dismissed them with some few complements, his Boy red him a parcell of holy Scripture, whereupon he usually ruminated till he went to bed. In his travels he was cheerfull, but his chiefe Companion was ever some chiefe Booke: Solecisme he accounted the worst point of Slovenry, affecting neatnesse in his household-stusse, and cloathes, Books, meat, and all things else, magnificence in nothing, much lesse prodigality: Black he loved above all Colours, preferring it farre before Purple, which preserved his Doctorall robes the longer. His upper garment was alwaies of broad-cloath, and that too none of the finest, which against hard frosts, he fortified with deep Furres; whatsoeuer accrued unto him by the Church, he intirely committed to his steward, to be spent in House-keeping: His owne hereditary rents and profits (which were great, for he was heir to his Father and some of his brethren) he himselfe pursed up, and distributed to pious uses. But perceiving the manifold distractions which accompanied the managing of so plentifull an estate, he called in his Fathers debts, and sold his whole Patrimony, which in the totall amounted to a very great masse of money: and wherewith he erected and indowed that stately and famous Free-schoole in Saint Pauls Church-yard: whereunto he joyned a faire dwelling house Capable of two School-masters, to whom he assigned liberall Stipends, because they were to teach gratis. The whole fabrick he divided into four parts, whereof one is (as it were) for your Catechumany, and beareth the inscription of Catechizationis; the second for such as are under the Vsher, divided from the third part, by a vaile drawen [...]pon great Curtaine-roddes, and containeth onely such youths as are disciplined by the chiefe School-master; the forth and last part, confisteth of an Oratory or Chappell [Page] for Prayer, and other religious exercises: Above the Masters head (if the Reformation have not pulled it downe, and levelled him with his Crosse) standeth the child Iesus curiously ingraven, and as it were in the posture of one reading a Lecture, with this Motto, Ipsum audite: whom the Children as they entered the Schoole, were wont to salute with a sacred Hymne, composed (if I be rightly informed) by Erasmus: Every Form containeth sixteen, and the Captaine or Dux of every Classe, sitteth by himselfe in a Pue or Throne somewhat more eminent then the rest; great respect had wont to be had, both to the Ingine and Ingenuity of the Intrants; how matters are now carried, I know not? This is certaine, though the whole amounted to an infinit charge, yet Colet would therein admit of no Copartners. An hundred pounds left by a charitable Cittizen, for advancement of the Structure, he bestowed (with the Bishops licence) upon Books, and sacred Vestments for the Quire; And yet though he would permit no Lay-man to have a finger in the building, he intrusted no Clergimen with the over-sight of its Revenewes: As all men praised him for this Schoole, so many wondred what he meant to build so magnificent a house for himselfe, within a Curtilage of the Carthusians, and so neer the honor of Richmond. But to take both the best & the worst together, He was by nature high minded, impatient of inivries, much given to sleep, and (as he confessed, but not sub Sigillo, to his best friend) no stranger to the temptations both of lust and Luxury; a great admirer of witty jests, and inclinable enough unto Covetousnesse; Over all which imperfections, through grace, he became more then conqueror: for his haughtinesse of minde and proud stomake, he levelled even to humility, by the common grounds of reason and Phylosophy: being then best pleased, when he was most freely admonished. Covetousnesse he put to flight, by a charitable profusion of his whole temporall Estate, upon works of mercy & piety: Venery, sleep and Luxury he nobly profligated by holy confercences, fasting, praying, [Page] indefatigable study, and often Preach [...]ng: But yet so, that at great feasts, and in his entertainment [...] of Ladi [...]s and Gentle-women, where without too much rigidity, he could not but give way to a more free and liberall discourse; a man might easily perceive the recoylments of his owne naturall and exorbitant proclivities: so impossible is it for flesh and bloud, not sometimes to discouer themselves, even in the most regenerate: which made him almost abstaine from all such meetings, or if he came, he commonly brought with him some learned Second, with whom he conferred in Latin, Ne intelligerent Sacerdotes; His custome was to begin and end dinner with the same dish, to content himselfe with one glasse of Beer, or two at the most; and though he loved rich Wines, yet he drank of the best but very sparingly, knowing that all mens eyes then present, were upon him. He had a wonderfull happy wit himselfe, and was much taken with it in others, especially young Boyes and Maids, with whose naturall purity, softnesse, and simplicity he seemed greatly effected, and the rather, because our Saviour himselfe, commends in them those qualities, to our imitation. In many things he dissented from those who thought themselves learned, in some, from those who indeed were so: to whom onely he unbosomed himselfe, especially if they were his friends: your Scotists, who then seemed to monopolize, and divide the whole stock of wit amongst themselves, he e [...]teemed of all others, the most dull, barbarous, stupid, and insufferable dunces. And yet of Acquinas (I know not upon what grounds) he had a worse opinion, then of Scotus: In whose defence, when it was objected by Erasmus (perhaps ironically, for he was no great friend to either) that of all the ancient Schoolmen, Aquinas onely seemed to have read the Fathers; witnesse his Aurea Catena, and that some of his Work [...] were highly commended for stirring up mens affections to piety: Colet answered, what tell you me of his reading, or stirrring up affections? unlesse he had beene transported with the Spirit of Arrogance, he had never so [Page] rashly, and yet so magisterially & peremptorily presumed to define all points of Religion: and if he had not savored too much of the flesh, he had not therewith mixed so much vaine and fruitlesse Phylosophy. He was no great admirer of Monks, not that he hated the Profession, but because he saw the Professors lived not accordingly: wherfore whilst he lived he gave them little, when he dyed, nothing: And yet his intent and purpose was, to end his dayes in a Monastery, if he could have found one qualified to his minde: This, by many, was censured in him, that although he himselfe lived most chastly, and as Erasmus verily beleeveth, dyed a pure Virgin, notwithstanding his naturall inclination to the Contrary, yet he had a very charilable opinion of such Priests and Frier [...], whose greatest fault was their umcleann [...]sse. For said he, these out of the Conscience of their owne imper [...]ection, are (for the most part) humble, mode [...]t, and tractable: whereas the divell himselfe, were he not what he is, could hardly abide the pride, avarice and hypocrisie of the other: Not that he thought incontinence a light Sinne, but intractability and pride far more incompatible with piety. And therefore though it was his ill luck to live under a perverse and wrangling Diocesan (of whom we sh [...]ll say more anon) yet he was a true friend to Episcopacy, by being a mortal enemy to such Bishops, as under an hypocriticall maske of sanctity, pro [...]tituted their sacred function to ambition and Luxury: Relative worship he held no such spur to Devotion as some would make it; And was not farre from their opinion, who thinke a notoriously wicked Priest operates nothing by his consecration; for he abominated irregularity, especially in his owne order, and could not but wi [...]h indignation looke upon those whose impure and contaminated lives, gave the first rise and ground to this suspition, whether true or false: In his judgement concerning publike Schooles and Vniversities, he was not onely heterodox, but, like the bird spoken of in the Proverb, cleerly bewrayed diverse Symptoms of an exulcerated minde: but let [Page] that passe amongst Moles in the most beautifull faces: Secret Confession he generally approved, as that whereby himselfe had received much comfort and benefit, but as much disliked that which was too anxious, and descended to a needlesse enumeration, of what can no more be numbered then the starres in heaven, or sand upon the Sea shore. Priests here, in his time, Officiated once every day, he contented himself with Sundayes and Holy-daies; it may be to set the greater edge upon his Devotion, which by these intervals was the more sharpned, or perhaps to gaine the more time for his private studies, the better to fit himselfe for his Cathedrall or Pulpit imployments. Learning he really loved, and laboured for; onely that Encuclopedicall wisdome, which cannot be attained but by knowledge of all Arts, and devouring of all bookes, he esteemed rather a learned sort of madnesse, then any true provocation to Christian simplicity and charity. He deferred much to the Apostolicall Epistles, but when he compared them with that sweetnesse, wisdome, and majesty, which is to be found in our Saviours owne sayings and Sermons, he thought them saplesse, and scarce to be named the same day; which as one of his Paradoxes, I leave to be sensured by the Reader, for both proceede from the same Spirit; Howsoever, omitting the former, the latter he intended to trichotomize or reduce unto Ternaries, but was prevented by death: Gods worship and Service (as much as in him lay) he performed with an equall decency, and magnificence: and was no great approver, either of their zeale, or wisdome, who tyed Priests every day (those wherein they travell, not exceped) to the private repetition of so many and long prayers: which perhaps he knew by experience, they rather mumbled over with their lips, then considerately evaporated from their hearts. He willingly and attentively read over many Hereticall bookes, professing he sometimes bettered himselfe more by them, then theirs who without dispute, define what they please, and as they please. He indured not that any man should square his stile by the rules of [Page] Grammer, or Grammarians, but by reading and imitating the most approved Authors; which opinion brought its owne punishmeat with it, for though he was eloquent both by nature, and erudition, yet when he set himselfe to write in Latin, he often tript, even in things common and obvious to every School-boy: which did so much discourage him, that he never set forth any thing: it were to be wished, his modestey had not so much stumbled at this straw; for certainly howsoever his expression had taken the eare, his conceptions could not have disrellished the understanding: but in this, as in many things else, he dissented from the common Tenets and practice both of his owne and former times; yet so as his private opinions never troubled the publike peace, his friends were as many, as there were men of learning and Candor in the whole kingdome. His greatest enemies were certaine illiterate and irregular Friers: and amongst these his own Bishop, of whose Sophisticall Sco [...]istry the Deane made no great account, and the Bishop as little of his Ciceronian Divinity; The heart burning went so farre, that at last it broke forth into Articles: wherein the Bishop assisted by two of his brethren, almost as learned and Cordat 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 A [...]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 Seni [...]e and decayed Memory. The Archbishop received the accusation, [Page] 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 resol [...]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 [...]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 [...]his of purpose, to weaken the hands of his Majesties Forces, and discourage the Commons, from so noble a [...]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 [Page] 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 wch 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.

[Page]

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 [Page] 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 sed deficere. That he which went forward in Learning, without having respect unto an orderly carriage of himselfe, would prove to be retrograde in his motion.

[Page]Not long after he was graced with the title of Master of Arts, in the same Academie; after which dignity conferred by the advice of his Parents, he went unto Bonnonia, with an intent to apply himself unto the study of the Civil Law; but because the alteration of the ayre proved adverse unto his former health, after that he had made triall for the space of halfe a yeere, and in that time finding no amendment, he returned againe unto his Father, with whom he remained until that he had recovered his former h [...]alth, and [...]hen he went unto Heidelberge againe, where contrary to the will of his Father, he left the study of th [...] Civill Law, and gave himselfe wholly unto the study of Theologie, being thereunto led and guided by the spirit of God. In the performance of which Act he imitated the example of that burning Lampe of the Church Iohn Chrysostome, the same act being also approved and embraced by Martin Luther, Iohn Calvin, Peter Martyr, Theodore Beza, Lambertus Danaeus, and others.

Here he began to acquaint himselfe with such Schoolemen, whose judgements in points of Controversie were most approved of in that Academie, as Thomas Aquinas, Gerson, and others; these he prosecuted with an indefatigable labour, studying them day and night, desiring the explanation of such distinctions which he could not understand, &c.

This more then ordinary industry procured unto him a ge [...]erall approbation, together with a certaine demonstration of his future worth, not onely in Heidelberge, but also in the adjacent places; insomuch, that he was recommended unto that illustrious Prince Phillip, Elector Palatine, who sent for him, and committed his yongest Sons unto his tuition, bearing alwayes a reverend respect unto him, for the excellency of those parts where with he saw he was endewed: After that he had continued a season in this employment, and perceiving that Courtly life to disagree with his naturall inclination, he left it, and returned againe (as one that had been long captivated) unto the study of Divinity.

[Page]Hi [...] Parent [...] perceiving that his minde was altogther set on that study, and having no other child but onely him, they made use of that meanes wherewith God had ble [...]sed them, for the procuring of a Priesthood for him, in the towne wherein he was borne, unto which was also added the authority of Preaching; unto this place he was called, but finding himselfe after a fortnights performance to be unable to undergoe so laborious an office, he desired leave to returne againe unto Heildelbirge: for the furnishing of himselfe with a greater measure of knowledge, that then he might returne from thence better fitted for the discharging of that sacred Function.

Having obtained leave, he alters his resolution & shapes his course towards Tubinga, and from thence unto Stutgardia, where Reachiling lived, a man famous for his excellent knowledge in the tongues: here he stayed for a short space, during which time, he received from him some light concerning the Greeke, which being increased by daily exercise he so well profited himselfe, that he did set forth a Greeke Grammer, at his returne againe to Heidelbirge: where he also learned the Hebrew of a Spanish School [...]master, whose evill nature was to envy that knowledge of that holy tongue in those that were his Schollers.

Finding himselfe somwhat better provided, by the addition of the tongues, he returnes unto his native place, and cheerfully underwent his Pastorall office, Preaching Christ so powerfully unto them, that he was greatly admired of his Auditors, neither was he onely excellent for doctrine, but also for his life and conversation, giving good example unto those unto whom he Preached, being familiar alwayes with the better sort, and especially with Wolfangus Capito, with whom he was acquainted during his residence at Heidilbirge: their friendship being here renewed it continued firme untill [...]hey were seperated each from the other by death.

During his discharge of his Pastorall office, in his native place, Wolfangus Capito was called unto Basel, to be [Page] their publick Lecturer, which advancement caused him not to forgit his old friend Oecolampadius, but rather moved him unto a [...]onsideration, how he might be a meanes of promoting him, unto a more eminent place: Pitying that so b [...]ight a lampe of piety, should obscure it selfe, by being shut up and con [...]ined unto such a narrow and unregarded angle of the countrey; Wherefore he used all meanes to perswade the inhabitants of Basel, unto whom he commended the worth of the man, to invite him unto this City, and to conferre a dignity on him correspondent unto his desert; which was no sooner uttered but they condiscented thereunto, and he was called unto the discharge of a Pastorall office in that City, in the yeer of grace 1515. Where after that he had received that Function for the space of a yeer with great applause, he was honoured in the same Academy with the title of Doctor, about the same time that Erasmus Rotherodamus came to Basel, to set forth his annotations on the New Testament; for the perfecting whereof he used the assistance of this Oecolampadius in regard of the eminency of his parts, as he himselfe freely confesseth.

Which worke being finished, he left Basel and went unto Auspurge, being called by the Comons of the Cathedrall Church to Preach in that place unto the people, but her [...] he remained not long (partly because he feared and had a distrust in himselfe that he was not fit for so eminent a place, and partly by reason of that melancholy humor which was praedominate in him, insomuch that he esteemed not the society of men, but would remove himselfe from them into some solitary place) but departed from them and entered into a Monastry lying without the City of Auspurge, and consecrated unto Saint Bridget; yet making his covenant so with the Monks, that he would have liberty to study, & to beleeve what he would, and to depart from them when he pleased; for said he, Etiamsi sexcentis juramentis me obstenixero, nequaquam ea servare potero, si quando utilis ministerio verbi sum futurus. Although I should bind [Page] my selfe by the vertue of six hundred oaths, I shall not be able by any meanes to keepe them, if at any time I shall perceive that any profit will come unto the Church by my Ministery.

The Monkes perceiving his worth joyfully received him into their society, bestowing all things liberally on him that he desired, and also acquainted him with all their priviledges and in generall he found such content amongst them, for the space of a few months, that he intended to spend all the rest of his dayes in that lazy manner of life: but it pleased God to call him from this manner of life, and for that cause he stirred up his friends, & amongst thē more especially Capi [...]o, who seriously perswaded & earnestly exhorted him, to give over that Monasticall life; upon which perswasion he intended to forsake the Mon [...]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, perswad [...]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 Mona [...]stery.

Having be [...]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 i [...] the same hou [...]e he laboured to put downe the Masse, affi [...]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.

[Page]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 Po [...]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 letter [...] 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 assistan [...] 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 [Page] such things did detract from the glory and power of God; which doctrine of his tooke such deepe [...]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 [...]nvy, against such things as make for the glory of God: either by hind [...]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 wch, 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 dispu [...]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, [Page] 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, none. But said he I will till thee newes, being demand [...]d what it was, he answered, Brevi ero apud Christum Dominum, I shall in short time be with Christ my Lord. In the morning before he died he repeated the 51. Psalme of David, [Page] at the end whereof he added [...] Salva me Christi Iesu; being never heard afterwards to utter any word; those who were present betooke themselves unto their prayers, wherein they continued untill he had surrendered his Spirit unto his Creator: which was willingly and cheerefully performed by him, on the first of D [...]cember, in the yeer of our Lord 1531. and in the 49. yeer of his age, and was buried with great lamentation in the s [...]me City.

He died intest [...]te, quia unde conderet, pauper Christi servas non habebat.

He was of a meeke and quiet disposition, in the undertaking of any businesse, he was very circumspect, and nothing indeed was more pleasing unto him, then to spent his time in reading and commenting: the workes which he left behind him, are these which follow.

1 Annotations on Genesis. 2 On Iob. 3 Isaiah. 4 Ieremiah. 5. Ezekill. 6 Daniel. 7 Hosea. 8 Amos. 9 Ionas. 10. Micah, Cap. 2. 11. On the three last Prophets. 12. On the Plasmes. 13 Matthew. 14 Romans. 15 Hebrewes. 16 1 Epistle of Iohn. 17 Of the genuine sense of these words Hoc en corpus meum. 18 [...] An exhortation to the reading of Gods word. 19 Of the dignity of the Eucarist. 20 Of the joy of t [...]e resurrection. 21 A speech to the Sena [...] of Basil. 22 A Catectisme. 23 Annotations on Chrisostome. 24 Enchyidion to the Greeke tongue. 25 [...] A [...]ainst Anabaptists. 26 Annotations upon the A [...]ts and Corinthians. 27 Of Almsdeeds. 28 Against Julian the Apostata. 29 Of tru [...] faith in Christ. 30 Of the praises of Cyprian. 31 Of the life of the M [...]ses. 32 Against Vsury.

Reader, behold the rare-adorned Face

Of him, whose very lookes import a grace;

He was a Man whose constancy to truth,

Ripen'd in age, and blossom'd in his youth:

He was a rocke, whose daring front disdain'd

[Page]Papisticke Waves he still oppos'd; and gain'd

The upper hand, though threatning danger lin'd

Each word he spoke, yet would he speake his minde:

Twas not their proffer'd wealth could make him bold

To sin in Want, and then repent in Gold;

Religion was the Starre by which he steer'd

His well run-course, his heart was still endeer'd

Two sollid Principl [...], he lov'd to court

The truth, Love was his Ship, and heav'n his port.

The life and death of JOHN FRITH, Who suffered Martyrdome, 1533.

IOhn Frith was borne at We [...]trame in Kent; in whom being a child, nature had planted a marvelous love unto learning; he had also a wonderful Promptnesse of wit, & a ready capacity to receive & understand any thing, neither was there any thing wanting in him equall unto that towardness of dispsi [...]ion; whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a lover of learning, but also became an exquifite learned man. He first begun his s [...]udy at Cambridge, where he profited much in all sorts of learning; At last he fell into knowledge of and acquaintance with William Tindall, through whose pious instructions, that seed of the Gospel and sincere godlinesse was first instilled into his heart. At that time (Cardinall Wolsey) prepared to build a sumptious Colledge in Oxford, now called Christs colledge: And sought out for such as did excell in knowledge and learning to be Fellowes in the same, and amongst others, Iohn Frith was appointed one: Now these choice yong men there placed, confer [...]ing together upon the abuses of Religion, which at that time were crept into the Church, were therefore accused of heresie, and cast into prison, where many of them, through the filthy stink thereof dyed: Afterwards Iohn Frith, (with the others remaining alive) being dismissed out of prison, went beyond the seas; and too yeeres after [Page] returning, he was taken for a Vagabond at Reading, and set in the stocks, where he remained untill he was almost pined with hunger; at lenght he desired that the Schoolmaster of the towne might be brought unto him, which was Leoward Coxe a learned man; assoone as he came (in the Latin tongue) he bewailed his captivity unto him: The Schoolmaster being overcome with his eloquence, did not onely take pity and compassion upon him, but also begin to love & embrace him, especially when he spake unto him in the Greeke tongue, and rehersed by heart diverse Verses out of Homer; whereupon the Scholemaster went with all speed unto the Magistrates and procured his enlargment. Yet this his safety continued not long, through the deadly hatred of Sir Thomas Moore, at that time chancellor of England, who persecuted him both by Sea and land, promising great rewards to any man that could bring tidings of him. Thus this good man being beset with troubles round about, wandred up and downe, from place to place, untill at the length being betrayed by a seeming friend, he was apprehended, and sent unto the Tower of London, where he had many disputes with Sir Thomas Moore, and others, touching the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. In which quarrell he withstood the violence of three most obstinate enemies, with the Bishop of Rochester, Moore and Rastall, but he fighting with them all three at once, did so refute, and confound them, that he converted Rastall to his part. But when neither Scripture, nor reason would prevaile against the firce and crulty of of these furious foes, the twentieth day of Iune, 1533. he was brought before the Bishops sitting in Pauls Church, where they ministred certaine interrogatives unto him, touching the Sacrament & Purgatory; to wch he answered according to his former disputation, and subscribed unto his answer, these words with his owne hand, I Frith thus doe thinke, and as I thinke, so have I said, written, taught, and affirmed, and in any Bookes published; So that when as by no meanes he could be perswaded to recant, he was condmned [Page] by the Bishop of London to be burned, and so being delivered over unto the Mayor and Sheriffes of London, the forth day of Iuly he was by them carryed into Smithfield to be burned; when he was tyed to the stake, he shewed much constancy and courage, for when as the fire and faggots were put unto him, he willingly embraced the same, thereby declaring with what uprightnesse of minde he suffered those torments for Christs and the truths sake, whereof that day he gave with his blood a perfect and firme testimony; The winde drove away the flame from him, unto his fellow Martyr Andrew Hewet, who was burned with him, which made his death the longer, and his paines the greater; But God assisted him with such strength, and fortifyed his soule with such patience, that he seemed rather to rejoyce for his fellow, then to be carefull for himselfe, as if he had felt no paine in that long torment.

There is one thing more very observable concerning this constant Martyr Iohn Frith, that whereas the Bishop of Canterbury sent two of his servants to fetch him to Croydon, there to be examined, they were so convinced [...]pon the way, with his learned & pious discourses, sweet and humble carriage, that they contrived betwixt themselves how to let him escape; and at the length one of them delivered himselfe unto him, in this manner, saying, Master Frith, the journey which I have taken in hand to bring you to Croydon, as a Sheep to the slaughter, so grieveth me, that I am over-whelmed with care and sorrow; neither regard I what hazard I undergoe, so that I may deliver you out of the Lions mouth. And then made knowne unto him how that they had plotted betwixt themselves to let him escape: to whom Frith answered with a smiling countenance, Doe you thinke that I am affraid to deliver my opinion unto the Bishops of England in a manifest truth? the Gentleman replyed, I marvell that you were so williug to flye the Realme before you were taken, and now so unwilling to save your selfe. Master Frith answered, before I was attached I would fain have enjoyed my liberty for the benefit of the Church [Page] of God; but now being taken by the higher power, and by the providence of almighty God delivered into the hands of the Bishops, to give testimony to that religion and doctrine, which under paine of damnation I am bound to maintaine & defend; if I should now start aside, and runaway, I should run from my God, and from the testimony of the Word, and should be worthy of a thousand Hells; therfore I beseech you to bring me where I was apponted to be brought, or else I will goe thither all alone.

In all past ages and preceding dayes,

Heaven (to his [...]nour, and eternall praise)

Hath never left his Church, yet destitute

Of faithfull Witnesses, both to dispute,

And dye [...] too, for his spotlesse Uerity,

(If cal'd therto) with all Sencerity,

And admirale fortitude of minde;

In which rare Role of Partyers we do finde

Famous John Frith, an English man by nature;

Who, from his youth, adorn'd his education

With promptitude of wit, and other parts,

Wherby he flourisht both in Tongus and Arts.

And to conclude let all rejoyce and say,

Religion was Friths prop, and he her stay.

The Life & Death of THOMAS BILNEY, who suffered Martyrdome, Anno Christi 1531.

THomas Bilney, an English-man by birth, was brought up in the University of Cambridge from a childe, where he profited so much in all the liberall Sciences, that he in a short time commensed Bachelour of both Lawes; But the holy Spirit of Christ by secret inspira [...]ion, endewing his heart with the knowledge of better things, he lefe the study of mans lawes, and set himselfe wholly a part for the study of [Page] Divini [...]y, accounting godlinesse his greatnest gaine; And as his owne heart was enflamed with a sincere love to Christ and the Gospell of Christ, so his great desire was to bring others to embrace the same; and his labour was not in vaine, for he converted many of his fellowes to the knowledge of the Gospel, and amongst the rest Master Hugh Latimer, (who afterwards sealed to the truth of Christ with his blood) Master Latimer being crosse-keeper at that time in Cambridge, bringing it forth upon procession dayes: At the last Bilney forsaking the University, went up and downe, Preaching the Gosp [...]l, where ever he came, sharpely reproveing the pride, and pompe of [...]he Clergie, and striveing to overthrow the authority of the Bishop of Rome. Cardinall Wolsey at that time being in great authority, and well knowing that the pride and hypocrisie of the Clergie could not long continue against the word of God, if once the light of the Gospel should open the eyes of men, he therefore caused Bilney to be apprehended, and cast into prison; And on the 25. day of November 1537. Master Bilney was brought before the said Cardinall and many other Bishops sitting at Westminster, and there examined whether he had not taught unto the people, the opinions of Luther, or of any other condemned by the Church; Bilney answered that wittingly he had not taught any thing contrary to the Catholique Church. Hereupon he was delivered over to the Bishop of London, to be further examined: being brought before him, he exhorted him to abjure and recant; Bilney answered, that he would stand to his conscience saying, fiat justicia, et judicium in nomine domini. Then said the Bishop of London, with the consent of the rest, read part of the sentance against Master Bilney but respites the rest of it untill the morrow, to see if he would recant; then he was brought before them againe, but still he refuseth to recant: yet at the last, through infirmity, rather then by conviction, he recanteth the seventh day of December 1527.

After which abjuration made, he went againe to Cambridge, but he had such conflicts within himselfe upon the [Page] consideration of what he had done, that he was overwhelmed with sorrow, and was neere the point of utter dispaire, so that his friends were afraid to let him be alone, but continued with him day and night, striving to administer some comfort unto him; But he was in such an agonie for the space of a whole yeer after, that he could receive no comfort, yet at the length, having bin throughly humbled for his sinne, through the goodnesse of God he came unto some quiet in conscience, being firmely resolved to spend his dearest blood in giving testimony to that truth which before he had renounced. Having thus determined in his minde, he tooke his leave of his friends in Trenityhall, and said that he would goe to Ierusalem and so should see them no more (alluding to Christs going up to Ierusalem before his passion.) And immediatly he departed into Norfolke, and there Preached, first privatley in houses, and then openly in the fields, bewailing his former subscription, and owning that doctrine for truth which before he had abjured, willing all men to be warned by him, and never to trust to their fleshly friends in causes of religion; whereupon he was apprehended, and carryed to prison; while he there remained, Doctor Call and Doctor Stokes, with many others, were sent to dispute with him, the forme of which, by meanes of Bilneies doctrine, was somewhat reclaimed; After many tedious disputes, seeing that by no meanes they could not withdraw Master Bilney for truth, he was condemned to be burned.

The night before his execution, many of his friends resorted unto him, found him eating hartily with a quiet minde and cheerefull countinance, where upon they said unto him, that they were glad to see him thus to refresh himselfe, being shortly to suffer such painefull torments; He answered, I imitate those, who having a decaying house to dwell in, hold i [...] up by props as long as may be. Continuing with his friends in heavenly discourses, one of them said, that although the fire which he should suffer the next day, would be of great heat unto his body, yet it would be but for a [Page] moment, but the spirit of God would refresh, and coole his soule with everlasting comfort; At these words Master Bilney put his finger into the flame of the candle then burning before them, and feeling the heat thereof, said, I finde by experience, and have knowne it long by Philosophy, that fire is naturally hot, yet I am perswaded by Gods holy word, and by the experience of some Saints of God therein recorded, that in the flame we may feele no heat, and I constantly beleeve, that however the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by the fire, yet my Soule and Spirit shalbe purged thereby; and although it may be somewhat painfull for a time, yet joy unspake [...]ble followeth there-upon.

As he was led forth to the place of execution, one of his freinds spake unto him, and desired him to be constant, and to take his death as patiently as he could; to whom Master Bilney answered with a quiet and milde countenance; When the Marriner undertakes a voyage, he is tossed on the billowes of the troubled Seas, yet in the midst of all perils he heareth up his spirit, with this consideration, that ere long he should come unto his quiet Harbour; so saith he, I am now sayling upon the troubled Sea, but ere long my Ship shall be in a quiet Harbour; and I doubt not, but through the grace of God, I shall endure the Storme; only I would entreat you to help me with your prayers.

As he went along the streets, he gave much almes to the poore, by the hands of one of his friends. Being come to the Stake, he there openly made a long confession of his faith in an exellent manner, and gave many sweet exhortations to the people; and then earnstly called upon God by prayer, and at the end rehearsed the 143. Psalme.

Then turning to the Officers, he asked them if they were ready, whereupon the fire was kindled; he holding up his hands, and crying sometimes Jesus, sometimes Credo: but the winde did blow away the flame from him, which made his paine the longer, yet he patiently endured it; continuing to call upon God, untill he gave up the ghost.

[Page]

Iust such another Saint-like singing Swan,

Was blessed Bilney, born an English-man;

Brought up in Cambridge University,

Famous for Arts, and Parts, and Piety:

Where by powerfull preaching, he converted

Holy Hugh Latim [...]r, then much perverted

To Popery, made many a proselyte,

Of's fellow-Students, by the Gospels light.

At last by Card'nall Wolsey, prosecuted;

Who, and his shavelings, with him oft disputed,

They by their subtill treats and threats at length

Tript up his heeles, and foyld his humain strength,

And caus'd him to recant: In which sad case,

This blessed Saint abote a twelve moneths space,

In bitter anguish and perplexity

Of Soul, in danger, in despaire to dye.

At last, again, by Gods all-guarding grace,

Recovered comfort did despair quite chace,

And fill his Soul with such redoubled joy

As all his former preciovs parts t' imploy,

In constant and courageous preaching down

The odious errours of Romes tripple Crown;

For which our tongues may never cease t' expresse

That Bilney's Crowned with true happinesse.

WILLIAM TINDALL.

The Life and Death of William Tindal.

[Page]

WIlliam Tindal was borne about the borders of Wales, and brought up from a child in the Universitie of Oxford, where he grew up, and encreased in the knowledge of the Tongues, and the Liberall Arts, but especially in the Scriptures, whereunto his minde was singularly addicted: insomuch as being in Magdalen-Hall, he read privately to som Fellows & Students som parts of Divinitie, instructing them in the knowledge and truth of the Scriptures: his life also was so blamelesse, that he acquired much love, and esteem thereby: After he had profited exceedingly, and taken his degrees there, he removed to Cambridg, and being well ripened in the knowledge of God's Word, he went to live [Page] with one Master Welch in Glocestershire, where he was Tutor to his children: and many Abbats, and Doctors resorting thither, Master Tindal discoursing with them of Luther, Erasmus, &c. shewing them plainly his [...]udgement in Religion, proving the same by the Word of God, & confuting their errors; which caused them to bear a secret grudg in their hearts against him: and afterwards they took occasion to rail, and rage against him, charging him with Heresie, and accusing him to the Bishop and Chancellor, whereupon the Chancellor appointed those Priests, and Master Tindal also to appear before him, and Master Tindal suspecting the matter, as he went prayed heartily unto God to give him strength to stand fast to the truth: when he came the Chancellor threatned him grievously, reviling & rating of him, as though he had been a Dog, accusing him of many things whereof no proof could be brought, and so dismissed him for the present: not long after Master Tindal happening into the company of one that was estee [...]ed a learned Doctor, in disputing with him, he drave him to that issue, that the Doctor burst out into these blasphemous words, Wee had better be without God's Lawes, then the Pope's. Maste Tindal hearing this, full of Godly zeal, replied; I defie the Pope and all his Lawes, and if God spare me life, ere many yeers, I will cause a Boy that drives the plough to know more of the Scriptures then you do. The rage of the Priests encreasing, Master Tindal told Master Welch, that he well perceived that he could stay there no longer with safetie, and that his stay might be prejudicial to that Family also, and therfore with his good leave he departed and went to London, where he preached a while, as he had done in Countrie before: and then hearing a great commendation of Cuthbert Tonstal Bishop of London, he endevored to get into his servic [...], but the Lord saw that it was not good for him, and therfore he found little favour in the Bishop's [...]ight: remaining thus in London about the space of a yeer, and being desirous, for the good of his Countrie, to translate the New Testament into English, he found that there was no place for him to do it [Page] in England, and therefore being assisted by Master Humphrie Munmoth, and other good men, he leftt the land, and went into Germany, and there set upon that work: translating the New Testament Anno. Christi 1527. and then setting upon the Old,First Bible transl [...]ted. he finished the five books of Moses, with sundry most learned, and godly Prologues perfixed before every one of them: the like also he did upon the N [...]w Testament: besides divers other godly Treatises which he wrote there; which being published, and sent over into England, became exceeding profitable to the whole English Nation. At his first going over into Germany, he went into Saxony, and had much conference with Luther, & other learned men in those quarters, and then returning into the Netherlands, made his greatest abode at An [...]werp: when he had finished his translation of Deuteronomy, minding to print it at Hamborouth, he sailed thitherward, but by the way upon the coast of Holland he suffered shipwrack,Great afflictions. by which he lost all his bookes, and writings, and so was compelled to begin all againe to his great hinderance and doubling of his labours: yet afterwards he went in another ship to Hamborough, where he met Master Coverdal, who assisted him in the translation of [...]ive the books of Moses; the sweating sicknesse being in the towne all the while, which was Anno Christi 1529. and during their imploiment in that work, they were entertained by a religious Widow,Charity. Mistresse Margaret Van Emerson: when his English Testament came abroad, Satans and the Popes instruments raged exceedingly, some saying that there were a thousand Heresies in it: others that it was impossible to translate the Scriptu [...]es into Euglish:Popish lies others that it was not lawful for the Lay-people to have it in their owne language, &c. and at last the Bishops, and Priests procured of King Henry the eight a Proclamation prohibiting the buying or reading of it: yet not satisfied herewith, they suborned one Henry Philips to go over to Antwerp to betraie him: who when he came thither, in [...]inuated himselfe into Master Tindal's company, and pretended great friednship to him; and haveing learned where his abode [Page] was, he went to Bruxels and there prevailed so far, that he brought with him the Emperors Atturney to Antwerp, and pretending to visit Master Tindal, he betraied him to two Catchpoles, which presently carried him to the Atturny: who after examination, sent him to prison in the Castle of Filford, 18. miles off, and seized upon all his writings, and what else he had at his lodging: the English Merchants at Antwerp, who loved Tindal very well, did what they could to procure his release, also letters were sent by the Lord Cromwell, and others out of England in his behalf: but Philips so bestirred himselfe, that all their endeavours came to nothing: and Tindal was at last brough to his answere; and after much reasoning although he deserved not death, yet they codemned him to die: & being brough forth to the place of execution, whilest he was tying to the stake, hee cryed with a servent and loud voice, Lord open the King of Englands eies. And so he was first strangled by the hangman, and then burn't, Anno Christi 1536. The power of his Doctrine, and the sencerity of his life was such, that during his imprisonment (which was about a yeare and an halfe) hee converted his keeper and his daughter, and some others of his houshold: and Philips that betraied him, long enjoyed not the price of innocent blood, but by God's just judgment he was devoured by lice.

Master Foxe in his History of Martyers sayes, he might be called Englands Apostle. The Workes which he writ, besides the translation of the Scriptures are these that follow.

1. A Christians obedience. 2. The unrighteous Mammon. 3. The practice of the Papists. 4. Commentaries on the seventh Chapter of Saint Matthew. 5. A discourse of the last will and testament of Tracij. 6. An answer to Sir Thomas Mores Dialogues. 7. The Doctrine of the Lords Supper against More. 8. Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 9. Of the Sa [...]cramentall signes. 10. A foote-path leading to the Scriptures. 11. Two letters to John Frith.

[Page]All these are extant together, with the workes of two Marty [...]s, Barnes and Frith, in English, in Folio: and thus after much labour and persecution, this worthy member of Christ, yeelded to the fla [...]es, expecting a joyfull reresurrection.

Zeale crown'd his heart [...] and made him to out vie.

Papisticke stocks of Hell-bred Tyranny;

He feard them not, but boldly would dispute

Against their swelling Errours, and confute

Their Principles with a most dexterous art;

His tongue was never Traytor to his heart;

Truth was the hand that pointed to the way,

Where full content and rich Salvations lay:

T'was not a loathsome prison [...]ould devorse

His ready lipps from the profound discourse

Of true Religion, nothing could prevent

His iust endeavours, Time, he thought mispent

If not imploy'd to good; Reader [...] admire,

His body flam'd to make his soule a fire.

The life and Death of URBANUS REGIUS, who died Anno Christi 1541.

URbanus Regius was borne in Arga Longa, [...]n the territories of Count Montfort, of honest parents, who principl'd him in the rudiments of Learning, & from school sent him to Friburg, where he lived with Zasius an excellent Lawyer, who loved him dearly for his diligence and industry: from thence he went to Basil, to study other Arts, and from thence to Ingolstad, where, after a while, he read privately to divers Noble-men's-sons, whose parents desired him to furnish their children with books, and all other necessaries, for which they would take care to pay him againe quarterly: but when he had run into debt for them, they neglected [Page] to returne their money, which caused him to thinke of departing, and having an opportunity, he listed himselfe a souldier under a Captaine that went against the Turkes, leaving his books, and oher furniture, to be divided amongst the Creditors: being now amongst the souldiers, it happened that Iohn Eccius (who was Gov [...]rnor of the University) coming forth to see the souldiers, he espied Regius amongst them, and enquired the cause of his so sudden a change; he told them how those Noble-men had served him, whereupon Eccius got him released from his Captain, and by his authority procured the Debts to be paid by the parents of those youths, which had been with him; wherupon he returned to his studies againe, wherein he growing famous for his wit and learning, Maximilian the Emperor passing through Ingolstade, made him his Laureat-Poet and Orator: afterwards he was made Professor in that University: Then he fell hard to the study of Divinity, and a while after, the controversie growing hot between Luther and Eccius, Rhegius favoring Luther's doctrine, because he would not offend Eccius, to whom he was many wayes bound, he left Ingolstade, and went to Augusta, and there, at the importunity of the Magistrates and Citizens, he undertooke the Government of the Church, and being offended at the grosse Idolatry of the Papists, he joyned with Luther, and Preached against the same: and having written to Zuinglius to know his judgement about the S [...] crament and Originall Sin, he received such satisfaction, that he joyned in opinion with him about the same. At that time the Anabaptists crept into Augusta, and held private conventicles to the disturbance of the publicke peace, for which the Magistrates imprisoned the chiefest of them, and afterwards for their obstinacy punished them. R [...]egius Preaching against Purgatory and Indulgences, the malice and cruelty of the Papists prevailed at length to [...]he driving of him out of that City: bu [...] [...]f [...]e [...] a while, by the earnest prayer of the Citizens, he was called back [...] to his former Charge, where also he married a wife, by whom he [Page] had thirteen children: Eccius also came thither, and sought by all meanes to turne him from the truth, but in vain: he sent also Faber and Cochlaeus with flatteries, and lage promises, who prevailed as little as the others.

Anno Christi 1530. when the Diet was held at Augusta for quieting of the controversies about Religion, the Duke of Brunswick coming thither, by importunity prevailed with Regius to go to Luneburg in his Country, to take care of the Church there, in which journey at Gobu [...]g he met with Luther, and spent a whole day in familiar conf [...]rence with him, about matters of great moment, of which himselfe write's, That he never had a more comfortable day in his life. Er [...]nestus Duke of Brunswick loved him dearly, and esteemed him as his father; insomuch as when the City of Augusta sent to the D [...]ke, desiring him to returne Regius to them againe; he answered, that he would as soone part with his eyes as with him: and presently after he made him Bishop, and over-seer of all the Churches in his Country, with an ample salary for the same: afterwards going with his Prince to a meeting at Haganaw, he fell sick by the way, and within few dayes, with much cheerfulnesse yeelded up his soule into the hands of God, Anno Christi 1541: he often desired of God that he might dye a sudden and easie death, wherein God answered his desires. He was of an excellent wit, holy of life, and painfull in the worke of the Lord.

Reader, this serious Fathers well-spent dayes

Were fill'd with love, and love was fill'd with praise;

He was abjured by a Noble race

Which made him onely debtor, but not base;

Heav'n was his port, to which he faild through tears [...]

Steer'd by his faith, blowne by the winde of prayers;

Let his example teach us to invest

Our hearts with wisdome, and we shall be blest,

With him, who now enjoyes the life of pleasure,

Whose comforts know no end, whose joyes no measure;

[Page]He that shall choose true vertue for his guide

May march on boldly, and not feare a slide.

The Life and Death of CARALOSTADIUS Who died Anno Christi 1541.

ANdreas Bodenstein Caralostadius was borne in France, in a towne called Caralostadium, by which he received h [...]s name: he was brought up at Schoole there, where afterwards he went to Rome, and having spent sometime in the study of Divinity, he went thence to Wittenberg, where he commensed Doctor in Divinity, and was a publicke Professor Anno Christi 1512. afterwards he became an earnest as [...]ertor of Luthe [...]'s doctrine, and a defendor of it against Ecc [...]us, both by disputation and writing: at the time of Luther's being in his Pathmos, Caralostadius obtained of the Elector the abolishing of private Masse, Auricular confession, Images, &c. at Wittenberg; which Luther being offended at, returned presently thither, and Peeached eagerly against that alteration, whereupon Caralostadius wrote in justification of it, which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the Sacrament; whereupon he left Wittenberg 1524. and went to Orlamund, being called to a Pastorall charge there: but after a while he was called back to his place in Wittenberg; yet before he went, Luther being sent by the Elector of Iene, and Orlamund, in a Sermon where [...]aralostadius was present, he enveighed bitterly against the Anabaptists, and said withall, That the same spirit reignd in the Image-haters, and Sacramentaries; whereupon Caralostadius, being much offended, went to his lodging to confer with him about it: afterwards Lu [...]her coming to Orlamund went not to salute Caralostadius, but in his Sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of Idols: and shortly after he procured the Elector to banish Caralostadius; whereof Caralostadius afterwards complained in a letter to his people in Wittenberg, that unheard and unconvicted [Page] he was banished by Luther's procurement: from th [...]nce he went to Basil, where h [...] printed some book [...] that he had written about the Lord's Supper, for which the Magistrates (being offended with the novelty of the Doctrine) cast the Printers into prison, and the Senate of Tigurine for bad th [...]ir people to read those books: but Zuinglius in his Sermon exhorted them first to read, aad then to passe judgement on them, saying, That Caralostadius knew the truth, but had not well expressed it: afterwards Caralostadiu [...] wandring up and downe in upper Germany, when the sedition of the boorish Anabaptists brake out, (unto which they were stirred up by Muncer, and for which many of them were brought to punishment) Caralostadius also escaped very narrowly, being let downe in a basket over the wall [...] of Rottenberg: & being in great streights he wrote to Luther, and purged himselfe from having any hand in those uproars, entreating him to print his book, and undertake his defence, which also Luther did, desiring the Magistrates that he might be brought to his just triall, before he wa [...] condemned: Caralostadius wrote againe to him a Letter, wherein he said, That for his opinion about the Sacrament, he rather proposed it for disputation sake, then that he positively affirmed any thing, wch many imputed to him for levity: but Luther thereupon procured his return into Saxonie: yet he finding little content there, went to Tigurine, and taught in that place till the death of Zuinglius, and then he went to Basil, where he taught ten yeers, and An. 1541. he died there of the plague, and was very honorably buried.

This grave Divine ceas'd not from taking paines

More for the Churches good, then his owne gaines;

Yet were his gaines as great as his desire,

He that obtaines true vertue need require

No greater profit, he that studies how

To live here-after, must not set his brow

[Page]On Earths loe things: the pleasure of the Earth

Prov'd this grave Fathers sorrow, not his mirth;

His thoughts were all divine, he could not hide

Within his Season'd breast, the flames of pride;

He was an Image-hater, and would not

Let them be worshipp'd and his God forgot;

'Twas not a Prison could his heart apale,

He that has virtue, needs no other baile.

The life and death of CAPITO, Who died Anno Christi 1541.

WOlfgangus Fabricius Capito was borne at Hagenaw in Alsatia: his Father was of the Senatorian ranke, who bred him in learning, and sent him to Basil, where he studied Physick, and proceeded Doctor of it: aft [...]r hi [...] Father's death, he studied Divinity Anno Christi 1504; and under Zasias (a great Lawyer) he studied Law also, and proceeded Doctor of [...]t: He was a great lov [...]r and admirer of godly Ministers: at Heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with Oecolampadius, and there was a neer tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives: after with him also he studied Hebrew, and became a Preacher, first in Spire, and thenc [...] was c [...]lled to Basil: from thence he was sent for by the Elector Palatine, who made him his Preacher and Counsellor, and sent him of divers Embassies: also by Charles the fifth he was made of the order of Knights: from Mentz he followed Bucer to Argen [...]ine, where he was called to a Pas [...]oral charge: he was a very prudent and eloquent man, a good Hebrician, and studious of Peace; concerning the Sacrament he said, Mittendas esse contentiones, & cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae: & 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 [Page] 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 Art [...]:

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 Ceremon [...]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: [...]here also he was made a Deacon, and from thence he was called into Helvetia, where he [...]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, Era [...]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: th [...]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 [Page] 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, Ec [...]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 us [...]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.

[Page]

F [...]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 studie [...], and fell to Mechanicall Arts: About which time Tec [...]liu [...] brought his Indulgences into Germany, boasting of th [...] 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 f [...]ther, the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Decalogue, and to pray often: and that the blood of Christ onely could cleanse u [...] from sin: and that pardon of sin & eternall life could not be bought with money, &c. Which caused him to be much t [...]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 wa [...] 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 do [...] in those dayes) aud therefore he advised with hi [...] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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' [...] 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 othe [...], 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 [Page] 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 thi [...] drie, exhausted, and unprofitable tabernacle: farewell, and God forbid that I should heare of thy death whi [...]st I live: Sed te superstitem faciat mihi Deus: h [...]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 Lu [...]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.

[Page]

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 Ratisb [...]ne; and when he came thither, he went to Peter Malvinda a Spaniard, the Popes Agent in Germanie; who when he knew that he cam [...] in the company with Bucer, and the other Protestant Divines, he was much a [...]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 [Page] 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 [...]n th [...] sure rocke of Gods Truth, that neither Preferments could allure him, nor threats terrifie him, both having beene used by the Popes Agent, nor he by perswasion nor love could perswade him to returne to Popery; he feigned himselfe, friendly to take his leave of him, and so depar [...]d: [...]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 dogg [...]d and haunted by the Furies of his own Conscience, that being at Trent, when the Council was held there, he hanged hims [...]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 untyr [...]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 [...]'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.

[Page]

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 [...]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: [Page] 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, Pat [...]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 & imbecill [...] 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 ev [...]r doth endure.

Grave Cruciger, was in his life

A hater of corroding strife;

His soule was [...]l'd with Heaven, and he

Was alwayes constant, alwayes free

[Page]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 Paulu [...] 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 [Page]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 Stratsburge; and because poverty twharted the good will of his Parents, so that they could not afford him [...]uch maintenance as they were willing, he framed himselfe unto the teaching of Youth, during his abode in that place; by which meanes he defended himselfe from that miserabl [...] condition which was likely to ensue, and also furnished himselfe with money for the procuring of such Bookes as he had most use of for his Studies.

About this time the study and profession of the tongues began to appeare and to shew it selfe in Germanie, and Wolfangus Capito set forth two Bookes, containing solid instructions for the obtaining of knowledge in the Hebrew language, a thing worthy of admiration in those times; and there were also some Iewes, who wandring up and downe did impart the grounds of that knowledge unto many in Germanie. Fagius laying hold upon this opportunity, gave himselfe wholly unto the study of this tongue, and for that cause he happily insinuated himselfe into the familiarity [Page] of Capito Hedio, Bucer, Zellius, and other learned Professours, who were the first planters of the Church of Christ in those places.

Having here indifferently furnished himselfe with learning, and with the knowledge of the tongues, in the yeere 1527. he left Strasburge, and betooke himselfe unto Isna, a towne in Algaria, (being thereunto constrained with his poverty, and also with the small regard that those people had of learned men) where, by the intreaty and furtherance of his friends, he underwent the painfull office again of a Schoolemaster; wherein he used such diligence that he gained the love of all that knew him, but finding within himselfe a naturall inclination unto the Ministery, he left his Schoole and returned againe unto Strasburge, to furnish himselfe with sufficient knowledge, for the discharge of that function: here he continued for the space of two yeeres, spending them altogether in the study of Divinity, at the end whereof, he was called from Ssasburge by the Senate of Isna, to undergoe a Pastorall office in the same towne, which he performed for the space of five yeers, with the great approbation of his Auditors; when he gave himselfe again unto the study of the Holy tongues, wherin in short time he proceeded beyond expectation, so that he was adjudged to be the most absolutest in those dayes; for the attayning unto this perfection he used the helpe of Elias Livita, a most learned Jew.

Petrus Buflerus one of the Senators of Isna having notice of his perfection in the holy tongue, and of his naturall inclination unto the Arts, at his owne cost and charge he erected a Printing house; to the end that Fagius might publish som works for the futur good of that Nation, & for the credit and good fame of himself; but the event not answering their expectation, Fagius came at last, to be deeply indebted unto his friend Petrus; whereby he was dishartned, and kept from proceeding any further; which being perceived by Buflerus he incouraged him againe to goe forward, and for that cause he lovingly forgave him all the [Page] debt, which amounted unto the summe of one thousand Crownes and more.

But he finding by experience that Isna was not a place for his purpose, he resolved to remove; and opening the same unto the Inhabitants, they seemed unwilling, yet afterwards they consented: receiving Iohannes Marbachius into his roome. Before his departure, the towne was greatly afflicted with the Pestilence, and he understanding that many of the wealthiest of the Inhabitants intended to forsake the place, without having any respect or care of such as laboured with that disease, and that the houses of such as were infected, were commanded to be shut up by the Magistrate; he openly admonished them, either to continue in the towne, or liberally to bestow their almes before their departure, for the reliefe of such as were sicke: and during the time of the visitation, he himselfe in person would vis [...] those that were si [...]ke; he would administer Spirituall comfort unto them, pray for them, and would be present with them day and night, and yet by the providence of God he remayned untouched, and was preserved by the alpowerfull hand of God.

At the same season the Pestilence was hot in Strasburge, and with many others, it tooke away Wolfangus Capito, by reason whereof he was called by the Senate, and designed to be his successour in the same City, where he continued Preaching untill the beginning of the Germain warres; for then Fredecicus Secundus, the Prince Elector Palatnie, intending a reformation in those Churches which were subject to him, he called Fagius from Strasburge unto Heidelberge, being then reputed to be a most eloquent and learned man, and constituted him the publicke Professor in the same place; but the Emperour prevailing against the Elector, & triumphing in Germany, that which was begun in Germany, touching reformation, fell againe to the ground and became extinct: during his residence here, he set forth many books, but more especially such as he adjudged would be most profitable for such as intended to study the Hebrew [Page] tongue; which were so approved of by Bucer Martyr, and Hedio, then ordinary professors of Divinity, that he was advanced to the reading of a Divinity Lecture on the week dayes, and designed to discharge their Pastorall functions, in case they were restrained either with sicknesse, or any other serious imployments; and in this course he remained for the space of six yeeres.

At the end of which time, the Church was greatly afflicted in Germany, and banishment was threatned unto such as would not adhaere unto the doctrine of the Church of Rome, and in the beginning of these troubles, it pleased God to stirre up Thomas Cranmer, Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Metrapolitan of England, to call for him out of Germany, who together with Bucer was honorably entertained by the said Arch-bishop and disposed of, &c. vide Bucer.

He died in Cambridge, in the yeere 1550. and was honorably buried in the Church of Saint Michael; his bones together with Bucers in the dayes of Queene Mary, were diged up and burned, because he was condemned of haeri [...]ie; Amongst many Epitaphs which were set forth in the commending of this man, that of Gulielmus Day deserveth impression, that his worth might be manifested unto future times:

Bucero primas, dedimus tibi Paule secunda,

& damur, Haebreae, gloria prima scholae,

Hoc uno inferior Bucero, Paule, fuisti

Quod prior extremum cernis adesse diem,

Verum illo major Bucero, Paule, fuisti

Quod prior aeterno jussus adesse Deo,

In reliquo similem duxisti tempor vitam

Ambo salutiferi buccina fida, dei

Ambo stilliferi sparfistis semina regni

Semina proventu non caritura suo,

Vnde utrumque Deus mogno dignatus honore

V [...]rumque ad superi transtulit astra poli

[Page]Felices animae superas licet iistis ad oras

A nobis vestrum nomen abrie negint

Eximia semper viretis laude perennes

Quam canit Aoniis nostra Thalia modis.

Our first applauses 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[Page]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 [...]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.

Twas 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.

[Page]

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 Ma [...]er, and to the unspeakable comfort of his friends.

[Page]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 [...]hen ordinary Acts.

Being now a D [...]minican he greatly desired to take a view o [...] 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 Scriptur [...]s, he fell into a susp [...]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 hearin [...] the disputation of Luther at Heidelberge, concerning Free-will, whereby he became better satisfied in the point of justification.

[Page]And thi [...] wa [...] 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 sp [...]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 Pas [...]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, [Page] 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 b [...] 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 [...]he Church, and to teach openly in the schoole, so that within short time the doctrine of the Gosp [...]ll tooke firme rooting in many pl [...]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 [...]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 conc [...]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 [...]ring unto th [...] 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 [Page] they requested the Sen [...]te of Strasburge, th [...]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 Elect [...]r, he repaired againe to Luther, being resident at Wittenberge, where af [...]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, wch 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 ret [...]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 Melanc [...]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 wth 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 [Page] 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 Ar [...]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 wth 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 therefor [...] 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 functio [...] and g [...] vernment, by the Emperor, and all those part [...] returned againe, like dogs unto their vomit.

In the yeere 1546. there was another ass [...]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 commandem [...]nt of the Emperour, [Page] 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 that behalfe, sent over letters unto him, wherein he perswaded him with Paulus Fagius to come into England; assuring them both of kinde entertainment and a sufficient stipend, if it would please them to continue amongst them.

These Letters comming to their hands (because they saw little or no hopes of doing any good in Germanie) they resolved to visit England; and Bucer taking his leave of the Senate of Strasburge, after he had supplyed a Pastorall office amongst them the space of twenty yeeres, he with Fagius went for England in the yeer of grace 1549. where they arrived in good health, and were most courteously entertained, and a place provided for them in the University of Cambridge, for the expounding of the holy Scriptures, and a large Stipend allotted unto them for the maintenance of their Families; the University conferring one priviledge on him, which was not given unto any before him; being [Page] this that according to his desire, he was inaugurated into his Office without any publicke Ceremony. He was much admi [...]ed of in the University for his learning, for the integrity of his life and conversation; for his plainenesse in his apparell, for his temperaten [...]sse in his dyet, for his constancy in his labours, and for his patience in his sicknesse.

Within short time after they came hither, they both fell into an irrecoverable sicknesse, by reason of the change of the ayre and dyet; Fagius was the first that yeelded his soul into the hands of God; Bucer followed shortly after, who before his death prayed unto almighty God, that he would not suffer England to fall into those sinnes, which had brought Germany unto great misery; and withall, desired that those things which he had written unto the King concerning the discipline of the Church, might take firme footing in the Kingdome. Master Iohn Bradford coming to him in the time of his sicknesse, and telling him that he would remember him in his prayers, being that day to Preach, he uttered these words, Ne abiicias me Domine in tompore senectutis meae cum defecerit virtus mea; forsake me not O Lord in the time of my age, and when my strength faileth me. Being admonished in his sicknesse that he should arme himselfe against the assaults of the Divell; he answered, that he had nothing to doe with the Divell, because he was wholly in Christ, and God forbid; God forbid, but that I should have some experience of his heavenly comfort.

After Sermon Bradford came to him againe, and after some words, declared unto him the great feare which the Physitians had to prescribe any thing unto him, by reason of the weaknesse of his body, which he apprehending, with his eyes fixed towards heaven, he uttered these words: ille, ille regit & moderatar omnia, he, he it is, that ruleth and governeth all thi [...]gs; and so in the midst of many godly prayers he quietly yeelded his soul unto the hands of God, on the 27. of February, in the yeere of our Lord 1551. being 61. yeeres of his age, he was buried with great solemnity in Saint Ma [...]ies in Cambridge, to the griefe of many [Page] students; before his buriall a Funerall Sermon was delivered by Gualterus Haddon, at his buriall by Doctor Parker.

After the death of Edward the sixt, his sister the Lady Mary comming to the crowne, she restored the doctrine of the Church of Rome, and in her dayes Cardinall Poole, the Popes Legate being a man of great Authority, laboured with might and maine, for the rooting out of haeresie and haeretick (for so he termed the Gospell and the professors thereof) and for that cause he appointed five Inquisitors, for the reformation of the University of Cambridge, these obtained that the bones of both these faithfull Ministers of Christ should be digged up, condemned of haerisie, and delivered to the Magistrate to be burnt, together with all the bookes of theirs which were extant in the kingdome; but in the raine of Queene Elizabeth, this sentence was not approved but rejected, and they were reckoned amongst the number of Martyrs which had suffered for the truth of Christ.

The labours which he left behind him, as so many witnesses of his sufficiency and worth, are these which follow.

1 The Psalmes done out of Latine into Hebrew. 2 Enarrations on the four Evangelists. 3 Metaphrases one the Epistle of St. Paul. 4 A reconciling of hard places of Scripture. 5 Commentaries of the Romans and the Ephesians. 6 A Commentarie on Sophonu [...], done out of Hebrew. 7 A preface to the fourth Tome of Luthers postils. 8 Of the true doctrine, discipline and Ceremonies of Chu [...]ches. 9 A Gra [...]ula [...]orie letter unto the Church of England. 10 An answer to the two Epistles of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester concerning the single life of Priests. 11 Of the best way to have Counsels. 12 A treatise of restoring Church good. 13 An Epistle to the Vniversity a [...] Marpurge. 14 To those of East Friezland. 15 The confession of the foure Cities Strasburge, Constance, Menning, and Lindare. 16 An Apologie against Brentius, that jmages are not to be had in Churches. 17 Of the Baptisme of Infants. 18 Of the Euch [...] rist. [Page] 19 Of a Nationrall Synead. 20 Of a Councell against Coceleius and Gropperus. 21 Of the false and true administration. 22 Of the Lords Supper. 23 Of offering Masses. 24 Of care for [...]he dead. 25 Of Purgatorie. 26 Causes of the absence of Divines from the councell of Trent. 27 Of the kingdome of Christ unto Edward the sixt King of England. 28 Lectuers at Cambridge, upon the Ephesians. 29 Of the power and use of the ministery. 30 An admonition to the Ministers at Switzerland. 31 Psal [...]er translated into Dutch. 32 An admoni [...]ion to the Ministers at Strasburge. 33 Of the true office of a Pastor. 34 Of the Iewes, how for to be suffered amongst Christians. 35 A Confutation of the new faith set forth at Loran. 36 A defence of the Colenish reformation. 37 A defence against Gropperus. 38 An an [...]wer to a dialogue against Protestants. 39 Of Church-goods, and who are the right possessors of them.

40 Against the Bul of Paulus the third, and his Legates demands. 41 A godly admonition to the Emperour, Princes, and other states of the Empire assembled at Wormes. 42 Against the restoring of the Masse. 43 Impediments of Reformation. 44 Against the Sophistes of Colen. 45 Of the conference at Reinsburge. 46 An exposition of the 120. Psalme. 47 A treatise of Afflictions. 48 A refutation of Calumnies. 49 A Sermon at Berne. 50 Of the Ministers and Sacraments. 51 Luthers commentaries on the two Epistles of Peter. 52 Some writings of Sturmius. 53 Retractations, with Commentaries on the Gospell. 54 A trea [...]ise that none ought to live to themselves.

That light of truth which shin'd in Bucers brest

Inlightned others, and restor'd much rest

To many, whose unquiet souls did lye

Under the burthen of Idolatry.

He was laborious, striving every houre

To sucke some hony from each plea [...]ng flowre;

He was belov'd of all, that lov'd to pry

Into the bosome of Divinity:

[Page]Sweet was his life, and death; his well spent dayes

Began in goodnesse, and expir'd with praise.

The Life and Death of CASPER HEDIO, who died Anno Christi 1552.

CAsper Hedio was born at Etling, in the Marquisat of Baden, of honest Parents, and educated in learning at Friburge, where also he Commensed Master of Arts; and from thence went to Basil, where he studied Divinity, and Commensed Doctor: whence he was called to Preach in the chiefe Church at Mentz, but some, not liking such plain Preaching, and the Monkes raising a persecution against him, he went thence to Argentine, Anno Christi 1523. where he was a great assistent to Capito, and Bucer in reforming of Religion by the command of the Senate: there also he married a wife Anno Christi 1533. and though the Papists raised a great persecution in that City, yet he Preached [...]oldly against Masses, Indulgences, Auricular Confession, &c. and wrote against them also. Anno Christi 1543. when Herman Archbishop of Collen began a Reformation, he sent for Bucer, and Hedio, to assist him therein, whence (after he was driven by Caesar, and his Spaniards) escaping through many difficulties and danger, he returned to Argentine; what time he could spare from his Ministeriall employment, he spent in writing Commentaries, and Histories. Anno Chris [...]i 1552. he sickened and died.

T'was not the rage of Papist could remove

The heart of Hedio from the reall love

Of true Divinity; he still enclin'd

Himselfe to Preach with a resolved mind.

Let his example teach us to repose

Our trust in God in spight of threating Foes.

The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of A [...]halt, wh [...] died Anno Christi 1553.

[Page]

GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest, who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God; and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme, who was eminent for training up of youth, under whom he profited exceedingly, both in humane literature, and in princip [...]ls of Divinity: then he was set to the study of the Law, wherein he profited very much also: having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres, he was chosen by Albert, Elector of Men [...]z to be one of his Councell, wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations, in managing the greatest State-affairs: But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time, and Luthers books coming abroad, he fell to reading of them, and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse, he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth, saying, Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse. He was frequent in reading the Scriptures, Ecclesiasticall Histories, Augustine, Hierom, and Lombard: he studied also Greek, and Hebrew: and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies: and after all, upon mature deliberation, he embraced the Reformed Riligion, and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren, within his owne jurisdiction. Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge, where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people; he lived with much continencie in a single life: he took much pains both in writing, and Preaching: he was very charitable, a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes: very free from ambition, hatred, and revenge: he used often to say, Subdi [...]us esto Deo, & ora eum, &c. Submit thy selfe to God, and pray unto him; for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart, and will [Page]save the humble in spirit. He employed his time so well, that he left none for pleasures; and used to say, That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes, then conference with learned and godly men. Falling sick of a most troublesome disease, he was frequent in holy prayer, for himselfe, for all the Princes of that family, for his country, and for Germany; he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him: he made his Will, wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith, and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother: he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge: He often ruminated upon those texts, God so loved the world, that he gave, &c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand. Come unto mee all yee that are wearie, &c. and so in holy meditations, and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47.

A Prince by birth, and of a Princely minde,

Full frought with vertues, of each severall kinde

Is here presented; ornaments of grace,

Such as doe challenge, not the second place,

But first by merit: here you may behold

One, whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold.

In pious duties he did strive to be

Transcendant; who was by nature frée,

For to the Poore he reliefe did give,

During the time that he on earth did live,

Read but his life, and then at large youle sée,

Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be.

The life and Death of Justus Jonas, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator; who falling sick of the Plague, [Page] and having applyed an Onion to the Soare, and taking it off, and laid it by him, this little Ionas coming, tooke the Onion and eat it up, yet without any prejudice to himself, God miraculously preserving of him. He was first brought up at Schoole, afterwards he studied Law, and made a good progresse therein: But upon better though [...]s he studied Divinity, and proceeded Doctor, and embraced the Reformed Religion, and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg: he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion, where he defended the truth strenuously, and endevoured to promote peace: he was also made a Professor in that Universitie: He, with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia: From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie, where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly: Luther somtimes resorted thither to him, and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben, where he dyed: after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court, and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions: and lastly, he was set over the Church in Eisfield, where he ended his dayes in much peace, and comfort, Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations, and in great agonie, he shewed much despondencie, but his servant, partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him, cheared him up; and at last, through Gods mercy, the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh.

Justius by name, no poyson sure could kill,

God so protected him, from what was ill:

The venome of the Plague did séeme to be

No poyson unto him, for he scap'd frée;

Although the Duyon he by chance did eat,

That poyson'd was, by the Plagues strong heat;

Nor was his body, but his minde as frée

From the contagion of hels leprosie.

[Page]For all his study was, how to obtaine

That happy treasure, whereby he might gaine

Heaven a [...] the last; and sure unto that place

He's long since gone; who was his Conntries grace.

The Life and Death of John Rogers, who died Anno Christi 1555.

IOhn Rogers was borne in England, and brought up at the University of Cambridge, where he profited very much in good learning; and from thence was chosen by the Merchant A [...]venturers to be their Chaplaine at Antwerpe, to whom he Preached many yeeres, and there falling into acquaintance with William Tindall and Miles Coverdal (who were fled from persecution in England) he, by their meanes, profited much in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and joyned with them in that painefull and profitable worke of Translating the Bible into English: there he married a wife, and from thence he went to Wittenberg, where he much profited in learning, and grew so skilfull in the Dutch tongue, that he was chosen Pastor to a Congregation there, where he discharged his Office with diligence and faithfulnesse many yeeres: but in King Edwards time, he was sent for home by Bishop Ridley, and was made a Prebend of Pauls, in which place he Preached faithfully till Queen Maries days; and in the beginning of her Reign, in a Sermons at Pauls-Cro [...]se, he exhorted the people constantly to adhere to that Doctrine which they had been taught, and to beware of pestilent Popery, &c. for which he was called before the Lords of the Councill, where he made a stout, witty and godly answer, and was dismissed: but after the Queens Proclamation against True-Preaching, he was again called (the Bishops thirsting for his blood) and committed prisoner to his owne house, whence he might have escaped, and had [Page] many motives, as his wife, and ten children, his friends in Germany, where he could not want preferment, &c. But being once called to answer in Christs Cause, he would not depart, though to the hazard of his life: from his own house he was removed by Bonner to Newgate amongst thieves and murtherers: he was examined by the Lord Chancellor, and the rest of the Councell, and by them was re-committed to prison: he was much pressed to recant, but stoutly refusing, was first excommunicated and degraded, and then condemned: after which he desired that his wife (to whom he had been married eighteen yeeres, and by whom he had ten children, and she being a stranger) might be admitted to come to him whilst he lived: but Stephen Gardiner, then Lord Chancellor, would by no meanes suffer it. February the fourth Anno Christi 1555. he was warned to prepare for death before he rose: If it be so, said he, I need not tie my points, and so he was presently had away to Bonner to be degraded, of whom he earnestly requested to be admitted to speake with his wife, but could not prevaile; from thence he was carryed into Smithfield, where scarce being permitted to speake to the people, he briefly perswaded them to perseverance in that truth which he had taught them, which also he was now ready to seale with his blood: then was a pardon profered to him if he would recant, but he utterly refused it; his wife, with nine small children, and the tenth sucking at her brest came to him, but this sorrowfull sight nothing moved him, but in the flames he washed his hands, and with wonderfull patience took his death; all the people exceedingly rejoycing at his constancy, & praising God for it. He was the Proto-martyr in Queene Maries dayes. The Sabbath before his death he dranke to Master Hooper, who lay in a chamber beneath him, bidding the messenger to commend him to him, and to tell him, That there was never little fellow that would better stick to a man, then he would to him; supposing they should be both burned together, although it happened otherwise.

[Page]

Though this grave Father was enfor'd to flye

His envious Countrey for security,

Yet his und [...]unted courage would not move,

That alwayes stood (as Sentinell) to love.

'Twas not a prison could affection swage;

He, like a Bird sung swéetest in a cage.

When fir [...]t the Bible, with great paines and care,

He into English did translate so far,

That knowing men did admire the same;

And justly did extoll his lasting fame.

Who did contemne the fury of all those,

Who both to us and him were mortall foes.

The Life and Death of Laurence Saunders, who died Anno Christi 1555.

LAurence Saunders was borne of worshipfull Parents, brought up in learning at Eaton Schoole, and from thence chosen to Kings Colledge in Cambridge, where he continued three yeers, and profited in learning very much; then by his Mo [...]her, who was very rich, he was bound to a Merchant in London; but not affecting that course of life, his Master gave him his Indentures, and he returned to his studies in Cambridge, where also he studied Greeke and Hebrew, but especially the holy Scriptures: he was frequent, and very fervent in Prayer, and when assaulted by temptations, he still found much support, and comfort in prayer, whereby he gained such experience, that he became a great comforter of others: he Commensed Master of Arts, and stayed long after in the University. In the beginning of King Edwards Raign he began to Preach (being first Ordeined a Minister) and that with such generall approbation, that he was chosen to read a Divinity-Lecture at Fotheringay, where by his Doctrine and life he drew many to God, and stopped the mouths of the adversaries: about [Page] which time he married a wife: and from thence he was removed to the Minster of Leichfield, where also he, by his Life and D [...]ctrine, gat a good report, even from his adversaries: from thence he was removed to Church-Langton in Leicestershire, and from thence to Al [...]allowes in Breadstreet London; and after his admission there, he went backe into the Country to resign his Benefice, which fell out when Queen Mary raised stirs to get the Crown: In his journey he preach'd at Northampton, not medling with the State, but boldly delivered his conscience against Popish Doctrine, and errors; which (said he) are like to spring up againe, as a just plague for the little love which England hath borne to the true Word of God, so plentifully offered to them: And seeing the dreadfull day approaching, infl [...]med with godly zeal, he Preached diligently at both his Benifices, not having opportunity to resign e [...]ther, but into the hands of the Papists: and notwithstanding the Proclamation to the contrary, he taught diligently the Truth, at his Country-place where he then was, confirming th [...] people, and arming them against false doctrine, till by force he was resisted: some counselled him to fly out o [...] the Kingdome, which he refused; and being hindred there from preaching, he traveled towards London, to visit his flock in that place, coming near London Master Mordant one of the Q [...]eenes Counsell overtooke him, asked him if he did not Preach such a time in Breadstreet? he said, Yea: And will you, said Mordant, preach so again? Yes, said he, to morrow you may hear me there, where I will confirme by Gods Word, all that I then Preached. I would counsell you (said the other) to forbe [...]r. Saunders said, if you will forbid me by lawfull Authority, I must then forbear: Nay, Mordant, I will not forbid you, and so they parted. Mordant went presently to Bishop Bonner, and informed him of Master Saunders his purpose to Preach the next day: which accordingly he did, and at his lodging being [...]omewhat troubled in his thoughts, a friend of his asked him h [...]w he did? truly said he, I am in prison, til [...] I be in prison: [Page] In the afternoon he prepared himselfe to Preach again, but Bonner sent an officer for him, who carried him to the Bishop, where was Mordant also: the Bishop charged him with Treason, Heresie, and Sedition: and required him to write his judgment about Transubstantiation; which he did, saying, You seek my blood, and you shall have it: I pray God you may be so baptized in it, that you may hereafter loath blood sucking, and become a better man: then Bonner s [...]nt him to Gardiner, where he waited four hours before he was called in: and after some discourse with him, Gardiner sent him to prison; to whom he said, I thanke God that at last he hath given me a place of rest, where I may pray for your conversion. He continued in prison one yeere, and three months: in a lettter to his wife he writes, I a [...] merrie, and I trust I shall be merrie, maugre the teeth of all the Divels in hell: Riches I have none to endow you with, but that treasure of tas [...]ing [...]ow sweet Christ is to hungrie consciences (where [...]f I thanke my Christ, I doe feel part) that I bequeath unto you, and to the rest of my beloved in Christ, &c. Being at last brought again to examination, and lif [...] b [...]ing promised if he would recant; he answered, I love my life and libertie, if I could enjoy them without the hurt of my conscience: but by Gods grace I will [...]bide the most extremitie that man can doe against mee, rather then doe any thing against my conscience. Being condemned, he was sent to Coventrie to be burned: when he came near the place of execution, he went chearfully [...]o the stake, kissing of it, and saying, Welcom the Crosse of Christ; welcom everlasting life; and the fire being kindled, he sweetly slept in the Lord.

Doctor Pendleton, and this Master Saunders meeting together in the beginning of Queen Maries reign, and speaking of the Persecution that was like to ensue, about which Master Saunders shewed much weaknesse and many fears. Pendleton said to him, What man? there is much more cause for mee to fear, then for you, forasmuch as I have a big and fat body, yet will I see the utmost drop of this grease of mine molten away, and the last gobbit of this flesh of mine consum [...]d to ashes, before I will forsake Iesus Christ, and his Truth which I have professed: yet not long [Page] after, upon triall, poore, feeble, faint hearted Saunders, by the power and goodnesse of God, sealed the Truth with his blood: whereas proud Pendleton played the Apostate, and turned Papist.

He from inferior Parents did not spring,

But such as noble were in every thing;

Nor did his life, but to their splendor adde,

Which make both them and all that knew him glad;

For he in knowledge did so high excell,

That [...]asseth aut of man almost to tell:

Whether his knowledge or his vertues were

The more resplendant, yet a holy feare

Did séem to equall both; and which doth crown

Him all triumphant, he past Martyrdome

With [...]uch high courage, and so rare a zeale,

That I want words his worth for to reveal [...].

The Life and Death of John Hooper, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

JOhn Hooper was a Student, and Graduate in the University of Oxford, where having abundantly profited in the study of other Scienc [...]s, he was stirred up with a fervent desire to the love and knowledge of the Scriptures; in which study he joyned earnest prayers to his diligence, for the better understanding of the same: but the six Articles coming out at that time, h [...] was so hated by some, especially by Doctor Smith, that he was compelled to leave the Univ [...]rsity, and went to live with Sir Th [...]mas Arrundel; and danger approaching there also, he left the Kingdome, and went to Paris, yet after a while he returned again, and lived with one Mr. Sen [...]low; but understanding that snares were again laid for him, with much difficulty and danger he escaped [Page] the second time into France, and from thence travelled into Germanie: at Zurick Master Bullinger became his especiall friend, where he studied Hebrew: and hearing that King Edward the [...]ixt was come to the Crowne, he was desirous to returne into England; and when he tooke his leave of Bullinger, he, with harty thanks for all kindnesses, promised to write often to him of all his affaires: but, saith he, the last news [...]f all I shall not be able t [...] write; for where I shall take most pains, there shall you [...]ear of me to be burned to ashes. Returning to London, he preached twice, but at least once every day: the people so flockt to him, that the Churches could not contein them: in this pains-taking he continued to his lives end, neither did his labour breake him, nor promotion change him, nor dainty fare corrupt him: he was of a strong body, sound health, pregnant wit, and of invincible patience: spare of dyet, sparer of words, and sparest of time: a liberall hous-keeper, and very grave in his carriage. Being by King Edward made first Bishop of Glocester, then of Worcester; he carried himselfe so uprightly and inoffensively, that his enemies had nothing to say against him: He used to goe about from town to towne, and from village to village to preach unto the people: he governed his house so, that in every corner of it there was some smell of vertue, good example, honest conversation, and reading of the Scriptures: In his Hall there was daily a table spread with good store of victuals, and beset with poore folke of the City of Worcester by turns, who were served by four at a Mes [...]e, with whole and wholesome meat: and when they were served (being before examined by himselfe or his deputies, of the Lords Prayer, Creed, and ten Commandements) then he himself sate down to dinner, and not before. In the beginning [...]f Q [...]een Maries dayes he was sent for by a Pursivant to London; and though he had opportunity, and was perswaded by his friends to flye, yet he refused, saying, Once I did flye, but now being called to this place and vocation, I am resolved to stay, and to live and dye with my sheepe. By Winchester when he came to London, he was railed upon and committed [Page] to prison; afterwards also at his examination, they called him Beast, Hypocrite, &c. which he bore without answering againe: in the Flee [...] where he was prisoner, he had nothing but a pad of straw for a b [...]d, and a rotten covering, till good people sent him a bed to lye on: of one side his chamber was the sinke and filth of the house, on the other the town-ditch, enough to have choaked him. After he had laien thus a while, falling sick, the doors, bars, hasps and chaines being all made fast, he both mourned, called and cryed for helpe; yet the Warden hearing, would suffer none to go to him, saying, Let him alone, if he dye, it were [...] good riddance of him, &c. At last being degraded and condemned, he was sent to Glocester to be burned: the night before his death he did eat his meat quietly, and slept soundly; after his first sleep, he spent the rest of the night in prayer; the next day Sir Anthonie Kingston coming to him, told him that life was sweet, and death bitter; to which he answered, The death to come is more bitter, and the life to come more sweet: I am come hither to end this life and suffer death, because I will not gain-say the former Truth that I have here taught unto you: also a blinde Boy coming to him, after he had examined him in the grounds of Religion, he said, Ah poor Boy, God hath taken from thee thy outward sight, but hath given thee another sight much more precious; having endued thy soule with the eye of knowledge and faith. Being delivered to the Sheriff, he said to him, My request to you Master Sheriff, is onely that there may be a quick fire, shortly to make an end of me, and in the mean time I will be as obedient to you as you can desire; if you thinke I doe amisse in any thing, hold up your finger, and I have done: I might have had my li [...]e with much worldly gaine, but I am willing to offer up my life for the Truth, and trust to dye a faithfull servant to God, and a true subject to the Queen: when he saw the Sheriffs men with so many weapons, he said, This is mor [...] then needs, if you had willed me, I would have gone alone to the stake, and have troubled none of you all: as he went to the stake he was forbid to speake to the people: he looked [Page] chearfully, and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary: being com [...] th [...]th [...]r, he prayed about half an [...]our: and having a box with a pardon set before him, he cryed, If you love my soul away with it, if you love my soul away with it. Three Irons being prepared to fasten him to the stake, he onely put on an Iron-hoop about his middle, bidding them take away the rest, saying, I doubt not but God will give me strength to abide the extremity of the fire without binding. When reeds were cast to him, he embraced and kissed them, putting them under his arm, where he had bags of gun-power also: when fire was first p [...]t to him, the faggots being green, and the winde blowing away the fl [...]me, he was but scorched: more faggots being laid to him, the fi [...]e was so supprest, that his n [...]ther-parts were burned, his upper being scarce touched: he prayed, O Iesus the son of David have mercy upon m [...], and receive my soule: and wiping his eyes with his hands, he said, For Gods love let me have more fire. A third fire being kindled, it burned more violently, yet was he alive a great while in it; the last words which he uttered, being, Lord Iesus receive my spirit. In one of his Letters he wrote, Imprisonment is painfull, but liberty upon evill conditions is worse: the Prison stinkes, yet no [...] so much as sweet houses where the feare of God is wanting: I must be alone and solitary; its better to be so, and have God with me, then to be in company with the wicked: Losse of goods is great, but losse of grace and Gods favour is greater: I cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men; yet it is better to doe that, then stand naked before Gods tribunall: I shall dye by the hands of cruell men; he is blessed that looseth this life, and findeth life eternall: there is neither felicitie, nor adversitie of this world that is great, if it be weighed with the joyes and pains of the world to come.

Reader, behold, and then admire

Ho [...]pers most rich Seraphicke fire:

His constanc [...] wa [...] great, his heart

(Balso [...]'d by heav'n) out-vi'd all smart:

Rare was his life, rare was his death;

Whilst time remains his fame shall want no breath.

The Life and Death of Rowland Tailor, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.

[Page]

ROwland Tailor was Doctor in both the Laws, and Rector of Hadley in Suffolke, where Master Thomas Bilney had formerly been a Preacher of the Word, and in which place there were few either men or women that were not well learned in the holy Scriptures; many having often read over the whole Bible, and could say a great part of Paul's Epistles by heart. Here this Doctor Tailor Preached constantly on Sabbaths, Holy-dayes, and at other times when he could get the People together. His life also, and conversation was very exemplary, and full of holinesse: he was meek and humble, yet would stoutly rebuke sin in the greatest: to the poore, blinde, lame, sick, bed-rid, or that had many children, he was a father, causing the Parishioners to make good provision for them, besides what of his owne bounty he gave them: he brought up his children in the fear of God, and good learning. In the begining of Queen Maries reign, two Popish persons suborned a Priest to come and say Masse in his Church; he being at his study, and hearing the Bell to toul, went to Church, and finding this Priest guarded with drawn swords, in his Popish robes, ready to begin the Masse, he said unto him, Thou Divell, who made thee so bold to enter into this Church, to prophane and defile it with this abominable Idolatrie; I command thee thou Popish Wolfe in the name of God to avoid hence, and not to presume thus to poyson Christs flock: but the [...]tanders by, forcing Doctor Tailor out of the Church, the Priest went on with his Masse: and shortly after, the Bishop being informed hereof, sent his letters Missive for Doctor Tailor; whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to flye, telling him that he could neither expect justice nor favour, but imprisonment and cruell death: to whom he answered, I know my Cause to be so good and righteous, and the Truth so strong upo [...][Page]my side, that I will by Gods grace appeare before them, and to their beards resist their false doings; for I beleeve that I shall never be able to doe God so good service as now, and that I shall never have so glorions a calling, nor so great mercie of God profered me as I have now; wherefore pray for me, and I doubt not but God will give me strength, and his holy spirit that all my adversaries shal be ashamed of their doings: and so preparing himselfe, he went to London, and presented himselfe to Stephen Gardiner, Lord Chancellor of England; who railed upon him, asked him if he knew him not, &c. to whom he answered, Yea, I know you, and all your greatnesse, yet you are but a mortall man: and if I should be affraid of your Lordly looks, why feare you not God the Lord of us all, &c. But after other discourse, he sent him to the Kings Bench, commanding his Keeper to keep him strictly. In Prison he spent his time in prayer, reading the Scriptures, Preaching to the prisoners, and to others that resorted to him: he was diverse times examined of his Faith, and witnessed a good Confession before his adversaries, for which at last he was condemned to dye: when his sentence was read, he told them that God, the righteous Judge, would require his blood at their hands, and that the proudest of them all should repent their receiving againe of Antichrist, and their tyranny against the flocke of Christ.

He was sent down to Hadley to be burn'd, and all the way as he went, he was very merrie as one that went to a banquet, or Bridall. In his journey the Sheriff of Essex perswaded him much to return to the Popish Religion, &c. to whom at last he answered, I well perceive now that I have been deceived my s [...]lfe, and shall deceive many in Hadley of their expectation: when the Sheriff desired him to explain his meaning, hoping that he would recant, he said; I am a man of a very great carkasse, which I had hoped should have been buried in Hadley-Churchyard, but I see I am deceived, & there are a great number of worms there, which should have had jollie feeding upon this carryon, but now both I and they shall be deceived of our expectation: when he came within two miles of Hadley he desired to alight, and being downe he leap't, and fet a frisk, [Page] or two, saying God be praised I am now almost at home, and have not past a mile or two, and I am even at my fathers house: at Hadley towns-end a poore man with five children met him, crying, O dear father, and good shepheard, God help and succour thee, as thou hast many a time succou [...]'d me, and my poore children: The streets were full of people weeping, and bewailing their losse; to whom he said, I have preached to you Gods Word and Truth, and am come to seal it with my blood: He gave all his money to the poore, for whom he was wont thus to provide formerly: once a fortnight at least he used to call upon Sir Henry Doil, and other rich Clothiers to goe with him to the Alms houses to see what the poore lacked in meat, d [...]ink, apparell, bedding, and other necessaries: withall [...]xhorting, comforting, and rebuking as he saw occasion. Comming to the pl [...]ce of execution he was not suffered to speak to the people, who much lamented his death, yet he was very chearfull, saying Thanks be to God, I am even at home, and when he had prayed, and made himselfe ready, he went to the stake and kissed it: the fire being kindled, he held up his hands, called upon God, saying, Mercifull father of heaven, for Iesus Christ my Saviours sake receive my soul into thy hands, and so stood still without moving, till one with an halberd strook out his brains.

Among the many Champions of the Lord,

Who with their blood to Truth did beare record,

And feared not in furious flames to fry,

That they Christs Gospels light might magnifie,

Was pious precious Doctor Tailor stout;

Who did the fight of Faith to th'death fight out.

A very learned, painfull Pastor grave;

Who to his Flock full testimony gave

Of his great wisdome [...] charity and love,

And all Soul saving graces from above:

Who for opposing Romes impiety,

Being apprehended and condemn [...]d to dye,

[Page]He kist his Stake, being bound to it in chaines;

Burning a Popish wretch beat out his braines.

And thus this blessed Martyr chéerfully,

Went to his heavenly home triumphantly.

IOHN BRADEFORD

The Life and Death of John Bradford.

NExt to this last mad Septenary of unchristian liberty, and unparalled distractions, the Devill never seem'd to injoy more chaine in this Ki [...]gdome, then in the time of Queene Mary: wherein, laying hold on the weaknesse and super [...]ticion of a silly woman, bred up in Popery; and by reason of the bar interpos'd betwixt her and the Crowne, by her Royall Brother Edward the sixt, wholly subjected to the violent and bloody counsels of that faction, which finally prevailed in her restitution and [Page] establishment; he kindled more Bonefires in the space of three or four yeer [...]s in England then the world had at any time beheld, in so few yeeres, and in one Kingdome, since the last of the first [...]en Persecutions. I dare not upon Master Foxes bare report (who was somtimes, and perhaps of purpose, by the adversaries themselves, miserably abus'd in hi [...] informations) acknowledge all for Martyrs, whom I finde in his Catalogue. But what will Stapleton or any other Papist get by that? The Church of Engla [...]d, as it was of late reformed, & the Reformation by Law established, hath produced & added as many genuine, knowing & valiant Champions to that Noble Army, as wi [...]hin these thousand yeers, any Church in Christendome: which is glory enough, without hooking in either Heretique or Schismatique, or any other, who suffered for nothing lesse then well doing. And from a chiefe place amongst those holy men, and witnesse [...] to the truth of the Gospell of Iesus Christ, all Stapletons exceptions, bitter rayling, and intemperat scoffes, can not, ought not, exclude this blessed Saint and servant of God, Iohn Bradford; as shall evidently appeare to as many, as wi [...]hout prejudice shall peruse, and pondor his insuing History; which God willing we will drive throuh the whole Course of his life, from his Birth to his Martyrdome: But to take our rise from his Birth.

He was borne in Manchester, the quality of his Parent [...] (though their meanes be not recorded) may be easily gathered by his Education, which was the best that either that place, or those times could [...]fford; for he arrived very early at the knowledge of the Latin Tongue: and for Ari [...]hmaticke, he had few equals in those parts, both which b [...]ing adorn'd, and helped forward by a faire, and speedy hand, he became fit for imployment abroad, before any great notice was taken of him at home: which moved Sir Iohn Harrington, a noble Knight, and in good esteem both with King Henry the eight, and his Son Edward the sixt, to assume him into the number of his fellowes: and imploy him in his most private and and urgent affaires both at [Page] home and abroad. For at Bulloigne he was Treasurer at warres, and here he had the charge and oversight of all his Majesties buildings: In both imployments, he found the service of young Bradford (who besides his honesty and diligence, had a notable dexterity in casting up, and Auditing accoumpts) of such importance, that where ever he imploy'd him, he committed all to his trust, and own'd whatsoever he did, as immediatly done by himselfe. And truly therein he more [...]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 [Page] 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 j [...]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 Imposi [...]ion of Hands: which, with a Licence to Preach, and a Prebe [...]d in S [...]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 [Page] 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' [...] by the Lord Major and Sheriffs, besought Master Bradford not to leave him, untill he brought him into some place of security; [Page] 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 [...]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 th [...] Keepers connivance) he had often conference with Master Laurence Saunders, at that time a prisoner in the Marshalsey. Bishop Farrar he found in the Kings Bench before him, where having indured a close and tedious imprisonment, he began at length, through humane infirmity, to recoyle in the point of Transubstantiation, in so much that he undertooke to Communicate under one Kinde at Easter following. But Bradford dealt so effectually with him, that he revok'd this promise, and resumed his former principles. His occasions of escape were as many as the dayes of his imprisonment, whereby any man may see, to save in life, he wovld not break his word with his Keepers; being asked what course he would take, if God should deliver him out of prison: he said, he would not fly o [...]t of the Kingdome, but there Preach, though secretly, as the times would per [...]it him. During his long restraint, he was oftentimes examined; [Page] first by the Lords of the Councell at what time he was clapt up in the Tower; which was in August 1553. but of that examination there is nothing now extant, except onely one passage repealed in the second. After that by the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor of England, and other select Commissioners, Ianuary 22. 1555. The things laid to his charge were principally these: That he was the Author of the tumult at Bournes Sermon, because (forsooth) he so readily and dextrously appeased the same: That he presumed to Preach without Licence, though he had been a Divinity Lecturer at Pauls two yeeres before that tumult. And that upon his first Committall to the Tower, he had answered the Queens Councell peremptorily and saucily in the point of Religion: As that he was now more then ever confirm'd in the same, as it was reform'd and professed under Edward the sixt. The first and last of these Articles he denyed, saving the words last repeated; the second he laboured to justifie, as not requisite from them, by any law at that time in force, when he Preached; in the conclusion, they twitted him in the teeth with Heresie, and accused him of writing from the Tower seditious letters into Lancaster: whereto, because they desended not to particulars, he gave them onely generall answers. The whole conference was larded with an often repealed tender of the Queens Mercy, in case he would confesse his sedition, acknowledge and abjure his Heresies, and returne to the bosome of the Romish Church after their example. To the first he said, he could not acknowledge himselfe guilty of what he neither Committed, nor intended. To the second, that he never Preached or Patronized any error to his knowledge: being ready to abjure whatsoever he was not able to defend. To the third, that he willingly embraced the Queens Mercy, though he neither needed, not could accept thereof, as they were pleased to Clog it with Conditions repugnant to the word of God, & the cleer light of his owne Conscience. The 19. day of Ianuary following, he was the third time convented in Saint Mary Overies, before [Page] the same Winchester, and diverse other Bishops his fellow Comnissioners; where, at first the same things were againe objected unto him, and received the same Answers. After much jangling and a second offer of mercy upon the former Condition, they required a Peremptory & positive accoumpt of his faith, concerning Christs Corporall presence in the Eucharist. To which he replyed, that during a yeere and eight moneths imprisonment, they had never prest him with that question, but now, that by altering the state of Religion, they had made the Contrary opinion unto theirs, Hereticall, and all Heresie interpretatively, and by consequence, Capitall; it is more then Evident, what thereby they hunted after. This drove the Lord Chancellor into a long Apologeticall Oration of his owne innocency and notorious lenity in that kind; which ended without expecting what Bradford would reply; upon some intelligence from the Kitchin, he adjurend the Court, and went home to dinner. The day following which was the fourth & last of his apparence, he was brought to the same place, and before the same judges; where after many Interrogatories and answers concerning the corporall presence, the Pope and Queenes authority, and other Emergent questions (which if here inserted, would swell the processe of his death to thrice the length of his lif, but may be found at large in the Martirologie) he was finally condemned for worshiping the God of our fathers, after that way which those bloud-suckers called Heresie, excommunicated, and delivered over to the Secular powers, (Ianuary 31. 1555.) who first committed him to the Clinke, and afterwards to the Counter: where he remained to the first of Iuly following, & had many hot Disputes & sharp Conflicts. 1. with Bonner Bishop of London. 2. with Master Wollerton the Bishops Chaplen. 3. Percivall Creswell and Doctor Harding. 4. Doctor Harpsfieled and Doctor Harding. 5. with Het [...] Archbishop of Yorke and Day Bishop of Chichester. 6. with two Spanish Friers, Alphonsus a Castro, and King Philips Confessor. 7. Doctor Weston and Master Coillier Warden of [Page] Manchester. 8. Doctor Pendleton. 9. with Doctor Weston, and others. 10. with Doctor Weston alone; for many visited him after condemnation, some as the Divell did our blessed Saviour, to tempt and pervert him, and some to receive instruction & comfort by him: for in his two last prisons he Preached constantly twice every Lords day, & freequently administred the Lords Supper to his fellow prisoners: visiting them all, almost every day, even to the thieves and cutpurses in the Grate, and almost (if he had it) as often relieving them. At first, they resolved to burn him at Mancheste [...], where he was borne, but altered that resolution, I know not upon what occasion. The Saturday at night before he suffered, he dream'd his chaine was brought to the Counter gate, that the next day being Sunday, he should be had to Newgate and burned at Smithfield the Munday ensuing, which after many frightfull awakings, still recurring to his troubled fancy, he arose, and communicating what he had dreamed to his Chamber-fellow, fell to his old exercise of reading and praying. The next day after dinner, whilst he discoursed of the ripenesse of si [...]ne, of death, and the kingdome of heaven, up came the Keepers wife halfe beside her selfe, and said unto him with tears in her eyes, O Master Bradford, your chaine is now a hammering, to night you will be removed to Newgate, and to morrow burned at Smithfield: having heard her out, with hands and eyes lifted up unto heaven, he blessed God who had thought him worthy, and made him willing to suffer for his tr [...]th; thanked the good woman for her Compassion, but more for her news, and so went up to his Chamber, where he spent some houres in prayer, and then called up his Chamber-fellow, to whom he gave som things privately in charge, and dilivered certaine papers, but of what concernment I cannot finde; the rest of that after [...]noon he spent in prayer and other heavenly exercises, which he performed with admirable adhesion to God, and obstraction from the world, being often times so trans [...]ported and elevated in his raptures, that he seemed already [Page] 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, wth such ravishment of Spirit, and abundance of tears, that the hardest hearted amongst them, could not choose but Simpathize wth 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 hi [...] 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 [Page] 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 [...]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 [Page] 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 Prot [...]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, o [...] 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 le [...]ters to his fellow Mar [...]yres. 3 An answere to two letters, desiring to know whe [...]her one might goe to Mas [...] or not. 4 The danger ensuing the hearing of Masse. 5 Hi [...] 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.

[Page]

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 twit [...]ng him with in the time of his troubles, he denyed not, but freely confe [...]sed; yet withall profe [...]sing, that he had since that time repented him thereof, and God, he trust [...]d had in mercy pardoned upon his repentance, wha [...] in ignorance he then did: But after it pleased God to reveale hi [...] truth to him more clearly, he laboured as earnestly as any of his fellow labourers [Page] 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 literature in the Grammer schoole at New-castle upon Tine; which towne situate upon that river, which divideth those two Counties, though standing within Northumberland, is by a bridge joyned unto the Bishoprick of Durham: from the schoole there he was first transplanted into the University of Cambridge: and from thence, as it seemes, removed upon some occasions to Oxford; for tha [...] learned and industrious Bishop, who hath compiled a Catalogue of our English Prelates, doth of his certaine knowledge assure us, that he was some time fellow of University Colledge there. Those of Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge, among whom he was first placed, could not, it seemes well be without him, or he without them: with whom, if he continued not at first, yet he returned shortly againe to them, whither of his owne accord, or invited by them, doth not appeare. But certaine it is that he was head of that house, and there tooke his d [...]gree of Doctor in Divinity: Before which, or after I cannot certainly say, being desirous to see what Schooles of learning are abroad, and to try if better meanes for the inproving of himselfe and his excellent parts elswhere be found, he left these part [...] for a time, and visited the University of Paris, being the prime place of note for schoole-divinity in those dayes [...] But there he made no long stay, not finding peradventure what he looked for; but returned againe to his own Country and his former place of aboade.

Upon his returne, or not long after, especiall notice being taken of him, as his good parts well deserved, he was called to be Chaplaine unto King Henry the eight, and wa [...] in processe of time preferred to the Bishoprick of Rochester becoming vacant by the translation of Henry Holbeach thence [Page] to Lincolne: Concerning which his preferment I find different relations; for Mr Fox in his Martyrologie affirmes that he was by & under King Henry promoted to that See; wheras the forementioned compiler of the Catalogue of Bishops, (who seemes to have followed the authentick records) referreth both the removall of Holbeach, and the advancement of Ridley his successor to the first of King Edward in the yeere of our lord 1547. However, in that seat he sat not long, for in the third of King Edward, upon the deprivation of Bonner, that bloudy persecutor of Gods people and butcherer of Christs flock, he was translated to the Bishoprike of London: wherein how he bemeaned himselfe, shall hereafter be related.

Before these his latter times, having long walked in the dark, he came at length to see better and clearer light, in the points then questioned, especially concerning the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and bloud; first by reading that worthy & (for these times especially) learned works of Bertram written long since of that argument; wc• is to this day such a mote in the Papists eyes, that they know not wel how to handle it, or which way to dispose of it, though they wish it out of the world, not out of their eyes onely, as appeareth by their long disput about it in their Index Expurgatorius: and afterward by conference with Cranmer and Peter Martyr, two other of Christs champions who confirmed him in the same: and lastly, as himselfe solemnly calling God to witnesse, seriously protested, upon due enquiry and diligent examination, finding the doctrine he after that maintained to be not onely grounded upon Gods word, but agreeable also to the writings of the ancient Fathers.

Nor was he lesse zealous & forward in the profession and progatation of the truth and faith of Christ once knowne and embraced, then ever he had been in any erronious or superstitious way before, and carefull by a godly religious course of life to adorn it in himselfe, and commended it to others; for being passing well learned (which his adversaris [Page] themselves neither doe nor dare deny, of great reading and endued with d [...]xterity of wit, strength of memory, and a very gracefull elocution; he imployed diligently these hi [...] talents to his M [...]sters behoofe, for the instructing and winning of as m [...]ny to God as he might. And to thi [...] purpose following the Apostles instructions to Timoth [...]e, to preach the word instantly and constantly, in season and out of season, he suff [...]red no Lords day lightly, nor other Festivall, to passe over his head, but that he preached on it in some place or other, unlesse some other very weighty and urgent occasion (which unlesse such indeed, he gave not way to) cast a rub in his way: with his Sermons the better sort of people were so taken, that they swarmed about him like bees, allured by the sweet flowers & pleasant j [...]yce of that wholesome doctrine, which was in them by him in a very plausible, and yet no lesse powerfull and profitable manner delivered.

Besides that for his owne family, while he resided at Fulham, his manner was to read to them every day at the time of morning prayer, a lecture out of the New Testament, which he constantly performed, beginning with th [...] A [...]ts of the Apostles, and so going on through all Sain [...] Pauls Epistles: to those of his family he used also to read over the hundred and fi [...]st Psalme; thereby to admonish them, what they ought to be, and what he expected from them, should they continue in his service, or such of them as could read, he bestowed Testaments; hiring them also with rewards to get some principall Chapters thereof by heart, and especially that of Acts the thirteenth. By thi [...] his care came his house to be so well ordered, that it seemed a schoole or nursery of vertue, and patern of piety and good life unto others, as himselfe also was to it.

For he was a man of so holy, just, sober, continent, and life generally unblamable, that his most malicious and mischievous advers [...]ries could fi [...]d nothing therein to tax him with [...]ll, though challenged solomly so to doe. Hi [...] very outward making, promised a well-composed inside; [Page] for he was a very comely person, and of well proportioned limbs and lineaments; nor did his outside deceive those that then conjectured well of him: it pleasing God eft even outwardly to imprint in the face and frame of his body, a living portraiture of those endowments, wherewith the inner man he hath adorned, yea what his lookes tes [...]ified, his li [...]e gave witnesse to, wherein all manner of sound piety and true vertue did most illustriously shine forth.

For matter of piety, he was much addicted to contemplation and prayer, wherein his common and constant course (if not otherwise enterrupted) was this; So soone as he wa [...] up in the morning, (nor was he any sluggerd, a little sleepe served him) and his apparell once on, he retired himselfe againe to his bed-chamber, and there on his knees he spent some halfe an houre in prayer: That done he betook himselfe to his study, where he continued till ten of the clock, at which time he came to the common prayer, which was used daily in his house: After that he dined, feeding temperately, not using much talke at table, but that he used, sober, grave, wise and discreete, sometimes also not unpleasant, if occasion were. After dinner (which he sat not long at) he spent about an houre usually either in conference with others, or in a game or two at chesse, the onely recreation he made use of for the refreshing of himselfe: Then he returned againe to his study, where he sat, unlesse suiters or some other affaires knockt him off, untill five of the clock, his constant houre for the afternoone Common prayer. That finished, he supped, and after supper havi [...]g passed over about an houre before, he returned the third time to his study, continuing there untill eleven of the clock at nigh [...], his usuall bed houre, which yet he went not to before he had spent some time, as in the morning in private prayer by himselfe. Thus used he to make his religious addresses unto God, both as a key to open the door in the morning to his daily employments, and as a bolt to shut and close them up all at evening againe.

[Page]For his other vertues, he was a man of a very patient spirit; which Salomon pronounceth a principall point and part, not of wisedome onely, but of true valour & honour; though zealous in Gods cause, when occasion was, yet in his owne very moderate and temperate, taking all thing [...] in good part; nor retaining rancor against any, but very prone and ready to forgive and forget wrong [...], and those no small ones, and offred by those, as whose hands he had deserved better usage.

To his kindred very kinde, as nature it selfe required: but without partiality or prepesterous affection to all, hi [...] brother and sister not excepted, not bearing with them in ought not agreeable to right; but giving them this generall rule, that if they did evill, they should looke for nothing a [...] his hands, but they should be as meere strangers and alien [...] to him; and those in their steed as his brother and sister, that carryed themselves honestly and followed a godly course of life. Nor was his kinde carryage such to them alone, but so lovingly and courteously demeaned he himselfe to his people, that never was any good child more deerely beloved of its naturall parents, nor gentle and kind parents of their naturall children, then he was of his flock and those both of his diocesse and others that had occasion to know him, and take notice of his kinde disposition, and demeanour. That which extended it selfe even to those also of the other side, who for his Religion brooked him not, yea to the neere kindred and friends of those that for the same most maligned him. For not by rage and harshnesse, but with much mildnesse and gentlenesse, he laboured to reduce such as remained obstinate Papists, seeking by kind carryage rather to woe and win them if it might be, then by harsh courses and rough dealing, either to force them, or to exasperate them, and so make them th [...] more obstinate.

This appeared, among other instances whereof many might be given, in that friendly usage of Bishop [Page] Heath; who continued for a twelve moneth as prisonner in his house; as prisoner, I may well say, rather then prisoner indeed; and yet not a prisonner neither, for he could not have enjoyed more liberty, or better respect and attendance, then he found and had there, had he been a free man in his owne.

But above others in this kind most remarkable (which I shall therefore adde onely letting passe all others) and the more remarkable, because so far otherwise relatiated, is this that insueth. Being in Bonners room created Bishop of London, so oft and so long as he made his aboad at Fulham, he made the Mother of the said Bonner, (whom he used also to call his Mother, and indeed used her as if she had been his owne naturall Mother) his daily guest constantly at meat and meale, dinner and supper (which bounty and courtesie he affoorded oft also to one Mistres Mung [...]y Bonner sister and her daughter) placeing her continually in a chaire at the upper end of the table; nor suffering her to be displaced; whatsoever guests he had else at board, albeit they were Noblemen or of his Majesties privy Consell, as oft as it fell out; in way of excuse telling them, that by their Lord-ships favour, that place of right and custome was for his Mother Bonner. But know this his kindnesse was by Bonner & others af [...]er requited, in his and their carryage both to this man of courtesie himselfe, and to another of his neere kindred, the sequell will in part shew, and those that list further to see, may take notice from Master Fox his relations, in that his laborious and usefull workes of Acts and Monuments, that shineth so much in Popish stomacks; though it be not fraught with such rediculous legens and notorious lyes, as de Voragine, Vsuardus, and some others of theirs are.

In these workes and exercises, of piety, charity, pity, mercy, and Christian clemency, did this worthy Prelate passe his time, during the short, overshort raign of King Edward, [Page] working the harder in Christs Vineyard, the later h [...] came unto it. But the wheele being turned, upon the decease of that almost matchlesse Princesse of his yeeres, as well for piety as other excellent parts; shortly after the entrance of Queene Mary, the rather for a Sermon, which by the Counse [...]s appointment, he had formerly made against her, and in favour of the Lady Iane, he was with the first of these that suffered, clapt up in prison, and deprived of his bishoprick, and Bonner reinvested in it. After repairing to Fremingham, where the Queene then abode, he was from thence on a lame halting jade sent up to the Tower at London. Where during the time of his restrait some conference he had with Fecknam and others about Christs presence in the Sacrament: But from thence, not long after, by the Queenes appointment, he was together with Cranmer and La [...]imer his fellow prisoners, conveyed first to Windsor, and then sent to Oxford; where they were laid in the common joale, commonly called Bocardo: whereupon in one of his letters he saith merrily, that Bocardo was now become a Colledge of Quondams; that is, such as had once been Bishops, but then were not.

After that they had been detained som space of time there, downe came a Commission for a disputation to be held betweene the said three prisoners Christs champions, but a part, on the one part, and certaine Doctores and Divines of either University, thereunto designed, on the other part; whereupon they were severed one from another, that they might not have any help either from other; and Bishop Ridley was committed to the house of one Irish then Major of the City; whence being convented, as the other two also were before certaine Commissioners, he had certaine Articles tendred him to subscribe unto, concerning the reall presence of Christs naturall body and bloud, and the utter abolition of the substance of bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and concerning the Masse, as containing in it a sacrifice propitiatory for the quick and dead, which refusing to subcrsibe to, and affirming them to be [Page] false, and such as sprung from a soure and bitter rooe, he was willing to deliver in writing his mind of them the night following; and being withall demanded, whither he were willing to dispute of them or no, he made answer very roundly, that so long as God gave him life, he should have, not his heart onely, but his tongue and his pen to defend his truth: but required, as was meete and equall, to have time and books: Howbeit no further respit could be obtained then to write his mind against the next day, and to prepare for disputation against Tuesday following, it being then Saturday at even: meane space it was told him he should have what books he pleased, but could not be suffered to have any of his owne books or notes: Howbeit notwithstanding all disadvantages, neither few nor small, and the dispute it selfe most partially & tumultuousl [...] carryed, many baiting him at once, interrupting him ever anone in his speeches and answers, reviling and railing insteed of reasoning and arguing, and enciting the rude multitude to hisse and clap their hands at him. How well and worthily he quieted himselfe in the same, may to any indifferently and unpartially affected appeare by the Acts of it, so much as for clamor and confusion could be taken of it, yet extant. It is no unfiting censure, that a reverend Prelate gives of the three disputants, that Cranmer answered very learnedly and gravely, Ridley very readily and acutely, Latimer merrily and yet solidly, beyond the expectation of his age. Yet if taking somewhat from his sentence concerning either of the other, not as denied unto them, but imparted and applyed unto him, I should say, that he answered very readily & learnedly, acutely and yet solidly, I should neither wrong them at all, and doe him but right; for he was a man of sharp wit, a sound judgement, a strong memory, well versed in Schoole learning; and indeed seemed to have been one of the learnedst of those that then maintained Christs cause against the malicious enemies and oppugners of the maintainers of it, and of it in them. That which themselves were not ignorant of, but in a [Page] manner acknowledged, when they openly gave out in their ex [...]mination of him, that Latimer leaned to Cranmer, & Cranmer to Ridley, and Ridley to the singularity of his owne wit, whom therefore if they could prevaile against, they hoped to have removed a principall prop, that the other party relyed upon. But they were herein deceived, both he and they being both built upon a firmer and sounder foundation then they were able to undermine, much lesse to blow up.

After this disputation thus had for a shew, that they might seeme to have don somewhat, for the satisfaction of such as had little need of any, save that they would have somewhat to say for themselves, and their owne turning from the truth, and against those that stuck to it, and stood in the defence of it; on the Friday following, together with the other two his copartners therein, he was againe convented before the Commissioners, and upon refusall to recant, being condemned for an heretike, was returned to the Majors house, where he was more strictly kept and restrained then either of the other two, in the places of their restraint. That which he imputeth most to the wayward and superstitious and disposition of his keepers wife, being a woman as naturally very waspish, so withall extreamely Popish, and perswaded therefore that she pleased God the better, the worse she dealt with such a one as she deemed him to be; her husband otherwise a man mildly disposed, yet durst not doe what he otherwise desired, over-awed either by his wife, who ruled him as he the town, or els by authority and charge from the Commissioners; whose power there was so dreadfull, that not one of the University had the courage to repaire to the prisoners even then when accesse was more free.

But all the strict and hard usage shewed him, he end [...]red with much patience, comfort, contentment and cheerfulnesse, as by his letters then written may evidently appeare. In the custodie of this I [...]sh he aboad from the time of the disputation in April A [...] 1554. unto the thirtyeth [Page] of September 1555. [...]t which time being agai [...]e convented together with these two other before-mentioned, before some other Commissioners authorised by Cardinall P [...]le the Popes Legate, and haveing stood uncovered in thei [...] presence, till he heard the Lega [...]e and Pope named, he then put on his Cap, professing withall that he so did, not in d [...]rogation any way from the person and worth of the Cardinall, whom he honoured and reverenced as one of the bloud Royall, and a [...] a personage end [...]wed with excellent parts both of learning and vertue; but in regard of his Legateship and deputation for the Pope, whose usurped supremacy and abused authority he re [...]used and renounced, [...]nd ther [...]by defied the same. But his [...]ap being take [...] from him, after some dispute about the See of Ro [...]e and the Po [...]es power, th [...]re were certaine Articles propounded to him, much in effect with those that had formerly bin disputed of; concerning the Sacrament of Eucharist, and the Sacrifice of the Masse, unto which he was required to give in answer the next day by eight of clock in the morning, haveing Pen Inke and Paper, with such bookes as he pleased to require for the accomplishment of the same; but withall they required from him an answer by word of mouth at present, who thereupon tould them that hee presumed of their gentlenesse, that they would have given him time as they had before said, untill the morrow, that upon good advi [...]ement he might make a determinite answer. And they replying, that his answer then should not be prejudi [...]iall to ought that he should after give in, but he should have liberty to adde, detract, alter and change wha [...] he pleased; he tho withall challenging them with former breach of promise concerning the disputation, that he should have a copie of what was there done; see what the notaries had taken, have liberty within a certaine time to alter what he would in his answers, or to adde thereunto, whereof no part was performed; yet condescended to answer by word of mouth at present, and so did according to th [...]t which formerly he had done, maintaining dispute with them about [Page] the same for some good space of time, untill he was committed againe to the Major; and Master Latimer called in to be baited by them, as he had bin.

The next day appearing againe before them, with such gesture as before, and so againe entertained, he delivered u [...] his answer in writing, concerning a protestation against their autority and jurisdiction as delogated and derived from the Pope, and his judgement concerning the Articles exhibited, explained and confirmed not by Scripture alone, but by the testimonies also of the Fathers; which he required to have read, but could not obtaine it, save a line or two here and there as they pleased: they affirming that it contained words of blasphemy; and he averring, that a line or two excepted, there was nothing in it but the sayings of the auncient Doctors, confirming his assertions; hardly could he have leave to utter a few words, and that not without oft interruption, and with telling on their fingers-ends how many words he had spoken. A [...] length they excomunicated him with the greater excomunication, and haveing passed sentance of condemnation against him, turned him over to the Secular power.

On the fifteenth day of the same moneth he was by Brookes Bishop of Glocester assisted by some other degraded, at which time he requested the said Bishop to second his petition to the Queene, that such Tenants as he had made Leases to, while he was possessed of the Bishoprick of London, & his Sister among the rest might quietly enjoy the sam: this he promised to do, acknowledging it to be agreeable to equity and right, but it seemes it could not be obtained; for that cruell bloud-sucker, whose Mother and Sister he had so kindly delt with, thrust his Sister and her Husband, against all Law and conscience out of the keeping of a Park, which he had conferred upon them: nor is it likely that the rest fared much better then they did.

The day following he suffred together with Master Latimer: who much strengthned him as by conference before, so at the Stake then. The evening before he suffered he [Page] washed his Beard and his Feete, and bad those at boord that supped with him to his wedding the next day: demanded of his brother Master Shipside, whether he thought his sister his wife could find in her heart to be there; and he answering, that he durst say she would with all her heart, he professed to be thereof very glad. At suppertime he was very cheerfull and merry, desiring those there present that wept (of wch number Mrs Irish his Hostesse tho a blind and eager Papist was one) to quiet themselves, affirming that tho his breakefast was like to be somwhat sharp and painfull, yet his supper he was sure should be pleasant and sweet. His brother offred to watch all night with him. But he refused it; telling him, that he intended to go to bead, hoping to sleepe as quietly that night as ever he did in his life.

So on the next day being the sixteenth of October, this meeke Sheepe of Christ, and yet a stout Bel-weather of his flock, faithfull and constant to his blessed shepheard and soveraign owner unto death, yea unto paines and torments worse then death, was together with his copartner, both in defence of the Faith, and of afflictions for the defence of it, brought out to the place of their Martyrdome, in a Ditch or low parcell of ground lying on the North side of the City behind Baliol Colledge; where Doctor Smith, who had before in King Edwards time recanted, instead of a Sermon made a bitter invective against them; which they offred to answer: but when they could not b [...] permitted to spe [...]k, they committed their cause to God, commended their souls into his hands, and with much readinesse and resolution yeelded their bodies to the mercilesse flames, and such cruel torments therein as other their breath [...]rn and fellowwitnesses of Christ had b [...]fore th [...]m unde [...]gon [...]; wherein this our worthy and valian [...] spirituall Champion, through the i [...]discret [...]on o [...] those that composed [...]he pile, and managed the fewell about him, hindring there where they thought to helpe, and lengthening his torments by those meanes whereby they hoped to have shortened them, endured [Page] a long time in grievous paines, to the heart griefe of the behoulders, burning in a manner by piece-meale; till at leng [...]h having passed this fiery triall, his soule was as in a flaming Chariot with Elias, carried up into the highest Heaven. Some works of his though not many remaine.

1 A Protestation or Determination delivered in the Schooles at a Disputation in King Edwards dayes. 2 His Disputations at Oxford in Q [...]eene Maries time. 3 An assertion of the true faith concerning the Lords Supper against Transubstantiation, translated after into Latine, and Printed a [...] Geneva. 4 A Treatise concerning the right forme of Administration of the Lords Supper. 5 A Treatise against setting up and adoring of Imagis. 6 A Conference betweene him and Master Latimer in Prison. 7 A large Farewell to his faithfull friends; together with a sharp Admonition to obstinate Papists. 8 An other Farewell to the imprisoned and exiled for the Gospel. 9 A Treatise con [...]aimning a Lamentation for the change of Religion, and a comparison of the Romish doctrine with that of the Gospell. 10 Divers pious Letters written to divers persons.

Read in the progresse of this blessed story

Romes cursed [...]ruelty, and Ridlyes glory:

Romes S [...]r [...]ns song, but Ridlyes carelesse eare

Was deaf. They [...]h [...]rmd; [...]t Ridly would not hear [...]

Rome s [...]g preferment, but brave Ridleys tongue

Condemn'd that f [...]lse Preferment which Rome [...]ung:

Rome whis [...]red wealth [...] but Ridly (whose great gaine

Was godlinesse) he w [...]v'd it with disday [...]e:

Rome threatned Durance, but great Ridleys mind

Was, too too strong for threats or Chaines to binde:

Rom [...] thundred death b [...]t Ridlyes dauntl [...]sse eye

Star'd in deaths face, and scornd death [...]tanding by:

In spite of Rome for England [...] Faith he [...]tood,

And in the flames, he seald it with his Blood.

PETRVS MARTYR.

The Life and Death of Peter Martyr.

[Page]

THe yeere from Christs birth 1500. [...]s for many matters of much moment very remarkable. Among others for the Jubilee, that Pope Alexander the sixt (whose h [...]lish life and dismall end the stories of those times relate) held that yeere at Rome, and the terrible tempest that ensued the same, wherein the Angell that stood on the top of the Pop [...] Church was overthrown; and the Pop [...] owne Chamber by the fall of a [...]unnell so [...]eaten downe upon him, that diverse of those were slain that attended then upon him, and he himselfe so buried in the rubish, that he was hardly got out alive. The same yeere (amid [...] [...]hi [...] height of Popish imposture, together with these direfull presages [Page] of its downefall) was born to Philip King of Spain his son Charles after Emperor, the first of that name, under whom the Gospell (though much against his will) gained good footing in Germany. And the same yeer also came into this world that famous Scholler and Divine Peter Martyr Vermily; one that much furthered the advancement thereof, as well in those parts as else-where: He came of that ancient and worshipfull family of Vermily; born at Florence in Italie; Stephen Vermily his father, and Mary Fumantine his Mother.

His name was given him by his Parents from one Peter of Milaine a Martyr, reported to have been slain sometime by the Arrian faction, whose Church stood neere unto their house.

This Peter Martyr being the onely son of his Parents that attained to any yeeres, was by them carefully trained up in good literature from a child; his mother her selfe (a prety scholler) reading Terence to him in Latin. After which domestick discipline he was turned over for further institution to Marcellus Virgilius then Town-cleark or Secretary of State to that City, a man of much learning, as may appeare by his edition and translation of Dioscorides, with his Commentaries thereupon: He was willing to take paines, notwithstanding his imployments in the State otherwise, with many young Gentlemens sons, whereof diverse also proved famous for their learning and learned writings; and this our Martyr among the rest, who albeit he surmounted the most of his fellow-students, in sharpnesse and readinesse of wit to apprehend, and strength of memory to retaine what was taught, joyned with an insatiable ardor and unweariable endeavorour of continuall either hearing or reading, and a measure of proficiency much more then ordinary, proceeding necessarily from the the same; yet such was his modesty and amiable demeanour that he drew to him the affections of all his consorts, and there grew no emulation betweene him and them.

Being now grown up to riper yeeres, and affecting such [Page] course [...], as might both further his studies, and keep him within compasse, he grew into liking of a Monkish life; and because the Regular Canons of Saint Augustines order, were at that time in greatest fame throughout all Italie, for the study of Divinity, and for severity of Discipline, he betooke himselfe to their society; and being sixteen yeeres old was admitted into the Fessulane Colledge neer to Florence; which fact of his was not greatly pleasing to his father; whether in regard of some dislike of the profession it selfe, or because he desired by him the propagation of his family,; and disposing therefore at his decease his maine estate to an Hospitall, he left his son onely out of it a small yeerly pension: howbeit his [...]ister, his Parents onely daughter liking so well of it, that she followed him therein, and became a vailed Nun.

In that Colledge, wherein the younger sort were trained up for the most part in the Rules of Retoricke and the reading of Scripture which they used to get by heart, having past over three yeeres with great good [...]liking of the whole Society, he was from thence sent over to the University of Padua, and there entred into the Monastery of Saint Iohn of Verdera, whereof albeit a man not unlearned himselfe and a lover of learning in others was Abbot. There he gave himselfe to the study of Phylosophy, freequenting the Lectures of diverse of prime note that then red the same in that University; under whom also in disputations he frequently exercised himselfe; so acquiting himselfe in the same, that the Readers themselves tooke speciall notice of him; in so much that Branda a chiefe man among them would oft call him out to dispute, stiling him his Florentine, as [...]rinaeus sometimes Arminius his Hollander.

For his better furtherance in these his studies, he spent sometime in getting skill of the Greek tongue, that he might read Aristotle in his owne langvage [...] and in the study of that tongue he so profited, (a [...] one apt to take ought that he bent himselfe to) that in a short time he was able [Page] to read any Greek Author, Historian [...] Orator or Poet wit [...]out help of a translation. And withal he so followed the study [...] Divinity, hearing diligently and constantly those that read the same there, adjoyning also his owne private [...]ndvour [...] thereunto, that being of six and twenty yeeres (a thing among them then not usuall) he was by the Fellows of the Colledg he lived in, made a publike Preacher and partake [...] of those priviledges that to such of their orders were a [...]nexed.

His first preaching was at [...]rixia, in the Church of [...] after that he preached at Rome, Venis, Mantua, Mo [...]n [...]fer [...] [...] and in others the Cities of Italy and the confines of Fr [...]c [...] [...] besides that in the Colledg of his own society, he read [...] Philosophy and Divinity and Homer in Geek; and hitherto haveing studied most Schoole-divinity. Thom [...]s of Aquin [...] especially, and Gregory of Rimino; he now began in more speciall manner to addict himselfe to the study of the Scriptures, and to this purpose laboured with much sedulity, using the help of one Isaak a Iew that professed Physick, to get the knowledge of the Hebrew tongue.

His constant paines in Preaching and teaching gained him that singular esteme, that he was by generall conse [...]t chosen Abbot of Spoleto; in which place he so wisely and worthily carried himselfe, that it was much admired how a man so bookish, and so much adicted to his studie [...], should attaine such abilities for dexterity of government. For he not onely reduced the Colledg and two Nunne [...]i [...] belonging to it, that had bin very loose and scandalous in their courses before, to a more regular and orderly deme [...] nour; but so also by his authority, good perswasions, and discreet ordering the matter, prevailed with two po [...]t factions that had long desturbed the State there, that [...] composed their differences, and wrought concord between them; which they also continued in, so long as he continued there with them.

Three yeere he aboad there, and at three [...] a solemne assembly of the whole Order, [...] was made [...] vernor [Page] of Saint Peters at the Altar in Naples, a place of very pleasant situation, greate dignity, and rich and large revenew. Here addicting himselfe more diligently and seriously to search into the Scriptures, the light began daily to appeare more and more to him, and to discover to him the errours and superstitious conceits that he had formerly bin possest with. And now he fell to read some of our men [...] writings; Bucers commentaries upon the Psalmes, and the Evanglists, Zuinglius his Treatise of true and false Religion, and another of Gods Providence, with some pieces of Erasmus: whence having gained more insight into these things, he communicated therein with some others likewise piously disposed, to wit, Benedyct Cusane, Anthony Flaminy, and Io [...]n Valdesie a Spaniord; by whose joynt endevour a pretty Chuch of pious people was now gathered at Naples.

Nor did this our Peter forbear publikely to Preach that truth that God had now reveiled unto him. For handling the first to the Corinthians, to which his Lectures, among others, divers Noble men (whom that City never wanteth) and some Bishops also resorted; when he came to the third Chapter, the 13. and 14. verses, he affirmed that place not to be ment of Purgatory; since that the fire there spoken of is such a fire, as both good and bad all must passe. This seeming to shake a maine piller of Purgatory, the Popes furnace, the fire whereof, like the Prilosophers stone, melteth all his leaden Bulls into pure gold; his under Chymists some of them, like Demetrius and his consorts, b [...]gan to bestir themselves, and so wrought, that from above he was inhibited to proceed in his reading. Which inhibi [...]ion he yet refused to obey; & appealing to the Pope, by help of some Cardinals of better sort, among whom our Poole was one, & some other learned men in grace with the Pope, he gat the interdict revoked. Howbeit he continued not long his readings there afterwards, for falling not long after into a very dangerous sicknesse, whereof he hardly recovered, the Fathers of his Order, in a generall Assembly, shortly [Page] after his recovery, supposing that the ayre of that City did not so well agree with him, made him their Generall Vi [...]iter, when he had been yet but three yeeres at Naples. In which imployment, supported by the Cardinall Gonzag [...] the Protector of their Order; he so carryed himselfe, suppressing some that carryed themselves tyrannously in their places, & severely chastising others that lived loosly & leudly, that though he gained much grace and credit to the Order, & no lesse love and affection to himselfe from the better minded among them, yet incurred he withall much envy ill-will from those that were otherwise disposed.

It is a point of divellish policy too oft practised, under a sembleance of honour to prefer men to such places as may prove prejudiciall to them, and become a meanes of their overthrow. Some of these Machiavilians therefore in a generall meeting of the Fathers of the Order at Man [...]ua, knowing a deadly fewd and inveterate hatred to intercede betweene the Inhabitants of Luca, and those of Florence our Martyrs Country, move to have him made Pryor of Saint Fridian in Luca, a place of great esteem, for that the Pryor of that House hath Episcopall Jurisdiction over the one moity of the City; hoping that for Countries sake he should there find opposition and molestation more then enough. The motion was on all hands soon assented unto, but the event answered not their expectation: For by his wise, kind and discreet carryage among them, he gained so much good will and esteeme with them, that they affected him no otherwise then as if he had been a native, and by a solemn embassage made suite to the Principall of the Order, that Peter Martyr might not be removed againe from them.

Here to advance both Religion and Learning among them, he procured learned men of great note, to read to the younger sort the tongues, one Latine, and the other Greeke, and a third (which was Emmanuell Tremellius) the Hebrew. He himselfe daily read to them some part of Saint Pauls Epistles in Greek, and examined them in the same: to the whole Company before supper he expounded some [Page] Psalme; to which exercise diverse learned of the Nobility and Gentry did also usually resort: and every Lords day he preached publikly to the People: By which his godly labours many attained to much knowledge, as appeared afterward by the number of those, who after his departure thence sustained exilement for the truth; among whom that famous Zanchie one.

These his good proceedings his adversaries much maligning held a meeting at Genoa, and convented him thither. But he having intellidence of their complotment, and taking warning by their late dealings with a godly Eremite of the same Order, resolved to decline them, and to betake himselfe to some place of better safety: Having therefore committed to his Deputy the charge of the Monastery, and his Library (his onely wealth) to a trusty friend in Luca, to be sent after him into Germany, he left the City secretly, and from thence travelled first toward his owne Country to Pisa; where meeting with certaine religious Noble men he celebrated together with them in due manner the Lords Supper: and from thence by letters both to Cardinall Poole, and to those of Luca he rendred a reason of his departure from them. After that coming to Florence, but making no long stay there, he departed from thence for Germany, and passing the Alpes came into Switzerland, wher he arrived first at Zurick, and passing thence to Basil, was by Bucers procurement called over to Strasbourge; where for the sp [...]c of five yeers with much amity and agreement they joyned together in the Lords worke; during which time he expounded the Lamentations of Ieremy, the twelve lesser Prophets, Genesis, Exodus, and a good part of Leviticus.

Here he tooke him a wife, one of a religious disposition, and in all respects a meete match for one of his ranke and profession, who lived with him eight yeeres, died in England at Oxford, where she had lived in great repute with the best, for her singular piety, and with the most for he charity corrrespondent thereunto: though after her decease in Queen Maries dayes, her remaines were inhumanely digged [Page] up againe and buried in a dunghill; but in Queen Elizabeths dayes restored to their former place of Sepulture againe.

For after that our Martyr had spent those five yeeres at Strasbourge, he was through the procurement of Archbishop Cranmer sent for by letters from King Edward into England, and made Reader of Divinity in the University of Oxford. There in his readings, to which those of the Popish faction also resorted, he expounded the first of Saint Paul to the Corinthians; and though much envying and stomaking him, yet with some patience they his Popish hearers endured him, untill he came to handle the Doctrine of the Lords Supper; but then they began to breake forth into some outrage, to disturbe him in his Lectures, to set up m [...] licious and scandalou [...] schedules against him, to challing him to disputes; which he waved not, but maintained, first in private in Doctor Cox the Vice chancellors house, and af [...]er in publike before his Majesties Commissioners deputed to that purpose; where with what strength of Argument and authorty of Scripture he convinced his Antagonists, the Acts yet extant may evidently shew. This way little prevailing, they stirred up the seditious multitude against him, by reason whereof he was compelled to retir [...] him to London, untill that tumult was supprest: Then returning againe, for his better security, the King made him a Canon of Christs Chu [...]ch; by meanes whereof he had convenient housing within the Colledge with more safety.

Thus setled the second time, he proceeded in his wonted employm [...]nt, opening now also the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans; and being in times of vacation called up to London by the Archbishop for his aid and advice in Ecclesiasticall affaires, and in composing of Ordinances for the government of the Church. And in this course he continued being never out of action, untill by the decease of th [...]t our English Phaenix, so much admired in his life, and bewailed at his death, not with ours at home, but by others [Page] also, and that of a divers religion abroad, upon the succession of his sister Queen Mary, one of a contrary disposition, his employment surceased, and with somewhat adoe he gat liberty and departed the land: and though being waylaid (which he had notice of) both on this side and beyond the seas; yet (by Gods good providence and protection) he passed unknown and undiscovered through Brabant and other Popish territories, and gat in safety to Strasbourge.

Thither returning he was received with the greater joy in regard of the dangers he had past and escaped; and was restored to his professors place againe. Therein being resetled he read upon the booke of Iudges, and because the Senate required that the Readers of Divinity should withall at certaine times read Lectures also of Philosophy; it was agreed betweene him and Zanchie, his fellow-professor, that the one of them should read Morall Philosophy, which fell to his lot, and the other Naturall, which Zanchie undertooke.

Howbeit here he was not long quiet; for some factious ones began to complaine of him to the Magistrates, as not concurring with the Augustine confession in the Doctrine of the Lords Supper: wherein albeit he gave those in authority good satisfaction, yet he perceived much heart-burning in other-some, and that manifested oft times, as well by scandalous libels scattred abroad, as also by open opposition. Whereupon supposing that he should not live qu [...] etly there, and do the good that he desired, he began to entertaine thoughts of departure; and, as God in his holy providence pleased to dispose it, a fit and faire occasion thereof offred it selfe to him. For they at Zurick (whereat first he desired to have setled) wanting one to succeede Pellicane lately deceased in the Divinity Lecture, invite Peter Martyr to come over to them, and supply that place: thither he came, (tho with much griefe and unwillingnesse, dismissed by the Magistrates and other godly of Strasbourge, his fellow-professors especially) accompanied with our worthy Iewel, after Bishop of Salisbury, then exile in those parts, [Page] who ever entirely affected and reverenced him as his Father.

At Zuricke with much gratulation was he most lovingly and respectively received by the Magistrates, Ministers, Bullinger especially, and the maine body of the people; and notwithstanding an Order before made to the contrary, denying such admittance for some yeeres unto any, enrolled instantly for a free Denison. There he taught about seven yeers, expounding the books of Samuel, and a good part of the Kings; and writing divers polemicall discours [...]s against the adversaries of the truth. Nor would he remove thence, albeit he were with much importunity invited to other places, where the meanes were larger: as first to Geneva upon the decease of that every way noble Count Maximilian Celsus, Pastor of the Italian Church there; and after in Queen Elizabeths dayes, when Religion was againe here setled, Bishop Iewell labouring with him in it, to returne into these parts, but continued teaching there till he died; howbeit being earnestly required by letters as well from the Queen mother of France, the King of Navarre, the Prince of Condee, and other Peeres of that Realm, as also from Beza and the rest of the Ministers of the reformed Churches in those parts, he obtained leave of the Senate to goe over into France to the solemn Conference at Poys [...]i, where how wisely and worthily he demeaned himselfe, by the Acts of it may appeare.

Not long after his accesse to Zuricke, desirous to continue the race and name of the Virmilii, he tooke him a second wife, a Virgin of good note and name, commended to him from the I [...]alian Church at Geneva, where she lived an Exile for Religion, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter, who died both very young, before him; and left her great with a third, that proved a daughter.

He departed this life quietly, after some seven dayes sicknesse, sitting in his chaire, in the presence of his wife and Religious friends, on the twelfth day of Nov [...]m. in the yeer [Page] of grace 1562. and of his owne age the sixty third.

He was of an able, healthy, big-boned and well limmed body; of a countenance expressing an inward, grave and setled disposition: of extraordinary parts of learnng, as well for humanity as for divinity excellent for disputation, much admired, wheresoever he came, for his discreet and moderate, though constant and incorrupt carriage, never seen in heat of dispute to breake forth into chollour; very painfull and industrious, endevouring to doe all the good he could for Gods Church, either in the places where he was resiant, or elsewhere. Nor may be omitted here the speech used of him to those of Zuricke, by that learned man Iosias Simler, that made the Funerall Oration at his Buriall, and hath described his life at large, that, Another they might have in Martyrs roome; but another Martyr they should not have. But what he was and how laborious, his Workes extant (besides many other never published) will soon shew; which are these,

1. A Catechisme or Exposition of the Creed, in Italian. 2. A Praye [...]-booke composed out of the Psalmes. 3. His Commentaries upon Genesis. 4. His Commentaries upon the Booke of Iudges. 5. His Commentaries upon the two Books of Samuel. 6. His Commentaries upon the first Booke of Kings, and eleven chapters of the second. 7. His Commentaries upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans. 8. His Commentaries upon the first Epistle to the Corinthians. 9. His Disputations at Oxford, about the Lords Supper. 10. His Defence about the orthodox Doctrine of the Lords Supper, against Steph [...]n G [...]rdiner. 11. An abridgement of the said Defence made by him afterward. 12. His Confession exhibited to the Senate of Strasbourg, concerning the supper of the Lord. 13. His judgement concerning the presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament delivered at the Conference of Poyssi. 14. A Discourse concerning the Masse. 15. A Dialogue concerning the place of Christs Body, against the Ubiquitaries. 16. His refutation of Richand Smiths two bookes, concerning single life and Monkish Vows. 17. In his commentaries on the first and second bookes [Page]of Aristatle Ethicks, and part of the third. 18. His Common-Places gathered out of his Commentaries by others, and digested into Heads. 19. Certain Treatises of Free-wil, Gods Providence, Predestination, and the cause of Sin. 20. Propositions, some necessary, some probable, out of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Judges; together with Solutions of a Question or two concerning some Mosaicall Laws and Oathes 21. Divers Sermons and Orations of severall Subjec [...]s, and made upon severall occasions. 22. His letters to sundry Persons, concerning much variety of usefull Discourse.

Behold this Star, which séem'd at the first view

Ecc [...]ipst with Romish fogs; but, after, grew

So bright, that his Refulgence did display

Truths Banner, beaming like the Sun of day.

His sunshine was not visible alone

In true Religions reform'd Horizon,

But cast his foraign influence as far

As th'Artick's distant from th'Antartick star;

Uext Romes iugenious Malice did compact

To quench this flame, but failed in the Acts.

The seven-crown'd dragons star confronting traine

Lasht at this Star [...] but lasht and lasht in vaine.

Thus he remains (sustain'd by higher powers)

A Saint in heau'ns bright Orbe, a Star in Onrs.

HVGH LATYMER.

The Life and Death of Hugh Latimer.

[Page]

HVgh Latimer, born at Thirkesson in the County of Leicester, being of a prompt and sharp wit, was by his Parents brought up in learning, and at the age of 14. he went to Cambridge, where after he had profited in other studies, he gave himself to the study of School-Divinity: commensed Batchelor in Divinity, and was a very zealous Papist, made an Oration against Philip Melanc [...]hon: railed against Master Stafford, Divinity-Lecturer, and willed the Scholars in no wise to beleeve him: he carried the Crosse before the Procession: Master Bilney seeing, and pittying his blinde zeal, came to his study, and desired him to hear him make a Confession of his Faith, which Latimer consenting [Page] to, was so touched therby, that he gave over School-Divinity, and studied more O [...]thodox Divines. He used often to confer with Master Bilney, and asked Master Stafford forgivenesse before he dyed: he became a powerfull Preacher, and instructed many in private also; whereupon the Devill raised up many Doctors and Fryers against him, and the Bishop of Elye forbad him to Preach Anno Christi 1529. yet he continued three yeeres preaching with much applause, yea the Bishop himself hearing him upon a time, commended him, and wished that he had the like gifts himselfe: he used oft [...]n to visit the Prisoners, to relieve the needy, and feed the hungry. He was afterwards sent fo [...] to the Court, and employed in the businesse about King Henries Divorce; then by the King he had a Benefice given him at West-Kingston neer Sarum, where with much diligence he instructed his flocke; whereupon some Popish Priest [...] drew up Articles against him; and he was much molested by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury, out of whose hands the King rescued him, and at the request of the Lord Cromwell made him Bishop of Worcester: where also he busily employed himselfe in instructing his flocke, and giving them a good example by his holy life: yet neither there was he quiet, for one of great place accu [...]d him to the King for preaching Sedition, but the King rested satisfied with his answer. At New-years-tide the Bishops used to present the King with a New years gift, and Bishop L [...] timer, amongst the rest, presented him with the New Testament, wrapped up in a Napkin, with this Posie about it, Forni [...]atores, & adulteros judi [...]abi [...] Dominus: Whoremonger [...] and Adulterers God will judge. But the six Articles coming out, and he seeing that he could not retaine his Office with a good Conscience, of his owne accord he re [...]igned his Bishopricke: and when he put off his Rocket in hi [...] chamber amongst his friends, he gave a skip in the floore for joy, feeling his shoulders lighter, and being (as he said) discharged of so heavie a burthen. Yet neither then would the Bishops suffer him to be quiet, till he was laid up in the [Page] Tower, where he remained till Edward the sixt his reigne, at which time being restored to his liberty, he continued a faithfull and painfull preacher all that Kings dayes; preaching twice every Sabbath, though sixty seven yeares of age: he rose to his study Winter and Summer at two a clocke in the morning: he evidently fore-saw, and fore-told all those plagues which England afterwards felt under Queen Marie: and fore told concerning himselfe, that his preaching of the Gospell would cost him his life:S [...]ephen Cranme [...]. and that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose, which afterwards proved so. In the beginning of Que [...]n Maries Reign he was sent for up by a Pursuivant, whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house, yet inste [...]d of flying, he prepared himselfe for his journey; and when the Pursuivant came, he said to him; My friend you are welcome, I goe as willingly to London to give an account of my Faith, as ever I went to any place in the world. The Pursuivant having delivered his Letter, told him that he was commanded not to stay for him, and so immediately departed: but Latimer hasted after to London, and as he rode through Smithfield, he said, That Smithfield had groaned for him a long time. Coming before the Councill, after many mocks & scorns, he was sent to the Tower, where the Lord gave him such a valiant spirit, that he did not onely bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment, but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies. This aged Father being kept in the cold winter without a fire, he bad the Lievtenants man to tell his Master, That if he did not looke better to him, perchance he would deceive him: the Lievtenant thinking that he intend [...]d to make an escape, charged him with his words; to whom he answer [...]d, You thinke I should burn, but except you let me have a fir [...], I shall deceiv your expectation, for I am here like to starve with cold. From thence he was carried to Oxford with Cranmer and Ridley, where they spent their time in brotherly conference, fervent prayer, and fruitfull writing; yea, many times he continued so long in fervent prayer, that he was not able [Page] to get up without helpe. Three things he more especially prayed for.

First, That as God had appointed him to be a Preacher of his Word, so, that he would give him grace to stand to his Doctrine; that he might give his hearts blood for the same.

Secondly, that God of his mercy would restore his Gos [...]pell to England once againe, once againe; which he often inculcated in his prayer, and that with so much ardor, as though he had seen God before him, and spoken to him face to face.

Thirdly, that the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth, and make her a comfort to this comfortlesse Realm of England. The Lord most graciously answering all thos [...] his requests. When he came to the stake, he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance, saying, Fidelis est Deus, &c. God is faithfull, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able, &c. As he was burning, his blood ran out of his heart in such abundance, as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither, to the great astonishment of the beholders, according to his former r [...]quest, That he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the Truth. The other two requests we have found, and yet have the benefit. When the fire was first kindled, he cryed, O Father of heaven receive my soule: and so receiving the flame, and as it were, embracing of it, having stroaked his face with his hands, and bathed them a little in the fire, he soone died with very little pain or non at all, Anno Christi 1555.

Though Latimer was in his heedlesse youth

A diviator, and abandon'd truth,

Yet (heaven having blest him with a riper age)

At last he banish'd his too forward rage,

And from a wandring Commet, he became

A blazing starre, and blush'd not to proclaime

Against his former Errours which had spread

Upon his heart, and almost struck it dead.

[Page]He sought the way of truth, and seeking, found

A better Anchor, and a firmer ground

Where on he fixt his thoughts, and would not be

Remov'd by arguments or Tyrannie.

Thus our brave Latimer became a terrour

To Papists, and an enemy to errour,

Though he at first most wilfully deny'd

The truth, yet for the truth at last he dy'd.

The Life and Death of John Philpot, who died Anno Christi 1555.

JOhn Philpot was a Knights son, and born in Hampshire, brought up at Schoole, and sent from thence to New Colledge in Oxford, where he stuied the Liberall Arts, and the Tongues, and afterwards the Civil-law. He was of a pregnat wit, and singular courage, z [...]alous in Religion, of nature apert, and far from flattery, hypocrisie, and dissimulation: from Oxford he travelled into Italie, where he was in some danger for his Religion: In King [...]dward the sixth dayes, he returned into England againe, and had many conflicts with Bishop Gardiner: He did much good in Hampshire, being Archdeacon of Winchester all King Edwards dayes; but in the beginning of Queene-Maries Reign he was cast into Prison, where he lay a yeer and a halfe before he was examined; then he was sent for by Doctor Story, and after some captious questions proposed to him, he was committed Prisoner to the Bishop of Londons Cole-house, unto which was adjoyned a little Blind house, with a great pair of Stocks, both for hand and foot, but thanks be to God, saith he, I have not played of those Organs yet: there h [...] found a godly Minister of Essex, who, desiring to speake with him, did greatly lament his infirmity, for through extremity of imprisonment he had yeelded to the Bishop [Page] of London, and was se [...] at liberty [...] whereupon he left such an hell in his conscience, that he could scarce refrain from destroying himselfe; and could have no peace, till going to the Bishops Register, and desiring to see his Recantation, he tore it in pieces: whereupon the Bishop sending for him, buffeted him, pluckt off a great part of his beard, and sent him to his Cole-house, where Master Philpot found him very joyfull under the Crosse. Philpot being afterward [...] sent for to the Bishop; he asked him, amongst other things, why they were so merry in Prison, to whom he answered, We are in a dark comfortlesse place, and therefore we solace our selves with singing of Psalmes: after other discourse (saith he) I was carryed to my Lords Cole-house againe, where I, with my six fellow-prisoners, doe rouse together in the straw, as chearfully, we thank God, as others doe in their beds of down. After sundry examinations he was by the Bishop set in th [...] stocks, in a house alone, of which he writes: God be praised that he thought me worthy to suffer any thing for his names sake: Better it is to sit in the stocks in this world, then to sit in the stocks of a damnaple conscience: at last he was condemned for an Heretick; whereupon he said, I thanke God I am an Hereticke out of your cursed Church, but I am no Hereticke before God. Being sent to Newgate he spake to the People as he went, saying, Ah good people, blessed be God for this day: having notice given over-night that the next day he should be burn'd, he said, I am ready, God grant me strength, and a joyfull resurrection; and so he went to his chamber, pouring out his spirit unto the Lord in Prayer, and giving him most hearty thanks for accounting him worthy to suffer for his Truth. Going into Smithfield, the way was very foul, whereupon two Officers took him up and bare him to the stake; then said he merrily, What? will you make me a Pope? coming into Smithfield, he kneeled downe, saying, I will pay my Vowes in thee O Smithfield: he kissed the stake, saying, Shall I disdain to suffer at thi [...] stake, when my Lord and Saviour refused not to suffer a most vile death for me? when the fire was hindled, with much meekness, and comfort he resigned up his spirit unto God, An. Christi 1555.

[Page]

Couragious Philpot with a dauntlesse brow

March'd to his death, and would not once allow

The least Submittance to erronious powers,

But Scorn'd to smell on their impoysn'd flowers:

And when he labour'd in the most distresse

He was most chearfull, and would still addresse

Himselfe to Heaven, where he was sure to find

A healing Balsome to confirme his minde;

He prayed to God, and having done, he cry'd,

I thank, I thanke thée Father, and so dy'd:

THOMAS CRANMER

The Life and Death of Thomas Cranmer.

THomas Cranmer was extracted from an ancient family in Lincolnshire, as that derived it selfe from one of more [Page] antiquity, (still retaining the said name and Armes) in [...]rmandy. Of his infancy and childhood, we can give no other account, then what is common to others of the same age as not capable of any extraordinary Actions, but silently shaddowed under the [...]nnocency and simplicity thereof.

Afterwards he was admitted into Iesus Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Master of Arts, with generall applause for his learning and manners. Here he happened to marry the Inkeepers wives kinswoman at the sign of the Dolphin: An act beheld by some as destructive to his future preferment, and deepely condemned by those who preferred height before holinesse, and a rich and plentifull before a chaste and comfortable life.

Malicious tongues on this foundation built many foule and false Scandals against him, some slandering him for to be an Ostler (because of his often repairing to that Inne) which causelesse report (confuting it selfe with its own improbability) his weeknesse and Patience overcame, by contemning it. Thus worthy Saint Helen Mother to Constantine the great was scoffed at to have been a Stable-groomes Daughter, for her Zeale in searching the monuments of Christs nativity in Bethleham; of whom Saint Ambrosse, Bona Statularia quaedici maluit Stercoraria ut Christum lucrifaceret.

But Gods Providence who orders all things to the best some yeere after tooke Cranmers wife away, which losse [...] proved a great gaine unto him. For resuming his Studie [...] (thereby to allay his sorrow and solitarinesse) he became so eminent that the Society of Iesus Colledge chose him again into his Fellowship. Indeed it was against the Fundamentall Law of the Vniversitie, which provides Nolimus socios nostros esse mari [...]os vel maritatos: yet seeing a Widdower is the second part of a Bachelor, and Cranmers extraordinary learning a dispensation for himselfe, by peculiar favour he wa [...] reelected into that House.

How excellently he behaved himselfe therein, one Instance for many; At that time many unworthy Schollars scambled up into the highest degrees, whose scarlet Gowns [Page] might seeme to blush the wearers Ignorance. To prevent the dangerous consequences thereof, and to render Degrees more considerable for the future, Cranmer by generall consent was chosen Publicke Examiner of the sufficiency of such candidates for Degrees. Herein he carried himselfe with such remarke [...]ble moderation, neither over remisse to incourage any unworthinesse to presume, nor too riged to dishearten the endeavours of the ingenious, that it is questionable whether his Carriage brought more profit to private Persons, or credit to the University. Some whose Graces for the present were stopt by him returned afterwards to thanke him, because (prefering rather to displease then hurt them) the gentle Checke he gave them occasioned their greater diligence in the race of learning.

Here Cranmer lived till the infection of the Plague forced the students to leave their Colledges and he no entertaine the time with more safety and privacy became a teacher to some Gentlemans sonnes in the Country where we leave him for a time, requesting the Reader to accompany u [...] to some matters of higher Concernement. About this time the Divorse betwixt King Henry & Katherine his wife was agitated in the Court of Rome; Queen Katherines age was above her Husbands, her Gravity above her age, more pious at her Beades then pleasant in her Bed, a better woman then a wife, and a fitter wife for any Prince then King Henry. No wonder then if he were impatient to be delayed in his Divorce by the Dilatory tricks of the Romish Court (intending first to divorce all the Gold from England) kept the Cause some yeers in suspention; so torturing King Hen [...]y on the racke, betwixt hope and feare; not to have his d [...]sire effected.

It hapned that a Courtier came into Cranmers Company, who familiarly conversing together amongst other discourse light on this matter of Divorse. Cranmer informes the Gentleman that the readiest way for the King to attaine his desire was no longer to trace the Labirinths of the Popes proceedings (where Clyents loose themselves in [Page] the endlesse Multiplication of affected intricacies) but directly to be take himselfe to the Word of God, according to which the Kings marriage unlawfull at the first might lawfully be anulled. This being brought to the Kings Eare (where welcom news would quickly arrive) Cranmer is sent for, & afterwards imployed to the most principal Universities in Europe there publickly to maintain the truth of his aforesaid Assertions; and after his returne was rewarded for his undertaking (no lesse learned then Laborious) with the Archbishopricke of Canterbury.

Here I have no leisure to listen to, much lesse faith to beleeve those false Aspersions, which Doctor Sanders cast [...]th on this reverend Prelate, bottoming the beginning of his Court Advancement on the Basest Employments performed by him. Sufficeth it is to know that as the Herneshaw when unable by maine strength to grapple with the Hawke doth Slice upon her, bespattering the Hawkes wings with dung or ordure; so to conquer with her taile which she cannot doe with her bill and beake. So Papists finding themselves unable to encounter the Pro [...]estants by force of Argument out of the Scripture, cast the dung of foule langvage and filthy railing upon them, wherein Sanders, exceedeth all of his Soci [...]ty. Yea God may seeme to have vindicated the innocence of the one and punished the slanderous mouth of the other, in that the foresaid Sanders was afterwards famished in Ireland, that mouth being starved for want of food, it surfetted with superfluity of Falsehood.

Cranmer now Archbishop, so became the Place with his Piety and Gravity that he indeared himselfe to all conditions of People. This was the greatest fault he was guilty of, That his nature was bad in being too good; he was of too easie and flexible a disposition, which made him cowardly to comply with the Church of Rome. For although he never did any harme to the Protestants, yet he did not unto them so m [...]ch good as he might and ought.

Some may conceive this passage might well be omitted, [Page] but the truth of our love to this good mans memory, must not make us to forget our love to Truth: besides this recording of such slips, doth read to us in him a Lecture of our owne Infirmities, if Gods grace be not more Active in our Hearts. Oh there is more required to make us Valiant, then barely to be able to call another Coward.

During the Reigne of Henry the eight and Edward the sixth, our Cranmer flourished in favour. But no sooner came Queen Mary to the Crowne, but he was scorched with the heat of her Anger; As an earnest that his whole Body should afterwards be burnt by her cruelty. Indeed he well deserved of Queen Mary in this particular, because he with Justice Hales would never consent to the dissinheriting of Queen Mary, and refused to subscribe the Will (shall I say of Edward the sixt or the Duke of Northumberland) translating the Crowne on the Lady Iane: But all this would not advance him into the Queenes favour, no nor recon [...]ile to h [...]r good Will, shee being still troubled with the fit of the mother, and meditating revenge against him, because Cranmer had been the principall promoter of Queen Ka [...]herines Divorse: Or, which is more probable, (being the Queen of her selfe was not cruelly minded) some under her, which did bite where she did not barke (Gardiner the Spanniell, Bonner the Bloudhound) projected his destruction.

For being pardoned of Treason (of which he stood guilty with the rest of the Privie Council) he was ch [...]rged with Heresie and sent to Oxford, there to dispute upon certaine Controversies, being nothing else but a plausible contrivance of his Death, which was concluded on before any Sylogisme in that Disputation was propounded. However his Adversaries improved themselves so much on his facile nature and love of life, that their large promis [...]s prevailed on him so far, as to make him subscribe to Popery, though presently after he recanted his recantation, and was burned to ashes for the profession of the Truth; first thrusting his owne right Hand (faulty for his former subscription) into the fire, so that his Hand died a Malefactor, and the rest of [Page] his body a Martyr. All which passages are so largely reported by M [...]ster Fox, who in his Hi [...]tory hath so carefully gathered in the Harvest, th [...]t his diligence hath left no gleanings for Posterity to picke, having omitted nothing in his life remarkeable for such as succeed him to observe. He writ many things which are here to his eternall praise truely registred.

1. A catechisme of christian Doctrine. 2. Ordinations of churhes reformed. 3. Of ordaining Priests. 4. Of the Eucharist with Luther. 5. Of defence of catholicke doctrine. 6. To the professors of the Truth. 7 Ecclesiasticall Laws in Edward the sixt his reign. 8. Against Gardners Sermon. 9. Doctrine of the Lords Supper. 10. Twelv Books of common places, out of the Doctors of the church. 11. Christian Homilies. 12. To Richard Smiths calumnies. 13. Confu [...]a [...]ions of unwritten truths. 14. Of not marrying ones sister, two Books. 15. Against the Popes primacy, two books. 16. Against Popish purgatory, two books. 17. Of Iustification, two books. 18. Epistles to learned men.

Out of Prison he writ these.

1. Against the sacrifice of the Masse. 2. Against adoring the Host. 3. To Queen Mary with others. 4. Emendations of the Translation of the English Bible, and added Prefaces to it.

'Twas not inticing Honour could remove

The constant heart of Cranmer from the love

Of sound Divinity, he alwayes stood

Firme to God's Caus [...], and dy'd it with his blood:

A true Seraphicke and Tyrannicke fire

Prov'd (as it were) ambitious to aspire;

And both prevail'd, being willing to controule;

Th'one burnt his Body, th'other cur'd his Soule.

Image adoring Papists, boast your fils;

Ye sent a Soule to Heav'n against your wils.

What can ye say, but this, your rage was spent;

Ye did him good, though with an ill intent?

Pricke up your eares, and h [...]are this fatall tone,

Those fires which made him screek, wil make you gro [...]

The Life and Death of Conrade Pellican, who dyed Anno Christi 1556.

[Page]

COnrade Pellican was born at Rubeac in Swedeland, Anno 1478. and brought up in learning by his Parents: at thirteen yeeres of age he went to Heidleberg, after sixteen moneths study there, he returned home, where he entered into a Monastery: yet afterwards returned to Heidleberg, and from thence to Tubinge, where he studied the Liberall Arts, and was much admired for his quick wit: he studied also School-Divinity, and Cosmography, wherein he profited exceedingly; he tooke very great pains in the study of Hebrew: and at Basil was made Doctor in Divinity, afterwards the Popes Legat took him with him towards Rome, being affected with his learning, but falling sick of a Fever by the way, he returned to Basil. Whilst he thus continued a Fryar, he was of great esteeme amongst them, because of his learning & integrity: but it pleased God at last, that by reading Luthers bookes, and conference with learned and godly men, he began to dis-relish the Popish Errors, and so far to declare his dislike of them, that he was much hated, and persecuted for a Lutheran: but about the same time the Senate of Basil chose him Lecturer in Divinity in that City toge [...]her with Oecolampadius: where he began first with reading upon Genesis, then on Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. An. Christi 1526. he was by the meanes of Zuinglius, sent for to Tygure, and being come, was most courteously entertained by him: there he laid downe his Monks Coul, and married a wife, by whom he had a son, which he named Samuel, being then preaching upon the history of Samuel: that wife dying, he married againe, but had no children by his second wife: he was present at the Disputation at Bern about Religion: after Zuinglius his death, there were chosen into his room, Henry Bullinger, and Theodor Bibliander, who was an excellent Linguist, and began to read upon I [...]aie, to the [Page] great astonishment of his hearers, for that he was not above 23. yeers of age. Pellican [...] at the earnest request o [...] learned men, Printed all his Lectures, and Annotations, which were upon the whole Bible, excepting onely the Revelations; which portion of Scripture he not intending to write upon, caused the Commeta [...]y of Sebastian Meyter upon it, to be bound with his, to make the worke compleat: He translated many bookes out of Hebrew, which were printed by Robert Stevens: and having been Hebrew Professor at Tygure for the space of thirty yeers, wherein he was most acceptable to all, not on [...]ly in regard of his excellent learning, and indefatigable pain [...], but also in regard of his sweet, and holy Conversation. At las [...] falling into the pain of the stone & other diseases, he departed this life upon the day of Christs Resurrection 1556. of his Age 78.

After our Pellican had wandred long

In the worlds wide-wildernesse, he grew so strong

In grace and goodnesse, that he soon became

An ample Subject for the mouth of Fame;

He was admir'd by all that lov'd to be

Serious proficients in Divinity;

He lives, he lives, although his body lyes

Inshrin'd by earth; True virtue never dyes.

The Life and Death of Bugenhagius, who died Anno Christi 1558.

IOhn Bugenhagius was born at Iulinum in Pomerania, An [...] christi 1485. His Parents were of the rank of Senators, who bred him up carefully in Learning, and sent him to the University of Grypswald, where he profited in the study of the Arts, and the Greek tongue. Being twenty years old he taught School at Trepta, and by his learning and diligence, he made the School famous, and had many Schola [...] [Page] to whom also he red daily some portion of Scripture, and p [...]yed with them [...] and meeting with Erasmus his booke againe the [...]str [...]onicall carriage of the Fryar [...], & the Idolatry of the times, he gat so much light thereby, that he was stirred up to instruct others therein, and for that end in his Schoole he read Matthew, the Epistles to Timothy, and the P [...]alms, to which he added Catechising, and also expounded the Creed, and th [...] ten Commandements; unto which exercises many [...]entlemen, Citizens, and Priests resorted: from the Schoole he was called to preach in the Church, and was admitted into the Colledge of Presbyters: many resorted to his Sermons of all ranks, and his fame spred abroad: insomuch as Bogeslau [...], the Prince of that Country, employed him in writing an History of the same, aud [...]urnished him with mony, books, and records for the enabling of him thereto: which History he compleated in two yeeres, with much judgement, and integrity.

Anno Christi 1520. one of the Citizens of Trep [...]a, having Luthers booke of the Babylonish Captivitie sent him, he gave it to Bugenhagius, as he was at dinner with his Collegues, who looking over some leaves of it, told them that many Hereticks had disq [...]ieted the peace of the Church since Christs time, yet there was never a more pestilent Hereticke then the Author of that book: but after some few dayes, having read it with more diligence and attention, he made this publick Recantation before them all; What shall I say of Luther, All the world hath been blinde and in cimme [...]ian darknesse, onely this one man hath found out the Truth. And further disputing of those questions with them, he brought most of his Collegues to be of his judgement therein: Hereupon Bugenhagius read Luthe [...]'s other Works diligently, whereby he learned the difference between the Law and the Gospell, Justification by Faith, &c. and taught these things also to his Hearers. But the Divell envying the successe of the Gospell, stirred up the Bishop to persecute the professours of it, some of which he cast into Prison, and caused others to flye away; insomuch, as Bugenhagius also being [Page] not safe, and desirous to be acquainted, and to confer with Luther, went to Wittembourg Anno christi 1521. and of his [...] 36. and came thither a little before Luther's going to th [...] Diet at Worms: In whose absence he opposed [...]arolostadius, who would have all Magistrates to rule by the Judicial [...] of Moses, and Images to be cast out of Churches. Upon Luther's return out of his Pathmos, he was chosen Pastor of the Church of Wittembourg; which he taught and governed with much felicity, and in many changes of affairs, for the space of thirty six years, never leaving his station, neithe [...] for War nor Pestilence; and when he was profered Riche [...] and Preferment both in Denmark and Pomeron, yet he would never leave his Charge, though he lived but poorly in it [...] Anno christi 1522. he was sent for to Hamburg, where h [...] prescribed to them a forme both of Doctrine, Ceremonie [...] and Calling of Ministers; where he erected a Schoole also [...] which afterwards grew very famous: and Anno christi 1530 being sent for to Lubec, he prescribed to them also an order both for Preaching and Discipline, and set up a School [...] there also. Anno christi 1537. he was sent for by Christi [...] King of Denmarke, to reform Religion in his Dominion [...]; 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 th [...] instigation of Ioh. Friderick, Elector of Saxonie. Afterwards, [Page] in the Wars of Germanie for Religion, W [...]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 himselfe [...] and others to repent.

PHILIPPVS MELANTHON.

The Life and Death of Phillip Melancthon [...]

[Page]

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 [Page] 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 [...]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 [Page] 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 Ter [...]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, who [...]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 esse [...] doctrina ejus, qui inde evocatus discedecet: that amongst all the learned men in the City, non [...] could be found guilty of so much learning as to judge truely of that worth which was to be found in that man.

Presently after his comming unto Wittemberge, he publikely began to read his Lctures, where Luther being present he received an excellent approbation from him, concerning his sufficiency & so he proceeded in opening the Scriptures, to the great benefit and instruction of his Auditors.

In the yeer 1519. he was present at the disputation betwxt Luther and Eccius, at Leipsich where sometimes he uttered his opinion amongst them concerning the points in [Page] contraversie; Eccius not well brooking his forwardnesse cryes out unto Luther, Amove a te istam saccum disti [...]ctionum; remove from thee that budget of distinctions, and after a scornfull manner stiled him the Grammarian.

In the year 1520. he expounded the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans at Wittemberge; which worke of his was so well approved by Luther, that he caused it to be Printed for the generall benefit of the Church: and in his Preface to the same Booke, he useth these words unto Melancthon, Ego, quod impii Thomistae suo Thomae mendaciter arrogant, (viz.) neminem scripsissi melius in sanctum Paulum, tibi vere tribuo: What the Thomists unjustly ascribed unto their Thomas (viz.) that none set forth a sounder Comentary on Paul; I attribute it justly unto thee. And in the year following, having intelligence that the Divines of Pa [...]is had condemned the Bookes and Doctrine of Luther, he opposed by writing their heady Decree, affirming his Doctrin to be sound and Orthodox.

In the year 1527. he was appointed by the Duke of Saxonie to visit all the Churches within his Dukedome; in the performance whereof he wanted neither painfull labour nor envious backbiting. And finding in them many disorders and corruptions, he prescribed unto them a forme written in the German tongue, which he willed them to embrace and to make use of in their Churches. This action of his caused great contention and strife in the Countrey, which by the wisdome and vertue of the same Duke was speedily quieted and taken away.

In the year 1529. an assembly of Divines was appointed at Spire, where the Duke of Saxonie was present with Phillip Melancthon; who espying his Mother, went unto her, and being demanded by her, What she should beleeve amongst so many different opinions and controversies; he answered that Pergeret hoc credere quod credidisset, nec pateretur se turbari conflectibus disputationum. That she should beleeve what she had hitherto beleeved; and withall, willed her not to [...]ay to heart, nor to be disquieted with those Scholasticke combats.

[Page]The Church being about this time in a troublesome state, and so continuing for a season; it pleased the Pope to promise the calling of a generall Councill, for the extirpating of these differences out of the Church, and for the establishing of an Uniforme manner of Doctrine and Discipline: but his intent was onely to make triall how Melancthon stood affected; for when his Legates requested of him to promise them that he would subscribe to all the Decrees of the Synod then shortly to be called; he denyed their unjust request, and withall telling them, In concillo & accusationes, & defensiones, & sententias liberas esse ô portêre, & in ep [...]um de even [...]u pacisci antiquam cognitio sit suscripta. That in a generall Councill all occasions, defendings, opinions and judgements ought to be free; and that it was a tying voyd of sence and reason, to yeeld a subscription unto those things which as yet he did neither know nor understand. And so remaining unmoveable in this resolution, there was no generall Councill called, because it lay not in the power of the Emperour to command it, and because the Pope was unwilling to exercise his authority in that kinde, least the event should have proved fatall unto the Apostolicall See. About this time Comets were seen in the ayre for the space of three whole yeeres; concerning which Melancthon wrote many learned observations unto his friends.

In the yeer 1535. the fame of Melancthon came into the Kingdome of England and France; wherefore he was sent for by Henry the eight, and invited by the King of France, to settle a Reformation in their Churches; but he went unto neither of them, in regard the Duke of Saxonie would not consent thereunto.

In the year 1539. there was an Assembly of the Protestant Princes at Francfort ad Menum, concerning a Reformation, and Melancthon was commanded to make his personall appearance; but being fearfull least any should offer violence unto his person, he there published a worke, intituled De Defensione Legitima.

In the year 1541. an Assembly was appointed at Wormes, [Page] where there happened a sharpe Disputation betwixt Melancthon and Eccius touching Originall, sinne but by the Commandement of the Emperour, it was forthwith dissolved, and both of them appointed to meet at Reinspurge, where it fell out that Eccius in his disputation propounded a Sophisticall argument, at the which Melancthon pausing a little space for the better untwisting of it, said unto Eccius, that the next day he would give him an answer, whereupon Eccius presently replyed, that it would be imputed as a great disgrace unto him, to require so long a time, unto which he presently answered. Mi Doctor non quaero meam gloriam hoc in negotio sed veritatem: Sir, I seeke not my owne praise in this businesse, but the truth; within short time the Emperour, came to Reispurge, appointed certaine learned Persons on both sides for continuation of the conference; of whom in the life of Bucer, &c. this Conference gave no satisfaction, neither unto Eccius nor unto the Bishops there present, nor unto William Duke of Bavaria; and therefore the whol businesse was referred unto the judgement of a generall Councill, and peace was injoyned unto both parties by the strict command of the Emperour, together with a hope declared as touching the Reformation of the Churches. In which Conference Mlancthon objected that axiome against the Papists, Christus adest non propter panem, sed prop [...]er hominem. Christ is present in the Sacrament, not by reason of the bread, but by reason of the receiver. Which when Luther heard, he joyfully uttered these words, M [...]c [...]e Philippe tu eripuisti Pontificiis, quod ego non ausus fuissem: all happinesse attend thee Phil [...]ip, for thou hast overthrown the Papists in that Point, which I dared not to attempt. And wi [...]h that sentence Eccius was so confuted, that he had not a word to speake; yet at the last in a great rage, he told Melancthon that he would dispute with him ad ignem usque, even unto the very flames: but the night following he drinking somthing beyond measure, in regard of the predominancy of his chollar, he fell into an Ague, wherewith in few dayes he dyed.

[Page]Againe in the yeer 1545. Fredericke the Prince Elector Palatine successour unto Lodowick, greatly desiring a Reformation in the Churches; he was informed by Melancthon, that Ecclesiasticall government did consist

1. In the soundnesse and puritie of Doctrine. 2. In the lawfull use of the Sacraments. 3. In a conservation of the Minister of the Gospell, and in obedience towards the Pastors of the Churches. 4. In the preservation of an honest and godly Discipline, which was to be upheld by an Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction. 5. In the upholding of Schooles. 6. In supplying such persons as are imployed in weightie matters with sufficient necessaries.

Which points he caused to be dispersed amongst the Churches, but they wrought little or no Reformation: the yeer following Germanie was oppressed with civill Warres; which when it was greatly lamented by Melancthon, some out of malice misinterpreting his words, accused him unto the Emperour, as one who laboured to hinder his proceedings in the Reformation of Religion; for which cause the Emperour intended his death, but he was defended and delivered by the intreaty of Mauritius the Prince Elector, who possessed the Emperour with a contrary opinion. Not long after it happened that there were great preparations for the Councill of Trent, and safe going and returning; being concluded on, Melancthon was sent with the Letters of the foresaid Mauritius, and taking Norimberge in his way, he was commanded to stay there untill he received an answer concerning that faith which was generally to be embraced of all the Churches.

During his aboad at Noremberge he heard the newes of the Expedition of Mauritius against the Emperor, in regard of the Lantgrave of Hassia who was detained captive. Wherefore Melancthon lef [...] Noremburge & returned again to Wittemberge. Many are of opinion that if he had been present at the said Councill, and had been suffred to declare his mind freely amongst them, he would have redified many of their judgements concerning matters of religion.

Being come unto Wittenberge he constantly went forward [Page] in his exercise of teaching, and preaching the word of God untill he fell into an irrecoverable disease, whereby his vitall spirits grew so feeble that he was made unfit for the performance of his pastorall office, and weaknesse increasing every day more and more upon him, he was constrained at the last to yeeld unto death; and in the midst of many heavenly prayers he surrendred his soul unto him that gave it, in the yeer of our Lord 1560. in the 63. yeere of hi [...] age, and after that he had preached the space of 42. yeeres unto the inhabitants of Wettemberge. Where he was buried with great sorrow and lamentation, being laid side by side with Luther.

For his excellent gifts he was not onely reverenced by Protestant Divines then living, but he also gained a singular approbation of such as were his professed enemies.

He was of a meane stature not exceeding the common sort of men, his forehead smooth and high, his haire thin, his neck long, his eyes beautifull and peircing, he was broad breasted, and in generall there was a proportionable agreement betwixt all the parts of his body; in his youth he stammered something in his speech, but reaching un [...]o a maturity of age, he so corrected that infirmity that it gave no offence unto his Auditors; the learned treatises which he left unto the Church (whose reformation both in doctrine and discipline, he greatly laboured for in his life) are here inserted.

Tome 1.

1. Commentaries on Genesis. 2. Explications on some Psalms. 3. Vpon the Proverbs.

Annotations on

4. Matthew. 5. Iohn. 6. 1 Corinthians. 7. An Apologie for Luther against the Paritians. 8. Anabaptistists. 9. Sentences of Fathers. 10. Of the qualification of Princes. 11. Of the tree of consanguinity.

Tome 2.

1. A Comment on Paul to the Romans. 2. School-notes on the Colossians. 3. Common places of Divinity.

[Page]

Tome 3.

1. A confession of Faith. 2. A Catechisme. 3. A method of Preaching. 4. Theologicall Disputations. 5. Of Vowes. 6. Of the doctrine of the reformed Church. 7. An Epistle to John Earle of Widae.

Tome 4.

1. Philosophicall workes. 2. Commentaries on Aristot. Ethicks. 3. Politicks. 4. An Epitome of Morall Phylosophy.

Tome 5.

1. A Latin Grammer. 2. A Greeke gram. 3. Logicke. 4. Rhetoricke. 5. Enarrations on Hesiods workes. 6. Arithmaticke. 7. Epigrams. These were printed by Hervagius; but there are divers others set forth by Christopher Pezelius,

As 1. An admonition to those that read the Alcaron. 2. A defence for the marriage of Priests. 3. Commentaries on Daniel. 4. A discourse on the Nicene Creed. 5. Luthers Life and Death. 6. School [...]-notes on Cicero his Epistles. 7. Translations of Demosthenes and Plutarch. 8. Greeke and Latine Epigrams. 9. Two Tomes of Epistles. 10. Carion his Cronologie [...]nlarged.

Would thy ingenious Fancy soare and flye

Beyond the pitch of moderne Poesye;

Or wouldest thou learne to charme the conquerd eare

With Reth'riks oyly Magik? wouldest thou heare [...]

The Majesty of language? wouldest thou pry

Into the Bowels of Philosophy,

Morall, or Naturall? Or wouldest thou sound

The holy depth, and touch the unfathom'd ground

Of deepe Theology? Nay, wouldest thou need

The Sisteme of all excellence, and feed

Thy empty soule with learning's full perfection:

Goe search Melancthons Tomes, by whose direction

Thou shalt be led to Fame, if his rare story

Can make thee emulous of so great a glory.

The Life and Death of John a Lasco, who died Anno Christi 1560.

[Page]

IOhn Lascus was born of a noble family in Poland, and brought up in learning: afterwards travelling to Tygure in Helvetia, he was by Zuinglius perswaded to betake himselfe to the study of Divinity: and when he might have been preferred to great honor in his owne Country, such was his love to Christ, and his Church, and such his hatred to Popery, that he chose with Moses to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather then to live in worldly honor, and peace amongst his friends: coming into Frisland Anno Christi 1542. he was called to be a Pastor at Embden, where he fed, and ruled his flock with great diligence: the yeere after, he was sent for by Ann the widdow of Count Oldenburg to reform the Churches in East-Frisland; and the next yeer after by Albert Duke of Prussia, but when he agreed not with him in judgement about the Lords Supper, the worke remained unperfected: about that time (the Emerour persecuted the Protestants) he was sent for by King Edward the sixth (upon Cranmers motion) into England, where he gathered, Preached unto, and governed the Dutch-Church, which remain's to this day. In the dayes of Queen Mary, he obtained leave to return beyond-Sea, and went with a good part of his Congregation into Denmarke: but there he found but cold entertainment, by reason of his differing from them about the Lords Supper: the Churches of Saxonie also rejected them, not suffering them to live amongst them upon the like reason: at length that poore Congregation found entertainment in Frisland, under the Lady Anne Oldenburg, and setled at Embdem: Anno Christi 1555. he went thence to Francford upon Main; where, with the consent of 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 [Page] 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 o [...]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 Franc [...], 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 S [...]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 beautif [...]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.

[Page]

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 [Page] 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 brak [...] 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 [Page] 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 [...]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 propositio [...], 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.

[Page]

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 Wolfang [...] 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 a Cooper, he was religiously given but of a meane estate, his mother was named Angela Sartoria descended from an honest and well esteemed Parentage, a woman endewed with zeale towards religion, with unspotted [Page] Chastity, and also with a singular wisedome; they were blessed with two sons Hammanus and this Wolfangus.

The former was brought up in his Fathers professions, the other appearing more ingenuous, and more fit for learning, he was set apart thereunto, which he prosecuted with such an ardent affection, that even in his tender yeeres, he would exercise himselfe continually in reading or writing, unlesse he were violently withdrawne from, and as it were with rains restrained from those actions.

Reaching unto that maturity of age, wherein he appeared fit for more solid studies, his father (furnishing him with some necessaries for the journey) sent him away unto other Schooles, wherein according to his owne desire he might attaine unto greater perfection: the reason why he sent him so slenderly furnished, was because he would have him to get his victuals by singing and beging from doore to doore, according to the custome of those times, who used (although rich) to thrust out their sons into the world after that manner, that by that meanes they might joyne patience, temperance and humility with their learning, fearing that if they should be tenderly and delicatly brought up, they would be more addicted unto, and sooner follow and imbrace Idelnesse and lust, then their studies.

Being sent away after this manner, he went into Alsatia, and taking a vew of some certaine towns in that Country, at the length he came unto Rappers [...]ill, where a well disposed widdow fixed her eyes upon him, and inwardly lamenting his outward misery, whose chearfull countenance promised a more favourable fortune, received him into her house, and according unto her ability sustained him (he frequented the School) untill such time as a generall and noble Gentleman living in the same place, had notice of him, who conferred extraordinary curtesies on him, for his maintenance at the Schoole, as he himselfe freely confessed.

Having continued here a certain space, he shaped his cours unto Selestadt, where he addicted himselfe unto the study of [Page] Poetry, wherein he proved excellent, to the great approbation of his Master, and in this course of study he continued, un [...]l he reached unto the age of 15. yeers.

Then having a desire to returne unto Dusa, to visit his Parents, he directed his course unto a Monastery and (lying in the Palatinate, founded by the Lords of Luzelstein, and consecrated to S [...]int Benedict) because he intended to visit his Aunt Sophia, living at Westreich, neere adjoyning unto the said Monastery, where he was lovingly entertained by her, who brought him the evening following with her into the Monastery, to behold the formes and customs of the place, in the performance of their divine exercises: where he adjoyned himselfe unto the Choristers, and sung his part with them, with such a comlinesse of gesture and pleasan [...] nesse of voyce, that the Prior was greatly affected towards him, intending to allure him if possible he could, to be [...] member of the said Monastery, and for that cause he diligently observes his going out at the end of prayers, and withall followes him close at the heeles, accompanying his Aunt, of whom he demanded whose son he was? and f [...]om whence he came? she forthwith replied, that he w [...] her sisters son, and that he was returning from School unto Dusa unto his Parents.

The Prior then turning himselfe unto Musculus he demanded of him how he liked a Monasterical life? and withall told him that if he would frame himself thereunto, he would use meanes that he should be admitted gratis into the Colledge, (which favour had as yet been conferred on none) and that he should be sufficiently provided of apparrell and lodging, and that he would esteeme him as hi [...] owne son.

His Aunt returned many thanks unto the Prior for thi [...] unexpected favour, promising that she would forthwith acquaint his Parents with the motion, and would also returne a speedy answer unto him, how they stood affected [...] so taking their leave of the Prior, they provided for Dusa, where arriving, she declared the kinde motions of the Prior; [Page] his Parents were exceeding joyfull of the news, & perswaded themselves that it was a blessing proceeded from God, and therefore they hasted again to return him to the P [...]ior, who lovingly entertained and received him into the number of his owne family, cloathed him wi [...]h an habit sutable to the Monastery, sent him unto the Bishop to be admitted (according to the custome) into his office, and lovingly esteemed him as if he had been his owne sonne, unill he died.

In this Monastery he continued for the space of fifteen yeers, which time he spent, not a [...] lazie and idle Monks commonly doe, but in the increasing and perfecting of his learning, sometimes perusing the works of Tully, somtimes reading the books of Ovid, and contracting them into a briefer volume, which worke was much applauded by Claudius Cantiuncula, a learned Lawyer in those times: Somtimes spending time in the Art of musick, wherein also he attained unto excellent knowledge; neither did he confine himselfe onely unto those studies, but passed from them unto Divinity, into which he entred about the twentieth yeer of his age, and being told by an old devout Monke, [...]hat if he intended to become a good Preacher, he must endeavour to be familiar with the Bible; he forthwith gave himselfe unto the reading of the Scriptures, reposing and laying up those things in his memory, which seemed unto him most usefull for future occasions.

A [...]d notice being taken of his knowledge therein, and of the ability of his parts, the office of a Preacher was imposed on him, and he was first designed unto the Church at Leixheim, belonging unto the jurisdiction of the Monastery; where his Auditors perceiving his excellent gif [...]s, [...]hey dispersed his fame, whereby he came to be called to the exercising of his gifts in many other Churches.

During his continuance in this exercise, many of Luthers books were dispersed through Germany, some of which were conveyed to him by an intimate friend of his, these he diligently perused and read day and night, and not with [Page] lesse benefit then labour, embracing the purest doctrin that he found therein, with great zeale; and would confer with his Colleagus many times about the same, stifly defending and maintaining that doctrin against their Culumnes, disdaining that aspersion of haeresie, which was by some of them fastned upon him; affirming that although Luther as he was a man, might erre in some points, yet he was not therefore to be pronounced an haeretick; neither did he vindicate this in the Monastery onely, but publickly he delivered the same for true and undoubted doctrine unto hi [...] Auditors, that for the same he was by many evill disposed persons stiled the Lutheran Monke.

But his desire of propagating the truth, wanted not (by the blessing of God) good successe; for besides many of his Auditors, he converted some of the Monks of the same Monastery, who afterwards forsooke that Cloyster life, and constantly professed the Gospell of Christ unto their lives end. He also converted many Noble men, and amongst them Reinhardus a Rottenburge Governour of the Castle at Lutzelstein, a man in great favour with the P [...]ince Elector Palatine.

In these proceedings he wanted not mighty and bitter enemies; for in the Monastery the Senior Monkes (who were deeply rooted in superstition) sharply opposed him, doing him all the mischiefe that they could: as for outward enemies they were not wanting; for the Bishops and Ments and Strasburge, had many times surprized him, had he not beene carefully protected by the foresaid Governour.

This Governour being willing to make triall of his constancy in the cause of Religion; on a time (during his abode under his protection) came to the Church where he wa [...] Preaching, guarded with some few Horsemen, and having altered his habit that he might not be known, he cals unto him after a bold threatning manner, and commands him to come forth out of the Church. Musculus supposing that they had been some sent from the Bishop to app [...]ehend him; [Page] he desired of them that they would give him leave to finish his Sermon, and then he would go with them whether soever they pleased; which being granted, he went forward in his Sermon, without making any shew of the least fear: his Sermon being ended, and he supposing that he should dye, he exhorted his Auditors u [...]to constancy, faith and piety; and withall desired them to poure out their prayers unto God for him, who was then ready to lay down his life for Christ; and so committed them all unto Almighty God (who were wonderfully astonished with this action) he came downe and yeelded himselfe into the hands of tho [...] who expected his coming.

Reinhardus admiring the undaunted courage of the man, discovered himselfe, and embracing him in his armes, exhorted him alwayes to retaine the same constancy, promising him sure defence, as long as he continued and resided within his liberties.

But Musculus perceiving danger to increase daily, so that he could not have liberty to make profession of the Gospell in that place, he resolved to forsake the Monastery, and to betake himself unto some place where he might with more freedome and lesse danger professe the same. He acquainted some of the Monkes which were his intimate friends with this resolution; they, by reason of the death of the Prior at that time, desired him to stay, and would willingly have conferred the government of the Monastery on him; but he knowing that that dignity would prove a hinderance unto that which he most aymed at, refused it, and willed them to bestow it on Brisacius. Before he departed he betroathed himselfe unto a Kinswoman of the said Brisacius; who also went together with him unto Strasburge, in the year 1527. and in the thirtieth year of his age; where according to the manner of that Church he was publickly married; the Minister bestowing a Wedding dinner on them in his owne house.

Here misery began to creepe more and more upon him, partly because of that little money wherewith he was furnished [Page] to sustaine both himselfe and his wife; and partly because there was no hope left unto him of getting any thing by Preaching; because many eminent persons were Silenced in the same City. Wherefore for the avoyding of further poverty, his wife turned servant, and he covenanted with a Weaver to doe him service for the space of two Moneths. Which action although that it ministred griefe unto him, yet casting himselfe upon God, he comforted himselfe with this distick:

Est Deus in coelo, qui providus omnia curat,

Credentes nunquam deservisse potest.

God by his foresight hath such order taken,

That true Beléevers cannot be forsaken.

This Weaver with whom he had Covenanted was an Anabaptist, who nourished in his house a teacher of that sect. Musculus perceiving his great hypocrisie & idlenesse, would sometimes object unto him those words of Paul, He that will not worke, let him not ea [...]. At which saying the Weaver was greatly offended, so as at the end of two Moneths he gave him his wages, and bad him be gone. Musculus was now compelled to seeke him a new Master; and it happened at that time that the Inhabitants of Strasburge imployed many labourers, about the scouring of the Ditch which invironed the City, and about the repairing of the breaches in the Wals. He agrees with the Master of the Worke, and towards night he walkes about the wals to view what place might please him best to worke in; which being done, he returned unto his wife, who certified him of better newes; and as God so disposed of a better work, and that was this, that a Messenger was in the house, who willed him to meet the Senate and Bucer in the Cathedrall Church. He much admired at the first what this should meane, yet forthwith he went; Bucer having notice of him, cals him unto him: he being no sooner come, the Councill commanded him to goe unto the Village called Dorl [...]ckzein, distant three miles [Page] from S [...]rasburge, and there to Preach the Gospell of Christ unto the People, and to exhort them unto Humility and Obedience.

At his first entrance upon this Cure, Bucer tooke him into his owne House, and made use of him for the writing of such things as he intended for the Presse. Afterwards, by the advice of the Ministers of Strasburge, he setled himselfe with his wife in the Village. The Inhabitants received him with all courtesie, freely offering him all things necessary for his house. Here he continued Preaching for the space of twelve moneths, receiving not any thing for his paine [...], which notwithstanding he performed without grudging: the reason was because the Abbot of Ho [...]enforst, who received the tithes of the Parish, refused to give him any money: Which being understood by those of Strasburge, he was bountifully relieved out of the common treasury.

Unto his preaching he also added the teaching [...]nd instructing of youth, whereby he gained the entire love of his parishoners, so that they received him as a grave father. Not far from this Villiage there was a Monastery dedicated unto St. Iohn pertaining unto the Dioces of the Bishop of Strasburg, wherin an ann [...]al feast of dedication was celebrated; at which a Monke, or some Masse Priest used to preach; Musculus at the entreaty of his neighbors went along with them to here the Sermon; the Monke discoursed on that saying of Saint Paul to the H [...]brews, that without faith it was impossible to please [...]od: & having delivered many things as touching the excellency of faith; at [...]he last, he bitterly enveighed against the Lutherans, and especially those of Strasburg, caling them deserters of the Catholick Faith. This railing act as it was pleasing unto the Monkes and Priests there present, so it grieved Musculus to hear the true professors thus scandalized. Wherefore at the comming downe of the Monke from the Pulpit, he goeth unto him, and uttereth these words, in the audience of the congregation. O thou wicked f [...]llow, stay here a while, and thou shalt hear me lay open thy wickednesse unto all this Congregation: & then ascending the [Page] Pulpit, he repeated againe the same words of Saint Paul [...] where he shewed unto them that by faith in that place, w [...] 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 desi [...]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 aspersion [...]. 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 intr [...]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 applau [...]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 h [...] was very unwilling to take upon him, urging his own inability; yet by th [...] 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 Church [...] after that he had taught here six weeks, he was called again unto the City to performe the office of a Deacon: during [Page] his residence in the City, he became an Auditor unto the Lectures of Wolfangus Capito and Martin Bucer, and also at vacant [...]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 Ausp [...]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 Anabaptis [...]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 Pap [...]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 [Page] 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 Prince [...] 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 o [...] 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, [...]he Senate and people as yet constantly retaining the pro [...]ssion of the Gospell.

[Page]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 street [...]; they wi [...]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 day [...]. But it so fel out that in the yeer following the Emperour had promulgated a book written concerning Religion called the Interim, which he would have to be embraced and confirmed by the States and Cities of the Emprie; which when he perceived that it was received by the Senate first, he publikly opposed it in the Church, and exhorted them to the constant profession of their former doctrine; and secondly he told them that he must be compelled to depart from them, in case they did refuse his motion: but he perceiving no hopes of altering their opinions after that he had taken his supper, he left the City, being accompanied onely with one Citizen, committing his wife and eight children which he left behind him unto the protection of the Almighty: and being without the Ports he chang [...]d his hablit, least through the same he might be discovered by his enemies.

And having turned a Wagon, he went toward Ti [...]urum, where he remained a few dayes with Bullinger, and from thence he departed and went unto Basil, unto Iohanner Hervagius; his wife followed immediatly after him, not knowing where to find him unlesse at Basil; wherefore when she came to Constance, for her assu [...]āce she sent letters by a trusty friend, whom she desired to certifie her husband of her aboade at Constance: the messenger finding Musculus at Basil delivered the letters, and forthwith returned unto Constance [Page] where he found his wife and children: upon the Lords day following he preached twice in the City, taking for hi [...] text, those words in Iohn the 6. ver. 66. From that time many of the Disciples went back and walked no more with him; Then said Iesus unto the twelve, I will yet also goe away, &c. from which place of Scripture he shewed unto them, how greatly those Cities did offend, which did fall from the truth of Christ for the favour of m [...]n; and withall he earnestly exhorted the people of Constance, not to follow the examples of such, but constantly to adhaere unto the truth taught by Christ in his Word: and this was the last Sermon that was Preached in the peaceable state of the Commonwealth; for the day following the Spanish Forces under the conduct of Alfonsus Vives beleagured the City; during the Siedge, by the perswasion of Ambrosius Blavrerus a reverend Pastor, Musculu [...] with his wife and children were conveyed out of the City with safety, and they escaped the fury of the enemies, intending to goe for Tigurum, but by reason of sicknesse, which seized on his wife, he was compelled to remain at Sangallum; after her recovery he went unto Tigurum, where he was joyfully received of the Inhabitants, with whom he continued six months, before he was called to performe his Ministeriall function; in which vacancy he was called by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, into England; but in regard of his owne age as unfit for travell, and in respect of the weaknesse of his wife, and the many children which he had, he modestly refused.

Not long after the Inhabitants of Berne were destitute of a Divinity Lecturer for their Schooles; wherefore he was called by the Senate unto that profession, which indeed was most welcome unto him, partly for the excellency of that Church and Commonwealth, and partly for the renewing of his acquaintance with his old friend Iohannes Hallerus. He entred upon this Lecture in the year 1549. and constantly continued in it for the space of fourteen years, to the exceeding benefit of the Church of Christ; opening in that space unto his Auditours almost the whole Bible. [Page] He naturally detested Contraversies, and would write his minde, without the injury or contempt of others; so that his Workes were opposed by no man in publicke during his life, onely those two Sermons excepted, which he Preached before the Princes at Wormes, which were opposed by Cochlaeus.

The great love which he carried towards the Inhabitants of Berne appeareth in this, that he refused great honour and ample Revenues, which were profered unto him during his Lectureship at Berne; for he was thrice called into England, seconded with large rewards: also the Inhabitants of Auspurge having againe obtained their former liberty, amongst other banished Ministers, they first recalled Musculus. He was againe desired by the Inhabitants of Strasburge; invited by Otho Henricus, and Fredericus Prince Elector Palatine, and by the Land grave of Hassia many times; but he modestly refused all these, though honourable calings: intending to performe his best service unto the end of his dayes, unto that City who had shewed and vouchsafed him such kindnesse in his greatest extremity; which indeed was truly performed.

Not long before his death he was sickly, partly by reason of his years; his body being spent with infinite cares and labours, & partly by reason of a vehement cold which did much afflict him; whereby he gathered that he was to leave that house of clay, and therefore setting all other things aside, he entred into a heavenly meditation of death; the sum of which he hath left unto the world, being written by himselfe before his death.

Nil super est vitae, frigus praecordia captat

Sed in Christe mihi vita parennis ad es.

Quid crepidas anima? ad sedes abitura quietis,

En tibi ductor adest, Angelus ille tuus.

Lingua domum hanc miseram, nunc in sua fata ruentem.

Quam tibi fida Dei dextera restituet

Peccasti? scio: sed Christus ardentibus in se,

[Page]Peccata expurga [...]sanguin [...] cuncta suo.

Horribilis mors est? fateor sed proxima vita est,

Ad quam te Christi gratia c [...]rta vocat.

Praesto est de Satana, pecca [...]a est morte triumph [...]s

Christus, ad hunc igitur; l [...]a alacrisque migra.

This life is done, cold Death doth summon me:

A life eternall I expect from thée

My Saviour Christ: why dost thou fear my Dove?

He will conduct thée to his throne above.

Forsake this body, this corrupted creature:

Thy God will change it to a better nature.

Dost thou abound with sin? I do confesse

That thou art guilty, and dost oft transgresse.

But Christ his blood doth wash and cleanse all those,

That can themselves in him by Faith repose.

Doth Death appeare an object full of horror,

Both ugly, ghastly, and not wanting terror.

I do confesse it, but that life againe

Which followes death doth take away that paine.

Unto which life we called are by Christ;

Then do no longer O my soule resist,

But yéeld thou with all chéerfulnesse to dwell

With him triumphing or'e Death, Sin and Hell.

Afterwards the strength of his sicknesse did increase by the addition of an Ague, wherby he was brought so weak, that he was not able to sit up right in his bed; wherefore he s [...]nt unto Master Iohannes Allerus and other Ministers, unto whom he declared the Faith which he dyed in; and withall, committed the care of his Wife and Children unto th [...]m; who told him that they would not b [...] deficient in any thing wherein they might shew themselves beneficiall and helpfull unto them.

As he was a man endewed with an extraordiry patience in his life, so he also testified the same during his sicknesse: [Page] for he [...] that affl [...]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 hi [...] 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 Sain [...] 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 con [...]i [...]ed. 10. Synopsis of the Scriptures out of Athana [...]iu [...]. 11. 140. questions out of the old and new Testament. 12. A Synopsis of Theodore Bishop of Tyre.

Ecclesiasti [...]all Histories.

1. Ten bookes of Eusebius of Ecclesiasticall affaires. 2. Five [...]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 Evagr [...]us. 7. Five of Polybius.

[Page]

'Twas 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) [...]

Proclaim the Truth, and would not let it rest

(Untill discover'd) in his serious brest [...]

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 [...] 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 [Page] about that time, and the six Articles pressed with rigor, he thought of returning into his own Countrey; fi [...]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 lo [...]'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.

[Page]

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, [...] man much esteemed of the Nobility inhabi [...]ing Aquitane, because he was a singular Politician, approving his judgment [Page] and advice touching the administration of the Commonwealth, desiring his presence whe [...]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 was observed that he was a sharp reprover of vice in his School-fellowes. These were sufficient [...]estifications unto his Father; wherfore when he came to some maturity of age, his father so wrought with the Bishop of Noviodun [...]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 Rober [...]us Olivetanus, (a man well deserving of the Fr [...]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 h [...] 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 [Page] perfection in that Art, so as he seemed in short time to be rather a teacher then [...]n Auditor, aud would many time [...] supply the places of the professors themselves; by which meanes he gained so great love in the Academy, that at hi [...] 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; besid [...] his daily exercises, he used to spend halfe the night in reading, & the morning following he would meditate awhile in his bed on that wch he had read; by wch constant watchfulness, as it was a means of furnishing him wth solid learning & wth 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 Alcia [...] who came out of Italy to be their publike Professor; whereupon Calvin le [...]t O [...]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 d [...]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, a [...] it a [...]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 Sermon [...], [Page] which were approved by him, with no lesse then an as [...]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 z [...]alous persons as desired a Reformat [...]on, & especially the love of Stephanus Forgeu [...], 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 Divini [...]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 b [...]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 O [...]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 Fortre [...]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 [Page] them many Letters which were sent by zealous p [...]sons unto him, whereby they also were brought into gre [...] danger of their lives; but they were all delivered by the meanes of the Queen of Navarre, who honourably receiv [...] and entertained Calvin in her house, and became an Audi [...]o [...] unto his Sermons.

Having continued here a while under the protection of the Queen, he shapes his course toward Neracum a City i [...] Aquitaine [...] to visit Iacobus Stapulensis, who was protected and defended by the Queene for the same cause, and therefo [...] placed in that City under her Dominion. This old man having a certaine relation from him how all things wen [...] 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 haere [...]i [...] 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 lif [...].

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: and the King was so enraged, by reason of certain writings opposing the Masse, which were scattered up and down the C [...] ty, and fastned unto the door of his Bed chamber, that aft [...] publick Prayers, he commanded (at the which he himself [...] was present, together with his three Sonnes, being bar [...] headed, and holding a burning Torch for expiations sake) eight persons, supposing to be guilty of that act, to be burned alive; and in the presence of the People, he bound hims [...]lfe with a solemn Oath, that he would not spare his own [Page] ch [...]dren, [...]f he should but know that they were infected with that most horrible and damned heresie.

Calvin beholding the miserable state and condition of things, resolved to leave France; revealing his intent unto an intimate friend of his, with whom he was formerly acquainted during his residence with the Queen of Navarre. Who, out of his singular affection unto Calvin, promised to accompany him in his journey; wherefore they forthwith prepare for Basil, committing their money unto the custody of one of their servants, who being well horst and espying an opportunity answering his wicked intent, leavs them to shift and to provide for themselves; and doubtlesse they had been driven into great distresse, had not the other servant furnished them with ten Crownes, which he h [...]d about him, by means whereof they came at length to Basil.

Here he found Symones Grinaeus and Wolfangus Capito, who received him with great joy, where he continued and gave himself unto the study of the Hebrew tongu: here he also set forth his Institutions, a laborious & learned worke, and well worthy of the Author, with a Preface most excellent unto the King of France, which if he had read, it had without doubt given a great wound unto the Popish religion: b [...]t the sins of that King and of that Nation were so great, and vengeance so near at hand, that leave was not given unto them by the Lord to peruse the same.

Having set forth this book, and in some sort performed his duty to his Country, he left Basil and went into Italy to visit the daughter of the King of France, a vertuous and a godly Princesse, whom he there confirmed and strenthned in her religiou [...] course of life, whereby she greatly affected him during the time of his life, and also made a kind testi [...]tion of the same unto the world after his death. Hence he returned againe into France, with an intent to goe for Germany, but in regard of the Wars, passages were shut up that he could not travell, and therefore he turned into Ge [...]eva, not thinking to mak any residence at all in that place, [Page] but by the observation of future actions, it is evident that he was guided thither by the hand of God: into this City, not long before his comming, the Gospell of Christ was wonderfully brought, and that by the labour and industry of two famous Divines, (viz.) Gulielmus Farellus somtime [...] Scholer unto Iacobus Stapulensis, and Petrus Viretus, whose labours were aboundently blessed by the Lord: Calvin going for to visit these Genevan lights, he was entertained by Farellus with a long discourse, and thereby discovering the excellency of his parts, desiring him to remaine at Geneva, and to be an ass [...]ant to him in that place for the advancing of the truth of Christ: but when he saw that Calvin could not easily be drawn and perswaded thereunto, and being a man of a bould spirit, he said unto him after a vehement manner, I pronounce unto thee in the name of the living and alpowerfull God, that unlesse thou joyne with us in this worke of the Lord, it will come to passe, that he will curse thee as one that seeketh more his owne then the glory of Christ.

Calvin being astonished with this terrible sentence and speech of Farellus, he forthwith submitted himselfe unto the pleasure of the Presbytery and Magistrates; by whose voyces and consent of the People, he was not onely chosen to be a Preacher, but was also designed to be their Divinity Lecturer, and graced with the title of Doctor, in the year 1536. which year also is remarkeable for that League concluded betwixt the Cities of Brene and [...]eneva, touching Divine Worship; and also for the conversion of the Inhabitants of Lausanna unto Christ.

The first thing which he attempted, after his admission into this City, was a more exact reformation in the Church; & for that cause drew a compendium of Christian Religion and forme of Doctrine, unto which he laboured to have the Inhabitants to subscribe, and to binde themselves by an Oath to abjure the supersticious Doctrine of Rome, and to defend the same with their lives. This motion was refused by many at the first, yet not long after (God so disposing) [Page] even in the year 1537. the Senate and people of Geneva, took their Oathes for the defence of the same.

The ground being thus laid, there wanted not enemies, and those bitter ones to oppose him in his proceedings; for first the Anabaptists began to sow their erronious opinions in the hearts of many, to the great detriment of the Church; but these were so confuted by Calvin in publick disputation appointed by the Senate, that scarcely any one of them appeared afterwards in the City. The other disturber of the peace and happinesse of that Church was, Petrus Caroli born at Sarbona; who, as she brought him forth an impudent Sophister, so she cast him out againe as a more wicked haeretick: being thence cast out he came to Geneva, accompanied wth the spirit of the Divel; when he saw himself to be sharply reproved of the Inhabitants, he went unto their en [...]mies, and from thence he returned unto Geneva againe, intending to leave behind him some expressions of his worse then diabolicall opinions; and for that cause he first began openly to accuse Farell, Calvin and Viret, of a misconceived opinion concerning the Trinity; wherupon a Synad was called at Berne, wherein that calumny of Petrus Caroli was condemned.

But that which strooke the greatest strok for the crushing of these hopefull beginnings, was the intestine dissentions and seditions in the City, who would not endure this new forme of Government; these Farell and Calvin, began first to correct with mild admonitions, and when they saw that would not prevaile they used more severe and sharper reprehensions, which many not brooking, the City came to be divided, and many renounced that Oath which they had formerly made; in respect of wch actions Calvin & Farell, with an undaunted courage openly protested, that they could not lawfully administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unto them, by reason of the disagreements amongst themselves, and by reason of their alienation from all Ecclesiasticall discipline.

There also happened unto this another evill, (viz.) a [Page] difference betwixt the Churches of Geneva and Berne, about some ceremonies; which because it could not presently be concluded on by the Synod at Lausanna, but was referred unto another appointed at Tigurum; the Commissioners unpatient of delay, assembled the people together, and perswaded then to command Farell, Calvin and Coraldus to depart the City within two dayes, because they had refused to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to them; which message when it was delivered unto Calvin he replyed; Indeed, if I had served men, I had been evilly rewarded, but now it shall goe well with me, because I have served him who will truely pay unto his servants that which he hath once promised.

Who could otherwise have thought but that this action would have proved fatall unto the Church of Geneva? yet the event manifested the contrary, & shewed that it came to passe by Divine providence, partly because that by exercising him with these trials, he might be the more fitter for weightier matters; and partly because he might purge that Church againe from many grosse and wicked errours. When that sedition had overthrown and sunk it selfe with its owne weight; so wonderfully doth the Lord appeare in all his workes, but more especally in the Governing and protection of his Church.

Some there were who greatly bewailed the departure of these faithfull Pastors, who also inwardly asmuch lamented the the miserable and wretched State of that City. From Geneva they went unto Tigurum, where a Synod was called to effect a reconciliation betwixt the Churches, and those of Geneva; being willed by an Embassadour sent from Berne to subscribe unto the decrees thereof, they would not condiscend thereun [...]o; whereupon Calvin left Tigurum and went unto Basil, where after that he had remained two or three dayes, he directed his course unto Strasburge, where he was called by the Senate, Bucer, Hedio, Capito, and many other reverend Pastors, to be the Divinity Lecturer in that City, which he did not only perform with the applause of all [Page] the learned, but also with the consent of the Senat he planted the French Church in that City.

Here Calvin remained untill the year 1541. in which year a Convocation was enacted by the Emperor at Wormes and Reinspurge, for the taking away of differences out of those Churches concerning Religion; at which Convocation Calvin was present, and unto this Assembly came also the Commissioners before mentioned, who perswaded and prevailed with the Inhabitants of Geneva for the casting out of Calvin out of the City; upon one of them God shewed a terrible example of vengeance in the same place; for being censured guilty of sedition, as he was about to save himselfe by escaping through a window, he fell downe headlong, and with the weight of his body he so crushed himselfe, that within few dayes after he dyed. Another of them being found guilty of murther, he had his head stricken off; the other two, by reason of their ill carriage in the affaires of that Commonwealth, were in their absence condemned and ejected by the Citizens.

During his abode at Strasburge, untill this Assembly called by the Emperour, the Church at Geneva was greatly afflicted with sundry opinions, which were brought into the City in the year 1539. by Iacobus Sadoletus, which notwithstanding tooke no deep rooting, Calvin by his letters in his banishment perswaded the contrary.

These Commissioners being thus taken away, as the fountaines of all sedition in the City, it pleased the Lord to worke a desire in the hearts of the Inhabitants of recaling Farel and Calvin into the City; but when they saw that they could not possibly recall Farel from Neocum, they send Embassadours with all speed unto Strasburge, making the Tigurines also their intercessours for the obtaining of Calvin.

The Inhabitants of Strasburge appeared unwilling to grant their desire, and Calvin himselfe; because he saw his actions to prosper and to be blessed of God; in that City refused also himselfe to goe unto Geneva, fearing least his [Page] proceedings should be again hindered by the like sedicious uproares.

The Embassadours were urgent, and followed their matter [...]o close, that at the last it was concluded that Calvin should againe to Geneva; but because he was to accompany Buc [...]r unto Reinspurge, his journey was deferred for a space, and they of Geneva procured Viret from Lausanna to Preach unto them, untill the returne of Calvin from Reinspurge; which fell out in the year 1541. where he was received with exceeding joy and gladnesse, not onely by the Senate, but also by all the Inhabitants; and he was again restored unto his Church.

But at his entrance againe, he told them, that he could not truly discharge his Ministeriall function, unlesse they would also entertain a Presbytery, strengthned with Ecclesiasticall discipline together with his Doctrin: unto which motion they consented; whereupon a Presbytery was chosen, their Offices were declared unto each of them: and unto this forme of Government they all subscribed.

The joyfull newes of Calvins comming unto Geneva again being spread abroad, it caused many godly minded persons to resort, some out of Italy, some out of England, some out of Spaine, unto the same place to be Auditors unto him: these increased unto that number, that there wa [...] not roome in the City to entertain them; and Calvin perceiving that ordering of all things in the City, would be a labour too weighty for him; he de [...]ired that he might have Farel and Viret adjoyned unto him; but it could not be granted; for Viret was returned againe unto Lausanna, and Farell was detained at Neocum; so as Calvin alone carries away the glory of that reformed Church.

It was Bezaes opinion concerning these three, that a compleat Pastor might be composed of them; taking boldnesse from Farel, eloquence from Viret, and solid substance from Calvin, every word appearing a grave sentence.

In the year 1542. Calvin was exercised with many laborious imployments; not onely concerning the affaires of [Page] Geneva, but also about the comforting and relieving of such as were banished their Countrey for the profession of the Gospell, and also by writing consolatory Letters unto them, for their confirmation and strengthning in the extremity of their afflictions: unto these also were added; first, a Famine: secondly, a Pestilence, both being predominant at one and the same time in Geneva. Now because the custome of the City was to place such as were infected, in a Pesthouse, for that cause erected without the City; one Blanchetus tooke upon him the charge of visiting the sicke; and Calvin by the command of the Senate was delivered from that action.

Then he turned himselfe unto the suppressing of such false Doctrine as crept into the Church for the eclypsing of the truth. And first he confuted that opinion of Petrus Tossanus, concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper: Then he confuted the Articles set forth at Sorbon. He overthrew Albertus Pighius concerning Free-will: refuted the opinion of Sebastianus Castellio, concerning the Song of Salomon, and caused him to be banished the City of Geneva.

In the year 1544. Carolus the fith, intending to make War against the French King, commanded a peace amongst the Churches in Germanie, untill such time as a generall Councell was called, which he promised should shortly be effected, and in the 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 b [...] these Letters, he sharply reprov [...]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 [Page] refuted the Anabaptists and Libertines, and that with such invincible arguments, that none reading and observing hi [...] 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, [Page] 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 increa [...]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 bu [...]nd alive in the same City.

[Page]The cause of Servetus being as yet in hand, one of the factious company, called Ber [...]lerius an impudent and wicked fellow, (whom the Presbitery had fo [...]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-wealt [...] 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.

[Page]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, Ridley, Latimer, and afterwards Cranmer, men of incomparable piety; whereby the propagation of the truth was hindred. There hapned also other causes of discontent, as the faction of some neighbouring Pastors, bewitched with the instigation of that Carmelite Bolsecus, who bitterly inveighed against him concerning Predestination; whereupon he obtained leave of the Senate to go unto Berne, to be censured by the Church concerning that point; in which censures the adversaries being found guilty, they were expelled & banished the Country; and he found favor, & was in great estimation amongst the best. In the year 1556. Calvin preaching in Geneva, he was taken so strongly with an Ague, that he was forst to leave in the midst of his Sermon, and to come downe from the Pulpit: upon this accident, newes was spread abroad concerning his death, which in short space came unto Rome, and it was so ioyfully entertained by the Pope, that he forthwith caused publicke prayers and thanksgivings to be dedicated unto God in all the Church for the same; but the prayers of the faithfull prevailed more; for he was so far from dying, that being as it were endewed with another life, he went unto France, fuet ad Maenum, being thereunto called for the removing the dissentions out of the Churches of France; whence returning, although somewhat sickly, yet he ceased not to execute his constant course in his Ministery; and also he carefully and timely confuted the hereticall opinion of Valentinus Gentilis, touching three Gods and three Eternals, lest by continuation it should take such root, that it would hardly be plucked up. And these were his actions untill the year 1558. wherein in pleased God to afflict him with a quartan Ague, which caused great sorrow and lamentation in Geneva; yet it continued with him but for the space of eight weeks; in which time it weakned and so enfeebled his body, that he was never sound untill the day of his death. During this sicknesse, he was [Page] advised by the Physitians and some of his friends, to forbeare his usuall exercises, and to cherish his body with a little ease; but he would not, declaring unto them, that he could not endure an idle life.

In the year following Henry King of France intended to levell Geneva with the ground, and to put the Inhabitants thereof to the sword; but before he could effect that bloody project, he was taken captive by a higher power; and the City still flourished, even in the midst of her enemies: and that nothing might be wanting unto her prosperous and flourish [...]ng state, Calvin caused a Schoole to be erected, and consecrated unto the great God, which should alwayes be furnished with learned Ministers and publicke Professours of the Arts and Tongues, and especially of Divinity; that so the City might enrich it selfe with its owne treasure.

In the year 1560. the Waldenses sent unto Calvin for his judgement concerning some points, wherein he gave them aboundant satisfaction, and exhorted them to joyne themselves with the other Protestant Churches. And at the same season, many Protestants in France, hearing of [...]he peace and quietnesse which the Church in England enjoyed at the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, many of them came into England, and desired of Edmund Grindal, [...] Lord Bishop of London, that they might have leave to s [...]d for a Preacher unto Geneva, for the planting of the French Church in London; who condiscended thereunto; Galas [...] was sent.

Calvin having spent his dayes hitherto in extraordinary labours (for his life may well be said to be a continued labour mixed with griefe, as appeareth by the Works which he wrote being at Geneva.) The time was now at hand in which he must goe unto his eternall rest; his diseases, contracted by his indefatigable labours, caused him to give over his Divine exercises; for indeed, how could he continue long? when as his body was by nature weake and leane, inclining to a consumption; and because he slept [Page] very little, spending almost all the year either in Preaching, Teaching, or Dictating; for ten whole years he never Dined, and after the set houre he would not receive his Supper. He was subject unto the disease called the Migram, for the curing of which he used nothing but fasting, and that sometimes for the space of six and thirty houres. After that his quartan Ague left him, he was troubled with the Gout taking him in his left legge; which to make it the more grievous was seconded with the Colick. The Physitians applyed what remedies they could, and he carefully followed their counsell. He was armed against these afflictions with an admired patience, no man ever hearing him uttering a word unworthy of himselfe in his greatest extremity, but lifting up his eyes unto heaven, he would chearfully utter the words of David, How long O Lord. When he was exhorted by his friends to desist from reading or writing in the time of sicknesse, he would reply, What? will you have the Lord finde me idle?

Not long before his death, some of his fellow Pastors coming accordingly as they used to visit him, they found him contrary to their expectation apparalled, and fi [...]ting at his Table in that forme as he used to meditate, resting his head on his hand, he spake these words unto them; I thanke you brethren for the care which you have over me; but I hope that within these fifteen dayes the Lord will reveale how he intends to dispose of me, and I thinke that I shall leave you, and be received of him.

Growing weaker and weaker, he was brought into the Senats Court by his command, where after an humble manner he thanked the Senate for the curtesies formerly conferred on him, and for the speciall care which they had of him in this his last sicknesse. Not long after he received the Communion at the hands of Beza, labouring the best that he could to joyne with the rest of the Congregation in singing of Psalmes unto God.

The day wherein he dyed, he seemed to speake somewhat heartily, but this was but the last strugling of nature, for [Page] about eight of the clocke apparant signes of death were seen; which being perceived of Beza, he ran forth to acquaint his other Collegues with it, but besure his returne he had quietly yeelded his soule into the hands of God, leaving such a chearfull countenance unto the beholders, that he seemed rather to be asleepe, then dead. Thus was that light taken away, even at the se [...]ting of the Sun. The day following, there was great lamentation throughout the City; the Church lamented for the death of her faithfull Pastor; the Schoole sorrowed for the losse of so famous a Doctor; and in generall, all were filled with mourning, because they were deprived of their onely comforter, next unto God.

Many of the Citizens desired to behold him after that he was dead, so great was their affection to him; and some strangers also whom the fame of Calvin had drawne unto that place, and amongst them the English Embassadour for France desired greatly to see him being dead; but it could not be granted, least it might raise a scandall on him amongst the Papists. He was buried in the common Churchyard, without any extraordinary pompe, and without any Grave-stone laid over him; for which cause Beza wrote these Funerall Verses:

Romae [...]uentis terro [...] ille maximus,

Quem mortuum lugent boni horrescunt mali;

Ipsa a quo potuit virtutem discere virtus,

Cur adeo exiguo ignotoque in cespite clausus,

Calvinus lateat; rogas?

Calvinum assidue comitata modestia vivum,

Hoc tumulo manibus condidit ipsa suis.

O te beatum cespitem tanto hospite!

O cui invidere cuncta possunt marmorae!

How happens it that this is Calvins share,

To lye under this little, unknowne pare [...]

[Page]Is not this he who living did appeare,

Decaying Romes continued dread and feare?

Whose death the godly doth with sorrow fill,

And at whose name the wicked tremble still?

Whose life was knowne to be so holy, cleare,

That vertue might have learn'd a lesson here?

'Tis true, but know that humble modesty,

Which in his life did him accompany:

That hath ordained this green and turfie cover,

On his deceased Corpes to be laid over:

But since thou coverest such an one as hee,

How can the Marbles all, but envy thee.

A little before his death, he delivered an excellent Oration unto the Senate, unto which was also added a serious exhortation unto all the Pastors of Geneva. His Workes which he hath set forth for the generall good of the Church, which are sufficient declarations of his worth are these which follow.

Commentaries upon the old Testament.

1. Vpon Genesis. 2. An Harmony upon the four bookes of Moses. 3. Vpon Iosuah. 4. Vpon the Psalmes.

Lectures.

1. Vpon Ieremiah. 2. Vpon the twenty one of Ezekiell. 3. Vpon Daniel. 4. Vpon the lesser Prophets.

Upon the new Testament

1. His Harmony on the Evangelists. 2. His Coment on the Acts. 3. On all Pauls Epistles. 4. On the Hebrews. 5. On Peter, Iames, Iohn, Iude.

His Sermons.

1. Vupon Deuteronomy. 2. Vpon the Decalogue. 3. Vpon Iob. 4. Vpon 119. Psalme. 5. Vpon the Canticles. 6. Upon 38. Chapters of Isaiah. 7. Vpon the eight last Chapters of Daniel. 8. Vpon the Nativity, Passion, Death, Resurrection, [Page] Ascention of Christ. 9. Vpon Gods Election and Providince. 10. Vpon the first of Kings. 11. Vpon Iosuah.

Other Works.

1. His institutions. 2. Vpon the Eucarist. 3. Vpon the victory of Iesus. 4. Genevaes Catechisme. 5. Of Reforming Churches. 6. Of Scandals. 7. Of Free-will. 8. Against Anabaptists. 9. Libertines. 10. Sorbonists. 11. Against Iudiciall Astrology. 12. Of Predestination. 13. Of a true Communicant. 14. Part of Seneca enlightened with a Commentary. 15. His answer unto Sadolets Epistle.

Had we but such Reformers in our dayes

As Calvin was, we should have cause to praise

.

Their bless endeavours; but alas our Times

Are daily acting (not Reforming) Crimes;

Heroick Calvins heart was alwayes true

To truth, and still would give the Church her due,

His soul was truely willing to take paines,

More for the publicke good, then private gaines.

His life was fil'd with troubles, yet his mind

(Even like the glistring Glow-worme) alwayes shin'd

Brightest, when most surrounded with the night

Of sad afflic [...]ions; Calvins whole delight

Was in the law of God, from which his heart

Being steel [...]d with truth, could not be mov'd to start.

The Life and Death of William Farellus, who dyed Anno Christi 1565.

WIilliam Farellus was born in the Delphinate of a Noble family, Anno Christi 1589. and sen [...] to Paris to be brought up in learning, and was one of the first that mad [...] a Publick Profession of the Gospell in France: but w [...]en persecution arose, he fled into Helvetia, where he grew in [...]o [Page] [...]amiliarity with Zuinglius, [...]ec [...]lamp [...]dius [...] and Hall [...]rus. Anno Christi 1524. he went to Basil, where he prof [...]rred a publick Disputation with the Popish Divines of that place, but the Masters of the University would not suffer it, till the Senate interposing their autohrity, and then Farellus set up his Theses publickly, which he also maintained by desputation: but the Bishop and his Associates drove him from Basil: from thence he went to Mont-pelier, and to some other places, where he Preached the Gospell with so much fervor and zeal, that all might see that he was called of God thereunto. He coming to Metin Preached in the Chuch-y [...]rd belonging to the Dominicans, who by ringing their be [...]l [...] thought to have drowned his voice, but having a strong voyce, he did so thunder it out, that he went on audably to the end of his Sermon. Anno Christi 1528. he, with Virete went to Geneva, where they planted the Church, and propagated the Gospell; and where, by his earnest obt [...] station, Calvin was forced to make his aboad. Anno christi 1553. the Genevians, though they owed themselves to him, yet were carried on with such fury, that they would have condemned Farell to death. And afterwards they did such things against him, that Calvin wished that he might have expiated their anger with his blood. And from thence he went to Neocome, where he discharged his Pastorall office with singular diligence and zeal. When he heard of Calvins sicknesse, he could not satisfie himselfe, though he was seventy years of age, but he must goe to Geneva to visit him. He survived Calvin one yeare and odd Moneth, and dyed age 76. years, anno christi 1565. He was very godly, learned, innocent in life; exceeding modest, stout, and sharp of wit; and of such a strong voyce, that he seemed to thunder in his speech; and so fervent in Prayer, that he carried his Hearers into heaven with him.

Renowned Farell liv'd a life,

Not spotted with the staines of strife:

[Page]He lov'd the thoughts, the name of Peace

His vertues had a large encrease;

Earth was his scorn, and Heav'n his pride:

In Peace he liv'd, in Peace he dy'd.

The Life and Deoth of Vergerius, who dyed Anno Christi 1565.

PEter Paul Vergerius excellently learned both in the Law, and Popish Divinity: he was sent by Pope Clement the seventh, as his Legate into Germany to improve his uttermost abilities to hinder a Nationall Councill: where accordingly he bestirred himselfe to hinder and endamage the Lutherans, and to encourage the Popish Divines in opposing of them. Anno Christi 1534. Paul the third sent for him to Rome to give him an account of the state affairs in Germany: after which he sent him back into Germany, to promise the Princes a Generall Councill to be held at Mantua, but withall to perscribe such rules about coming to it, as he knew the Protestant Divines would not accept of: he had in charge also to stir up the Princes mindes against the King of England, and to profer his Kingdome to whosoever would conquer it, and to try if by any meanes he could take off Luther, and Melancthon from prosecuting what they had begun. Anno Christi 1535. he was called home againe by the Pope, and when he had given him an account of his Legation, he was sent presently to Caesar to Naples, to stir him up to take Armes against the Lutherans. Anno Christi 1537. he was againe sent into Germany; and also Anno Christi 1541. to the Convention at Wormes: after which he was called back to Rome, and the Pope being to make some Cardinals, intended to make Vergeri [...] one, but some suggested that he had been so long in Germany that he smelled of a Lutheran, which made the Pope [Page] to alter his purpose, which when Vergerius heard of, he went into his owne Country, purposing to clear himselfe by answering some of Luthers books; but it pleased God, that whilst he read them with an intent to confute them, himselfe was converted by them; whereupon he retired himself to his brother the Bishop of Pole, and communicated his thoughts to him: his brother at first was much as [...]onished, but after a while was perswaded by him to read, and study the Scriptures, especially in the point of Justification by Faith, whereby it pleased God that he also saw the Popish Doctrines to be false, and so they both became zealous Preachers of Christ to the people of Istria: but the Divell stirred up many adversaries against them, especially the Fryars, who accused them to the Inquisitors: whereupon Vergerius went to Mantua to his old friend Cardinall Gonzaga: but there he could not stay in safety, whereupon he went to the Councill of Trent to purge himselfe: but the Pope by his Legate, stopt him from being heard there: from thence he went to Venice, and so to Padua, where he was a spectator of the miserable condition of Francis Spira; which so wrought upon him, that he resoved to leave his Country, and all his outward comforts, and to goe into voluntary exile, where he might freely professe Christ; and accordingly he went into Rhetia, where he Preached the Gospel sincerely, til he was called from thence to Tubing, by Christopher Duke of Wurtenburge, where he ended his dayes, Auno Christi 1565.

Those Popish errours which at first bore sway

In our Vergerious heart, were chast away

By the encreasing sun of truth; his minde

(Which was before all drosse) was refin'd:

And from a cruell enemy; became

A perfect friend, and boldly would proclaime

The reall truth; fear'd not to be withstood.

Thus brave Vergerius turn'd from bad, to good.

The Life and Death of Strigelius, who dyed Anno Christi 1569.

[Page]

VIctorine Strigelius was born at Kausbita in Switzerland Anno Christi 1524. his fath [...]r was Doctor of Physi [...]k, who died in his sons infancy: when this S [...]igelius was fit for it, his friends finding him of a prompt and ready wit, they set him to School in his owne Country, where he quickly drunk in the first rudiments of learning, and so Anno Christi 1538. he went to the University of Friburg, and having studied the Arts there for a while, An. Christi 1542. he went to Wittenberge where he was inflamed by God with an ardent desire to know the Doctrin of the Reformed Churches: for which end he diligently attended on Luthers and Melancthons Lectures, and wholly framed himsel [...] to the imitation of Melancthom. Anno Christi 1544. he Commensed Master of Arts, and by the perswasion of Melancth [...] he taught a private Schoole at Win [...]enberg, where he did much good, and gat himselfe great repute: But when th [...] Wars in Germany waxed hot, he left Wittenberg, and went to Magdeburge, and from thence to Erphurd, where he published some Orations being about twenty two years old. Anno Christ 1548. he went thence to Ienes, and their h [...] Preached, and the year after married a wife, which lived with him but two years. Anno 1553. he maried againe: whilst he continued there he had diverse disputations with Major about Good Works: and with Flacius; but An. 1559. the Flacians prev [...]iled so far, that he and Aquila the Pastor of Ienes were both cast into prison, the marks whereof he carryed to his grave. In Prison he fell very sick, insomuch as the Prince suffered him to goe unto his owne hous [...], but yet made him [...] Prisoner there: Christopher, Duke of Wurtenburg, and Philip Lantgrave of H [...]sse mediated for his release, and yet could not obtaine it: but at last the Emperor Maximillian (interposing his authority) procured it, after he [Page] had been a prisoner abov [...] three year [...]. But perceiving that he could not be in s [...]f [...]ty in that place, h [...] resolved to depart, which the University understanding, wrote to him, earnestly importuning his stay: to whom he returned thanks for their love, but told them withall, That his life was in con [...]inuall danger by reason o [...] false brethren, and therefore he wa [...] resolved to go [...] where he might do more good: and acco [...]dingly from thence he went to Lipswich, where he sp [...]nt his time in writing upon the Psalmes: and having it lef [...] to his choyce whether to stay at Lipswich, or to go to Wittenberg (being sent for thither) he chose to stay where he was, and was chosen Professor of Divinity in that University: There he continued his Lectures till An. Christi 1566. at which [...]im [...] he came to deliver his judgement about the Lords Supper: wher [...]upon, by the command of the Rector of the University, the doors of the Colledge were shut against him, and he not suffered to read an [...] more: yet they would have restored him to his place, if h [...] would have promised to meddle with that point no more: but refused to make any such promise, and withall com [...]plained to the Elector of Saxonie of the wrong don unto him, from whom he received a sharp answer; and therefore leaving Lipswich and went to Amberg in the upper Pala [...]inate, where, after a short stay, he rec [...]ived letters from the Elector Palatine, and the University, inviting of him to Heidleberge, whither he presently went, and was made Professor of Ethicks: in which place, he took very great pains both in reading his Lectures, and Writing: But his body having contracted some diseases by his former imprisonment. Anno Christi 1569. he fell very sick, whereupon he said, Sperare se finem vitae su [...] adesse, &c. That he hoped that his life was at an end, whereby he should be delivered from the fraud, and miseries of thi [...] evill world, and enjoy the blessed presence of God, and his Saints to all Eternity; and acordingly presently after he quietly departed in the Lord, Anno Christi 1569. and of his Age 44.

[Page]

When a resolved heart is once inflam'd

With heavenly motions, t'will not be reclam'd

By easie termes, because a faithfull breast

Is fil'd with Heaven, & Heaven is crown'd with rest [...]

And had not stout Strigelius his heart

Been steel'd with courage, he had felt the smart

Of a bad conscience; but he still persisted

In what was good, and would not be resisted:

Those wrongs and iniuries which he endur'd

On earth, was by Heav'ns grand Phisitian cur'd.

The Life and Death of John Brentius, who dyed Anno Christi 1570.

IOhn Brentius was born at Wile in Sweveland, Anno Christi 1499. his father was Mayor of that City 24. years, who carefully brought up his son in learning: and at eleven years old sent him to Heidleberg to Schoole, and at thirtee [...] yeers old he was admitted into the University: and at fifteen he commensed Batchelor; there also he studied Greek and Hebrew; and was so studious, that he usually rose [...]t midnight to his Booke; whereby he contracted such [...]n h [...]bit, that he could never after whilst he lived, sleepe longer then till midnight; the rest of the night he spent in holy Medita [...]ions. And in his old age he had a candle by hi [...] bedsid [...], and deceived the time by writing and meditation. Partly by his diligence, and partly by his acute wit and strong memory, he profited so much both in the Art [...] and Tongues, that at eighteen years old he was made Master of Arts. About this time Luthers Books coming abroad, Bren [...]ius, by reading of them, came to the knowledge of the Truth, which he willingly embraced. And being desirous to p [...]opagate it to others, he began to read upon Matthew, fir [...]t to some friends of his own Colledge, but his Auditor [...] encreasing out of other Colledges, he was fain to read in [Page] the publick School [...]; for which the Divines hated him, because he grew so popular, say [...]ng; That nei [...]her was the place fit for Divinity Lectures, nor he fit for such a worke, being not yet in Orders. Wherefor [...] to take away that objection, he entered into Orders, and Preached often for other men, to the great delight of his Hearers. From thence he was called to be at Pastor at Hale in Sweveland, where his gravity, gesture, phrase, voyce and Doctrine did so plea [...]e the Senate, that though he was but three and twenty years of age, yet they chose him to that place; and he carried himselfe with such gravity, holinesse of life, integrity of manners, and diligence in his Calling, that none could contemn his youth: and the Lord so blessed his labours there, that many were converted to the Truth; yea, amongst the very Popish Priests, som of them were converted, others l [...]ft their places for shame, and went elsewhere. He used much modesty and wisdome in his Sermons; and when (in the beginning of his Preaching there) the Popish Priests railed exceedingly upon him and his Doctrine, and the People expected that he would answer them accordingly; he, contrariwise, went on in teaching the fundamentall points of Religion, and as he had occasion he confuted their Errors without bitternesse from clea [...]e Scripture arguments; whereby in time he so wrought upon them, that he brought them to a sight of their Errors, and to a detestation of their Idolatry.

About this time Muncer, and his companions rose up, and stirred almost all the Boor [...] in Germany to take Armes against the Magistrates and rich men; abusing Scripture to justifie their proceedings; whereupon Brentius was in great danger, for many cried out, that his opposing of Popery and casting out the old Ceremonies, was the Cause of these tumults: and when as the Boors in Hale were risen up, and threatned to besiege the City of Hale, the Magistrates and Citizens were in such fear, that they were ready to slye, or to joyne with the Boors: but Brentius encouraged them, and told them, That if they would take Armes, and defend [Page] their City, God would assist them, &c. And so it came to passe, for six hundred Citizens beat away foure thou [...]and of those Boors. He also published a Booke, in confutation of their wicked opinions; and shewed how dissonant they were to the Word of God.

Presently after rose up that unhappy cont [...]n [...]ion between Luther and Zuinglius, about Christ's presence in the Sacrament, which continued divers years, to the great disturbance of the Church, scandall of the reformed Religion, and hinderance of the successe of the Gospell: and when a conference was appointed for the composing of that differance, Luther, Brentius, and some others met with Zuingli [...] and some of his friends; but after much debate, they p [...]ted without an agreement.

Anno 1530. was the Diet held at Auspurg, unto which the Protestant Princes brought their Divines with them, and amongst others Brentius; at which time George Marquess [...] of Brandenburg told the Emperour, That he would rath [...]r shed his blood, and lose his life, or lay downe hi [...] necke to the heads-man, then alter his Religion. Here the Divine [...] drew up that famous Confession of Faith, which, from the place, is [...]alled the Augustine-Confession. Brentius, at his [...]eturne home married a Wife, famous for her chastity, modesty and piety, by whom he had six children. Vlric [...] Prince of Wurtenburg, intending to reform Religion in hi [...] Dominions, thought it the best way first to reform the Universitie of Tubing, and considering where he might have a fit man for so great and difficult a worke; he at last resolved upon Brentius, whom he sent for; and who, with much diligence, prudence, and fidelity accomplished the same.

In the year 1547. the Emperour with his Army coming to Hale, Brentius hoping to prevail with the Captaine th [...] no Souldiers should be quartered in his House; but when h [...] came home, he found the souldiers beating at his door, and ready to break it down; and when they perceived that Brentius was M [...]ter of that House, one of them set an Halbert [Page] to his brest, threatning to kill him, if the doore was not presently opened. Whereupon they were let in, and he caused meat and drinke to be prepared for them, and in the mean time conveyed away all his papers; and when he saw the fury and rage of the souldiers, he conveyed himselfe and family out at a back door. The next day came a Spanish Bishop with his train, and putting forth the souldiers, he quartered in Brentius his house, searched his study, looked over his papers and letters, and finding some letters to his friends, wherein he justified the Protestant Princes in taking Armes against the Emperour, he presently carried them to the Emperour; whereby Brentius was in great danger, and was fain to hide himselfe in a very high Tower, and not being safe there, he changed his apparell, left his wife and children, and with one onely companion passed through the Spaniards safely, and wandred up and down the fields all that night. But when the Emperor was removed with his Army, he returned to Hale again.

In the year 1548. when Caesar had published his Booke, called the Interim, the Protestant Princes and Magistrates required the judgements of their Divines upon it: and the Magistrates of Hale desired Brentius to tell them his judgement; who when he had considered it, told them, That it was a wicked Booke, and altogether contrary to the Scriptures, and that he would lose his life before he would assent to it. This coming to Caesar's eares, he sent a Commissary to Hale, charging him to bring Brentius to him, either alive or dead: when the Commissary came thither, he insinuated himselfe into Brentius his acquaintance, invited him to his Table, perswaded him to walke abroad with [...]im, having prepared Horses to carry him away, but that succeeding not, he called the Senate together, and having sworn them to keep private what he should tell them, he imparted his Commission, telling them how acceptable it would be to the Emperour, if they would send to him Brentius; but if they refused, the Emperour would destroy their City, &c. It pleased God that whilest he was thus [Page] perswading the Magistrates, there came in one later then his fellowes, and the Commissary not minding it, did not tender the Oath to him; so when they were dismissed, this man wrote to Brentius; Fuge, fuge, Brenti, cito, citius, citissime: which note was brought him as he sate at supper: having read it, he told his Family that he must goe forth upon businesse, but would return ere long. As he was going out of the City he met the Commissary, who asked him whither he went? He answered, To a sick friend in the Suburbs who had sent for him: Well (said the Commissary) to morrow you must dine with me. He replyed, God willing, and so they parted. Being thus escaped, he hid himselfe in a thick Wood, and for some weeks together he lay in the Wood all day, and every night came into a Villege to a friends house where he lodged; he wrote also to the Magistrates of Hale that if they could and would protect him, he was ready to come back, and not to forsake his flock, but if they could not, he did not desire that they should indanger themselves for his sake: They answered, that they could not protect him, and therefore left him free to goe whither he pleased. Presently after Vlricus Prince of Wurtenburge invited him to him, and ordered him to be so private that he himselfe might not know where he was, that if he was asked, he might safely deny his knowledge of him: yet upon suspicion, his Castle was searched, but Brentius was in another place, where in his retirement he wrote a Comment upon the ninety third Psalm: afterwards he went to Basil, as to a safer place, where his wife dyed of a Consumption: from thence he removed to the Castle of Horrenburge in the Hyrcinian Wood, where he changed his name, and gave out that he was the Keeper of the Castle: and whilst he was there, he frequented the Sermons in a neighbor towne, where the Minister used to spin out his Sermons to a great length: whereupon Brentius took occasion modestly to tell him of it; to whom the Minister answered, You Castle-keepers think all time too long at Church, but no time too long that you spend in drinking: [Page] Brentius smiling at it, said no more. Whilest he was there, he perfected his Comment upon Isaiah, and some other Works: afterwards he had great profers made him by the Citizens of Magdeburge, by Edward the sixth King of England, and by the Duke of Broussia, but he refused them all, and thus continued in banishment for the space of two years. Anno Christi 1550. Vlricus Duke of Wurtenburg dyed, and his son Christopher succeeding, he resolved to restore the Ministers which were driven away by the Interim to their Charges within his Dominions, and to perfect the Worke of Reformation: and for that end, sent for Brentius and kept him in his Castle of Stutgard that he might have his advice and assistance in carrying on of that work: neither was he discouraged by the admonitions of the Princes and Bishops, nor by the threats of the Garrisons that were about him: but caused Brentius to write a Confession of Faith, and of the Doctrine of Christian Religion, and [...] bout the chiefe points in Controversie, which he intended to send to the Councill of Trent: about that time Brentius married againe, one Catharine Isenmam a choise woman, who was a great comfort to him all the rest of his life, by whom also he had twelve children: the year after the Pastor of Stutgard dying, Brentius was chosen in his room: in which place he continued all his life, and carryed himselfe with much sedulity, piety and prudence in the same. Anno Christi 1557. he was sent by his Prince to the Conference at Worms, which came to nothing, because the Popish party would not suffer that the Scripture should be [...]he Judge of their Controversies. In his old age he wrot upon the Psalmes: and whereas there were many Monasteries in Wur [...]enburge, out of wch the Fryars were driven, he perswaded his Prince to turn them to Schools for the training up youth in learning, which was accordingly don, and once in two years Brentius visited those Schools; and tooke notice how the Scholars profited in learning, and encouraged them to make a daily progresse therein: he had almost finished his Comment upon the Psalmes when as his old age, worn out [Page] with studyes, and labors, put a period unto the same, and his end was hastned by grief for the immature death of hi [...] Prince, for whom he professed that he would willingly have sacrificed all his estate, and his owne life also. Falling in [...]o a Fevor whereby he perceived that his end approached, he made his Will, wherein he set downe a Confession of his Faith: and sending for the Ministers of Stutgard, he caused his Son to read it to them, & requested them to subscribe their hands as witnesses to it: he also received the Sacrament, and exhorted them to unity in Doctrine, and love amongst themselves: he was exceeding patient in all his sicknesse, neither by word, nor gesture shewing the least impatience: alwayes saying, That he longed for a better, even an eternall life: the night before his death he slept sweetly, and when he awaked, the Minister repeated the Apostles Creed, and asked him whether he dyed in that Faith, to whom he answered, Yea: which was his la [...]t word, and so he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi 1570. and of his Age 71. He was buried with much honor, [...]nd had this Epitaph:

Voce, stylo, pietate, fide, candore probatus

Johannes, tali Brentius ore fuit.

With voice, style, piety, faith, candor grac'd,

In outward shape, Iohn Brentius was thus fac'd.

Toss'd in the ship of fortune B [...]entius sail'd

From place, to place, his courage never fail'd;

But with resolved Constancy, he bent

His minde to suffer, free from discontent:

The rage of Papists could not make him yeeld

To their desires; True vertue was his shield;

The strength of his afflictions added strength

Unto his soul, his suffrings had no length

Except of dayes, and them he knew to be

B [...]t servile Subjects to Mortality:

Thus like a patient sufferer he fled

From earth, to heaven, and there repos'd his head.

The Life and Death of Peter Viretus, who dyed Anno Christi 1571.

[Page]

PEt [...]r Viretus was born in the Country of the Bernates, brought up in learning at Paris, where he began to be acquainted with Farellus: from thence he went to Lusanna, where he was chosen Pastor, and spent much of his time in teaching, and writing there: and when Calvin was sent to the Conference at Worms Anno Christi 1541. and from thence to Ratisbone, he obtained of the Senate of Lusanna that Viretus should supply his place at Geneva til his return: and when he came backe he much importuned that Viretus might still continue there, affirming that it would much conduce to the good of the Church at Geneva to enjoy his labours: but he would needs return to Lusanna to his former charge: yet afterwards, at the earnest entreaty of the French Churches, he went to Lions; where, in the middest of the Civill Wars, and the Pestilence which followed, he, with his Collegues, governed the Church with much prudence: till, by the Jesuits means, there was a Proclamation sent abroad that none but such as were Native French should be Preachers in the Protestant Churches: then at the request of the Queen of Navar he went to Bern, where he continued untill his death, which was in the year 1571. and of his Age threescore. He was much bewailed of all good men: wh [...]est he lived he was of a very weake constitution, & the rather by reason o [...] poyson which a Priest had given to him at Geneva; as also because of some wounds that he had received from a Priest in another place, where he was left for dead. He was very learned, of a sweet disposition, and so exceeding eloquent, that he drew many to be his Hearers which were no friends to Religion; and they were so chained to his lips, that they never thought the time long wherein he Preached, but alwayes wished his Sermons longer. At Lyons, which was a populous City, [Page] he Preached in an open place, a [...]d turned some thousands to the Truth and Faith in Christ: yea, some that passed by, with no purpose to heare his Sermon, he did so wo [...]ke upon them, th [...]t they neglected their other businesse to harken to him.

Reader, observe the Malice of his Foes,

Who having not the wisedome to oppose

Brave Viretus by arguments; thought fit

To labour with a diabolick wit

To work his ruine; first by poyson they

Contriv'd his fall; but poyson scorn'd to bey

Their base desires, which made them rage and swell,

Into a madnesse, till advis'd by Hell

To a more speedy way, which soone took place

Within their hearts; being destitute of grace

They thought it good to imploy a Papist, whose arme

Was ready to performe what might prove harme

To harmelesse Viretus, and with a knife

(As they suppos'd) depriv'd him of his life:

But God (the great abhorror of such crimes)

Preserv'd rare Viretus for better times.

IOHN IEVELL.

The Life and Death of John Jewell.

[Page]

IF ever any were happy in the imposition of names in those whom they dedicate to God at the Font, certainly they were who christned this holy and learned man Iohn Iewell; for his rare and admirable part [...], and both naturall and supernaturall gifts were every way corresponding to his gracious and precious name. According to his christian name Iohn signifying gra [...]e, he was a gracious instrument of Christ, to reforme the gold of the Sanctuary, which through the negligence or impiety of later times became dim and drossie with superstition. And according to his surname he was a rich Iewell, consisting of many Gems, shining as well in his life, as his incomparable writings [Page] extant, almost in all languages. This great Clerke was borne at Berrenber, in the County of Devon: of which it may truly be said as it was sometimes of Hyppo, that Hyppo was more ennobled by great Saint Austine, then Saint Austine by little Hippo. For his education, it was first in Morton and after in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford. The former hath proved a famous nursery of Phylosophy and Schoole Divinity; the latter of the knowledge of Tongus and polite literature; in both which our Iewell shewing by his golden thighs what flowers he most sucked and longest sat upon; excelled for an acuter Disputant, an eloquenter Oratour, a more universall Schollar, and every way an accomplished Divine the Church hath not had for many hundreds of years.

The first glistering of this Iewell was in the Rhetoricke Lecture conferred upon him in Corpus Christi Colledg, when he was yet but Batchelor of Arts. This Lecture he read with such facility and felicity, that all his Auditors perceiving that he spake potius ex arte, than de arte rhetorice; rather from an excellent faculty he had in that flexanimous Art, then of the Art it selfe. Neither were these his Lectures onely strewed as it were with flowers of Rhetorick, but richly fraught with all varietie of humaine Learning; which drew many Auditors unto him from other Colledges, and among them his Tutor Master Parkhurst, afterwards Bishop of Norwitch, who tooke great delight to behold the sparklin [...] of that Diamond, which himselfe had first pointed; and h [...] could not containe his joy, but vented it on the sudden in this extempore Disticon:

Olim discipulus mihi chare Juelle fuisti,

Nunc ero Discipulus te renuente tuus.

Dear Iewell whilome Schollar thou wert mine,

But now against thy will I will be thine.

This his fame and love abroad purchased him envy and hatred at home; for he found shortly after to his cost, th [...] [Page] truth of the Philologist his observation concerning truth, vertue and curtesie, three of the best Mothers, are often delivered of three of the worst Daughters; truth of hatred, curtesie of contempt, and vertue of envie; Vrit enim fulgore suo; the glory of eminent worth dazelleth the infirme eyes of worthlesse men; such, as at this time the seven Seniors and Officers of that Coledge were; who as the Patriarks moved with envie, sold Ioseph into Egypt; so they, sicke of the same malady, expelled Iewell out of the House, more to their owne discredit and disadvantage, then to his. For soone after his expulsion, they found a great misse of him in the education of their Youth; and his greatest enemies who cloaked their envie for the present, with pretended zeale for the Romish religion, yet after were heard to speak thus of him within themselves, we should love thee if thou wert not a Zuinglian; though we believed Iewel that thy Belief is not sound, yet in thy life thou art an Angel. Neither was this all, but when Master Welch Dean of the Colledge made his brags before Doctor Brooks, sometimes Fellow of that Colledge, but then Bishop of Glocester, that they alone had kept safe their rich Copes, [...]ushens, Plate, and other Ornaments of their Chappell. ‘It is true, quoth Doctor Wright, Arch-deacon of Oxford, standing by, you have saved them, but you have lost a more precious Ornament of your house, your Iewel.’

But the best was, what the Colledge lost, the University found; and of a private Lecturer, made him their publick Oratour, and for the substraction of his maintainance by the losse of his Fellows place in the Colledge, that defect was abundantly supplyed by the bounty of some of his Schollars Par [...]nts, who procured for him, and conferred upon him a good Benefice neer Oxford. And now he grows in estate and fame in the University, and grace with all the Heads of Colledges and Hals; but especially he was precious in the eyes of the most renowned Doctor of the Chai [...], Peter Martyr, by whom he was presented Batchelour of Divinity; and now nothing seemed to stand in his way from [Page] orderly ascending to higher degrees and preferment in the Church. But the face of the skye is not more changeable then the condition of our estate in this world, all the fair weather we spake of but now was overcast in a moment; for by the untimely death of Edward the sixt, and by the succeeding advancement of Queen Mary to the Crown, a bitter storm of persecution fell upon the newly reformed Church of England, and blew away many of our prime Doctors, and other men of eminent worth, and among them our Iewel, who now banished from his native Soyl, found yet great comfort in conversing, first at Frankeford with Sir Francis Knowls and his eldest Son, Robert Horn, and Edward Sands, and afterwards at Argentine with Iohn Poynet, Edmund Grindall, Iohn Cheek, Anthony Cook, Richard Morison, Peter Carew, Thomas Wroth, and divers others.

These noble Confessors deserve rather the naming, because in this their retiring, they seemed as it were, to fetch their fees, to make the greater leap in England; where after their return, they were highly preferred, Grindall to the Archbishop first of York, then of Canterbury; Sir Francis Knowls to be privy Councellour and Lord Treasurer, Robert Lorne to the Bishoprick of Winton, Sands of London, Poynet of Worcester, and the rest all of them to eminent places in the Church and Commonwealth, to set off their future glory, their present poverty and misery served as a foyl: It was yet for the present lamentable to see these men of worth, who had change of houses in their own Country, hardly getting a shed to shelter them from wind & weather in forreign parts; they who opened the fountain of their bounty to other men in England, were now constrained in Germany to fetch waters of Comfort, drop by drop, from others Conduits. At the first, the pious charity of the Londoners (be it spoken to the honour of that City) was as an unexhausted mine to them, till by Stephen Gardner it was discovered, and the rich vein stopt by the imprisonment of their chief Benefactors: And now these servants of Christ, of whom England at this time was not worthy, were [Page] putt o many difficult plunges, yet partly by the comfortable letters of Zuinglius, Peter Martyr, Calvin, Melancthon, Pelican, Lavater, Geznar, and other privy Pastours of the reformed Churches beyond the Seas, they were held up by the chin, and partly by the charitable contributions of Christopher Prince of Wittenberg, and the Senators of Zurick, they were so kept above water, as it were, with bladders, that none of them utterly sunk in their hope. And for Iewell in particular, though he were tossed from pillar to post, and sometimes dashed upon one rock, and sometimes upon another, yet in the end he found safe harbour in Peter Martyrs house, first in Argentine, and after in Tigury; where it is hard to say, utrum Euripides ex Archelai an Archelai ex Euripides familiaritate fama magis incluruerit. Whether Iewel gave more luster & reputation to his Host, or his Host to him; certain it is, Iewel assisted Peter Martyr in setting forth divers Books; and by name, his learned Comentaries upon the Iudges: And very fortunate to the Church o [...] God was the conjunction of these two Stars of the first magnitude; for from them had we the first light to find the tract of those who in the former Ages and purest time walked with a right foot to the Gospel, and professed the Doctrine of the reformed Churches. Although we must acknowledge our Churches very much indebted in this kind to Reynolds, Whitaker, Bilson, Abbot, Cāmier, Morney, and Chemitius; yet it cannot be denied, that these later tinded their candles at these Torches; for Peter Martyr had cleered the judgement of Antiquity in the point of the Sacrament, and some other controversies between us and the Church of Rome; and Iewel in all before Chemitius took Andradius to task, or Bilson, Allen; or Reynolds, Hart; or Whitaker, Stapleton; or Abbot, Bishop; or Morney, Perrane; or Camier, Bellarmine; our I [...]wel was the first who made a publick challenge to all the Papists in the world, to produce but one cleer and evident testimony out of any Father or famous Writer, who flourished within five hundred yeers after Christ, for any one of the many Articles which the Romanists at this day maintain against us, and upon good proof of any such [Page] one allegation to yeeld them the bucklers and reconcile himselfe to Rome; and although Harding and some others undertooke him, and entered into the lists with him about the controverted Articles: yet they came off so poorely and Iewel on the contrary so amaz [...]d and confounded them with a cloud of witnesses in every point in question, that a [...] Bishop Godwine, upon good ground affirmeth no one thing in our age, gave the Papacy so deadly a wound, as that challenge at Pauls Crosse so confidently made and bravely maintained. But this challege was not now made in the time of Iewels banishment, but after his returne into England; at this time he and many other cleare lights of the Church, were hid under a Bushell, till the fire of persecution of England (in which, not onely many faithfull bretheren, but diverse reverend Fathers, as Latimer, Cranmer, Ridley, and Hooper were burned to ashes, for the testimony of the truth) was laved out partly by the teares of compassionat [...] Confessors, povring out their souls to God in publick and private, but especially by the blood of so many Noble Martyres.

But as soone as God in justice looked upon the persecutours of the truth, and called Queen Mary, and tho [...]e who diped their hands in his Saint blood to his tribunall, and set Queen Elizabeth upon her sisters throne that mirrour of Princes, and parragon of her sex, and phaenix of her age, restoring at the same time preachers to the Gospell and Gospell to the preachers; themselves in the first year of her Raigne commanded a survey to be taken of the whole Realme, and finding in many parts palpable Egyptian darkenesse, sent for all these concealed lights above mentioned, and after they were fetcht from under the bushels which had covered them, she set them in golden candlesticks in all the Counties within her Dominions, and among them Iewell in the diocesse of Sarum. Where he shined most brightly for eleaven years, and after his extinction by death left a most sweet smell behind him, the savour of a good [Page] name, much more pretius then oyntment, for his Apostolick doctrine and Saintlike life, and prudent government, and incorrupt integrity, unspotted chastity, and bountifull hospitality. In his first visitation he began, and in his last he perfected such a reformation, not onely in the Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches, but in all Courts of his jurisdiction, that even those who before esteemed not so well of Iewell as Bishops, yet now were brought to have a reverend opinion of Bishops, for Iewels sake; for he was a carefull overlooker and strickt observer not onely of all the flocks, but the Pastors also in his Diocesse according to the Apostles prescription; first he attended to himselfe and his owne doctrine, and then to all the doctrine which as he heard was Preached in his See; first he examined his owne actions, and then the proceedings of all his inferiour officers. The Chauncellour and Archdeacons, are in the count of the law, the Bishops eyes, and his Collectours and receivers and his hands: therefore he had a continuall eye upon these his eyes, and held a strickt hand over these his hands, and if these his eyes caused him to offend, or raised any scandall in his Diocesse, by winking at foule abuses, and enormities, or these hands by exaction and scraping, or taking bribes, he pluckt out the one and cut off the other. And if other Bishops take not the like course though in their owne persons they be never so innocent and uncorrupt; yet they will never free their See from foule and scandalous aspertions. Iniquity will be committed even in the seat of justice, and carnall vices winked at in spirituall Courts, and one corruption be borne out by another, corporall by pecuniary: the heaviest censures of the Church will be inflicted upon the lightest offenders, if they offer not to the Officiate shrine, and the foulest delinquents will escape away by the Posterne gate of Iuno Moneta's temple: Poore gnats if they be taken in their nets will be straigned to death, and a camell laden with gold swallowed up, and it will be said that Churches are visited before they be sick, nay, that they are sick of their Visitations, and that all the Processes, and [Page] Citations are ad collegendum, not ad corregendum: for collection of moneyes, not for correction of manners. To prevent these and the like abuses for which the court Christians heare ill abroad, the good Bishop sate often in his Consistory, and saw that all things were carried straight there, neither did he onely sit as judge in the Consistory, but also oftentimes as assi [...]tant on the bench of justice, informing the Judges in such causes where the law of God and of the land seemed to clash, and exhorting the prisoners willingly and patiently to subject themselves to the stroak of justice; but especially to prostrate themselves before the throne of mercy in heaven; and though they were cast by the Jury, and condemned by the last, yet they might be justified by grace and saved by mercy, at the tribunall of Christ.

What shall I speake of his peaceable ending (for the most part at his Table) litigious strifes and contentions, of which it is hard to say whether they more nourished the Law or the Law them. So was he thrice happy by the judgement of truth it selfe, because a threefold peace-maker in his Consistory on the Bench and at his Table, as a Judge, Justice and an Arbitratour. Yet did he no way forget that unum necessarium, which Saint Paul so deeply chargeth Timothy before God and his Angels, to be carefull of, to wit, to Preach in season and out of season, 1 Cor. 9.16. I have heard of the Hetrurian, goddesse, that whilest she was clad in a Coun [...]rey habit, and worshipped under a shed in the field, she delivered many Oracles; but after she was brought into a Temple, and cloathed with Purple and fine linnen, she became mute, and gave no answer at all: So it falleth out with many, whose office it is to publish and interpret the Oracles of God, like Saul, when they come to the high places, they make an end of Prophecying. Iewell did not so, but the more eminent he was in dignity, the more diligent in the worke of the Ministery, not so much in frequent as in exq [...]isite Teaching; for though his Sermons were very frequent, yet they were alwayes rare for the matter and manner of his delivery; he never Preached quicquit in buccam, [Page] but as Abraham offered to Melchisedecke, as St. Ierome renders it, de prenpuis, or summi [...]ate a ceri, of the top and best of the heape. The Roman Orator tels us of negligentia quedam diligens, a certaine diligent negligence, and learned ignorance; when the speaker carefully shunneth all affectation of Art, and laboureth that his speech may not seem elaborate. But the sober and discreet hearer hath often cause to complaine of diligentia quedam negligens, a negligent kinde of diligence in many popular Preachers, who ascend frequently into the Pulpit, but with extempora [...]y provision, are often in travile but without paine, and delivered of nothing for the most part, but empty words and idle tautalogies; as if Sermons were to be valued by the number and not by the weight. These mens Sermons, though they exceed the houre in len [...]th, and the dayes of the week in number; yet they themselves lye open to the curse of the Prophet denounced against all those that doe the work of the Lord negligently. From the danger of which malediction Iewell was freest of all of his parts and place; for though he might best of any presume in this kinde upon his multiplicity of reading, and continuall practice of Preaching, yet never would he Preach in the meanest Village, without precedent meditation and writing also the chiefe heads of his Sermons. And as his tongue was the pen of a ready writer, so was his pen the tongue of a living speaker to all posterity.

When I perused the catologue of his Sermons, I wonder what time he had to write: agane, when I number and weigh his writing, I wonder what time he had to provide for Preaching; and when I compare both, I wonder how he could doe any thing els. Yet did not his constant preaching take him off from his aceurate writing, nor both from his discharging each part of his Episcopall function in his owne Person. Which that it may not seeme incredible, I will open his day booke and read out of it how he spent every houre: Rising at four of the clock, after praiers with his family at five, and in the Cathederall about [Page] six, he was so affixed to his studies all the morning, th [...] he could not without great violence be drawne from it [...] after dinner his doores and eares were open to all Suter [...]; and it was observed of him, as it was of Titus (who was stiled amor & delitiae humane generae) that he never sent any sed from him. Suters being thus dismissed, he heard wi [...]h great indifferency and patience, such causes debuted before him as either were devolved to him as a Judge, or refer [...]d to him as an Arbitrator; and if he could spare any t [...]me from th [...]se troublesome businesses, he reckoned as cleare gaine to his Study.

About nine of the clocke at night he called all his s [...]rvants to an account, how they had spent the day, and then offered up his enening sacrifice together with them to God; from his Chappell he with [...]ew himselfe againe to hi [...] Study till neer midnight, and from thence to 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 hi [...] 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 hi [...] 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 No [...]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 daylight: 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, [Page] from whence he was carried to his bed, where he still continued preached to all that came to visit him, either by heavenly instruct [...]ons, or pious ejaculations, or divine meditations and paraphrases upon the p [...]ssages of Scripture, which were read unto him even till at one and the selfsame 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 these [...] ‘A Crown of righteousnesse is laid up for me, Christ is my righteousnesse; this is my body, this day quickly let me come [...]nto the [...], 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.

[Page]

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 vene [...]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 Christ [...] 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 o [...] the holy Scriptures.

[Page] 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 wa [...] 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 Do [...]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 Dr. Overals, then Dean of St. Pauls: the Appendix likewise i [...] 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 [...]hankefull acknowledgement of Posterity. And endeth thus: Lord adorn and en [...]ich continually thy Church with such Iewels, deck her cheeks with rows [Page] of such Rubies, and her neck with chains, make her borders of gold, with st [...]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 heart [...] and frée from Gall;

Close to friends, and true to all.

Height of courage in Truths duell,

Are the stones that made this J [...]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 ye [...]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 reg [...]rds, he went to the U [...]iversity at [...]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 hi [...] ow [...] Co [...]ntrey. And in the City of Thasniadine he instructed Youth in the knowledge of Ar [...]s, and Preached Jesus Christ also to the Pe [...]le, before u [...]know [...]e unto them: whereupon the King [...] Treasurer fell upon him, beat him, [Page] and drove [...]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 ex [...]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 wa [...] 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, [Page] if he had but strength to speak that his voyc [...] 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 inh [...]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 Vayv [...]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 relea [...]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 i [...] 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, theref [...]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 [Page] 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. B [...]ing lo [...]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 Prisoners, he wonderfully refreshed, and comforted them by his godly exhortations, and consolations drawn from the Scriptures, whereby they were much confirmed in the Christian Faith: and whereas before they were almost pined through want of food, God so stirred up the heart [...] of some to bring reliefe to Zegedine, that all the rest of the prisoners were provided for plentifully thereby. Remaining thus in prison he was not idle, but wrote there his Common-places, and some other Works: thus he remained in Prison above a year, in which time three of his children dyed, which added much to his a [...] fliction, and though his people had used the intercession of all their great men there about for his liberty, yet all prevailed not, till it pleased God that a Noble Baron, and his Lady passing by that way, saw this worthy man of God in so miserable a plight, that the Lady much pitied him: and afterwards being in Child bed, and ready to dye, she requested her Lord (who loved her dearly) for her sake to improve all his interest in the Bashaw to procure Zegedines liberty; which he with an oath promised to perform, and accordingly engaged himselfe to the Turk that he should pay 1200. Florens for his ransome: thereupon he was released, and went about to diverse Cities to gather his ransome, [Page] and God so enlarged mens hearts towards h [...]m, that in a short time he carried 800. Florns to this Baron, and so returned to his people at Calman [...]sem. The year after being 1564. as he was going by coach to Buda, when the horses came near the great river Danubius being very hot, and dry, thy ran violently into the river: but behold the admirable providence of God, when they had swam some twenty paces in the river, they turned back again, and drew the coach, and him safely to the shore.

The same year, by the Imposition of Hands, he ordained three excellent men Ministers. About that time there came a bragging Fryar, and challenged him to a Disputation, which he willingly accepting of; the great Church was appointed for the place, and many of both sides resorted thither; and the Fryar came with much confidence, his servants carrying a great sacke of Bookes after him: but in the Disputation, Zegedine did so baffle him, that all his friends shrunk away with shame, and the Fryar, with his great sack, was left all alone, so that himselfe was fain to take it on his own shoulders and goe his way. About that time the Vaivod, who had before betrayed him, coming to the place where Zegedine was, desired to speake with him, and requested him to forgive him, professing that he could rest neither night nor day, he was so haunted with apparitions, and the Furies of his own conscience; which Zegedine easily affented unto.

In the year 1566. Zegedine being very hot, invited a friend to goe with him to the River of Danubius to bathe himself: but as they were swiming, his friend looking about him, saw not Zegedine, and wondering what was become of him so suddenly, at last he spyed his hoarie hairs appearing above water, and swimming swiftly to him, Zegedine was sunk; whereupon, he diving to the bottome of the river, caught hold of him, and drew him forth, carrying him to a Mill that was not far off, where he laid him to bed: about midnight Zegedine coming to himself, enquired how he came there, and who drew him out of the River; hi [...] [Page] friend told him the whole story, and kept him carefully till he recovered. In the year 1572. he fell into a mortall dsease, which so much the more afflicted him, becaus [...] he could not sleepe; whereupon he sent for a Chirurgion, who gave him a bitter potion, which caused him to fall a sleepe, but after a little while he quietly breathed forth his last, being sixty seven years of age.

How full of patience, how divine

Was this our learned Zegedine?

Though cast in prison, and restrain'd

From food, yet he the truth maintain'd.

His heart resolved from his youth

Rather to starve, then starve the truth.

For Disputations, few there were.

That could with Zegedine compare:

His rare example lets us know,

Patience o'recomes the greatest woe.

The Life and Death of John Knox, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.

JOhn Knox was born at Gifford in Lothain in Scotland, Anno 1505. of honest Parentage: brought up first at School, then sent to the University of Saint Andrews, to study under Master Io. Maior, who was famou [...] for learning in those dayes, and under whom in a short time he profited exceedingly in Philosophy and School Divinity, and took hi [...] Degrees, and af [...]erwards was admitted very young into Orders; then he betook himself to the reading of the Fathers, especially Augustine's Works; and lastly to the earnest study of the holy Scriptures; by wch, being through God's mercy informed of the Truth, he willingly embraced it, and freely professed it, and imparted it to others. But [Page] when there was a persecution raised up by the Bishops, against the Professours of the Truth, he fled into England, where he preached the Gospel with much zeal & fruit, both at Berwick, Newcastle and London. He was much esteemed [...]y King Edward the sixt, who proffered him a Bishoprick, which he rejected, as having Aliquid commune cum Antichristo; something in it common with Antichrist. King Edward being dead, the p [...]rsecution raised by Queen Mary made him leave England, and goe to Frankefort, where for a time he preached the Gospel to the English Congregation: but meeting with opposition there, both from Papists and false brethren, he went to Geneva. Anno Christi 1559. and of his age 54. the Nobility of Scotland, with some others, beginning the Reformation of Religion, sent for him home, and shortly after he was setled Minister at Edinbrough, where he preached many excellent Sermons. Anno Christi 1566. the Earl of Murray being slain on the Saturday, Knox preaching at Edinbrough the next day, amongst the papers given of those that desired the prayers of the Church, he found one with these words, Take up the man whom yee accounted another God: At the end of his Sermon he bemoaned the losse that the Church and State had by the death of that vertuous man; adding further, There is one in this company that makes this horrible murder the subject of his mirth, for which all good men should be sorry; but I tell him, he shall dye where there shall be none to lament him.

The man that had written those words, was one Thoma [...] Metellan, a young Gentleman of excellent parts, but bearing small affection to the Earl of Murray; he hearing this commination of Iohn Knox, went home to his Sister, and sa [...]d, That Iohn Knox was raving to speak of he knew not whom. His Sister replyed with tears, If you had taken my advice, you had not written those words; saying further, Tha [...] none of Iohn Knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect. And so indeed this came to passe; for shortly after, this Gentleman going to travell, dyed in Italy, having none to assist, much lesse to lament him. Towards [Page] Knox his later end, his body became very infirm, and his voyce so weak, that People could not hear him in the ordinary place; wherefore he chose another place, wherein he preached upon the History of Christs passion, with which, he said, it was his desire to close his Ministry: finding his end neer, he importuned the Council of the City to provide themselves a worthy man to succeed in his place: Master Iames Lawson Professor in Aberdene was the man pitched upon, and Commissioners were sent from the Church of Edinborough to request him to accept of the place; Iohn Knox also subscribed that request; adding, Accelera mi frater, alioqui [...]erò venies; Haste my Brother, otherwise you will come too late: this made Master Lawson to hasten his journey, and when he was come, he preached twice to the good liking of the people, whereupon order was taken by the rulers of the Church for his admission, at which time Iohn Knox would needs preach, though very w [...]ak, which also he performed with such fervency of spiri [...], that he was never before heard to preach with so grea [...] power, or more content to the hearers. In the end of his Sermon, he called God to witnesse that he had walked in a good conscience with them, not seeking to please men, nor serving either his owne, or other mens affections, but in all sincerity, and truth had preached the Gospell of Christ. He exhorted them in most grave and pithy words to stand fast in the Faith they had received: and so having prayed zealously for Gods blessing upon them, and the multiplying of Gods spirit upon their new Pastor, he gave them his last farewel: Being conveyed to his lodging, that afternoon he was forced to betake himselfe to his bed: and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sicknesse, to whom he spake most comfortably: amongst others the Earle of Morton came to see him, to whom he said, My Lord, God hath given you many blessings, Wisdome, Honor, Nobility, Riches, many good, and great friends, and he is now about to pr [...]fer you to the Government of the Realm (the Earl of Marr, the late Regent, being newly dead.) In his name I charge you, use these blessings better then formerly you [Page]have don: seeking first the glory of God, the furtheance of his Gospell, the maintenance of his Church, and Ministry; and then be car [...] full of the King to procure his good, and the welfare of the Realm. I [...] you doe thus, God will be with you, and honor you: if otherwis [...], [...]e will d [...]prive you of all these benefits, and your end shall be shame, and ignonminie. These speeches the Earl called to minde about nine years after, at the time of his Execution, saying, That he had found Iohn Knox to be a Prophet. A day or two before Knox his death, he sent for Master David Lindsey, Master Lawson, and the Elders, and Deacons of the Church, [...]o whom he said, The time is approaching, which I have long thirsted for, wherein I shall be released from all my cares, and be with my Saviour Christ for ever: and now God is my witnesse whom I have served with my spirit in the Go [...]e [...] of his Son, that I have taught nothing but the true & sinc [...]r [...] Word of God: and that the end that I proposed in my M [...] nistry was, To instruct the ignorant, to confirm the wea [...], to comfort their consciences who were humbled under the sense of their sins, and born down with the threatning [...] o [...] Gods judgments. I am not ignorant that many have, and doe blame my too great rigor, and severity; but God knoweth that in my heart I never hated those aga [...]ns [...] whom I thundered Gods judgments: I did onely hate thei [...] sins, and labored according to my power to gaine them to Christ: That I did forbear none of what condition soever; I did it out of the fear of my God: who hat [...] placed me in the function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. Now bretheren, for your selve [...], I have no more to say, but to warn you that you [...]ake he [...]d to the Flocke over which God hath placed you Over seers, which [...] hath redeemed by the blood of his onely begotten son: and you Master Lawson fight a good fight, doe the Worke of the Lord with courage, and with a willing minde, and God from heaven blesse you, and the Church whereof you have the charge: Against it (so long as it continues in the Doctr [...]n [...] of the Truth) the gates of hell shall not preva [...]le: having thus spoken, and the Elders, and Deacons being dismissed, [Page] he called the two Preacher to him, and said, There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly, you have sometimes seen the Courage, and Constancy of the Laird of Grang in the Cause of God; and now that unhappy man is casting himself away: I pray you go to him from me, and tell him, That unlesse he forsake that wicked course that he is in, the Rock wherein he confideth shall not defend him, nor the carnall wisdome of that man whom he counteth halfe a god [which was young Leshing [...]on] shall yeeld him help; but he shall be shamefully pulled out of that nest, and his carcasse hung before the Sun, (meaning the C [...]stle which he kept against the Kings Authority) for his soul it is dear to me, and if it were possible, I would fain have him saved: accordingly they went to him, conferred with him, but could by no meanes divert him from his course: But as Knox had fore-told, so the year after his Castle was taken, and his body was publickly there hanged before the Sun: yet at his death he did expresse serious repentance. The nex day Knox gave order for the making of his Coffin, continuing all the day (as he did also through all his sicknesse) in fervent prayer, crying, Come Lord Iesus: sweet Jes [...]s into thy hands I commend my spirit: being ask'd whether his pains were great, he answered, That he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles, and the beginning of eternall joyes. Oft after some deep meditation, he used to say, Oh serve the Lord in fear, and death shall not be troublesome to you: Blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Iesus. The night before his death, he slept some hours with great unquietnesse, often fighing, and groaning, whereupon when he awakened, the standers by asked him how he did, and what it was that made him mourn so heavily? to whom he answered: In my life time I have been assaulted with Temp [...]a [...]ion [...] from Satan, and he hath oft cast my sin [...] into my teeth to drive me to despair, yet God gave me strength to overcome all his Temptations: but now the subtill serpent takes another course, and seek's to perswade me, That all my labors in the Ministery, [Page] & the fidelity that I have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality: but blessed be God that brought to my minde these Scriptures: What hast thou that thou hast not received? And, Not I, but the grace of God in mee: With which he is gon away ashamed, and shall no more return: and now I am sure that my battell [...]s at an end, and that without pain of body, or trouble of spirit, I shall shortly change this mortall, and miserable life, with that happy, and immortall life that shall never have an end. After which, one praying by his bed, having made an end, asked him, If he heard the Prayer? Yea, said he, and would to God that all present had heard it with such an ear, and heart as I have don: Adding, Lord Iesus receive my spirit: With which words, without any motion of hands, or feet, as one falling a sleep rather then dying he ended his life. Never was man more observant of the true & just authority of Church-Rulers according to the Word of God, and th [...] practise of the purest Primitive time: he alwayes pressed due Obedience, from the people to the faithfull Pastor [...], and Elders of the Church. He dyed Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age 62. Men of all ranks were present at his Buriall: The Earl of Murray, when the Corps was put into the ground, said Here lies the body of him, who in his life time never feared the face of any man.

Undaunted Knox would never fear to tell

The bett their follyes, if they did not well:

He was severe to those that would not

Observant to his preach'd Divinity:

He lov'd the wayes of peace, and would delight

Himselfe in [...]ods just Lawes both day and night:

His soul would be laborious to fullfill

The sweet commands of his deare makers will.

In peace he liv'd, and with a peacefull breath

He call'd on God, and yeelded unto death [...]

The Life and Death of Peter Ramus, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.

[Page]

PEter Ramus was born in France Anno Christi 1515. His Grandfather was a Noble-man, who (having his estate plundered by Charles Duke of Burgundie, Generall under the Emperour Charles the fifth) was forced to leave his Country, and to betake himselfe to the poore, and painfull life of an husbandman: and his father being left very poor by him, was fain to live by making of Charcole: Ramu [...] being from his Childhood of an excellent wit, of an industrious nature, and much addicted to learning, was compelled for his subsistance to live as a servant with one of his Uncles: but finding (that by reason of his many Imployments) he had no time to follow his book there, he thought it better to betake himselfe to the service of some learned man: so going to Paris, and being admitted into the Colledge of Navar, he laboured hard all day for his Masters, and spent a great part of the night in study, so that in a short time he was made Master of Arts, and Laureat-Poet: and the Professors in that Colledge, every one taking much delight in his diligence, each strove to forward him in learning, and lent him such books as he needed: then he betook himselfe to instructing of others, and to exercise himselfe in private Lectures, till thereby he had fitted himselfe for more publick employments: then was he appointed publickly to read Logick, and when he was tw [...]nty one years old, he published his Logick, with some Animadversions upon Aristotile: this procured him much love, every one admiring such ripe parts, in so young a man: and envy being the usuall concomitant of vertue, he had also many that envied, and aspersed him; especially the Sorbone Doctors, who accused him of Heresie in Phylosopgy, for that he being but a Novice, dust take upon him to correct Aristotle, the Prince of Phylosophers: and by their authority they so [Page] far prevailed, that Ramus was forbidden to read, or write any mor [...] of Phylosophy: This being very gri [...]vous to him, it pleased God to stir up the heart of the Governour of another Colledge to send for him to assist him in restoring of that Colledge, which was now empty; the students being all fled by reason of the infection of the Plague: a [...] it came to passe that in a short time (Ramus being so famou [...] a man) the Colledge was better stored with students then ever it was before: the Sorbonists much raged at this, and laboured to so [...] division betweene the Governour of the Colledge and him: yet Ramus carried himselfe with so much candor and ingenuity, that they lived together w [...]th much concord: at last, that Governour dying, Ram [...]s succ [...]eded him: and by the Cardinall of Lorrain's meanes (who who was a great favorer of Learning) he was made the Regius Professor of Rhetorick, and Phylosophy, Anno Christ [...] 1551. and of his Age thirty six. His fame spreading into all the Universities of Christendome, there were many Princes that strove to get him out of France, profering him large stipends if he would come to them: but he being now famous in France, preferred his owne Country before all others; and therefore rejected all their offers. In Pari [...] he had so great esteem, that (though his enemies strongly opposed it) yet he was made Dean of the whole University: and so having obtained a more quiet kinde of life, he betook himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks, wherein he grew very exquisite. But when the Civill Wars brake forth in France for Religion, and that none could safely enjoy themselves, or any thing that they had, when under pretence of Religion, every one revenged his owne private quarrels upon others; Ramus, to free himselfe from this tempest, left Paris, and went to Fontainblew, where the Kings Library was: yet neither there could he be in safety: so that at last, he was compelled to betake himselfe to the Camp of the Prince of Conde: But when he saw that France was no fit place for him for the present to reside in, he resolved to travell into Germany, till God should restore peace [Page] to his Country againe: and accordingly he went to Argentine, Basil, Lusanna, T [...]g [...]re, Heidelb [...]rge [...] Nore [...]berg, and Auspurg, and was entertained in all these Universities with great applause, and with much joy by all learned men. And when the Civill War was ended in France, he returned to Pari [...] againe. Then he remained in his College till th [...]t horrible Massacre happened on Saint B [...]rtholomews Eve, wherein so many thousands perished by the cruell hands of bloody Papists: at which time the Colledge gates being fast shut, he locked himselfe up in his owne house till those furious Papist [...] brake open his door [...], and finding him, [...] him through, and being halfe dead, threw him out of his window; and not [...]fied therewith, they cut off his head, dragged his body about the streets in the channels, and at last threw it into the river of S [...]in, Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age seven and fifty. After which also they sel [...]ed upon his Goods, Library and Writings, whereby many [...]xcellent Comm [...]ntaries and other Works (not fully complea [...]) perished, to the great losse of learned men.

Ind [...]rious [...] from his youth inclin'd

Himsel [...]e [...] a well composed min [...]e:

His hear [...] was serious, and he tooke great paines

To sowe good seeds, and after reape the ga [...]nes.

He was belov'd of all that lov'd the [...]ame

Of learning; for he had a winged name.

His care, his love, his industry was such,

That in few yea [...]s his heart attain'd to much:

But in conclusion, Envi [...] that still crowds

Into true Fame, involv'd him in the clouds

Of sudden ruine; P [...]ist [...] thought it good

To take a furfeit of his guiltlesse blood.

The Life and Death of Matthew Parker, who dyed Anno Christi 1574.

[Page]

MAtthew Parker was born in the City of Norwich, Ann [...] Christi 1502. and having some years at Schoole, h [...] went to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Corpu [...] Christi [Bennet] Colledg, in which place he profited so much that he was chosen Fellow, and grew so famous th [...]t Queen Ann Bullen [mother to Queen Elizabeth] made him her Chaplain, whereupon he Commensed Doctor in Divinity: and after her death, King Henry the eighth; and after his death, King Edward the sixth made him their Ch [...] plaines, and preferred him to be Master of Bennet Colledge; besides other Ecclesiasticall dignities which they advanced him to: but in Queen Maries dayes, he was despoiled of all, and was compelled to live a poor, and private life: but so soon as Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown, she made choyce of this Doctor Parker for his admirable learning, and piety to be the Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1559. which place he supplyed with great commendation for above fifteen years. His works of Charity were very eminent: He gave to the Corporation of Norwich, where he was born, a Bason and Ewr double guilt, weighing 173. ounces: as also fifty shillings a year for ever to be destributed amongst the poor of that City: and six anniversary Sermons in severall places of Norfolk: to Bennet Colledge he gave thirty Scholarships, built them a Library, and bestowed many excellent books, and ancient Manuscripts upon it, besides three hundred ounces of silver, and guilt-plate: and the perpetuall Patronage of Saint Mary Ab-church-London. He carefully collected, and caused to be printed diverse ancient Histories of England, which probably had otherwise been lost. He dyed in peace An. Christi 1574. and of his Age 72.

[Page]

What Heav'n bestow'd upon him, he was frée

To give to others; for his Charitie

Was known to many, whose impatient griefe

Inforc'd them to implore his sure reliefe,

His worth was such, that t'was disputed, which

Pray'd for him most, either the poore or rich.

The poore, they pray'd (as they were bound to do)

Because he fild their soules and bodies too.

The rich destr'd his life, because his store

Sustain'd their soules, and help'd maintain the poore.

Thus having spent his dayes in love, he went

In peace to Heav'ns high court of Parliament.

HENRICVS BVLLINGERVS.

The Life and Death of Henry Bullinger.

IN the year of our Lord 1504. Henricus Bullingerus was born at Bremogarta, a Town in Switzerland: he was descended [Page] from an ancient and a noble Family, much esteemed and honoured in those parts. Being an Infant he was twice in great danger of his life, but preserved by the powerfull hand of God, contrary to the expectation of his Parent [...] and friends: first, from the Pestilence, wherewith those parts were at that time grievously punished: and secondly, from a wound which he received in his [...]hr [...]at, by reason of a fall; whereby he was made unable to admit of any nourishment for the space of five dayes.

His Father being a man of great learning, and bearing an extraordinary affection unto the Arts and their Professors, he was very carefull to provide that the tender years of this his Son might be bathed in the Fountains of Learning; and for that cause (he being not fully five years old, he was sent unto a Countrey School neer adjoyning, where he continued seven years; but by reason of the inability of his Master, he profited not much; yet he attained unto that perfection, that he exceeded those which learned with him, not without the approbation of his Master. His Parents well perceiving the towardlinesse of the childe, and finding that Schoolmaster not to be a sufficient Tutor for him; they presently entred into a consideration of sending him unto some more eminent place, where he might be instructed in the Arts, for the better perfection of nature; and therefore in the year 1516. he was sent unto Embrick, a Town in the Dukedom of Clire, then famous for the many learned Schollers wherewith it was adorned: and here he was comitted unto the tuition of Casparus Glogoriensis, and of Petrus Cochemensis, Mosellanus, and others, being men beautified with excellent endowments, and famous both for their Method of Teaching, and severity of Discipline; which latter was most acceptable unto this Bullinger; and for that cause, being yet a childe, he had an intent to unite himself unto the Order of the Carthusians, it being the stric [...]est and most severest. In this place Bullinger concinued three years, to the great perfection of his Studies, and increasing of his knowledge [Page] in the Arts and Tongues. During which time he received little maintenance from his Father. He furnished himselfe with victuals, sometimes by singing, sometimes by begging from doore to doore. Which action he performed not because his Father was poore and could not, or covetous and would not confer a sufficient annuall pension on him; but he did it, because he desired to have some experience of the miserable and wretched condition of poore men; that iu future times he might be the more willing and ready to relieve and succour them. Afterwards, he removed unto Colen, where he studied Logick, and notice being taken of his excellent qualities, he proceeded Bachelor of Arts; and because there was great controversies in the Churches then, touching some points of Divinity, he inclined unto the Study of Theologie, and withall desired to know of those who were esteemed the best Schollars, what Authors were fittest to be read, to ground him in the knowledge thereof. They all advise him to consult with Lombard, his writings being of good account and authority in those times. This counsell was embraced by Bullinger, who not contenting himselfe with that Author, he went unto Georgius Deinerus; by whose procurement he obtained an admission into the publick Library at Colen; where he studied the Homilies of Chrysostome on Matthew, read over some chiefe parts of the Workes of Augustine, Ambrose, Origen, the Workes of Luther he read privately in his own Chamber, which indeed were the meanes of inlightning his understanding; for by the reading of them he was induced to peruse and to search into the Scriptures, and especially into the New Testament; whereby he entred into a detestation of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome, and into a constant and firme resolution of rejecting the auster [...] life of the Carthusian Monkes.

In this Academy he went forth Master of Arts, and then he returned unto his Fathers house, where he spent a whole year in his private studies and meditations, at the end whereof he was called by Wolfangus Ionerus, unto Capella (he [Page] being Abbot there) a Monastery situate in the fields of Tigurum, and advanced by him to be Head-schoolmaster, during his residence he was entirely beloved, not onely of the Abbot, but also of Simler Zuinglius O [...]colampadius, and of other excellent and reverend personages, for those excellent parts wherewith he was endewed.

About this time he joyned with Zuinglius as touching a reformation in the Church, the labouring to produce it at Tigurum, and the other endeavouring to effect it at Capella; which in short time took good effect, for they cleared both places of Masses, and Idoles, and of many other things, which appeared superstitious in the Church, this he did during his residence at Capella, and with so much the more happy success because he was appointed to read the publick Divinity Lecture in the same school.

In the year 1529. he was called unto Bremogart, the place of his birth, to Preach the Word of truth unto them: here he began openly to condemne the errours of the Papists, stoutly defending his Fathers doctrine, who had formerly discovered and confuted their errors, but some of the more eminent Citizens, not well brooking his doctrine, exercised their authority, in expelling him the City; placing in his office a godly and learned Theologue, named Gervasius Scholasticus, but his name being famous amongst the Switzers, and many of them having a great desire to hear him, he was called unto his owne Country to preach the Gospel of Christ, wherein he was so powerfull that he caused them to rectifie many abuses in the Church, and so well approved of, that the Senate kindly intreated him to remaine there, and to goe forward in his teaching? he answered them, that he was so strictly bound by promise unto the Senate of Tigurum, and to the Abbot of Capella, that he could doe nothing without their leave and consent: Wherefore they presently dispatched an Embassador unto Cahella, who wrought so effectually with the Senate, that they willed Bullinger to remaine in his owne Country, where he continued Preaching the Gospell together with [Page] Gervasius three years with the Unanimous consent of all the Citizens, and the Gospell by the industry of these two learned and vigilant watchmen flourished in the same place: which (although it weare opposed by the Anabaptists, who laboured to hinder the growth of the Church) was preferred by God, who stirred up this Bullinger to confute with invincible arguments in the presence of the whole Church, their erronious opinions.

But as one misery seldome comes alone, without the addition of another, even so it happened at this present, for the Church of Bremogart was not onely troubled with the erronious opinions of these Anabaptists; but also vexed with intestine discords, where in the Papists having the upper hand, Bullinger with his father and brother, and his faithfull colleague Gervas [...]ius were banished their Country, in the yeare of our Lord 1531. whence departed they went unto Tigurum, and were kindly entertained by Wernerus Striner, who together with them greatly lamented the troublesome State of the Church. In the same yeere the Church of Basil was destitute of a Pastor, by reason of the death of Oecolampadius, whereupon he was called by them unto the discharging of a Pastorall office amongst them, but the Senate of Tigurum detained him, and appointed him in the place of Zuinglius, according to his owne desire, for when he went forth with the Tigurines to Battell, he desired of them if any misfortune came unto him, that they would be pleased to Nominate Bullinger to be his successour.

And unto this office he was called in a time full of danger, even to build up and to confirme and strengthen a Church, greatly shaken and afflicted. Which he performed with such patience and modesty, that false Doctrine began againe to be discovered, and the truth to be firmly planted in the hearts of many; which he well perceiving, ceased not to proceed and go forward, praising almighty God for ordaining and esteeming him a worthy instrument for the advancing and propagating of his Truth: and for that [Page] cause he wrote a Confession of his Faith, sending it unto Constance to Bucer, and other learned Divines there assembled for the establishing of an agreement amongst the Churches; which worke of his was approved of by Bucer and by the whole Assembly, esteeming it worthy to be embraced of the adjacent Churches.

In the year 1536. he was present at Basel with Bucer and others, about the reconciling of different points, which did great hurt unto the Church, and especially about the reconciliation betwixt Luther and the Hevetian Churches; where it being declared against him, that he laboured for a defection unto Luther, and all his opinions he cleared himselfe of that asper [...]ion, but departed unsatisfied concerning his desire, to his great griefe; who notwithstanding so brideled his affection, that in the midst of their contentions, he abstained from all bitternesse of speech.

In the year 1538. some of our English Nobility came unto [...]igurum, to be instructed in the grounds of Religion, and to have his judgement concerning the publicke rites and Ceremonies of the Church. This happened about the time that Henry the eight had disburdened himself of the weight of the Pope, the English being greatly inflamed to imbrace a pure worship of the Lord, which had not yet been conversant amongst them; these men were kindely entertained by Bullinger, who also gave them full satisfaction concerning the things demanded; before their departure, they intreated him that he would write some short Treatise concerning Religion unto their Soveraigne, whereby he might be egged forward in his resolution touching the reformation of the Church. Unto which he willingly condiscended, and wrote unto the King two learned Treatises, exhorting him to set aside the inventions of men, and to give himselfe wholly unto the Word of God; and to have all things in his Dominion regulated and squared according unto the Canonicall Scripture.

In the year following he laboured to purge the Church of that grosse errour of Casparus Schroenckfeldius a Silesian, [Page] concerning the Humane nature of Christ, who taught that after his ascention into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of his Father, it was so Deified and made coequall unto the Word, that it was no more a creature; which errour received strength and was fostered by the approbation of great persons in Suevia, but quickly overthrowne by the laborious Preaching and writing of Bullinger. Within short time after, there [...]ell out a hot and irreconcileable contention betwixt Luther and the other Protestant Pastors, insomuch that he openly stiled them damned Hereticks and enemies unto the Sacrament; insomuch that Melancthon said unto Bullinger, desino sperare ecclesiarum pacem; I despaire of a setled peace amongst the Churches; and again, privato periculo, quod nunc mihi impendet, etsi non est Leve, tamen tantum non movear quan [...]m Ecclesiarum distractionibus. I am not so much grieved with that private danger which on all sides threatens my ruine, as I am with these distraction [...] of the Church: but these contentions ceased and were taken away by the death of Luther: yet there followed an happy consent and agreement betwixt Calvin and the Church of Geneva of the one [...]ide, and the Tigurines on the other, concerning the Sacrament; wherein Calvin seemed to adhaere unto the opinion of Luther in the judgement of the Tigurine Ministers. Wherefore that he might free himselfe from this suspition, taking Farellus with him, he came unto Tigurum, where a forme of agreement was written by Calvin and Bullinger, and approved of by the Churches of R [...]etia and Helvetio, and afterwards published for the generall good of the Church; and by this means (God so disposing) the Churches were not onely united firmely amongst themselves, but also many were confirmed and strengthned in the knowledge of the truth. And this agreement set such an edge on the teeth of their Adversaries, that they began more bitterly to inveigh against the truth of Christ; and still labouring to propagate the truth, he wrote severall Decades unto Edward the sixt King of England. And because a free and unmolested Preaching of the Gospell was granted [Page] unto the English, he sent frequent letters unto the Nobility, Bishops and Pastors of the Church, exhorting them unto a perseverance in the worke begun, and that with all purity and constancy. During which act of his, a Legate came from the Pope with Authority to command the Helvetian Prelates to be present at the Councill of Trent. Who was answered by Bullinger, that Concilium Tridentinum institutum esse ad opprimendam veritatem: that that Councill was ordained for the suppressing of the truth; and withall, he denied Helvetios Evangelicos Papae, obedientiam ullam debire: that they owed not any obedience unto the Pope at all, whose yoak they had now cast off, &c.

Not long after there was a dissention in the Church of Geneva, concerning Gods Election, the Author whereof was Hieronimus Bolsecus, a Professor of Physick: who openly opposed the doctrine of Calvin, exhorting the people not to suffer themselves to be seduced and led away by him; affirming Bullinger, and many other learned Divines to be of the same opinion with himselfe; wherefore it seemed good unto the Senate and unto the bretheren of the Church of Geneva, to send unto Bullinger for his opinion concerning that point, who in expresse words returned this answer, that he which did teach that Gods eternall Election did depend on foreseen Faith, did malitiously abuse the doctrine of the Church of Tigurum. About this tim [...] Edward the sixt dyed in England, whose eldest sister coming to the Crown, changed that forme of Religion established by her brother, and subjected the whole Kingdome againe to the Pope of Rome; sharply persecuting those who were knowne to make profession of the true faith: wherefore many Noble and learned men were inforced to flye, some into Germany, many into Switzerland, building themselves a Colledge at Tigurum; being greatly assisted by Bullinger, who then ratified that covenant of friendship, which he had formerly promised in the dayes of Henry the eight. In the yeere 1561. the Councell of Trent was begun againe by Pius the fourth then Pope, but the States and Protestant [Page] Princes of Germany refused to be present, and likewise the English together with the Helvetian Cities: during the continuance of which Councell Bullinger laboured to extirpate the haeresies newly crept into th [...] Church (viz.) That of Brentius, affirming of the Ubiquity of the humaine nature; untill such time as a mercilesse pestilence invaded the City of Tigurum, ceazing upon Bullinger himselfe, insomuch that he dispaired of his life, and therefore called the Ministers of Tigurum unto him, and took his leave of them with a grave admonition, but it pleased God to restore him again unto his former health, and he became an instrument of much good after in the Church; about this time or immediately after began that War which was called Sacrum, and the Prince of Condey suspecting some treason intended against his Excellency, sent an Embassador unto the Switzers in generall, and unto Bullinger in particular to intreat some [...]de and succours from them; but the Embassadour of the King coming thither, at the same time there was no answer given unto the Embassador of the Prince of Condey, who after a private manner departed from Tigurum, forthwith there arose cruell Warres in France: great was the number of Pastors and godly persons who fled, som to Geneva some to Berne, and most of them being in extreame want and poverty, Bullinger caused publick collections to be made for them in the Churches, whereby they received unexpected reliefe; and so he continued being carefull for the members of the Church, that their doctrine might be pure and uncorrupted, untill it pleased God to vi [...]it him with his last sicknesse, which indeed was the longest, it continuing for the space of four whole monthes, in which time he endured the sharpest paines with an admirable patience, yeelding no signe or token of any indignation or displeasure; the greater paines he suffered, the ferventer were his prayers unto God; whensoever he found some eas [...], he would enter into some good discourse either with his family, or with such strangers as came to visit him, to whom he would often say, si deo visum fuerit, mea opera [...]lterius in ecclesiae[Page]ministerio uti, ipse vires sufficiae & libens illi parebo, sui [...] voluerit, quod opto, & hac vita, &c.

It seemeth good unto Almighty God to account me worthy to exercise a Pastorall office in his Church yet longer, let him give me strength and I will willingly obey him, but if he will call me out of this life, which is the thing that I desire, I am also ready to obey his will, for nothing can be more welcome unto me then to leave this wretched and sinfull world, and to goe unto my Saviour Christ.

His paines still increasing, he caused the Pastors and Professors of the City to come unto him, unto whom he delivered a large Oration: where in the first place he kindly thanked them for that their love in comming unto him, afterwards he opened unto them that faith in which and for which he was ready to lay downe his life, in the thi [...] place he freely, and from his heart forgave all his Enem [...]es, then he exhorted them constantly to continue in that doctrine which they had together Professed with him, and withall he wished them to take heed of the vulgar vice of the Germaine Nation, because they who were subject unto that sin could by no meanes doe good in the Church of God: such good things as proceed from them will be contemned of the people, he exhorted them also unto a concord and unity amongst themselves, to love one another and to defend one another, because they should be sure enough to find many opposers and enemies, who would desire nothing more then their ruine; and in the last place he advised them to have a reverend respect 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 [Page] 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, sometime [...] the Lords prayers, sometimes other prayers [...] 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 th [...] 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, plain [...] in teaching, a lover of truth, but a det [...]ster of Sophisticall [...]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 [...]eads of Christian Religion.

Tome 2.

1. A Confession and Exposition of the Orthodox Faith. 2. A Declaration proving the Protestant Churches [...]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. Instit [...]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 [...]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 [Page] to leave off Controversies. 8. Of the Originall of Ma [...]omenatisme. 9. Of the Persecutions of the Church.

Tome 4.

1. A Preface to th [...] Latin Bible. 2. Sixtie six Homilies on Daniel. 3. Epitomie of the times from the Creation to the Dest [...]uction of Jerus [...]lem.

Tome 5.

1. Homili [...]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 I [...]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 Bullenge [...] advis'd.

Is it not [...]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.

[Page]

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 Chris [...]'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 St. 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 n [...]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 spi [...]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 silent [...] 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 [Page]look upon Christ my Saviour: yet a little while, and we shall [...]ee [...]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: Affl [...]ctions, deseases, sicknesse, griefe, are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world. I [...]'s not enough to begin for a little while, execept we persevere in the fear of the Lord all th [...] dayer of our lives, for in a moment we shall be taken away. Tak [...] 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 [...]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 Sts [...] If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world: if I we [...] equall in righteousnesse to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet had I reason to confesse my selfe to be a sinner, and that I could expect [...] salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ [...] For we all sta [...]d in need of the Grace of God: And as for my death, I blesse God I feel, and find so much inward joy, and comfort to my soul, that if I were put to my choyse whether to die, or live, I would a thousand times rather chuse death, then life, if it may stand with the holy wi [...] of God: and accordingly shortly after the slept in the Lord, Anno Christi 1576.

What greater Simptomes can there be of grace

Then to be penitent; the greatest race

A Christian can desire to run, is this

Fron earths base centre, to eternall blisse.

This race our Deering run; he spent his time

Whilest here he liv'd in studying how to clime

To Heav'ns high Court, true v [...]tue was his prize,

And God the object where he fixt his eyes:

Faith, Hope, and Charity did sweetly rest

Within the Councell Chamber of his brest:

And to conclude, the graces did agree

To make a happy soul, and that was he.

The Life and Death of Flacius Jlliricus, who dyed Anno Christi 1575.

[Page]

MAtthias Flacicus Illiricus was born in Albona in Sclavo [...]a, Anno Christi 1520. his Father, whil'st he lived, bro [...]ght him up in learning care [...]ully; but after his d [...]ath, his Masters so neglected him that he almost forgot all; but when he began to have discretion, he desired much to attaine to learning, and for that end he went to Venice, and after some progresse made, at seventeen years old he began to [...]tudy Divinity, but wanting meanes to maintain him in the University, he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a Monastery, either at Bononia, or Padua: but a friend, di [...]swading him from that kinde of life, advised him rather to goe into Germany where were store of learned men. He went therefore to Basil, where he studied under Grynaeus, and from thence to Tubing: where also he studied a while, and then went to Wi [...]tenb [...]rg Anno Christi 1541. where he privately taught Greek and Hebrew for hi [...] maintenance, and heard Luther, and Melancthon. He was much troubled there with temptations about sin, God's wrath and Predestination: but by the good councell of Pome [...]ne and Luther, and the publick prayers of the Church for him, it pleased God that he overcame them. Melancthon loved him much for his wit, and learning: there he was made Master of Arts: married a wife, and had a stipend allowed him by the Prince [...] But when, by reason of the Wars, that University was dissipated, he went to B [...]nswi [...]ke, & got much credit by his publick teaching: but the Wars being ended, he return'd to Wittenberg, Anno 1547. But when the Inter [...]m came forth, and Melancthon thought that for peace-sake som thing should be yeelded to in things indifferent; Flacius, with many other Divines, strongly opposed it, as opening a gap to the retnrne of Popery: whereupon he removed from thence to Magdeburg, where he strongly opposed whatsoever [Page] was contrary to the Augustine Confession: there als [...] he assisted in writing the Magdeburgenses Centuries. And whe [...] the Duke of Saxony had erected an University at Ieans he sent for him thither, Anno Christi 1556. but after five years a great contention arising between Strigelius, and him about Free-will, he left that place, and went to Ratisbone [...] an [...] Anno Christi 1567. the Citizens of An [...]werp, having pro [...] liberty for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion, sent for Flacius amongst others thither: but Religion being quickly expelled thence, he went to Argentine: and from thence to Franckefurt upon the Main, where after a while falling out with the Ministers about the Essence of Originall Sin, he fell into great disgrace: and not long after dyed Anno Christi 1575. and of his age 55. He was of an unquiet wit, alwayes contending with some or other; and brought much griefe to Melancthon: yet wrote some excellent works for the benefit of the Church: and amongst oothers, his Catalogus Testium Veritatis.

He was a man (as some reported) fit

To be the Master of unquiet wit.

He was contentious, which brought discontent

To rare Melancthon; yet some time he spent

In serious studyes, leaving at his death

Rare workes behind, to give his fame a breath.

The Life and Death of Josias Simlerus, who dyed Anno Christi 1576.

IOsias Simlerus was born in Helvetia Anno Christi 1530. his father was a godly, learned, and prudent man: by whom he was carefully brought up in learning, and at fourteen years of age he was sent to Tygure, where he lived in Bullinge [...]'s family (who was his godfather) almost two years; [Page] from thence he went to the University of Basil, where he studied the Arts, and Tongues one year, and from thence he went to Argentine, where he made a further progresse in those studies; and at the end of three yeares he returned to his fathers, with whom he spent his time in study, and teaching a School, and sometimes also preaching. Anno Christi 1552. he began publickly to expound the New Testam [...]nt, beginning in Matthew in Tygure, being twenty two yeares old; which worke he performed with great judgement, fidelity, and diligence, having not onely many of that City to be his hearers, but many Exiles, especially of the English; also four years after he was made Deacon, and went on in his former worke with admiration, so that he was highly prized by all. Bibliander being grown very old, Simler supplyed his place, and was Collegue to Peter Martyr: who fore-told that Simler was like to prove a great ornament to the Church: who also when he dyed expressed much joy that he should leav so able a man to succeed him. Simler, besides his publick labours, instructed many also in private, and amongst them some Noblemen, both in sacred, and humain learning: he had such an acute wit, and strong memory that he was able Extempore to speak of any subject, and to answer his friends questions out of any author, and to give an account of their wrintings to the great admira [...]tion of the hearers: and though in reading of bookes he seemed to run over them very superficially, yet when he had don, he was able to give an exact account of any thing that was in them: and being so troubled with the gout that many times he was confined to his bed, and had the use of none of his members but his tongue onely; yet in the mid'st of his pains, he used to dictate to his amanuensis such things as were presently printed to the great admiration of learned men: besides the gout, he was much troubled with the stone, so that the pains of these diseases, together with his excessive labors in his Ministry, hastened his immature death: which he also fore-saw, yet without any consternation or feare, but by his frequent, and fervent [Page] prayers to God, he endeavored to fit himselfe for it: and accordingly Anno Christi 1576. he resigned up his spirit unto God, being forty five years old, and was buried in Peter Martyr's tomb: he was of a very loving, and gentle nature, free from passion: very charitable, spending all his Patrimony upon the poor, and strangers, and such as came thither to study he entertained them in his house, and often feasted his friends, with whom he would be very merry, otherwise he was very sparing of speech. He delighted much in history: he had two wives, the first of which was Bullinger's daughter, who dyed without issue; by the second he had three sons, and one daughter.

He was a man whose life and conversation,

Furnish'd both eyes and eares with admiration:

He was so pithy in his speech, that those

Which heard him, gave a plaudit to his close:

He alwayes meditated how to be

A perfect Scholler in Divinity:

He liv'd in Peace, his heart was still contented,

His life was well belov'd, his death lamented.

The life and death of Immanuall Tremelius, who dyed Anno Christi 1580.

IMmanuell Tremelius was born in Ferara, having a Jew to his father, who so educated him, that he was very skilfull in the Hebrew tongue: He was converted by Peter Martyr, and went with him to Lucca, where he taught Hebrew: from thence he went with him also to Argentine, and from thence into England under King Edward the sixt, after whose death he returned into Germanie, and in the Schoole [...]f Hornback, under the Duke of Bipont, he taught Hebrew: f [...]om thence he was called to Heidleberg, under Frederick the third, Elector Palatine, where he was professor of the Hebrew [Page] tongue, and translated the Syriack Testament into Latine. There also he set upon the translation of the Bible out of Hebrew, and associated to himselfe in that worke Francis Iunius: From thence also he removed to Seden, at the request of the Duke of Bulloin, to be the Hebrew-Profes [...]sor in his new University, where he dyed Anno 1580. and of his Age seventy.

This rars Hebritian, though at first conf [...]n'd

To Iewish principles, at last in [...]lin'd

Himselfe to goodnesse, and imploy'd his heart

To trace and follow a diviner art;

And so improv'd himselfe, that he became

From a small sparke, a most aspiring flame.

And at the last he lay'd his [...]empels downe

In Abr'ams bosome, and receiv'd a Crowne.

The Life and Death of Peter Boquine, who dyed Anno Christi 1582.

PEter Boquinus was borne in Aqritane, and being in his youth brought up in learning, he entred into a Monastery in Biturg; where afterwards he was made the Prior, and was very much beloved of all the Covent. But it pleased God in the midst of all his riches and honors, to discover the Truth to him; and thereupon, after the example of Luther, Bucer, O [...]colampadius and Peter Martyr, he resolved to leave all, and to follow Christ, whose example divers of the Fryars also followed. From thence he went to Wittenberg, travelling through Germany, and by the way he went to Basil, where he wintered, by reason of the Plague very rise at that time in many Countries: there he diligently heard the Lectures of Myconius, Caralostadius, and Sebastian Munster: from thence he went to Lipswich, where he stayed three weeks, and so went to Wittenberg; coming thither [Page] he had some converse with Luther, but more with Melancthon: and whilst he was there, Bucer [...]ent to Melancthon to request him to send an able man to Argentine to supply Calvins place, who was now gone backe to Geneva; whereupon Melancthon requested Boquine to goe thither, which he accordingly did, and began to read upon the Epistle to the Galatians. Shortly after Peter Martyr came thither also. But Boquine finding that the Ecclesiasticall and Scholasticall affaires went but slowly forward in that place, upon the request of a friend, he resolved to goe backe into France: and so taking Basil in his way, he went to Geneva, where he heard Cavin preach, and from thence to Biturg, where (hoping that the French Churches would have been reformed) he began to read Hebrew, and to expound the Scriptures. About that time Francis King of France being dead, the Queen of Navar came into those parts, about the marriage of her daughter: to whom Boquine went, and presented her with a booke about the necessity and use of the holy Scriptures; whereupon she undertooke his Patronage, and allowed a yeerly stipend, appointing him to Preach a publicke Lecture in the great Church in Biturg: which place he continued in so long as he had hope of doing any good; but when he saw that there was no hope of any further Reformation, and that his enemies lay in wait for his life, he gave it over of his own accord: yet the Fryars and Papists would not let him alone, but cited him to the Parliament at Paris, and afterwards brought him before the Archbishop of Bi [...]urg; so that he was in great perill of his life, but God raised up some good men to stand for him, whereby he was delivered from the present danger: then he resolved to flye into England; but hearing of King Edward's death, he altered his purpose, and by the perswasion of a friend, he resolved to return to his people in Germanie; and so accordingly he went to Argentine, and when he had scarce beene there a moneth, it so fell out that the French Church in that place wanted a Pastor, and chose him to that office; yet for sundry reasons he refused to acc [...]pt of it, till by the [Page] perswasion of Iohn Sturmius, and some other friends, he was content to preach to them till they could provide themselves of another. In the year 1557. he went from thence to Heidleberg, being sent for by Otho Henrie, Prince Elector Palatine; who was about to reform his Churches: there he was made the publicke Professor of Theologie, and met with much oppositions and manifold contentions in that alteration; which he bore with much prudence: there he continued in the execution of his place twenty yeares under Otho and Frederick the third; after whose death in 1576. by reason of the prevalency of the Heterodox party, he, with other Professors and Divines, was driven from thence: and it pleased God that immediately he was called to Lusanna, where he performed the part of a faithfull Pastor, so long as he lived. In the year 1582. on a Lords day he preached twice, and in the evening heard another Sermon, then supped chearfully, and after supper refreshed himself by walking abroad; then went to visit a sick friend, and whilest he was comforting of him, he found his spirits to begin to sinke in him, and runing to his servant, he said unto him, Praie; saying further, Lord receive my soule, and so he quietly departed in the Lord, in the year 1582.

This loyall convert carefully did strive,

To make Religion and true vertue thrive:

By his example many Fryars went

To séek for Christ, and leave their discontent:

They banish'd former erro [...]s to imbrace

The truth, and fill themselves with heav'nly grace:

But sudden death made B [...]quines heart to faint;

He liv'd a Convert and he dy'd a Saint.

WILLIAM GRINDALL.

The Life and Death of William Grindall.

[Page]

WIlliam Grindall was born in Cumberland Anno Christi 1519. and carefully brought up in learning, first [...] School, and then in the University of Cambridge, where being admitted into Pembrooke-Hall, he profited so exceedingly that he was chosen first Fellow, and afterward Master of that house: and Bishop Ridley taking notice of his piety, and learning, made him his Chaplain, and commended him to that pious Prince King Edward the sixt, who intended to prefer him, but that he was prevented by an immature death. In the bloody dayes of Queen Mary, Grindal, amo [...]gst many others, fled into Germany where he continued al [...] her raign; but coming back in the begining of Queen Elizabeth, [Page] she pre [...]erred him to that dignity which her brother King Edward entended him to, making him Bishop of London, wherein he carryed himselfe worthily for about eleven years; and Anno Christi 1570. he was removed by the Queen to the Archbishoprick of Yorke, where he continued about six years; and then for his piety and learning she made him Archbishop of Cant [...]rbury, wherein he lived about seven years more, and then falling sick at Croydon, he resigned up his spirit unto God that gave i [...], An. Christi 1583. and of his Age 64. Both in his life, and at his death he did many excellent works of Charity [...] at Saint Bees in Cumberland, where he was born, he erected a Free-school, and endowed it with 30 l. per Annum for ever. To Pembrok Hall in Cambridg, where he was educated, he gave 22 l. a year in Lands for the maintaining of a Greek Lecturer, one Fellow, and two Schollars, to be chosen out of the foresaid Schoole of Saint Bees: he gave also much money to the said Colledge. To Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge he gave lands for the maintenance of one Fellow from the said School: To Christ's Colledge in Cambridg he gave forty five pounds. To Queen' [...] Colledge in Oxford he gave twenty pound per Annum in lands to maintain one Fellow [...] and two Scholars out of the aforesaid School: and at his death he gave his Library, which was a very great and good one, to that Colledge; besides a great sum of mony. To eight Alms-houses in Croydon he gave fifty pounds per Annum: and to Canterbury he gave an hundred pounds to set the poor on work.

True vertue rain'd in Grindals brest,

His Charity bespeakes him blest:

He loved peace, and hated those

That dar'd to prove Religio [...]s foes [...]

Renowned Ridley took delight

To see his vertue shine so bright;

He like a star gave light to all

That sat in darknesse, pinch'd with thrall,

[Page]And thus this glistring star went downe,

And set in Heav'n with much renowne

Where now he beares his part, and sings

Blest hallalujahs to the Kng of Kings.

The Life and Death of Bernard [...]ilpin, who dyed Anno Christi 1583.

BErnard Gilpin was born at Kentmire in the County of Westmoreland Anno Christi 1517. of an ancient, and honorable family: when he was but a child, a Fryar pretending to be a zelous Preacher, came on a Saturday night to his fathers house, and at supper eat like a Glutton, and drank himselfe drunk; yet the next morning in his Sermon sharply reproved the sin of Drunkennesse: whereupon yo [...]ng Gilpin, sitting near his mother, cryed out, Oh mother! do you heare how this fellow dar's speak against drunkennesse, and yet himselfe was drunken last night? but his mother stopped his mouth with her hand, that he might speak no further, it being a mortall sin in those times to speak against these men. His parents perceiving his aptnesse were carefull to make him a Scholar: and when he had with great approbation passed his time in the Grammer-School, they sen [...] him to Oxford Anno Christi 1533. where he was admitted into Queen's Colledge, and profited wonderonsly in humane learning: he was very conversant also in the writings of Erasmus, which were much esteemed at that time: Aud to the study of Logick, and Philosophy, he added that of Greek and Hebrew; yea after som few years spent in these studyes, he grew so famous, that their was no place of preferment for a Scholar, whereof the eminency of his vertues had not rendered him worthy: whereupon he was one of the first that was chosen a member of Christ-Church by Cardinall Wol [...]ey. At that time he was not fully instructed in the true Religion, but held Disputations against [Page] Iohn Hooper, afterwards Bishop of Worcester; as also against Peter Martyr who was then Divinity Lecturer at Oxford: upon the occasion of which dispute, that he might defend his cause the better, he examined the Scriptures, and ancient Fathers: But by how much the more he studyed to defend his Cause, the lesse confidence he began to have therein; and so whilst he was searching zealously for the Truth, he began to discern his owne Errors. Peter Martyr used to say, That he cared not for his other [...]dversaries, but (saith he) I am much troubled for Gilpin; for he doth, and speaketh all things with an upright heart, and therefore he often prayed, That God would be pleased at last to convert to the Truth the heart of Gilpin being so inclinable to honesty: and the Lord answered his prayer; for Gilpin resolved more earnstly to apply himselfe both by study, and prayer to search out the Truth, and it pleased God accordingly to reveal it unto him; as also the many Errors of Popery, and the necessity of seperating from that Apostaticall Church. In the mean while Cuthbert T [...]nstal Bishop of Durham being his Unckle, resolved to send him beyond Sea to visit the Churches in forrein parts, and to allow him means for his travel; but before his going, he was called to preach before King Edward the sixt, which he performed with good approbation. Then resolving upon his journey, he had a Parsonage given him, which Tunstal perswaded him to keep to maintain him in his travels; but he, sending for a friend whom he knew to be learned and religious, resigned his Parsonage to him: for which, when it came to the knowledge of Tunstal, he chid him sharply, and told him, That he would dye a beggar: but he excused it, saying, That he could not keepe it with the peace of his conscience: but (said the Bishop) thou shalt have a dispensation: to whom Gilpin answered, That he feared when he came to stand before Christ's tribunall, it would not serve his turne to plead a Dispensation, &c. When he came beyond Sea he went to Lovain, Antwerp and Pari [...]: and after a while Tunstal sent againe to him to perswade him to accept of a Parsonage, [Page] which he would confer upon him: to whom he wrote backe, that he had discussed it with all the learned, especially with the Prophets and best writers since Christ's time; so that he was fully resolved not to burthen his conscience to accept of a Change which he could not live upon, &c. Whilest he was at Paris, Tunstal sent him over a Book which himselfe had written, about the Presence of Christ in the Sacrament, to be printed there, which Gilpin performed faithfully. He returned into England after three years, in Queen Maries raign, and beheld (to his griefe) the Church oppressed with blood and fire: and being placed by Tunstal in the Rectory of Essingdon, he began sharply to tax the vice [...] which then raigned in the Church, and propounded the Doctrine of Salvation plainly, and soundly, which procured him many enemies, especially of the Clergy, who accused hin often to the bishop for an Heretick; but Tunstal could not endure to shed blood, and therefore he de [...]lt mildly with him. At a certain time the Bishops Ch [...]plain [...] discoursed with him about Luther, and the Sacrament of the Altar: whom he answered so judiciously, that the Bishop hearing their discourse, said to his Chaplains, L [...]th [...] alone for he hath more l [...]arning then you all. The Archdeacon [...] of Durham being annexed to the Parsonage of Essingdon, Master Gilpin for a [...]ime supplyed both places, but after a wh [...] he wrote to the Bishop, that he might have his good w [...]ll to resign one of them; which the Bishop was very angry [...] saying, I told thee thou wouldst die a begger. Not long after [...]he Bishop conferred upon him instead of them, the Rectory of Houghton, which was a great Parish, and a very fine s [...]t. He took great care to performe the dutye [...] of the Mini [...]ry [...]mongst his people; and seeing the miserable condition of many places in those parts; where [...]he Ti [...]hes being Impropr [...]ated, the Souls of the people were st [...]rved, he preached often abro [...]d also: and once a year he took a journy into No [...]thumberland, Riddesdale, and Tindal, usually abou [...] C [...]istmas, because of the opportunity of so many holy d [...]ie [...]; where he gat himselfe mu [...]h [...]steem by his pr [...]achi [...]g to [Page] thos [...] barbarou [...] people, and distributing money to the poor: sometimes h [...] was forced to lodge in the snow all night in that jou [...]ny, at which times he made his man to trot his horse [...] up and downe whilst he bestirred himselfe that he might not perish by the could. Once as he returned home, a husbandman, as he was ploughing, had a horse in hi [...] team that fell down, and dyed, for which he made great moan; whereupon Master Gilpin caused his man to alight, and take off his saddle and bridle, and so to carry them to the next town, and gave his horse to this husbandman; & when by chance h [...] met with any naked poor people, he would pull off some of his own clothes, and give them. In the towne of Houghton there was a street of poor people; for whose reliese every thursday, he caused a great pot of meat to be boyl [...]d, and distributed amongst them; ye [...], his charity was such, that he was commonly called, The Father of the Poor: Yet had he many enemies, who often accused him to Bishop Tunstal, but he abhorring to shed blood, was still a sweet defence to him. At last they accused him to Bonner, who sent a messenger to apprehend him, whereof he had notice before hand, and therefore prepared himselfe for Martyrdome, commanding his Steward to provide him a long garment to goe to the stake in, but it pleased God that by the sudden death of Queen Mary he was freed from thi [...] danger. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's raign Master Gilpin was exc [...]eding studious to doe all the good that possibly he could; whereupon he erected a Grammer-School, allowing maintenance for a Master, and Usher: divers of the Scholars he also instructed himselfe, so that in that School were bred many that were exceedingly profitable to the Church afterwards: for there was great resort to it, some of which he tabled in his owne house, others in the towne; yea, upon many poor mens sons he bestowed both meat, drinke, apparell, and [...]eaching: out of this School were sent daily many to the University, to diverse of which he allowed maintenance, whereby his name was renowned, and the Earl of Bedford much esteemed him, and [Page] procured of the Queen the Bishoprick of Carlile for him, and sent him his Congedeslier, but Master Gilpin returned it back with many thanks, alleging his own insufficiency for the discharge of so great a place. Not long after also he was much importuned to take upon him the Provost's place of Queens Colledge in Oxford, but he refused it, being wholly unwilling to remove from the place where God had set him.

He was much given to Hospitality, insomuch as William Cecill Lord Burghley returning out of Scotland, drawn with the same of Master Gilpin came to Houghton, where he was entertained with all due respect: and when he had well observed Master Gilpin, and the diligence, and abundance of all things, with so compleat service in the entertainment of so great, and unlooked for a Guest, he said at his parting, That he had heard much of Master Gilpin, but what he had now seen, and tryed was much more then the report; and thereupon taking his his leave of Master Gilpin, he r [...] quested him if he had any occasion, or suit at the Court that he would make use of him to meditate it for him. He still continued his yearly visit of Riddesdale, and Tindale, where he was esteemed a Prophet, and little lesse then adored by that barbarous people. Being once amongst them, one had stoln his horses, whereupon Hue and Cry was sent abroad for Master Gilpin's horses: the fellow that had stoln them, hearing that they were Master Gilpin's, fell a trembleing, and presently carryed them back againe, humbly craving pardon, and the benediction of Father Gilpin, protesting that he feared that he should be thurst into hell if he should doe him any wrong. Also he being to preach at a towne called Rothbury, there was a deadly fewd between the Inhabitants, so that the men of both sides never met at Church without blood-shed, and therefore when one party came the other used to stay away: but Master Gilpin being in the Pulpit, both partyes came to Church, one party going into the Chancell, and the other into the body of [...]he Church, armed with Swords and Javelins; Master Gilpin, [Page] though somewhat moved with this uncouth spectacle, yet went on in his Sermon; but when their weapons began to make a clashing sound, and the one side drew near to the other, Master Gilpin came downe from the Pulpit, and stepping to the ringleaders of either faction, he laboured to establish a peace; and when he could not prevaile in that, yet he got a promise from them to continue the peace whilst he was in the Church, & afterwards whilst he was in those quarters, and so going up againe, he spent the rest of the time in discharging that barbarous and bloody custom. At another time Master Gilpin coming to a Church in those parts, before the people assembled, and walking up, and downe, he espied a glove hanging up in the Church; end enquiring of the Sexton the meaning of it, he told him that it was a glove of one of the Parish who hung it up as a challenge to his enemy, with whom he would fight hand to hand, or with any else that durst take it downe. Master Gilpin requested the Sexton to take it downe, who replyed, That he durst not. Then said Master Gilpin, Bring me a staff, & I will take it down; which accordingly he did, and put it into his bosome, and in his Sermon he took occation to reprove these inhumane challenges, and reproved him in particular that had hug up the glove, shewing them that he had taken it downe, and that such practices were unbeseeming Christians, and therefore he perswaded them to love, and mutuall charity amongst themselves: after Sermon he distributed mony amongst the poor, and as his manner was, visited the prisoners, gave them mony, and preached to them, and brought many of them to repentance, and for some that were condemned to die he procured pardon, and saved their lives.

Not long after a Rebellion was raised in the North by the Earls of Northumberland, and Cumberland; which Master Gilpin having intelligence of, resolved to retire himselfe, and making a speech to the Master, aud Scholars to demean themselves carefully, and peaceably in his absence; he went to Oxford, till the Queens Army commanded by [Page] the Earl of Sussex, had dissipated the Rebels: but before that Army came, the Rebels having seazed upon Durham, some of them flew as far as Houghton, and finding Master Gilpin's Barns full of corn, young cattell fatted, and many things provided for hospitality, they made spoile of all; the chiefest of which plunderers was a knave whom Master Gilpin had saved from the Gallows: but when those Rebels were overthrown, Master Gilpin returned home, and begged the lives of many of the simpler sort, whom he knew to be drawn into that Rebellion through ignorance.

After the death of Bishop Pilkington, who was Master Gilpins faithfull friend, there succeeded in the Bishoprick of Durham one Richard Barns who was offended with him upon some false suggestions, which came thus about: Master Gilpins custom was sometimes to goe to Oxford, and once as he was upon his way, he espied a young youth before him sometimes walking, and sometimes runing. Master Gilpin demanded of him what he was, whence he came, and whether he was going? He answered, That he came out of Wales, and was bound for Oxford to be a Scholar.

Master Gilpin thereupon examined him, and finding him a prompt Scholar for the Latin, and that he had a smattering in the Greek, asked him if he would goe with him, and he would provide for him: the youth was contented, whereupon he took him with him to Oxford, and afterwards to Houghton, where he profited exceedingly bo [...]h in Greek, and Hebrew, whom Master Gilpin at last sent to Cambridge: and this was that famous Hugh Broughton, who afterwards r [...] quited evill for good, by stirring up of the Bishop of Durham against Master Gilpin. Now the Bishop sent to Master Gilpin to preach at a Visitation, appointing time and place: but it fell out just at that time when Master Gilpin was going his Northern journy into Riddesdale, &c. whereupon he sent his man to the Bishop, desiring him to appoint som other to preach the Visitation-Sermon, for that he might have many to doe that, but none would goe amongst [Page] the Borderers if he did it not: when his man had delivered his message to the Bishop, the Bishop h [...]ld his peace, which being related to Mr. Gilpin, he said, Silence argu [...]'s consent, and so went on in his journy. But so soon as the Bishop heard of it, he suspended him, which Master Gilpin at his returne much wondred at: Shortly after the Bishop sent to him to warn him to meet him, and the rest of the Clergy at Chester: whither Master Gilpin went, and when the Bishop and Clergy were all met in the Church: he said to Master Gilpin, Sir, I must have you preach to day. Master Gilpin desired to be excused, because he was unprovided, and for that he was suspended. But (saith the Bishop) I free you from that suspension. Yet Master Gilpin replyed, That he durst not go up into the Pulpit unprovided. You are never unprovided (saith the Bishop) you have such an habit of preaching. Master Gilpin still stifly refused, saying [...] That God was not so to [...]e tempted, &c.

Whereupon the Bishop commanded him to goe into the Pulpit forthwith. Well Sir (said Master Gilpin) since it must be so, your Lordships will be done, & so after a little pause, went up, and began his Sermon, and though he saw some extraordinarily prepared to write his Sermon, yet he proceeded in his application to reprove the enormities in that Diocesse. And now saith he, Re [...]erend Father, my speech must be directed unto you; God hath exalted you, and will require an account of your Gove [...]nment: a reformation of what's amisse in the Church is required at your hands, &c. neither can you henceforth plead ignorance, for b [...]h [...]ld I bring these things to your knowledge this day, and therefore what evils you shall [...]ither doe your s [...]lfe, or suffer by your connivance [...]ereaf [...]er you make it your own, &c [...] His friends hearing him thū der out these things, much feared what would become of him: and after Sermon, some of [...]hem told him with tears, That now the Bishop had that advantage against him which he had long looked for, &c. to whom he answered, Be not affraid, the Lord God over-ruleth all, a [...]d if God [...]ay be glorified, and his Truth propagated, Gods will be done [...]on [...]erning [...]ee. After they had dined together (all men exspecting the issue [Page] of this businesse) Master Gilpin went to take his leave of th [...] Bishop. Nay (said the Bishop) I will bring you home, and so went along with him to his house, and walked there together in a Parlour, the Bishop took him by the hand, saying, Father Gilpin, I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durham, then my selfe to be Parson of your Church, I aske forgiveness [...] for errors past; forgive m [...], Father, I know you have hatched [...] some chickens that now seek to pick out your eyes; but be sure so long as I am Bishop of Durham, no man shall injure you: Master Gilpin, and his friends much rejoyced that God had so overruled things [...] that that which was purposed for his disgrace, should turn to his greater credit.

His body being quite worn out with pains-taking, at last he feeling before hand the approach of death, commanded the poor to be called together, unto whom he made a speech, and took his leave of them: He did the like also to others; made many exhortations to the Scholars, to hi [...] servants, and to diverse others, aud so at the last he fell asleep in the the Lord, March the fourteenth An. Christi 1583. and of his Age 66.

He was tall of stature, slender, and hawk-nosed: his clothes not costly, but frugal in things that belonged to his own body: bountifull in things that tended to the good of others, especially to the Poor, and Scholars. His doore [...] were still open to the poor, and strangers; he boorded, and kept in his owne house twenty four Scholars, most of them poor mens sons, upon whom he bestowed meat, drink, apparell, and learning. Having a great Parish he entertained them at his table by course every Sabbath, from Michaelmasse to Easter. He bestowed upon his School, and for stipends upon the Schoolmasters, the full sum of five hundred pounds, out of which School he supplyed the Church of England with great store of learned men. He was carefull not onely to avoid all evill, but the least appearance of it: Being full of faith unfeigned, and of good works; he was at last put into his grave as an heap of wheat in due time put into the garner.

[Page]

What pen can be susficient to set forth

Th'exuberous praises of brave Gilpins worth?

Though at the first his heedlesse soul did stray,

And ramble in a foule erronious way:

Yet at the last he left those paths which bended

Unto distruction; and his follyes ended:

Then he began to exercise the truth,

And hate the former errours of his youth.

His soul was fil'd with piety, and peace;

And as the truth, so did his joyes encrease:

His fame soone spread abroad; his worth was hurl'd

Through every corner of th'inquiring world.

And to conclude, in him all men might find

A reall heart, and a most noble minde.

The life and death of Zachary Ursin, who dyed Anno Christi 1583.

ZAchary Vrsin was born in Silesia Anno Christi 1534. of honest parents, who were carefull of his education in his childhood; and having profited exceedingly at School, he was sent to the University of Wittenberge at sixteen yeers old, where he heard Melancthon with great diligence two years: at which time the Plague breaking forth there; he retired with Melancthon to Tergaw, and having an ample testimony from him, he went thence into his owne Country all the winter, but in the spring he returned to Wittenberg, where he spent 5. years in the study of the Arts, & Tongus, and Divinity: he was very familiar with Melancthon, and much esteemed of many learned men, who flocked to that University out of all Countries, with whom also afterwards he kept correnspondency: he went An. Christi 1557. with Melancthon to the conference at Worms about religion; and from thence he travelled to Marpurg, Argentine, Basil, [Page]Lausanna, and Geneva, where he grew into familiar acquaintance with many learned men, especially Calvin, who gave him such books as he had Printed; from thence he went into France, to Lions, and Paris, where he perfected his skill in the Hebrew under the learned Mercerus; in his return he went to Tigure, where he acquainted himselfe with the learned men, and so to Tubing, Vlme, Norimberg, and so to his old Master Melancthon. Anno Christi 1558. he was sent for by the Senate of Vratislave (which was his native place) to govern a School there; where, besides his Lectures in the Arts, and Tongues, he was imployed in the explication of Melancthons book of the Ordination of Mini [...]ters, wherein he declared his judgment about the Sacrament, and thereupon he was cried out agaainst for a Sacramentarian; which caused him to give a publick account of his Faith about the Doctrine of the Sacraments, in certain strong, and accurate propositions; Melancthon hearing of the opposition which he met with, wrote to him to stand firmly to the truth, and if he enjoyed not p [...]ace in that place to return to him againe; and to reserve himselfe for better times: whereupon he requested of the Senate that he might be dismissed, and having obtained his desire, he returned to Wi [...] tenberg, where foreseeing Melancthons death, and the grea [...] alterations in that University, he left it, and went to Tygure, Anno 1560. being invited thither by Martyr, Bullinger, Simler, Lavater, Gualter, Gesner, and Frisius, who much desired his company: there he was a constant hearer of Martyr, and profited much under him in the knowledge of Divinity: Anno 1561. their came letters to Tigure from Thomas Erastus signifying that there wanted a Divinity Professor at Heidleberg, and desiring supply from thence; whereupon, knowing Vrsines fitnesse, they presently sent him with their letters of ample commendation both to the Elector Palatine, and to the University: where he discharged his place so well that at twenty eight years of age they graced him with the title of a Doctor in Divinity, and he supplyed the place of a publick Professor, to the year 1568. at which time [Page] Zanchy succeeded him, their also he made his Catechise, for the use of the Palla [...]inate: Anno Chri [...]ti 1563. there brake forth a grievous pestilence that scattered both the Court, and University: yet Vrsin remained at home, and wrote his tractates of Mortallity, and Christian consolations for the benefit of Gods people. He was so dear to the Elector Palatine, that when the Bernates sent Aretius to Heidleberg, to crave leave that Vrsin might goe to Lusanna to be the Divinity Professor there, he would by no means part with him, but gave him leave to choose an assistant, that so his body might not be worn out with his dayly labors: Anno Ch. 1572. he married a wi [...]e, by whom he had one son that inherited his fathers vertues: But upon Prince Fredricks death their grew a great alteration in the Palatinate, insomuch that none but Lutherans could be suffered to continue th [...]r [...], so that Vrsin with his Collegue were forced to leave the University: but he could not live private long, for he was sent for by Prince Iohn Chassimire: also the Senate of Berne sent importunatly for him to succeed Aretius there: But Cassimire would by no meanes part with him, having erected a University at Newstad, and chosen Vrsin and Zanchy to be the Divinity Professors thereof: But Vrsin by his excessive studies and neglect of exercise, fell into a sicknesse which held him above a year together, after which he returned to his labors againe, and besides his Divinity Lectors, he read Logik also in the Schools: desiring his auditors to give him what doubts, and objections they met with, which upon study at his next Lecture he returned answers to: But his great labors cast him into a consumption and other diseases, yet would he not be perswaded to intermit them, till at last he was confined to his bed: yet therein also he was never idle, but alwayes dictating something that might conduce to the publick good of the Chuch: The houre of death being come, his friends standing by, he quietly slept in the Lord, Anno Christi 1583. and of his age 51. He was very pious, and grave in his carriage, and one that sought not after great things in this world.

[Page]

Let those whose hearts desire to be

Professor of Divinity:

Trace Ursins steps; so shall they find

The comforts of a studious minde:

He had a greater care to nurse

Distressed souls, then fill his purse:

He would not tell a frutlesse story

Unto his flock; his oratory

Serv'd not flatter, but to bring

Subjected souls unto their King:

Where now he rests with him that says

Shephards of Flocks, look to your wayes.

The Life and Death of Abraham Bucholtzer, who dyed Anno Christi 1584.

ABraham Bucholtzer was born at Schovavium in the year 1529. and from his infancy brought up by his Parent [...] in Religion and Learning. When he was first set forth to School, he profited to admiration, outstripping all his Schoolf [...]llows by his acute wit and industry: and being well p [...]incipled at Schoole, he went to the University at Witt [...]nberg: Accounting it his great happinesse, that he was borne after the light of the Gospell brak [...] forth, and bred up under M [...]lancthon, upon whose Lectures he attended diligen [...]l [...], and [...]ucked in from him not onely the principles of Learning, but of Religion also. About that time there sp [...]ang up many errors, but by the helpe of Melancthon he was able both to discover and confute them. There also he studied Gr [...]k and Hebrew. When he was six and twenty years old, he went from thence into Silesia to visit his friends, and to see the chiefest Cities; and whilst he was there, the Senate o [...] Grunberg consulted about the erecting o [...] a School in that C [...]ty; and for the a [...]vancement of the [Page] same, they chose Bucholtzer to be the Master thereof, and sent to him by Luke Cunon, who was their Pastor, desiring him to undertake that office. Hereupon he asked Melancthons advice, who much encouraged him to accept of the place, saying, Quantum solatium est pio paedagog [...], assidentibus ca [...]stis angelis, sedere in coe [...]u incontaminato juniorum qui Deo placent, & docere tenera ingenia ut rectè agnoscant, & invocent Deum, & deinde organa fiant utilia Ecclesiae, & suis animabus? Upon his advice therefore he went thither, in the year 1556. and by his excellent abilities and diligence, he quickly made that place which before was obscure, to become famous. Scholars resorting to him from all parts, whom he bred up both in Religion and Learning, and fitted them so excellently for the University, that Melancthon never questioned any that came from his School, saying, Hoc est persuasum sibi habere, [...]udes & impolitos esse non posse, qui à politissimi judicii homine Abrahamo Buchol [...]zero essent informati. That he was verily perswaded, that they could not be rude, or unfitting for the University that came from under the tuition of Abraham Bucholtzer, who himselfe was a man of so polite a judgement.

In the year 1559. he married a wife, who proved a great comfort to him, and by whom he had many children, whom he tendered exceedingly, and educated them in the fear of God from their very infancy. He grew so famous all over Silesi [...], that many desired to have him for their Pastor; and at last Sprottavia enjoyed him, where he continued doing much good to 1573. at which time Catharine the relict of Henry Duke of Brun [...]wick sent for him to her Court; to whom he went, partly by reason of his great engagements to that Family, but especially because he enjoyed not his health in Sprottavia. The year after this pious Lady dyed, he then was called to Eleutheropolis by Euphemia the wife of Sir Fabian Belloquert; he Preached [...]here in the great C [...]rch, to which the Citizens flocked exceedingly, insomuch as when that pious and illustrious Ernest Prince of Anhalt sent for him, and profered him an honorable stipend, [Page] he refused to leave his place. He had an excellent sweetnesse and dexterity in Preaching; was of a sound judgment and holy life. His Sermons were so piercing, that he never Preached, but he wrought wonderfully upon the affections of his hearers. If any were cast down under the sence of sin and wrath, he exceedingly com [...]orted them. If any were troubled with tentations and afflictions, he raised them up, &c. He had a lively voyce, lively eye, lively hand, and such were all his gestures also: his Ministery was so gratefull, that his hearers were never weary, or thought hi [...] Sermons too long: He was full of self-deniall, insomuch as that excellent Lady Catherine of Brandenburg used to say, that all the rest of her Courtiers and Family were alwaye [...] craving something of her, Bucholtzer on the contrary never asked her for the worth of a farthing, yea he refus [...]d gifts, when they were profered to him, preferring kindnesse before the gift, & the fruit of his Ministery before the reward of it: He was so humble that when his friends blamed him for living in so obscure a place whilst he taught Schoole, he told them that he preferred it before a Kingdome: he could never endure to hear himself commended; and if his friends in their letters had written any thing to his praise, he could not read it with patience: sed terreri se laudationibus illis tanquam fulminibus dicebat, qui nihil in se magni videret, &c. His candor was such that he never spake, or wrote any thing but from his heart: he never read, or heard any thing from others, but he made a candid construction of it: His care in his publick Ministery was to avoid those question [...] that doe but gender unto strife, and to instruct his auditors how to live well, and dye well. He spent his spare houre [...] in reading Ecclesiasticall, and Profane histories, and profited so much thereby, that one affirmed in writing universam antiquitatem in Bucholtzeri pectuscuol latuisse reconditam, that all antiquity lay hid in his breast: he finding som great errors in Funccius his Chronology, set himselfe to write one, which with indefatigable pains he brought to perfection: whilst he thus publickly, and privately busied himselfe; he [Page] fell into a grievous disease, and just about the same time he lost his faithfull, and beloved yoak fellow that was the Mother of nine children: but upon his recovery he married another, with whom he lived not long before the Lord put an end to all his labours, and sorrowes Anno Christi 1584. and of his Age 55.

Religion, Learning, both agreed to met,

And make Bucholtzer prove their winding sheet;

Nay, and their Sepulchre, for there they lay

Imbracing in his little lumpe of Clay:

He loved vertue, and his heart dispis'd

To follow that, which Papists had devis'd;

His balmy language heald the bleeding hearts

Of them whose consciences retain'd the darts

Of wounding sin; his soul still took delight

To bring them out of darkenesse into light;

But since hee's gon, what can we say but this,

He rested here, with love, In heaven, with blisse.

The Life and Death of John Wigandus, who dyed Anno Christi 1587.

JOhn Wigandus was born in Mansfield, in the year 1523. of honest Parents of a middle ranke, who carefully brought him up in Learning, which naturally he was much addicted unto; having an excellent wit and firme memory; so that having profited much at School, he went to the University of Wittenberg, where he continued about three years; which time he spent in the studi [...] of the Arts and Tongues, which night and day he imployed himselfe in: and in the year 1541. by the advice of his Tutors and friends, he went to Norinberg, where he was made Master of the School, and for three years exercised himselfe with much diligence in [Page] 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 thence [...] 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 Spang [...]rberg, the Superintendent there: which place he discharged wi [...]h much [...]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 M [...] 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 th [...] 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 [Page] 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 Magdeb [...]rg againe: but not staying there, he was chosen to be the Superintendent at Wismare An. Cstristi 1562. where he imployed himselfe wholly in Prea [...]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 Regiomon [...]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 [Page] 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 Brit [...]a in Old March Anno Christi 1522. his father being poor he met with many [Page] 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 Mathematick [...]: 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 [...]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 pro [...]undissimus, neque veritatis, bonarumque arti [...]m studio, neque laude officii fac [...]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 p [...]ety, second to none.

[Page]And thus he liv'd, and dyed full of yeeres,

And with much honour left this vail of teares.

The Life and Death of Rodolphus Gualterus, who dyed Anno Christi 1586.

ROdolphus Gualter was born in Tigure Anno Christi 1518. was of an excellent wit, and therefore carefully brought up at School, where he first profited exceedingly in Oratory, and Poetry, and being admitted into the University he became famous, first in the knowledge of the Arts, and afterwards of Divinity, insomuch as he wa [...] chosen Pastor in that City where he first drew in his vitall breath: neither were they which chose him deceived in their exspectation; for he proved an admirable instrumen [...] of Gods glory, and their good, discharging his place with singular industry, diligence, and fidelity, not onely by hi [...] frequent publick preaching, but by his learned private writing [...], as his Homilies upon much of the Old, and N [...]w Testament doe sufficiently declare: and having governed, and fed that Church for above forty years together, he dyed in a good old age Anno Christi 1586. anp of his Li [...] sixty eight.

Uertue, and honor both combin'd

T'adorne Gualterus his minde:

His wise and well composed heart

Was principl [...]d in every part,

He was a Poet too, ti's therefore fit

We should applaud his rare Poeticke wit.

The Life and Death of Casper Olevian, who dyed Anno Christi 1587 [...]

[Page]

CAsper Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536 [...] and carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather, and at thirteen years old he was sent to Paris to study Law, from thence also he went to the Universities of Aurelia, and Biturg, where he heard the most famous Lawyers of those times; he joyned himselfe also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in that place: there he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers, after the solemn manner of the University, Anno Christi 1557. about which time there studied in that University under Nicolas Iudex, the young Prince Palatine [...] son to Fredericke the third, afterwards Elector: and Olevian being very intimate with Iudex, went one day after dinner to the river hard by the City, together with him and the young Prince; and when they came thither, they found som yong Noble Germans that were students there, going into aboat, who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them: But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely, disswaded them from adventuring themselves amongst them: which councell the Prince, and his Tutor neglecting, went into the boat; and putting from the bank, the drunken young men began so to thrust, and jus [...]le one another that at last they overthrew the boat, where they were all drowned. But Iudex being skilfull in swimming caught the young Prince, hoping to save him, but being unable to draw him with him, they both sunk.

Olevian standing on the bank, and seeing this sad spectacle, leap't into the water to try if he could help them; but at first he stuck into the mud, and water up to the chin, where he dispaired of his owne life: in that danger he prayed unto God, and vowed that if God would deliver him, he would preach the Gospell to his owne Citizens. [Page] At which time it pleased God that a footman of one of the Noblmens, coming to the river side, & seeing of him, ca [...]ght him by the hand (thinking that it had ben his own master) and drew him out: whereupon Olevian being delivered, together with the Law, studyed Divinity: especially reading over Calvins Commentaries diligently, and then returning to Trevir, he was retained to plead a cause th [...]re, but seeing the great deceit in that calling, he gave it over; and that he might performe his Vow, he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity: aud went to Geneva, and after to Tigure, where he was much holp [...]n by Martyr, and Bullinger: and after taking ship at Lusanna to goe to Geneva [...] Farrell hapned to be with him in the ship, who in discon [...] asked him, Whether he had ever preached in his own [...] Country, which he denying, Farrell perswaded him to do [...] it so soon as he could: and he accordingly promised that he would: therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to T [...] vir, and was by the Senate, & his friends requested to und [...] take the work of the Ministry there, and for his encouragement, they allowed him a stipend: he readLogick also in the School: but when he began to preach the Truth of Chri [...] and to discover the Errors in Popery, he was forbidden [...] by the Clergy to preach any more, and shut out of the School. Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall: where after he had preached a while, his adversariessuborned a Priest to step up into the Pulipt before him [...] but as soon as the people saw the Priest, they called to him to come down, for that they would not hear him. Olevian desired them to hear him, promising that so soon as he had don his Sermon he would preach himselfe: but they would not endure it; but made a great stir, so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled a pieces by them: but Olevian in [...]reating the people to be quiet, took him by the hand, and led him forth safely: and going into the pulpit himself, the people cried to him, We desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us: for this cause the Archbishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consul [...], and eight more of the Senators [Page] for ten weeks, who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them, which accordingly he did; but afterwards they were all freed at the request of the Elector Palatine, and some others: and the Elector Palatine sent for Olevian to Heidleberge, where he made him Rector of a Colledge: about which time he married a wife, and commensed Doctor in Divinity, and was made a Professor of Divinity in that University: he was also called to a Pastorall charge in the City, which he carefully and holily discharged, till the death of the Elector Fredericke the third; and shortly after he was called to Berleburg, by Lodewicke Count Witgenstein, where he Preached and instructed some Noble mens sons.

In the year 1584. he was called by Iohn of Nassau to Herborn, where he preached, and taught in a School three years. Anno Christi 1587. he fell into a mortall sicknesse, which (notwithstanding all means of oure) daily grew upon him, and so weakned him, that at last he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God. In his sicknesse he made his Will, and by pious, and holy meditations prepared himselfe for death: being visited by some great men, he told them, That by that sicknesse he had learned to know the greatnesse of Him, and the greatnesse of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before.

Iohn Pis[?] [...]ur coming to visit him, he told him, That the day before, for four hours together, he was filled with ineffable joy, so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better, when sa indeed he could never be better: for (said he) I thought that I was in a most pleasant meddow, in which as I walked up and downe, me thought that I was besprinkled with a heavenly dew, and that not sparingly, but plentifully powred downe, whereby both my body, and soule were filled with ineffable joy: To whom Piscator, That good shepherd of Jesus Christ led thee into fresh pastures. Yea, said Olevian, To the springs of living waters. Afterwards having repeated some sentences full of comfort out of Psalme forty two, [Page] Isaiah nine, and Matthew eleven: he often repeated, I would not have my journy to God long deferred. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with my Christ: he gave his hand, and farewell to his Collegues, and friends, and when he was in the Agony of death, Alstedius asked him whether he was sure of his salvation in Christ, & [...]. he answered, Most sure, and so he gave up the Ghost, Anno Christi 1587. and of his Age fifty one.

Nor must Olevian also be omitted,

But have a place of Honor fairby fitted

Unto his fame, among these Heroes brave;

Who, of his Parts in Arts much witnesse gave.

A sound Divine, to Rome an enemy,

Preaching Christs truth with courage, constancy:

And who at last, as he had long desir'd,

Exchanging earth for heaven, blestly expir'd.

IOHN FOXE.

The Life and Death of John Fo [...].

[Page]

JOhn Fox was born a [...] Bosten in Lincolns [...]ire Anno 1517. his Parents were neither so rich as by their wealth to be exposed to envy, nor so meane as by want to be lyable to contempt; more enriched they were with the love of their Neighbours, and most of all in having this so towardly and hopefull a Son. These perceiving that nature pointed out their Son (by the rare parts bestowed upon him) to be a Scholar, and therefore following her directions carefully bred him in learning, and sent him to Braz [...]nnose Colledge in Oxford.

Here he was Chamber-fellow wit Alexander Nowell afterwards Doctor and Dean of Pauls, and friendship betwixt [Page] them took so deep an impression in their tender years, advantaged with the simpathy of their natures, that it increased with their Age to be indelible. These communicated their studyes together, and with harmlesse emulation, and loving strife, whilest each endeavoured to out-strip others, both surpassed themselves.

Hence Fox was translated and chosen Fellow of Maudli [...] Colledge; whereat such as were bred in that foundation counting themselves the proper Heires to all the pr [...]ferment in the House, were much offended, til his patience an [...] humanity reconciled them unto him; so that he becam [...] not onely affected but admired. And as Naturalists [...] ob [...]serue that Plants are meliorated by removing, not abatin [...] their old but acquiring new spirits unto them; so th [...] Scholar by changing his Soyle to a new Colledge, w [...] thereby marvelously improved in all manner of learn [...]ing.

Now King Henry had lately set up a mongrell Religi [...] in the Land, like the Toes of Nabuchadnezars jmage, partl [...] Iron, partly Clay; one moity thereof, strong with undeni [...]able Truth, the other dawbed with untempered morter [...] in the six Popish Articles still retained. Our young Fello [...] in the Colledge [...] sees and sigh [...] at the sup [...]rsti [...]ion, an [...] retiring [...]imsel [...]e to a grove, entertaines the time with So [...]litarinesse, onely the silent midnight was witnesse to hi [...] sobs and groanes. He sees what, but not whither to f [...] but at last resolves hereafter to absent himselfe from t [...]e Romish Church: Hereupon being accused for a Separatist, and unwilling to over purchase his safety at the price of [...] lye he is convent [...]d and expelled the Colledge. But because Theeves must be thanked for giving what they doe not take away, his enemies challenged Commendation due to their courtis [...], because they took not Foxes life from him, according to the Severity of the Laws then in force.

By this time his owne Father was dead and his Mother married againe; Fox repair [...]s to his Father in law for succour, but finds no entertainment. For as when a hunted [Page] Deere, ch [...]sed with the Hounds, taketh sanctuary by flying to the rest of the herd, they out of a Principle of self preservation drive him away, for fear least the Hounds in persuit of him, fall on them; so his Father in law was loath to receive him, and sorbad him the protection of his family, least Persecutors in quest of his Son should bring him and his whole houshold into trouble.

Here it would be tedious for us but to tell (and then how troublesome for him to endure) in how many places this poore man lurked, for fear of informers, those Birds of prey which have as quick sight as sharp Talons, sometimes at Sir Thomas Luceys in Warwickeshire, sometimes [...] at Boston, most commonly at London, taken covert in that forrest of houses; it being a strange truth, that in such wherein are most eyes, a man is least seene. The Foxes (saith our Saviour) have holes, litterally true of that cunning creature, but ou [...] Fox, being indeed a sheep, in Innocence and Simplicity, had not where to lay his head, like Christ his Master.

But soone after hapned the death of King Henry, and Edward the sixt succeeded him. This put a period to his frights and flights, and for five years this good man enjoyed peace and prosperity, till the raigne of Queene Mary: Under whom for a while he lived safe in the house of the Duke of Norfolke, once his Pupill, untill Gardner Bishop of Winchester, that cruel Bloud-hoūd scenting him out, designed his destruction. For comming on a visit of respect to the Duke, Fox casually passing by, the Bishop demanded who that was; my Physi [...]ian answered the Duke: the Bishop replyed, I like well his ingenuous countenance, and when I have need will make use of him. Thus Herod pretended he would worship Christ when he intended to kill him; Winchester ment this Physitian should be his patient, on whom he would practice with fire and faggot, the usuall dosis Prescribed to all those who were accused to be infected with the Protestant Religion.

Now flyes our Fox beyond the Seas, who escaping fire [Page] fell into as mercilesse an element of Water. A terrible Tempest overtook him, frighting the prophane Sea-men into their prayers, and melting their hearts, which might seeme made of those Rocks amongst which they sailed. Hereby he was driven back againe to Yarmo [...]th, but at last by Gods Providence got beyond the Seas, and some months after arrived at Basil. Here he began that famou [...] worke of Acts and Monuments, which he finished many years after: And here making a Sermon to his fellow Exiles, he plainly told them, that now the Time was come for th [...]ir returne into England, and that he brought them that newes by co [...] mandement from God.

These Words were differently censured by severall m [...]n, some took them to be the evaporations of a melancholly Braine; others as Words shot at random, which if casually hitting the marke, would afterwards be observed, if otherwise would be buried in Oblivion amongst a heap of oth [...] Expressions. A third condemned them for a presumptiou [...] intrusion into Gods secrets, prying into the Arke of future con [...]ingencies which God hath vailed onely for him [...] But the successe proved them to be Prophe [...]icall; and thi [...] Confessour having his body macerated with fasting, and prayer and other afflictions, through the chinks and cle [...] thereof, stole a glympse of heaven and the knowledge of future things. For the day before his surrender, Queene Mary dyed; and now Fox with the rest of his friends hasteth home, so that if feare gave them feet to runne beyond the Seas, joy gave them win [...]es to flye home to their nativ [...] Country.

Here arrived, he continued and finished that worthy Worke formerly begun. For as God preserved one of Iobs s [...]rvants from fire and [...]ury of the Caldeans, and Sabeans [...] to report to Iob the losse of his fellowes; so divine Providence pro [...]ected this man from Martyrdome intended for him, that he might be the worlds intelligencer to tell the Tidings of the number and m [...]nner of Gods worthy Saints [...]nd servants who were destroyed by the cruelty of these [Page] Romish adversaries: Which bad newes is very well told in his Unpartiall relation.

For for the maine it is a worthy Worke (wherein the Reader may rather have then lack) presenting it selfe to Beholders, like Aetna, alwayes burning whilst the smoke hath almost put out the eyes of the adverse party, and these Foxes fire-brands have brought much annoyance to the Romish Philistines. But it were a Miracle if in so Voluminous a Worke there were nothing to be justly reproved; so great a Pomgranate not having any rott [...]n kernell must onely grow in Paradice. And though perchance he held the beame at the best advantage for the Protestant party to weigh downe, yet generally he is a true writer, and never wilfully deceiveth, though he may sometimes be unwillingly deceived. Many yeares after Master Fox lived in England, highly favoured by presons of quality: So that it may seeme strange, considering the heighth of his friends and largenesse of his deserts, that he grew to no place of more honour, and spread to no preferment of greater profit in the Church. But this must be wholly imputed to h [...]s owne modesty in declining advancement: For although the richest Myter of England would have counted it selfe prefer [...]'d by being placed upon his head, yet he contented himselfe onely with a Prebend of Salisbury, pleased with his owne obscurity, whilst others of lesse desert make greater show. And whilest prou [...] people stretch out their Plumes in Ostentation, he used their Vanity for his shelter, more pleased to have worth then to have others take notice of it.

Now how learnedly he wrote, how constantly he preacht, how piously he lived, how cheerefully he dyed, may be fetcht from his life at large, prefixed before his book. O [...]e passage therein omitted we must here insert, having received it from witnesses beyond exception: In the eighty eight when the Spanish halfe Moone did hope to rule all the motion in our Seas, Master Fox was privately in his Chamber at prayers, battering heaven with his importunity, in behalfe [Page] of this sinfull Nation. And we may justly presume that h [...] devotion was as actually instrumental to the victory, as th [...] wisdom of our Admirable, valour of his Souldi [...]rs, [...]kil and industry of his Sea-men. On a sudden coming downe to his Family, [...]e cry [...]d out, They are gone, they are gone; which indeed hapned in the same instant, as by exact Computatio [...] afterwards did appeare.

His Liberality to the poor [...] was boundlesse, so powerfull was the holy spell of the name of Jesus unto him, that no poore person ever charmed him therewith, but presen [...] raised his charitable spirit to bestow an almes upon him [...] One d [...]y Master Fox came from the Pallace of Bishop Elmer in London, when a company of poore people (by th [...] retinue he might ever be tracted) importunately begged o [...] him; Master Fox having no mony, returned back to the B [...] shop, desiring to borrow five pound of him, which wa [...] readily granted, and going forth di [...]tributed it amongst th [...] poore. Some mounths after, the Bishop asked Father F [...]x (for so he was commonly stiled) for the money he ow [...]d him; I have laid it out (quoth Master Fox) for you, and have payed it where you owed it, to the poore People that lay at your gate. The Bishop was so far from being offended with him, that he thanked him for being so carefull a Steward, such was the marvelous familiarity betwixt them, and great respect the Bishop bore to this Holy man.

But Master Fox (this extraordinary instance excepted) did not offer free offerings of other mens goods, but of hi [...] owne: So great was his Bounty that it fell under the censure of excesse, the streame being likely to draine the Spring and impaire his Estate. But God whose Providence provideth meet helpe fellows for men, fitted him with such a wife, whose hands as they knew not basely to scrape, so they were skilfull thriftily to keep; and this excellent medley so preserved his Estate, that a competency was left to his children.

He was not nipt in the Bud, nor blasted in the blossome, [Page] nor blowne downe when green, nor gathered when ripe; but even fell of his owne accord [...] when altogether whithered. As for the tim [...] of his death take it from his owne Epitaph on his Monument, which for the beauty thereof beares better proportion to the outward meanes then to th [...] inward merit of his person, there entombed in St. Giles Church without Criplegate.

Christo S. S.

Iohanni Foxo Ecclesi [...] Anglicanae Martyrolg [...] Fidelissimo, Antiquitat [...] Historicae Indagatori sugacissimo, Evangellicae veritatis, Propugnatori acerrimo, Tha [...]maturge admitabili; Qui martyres Marianes, tanquam Phoenices, ex cineribus redivivos praestitit. Patri suo omni pietatis officio inprimis Colendo, Samuel Foxus illius Primogenitus, hoc Mon [...]mentum posuit, non sine Lac [...]rymis.

Obiit die 18. mens April, An. Dom. 1587. Iam septuagenarius.

Vita vitae mortalis est, Spes vitae immortalis.

Rare Fox (well [...]urr'd with patience) liv'd a life

In's youthfull age devoted unto strife;

For the blind Papists of those frantick times,

Esteem'd his vertues as his greatest Crimes;

The hot persuit of their ful-crying hounds

Forc'd him to fly [...] beyond the lawlesse bounds

Of their hot sented Malice; though their skill

Was great in hunting, yet our Fox was still

Too crafty for them; though they rang'd about

From place, to place, they could not finde him out:

And when they saw their plots could not prevaile

To blesse their noses with his whisking [...]ayle,

They howl'd out curses, but could not obtain;

Their pre [...] being fled, their curses prov'd in vaine:

From whence I thinke this Prove [...]b came at first,

Most thrives the Fox, that most of all is curst.

The Life and Death of George So [...]nius who dyed Anno Christi 1589.

[Page]

GEorge Sohnius was born at Friburg in Wetteraw Ann [...] Christi 1551. of honest parents, and brought up a [...] School in learning, where he sucked in the first rudiment [...] with much eagernesse; and fom School went to the Un [...] versity of Marpurg, at fifteen years old: where he profited so exceedingly in Logick and Philosophy, that he was made Batchelor of Arts at the years end. Anno Christi 1569. he went to Wittenberg, where he studyed Philosophy, Law, and Divinity with incredible pains, so that at three year [...] end with the approbation of the whole University, he wa [...] made Master of Arts: he intended at first the study of Law [...] But it pleased God on a sudden so to divert his heart from it, and to incline him to the study of Divinity, that he could have no rest in himselfe till he had resolved upon it [...] Anno Christi 1571. he returned to Marpurg, and studyed H [...]brew, and the year after he read the Arts to many student [...] privately, and became Tutor to three Noblemen: at twenty three years old he was so famous, that by the consent of all the Divines in that University, he was chosen into the number and order of Professors of Divinity: the year after he married a wife, a choyce maid, by whom he had three sons, and two daughters: the same year also he was chosen the Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in that University: Anno Christi 1578. he was made Doctor in Divinity, and falling sick about that time, he made an excellent conf [...]ssion of his faith: But it pleas [...]d God that he recovered, and was not onely a constant preacher of the truth, but a strong defender of it against errors, confuting the Vbiquitarians, and that so boldly, that he chose rather to hazard banishment then to connive at errors: His fame spread abroad [...]xceedingly, so that many sought for him, especially Iohn of N [...]ssaw and Iohn Cassimire the Elector Palatine, the [Page] first desired him to come and begin his University at Herborn, where he should have had greater honor, and a larger stipend: the other desired him to Heidleberg to be the Divinity Professor in that place. His answer was, That he was born rather for labours, then honours, and therefore chose to goe to Heidleberg, being thirty three years old, and was entertained lovingly of the Prince: and his coming was most gratefull to the University, where he tooke exceeding great paines: and was eminent for Piety, Humility, Gravity, Prudence, Patience and Industry: so that in the year 1588. he was chosen into the number of the Ecclesiasticall Senators, for the government of the Church. He was famous for Learning, Eloquence, Faithfulnesse and Diligence in his place, and Holinesse and Integrity in his life. In the year 1589. he fell sicke, for which and his change he had been carefully fitting himselfe beforehand; and therefore bore it with much patience, and with fervent Prayer; often repeated, O Christ, thou art my redeemer, and I know that thou hast redeemed mee: I wholly depend upon thy providence and mercy: from the very bottome of my heart I commend my spirit into thy hands, and so he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1589. a [...]d of his Age 38.

Industrious, humble, prudent, patient, grave:

What other vertues that a man could have

Sohnius enjoyn'd with peacefulnesse: his hand

Was apt to write, his heart to understand:

He tooke delight to meditate upon

The love of God; his owne salvation:

He study'd how to dye: his wel-spent breath

Was but a rare preparative to death:

And having ended his laborious dayes,

He dy'd in peace, and now he lives in praise.

The Life and Death of Laurence Humfried, who dyed Anno Christi 1589.

[Page]

LAurence Humfried was borne in the County of Bucking [...]am, and brought up at School, and then sent to Oxford; where he was admitted into the Colledge of Mary Magdalen, and followed his Studies hard all the dayes of King Edward the sixt. But in the beginning of those bloudy Marian dayes, wherein so many were forced to forsake their native soyle, he (amongst the rest) went beyond Se [...] into Germany, where he continued till the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reign, whom God raised up to be a nursing Mother to his Church; at which time he came backe, and returned to Oxford, where he was very famous both for his Learning and Preaching: then also he commensed Doctor in Divinity; and by reason of his excellent parts, h [...] was very instrumentall in the advancement of Gods glory. And whereas that wicked Sect of the Jesuits was lately risen up, he, by his learned writings, did both from Scripture and Antiquity, di [...]cover their impostures and Popish deceits. Afterwards he was made the Master of Magdal [...] Colledge, and the Regius Professor; which places he discharged with singular commendations for many years together; and at the last, quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of God, in the year 1589.

Though persecuting Times pursu'd and chast

This pious Father, yet he still embrac'd

And hugg'd the Truth; his heart remained frée

From persecution and captivity.

Those weighty words which pleasantly persu'd

Out of his mouth [...] soon conquer'd and subdu'd

Inticing Iesuits; he made them know

Their errours by a fatall overthrow.

Thus having labour'd with a faithfell brest,

Heav'n thought it fit to crown his soul with rest.

The Life and Death of James Andreas, who dyed Anno Christi 1578.

[Page]

JAmes Andreas was born in Waibling in Wittenberg, Anno 1538. When his father had kept him three years at School, being unable to maintain him any longer, he intended to have placed him with a Carpenter: but being disswaded by some friends, and having obtained an exhibition out of the Church-stock, he sent him to Stutgard to a choyce Schoolmaster, under whom in [...]wo years space he learned Grammer, and Rhetorick; and so An. Christi 1541. he went to Tubing, where he so profited, that at the end of [...]wo years he was made Batchelor of Arts; and two years after that, Master of Arts: there also he studyed Hebrew and Divinity Anno Christi 1546. and of his age eighteen: he was called to Stutgard, where Preaching in a great Auditory, he was chosen and made Deacon; which place he executed so well, that he presently grew famous, insomuch as the Duke of Wittenberg sent for him to Preach before him in his Castle; which he did with much applause: at Tubing also that year he married a wife, by whom he had eighteen children, nine sons, and nine daughters: about that time brake forth that fatall war betwixt Charles the fifth, and the Protestant Princes, wherein the Emperor being conquerour, he seized upon the Dukecome of Wittenberg, by reason whereof the Church there was in a sad condition; yet Andreas, with his wife remained in Stutgard, and by Gods speciall providence was preserved in the middest of the Spanish Souldiers, and yet preached constantly, and faithfully all the while: and so he continued till An. Christi 1548. at which time that accursed In [...]eirm came forth, which brought so much mischief [...] to the Church of God: Andreas amongst other godly Ministers that oppsed it, was driven from his place: yet it pleased God that the year after he was chosen to be Deacon at Tubing, where by Catechising he did very much good: Anno Christi 1550. Vlri [...]ke [Page] dying, his son Christopher succeeding him in the Govern [...]ment of Wittenberg, and affected Andreas exceedingly, and would needs have him commens Dr, 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, h [...] charged him, and gave it him in writing, that if Cou [...] Lodwicke set upon that reformation, that under pretence of Religion, he might rob the Church, and ceaze upon th [...] revenues of Monasteries, and turn them to his private us [...], that he should presently leave him, and come back againe [...] he assisted also in the reformation of the Churches in He [...]fanstein; At that time, hearing of a Jew that for these w [...] hanged by the heels with his head downe, having not se [...] that kind of punishment, he went to the place, where h [...] was hanging between two Dogs that were alwayes snatching at him to eat his flesh: the poor wretch repeated i [...] Hebrew some verses of the Psalmes, wherein he cryed [...] God for mercy; whereupon Andreas went nearer to hi [...] and instructed him in the Principles of Christian Religio [...] 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 [...]h [...] poore Jew desired him to procure that he might be taken down and Baptized, and hung by the neck [...]or the quicker dispatch, which was done accordingly.

A [...]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 affron [...]. The year before his death, he used often to say, that he should [Page] 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 [...]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 Zanchiu [...].

[Page]

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 S [...]ria [...] 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 o [...]ely for his Parentage, but also for his knowledge in the Civill Law; he was blessed with many other children, which he received from Ba [...]bara, sister unto Marcus Antonius Morla [...]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 [Page] 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 Mu [...]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 th [...]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 [Page] 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 [...]e might serve Christ with a free and a good conscience amongst them. Yet here he continued not fully nine months but he left them, and went unto Geneva; and after that he had spent other nine Moneths in that place, by the meanes of Peter Martyr, he was called into England, to performe the place of the Divinity Lecturer; unto which motion he willingly condescended: and having taken his leave of his friends and acquaintance he sets forward in his journey; he was detained by the Inhabitants of Strarburge, because their Pastor Casper Hedio was then dead, and because it was decreed by the Magistrates that an Italian following the Doctrine of Peter Martyr should be called unto the Citie [...] and therfore they first used meanes to bring in the grav [...] Martinengus; but he refused to leave his Flocke in Geneva: wherefore seing, they could not prevaile that way. They kindely intreated Zanchy to stay amongst them; hither he came in the yeare 1553. and in this place he performed a Pastorall office almost eleven years; and at vacant times he expounded Aristotle unto such as were desirous to attain unto some understanding in the Arts.

Here he was commanded by the Magistrates (if he intended to teach in that City) to subscribe unto that Confession of Faith concluded on, and set forth at Auspurge, called the [Page] Augustines Confession: unto which he consented with this caution, modo Orthodoxe intilligatur; now because his opinion about the Sacrament wa [...] the chiefest cause which did urge this Subscription, he wrote a Treatise concerning the Lords Supper; wherein he delivered his opinion thus.

First, that the true body of Christ, which was given for us, and his true blood which was shed for the remission of [...]innes, was truely eaten and drunken in the Supper.

Secondly, that it was not eaten with the mouth and teeth of the body, but with true faith.

Thirdly, and therefore received of none but of those which were elected.

And this his opinion was generally answered unto, and approved in the City, so that when they had made a triall of the sufficiency of his parts, for the space of two years, and had approved of that method and order which he had observed both in teaching and disputing, he was admitted and chosen into the Society of the Thomists: where he lived a Canon for the space of nine years, in which time he was beloved of all good men that knew him: a detester of Contraversies as cau [...]es of strife, and he was also a lover, and a favourer, and a furtherer of peare and quietnesse.

Yet notwithstanding diverse Controversies and accusations, were afterwards instituted and moved against him, during his residence here, and that by some of the Divines and Professors of the same Common-wealth concerning the Sacrament, and concerning the Ubiquity of the humain nature, concerning the setting of [...]mages in Churches and Chappels, concerning Antichrist, and the end of the world, co [...]cerning Praedestination, & concerning the perseverance of the Saints in Faith; wherein his opinions were condemned by them as haereticall; this flame also was increased by the addition of the fuell of a Tractate of the Lords Supper, printed by Hestrusius in the same Citie: and it came also unto that height, that he must either voluntarily depart, or else be forced thereunto by the Colledg: although meanes were used for a reconciliation, and the cause referred [Page] unto thirteen men; and although he offered publickly to dispute with his adversaries touching the same points, and had obtained the judgements of all the Churches and Academies throughout Germanie, concerning the same, and had presented them in writing unto the Senate; yet no conclusion could be effected, untill the Senate had procured learned Divines and Lawyers from Tubinge, Bipont and Basil, who were appointed as Judges to hear both parties, and to establish an agreement.

These Judges, after the hearing of the matters controverted, privately withdrew themselves, and composed c [...]rtaine arcicles, unto which they desired that the disagreeing partyes would subscribe, for the setling of peace and qui [...]tnesse in the City. To this request Zanchy used delay in the performance, and declared unto them, that there were two especiall things which detayned him that he couly not subscribe; first because in so doing he should give an occasion of offence unto the godly, and secondly it would come to passe that by his subscription, those who were seduced from the truth would be confirmed in their errours, yet notwithstanding when he perceived that his subscription might be done without any prejudice unto his doctrine, for quietnesse sake he subscrib [...]d with this Caveat, Hanc doctrin [...] formulam, ut piam agnosco, ita etiam recipio: this subscription was so joyful unto his adversaries, that after a boasting and tryumphant manner, they dispersed the tidings by letters unto their friends in Saxonie & in other adjacent Regio [...]s, whereas if they had truely understood it they could no [...] have h [...]d received from it such matter and cause of glory.

But it happily fell out at that time during these action [...] that the Church at Clavenna, by reason of the death of Augustinus Moynardus was d [...]stitute of a Pastor, and the inhabitants of that place had with one consent made choyce of Zanchy; assoone as he had notice hereof, and perceiving little hope of quietness [...] in the City he forthwith repaires unto the Senate obtaines leave to depart, and thereupon resignes his Cannonship and leaves Strasburge, and makes [Page] towards Clavenna, a famous Towne situate in Rhetia.

During this controversie and contention in Strsburge he was called by the Tigurines, to succeed Peter Martyr, but he refused to go, because he would not be seene to betray and give over the truth, and that good cause which he had in hand; he was also desired by the Italian Church at Geneva, to be their Pastor; he was sought for by the Inhabitants of Heidleberg and Marpurge, he was invited also unto Lausanna, but from these latter he was detayned by the Senate.

Immediately after his comming unto Clavenna a vehement and heavy pestilence invaded the City, which was the cause of great sorrow and lamentation in that place: for within the space of seven months three dyed 1200. persons, yet Zanchy continued his course of teaching so long as any Auditor came unto him; afterwards he removed himselfe out of the towne, unto the top of an high Mountaine, with his family, where he spent three months in reading, meditation and prayers; and at the end thereof it pleased God to remove his scourge from the City, and he returned and performed his ordinary function for the space of four years, to the great benefit of that Church, but not without many afflictions and crosses unto himself.

Hence then he was called by that incomparable vertuous and religious Prince Frederick the third Elector Palatine, unto that famous Academie at Heidleberge, and by him most courteously entertained, and constituted successor unto Zachary Vrsin, at his entrance into his office which was in the year 1568. he delivered an excellent and learned speech concerning the conservation of the purity of doctrine in the Church, and in the same year he was graced with the title of Doctor in Divinity, in the presence of the Prince Elector, and of his son Casimirus; who being most desirous of propagating the truth of Christ, injoyned him (after his returne from Rhetia to the Palatinate) to lay open the true doctrine concer [...]ing God, and concerning the three Persons in the Diety, and to confute the opinion and to overthrow the arguments of such adversaries as at that time opposed [Page] the Diety of Christ, and of the holy Ghost, in Poland and in Transilvania: whereupon he wrote his treatises ful of learning and piety, de natura Dei, detribus Elohmi filio & spiritu Sancto, uno eodemque Iehovah.

In this Academie he professed Divinity ten years even unto the death of [...]rederich the third Prince Elector, afterwards he went unto Neostadt where he was entertained Divinity Lecturer, in a School newly erected, where he continued seven years: after the death of Frederick the third he was called unto the Academy at Leyden in Holland, then newly consecrated, in the year 1578. and also unto Antwarp in Brabant, in the year 1580. but because that School could not want him, he was willed by the Prince to remain there where he continued untill such time as the School was translated unto Heidleberge, and then by reason of his old age, he was discharged of his office by Casimirus then Elector Palatine; whereupon he went towards Heidleberg to visit some friends which he had there, whom when he had seene and comforted in those perillous times, he changed this life for a better and more durable, in the year 1590. and in the 75. year of his age, and lyes buried in St. Peters Chappel at Heidelberg.

He was well read in the auncient Fathers, and in the writings of the Philosophers; he was of singular modesty, he alwayas earnestly desired peace amongst the Churches, and in his old age was afflicted with blindnesse.

His works are here inserted.

1 Divine Miscillanies, with the explication of the August [...]n Confession. 2 His judgement of the Controversies about the Lords Supper. 3 Of the Trinity, bookes thirteen in two parts, in the fi [...]st the Orthodox mystery of this Doctrine is proved, and confirmed by Scripture, in the latter the adversaries are confuted. 4 A C [...]mpendium of the chiefe points of Christian Doctrine. 5 A Perfect tretise of the sacred Scriptures. 6 Of the Incarnation of Christ. 7 Of the Divine Nature and his Attributes. 8. Of the Workes of God in six dayes. 9 [...] Of Mans Redemption. 10 A Commentary [Page] upon Hosea. 11. A Commentary on the Ephesians. 12. Colossian.. 13 Thessalonians. 14 Iohn. 15 Observations of Physicke. 16 His answer to an Arrian.

He sought and found the truth, and would not hide

That light from others that did still abide

Within his breast, his soul was alwayes free

T'advance the works of reall piety;

Uertue, and gravity were both combin'd

Within the ceture of his breast, and shin'd

With equall luster; all that heard his voyce

Were fil'd with raptures, and would much rejoyce

At his discourse, for what his tongue exprest

Alwayes proceeded from a reall breast.

Let his examples teach us how to stand

Firmely obedient to our Gods command:

That at the last we may rejoyce, and sing

Praises with Zanchy to heav'ns glorious King.

The Life and Death of Anthony Sadeel, who dyed Anno Christi 1591.

ANthony Sadeel was born upon the confines of Savoy, and France, not far from Geneva Anno Christi 1534. and his father dying whilst he was young, his mother brought him up in learning, and sent him to Paris, and having studyed a while there, he went to Tholous, where falling into the society of some godly students of the Law, it pleased God that he left Popery, and went from thence to Geneva; where he was much holpen by Calvin, and Beza: afterwards being sent for home, and some controversie arising about his inheritance, he went to Paris and there joyned himselfe with the private Congregation of the Protestants: there the Pastor Collongius called the young students that [Page] were of that congregation together, perswaded them to apply themselves to the study of Divinity, which afterwards turned to the great good of the French Churches, and amongst others, Sadeel faithfully promised to apply him self therto; & having profited much in those studyes, being scarce twenty years old, he was by the approbation of the whole Church, chosen one of the Pastors: the year after fell out that horrid violence offered to the Church at Paris, when they were met together to hear the word, and receive the Sacrament, where above one hundred and fifty of them were laid hold of, and cast into Prison, but by a miracle of Gods mercy the Pastors escaped: the year after Sadeel was delivered from a great danger, for at midnight many Apparitors brake into his house, searched every corner, and at last brake into his chamber, seized on his books, and papers, crying out they were Hereticall, and so laid hold upon him, and carryed him to Prison: But it pleased God that Antony of Burbon King of Navar who knew him, and had often heard him, hearing of his imprisonment, sent to the officers to release him as being one of his train; and when they refused to doe it, he went himselfe to the Prison complaining of the wrong that was don him by imprisoning one that belonged to him, being neither a murtherer, nor thief, and withall bad Sadeel follow him, and so tooke him away with him: whereupon the day after he publickly before the King gave thanks to God for his deliverance, expounding the 124 Psalm: then it being judged the safest for him to absent himselfe for a while, he went to vi [...]it the Churches in other parts of the Kingdome, and at Aurelia he continued some moneths Preaching to many Citizens, and students in the night time to their great advantage: then he returned to Paris againe where a Synod of Ministers, and Elders (the first that was there) were assembled to draw up a confession of their Faith, which afterwards was presented to the King by the Admirall Coligny: But the King shortly after dying, the Queen mother, and the Guises drew all the Government of the Kingdom into their [Page] hands, and raised a great persecution against the Church, drawing many of all ranks to Prisons, and punishment: yet Sadeel intermitted not his office, but was wholly imployed in Preaching, comforting, confirming the weak &c. till the danger encreasing, it was thought fit that the care of the Church should be committed to one Macradus, a man lesse known, and that Sadeel should retire himselfe: and so he went into severall parts of the Kingdome, and ther [...]by much propagated the true faith. The year after, the persecution not being so violent at Papis, Sadeel could not refraine from going to his flocke which he loved so dearly. In the year 1561. he fell sicke of a quartan Ague, and by the advice of his Physitians and friends, he was perswaded to goe into his owne Countrey: yet neither there did he live idle, but Preached up and down, to the spirituall advantage of many. From thence he was called to be the Moderator in a Synod at Aurelia, where the opinion was discussed, and confuted of some that held, That the Government of the Church should not be in the Eldership, but in the body of the Congregation: and Sadeel took so much pains in this point, that the the first Author of that Schism was confuted, and converted, and publickly in writing confessed, and recanted his error: being returned to Paris, the persecution began to grow so hot there againe, that he was perswaded to retire himself from the same, af [...]er which he never could return to his flock that so loved, and was beloved of him: after his departure he was present at, and moderated in many Synods of the French Churches: but withall he was so hated of the wicked, that at last he was driven from thence to Lusanna where he Preached for a time, and from thence he went to Geneva, where for diverse years he was a Pastor: but the Church in France having some peace, he returned thither, and at Lions, and Burgundy he edified the Churches exceedingly: Afterwards he was sent for by Henry the fourth King of Navar, to whom he went very unwillingly not liking a Court-life; yet, by the advice of his friends he went to him, and for three years [Page] space in all his troubles was with him, comforting and encouraging him very much: and at the Battle of Cour [...]rass, a little before it began, he stood in the head of the Army and prayed earnestly for successe, which much encouraged all the Souldiers; and when they had gotten the victory, he also gave Publick, and solemn thanks unto God for the same: but by reason of sicknesse and weaknesse, being unable to follow that kind of life any longer, he was with u [...]willingnesse dismissed by the King, and went through his enemies Countries in much danger till he came to hi [...] wife, and children at Geneva: but shortly after he was sent by order from the King into Germany, upon an Embassie to the Protestant Princes, where not onely the Universities, but the Princes also received him in a very honorable manner, especially Prince Cassimire and the Lantgrave of Hesse. Anno Christi 1589. he returned to Geneva, where in the middest of many troubles he continued in the work of his Ministery to the end of his life: and when the City was besieged by the Spaniards and others, he oft went out with the Citizens to the fights, so encouraging them, that through Gods mercy, a few of them put thousands of the enemies to flight many times: At last he fell [...]ick of a Plurifie, and though the Physitians apprehended no danger, yet he fore-told that it would be mortall: and retiring himself from the world, he wholly conversed with God: Prayers were made daily for him in the Congregations, and Beza and the other Ministers visited him often, with Prayers and tears begging his recovery: he enjoyed much inward peace, and comfort in his sicknesse, and at last slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1591. and of his age fifty seven: his losse was much bewailed by the whole City; his Preaching was not too curious, and yet not void of Art, and eloquence: So that his Ministery was alwayes most gratefull to the people; he was very holy, and exemplary in his life, and had most of the learnedst men of those times for his special friends.

[Page]

Renowned Sadeel spent his dayes

In giving the Almighty praise:

He through floods of danger went

To feed his flocke, whose great content

Fatten'd their souls and made them thrive,

(No foode like truth to kéep alive)

Iu grace; they ceas'd not to applaud

His worth, that was not over-awde

By Papists rage; t'was not a Goale

Could make his lofty courage faile;

Let his example teach us to expresse

Our selves contented when we féel distresse.

WILL: WHITAKER.

The Life and Death of William Whittaker.

UPon the entrance of that gracious Prince of blessed memory King Edward the sixt, at which time began the [Page] generall [...]xilement of Popish superstitions out of this Realm, and the setling of sincere Religion in roome therof; it pleased God withall to bring into the world with us a choice instrument of his, one that should in due time prove an eager and able both opposer of the one, and maintainer of the other. For in the first yeare of that pious Princes reign was William Whittaker borne at the Manner of Holme in the Parish of Burndley in the County of Lancaster.

Under his Parents he was brought up at Grammer Schoole untill being now about ten years of age, about the time of the second restauration of the sincere profession of Religion, shortly after the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth of holy and happy memory, he was by that reverend and religious Divine Alexander Nowel, Deane of Pa [...]ls, being his Unckle by the Mothers side, sent for up to London from his parents, with whom he had been nursed up in Popish [...]uperstitions; taken into his family, and trained up in further matter of learning fit for his years, in the publick School founded by Doctor Colet his pious sometime predecessor.

There he so profited in good literature, and gave such presages of what would afterwards ensue, that being now eighteen years old, he was by the foresaid venerable Deane his Unckle sent to the University of Cambridge, and there admitted into Trinity Colledge; where making further progresse answerable to his former beginnings, he was chosen first Scholar, and after Fellow of that House: and having received the degree of Master of Arts, he began now to grow into no small esteeme and fame by reason of disputes and other exercises performed by him, with the good approbation, and to the great admiration even of the best and chiefest.

Among other things that caused the more generall [...]otice to be t [...]ken o [...] him, and gained him m [...]ch reputation, were the transl [...]tion of his reverend Unckle Master Nowels Catechisme into pure and elegant Greek, and the dispu [...]e [...]f that our right precious Iewell against Harding into the l [...]ke Latine.

[Page]Hence it came to passe, that contention sometime arising between the two Proctors of the same year, whether of them should at the ensuing Commencement be Father of the Philosophy Act; to end the controversie being referred to the Heads of the University, it was by their joynt consent, as deeming none fitter for such a performance, devolved to Master Whittaker, though one then far younger then either of them, and that might for his years have seemed too young for such an office. But they were confident, as appeared upon former proofe, of his sufficiency for the place. Neither did he therein either faile their estimation, or frustrate their expectation of him: For he discharged the office thus imposed upon him [...] with the generall applause of all, as well strangers as others.

From the study of the Arts and Tongues, wherein he gave sundry pregnant proofs of his proficiency beyond most of his equals, (having thereby laid a sound foundation for a further firmer & fairer future fabrick) he betook himself to the study of Divinity. Unto which now mainely addicting himselfe, he began (as was most need) with the Scriptures, the pure Well-spring of all divine truth: the authority whereof as he alwayes maintained, so he made them ever his Ground-worke for all matters of Faith, and his Touchstone for the triall of all humane either writings or opinions. From thē he proceeded (a good course to be taken by young students in Divinity) to the writings of our modern Divines of the best note: and from these to the Monuments of the auncient Doctors; all the works of whom, whither Greek or Latine Fathers of any note (being one as of a strong and able body, so of pains and industry unweariable; by night watches repairing what at any time by day he lost through emergent occasions) he read over and dispatched within few years.

Herein he both so profited, and made his proficien [...]y to appeare, that nothing ordinary was now expected from him; and being chosed when he took his first degree in Divinity, to answer the Act at the Commencement in that [Page] solemn Assembly, he therein so acquited himselfe, that the place of the chiefe Professor of Divinity becoming shortly after, even the very next year vacant, by the removall of Doctor Chader [...]on (who then held it) from the Headship of Queens Colledge to the Bishoprick of Chester; notwithstanding his immaturity of years, as might be deemed for such an employment: his maturity of judgement and learning, joyned with singular piety, modesty, gravity and discreete cariage, prevailed so much as to procure him that plac [...], though much laboured for by some others far auncienter then himselfe, and of good darts and note other [...] we see.

Being now brought upon a most eminent Stage, wherein he lay open to all eyes, to envious ones especially (seldome wanting in such cases, and of all other most curious and quick-sighted to pry narrowly into the defects and defaults of those whom they envie;) he therein so worthily demeaned himselfe, beyond all expectation, that he not onely surpassed the expectation of his wel-wishing friends, but surpassed also the emulations of his ill-affected adversaries: not unlike a prevailing pillar of fire, that with i [...]s cleare and bright flames mounting up on high, dispelleth and consumeth the smoake that would obscure and smother it.

He began with the opening in a dogmaticall way, of sundry Bookes and parcels of Scripture: the three first chapters of S. Lukes Gospell, the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians, his first Epistle to Timothy, and Salomons Song of Songs: all which he went through with, in his publicke Lectures, within the space of six years; being attended continually with a constant concourse of the best, and an auditory at all times well filled.

Neither was his Pen idle the whiles but was withall employed otherwise, as well as his tongue. For during this time, he delt by writing with Campian that florishing Jesuite, and refuted his ten frivolous and reasonlesse Reasons, which he so much vaunted of; he replyed upon Duraeus the [Page] Scot, his scurrilous railings, in defence of that his refutation, and stopt his foule mouth. He grapled with sedicious Sanders, evicting his Arguments, wherby he laboured to prove that the Pope is not Antichrist; and with Rainolds his second, who had bin nibling onely at the Preface to his eviction of Sanders his Demonstration, but had no hart to meddle with the Worke it selfe.

After this, considering the state and necessity of the times, in his publicke Lectures he betooke himselfe to Controversies; and singled out Bellarmine, the Popes then greatest Champion and Romes Goliah, to bicker with. The Controversies he handled, were concerning the Scriptures, concerning the Church, concerning Councels, concerning the Bishop of Rome, concerning the Ministers of the Church, concerning the Saints deceased, concerning the Church Triumphant, concerning the Sacraments in generall, the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and of Baptisme in speciall; whereof some small part he published in his life time, some other part hath bin published since his death.

And as his Readings at home, so his Writings both at home and abroad, have for ingenuity, perspicuity, soundnesse, succinctnesse, received high commendations from the most judicious Divines that this age hath afforded; yea, it is credibly reported, that Cardinall Bellarmine himselfe so esteemed of him, that he procured hence his Portraiture, and had it hanging in his Study among the Pictures of other men of prime note; and that being demanded, why he would keepe so near him the effigies of an Hereticke, and one that had written against him, and grace such an one so much; he made answer, that Though he were an Hereticke and an Advarsarie, yet he was a learned Adversary: nor is any testimony deemed more firme and credible, then that that proceedeth from a professed enemy. Onely, while he lived, Stapleton a peevish peece, [...]narled at some passages in one of his Controversies; whom he so answered, that the waspish dotard had little lust to reply.

Having some years sat in the Professors chaire, and taken [Page] the degree of Doctor; upon removall of Doctor Howland to the Bishopricke of Peterborough, he was called by speciall [...] Mandate from the Queens Majesty to be Master of S. Iohns Colledg; which Colledge by his accesse to it, he much advanced. For in his government thereof (which with much moderation and singular discretion he carried himselfe in) he had a speciall eye to the advancement, as well of Religion as of Learning, taking notice even of the lowest and the meanest; and giving much encouragement every way to such as he observed to be forward in either. By meanes whereof, that Colledge (during all the time of his continuance there) greatly florished, and was more frequented then any Colledge in the whole Universitie besides.

About his latter times som Controversie arising in the Universitie, concerning certaine points of Doctrine; he was together with some other of chiefe note and place called up to London, for the composing of the same; wherein having travelled and taken much paines to good purpose; in his returne homeward from thence, being well near midwinter and sharpe weather, he tooke (by some cold in likelihood) that sicknesse, of which (turning to a violent Feaver) he not long after deceased.

During the short time of his sicknesse (for he lay not many dayes) he carried himselfe very comfortably and cheerfully, and departed with much peace.

He was a man very personable, of a goodly presence, a body well compact, tall of stature, upright, proportionally limmed, blacke hayred, of a grave aspect, a ruddy complexion, a strong constitution; of a setled carriage, a solid judgement, a liberall minde, an affable disposition; a milde, yet no remisse Governour; a free disposer of Places; a constant frequenter of the publicke service; a generall Schollar; a great Student to the last; a lover of Learning and Learned; a contemner of money; of a moderate dyet; a familiar demeanure; a life generally unblameable; and (that which added a luster to all the rest) amidst all [Page] these endowments, and the respects of others, even the greatest, thereby deservedly procured, of a most meek and lowly spirit.

He had two wives successively, women of good birth and note, and eight children by them. He left this world (to his eternall joy and gaine, but to the great losse of Gods Church, and griefe of all sound and godly learned) on the fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1595. and in the forty and seventh of his age: having held the Professours chaire about sixteene years; and the Mastership of Saint Iohns Colledge almost nine. His corps was with very great solmnity, and generall lamentation brought to the ground; and lyeth enterred in the Chappell of the foresaid Colledge; his Epitaph being engraven with letters of gold on a faire stone in the wall near to the place of its enterment. His Workes extant testifying his worth, are these:

1 His Translation of Master Nowels Catechisme into Greeke. 2 Hi [...] Translation of Bishop Jewels disput [...] against Harding into La [...]ne. 3 His Answer to Edmund Campian his ten Reasons. 4 His defence of that his answer against John Durey. 5 His Refutation of Nicolas Sanders his Demonstration, whereby he would prove, that the Pope is not Antichrist. 6 A collection thereto [...]dded of [...]n [...]ie [...]t Heres [...]s [...]a [...]e [...] i [...] [...] to ma [...]e up the Popish Apostasie. 7 His Thesis prop [...]unded and defended at the Commecement 1582. that the Pope is the Antichrist spoken of in Scripture. 8 His answer to Willam Reinolds against the Preface to that against Sanders in English. 9 His Disputation con [...]erning the Scripture against the Papists of [...]hese times, Bellarmine and Stapleton especially. 10 His defence of the Authority of the Scriptures, against Thomas Stapleton his defence of the Authority of the Churches. 11 His Lectures on the Controversies concerning the Bishop of Rome, set forth by John Allenson after his decease. 12 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning the Church, set forth by the same Party. 13 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning Councels, set forth by the same. 14 A Treatise of Originall [Page]sin, against Stapletons three former bookes of Iustifi [...]ation, set forth by the same. 15 A Lecture on the first of Timothy 2.4. read on Febrvary 27. 1594. before the Earl of Essex, and some other Honourable Persons. 16 His Lectures concerning the Sacraments in generall; the Eucharist and Baptisme in speciall: taken by John Allenson, and set forth by Dr Samuel Ward.

Let such whose merits, whose indifferent fames

Keepes life and soul together in their Names,

With much a doe, let such require the praise

Of hyred quils to cleare their cloudy dayes

With borrow'd Sunshine; let them strive to vamp

Their wasted Mem'ryes, by another Lampe:

Let those whom ordinary wrrth commends

Receive Almes-praise from charitable friends:

Our learned Whittaker craves no expression,

Noe vote, no Trumpit but his foes confession;

Whose well refuted Arguments proclame

His everlasting honor, and their shame:

He was the shield of Truth, the scourge of error,

This Islands Tryumph, and proud Babils Terror.

The Life and Death of Lambert Danaeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1596.

LAmbert Danaeus was born at Aurelia in France Anno Christi 1530. he was of an acute wit, and wonderfully addicted to learning, so that by his diligence, and extraordinary pains he attained to a great measure of it: in his younger years he studyed the civill Law four years at Aurelia under Anna Burgius: then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity, and (imbracing the reformed Religion) went to Geneva Anno Christi 1560. He had a vast memory, and read over many Authors; he was so versed in the Fathers, and [Page] School-Divines that few attained to the like exactnesse therein, whence one saith of him, Mirum est, homuncionis unius ingenium, tot, & tam diversas scientsas haurire, & retinere potuisse: At Geneva he was admitted into the number of Doctors, and Pastors, and by his learned labors was exceeding usefull both to the Church and Unixersity; alwayes imploying himselfe, in writing, ann publishing Commentaries upon the Scriptures, and other learned treatises which were of speciall concernment: From thence he was called to the University of Leiden, where he was received with much joy, and was exceedingly admired for his learning, acutenesse of wit, promptnesse, and strength of memory, in alleaging, and reciting the sentences of the Fathers, Schoolmen, Canonists, and prophane writers; From thence he was called to Gaunt Anno Christi 1582. where he taught a little while, but that City being full of tumults, he foreseeing the storm that was coming upon it, left it, and being sent for went into Navar, where by his teaching, and writing he made the University of Orthesium famous: and at last he there laid downe his earthly tabernacle Anno Christi 1596. and of his age 66.

Danaeus that was acute and wise,

Own'd vertue as his chiefest prize;

He was a jem, that much adorn'd

The Church, he much contemn'd; and scorn'd

The wayes of Popery; his heart

Was fil'd with comfort, joyn'd with art:

He was esteem'd and lov'd of those

That were industrious to oppose

Erronious principels; his minde

Was by heav'ns powerfull hand refin'd:

Who at the last received his spirit

And made him happy to inherit.

The Life and Death of Robert Rollock, who dyed Anno Christi 1598.

[Page]

RObert Rollock was borne in Scotland of the ancient Family of the Levingstones, in the year 1555. His Father knowing the worth of Learning, was very careful to bring up his Son therein; and for that end he sent him to Surline, and placed him under Thomas Bucanan, who finding hi [...] promptnesse and diligence, tooke much delight in him. From thence he went to the University of Saint Andrewe [...]; there he spent four years in the study of the Arts, and so eminently profited therein, that he was chos [...]n a Professor of Phylosophy. In the year 1583. the States of Scotland intending to erect a University at Edenburg, sent some to S [...]int Andrews to finde out a fit man that might undertake the Government of it: where, by the generall vote of all, there was none thought so fit for this worke as Rollock: which the States being informed of, they presently sent fo [...] h [...]m: and when he was come, they entertained him court [...]ousl [...]: after he had been there a while, he set upon the work [...], and young Students flock't thither a pace from all parts of the Kingdome: whom he instr [...]ted in the Ar [...], and governed with severity mixed with [...]lemen [...]y, and so educated them in Religion, that God blessed his labours [...]xceedingly amongst them. After four years he examined them strictly, and finding their proficiency, they commenced Masters of Art: then four Professors of Philosophy were joyned with him to share in the pai [...]s, which were chosen out of the ablest of thos [...] that had commenced Masters of Ar [...] Every morning Rollock [...]alling the stud [...]nts together, prayed fervently with them [...] and one day in the weeke, expounded some portion of Script [...] to them: after which Lecture he took notice which of them had committed any fault [...] that week, whom he would so reprove, and lay the wrath of God before them, that he much r [...]formed them thereby. He tooke extraordinary paines to fit such for the worke o [...] [Page] the Ministery, as were growne up to it; so that the Church received very much benefit from thence, h [...]ving so many able Pastors sent forth into it.

Besides this, he Preached every Lords day in the Church, and that with such fervency, and evident demonstration of the spirit, that he was the inst [...]ument of converting very many unto God. He wrote also many Commentaries upon the Scriptures, which being Printed, and going abroad [...] into other Countries, Beza meeting with that upon the Romans and Ephesians, he wrote to a friend concerning them that he had gotten a treasure of incomparable value, and that he had not met with the like before for brevi [...]ie, elegancy, and jud [...]ciousnesse.

He was so humble that he prefered all others before himselfe, and laboured after privacie from publicke businesse, that he might the better apply himselfe to his studies: yet in the two last years of his life, he was so involved in Publicke affaires, that it much weakned his health. He was greatly tormented with the stone, yet did he not intermit his labours. He was made Moderator in a Synod, and chosen for one of the Commissioners of the Church in the interval [...] of Synods.

In the year 1589. his disease so increased upon him, that he was confined to his house: and being removed into the Countrey ayre, he seemed at first to be better, but presently his disease returned with more violence, so that he was forced to keepe his bed: whereupon he set his House in order, and his Wi [...]e, after ten years barrennesse, being with childe, he commended her to the care of his friends: two Noblemen coming to visit him, he requested them from him to goe to the King, and to intreat him, in his name, to take care of Religion, and to persevere in it to the end, as hitherto he had done; and to reverence and esteeme the Pastors of the Church, as it was meet.

And when the Pastors of Edenbrough came to him, he made an excellent exhortatio [...] to them and profession of his sincerity and integrity in [...]is place that God called him to [...] [Page] death approaching, he made such a divine and heavenly speech as astonished the hearers: and when the Physitians were preparing Physick for him, he said, Tu Deus medeberis mihi, thou Lord wilt heal mee: then he prayed fervently that God would pardon his sins for Christ's sake, and that he might have an happy departure, enjoy God's presence which he often breathed after: saying I have hitherto seen but darkely in the glasse of his word: O Lord grant that I may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance which I have so much desired, and longed for: the day after diverse of the Magistrates of Edenburg coming to him, he spake to them to be very carefull of the University, desiring them to choose into his room Henry Charter, a man every way fit for that imployment: he commended to their care also his wife, professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend, and therefore hoped they would provide for her: when he had their promise for those things, he said, I blesse God, I have all sences intire, but my heart is in heaven: and Lord Iesus why shouldest not thou have it, it hath been my care all my life long to dedicate it to thee, I pray thee take it that it may live with thee for ever; C [...] Lord Iesus, put an end to this miserable life: hast Lord and tarry not: Come Lord Iesus and give me that life for which thou hast redeemed me: and when some told him that the next day was the Sabbath, he said: thy Sabbath O Lord shall begin my eternall Sabbath: my eternall Sabbath shall take it's beginning from thy Sabbath. The next morning feeling his approaching death, he sent for Master Belcanqual to pray with him, who in his prayer desired the Lord if he pleased, to prolong his life for the good of his Church, whereupon he said: I am a weary of this life, all my desire is that I may enjoy the celestiall life that is hid with Christ in God: and thus continued he in such heavenly prayers, and speeches till the evening, and quietly resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1598. and of his Age forty three.

Renowned Rollock, a most learned Scot,

Deserves also, as his most worthy lot

[Page]A Crown of Bayes, his learned browes to dresse;

Who did such parts and piety expresse;

Such gravity, mixt with sweet Clemency;

Such love to truth, and spotlesse verity,

As that the Scottish States minding to make

At Edenburg an Academ, did take

Especiall notice of him; and then sent

Desiring him to take that Government;

Which he perform'd with such diligence,

That Scotland reapt great benefit from thence,

He, on the sacred Scriptures Comments wrote,

Wherof two were of such renowned note,

That Beza of them, gave his witnesse fair,

That they were rich, and prizelesse Tr [...]asures rare:

This precious Saint, thus piou [...]ly did spend

His dayes on earth, & had heavens Crown in th'end.

The Life and Death of Nicolas Hemingius, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

NIcolas Hemingius was born at Loland in Denmarke Anno Christi 1513. of honest Parents, but his Father dying when he was young, his Grandfather brought him up carefully in learning, placing him forth in diverse Schools, and when he had laid a good foundation of learning there, he had an ardent desire to goe to Wittenberg, which was made famous by Philip Melancthon's Lectures, and having gotten some little mony in his purse he traveled thitherward, but by the way some thieves met him, and stripped him of all that he had: yet when he came to Wittenberg, he found th [...] people very charitable to him, especially Melancthon: there he remained five yeares, and by his writing for, and attending upon richer students, and teaching some privately, he maintained himselfe: When he returned home he had an [Page] ample testimony from Melancthon for his excellent wit, and learning: and was there intertained by Olaus Nicholas to teach his daughters, and from thence he was chos [...]n to be Pastor at Hafnia, and accordingly ordained to it [...] which place he discharged with much diligence, and faithfulnes [...]: and many young students resorting to him, he read privatly to them, and afterwards was chosen Hebrew Professor in that University.

In the year 1557. he was made Doctor in Divinity, and performed his place with much sedulity twenty six y [...]res. Anno Christi 1579. when he was growne old, and exhausted with his daily labors, Frederick the second, King of D [...]nmark gave him a liberall Pension, upon which he lived holily, and comfortably all the remainder of his dayes: som years before his death he grew blind, and was troubled with severall diseases, desiring nothing more then that he might be dissolved, and be with Christ: A little before his death he expounded the 103. Psalme, with so much fervor, efficacy, and power of the holy Ghost, that all that heard him wondred at it, and shortly after resigned up his spirit [...]nto God, Anno 1600. and of his age 87.

Hemingius doth deserve to be

Recorded in each memory.

Who for his wit and worthy parts

In Learning, Tongues, and exc'lent Arts,

Was by Melancthon much respected,

And for his learned gifts elected

Hebrew Professour, worthily,

In Hafnia Universitie;

Where six and twenty years he stai'd

With great estéem, and there was made

A Doctor in Theologie,

And full of years and love did dye.

The Life and Death of James Heerbrand, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

[Page]

JAmes Heerbrand was borne at Noricum, in the year 1521. of an ancient Family; his Father was one of Luther's Disciple [...]; and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his Son, was carefull to bring him up in Religion and Learning: at twelve years old his Father bought him a fair Bible, which he diligently read over. Afterwards he went to Vlm, where he studied the Tongues; and at seventeen years old his Father sent him to Wittenberg to hear Lu [...]her and Melancthon in the year 1538. which year was famous for divers things; for then the Kingdome of Denmark imbraced the Gospell, the Emperour and King of France met together; the Bible was Printed in English at Paris; the University at Argentine was erected; the sect of the Antinomians was detected; th [...] Marquesse of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustine Confession; and the Sea by the Kingdome of Naples was wholly day for eight miles together, out of which place fire and ashes brake forth so abundantly, that many places were miserably destroyed thereby.

In the University of Wittenberg, Heerbrand studied the Arts with great diligence, and was so sparing of his tim [...], that he would not intermit one houre from his Studies; insomuch that other Students called him Suevicam Noc [...]am; the Swevian night-crow. He h [...]ard Luthe [...] and Melancthons L [...]ctures with much diligence; and in the ye [...]r 1540. he comm [...]nced Master of Arts [...] He Preach [...]d also abroad in the Villages on the S [...]bbath dayes.

Thus having spent five years there in his Studies, he returned home with ample testimonies from Melancthon and the University. When he came home, the Pastors of the Church [...]ppointed him to Preach, which he performed with great approbation and commendation of all. His Parents rejoycing much at his profic [...]ency, would needs have him imploy his talent in his owne Countrey, and at Stutgard,[Page]Snepfius (being Superintendent) examined him, [...]nd finding his abilities, he said, Dominus te mihi obtulit, the Lord hath offered thee unto me. Being but twenty two years old, he was made Deacon at Tubing; & three years after he married a wife, by whom he had eight Sons, and three Daughters: shortly after that accursed Interim coming forth, he, amongst other Ministers that rejected it, was banished from Tubing: and being out of imployment, he studied Hebrew; till Prince Vlrick being dead, his Son Christopher succeeding him, called back the Ministers and Heerbrand amongst them to their former places. He also made him Pastor of Herrenberg: shortly after he commenced Doctor in Divinity, and for four years and an halfe, he studied the Fathers. In the year 1556. he was sent for by Charles Marquesse of Baden, to reform Religion in his Dominions; where also he prescribed a form of Ordination of Ministers. Presently after he was chosen to be the Divinity Professor at Tubing: and after that the Pastor, and Superintendent also.

In the year 1562. he was sent for by the Duke of Saxonie to be the Professor at Ienes, who profered to allow him the stipend of one thousand Florens per annum, but he refused it, continuing at Tubing; where he had much honour and respect: his wife having lived with him fifty years and an half, dyed; who being th [...] staffe of his old age, he wa [...] much afflicted for her losse, and began to grow weaker and weaker; whereupon he refigned his Office, and had a stipend allowed him by his Prince, and so prepared himselfe for death. He was much troubled with the Gout, which he bore with much patience, often using that saying of the Apostle; Godlinesse is profitable to all things, having the promise of this life, and that which is to come. He fell into a Lethargie, and [...]o dyed in the year 1600. and of his Age 79.

James Heerband was a rare Divine, most grave,

Deserves a Garland of Fames flowers to have;

Who, in all Learning was so excellent;

And at his Studies constant, diligent,

[Page]That his contemporary T [...]ndents said,

He was a Sweviary night Crow. And, he made

Such benefit his Studies up to rear,

When he did Luther and Melancthon hear,

(As oft he did) that he himselfe became

A Preacher rare, and of surpassing fame;

Commencing Doctor of Divinity;

Made Tubings Pastor, with respect most high.

Superintendent also there elected,

And of the Germain Princes much respected.

At last, his wife (who fifty years, at least,

Had liv'd with him) did dye: his strength decreast,

Together with her losse, and sicknesse, so,

Upon his féeble corps began to grow;

That néer the age of fourscore yéers, in peace,

He chang'd earths wars, for heav'ns eternall peace.

The Life and Death of David Chytraeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1600.

DAvid Chytreus was born in Ingelfing in Swevland, in the year 1530. of godly and religious Parents, who seeing his [...]owardlinesse and ingenuous nature, were carefull to educate him both in Religion and Learning; the principles whereof he drunke in with such celerity, that his Father [...]ooke much pleasure in him, and became an earnest and frequent suiter unto God, That his Son might be fitted for, and imployed in the worke of the Ministry: and for this end, when he was scarce seven years old, he sent him to School to Gemmingen, and after two years stay there, he removed him to Tubing, where he was educated under excellent Schoolmasters, and afterwards admitted into that Universitie; and whilest he was very young he commenced Bachelor of Art, studied the Languages, Arts and Divinity under Snepfius.

[Page]In all which time he profited so exceedingly, that at fifteen years of age he commenced Master of Arts, with the generall approbation of the University: and presently after, having a large allowance from a worthy Knight Sir Peter Menzingen, he travelled to Wittenberg, where he wa [...] entertained by Philip Melancthon into his Family; so that he did not onely gain much profit by his publick Lectures, b [...]t by private convers with him also; which happinesse he so esteemed, that all his life after, he acknowledged, that next under God, he was bound to Philip Melancthon for his proficiency in Learning. When he came first to Melancthon, and delivered some Letters of commendation in his behalf, Melancthon finding in them that he was Master of Arts, looking upon him, he wondred at it, saying, Are you a Master of Arts: yea, said Chytraeus, it pleased the University of Tubing to grace me with that degree: Can you, said Melancthon, understand Geeke; which he affirming, he g [...]ve him Thucydides to read, and construe a piece of it; which when Chytraeus had done, Melancthon enquiring hi [...] age, and admiring his forwardnesse, said unto him, Thou dost worthily deserve thy Degree, and hereafter thou shalt be as a Sonn [...] unto me.

Whilst he was there, he heard Luther's Lectures upon [...] ten last Chapters of Genesis. And as Plato, when he was [...]eady to dye, praised God for three things; first, that God had made him a man; secondly, that he was bron in Greece [...] thirdly, that he lived in the time of Socrates. So did C [...] traeus also acknowledge it as a singular mercy: first, tha [...] God had made him a man: secondly, a Christian: thirdly, that he had his education under those excellent lights of the Church, Luther and Melancthon. He was very diligent in attending upon Melancthon; studied in his study; heard all his discourses publicke and private, about matters of the weightiest concernment; followed him when he walked abroad, and endeavoured wholly to fashion his life by hi [...] example. And Melancthon looked upon him as his owne Son, and used to call him suum Davidem, his David.

[Page]Presently after Luther's death, the Wars in Germany breaking forth by Charles the fifth, the University of Wittenberg was dissipated by reason of the same; whereupon Chytraeus went to Heidleberg, where he studied Hebrew, and then went to Tubing, where he applyed himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks. But when Prince Maurice of Saxonie had restored the University, and called back Melancthon, he pre [...]ently returned to Wittenberg; where he buckled close to his former studies, fearing the like interruption again: and in the year 1548. he began privately to read to young Students; by which meanes having gotten some money in his purse, he resolved to travell into Italie, and other parts; that so he might see those famous places, which he had often read of, and grow into acquaintance with the eminent men of those times. For which he (having gotten a fa [...]thfull companion [Andrew Martin of Rostoch] he tavelled through most parts of Italie; and being returned to Wittenbern, Melancthon was requested to send two learned men to Rostoch, for the advancement of that University; whereupon he commended Iohn Aurifabar and Chytraeus to them, who accordingly went thither, and began their Lectures, to the great satisfaction of the Auditors; and in a short time Chytraeus gr [...]w so famous, that Christian King of Denmarke, and the Senate of Auspurg sent for him to come to them; he was desired also by the University of Argentine to succeed Hedi [...] lately dead: also Fredericke the second, Prince Elector Palatine, sent earnestly for him to come to Heidleberg, but his Prince Iohn Albert would by no meanes part with him; two years after he travelled into Frisland, Brabant, Flanders and other of the Belgick Provinces: upon his returne the Elector Palatine sent againe for him to Heidleberg; and the King of Denmarke profered to double his s [...]ipend, if he would come to him: but his answer to them both, was, That his Prince had dealt so friendly with him, that he could by no meanes leave him. Some years after the Nobility of Magdeburg sent to request his presence and assistance in reforming of Religion, and ejecting of Popery [Page] from amongst them; but when he could not goe himselfe, he wrote his minde fully to them about the same. About that time he commenced Doctor in Divinity, at the charges of his Prince.

In the year 1565. the Senate of Stralsund sent for him to be their Superintendent; and the King of Sweden also desired him to come thither; but nothing would prevaile to get him from Rostoch. The year after his Prince tooke him with him to the Diet at Auspurg, where matters of Religion were to be debated. At which time Ambassadours came to him againe from Argentine, to request his remove thither; and he gave them some hope of a [...]senting, if his Princes good will could be procured: but he would by no meane [...] part with him; and to expresse his love, he profered to enlarge his stipend; but Chytraeus refused the same. Two year [...] after he was sent for into Austria, to assist them in the Reformation which they intended; thither he went, and gave them such full satisfaction, that they sent him backe with an ample testimony of his abilities and integrity. Then he made a journey into Hungarie, where he visited many of the chiefe Cities in that Kingdome.

In the year 1571. his Prince made him the chiefe Visi [...]or of all the Churches in his Dominions. He assisted also in the worke of Reformation at Berline: the Marquesse of Brandenburg sent for him also to be the Divinity Professor at Frankefurt, but could not obtain him. Two years after the States of Stiria sent for him to helpe them in reforming th [...]ir Churches; whither he went for halfe a year, and was exceeding usefull to them therein. At his returne he was sent for by the Elector of Saxonie, and the University of Wittenberg, to be a Professor there; but they could not prevaile. The year after, the Duke of Brunswicke being to erect an University at Iuliers, sent to him to assist in making Lawes for the University, choyce of Professors, &c. Which he dispatched to his great content. Shortly after also, he went to divers meetings of Divines in severall plac [...]s, about procuring and setling the peace of the Churches [Page] of Christ. Whilst he was at Rostoch, he went over in his Lectures the greatest part both of the Old and New Testament; and wrote divers other learned Bookes also. Growing into years he began to be diseased, and sometimes was confined to his bed; yet neither there would he be idle, but upon the least intermission of his pain, he went on with his Exposition of the two and thirtyeth Psalme, which he had begun before. And after that, in Commenting upon the Epistle to the Romans; but his disease increasing (wherby he discerned the approaching [...]f his end) he made a Confession of his Faith; received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and not long after quietly slept in the Lord, in the year 1600. and of his age seventy. Whilst he lay sick in his bed, if any present had discoursed about a controversall point, raising himselfe up, he would call to them to speak out, for that he should dye with the more comfort, if he could learn any new thing before his departure.

In fames large Catalogue of worthyes rare

Chytraeus may impropriate ample share

Of honour and renown; who from a lad

An even Connative disposition had

To learning, which his parents did promove,

And which in time, he rarely did improve:

Commencing at but fifteen years of age,

Master of Acts; and with Melancthon sage

In his owne house, was blestly educated,

And most profoundly by him doctrinated.

In whom Melancthon such prof [...]ciency

Found, even unto admiration high

That this his pregnant Pupill afterward,

He as his son did tenderly regard.

Chytraeus also in processe of time,

To such a highth of honour up did clime:

For's excellency in all rare Literature

As did from all that knew him love procure,

And favour 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.

[Page]

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 Ren [...]gado's; for thirty years together he Preached the first, and last Sermons [Page] 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 spciōsa vestigia Evangelizantium pacem.

With some verses also ann [...]xed, this being the las [...] 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 qu [...]rto. 4 Hi [...] less [...] 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.

[Page]

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 Univers [...]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 year [...] more by Prince Christopher, at the end whereof he commenced Master of Arts, and then was sent for back by his father to Moun [...]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 chie [...]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 [Page] with a small party of Souldiers, who entring into the City, and joyning w [...]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 [...]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 Mi [...]isters of it; hereupon Tossan was in great danger, i [...] 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 him [...] 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 hi [...] 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 hi [...] 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 dang [...]r: and Tossan, by the help of some of the faithfull, was conveyed privately away out of the Ci [...]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 [...] Castle not far of from Aurelia: which sad newes coming to his wife, she left no meanes untryed for his delivery: and a [...] last, for a great sum of mony, she procured his release, whereupon he went to Argim [...]nt: and hi [...] wife putting her self into the habit of a ma [...]d-servant, went [Page] towards Argimont after him, where Renata, the daughter of Lewis the twelf [...]h of France, and Dowager of Ferrara, lived in a very strong Castle, and was a great [...]iend to the Protestants, entertaining many that fled to her for succour: b [...]t as his wife was going thitherward after him, she wa [...] take [...] by some Souldiers, and carryed back to the Governour of Aurelia: but it pleased God to stir up his owne wife, [...]nd daughters to intersede for her, by whose importunity, th [...] [...]overnor set her free, and gave her leave to go to Argim [...]t, whither it pleased God to carry her in sa [...]ety through [...] thousand dangers, and where she found her husband: and whilst she was there, she was brought to bed of a daughter [...] to which the Dutches was Godmother; But the King of France hearing that his aunt the Dutches had sheltered [...] ny of the Protestants, sent to her to turn them al ou [...] o [...] [...] Castle, or else he would presently besiege it, and slay them all: hereupon Tossan with his wife and three children, wen [...] presently to Sancerra, which was the nearest place of [...] there went also a long with him two or thr [...]e hund [...] Wagones loaden with children, and in thei [...] passage th [...] lay many Troops of the enemies, especially a [...] a river [...] which they were to passe, purposing to destroy them: [...] it pleased God to stir up some Protestants thereabout [...] t [...] horse and arm themselves, and to profer themselv [...] [...] guard to those Wagons, who sought often with thei [...] en [...] mies, and by Gods speciall providence conducted them all in safety to Sancerra: There Tossan continued a year, an [...] then with his wife, and one or two of hi [...] children, he we [...] to Momblegart to visit his father and friends, [...]nd [...] (the Wars being la [...]ly ended in France) th [...] Church of A [...] relia could not suddenly gather themselves together [...] [...]e continued and Preached in his fathers place who wa [...] [...] grown old for a year: But some Ministers of S [...]u [...]gard a [...] cused him for Preaching Calvinism and Zwinglinism, & woul [...] have him revoke, and recant the same, or else [...] Preach no more in publick: her [...]upon he w [...]o [...] at Apol [...] gy to the Senate of S [...]utgard: and Anno Christi 1571. he was [Page] called back to Aure [...]ia [...] yet the times were not so peaceable tha [...] h [...] could Preach there, but he Preached to his people in a Castle not far from it, which b [...]longed to Hierom Grosl [...]tius, a most godly Noble-man: there repaired to hear him out of the City a very great multitude of people, whom the Popish party at their returne home, received with many scorns, and [...]eproaches, threatning ere long to fire the Castle, & a [...] that were in it: yet they continue [...] constant, and Tossan living with that Noble-man, performed his office with all diligence, and fidelity: Anno Christi 1572. brake forth that abominable massacre at Paris, wherein King Charles the nin [...]h, falsifying his faith, caus [...]d the Admirall of France, and so many Noble and Gentlemen, Doctors, Pastors, Advocates, and Professors to be so inhumanely bu [...]chered, that a more horred villany was never heard of in the world before it: where amongst others this Hieronimus Gros [...]ius was also murthered: which news coming to Aureli [...] the Papists rejoyced, and [...]ung; seeking to murther, and destroy all the Protestants that were in, and about that City: Tossan at this time was in the Castle with the wife of Groslotius, who heard of the Massacre, and the Murther of her husband at Paris; and it pleased God so to order it, that a certain Popish Nobleman, as he was traveling towards Paris, was turned into this Castle to enquire after newes, just at the same time when this sad news was brought thither; but he supposing that it was imposible that the Protestants which were so numerous there, could be so easily su [...]pressed, and thinking rather they stood upon their defence, resolved to returne home againe, and tooke with him this Lady with Tossan and his wife, and children: thus it pleased God that he was delivered from certain destruction by the humanity, and industry of a Papist: for the very next morning the inhabitants of Aurelia came to the Castle brake open the gates, slew som maids that were left to keep it, plundering all, and amongst the rest, Tossans goods and Library, raging extreamly that they had missed their prey which they most sought after: This Noblemans house that [Page] carryed them with him was near to Arg [...]mont: but Tossan apprehending himselfe not safe [...]here, he with his wife, and children removed to an other place where he was acquainted, and presently after the Dutches of Ferrara sent for him and his family, his wife being againe great with childe, and hid them in a Turret in her Castle, and sustained and fed them there: and when the rage of the Papists was somewhat abated, he with his wife and children travelled through many dangers into Germany, and being sent for by that pious Prince Frederick the third Elector Palatine, he went with his family to Heidleberg where he found so much love, and bounty from the Prince and his Courtyers, and the Academicks, that he almost forgot his former miseries: but the world being unworty of such a Prince, it pleased God to take him away Anno Christi 1576. four years after Tossan came thither: and his Son Lodwick succeeding him, Tossan amongst others was dismissed: But Prince Cassimire, [Lodwicks Brother] called him to Neostade, and placed him over the Churches there: and after Vrsins death, he made him Professor in that University: he was also over the Church of strangers, and Preached to them in the French Tongue, till they had chosen themselves a Pastor: he [...] Moderator in a Synod at Neostade: Shortly after L [...]dwicke the Elector Palatine dying, Cassimire was made Guardian to his Son, during his minority, whereupon he sent for Tossan to Heidleberg that by his advice, and counsell he might reforme the Churches; but when he came thither, his adversaries loured exceedingly upon him, and raised m [...]ny false reports, but he remembred that of Seneca, vir bonus, q [...]d honestè se facturum putaverit, faciet, etiam si peric [...]losum sit: ab honesto nullâ e deterrebitur: ad turpia, nullam spe invitabitur. An honest man will do that which he judges right, though it be dangerous: he will be deterred from that which is honest by no meanes; he will be allured to that which is dishonest by no meanes: His adversaries in their Pulpits daily cryed out of strange Heresies that he and his party held: but Prince Cassimi [...]e first sent for them to argue the case before [Page] him, and then appoin [...]ed [...] Publick disput [...]ion, wherein they could prove none of tho [...]e thing [...] [...]hich they charged them with; whereupon the Prince required them to abstain from such accusations for the tim [...] to come, and to study peace: but nothing would prevaile [...]o [...]llay their spleen [...] [...]ill they were removed into other Countries [...] The care of choosing Pastor [...] to the Churches, Tutors to the young Prince, Schoolmasters and Professors to the Universi [...]y, was devolved upon Tossan; all which he discharged with much fidelity: There also he commenced Doctor in Divinity; But as his cares [...]nd p [...]ins incre [...]sed, so hi [...] sorrow [...]lso, partly by reason of [...]n unh [...]ppy qu [...]rrell th [...]t fell out between the Students and Citizen [...] of Heidleberge, p [...]rtly by the death of hi [...] dear wife with whom he lived twenty two years in wedlock.

In the year 1588. he marryed [...]gaine, and disposed of his daughter [...] also in marryage to godly and learned men: Not long after Prince Cas [...]mire dyed, which much turned his griefe: but Frederick the fourth, being now come to hi [...] age, was admitted into the number of the Electors, [...]nd was very carefull of the good, both of the Chu [...] & University. An. Christi 1594. Tossan was choosen Rector of the University of Heidleberg, and the year after there brake out a grievous Pestilence in that City, which drove away the students: but Tossan remained Preaching comfortably to his people, and expounding the Penitentiall Psalmes to those few students that yet remained: Anno Christi 1601. he b [...]ing grown very old and infirm, laid down his Professors place, though the University, much opposed it, and earnestly sollicited him to retain it still, b [...] God purposed to give him a better rest after all his labors, and [...]orrowes: for having in his Lectures expounded the booke of Iob to the end of the 31. Chapter, he concluded with those words: The words of Iob are ended; Presently after falling sick, he comforted himself with these texts of Scripture, I have fought the good fight of Faith &c. Bee thou faithfull unto the death, and I will give thee the Crown of life: Wee have a City not made with hands, eternall in the [Page]heavens, and many other such like; he also made his W [...]ll, and set down therein a good confession of his Faith, and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno Christi 1602. and of his age sixty one. He was a very holy man, exemplary in his life, had an excellent wit [...] strong memory: eloquent [...]n speech, was very charitable, and chea [...]full in his conversation, and kept correspondence with all the choycest D [...]vines in those times.

Germane Tossanus doth deserve likewise,

That we his honoured name should memorize;

Who notwithstand all th'afflictions great

Which furious faithlesse Popish Foes did threat,

And prosecute him with, from place to place,

And him, and his dear wife with terrours chace:

In danger oft of death, yet mightily

The Lord preserv'd them from Romes cruelty.

He was a learned and laborious Preacher,

And alwayes 'gainst Romes errors, a Truth teacher [...]

Eloquent, witty, holy, humble, wise,

And now his soul blest Heaven [...]eate [...]es.

[...]

The Life and Death of William Perkins.

[Page]

IF the Mountain [...] of [...]ilboah [...] 2 Samu [...]l 1. were cond [...]mned and cursed by King David, that n [...] dew nor r [...]in should fall [...]pon them, because valiant Saul, and piou [...] Ionathan, were there unhappily slain; then by rules of opposition, such places deserve to be praised and blessed where godly men have had their happy Nativity. Amongst which let M [...]rston in Warwickeshire com in for his just share of commendation, where Master William Perki [...]s was born, and br [...]d in his infancy.

2. How he passed his childhood, is [...] matt [...]r befo [...] da [...]d in the Register of my Intilligence, whereof I can receiv [...] no instructions. Onely I dare be bold to conclude, that with [Page] Saint Paul, 1. Cor. 13. 11. When he was a childe, he spake [...] a childe he understood as a childe, he thought as a childe; whose infancy, as he with simplicity, so we passe it over with silence.

3. But no sooner [...] he admitted [...] Christs Colledge in Cambridge, but qui [...]ly the wilde fir [...] of his youth began to break out. An age which one may term [...] [...]he Midsommer Moone and dog-dayes of mans life: It is not certaine whether his owne disposition, or the bad company of others chiefly betrayed him to thes [...] extravagancies. Sure it is he tooke such wild lib [...]es to himselfe [...] cost him many a sigh in his reduced [...]ge [...] Probably [...] Providence permitted him to ru [...] himselfe with the prodigall Son out of breath, that so he might be the better enabled experimentally to repr [...] others of their vanity, [...] simpathizing with their sad condition, and be th [...] [...] skil'd how to comfort and counsell them on their [...]pentance. Why should God [...] arme, which afterwards gr [...]ously overtook Master Perkins, be too short to reach others in the same condition.

4. When fir [...] [...] muc [...] [...]ddicted to the study of naturall Magicke, digging so deepe, in natures mine, to know the hidden causes and sacred quallities of things, that some conceive, that he bordered on Hell it [...]fe in his curiosity. Beginning to be a practitioner in that black Art, the blacknesse did not affright him but name of Art lured him to admit himselfe as [...]dent thereof. Howeve [...] herein we afford no certaine beliefe, the rather because other mens ignorance might cast this aspersion upon him: Who knowes not that many things as pretty as strang [...] may really be effected by a skilfull hand, lawfull and laudable meanes? which some out of a charitable errour will interpret a Miracle, and others out of uncharitable ignorance will nickname Sorcery. A very Load-stone in some Scholars hand, before a silly Townsmans eye is enough to make the former a Conjurer.

5. The happy houre was now come wherein the stragling [Page] sheep was brought home to the fold, and his vanity and mildnesse corrected into temperance and gravity. It is certainly known and beleeved, that if Quick-silver could be fired (which all confesse difficult, and most conclude impossible) it would amount to an infinite treasure; so when the roving parts, the giddy and unstable conceits of this young Scholar began to be setled, his extravagant studyes to be confined and centered to Divinity, in a very short time he arrived at an incredable improvement.

6. He began first to preach to the prisoners in Cambridge Castle, being then himselfe Fellow of Christ Colledge. Here he truely preached Christs precepts: Freely you have received, freely give: And with Saint Paul made the Gospell of Christ of no expence; yea he followed Christs example to preach deliverance to the Captives, whose bodies were in a prison and souls in a dungeon: such generally their ignorant and desperate condition. Here (though free himselfe) he begot sons to God in fetters: Many an Onesimus in bonds was converted to Christ: Mock not at this good mans meane imployment, neither terme him with such as sit in the seate of the scornfull, the Goale-birds Chaplaine: But know nothing is base which in it selfe is lawfull, and done in order to the glory of God, yea better it is to be a true preacher in a prison then a flatterer in a Princes pallace.

7. But so great a star could not move alwayes in so small a sphear: His merits promoted him to a Cangregation of greater credit in the Town of Cambridge, where he was most constant in preaching. Wherein as no man did with more vehemency remove sin, so none either with more passionate affection bemone the condition of obstinate siners, or with sounder judgment, give them directions for their future amendment: Luther did observe that Thunder without rain doth more harme then good, wherof he maks this application, that Ministers who are alwaies threatning of legall terrors to offenders, except also they seasonably drop the dew of direction; giving them orders and instructions to better their estates, are no [...] wise Master builders, but pluck downe [Page] and build nothing up againe. Whereas Master Perkins so cunningly interweaved terrours 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 hi [...], 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 wch 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 whē 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 appe [...]r [...]. 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 phrase [...], or that out of niggarliness he begrudged his Auditors the use of them, but out of holy and heavenly Thri [...]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.

[Page]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 [...]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 takeing [...] 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 cas [...] 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 [Page] 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 charg [...] (learned Whitaker is accu [...]ed) for the same fault) that he made all the Fathers Puritans: but certainly in one sense they were Puritans of themselve [...] 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 Protestant [...] 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 i [...] 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 [Page]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 bird [...] 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 the little light allowed them, and by the swiftnesse of their wings to regaine the shortnesse of the time: So this good man, as if presaging that his life was likly to be very short (dying at the forty fourth year of his age) husbanded it with double diligence to Gods glory, and by his industry gained in thicknesse, what he wanted in length.

16. When Ahab dyed, the Ep [...]affe as I may say was written on his grave, That he built an Ivory House. A great honour indeed to have a milke-white Pallace and a blacke soul within it. But of gracious Iosiah it is said, 2. Chron. 35. 26. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his goodnesse, and his deeds first and last. This indeed was worth remembring: I can tell the Reader of no Ivory house, no beautifull building, no stately structures this Master Perkines erected, but as for his goodnesse with Iosiah, very much may be spoken thereof: For he did not onely, as Scripture praise is, Serve his Generation; that is, discharge himselfe with credit in all reference to those persons, to whom he stood related in that Age he lived in; but also he hath provided in his Workes a Magazine of Learning and Religion for all Generations to come. So that the Levites, which as yet lurkes in the [Page] loynes of Abraham their great Grandfather (infants as yet concealed in their causes) have just reason alwayes to b [...] thankfull to God for the benefit they receive from thos [...] Monuments he hath left behinde him.

His Stature was indifferent, complexion ruddy, hayre bright, body inclined to corpulency, which proceeded not from any lazinesse, but pulse and paines shall make one fat where God gives the blessing. He was lame of his right hand, like another Ehud, Iud. 3.15. yet made the instrument to dispatch many Eglon errors in judgement and vice in conversation. And nature commonly compensates corporall defects with a surplusage of the Soule. As for such as make bodily markes in men, the brands of disgrace [...]pon them; we will send them to halting, but true heart [...] Iacob; bleare-eyed, but faithfull Leah; stammering, but meeke Moses; lame, but loyall Mephibosheth, with other Saints in the Scripture; so to have their erronious judgements rectified into a more charible opinion.

He was much afflicted with the Stone, the attendant of a sedentary life, whereby his patience was much exercised. This brought him at last to his long home, so called Eccles. 12.5. not because man is long going thither, but long, yea for ever staying there. When he quietly surrendred his soul into the hands of his Creator, dying rich onely in Grace, the love of God and good men. It was true of him what Saint Paul said, 2 Cor. 6.10. being poore, but making many rich. Even in a litterall sence, the Sellers of his Books gained, but small profit came to the Author. He was buried in a decent manner, where all the spectators were Mourners, veris & spirantibus lachrymis. Doctor Mou [...]tague, afterwards Bishop of Wincher, Preached his Funerall Sermon, taking for his Text, Moses my servant is dead, Iosh. 1.2. and hath no other Monument then his owne vertues; except any will say that the plaine Stones which cover his Grave are made Marble by the worth of the Corps beneath them. A Wife and many Children he left behinde him; she married successively two other Husbands, but no more Mr. Perkinses.

[Page]If any charitable disposed Person hath been blessed by God with a Cup which overfloweth, and if he desireth that some drops of the same should fall upon them, who are the proper objects of bounty; I doubt not but an easie inquiring he may quickly finde out some of this worthy mans Children, as not so poore openly to request, so not so proud but they would thankfully receive such expressions of his Charity. Yea, what Saint Paul said of the Iews, may truely be applyed to the good mans memory, We are debters unto, &c. So that what is bestowed in this kinde on his, is not so much a guift, as a paying an obligation.

He was borne the first and dyed the last year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth; so that his life ran parallel with her reigne, streaming in equall length, and had both their fountains and fals together. He dyed Anno Dom. 1602.

1 A foundation of Christian Religion. 2 His Golden [...]haine, or description of Divinity. 3 An Exposition of the Apostles Creed. 4 An Exposition of the Lords Prayer. 5 A Declaration of the state of Grac [...] and Condemnation. 6 Cases of Conscience. 7. A discourse of the Tongue, done in Latine by Thomas Drax 8 Of the nature and practice of Repentance. 9 Of the meanes to dye well, in all states and [...]imes. 10 Of the combate of the flesh and spirit into Latine by Drax. 11 Of the course to live well. 12 A Treatise of Conscience. 13 The Reformed Catholicke. 14 Of the [...]rue meanes to know Christ crucified, and the Gra [...]ne of Mustard-seed into Latine, by Thomas Draxe. 15 Of true Wealth. 16 Of the Idolatry of the last times. 17 Of Gods free grace, and of free will in Men. 18 Of mens callings. 19 Of Predestination in Latine by the Author. 20 His Bible harmony. 21 A Dialogue of the worlds dissolution.

These that follow, were set forth after the Authors death.

1 Three bookes of the cases of Conscience, translated into Latine by Thomas Draxe and Meyer. 2 Commentaries on the five first Chapters on the Galathians. 3 Of Christian Equity by Carshaw.[Page]4 Of Mans Imagination, set forth by Thomas Peirson. 5 Problemes against Coxe, in Latine by himselfe, set forth by Samuel Ward. 6 The key of Prophesie, set forth by Thomas Tuke. 7 Commentaries upon the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew set forth by Thomas Peirson, 8 Commentaries on the three first chapters of the Apocalyps, by Robert Hill, and Thomas Peirson. 9 Of the tentation of Christ, from the first verse to the 12. of the fourth chapter of Matthew. 10 An exhortation to Repentance. 11 Two excellent Treatises of Ministers calling, set out by Master Crashaw. 12 A Commentary on Judes Epistle, by Thomas Pickering. 13 Of poysoning a Treatise. 14 Against Prognosticks: An Answer to a Countrey fellow. 15 Of the houshold Discipline in Latine, by the Author, now Englished.

Of all the Worthies in this learned role,

Our English Perkins may, without controle,

Challenge a crowne of Bayes to deck his head,

And second unto none be numbered,

For's learning, wit and worthy parts divine,

Wherein his Fame resplendantly did shine

Abroad and eke at home; for's Preaching rare

And learned writings, almost past compare;

Which were so high estéem'd, that some of them

Translated were (as a most precious jem)

Into the Latine, French, Dutch, Spanish tongue,

And rarely valued both of old and young.

And (which was very rare) Them all did write

With his left hand his right being uselesse quite;

Borne in the first, dying in the last year

Of Quéen Eliza, a Princesse without péer.

Place here Bishop Androwes his Life, marked with this Signiture * * *. having no Folioes.

The Life and Death of the late reverend and worthy Prelate, LANCELOT ANDREWES, late Bishop of WINCHESTER.

[Page]

THis grave and honorable Prelate, was borne in the City of London, in the Parish of All-Saints Barking, of honest and Religious Parents; his Father (having most part of his life used the Seas) in his latter time, became one of the society, and Master of the Holy Trini [...]y, comonly called the Trinity house: and was descended from the ancient family of the Andrewes in Suffolke.

From his tender yeeres, he was totally addicted to the study of good letters; and in his youth, there appeared in him such aptnesse to learne, answerable to his endeavours that his two first Schoolmasters, Master Ward, and Master Mulcaster, (conceiving, or foreseeing, that he would prove a rare scholer) contended, who should have the honor of his breeding. From Master Ward, Master of the Coopers Free-Schoole in Radcliffe, he was sent to Master Mulcaster, Master of the Mercantaylors free schoole, in London: where he answered the former opinion, conceived of him; for by his extraordinary industry, and admirable capacity, he soone outstript all the scholers under Master Mulcasters tuition, being become an excellent Grecian, and Hebrecian: Insomuch as Thomas Wattes Doctor of Divinity, Prebend and Residentiary of Saint Pauls, and Archdeacon of Middle-sex (who had newly Founded som Scholerships in Pembrook Hall, in Cambridge) sent him thither, and bestowed the first of his said Scholarships upon his; which places a [...]e (sinc [...]) comonly called the Greeke Scholarships.

As soone as he was a Bachelour of Ar [...]s, and so capable of a fellowship, there being then but one place void in the said Colledge, and Thomas Dove (late Lord Bishop of Peterburgh) [Page] being then a scholer also in the said Colledge, and very well approved of, by many of the Society. The Masters, and Fellowes put these two young men to a Tryall before them, by some Scholasticall exercises: upon performance whereof, they preferred Sir Andrewes, and chose him into the fellowship, then void, though they liked Sir Dove so well also, that (being loth to loose him) they made him some allowance for his present maintenance, under the title, of a Tanquam Socius.

In the meane while, Hugh Price (having built Iesus Colledge in Oxford) had heard so much of this young man (Sir Andrewes) that without his privity, he named him in hi [...] foundation of that Colledge, to be one of his first Fellowes there.

His Custome was (after he had been three yeeres in the University) to come up to London once a yeer to visit his Parents, and that, ever about a fortnight before Easter, staying till a fortnight after: and against the time he should com [...] up, h [...]s Father (directed by letters from his Son, before he came) prepared one, that should read to him, and be his guide, in the attaining of some Language or Art, which he had not attained before: So, that within few yeeres, he had laid the foundations of all Arts, and Sciences, and had gotten skill in most of the Modern Languages: And it is to be observed, that in his journeys betwixt London and Cambridge (to and fro) he ever used to walke on foot, till he was a Ba [...]chelour of Divinity; and professed, that he would not then have ridden on horse-backe, but that diverse friends began to finde fault with him and misinterpret him, as if he had forborne riding, onely to save charges.

What he did, when he was a Child, and a schoole-boy, is not now knowne; But he hath beene sometimes heard to say, that when he was a young scholer in the Universi [...]y (and so all his time onward, he never loved or used any games, or ordinary recreations, either within doores (as Cards, Dice, Tables, Chesse, or the like;) or abroad, [Page] as Buts, Coyts, Bowles, or any such: but his ordinary exercise and recreation, was walking either alone by himselfe, or with some other selected Companion, with whom he might conferre and argue, and recount their studies: and he would often professe, that to observe the grasse, herbs, corne, trees, cattle, earth, waters, heavens, any of the Creatures, and to contemplate their Natures, orders, qualities, vertues, uses, &c. was ever to him, the greatest mirth, content, and recreation that could be: and this he held to his dying day. After he had been some while a Master of Arts in the University, he applied himselfe to the study of Divinity, wherein he so profited, that his fame began to be spread farre and neare. Insomuch as being chosen Catechist in the Colledg [...], and purposing to read the ten Commandements (every Saturday, and Sunday at three of clocke afternoone, which was the hour of Catechizing) not onely out of other Colledges in the University, but diverse also out of the Country, did duely resort unto the Colledge Chappell, as a publique Divinity Lecture.

Before I proceed to his life (after he left the University) give me leave to relate a story of him, while he yet remained there, and that (as near as I can) from his owne mouth, and in his owne words.

Upon his first shewing himselfe at Cambridge, in his Divinity studies, especiall notice was soone taken of him (among his abilities and eminencies) as a man deeply seene in all cases of Conscience, and he was much sought to in that respect.

To proceed, with his owne particular: His worth made him so famous, that Henry Early of Huntingdon (hearing of it) sent for him, and thought himselfe much honoured by his accompanying him into the North, whereof he was President; and wh [...]re God so blessed his painfull Preachings and moderate private conference, that he converted Recusants (Priests and others) to the Protestant Religion. Sir Francis Walsingham (Secretary of State to Queene Elizabeth) tooke also especiall notice of his abilities, and highly [Page] affected him, and (being loath that he should not be better known to the world) wrought meanes to make him Vicar of Saint Giles without Criplegate London; then Prebend and Residentiary of Saint Pauls; and afterwards Prebend of the Collegiate Church of Southwell.

Being thus preferred (to his owne contentment) he lived not idlely, but continued a painfull labourer in the Lord [...] vineyard, witnesse Saint Giles Pulpit and that in Saint Pauls Church, where he read the Lecture thrice a weeke in the Terme time. And indeed what by his often Preaching at St. Giles, and his no lesse often reading in St. Pa [...]ls, he became so infirme, that his friends despaired of his life. Upon the death of Doctor Fulke, he was elected to the Mastership of Pembrooke Hall (whereof he had been a Schollar and Fellow) a place of credit, but of little benefit; for he ever spent more upon it then he received by it.

Afterwards he was made Chaplaine in ordinary attendance (of which kinde there were then but twelve) to Queen Elizabeth; who tooke such delight in his Preaching and grave deportment, that first she bestowed a Prebend at Westminster upon him, and (not long after) the Deanry of that place: and what she intended further to him, her death prevented.

He soone grew into far greater esteem with her successor the most learned King Iames, who (to say but truth) admired him beyond all other Divines, not onely for his transcendant gift in Preaching, but for the excellency and sollidity in all kinde of Learning; selecting him, at his choysest peece, to vindicate his Regality against his foule-mouthed adversaries. His Majesty (not long after his happy entrance to this Crowne) bestowed upon him the Bishopricke of Chichester (which he held about foure yeeres) and withall made him Lord Almoner: and (because of the exility of that Bishopricke) soon after added the Parsonage of Cheyham in Surrey, to his commendam.

Upon the vacancy of the Bishopricke of Ely, his Majesty made him Bishop thereof; and there he sate about nine [Page] yeers. In which time he was made a Privie Councellor, first of England & then of Scotland, in his attendance of the King thither. He was afterwards preferred to the Bishopricke of Winchester and the Deanry of the Kings Chappell, which two last preferments he held to his death, which hapned about eight yeeres after, in the third yeer of the raigne of our late King Charlse; with whom he held no lesse reputation then he had done with his Father before him.

It is worth the observation, that having bin preferd to many, and those no small dignities, yet he never used any meanes to obtaine the least of them, but they were all conferd upon him without the least suit on his part: For he was so farre from ambition or covetousnesse, as that when the Bishopricks of Salisbury and Ely were at severall times tendred unto him upon some propositions, prejudiciall to the state of those Churches, he utterly refused them.

The vertues and good parts o [...] this honorable Prelate were so many, and those so transcendent, that to doe him right, a large volumn would be but sufficient, which I shall leave to some of better abilities to performe, which I shall (by way of an Epitome) onely point a finger at, in these heads which follow.

His first and principall vertue, was his singular zeale and piety, which shewed it selfe not onely in his private and secret Devotions betweene God and himselfe (in which, they that were about him, well perceived, that he daily spent many houres, yea, and the greatest part of his life, in holy prayers and abundant teares, the signes whereof they often discovered) but also in his exemplary publicke prayers with his Family in his Chappell; wherein he behaved himselfe so humbly, devoutly and reverently, that it could not but move others to follow his example. His Chappell (in which he had Monthly Communions) was so decently and reverently adorned, and God served there with so holy and reverend behaviour of himselfe and his Family (by his pat [...]erne) that the soules of many (that (obiter) came thither in time of Divine Service) were very much elevated, [Page] and they stirred up to the like reverend deportment; yea, some that had bin there, were so taken with it, that they desired to end their dayes in the Bishop of Elyes Ch [...]ppell.

The next is his Charity and compassion, which he practized even before he came to great preferments: for while he was yet in private estate, he extended his Charity in liberall manner, to the reliefe of poore Parishioners, prisons and prisoners; besides his constant Sundayes Almes at his Parish of Saint Giles. But when his Meanes became greater, his Charity encreased to a large proportion; releasing many prisoners of all sorts, that were detained either for petty Debts or keepers fees. And one thing in his Charity is remarkable; that whereas he sent much money at severall times to the reliefe of poore Parishes, Prisons, Prisoners and the like, he gave strict charge to his servants whom he entrusted therewith, that they should not acknowledge whence this reliefe came; but directed that the acquittances, which they (to make the discharge of their trust appeare to him) desired from them that received such reliefe, should be taken in the name of a Benefactor unknown. Other large sums he bestowed yeerly (and oftner) in clothing the poore and naked, in relieving the sicke and needy, in succouring Families in time of infection (besides his Almes to poore house-keepers at his gate:) insomuch, that his private Almes in his last six yeeres (besides those publique) amounted to the sum of 1300 l. and upwards. Lastly, though it might well have beene supposed (by that which is said already) that he had bin in his life time his own Almoner, yet as he lived a pattern of compassion and worke of mercy so he dyed also; for it appeareth by his Will, that his chief care was, to provide that his pious workes should never have end, leaving 4000 l. to purchase 200 l. Land per annum for ever, to be distributed by 50 l. quarterly, thus; To aged poore men and decayed (with an especiall eye to Sea faring men, wherin he reflected upon his Fathers Profession) 50 l. To poor Widowes, the wives of one Husband fifty pounds. To the binding of poor Orphans Apprentices fifty pounds. [Page] And to the reliefe of poore Prisoners fi [...]ty pounds. Besides (among other, too many to be comprehended in an Epitome) he left, to be distributed presently after his decease, among Mayd-servants of honest report, and who had served one M [...]ster or Mistris seven yeers, the sum of two hundred pounds. Lastly, a great part of his Estate (which remained after his Funerall and Legacies discharged) he left to be distributed among his poore Servants.

The third is his fidelity and integrity; faithfull, upright and just he ever was, whether you respect him in his ordinary transactions, in which no man could ever justly taxe him with the least aspersion of injustice; or whether you looke upon him as entrusted with those great Offices and Places which he did undergoe; and they were either his Spirituall preferments or Temporall Office, besides some other matters committed to his fidelity. In the first of which he declared evidently to the world, that he reputed himself but Gods Steward, and that he must give an account to his Lord and Master for them. To begin then with the lowest account: He was ever faithfull, provident and carefull to keepe in good repaire the Houses of all his Spirituall preferments, and spent much money that way; as upon the Vicarage house of Saint Giles, the Prebends and Deanes houses of Westminster, and the Residentiaries house of Saint Pauls. Upon the House belonging to the Bishopricke of Chichester, he expended above 420 l. Of Elye above 2440 l. Of Winchesters (besides a Pention of 400 l. per annum, from which he freed his See at his owne charge) he spent two thousand pounds.

But in that part of the Account which concerned him more neerly to perfect, which was his Pastorall and Episcopall charge, the cure of Soules, and the well ordering of the severall Diocesse committed to his trust, never any made a more just and exact account.

Some particulars of this account was, the promoting of sufficient, able and good men to Livings and preferments which fell within his owne gift. To the better discharge [Page] of this part of the account he tooke order still before hand, by continuall search and enquiry, to know what hopefull young men were in the University: his Chapleins and friends receiving a charge from him, to certifie him, what hopefull and towardly young wit they met with at any time: and these (till he could better provide for them) were sure to taste of his bounty and goodnesse, for their better encouragement.

Diverse eminent men in Learning that wanted preferment, when any thing fell in his guift convenient for them (though otherwise they had no dependance at all upon him, nor interest in him) he would send for, before they knew why, and entertaine them in his owne house [...] and conferre the preferment upon them, and also defray the very charges incident for a dispensation or a faculty, yea, of their very journey; and all this, that he might have his Diocesse in generall, and his preferments in particular, the better fitted: So that, that may fitly be applyed to him, which was sometimes to Saint Chrysostome. In administratione Epatus, prebuit se fidelem, constantem, & Vigilantem Ministerum Christi.

And if you looke upon him in those Temporales wherwith he was intrusted, you shall find him no lesse faithfull and just: As first, diverse summes (and many of them of good value) were sent to him, to be distributed among poore scholers, and others, at his discretion: all which he disposed with great care and fidelity, even according to the Donors minds and entents.

For his faithfulnesse in managing those places, wherein he was entrusted for others, joyntly with himselfe, let Pembrooke H [...]ll and Westminster Colledge speake for him; for when he became Master of the first, he found it in debt, being of a very small endowment, (then espcially) but by his faithful providence, he left above eleven hundred pounds in the Treasury of that Colledge, towards the bettering of the estate thereof. And when he was made Deane of the other, it is not unknowne to some yet living (who will testfie) [Page] that he left it for all orders, aswell of the Church as of the Colledge and Schoole, a place then truly exemplarily Collegiate in all respects, both within and without, free from debts and arrerages, from encrochments & evill Customes; the Schoole-boyes (in the foure yeeres he stayed there) being much improved, not by his care and oversight onely, but by his owne personall, and often labours also with them.

To these may be added, that whereas by vertue of his Deanry of Westminster, his Mastership a [...] Pembrooke Hall, and his Bishopricke of Ely, the elction of Scholers into the Schoole of Westminster, and from thence to the two Universities, as also of many Scholers and fellowes in Pembrook Hall; some in Saint Peters Colledge, and some in Iesus Colledge, were in his power and disposall, he was ever so faith [...]full and just, that he waved all Letters from great Personages, for unsufficient Scholers, and cast aside all favor and affection, and chose onely such as in his judgment were fittest. And lastly (which is not the least in this kind) being many times desired to assist at the election of Scholers, from the free Schooles of the Merchantaylors, and from that at Saint Pauls, of the Mercers, and perceiving favour and affection, and other by respects, sometimes to oversway merit, with those to whom the choyce belonged, and that diverse good Scholers were omitted, and others of lesse desert preferred, he of his owne goodnesse, diverse times tooke care for such as were so neglected, and sent them to the University; where he bestowed pro [...]ment upon them.

To conclude this account of his, take a view of his fidelity, in that great place of trust, the Almo [...]orship; which was sufficiently evident (especially to those who attended him neerly.) First, in that he would never suffer one penny of that which accrewed to him by that place, to be put or mingled with any of his own Rents or Revenewes (and wherein he kept a more exact account then of his owne private Estate:) and secondly, being so separated, he was [Page] as fai [...]hfull in the disposing of it: not onely in the generall trust of his Soveraigne, in the daily charges incident to that place, expended by the Sub-Almoner and other yeerly ordinary charges; but when he perceived that he had a surplussage (those charges defrayed) he would not suffer it to lye by him; but some of it he disposed to the reliefe of poore Housekeepers, some in releasing of poore Prisoners, and comforting them which lay in misery and iron; and some in furnishing poore people with Gownes, hose, shooes and the like; for all which, many (so bestowed by him) had he reserved to his owne use (his Patent being sine computo) no man could have questioned him: But he was a faithfull Steward in this, as in the rest, and expected that joyfull Euge, Well done thou good and faithfull servant, thou hast bin faithfull, &c. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord; which (no doubt but he possesseth.

The next is, his Gratitude or thankfulnesse to all, from whom he had received any benefit. Of this vertue of his there are and were lately divers witnesses; as Doctor Ward Son to his first Schoolemaster, upon whom he bestowed the Living of Waltham in Hampshire; and Master Mulcaster, his other Schoolmaster, whom he ever reverently respected during his life, in all companies, and placed him ever at the upper end of his Table; and after his death, caused his Picture (having but few other in his House) to be set over hi [...] Study door. And not onely shewed he this outward thankfulnesse to him, but supplyed his wants many times also, priva [...]ly, in a liberall and plentifull manner; and at his owne death (the Father being dead) he bequeathed a Legacy to his Son of good valune, who as is said before, bestowed a full Scholarship on him in Pembrooke Hall. Concerning the kinred of Doctor Watts, after much enquiry, he found onely one, upon whom (being a Scholar) he bestowed pr [...]ferments in Pembrooke Hall; and (he dying there) hi [...] Lordship much grieved, that he could heare of no more of that kinred, to whom he might expresse his further thankfulnesse. And yet he forgat not his Patron Doctor Watts, [Page] at his end; for by his Will he tooke order, that out of the Scholarships of that Foundation, the two Fellowships which he himselfe Founded (as you shall see by and by) in Pembrooke Hall, should be supplyed, if they should be found fit for them.

Lastly, to Pembrooke Hall (omitting the Legacies by him bequeathed to the Parishes of Saint Giles, Saint Martin Ludgate, where he had dwelt; Saint Andrewes in Holborne, Saint Saviours in Southwarke, All [...] Saints Barking, where he was borne, and others) to that Colledge, I say (where he had beene a Schollar, Fellow and Master) he gave one thousand pounds to purchase Land for t [...]o Fellowships, and for other uses in that Colledge, expressed in his Will; besides three hundred such Folio Books of his own, to the encrease of that Colledg Library, as were not there before. Together with a guilt Cut and a Bason and Ewer, in all points (as weight, fashion, inscription, &c.) so like to the Cup, Bason and Ewer given about 300. yeers since to that Colledge, by the religious Foundresse thereof, as that not Ovum Ovo [...]imilius: and these, he profest, he caused to be made and given, not for the continuance of his owne memory, but for feare that those which she had given so long since, might miscarry, and so her remembrance might decay.

The fift is, his Munificence and Bounty. To prove which little need be said more, then that which hath bin touched in his bountifull Charity. But besides that, the two famous Universities, and they which then were poore Scholars in them, will witnesse for him in this point; he never coming neer either of them (after he was Bishop) but that he sent to be distributed among poore Scholars, sometimes one hundred po [...]nds, and ever fifty pounds at the least. One thing I cannot passe over in silence; That when King Iames was pleased to grace the University of Cambridge with his presence, in 1617. this reverend Father being present also at the Philosophy Act, he sent (at his departure) to foure of the Disputants forty peeces of Gold, of two and twenty shillings a peece, to be equally divided among them. Bu [...] [Page] what speake I of these? Was ever Prince better entertained, and in mo [...]e magnificent but orderly manner, then was hi [...] said Majesty at Farneham Castle (one of the Houses belonging to the Bishopricke of Winchester) where in the space o [...] three dayes he spent three thousand pounds, to the extraordinary contentment of his Majesty, and the admiration of all his Followers.

The next is, his Hospitality: from the first time of his preferment (to meanes of any considerable value) even to his dying day, he was ever Hospitable, and free in entertainment to all people of quality and worthy of respect, especially to Schollars and [...]trangers; his Table being ever bountifully and neatly f [...]rnished with provisions and attendants answerable; to whom he committed the care of providing and expending in a plentifull yet orderly way: himselfe seldome knowing what meat he had, till he came from his Study to Dinner; at which he would shew himselfe so noble in his entertainment, and so gravely facecious, that his guests would often professe, they never came to any mans Table, where they received better satisfaction in all points, and that his Lordship kept Christmas all the yeer, in respect of the plenty they ever found there. And yet (by the way) take this, that he ever strictly observed in his provisions of dyet, the time of Lent, Embers, and other Fasting dayes, according to the Lawes of this Kingdome, and the orders of the Church.

I shall not need to speake of the extraordinary great Hospitality he kept, and the large expence he was at, in entertainment of all sorts of people in Scotland, at what time he attended King Iames thither; the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and others of both Nations there present, will (as they often already have) speake of it for me, to his exceeding great honour. So that I know not, whether I have fitly couched it under this Head of Hospitality, or whether it had more properly belonged to that of his Munificence and Bounty.

The seventh, is his Humanity and affability, not onely [Page] to the last mentioned (his Guests) but to every one that did converse with him; for which, not onely divers famous Scholars and others of this Kingdome, but others of Forraigne parts (as they had just cause) have admired him. As (not to mention Natives) Master Causabow, Master Clu [...]vecius, Master Vossius, Master Grotius, Master Moulm, Master Barclay, and (besides many other [...]) Master Erpenius, to whom he tendered an Annuall S [...]ipend, to have read and taught here the Orientall tongues (wherein long before his death he himselfe had bin well versed, as may appeare by his Commencement Verses) the experienced Professors whereof he much delighted in, and did much for them, as Master Bedwell (to whom he gave the Vicarage of Tottenham in Midd.) if living (among others) would testifie. And the reason for this, a late reverend Father of this Church hath given Omnes quid in se amant, in aliis venerantur: loving and honoring those gifts in others which he had in himselfe; for among the other parts of his profound Learning, he by his industry, had attained to the knowledge of fifte [...]ne tongues, if not more.

To these former, may be added his Modesty, which was ever such, that although the whole Christian world tooke especiall notice of his profound and deep learning, yet was he so farre from acknowledging it in himselfe, that he would often complaine of his defects, even to the extenuating, yea vilifying of his owne worth and abilities; professing many times, that he was but inutilis servas, nay inutile pondus; insomuch, that being preferd by King Iames to the Bishopricke of Chic [...]ester, and pretending his owne imperfections and insufficiency to undergoe such a charge, as also that he might have not onely his Clergy, but all others to take notice thereof, he caused to be engraven about the Seale of his Bishopricke, those words of Saint Paul, Et ad haec quis idoneus? and who is sufficient for these things, 2 Cor. 2.16.

One note of his Modesty (mixt with his last vertue of Humanity) may be added, that after his Chaplaines had [Page] Preached in his Chappell before him, he would sometime privately request them, that he might have a sight of their Notes, with very good words and full of encouragement; insomuch, as they would professe of him, that the would never desire a more candid Auditor. So that what was said of Bede, may as fitly be said of him; A pietate modestia, & [...]astitate, nomen Venerabilis adeptus est.

His Indefatigability in Study cannot be paralleld, if we consider him from his Childe hood to his old age. Never any man tooke such paines (or at least spent so much time) in Study, as this reverend Prelate; for even in those dayes, when it might have been supposed he would have taken some ease for his former paines, then also from the houre he arose (his private Devotions finished) to the time he was called to Dinner, which (by his own order) was not till twelve at noone at the soonest, he kept close at his Booke, and would not be interrupted by any that came to speake with him, or upon any occasion (publick Prayer excepted:) Insomuch, that he would be so displeased with Scholars that attempted to speake with him in a morning, that he would say, He doubted they were no true Scholars, that came to speake with him before noon.

After Dinner, for two or three houres space, he would willingly passe the time, either in discourse with his guests, or other friends, or in dispatch of his own temporall affaires, or of those, who (by reason of his Episcopall Jurisdiction) attended him: and being quit of these and the like occasions, he would returne to his Study, where he spent the rest of the after-noone, even till Bed-time, except some friend tooke him off to Supper, and then did he eat but sparingly.

Of the fruit of this his seed-time, the world (especially this Land) hath reaped a plentifull harvest, in his Sermons and writings: Never went any beyond him in the first of these [his Preaching] wherein he had such a dexterty, that some would say of him, that he was quicke againe, as soone as delivered: and in this faculty he hath left a patterne [Page] unimitable. So that he was truly stiled Stella perdicantium; and an Angell in the Pulpit. And his late Majesty tooke especiall care in causing that volume of his Sermons to be divulged (though but a handfull of those which he Preached) by enjoying whereof, this kingdome hath an inestimable treasure.

And for his acutenesse and profundity in writing against the Adversary, he so excelled all others of his time, that neither Bellarmine (champion to the the Romanists) nor any other of them, was ever able to answere what he wrote: So, that as his Sermons were unimitable, his writins were unanswerable.

To draw to an end of deciphering his vertues, and endowments: It may truly be said of him, that he had those gifts and graces, both of Art and Nature, so fixed in him, as that this age cannot paralell him; for his profundity, and abisse of learning, was accompanied with wit, memory, judgment, Languages, gravity and humility: insomuch that if he had bin Contemporary with the Ancient Fathers of the Primitive Church, he would have bin (and that worthily) reputed, not inferior to the chiefest among them.

He generally hated all vices, but three (which he ever repu [...]ed sinnes) were most especially odious unto him. First, Usury, from which he was so farre himselfe, that when his friends had need of such money as he could spare, he lent it to them freely, without expectance of ought backe, but the Principall. Secondly, The second was Simony which was so detestable to him, as that for refusing to admit diverse men to livings whom he suspected to be Simonically preferd, he suffered much by suits of Law: choosing rather to be compelled (against his will) to admit them by Law, then voluntarily to doe that which his conscience made scruple of. And for the livings and other preferments, which fell in his owne gift, he ever bestowed them freely (as you have seene before) upon deserving men, without suit: So that we may say of him as was said long since, concerning Rober [...] Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury.[Page]Beneficia Ecclesiastica nunquam, misi doctis con [...]ulit: Precibus ac gracia Noli [...]ium fretos, & ambientes, semper repulit. Thirdly, The last was Sacriledge, which he did so much abhorre, that when the Bishopricke of Sarum, and that of Ely (before it was so much deplumed) were offered to him, upon termes savoring that way, he utterly rejected th [...]m. Concerning that of Salisbury, give leave to adde a particuler passage of his, which happened many yeeres after his said refusall of it, which was this; At a Parliament under King Iames, when an Act was to passe, concerning Sherburne Castle, it was observed, that onely Bishop Andrewes and another gave their Votes against the same. That the other should so doe was not much merveiled at, but that Bishop Andrewes should doe it, when none but that other Lord did so, was so remarkeable, as that he was demanded by a grea [...] Person, what his reason was for it. To which he most worthily replyed, that it could not be well wondred, why he should now vote against that which if he would have yeelded unto (many yeeres before, in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth) he might have had this Bishopricke of Sarum: which reason of his, when his late Majesty (being then Prince, and present at the passing of the Act) heard; He be shrewed him, that when he denyed his consent, he did not declare the reason of his denyall also: Professing that had he bin made acquainted with the state of that Case, as now he was, (he would with the King his Fathers good leave) have labored against the passing of the said Act. To close up this point: This reverend Prelate went yet a degree further, in refusing (when he was Bishop of Winchester (diverse large and considerable summes, to renew some Leases, because he conceived that the renewing of them might be prejudiciall to Succession.

Now let us lay all these together: His Zeale and Piety: His Charity, and Compassion: His Fidelity, and Integrity: His Gratitude, and Thankfulnesse: His Munificence and Bounty: Hospitality, Humanity, Affability, and Modesty: a [...]d to these, His Indefatigability in study, and the fruits [Page] of his labours in his Sermons and Writings, together with hes profundity in all kinde of Learning; his wit, memory, judgement, gravity and humility. His detestation of all vices and sinne, but especially of three. All which (by couching them onely in this Compend) we have seen in him, as ex ungue Leonem, or by Hercules foot, his whole body: and consider, whether the Chuech of God in generall, and this in particular, did not suffer an irreparable losse, by his death.

Having taken a short survey of his Life, let us now see him Dying. He was not often sicke, and but once (till his last sicknesse) in thirty yeers, before the time he dyed, which was at Downham in the Isle of Ely, the ayre of that place not agreeing with the constitution of his body. But there he seemed to be prepared for his dissolution; saying oftentimes in that sicknesse, It must come once, and why not here? And at other times, before and since, he would say, The dayes must come, when, whether we will or nill, we shall say (with the Preacher) I have no pleasure in them, Eccles. 12.1. Of his Death he seemed to presage himselfe a yeere before he dyed, and therefore prepared his oyle, that he might be admitted in due time into the Bride Chamber. That of qualis vita, &c. was truly verified in him; for as he lived, so dyed he. As his fidelity in his health was great, so encreased the strength of his Faith in his sicknesse. His Gratitude to men, was now changed into his Thankfulnesse to God. His Affability to incessant and devout Prayers and speech with his Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. His laborious Studies, to his restlesse groanes, sighes, cryes and teares; his hands labouring, his eyes lifted up, and his heart beating and panting to see the living God, even to the last of his breath. And him (no dobut) he sees face to face, his workes preceding and following him, and he now following the Lambe, crowned with that immortality, which is reserved for every one, that lives such a life as he lived.

He departed this life September 25. 1626. in the seventy [Page] one yeer of his age, and lyeth buried in the upper Isle of the Parish Church of Sai [...]t Saviours in Southworke. His Executors have erected to him a very faire Monument of Marble and Alablaster. And one that formerly had beene his Houshold Chaplaine (whom this honorable and reverend Prelate loved most tenderly from his Childehood, rather like a Father then a Lord or Patron) but since his death a Successour to him in some of his Places in the Church; for the duty and reverence which he ever bare to him while he lived, hath most gratefully and cordially in his everlasting honorable memory, added to it a most excellent, significant and speaking Epitaph, which followeth.

LECTOR.

Si Christianus es, siste:

Morae praetium erit,

Non nescire Te, Qui vir hîc si [...]us sit

Ejusdem tecum, Ca [...]holicae Ecclesiae Membrum,

Sub eadem faelicis Resurrectioni [...] Spe,

Eandem D. Iesu praestolans Epiphaniam,

Sacratissimus Antistes, Lancelotus Andrewes,

Londini oriundus, educatus Cantabrigiae

Aulae Pembroch: Alumnorum, Sociorum, Prefectorum

Vnus, & nemini secundus.

Linguarum, Artium, Scientiarum,

Humanorum, Divinorum omnium

Infinitus Thesaurus, Stupendum Oraculum:

Orthodoxae Christi Ecclesiae

Dictis, Scriptis, Precibus, Exemplo

Incomparabile Propugnaculum:

Regine Elizabethae a Sacris,

D. Pauli London Residentiarius,

D. Petri Westmonast. Decanus,

Episcopus Cicestrensis Eliensis: Wintoniensis,

Regique Jacobo [...]um ab Eleemosyni [...],

[Page]Tum ab u [...]riusque Regni Consiliis,

Decanus denique sacelli Regii.

Idem ex

Indetessa opera in Studiis,

Summa sapientia in rebus,

Assidua pietate in Deum,

Profusa largitate in egenos,

Rara amoenitate in suos,

Spectata probitate in omnes.

Aeternum admirandus:

Annorum pariter, & publicae famae satur,

Sed bonorum passim omnium cum luctu dena [...]us,

Coelebs hinc migravit ad Aureolam coelestem.

Anno

Regis Caroli II ⁰. Aeta [...]is suae LXXI ⁰.

Christi MDCXXVI ⁰.

Tantum est (Lector) Quod te moerentes Posteri

Nunc volebant, Atque ut ex voto tuo valeas, Dicto

Sit Deo Gloria.

His Workes.

In the volumne of his Sermons, there are seventeen Sermons of the Nativity, Preached upon Christmas day. Eight Sermons upon Repentance and Fasting, Preached upon Ash-wednesday. Six Sermons Preached in Lent. Three Sermons of the Passion, Preached upon Goodfriday. Eighteen Sermons of the Resurrection, Preached upon Easter-day. Fifteene Sermons of the sending of the Holy Ghost, Preached upon Whit-sunday. Eight Sermons, Preached upon the fifth of August. Ten Sermons, Preached upon the fift of November. Eleven Sermons, Preached upon severall occasions.

A Manuall of private Devotions, and Meditations for every day in the weeke.

A Manuall of Directions for the Visitation of the Sick.

[Page]His Opera Posthuma. Concio ad Clerum pro gradu Doctoris. Ad Clerum in Synodo Provinciali. Coram Rege habita V ⁰. August 1606. In discessu Palatini XIII ⁰. April 1613. Theologica Determinatio de Iurejurando. De Vsuris. De Decimis.

Respontiones ad 3 Epistolas Petri Molinei. An answer to the 18. and 20. cc. of Cardinall Perons reply. A Speech in the Star-Chamber against Master Thraske. Another there concerning Vowes, in the Countesse of Shrewsburies case.

Respontio ad Forti librum. Ad Apologiam Cardinalis Bellarmini.

Reader, be serious let thy thoughts reflect

On this grave Father with a large respect;

Peruse his well-spent life, and thou shalt finde

He had a rare, and heav'n enamel'd minde.

He was our Kingdomes Star, and shin'd most bright

In sad afflictions darke, and cloudyst night;

Let his example teach us how to live

In love and charity; that we may give

To those, whose wants inforce them to implore

Our ayde, and charity makes no man poore.

Andrewes was fill'd with goodnesse, all his dayes

Were crown'd and guilded with resounding praise.

The world shall be his Herald to proclaime

The ample glories of his spreading Fame.

FINIS.

FRANCISCVS IVNIVS.

The Life and Death of Franciscus Juniu [...].

[Page]

EMblemes of honour derived from Ancestors, are but rotten rags where their ignoble posterity degenerate from their Progenitors. But they are both glorious and precio [...]s, where the children both answer and exceed the vertues of their extraction. Such here our Iunius, William his Grandfather, serving under Lewi [...] the twelfth in the warres of Navarre, was rewarded for his valour with an Augmentation of Nobility to his Family. Dennis his Father was a great practiser of the Civill Law, and got both credit and profit by his profession. But what needs this superfluous luster to be borrowed from Parentage to him who was inriched with plenty of light in himselfe.

[Page]2. In the famons City of Bourges in France our Franci [...] was born, An. 1545. Likely almost to have proved a Benjamin to his Mother, and just cause had she to valew this Pearle, for which she paid so dear. His baptisme was hastned to prevent his death, all looking on him as a weakling, which would post to the grave; whereas he not onely out-lived most of his brethren but even made his Parents to survive in him. His soul was condemn'd to a bad body, his infancy being a continued sicknesse, and the small pox being struck into him when a child, (by negligence of the servants suffering him to take cold) occasioned a sore in his leg; and ever after even to the day of his death he felt the Admonition of that maladie: for when there was any indisposion in his body, that the malignant humours mustered themselves together, hi [...] leg was made the Randevous for their meeting.

3. Being sent to school he was unhappy in tirannicall Masters, For though he was of that capacity to hold as much and more then they would poure into him, and of that industry, that he refused no labour for learning, yet they were most cruell unto him. One especially, who as of whipping of boyes had been rather his recreation, then their punishment, and he willing to make faults where he could not find them, so punished the naturall weaknesse of Iunius for an offence, that it was familiar with him seven times a day to be corrected, truely scoring the number of the Liberall Sciences upon him, wherein afterwards he gr [...]w to be most eminent: yet such was Iunius his love of learning and his soul was so eagerly set upon it, that he was not at leisure to complaine of hard usage, or to confesse it to his mother and sister who susp [...]cted it.

4. But afterwards Iunius, growne to be a stripling in that age wherein youth and man doe meet together, was sent by his father to Lions to study; a dissolute place, and full of all Licentiousnesse. Sudden alterations to extreames commonly prove dangerous: Iunius hath now neither Master to fright him, nor father to awe him, nor friend to direct him. And as waters long curbed with flood gates, and debarred [Page] their naturall course runne with more fury and fiercenesse, when the dams and sluces are suddenly taken away; so what wonder if this our youth, formerly kept in constant durance with cruel education, now flye out, and give (as I may say) separation to his corrupt nature for the [...]ormer wrong he had sustained.

5. Two dangerous Rocks he was drawn upon, narrowly scaping the one, but dangerously hitting against the other. The first was, the allurements of wanton Women, who sought to inveagle him; the City of Lions being a Common which is sufficiently stockt with such Cattell. Say not that I [...]nius his weake body was a preservation for his chastity, for (besides that the heart of a Stallion may be in the body of an Eunuch) age in him now had out-grown the infirmities of his childe-hood. But by Gods providence he was protected from this temptation, and by Satans suggestions solicited to another, who finding his corporall baits not to succeed, did try by a more spirituall way to entice him.

6. Here I stand still and demur with my selfe, whether speech or silence be better; Tell it not in Gath, &c. It is pity that so great sinnes of (afterwards) good men, should be committed to memory. But againe, considering that his shipwrack may be a seamarke for others, it must not be concealed. He turned neither better nor worse then flat Atheist. Certainly, flyes as they are ingenuous to doe mischiefe on Grapes, so they are judicious tasters, to choose the ripest and sweetest for their palate. And Satan is so subtile, that he pitcheth on the most fruitfull, yea rankest wits, as best for his purpos [...] and a dunce is no dish for the Divels tooth.

7. Full twelve moneths did Iunius live in and lye under this dolefull and damnable condition, when first it pleased God to save his life in a Tumult in the City of Lions, that so signall a deliverance in the appehension of Iunius did point at a Deity, and awakened his drowsie soule to the consideration of divine Providence. Afterwards, his Parents [Page] being by improbable and unsuspected intelligencer [...] informed of their Sons Atheisme, sent for him home, took order that he was better instructed, and enjoyned him the constant reading of the New Testament. Iunius lighting on the first chapter of the Gospell of Saint Iohn, was, by Gods spirit moving his heart, so highly affected therewith, that he fell on a sudden both into an acknowledgement and admiration of God in his Word. I have heard that supersticious Exorcistes (who most serve the Divel, when they pretend most to command him) use, or rather abuse this chapter to conjure out evill spirits out of persons possessed. What collusion or confederacy may passe betwixt Sathan and his playmates, I neither doe nor desire to know. This sure I am, that that parcell of Scripture was so sanctified by God to Iunius, that it dispossessed his soule, and ejected thence that Atheisticall Fin, formerly lodged therein. And now Iunius begins to prefer Salomons Proverbs before Seneca his Sentences; the Psalmes of David before the Odes of Horace; Ieremies Lamentations before Ovid de Tristibus; in a word, he grew sensible of the majesty in the meanest, of the rich matter in the plaine stile of the Scripture.

8. Afterwards his Parents sent him to Geneva to the University, furnishing him with sufficient money for the present, and promising to send him supplies for the future, when alas presently began the wofull Wars in France, so that the French Lillies fairely flourishing before, began now to be parched and scorched in Civill Combustions; insomuch, that the Parents of Iunius could not performe their promise. Surely War is a cursed thing, were it onely for this, that it makes men unwillingly unnaturall, unable to discharge those relative offices, which otherwise they desire. Iunius begins to want, and resolves with himselfe, Cleanthes like, to worke ev [...]ry other day with a Spade or Mattock about the Town Ditch, so to provide himselfe maintainance; Gods children making many hard but ever honest shifts.

9. But a Countriman of his accidentally finding him [Page] out (whose Mother, when a Widdow, had beene relieved by the Parents of Iunius) tooke him home, and freely bestowed both lodging and dyet upon him. It is good spirituall husbandry to sow good workes, if not our persons our posterity may reape them, as now did Iunius. But he, good man, was perplext, for being as he conceived it a burden to his friend; for there is no greater racke to an ingenuous nature, then to receive kindnesses in despaire to requite them. Iunius weighing in [...]he ballance of his minde every morcell of meat, and for foure moneths together (pretending Study) dyned onely on Ayre, and supped with two Egges, and a small draught of Wine, fearing he should be too chargable; thus he was a Less [...]an before Lessius, yea he exceeded him in his Abstinence, till nature as I may say, was over pressed with too little weight of victuals, which brought him into a Consumption: But afterwards receving mony from his Father, he not only plentifully repaid his Host, but by compitent food, and corediall Phisicke repared the detriments, and decayes in his body.

10. The Father of Iunius, who formerly was affraid that his Sonne would have to little Religion, began now to suspect that he would have to much, and make Divinity his profession, whereas he intended him for the practice of the civil Law. Like to many now adayes, who begrutch their pregnant children to Gods service, reserving strait Timber to be Be [...]mes in other buildings, & only condemnning crooked peeces for the Temple; so that what is found unfit for City, Camp or Court, (not to adde ship and shop) is valued of worth enough for the Church.

11. But here hapned a sad and sudden accident, the Father of Iunius was most barbarously butchered, by a companion of Hacks Iers. Here let me beg and borrow of the courteous reader the help of his imagination, to piece out the shortnesse of my expression, in considering the great sorrow Iunius conceived hereat; but no sooner was he come to shore out of the sea of sarrow, but presently he dispatcht a letter to his Mother, full of pitty and piety, religion and [Page] affection: He counselled her to submit to Divine providence, seeing she was made a Bride the same minute wherin she was made a Widdow, married to God himselfe, the Husband of the Widdo [...], and Father of the fatherlesse; he desired her to be carefull of the rest of the childeren, but take no thought for him, who was re [...]olved to hew out a way for his livelihood, out of the Rockes of all difficulties.

12. Leaving Geneva (where he had lived a Schoole-master, teaching Hebrew for a time; he came into the Low- countryes to be Minister to the French Church at Antwerp, then began the civill Warres there, wherin halfe of the seventeen Provinces opposed the King of Spaine, whether willingly falling from him for lacke of Royalty, or violently cast away by him, through his owne cruelty, the Chronicles of those parts are best able to informe. Here Iunius had a finger, yea a whole hand in writing some publicke Remonstrances in behalfe of the People; which being knowne (discovered by the sharpnesse of his owne Pen, such was the activenesse, quicknesse and vigor of his stile) he was sought after, and four hundred Florens promised to him (more by half then his estate was ever worth) which would bring him dead or a live to the Regent of that County, yea a curious Limnner was employed to draw his picture to the life, that thereby he 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 r [...] 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 di [...]loyalty to [Page] 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 pi [...]tifull conditio [...]: For such who conceive it no great paine, for another to be [...]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 conc [...]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 [Page] 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 piou [...] 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 [...]eited on the base conditions of some beastly women in [...]he City of Lions, he loathed the whole see for their sakes, [Page] 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 th [...]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 [...]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, [...]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 o [...] 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 [Page]of Tremelius against Genebrard. 12 Twelve Orations for the reading of the Old Testament. 13 An Oration of Ursinus life. 14 Vpon Gregory 13. his Cursings against Gebbard, Bishop of Colen. 15 Vpon Saint Judes Epistle. 16 Four Speeches for reading the Old Testament. 17 Vpon the four first Psalms. 18 A Catholicke Apology in Latine. 19 An Hebrew Lexicon. 20 His table of Purgatory. 21 A Christian admonition against John Haren in French. 22 A booke called the Academy. 23 His CUROPALATES in Greek and Latin. 24 Translation of two Epistles of the Kings, & one of Plessis in Latin. 25 His sacred Paralels. 26 Vpon the Prince of Anhalt his death. 27 Notes upon the three first Chapters of Genesis. 28 A confutation of some Arguments of the Creation. 29 Notes upon the Apocalyps. 30 Second Edition of his Bible. 31 Man lives with corrections and Notes. 32 His first defence of the Catholike Doctrine of the Trinity. 33 A Commentary one Daniel. 34 The King of France his confession in French. 35 Vpon the Death of John Cassimire, Count Palatine. 36 Commentary on Psalm 101. 37 Expositions upon the Apocalyps in French. 38 Commentary on Jonah the Prophet, 39 An Analysis upon Genesis. 40. Ciceroes Epistles to Atticus, and Q. his brother, with Corrections and Notes. 41 A defence of the Catholicke Doctrine of Nature and Grace. 42 A praise of Peace. 43 The peaceable Christian in French. 44 Of the observation of Moses policy. 45 Of Divinity. 46 An Oration against the Jesu [...]tes in Latine, 47 Notes upon Tertullian. 48 Notes and Animadversions upon Bellarmine, of the Translation of the Roman Empire.

Reader, observe and thou shalt finde

A rare, and well-reformed minde:

He that in his youthfull dayes

Storch'd his conscience by the blaze

Of wanton fires, refus'd at last

The heat of an Athisticke blast;

He started from the deep abyss

Of vileness [...], to the height of bliss,

And then that light which fil'd his breast

[Page]Gave himselfe and others rest,

That they which did before contemne

His deeds, imbrac'd him as a Jem;

And thought him fitting to be set

Within the Churches Cabonet:

His vertue pay'd what vice had scoar'd

And age abhor'd, what youth ador'd.

EDWIN SANDES ARCHRI [...]

The Life and Death of Edwin Sands, who dyed Aug. 8. Anno Christi 1588.

THis learned Doctor and famous Divine, was descended of vertuous and godly Parents, and bred up in the knowledge of the liberall Arts, being well grounded in the rudements of Learning; he was sent to the famous University [Page] of Cambridge, where he tooke the degree of Doctor in Divinity, and afterwards was Master of Katharine-Hall, and Vice-Chancellour of the said University, at that time when Iohn Duke of Northumberland came thither with his Army to proclaime the Lady Iane Gray Queen of England, in opposition to Queen Mary. Hereupon the Duke required Doctor Sands to Preach on the morrow in relation to the businesse then in hand. Though the warning was short, and the businesse in agitation very weighty, yet he undertooke to Preach; so rising at three of the clocke the next morning, he tooke his Bible in his hand, and after he had prayed a good space, he shut his eyes, and holding his Bible before him, earnestly prayed unto God, that it might fall open where a most fit Text should be for him to Preach on that day: The Bible (as God would have it) opened at the beginning of Ioshua, where he found a very pregnant text of Scripture for the present occasion, viz. Ioshua 1.16, 17, 18. He that shall consider the Auditory, the time, and other circumstances, shall easily see that this Text most fitly served for the purpose; and as God gave the Text, so he gave him such discretion, wisdome, moderation and sincerity in the handling of it, that he cavsed the stoutest of them there present to shed teares abundantly.

Shortly after, when the Duke was taken, and Queen Mary proclaimed, one Master Mildmay was sent to apprehend Doctor Sands, and to carry him to the Tower of London; who coming unto Doctor Sands, he told him, that he marvelled that so learned a man as he, should so unadvisedly run himselfe into danger. To whom he answered, I am not ashamed of bonds, but if I could doe as you can doe, I need not to fear bonds; you came downe armed against the Queen, and now you are for the Queen; before a traytor, now a friend. But I cannot thus dissemble, and with one mouth blow hot and cold.

As he rode in at Bishops-gate London, a wicked woman hurled a stone at him, which gave him such a blow on the breast, that it almost feld him off his horse. To whom he [Page] mildely said, Woman, God forgive thee. While he was in the Tower, one Iohn Bowler was his Keeper, a perverse Papist, yet at length, by the sweet and gentle perswasions and grave counsell of this holy man, he was so far wrought upon, as to favour the Gospell, and afterwards became a zealous professour of it. Upon Sir Thomas [...] yats insurrection, Doctor Sands was removed unto the Marshall-sea, where God gave him great favour in the eyes of his Keeper, so that he used him very courteously. After nine and twenty weekes imprisonment in the Tower, and nine in the Marshalsea, through the mediation of his friends, he was set at liberty: But Gardiner Bishop of Winchester repenting of what he had done, presently used all meanes possible to apprehend him againe; yet through the goodnesse of God and the help of his faithfull friends, he got safe out of London, and went to the Sea-side to take shipping for Flanders; while he stayed at Milton-shore, waiting for a Ship, he was kindely entertained by one Iames Mower and his wife. Now his wife was barren, having bin married abovt eight years; to whom at parting Doctor Sands said, Be of good comfort, for ere that a whole year be past, God shall give you a Sonne. And accordingly it came to passe; for that day twelve months, lacking but one day, she was delivered of a Son.

He remained in Germany all the reigne of Queene Mary, and returned unto London the same day that Queen Elizabeth was crowned. The Queen highly esteemed him for his singular piety and learning, and shortly after bestowed great preferment upon him. He was made Bishop of Worc [...]ster the 21. day of December, 1559. He did succeed that famous Archbishop Grindall in two places, to wit, in the Bishoprick of London, and the Archbishoprick of Yorke, the one in 1570. and the other in six years after. And when he had enjoyed that promotion of Archbishop 12. years, he departed this life Aug. 8. 1588. about the age of 60. and lyes buried in the Collegiate Church in Southwel in No [...]inghamshire: A man, of whom it is hard to be said, whether more famous for his singular vertues and learning, or for his Noble Parentage [Page] and Of-spring which he left behinde him; for he left many Childen, of which three were Knights and excelently well qualified Gentlemen, either for body or minde. But his Sonne Sir Edwin Sands proved the learneder, and more famous and deare to his Countrey.

There is a Booke of famous Sermons extant in Print of this Prelates, which is counted a worthy Peece, and doth sufficiently declare his Piety and Schollarship to succeed [...]ng Ages.

He that will spake his praises well

Must study first what 'tis t'excell:

He daily labour'd to oppose

The Churches most unsatiate Foes;

The truth he would be sure to vent

Though he endur'd imprisonment.

Read but his Works, and th [...]u shall finde

His body was imprisn'd, not his minde.

G [...]RVAS BABINGTON.

The Life and Death of Gervas Babington.

[Page]

THis Prelate as he was excellent for his parts, so was he of a very fai [...] descent, being born in the County of Nottingham, of the ancient family of the Babingtons in the said County, where he drew in the first rudiments of Literature, till by his worthy Parent [...] he was sent to Cambridge, and was admitted into that worthy Society of Trinity Colledg, Doctor Whi [...]gu [...] being then Master.

This Babington proved so famous in Schol [...]ership, that having his degrees, he was made Fellow of the same Colledge; and giving himselfe to the study of Divinity, he proved a worthy Preacher in that University. After, being Doctor in Divinity, he was called by Henry that Noble Earl of Pembrooke, to be his Chaplaine, by whose favour he was first made Treasurer of the Church of Landaffe in Wales, after [Page] he was elected Bishop of the same, 1591. and when he had sitten four years in that See, for his singular Piety and Learning, he was by Queene Elizabeth translated to the Bishopricke of Exeter, where he scarce stayed three years, but he was made Bishop of Worcester, and in the middest of all these preferments he was neither tainted with Idlenesse, or pride, or covetousnesse, but w [...]s not onely diligent in preaching, but in writing bookes, for the understanding of Gods Word; so that he was a true patterne of Piety to the people, of Learning to the Ministery, and of Wisedome to all Governours: Whereupon he was made one of the Queenes Counsell for the Marches of Wales. He was Bishop of Worcester abovt the space of 13. years: He dyed of an Hecticke Feaver, and so changed this fraile life for a better in the yeare of our Lord 1610. not without the great griefe of all, and had all funerall Rites bestowed on him, befitting so great and so grave a Governour, and father of the Church; and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Worcester, in the Moneth of May. His Workes extant are these that follow.

1. Consolatory Annotations upon Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. 2. Vpon the ten Commandements, the Lords Prayer, and the Articles of the Creed. 3. A comparison or collation betweene humane frailty and faith. 4. Three worthey and learned Se [...]mons.

Renowned Babington spun out his dayes

In truth and peace, and had the ecchoing praise

Of every tongue; his worth was priz'd by all

That lov'd religion; nothing could recall

His heart from goodnesse; peace, and love did rest

Within the closset of his se [...]ious breast:

Therefore let every tongue proclame and cry

The fame of Babington shall never dye.

IOHN WHITGIFT.

The Life and Death of John Whitgift.

[Page]

IN the year of our Lord 1530. being the twenty and first of King Henry the eight (a year very remarkable for the Parliament then held, wherein that proud Prelate Cardinall Wolsey was attainted, and the first opposition made by the maine body of the the Commons therein assembled against the tirannicall usurpation of the Popish Clergy) was Iohn Whitgift born at great Grimesbie in Lincolnshire, descended from an ancient and worshipfull Family of the Whitgifts in Yorkeshire. An Unckle he had called Robert Whitgift, Abbot of Wellow: who though himselfe a professed Monk, yet not greaty liked the profession; and was by this his Nephew, therefore heard sometime to say, that they and their Religion could not long continue; for that having read the Scripture over and over again [...] he could never finde therein that their Religion was founded by [Page] God: and it is not unlikly, that by the cariage of businesses in the State at that time, being an understanding man, he might shrewdly guesse at those things that shortly after sued.

Under this his Unckle was he educated together with some other young Gentlemens sonnes for some space of time: and whether taking some hints from him, or being by some other meanes wrought on, through a secret hand of God, already moulding and preparing him for future employments, he began to grow, though very young yet, into a dislike of Popish superstitions, and to af [...]ect the better way. For being by his said Unckle, who observed his towardlinesse, for his further improvement in learning, sent up to London, entred there into Saint Antonies schoole, and boarded with an Aunt of his, wife to one Michael Shaller a Verger of Pauls Church; he was after som time by her dismissed againe and thrust out of doores, because he refused to frequent the morning Masse with her, albeit by some of the Canons earnestly solicited so to doe. Upon returne to his Parents, according to his Unckles advice and direction, finding that he had well profited in learning, he was by them sent to the University of Cambridge, and there placed in Q [...]eenes Colledge. But not so well relishing t [...]e disposition of some in that house, he removed from thence to Pembrooke Hall, where he was pupill to that blessed Ma [...] tyr of God Iohn Bradford, Doctor Ridley afterward Bishop of London being then Hed of the house, by whom also in regard of his forwardnesse both in learning and godlinesse, he was made scholer of the house.

With his years his worth growing, and notice taken of his good parts, his preferments likewise accordingly came on: For from thence he was chosen to be Fellow of Peterhouse, D [...]ctor Pern being then Master th [...]re: who very tenderly affected him, and when out of tendernesse of conscience, in Queen Maries time, upon expectation of som Commis [...]ioners that were to come downe visit to the University and settle Popery there, he had entertained some thoughts [Page] of going beyond the Seas, the Dr. perceiving it and withall his resolution in matter of religion, both encouraged and caused him notwithstand to stay, promising him withall to take such order for him, that keeping himselfe quiet, he should remaine free from molestation: that which according to his promise given him, he also faithfully fulfilled.

Having thus by the favour and connivancy of the Doctor (God reserving him for further and higher employments) rid out those stormy and tempestuous times; upon the dispersions of those blacke clouds, that had formerly overspread and eclipsed the good parts of many, by the happy sunshine of that illustrious Princesse Queene Elizabeths ascent to the throne of this Realme, contrary to that that is wont to befall at the naturall Suns rising; this our bright Star, among others and above many others, began now to shine forth and discover its luster. Notice whereof being taken, as in the Univer [...]ity so at Court, he received advancement unto eminent places from either.

For in the University he was called, first to the Professors place founded by the Lady Margeret Countesse of Richmond; and in the same he demeaned himselfe with so great approbation and good liking of the whole University, that not onely for his sake they augmented the Salary to that Professors place assigned, but the chiefe Professors place becoming shortly after vacant, they conferred th [...] upon him. Wherein as his other readings were generally both with much company frequented, and with great applause entertained; so especially those his Lectures upon the Apocalips, and upon the Epistle to the Hebrewes; which being also put in writing by him at the request of some great ones, are said to remaine yet under hope of seeing sometime further light. During this time h [...] tooke the degree of Doctor in Divinity; when being called to answer the Act at the Commencement in publicke, he maintained this Position, that The Pope i [...] that Antich [...]ist.

From Peterhouse, upon the departure of Doctor Hutton, he [Page] was chosen Master of Pembrooke Hall; and the same of him being now arrived at Court, he was sent for up to Preach before the Q [...]een; who so well liked the method and manner of his Teaching, that alluding to his name (as her wonted manner was to doe in like case, where she liked, and found fit matter for such expressions) she said he was a White gift indeed; and in testimony of her good opinion and esteeme of him, ere he was thorowly warme in the Hedship of Pembrook [...] Hall, she removed him to the Mastership of Trinity Colledge; adding not long after the Deanry also of Lincolne thereunto.

At his accesse to Trinity Colledge, he found divisions in the House, by occasion of some that misliked the solemn rites and government Ecclesiasticall then setled and exercised in the Church, of whom Thomas Cartwright Professor for the Lady Margaret was a chiefe man, with whom he also entred the lists in writing by occ [...]sion of his Answer to a Worke entituled, An Admonition to the Parliament. But by his wise and discreet carriage the matter was so mannaged, that all things were setled in peace and quietnesse again.

Ten years he continued Governor there; being entrusted with the education of divers of great birth, among whom were the Earles of Worcester and Cumberland, the Lord Zouch, the Lord Verulam, and Sir Nicolas Bacon his elder brother; as also divers were trained up under him that were after advanced to Episcopall dignitie, among whom was Doctor Babington sometime Bishop of Worcester, whose Works testifie his worth. And within those ten years he was twice chosen Vice-chancellour of the University. In which time he laboured, with the assistance of the right honourable Sir William Cecill Lord Treasurer unto the Queen, to have the Statutes of the University (being in many things defective) recollected, reviewed, suppyed and amended: that which by his travaile and credit with her Majesty was accordingly effected.

From thence he was removed to the Bishoprick of Worcester; having taken his leave of the University and the [Page] Colledge, by two solemn Sermons, both perswading to peace and unity; the one preached in Saint Maries Church, the other in the Colledge Chappell, on 2 Cor. 13.11. The revenues of which Bishoprick finding much impaired and impeached by some sinister courses, making use therein of his favour and authority with her Majesty, though not without expence of some round sums of money, to give satisfaction to some, for the more quiet composition, who had go [...] the same into their hands, he recovered again what had been fra [...]dulently intercepted, and wrongfully detained, to the no small behoofe of his Successor [...].

He had not sat there above a year, but he was made Vice-president of the Marches of Wales, under the right honorable Sir Henry Sidney, being then at the same time both Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Lord President also of those parts. In which employment he carried himselfe as with paines unweariable, so with exceeding great integrity; reforming many abuses and corruptions, that he observed to have crept in and to be exercised either by the Officers belonging unto that Court, or by some other that were joyned in Commission with him; and with no lesse moderation of Fines and Penalties; that which gained him much love and respect in those parts.

Besides this, while he sat at Worcester, upon complaint made to the Queens Majesty of many discords and disorders in the two Cathedrall Churches of Lichfield and Hereford, he was by speciall Commission from her Majesty appointed to Visite them; which accordingly he did, reforming them both, and appointing them Statutes for the better and more peaceable government of either.

Having spent six years at Worcester, to the great contentment, and with the generall good affection of all sorts in those parts, he was now advanced to the highest pitch of dignity that our Church affordeth, being called to succeed that most reverend Father in God, Grindall, in the Archbishopricke of Canterbury. For the benefit of which seat also being many wayes much wronged, he travelled as much, [Page] and with as good successe, as for that of Worcester he had before done: for which his successors in either remaine beholden to him unto this day. In this height of honour together with his Soveraignes highest favour, he continued during the whole remnant of Queen Elizabeths raigne, and some small while after King Iames his entrance; alwayes constantly maintaining the present Ecclesiasticall Government against those that oppugned it; and yet carrying himselfe moderately, as toward all in generall, so toward those also that therein stood out, and holding a good correspondency with those in foraine parts, as Master Beza among the rest, that followed another course of discipline; that which appeareth by diverse letters that passed to and fro betweene them.

He had the honour to be chiefe mourner at the solemne exequies of that Heroicall Princesse Queen Elizabeth, (who used also in familiar manner to salute him by the name of her blacke husband) and of setting the Royall Crown on the head of that most learned and illustrious Prince King I [...]mes her successor, and of Queene Anne his worthy consort. About seven months after which office performed, returning by barge from the Bishop of Londons house at Fulham, with whom he had been to consult about Ecclesiasticall affaire [...], in an high wind and a sharp day, he took cold on his head: and yet striving to attend his Majesty at Court on the next day being the Lords day, after his accustomed manner, he was taken there with a dead palsie, whereof he dyed some few dayes after.

He was a man of a middle stature, black heired, of a grave countenance, and brown complexion; small timbered, but quick and of indifferent good strength, and well shaped to the proportion of his bulk: of a milde and moderate disposition, of a free minde, and a bountifull hand towards his houshold servants, his poore neighbours, but especially towards Schollers and strangers; many whereof resorting hi [...]her out of France and Germany, (among whom that fa [...] man Drusius, Renicherus, and others) he most courteously [Page] entertained, and very liberally relieved: a diligent preacher, as well after his preferments as before, seldome failing any Lords day; while he was Bishop of Worcester, notwithstanding his important and incessant emploiments otherwise, but that he preached in some of the Parish Churches thereabouts; and no lesse freq [...]ently when he was Archbishop, visiting the Church and Pulpit at Cr [...]ydon, during the time of his residence there in the Vacations from attendance at Court.

He departed this world on the last of February being Wednesday, in the year of grace 1603. and of his age 73. having bin Bishop of Worcester six years and five moneths, and Archbishop of Canterbury 20. years and five moneths: and lyeth enterred on the South side of the Church of Croydon, with a faire Monument in memory of him. His la [...] words to his Majesty, who in person visited him the day before he dyed, when he could hardly be understood, are reported to have been, Pro Ecclesiâ Dei, pro Ecclesiâ Dei: for the Church of God, for the Church of God: thereby intimating his care thereof even to the last.

The principall Monuments of his Charity, are, an Hospitall builded Colledge-wise at Croydon, for a Warden and twenty eight Brothers and Sisters; and a Free-School neer [...]nto it, with a convenient House for the School-Master, and a standing stipend of twenty pounds by the year. His Workes in writing published, are onely these:

1. His Answer to the Admonition to the Parliament, 2. His Defence of the Answer to the Admonition. 3. A Sermon on John 6. ver. 25, 26, 27. Preached before Queene Elizabeth on March the 24. 1574.

You courtly Prelats, you that feare

To loose your honors, look ye here:

Make him your president, and then

You shall have honor, spite of men:

He bred not, but compos'd debate [...]

[Page]Nor mov'd he in the Orbe of State;

By whose example, Churchmen stood

Lesse for the stile of great then good:

If factions chanc'd, or diffence fell,

He would perswade, and not compell:

To him our Phenix-Queen did share

Proud Lambeths patriarchall chayre,

Where he remain'd, the Churches Nurse,

Ten years twice told, without a Curse.

The Life and Death of Lucas Trelcatius, who dyed Anno Christi 1602.

LVke Trelcatius was born at Erinum Anno Christi 1542. and brought up by his Aunt who was Abbesse of [...] Nunnery: his first education was in the School at Dowai [...], where (being of an acute wit) he profited exceedingly in the knowledge of the humane Arts: from thence he went to Paris, and whil'st he studyed there, he fell into acquaintance with Iohn Mercer, the Hebrew Professor, and Peter Ramus, and being exceedingly affected with the love of the reformed Religion, he forsook his Aunt, and was maintained by the bounty of some Merchants of Flanders. From thence he went to Aurelia, and from thence to Sancerra in the twenty eight year of his age: and being driven from thence by the tempest of Civill Wars, he came into England, and at London he taught a School, by which he maintained himself eight years: Then was he called by some Merchant [...] into Flanders to be their Pastor; but enjoying little peace there, he went to Bruxels, where he continued in the exercise of his Ministery six year [...]s; and then meeting with opposition, he went to An [...]werp, and that City being presently after besieged, he was forced to stay there eight moneths: after which, being sent for to diverse places, at length he was by the consent of his bretheren in the Ministery fixt at Leiden, where he was made Pastor of the French Church, [Page] which place he supplyed faithfully, for the space of seventeen years. He had scarce been there two years, when for his excellent parts and learning, he was chosen Divinity-Professor in that University also: and at last having acquired much honor in both his offices, he dyed of the Plague Anno Christi 1602. and of his age 60.

Where vertue lives there need not be

A question of sufficiency:

Trelcatius was a man whose worth

Few men are able to set forth:

They that desire to know him well

Must first know what it is t'excell.

THEODORVS BEZA.

The Life and Death of Theodorus Beza.

IN the year of our Lord God 1519. and on the foure and twentieth day o [...] Iune, this faithfull Minister of the [Page] Church of Christ, Theodorus Beza came into the world, being borne at Vezelia an ancient Town in the Kingdome of France; he was descended from Petrus a Beza, being Governour of the same Town, and Maria Burdoletia, both of them being beautified with a lineall proceeding from a Noble and renowned Family.

His name imposed on him by his Parents imports the gift of God; by which act they declared themselves to be vertuous and religious; and let the Lord evermore blesse his Church with such gifts, with such painfull labourers, for the gathering in of his great harvest, to his endlesse glory and to the eternall peace of such as seek salvation through Jesus Christ.

This Beza being yet an infant, not fully two years old, was taken by his Unckle Nicholas Beza, being a Councellor pertaining to the Senate of Paris; where he was carefully and tenderly brought up for the space of three years, being in that time acquainted with the knowledge of the Letters.

Being now five years old, he was committed, through the carefulnesse of his said Unckle, unto the tuition of Melchior Walmarius a German, who at that time taught the Greek tongue at Aurelia, under whom he continued for the space of seven years; in which time he attained unto great perfection both in the Greeke and Latine tongues; and also, which is more commendable, his tender yeares were seasoned with the true knowledge of Christian Piety, being drawn from the pure fountain of the Word of God, by the same man.

His Master upon some occasions leaving France, and returning into Germany, Beza, not without the advice of his friends, went unto Orleans, fully intending and resolving with himselfe to apply his minde unto the study of the Civill Law; wherein, at the age of twenty years he was advanced to be Licentiate.

Not long after, leaving Orleans, he tooke his journ [...]y unto Paris, to visit those friends and acquaintance which [Page] he had there living, by whom he was entertained with great joy, and received with much gladnesse and friendly courtesie: but more espcially by his other U [...]ckle Abb [...]t Trigidimon [...]an, who to testifie his affection how greatly he loved him designed and appointed him to be his next successor in the Goverment of that Abbey, whose revenwe [...] were yeerely valued at five thousand French Crownes: annexing also unto this the profits of two other places, amounting yearely unto seven hundred Crownes, intending also to confer other preferments upon him.

Beza being as it were in an earthly Paradise, and abounding with those things which might seeme necessary for the prosecution of vice wherewith indeed he was for a time detained, but not captivated (as who is he that liveth and sinneth not, nay and falleth not sometimes into grievous sinnes.) For the Lord had prepared him for better things, and opening his eyes, gave him to understand, that these were but so many snares laid to intangle him, and to draw him into everlasting ruine and perdition: wherefore he fully resolved to forsake them all, and to adhere and sticke fast unto that Truth whose sweetnesse he had tasted in his youth; which that he might the better performe, he was fully determined to undergoe any labour, and to remove any obstacle, and for that cause he vowed a vow that he would never embrace nor countenance the errours of the Church of Rome.

And purposing a constancy in his intended course, and that he might be the better fitted thereunto, he resolved to free himselfe from that affection which useth to be predominate in his youth; and for that cause he betroathed himselfe unto a vertuous woman, acquainting onely two of his intimate friends with the same action, and that for two causes.

First, that he might give no occasion of offence unto others. Secondly, because that mony which he received for the discharging of his offices could not handsomely be avoyded, which within short time after was by him performed, [Page] for his propounded honour and preferment, was s [...]ifly rejected not without the great admiration and sharpe reprehension of many of his friends, who therefore stiled him after a [...]cornfull manner, Philosophum novum, the new Philosopher.

These checks and reprehensions of his friends being seconded with the considerations of the great riches wherewith he was endewed, and these two being strengthned with the temptation of of the Divell; yeelded to many doubts and oppositions unto Beza, notwithstanding his former resolutions, sometimes intending to embrace God and his truth, somtimes casting an eye of love on his present preferments being taken up with this various disposition, it pleased the Lord to settle his inconstant minde by afflicting him with sicknesse, which indeed was the cause of his spirituall welfare and health, for he well perceiving that it was the powerfull hand of the Lord Almighty, against which there was no contending: after the suffering of many torments both inward and outward, he fell into a detestation and loathing hatred of his owne backwardnesse, and turning himselfe unto the Lord with teares, he renewed that vow which he had formerly made concerning the embracing of the true worship of God, promising unfainedly that he would never start from it, but consecrate himselfe wholly unto him, and unto the furtherance of his glory, if it would please him to restore him to his former health: during the time of this sicknesse he was often heard to utter those Words of David in his 142. Psalme v. 7. Educ de carcere animam meam ut celebrem nomen tuum. Bring my soul out of prison O Lord that I may praise thy name; & indeed the Lord which cannot withstand the prayers of the faithfull, condiscending unto him, and he obtayned his desire of the Lord.

And being recovered, he forthwith forsooke Countrey Parents and friends, to follow Christ; he forsooke all his preferments, preferring the glory of God and the hope of his Kingdome before all the transitory glory of the world: [Page] which action of his is very remarkable, if we consider but the circumstance of time, which was presently upon his recovery, being fearfull that his remaining there should be offensive unto God, or that his familiarity with his friends might draw him into the like inconveniences, who without doubt would labour with might and maine to reduce him to his former profession. Wherefo [...]e taking the Woman unto whom he was betrothed with him, they went unto Geneva in the year of Grace 1548. where openly in the Church, after a solemne m [...]nner, he was married unto her, and there he remained for a season. Where he intended to make profession of the Art of Printing; but the Lord who knew well that he would be otherwise more advantagious unto his Church, hindered this proceeding, by calling him to Lausanna, an Academy pertaining to the Lords of Berna, where he publickly professed the Greek tongue; which Beza himselfe acknowledged in his Confession of Christian Religion, Dedicated by him unto his Master Walmatius.

At that time in Lausanna were famous for Learning and Piety Petrus Viretus Pastor of the Church, Iohannes Ribbilus Professor of Divinity, Iohannes Racmundus Merlinus Professor of the Hebrew tongue, with many other excellently well gifted; all of which seemed as it were to be ravished with the society of this worthy member of Christ.

During his Lectureship at Lausanna, a great company of godly minded persons thirsting after Christ and his truth, resorted unto the same place. Here Beza perceiving a good occasion offered unto him by God, not onely for his owne sa [...]isfaction concerning Teaching, but also for the satisfaction of the desire of these people, concerning their instruction in the word of truth. He began publickly and in the French tongue to expound the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans, and both the Epistles of S. Peter; opening unto them the great mysteries of godlinesse, and informing their judgments with such Doctrines, wherby the scales of ignorance being rubbed away, the truth did manifestly appeare unto [Page] them, whereby (without doubt) many were drawn neerer and neerer unto Christ.

Amongst these his imployments in this place, whensoever any leasure was given unto him, he would spend that time with Master Calvin at Geneva, from whom he received great benefit both for Gods glory and the edification of the Church; and by his perswasion he was induced to finish that excellent and Divine Commentary on the Psalms, first begun by Marotus, which was also Printed and published by authority in France, 1561.

About this time there happened a persecution in Paris [...] wherein many Christians suffered, some death, some imprisonment: wherupon Farellus, Beza and Calvin were chosen Embassadours unto the Protestant Princes of Germany [...] to intreat them that they would be pleased to intercede for them unto Henry the second then King of France, that they might be more kindly deabt withall. But little or no peac [...] came unto the Church in respect of this act, because of th [...] implacable hatred which great men attending the person of the King, did bear unto the truth of Christ.

Yet in this journey it was Bezaes good hap to have [...] sight of that godly and learned Melanchton, who as they exceeding joyfull of the presence of each other, so they were also exceeding sorrowfull for the present afflicted and d [...] stressed state of the Church.

Beza having now remained ten years in Lausanna, he left it, and not without the good leave and love of the Senate of Berne, and came to Geneva, where teaching a publicke Schoole, he expounded the Orations of Demosthenes together with some Bookes of Aristotle, and had daily and familiar conference with Calvin, touching things pertaining unto Doctrine and Ecclesiasticall Discipline; where in short time he was appointed to succeed Claudius Pontanus (a faithfull Minister in the Church of Geneva) for the discharging of a Ministeriall function, and also to joyn with Calvin in the reading of the Divinity Lecture. Where he was also againe advanced to be head Master of a Free-schoole, which [Page] was set up by the perswasion of Calvin, for the future benefit of the same City.

Notice being taken in France of his Confession of the Christian Faith, which without question wrought deepe impression in the hearts of many; he was intreated by Letters sent from some Peeres of France, that he would be pleased to visit Anthony King of Navarre then residing in Aquitaine, and to confer with him concerning matters of importance, but especially concerning such things which might be of force to beget true knowledge in the ground [...] of Christian Religion; for there was some hopes that if he could be brought thereunto, that the Church of God would not be so cruelly & inhumanely dealt withall within the Kingdome of France. Which enterprize, God giving a blessing thereunto, wanted not its fortunate and happy successe, though not in the dayes of A [...]thony, yet in the dayes of Charles the ninth; for he not onely entring into a consideration of the truth of the Doctrin [...] of the Church of Rome, but also into the truth of the Doctrine of the reformed Church, and with many of his Nobles adhered unto the same, and fo [...]thwith s [...]nt both Embassadours and Letters to the Senate of Geneva, to intrea [...] the presence of reverend Beza, concerning the d [...]sciding of those Controversies which were at that time on foot betwix [...] the Papists and the Reformed Churches. This request was with great joy condiscended unto by the Senate of Geneva, who sent Beza with many prayers for the advancem [...]nt of Gods glory; Peter Martyr was also called from Tigurum by the Mother Queen, who with all speed came to Paris.

Great was the conflict which Beza had at that time in the [...]resence of the King, with Cardinall Lotharingus, concerning the Reall Presence [...] wherein he confuted the erronious opinion of the Cardinall, affirming that the vi [...]ible signes were touched with the hands, eaten and drunken with the mouth; but that the thing signified (viz. th [...] Body and Blood of Christ) was offered and received by Faith. Which judgement of his the Cardinall approved of at the [Page] last, as he himselfe testified unto the Queene, and was also embraced by her selfe.

The conference being ended with happy successe to the glory of God, and furtherance of his truth, Martyr returned to Tigurum, and Beza intended to goe unto Geneva, but he was hindred by the Authority of the Queen who plainly told him, that seeing he was a French man, he might be the Author of much good unto his own Nation.

Beza being thus detained contrary to his expectation, spent not the time unprofitably but betook himselfe unto the preaching of the Word, sometimes in the Pallace of the King of Navarre, sometimes in the house of the Prince Cordaeus, and sometimes in the suburbes of the City of Paris: for then it was by publick Proclamation decreed, that the use of the reformed Religion should be tolerated in the suburbes without any Molestation; but they enjoyed not that benefit long, by reason of a conspiracy performed by Guisius, and other wicked persons for the utter extinguishing of the truth; who urging the King with the example of Balderinus, that Religion was but a thing indifferent, and that he might condemne and renounce the day after that which he approved and allowed the day before; they received this answer from him; That he would never put hi [...] foo [...] so far into the Sea but that he would be able to pluck it back againe when he listed; and so he departed and forsooke the truth of Christ, and never after sent for Beza to have any conference with him.

Whereupon a hot persecution entred into the bowels of France, against the Protestants, forty five of them being put to the sword, in the same place where they were gathered together to heare the Word of God preacht; whereupon Beza was sent to complaine unto the King of their inhumane cruelty, but found no redresse; whereupon preparation was made to defend themselves by force of Armes; the Prince Condaeus desired Beza to remaine with him in so dangerous and necessary a season, who although [...] it grieved him greatly to be absent from his flock at Geneva, yet he [Page] consents unto the request of this religious Prince, and remained with him, preaching and exhorting Christians privately, to a patient wayting of the Lords leasure.

The Protestants betook themselves unto Orleans, to which place the enemies marching, in the fields thereof was fought a terrible battle, wherein Condaeus was taken prisoner and the Protestants lost the day, who (notwithstanding this sorrowfull accident) were much comforted by those divine letters which were sent unto them by Beza, and they still remaining firme in that doctrine which they had received.

Not long after a peace being concluded, and the prisoners restored to their former liberty, Beza obtained leave of the same Prince to returne unto Geneva, after he had spent two and twenty monthes with great labour, and manifest dangers of his life.

Comming to Geneva, not without the great joy of the Inhabitants, he went forward in his ordinary course of teaching both in the Church and Schoole, continued with Master Calvin in reading the Divinity Lecture untill his death, then he performed it onely himselfe, appointing Calladonus Danaeus and Fayus, to be the Humanity Lecturers in the same City.

And in this godly couse he laboriously continued, untill the time that he was called unto Rupella, by the generall intreaty and request of the French Churches, and earnest desire of the Queen of Navarre, and of other Peeres of France, where the confession of the faith of the French Churches was repeated and confirmed, and strenthned with the approbation of the Queen of Navarre, and the Prince Condaeus; and so he returned to Geneva againe, and indefatigably continued his constant course of teaching, and then he corrected his Annotations on the New Testament.

From thence he was cealld againe to Berna for the confutation of the error of Alb [...]rius concerning justification, who taught that our righteousnesse before God, was a meere pasive quality inhaerent in our selves; wch opnion with other error [...] of his hindring the growth of the truth of Christ, [Page] were there condemned, and the reading of his books forbidden by the Senate of Berne: which being ended he returned unto Geneva againe, and having notice of the great troubles to ensue; not onely in France in generall, but also in Geneva it selfe in particular, he cau [...]ed publick prayers to be sent up unto God twice every weeke extraordinary for the turning away of his wrath, and for the peace and flourishing state of the Church: and so he continued preaching and praying for the advancement of the Gospell of Christ, untill such time as age made him unfit for the performance of these duties.

Yet here by the way we may observe the great malice of the Romish Jesuites, who before the payment of his debt to nature, scandalized him with a defection to the doctrine of the Church of Rome; not much unlike that which was of late cast on that reverend Bishop of London, but this impudent untruth was refuted by the Pastors of Geneva, who by their writings and subscriptions of their names, both in Latine and French, testified the contrary unto the world; many of them being present at his death, who on the thirteenth of October, in the year of our Lord 1605. being the Lords day, rising early and calling his family to prayers; which don [...] he walked up and downe some few paces, and receiving some small quantity of wine, repaired to his bed againe, demanding whether all things were quiet in the City, and when answer was made they were, he forthwith gave up his soul into the hands of Almighty God, with all alacrity and chearfulnesse, after that he had lived in this vale of misery eighty six years and three months and nineteen dayes, and after that he had painfully discharged a Pastorall office, the space of sixt and forty yeers.

He was of stature somwhat tall, but corpulent or bigge boned; in his age he had a long thick beard as white as snow, he had a grave Senators countenance, broad faced, but not fat, and in generall by his comely person sweet affability and gravity, he would have exhorted reverence from those that least loved him.

[Page]His great diligence and laborious travell for the advancing of Christs Kingdome, and for the suppressing and beating downe of sin, are made manifest by the learned Works which he hath left behind him as so many witnesses, to eternity, take them after this ordes.

1 Poems printed by Henry Stephan. 2 Psalmes printed with Buchanans. 3 School-notes on the Greeke Alphabet. 4 Abrahams sacrifice.

In Theologie.

1 New translation of the new Testament with Annotations. 2 Confession of Christian faith. 3 Of punishing haereticks. 4 The sum of Christianity. 5 The doctrin of the Sacrament. 6 The defence of the Church of Geneva. 7 An answer against Nestorius and Eutichus his sect. 8 Of the hypostaticall Vnion. 9 Theses of the Trinity of Persons and Vnity of Essence. 10 An answer to the repr [...]aches of Francis Baldwin. 11 A treatise of Polygamie. 12 Calvins life. 13 Psalmes of David and five bookes of the other Prophets with Latine Paraphases. 14 French Psalmes. 15 Comments o [...]t of Saint Pauls Epistles. 16 To the Romans. 17 Galathians. 18 Philippians. 19 Colossians. 20 Icones of many learned men especially Protestants. 21 Pictures and Embleemes. 22 Moral, Ceremoniall, Iudiciall law of Moses. 23 A Praeface to Osiander. 24 Of the Pestilence. 25 Solomons Song in Latine verse. 26 Homilies on Christs resurrection. 27 Of the P [...]onounciation of the French tongue. 28 An answer to Jodic Harth, of the Lords Supper. 29 Questions and answeres on the Sacrament.

Si qua fides famae, proles mihi difiet omnis,

At viria & vera prole biatus ego.

Me populi, me mistae & reges dixere parentu,

Multa virum genui, millia Christe tibi.

If fame may be beleeved, I am he

To whom an Infant can no relate be,

Yet blest with issue by a higher fate

And that both many and legitimate:

[Page]Not onely people, with their priests together,

But also Kings vouchsafe to call me father.

Thousands of souls O Christ have been by me

Begotten through thy holy Word to thee.

Who knowes not learned Beza, what dull eare

Hath not large volumes of his hist'ry there?

Or what ill furnisht Gallery cannot show

His reverend Picture, marshall'd in the row

Of rare and moderne Worthies, to advance

The glory of his pen renowned France?

From whose more painfull and illustrious quill,

Such Quintessence of sweetnesse did distill;

Which like the dropping Hermony pearly dew,

Refresht faire Syons plants, and did renew

Their drooping spirits, wasted heretofore,

And blasted with the breath of Babils whore [...]

To whose blest name let every heart that did

Ere prize true vertue, turne a Pyramid.

IOHN RENOLDS.

The Life and Death of John Reinolds.

[Page]

THis singular man of infinite reading, this treasury of all learning, both divine and humane (summus ille vir immensae lectionis doctrinae & omne genus eruditionis gazophilatium) Doctor Iohn Reinolds was borne in the same County of Devo [...], and bred up in the same Colledge of Corpus Christi in Oxford, with Iewell his auncient and R. Looker, his contemporary. And what Tully spake of Pompey his Noble exploits in War that they could not be matched by the valiant Acts of all the Roman Commanders in one year, nor in all years by the processe of one Commander; so it may truely be said of these three that they cannot be parrallelled by the students of all Counties, brought up in one Colledge, nor the students of all Colledges born in one County: the two former mainely opposed the enemies of the [Page] doctrine, the third of the discipline of the Church of England with like happy successe, and they were all three in severall kinds very eminent if not equall; and as Iewels fame first grew from the rhetoricke Lecture, which he read with singular applause: and Hookers from the Logicke, so Reynolds grom the Greeke in the same house. The Author that he read was Aristotle, whose three incomparable bookes of Rhetoricke, he illustrated with so exquisite a commentary so richly fraught with all polite littrature, that as well in the commentary as in the text a man may finde that aureum flumen rerum & verborium, that golden ensturrent, the Prince of Oratours telleth us of. It was his manner every Tearm to begin his Lectures with an exhortatory Oration to his auditors: of these his elegant paraeneticks, two were published in print by himselfe, the other were since his death put forth by Henry Iackeson Fellow of the same Colledge; of these later an intilligent reader will give a like censure to that of the Oratour, sunt tantuam phidiae Minerva sed tumen ex eadem efficina; they are not like the other two his malter his pieces, yet any man may perceive they were drawne with the same pensill. Whilest he continued this Lecture it was his hap as it had been of Politian, and Erasmus before him to tread upon a nest of Hornets, a sort of wrangling Sophisters bred of the excrements of the Dunsticall Commenters upon Aristotle, fed advocates to plead for all his Phylosophicall errours, and sworne enemies to all polite learning; these he so strongly confuted in his Lectures, and faceciously derided in his Orations, that any ingenuous man that peruseth them, be he a Crassus Agelastus will be in like manner affected, as Erasmus was when he read the Booke intituled Epistolae obscurorum virorum; at which he fell into such a laughter, that he much hurt his spleen and endangered his health.

All this while this our Iohn Reinolds was well affected to the Romish Religion, and his Brother William Reinolds earnest for Reformation; which difference in judgement proved a fireball of contention between them, and engaged them in [Page] a strange Duell, much like to that of Eteocles and Polynices, wherein both conquered one the other, yet neither enjoyed the victory, nor kept his prisoner; for Iohn Reinolds, who before was a Papist, by these bickerings became a zealous Protestant, and William Reinolds who before had been a zealous Protestant, became a Iesuited Papist, and wrote most pestilent Bookes against the Church and State; and as after the death of Eteocles and Polynices, when their corps were burnt, the flames are said to have parted: so the contention of these Brethren expired not with their death; for the writings which they have left behinde them, enflamed with contrary fires of zeale, hold the quarrell on foot to this day. Of these Bella plusquam civilia, among Brethren, W. A. a learned Divine, thus elegantly discourseth in English and Latine Verses:

Bella inter geminos pl [...]squam civilia Fratres,

Traxerat ambiguas Religionis apex;

Ille reformandae fidei pro partibus instat;

Ille reformandam deneg [...] esse fidem,

Propositus causae rationibus inter vtruomque,

Concurrere pares & cecidere pures,

Quod fuit in vatis fratrem capi [...] alter u [...]rumque,

Quod fuit in fates perdit uterque fidem,

Captivi gemini sine captivan [...] fuerunt,

Et victor victi transfugor castra petit:

Quod genus hoc pugnae est? ubi victus gaudet uterque,

Et simul alteru [...]e [...] se superasse dolet.

Englished by the Author.

Between two Brethren civill warre and worse,

The nice point of Religion long did nurse;

For reformation of the Faith he plyes;

That Faith should be reformed this denies.

The reasons of each cause a part propounded;

Both met alike, both fell alike confounded.

[Page]As heart would wish, each one his brother takes;

As fate would have, each one his faith forsakes:

Without captiver both are captive led,

And to the vanguisht camp the victor fled;

What war is this, when conquer'd both are glad,

And either to have conquered other sad?

Iohn R [...]inolds might truely have said to his brother a [...] Caecillius sometimes spake to Octavius in that most exquisit dialogue of Minutius Faelix. Vtrique vicim [...] tui victor mei & ego triumphator er [...]eres; thou hast conquered me, and I triumph over my fo [...]mer errours: but William Reinolds might one the contrary side have said, we are both loosers, for thou hast l [...]st me thy brother, and I have lost my mother the Church of England, and the true Religion. As soone as our Iohn Reinolds according to th [...] manner of Massie bodies, after some quavering was fix'd unmoveably upon the grounds of the Protestant Religion; the Statutes of the Colledge called upon him to enter into holy Orders, after which he wholly addicted himselfe to the study of the holy Scriptures, and because an excellent textuary and very often exercised his sweete gift in preaching, a tast whereof we have in his Lectures upon Obadi [...], published after his death by Master Hind [...]. When the time drew neare that by the Founders Statutes he was upon necessity to take his degree in Divinity, he was chosen out by the University to answer the Boctovers in the Act [...] Iuly the 13. 1579. and the same year November the third he answered for his degree in the Divinity Schooles, the Theses maintained by him in the Act were these:

1. The holy Scriptures teacheth the Church all things necessary to salvation.

2. The Church militant upon earth is subject to error both in faith and manners.

3 The Authority of the Scriptures is greater then that o [...] the Church.

The Theses propounded by him in the Divinity Sbhool [...] th [...] third, were these.

[Page]1. The holy Catholike Church, which we beleeve is the whole number of Gods elect.

2. The Roman Church is neither the Catholike Church nor a sound member thereof.

3. The reformed Churches in England, Scotland, France, Germany, and other Kingdom [...] and Common-wealths have lawfully severed themselve [...] from the Church of Rome.

The handling of these questions gave so good contentment to the whole University, that his suppositions as they call them, that is, the Speeches he made in the explication and confirmation of these Positions were extorted from him to the Presse; by the Printing whereof, when he understood how he had netled all the Romanists, who in diverse virilent pamphlets disparaged them, and threatened by a speedy refutation to ecclipse the fame thereof; he [...]he better to arme himselfe against these Romish locusts, with indifatigable paines in a short space read all the Greek and Latine Fathers, and perused all auncient records of the Church, that he could come by; and grew so perfect in them [...] that as Livie conceiveth that if Alexander had turned his progresse Westward towards Italy, as he did Eastwards towards the territories of the Persian Empire, the Noble Commander of the Romans Paperius surnamend Curser, or the raser, would have matched him, if not out stript him: so if Reinolds his owne inclination or Authority, had put upon him the taske of examining Caesar Baronius his Annals, he would not onely every way have matched that so much admired Cardinall, but in such sort have detected his Romish friends in postures and forgeries; that any man whose eyes were not darkned with mist of prejudicate affection should have clearly seene that the doctrine of the reformed Churches hath as great a share in true antiquity as in auncient truth.

But Reinolds was drawn into the Lists with another, one Iohn Heart, who tooke the heart and boldnesse to challenge the learnedest of both Universities to try the Doctrine of our Church, by the touchstone of Scripture and Faith, &c. [Page] To enco [...]nter him Master Reinolds is sent for by a grea [...] Councellour of Estate, and many combats (lingua & calamo) he had with this antagonist; in all which Master Hear [...] gave ground, and in the end quite qui [...]ted the field [...] as appeareth by a Letter wri [...]ten with his owne hand, wh [...]ch I have seene, sent from the Tower of London. In which Letter prefixt to the Conference, he hath words to this effect [...] I acknowledge that the Narration of the conference set forth be [...]weene Master Reinolds and me is true; and whereas he somewhere affirme [...]h, namely chap. 7. Sect. 7. that I should grant that it is not lawfull for the Pope to depose Princes: it [...] tr [...]e, I said as much, and am still of this judgement [...] that howsoever the spirituall power be more excellent and noble then the temporall, yet they both are from God, and neithe [...] dependeth of the o [...]her. Whence I inferre this undoub [...]ed conclusion, That their opinion who make the Pope a temporoll Lord over Kings and Princes, hath no ground at all, nor so much as pr [...] bability nor shew of reason.

This conference confirmed by the [...]ubscription of both parties, was shortly after printed by authority; and it gave such satisfaction to all indifferent readers, that thereby the fame of Master Reynolds was cryed up as well at the Court as the University; and it pleased Queen Elizabeth, after he had taken his degree of Doctor, to appoint him to read an extraordinary Divinity Lecture in Oxford; in which he grapled with a more renowned Champion of the Rom [...]n Church then Iohn Heart, namely father Robert Bellarmine; for his subtile head, afterwards graced with a Cardinals Cap. This Iesuite was then Reader to the English Seminary in Rome; whose Dictates (wonderfully favoured) no sooner taken in writing by his Auditors; but by some of Secr [...] tary Walsingams intelligencers residing at Rome, they were sent by Post in Packets to the Court, and from thence speeded to Doctor Reynolds, who acquainting his Auditory with the very dayes in every moneth and weeke, in which father Robert handled such a point, addressing himselfe immediately to make a punctuall answer thereunto; insomuch, that what Saint Bernard speaketh to another purpose, [Page] may be truely affirmed of Cardinall Bellarmines books of controversies, that they were primes damnati quam nati; branded before they were printed.

Never were any Lectures in our memory so frequented, as these in that University; nor any in Cambridge, save those of Doctor Whitaker, the great light of the other University as Reynolds was of this; on these golden tapers were the eyes of all that loved the truth fixed, and the Queen hearing of the good service they did to the Church, preferred them both, the one to a Headship in Cambridge, the other to a dignity in the Church, the Deanery of Lincolne. Into which after Doctor Reynolds was invested, and setled the [...]ffaires of the Church ther [...], but of an exceeding delight he tooke in an Academicall life, he returned backe to Oxford, and there lived some few year [...] in Queens Colledge, which place he made choice of for the infinite amity betwixt him and Doctor Robinson Bishop of Ca [...]lile. In which time, besides many other, he began a noble worke of very great importance, de Romanae Ecclesiae idololutria: this most learned and elaborate peece consisted of eight Bookes, whereof two he put forth in the year 1596. and dedicated the [...] to the Earl of Essex.

Of his life and manner of conversation whilst he abode in Queens Colledge, let Dr. Cracanthorp, then a Student in that Colledg speak ou [...] of his own knowledg. ‘When we were yong Students in Queen [...] Colledge, Doctor Reynolds conversed with us so familiarly and so profitably, that whatsoever, how often soever, how much soever any man desired to learne from him in any kinde of knowledge, we daily drew it from his mouth, as an ever-springing and never failing Well; for he had turned over (as I conceive) all Writers, prophane, Ecclesiasticall and Divine; all the Councels, Fathers and Histories of the Church; he was most excellent in all Tongues which might be any way of use, or serve for ornament to a Divine: he was of a sharpe and nimble wit, of a grave and mature judgement, of indefatigable industry, exceeding [Page] therein Oregen, surnamed Adamantius; he was so well seene in all Arts and Sciences as if he had spent his whole time in each of them; moreover for his vertue, probaty, integrity, and which is above all, piety and sanctity of life; he was so eminent and conspicuous that as Nazianzen speaketh of Athanasius, it might be said of him, to name Reinolds is to commend vertue it selfe. In a Word, so modest, courteous, affable and sweete was his carryage, that though he were to be ranked above the highest, yet he made himselfe equall in a manner with the lowest.’

In this Naioth he conversed after this manner, with the Prophets and Prophets children till the 50th year of his age, when by the meanes of Archbishop Whitgift and the Earle of Essex, he procured an exchange with Doctor Cole, mor [...] for his convenience then his profit: the Deanry of Lincolne was conferred upon Doctor Cole and Doctor Reinolds was chosen President of Corpus Christi Colledge, in which eminent place of preferment in the University, though he continued not above eight years, yet according to the distinction of Seneca, betweene Vixit & fuit N [...]n, ille diu fuit sed din vixit: we may truely say, that though he aboad not there long, yet he lived ther [...] long; diu precedit licet, non diu fedi [...] he ruled there long, though he sate but a short time, h [...] did more good to that Society in eight years, then any of his Predecessors in the like time trebled.

For he brought the Colledge much before hand, which before through the covetousnesse of the Governours or negligence of inferiour officers, was very much impoverished: he procured an Act of Parliament for assuring some lands to it: he caused diverse ambiguous Statutes to be expounded by the visitor Doctor Bilson Bishop of Winton, and all the Statutes to be more duely observed then ever they had beene before. He repaired and exceedingly beautified the Chappell, Library and Hall; he much improved the Schollars, Chaplaines and Clarkes places; to the Fellowships he added nothing, partly becaus he found their maintenance [Page] very competent, but especially because he conceived that the more he should encrease their ma [...]ntenance the more he should take off their edge from seeking preferments abroad, and taking on them the cure of soules, and furnishing the Church with able and learned Pastors, which he knew to be the chiefe end for which most if not all the Colledges in the University were built; wch as it appeareth by the Founders Statutes ought to be as nursers for choyce plants to be set & nourished there for a while, and after to be transplanted into the Spouse garden, and not to wither in these beds. It was said of Sparta that it was the best place in the world for men to grow old in, because old age there was most respected and honoured [...] but the contrary may be said of Schollars and Fellowes places in the University, for the lesse time they stay there after they are ripe for preferment the better they deserve of the Church and Common-wealth.

—Carpite florem

Qui nisi carpius erit turpiter ipse cadit. During his Government in Corpus Christi Colledge, though he were incumbered with multiplicity of other businesse (and which was worse) often visited with an ill guest the Gout, which not onely keepes possession against the owners will, but imprisons his landlord and claps such bolts upon his feet that he cannot stir: Yet being moved thereunto by Archbishop Whitgift (impurum & impium sanderiue schismate, Anglicano volumen ut refutarem rogusti) he begun the refutation of Sander his impure and impious booke de Schismate Angli, and proceeded so far therein, that he cleared all matters of faith: But wanting some records to clear diverse matters of fact objected in that scandalous Libell, he was forced to make a pause, and in the meane time he [...]ramed an Apology of his Theses, and unanswerably vindicated them against the Roman Elymases Stapleton, Martine, Bellarmine, Baronius and Iustius Calvinus vetra, Castrencus. And lying in London to over-see the Presse and correct the proofes: as he walked in Finsbu [...]y fields, in the year of our Lord 1602. an Arrow whether shot purposely by some Jesuited Papist or at randome I [Page] know not, fell upon his brest, but entered not his body, not so much by reason of the weake fence of his Gowne held up before him in folds, as the strong buckler of faith, which whosoever hath on him, need not feare any torrour by night, nor the arrow that flyeth by day, Psalme 91.5.

Howbeit, though he then shunned the danger of this flightsha [...]t, yet he escaped not other arrow [...]s mentioned by the Psalmist, even bitter words, these sharpe arrowes headed with malice and pointed with envie, were daily shot at him, not onely by forreigne enemies abroad, as namely Weston and Spalatenses after his revolt (dictione sar [...]ata studio vanissimus secta fanaticus) but by ill willers at home, whose loose life kept no good quarter with his strict government. Who as he was a most exact observer of the Statutes himselfe. so he was a most sever censurer of the contemners and wilfull breakers thereof, and though he were of a tender and compassionate disposition, yet like a wise Chirurgion, when h [...] saw Plaisters and Poultesses would doe no good, and the flesh begin to gangreine, he cut off by expulsion two rotten members of that Society; Cuncta prius tentanda sed immedicabile vulnus [...]use recidendum est ne pars sincera tra [...]atur. The one of them was a Chaplaine of the House; homo nullarum artium nullarum par [...]ium: a worthlesse man, who to his other impardonable crimes added a dull but most malicious Lib [...]ll against the President himselfe; and therefore deserved not onely to be banished the Colledge, but exiled also out of all memory; the other was a Batchellour of Art, as I take it, intra brennium probationes; a man of other wise commendabl [...] parts; but of whom it might be truely said as it was of Galba, ingenium Galbae male habitat.

This Delinquent, who by often reiteration of the like offences had encurred the censure of expulsion, which the President and seven Seniors were bound by oath to execute upon him, craved leave of the President to make his farewell Oration; His Theame was Medicum saeverum intemporanes aeger facit: that is, A waward Patient maketh a froward Physitian. In that Speech of his he tooke occasion to [Page] justifie the President and Fellowes proceeding against him, and dep [...]ored his incorrigible enormities with teares, but then it was too late:

nullis ille movetur

Fle [...]ibus aut voces ullus tractabiles audit

I confesse Sen [...]ca his observation is true; qui vult amari languida reg [...]e [...] manu: a Governour that will be loved and generally spoken well of [...] must hold an easie reine; but where mettle Colts or restie jades are to be broken, he that holdeth no [...] a streight raine, and maketh not use of a strong cur [...]e, may be cast out of the saddle, as Doctor Reynolds his immediate Predecessour had like to have been, whose pruning Knife, though it were keen and sharpe, yet was so discreetly used by him, that the choyce Plant [...] in that Nursery never thriv [...]d better then in his time.

About this time Queen Elizabeth exchanged her mortall crown with [...]n immortall, and King Iames succeeded her, and swayed the Scepter of this Kingdome; who in the beginning of his reigne, desirous to settle peace in the Church commanded many learned men to meet at Hampton Court, to compose some differences about the externall Discipline of the Church. In that Conference, what part by royall command was put upon Doctor Re [...]nolds, and how he acted it (with profession and promise of all conformity) appears by the Acts thereof set forth by Bishop Barloe. After this Conference, is pleased his Majesty to set some learned men on worke, to translate the Bible into the English tongue, among others Doctor Reynolds was thought upon, to whom for his great skill in the originall Languages, Doctor Smith afterward Bishop of Glos [...]er, Doctor Harding President of Magdalens, Doctor Kilbie Rector of Lincolne Colledge, Doctor Bret, and others, imployed in that worke by his Majesty, had recourse once a weeke, and in his Lodgings perfected their Notes; and though in the midst of this Worke the gout first tooke him, and after a consumption, of which he dyed; yet in a great part of his sicknesse the meeting held at his Lodging, and he lying on his Pallet, assisted [Page] them and in a manner in the very translation of the booke of [...] was translated to a better life. All the time of his sicknesse, sa [...] when he conferred with the translators, was spent in pra [...] er and hearing partly Treatises of devotion, and partly bookes of controversie read unto him. This course held till Assention day, when his sicknesse growing sore upon him he fell in a trance, of which when he was recovered, he spake comfortably to us all there present, saying, that He well hoped that he should have ascended that very day of o [...]r Lords ascention; but now, saith he, I shall stay a little longer w [...]h you, in which time I intreat you to read nothing to me, but such chapters of holy Scripture as I shall appoint. Among others designed by him when we read the first chapter of Saint Paul to the Philippians, and staid a little upon those words, God is [...] record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Iesus Chri [...] and this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more [...] knowledge and in all judgement, that you may approve things th [...]t are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offence till the [...] of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are [...] Iesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. And proceeding afterwards in that chapter to the twentieth verse: As [...] wayes so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it [...] by life or by death; for to me to live is Christ, and to dye is gain [...] but if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, yet what I shall choose I wot not, for I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is farre better; neverthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you. And as we were going further and reading the five and twentiet [...] verse; having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and contin [...] with you, he bad us there stop and make an end; intimatin [...] thereby that unto us, which after a few dayes [...]ell out to our great griefe, that he was not to continue with us.

By this time the University being full of the newes of his end approaching, the Noble men Sons then re [...]iding in the University, and the Heads of divers Colledges together with the Kings Professor Doctor Holland came to visit him; who Prayed with him and for him; for whose love Doctor [Page] Reynolds thanked him: the day before he dyed, when the Vicechancellour Doctor Aery and Master Bo [...]lton of Brazennose, Master Wilkinson of Wadsdowne, Master Lindle Vice-president of the Colledge and my selfe came to take our last leave of him, at the motion of Master Boulton Doctor Aery acquainted Doctor Reynolds what scandalous reports the Papists had cast out concerning the nature of his disease, and how they were confuted by Doctor Chennell his Physitian, & Master White his Apothecary, and added withall that it was likely they might sprea [...] such a brute of him as they had of Beza, that he recanted upon his death bed: and therefore that it was earnestly desired by many of his deare friends in the University, that he would give some testimony of his constancy in the truth before his departure: at this he shookee his head and seemed much to be grieved, because his spe [...]ch was taken from him; which the Vicechancellor perceiving with teares in his eyes, besought him that he would give him leave to set downe a forme in writing to which if he liked it, God might enable him to set his hand, and thereby give satisfaction to all his friends: which Doctor Reynolds expressed by sighes, that he approved of the Vicechancellors advising, with the rest of us there present wrote a few lines to this effect.

These are to testifie to all the world, that I dye in the profession of that faith which I have taught all my life, both in my Preaching and in my Writings, with an assured hope of my salvation, onely by the merits of Christ my saviour: this forme being [...]wise read unto him, he seriously pondered every Word, and after clapt his hand upon his nose, whereby his servant Iohn Duhurst who attended him in his sicknesse, told us that he desired a paire of spectacles, which a [...]ter they were reached unto him, and he had put them on, he tooke the pen out of Doctor Aeries hand and subscribed his name not onely in legible, but in very faire caracters: at which we all admired the more, because he had diverse times that morning assayed to write but could not through extreame weaknesse write one word or syllable in a legible hand, whether the earnest intention [Page] of his minde at this time strengthned his hand, or God extraordinarily assisted him; I leave it to the judgement of all that are truely religious, and take such things to heart: The morrow after, death seazing upon all parts of his body he expressed by signes that he would have the passing bell tole for him, and as his friends runing in compassed his b [...]d all about, and every one cast in his shot which was some choyce and comfortable text of holy Scripture; he lifting up one of his hands (which presently fell downe and stir [...]d no more) and after his lifting up his eyes to heaven, and fixing them there immovable without any trouble or signe of paine, without so much as any sigh or groan, he breathed out his soule into the hands of his redeemer the Thursday after Ascen [...]ion day betweene eleven and twelve of the clock the twenty one of May 1607. on Munday following he w [...] honorably interred, the Vice-chancellor in close mourning, the Noble mens sons, heads of Celledges and Hals with all their companies in Academicall habits, and the Mayor and Aldermen in their Scarlet gownes attending the Funerall; the corps brought out of Corpus Christi Colledge, was first carried to Saint Maries where a funerall Sermon was made by Doctor A [...]rie then Vice-chancellour: after the Sermon ended the body being removed to the Chancell, Mr. Isack [...] Wake, then the University Oratour, after Lord Embassador in Venice and France successively honoured the dead with [...] short but elegant Panegyrick, which followes after this, [...] body was carried back to the Colledge, and their a seco [...]d Funerall Oration appointed to be made in the Chapp [...]ll neare his grave, but the Chappell being not capable of the fourth part of the Funerall troope, a Desque was set up and covered with mourning in the quadrangle, and there a briefe History of his life with the manner of his death, s [...]t forth by Daniel Featley then fellow and deane of Arts in [...]hat Colledge. After his buriall, a Monument and Statue in the Chappell was erected for him by Doctor Spencer his successour, with an inscription in golden letter [...] as followeth

[Page]

Virtuti Sacrum.

JO. RAINOL [...] S. The [...]l. D. erud [...]tione, Pi [...]ta [...]e, Integritate incomparabili hujus Coll. Pes. qui obi [...]t Mai 21 ⁰. Anno 1607 ⁰. aeta [...]. suae 5 [...] ⁰. JO. SPEN [...]ER aud [...]tor [...] successor, virtutum & sanctitatis admirator, b.m. amoris er [...]o posuit.

But these are darke and divine caracters in respect of those wherewith his fame is Printed in his Workes, whereof some are come to light, others may in good time. His Printed Workes are these.

1 Two Orations Printed in the year 1576. 2 His six Theses Printed in the year 1579. 3 His conference with Heart, Prin [...]ed in English 1585. and afterwards translated into Latine by Henry Pary Bishop of Gloster, and Printed by command of Archbishop Bancroft 1610. 4 De Romanae ecclesiae Idololatria, Printed in the year 1596. 5. An Apologie of his Theses 1602. 6 Since his death certaine Epistles betweene him, Doctor G [...]g [...]r and Alberi [...]us Gentius concerning Stage playes. 7 A Treatise of divorce, amd marrying againe in case of adultery. 8 A c [...]nsure of the Apochrypha in two T [...]m [...]s contain [...]ng in them 250. of his Lectures in the Divinity Schooles. 9 Cer [...]aine Epistles and Orations of his in Latine, set forth by Henry Jackson. 10 His Lectures upon Obediah in English with a Sermon of thanksgiving for the Queens Majesties deliverance from a dangerous treason, set forth by Mr. Hinde. His Works which remaine in Manuscript never yet printed are [...] 11 A commen [...]ary in Latine upon Aristotles three book [...]s of Rhe [...]oricke. 12 The materials and first draught of six bookes, de Idololatria Romanae eccl [...]siae. 13 Sermons upon Aggi the Prophet, Preached in Oxford. 14 His learned answer to Sanders de scismate Anglicano, in defence of our Reformation, the regall supremacy, and the booke of Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons. 15 A defence of the English liturgie against Robert Browne the father of [...]he separatists his scismaticall booke. 16 A Treatise of the beginning and progesse of Popish errours, and that for the first three hundred yeares after Christ, Bishops ruled their owne diocesse without subjection to the Pope. 17 A Treatise of Daniel Weekes against Hugh Braughton, dedicated to Archbishop Whitgift.

[Page]

A Funerall Oration delivered in St. MARIES Church in Oxon; at the sad Interment of Doctor Iohn Reynols, by Master Isacke Wake, the University Orator, May 25. 1607. Translated out of Latine.

HOw fraile and unconstant the condition of our life is, and how fitly resembled to a dreame, or a tale, I could wish (most honoured Doctors, & the rest of the sad troope, all the children of our mother the University) had it so pleased the highest, wee might have learned by any other experiment, rather then this sad spectacle; doubtlesse we have seene but too many evidences of the decrepit age of the warld, now drooping to ruine; as the distemper of the Heavens, the malignity of the Stars, the boysterous gusts of the Windes, the deluges of water from the Clouds, the foming billoes of the Sea, swelling with unheard of fury: which sad presages terrifie religious minds with a feare of the Skye falling about our ears, and nature breathing out her last gaspe; yet we fl [...]ttered our selves in to a vaine beliefe that the Muses were eternall, and though all other things fade like flowers, yet that the Arts were immortall untill this great Atlas of learning, with whom sacred studies seemed to totter, if not lye on the ground; taught us by his death the vanity of that our hope. Whose happy passe, agreeable to his godly life, God forbid that any should deplore with Heathenish rikes & lamentable Elegies, since our ferventest zeale can now wish him no other addition to his happinesse then that of Virginius Rufus to have another Tacitus to make his Funerall Panegyricke. As for me, when I behold this solemn and sad Assembly, not usually accustomed to such dejected lookes, me thinkes I see those teares that fell from the royall eyes of great King [Page] Xerxes dropping at the view of his puissant Army, which makes me deeply [...]igh, because in this deplored mirrour, blubbered with teares, I finde the reflection even of your mortality: For which of you now can hope that either learning, wisdome, or vertue can prolong his life, since the churlish Sisters refused to spare this mighty Hercules of the Orthodox Faith; this great Champion of Christian Religion, though they were solic [...]ted by the teares of our Mother the University, and importuned by the prayers of our sorrowing Church. Verily, if the in [...]stimable treasures of thy minde and indefeizible riches of thy soule could have contributed any thing to the strength and vigour of the body, thou shouldest still have lived (worthy Reynolds) not so much according to thine owne desire, who wishedst for heaven as houres, who wished longer for thee, and so lived 1000. that thou shouldst never have dyed, waxed old, or drooped. But to the great losse of Man-kinde and prejudice of Learning, it fals out far otherwise, even that in those who more enrich their minde with the treasures of wisdome and knowledge, the soule sooner growes weary of her earthly habitation, and aspireth to heaven [...] and their body also, by reason their spirits are wholly spent in that noble, yet laborious worke of study, more speedily faileth and decayeth. Which was the true cause that thou Reynolds after so many conquests and triumphs over the enemie [...] of our Faith, yet the strength of thy body being impayred, in the end didst yeeld to nature, and breathedst out thy victorious soule, and leftest nothing to us but sighes for our sad losse.

But what? could not thy singular piety, nor thy vertue, nor thy sanctity, nor thy so much admired learning preserve thee? Or didst thou resolve to live no longer, because there was nothing left which thy studies had not already attained unto? Was not Ficinus worthy thy perusing who discourseth so learnedly, not onely of the preservation of health, but also of the prerogation of our life to eternity [Page] upon earth? Well: long enough peradv [...]nture thou hast lived for thy particul [...]r ends, long enough to be so truely honoured, that 'twas not possible that ever thou shouldest out-live thy fame: Yet not long enough for the Common-wealth, which misseth in thee a perfect sampler of all vertues. Not long enough for the University, which hath lost in thee the light of a glorious taper of learning: nor yet long enough for the good state, our pure Religion, which tossed in the swelling billowes of a troubled Sea, is ready almost to suffer shipwracke for want of thee her skilfull Pylot.

Truth it is, none can denie it, that like a second Cocles (but yet more couragious) thou didst rout the tro [...]p [...] of thy stout [...]st enemies. Truth, that even whē the enemy had cut off the bridge on which thou stoodst, thou leaping downe to thi [...] eternall honour, didst preserve the colour [...], and as [...]ast didst beate the adversaries to a shamefull retreat. But the le [...] guer is not yet broken up; for though thou hast unma [...]ked the Idolatry of the Church of Rome, and exposed it to the detestation of God and man, yea and thy sword was ev [...]n at the throat of that Antichristian monster, and through the sides of Iohn Heart, thou struckst Popery it selfe to the very heart: yet Sanders remained untouched, save that he hath felt the revenging hand of God upon him, and dyed miserably, being starved on the Irish mountains. Bellarmines forces are not quite discomfited, or all Baronius his impostures sufficiently discovered; to speake nothing of those monsterous heads of heresies, which like Hydras continually grow up in the Church one under another. In the midst of such troubles, how couldest thou finde leasure to dye? since the harvest is so great, and the labourers so few: (so few indeed, or none like thee) since Superstition, like to our Virginian Sea, swels continually with newer billowes. This, oh this was the sad complaint of our lamenting Church, fetch'd from the deepest sense of bitternesse and sorrow, as if she her selfe had been ready to expire with thi [...] our Reynolds. But what Timanthes hath the skill to pourtray the [Page] sadder (if yet a sadder can be immagined) and more dejected countenance of our Mother, the University.

Here flow the teares so free

That drowne our Niobe.

Alasse she thinkes still on nothing but Reynolds: sees nothing but Reynolds: and in the strength of her disturbed fancy heares, talks with, catches at Reynolds. And truely though in this flourishing age our mother be blessed with such a great and numerous issue, that she hath more reason to rejoyce that shees become so fruitfull then bewaile so much her present losse; and she might now if ever take up the language of the mother of [...]rasidus, my son was a good Souldier indeed, and valiant, but Sparta hath many left that are like him: yet I cannot chuse but excuse her tears of piety, and my selfe justly lament with her, when I consider that she hath lost her Reynolds, who (let none repine at it) did so much out-shine the rest of her sons in the clearest lustre of the best perfections both in languages, Arts, and Sciences, that he seemed to flye above the pitch of humane wit and industry, as if he had been borne of purpose to discover the height of the Muses utmost abilities. Sirs, I detract from no man in giving Reynolds his due: I know that neither these grave Fathers assembled, who here at home doe honour our Oxford with their authority, letters and piety, nor those our right reverend religious and learned Prelate [...] abroad, who sitting at the helme of the Church, are become admired Patterns to the whole Christian world, of wisdome, sanctity and learning, will ever envy his [...] encomiums.

If any man shall thinke lesse of Reynolds then of those great lights, either of Church or University, because he shined not so gloriously either at home or abroad in lustre of eminent fortunes and outward preferments, let him remember the testimony which the great Bishop St. Austine gave of Saint Ierome; Though a Priest be inferiour to a Bishop, yet Hierome the Priest is a better man then Austine the [Page] 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 chiefl [...], 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 [Page] powerfull: If thi [...] 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' [...] 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 ble [...]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 b [...]fore us, which we now last see, salute, and mus [...] take our farewell of [...]or ever.

This minute is the last we can

Behold thi [...] 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 hi [...] 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

[Page]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 forrest [...] that no doubt,

In some few dayes, her savage Beasts

Had found no covert; nor her Uulters nests.

He was Times wonder, vert [...]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 a [...] 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 Gre [...]k tongue; wh [...]re for two months space, he applyed himselfe to the Lectures of that learned man Adrian Turneby, bu [...] 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 co [...]jugatio [...] he gat him an Homer, and in twenty one day [...]s learned it all over, framed for himselfe a Greek Grammer, and never us [...]d the help of any other: he learned th [...] other Greek P [...]ts in four months more: Hav [...]ng thus bestowed two year [...] [...]n the study of the Greeke: he grew very desirous to adde the [Page] 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 Lec [...]ures and Writings, and at last dyed of a Dropsie Anno Christi 1609. and of his age sixty nine: The afor [...]mentioned Turneby, who was an excellently learned man himselfe, called this Sc [...]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 Leid [...]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, where he spent six years, and from [Page] thence he went to T [...]bing, where differing from Doctor Andreas abou [...] predestination, he went thence to Basil Anno Christi 1583. in which place he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity, and being made Tutor to some young Noblemen, went to Geneva, Heidleberge and to some other places with them: he was mad [...] Doctor in Divinity by Grynaeus, Anno 1590. and having afterwards at Geneva publickly expounded the Prophesie of Malachie, he returned to Basil, where he was chosen the Professor of Divinity, which place he faithfully discharged for fourteen years space, expounded Daniel, Ezekiel, and a good part of the Psalmes: afterwards falling sick of a Feaver, he wholly resigned up him himselfe to the will of God, comforted himselfe with diverse pregnant Texts of Scriptures, and so departed quietly in the Lord Anno 1610. and of his age 51.

How justly may Polanus have a part

Of honour, 'mongst these men of high desert:

A learned Doctor of Divinity,

And was of Basils University:

Chosen Professour, where, with love and fame,

For fourteen years he managed the same:

Then falling sick, he of a feaver dy'd,

Whose soul doth in celestiall joyes reside.

The Life and Death of Thomas Holland, who dyed Anno Christi 1612.

THomas Holland, was born in Shropshire Anno Christi 1538. and brought up in Exceter Colledge in Oxford, where he tooke his degrees with much applause: afterwards he Commenced Doctor in Divinity, was chosen Master of the Colledge, and for his learning, was preferred to be [...]he Regius Professor, or Doctor of the Chair, wherein he succeeded Doctor Humphred: and so deported himselfe in the [Page] same, that he gat the approbation, and admiration both of that Univ [...]rsity, and of Forreign Universities also: Hee was like Apollos, a man mighty in the Scriptures, and as one saith of him, Adeb cum Patribus familiaris, ac si ipse Pater, & cum Scholasticis, ac si Seraphicus Doctor: i. e. he was so familiarly acquainted wi [...]h the Fathers, as if himselfe had been one of them: and so verst in the Schoolmen, as if he were the Seraphick Doctor: He was also a faithfull Preacher of the truth, and one that adorned it by his holy life and conversation. A zealous defender of the true Religion, and a great hater of superstition and Idolatry: iusomuch that when he went any journy, calling the fellows of the Colledge together, he used to say to them, Commendo vos dilectioni Dei, & odio Papatus, & superstitionis: I commend you to the love of God, and to the hatred of Popery and superstition: He continued Doctor of the Chair twenty yeares, and was every way as famous for his Religion and holinesse of life, as he was for his learning: when in his old age he grew weak and sickly, he spent all his time in fervent Prayes, and heavenly Meditations: aud when his end approached, he often sighed out Come, O Come Lord Iesus, thou morning star: Come Lord Iesus I desire to be dissolved, and to be with thee, and so he q [...]ietly departed in the Lord A [...]no Christi 1612. and of his age 73.

And worthily doth Doctor Holland merit

His predecessours praises to inherit:

Who for's great learning and his parts most rare

Was Regius Professour, Doct'r oth' Chair:

Of Exeter Colledge with approbation

Of all that knew him even to admiration:

I th'Schoolmen, a [...]d the Fathers so well seen

As if he had Seraphick Doctor been.

A pious and most painefull Preacher known

A faithfull zealous fr [...]end to Tr [...]th: and One

That heartily did hate idolatry,

Who as he liv'd, a precious Saint did dye.

IOHN BALE.

The Life and Death of John Bale.

[Page]

AMong those who in these latter times have laboured in throwing open the skirts of that Romish strumpet, who with her cup of fornication had a long time bewitched a great part of the Christian world; and laying open her abominations to the light of the Sun, and the sight of of the world; none have traveled more, nor taken pains to better purpose, then this our Countriman Iohn Bale: whose troublesome life, tossed to and fro, and exposed to many dangers, difficulties and distresses, my purpose is briefly to relate in its most remarkable passages, that which is testified of him by that worthy and much renouned divine D.r Laurence Humfrey in a Poeme of his intituled the Burden [Page] of Rome; wherein he affirmeth that V [...]rgerius had in this kinde done somewhat, Platina much more, Luther very much or the most of any before him, but this our Bale, as much almost as could be, even all, if it were at least possible to rake up all the [...]ilth and dirt of that vile [...]inke and common sewer.

He came into this world toward the middest of King Hen [...]y the seventh his raigne, not many yeares after that famous and usefull invention of printing was grown to some perfection, having not been above thirty years as yet in any use: by help wherof as learning and knowledg was generally much improved, and many Monuments preserved, that would otherwise have perished; so great use did this our Bale make of it (as we shall hereafter shew) as well for the bringing to light of auncient Records, that had lien long bur [...]ey in the dark, and but for him might so have done in everlasting oblivion; as also for the publishing of many writings and works both of his owne and other mens.

He was borne in Suffolke, his Parents but of meane estate, nor free from Romish superstition, that then generally overspread the whole surface of this realme; by meanes of of their poverty and geeat charge being overburdened with a numerous issue, through the advice and perswasion of some of their blinde leaders (such as those dayes afforded) perceiving the towardlinesse that then appeared in him yet a child, being but twelve years of age, he was placed in the Convent of Carmelite Fryars at Norwich: In which place, as also afterward in the University of Cambridge, (whither he was from thence removed) he gave himself to the study of the Art [...], and of Divinity, such as in those time [...] was in repute, yea alo [...]e publikely professed.

But when the light of the Gospell, which had formerly for the most part been smothered and supprest, began now to break forth, by the instigation of that right honourable and truly Noble Lord (for it is vertue and piety alone that affordeth true Nobility) the Lord Wentworth, [Page] he diverted his studies and applyed himselfe now, not to rake any longer in those muddy streames, and miry puddles of Divinity falsly so tearmed, which he had plunged himselfe in before; but to repaire directly to the well-head, to betake himselfe to the fource of all true knowledg, to search into the written Word of God, where he might be sure to finde the waters cleane and cleere, free from all impurity and mixture of humane invention; therein to dive, and thence to draw that which he might both drink deepe of himselfe, and impart of to others without damage and detriment to himsele.

That which also accordingly he did. For not content to sell his owne cistorns, and satisfie out of it his owne thirst, he was desirous that what he had there drawn, should be derived also unto others, and should flow out to the like benefit and behafe unto them, as he had thereby formerly received himselfe, To this purpose he betooke himselfe now to the pulpit; and what light of truth he had by his private studies, and Gods blessing upon them attained, he made known in publike to those that heard him.

And having now wholly shooke of that yoake of his former superstitions profession (as the Word of God warrenteth, and the Apostle in [...]uch case adviseth) he tooke him [...] wife one Dorothy by name, & that name well deserving; a woman piously affected, & one that aboad constantly with him, an inseparable and individuall companion and copartner with him in all his troubles and exilments, which began shortly after to ensue.

For through the malignity of those, who neither loved the light themselves, and indevoured to keepe others from fight of that which themselves neither loved nor liked, as being that which discovered their grosse errors and foul abuses, he was quickly called in question, and much troubled and molested; first at Yorke by Lee there Archbissiop (Erasmus his great, though unequall antagonist) for Preaching at Doncaster against invocation of Saints: and after that againe at London by Stokesley their Bishop, (the maine opposer [Page] of Ales the Scot, Bales intimate friend afterward, in defence of Popish errours and inventions) for matters of the like nature.

Thus he soone found opposition, and met with much trouble (as what other was to be looked for?) for maintaining and publishing the truth of God, which could not yet be brooked, having so many, so mighty, and those no lesse malitious opponets.

Howbeit he escaped, as well then, as oft after also out of their hands; God having still some further employments for him. For having by some elegant and pleasant Comedies, which he presented unto him, insinuated himselfe into the notice and favor of the Lord Cromwell, who was then grown to some greatnesse, being a favouror of the tru [...]h and the professors of it, he was by his meanes, as the Prophet Ieremie sometimes by Ahikams, rescued out of their clutches (who otherwise would in likelehood, have crushed him) and continued quiet, while he stood.

But after his unfortunate downfall and death, was under God his chiefe, yea alone protector, perceiving that though their former attempts against him had for the present been frustrate, yet their spite and malice towards him was enraged rather then abated, ready to break forth into action againe, when opportunity should serve; that means of restraint being now removed, and persecution about the six Articles (commonly known by name of the whip with six strings) growing hot; he thought it his best and wisest course (the rather being tied to no particular charge) to leave the Land untill times of more freedome might be, and to get over into Germany, where by Luther and other his assistants seconds their labours, many Churches had been establshed, and much liberty was afforded for the sincere profession of the Gospell.

Unto that common refuge and receptacle of Gods persecuted people in those times, with much difficulty and hazard, at length he gat and there aboad as an exile for some eight yeares. During which time he was not idle, but diligently [Page] employed himselfe in writing and in publishing of many Treatises, tending most to the discovery of Romish errors, superstitions, idolotries and abominable practises, and to the manifestation and clearing of Gods saving truth.

Thence upon the decease of King Henry the eight, being by his religious Son and successor King Edward called over againe, and entertained a while in the family of that learned and pious Poynet then bishop of Winchester; he was shortly after by his Maiesty preferred unto and setled in the Bishoprick of Ossar in Ireland: whither being sent over freely at the Kings owne charge, he was consecrated at Dublin by George Archbishop of that See, assisted by Thomas Bishop of Kildare, and Vrhane of Doune.

In this Seat he sate quietly Preaching Christ and salvation by him alone to his people, and laboring to withdraw them from Popish superstitions, during the raigne of King Edward by whom he was there seated, expending most of hi [...] Episcopal revenew over & above the necessary expence of his family any reliefe of the poore, in furnishing himselfe with books of almanner of learning, such especielly as were then rare & not ordinarily to be had, as well manuscrips as printed ones; partly to preserve the perishing Monuments of antiquity, and partly from them to receive further & fuller information of the occurrents & carryages of former times: and what a multitude of Authors he had in that short time gathered togeter, may appeare by a Catalogue of them left upon record by him, in the close of that laborious Work of his, his Centuries, to shew what a treasure he was stripped of at his expulsion from his place.

For after that halfe hours silence (as he stileth it, alluding to that of Saint Iohn Apoc. 8.1.) and those few years of rest that Gods people here enjoyed under that blessed servant of Christ King Edward; his succeeding sister raising up new tumults and with fire and fogot making havock of the faithfull; that seat grew too hot for him. And having therefore (as his owne relation hath it) his books and chattels [Page] seized on (as once before) his servants some of them slain, others misused, and himselfe laid for, he was enforced with his wife, his ever undivided consort, to flye for his life; and purposed as himselfe saith, to have shaped his course for Scotland, hoping there to finde some succour, as diverse others driven hence at that time did. But man we say purposeth, and God disposeth: that project of his took not effect, God it seemeth intended him another way; for b [...] ing put out to sea, he was intercepted & surprised by wicked pirates sea-robbers, of whom though he were stript againe and abused in most inhumane manner, (as little better could be expected at the hands of such) yet was he by Gods good providence preserved among them, and delivered againe from them, being ransomed by certaine charitable and well-minded Merchants.

Having regained his liberty, he gat safe againe into Germany, his former place of retreat, and the then Common sanctuary of Gods afflicted and distressed Saints. There he found entertainment with, and enjoyed the acquaintance of, most of the prime men of note for learning and relegion of those parts in those times, who some of them in their writings, especially for the notes of antiquity, and of authors both ours and others, doe professe to have received no small light from his writings and observations.

For during the time of his aboad in those parts, among other his labours (being never out of action) he compiled [...]hat vast Catalogue of Euglish Scottish and Irish writers, a work of exceeding great paines and industry, that many of them and others since have made much use of: wherin also by the way he hath inserted the lives, Acts and carriages of the Romane Popes; that the world might see and know, what manner of men, or monsters rather, many of them have been, and how far unlike unto Christ, who yet have given themselves out to be Christs Vicars, and the chiefe pillars of his Church.

Shor [...]ly after the happy entrance of that blessed Princess Q. Elizabeth, when the storm raised by her sister Mary was now [Page] laid, he returned over again into England: & as it semeth, stept over from thence into Ireland, to visit (it may be) his former flock (if any faithfull of them were remaining yet) there; or to looke after his library, if he might light upon any remaines of it in those places where it had been disor in the hands of those that had seazed upon it. But he survived not long to enjoy either the peaceable times of Gods Church here re-established, or the comfort of his people, if he found any left there, or the use and benefit of his books, if he recovered any of them.

For it is by some reported, that he dyed in Ireland at sixty and seven yeers of age, in the year of our Lord 1558. which yet for the year of his decease may seeme not so to be: since that his Catalogue or Centuries of our Brittin Writers, Printed by him at Basile, while he yet aboad in those parts, is dedicated by himselfe to Queen Elizabeth then setled in the throne of this kingdome, who began her raigne but in the latter part of that year: besides that the latter part of that impression beareth date the Month of February 1559. as al [...]o some verses prefixed before the whole Worke, wherein mention is made also of Queen Elizabeths reigne, and of the Authors then taking leave of his friends in those parts, and intendment of returne with his wife for England again, bear date of March the same year: which though they may be supposed to imply the close of the yeare 58. according to our computation, who begin th [...] year at the latter end of March, whereas they begin it at the first of Ianuary, yet some space of time must be allowed for his travell out of Swii [...]serland into England, and from thence again into Ireland if there he deceased. And it may well be deemed therefore that he survived, if not to 1560. yet to 59. at least: But this I leave to those that have more certaine records of it: nor is the thing it selfe much materiall.

His Wokes for the most part, as himselfe hath related and ranked them, together with some few omitted by him, and added by others, are these.

First those that he compiled while he was yet a Papists.

[Page]1 A Bundle of things worth the knowing. 2 The Writers from Elias. 3 The Writers from Berthold. 4 Additions to Trithemius. 5 Germane Collections. 6 French Collections. 7 English Collections. 8 Divers writings of divers learned men. 9 A Catalogue of Generals. 10 The Spirituall War. 11 The Castle of Peace. 12 Sermons for Children. 13 To the Synode at Hull. 14 An answer to certaine Questions. 15 Addition to Palaonydorus. 16 The History of Patronage. 17 The Story of Simon the Englishman. 18 The Story of Franck of Sene in Italy. 19 The Story of Saint Brocard. 20 A Commentary on Mantuanis Preface to his Fasti.

Secondly those that he wrote after that he had renounced Popery.

First, in Latine. 1 The Heliades of the English. 2 The Brittish writers. 3 Notes on the three Tomes of Walden. 4 On his Bundle of Tares. 5 On Polydore of the first invention of things. 6 On Textors Officine. 7 On Capgraves Catalogue. 8 On Barnes his lives of Popes. 9 The Acts of the Popes of Rome. 10 A Translation of Thorps Examination into Latine. 11 That of Brittish writers much enlarged with the lives and Acts of the Bishops of Rome inserted. 12 An Additton of Scottish, Irish and other writers.

2 In English. 1 In English Meeter, and divers sorts of Verse.

1 The life of John Baptist. 2 Of John Baptists Preaching. 3 Of Christs Tentatinus. 4 Two Comedies of Christs Baptisme and Tentations. 5 A Comedie of Christ at twelve years old. 6 A Comedie of the raising of Lazarus. 7 A Comedie of the High Priests Councell. 8 A Comedie of Simon the Leper. 9 A Comedie of the Lords Supper, and the washing of the Deisciples feet. 10 Two Comedies (or Tragedies rather) of Christs Passion. 11 Two Comedies of Christs buriall and Resurrection. 12 A Poeme of Gods Promises. 13 Against those that pervert Gods Word. 14 Of the corrupting of God Lawes. 15 Against Carpers and Traducers. 16 A defence of King John. 17 Of King Henries two Mariages. 18 Of Popish Sects. 19 Of Papists Trecheries. 20 Of Thomas Beckets Impostures. 21 The Image of love. 22 Pammachius [Page] his T [...]agedies, translated into English. 23 Christian Sonnets.

2 In English Prose. 1 A Commentarie on Saint Johns Apocalypse. 2 A Locupletation of the pocalypse. 3 Wicklefs War with the Papists. 4 Sir John Oldcastles Trials. 5 An Apologie for Bernes. 6 A defence of Grey against Smith. 7 John Lamberts Confession. 8 Anne Askews Martyrdome. 9 Of Luthirs Decease. 10 The Bishops Alcaron. 11 The man of Sinne. 12 The Mistery of Iniquity. 13 Against Antichrists or false Christs. 14 Against Baals Priests, or Balaamites. 15 Against the Clergies single life. 16 A dispatch of Popish Vowes and Priesthood. 17 The Acts of English Votaries in two parts. 18 Of Heretickes indeede. 19 Against the Popish Masse. 20 The Drunkards Masse. 21 Against Popish perswasions. 22 Against Standish the Imposture. 23 Against Bonners Articles. 24 Certaine Dialogues. 25 To Elizabeth the Kings daughter. 26 Against customary swearing. 27 On Mantuane of death. 28 A Weeke before God. 29 Of his Calling to a Bishoprick. 30 Of Lelands Iournall, or an Abridgement of Leland, with Additions. 31 A Translation of Sebald Heydens Apologie against Sal [...]e Regina. 32 A Translation of Gardiners Oration of true Obedience, and Bonners Epistle before it; with a Preface to it, Notes on it, and an Epilogue to the Reader.

Many other things he compiled, translated and published which neither himselfe could sodainly call to minde, nor others easily light on, who yet have added to his recitall. But it may well be admired, how being so haunted, hunted, chased and hurried as he was from pillar to post, and so oft stript both of bookes and other helps, he could come to the sight and view of so many Authors; much more, how he should have time to surveigh such a multitude of them, as by his writings it appeareth he did; and most of all, how he should be able to write so many volumes (to goe no further) as you see here related, although some of them were but small. His industry therefore is very remarkable, which as it accompanied him to the last; so it surviveth his decease, in the fruit of it with us, and in the reward of it to him.

Loe here the man who stir'd Romes comon shore

[Page]Untill it stunk, and stunk him out of dore.

Twlve years he serv'd the Babilonian with;

Drank of her cup and wallowed in her ditch,

Untill the sunshine of diviner Truth

Shot saving Beames into his hopefull youth:

And led him thence to serve another Saint

Whose mirth was [...]eares, whose freedom was restraint;

Whose progresse was a banishment; whose food

Was want and Famine, and whose drinke was blood:

His dayes were full of troubles, and his nights

Were sad exchanges stor'd with feares and frights:

His wealth was Poverty, his peace was strife,

His life was death: His death eternall life.

ANDREAS GERARDVS HYPERIVS

The Life and Death of Andraeas Gerardus.

IN the yeare of our Lord 1511. this Andraeus Gerardus was born at Hyperi [...], a strong and populous Town situate [Page] within the Province of Flanders: his Father was a man of great estimation amongst the inhabitants of the same town by reason of his singular knowledge in the Law; his Mother was discended from one of the Noblest families of that Province; both of them being carefull of the education of th [...]s Gerardus, they sent him unto Iacobus Papa (a famous and excellent Poet) to be instructed in the knowledge of the tongues, which he attained unto in short time, partly by the care of this Iacobus, and partly by the help of Iohannes Sepanus, being an assistant unto Iacobus Papa, a man excellently learned, and very skilfull both in the Greek and in the Hebrew tongue, where he continued untill he came unto the age of 13. years, at which time he desired to be acquainted with the French tongue, and for that cause he became an Auditor unto Iohannes Lactaeus, a man learned and eloquent who publickly taught the French tongue in those parts; here he remained for the space of one year, and afterwards by the advice of his father he was sent unto Tovrney, where a publick School was newly erected for the information of youth in the Latine, Greek & Hebrew tongus; but the discipline of that School being not pleasing unto his father he took him from thence againe intending to have him instructed in manners aswell as in learning, wherefore he intended to send his unto Lavan an Academy in Brabant, but hearing that too much liberty was there given and granted unto youth, whereby they came to be corrupted with many vices, he altered his purpose, and bethought himselfe of sending him unto Paris, where he himselfe in his youth had studyed; but that determination was also hindred by the continued warres betwixt Charles the fift Emperour of Germany, and Francis King of France: wherefore he resolved to keepe him at home for a space untill he could dispose of him according to his minde, employing him in the writing of such thinks as pertaine to the office of a Lawyers Clarke, in which action he continued so long that he had almost forgotten whatsoever he had learned before: now in the yeare 1525. it pleased God to call for his fath [...]r [Page] out of this vale of misery, who on his death bed streightly charged and commanded his Mother to send Gerardus unto Paris, that so he might goe forward in his studyes; as soone as the War [...] were quieted in France betwixt the Emperour and the King, which fell out in the year 1528. then went Gerardus unto Pari [...], being furnished with Commendatory letters unto Antonius Helhucius, then Senator of the P [...]rliament, [...]nd unto Iohannes Campis Licenciate in Divinity, who were also intreated to furnish him with things necessary for his study [...]s, if hi [...] mother were hindred by the continuation of the Wars, from the performance of the [...]ame; this Iohannes de Campi [...] seeing the hopefulnesse of the youth, kept him in his owne house the space of one year, where he attained unto great perf [...]ction in Logick, the year following he w [...]nt unto Paris, where he acquainted himselfe with I [...]imus Bingelbi [...]gu [...] [...] B [...]aban [...]er, a man excellently qualified, from whom Gerard [...]s received good instructions touching a methodicall manner of proceeding in his studies; after that h [...] had continued here for the space of three years, for the better retayning of t [...]at learning which he had gotten, he priv [...]tly read both Logick and Rhetorick unto others, himselfe remaining still an Auditor unto the publick explanation of Aristotles Phisicks in the Schools.

In the year following he desired to see Flanders, and to visit his friends, and to know how much of that Portion was remaining which his Father had left him for the prosecution of his studyes: which being done, and finding a sufficient competency to remaine, which would keep him [...] long time at the University, he returned unto Paris againe, with and an intent to addict himselfe unto studyes of greater moment, and so he forthwith entred upon the study of Divinity, for which Paris at that time was famous and taking a great delight therein, he daily frequented the Divinity Schooles, so as he came to be of a singular judgement in matters of Controversies, and at vacant times he would be take himselfe unto the Physick Lectures, unto which h [...] had a naturall inclination, he would also be [Page] familias with Cleonard, S [...]urmius, Latomus, then publick professors of the Tongues in the same University.

Having now well furnished himselfe with knowledge, he desired to take a view of other Countries and Provinces, lying within the Kinodome of France, and that for two causes, first that he might prrfect himselfe in the French Tongue, and secondly that he might have a fuller understanding of the custome and disposition of that Nation, and so leaving of the University, he traveled through most parts of France, where having given satisfaction unto himselfe, he shaped his c [...]urse towards Italie, taking a full view of that part which lyeth betweene the Alpes and Bononia: being now about the age of twenty four years, he returned out of Italie into Flanders in the year 1535. From whence he went unto Lovan, because he had sent his library from Paris unto the same place, and having safely disposed of the same, he betook himselfe againe to tra [...]ell, viewing almost all Lower Germany (viz) Gilderland, Brabant, Cleveland, Vtrecht, Freezland, Holland and Zealand, and from hence in the year of our Lord 1537. and in the twenty six year of his age he went into upper Germany, to take view of such [...] mous & learned men as were to be found in those parts, in which peregrination he saw Colen, Marpurge, E [...]ford, Lipsie [...], and Wittenberge: and then returned againe into Flanders, where he was set upon by some of his friends, who advised him to betake himselfe unto some staid course of life, seeing that his patrimony was all spent, the grates [...] part in the University, the remainder in his travels: unto which just demand and desire of his friends, he was soone perswaded to subscribe and consent, and forthwith began seriously to consider with himselfe, how he might obtaine a place, wherein he might exercise his gifts for the generall good of the Country; whilst he was busie about that matter, his friends had obtained by letters pattens from the Pope that a larg stipend should be yearly given unto him, out of t [...]e revenews of an adjacent Abby for his maintenance, upon condition that Iohannes Charondiletus (then Chanc [...]llor unto [Page] 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 G [...]rardus had of late been in higher G [...]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 void [...] 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 friends [...] 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 Mon [...]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 wa [...] so well pleasing unto Gerardus, that he continued four ye [...]r [...] with thi [...] Montjoy, in which time he profited much in the knowledg [...] of humane and divine learning.

[Page]In the yeare 1540. with the consent of Charles Montjoy, h [...] 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 An [...]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 Stra [...]burge, both which but especially the fame of Buc [...]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 Frank [...]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 comm [...]ndatory letters unto the learned Professors at S [...]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 h [...]ving notice of the comming of Andraeas [Page]Gerardus unto M [...]rpurge, he kindely invited him unto his lodging, where they met with mutuall embrac [...]ng [...], 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 de [...]ired [...]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 School [...], 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; [Page] 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 serious meditation of the reformation of Religion in the Churches; he desired to conforme the Citizens of Hassia, unto the example of the Primitive Church; he desired to remove many reliques of superstition out of the Church; he desired to establish that Ecclesiasticall discipline which was ready to fall, unto the great detriment of the Church.

In the midst of these heavenly cogitations, it pleased the Lord to send his messenger for him, which he well perceiving by the continuall increasing of his paines; he desired to have the Communion administred unto him, afterwards he told his wife what he would have done after his death; after that he had instructed his children how they should carry themselves towards God, and how towards their mother, and how toward [...] men: and his yongest son standing amongst them, h [...] laid his hand on his head uttering these Words, discemi fili mandata domini, & ipse ena [...]riet te: Keepe the commandaments of the Lord, my son, and he will provide for thee: then [...]urning himselfe to those who were present, he declare [...] unto them that he dyed in that faith which he had constantly professed so many yeares in that City; which words being spoken, he fell asleepe, and was buried at Marpurge in the year our Lord 1564. and in the 53. year of his life.

All things which are to be required in a Teacher, are to [Page] be found in this Gerardus; first he was learned, and his learning was also joyned with experience, secondly, he had an excellent faculty and method of teaching; thirdly, he was laborious in his function; fourthly, he was grav [...]; fiftly, of an unspotted life and conversation [...] he was modest patient and constant, all which sufficiently declare that he was set apart by the Lord for the converting of many souls unto Christ. His Works which he left unto the world as a rich legacy are here set downe.

1 A Commentary on the twentieth Psalme. 2 On the twelft Psalme. 3 A method for a Preacher. 4 On the Romans. 5 Of reading and meditating the Scriptures. 6. Method of Theologie. 7 Theologicall Topicks. 8 Catechisme.

Other Works in two Tomes.

First, 1 Of the study of the Scripture. 2 Of the institution of Colledges. 3 A triall of students. 4 Of Catechising. 5 Of justification by faith. 6 Of Benificence to the poor. 7 Of Feasts.

Tome 2.

1 Of the duty of hearers. 2 Of Providence. 3 Of Selfe-examination. 4 Of the marriage of Ministers. 5 Of the Sacraments. 6 Notes upon Aristotles Ethicks. 7 Physicks. 8 Logicke. 9 Rhetoricke. 10 Arithmaticke. 11 Gromaticke. 12 Cosmographik. 13 Optics. 14 Astronomy.

Set forth after his death.

1 Annotations of Isaiah. 2 Commentaries on the Galathians. 3 Ephesians. 4 Philippians. 5 Colossians. 6 Thessalonians. 7 Timothy. 8 Titus. 9 Philemon. 10 Iude. 11 Hebrewes.

You that desire to lead a life

Free from th'incumbrances of strife

Draw neare, and with a carefull [...]row,

Let brave Gerardu [...] teach you how.

Reader, observe and thou shalt finde,

By trauell he inrtch'd his minde:

His active heart was alwayes free

To Propagate true piety.

[Page]He alwayes studied to displace

Errours from the Churches face:

He gain'd no envy, but from those

That were Religions chiefest fo [...].

He would perswade, intreat, advise

His Fellow-preachers to dispise,

Those fruits of Idlenesse which he defy'd.

Thus liv'd Gerardu [...], thus Gerardus dy'd.

ARETIVS BENEDICTVS.

The Life and Death of Aretius Benedictus.

AS the Lord hath never been wanting unto his Church both in these and in forraine parts, in the stirring up of painfull and [...]ealous Watch-men for the Propagating of his truth, and for the enlightning of the understanding [Page] of those whom he had elected unto salvation in Jesus Christ, so he hath not been deficient in procuring the affection of eminent persons towards the same Professors, by whose meanes, they have been defended and sheltered against the inviterate malice both of the Divell and his members. Malicious enemies unto the Word of truth, amonst whom the Senate of Berna may justly receive worthy Commendations, for the constant love shewed unto the zealous professors of the truth, it being indeed the maine pillar which doth support the welfare of a Commonwealth, and which doth draw downe a blessing from heaven upon their intended designes.

In this [...]amous City was Benedictus Aretius borne a faithfull & zealous professors of the truth of Christ: being beautified with excellent endowments, both of learning and piety, which did sufficiently testifie that he was set apart by the Lord for the winning of many unto Christ.

He spent his youth in his owne Country amongst the Switzers, wherein he was instructed and trained up in the knowledge of the Arts: but ayming at a greater perfection & labouring [...]or a sounder judgement in the works & writings of other learned and Orthodox men, he left his Country for a season and went unto Marpurg, where by reason of his eminent gifts and qualities he gained the love of many learned Schollers: and was designed and oppointed to read the Logick Lecture in the same place; which after he had performed for the space of some years, to the great profit of his Auditors, to the never dying fame of himselfe, and to the generall applause of all the City; having also attained in some measure to that perfection, which he had formerly desired, he returned again unto Berne where he was joyfully received and by a generall consent, appointed to open the Scriptures, and to instruct the inhabitants in the way of life; in which exercise he observed such an edifying method both in his publick reading and Preaching, that he drew great multitudes of people unto him, who beholding his proceedings with great admiration, with one consent [Page] praised the Lord for sending so learned and so painfull an instrument among them, for the plant [...]ng of the truth in their hearts.

So excellent was his forme of teaching that many Divines came unto his Lectures, not onely for the information of their judgements in matters of Controversies, but also to learne his method of teaching; which being obtained by some, they proved excellent instruments in the Church for the converting of the lost sheepe of Israel; and many would not in publicke make triall of their owne parts, before they had continued for a season to be his Auditors. His writings were greatly in request, and desired greatly of all that either knew him or heard of him, but especially his labours in Divinity: one of his bookes called Eramen Theologic [...]m came to the Presse twelve times within the space of three years, which doth declare the excellency and how usefull and beneficiall it was unto the Church in those times, and in these dayes also it is a Worke fit to be perused of all such as doe intend the study of Divinity.

After that he had continued this constant course of teaching in the City of Berne, for the space of many years, to the great furtherance of the glory of God and benefit of his Church, it pleased the Lord to take him unto himselfe, and to Crowne him with a di [...]dem of everlasting glory with the rest of his holy Saints in the year of grace 1574. the twentieth two of April, his death was much lamented by the Citizens of Berne, who received some comfort by the beholding of those excellent and learned Treatises which he left behind him, as so many never dying testifications of his zeale, for the advancing of the Gospell of Christ.

1 A forme for Students. 2 Two tables of the Hebrew Grammar. 3 A triall for Divines. 4 The History of Valentine the Gentile. 5 A censure of the propositions of the Catabaptists. 6 Two Treatises of the sacred Scriptures. 7 Common places of Divinity. 8 Lectures on the Lords Supper. 9 Commentaries on the four Evangelists. 10 On the Acts of the Apostles. 11 An [Page]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 mind [...]

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 [Page] 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 on [...]ly, but much advanced. His Father being taken from him in the time of his minority, he was by the carefull provision of Alic [...] Parker his mother now a widow trained up in good literature, untill he attained to the age of eigh [...]een yeares: who then as a discreet woman and regard [...]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 bene [...]it of others, & the end wherunto their studies should tend; but after some four or five years spent in furnishing himself with [...] th [...] [...]ulpit, he began now to looke abroad into the neighbou [...]ing place [...], and considering wha [...] great need the people had of instruc [...]ion in thos [...] blind an [...] [Page] darke times, wherein the lights were grown dim [...] and vision was ge [...]son, and because so rare, the more pr [...]ious; he employ [...]d himself [...] dilig [...]ntly, as occasion and opportunity was offr [...]d in dilivering out the Word of God unto them, and that in an other manner of way, then was usuall in tho [...]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, th [...] pious Mother of that heroicall princesse o [...] blessed memory Q [...]eene Elizabeth; by whose favor al [...]o he was made Deane of Stoke in Suffolke, where he caused a school [...] to be erect [...]d for the education and training up of youth in good literature.

Aft [...]r the unfortunate dea [...]h of Queen Anne, he was by the King taken into his [...]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 b [...]fore: the Colledg [...] not long after by unanimous consent [...]e [...]ling also upon him the benefice of Landbeach in the Ile of Ely, not far from Cambridge.

The for [...] mentioned preferments he retained during the whol [...] re [...]idue of King Henries lif [...] and raigne; continuing still constant in the exercise of his m [...]ni [...]tery; unto the happy entrance of that relious Prince, and of wisedome and und [...]r [...]t [...]nding above his years, King Edward. At which time albeit the Deanry of Stoke were dissolved, Doctor [...]arker much grieving for it [...] and withstanding it wha [...] he could [Page] 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 un [...]imely death of that mirrour of Princes, and the disastrons succ [...]ssion of his Sister Queen Mary; when true religion was suppressed, superstition re [...]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 [...]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 Lawes of the Land also then in full force [...] yet by their Popish Canons inhibited and condemned as a foule and hainous crime: with his wife therefore (whom he would not dismisse yet all that time) and such issue as he had then by her, he kept close in a friends house; though leading a poor and obscure life in very meane estate, without any aide or succour from abroad, yet in regard of his rest and freedome [...]or study, with such contentment, as that diverse times he professed he should not have desired any other condition, save for the fear of danger both to himselfe and his friend; which could not but much di [...]tract.

But the fury and rage of those times being over (as nothing violent we say lasteth long; it was but a storme, [Page] though a fierce and a fiery one; but a shoure, though a shoure wherein it rained bloud in abundance) a great calme ensued by the laying of her, who had raised it, to rest; and the raising up of her Sister, one of a far other spirit in her roome, upon whose happy entrance among others that had lien hid, wanting meanes and opportunity to escape otherwise; this our Mathew came abroad againe, and was by that blessed servant of God Q [...]een Elizabeth, whose mother he had formely attended on unto her d [...]ath, advanced to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury, lately become vac [...]nt by the decease of the Cardinall Reginald Poole departing not many hours after his Mistres and kinswoman Queen Mary; and was thereunto consecrated in the Chappell of the Palace at Lambeth, on the seventeenth of December, in the year of grace 1559. by William Barl [...]e Bishop of Bath and Wells, Miles Coverdale Bishop of Excester, Iohn Scory Bishop of Chichester, and Iohn Hodgekin Suffragane of Bedford, being the seventieth from Augustine the first of that See, and the first that without power or pall from the Pope, and such frivolous r [...]tes of the Romanists use, was enthronised in that seat.

Being thus sodainely now, as Ioseph sometime in Aegipt, not freed onely from his feares and confinement, but advanced to the highest pitch of Ecclesiasticall preferment that our Church and State affoard, and others by degrees are wont to climb up to, he was nothing thereby altred (as in such ca [...]e too oft it falleth out) but demeaned himselfe still like himselfe. Nor did his true worth ever more then now manifest it selfe, when by his wise, discreet and temperate carriage in so sodame a passage from so low a downfall to so high an ascent, he shewed himselfe a man able to manage either condition, and (that which is the gift of a very few) to walke steadily and eavenly in either. For neither was he hereupon, either puft up with pride, though honours sodainely atcheived are over pron [...] to swell up; or over-wrought to a neglect of his Ministeriall emploiments, which such places oft much impeach; or surprised with a [Page] tenatious and avaritious disposition, as is wont to befall those that come hungry to such preferments, and have had former experience of the ficklenesse of them. For he carried himselfe in a meeke and mild manner toward all sorts, even the meanest; with much discretion in regard of the diversities of judgements, which could not but be great and not easie to accord in [...]hose times, when such extremity of heat had so lately been exercised by some of the one side against the other: with great gentlenesse and patience toward men of hot and high stomack [...], though without any base and servile either condescending to them or complying with them; with much lenity and forbearance towards persons faulty and delinquent, thereby to win them to better courses, untill they seemed to be incorrigible; and with no lesse kind encouragements in every kind to those, of his Clergy espcially, whom he perceived to be well affected, of honest carriage, and diligent and industrious in their places. To which purpose also he visited his whole Province, not by deputies or substitutes, but in per [...]on himselfe. And, albeit his meanes at present could be no other then very short and meane, having been wholly stript some years past of all his yearly revenewes, and constrained to live with his charge on such small stock as he had lying by him all the time of his concealement; and the place he was preferred to as yet rather enforced him to further and far greater expence then affording means to discharge the same; yet such was his free, liberall, ingenuous and generous disposition, that (the like whereof I suppose hath been seldom or never don by any other, either before him or since him) he freely an frankly remitted unto his whole Clergy those fees that dunder the title of Procurations are generally and justly at such times demanded. And for the better encouragement of those of the Ministery to the constant and diligent execution of their duty in enstruct [...]ng the people comitted unto their charge (because examples much move, and great mens actions are more exemplary) notwith [...]tanding his manifold distractions & various employments [Page] by occasion of his place, he forbeare not frequently to preach (as his other important and more publick affaires permitted) sometime in his owne Cathedrall Church, and at other times in the Townes and Villages abroad [...] continuing constant in that his painfull practise amids [...] much weakenesse and crasinesse, the attendants of old age.

In that seate he sat fifteen yeares and five month [...]. During which time (that which is not found to have befaln any of his either predecessours or successors) he either consecrated or confirmed the Bishops of all the seates throughout the whole land; yea all of them, one alone excepted, within his first three years; and that one to wit of L [...]ndaffe [...] in his seventh.

He deceased May the seventeenth 1575. having passed over, without any grievous disaster, to speake of (his party share in that generall calamity of the godly in Queen Maries time only excepted) the tearm of seventy and one years. His common Motto which he had oft in his mouth, and caused to be painted on the wals of his house and the glass of his windowes (as one in the greatest height of worldly honour, minding and meditating on the vanity of this world and the things of it) was that of S [...]. Iohn, The World passeth away, and the Concupiscence of it, 1. Iohn 2.17.

Before his decease some space of time, the better to mind him of his mortality, he caused his monument or tombe to b [...] made of plaine black marble, and to be placed in the Chappell of Lambeth house, where he received his Archepiscopall consecration: in which also according to his Will so disposing it, his corps lyeth inclosed (no other having place of sepulture besides himselfe in that Chappell) with this Epitaph, (composed by Docton Haddon sometime one of his officers, and afterward one of the Masters of Request to Queen Elizabeth) engraven thereupon.

Mathew Parker lived sober and wise;

Learned by study and continuall pactise;

[Page]Loving, true, of life uncontrold:

The Court did foster him both young and old.

Ordeely he dealt, the right he did defend:

He lived unto God; to God he made his end.

The reason why he desired to have his remaines these reposed, in a vault for the receipt thereof purposely framed, was (a [...] by some is reported) for that a great Noble man in hig [...]st favour in those times, having laboured earnestly to get that hous [...] from the Sea, this our Archbishop therein stiffely and stoutly withstood him, and by earnest solicit [...]tion obtained from the Q [...]eens Majesty this promise, that he should never have it so long as the Archbishop aboad there: which he therefore (to adde the stronger obligation to that promise) took order it should be as well after his decease as before.

He was a man of a grave aspect, and of a staid and setled carryage, of a mild dispo [...]ition, and courteous demeanure, a favoure [...] of learned men, and a lover and promoter a [...] well of learning as of Religon: and as in other thin [...], so [...]p [...]ially in his disposition concerning these outw [...]d thing [...] of a marv [...]ilous wise and discreet temper, as provident and frugall (without any taint of base courses, wherewith many, use to to suppl [...] and support their prodigality, making in that [...]e hook and crook with the one hand, that wickedly and wastfully they fling as fast away with the other) otherwise the revenewes of his Se [...], being by some sinister courses formerly much impaired, could never have enabled him to doe as he did: so yet withall very bountifull, yea magnificent [...] much addicted to hospi [...]ality, and very re [...]ardfull both of his owne credit, and of the honour and dignity of his place. For first he was carefull [...]o repaire the Palace at Canterbury, being almost wholly ruined and ready to fall to the ground: the restavration whereof performed, not in necessary onely, but in beavtifull and stately manner stood him in 1400 •. The like care & charge he was at with the Palace of Lambeth b [...]ing much out of repaire [Page] (which he also much enlarged) and with the Quires of the Churches, annexed to his See, being many, and the most of them much decayed. And wh [...]reas for the repaire and furniture of those and other his houses, he was faine to take many materials and commodities on trust, very carefull was he to see in due time all such debts discharged, that no danger or damage might accrew unto those; who perceiving his disposition this way and how much he abhorred to run long behind hand with any, were right willing and ready upon all occasions to supply him with whatsoever he required.

Besides that, in his entertainments he was very free, yea magnificent upon speciall occasions: as in that sumptuous and well ordered Feast made by him at the time of the A [...] sizes, upon the finishing of that stately Hall reedified at Canterbury; and the like at some other solemn times; to say nothing of a liberall table constantly maintained with him for the ordinary entertainment of his owne Retinue and such company as commonly repaired to him, and the reliefe of the poorer sort.

Nor did his liberality and bounty dye with him, but survived him in many monuments and fruits of it remarkable: For he founded a free School at Rochdale in Lancashire. In the diocesse of Norwich he took order for six Sermons to be Preached yearly at certaine times in five severall parishes with consideration for the same. To the City of Norwich where he was born, he gave a Bason & Ewer of silver & gelt of 173. ounces, and fifty shillings by the year, to be constantly distributed among the poor there. To Corpus Christi Colledge in Cambridge, where he had been trained up, he gave lands for the maintainance of two Fellowes and thirteen Schollers; three hundred and ten ounces of plate; the perpetuall Advowson of Saint Mary Ab-Church in London; a lease for seventeen years of fourteen pounds eight shillings by the year, and an hundred pounds to purchase lands for the mainetainance of a [...]ire in the Common hall there from the first of November to the last of Fabruary: besides all this [Page] he built for them their inner Library, with two Chambers adjoyning to it; and furnished it with no small number of Bookes, some printed ones, some Manuscripts of no small valew. To G [...]nwell and Cajus Colledge he g [...]ve likewise a silver and gelt cup of fifty and six ounces, besides three other of lesser size, and diverse books. To Trinity Hall a Schollership, and the like quantity of Plate and bookes. And lastly (over and besides many other sums and gifts for other the like pious uses) to the University Library, an hundred choyce books, fifty printed, fifty written, very precious and rare ones.

His care and study indeed was (spa [...]ing therein no expence) to gather together and preserve such monuments of antiquity as might give light to the stories of former times, or be usefull otherwise. And here, because the booke of God justly claimeth the chiefe respect, as for antiquity and authority, so for use and necessity, as containing in it that one necessary thing, on which mans eternall welfare dependeth; considering the great want of Bibles in many places; and through negl [...]ct the decay of them in others, he took much paines, with the assistance of other godly learned, in mending the English Translation; and caused the same so amended to be in a large paper and faire Character imprinted, and dispersed abroad through the whole Realme.

And for the Works of other writers, those of our owne Nation especially, such as were hard to be gotten, & likely to perish, as remaining only in a few old Manuscripts, unlesse some course were taken for the preservation of them; he gathered together so many of them as he could light on; and disposed them in such places, where they might both be in safe keeping, & lye ready at hand for the learned upon all occasions to make use of, withall culling out som of them to be made more publick; which, with much travell & paines therein taken, having by collation of sundry Copies together corrected and much amended, he caused to be imprinted, as well for the benefit of strangers abroad, as for the use of our owne at home. Of this sort were.

[Page]1 Matthew of Paris his History. 2 Matthew of Westminster hi [...] Historicall Flowers. 3 After Bishop of Shireborn his Story of King Alfred, printed in a Saxon letter, with the Archbishops Preface before it.

He caused also to be compiled and published, a learned and large volumne, concerning.

4 The Antiquities of the Brittish Church: together with a Story of the Priviledges of the Church of Canterbury, and seventy Archbishops of that See.

At the Funerall of that famous Divine Mar [...]ine Bucer, he Preached.

5 A Sermon out of the Booke of Wisedome Chap. 4. vers. 6.9. Which was afterward also published in print.

Love, learning, wisedome and true zeale,

Patience in want, and bounty in weale

Were the chiefe flowers in that Crown

Which gave this Man of men Renowne:

The Crosiar did not supersede

His Cure of souls, nor did he pleade

Affaires at Court: His past'rall heate

Grew nere the lesse as he grew great:

Five Kings and Queenes, his dayes did see

Enthron'd and septer'd: The first three

Did view his merit, and enhaunc'd him,

The fourth destroy'd, the fift advanc'd him

To Lambeth Chayre, where he the Church did guide

In Peace; and full of age and honor dyed.

The Life and Death of John Drusius. who dyed Anno Christi 1616.

IOhn Drusious was born at Aldenard A [...]nn Christi 1550. was first brought up at School in the City of Gaunt, and from [Page] thence went to the University of Lovain: but whilst he was following his study hard there, his father was pr [...]scribed for Religion, and thereby deprived of all his estate, which caused him to flye into England, taking this his son along with him: when he came to London he met with C [...]valerius, lately come thither, that was exceeding skilfull in the Hebrew; his Lectures he attended upon both in publick and private, and when Cevalerius was sent to Cambr [...]ge to be the Professor there, Drusius went along with him, applying himselfe espcially to the study of Greek: Afterwards when Cevalerius was called back into France, Drusius still accompanied him, & fell hard to the study of the Hebrew: he also privately read the same to two young English Gentlem [...]n: After while he returned to London againe, and when he was purposed to goe back into France, he heard of that bloody Massacre at Paris, which made him alter his mind [...], and having preferment pr [...]f [...]ed to him, [...]ither in O [...]ford or Cambridge, he chose Oxford, where, for the space of four years, he read Hebrew, Chalde, and Syriack with great commendation: After which time he went back to L [...]vain; but not long enjoying peace there, he returned to London againe: where he continued till the peace was concluded at Gaunt, and then went over into Flanders, and from thence into Zealand, where the States of Holland chose him to [...]e the Professor in Hebrew, Chalde, and Syriack in the University of Leiden, Anno Christi 1577. there he married a wife, and the Stat [...]s of Fris [...]and having newly erected a University at Franequer, they called him thither: In which place he continued taking great paines for the space of thirty one years; and at length resiged up his spirit unto God: Anno Christi 1616. and of his age 66.

John Drusius was a great Ebrician sound,

Most meritoriou [...]ly must here by Crown'd

With Bayes, to's praise: whom for's ability

In Hebrew, Syriack Chalde, worthily,

The States of Holland, had Professour made

[Page]Of him in Leiden, where not long he stay'd,

Being call'd to Franquer Univer [...]ty

By th'Fri [...]and States, where with great industry,

For thirty years he govern'd it with fame,

And then deceased with an honored Name.

The Lif and Death of John James Grynaeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1617.

JOhn Iames Grynaeus was born at Berne in Helvet [...]a Anno Christi 1540. his father was a Minister, who dyed of the Plague Anno Christi 1547. he was brought up at School at Basil, and An. 1551. was admitted into the University: the next year he fell sick of the Plague, but it pleased God to restore him againe, and he followed his st [...]dy hard: Anno Christi 1559. he began to Preach, and was ordained Deacon: Anno Christi 1563. he went to Tu [...]ing, and the year after was made Doctor in Divinity: and the next year after he was sen [...] for to succeed his father in the Pastorall charg at Raetela, where besides his ordinary [...]abors, he read privately to the Deacons twice a week, and God blessed his labors exceedingly.

In the year 1569. he married a wife, with whom he lived contentedly fourty years, and had by her seven children: Abo [...]t that time the form of Concord being much pressed, he [...]ell hard to the studies of the Scriptures, and of ancient and modern Divines, whereby it pleased God that the light began to appear to him, for hitherto he was a Lutheran; whereupon d [...]claring his judgement about the ubiquity of Christ's body, he began to be hated of many [...] Anno Christi 1575. he w [...]s sent for to Basil, to be a Professor in interpreting the Old Testament: there he expounded Genesis, the Psalmes and the Prophets: and God so blessed his labors, that he healed the difference between the Tygurine, and Basilian Churches: he had many Noble, and Gentlemen [Page] that came out of other countries to sojourn with him. After the death of Lodweck, Prince Elector Palatine, Prince Cassimire sent for him to Heidleberge, where he read Divinity and History almost two years: at the end of which time he was called back to Basil (Sculcer being dead) to succeed him in the Pastorall office: which place he discharged faithfully the remainder of his life; at last, after much pains spent in the Work of the Ministery, in Readings in the University, and overseeing of the Schools, he began to grow weak and sickly, and his eie-sight waxed very dim: he lost also most of his friends, with his wife and children, all but one daughter, and his son in Law Polanus: he was much tormented with the Collick, yet bore all with admirable pat [...] ence: and in the middest of his pains, he said

Vt nunc triste mori est, sic dulce resurgere quondam,

Christus ut in vita, sic quoque morte lucrum est:

In terris labor est, requies sed suavis in urna,

In summo venient gaudia summa die:

As death's sad, so to rise is sweet much more,

Christ as in life, so be in death is store:

On earth are troubles, sweet rest in the grave:

I'th last day we the lasting'st joyes shall have.

After that he fel sick of a Feaver, which almost took away his senses, but he betook himselfe wholly to Prayer, and tasted the joyes of heaven in his soul, continually wishing that he might be dissolved and be with Christ: which desire God shortly after satisfied: when he had lived seventy seven years Anno Christi 1617. the Ministers of Basil carred his corps to the grave: A little before his death he professed to Doctor Meier that he dyed in the same Faith that he had taught others: that he had earnestly besought God to provide his people of an able and faithfull Pastor &c. conculding, O praeclarum illum diem, cum ad illum animarum concilium, coelumque proficiscar, & cum ex hac turba, & colluuione discedam: [Page] O happy day when I may depart out of this trouble [...]some and sinfull World, and goe to heaven to those Blessed souls before departed: He used to say, Pontifici Roma [...]o Erasmum plus no [...]uisse [...]ando [...] quam Lutherum stomachando: writing to C [...]y [...]raeus, he said [...] Si non amplius in his terris te visurus sum: ibi tamen convenie [...], ubi Luthe [...]o cum [...] Zuinglio optime jam convenit: If we never see one another again in this World [...] yet we shal meet in that place where Luther & Zuinglius agree very well together: He used to be up at his study Winter and Summer before Sun [...]sing, and spent all the day in Prayer, Writing, Reading, and visiting the sick: He was so famous that many Princes, Noblemen, and young Gentlemen came from forreign Countries to see, and hear him.

And this Grynaeus worthy was, likewise,

That wee his Noble name should memorize:

Who was a rare Divine in Germany,

And made a Doctor in Divnity:

At Tubing and to Basil, sent for thence

To be Professour, where with diligence

And profitable pains, and in that while

The differance he did reconcile

'Twixt the Basilian Church and Tigurine;

At last his labour made his health decline:

And in his Pastorall Charge, in Basil he

Ended his dayes in sweet tranquility.

ROBERT ABBAT

The Life and Death of Robert Abbot.

[Page]

THis learned and humble man succeeded Doctor Holland in the Chaire at Oxford, and herein exceeded him, that although they were both of extraordinary sufficiency and vast if not immense reading, yet as Augustus spake of Cassius, ingeni [...] habet in [...]rato, so it m [...]y be tr [...]ly said of Abbo [...] variam lectionem habuit in numerato: he had the command of his learning, and the sum of his readings upon any point which offered it selfe to his handling, cast up to his hand; the other had not so. Whence it came to passe that the diligent hearers of the one received alwayes from him that which they expected; the Auditors of the other seldome received what they expected, or expected what they received [Page] from him, yet alwayes went away well satisfied from his full table. And I conceive the reason hereof may be this, Abbot desired rather multum legere than multa Holland, rather multa than multum; the meditation of the one wrought upon his reading; the reading of the other wrought upon his meditation; and us it surcharged his memory, so it over-ruled his invention also. Let both have their due praises.

—Et viridi cingantur tempora lavro.

For Abbot, envy it selfe will afford him this testamoniall, that if his tongue had been turned into the pen of a ready writer, or all that h [...] wrote upon the History of Christs passion, and the Prophet Esay, and the Epis [...]le to the Romans, had seene the light; he had come near unto if not over taken, the three prime worthies of our Vniversity, Iewel, Bilson and Reynold [...]; for he gave to Wm Bishop, as great an overthrow as Iewell to Harding, Bilson to Allen, or Reynolds to Heart.

He was borne at Gilford in Surry of honest and industryou [...] Parents, who lived fifty years together in wedlock; and because they preserved that sacred bond so entire and kep [...] the marriage bed so undefiled, God powred the dew of his blessing upon it and made them very happy in the fruit of their body, especially in three of their children, whereof the first was Bishop of Sarum, the second Archbishop of Canterbury the third Lord Mayor of London. In the Catalogue of all the Bisho [...]s of England, onely Seffred sometimes [...] Bishop of Chichester, was consecrated by his brother Archbishop of Canterbury. Abbot had this happinesse and more, for of two of his younger brethren one of them was advanced to the highest place in the Church, and the other to the highest place in the City under his Majesty; the youngest of them Maurice Abbot had the honour to be the first Knight who was dub'd by his Majesties royall sword: the elder of them had yet a greater to annoynt his sacred Majesty, and set the Crown up [...]n his royall head; but I leave the two other to a better Herald to blazen their vertues. Of this our Robert I will endeavour [Page] with my pensill to draw the lineaments, whose silver pen I more highly esteeme then the silver Mace of the one, or golden of the other. He was not as Saint Ierome writeth of Hillarion, a rose growing from a thorne, but rather a province or double rose growing from a single: for his Parents embraced the truth of the Gospell in King Edwards dayes, and were persecuted for it in Queen Maries raigne (by D [...]ctor Story of infamous memory) and notwithstanding all troubles and molestations continued constant in the profession of the truth till their death, and all their children treading in their holy steps, walked with a right foot to the Gospell, and were zealous professors of the reformed Religion, especially George and this our Robert, whose zeale for the truth accompaned with indifatigable industry and choyce learning preferred him without any other friend or spokesman, to all the dignities and promotions he held in the University and Church.

He was another Hortensius, his eminent parts were seen and allowed, yea and rewarded to upon the first glympse of them: For upon an O [...]ation made by him the seventeenth of November the day of Q [...]een Elizabeths inauguration, he was chosen Schollar of Bali [...]l Colledge; upon the first Sermon he Preached at Worster he was made Lecturer in that City, and soon after Rector of All Saints there; upon a Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse, Master Iohn Stannop one of his hearers having a benefice of great valew in his gift, Bingham by name in Nottinghamshire, tooke a resolution upon the next voydance of it to conferre it upon him; and the Incombent not long after dying, sent of his owne accord the Presentation to him; upon a Sermon Preached before his Majesty King Iames, in the month he waited at Court, In the year 1612. newes being brought of Doctor Hollands death, the King most gratiously nominated him his successour; and lastly upon the [...]ame of his incomparable Lectures read in the University, de suprema potestate regia contra Bellarminum & Sua [...]ezium, and the perusall of his Antilogia adversus apol [...]giam Garnetti, the See of Sarum falling voyd, his [Page] Majesty sent his Congedelire for him to the Deane and Chapter. Thus as he set forward one foot in the temple of vertue, his other still advanced in the temple of honour.

A curious English Poet making use rather of licencea poeti [...]a, than libertas grammatica, deriveth Robertus (our Divines Christan name) from three Monesillibles ros, ver & [...]hus; though this etimoligy be affected and constrained, yet I will make use of it to branch the History of his life into three parts; and first I will consider him as he was ros in his Countries cure; secondly, as he was ver in his University preferment; thirdly, as he was thus in his episcopall See.

First I will speake of him as he was ros: Ros signifieth dew, which name very fitly agreed unto him whilst for twenty years he lived obscurely in the Country; for as dew doth much good to the place where it fals, and yet makes no noyse; so his paines were very profitable in his private Cures, yet was not his fame cryed up nor made any noise in the world: secondly, as dew dropping on mowen grasse refresheth it and maketh it spring anew; so his labors in his Pastorall charge much refreshed the consciences of true converts, which had felt the cythe of Gods judgements, and made them spring up in hope and newnesse of life: thirdly, as dew distilling in silver drops mollifieth the parched ground, so his heart melting into teares in many penitenciall exhortations mollified the stony hearts of those who had been before most obdurate in their sins: lastly, as dew that fals from heaven returnes not thither b [...]ck againe, but inricheth the soyle, and makes fruitfull the earth; so his pains wheresoever he bestowed them were never stirrill but brought much fruit of comfort both to hims [...]lfe and of knowledge in the mysteries of salvation, to his hearers. In this time of his retired privacy he printed A mirrour of popish subtilties: The exhaltation of the Kingdom and priesthood of Christ, and first he ruff-hewed, and after polished and published his exquisitr tract entituled Antichristi Demonstratio, which was not onely highly commended by our learned Andrewes Bishop of Winton, but so esteemed by King Iames [Page] (a second Salomon) that of all the fruitfull trees in our Paradise he chose to griffe his meditations upon the Apocalipse upon Abbot his stocke, commanding that his Comment upon the 7.8.9. and 10. verses of the twentieth Chapter of the Apocalypse, should be joyned unto the end of Abbot de Antichristo; and at the last impression of the said book at London, 1608. it is Printed after the end of the twelft Chapter before Elen [...]cus capitum of the said book; an honour which his Majesty did to no other of the great Clarkes of this Kingdome. Like as Mary Magdalens spicknard was so mingled with the oyntment of the Gospell by our Saviours precept, that whosoever smelt the one cold not but resent the other: so King Iames his savory meditations are incerted into Abbots contemplations of Antichrist, that whosoever distasteth not the one cannot but well relish the other. To these his labors which made the presse sweat againe and againe; I must adde his most accurate Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans, which he run through all not with briefe notes as others, but large Sermons upon every verse; in which he handled as his text gave him occasion, all the controverted points of Religion at this day, and he enclosed the whole Magazen of his learning: and great pitty it is that the Church should be deprived of such a treasure, considering Saint Austines observation is true, the truth is neither mine, nor thine, nor his, but all of us have a right to it, whom thou callest to the Communion thereof, threatning to deprive us of it if we keepe it private. They therefore who withhold [...]his Worke from the publick view, as they wrong the Church in generall, so in speciall the City and Cathedrall Church of Worceste [...], to which he b [...]quea [...]hed it as a kind of legacie, as the authors owne Words in his dedicatory Epistle to Bishop Babington printed with his Sermons upon the 110. Psalme import, I will endeavour as opportunity may serve to present to their eyes (meaning his hearers at Worcester) the things that did once affect their eares, and to make others also partakers of them; and a little after in the same Epistle, I am willing to expresse my affection to that City wherein I have bestowed the greatest service [Page]of my life, and wherein I assure my selfe that a few names there are at least, I hope many that shall be my crown and rejoycing in the day of the Lord Iesus.

I have considered him as ros according to the first syllable of his name, now let us view him according to the second, as ver, a spring; first passively then actively; first as ver in himselfe, when taken as a choyce plant and set in the famous nurserie of learning and Religion, the University of Oxford, he thrived exceedingly, springing and growing from one profession to another, from one degree to another, from an Artist to a Divine, from a Bachelour to a Master, from a Scholler of Bali [...]l Colledge to a Fellow. Though this were the time wherein he replenished his store-house of good Literature both divine and humane, yet knowing that this kind of provission is like the oyle in the widdowes cruze, which filled still by emptying, and like the loaves Iohn 6. which multiplyed by distributing; he joyning practise with his contemplation, and by Lecturing first at Al [...]allowes, and afterwards at Abbington he encreased his store and stocke of saving knowledge: and thus he was ver passively in himselfe, but when by Bishop Bancrofts meanes he was called to be Governour of Baliol Colledge, and much more after when he was advanced to the Chayre, he was ver actively, and caused a spring in others; for then as a carefull and skilfull Gardiner he set his nurserie with the best plants, making alwayes choyce of the towardliest young men in all Elections, and when he had set them, he tooke such care to water and prune them that in no pla [...] or knot in the famous nurserie of the University of Oxford, there appeared more beautifull flowers, or grew sweeter fruit then in Baliol Colledge whilst he was Master. What should I speake of his diligent reading to his owne Schollers, and his continuall presence at publicke Exercises, whereby he both Countenanced the Readers and encou [...]aged the Hearers.

—Vrget praesentia Turin.

His first and chiefe care was to plant the feare of God in the hearts of all the Students in his Colledge, knowing [Page] well that as God is the father of all things, so Religion [...] is the mother of all vertues; and little hope there is that they will take any care to observe the statutes of these Founders, who regard not his statute [...], who is the Feunder of all nature and grace, and beares up the pillar of the whole World. To imprint his Lawes therefore in their mindes, besides the holy example of his strict and regular life and continuall admonitions and godly exhortations to study the Scriptures, and exercise themselves in them day and night, he took speciall care of publicke Prayers, from which himselfe was never missing, if he had his health (though the mornings were never so darke, and the season bitter (and but finding some inconvenience in the absence of many of his company at evening Prayer, pretending diverse occasions of businesse, he altered the time of those Prayers, puting them off from five of the clock in the afternoone untill eight of the clock at night, and immediatly after payers he commanded the gates to be lockt, to prevent or at least discover all Noctivagators. Next to piety, he most desired to setle peace in the Colledge, and exterpate all faction which had been for a long time the baine of that Society; for Doctor Lilly his immediate predecessour was in [...]ome sense not free from, lilliam inter spina [...], a Lilly among thornes, and which was worse, it is though he cherished them for private ends of his owne: but Abbot who had learned from his and our Master that blessed are the peace makers, and that a house divided within it selfe cannot stand, laboured by all good meanes to caement all parties and make up all the breaches he found, wherein God so blessed him that by reconciling them one to another, he united them all fast to himselfe and he gained more every way by 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 [Page] weaker constitution [...] 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 Will [...]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 Refom [...]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 convi [...]is explebant.

At the end of that his Mr. 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 [Page] 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 ide [...] magis erat dignus quod se p [...]ofitebatur indignum: he was by so much the worthier the lesse he knew his worth, for contempt of honour make [...] 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 Dr Howson being sharpened, [...]urned [...] edge from Geneva to Rome, and in the next Sermon he Preached as Saint Maries [...] fell firce and foule upon the Pope himselfe, threatning to loosen him from his Chayre, though he were fastened thereunto with a te [...]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 [...]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 [Page]infelicissimae omnium gymnasiorum discere pariter & doc [...]re datum est mille eg [...] tibi salutes mille felicitates, prosperitates omnes & successus ex [...]ptare nunquam desinam, tibi hoc negotium sub potentissimi principis auspitiis, agitut tibi repetitus labor hic cui pro te aliq [...]ando in scholi [...] tuis sudatum est. Id nempe agitur ut cavere discant alumni tui Arminios Berti [...]s Grevinchonios & reliquos istos scrip [...]itores quos pruritus, ingeniorum occupat ut in assueti [...] nunquam acquiescant, nunquam se aliquid esse credant, nisi novitate singulares sin [...]. Qui vult uno esse, animo cum ecclesia anglicana par est, [...] inch [...]et ab [...]jus doctrina notitia, quam ejusdem ecclesia esse cons [...], [...]gat, in primis & digerat articulos religionis quibus sub [...]cribimus omnes illorum recolat explicationes quae continentur in [...]omiliis, carechismos consulat ea quae publica ejus authoritate prodierunt apologiam ecclesiae, Anglicanae & omnes ejus defensiones p [...]oillustres viros Iew [...]llum, Fuleum, Reynoldum, & Whitakerum, Calvini Institutiones, opera reverendissimi Whigifti, & in primis v [...]nerabiles Hookeri, nullo modo omnititantur; qui vero [...]is omnibus relictis, confer [...] se ad magistrum sententiarum & Thomam Aquinatem, & [...]uius farinae theologos, acquid aliter fieri potest, quam ut papismo inficiantur, qui prim [...]m lac sugunt ab istis uberibus: neque tamen scholam penitus excludo, imo omnimod [...] adhibendam sentio, se [...] ita ut sit ancilla non domina & aff [...]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 stud [...]nts and passionat expressions of his love to the University, thus he concluded spero ego, de te spero de tuis optima charissima mater m [...]a, utinam vigeas, utinam floreas magisque ac [...]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 University according to the second Ver. Now let us scent him as Franckincense sending [...]orth a most fragrant smell in his Diocesse, according to the last monosyllable Thus.

Franckincense thought it be often used in private houses where the roomes are dankish, yet it is most proper for the [Page] Church, and of all Churches, for the Cathedrals where is the greatest concourse of people, and the service performed with most solemnity: here therefore consecrated as it were in a golden censer, he burnt most fragrantly in his meditations, ejacul [...]tions, Sermons and exhortations, breathing out odorem vitae ad vitam, through all the Bishoprick of Sarum. Other Bishopricks were voyced upon him as of Lincoln and Coventrie and Litchfield; but the businesse of the nullity, made a nullity for a time in his Graces good intentions, and our Bishops hopes, in so much that King Iames of blessed memory, when Doctor Abbot newly consecrated Bishop of Sarum came to doe his homage, his Majesty spake pleasantly unto him after this manner, Abbot I have had very much to do to make thee a Bishop, but I know no reason for i [...], unlesse it, were because thou writest against (viz. William Bishop a Popish priest) whose refutation of Master Perkins his reformed Catholicke, this our Abbot had not long before solidly refuted. After his c [...]nsecration at Lambeth, and his homage done at Court he tooke the University in his way to Sarum; and there taking his leave of his Mother, he was accompanyed with all his brethren, the heads of Colledges and Hals, and of other his Oxford friends of good ranke and quality, till about the edge of his Diocesse they left him, with teares in their eyes, erumpentibus prae dolore, & the Clergy & Gentry of Sarum met him with teares also in their eyes of another kind, emanantibus prae gaudio; as he came into the City he was entertained with eloquent speeches, which he answered [...]xtempore in the same language they were made unto him, and with worthy presence which were thankefully accepted, and the next Lords day following he offered his first fruits in the T [...]mple, taking for his text the Word of the Psalmest 26.8. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

After he had verified the Words of his Text in the person of David, his Sermon ended, he verified it in himselfe and made a D [...]monstration that he loved that house of God, not in [...]ongue onely and in word, but in deed and veri [...]y; for [Page] viewing exactly that beautifull Fabrick, and finding it very much in decay, partly through the negligence of his Predecessors, and partly through the Covetousness [...] of the Deane and Prebends, who filled their purses with that which should have stop'd the chi [...]ks in the Wals, he sent a peremptory summons for all the Prebends; and partly by a seasonable admonition, partly by increpations and threatnings, partly by reviving an old Statue de quinta parte Prebenda [...]um, he drew from them 500. l. which was all spent in the reparation of that Church. And a [...]ter the repairing of the materiall temple he wholly laboured in repairing of the spirituall temple, both by doctrine and by discipline, visiting his whole Diocesse in his owne person, and Preaching every Lords day whilst he enjoyed his health either in the City or in the neighbour Townes: the last text he handled was Iohn 14. ver. 16. I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever: upon the first proposall whereof as many of his hearers presaged his departure from them, so indeed proved it his last and Far-well Sermon, for soone after he came out of the Pulpit, he fell into grievous [...]its of the stone which first stoped the passages of nature, and within a few dayes shut up all the offices of his senses, so was his hour [...]glasse contrary to all other, the sooner run by being stop [...] with sand or gravell; for by his perpetuall sedentary life, such a stone was bred in his kidnies as no strength of nature or skill of Art could remove, but there still remaining, put his patience to the t [...]st, and by extremity of paine and torment in a short space took away all sense of paine and life together, whilest he lay thus as it were upon the racke in unsufferable tor [...]ure of body, his soul was at great rest and ease, for the assurance of heavenly things caused him most chearfully to part wi [...]h earthly, & the quick sense he had of the powers of the life [...]o come deaded the sense of his bodily paines. Many yet living are much revived to recollect those his last admonitions, and godly exhortations; those I say who came to vi [...]it him upon his death bed who were not a few, and among others the [Page] Judges being then at Sarum in their Circuit. To them he communicated out of his rich treasury of learning and devotion most Christian and grave advice, and amongst many points he discoursed on before them, he insisted very much upon the benefit of a good conscience, rendring many thanks to his Creator for the great comfort he felt thereby now in his extremity, and admonished all that heard him so to carry themselves in their most private and secret actions as well as in their publick, that [...]hey might obtain that at the last which would stand them in more stead then what all the World could afford besides; w [...]h these his godly admonitions and exhortations and Episcopall benediction and prayers, together with the paine of his diseas [...], being quite [...]pent, he lay as it were [...]lumbering with now and the [...] a short ejaculation, lifting up his eyes and his hands towards heav [...]n for the space of two or three houres, and at the length, (March 2. 1617) between the houres of seven and eight gave up the ghost, with these words, come Lord Iesu come quickely, finish in me the worke that thou hast begun, in manus tuas domine commendo spiritum meum quia tu redemisti me deus veritatis salvum fac servum tuum qui in te solummodo, sperat & confidit fiat misericordia tua domine super me in te domine speravi non confundar in aeternum.

The Thursday following his Funerall was solemnized in the Cathedrall Church over against the Bishops seat, where he was buried not so much in earth as in water, I meane the teares of the Clergy, and all the inhabitants of Sarum which they shed in great abundance for his losse as they had great reason. For whereas there are three vertu [...]s which most endeere a good Bishop to his Diocesse, diligence in his Pastorall charge, Bountifull, Hospitality and a lovely and lowly carriage even towards hi [...] inferiors: in all these three Abbot excelled, first for his humility; all they that knew him either under ha [...]ches, or upon the deck or s [...]ting at the sterne of the Church found no difference in him: he was the same man in his private Cures, and in his doctorall Chayre and in his Episcopall seate. As a violet whe [...]her it [Page] be set lower or higher in the banke, retaineth still the same scent; so whether he were [...]t lower or higher in the Church he kept close to the earth and retained his sweet, meeke and humble disposition. As for Hospitality besides his extraornary entertainment of the Earles of Pembrooke, Harford, Mungumry [...] the Lord Arundall of Warder, the Judges of Ass [...]es, the Justices at the Sessions, the Mayor and his brethren and Deane and Cheapter, he feasted all the poore at Christmas, there being in the City of Salisbury three parishes, he bid a hundred coupels every day at the lea [...]t: so that besides the poorest of all, which were his guests on Christmas day, all the rest of the needy in the City filled up the other three spare Holy-dayes. What should I speake of his Charity to the Prisoners, whose Bowles he refreshed three times every weeke at least, their lamentable cryes piercing as deep into his heart as the Iron entered into their souls. Lastly, for his diligence in his Pastorall charge, and his f [...]ithfull & continuall dispencing the mysteries of salva [...]ion: I might here raise a cloud of witnesses not onely his thronged Auditories at Oxford, Abington, Worster and Bingham, but his numerous Sermons, Commentaries and other Tractates of Divinity which he hath left behind him, some in Manuscripts some Printed.

The Manuscrip [...]s are these.

1 A Sermon Preached at Saint M [...]ries concer [...]ing the vindicating of Geneva Bibles from judaisme and A [...]ianisme. 2 Three Sermons in English one Preached at Pauls [...]sse, inti [...]led the Frui [...]lesse Fig-tree, the other two in the Cathedrall Church of Worcester upon the second of Tim. 4.7.8. 3 Diverse latin Sermons. 4 Lectures upon the 26.27.28. Chapters of Saint Matthew containing the storie of Christs Passion, death and resurrection. 5 A Commentary upon the Prophet E [...]ay from the first Chapter to the fif [...]eenth verse of the thir [...]ieth. 6 A Commentary in Latine upon the whole Epistle to the Romans. 7 A briefe examination of Mr Bishops reproofe of the Epistle Dedicato [...]y and Preface to the Answer of his Epistle to the King. 8 A Preface to the Reader to [...]e interposed betweene the Epistle Dedicatory of his booke de Anti-christo and the first Chapter of the same book.

[Page]

The Printed are these.

A mirrour of Popish subtilties written against a cavelling Papist in the behalfe of one Paul Spence, dedicated to Bishop Whitgift London 1594. 2 The Exaltation of the Kingdome and Priesthood of Christ, being a Commentary upon the 110. Psalme, dedicated to Gerva [...] Babington Bishop of Worcester London 1601. 3 Antichristi Demonstratio dedicated to King James, Printed at London first 1602. and after 1608. 4 A Defence of the reformed Catholicke of Master Willian Perkins lately dec [...]ased, against the bastard counter Catholicke of Doctor Bishop Seminary Priest, dedicated to King James, the first part Printed 1606. the second 1607. the third 1609. 5 The true ancient Roman Catholicke dedicated t [...] Prince Henry, Printed London 1611. 6 The old way, a Sermon Preached at Oxford the eigth of July, being Act Sunday, dedicated to Archbishop Bancroft, Printed at London 1610. 7 Antilogia adversus Apologiam Audreae Eudemon Johannis Jesuitae pro Henrico G [...]rnetto proditore, dedicated to King Jame [...], Printed at London 1613. 8 De suprema potestate Regia exercitationes habitae in Academia Oxoniensi, Printed after his death and dedicated by his Sonne to George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury, Printed at London 1619. 9 De gratia & perseverantia sanctorum exercitationes habitae in Academia Oxoniensi, dedicated to Prince Charles Printed London 1618. 10 In Richardi Thopsoni Anglo belg. diatribam de amissione, & intercisione justificationis & gratiae, animadversio brevis, Printed London 1618.

As he perfected this last (March 2. 1617.) Work he finished his course upon earth, which the Archbishop his brother hearing commanded me then his Chaplaine in house to affix the Attestation here ensuing, which I drew according to briefe notes written in English under his Graces own hand; of which I may say as the Orator doth of his Oration, De haruspicum responsis Oratio omnis fuit non authoritatis meae sed publicae religio [...]is mea fuerunt verba, fortasse plura sententiae quidem omnes Archiepiscopi.

[Page]

A Testatio.

EN tihi (Christiane lector) viri (absit verbo invidia) supra omnem invidiae aliam positi cantionem cygneam, cum qua animam exhalavit. Quod si ut esse Phaebi dulcius lumen solet jam jam cadentis, ita chariora sint illustrium virorum jam abeuntium scripta hunc libellum summo in pretio habeas oportet: quem scias eximii doctoris, ejusdemque Amistites reverende postrema cura elucubratum. Etenim dum opus hoc ad umbilicum ab ipso authore productium jam exit in lucem, ipse ex hac luce ad caelestem migrat: nempe commodissima ecclesiae militanti jam modo praestita opera, ad triumphantem evocatur ecclesiam, ac a gratioe divinae defensione confestim ad divinae gloria fruitionem tran [...]uolat; satur magis studiis, & lucubrationum suarum fama, quam amnis, dinque non tam fuisse, quam vixisse credendus, Vita enim definiente Plinio, Vigilia est, quam pr [...]sul hic noster propetuam sacrae theologiae studiis videtur impēdi [...]se. Nam posteaquam in celeberima Academia, Oxoniensi pectus penitus imbuisset optimarum artium cognitione, & linguam, stilumque sci [...]e procudisset, utrumque deo dedicavit, & reliquam aetatis tempus transmisit, partim sacris concionibus ad populum habendis, quib [...]s suggestum, partim praelectionibus dictandis, quibus Cathedram Doctoralem, partim scriptis suis limandis, quibus praelium plurimum locupletavit. Concedit claris [...]imi Theologi diu nomen, & industria, ac nitra a [...]gustos privatae parochiae limites aluit eam gloriam, quam haud ita multi nostro saeculo sunt assequuti. Tandem viginti annos officio pastoris, & ecclesiasticae munere egregie perfunctus, a serenissima regia Majestate in arenam protractus est, ut in religionis reformat [...] ca [...]sa de gravissimis saeculi nostri controversiis cum praecipuis pontificis Romani pugilibus dimicaret. Qua quidem in arena non tantum adversarios suos Bishoppium, & Eudaemonem Joannem sed & hominum de se opinionem superavit.

Non multo post ab eodem Seremissimo Rege Iacobo Cathedrae Theologicae in Alma Academia Oxoniensi preficitur: quam quidem dignitatem cum su [...]ma dignitate quinque annis sustinuit. Ad extremum fidelissimi pastoris, & eximii professoris laude cumulatus ad apicem Episcopalem evehi [...]ur, diocesi Sarisburiensi ei demandata [Page]quam annis non amplius duobus, & tribus mensibus administravit. Dum vero [...]on solum publicis cutae Episcopalis occupationibus implicatur, sed & priuatis studiis Theologicis penitus pertinaciusqu [...] adhaeret, ex sedentaria vitae ratione calculo intra renes, concep [...]o gravissime laborat, ac annum jam agens quinquagessimum octavum cum ejusdem morbi paroxismo ultimo per aliquot dies protracto in victa patientia conflictatus esset tandem, non sine ingen [...]i cleri sui, populique luctu, & pene incredibili. Salisburiensis civitatis maerore placide in domino conquiescit. Imminente morte convocat domesticos, & fidei suae professiomem interruptis, ac moribundis vocibus exorsus, cum amici monerent hinc ut supersederet labori, extare enim doctrinae, ac fidei suae in scriptis a se, editisque oporibus confessionem; annuit; & scripta sua omnia suprema hac voce obsignavit. Illa, inquit, fides quam scriptis meis propugnavi, veritas Dei est; in ejusque assertione morior. Scripsit autem varia cum latino [...]um vernaculo idiomate: quibus illud Solomonis elogium de aureis pomis in calaturis argenteis, videtur aptissime posse accommodari. Auream enim rerum optimarum, ex sacrosanctis scripturis, patribus, & conciliis ab ipso congestam supeliectilem argenteus includit, & illustrat dictiones candor. Sine quo, lecet caussa veritatis (ut eleganter Lactantius) defendi possit, ut est a multis saepe defensa tamen claritate, ac nitore sermonis illustranda, & quodammod [...] edisserenda est, ut potentius in animos instuat, & vi sua instructa, & luce orationis ornata. Certe hic nost [...]r (quod praecipit Quintilianus) non tantum fortibus, sed & fulgentibus armis contra haereticos pariter, schismaticosque dimicat. Nec hoc, quod prae manibus est, opus pene post humum, a [...] [...]loquii ni [...]ore, aut argumenti digimate reliquis ejusdem authoris cedit. In quò pius Amistes [...] simul, & [...] niter ecclesias reformatas tuendae zelo flagrans muros Hierichuntinos a Pelagio olim extructos, & a sanctis patribus dirutos, nuper vero a Iesuitis, ac numperime ab Arminianis restaurari caeptos, non cornea, sed argentea tuba demolitur. Ita enim [...]eritatem catholicam densissimis sacrarum scrip [...]urarum, & sanctorum patrum testim [...]niis, ac validissimis rationibus communit, & contra precipua Semipelagiorum argumenta sive A [...]minii, sive Thompsoni limarasa recenti, penitus obterit, & pro [...]ligat, ut modestis ingeniis, &[Page]a partium studio aliemit hoc libello non dubitemus abunde hac in parte iri satisfactum. Cum Arminio, ut extero, & adversario remotiore velut eminus pagnat; cum Thompsono vero, ut domistico in ecclesiae Anglicanae venis, & v [...]sceribus haerente, comminus congredi [...]ur, & tractatuli illius hererodoxi, quo justificationis gratia interciditur, ita nervos omnes incidit, ut qui post hac in Thompsoni Diatribam inciderit, Diogenis Zenomis Diatribam dicterium merito poteris [...]surpare. Thompsonianam hanc [...] esse [...] vale, benevole lector, in Christo, & cum opus hoc [...]uthoris caussa amplectere, tum authorem operis caussa pio studio prosequere.

Meo [...]ex [...]u, non meo filo. Daniel Featley, S. T. P. Archiepiscopò Canturiens [...] fucius, Englished [...]hus.

Thou hast here (Christian Reader) presented unto thee the Swan-like song of a man (let none quarell the phraise) above the reach even of envy it selfe, with which he expired. If then as the glimmering light of the setting Sun renders more delight to the eye of the beholder, so the Wo [...]kes of dying men are by so much the more indeared unto us; thou canst not choos but valew this Book at the greater rate, wch thou mayest understand was perfected by the last care of a learned Doctor, and right reverend Prelate. Fo [...] so soon as the Auth [...]r had finished the piece, & brought it to this ligh [...], he himself passed to the light coelestiall: Having fitted his labour for the benefit of the Church Militant, he was called to the Church Tiumphant; and caught up immediatly from his defence of divine grace, to the fruition of divine glory. Laden he was more with learning, and the fame of his most acurate Works then with years, and to be thought rather to have lived long, then cont [...]nued long among us. For our life (as Plinie defines it) is a Watch, which this our Prelate seem'd wholly to imploy in the study of Theology. For af [...]er that, in the renowned University of Oxford he had furnished himself with the knowledg of the best Arts, and had exquisi [...]ely fashioned both his tongue and pen, he wholly devoted them both unto God, and dedicated the [Page] rest of his ensuing life, partly to publick Preaching wherewith he honoured the Pulpit; partly to the reading of publicke Lectures, with which he illustrated the Doctors Chayre; and partly to the composure of his owne learned writings, wherewith he wonderfully enriched the Presse. Long was the fame and industry of this reverend Divine, locked up in obscurity, and for which in the narrow limits of a private Parish, he nourished that of glory whereunto few of our times have arrived. Afterwards when for the space twenty years he had industriously executed the office of a Pastor and Preacher, by soveraigne command he was required to encounter the chiefe [...]t of the Roman Champions in the defence of the Reformed Religion, concerning the greatest controversies which our times have produced. In which cumbest he not onely over-came his adversaries, Bishop and Eudemon, but far surpassed the opinion which the world had before conceived of him.

Not long after, by the same our most gracious Soveraign King Iames, he was advanced to be Doctor of the Chayre in the famous University of Oxford; which eminent place in the University he held with great reputation. At length having been famed for a faithfull Doctor, and an accurate Professor of Divinity, he was promoted to the Episcopall See of Salisbury, which he governed but for the terme of two years and three months: For whilst he was not onely wrapped in the publick affaires of his Episcopall Government, but also continued most sedulous and industrious in his private studyes of Divinity; that sedutary life of his brought him to the terrible disease of the stone in his kidni [...]s, wherewith being grievously tortured for some weeks; and now having attained the fifty eight year of his age, a [...]ter good proofe of his unconquerable patience in the extremity of his last [...]it, he sweetly slept in the Lord, to the infinite sorrow both of the Clergy and Laity within his jurisdiction, and laments almost incredible of the whol City of Salisbury. When death approached he gave command that his family should be called together; before [Page] whom, with broken [...]peeches in the language of a dying man, beginning to make a profession of his Faith, his friends advized him to spare that paines, since an ample Testimony both of his faith and learning lived extant in his Workes. He yeelded to their advice, and signed all his Workes with these his last Words; That faith which I have defended in my writings, is the truth of God; and in the avouching thereof I leave the World.

Many Workes he set forth both in Latine and our mother tongue, to all which that Testimony of Salomon may be fitly given, They are apples of gold in Pictures of silver. For the silver brightnesse of his eloquent style expresses and gives a luster unto those goulden pieces of his accurate invention and rich materials furnished out of Scriptures, Fathers and Councels. Now although (as elegantly say's Lactantius) the cause of trueth may be defended without eloquence as it hath been often, yet it ought to be illustrated by the Nitour any clarity of a perspicuous style, so that it may sinke deeper into the minde by its owne strength and the helpe of the Oratory.

Thirdly, this our Champion hath fought against both hereticks and schismaticks, no [...] onely with strong, but also (as Quintilian advises) with gl [...]stering weapons. Nor doth this present Worke of his (though born after his death) either for a fluent style, or weighty matter, come short of the others. In which this godly Prelate burning with zeale both to defend the doctrine of truth and unity in the Reformed Churches, not with Ra [...]s [...]hornes as it were, but with a silver trumpet hath demolished those wals of Hiericho that were first raised by Pel [...]giu [...], and then battered down by the holy Fathers, but againe of late times begun to be repaired by the Jesuites, and last of all by the Arminians. For he hath so fortified the Catholick truth with the strongest Testimonies of the sacred Scriptures and the holy Fathers, and with such powerfull reason against the chie [...]est arguments of the Semi Pelagians, lately forbished over with the file of Arminius or Thomson, that we doubt not but this very [Page] booke alone will abundantly satisfie all Persons of modest ingenuity whatsoever. He fights with Arminius as with a forraign and more remote adversary, at a kinde of distance; but with Tomson he closed and grapels, as with a Domestick, fostered in the bowels of our Church of England, and he hath so coreruated that Pamphlet of his, which cuts off the grace of justification, that for ever hereafter who so shal [...] fall upon Thomsons Diatriba, he may justly make use of the censure of Diogenes upon Zeno's Diatriba. This Thomsons Diatriba is truely Catatriba: that this his passe-time, as he tremes it (sporting himselfe with the Precisians) being himself one of the concision) is a wast mine. Courteous Reader farewell in the Lord; make much of the Work for the Authors sake, and of the Authors memory for the Works sake.

Surry, Oxford, Sarum clame

Their severall intrests in our Abbots Name;

Surry bore him, Oxford bred him;

Sarum (ripe for high promotion) led him

To honors Chayre: To whom he gave

More lasting honor, then he could receive [...]

This like a momentary Blaze

Lent a faire light, but vanisht with his dayes;

But that, like Titans brighter flame

Continues coeternall with his Name:

Nor is't the least addition to his glory

That learned Featlyes pen hath writ his story.

The Lif and Death of William Cowper, who dyed Anno Christi 1619.

WIlliam Cowper was born in Edenburgh, and at eight years old was sent by his father to Dunbar School, where in four years he learn'd the whol [...] course of Grammer, and profited above his equals, and at that time did [Page] God begin to reveale himselfe to him: many times in the Schoole he lifted up his heart unto God, begging of him knowledge and understanding: and alwayes as he went to Church, he sent up his ejaculation [...]o heaven, L [...]rd how mine ear that I may hear thy Word. At his entry into his [...]hirteenth year, his Father sent for him home to Edenburgh, and presently after he went to Saint Andrews, where he continued to his sixteenth year in the study of Phylosophy, but made no great progress [...] the [...]ein; yet the seed of grace was still working in him, inclining him to a carefull hearing, and penning of Sermons and other Theologicall Lectures. During his abode there, Satan working in corrupt nature, sought oft to trap him in his snares, but as himself testifies, the Lord in mercy forgave the vanities and ignorances of his youth, and preserved him from such fals as might have made him a shame to the Saints, and a reproach to his enemies.

At the age of sixteen years, he returned to his Parents at Edenburgh, who propos'd to him sundry courses of life: but his heart was still enclined to the study of the holy Scriptures, whereupon he resolved to goe into England, and the Lord provided him a place at Hoddesdon, 18. mils from London (just as he had spent all his mony which he brought with him out of Scotland) where he was entertained by one Master Gut [...]ry a Scotch-man to assist him in teaching of a School: There he remained three quarters of a year, and then having occasion to goe to London, he was unexpectedly called to the service of Master Hugh Broughton, with whom he continued a year and a halfe, and daily exercised himselfe in the study of Divinity.

At nineteen years old he returned againe to Edenburgh, where he lived with his elder brother [then one of the Ministers in that City] who much furthered him in his former studyes: at last he was required to give a proofe of his gifts privately, which he did in the New Church before Master Robert Pont, and Master Robert Rollock, and some others, by whom he was commanded to Preach in publick also. Being [Page] twenty years old he was sent by the authority of the general Assembly which met at Edenburgh, to be the Pastor at Bothkenner in Sterlingshire; when he came thither he found in the Church, besides ruinous wals, neither roof nor doors, nor Pulpit, nor seats, nor windows, yet it pleased God to give such a blessing to his ministery, that within halfe a year the Parishioners of their owne accord, built, and adorned the Church in as good a quality as any round about it: There he continued seven or eight years, yet subject to great bodily infirmities, by reason of the wetnesse of the soyl, and the moystnesse of the ayre: and in that time did God begin to acquaint him with his terrors, and with inward tentations, so that his life was almost wasted with heavinesse; yet thereby he learned more, and more to know Christ Jesus. About that time there was a Generall Assembly of the Church at Perth, unto which some that lived in the North of Scotland sent to desire that a Minister might be sent unto them; whereupon the Assembly appointed Master Cowper for that place, and accordingly wrote to him by Master Patrick Simpson, who comming to Sterling, delivered to him the letters from the Assembly, and the Town, containing his calling to the Ministry of that place; and shortly after the Towne sent their Commissioners to transport himselfe and family thither. In that place he continued doing the work of the Lord for nineteen years together, where he was a comfort to the best, and a wound to the worser sort: Besides the Sabbath dayes, he chose thrice a week to convene the people together in the Evenings, viz. Wednesdayes, Fridayes and Saturdayes, for preparation to the Sabbath, upon which dayes they had no Preaching in the morning: concerning which meetings, himselfe writes, That it would have don a Christians heart good, to have seen those glorious and joyfull Assemblies, to have heard the zealous cryings to God amongst that people, with sighings and tears, and melting hearts, and mourning eyes: and concerning himselfe, he saith, My witnesse is in heaven that the love of Iesus, and his people made continuall Preaching my pleasure, and I had no such joy as in[Page]doing his worke: and besides that he preached five times a week, he penned also whatsoever he preached, many of which holy and godly Sermons are extant in print. All [...]he time of his aboad there (except some little intermissions and breathing times) the Lord still exercised him with inward tentations, and great variety of spirituall combats; the end of all which (th [...]ough God's mercy) was joy unspeakable, as himselfe testifie's; Yea once (saith he) in greatest extremity of horror and anguish of spirit, when I had utterly given over, and looked for nothing but confusion, suddenly there did shine, in the very twinkeling of an eye, the bright and lightsome countenance of God, proclaming peace, and confirming it with invi [...]cible reasons: O what a change was there in a moment? the silly soul that was even now at the brinke of the pit, looking for nothing but to be swallowed up, was instantly raised up to heaven to have fellowship with God in Christ Iesus; and from this day forward my soul was never troubled with such extremity of terrors: this confirmation was given unto mee on a Saturday in the morning; there found I the power of Religion, the certainty of the Word, there was I touched with such a lively sence of a Divinity, and power of a God-head, in mercy reconciled with man, and with mee in Christ, as I trust my soul shall never forget: Glory, glory, glory be to the joyfull deliverer of my soul out of all adversities for ever.

In the middest of these wrestlings with God he wanted not combats with wicked men also, but the greatnesse of his inward conflicts made him lightly regard all their outward contradictions, and to esteem them but as the bitings of a Flea. It was no marvell to see Satan stir up his wicked instruments to molest him, since he professed himselfe a disquieter of him and his Kingdome; and this much supported him, that he never had a controversie with any of them but for their sins; and the Lord assisting him, the power of the Word did so hammer downe their pride, that they were all of them at last brought to an acknowledgement of their evill wayes.

But at length (as God turned the heart of Pharaoh and his people the Israelites, when the time drew on f [...]r their remove) [Page] so by little and litle, did the zeal and love of most of that people fall away, so that his last conflict was not with the prophane, but with Justiciaries & such as were unrebukeable in their lives: These men were stuffed with such pride, self-conceit, disdain, and intolerable contempt, that thereby they were carried further from their duty th [...]n any of the former, and which should have been his greatest comfort, were his greatest crosse.

Presently hereupon God called him to the Government of the Churches in Galloway, in the South-West parts of the Kingdome, being chosen by the Assembly, and presented by the King thereunto: this was effected with out his privity, or ambitious seeking after it; yea, he was so far from it that eightteen weeks passed betwixt the Kings Presentation, and the Acceptation of it. In that place he was very carefull to advance the Gospel, & to adorne his Ministery: concerning the frame of his Spirit thus he writs: My soul is alway in my hand, ready to be offered to my God: Where, or what kinde of death God hath prepared for mee, I know not: But sure I am, there can no evill death befall him that lives in Christ, nor sudden death to a Christian Pilgrim, who (with Job) waites every day for his change: yea (saith he) many a day have I sought it with tears, not out of impatience, distrust or per [...]urbation; but because I am weary of sin, and fearfull to fall into it.

This faithfull servant of God, who had alwayes beene faithfull and painfull in his Ministery, when sicknesse grew daily upon him, was no way deficient in the duty of his ordinary Preaching: taking great pains also to perfect his worke upon the Revelations; which he desired greatly to finish before his death: he had also much griefe by reason of some that disturb'd the peace of the Church, which he always sought to procure: so that his infirmity encreasing, he was compelled to keep home: yet as his weaknesse permitted, he applyed himselfe to revise his writings, and to dispose of his worldly estate, that he might be ready for his passage, which every day he expected: and some ten dayes before his decease, he manifested to his friends what great [Page] contentment h [...] h [...]d in his approaching death. Many repaired to him in his sicknesse, whom he ent [...]rtained with most holy and divine conferences, expressing a great willingnesse to exchange this life for a better; and at last feeling his strength and spirits to decay (after he had conceived a most heavenly prayer in the company of those that were by) he desired to goe to bed; in which also, after he had most devoutly commended himselfe unto the Almighty God, he took some quiet rest: After which he spake not many words, his speech failing, though his memory and understanding were perfect: and so about seven a clock at night he rendered his soul unto God in a most quiet and peaceable manner Anno Christi 1619. Some of his private Meditations were these.

§

Now my soul be glad: for at all parts of this prison, the Lord hath set to his Pi [...]ners to loose thee: Head, Feet, Milt and Liver are fast failing: yea, the middle strength of the whole body, the stomack is weakened long ago: Arise, make ready, shake off thy fetters, mount up from the body and go thy way.

I saw not my children when they were in the womb, yet there the Lord fed them without my knowledge: I shall not see them when I goe out of the body, yet shall they not want a Father: Death is somewhat driery, and the streams of that Jordan between us and our Canaan run furiously, but they stand still when the Ark com [...]s: Let your Anchor be cast within the vail, and fastened on the Rock Iesus: Let the end of the threefold cord be buckled to the heart, so shall yee go thorow.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Here also Cowper, Scotlands Prelate grave,

A place of honour doth deserve to have

Among these Honour'd Heroes; whom the Lord

Did many exc'llent Ornaments afford

In piety and parts, but specially

Making him prosperous in the Ministry,

By's constant, and by's consciencious Preaching

And holy life, which was a second teaching:

[Page]Famous for's writings on the Revelation;

Piously, thus persisting to's tranats [...]ion.

The Life and Death of John Piscator, who dyed Anno Christi 1625.

JOhn Piscator was born at Argentine, Anno Christi 1546. at which time Germany was on fire with civill Wars: Yet that hindred not, but he followed his studyes very hard, and profited exceedingly in learning: when he came to the study of Logick, with great felicity, he joyned Ramus and Aristotle together: And afterwards having made a good progresse in the study of Divinity, he was called to Herborn to be the Professor there, and his labors were so gratefull to young Students, that many flocked thither out of Germany, France, Hungary, Poland and other Nothern Countries: He wrote many things with great diligence and labor, scarce affording any rest to himselfe: He transl [...]ted the whole Bible with great pains and faithfulnesse into the German Tongue: besides his Logicall and Theologicall Analisis of the greatest part of it: He dyed at Herborn Anno Christi 1625. and of his age 80.

This J [...]hn Piscator born at Argentine,

For his rare parts in Arts did fairly shine

I [...] He [...]b [...]rn, where Professor he became,

And exercis'd that place with so much fame,

That many Students out of Germany,

F [...]nce, Poland, and from out of Hungary,

Came flocking thither for his grave direction,

Which he afforded them with sweet affection:

I'th Germane to [...]gue the Bible he translated

And it with learn'd Analisis ornated;

And thus his dayes in pious pains being spent,

At fourscore years his soule to heaven he sent.

ANDREW WILLET.

The Life and Death o [...] Andrew Willet.

[Page]

IT is not long since a large Relation was published Ann. 1634 prefixed before the fift edition of his Synopsi. Papi. and written by the same hand with this. of the life and death of that faithfull servant of Christ, Dr. Andrew Willet; yet least omitted in this honorable Catalogue, he should lose his Augu. Cen [...] lib. 10. c [...] [...]7 right of association in renowne and glory with these his Fellow-labourers in the service of the Gospell; I though good not onely to abridge part of that former discours (which alone were but Syne. epis [...]. 141. to bring forth the same birth againe, but to Id. ep. 99. adde some remarkeable things then unremembered or undiscovered, being such as may conduce both to the advancement of his memory,Terent. in Adelph. and the encouragement of our imitation, who often follow patterns more then precepts.Lips. de Cons [...]. l. 2. c. 4. This learned, prudent and [Page] pious man was born of worthy and religious Parents, by whom he enjoyed that E [...]rip. Cy [...]pr. Epist. lib [...] 4. Ep. 5. choyce blessing and happinesse of ingenuous & godly education and example. His Father Mr. Thomas Willet was in his yonger time Subalmoner unto King Edward the sixt, while Doctor Coxe was chiefe Almoner, and Schoolmaster to that royall Prince, who was presented of God unto this Iland, only ut spectaculi & spiraculi res (to use Tertullian's words) a faire-flourishing and sweet-smelling flower soon withered and taken away.

The sad times of persecution under Queene Mary then succeeding, King Edwards Almoner and Subalmoner, with many more were not onely forced from Court, but th'one from his Country, the other from his comfort of his wife and family, for the safety of their lives and consciences, till that cloud was blowne over and Queene Mary dead.

Then ro [...]e Englands Debor [...]h, that mirrour of her sex, and miracle of the World, Queen Elizabeth: Exiles returned home, amongst them Doctor Coxe, who was advanced to the Bishoprick of Ely, and soon after preferred his old Chaplaine Master Willet, this Doctors Father to a Prebend in that Church, and to the Parsonage of Barley in Hertfordshire, both which in his old age he resigned unto this his Son, who lived and dyed in them, Ambros. li. 1. de Abrah. cap. 8. never having ambitiously hunted after higher promotions, A [...]ad. Frans s [...]lour. ch. 21 which he rather studied to deserve then to obtaine, observing how in ordinary courses some Lips. enjoy preferment [...], others merit them: yet he went on so cheerfully in his praise-worthy labours, as if his pains had been his payment; according to that reason given by some, why they that bore the heat and burthen of the day had put equall pay with him that came at the last hour into the Vinyard, Matth. 20.12. Can [...]. Mos [...]. 3. epist. 4. Because (say they) their worke is reckoned into their wages, it being no little honour to be so imployed of God.

This Doctor was both born and bred in the Towne or City of Ely, lying within the Fens of Cambridgeshire, a [Page] soyle not unlike the place of Augustines birth, (if we beleeve In Aug. de Civit. De [...] lib. 16. cap. [...]. Lud. Vives and others; wherupon Erasmus Praef. ad lib. Epi. D. Augu takes occasion to divine, that had that Father been born and lived in Italy or France, his wit though uncomparable, had been much more refined, and the fruits thereof much more abundant. And Apollonius Tyaneus Ap [...]l. Philostrat. in vit. A.T. li. 6. c. 6. ascribes the subtile inventions of the Indians unto the purer beames or cleerer ayre wherein they live. Whereas the auncient heathen gave the attribute of [...], unto their choysest wits; as if they were men fallen from heaven, as they said of Antip. apud P [...]u [...]. in vit. Ho [...]. Homer, Tertius [...] coelo cecidi [...] Cato—Iuven Cato, and the like. And as Homer said of Aegypt, so may we say of every Country, Sophoc l. in Ajac. There's many good and bad things mixt together; Ne [...] refert quâ terrâ natus qui renatus; it matters not where he was borne that's new born. For that which is of the earth is earthly, Joh. 3.31. But every good giving & every perfect gift is from above, Iam. 1.17. which even the heathen Poet acknowledgeth, speaking thus; These and all gifts of the mind God, I say, workes in mankind. From the Grammer Schoole in Ely, where by reason of his industry unusuall in such years, denying himselfe even Iulian in Caesar. necessary recreation, he had given many Lips. de Constat. lib. 2. c. 5. Hom. rudiments of future hopes; he was at thirteen years of age or thereabout sent to the University of Cambridge: He was first admitted into Peter-house, where he was well grounded; and afterward removed to Christ's Colledge, where he was preferred to a Fellowship, every where he found Learnings doores open to him.

Being but nineteen years of age he under-tooke the defence of his Master Aristotle, in a Latine Tractate against Tempell, a lover of Peter Ramus, whereof (as I have heard) divers Copyes were dispersed, one of which not long since I saw, with an Epistle deditatory to a Prala [...]e of that age, as if he had intended it for the presse. But his first booke which came forth in print, was that, De anim [...] natu [...]a & viribus, written by him at the age of twenty and two years. From which time, [...]. de. [...] G [...]ang Cic. ora [...]. pro Arch. p [...]t. repu [...]ing every hour as lost, which was not spent in reading or writing something; he never gave over, till he had brought forth those numerous and voluminous [Page] labours, whereof you have the Catalogue hereafter written.

It is the counsell of Ierome, Hi [...]ron. ad Rustic. put not on too soon in writing, nor be transported with a kinde of light headednesse; be long in learning that which thou intends to teach. And as Philostratus saith, Vit. Ap [...]ll. Ty [...]n. l. 4. c. 11 Palamedes found out letters that men might know not onely what to write, but what not. But his Works plainly show (even those of youngest date) that he had learned these grave lessons, and that he ran not, before he well understood his errand. And although I beleeve he might truely say with learned Augustine, Pro [...]m. li. 3 de Trivit. that even by writing for the profit of others, he had much profited himselfe: Yet I am well assured that he had learned over & to good purpose many learned Authors ancient and moderne, till he b [...]came himself, [...], a living Library; I have not without astonishment seen his many large paper books written with his owne hand, abundantly testifying how studiously and with singular judgement, he had read over most of the old Fathers, Councels, Ecclesiastick Histories, the Civill Code, the Body of the Canon Law, with many other Writers of all sorts; out of which he was able [...], readily to produce apt sentences, and observations for every purpose.

And as Eccl. 7.25. he applyed his heart to know, and so search, and to seeke out wisdome: and to that end according to that Apostolicall direction gave 1 Tim. 4.13 attendance unto reading. So likewise he followed that godly advice of Cyprian to Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donatus willing him to mingle frequent prayer with diligent reading; sometimes (saith he) speake thou to God, and sometimes let God speake to thee: and he professed to his friends, how much he had thereby improved his talent.

Besides all these labors, when once he had undertaken the care of souls, he well considered what the Apostle Paul, by the [...]pirit of God [...] requireth of every Bishop or Pastor of the Church in those his two Epistles to Timothy, and [...]hat other to Titus, (Aug. de doc [...] Ch [...]i. li. 4. [...]. 5. which three Epis [...]les Augustine exhorteth [...]very Minister of the Word, set alwayes before his eyes) [Page] often lamenting the condition of those poore people, who live under ignorant or idle Ministers [...] of whom it may be said, in the Words of the Prophet Ieremiah, Lam [...]nt [...]c [...]. 4. v [...]r. 4. The children cry for bread, and there was none to breake it unto them; and as much bewailing the estate of those proud Prelates, who (as Espenc. Digres. in 1 Tim lib. 2. cap. 2. Espencae speaks of some in his time) though able and learned, yet hold themselves not learn'd to descend to that servility and basenesse of Preaching; because when they have obtained fat Benefices, i [...] is not the manner to stoope to such dr [...]dgery; whilest he like a faithfull and diligent steward of Christ, was most pa [...]nfull in the execution of his office [...] Preaching in his Church of Barley for a long time thrice every weeke, and diligently himselfe Ca [...]echizing the younger sort of his Parish, and many of the elder, whom h [...] found to have need of Cry. Hieros. Cate [...]i. 4. such milke, as being yet but babes in Christ.

And although he had been Chaplaine to that Noble young Prince Henry, and both during that time, and sometimes since had Preached at Court, and knew how to tune his tongue to the most elegant eares; yet amongst his own people he taught [...], after a most familiar way, affecting Vt d [...] E [...]ip [...]. [...]. a plaine phraise and humble style, applying him [...]selfe Aug. d [...] [...] Chri. l. 4. c. 17 to the capacity of his Hearers, reputing that Sermon Vt Philest. de epist. ad Asp [...]th. Hier. ad Pa [...] best adorned, that was least set out with humane learning or eloquence, or perplexed with curious questions whi [...]h Hilar. helpe not toward [...] heaven.

He was a man of a most comely presence, his complextion faire and ruddy even Iul. in Caes. in age, hi [...] countenance composed o [...] gravity and sweetnesse; his disposition was pleasan [...] and cheerefull, alwayes merry in the Lord; whereby his conversation was most delightfull to good Christians that were acquainted with him: And as Suidas speakes of Macariu [...] the Egyptian, he drew his friends on in the wayes of God, with a kind of smoothing perswasions, and pleasant discourses upon all occasions.

And al [...]hough he knew how to r [...]prove, and to cut up roundly where there was just cause: yet he Chrys [...]st. i [...] Tit. was most [Page] aptly fitted and enclined to bind up the broaken and wounded consciences, and with heavenly consolation [...] drawne from the fountaine of living waters, to refresh a wearied and fainting spirit; Iob 16.5. He strengthened them with his mouth, and the moving of his lips did asswage their griefe; Cant. 4.11. While his lips dropped as the hony combe. How joyfully was he entertained by such, even as Ambrose by sick Valentinian, whose visits seemed to him as the Ambr. in Obit. Valent. approaches of health.

He was a man of a most exemplary life, both in his owne Ar [...]hi. Tare. apud Phil. family, and abroad with others. He was in fastings often, and alwayes Senec. epi 8 Cic. Offic. 1. temperate in his diet, many dayes eating little or nothing untill night, and that especially when he laboured most, as on his Lecture-dayes, professing that he Hippoc. Epid. l. 6. sect. 4. found himselfe both in body and minde more active by it. He was a constant and unwearied Student, tying himselfe for the most part to eight houres a day, and Vt E [...]eno [...] dividing every part of the day unto some peculiar work, nor easily suff [...]ing any avocation (though he had many secular cares lying upon him, having a wife and fourteen children living at his death) till (as he was wont to speak) Iulian in Misopog. ex Menandro. he had finished his taske. His conversation abroad was a perpetuall instruction to Ibid. his people; That true Maca. [...]o. 15 character of a Christian man;Clem. de [...]orr. eccl. stat. ca. 22. that highest degree of perfection, and most neer to Christ; that Basil. treasury of all graces, humility was in him most eminent, he was most just and upright in all his dealings, and indeed so regardlesse of these earthly things, that he was [...], easily beguiled by such a [...] were dishonest: yet he was well acquainted with the Laws, but very carefull to keepe both himselfe and his neighbor [...] from making use of them, as alwayes studyous of peace. And last, for that divine vertue of charity Syn [...]s. ep. 57 wherein alon [...] (saith Synesius) God and man communicates; read but that Paragraph in that more large relation of his life first menti [...]ned, and you will acknowledge him A [...]i. c. 2.0.7 Zealous of good workes.

Yet let me adde one thing there omitted, Phylostratus reported of a miraculous stone in India, which he calleth [Page] Pantarbe, Vit. Apo [...]. [...]a [...]. l. 3. c. 14 having the vertue attractive of the Load stone, and likewise giving light by the bright-shining of it. This reverend Doctor, as by his workes of charity he gave much light to others, so by his arguments he was very powerful to draw them forward 1 Tim. 6.17 18, 19. [...] whom God had enabled for such performances.

Read to this purpose his large Synop. Pap. p. 2220. of the fift edition. Catalogue of charitable works, done since the times of the Gospell, within the space of sixty years, under the happy raign of King Edward the sixt, Queen Elizabeth, and part of King Iames, and that onely within the City of London, or by the Citizens thereof, and within the two famous Universities, Cambridge and Oxford; confining himselfe to these Places, onely for want of means to travel further in the search: By which examples he hath not onely incited all Tit. 3.8. Cyr. Hieros. Ca [...]ech. 15. ibid Cat. 1. that beleeve God to study to goe before others in good workes; as hereby discovering the life of their Faith, and laying up to themselves treasures in heaven: But withall invincibly confuting that calumny of the Romanists, charging our doctrine of justification by Faith onely, as a great adversary to good works. For he hath made this challenge to all the Champions of that party, to produce and proove (if possibly they can) the Amounting in the totall to almost 1000000 1. like acts of piety and charity, to have been done within the same compasse of yeares under Popery, and within these places, or within twice so many years, immediately preceding the date, whence his account commenceth. And to [...]his day I heare of none that undertakes to enter the lists with him upon this challenge.

I know there have been some even amongst us who either out of Terem. Adelph. Tim. Sillagr. ignorance, envy or Iu [...]i. Mosop. proud disdaine, or because in some things they accord not with him in opinion, have cast out flirting censures against this Catalogue (which King Iames highly applauded) and against all other of his labors. Some such he met with in his owne life time, who like the Indians preferre Phi [...]. vit Apoll. Tyan. l. 2. c. 9. blach before white, being their owne naturall hue; whose cavil [...] he no mor [...] regarded Iul. Mis. then the croaking of so many Frogs, Hiero [...]. ad [...]ustic. he knew he must offend [Page] some, who while they take offence at him discover their owne consciences. Many have carpt at his large book of Controversies before mentioned, as if Greg [...] Naz. contr. E [...]nom upon every sparkle he had raised a flame, and m [...]de more difference betweene the Church of Rome and us then others have done, and that these things were sufficiently if not too much exagitated before his time. These and such like things I have sometimes heard, but I must needs say, onely from those of that sect or cut, whom a Jesuite Church [...]nquera. against Chillingwort. chap. 6. cals, Moderate Protestants, such as least exoribitate from the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of Rome. Or such squinting Protestants Aug. de [...]. Orig. l. 2. c. 22 as willing to retaine their corrupt opinions, and to decline the odious name of Hereticks; dares to affirme R. M. Gagg. pag. 14. that there is no Controversie between the Romish party and us, that ei [...]ther concerneth Faith or good Life; but that the diff [...] rences are of an inferiour alloy, of which a man may be ignorant without any danger of his soule at all.

And therefore in his defence against these, I will say no more, but praejudicium tollit judicium; prejudice takes away right judgement: and male rerum examinat omnis corruptas judex; a corrupt Judge never well examineth the truth. And for his handling things often handled by others, Prosper Epi. Pros. ad Aug. de reli [...] Pel [...]g. [...]er. thinkes it both necessary and profitable so to doe, least the matters be reputed of small moment which are not often argued.

As for those who have slighted his laborious Commentaries upon divers parts of Scripture, pretending them to be but Scraps and Fragments gathered from the F [...]asts of others, I know not whether they discover more malice or more folly: If with Socrates Apud P [...]at. in P [...]do. he filled himselfe as a vessell at the Wels or springs of others, and yet could say as Lipsius of his Politickes, Omnia mea sunt & nihil, all is min [...] and nothing at all. Hier. adve. Vigil. If he gathered many Flowers together and put them as a Posie into our hands; if he hath Amb. Proe [...]. in Luc. read many things, to spare us th [...] reading of them; i [...] [...]e hath collected the judgements of most Writers ancient and moderne upon those Bookes, and disposed them by a most [Page] exquisite method, and fitted them for all necessary use, [...]s plainly appeareth to every unpartiall and judicious [...]ye [...] Then have we just cause to praise God for his profi [...]able paines, and to desire that some other would follow him in that way, Op [...]. wherein no man hath gone befor [...] him.

It cannot be denyed, but that a [...] B [...]a [...]us Rhenac [...] truely observeth, in [...] Teriu [...]. the most beautifull body som blemish may be found, and we are men Lips. praef. ad polit. subject to errours: and cons [...] quently in the great and many labors of this learned man, someting may be found that may require a r [...]v [...]z ill, some thing may admit the sponge. B [...]t when like unto Momus, who could finde nothing else amisse in Venus, but Philo. ep. ad [...]. onely that her shooe creakt; men will pretend errours wher [...] there are none, I must tell such in the words, of Ierom [...], Ad Domin when they come to write themselves, and to set foot to foot, th [...]y will tug and sweat, and find great difference between pub [...]lick writing and private carping. Or let thi [...] blessed Doctor speake to them though dead, and say, Mar [...]ial. ad L [...]lium. Carpere vel noli nos [...]ra, vel ede [...]ua. Snarle not at mine, or se [...] forth thin [...]. And on the other side, where something may be blame worthy pardon it Theod. de Cura [...]d. Greac affect. in Prolo and doe not despise the Works because of this, but reape profit by that which is well written, and give God the glory, who found folly in hi [...] Angel [...], [...]nd [...]s alone impeccable.

To come neare to his death: It is [...]ported by Orat. de vit. & Obit. D. [...]r. Mar [...]. Iosias Simle [...]u [...], how that after D [...]ctor Peter Martyr that famou [...] writer had published many of his Labours, he began at the last, [...]b initio Bibliorum, at the beginning of the Bible, and after he had expounded the book [...] of Genesis and Exodus, & bonam par [...]m Levitici, and a good part of Liviticus, prevented by the stroke of death, he ended all his labour [...]: So [...]his his exact par [...]ed D [...]ct [...]r Andrew Will [...] (besides many other Works) had written his sixfold Commenta [...]ie [...] upon the same books of Genesis and Exodu [...], and had made a good progresse in the like way upon Leviticus (since fi [...]is [...]ed by [...]nother) here also God determined his travail [...]. And le [...] me not omit this one thing, it my poore judgement very [Page] remarkeable, how God in his divine providence and gracious favour to him, answered him in a solemne Vow, which you may find expressed in a latine Epistle of his, in words to this effect in English, Epist. D [...]d. Prefix. before the second part of his second Book of He [...]p. up [...]on Exod. It is most honourable for a Souldier to dye fighting, and for a Bishop or Pastor praying, and if my mercifull God shall vouchsafe to grant me my request, my earnest desire is, that writing and commenting upon some part of the Scripture, I might finish my dayes. And accordingly God gave him his hearts desire, and denyed him not the request of his lips; Blessed is that Servant, whom his Lord when he commeth shall find so doing, Matth. 24.46.

He departed this life December the fourth 1621. in the fifty nine yeare of his age: of whom considering his strength and healthfull constitution, varying a little the words of Virgil, I may say, —Had not God said no, He might have lived ten years or twenty more. It pleased God who hath appointed to every man [...], his owne proper and peculiar kinde of death, and without whose Providence, Tert. li. 1. ad uxorem. not a leafe falling from the ground, so to dispose of this godly mans death, that as a Pilgrim here on earth, he must dye in an Inne: In a journey from London homewards, he was forced to take up his Lodging in Hodsdon, a town in Hertfordshire, having not farre from thence, by Cic. de Fat a fall from his horse, his right leg broken. It is sweetly said of Gregory N [...]ssen. D [...] [...]nt. Hierosol. Wheresoever thou art (whether in thine owne house or in an Inne) God will come to thee, if thou makest thy soule a fit lodging for him. And that saying of Augustine may stop the mouth of every rash unchristian Censurer; Aug. epist. 122. God regardeth not in his servants, after what manner they depart this life, but what manner of men they are when they depart.

Here in this place he continued as Gods prisoner, confined to hi [...] bed for nine day [...]s together, spending the most part of them, in meditating upon the Song of Ezekiel, when he had been sicke, recorded by the Prophet Esay chap. 38. which heavenly contemplations were written from hi [...] [Page] mouth, by a Sonne of his then attending upon him. And upon two Sabbaths following within that time, observing the people of the hou [...]e, upon pretence of waiting. upon him, to stay from Church, h [...] called them together, and gave them some concionatory exhortations, both forenoon and afternoone, and this with such a spirit, as if had been no wayes sensible of his paine; which putteth me in minde of that saying of Tertullian, Tertull. ad Mart. The leg feeles nothing in the nerves, when the minde is (as it were rapt) in heaven.

Upon the tenth day after his hurt received (Martia. l. 6 Epigr. 152. having over night supped cheerfully, and reposed himselfe to rest) early in the morning, upon occasion of the toling of a Bell for one then at the poynt of death, he suddenly awoke and with him his wife, who lay in the same chamber by him; he then tooke occasion to discourse with her touching the joyes of heaven, and touching the Saints mutuall acknowledgement of one another in that blessed estate [...] which discourse ended, he with his wife sang an Hymne, composed by himselfe, wherewith they usually every morning praised God for their rest the night past, and prayed his blessing for the day succeeding. Their spirits being thus raised, they continued their melody, and sang the 146. Psalme; he sometime stopped a little, and glossing upon the words, applyed divers things therein unto himselfe and to his present condition. And on the sudden (his Gennad. Conc. de mor [...] hour being now come) fetching a deep sigh or groan, he sunke downe in his bed; but helpe comming in, upon meanes used, he seemed to raise up himselfe a little, and then said, Let me alone, I shall doe well; Lord Iesus, and with that word he gave up [...]he ghost.

Soon after his body was carryed by coach to hi [...] Towne of Barley, and was in his Chancell solemnly interred, with decent Funerall rites and with many teares, and there lyeth covered with a faire Graven stone of Marble. But his more durable monuments are these.

The Work [...] of Andrew Willet Doctor of Divinity in Latin and English, Printed and unprinted.

[Page]

Printed books in Latine.

1 De animae natura & viribu [...]. 2 S [...]cra emblemata. 3 De Universali vocatione Judaeorum. 4 De conciliis. 5 De Universali gratia. 6 De Antichristo. 7 Epithalamium. 8 Funebres Conciones. 9 Apologiae serenissimi Regis Jac: defensio.

In English.

14 Synopsis Papismi in five bookes. 16 Hexapla upon Genesis in two books. 18 Hexapla upon Exodus in two books. 20 An Harmony upon the first and second bookes of Samuel. 21 Hexapla upon Daniel. 22 Hexapla upon the Epistle to the Romans. 23 Vpon the twenty two Psalme. 24 Vpon the seven [...]eenth of Iohn. 25 Vpon the Epistle of Iude. 26 Te [...]rastylon Papismi. 27 A Catalogue of good workes. 28 Limbomastix. 29 Loedoremasti [...]. 30 Epithalamium in English. 31 Funerall Sermons in English. 32 An English Catechisme. 33 A Retection. 34 An Antil [...]gy. 35 Hexapla upon Levi [...]icus.

Not Printed. In Latine.

36 Defensio Aristotelis [...] contra Tempellum. 37 Catechismus Latinus. 38 G [...]mitus Columbae, ceu Comment in Jnam. 39 S [...]cri paralleli. 40 Haeptaphonon. 41 Scala Coeli. 42 Antithesis Pontificiae & Evangelicae Doctrinae. 43 Variae lectione [...] in Pen [...]a [...]euchion.

In English.

44 An expos [...]on upon Genesis. 45 Marginall Annotations upon the Petateuch. 46 The Doctrine of the Christian Sabbath.

Abi, & tu fac similiter.

See here a true Nathaniel, in whose bres [...]

A carefull conscience kept her lasting feast;

Whose simple heart could never lodge a guile

In a soft word, nor malice in a smile:

He was a faithfull labourer, whose pains

Was pleasure; and an others good, his gaines:

The height of whose ambition was, to grow [...]

More ripe in knowledge, to make others know

[Page]Whose Lamp was ever shining, never hid;

And when his tongue preacht not, his actions did:

The world was least his care; he sought for heaven;

And what he had he held not earnd, but given:

The dearest wealth he own'd, the worl [...] near gave,

Nor owes her ought but house [...]rent for a grave.

The Lif and Death of David Pareus. who dyed Anno Christi 1622.

DAvid Pareus was born in Silesia, Anno Christi 1548. His Parents were Citizens of good rank; when he was about three years old, he fell sick of the small pox, whereof he was like to dye, and though it pleased God that he recovered, yet he had thereby a blemish in one of his eyes, which continued so long as he lived: about that time his Mother dyed; when he grew up to riper years, his Father perceiving a naturall promptnesse in him to learning, set him to School in his owne City, where one of his M [...]sters was very rigid and severe in his carriage unto him, and there he learned Grammer, Musick and Arithmetick: But when he was fourteen years old (by the instigation of his step-mother) his father placed him with an Apothecary at [...]ra [...]islavia: which course of life he could not well relish, and therefore after a months stay he returned home again, which his step mother w [...]s much offended with, yet his tender father resolved to keep him at School, and [...]hen he disliked the severity of his former Master, he sent him to Hirschberg, to one Christopher Schillingus, who was much affected with his ingenuity and towardlinesse: the chiefe Magistrate also of that City took a great liking to him, for som Verses which he made at his sons Funerall, so that he gave him his dyet in his Family: when he had been there about two years, the Pastor of that place who was a Lutheran, fell out with his Schoolmaster for that, in Catechising of his [Page] Schollars, he had taught them, that Christs body being ascended into heaven was there to remaine till his coming to judgement, and that in the Sacrament we feed upon it onely spiritually by faith, &c.

And his spleen was so great, that he would not be satisfied till he had driven him away from the City: Pareus having to hi [...] great griefe lost his Master, returned home; yet neither there was he in quiet, some tale-bearers suggesting to his Father that his Schoolmaster had infected him with his errors; and so far they prevailed, that his father intended to disinherit him: hereupon Pareus intended to goe into the Palatinate, which his father much disliked, and sought by all meanes to hinder, yet at last through Gods mercy, by importunity he gat his fathers consent, who sent him away with little mony in his purse: Thus forsaking his friends and fathers house, he went to Hirschberge, where he met with his Master and some of his School-fellowes, and so they travelled together towards the Palatinate, through Bohemia: by the way his mony failing, [...]e went to a Monastery to beg an Alms, and the Abbat pittying of him relieved him: going from thence to another Monastery, he met with an ignorant Fryar, and asked an Alms of him in Latine, he returned this answer; Nos pauperi fratres, nos nihil habemus; an piscimus, an caro, an panis, an misericordia habemus: Thus at length it pleased God to bring him safely to Amberg in the upper Palatinate: there his Schoolmaster stayed, and sent Pareus with ten more of his Schollars to Heidelberg, where they were admitted into the Colledge of Sapience: there he was a diligent hearer of Vrsin, Boquin, Tremelius, Zanchy, and the other Professors, under whom he profited both in the Arts and Tongues to admiration: Then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity, and having fitted himselfe for the worke of the Ministery, he was chosen by the Elector to Preach in a Village within his jurisdiction, which he was then about to reforme: not long after he was called back to Heidleberg, and made a Publick Lecturer, where he continued till the death of Frederick the third, and [Page] then by the Heterodox party, he with the other Professors was driven from thence: but most of them were entertained by Prince Casimire, who erected a University an Newstade, appointing Vrsin, Zanch [...], Iunius, Piscator and others to be the Professors in it: he appointed also a Synod, therein to cōsider how to provide for the other exiles: Tossan was chosen Moderator, & Pareus the Scribe of it: in that Synod Pareus gat [...]eave to goe visit his Country and friends, and so in three weeks space came safely to them, where he was received with much joy, and at the request of the Senate, he Preached the Sabbath following upon Iohn 3.16. And that with great applause and generall approbation: his father also was so well pleased with him, that presently after Sermon, he cancelled the writing whereby he had di [...]inherited him: the Senate also d [...]sired him to undertake a Pastorall charge in that place; but he chose rather to return into the Palatinate again [...] & coming to Newstad, he was appointed to Preach in a Village hard by, where he continued till Prince Casimire (as G [...]ardian to the young Prince Elector Palatine) sent for him to be a Preacher in the great Church in Hiedleberge; and not long after he was made Master of the Colledge of Sapience in that University: Anno Christi 1587. according to the Statutes of the Colledge he Commenced Master of Arts, and afterwards by the perswasion of his friends Doctor of Divinity also.

In the year 1594. at a Convention of States at Ra [...]isbone the Divines of the Palatinate were accused by the Lutherans, as holding opinions neither consonate to the Scriptures, Augustines Confession, nor to their owne Catechisme; but Pareus at the appointment of the Palatine, easily wiped of those aspersions, and vindicating the innocency of them: Anno Christi 1596. there brake forth a great Plague in the University of Heidleberg, whereof the learned Iames Kimedonti [...]s (Pareus his intimate friend) dyed, & som [...] other Professors also: and the Students by reason of it were driven away: yet Pareus stayed, & it pleased God to preserve his Colledge free from the infection: not long after he was chosen [Page] Professor of the Old Testament in the room of Kimedontius, and presently after Rector of the whole University. A [...]no Christi 1596. he was extreamely troubled with a Catarrh, insomuch as he dispaired of life, yet it pleased God after a while to restore him: Anno Christi 1602. upon the death of Daniel Tossan, he was made Professor of the New Testament: and grew so famous that many resorted out of Hungary, Borusia, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany to see and hear him.

In the year 1615. his wife sickened and dyed, which was a great griefe to him: Anno Christi 1618. the Low-Countries being exceedingly indangered by the growth of Arminianism, the States appointed a Synod at Dort, for the curing of that di [...]ease; and amongst other famous Divines, Pareus was chosen by the Elector Palatine to goe to it; but he being grown very old and infirm, desired to be excused, and so Paul Tossan was sent in his room: February the second, Anno Christi 1620. as Pareus was coming out of his study, the steps being slippery with the frost, his foot slipt and he fell down sixteen steps, and yet it pleased God by a wonderfull Providence that he light upon his feet, and received no hurt by the fall; which made him think of that promise Psalme 91. Hee will give his Angels charge over thee, &c. By his Doctrine and Councell he was admirably advantageous to the Church of God in many places: He strongly asserted the truth of God against it's adversaries: He was a great studyer and promoter of the Churches peace; laboring that they which agree in the Fundamentals, should not jar about matters of an inferior nature: He wrote many [...]xcellent Works, whereof some were printed by himselfe, others remained with his son Philip Pareus, who hath since published them to the great benefit of the Church.

About that time the Spaniapds came into the Palatinate with their Army, which brought great miseries upon that poor Country, which Pareus fore-saw both by Prodigies and Dreames; then did his friends both in Hiedleberge and other places, p [...]rswaded him to retire himselfe to some other [Page] place of safety; to whom he yeelded, that so he might not fall into the hands of those bloody Papists, whom he had irritated by his writings against them. At his departure he cryed out, O Hiedleberg! O Hiedleberge! but it's better to fall into the hands of God then of man, whose tender mercies are cruelty: He went to Anvilla where he spent his time in Prayer, Study and in Miditation, waiting and longing for the time of his chang: there also he wrote his Corpus Doctrinae; which when he had finished, he said, Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace because he hath finished that which he desired: Presently after he felt his strength much to decay, and he fell into a feaver; and finding that the ayre in that place agreed not with him, he went thence to Neapolis: earnestly begging of God that if it were his holy will, he might yet return to Hiedleberg, and lay his bones there: He made his will also finding his former Catarrh to return upon him againe: yet it pleased God by the help of Phisitians to recover him; whereupon he resolved to goe to Hiedleberge, and taking his Grand-son young Daniel Pareus with him, whom he loved deerly, he came safely to Hiedleberge, where he was received with wonderfull acclamations of joy; about which time Prince Frederick came also thither from his Exile: and the Sabbath following they received the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper together with much comfort: But three dayes after, his former disease returning, he was sensible of his approaching death: the Professors and Ministers resorted to him, much bewailing their owne losse, amongst whom was Henry Altingus, to whom he freely opened his minde both concerning God house and his owne, and presently after quietly departed in the Lord Anno Christi 1622. and of his age 73.

Pareus also of high Germany,

A wreath of Bayes deserves most worthily:

A very learned, godly, grave Divine,

Whose precious labors made his fame to shine,

[Page]Chiefly those on the Romans. And although

At first, he many straits did undergoe:

Both by his Father and his other friends;

Yet God who in deep straits assistance sends,

Made all for his best good t'operate,

And by them brought him to a blest estate;

For he became abroad, at home renown'd,

And was with many honours justly crown'd:

Especially at Hiedleberge, where hee,

From all earths feares was happily set free.

The Life and Death of Thomas Erpenius, who dyed Anno Christi 1624.

THomas Erpenius was borne at Gorcome in the Low-Countries Anno Christi 1584. of honest Parents: In his childhood he was bred in the School at Leiden, and admitted into that University at eighteen years old, and in the twenty fifth year of his age, he commenced Master of Arts: then he fell to the study of Divinity, and of the Orientall Languages under Ioseph Scaliger, who observing his ingenuity and promptnesse, often foretold what an eminent man he would prove in time to come: From thence he travelled in England, France, Italy, and Germany, in which per [...] grinations he profited exceedingly both in learning and prudence.

At Paris he became intimately acquainted with Isaac Casaubone; and went with him to Samure, where he fell hard to the study of Arabick, and profited so exceedingly therein that Casaubone had him in great admiration, and estimation for the same: From thence he went to Venice, where by the help of some learned Jews and Turks, he learned the Turkish, Persian, and Aethiopick Ianguages: whereby he gat so great esteem in Italy, that he was profered a Pension of five hundred Duckats by the year to imploy [Page] himself in the version of some Arabick books into Latine. He spent four years in travell, and was famous every where for his learning: at Paris, and some other places he bought many Arabick books, & so returned to Leiden An. Ch. 1612. About which time there was a purpose to have called him into England, & to have allowed him an honorable stipend, but the year after he was chosen Professor of the Orientall languages in Leiden: and presently after he set up (though with extraordinary charges) a Presse for those Languages, whereby he published many ancient monuments, both of his own & other mens [...] & 1616. he married a wife, by whom he left three children surviving him: An. Christi 1619. he was made Professor of the Hebrew also, and though he had so many and great imployments, yet he went through each of them with so great exactnesse, as if he had nothing else to attend upon.

In the year 1620. he was sent by the Prince of Orang, and the States of Holland into France, to procure Peter Moulin, or Andrew Rivet to come to Leiden to be the Divinity Professor, and though he prevailed not at that journey, yet they sent him againe the year after to Andrew Rivet and the French-Church, to obtain of them their consents for his coming; which businesse he transacted with so great prudence, that he brought Andrew Rivet along with him to Leiden. His fame was so great, that the King of Spaine wrote to him, making him exceeding great promises if he would come into Spain to interpret some ancient writings, which never man yet could doe: The King of Morocco also did so exceedingly admire the purity of his Arabick style in some of his Epistles, that he shewed them to his Nobles and other learned men as some great Miracle: He was also highly esteemed of, by the Prince of Orang and the States of Holland, who often made use of his labours in translating the letters which they received from Princes in Asia, and Africa out of Arabick or other Languages: But whilst he was thus busily imployed in Publick and private, it pleased God that he f [...]ll sick of the Plague, wh [...]reof he dyed Anno Christi 1624. and of his age forty.

[Page]

Here may we not without much wrong deny,

To this Erpenius honoured memory:

Who was most famous in his generation,

A man of exc'llent parts to admiration;

And in the Orientall tongues so rare,

That few or none with him deserv'd compare:

For th'Arabick and Hebrew tongues likewise,

The Kings of France and Spain did him so prize,

Yea England, Holland, Germany, Italy

Proffer'd great summes t'enjoy his company:

And rare eudowments, deep experience:

At forty years of age death took him hence.

The Life and Death of Abraham Scultetu [...], who dyed Anno Christi 1624.

ABraham Scultetus was born at Grunberge in Silesia, Anno Christi 1566. his Parents were of good rank, who carefully brought him up at School where he profited exceedingly, and Anno Christi 1582. he went to Vra [...]islavia where he for had his fellow-students Pitiscus, Polanus & Pelargus, men who after proved eminent in the Church of God: Having studyed there sometime, he went thence to Freistade to hear Melancthon, Bucolzer and some others: But his active spirit could not long be continued within the bounds of his owne Couny, and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a Noble Knight, he went to Wittenberg and from thence to Dessavia, to acquaint himselfe with Peter Martyr and Casper Pucer: Anno Christi 1590. he went to Hiedleberg where he heard Daniel Tossan and Francis Iunius: there also he read Lectures of Logick, Oratory and Astronomy to diverse young Noblemen, and the year after Commenced Master of Arts: then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity, thereby to fit himselfe for the Ministery, which from his childhood he had devoted himselfe to: and [Page] Preaching before the Elector Palatin [...], he so flowed with el [...]quenc [...] and [...], that the Prince and all his Courtiers were [...] delight [...]d in him [...] which caused the El [...]to [...] to m [...]k [...] hi [...] visitor both of the School [...] [...]nd Churches: Yea many other Princes made use of his help in reforming their Churches in Iuli [...]rs: Brandenburg, and Hanovia: he was also sent to the Synod of Dort. Anno Christi 1612. the Prince Elector Palatine took him into England with him, where he was much esteemed & respected by King Iames, and other learned men: at his returne to Hiedleberg he was made Professor in the University, and Doctor in Divinity Anno Christi 1618. But about that time grievous Wars breaking forth (the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards ove [...] all [...] Hiedleberg, and travelled [...] met with many affliction [...], [...] long tossed up and down in [...] the Lord at last provided him a quiet [...] [...]here he was cho [...]sen a Preacher [...]orn out wi [...]h travels, [...] Ministery, he quietly [...] 1624. and of his age 58. What admi [...]able endowments he had, his Works do sufficiently declare, especially his Medulla Patrum, which is so much esteem [...]d by learned men.

Most worthy also is Scultetus grave,

The Palme and prize of praise and fame to have:

W [...] [...]r [...]is [...] wit [...]nd worth [...]

His learned labours rare, in print put forth;

Chiefly Medulla Patrum, that choyce piece,

Preferred far to Jasons golden fleece,

By all the learned. Had in high request

For's eloquence and diligence exprest;

By our King Jam [...]s and other Princes great;

Who with most high applause obtain'd the seat

In Hiedleberg [...] br [...]ve University,

Of the Professour there; and worthily

[Page]Made Doctor of Divinity. At last,

Having much trouble with his comforts past;

At Embd [...]n God him gave a quiet Statio [...],

And there by death crown'd him with heav'ns salvation

Robert Bolton, Batchelour in diuinity & minister of Gods word att Broughton in Northamton shire

The Life and Death of Robert Bolton.

RObert Bolton was born at Blackborn in Lancashire, Anno Christi 1572. his Parents finding in him a great promptnesse to learning, though they had no great means, yet they intended him for a Scholar, the rather having an opportunity of a good Schoolmaster in the town, where he profited exceedingly, and at twenty years old he went to Lincoln Colledge in Oxford, and was Master Randa [...]'s Pupil [afterwards a famous Preacher] there in a short time (being [Page] well grounded before, and industrious) he be [...]ame an excellent Logician and Phylosopher; at which time his father dying, and his meanes failing, he took excessive pains, and wanting books he borrowed of his Tutor and others, read them over and abridged them: and to perfect his knowledge in the Greek, he wrote out all Homer with intolerable pains, so that he could with as much facility dispute in the Schools in Greek, as in Latine, or English. From thence he removed to Brasen-nose Colledge, the Fellowships there belonged to Lancashire and Cheshire men: yet for want of acquaintance, he stayed long without a Fellowship which made him to languish through want; but his deserts being known, Doctor Bret and some others, together with some small stipends he had for his Lectures in that House, supported him till he gat a Fellowship, about the thirtieth year of his Age; then also he Commenced Mr. of Arts, and being chosen Lecturer, he performed it with such exactness that he grew very famous: his Disputations in the University were performed with such acutenesse of wit and profound learning, that he was chosen by the Vice chancellor (at King Iames his first coming to the University) to be one of the Disputants before him, and to read naturall Phylo [...]sophy in the Publick S [...]hools: he was also well studyed in Metaphysicks, Mathamaticks and School [...]Divinity; yet all this while he had nothing in him for Religion: he loved Stage-playes, Cards, Dice, was a horrible swearer, Sabbath [...]breaker and boon-companion; he neither loved goodnesse nor good men.

He hearing the fame of Master Perkins went to Cambridge at a Commencement that he might hear him Preach, and h [...]ving heard him said, That he was a barren empty fellow, and a passing meane Scholar: but when God changed his heart, he changed his tune, and said, That Master Perkins was a [...] learned and godly a Divine a [...] our Church hath in many years enjoyed in so young a man. He had familiar acquaintance with one Master Anderton a good scholer, his Country man, and formerly his Schoolfellow, but a strong Papist, [Page] yea a Priest; he knowing Master Boulton's good parts and o [...]tward wants, took that advantage to perswade [...] him to go over with him to the English Seminary at Rome, where he should be furnished with all necessaries, and have gold enough: this motion he excepted of, and a day and place was appointed in Lan [...]ashire, to take shipping from thence and be gone.

Thither Master Bolton repaired at the time prefixed, but Anderton came not, whereby escaping that snare, he returned to Oxford, where he fell into acquaintance with Master Peacock a learned and godly man, whereby it pleased God to bring him to repentance, but by [...]uch a way as the Lord seldome useth, but upon such strong vessels, as he intendeth for strong encounters and rare employments; for the Lord ran upon him as a Giant, taking him by the neck and shaking him to p [...]eces, as he did Iob; beating him to the ground as he did Paul, by laying before him the ugly visage of his sins, which lay so heavy upon him that he roared [...]or anguish o [...] heart; yea it so affrigh [...]ed him, that he rose sometimes out of his bed in the night, for very anguish of spirit: and [...]o augment his spirituall misery, he was assaulted with soul temptations, Horribilia de D [...]o, [...]er [...]ibilia de fide, which Luther called c [...]laphum Satanae: this continued for many months, but God at last gave a blessed issue, and these grievous pangs in the New Birth produced two admirable effects in him; an invincible courage in the cause of God; and a singular de [...]terity in comforting afflicted spirits. Hereupon he resolved to enter into the Ministry, and was accordingly Ordained the thirty fifth year of his Age: and about two years after, the Parsonage of Broughton in Nor [...]hamptonshire falling void, Serjeant Nicols the Patron, pre [...]rred him to it: about the fortieth year of his age he marryed Mis [...]ris Ann Bois, of an ancient family in Kent, and to her care committed the ordering of his outward estate, and applyed himselfe wholly to his studyes, and the work of the Ministry, & for twenty years together Pr [...]ached twice every Lords-day and Catechized; and in every Holy-day [Page] and Friday before the Sacrament he expounded a Chapter, whereby he went over most of the Historicall books of the Old & New Testament; and therein preparing nothing for his People, but what might have served a very learned A [...] ditory. In all his Preaching, next after Gods glory, he aymed at the Conversion of souls, and God crowned his labors by making him an instrument to beget many sons and daughters unto righteou [...]nesse.

He had an excellent Art in relieving afflicted consciences, so that he was sought to far and near; yea diverse beyond Sea desired his resolution in diverse cases of Conscience. Though in his preaching he was a son of Thunder, yet to those that mourned in spirit, he was a sweet son of Consolation, with a tender heart powring the oyl of mercy into their bleeding wounds. He had a singular skill in discovering Satans sle [...]ghts, and in battering down his Kingdome. In all his Sermons he used to discover the filthinesse of sin, and to presse hard upon the Consci [...]nce the duties of Sanctification: yea, he would spare none, great or small in their sins; yet in reproving sin, he never personated any man to put him to shame. His life wa [...] blamelesse that he could not justly be taxed by any, of any scandalous sin. He constantly prayed six times a day: twice with his family. twice with his wife, and twice in secret: He kept many dayes of private humiliation: alwayes before the Sacrament, and upon the occasions of the miseries of the Church at home & abroad, which he performed with much ardency of Spirit: and being advised by Phisitians for his healths sake, to break off [...]he strong intention of his study, he rejected their counsell, accounting it greater riches to enjoy Christ by those servent intentions of his minde, then to remit them for his healths sake.

He was of a comely presence, his countenance was so mixed with gravity and austerity that it commanded respect from others. He oft refused preferment, that he might not be divorced from that Country where his Ministry found such entertainment and effect. He was universaly [Page] bountifull: but especially he [...]xceeded in those publick distresses of Germany, France, Bohemia, &c. He alwayes spent all the revenews of his living (which was of good valew) in the maintenance of his Family, Hospitality and Charity: He fell sick of a Quartane Ague in Sept [...]mber An. Christi 1631. whereupon finding his disease to get strength, and his vigor to grow weaker, he revised his Will, and then wholly retired himselfe from the world, and solaced his soul with the Meditation of the joyes of heaven: and having compiled a discourse De qua [...]uor Novissimis, of Death, Judgement, Hell and Heaven; having preached over the three former, he told his people that the next day he would preach of heaven, but the Saturday before he fell so sick that he never preached after: though his sicknesse was long and sharpe, yet he bore it with admirable patience: often breathing forth these speeches, Oh when will this good hour com! When shall I be dissolved! when shall I be wi [...]h Christ? Being told that it was better for the Church (if God would) for him to stay here: He answered, If I shall finde favor in the eyes of God, hee will bring me againe, and shew me both it and his habitation; and if otherwise, lo here I am, let him doe what seemeth good in his eyes, 2. Sam. 15.25, 26. And being asked of another, if he could be content to live if God would grant it him; he said, I grant that life is a great blessing of God: neither will I neglest any meanes that may preserve it, and doe heartily desire to submit to Gods will; but of the two, I infinitely more desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.

To those that came to visit him [...]n his sicknesse, he gave very godly and wise exhortations. He thanked God for his wonderfull mercy in pulling him out of hell, in [...]ealing his Ministry by the Conversion of Souls, which he wholly ascribed to his glory: a week before his death he called for his wife, and desired her to bear his Dissolution with a Chris [...]ian Fortitude; and turning to his chrildren, he told them that they should not now expect that in regard of his weakenesse he should say any thing to them; he had formerly told them enough, and hoped they would [Page] remember it, and he verily believed that none of them durst think to meet him at the great Tribunall in an unregenerate state. S [...]me of his neighbors moved, that as he had in his Ministry discoursed to them the exceeding commforts that were in Christ, so he would now tell them what he felt in his soul: Alas! said he, doe you look for that now from mee that want breath and power to speak? I have told you enough in m [...] M [...]nistry: yet to satisfie you, I am by the wonderfull mercies of God, as full of comfort as my heart can hold, and feel nothing in my soul but Christ, with whom I heartily desire to bee: Then seeing some weeping, he said, Oh what a deal adoe there is before one can dye? When the very panges of death were upon him, some of his dear friends coming to take their leave of him he caused himselfe to be raised up, and after a few gapings for breath he said to them, I am now drawing on a pace to my Dissolution: hold out Faith and Patience, your worke will quickly be at an end: then shaking them by the hand, he desired them to make sure of heaven, and to remember what he had formerly taught; them protesting that it was the Truth of God, as he should answer it at the Tribunall of Christ, before whom he should shortly appear: and a dear friend taking him by the hand, ask't him if hee felt not much paine: Truely no (said he) the greatest I feel is your cold hand: and then being layed downe againe, no long after he yeelded up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi 1631. and of his age sixty.

He was one of a thousand for Piety and Courage, which were so excellently mixed with wisdome, that they who imagined mischiefe against his Ministry, were never able by all their plottings to doe him any more hurt, then onely to shew their teeth.

Laus Deo.

Of all the worthyes that deserv'd so well

And did in parts and piety excell:

[Page]And Garlands therefore of just honour have,

None more did merit then this Past or grave.

Renowned Robert Bolton, one well known

For his divine rare parts second to None:

Who though in's youth he seem'd a wicked Saul,

In's riper years he prov'd a precious Paul:

A most renowed preaching Son of thunder,

Yet a sweet Barnabas (even to deep wonder)

To sons of sorrow; and for Gods blest cause,

Invincible in courage; and from pawes

Of Sathans power, who pull'd afflicted spirits

By comforts sweet: herein, being of high merits;

And as for's preaching, so for's writings rare,

Extant in print, even almost past compare:

One of ten thousand for his piety,

Constancy, wisdome, learning, gravity;

Who as he liv'd belov'd, so blestly dy'd,

And now his Sainted soul in heaven doth bide.

The Life and Death of William Whately, who dyed Anno Christi 1639.

WIlliam Whately was born in Banbury in Oxfordshire, An. Christi 1583. of godly and religious Parents: his father was oft Mayor of that Towne: his mother carefully bred him up in the knowledge of the Scriptures from a child: he was also trained up in learning in the best Schools in those parts, and being of a quick apprehention, a cleare judgement, and a most happy memory; he profited so much both in Latine, Greek and Hebrew, that at fourteen years old he went to Christs Colledge in Cambridge. There he was an hard Student, and qucikly became a good Logician and Phylosopher, a strong Disputant and an excellent Orator: He studyed also Poetry and Mathematicks: He was a constant hearer of Doctor Chaderton[?] and Mr. Perkins: [Page] And his Tutor calling his Pupils to an [...]ccount what they had learned; when any was at a stand, he would say, Whately, what say you? and he would repeat as readily as if had preached the Sermon himselfe: being Batchelor of Arts, his Father took him home, yet there also he followed his study. Afterwards he married a wife, the Daughter of Master George Hunt, an eminent Preacher, who perswaded him to enter into the Minis [...]ery: and therefore going to Oxford, he commensed Master of Arts, and presently after was called to be a Lecturer at Banbury, wch he performed with good approbation for four years, and then was called to the Pastorall charg [...] there, in which place he continued to his death. He was naturally eloquent, and had words at will [...] he was of an able body and [...]ound lungs, and of a strong and audible voyce: He was a B [...]nerges, a son of Thunder, and yet upon occasion, a Barnabas, a son of sweet Consolation: His speech and preaching was not in the inticing words of man's wisdome, but in the Demonstation of the Spirit & of Power. He was an Apollo [...], eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures: he Catechized and Preached twice every Lords day, and a weekly Lecture besides, yet what he Preached was before well studyed and premeditated: He usuall penned his Sermons at large; and if he had but so much time as to read over what he had written, and to gather it up into short heads, he was able to deliver it well-near in the same words. His Preaching was plain, yet very much according to Scripture, and the rules of Art: He made good use of his Learning, yet without affectation. He used to read Books most swiftly, & yet not cursorily; being able, when he had don, to give an account of the substance, and most remarkable passages of what he had read. And it pleased G [...]d to put a Seal to his Minis [...]y, in the c [...]nverting, confirming, and building up many thousands in the course of his Ministery. He was a diligent visitor of the [...]ick under his charge without resp [...]ct of pe [...]sons: he was a great P [...]ace maker amo [...]gst any of hi [...] Fl [...]k that were at variance: he had an heavenly gift in prayer, both for aptn [...]sse and fulnesse of [Page] Confessions, Petitions, Supplycations, Intercessions and Praises, together with fervency of spirit to power them out to God in the name of Christ. W [...]en he had read a Psalme or Chap. in his Family, in his prayer he would discover the scope, meaning, & chiefe notes of observation, and their use, that his Prayer was an excellent Commentary thereupon; and this not onely in the plainer, but in the harder Texts of Scripture also. His constant practi [...]e was (besides Family-prayer twice a d [...]y, and sometimes Catechizing) to pray also with his wife, and alone, both morning and evening. He set apart private dayes of Humiliation for his Family upon speciall occasions, and oft for their preparation to the Lord's Supper; at which times he would exceed himselfe in pouring out his soul to God with many tears: He was much in dayes of private Fasting, and humbling himself alone before God, which impaired his health, but made much for the health of his soul. He was very able, and very ready to confer with, and to resolve the doubts of such as came him: He bare such a tender love to that great people over which God had set him, that though his means was small, and he had many offers of great preferment in the Church, yet he would not leave them. He was daily inquisitive af [...]er the affairs of Gods Church, and sympathized with Gods people, both in their weal and woe.

He was much grieved when he saw that difference in opinions bred strangnesse amongst Christians, that agreed i [...] that same Fundamentall Truths. He was judiciously charitable to such as shewed the power of godliness in their lives, though they were not of his judgment in all things. He was glad when any of the righteous smote him, & would t [...]ke it well, not from his Superiours onely, but from his Equals and far Inferiors; and would really shew more testimonies of his love to such afterwards then ever he did before. He abounded in works of Mercy, he was a truly liberall man, one that studyed liberall things, seeking out to find objects of his mercy, rather th [...]n staying till they were offered: he did set apart, and expend for many years together [Page] for good uses the tenth part of his yearly comings in, both out of his Temporall and Ecclesiasticall meanes of maintenance [...] he entertained som [...] poor Widows, or necessitous persons, weekly at the least at his Table; and his estate prospered the better after he took this course; and in his sicknesse he comforted himselfe with that promise, Psal. 41.1, 2. Blessed is he that considereth the poore, the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble; the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing, &c. His last dayes were his best dayes, for then he grew exceedingly in humility, and in heavenly-mindednesse. And a good while before his latter end, God gave him victory over his greatest corruptions, which for a long time kept him in continuall exercise. About eight weeks before his death, he was much troubled with a cough and shortnesse of breath, which much weakned him, yet he Preached divers times, till his encreasing weaknesse disabled him. In his sicknesse he gave heavenly and wholesome counsell to his people, neighbours and friends that came to visit him, exhorting them to labor to redeem the time, to be much reading, hearing, and Meditating upon the Word of God; much in prayer, brotherly love, and communion of Saints, and that they would be carefull to hold that fast that he had taught them out of the Word of Truth, and that whil'st the the meanes of Salvation was to be had, they would neither spare pains nor cost to enjoy it. His pains towards his end were very great, yet he bore them patiently. He was much in ejaculations and lifting up his heart to God in behalfe of the Church and State, and for himselfe also, wherein he was most frequent, and earnest a little before his death. A godly friend & Minister praying with him, that if his time were not expired, God would be pleased to restore him for the good of his Church, or if otherwise, that he would put an end to his pains, if he saw good; he lifting up his eyes stedfastly towards heaven and one of his hands, in the close of that prayer gave up the Ghost, shutting his eyes himself, as if he were fallen into a sweet sleep, Anno 1639. and of [Page] his age 56. God tooke him away a little before the Civill Wars began, and before the sad desolations that fell upon the Town of Banbury in particular.

Renowned William Whately also wins

Like fame with Bol [...]on, as two equall twins

Of honour and renown; for piety,

And admirable parts in's Ministry:

In Latine, Greek and Hebrew rarely able,

A Disputant also unconquerable.

Of apprehension quick, of judgement clear,

Strong memory; and that which was most dear,

Of a most holy life and Conversation;

Who many souls did win to Christs salvation:

And Divine-like in Scriptures eloquent;

In Prayer, Preaching faithfull and fervent:

Much charity and love, who still exprest

Among his people a Peacemaking blest:

Pittifull, patient, full of courtesie:

His soul with Christ now raignes most gloriously.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Abel redevivus, or, The dead yet speaking by T. Fuller and other eminent divines.

Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661.

Edition statement

1652

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A40646

ID [STC]

Wing F2401

ID [STC]

ESTC R16561

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

18778243

ID [OCLC]

ocm 18778243

ID [VID]

108343

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40646)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 108343)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1653:27)

Source

— Abel redevivus, or, The dead yet speaking by T. Fuller and other eminent divines., Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661..

Extent

[14], 440, [20], 441-599 [i.e. 596] p. : ports.

Sould by Iohn Stafford ...,. [S.l.] :: 1652.. (Engraved t.p.) (Epistle to the reader signed: Tho. Fuller.) (Consists of biographical sketches of various Protestant divines and theologians by Fuller, Daniel Featley, Thomas Gataker, and others, with occasional verse by Francis Quarles and John Quarles.) (The port. and 20 p. inserted after p. 440, containing "The life and death of the late reverend and worthy prelate, Lancelot Andrewes," by Henry Isaacson, were also issued separately with title: An exact narration of the life and death of Lancelot Andrewes.) (Numerous errors in paging.) (Reproduction of the original in the Harvard University Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.