The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Matthias Zellius – Vitus Theodorus
The Life of Matthias Zellius, who dyed Anno Christi 1548.
MAtthias Zellius was born in Alsatia, His birth and education.in a Town called Keisersberg, Anno Christi 1477. and was trained up in Learning by his Parents from his childhood, and afterwards set to the Publick Schools: From whence he went to the University, where his proficiency was very exemplary: And being well grounded in the Arts, he commenced Master of Arts; and then applyed himself to the study of Divinity.
Not long after he went to Strasborough, He is ordained a Minister and Paster in Strasborough.where he was Ordained a Minister; and Anno Christi 1522. he was made Pastor of S. Lawrence Church: At which time Luthers Doctrine spreading abroad, Zellius compared it with the Doctrine of his Adversaries the Papists; and upon mature deliberation and examination, imbraced that of Luther, His conversion.whereupon he began publickly to defend it, perswading the Citizens of Strasborough to entertain it.
Assoon as the Bishop heard hereof, he cited him to appear in his Court, and caused twenty four Articles to be drawn up against him, amongst which these were some:Articles against him. That he taught Iustification by Faith: That be defended Luther: That he Preached against the Mass: Held the Marriage of Priests lawful: Denyed the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and Humane Traditions: Hereupon Zellius An. Chr. 1523. published a Book wherein he answered this charge,His constancy. justified his Doctrine, and shewed reasons why he appeared not before the Bishop. From this time forward he was much hated by the Popish Clergy, and went through many dangers for asserting the Truth yet (through Gods mercy) he,Reformation in Strasborough. with some others, so far prevailed, that the Magistrates of Strasborough cast our Popery, and embraced the Reformed Religion, Anno Christi 1529.
Zellius therefore was the first Preacher of the Truth in te Church of Strasborough: His assistants.To whom after a good while, Symphorianus, an ancient Pastor of S. Martins Church adjoined himself, who formerly had been very loose in his carriage, and therefore the people did the more admire this great change in him; yea some of his former acquaintance, led by his example, did shake off Popery, and embraced the Truth: and truly these two were rather Popular Preachers then learned: Yet Zellius was a man of singular piety: And not long after Anthony Firnius, Minister of S. Thomas Church, joined himself to them, and was the first Minister in that City that marryed a wife: Yea after a while there came thither Martin Bucer, Capito, and D. Gaspar Hedio, learned and eminent men, who more strongly carryed on the work of Reformation in Strasborough, viz. An. Chr. 1523.
Zellius continued a faithful and painful Pastor in his Church till the year 1548.His death. and of his Age 71. at which time it pleased God to translate him from Earth to Heaven, after he had been a Preacher in Strasborough about 26 years.
He was a man famous, not for Learning only,His character. but for other Christian vertues, especially Modesty, Temperance, and Charity: He had a good wit, was of an Innocent and blameless Life: Preached the Truth purely, and was free from pride. Not only a Theoretick, but a Practical Divine: What he taught, he first practised himself, and had a special care of the Poor. Being on a time invited to supper by one of his Colleagues, he found much Plate set upon his Cupboard, at which he was so offended, that he went away without his supper: and afterwards in private so far prevailed with him, that he sold his Plate, and was more open-handed to the Poor.
He wrote many things,His works. but, not seeking his own honour, would never suffer them to he printed: yet afterwards some few were published: As his Catechism in Dutch: An Explication of certain heads in Divinity: A defence of the Christian Religion. An Oration wherein he defended the Marriage of Ministers. As also of the Decalogue, Lords Prayer, and Belief.
The Life of Vitus Theodorus, who dyed Anno Christi 1549.
VItus Theodorus was born at Norinberg,His birth and education. one of the most famous Cities in Germany: and after he had been trained up in his Country School, he went to Wittenberg, where he continued many years, applying himself hard to his studies, and by his diligence, and attending upon the Lectures both publick and private, he made such a progress in Learning, that he commenced Master of Arts, with the good approbation of the University: After which he betook himself to the study of Divinity, and attained to an excellent measure of knowledge therein: So that he was very dear to Luther both for the eminent gifts of his minde, and for the holiness of his Life, as also to Melancthon: Both whose Lectures he daily attended upon, and heard with much diligence, and by his good will would never be from their sides: He went with Luther, An. Chr. 1530. to Coburg in the confines of Franconia, during the Diet at Auspurg: He was also often present at the Imperial Diets which met about Religion, where he disputed wit the Adversaries about the Principal heads of the Controversies.
He was called to be a Pastor at Norinberg, his own country, where he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great zeal and Eloquence, to the great profit of his hearers, and that for many years together in the Church of Sebald, till it pleased God to put an end to his labors, by translating him out of this vale of tears into his Everlasting Kingdom, Anno Christi 1549.
Scripsit Annotationes breves into tota Biblia Germanica: His works.utilem Ecclesiae operam navavit Lutheri Colligendis expoliendis que Commentariis in Prophetam Micheam, & in priora undecem Geneseos capita.