The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Theodore Beza

The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History · Theodore Beza

p. 865T. BEZA

The Life of Theodore Beza, who died A^no Christi 1605.

THeodore Beza was born at Veselia Anno Christi 1519.His birth and Parentage. His Father was Peter Beza, Praefect of that Town, his Mother was Mary Burdolet, both of them nobly born. As soon as he was weaned, he was sent for by his Uncle Nicolas Beza to Paris, who was a Counsellor in the Parliament, and by him was tenderly and carefully educated,His Education. and at five years old he placed him with Wolmarus, a famous Schoolmaster at Orleance, with whom he lived seven years, and in that time p. 866learned Latine, Greek, and all the Liberal Arts, so that there was no worthy author either in Greek or Latine, which hee had not turned over: Yea Wolmarus had also read Law to him. But that which was principal, he instructed him in the true Religion, drawn out of the Fountain of Gods Word.

Afterwards, when Wolmarus was returned into his native Country of Germany, He studies the Law.by the advice of his friends, Beza was placed in Orleance to study the Civil Law, but disliking their baibarous language, he left those, and betook himself to more Polite Studies.His Poems. He also affected Poetry very much, and made all his Poems before he was twenty years old; and imitating Catullus and Ovid therein, he writ more wantonly then afterwards he approved of; and indeed endeavoured to have suppressed his Poems, but the Papists hating him for his Religion,Popish malice. often printed them, seeking thereby his disgrace all that possibly they could.

Anno Christi 1539 he went to Paris, where he was entertain'd by his kindred and friends with all the expressions of love and respect that might be, but above all hee was most welcome to another of his Uncles (for the former was now dead) who was Abbat of Frigidmont, and who designed him for his Successor, the profits of which place were worth above five thousand crowns per…in. besides two Benefices belonging to the same, worth seven hundred crowns more. Beza by this Uncles means, abounding with ease, money, and all things,His tentations. but good counsell, began to find himself compassed about with infinite snares of Sathan: For though he hated those vices which discovered open impiety, and were disgracefull, yet hee squandred away precious houres in pastimes, and began to be puffed up with that applause which he gat by his forementioned Poems, and by his hopes of the great preferments which his Uncle reserved for him.

Yet it pleased God that those seeds of piety that were sown in him in his childhood, began to appear afresh, so that discerning his danger,His conversion. and the Snares of Satan, he made a vow to renounce the errors of Popery,His marriage. and lest hee should be overcome by fleshly lusts, he privately married a wife, having only two of his fast friends present at his marriage; yet at the same time he faithfully promised that within a certain p. 867space of time, breaking through all impediments, he would have her to the true Church of God, and there publickly confirm the Marriage, and that in the mean time he would take none of the Popish Orders: Both which he religiously performed afterwards. And yet the world heaping more honours and profits upon him by the death of his elder brother, and the Abbat his Uncle giving him all his goods,New ten…at…ons hee was long in resolving what to do, and slower in performing his Vow then he should have been: But whilst he thus delayed, the Lord struck him with a sore disease that he almost despaired of life;Gods mercy to him by sicknes. and it continuing long upon him, he was at last humbled by it, and abhorred himself for his delayes, and with many tears begged pardon of God for the same,Affliction sanctified. saying, Lord bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name: And the Lord heard, and restored him. And as soon as ever he had recovered his health, according to his former engagements, he took his wife, and leaving friends, honours, riches,He leaves all for Christ. and country, hee went to Geneva Anno Christi 1548, where according to his former vow, he publickly solemnized his marriage. About the same time also there came to Geneva one John Crispin, an antient and intimate friend of Beza's, and so both of them consulted together what course of life to betake themselves to, purposing to set upon the Art of Printing, which their excellent learning and industry did much fit them for. But God had appointed Beza to another imployment; for before they could bring their purpose to maturity, Beza would needs take a journey to Tubing, where his old Master Wolmarus lived, being now a Counsellor to the Prince of Wirtemberg; and as soon as hee was returned to Geneva, dreaming of no such matter, he was called to be the Greek Professor in the University of Lausanna, and by the Senate of Bern, A speciall providence.admitting that election, was brought into that society. Beza therefore looking upon it as a call from God, embraced it, and went to Lausanna. In which place hee found many excellent men,His remove to Lausanna. as Peter Viret the Pastor, John Ribbit the Divinity Professor, John Raimund Merlin the Hebrew Professor, &c. by all whom he was kindly entertained, and so dearly beloved, that each seemed to live in the other.

p. 868At his first coming to that University,His prudence. that he might the better arme himselfe against those manifold perturbations which all men, especially the godly are molested withall, he often, and seriously meditated upon the History of Abraham. And as often as he had any leisure, he went to Geneva to converse with Calvin, by whom he was much quickned to improve his parts for Gods glory and the Churches good. And upon this he undertook that truly golden work, begun by Marot, He turnes the Psalms in…o French metre.but finished by him, of turning the Psalms into French Metre, which hee finished Anno Christi 1561, and which were often printed in sundry parts of France. About this time many godly men and women flocked out of France to Lausanna, which occasion Beza taking as sent from God, expounded to them the Epistle to the Romans, His exp…sitions.and afterwards the two Epistles to Peter, which were the foundation of that excellent work which afterwards he compleated, of turning the New Testament into Latine, with Annotations upon the same.

About that time the Plague waxing hot in Lausanna, He falls sick of the Plague.Beza fell sick of it, but Christ (who intended him as an instrument of his glory in his Churches good) restored him to health again.Gods goodness. Shortly after which he wrote a book de Haereticis à Magistratu puniendis, His works.occasioned by the aspersions raised by Laelius Socinus against Calvin, and the Magistrates of Geneva for burning Servetus for his Heresie and Blasphemy.

He also wrote an explication of Christianity out of the Doctrine of eternall Predestination. He also answered Joachim Westphalus about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; and afterwards published two learned Dialogues upon the same argument. He answered Sebastian Castalio, who sought to overthrow Eternall Election.

Anno Christi 1557 when the Sorbonists in Paris had raised that persecution against the Church of Christ, wherein four hundred of them being met together in the night to hear the Word, and receive the Lords Supper, seven of them were afterwards burnt in the fire,Persecution in France. and the rest cast into chains and prisons. The best means thought on to procure their release was, by obtaining the Protestant German Princes to become Intercessors for them to Henry the 2^d of France. And thereupon p. 869Beza with some others were sent to the German Princes to engage them herein, which also he obtained from them, though it proved to little purpose, in regard of the implacable malice of the French Courtiers against the servants of Christ.Popish malice. In that journey hee grew acquainted with Melancthon, and they took much delight in the society of each other.Friendship.

Having spent ten years at Lausanna, as the Greek Professor, with the good leave of the Senate of Bern, His remove to Geneva.he went to Geneva Anno Christi 1559, and lived with Calvin, from whose side he seldom parted, and was his great assistant both in matters of Doctrine and Discipline… and that in the mean time he might not be wanting to the Schools, he publickly interpreted Demosthenes Orations, and part of Aristotle to the young Students.

And not long after upon the death of Claudius Pontanus, He is chosen Pa…or.he was chosen Pastor into his room. He was also chosen the first Rector of the School in Geneva, at which time he made an excellent and eloquent Oration in commendation of Learning, in the presence of many grave and learned men, both to encourage youths to the love of it,…earning advanced in troublesom… times. and the Senators of Geneva to make a further progresse in the advancement of it. For whereas the City of Geneva did at this time conflict with innumerable difficulties both at home and abroad which did almost swallow it up, yet by the perswasion of tha… great Calvin, it took so much courage, that in that ver… juncture of time, the Senate founded, and endowed tha… publick School which was a great ornament to the City, and out of which issued abundance of godly and learned men, to the great benefit of the Churches of God.

Shortly after,He deals with the King of Navar. at the request of certain Noblemen of France Beza was invited to visit Anthony King of Navar, who at this time was at Nerac in Aquitane, to conferre with him about some weighty matters, but especially, if it were possible, through Gods mercy, to confirm his mind in the true Religion: For it was hoped that if that King, who was the principall man of the Royall blood, and like to govern the affairs of State in the minority of King Francis the second, could be confirmed in the truth, it would much conduce to p. 870the peace of the Churches, and to the preservation of the lives of many who were cruelly burned by the Papists in sunday parts of the Kingdome. Neither did this design want effect: For Anno Christi 1561, the King of France dying at Orleance, the King of Navar joyning with the Prince of Conde, the Admirall Coligni, d' Andelot, and other Noblemen▪ caused the Popish party to give over the butcheries,Persecution stopped. and executions which they had formerly done upon many of Christs faithfull servants.

Charles the ninth coming to the Crown, there were various actings about Religion, whilst the Pontificians would advance their own, and root out the Refo…med; and on the contrary they of the Reformed Religion contended with all their might to promote their own; and therefore lest these severall parties should cause commotions,A conf…rence about Religion there were Edicts published in the Kings name, requiring all upon severe penalty to abstain from arms, and to keep the peace, till certain select persons of each party at a certain time, and place nominated, should meet together to consider of the fittest way, and means to preserve the publick peace; many not onelyonly of the common people, but of the Nobility inclining to the Reformed Religion.

Hereupon the King of Navar sent Letters and Messengers to the Senate of Geneva, Who repa…r to it.requesting that Beza might be sent to that great meeting where such weighty matters should be transacted. The Prince of Conde also requested the same. Beza upon this, set forward, and came to Paris, August the twentieth. And the Queen Mother wrote also to the same purpose to the Senate of Zurick to send Peter Martyr to her, which accordingly they did, and Martyr came to Paris.

The chief of the Pontificians also repaired to this meeting, though they had declared that such as had been long agoe condemned for Heresie, ought not to be conferred withall. There came also many Ministers of the Reformed Churches in France, The French Ministers.as Nich. Gallasius, August. Marlorat, Jo. Raimund Merlin, Francis Sampaulius, Francis Morellus, Jo. Malotius, Jo. Spinaeus, Claudius Bossierus, Nich. Folius, Mat. Virellus, John Tornaeus, and N. Barbastus: For they had the publick Faith p. 871given them for their safe coming, stay, and return at their pleasures.

August the three and twentieth, they met together at Saint Germans, where the Protestants d…bating who shou'd speake for them, they unanimously chose Beza, as a man every way fitted for that employment; and in the evening he was had into the King of Navars chamber, where were present the Queen Mother, the Prince of Conde, the Cardinals of Bourbon and Lorrain, Beza's speech.with many of the Nobility. Beza briefly declared the cause of his coming (though it was not unknown unto them) and the Queen chearfully answered, that she much desired that the publick peace might be principally promoted: And the Cardinal of Lorrain exhorted him to study the wayes of peace, and concord: For (saith he) in your absence you have been the author of many stirs, and tumults, therefore it beseems you by your presence to endeavour to compose them,His conference which is that which we all desire. To this Beza replyed, that he was too mean and obscure a person to raise commotions in so large and potent a Kingdom: That he was alwaies an enemy to tumults, and that his studies and endevours should alwaies be bent to promote the Glory of God, and the happinesse of his King and Country. Then did the Queen ask him if he had ever published any thing in French? Nothing (said he) besides the Psalmes, and a short writing opposed to the Confession of the Duke of Summerset. Upon this occasion Lorrain said, that he had read in a book published in Beza's name, That Christ was in the same manner to be sought in his Supper, as he was before he was born of the blessed Virgin: And that Christ was so in his Supper as he is in the dung. To this Beza answered, That this latter speech was blasphemy, and that he thought that no Christian had ever spoken or written any such thing. As for the former speech (saith he) if it be taken in a good sence, its true; for the Church hath alwaies been congregated by one Mediator, Christ, God-man, therefore the Communion of the faithfull with Christ, is not to be confined to the time of his Incarnation, for the force and efficacy thereof was alwaies present to the eye of Faith: For Abraham saw his day, and rejoyced: The Fathers did eat of the same spirituall p. 872and drank of the same spirituall Rock, viz. Christ; and that he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. To which the Cardinal assented. Then was there another question started about the sence of those words, This is my body. Whereunto Beza answered learnedly and briefly, lay…ng down the Reformed opinion, and against Transubstantiation. Whereunto the Cardinal answered, that for his part he would not contend about Transubstantiation, being of Beza's mind; and withall told the Queen that Beza had given him great satisfaction in that point, and that he hoped their conference would come to a good issue if things were handled peaceably, and with right reason.

When the company was departed, the Cardinall spake very lovingly to Beza, Cardinal of Lorrains speech to Beza.saying, Now that I have heard you speak▪ I rejoice, and invite you to the conference by the immortall God, hoping that weighing the reasons on both sides, some way may be found out for the setling of a firm peace. Beza returned him hearty thanks, intreating him to persevere in the study, and endeavour of procuring publick concord: Professing for his own part, that according to the abilities God had given him, he would promote it.

Septemb. the fourth they met together in the large Hall of the Monastery at Possy▪ where were present the King,The first meeting. the Queen Mother, the Duke of Orleance the Kings brother, Margaret the Kings Sister, the King and Queen of Navar, the Prince of Conde, and the rest of the Nobility, and States of France. On the Popish party were the Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, to the number of fifty, accompanyed with many Doctors of Sorbon, and Canonists. For the Reformed Churches were the Ministers before named. After the King had in a few words opened the causes why he had called them together, and Michael Hospitalius, Beza's Orationthe great Chancellor of France, had opened them more largly, Beza in the name of all the Protestants made an excellent Oration, which he pronounced with such a grace, as drew the attention, and caused admiration in all that were present. In it he comprised the sum of the pure Religion, which was professed in the Reformed Churches of France; Only this is to be noted by the way, that when Beza in his speech sayd, That Christ was as p. 873far from the Sacrament as the highest heavens are from the earth, the Popish Doctors made a great murmur, which at last being over, he went on to the end of his speech. Then Turnovius, …ean of the Colledge, being in a great passion against the Ministers, whom he called new Professors, made some objections, and exhorted the King that hee would not suffer himself by any perswasions to be withdrawn from his old Religion, and that he would suspend his assent til he had heard the answers which the Prelates would give to that which had been spoken; for then he should be able to discern a difference between the truth and lies. Then did Beza humbly present to the King a Confession of Faith in the name,A Confession of faith presented to the King and with the consent of all the Reformed Churches, which had been drawn up in the year 1555.

But when the Ministers perceived that the minds of the Pontificians were exasperated, they resolved that Beza should write his private Letters to the Queen, wherein he should explaine things more fully then he was suffered to doe the day before, which accordingly he did.

September the sixteenth,The second meeting. the conference began again in the presence of the said great personages. And the Cardinall of Lorrain made a tedious speech, wherein he defended the Popish Religion, perswading that nothing should be altered in the same. And when he had done, Beza humbly entreated the King, that hee might have liberty to answer ex tempore: For the Protestants feared that after this day they should be suffered to meet no more: For there was a constant report that the Ponti…icians after that day would have no more to doe with the Protestants, but would presently excommunicate them. Besides, there was some fear that the crafty Prelates would evade any further disputation by setting the French and Dutch Churches together by the ears about the matter of the Sacrament: But he could obtain nothing that day, the conference being adjorned to another, and procrastinated by many delaies. Yet at last, upon an humble supplication to the King from the Protestants, they obtained that the conference should goe on.The third meeting. And accordingly, September the twentie fourth, it was again begun in the same Audience, and Lorrain protested that this meeting was appointted, p. 874that so the Protestants, if they had a minde to it, might freely answer to what had formerly been spoken by him. Then did Beza discourse excellently, and clearly about the Church,The several conferences. and the Supper of the Lord, which two heads were principally insisted on by Lorrain. Then Espensaeus, a Sorbonist, being appointed by the Cardinall, took up Beza, begining about the Vocation of Ministers both ordinary, and extraordinary, and so proceeding to Traditions, and the Lords Supper. Beza was about to answer him, but another Sorbonist [Sanctaesius] rising up, and repeating sowerly what Espensaeus had said, interrupted him. He insisted principally upon Traditions, which he affirmed to be certainer then the holy Scriptures, quoting something out of Tertullian: But Beza shewed that this froward speech of the Sorbonist made little towards setling the peace of the Church, and therefore intreated the Queen that such unreasonable clamours might hereafter be restrained. After which hee answered Espensaeus about the calling of Ministers, and Traditions: Whereupon Sanctaesius beginning again his clamours, would have thrust in divers other questions; but Lorrain fearing that the Queen would be offended at it, put an end to that question, and propounded a new one about the Supper of the Lord, which unlesse it were determined, he protested for himself, and his associates, that he would not change another word with the Ministers; and thereupon hee asked them if they were all ready to subscribe the Augustane Confession? Beza replyed, And are you all ready to joyn with us therein? But the Cardinal, instead of an answer, produced a Writing of the Opinions of some German Divines, which he said was lately sent to him, importunately urging the Ministers that they also would set down their opinions.Popish …lty This was craftily done of him, that if the Ministers should refuse to doe it, he might set them, and the Germans at variance; and if they should doe it, he might insult over them as a conquerour. Beza therefore to shun this Rock said,Beza's a…swer. that he, and his Colleagues were come thither to defend the Confession of Faith published by their Churches, and that they had nothing else in command; and that the Disputation was to be continued about the points contained therein, as the likeliest way to come to an happy p. 875issue: And that the best Method was, to beginne with such things as were most easie; and that since the Sacraments d… pended upon the Doctrine, that it was fittest to beginne with the Doctrine. But when the Cardinall would by no meanes alter his former resolution, the Ministers suspecting that if they wholly resisted him, he would thence take occasion to dissolve the conference, and to transfer the fault upon them, they desired that the writing mi…ht be produced, and tha… they might have time to consider of it, which being granted, the meeting was dissolved for that day.

September the six and twentieth the conference began again,The f…rth me…ting. and Beza again di…ou…sed of the Calling of the Pastors of the Church, and then of the Lords Supper: But Lorra…n being ne…ed about some expressions which Beza used about the vitious calling of their Ecclesiasticks, cried out, that the Ma…esty of the King was violated. Then Beza replyed, That he had said nothing which might be justly blamed, for that Kings had therefore drawn the choice of Ecclesiasticks in…o their own power, because it had been so long abused. L…r…in, passing by that subject, asked the Ministers why they refused to subscribe the Augustane Confession? To which it was answered, That if the Pontificians also would admit it, there were hopes that ere long they might agree: But (saith Beza) if you refuse to assent to this Confession, its unequall that wee should bee pressed every way to approve of it. Then the speech of the Lords Supper being again renewed, Espensaeus quoted a speech of Calvin, That we receive the substance of Christs Body: To which was answered, That by substance we are not to understand the fleshly eating of Christ; but it signifies the spirituall, and true feeding upon him, as opposed to the Imaginary, and phantasticall: upon which occasion Peter Martyr, because he could not speak French, produced many things in Italian. Though Lorrain often interrupted him; saying that he would not dispute with men of a strange Language. Yet had Peter Martyr for this speech the testimony of Espensaeus, That of all the Divines of that age, none had handled that question about the Lords Supper so fully, and clearly as he.

Whilst the Ministers were preparing to answer Espensaeus, p. 876a certain Spaniard, that was Generall of the Jesuits, standing up, for an hour together declamed in Italian, calling the Ministers Dissemblers, Apes, Foxes, &c. saying, that they were not to be heard there, but to be commanded to the Council of Trent: And so proceeding to the question about the Lords Supper: He said that Christ was present as a Prince, who having gotten a victory, will have the memory of it to be continued by some Anniversary Playes, which himself would be over: And so by an unusall impudence he laboured to stir up the Queen against the Ministers, till he provoked some to laughter, others to indignation. But Beza advised him to keep his reproaches to himself. Told him that the Queen had no need of the counsell of a Fryar, who would wisely govern affairs according to the custom of the Kingdom; and that he spake of the Lords Supper as if it were a Stage-play, wherein Christ should act the first part: And so leaving him, he turned to Espensaeus, saying; As its said, This is my body, so its sayd, This is the cup of the New Testament, which cannot be understood without a Figure: For Sacraments should not be Sacraments, if they should not resemble those things whereof they are Sacraments, and Signs, as St. Augustine teacheth.

But (said Espensaeus) if our Sacraments should be Signs, they would not much differ from the Jewish Sacraments, and they would be Signs of Signs, which is absurd. But Beza shewed that there was no absurdity when the Apostle compared Circumcision with Baptism, &c.

Then said a Sorbonist; In this Proposition, This is my body, what doth This signifie? Beza answered, It signifies both the Bread, and Christs Body. The Sorbonist replyed, That it was against the Rules of Grammer, that Hoc, This, should bee applyed to the Bread; but that it was Individuum vagum. Beza took away this answer, and told him that his Individuum vagum was unknown to all learned Antiquity. Then one of the Sorbon Doctors holding up his finger to Beza, in a threatning manner said, Oh, if we could once catch thee within the walls of Sorbon, thou shouldst not get out again. Thus the day being spent, the conference was dissolved. And seeing nothing could be effected this way, some thought of another, p. 877which was that John Monluc, A way of reconciliation propounded.Bishop of Valentia, and Espensaeus, who were counted middle, and moderate men, should transact these businesses privately with Beza, and Galasius, which being assented to, they met September the seventeenth at Saint Germans in a private house, being commanded by the Queen, that if it were possible they should agree upon some form about the Lords Supper, which might give content to both parts, which after much debate they did, and the form was this.

Confitemur Jesum Christum in Coenâ nobis offerre,The Form of the Agreement. dare, & verè exhibere substantiam sui corporis, & sanguinis, operante spiritu sancto: Nos… recipere, & edere spiritualiter, & per fidem verum illud corpus quod pro nobis mortuum est, ut simus ossa de ossibus ejus, & caro de carne ejus; ut eo vivificemur, & eaquae ad salutem nostram necessaria sunt, percipiamus. Et quoniam fides innixa verbo Dei res perceptas facit praesentes; per illam verum, & naturale corpus, & sanguinem Jesu Christi per virtutem Spiritus Sancti comedi, & bibi fatemur, eo que respectu praesentiam corporis, & sanguinis Christi in S. Coenâ agnoscimus.

Both parties had agreed that not a word of this writing should be divulged till it was communicated to the great Personages at Possie; but contrary thereto, divers coppies were immediately dispersed through the Court, and were received with much applause, as if now both parties were agreed in the chiefest point of the controversie. And the Queen sending for Beza, thanked him, and told him that what they had agreed on was very gratefull to her. She also with joy shewed it to the Cardinall of Lorrain, who when he had read it, said, That he never beleeved otherwise; and that he hoped all the rest of the Great ones at Possie would readily embrace the same. But it fell out far otherwise; for when on the fourth of October it was exhibited to them, they rejected, and damned it,The form rejected by the Pontificians. reproaching Espensaeus for consenting to it, and Lorraine for not opposing it. And thereupon presently drew up another form, which if Beza and his associates should defer to subscribe, they declared that it was a great wickedness to treat with them any further, and that as incorrigible, they were to be excommunicated, and punished by the King.

p. 878This was the issue of that great conference at Possie, The conference ends.so famous all over Europe, which yet answered not mens expectations: And so every one returned to his own place: OnelyOnly the Queen stayed Beza, saying, Since you are a Frenchman, France desires your help to stop future troubles as much as may be. But Beza tho he foresaw the seeds of those factions which shortly after brake out, and his singular love to Geneva continually put him upon a desire of return, where also he was earnestly desired,The Church increaseth. and much longed for, yet was hee necessitated to stay there whether he would or no.

From that day forward there was a wonderfull encrease of the Gospellers in France, and Sermons began to be preached publickly every where, yea in some places they took away Churches from the Papists, till by the Kings command, and their Ministers intreaty, they restored them again.

Beza in the mean time preached often, sometimes in the Queen of Navars house, sometimes in the Prince of Condies, and other sometime in the suburbs of Paris. And in January following there was an Edict procured, that the Protestants might freely meet together for the service of God in the suburbs of all Cities. This provoked the Guisian Faction, who by all means sought the hinderance of it: But the first thing they attempted, was to draw the King of Navar to their party; which Beza suspecting, and finding him wavering, endeavoured by all means to confirme, and keep him in the true Religion, to whom the King answered, Quod Pelago se non ità commissurus esset, Carnal policy.quin quando liberet, pedem referre possit, That he would not launch so far into the sea, but that when he pleased he might return safe to the shore again.The King of Navar falls to the Papists. And accordingly he fell off from the Protestants, and Beza went to him no more.

Another Disputation was appointed by the Queen Mother about Images, the result of which was, that the Popish Doctors condemned the making of the Images of the Trinity, or of the Father, or Holy Ghost; and agreed that all Images should be removed out of the Churches but that of the Cross;… and that no Images should be worshiped. But presently after the Civil War began to break forth, which was occasioned by this means.

p. 879Whereas many Protestants were met together at Vassi to hear the Word preached, the Duke of Guise with a pa…ty of souldiers,The Protestants murdered set upon them, …lew forty five of them, and wounded many more. Hereof Beza made complaint, but without any redress; whereupon both parties betake themselves to Arms, and the Prince of Conde by his importunity prevailed with Beza to stay with him in those dangerous times. Beza's earnest longings to be with his people at Geneva, disswaded him;Beza stayes in France. but the importunate desires of so godly a Prince prevailed, so that he stayed with him all those first Civil Wars: At which time Orleance was the chiefest place of the Protestants refuge;A Synod. and for the better regulating of Ecclesiastical Discipline in those troublesome times, a Synod was called in that City,A Plague. at which Beza was present. Shortly after the pestilence waxed hot in Oreleance, whereof many dyed, and amongst the rest Conrade Badius, a Pastor in Orleance, who from his very childhood had been most dear to Beza; yet did not Beza intermit his publick preaching, nor private visiting of the sick.

A few moneths after fell out that memorable battel in Druiden fields where Beza was present,The protetants beaten. and by his prayers and exhortations did much encourage the souldiers, yet they lost the day, and the Prince of Conde was taken prisoner, whom Beza by his Letters much comforted,Beza comforts he Prince. and exhorted the rest not to give way to despondency, but to persevere in the defence of the Cause, and to commit the success of it unto God.

Not long after peace ensuing, Beza got leave to goe back to Geneva, from which he had been absent 22 moneths, in which time he had gone through many troubles, and dangers both of body and mind.

At his return to Geneva he fell upon his former employment in the Schools and Church:His return to Geneva. Calvin undergoing the burthen one week,His imployments. and he the other, and they continued in those mutual labours, till Calvins death, and then hee had Nicolas Collodonius for his Colleague, and after him Lambertus Danaeus, He relates the miseries of the French Churches.and after him Anthony Faius.

Presently after his return, in the first sermon that he preached to the people, hee …illed the mindes of the hearers with p. 880incredible sorrow and grief, by relating to them the miserable condition of the Churches of France, whereof himself had been an eye-witness, and which therefore he painted out to the life; which he did for this end, to stir up all to commiserate, and heartily to pray for their brethren that suffered such great afflictions.

Shortly after he wrote an answer to Sebastian Castellio, He confutes Hereticks and Lutherans.who had inveighed against his Translation of the New Testament into Latine. He also published an answer to the railings of Francis Balduinus, who followed the steps of Ecebolius, both of them teaching that men might change their Religion as the state changed. Then did he confute the errors of Brentius, and James Andreas, who held the Omnipresence of the Body of Christ: After this he published an excellent Catechism.

Anno Christi 1567,Civil wars in France. the Civil Wars breaking out again in France, he was much affected with it, and by writing, admonishing, and exhorting both at home and abroad, endeavoured to assist with his counsell whom he could not by his presence. Also Anno Christi 1568, that war waxing hot, many out of sundry parts of France fled to Geneva as to a safe harbour,Geneva a refuge to the godly. amongst whom was Nicolas Beza, Praefect of Vezelia, brother to Beza by the Fathers side, who living a while in Beza's house, shortly after dyed of the Plague. And not long after Beza's wife fell sick of it, yet it pleased God to restore her to health again. The same year, in the midst of many troubles, he wrote his books of Polygamie, and Divorces, against Bernard Ochin, who a little before had published his Dialogues upon these subjects, stuffed with errors. He wrote also against Flacius Illiricus.

Anno Christi 1571, peace being setled,He is sent for into France. he was sent for by the Queen of Navar, the Admiral, and the general vote of the Churches of France to Rochell to a Synod, where he was made the Moderator, and at which, the Confession of Faith of the French-Churches was confirmed,Moderates in a Synod. and subscribed by the Queen of Navar, her sonne [afterwards King Henry the 4th.] and the Prince of Conde. And the year after he was sent for to Namures to another Synod,1572. where the book of the French Church-Discipline was established.

p. 881Anno Christi 1572,The Massacre at Paris. after that bloody Massacre at Paris, many of the godly that escaped fled to Geneva, amongst whom were the Pastors of fiftie Churches that were wholly dispersed. These being stript of all, and in great want, Beza, by his Letters into Germany and England, He provides for the afflicted.procured such reliefe for them, that for three years space in which they lived there, they were plentifully and comfortably provided for. In that Massacre God was pleased wonderfully to preserve Hen. Charity.of Burbon, son to the great Lodwick Prince of Conde, who thereupon retired into Germany for shelter, and staying a while at Strasborough, he sent for Beza, and employed him to Prince Cassimire, His great imployments.the Administrator of the Palatinate. And afterwards as this Prince returned into France, hee went by Geneva, where he conferred with Beza about many weighty matters.

Beza went on indefatigably in his publick employments, revised his Translation and Annotations upon the New Testament, and enlarged them; wrote against Pappus about the Hypostaticall Union; against the railings of Holderus; against the calumnies of Andreas: Made his Harmony of the Law out the Books of Moses. He wrote also of the Notes, and Authority of the Catholick Church, &c.

Shortly after the Plague breaking forth in Geneva, A Plague.Beza was much afflicted for the sad condition of the Common-wealth,Friendship amongst the Pastors. yet he cheared up himself much with the hearty and sincere love, and societie which he had with all the Pastors thereof, whose unity▪ and unanimity was a great means under God to preserve the happiness of Geneva. About the same time five Anabaptists [Mechanicks] began privately to sow the seed of their errors in Geneva, whereupon Beza, John Pinaldus, Charles Perrot, and Anthony Faius, Anabaptists converted.were chosen to confer with them, and after confutation of their errors, they recanted, and reformed; onelyonly …ne of them left the City, and was heard of no more.

Anno Christi 1586 there was a Disputation appointed at Mombelgard between the German and Helvetian Divines about the difference betwixt them in some points,A Disputation. unto which Beza was sent for,No good comes of it. and the whole Dispute was betwixt Dr. Andreas and him; but in conclusion nothing was effected by p. 882it; yet they parted lovingly without bitternesse. This was after published by Beza.

The year after his wife dyed,His Wife dyes. with whom hee had lived with much comfort forty years, which was a great griefe to him;His second marriage. yet afterwards by the advice of his friends he married another, one Katharine Plania, a godly Matron, who was a great comfort to him all his life after. About the same time he was called to a Synod held at Bern, His great labours.wherein divers controversies were debated, and the errors of Alberius, who said, That we are justified at Gods Tribunal by inherent righteousness; also of Huberus, about Predestination, and eternall Election, were condemned. Shortly after he wrote about the Sacraments against Hoffman; Published in French his Sermons about the Passion of Christ; also on the Canticles, which he turned into Lyrick verse; answered Genebrards calumnies, and revised his translation of the New Testament.

Anno Christi 1589, France being full of b…oils, Geneva also was molested by the same;Prayer in danger. whereupon publick prayers were appointed twice a week extraordinary, which burthen Beza willingly took upon himself; whereupon the other Pastors freed him from his daily Sermon… which he used to preach before; only he preached once on Sabbath mornings betwixt eight and nine a clock.

Not long after he began to be troubled with a dissiness in his head, insomuch as being to preach on Whitsonday Anno Christi 1597 before the Sacrament,His weaknesse. as soon as he had made Confession of Sins after their usuall manner, he was fain to give over, and come out of the Pulpit, whose place Faius presently supplyed. The like happened to him the week following also, whereupon he gave over publick preaching, only now,His diligence. and then praying publickly, yet would he not bee idle, but went on teaching daily in the Schooles; yet at last because of his dulness of hearing, he abstained from the publick Disputations, and Consistorial meetings. And to satisfie some Noblemen, Germans, Bohemians, and Polonians, who would needs hear him read some Lectures; he began a briefe Analysis upon the Epistle to the Romans, but after he had done it twice, he was fain to leave off. Yet did he not wholly desist from preaching till the year 1600, when he preached his p. 883last Sermon in January, His last sermonbeing eighty one years old, upon the third Petition of the Lords Prayer, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven He had often in his mouth that saying of Vespafian, Imperatorem decet stantem mort.

Not long after being present at a Consistory,He invites his Colleagues. he invited all his brethren to supper, but they at first refused, because there was to be a publick Fast that week, and the Magistrates had forbidden all Feasting; but he told them, that he would get leave of the Magistrates, and that he intended not a Feast, but a frugal supper, rather to feast their minds with their mutual love and society, then their bodies with dainties:Friendship amongst brethren. Then they all assented, and were entertained by him with all the expressions of brotherly love that could be.

Many Noblemen and others that came from other countries to study at Geneva, would alwaies desire to sojourne with him, that they might enjoy his societie.

That year there was a rumor spread abroad all over Europe by the Jesuits,Popish lyes that Beza was dead, and that he turned Papist before his death;Confuted. which lye the Pastors of Geneva, and himself also by publick writings confuted: And discoursing with his friends of it he said, That the Jesuits, and hee had both one desire, but not for the same end: The Jesuits (said he) wish my end but for an evill end: I wish for it also, Death desired.but that by death I may passe to eternall life, purchased for me by the merits of Christ.

Anno 1599 the King of France and the King of Navar lying in siege before the Castle of Saint Katharines in Savoy near to Geneva, Beza went to visit them,He visits the Kings. and was entertain'd with abundance of courtesie by them, and being asked by the King of France if he had any request to make to him, he answered, That he had nothing, but to commend his sacred Majesty to the blessing of the great God, and to pray that his Majesty might govern his people in peace.His request for the Church at Lions. Only he requested, that seeing the Church at Lions had not yet enjoyed the benefit of his Majesties Edict, that he would be pleased to think of them, which the King promised, and upon their petition, granted their desire.

About the time of his return, he began to be much troubled with want of sleep, but lying awake in the nights, hee p. 884deceived the time with holy meditations. And speaking to his friends of it,His meditations. he used that speech Psal. 16. v. 7, 8. My reins also instruct me in the night season. I have set the Lord alwa…es before me, in whose favour is life. And that of Psal. 63 My soul is filled as with marrow and fatnesse, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Many came out of the Kings Camp to Geneva to see the City which was now so famous,He is visited by many. but especially to see Beza; all whom he courteously entertained with holy and savoury discourses, and so dismissed them well pleased.

Anno Christi 1602 Maurice the Lantgrave of Hesse came to Geneva to see him, but disguised, for which Beza was very sorry after that he had not known him.Preparation for death. Finding himself to draw near to his end, he revised his Will, and so easing his mind of all worldly thoughts, he wholly betook himself to exspect the time of his departure, which he much longed for.

He often used that saying of the Apostle,Ephes. 2 10.Eph 2:10 We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works. And that of St. Augustine, Diu vixi, diu peccavi, fit nomen Domini benedictum: I have lived long, I have sinned long, Blessed be the name of the Lord. And that also, Domine, quod coepisti, perfice, nè in portu naufragium accidat, Lord perfect that which thou hast begun, that I suffer not shipwrack in the haven; and that of Bernard, Domine, sequemur te, per te, ad te: te, quia veritas; per te, quia via; ad te, quia vita: Lord, we follow thee, by thee, to thee: Thee, because thou art the truth: By thee, because thou art the way: To thee, because thou art the life.

Anno 1605 there came some noble, and learned men from Borussia to see him, with whose society he was much pleased. But diseases encreasing upon him, the Pastors of Geneva agreed amongst themselves,His sicknesse. that every day two of them should visit him by turns, and sometimes all of them came together, and pr…ied most fervently with him.

Octob. 13, being the Sabbath-day, he rose in the morning, and prayed with his family, and then desiring to goe to bed again, he sate him down on the side of his bed, and asked if all things were quiet in the City: they answered him yea; but perceiving that he was near to his end, they ranne for a p. 885Minister, who immediately coming, whilst he was praying with him, without the least pain or groaning, he quietly yeelded up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi 1605, and of his Age 86,His death. and of his Ministry 46.

James Lectius made this Epigram of him.

Vezelii genuêre, piae tenuêre Gebennae;

Astratenent: vixi non mihi, sed populis.

Aliud.

Si qua fides famae, proles mihi defuit omnis:

At varia, & vera prole beatus ego.

Me Populi, & Mystae, & Reges dixere parentem:

Multa virûm genui millia, Christe, tibi

Quin Populi, & Mystae, Reges nascentur & ex me

Christe tibi, & toto dum legar orbe frequens.

He was a thick set man, and of a strong Constitution, insomuch that he used to say,His Character. that he never knew what it was to have his head ake: He was of an excellent wit, an accurate judgement, a firm memory, very eloquent, affable, and courteous; so that he was called the Phoenix of his time.

In his Testament he gave thanksThanksgiving for five things.

1. That God at sixteen years old had called him to the knowledge of the Truth, though for a while he walked not answerable to it, till the Lord in mercy brought him home, and carried him to Geneva, where under that great Calvin he learned Christ more fully.

2. That being infected with the Plague at Lausanna, and aspersed with grievous calumnies, the Lord had delivered him from them both.

3. That coming back to Geneva, he was there chosen Pastor, when as he deserved not to have been one of the sheep.

4. That not long after he was made Colleague to that excellent man John Calvin in reading Divinity.

5. That being called into France in the first Civill War, and tossed there up and down for twenty two moneths, God had preserved him from six hundred dangers, &c.

A Papist objecting to him his youthly Poems; This man (saith he) vexeth himself because Christ hath vouchsafed to me his grace.

p. 886Though there was so great worth in this man,His small means. and his labours were extraordinary; yet he had but 1500 Florens per an. for his stipend, which amount but to seven or eight and fifty pounds sterling by the year, besides 20 Coups of corn, and his house.

His Works were these. His works.N. Testamenti nova versio, cum Annotationibus. Confessio Christianae fidei. De Haereticis à civili Magistratu puniendis. Summa totius Christianismi. De Coena Domini. De Hypostatica duarum in Christo naturarum unione. De unitate essentiae Divina, & tribus subsistentibus personis. Tractatio de Polygamia, & Divortio. Epistolae Theologicae. With many others set down particularly by Verheiden; and mentioned in this narrative of his life.