The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Gaspar Olevian
GAS. OLEVIAN.
The Life of Gaspar Olevian, who died Ano Christi 1587.
GAspar Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi, 1536.His birth and education. His Fathers name was Gerhard, a Baker in that City, and Master of his Company; but this Gasper was carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather, who set him to severall Schooles in that City, and at thirteen years old hee was sent to Paris to study the Civill Law;He studies Law. from thence also hee went to the Universities of Orleance and Biturg, where hee heard the most famous Lawyers of those times. He joyned himself also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in both those Cities. In Biturg he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers, after the solemn manner of the University, being made Doctor Anno Christi 1557.He is made Doctor. About which time there studyed in that Universitie under Nicholas Judex, the young Prince Palatine, sonne to Frederick the third, afterwards Elector: And Olevian being very intimate with Judex, went one day after dinner to the River Lieg hard by the City, together with him, and the young Prince; and when they came thither, they found some young Noble Germans that were students there, going into a boat, who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them: But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely, diswaded them from venturing themselves amongst them; which counsell the Prince and his Tutor neglecting,A heavy judgement. went into the boat, and putting from the bank, the drunken young men beganne so to thrust and justle one another, that at last they overthrew the boat, where they were all drowned. But Judex 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, leapt into the water to try if he could help them; but at first he stuck in the mud and water up to the chin, where he despaired of his owne life. In that danger he prayed unto God, and vowed,A vow. that if God would deliver him, he would preach the Gospel to his own Citizens, if he should be called thereunto. At which time it pleased God, that a footman of one of the Noblemens,Gods mercy: coming to the River side, and seeing Olevian, caught him by the head (thinking that it had been his own Master) and drew him out: whereupon Olevian being delivered by such a speciall providence, together with the Law studied Divinity,Hestudies Divinity. especially reading over the Sacred Scriptures with Calvins Commentaries upon them. After a while returning to Trevir, he was reteined to plead causes at Law; but seeing the great deceit in that calling, and the frequent perverting of Justice, he gave it over; and that he might performe his Vow, wholly set himself to the study of Divinity; and went to Geneva, and after to Zurick, where he sojourned with Bullinger, and was much holpen by Martyr and Bullinger in his studies,He goes to Zurick. before whom also he used privately to preach for his exercise. But before this as he was going to Geneva, taking ship at Lausanna, Mr. Farrel hapned to be with him in the ship, who in discourse asked him, Whether ever he had preached in his owne Country? Olevian told him that he had not; then did Master Farrell perswade him to doe it so soon as he could; and he accordingly promised that he would. Whilst he was busying himself in his studies at Geneva, the Church of Metis wanting a Minister, applyed themselves to the Presbytery of Geneva for a supply. The Presbytery nominated two, Olevian, and Peter Colonius: But Olevian excused himself, partly because he had engaged himself by vow to the service of the Church in his owne Country, and partly because he had faithfully promised Farrel to doe the same. Master Calvin was satisfied with this answer, exhorting him to performe what he had thus resolved on. Therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to Trevir, His return to Trevir.where he was exceeding kindly entertained by the Senators, his kinsmen, friends, and by his brother Frederick a Doctor of Physick: and the Consull and Senators presently requested him to undertake the worke of teaching a School in that City,He is called to teach a School and for his encouragement allowed him a stipend. Accordingly he applyed himselfe to explicating the precepts of Melancthons Logick, His faithfulnes.illustrated by many Theologicall examples, whereby he gott opportunity of opening the sound doctrine of the Gospel to his hearers: which as soon as the Canons heard of, they first suspended him from the office of teaching, and afterwards shut up the School against him.Sathans malice. Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall, where after he had preached a while,He preaches in an hospitall. his adversaries suborned a Priest to step up into the pulpit 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 done his Sermon he wou'd preach himself: yet they would not endure it; but made a great stir, so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled in pieces by them: But Olevian comforted him, and entreating the people to be quiet, took the Priest by the hand, and led him forth safely; and going into the pulpit himselfe, he asked the Auditory, whether for fear of further danger they would have him to intermit that Sermon,The peoples zeal. or whether he should go forward according to his former course? the people lifting up their hands, cryed to him, Yea, yea, Wee desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us.
For this cause the Arch-Bishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consuls,The Arch-bishops malice. and eight more of the Senators for ten weeks space, who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them, which accordingly he did. Then were they commanded to appear in judgement, where their charge consisted of many heads; whereupon they requested fourteen days time to put in their answer, but that was denyed, and onelyonly two daies assigned. In which time they sent privily to Frederick Elector Palatine, to Wolphgang Duke of Bip…nt, and to the Senate of Strasborough, acquainting them with their case, and entreating their seasonable assistance. They therefore immediately sent post to forbid the further proceedings at Law;The prisoners release. and at last obtained that they were all set at liberty. And the Ambassadors for the Palatine invited Olevian to goe along with them, and accordingly took him to Heidleberg, He goes to Heidleberg.Anno Christ… 1560. As soon as hee came thither the Elector made him Master of the Colledg of Sapience, which he underwent for about a year and a half.His marriage. About this time he married a Wife, and commenced Doctor in Divinity, and was made Professor of Divinity in that University. Also at the importunity of the Counsellors of State he was chosen to the work of the Ministry first in Peters Church,He is chosen Pastor. and afterwards in the Church of the Holy Ghost; which places he carefully and holily discharged, til the death of the Elector Frederick the third, which was Anno Christi 1576. A few daies after whose death hee was called to Berleburg by Lodowick Count Witgenstein, where he preached,He is called to Berleburg. and instructed some Noble mens sonns in the principles of Divinity, and in the Arts and Tongues.
Anno Christi 1584 he was called by John of Nassau to Herborn, And to Herborn.where he preached and taught a School three yeares, which was erected by the perswasion and counsell of Olevian.
Anno Christi 1587 hee fell into a mortal sickness,His sicknesse. which (notwithstanding all meanes of cure) daily grew upon him, and so weakned him, that at last hee quietly resigned up his spirit unto God.
In his sicknesse he made his Will,Preparat…on for death. and by pious and holy meditations prepared himself for death. Being visited by L…dowick Witgenstein, and John of Nassau, he told them, That by that sickness he had learned to know the greatnesse of sin, and the greatness of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before. And a while after when the Counts two sons, John and George came to visit him, he exhorted them carefully to preserve brotherly love, to carry on and perfect the business about the School, to be liberal and mercifull to the poor, and obedient to their Father.
The next day John Piscator coming to visit him, hee told him, A sweat dream.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, whereas indeed hee could never be better: For (said he) I thought that I was in a most pleasant meddow,Ioy unspeakable. in which as I walked up and down, me thought that I was besprinkled with a heavenly dew, and that not sparingly, but plentifully powred down, whereby both my body and soul were filled with ineffable joy: To whom Piscator said, That good Shepherd Iesus 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 Psalm 42. Isa. 9, and Matth. 11. and other places of Scripture; hee often repeated, I would not have my journey to God long deferred. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with my Christ. He commended to the Senate the care of the poor by his Deacon Iames Alstede; giving directions what he would have done with his writings after his death. And then he gave his hand & farewel to his Colleagues, and friends; and when he was in the Agony of death, Alstedius asking him, whether he was sure of his salvation in Christ, &c.His death. He answered, Most sure; and so he gave up the Ghost, Anno Christi 1587, and of his age 51.
His Works are these: Concio de Abrahami fide, & obedientia. De coena Domini.His Works. Admonitio de Eucharistia. Tabula de Ministerio Verbi Dei & Sacramentis. Expositio Symboli Apostolici. Epitome Institutionum Calvini. Notae in Epist. ad Galatas. Notae in Evangelia. Dialect. lib. 2. Bezae in Epist. ad Rom. Gal. Phil. & Col. notae ex Oleviani concionibus excerptae.