The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, George Sohnius – Laurence Humphrey
The Life of George Sohnius, who died Ano Christi 1589.
GEorge Sohnius was born at Friburg in the Wetteraw, His Bir…h and Education.Anno Christi 1551, of honest Parents, and of good esteem, who brought him up from his childhood in the knowledge of the principles of Divinity and Grammar, and afterwards set him to School in Fridberg, where he continued till he was well grounded in School-Learning, which he drank in with such eagernesse, that he soon outstripped all his fellows; and so Anno Christi 1567 he was sent to the University of Marpurg at fifteen years old:He goes to Marpurg. His industry. where he profited so exceedingly in Logick and Philosophy, that he was made Batchelor of Arts at the years end.
And being exceeding desirous to see other countries, for the improving both of his learning and carriage, He goes to Wittenberg.Anno Christi 1569, he went to Wittenberg, where he studied Philosophy, Law, and Divinity with incredible pains night and day; so that at three years end with the approbation of the whole University he was made Master of Arts. He is 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 encline him to the study of Divinitie, that he could have no rest in himselfe till he had resolved upon it; concerning which he thus writes to his Father: Why he left the study of the Law.What hath so soon altered my opinion I shall briefly declare unto you, that you may know, and approve the reason thereof, and give thanks to God for his mercy to us. When upon the one and twentieth of July I was hearing Tuberus his Lecture of the Law, before halfe an hour was past, as I was writing what hee spake, I fell into very serious cogitations: For on a sudden the excellency,A speciall Providence. and Majesty of Divinity came into my mind, which suddenly did so delight me, and beganne to stirre up in my minde such love to it, that I could not but resolve to give over the Law, and wholly to apply my self to the study of Divinity: And this thought did more and more sink deeply into my mind, and was so urgent upon me, that I could no longer hearken to the Law Lecture, neither could I write out what I had begunne: So that I knew not what doe▪ Yea these thoughts did so follow me, that I was not onelyonly averse to read any more Law, but I abhorred the thoughts of it. And thus not knowing what to doe, I betook my selfwith sighs and teares unto God, intreating him to restore to me my former love to, and delight in the Law: But if not, that I was ready to follow his call in any thing. But so often as I returned to reading the Law my heart did beat, my eyes abhorred the letters, and neither was my minde or will any more delighted with that study: Whereupon consulting with two of my godly and loving friends, they judged that I was called by God to the study of Divinity; and therefore giving thanks to God, I wholly applyed my self thereto.
Anno Christi 1571 he returned to Marpurg, His return to Marpurg.and studied Hebrew; and the year after he read the Arts to many Students privately, and became Tutor to three Noblemen. At twenty three years old he was so famous, that by the consent of all the Divines of that University,He is made a Professor. he was chosen into the number, and order of Professors of Divinity.
The year after he married a Wife, Christian, daughter to Conrade Matthew, His marriage.one of the Professors, a choice Maid, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. The same yeare also he was chosen the Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in that Universitie.
Anno Christi 1578 he was made Doctor in Divinity,He is made Doctor. and falling sick not long after, he made an excellent Confession of his Faith: But it pleased God that he recovered, and was not onelyonly a constant Preacher of the Truth,Preachers pattern. but a strong Defender of it against errors, confuting the Ubiquitarians, and that so boldly, that he chose rather to hazard banishment then to connive at errors. His fame spread abroad exceedingly, so that many sought for him, especially John of Nassau, and John Cassimire, the Elector Palatine. The first desired him to come, and begin his University at Herborn, where he should have had greater honour, and a larger stipend. The other desired him to Heidleberg to bee the Divinity Professor in that place:His humility. His answer was, that he was born rather for labours, then honours,He goes to Heidleberg. and therefore chose to goe to Heidleberg, being thirty three years old, Anno Christi 1584, and was intertained lovingly by the Prince, who made him Governour of the Colledge of Sapience, and Professor of Divinity. His coming was most grateful to the University, where he took exceeding great pains, and was eminent for piety, humility, gravity, prudence, patience, and industry; so that Anno Christi 1588, he was chosen into the number of the Ecclesiasticall Senators for the government of the Church. He had great skill in the Tongues: Greater in the Liberal Arts and Philosophy; but greatest in the knowledge of Divinity, and Ecclesiasticall History. He was famous for eloquence, faithfulness, and diligence in his place, and holiness, and integrity in his life.
Anno Christi 1589 he fell sick,His sicknesse. for which, and his change, he had been carefully fitting himself 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 me: Preparation for death.I wholly depend upon thy providence and merciemercy; from the very bottome of my heart I commend my spirit into thy hands, and so he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1589, and of his age 38.His death.
Hee published not many books, but those which hee did were very polite and choice ones; Ut sunt de verbo Dei, & ejus tractatione lib. 2.His Works. After his death his works were published in three Tomes. Calvin preached his Funeral Sermon.
The Life of Laurence Humfreid, who died Ano Christi 1589.
LAurence Humfreid was born in the County of Buckingham, His birth and education.and Brought up, first at School, and then sent to Oxford, where he was admitted into the Colledge of Mary Magdalen, and followed his studies hard all the daies of King Edward the sixth. But in the beginning of those bloody Marian dayes, wherein so many were forced to forsake their native soyl,Flight in persecu…ion. he (amongst the rest) went beyond Sea 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 back, and returned to Oxford, where he was very famous both for his Learning,His return to England. and Preaching. Then also he commenced Doctor in Divinity, and by reason of his excellent parts 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 discover their impostures,He confutes the lesuits. and Popish deceits. Afterwards he was made the Master of Magdalen Colledge, and the Regius Professor; which places hee discharged with singular commendations for many yeares together, and at last quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of God, Anno Christi His death.1589.