The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, David Pareus – John Piscator
D. PAREVS
The Life of David Pareus, who died Ano Christi 1622.
DAvid Pareus was born in Silesia, Anno Christi 1548. His Parents were Citizens of good rank;His birth, parentage, and education. when he was about three years old, he fel sick of the small pox, whereof he was like to die, 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 died.
When he grew up to riper yeares, his Father, perceiving a natural promptnesse in him to learning, set him to School in his own City, where one of his Masters was very rigid, and severe in his carriage unto him, and there he learned Grammar, Musick, and Arithmatick: But when he was fourteene years old (by the instigation of his step-mother) his father placed him with an Apothecary at Uratislavia; Hee is made a Prentice.which course of life he could not well rellish, and therefore after a moneths stay, hee returned home againe, which his step mother was much offended with, yet his tender father resolved to keep him at school,He returnes to school. and when 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 chief Magistrate also of that City took a great liking to him, for some verses which he made at his sons Funeral, so that he gave him his diet in his family. When he had been there about two yeares, the Pastor of that place, who was a Lutherane, fell out with his Schoolmaster, for that, in Catechising of his scholars, he had taught them, that Christs body being ascended into heaven was there to remain till his coming to judgement, and that in the Sacrament wee feed upon it onelyonly spiritually by faith,His Mas…er is driven away. &c. And his spleene was so great, that he would not be satisfied till he had driven him away from the City.
Pareus, having to his great grief lost his Master, returned home; yet neither there was hee in quiet, some talebearers suggesting to his father,Malice. that his Schoolmaster had infected him with his errors, and so far they prevailed, that his father intended to disinherit him. Hereupon Pareus resolved to go into the Palatinate, which his father much disliked, & sought by all means to hinder; yet at last, through Gods mercy, by importunity, he got his fathers consent, who sent him away with little money in his purse.
Thus forsaking his friends and fathers house, he went to Hirschberg, where hee met with his Master, and some of his School-fellows, and so they travelled together towards the Palatinate, through Bohemia. By the way, his money failing, he went to a Monastery to beg an Alms,His poverty. and the Abbat pittying him, relieved him. Going from thence to another Monastery, he met with an ignorant Friar, and asking an Alms of him in Latine, he returned this answer; Nos pauperifratres, nos nihil habemus; an piscimus, an caro, an panis, an misoricordia habemus. Yet at length it pleased God to bring them safely to Amberg in the upper Palatinate. He goes into the Palatinate.There his Schoolmaster stayed, and sent Pareus, with ten more of his Scholars, to Heidleberg, where they were admitted into the Colledge of Sapience: There he was a diligent hearer of Ursin, Boquin, Tremelius, Zanchy, and the other Professors, under whom he profited both in the Arts and Tongues to admiration. Then he betook himself to the study of Divinity, and having fitted himself for the work of the Ministry, he was chosen by the Elector to preach in a village within his jurisdiction,He enters into the Ministry. which he was then about to reform.
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 then by the Heterodox party, he with the other Professors was driven from thence;He is driven from Heidleberg. but most of them were entertained by Prince Casimire, who erected a Universitie at Neostade, appointing Ursin, Zanchy, Tossan, Junius, Pisca…or, and others to be the Professors in it. He appointed also a Synod therein, to consider how to provide for the other exiles. Tossan was chosen Moderator, and Pareus the Scribe of it.
In that Synod Pareus gat leave to goe visit his country and friends, and so in three weeks space came safely to them, where he was received with much joy,He returns home. and at the request of the Senate, he preached the Sabbath following upon John 3. 16. And that with great applause, and general approbation. His Father also was so well pleased with him, that presently after the Sermon, he cancelled the writing whereby he had disinherited him. The Senate also desired him to undertake a Pastoral charge in that place; but he chose rather to return into the Palatinate again; and coming to Neostad, His return into the Palatinate.he was appointed to preach in a village hard by, where he continued til Prince Casimire (as Guardian to the young Prince Elector Palatine) sent for him to be a Preacher in the great Church in Heidleberg, and not long after he was made Master of the Colledge of Sapience in that University.His preferment there.
Anno Christi 1587 according to the Statutes of the Colledge he Commenced Master of Arts, and a fterwards, by the perswasion of his friends, Doctor of Divinitie also.
Anno Christi 1594 at a Convention of States at Ratisbone, the Divines of the Palatinate were accused by the Lutherans, He commenceth Doctor in divinity.as holding opinions neither consonant to the Scriptures, Augustane Confession, nor to their own Catechi…m. But Pareus, Lutherans malice.at he appointment of the Palatine, easily wiped off those aspersions, and vindicated the innocencie of them.
Anno Christi 1596 there brake forth a great Plague in the University of Heidleberg, A great plague.whereof the learned James Kimedontius (Pareus his intimate friend) died, and some other Professors also; and the Students by reason of it were driven away, yet Pareus stayd, and it pleased God to preserve his Colledge free from the infection.
Not long after he was chosen Professor of the Old Testament in the room of Kimedontius, He is made Professor.and presently after Rector of the whole University.
Anno Christi 1596 he was extremely troubled with a Catarrh,Gods mercy. insomuch as he despaired 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;His fame. and grew so famous, that many resorted out of Hungarie, Borussia, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany to see, and hear him.
Anno Christi 1615 his Wife sicken'd,His wife dies. and died, which was a great grief to him.
An Chr. 1618, the Low-Countries being exceedingly indangered by the growth of Arminianism, the States appointed a Synod at Dort, for the curing of that disease; and amongst other famous Divines, Pareus He is chosen to the Synod at Dort.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 wonderful providence, that …he light upon his feet, and received no hurt by the fall; which made him think of that promise Psal. 91, He will give his Angels charge over thee, &c.Gods providence. By his Doctrine, and Counsel he was admirably advantageous to the Church of God in many places. He strongly asserted the truth of God against its adversaries. He was a great studier, and promoter of the Churches peace; labouring that they which agree in the Fundamentals,Peace maker. should not jar about matters of an inferiour nature. He wrote many excellent Works, whereof some were printed by himself,His works. others remained with his son Philip Pareus, who hath since published them to the great benefit of the Church.
About that time the Spaniards came into the Palatinate with their Army, which brought great miseries upon that poor Country,The Spaniards come into the Palatinate. which Pareus foresaw, both by Prodigies and Dreams. Then did his friends both in Heidleberg and other places, perswade him to retire himself to some other 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, hee cried out, O Heidleberg! O Heidleberg! but it's better to fall into the hands of God, then of men, whose tender mercies are cruelty. He goes to Anvilla.He went to Anvilla where he spent his time in Prayer, Study, and Meditation, waiting, and longing for the time of his change. 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. Death desired.Presently after he felt his strength much to decay, and he fell into a Feaver; and finding that the air in that place agreed not with him,His sicknesse. he went thence to Neapolis; earnestly begging of God, that if it were his holy will, he might yet returne to Heidleberg, and lay his bones there. He made his Will also, finding his former Catarrh to return upon him again; yet, through Gods mercy, and by the help of Physicians, he recovered, whereupon he resolved to goe to Heidleberg, and taking his Grand-son, young Daniel Pareus with him, whom he loved dearly,His returne to Heidleberg. he came safely to Heidleberg, where hee was received with wonderfull acclamations of joy; about which time Prince Frederick came thither also 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 own loss, amongst whom was Henry Alting, to whom he freely opened his mind both concerning Gods house, and his own, and presently after quietly departed in the Lord,His death. Anno Christi 1622, and of his age 73.
His Works are bound up together in three volumes.His workes.
The Life of Thomas Erpenius, who died Ano Christi 1624.
THomas Erpenius was born at G…rcome in the Low Countries,His birth and ducation. Anno Christi 1584, of honest Parents. In his childhood he was bred in the School of Leiden, and admitted into that University at eighteen years old,He goes to Leiden. and in the twenty fifth year of his age, he commenced Master of Arts. Then he fel to the studies of Divinity, and of the Oriental Languages under Joseph Scaliger, who, observing his ingenuity, and promptnesse, often foretold what an eminent man he would prove in time to come.
From thence he travelled into England, France, Italy, His travels.and Germany, in which peregrinations he profited exceedingly both in learning, and prudence. At Paris he became intimately acquainted with Isaac Causabon, and went with him to Samure, where he fel hard to the study of Arabick, and profited so exceedingly therein, that Causabone 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 T…rks,His great learning. he learned the Turkish, Persian, and Aethiopick language…, whereby he gat so great esteem in Italy that he was profered a Pension of five hundred Duckats by the year to imploy himself in the version of some Arabick books into Latine. He spent four years in travel, and was famous every where for his learning. At Paris, and some other places he bought many Arabick books,His returne to Leiden. and so returned to Leiden Anno Christi 1612. About which time there was a purpose to have called him into England, He is made Professor at Leiden.and to have allowed him an honourable stipend, but the year after he was chosen Professor of the Oriental languages in Leiden; and presently after he set up (though with extraordinary charges) a Press for those Languages, whereby he published many antient Monuments both of his own, and other mens.
Anno Christi 1616 he married a Wife,His marri…ge. by whom he left three children surviving him.
Anno Christi 1619 he was made Professo… of the Hebrew also, and though he had so many, and great employments, yet he went through each of them with so great exactnesse, as if he had nothing else to attend upon.
Anno Christi 1620, he was sent by the Prince of Orange, 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 again the year after to Andr. Rivet, and the French-Church to obtain of them their consents for his comming,Dr. Rivet brought to Leiden. which businesse he transacted with so great prudence, that he brought Andrew Rivet along with him to Leiden Erpenius his fame was so great, that the King of Spain wrote to him, making him exceeding great promises if he would come into Spain, to interpret some antient writings,His great esteem. which never man yet could doe. The King of Morocco also did so exceedingly admire the purity of his Arabick stile 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 Orange, 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 fell sick of the Plague,His death. whereof he dyed, Anno Christi 1624, and of his age forty.
A. SCVLTETVS
The Life of Abraham Scultetus, who dyed Ano Christi 1624.
ABraham Scultetus was born at Grunberg in Silesia, Anno Christi 1566.His birth and education His Parents were of good rank, who carefully brought him up at School, where he profited exceedingly; and Anno Christi 1582 he went to Uratislavia, where he had for his fellow-Students Pitiscus, Polanus, and Pelargus, men who after proved eminent in the Church of God: Having studied there some time,He goes to Friestade. he went thence to Freistade to hear Melancthon, Buc…lzer, and some others: But his active spirit could not long be contained within the bounds of his own country, and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a Noble Knight, he went to Wittenberg, His travels.and from thence to Dessavia, to acquaint himself with Peter Martyr, and Caspar Pucer.
Anno Christi 1590 he went to Heidleberg, where hee heard D…niel Tossan, and Francis Junius: There also he read Lectures of Logick, Oratory, and Astronomy to divers young Noblemen, and the year after Commenced Master of Arts. Then he betook himself to the study of Divinity,He studies divinity. thereby to fit himself for the Ministry, which from his childhood he had devoted himself to: And preaching before the Elector Palatine, he so flowed with eloquence and sweetnesse of speech,His eloquence. that the Prince, and all his Courtiers were much delighted in him; which caused the Elector to make him Visitor both of the Schools and Churches:His employments. Yea many other Princes made use of his help in reforming their Churches in Juliers: Brandenburg, and Hannovia: He was also sent to the Synod of Dort.
Anno Christi 1612 the Prince Elector Palatine tooke him into England with him,He goes into England. where he was much esteemed, and respected by King James, and other learned men. At his retu…n to Heidleberg he was made Professor in the University,He is made Dr. and Professor. and Doctor in Divinity Anno Christi 1618: But about that time, grievous Wars breaking forth (the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards over all Germany) he was forced to leave Heidleberg, His afflictions.and travelled into Bohemia; yet there also he met with many afflictions, and dangers, so that having been long tossed up and down in several countries, the Lord at last provided him a quiet station at Embden, He is called to Embden.where he was chosen a Preacher of the Gospel: But being thus worn out with travels, sorrows, and pains in the work of the Ministry,His death. hee quietly there slept in the Lord, Anno Christi 1624, and of his age 58.
What admirable endowments he had,His works. his works do sufficiently declare, especially his Medulla Patrum, which is so much esteemed by learned men.
The Life of John Piscator, who died Ano Christi 1625.
JOhn Piscator was born at Strasborough, His birth and education.Anno Christi 1546, at which time Germany was on fire with Civill Wars: Yet that hindred not, but he followed his studies very hard, and profited exceedingly in learning. When he came to the study of Logick, with great felicity he joyned Ramus and Aristotle together:He is Professor at Herborn. And afterwards having made a good progresse in the study of Divinity, he was called to Herborn to be the Professor there, and his labours were so gratefull to young Students, that many flocked thither out of Germany, France, Hungary, Poland, and other Northern Countries.
He wrote many things with great diligence,His works. Bible translated. and labour, scarce affording any rest to himself. He translated the whole Bible with great pains, and faithfulnesse into the German Tongue; besides his Logical, and Theological Analysis of the greatest part of it.His death. He died at Herborn Anno Christi 1625, and of his age 80.