The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Henry Alting
The Life of Henry Alting, who dyed Anno Christi 1644.
HEnry Alting was born at Embden in Frisland, Anno Christi 1583.His birth and parentage. of a very antient and honorable Family: His Father, Menso Alting, was Pastor of Embden; his Mother was Mary Biscof, a choice Matron: In his childhood he was very sickly and weak, so that he was four years old before he could go. His Parents devoted him to the service of God, and his Church from the very Womb, and therefore Anno Chri. 1590. when he was seven years old,His education. they set him to School in their own City of Embden, where he quickly discovered a prompt and ready wit, so that in the space of seven years he went through all the forms in that School, and being fitted for it, at fourteen years old his Father sent him to the University of Groning, He goes to Groning.where he studyed the first year under Buningius, and three other years under Vbbo Emmiu…, the first Rector of that University; a man famous through the World for his Learning: By his diligence under such Tutors he profited exceedingly, writing an excellent Latine stile,His proficiency. and being well grounded in the knowledge of the Arts.
From thence his Father sent him into Germany for the advancement of his Learning, and having saluted Marpurg, he went to Herborn, He goes to Herborn.Anno Christi 1602. where that famous Divine Iohn Piscator was Professor, under whom our Henry applyed himself to his studyes, and by his great industry and excellency of his wit was so far approved of, that he was imployed in reading Philosophical and Theological Lectures: So that after three years abode there, he began to think of entring into the Ministry, for which end he resolved to go into Helvetia and France, to receive Orders in some of those Churches: But God for the present intended him to another imployment: For upon the commendations of the Professors of Herborn, Piscator, He is made Tutor to three Noble men.Zepper, and Martinius, he was appointed by Count Iohn of Nassau to be Tutor to three young Counts, viz. William of Nassau, Conrade Lodowick of Solmes, and Phil. Ernest of Isenburg, who at this time were Students in the University of Sedan, together with the young Prince Frederick, son to Frederick the fourth, Elector Palatine, who afterwards was chosen King of Bohemia.
But before our Henry went to Sedan, he went to Heidleberg. to Iohn Albert Count of Solmes, and from thence to Friedelsheim to the Prince Elector himself, by whom he was courteously entertained; and being furnished with Letters and necessaries for his journey,He goes to Sedan. he went to Sedan, where he arrived in the beginning of September, An. Christi 1605. and undertook his Office.
He had continued but awhile in that place, before it was requisite for him to withdraw, with his charge from that City, for fear of a siege which was threatned by Henry the fourth King of France: Returns to Heidleberg.and therefore they all went to Heidleberg, and our Henry in the Princes Court attended his former imployments, having a fourth added to the former three Noblemen, viz. Iohn Conrade, the Rheingrave. Is made Tutor to Prince Frederick.Yea the very same Summer Prince Frederick himself was committed to his tuition, to be by him instructed in History and Geography: And at last, viz. 1608. he was wholly left to the instruction of our Henry and Zachary Collius, Returns to Sedan.who went back with him to Sedan, the storm being now over, where he so carefully attended his charge all day, that he was fain to get time out of his sleep for the study of Divinity.
The University of Sedan had at this time famous Divines in it, as Daniel Talenus, and Iames Capellus, with whom he entred into a strict bond of familiarity.
Anno Christi 1610. the Prince Elector dying, he returned with the young Prince to Heidleberg, where he attended his daily imployment.
Anno Christi 161….Returns to Heidleberg. the Prince Elector being to go into England to marry the Lady Elizabeth daughter to King Iames, would needs have our Henry to go along in his train:Goes for England. In which journey he escaped death very narrowly, himself with Scultetus, and some other of the Princes company being surprized with a storm upon the Lake of Harlem, Escapes danger.so that with great difficulty, and half drowned, they gat to the further shore. This was October the seventh in the afternoon, just at which time his Father dyed, leaving this life for a better.
Alting having escaped this danger, with a better voyage arrived safely in England, where he was kindely entertained, and became familiar with George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury, John King Bishop of London, His friends in England.and Doctor Hackwell Tutor to the Prince of Wales: yea, and King James himself conferred familiarly with him.
February following An. Christi 1613. the Prince Elector being marryed, sent Henry Alting with his Scholars before him into the Palatinate, who in their journey travelled through Zeland, Flanders, Brabant, Limburg, Jul…ers, and Collen, and so at last arrived at Heidleberg in April: His return to Heidleberg.the new marryed couple being not long behinde them.
About four moneths after our Alting was called to be a Professor of Divinity,Is made a Professor; to read Common places in the University of Heidleberg: Into which he was admitted August the 16. which was the Princes birth day: And because by the Statutes of the University none could be Moderator of the Disputations but a Doctor, he was solemnly inaugurated into that degree, November the 18. by Paraeus Dean of the University, and Bartholomew Coppenius Doctor of Divinity.And Doctor in Divinity; And this was very remarkable, that amongst all the tumults and pleasures of the Court, his minde was never taken off from the study of Divinity. But Gods Providence intended him to some further imployment then a Professors place: For there was in Heidleberg an excellent Seminary of the Church, endowed with large revenues called the Colledge of Wisdom: And Master of the Colledge of Wisdom.The Prince therefore chose him Master thereof, October the 15. An. Chri. 1616. together with two Colleagues to instruct and train up young Divines for the work of the Ministry: and how much good he did therein, they are able to relate who gratefully acknowledge what profit they reaped by his care and culture.
Whilst he was thus laboring in his double imployment, Coppenius another Professor dyed, whose place was divolved upon our Alting: His modesty.but by a rare and great example of modesty, he chose rather to continue in his former imployments, and by his favour and authority in the Princes Court, prevailed that Abraham Scultetus should have that Professors place transferred upon him.
About this time a National Synod was called at Dort, The Synod of Dort.for the composing of the differences in the Belgick Churches by reason of the Arminians, and when grave, learned, and godly men were chosen out of all the Reformed Churches to be present at it,He is sent thither. (which was Anno Christi 1618 and 1619) our Altingius, with two others, was sent from Heidleberg to assist in that work: where he approved himself to all that were present both for his excellent Learning in Divinity, and his dexterity in explicating cases of greater difficulty.
Thus far we have heard the happier and more comfortable part of his life, now follows the more sad and afflicted part of it: For scarcely was the Synod ended, wherein the Arminians were condemned, and the Orthodox Truths established, but Alting with his Colleagues returned to Heidleberg; His return to Heidleberg.and at the same time the tumults in Bohemia began: The Prince Elector is chosen King of Bohemia and Crowned: Spinola breaks into the Palatinate: the great battel was fought nere Prague; the Bohemians are beaten, which was An. Chri. 1620. And the year following the University of Heidleberg was dissipated, the Students flying for fear, and the Professors having liberty granted them to go whether they pleased. Yet our Alting sending his family into a place of safety, stays still in the Colledge of Wisdom, keeping the Students in good order; remaining unterrified in the midst of emminent dangers,He stays in dangers. whilst he was serviceable to the Church, satisfied his own Conscience, and the earnest desire of the King, who from the H…gue had written to him desiring him not to depart from Heidleberg.
An … in the monethmonth of …gust Heidleberg was besieged by …, and …eptember the 6. was taken by storm,Heidleberg taken by storm. at which time it suffered whatsoever Military licent…ousness could inflict by plunderings, murthers, and ravishing of Matrons and Virgins, all being heightened by the hatred of Religion, and the brutishness of the Cro…s. At this time our Alting was in his study, who hearing of the surprize of the City, bolted his door,He prepares for death. and betook himself to Prayer, looking every moment when the bloudy Souldiers would break in to sacrifice him to God: But the great Arbiter of life and death took care for his safety: For Monsieur Behusius, Rector of the School, and his dear friend hiring two souldiers, called him forth, and conveyed him through a back dore into the Lord Chancellors house,Y…t is preserved. which Tilly had commanded to be preserved from plundering by reason of the Publick Monuments of the Commonwealth that were kept in that place. This house was commanded to be guarded by a Lieutenant Colonel that was under the Count of Hohenzollem, a man greedy of prey, who least he should lose his share in the booty by his attendance upon that place, sent forth his Souldiers as it were a hunting, commanding them that if they met with any Citizens of note, that under pretence of safe-guarding them, they should bring them to him, purposing by their ransom to enrich himself: To this man Alting was brought, who with his naked sword reeking with blood, said to him: This day with this hand I have slain ten men, to whom Doctor Alting shall be added as the eleventh, if I knew where to finde him. But who art thou? Truly such a countenance, and such a speech in such a juncture of time might have affrighted the most constant minde: But our Alting by a witty answer, neither denying himself to be Alting, nor unseasonably discovering himself, answered (as sometimes Athanasius in the like case) I was (saith he) a Schoolmaster in the Colle…ge of Wisdom: His prudence.Hereupon the Leiutenant Colonel promised him safety, who if he had known him to be Alting, would surely have slain him
Oh what a sad time had he that night, which he passed without sleep, hearing the continual shrikes and groans which filled the ayr of Women ravished Virgins defloured, men, some drawn to torments, others immediately slain: But when he saw that many fled to this house as to their only refuge, fearing lest he should be discovered by some of them, either through imprudence or malice, he retired into a Cockloft: where, whilst he hid himself, this Leiutenant Colonel was by the authority of Tilly presently commanded away, not giving him so much time as to seek out his Schoolmaster, that the house might be resigned to the Iesuites for whom it was appointed. Yet under these new inhabitants our Alting should not have been one jot safer,A special providence. if God had not by a special providence provided for his safety. For the kitchin of this house was reserved for Tillies own use, and one of the Palatines Cooks was appointed over it, who closely fed and maintained him, and whilst the Iesuites were providing all things in a readiness in the Church for the Mass, he hired three Bavarian Souldiers that kept guards in the streets, to guard him to his own house.
When he came thither he found all things broken,His house plundered. plundred and carryed away, and in his study he found a Captain boasting that all things therein were his own: yet (saith he to Alting) I give thee leave to take any one book, and to carry it away with thee. This proffer our generous Alting refused, saying, Sir, If all these things be yours, I pray God that you may enjoy them longer then their last Master did: This was with Iob, to say, The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest.
Thu… returning to his former refuge, not without very great danger, three days after Tilly▪ (who had taken up Altings son in Laws house for his Quarters, was prevailed with to grant him a safe conduct to go to Heilbron, He gets a safe conduct.to bring back his family from thence▪
Thus escaping out of Heidleberg, he passed through a thousand dangers and deaths, till it pleased God at last to bring him safely to Heilbron; from whence after a short stay, he went to Schomdorf, where he found his family: In which place he stayed till Frebruary following, having obtained leave so to do of the Duke of Wirtemberg, by the mediation of his Dutches,The Lutherans spleen. whom otherwise the Lutheran Divines would not have endured; and indeed they fretted exceedingly at it, having no other reason for their spleen, but only because he was a Professor of Heidleberg.
The year following being 1623. the King of Bohemia sent for him into the Low-countries, and at last (through Gods mercy) after a long, difficult, dangerous, and chargable journey both by Water and Land,He goes to Embden. he arrived safely with his Family at Embden, and after a short stay there went into Holland, presenting himself to his King, who presently made him Tutor to his Eldest son Frederick: Neither would the King suffer him to imbrace a frequent call which he had to a Pastora… charge in Embden.
Yet neither did he pass over that year without great danger; For as he was passing in a sled upon the ice nere Purmerend, A special providence.the ice breaking, he fell into the water, and was very neer drowning. But (by Gods mercy being pulled out, he fell into a dangerous disease, of which though he recovered, yet he felt a continual pain in his left shoulder all his life after.
A while after taking all his Family with him, he removed to Leiden to oversee the Kings sons in their studies.He goes to Leiden.
Anno Christi 1625. Sibrand Lubbertus dying at Franek…r, he was called by the States of Frisland to supply that place, and they sent again and again to the King to desire his consent thereto: But the King not consenting, he modestly excused it.
Anno Christi 1626. he was called to Groning to supply the place of Ravens…erg, one of the Professors of Divinity lately dead; And though the King would by no means at first hear of it, yet at the importunity of the Senate and University, he at last consented, and furnishing him with necessaries dismissed him:He goes to Groning. So that he removed to Groning, and the Easter following began his work in the University Anno Christi 1627. yet once a year he used to visit the King, who always highly prized him, and used him very familiarly.
He supplyed that Professors place at Groning for the space of eighteen years with admirable fidelity, diligence, and industry, as not only his hearers but his works testifie;His works. As his Body of Divinity, His Explication of Vrsins Catechism, and the Belgick Confession. His Disputations and Lectures against the Manual of Becanus: His Tractates concerning the Plague: Predestination and the Term of Life. His Vindication and Explication of the Canons of the Synod of Dort: Besides some other of his Works not yet printed.
He was three times Rector of the Academy in Groning. His care of the University.In the years 1628. 1636 and 1641. At all which times he brought some great profit or other to the University. In his first Rectorship he procured an encrease of Fellowships: For whereas there were but forty before, he encreased them to sixty. In his second Rectorship he procured a great augmentation to the University Library. In his third he obtained that one of the Doctors was sent at the Publick charge to Leiden to buy the choicest Books out of Gomarus his Library. He was seven years Pastor of the Church of Groning. At the request of Count Benthemius he visited the County of Steinfurt, His imployments.purged it from Socinianism, and setled peace in the Churches: He, together with some other learned men, was imployed in perusing and correcting the new Version of the New Testament and the Apocrypha Books, wherein he attended it with great diligence and danger at Leiden, the Plague being very rife amongst them at the same time. He always had a singular care of the Churches of Germany, His care to provide for Exiles.and especially of the Pallatinate, improving his interest in procuring liberal contributions in all the Reformed Churches for their maintenance, that they might not perish through want. The Collections which were made in England, were committed to his distribution with two others by the Elector Charles Lodowick. Charity.The contribution of that Noble and Munisicent man Lodowick de Geer was put into his hand for the training up of young German Students in Divinity, which might (when God should restore peace) furnish the Churches of the Palatinate again: which trust he discharged with great diligence and fidelity.His fidelity. He refused the Cals which he had to Vtrick and Leiden: For though he condescended to the latter, when it was brought him Anno Christi 1633.His Call to Leiden. by the Syndic of Leiden, yet it was upon condition that the Provincial States of Groning would give their consents: But he was too dear to them to be dismissed, though several requests were made to them by the States of Holland for the obtaining thereof. He was once calle… back by the Administrator of the Palatinate, And into the Palatinate.Prince Lodowick Philip, to be Professor of Heidleberg, and to restore the Churches in the Palatinate: and for that end he went through many dangers as far as Franckfurt: but by reason of the overthrow at Norlingen, a new tempest hung over the Palatinate▪ which hindred his prosecution of that work.His care of the University. How much he watched over the good of the University of Groning; how careful he was for the choice of able Professors in case of vacancy; and how prevalent he was therein by reason of his favour and authority with the States, is known to all that were his Contemporaries there. He was very careful for the training up of young Students to the work of the Ministry, that they should not be sent forth raw and unprovided to so great and difficult imployments: for which end he caused Ecclesiastes Bucani to be printed for their use.
He marryed a wife whilst he was at Heidleberg Anno Christi 1614.His marriage. a little before he was called to his Professors place: Not rashly (as many do) marrying and getting children before they have means to maintain them. She was a very religious Matron [Susanna Belieria] the daughter of Charles Belierius, then Consul of Heidleberg: with whom he lived lovingly without domestick quarrels for the space of neer thirty years, by whom he had seven children.
He was tall of stature and well set: He had quick eyes and lively senses:His character. a loud and pleasing voice: A sound constitution, only by reason of his many occasions of grief, somewhat inclining to Melancholy, so as he was prone to such diseases wherein that humor did abound. In his old age he was somewhat slow of gate, not through unwealdiness of body, but by reason of the speedy growth of old age upon him. He was very pious and learned, and adorned with all graces. If he set himself to reprove vice, he performed it with great gravity. If he comforted his friends, he did it with admirable dexterity. If he admonished any of their duty, he did it with much lenity. His Ministry was full of Majesty; his stile eloquent; his matter clear and solid. He was very sociable, pleasant, and loving in his converse with his friends. By his practice, converse, experience, and reading both of ancient and modern Ecclesiastical Histories, he attained to a great measure of wisdom.His zeal. He was very zealous in defending the Orthodox Religion. Very far from busying himself in other mens matters. Could not endure strife and contentions: Shunned those vain distinctions and fooleries of Sophisters whereby they rather darken then explicate the mysteries of Salvation. He could not endure novelties in Divinity, holding that of Tertullian, Primum quod que verissimum, That which is most ancient is most true. His profession was without dissimulation; his Divinity solid and substantial, not that which is fetched out of the puddles of the Schoolmen (though he was no stranger to them) but out of the pure Fountain of the Sacred Scriptures.He stud…es the Churches peace. He was a constant studier of the Peace of the Church, yet always so as not to hazard the loss of truth which he ever preferred before the former. He was of a constant minde, always the same; valiant in adversity, moderate in prosperity, having well learned foreign, to sustain and abstain. In reproofs he was affectionate without bitterness: In admonishing and counselling prudent without passion: In choosing his friends of a quick judgement, and constant in retaining them:His prudence. When he was to deliver his judgement either in the Academical Senate, or in the Ecclesiastick Presbyterie, he so went before others with his prudent counsel, as not to neglect to hear others judgements, neither would he take it ill if they dissented from him. If any question of great difficulty happened, he would never rest till he had searched out, and made plain the truth. If any resorted to him in private to ask his advice in Sacred, Civil, Academical, or Oeconomical affairs, his answer was instead of an Oracle to them.
His prudence did futher discover it self by the government of his Family,His family government. where he kept all in peace, order, and concord; and concerning which this only was known that no body kn…w what was done therein.
Anno Christi 1639. he buryed one of his daughters called Mary, a beautiful and virtuous young maid, which caused so great grief to him that he fell into a Quartane Ague, which Physitians hold to be mortal in old men;His sickness. and though at last he was cured of it, yet it lest ill reliques in his weakened bo…y, which in the year 1641. brake forth into a far more grievous disease, viz. a Leth…rgy, which threatned an Apoplexie, and which the Physitians did foretel to be fatal: Yet neither by this sharp affliction could his stedfast minde be cast down: For after a while, contrary to all mens expectations, he began to recover strength, though indeed he was never perfectly cured. A third affliction which befel him,His wife dies. was the death of his dear wife, which fell out the year after upon October the 15▪ the same day upon which formerly he had been chosen Master of the College of Wisdom. From that very time of the loss of his wife he was discerned to decay, his solitude encreasing his melancholy, which afterwards he could never get the mastery over. Yea he often foretold that he should not long survive his wife:Death foreseen. and though the Easter after he went as far as …mbden to visit his friends, and recreate himself with their society, yet thereby he did but increase his destempers. For he was detained there for the space of twenty days by reason of a Catharr and Feaver;His disease encreas…th. after which he returned to Groning, but much weakned and troubled with obstructions which Physick could not remove▪ nor any Medicines cure. Yet it pleased God that he had some lucid intervals, at which times he would attend upon his Professorship, and the affairs of the University and his friends.
August following, those obstructions so far prevailed that they took away his stomach, and thence ensued a sensible decay of his strength, which afterwards was accompanied with great pains in his Back and Loins, that caused often faintings.
In his sickness Doctor Maretius visiting him, with a firm voice and friendly minde he congratulated him for that he was designed for his successor:A good Pastor. For (saith he) it much rejoyceth me that I shall leave to the Vniversity and Church one that is studious of peace, Orthodox in judgement, and averse from novelties; and I require you that as you have ever maintained friendship with me, so do the like with mine whom I shall leave behinde me. The day before his death he sang the 130 Psalm with a sweet voice, and fervent zeal to the Lord, and spent the rest of his time in hearty Prayers and holy meditations. In the Evening he blessed his children, and then commanded his son Doctor James Alting to pray with him, and in his Prayers to remember the Church and University. The next day which was Sabbath day in the morning he found himself somewhat better, yet presently after he fell into a swound. After the Morning Exercise, his old friends Doctor Camerarius, and Doctor Strasbergerus, Agents for the Crown of Sweden, came to visit him, by whose conference he was somewhat refreshed: but no sooner were they gone, when feeling that his disease had conquered Nature, he told those about him that before Sunset he should depart to the Lord:His faith. and so acting his faith upon the death and merits of Christ, upon the promises of the Gospel, and cheared up with the comforts of the Holy Ghost, he expected death without fear, and presently after with a constant voice he bade them all farewel, as being ready to depart to Christ, which he much longed for: Then causing himself to be somewhat raised up, they perceived that he was ready to depart, wherefore hastily sending for the Reverend Pastor of the Church Wesselus Emmius, his old friend, he prayed with him, and as long as he perceived that he understood him, he cheered him up with the sweet promises of the Gospel, valiantly to go through that last combate; and so about three a clock in the afternoon, in the presence of his friends, and the Professors of the University, without the least strugling,His death. he quietly slept in the Lord, Aug. 25. Anno Christi 1644.
His Works are mentioned before in his life.His works.