The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, John Jewel
J. JVEL
The Life of John Juel, who dyed Ano Christi 1571.
JOhn Juel was born at Buden, His Birth and Education.in Devonshire, Anno Christi 1522. His Father was a Gentleman that carefully trained him up in piety, and learning. His singular promptnesse of wit and industry, accompanied with ingenuity, and modesty, procured him much love from his Master.He goes to Oxford. At thirteen years old he was sent to Oxford, and admitted into Merton Colledge, under the tuition of Master …arkhurst, who was as carefull to season him with pure Religion, as with other learning: afterwards he removed to Corpus Christi Colledg, where his proficiency in learning was so remarkable that he took his degree of Bachelor with much applause, and shortly after was chosen (before many his Seniors) to read the Humanity Lecture, which he performed with such accuratenesse, diligence and excellency,He is chosen Hu…anity Lect…rer. that many came from other C…lledges to hear him, and amongst others Master Parkhurst his former Tutor, who (the Lecture being ended) saluted him thus,
Olim Discipulus mihi, chare Juelle, fuisti,
Nunc ero Discipulus, terenuente, tuus.
Dear Juel, thou a Scholar wast of mine;
Hereafter, though unwilling, Ile be thine.
He was very studious, and his onelyonly recreations from hi… studies,His studiousnes was reading to his Scholars, disputing with others, and ruminating what he had before read: His life was such, that the Dean of the Colledge (though a Papist) thus said, I should love thee Juel if thou wert not a Zuinglian: In thy Faith I hold thee an Heretick, but surely in thy life thou art an Angel… thou art very good and honest, but a Luther…n. In the end of King Henry the eighth's reigne, he commenced Master of Arts, but he flourished much more under Edward the sixth,His esteem of Peter Martyr. at which time Peter Martyr being the Divinity Professor in Oxford, Juel observed his Art; copied ou… his Sermons and Lectures, and became most intimate with him: He preached at Sunningwell, and was famous for his Latine Sermons ad Clerum: He ever loved Eloquence, b…t not effeminatam, sed virilem: Prudentibus viris non place… phalerata, sed fortia: But about the beginning of Quee… Maries reign, the popish party of that Colledge prevailing, they expelled him the house for his Religion; After which he …arried a while at Broadgates-Hall, where the same of his learning drew many Scholars to him,He is exp…l… t…e Colledge. and the University chose him for her Orator: There he stayed so long till the Inquisition caught him, urging upon him subscription, under pain of Proscription,…rought into the …. and horrible tortures. Now was he brought into such straights, that consulting with flesh and blood hee set his name to the paper,Humane infirmity. whereby he approved some articles of Popery. This much obscured the glory of his after sufferings, and nothing promoted his safety; for snares being laid for him, he had certainly been caught, had he not, by Gods speciall providence, gone that very night that he was sought for accidentally a wrong way to London; A speciall providence.and to by going out of the way, he found the safest way; But afterwards he repented of this publick Subscription, by publick confession,His Recan…ation. and contrition.
As he travelled on foot in a snowie winters night toward London, he was found in the way by Master Latimers servant starved with cold,Gods providence. and faint with wearinesse, lying on the ground, panting, and labouring for life, or for death rather, by whose means he was preserved; Yet when he came to London he found no safety, looking every hour to be delivered up to that cruel butcher Bonner, and to be slaughtered at his shambles: whereupon he fled from his Native-Soyl,Flight in persecution. and wandring beyond Sea, was disappointed of all his friends, and means to procure him so much as a nights lodging; yet through Gods mercy he came safe to Franckefurt, where, presently after he made an excellent Sermon,He goes to Frankfurt. and in the end of it, openly confessed his fall in these words, It was my abject, and cowardly minde, and faint heart that made my weak hand commit this wickednesse, His Repentance.which confession was mixed with hearty sighs, and tears, and concluded with earnest supplication; First, to Almighty God whom he had offended, and then to his Church which he had scandalized; and there was none in that Congregation but ever after imbraced him as a dear brother, yea, as an Angel of God.
From thence he was often invited by kinde Letters from Peter Martyr to Strasborough, He goes to Strasborough.whether at last he went, and where he found many Divines, Knights and Gentlemen, who were fled from England, having left their estates, honors, kindred and dearest friends for the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When he came to Strasborough, Martyr invited him to his Common-Table, and used his help in compiling of his Commentary upon Judges, and afterwards when Martyr was sent for by the Senate of Zurick to succeed Pellican in the Hebrew Lecture,From thence to Zurick. and exposition of Scripture, he took Juel with him, being accompanied also with many other English Exiles, who for a while were maintained by the charity of some Londoners;Charity to the Exiles. till Steven Gardiner having notice of it, by imprisoning and impoverishing their benefactors, stopped the current of their bounty; Yet in this extremity,Popish malice. the Lord raised up Christopher, Prince of Wirtemberg, bountifully to relieve them.Gods mercy.
The Senators of Zurick also, at the request of Bullinger, opened the treasury of their liberality to them: Also Calvin, Zuinglius, Melancthon, Pellican, Lavater, Gesner, and all the greatest ornaments of Religion and learning in all reformed Churches were very kinde to the English Exiles.
Juel spent most of the time of his banishment in Peter Martyrs house, bettering him, and being bettered by him: He took much paines also in composing the differences and contentions amongst his brethren,A blessed Peace-maker. arising from the difference of opinion concerning ceremonies, and Church-discipline: and those which groaned most under the burthen of affliction, he perswaded them to patience in bearing their part of Christs Crosse, shutting up all with that sweet close often repeated by him,A Prediction. Haec non durabunt aetatem: Bear a while, these miseries will not endure an Age; Which words proved a Prophesie; for it pleased God in mercy to his Church shortly after to cut off that bloody Queen Mary who lived not out half her daies,Qu. Mary dyes. Qu. Elizabeth succeed…. and to set up Queen Elizabeth to be a Nursing Mother to his Church. In the beginning of whose Reign those Exiles returned home, and Juel amongst the rest. Presently after his return, he with some others were appointed to dispute at Westminster with some of the Popish party;A disputation appointed. but the Papists declining the Disputation, it came to nothing. Shortly after the Queen imployed him into the West to visit the Churches,His paines in Reforming the Church. to root out Superstition, and to plant true Religion, where he took much pains in breaking the Bread of Life, where he first drew the Breath of Life.
After this he was made Bishop of Salisbury, He is made Bishop.though with much reluctancy, looking upon it as a great burthen. In that office he took much paines both by Preaching and Governing, and was very careful in providing faithfull Pastors, and in reforming abuses.
Anno Christi 1560, he was called to preach at Pauls Cross, where he took that Text 1 Cor. 11. 23. He preach…s at Pauls Crosse.For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, &c. In which Sermon he confirmed largely the Protestants Doctrine concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper by Scriptures and Fathers, His challenge to the Papists.adding this solemn Protestation, That if any Learned man of all our adversaries, or if all the Learned men that be alive, are able to shew any one sufficient sentence out of any old Catholick Doctor or Father, or out of any old Generall Council, or out of the holy Scriptures of God, or any one example of the Primitive Church, whereby it may be clearly and plainly proved, That there was any private Masses in the world at that time for the space of six hundred years after Christ; or that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was ever administred to the people under one kind; or that the people then had their Common Prayers in a strange tongue that they understood not; or that the Bishop of Rome was then called a Universall Bishop, or the Head of the Universall Church; or that the people were taught to beleeve that Christs Body is really, substantially, corporeally, carnally, or naturally in the Sacrament; or that his Body is, or may be in above a thousand places at one time; or that the Priest did then hold up the Sacrament over his head; or that the people did then fall down and worship it with divine honour; or that then the Sacrament was hanged up under a Canopy; or that in the Sacrament after the words of consecration, there remained onelyonly the accidents or shews, without the substance of Bread and Wine; or that the Priest then divided the Sacrament in three parts, and after received all alone himself; or that whosoever had then said that the Sacrament is a figure, pledge, token, or remembrance of Christs body, had therefore been judged for an Heretick; or that it was then lawfull to have thirty, twenty, fifteen, or five Masses said in one Church in one day; or that Images were then set up in Churches, that the people might worship them; or that the Lay-people were then forbidden to read the Word of God in their own language. If any man alive can prove any one of these Articles, by any one clear or plain clause, or sentence of Scripture, ancient Fathers, or any one Generall Councill, or any example of the Primitive Church, I here promise that I will give over my opinion and subscribe to him. Yea I further promise, that if any of all our Adversaries be able clearly, and plainly to prove in manner aforesaid, that it was then lawfull for a Priest to pronounce the words of consecration closely, and in silence to himself; or that the Priest had then authority to offer up Christ unto his Father; or to receive the Sacrament for another, as they now do; or apply the virtue of Christs death and passion to any man by means of the Mass, or that then it was thought a sound doctrine to teach the people that the Mass ex opere operato is able to remove our sinnes; or that any Christian man called the Sacrament his Lord and God; or that the people were then taught to beleeve that the Body of Christ remaineth in the Sacranent so long as that bread remaineth without corruption; or that a Mouse, Worm, or other creature may eat the Body of Christ; or that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion. As I said before, so say I new again, if any of them can clearly prove any of these things in the manner aforesaid, I promise to yeeld, and subscribe unto him. Indeed they have long boasted of Antiquity, &c. but when they are put to their proofs, they can produce nothing. I speake not this out of arrogancy (thou Lord knowest it, that knowest all things) but because it is in the cause of God, and for asserting his Truth, I should doe God great injury if I should conceal it.
He was very bountifull in relieving the poor,Hi… Charity. and wise in composing litigious strifes. Besides his publick employments he read much, and wrote much;His grea… pain… scarce any yeare in all the time of his Bishoprick passed, wherein he published not some famous work or other: Diu vixit, licet non di… fuit, He lived long in that short scantling of his life.A good Bishop At Meales, a Chapter being first read, he recreated himself with Scholastical combats between young Scholars whom he maintained at his table; the conquerors were bountifully rewarded. After Meals, his doors and eares were open to all suits and causes; and then he retired to his study.
At nine a clock at night he called all his servants to an account how they had spent that day,His Family government. and after prayer, admonished them accordingly: Then he returned to his study, where often he sate till after midnight. When he was layd in bed, one that waited upon him, read some part of an Author to him: which done, commending himself to the protection of his Saviour, he took his rest.
His memory was raised by art to the highest pitch of humane possibility;He had heart of memory. for he could readily repeat any thing that he had penned after once reading it: And therefore usually at the ringing of the bell, he beganne to commit his Sermons to heart; and kept what he learned so firmely, that he used to say, That if he were to make a speech premeditated, before a thousand Auditors shouting of fighting all the while, yet could he say all that he had provided to speak. Many barbarous, and hard names out of a Callender, and forty strange words, VVelsh, Irish, &c. after once, or twice reading at the most, and short meditation, he could repeat both forwards, and backwards without hesitation. And Sir Francis Bacon reading onelyonly to him the last clauses of tenne lines in Erasmus his Paraphrase in a confused and dismembred manner; he sitting silent a while, on a sudden rehearsed all those broken parcels of sentences the right way, and the contrary, without stumbling. Long before his sickness he fore-told the approaching, and in his sicknesse,His death foreseen by him. the precise day of his death: And hee was so farre from declining it, that by fasting, labour, and watching, he seemed rather to accelerate it, that he might be the readier to entertain death,His preparation for death. and meet his Saviour. Being very weak, as he was going to preach at Lacock in Wiltsh…re, a Gentleman meeting him, friendly admonished him to returne home for his healths sake, telling him that it was better the people should want one Sermon, then be altogether deprived of such a Preacher. To whom he replyed, That it best became a Bishop to die preaching in a Pulpit; Preach…rs pattern.alluding to that of Vespasian, Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori. And thinking upon that of his Master,Gal. 5. 16. Happy art thou my servant, if when I come I find thee so doing. His text whereon he preached at Lacock, was, Walk in the Spirit; and presently after Sermon his disease growing more and more upon him, hee was forced to take his bed. In the beginning of his sicknesse he made his Will, and gave most of his estate to his servants, to scholars, and to the poor of Sarum. The Saturday following, calling all his houshold about him, he expounded the Lords Prayer,Hi… speech to his family in his sicknesse. Cantater …ygnus funeris ipse sui: Wherein hee said, It hath alwaies been my desire that I might glorifie God, and honour his name by sacrificing my life unto death for the defence of his Truth: But seeing God hath not granted my desire, yet I rejoice that my body is exhausted, and worn away in the labours of my holy calling, &c. And now that my hour is at hand I earnestly desire you to pray for me, and to help me with the ardencie of your affections, when you perceive me, through the infirmitie of the …esh, to languish in my prayers: Hitherto I have taught you, but now the time is come wherein I may, and desire to be taught and strengthened by every one of you. Then hee desired them to sing the 71 Psalm, himself also joyning as well as he could, somtimes also interposing some words of particular application to himself, & in the end he said, Lord now let thy servant depart in peace: Break off all delaies: Lord receive my spirit, &c.Death desired. Then one standing by, prayed with tears, that if the Lord pleased, he would restore him to his former health: Juel over-hearing him, seemed to be offended, and said, I have not lived so, that I am ashamed to live longer, neither do I fear to die, Ambrose. His faith.because we have a mercifull Lord. A crown of righteousness is laid up for me: Christ is my righteousnesse. Father, let thy will be done, thy will I say, and not mine, which is imperfect and depraved. This day quickly let me see the Lord Jesus, &c. And so after a few fervent inward prayers and sighs of longing desire, the soul returned to him that gave it,His Death. Anno Christi 1571; and of his Age 50.
Concerning his Apology for the Church of England, Martyrs testimony of his Apology.Peter Martyr thus wrote to him. Tua Apologia, frater charissimè, non tantùm mihi omnibus modis, & numeris satisfecit: verùm etiam Bulingero, ejus que filiis, & generis, nec non Gualthero, & Wolphio; tam sapiens, mirabilis, & eloquens vis… est, ut ejus laudandae nullum modum faciant, nec arbitrantu… quicquam▪ hoc tempore perfectius editum fuisse, &c. i. e. Thy Apology, dear brother, hath not onelyonly fully satisfied mee but it seems also so wise, admirable, and eloquent to Bullinger, and his sonnes; as also to Gualter, and Wolphius, that they can never make an end of praising it; and they believe that there hath not been so compleate a book published in this Age, &c.