The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Steven Kis Zegedine
The Life of Zegedine, who died Ano Christi 1572.
STeven Kis, His birth and education.sirnamed Zegedine, from the place where hee was born, which was a Town in the lower Pannonia, was born Anno Christi 1505, brought up in learning, first in the School of Zegedine, under the eye of his Parents; then was sent to Lippain, and after a while to Julia, in all which places he made an excellent progresse in Learning, and profited to admiration: And his parents being dead, he betooke himself to teaching a School, and for his admirable dexterity therein, he procured to himselfe great favour, and authority amongst all sorts of persons. About which time (hearing the fame of Luther and Melancthon) he had a great mind to goe to Wittenberg; He goes to Wittenberg.but wanting opportunity in sundry regards, he went to the University at Cracovia, where having studied a while, he was made a Reader to others, and grew very famous; and having gotten some money there, Anno Christi 1541 hee went to Wittenberg, where hee studied Logick and Divinity three years,His diligence and zeal. being a diligent hearer of the Lectures of Luther and Melancthon all that while; and so at the end of that terme, returned into his own country, where hee was received by the Hungarian youths with great applause in every place. And being hired in the City of Thasniadine, His first imployments.he not only instructed youth in the knowledge of the Arts, but he preached Jesus Christ also to the people, before unknown unto them. This comming to the ears of the Kings Treasurer, he sent for him, fell upon him, beat him, and drove him out of the City. There he lost two hundred books,Inhumane cruelty. and was so barbarously kicked by this Tyrant with his Iron spurs, that he was almost slain. Thus wandring up and down as an exile, Anno Christi 1545, hee was called to Julia, He is called to Julia.where he was made Governour of an illustrious Schoole, and hee began to live comfortably; but on a sudden came news to him of the death of Luther, which was a very great grief to him.And to Cegl… dine. The year after hee was sent for to Cegledine, where he was hired to preach publickly in the Church, and with the leave of the Schoolmaster he read Melancthons Common places in the Schooles, discovering many of the Popish errors to his hearers; and God was pleased so to blesse his labours, that many learned young men went out of those Schooles. Having continued there about two yeares and an half, Anno Christi 1548 hee married his first Wife called Ursula; after which leaving Cegledine, hee was earnestly sent for by the Governour of Temeswert to govern the School there,He goes to Temeswert. which indeed was the most famous School in all those parts; where he not onelyonly performed the office wherewith he was intrusted, but preached weekely to the people: But that Governour dying, there succeeded him one that was of a most rugged disposition, being a souldier, and a strong Papist,His many sold afflictions. who drove Zegedine from thence, togegether with divers other Protestants.
Being again an exile, he wandered up and down till hee was called to govern the School at Thurin, He is called to Thurin.where he was received with great honour, Anno Christi 1551, and according to his former custome preached to the people, who eagerly embraced the Truth, and loved him exceedingly. From thence, Anno Christi 1553, he was called to Bekenese, where he preached to the people,And from thence to Becknese. and read Lectures in the Schools. Whilst he was there, some Italian souldiers were commanded by their Captain to kill Zegedine, out of an hatred to his Religion; but it pleased God that a Country man, who heard the command, running hastily to Zegedine, said to him, Sir, what doe you here, A speciall providence.when there are some souldiers comming upon you to slay you? therefore flie hence speedily if you will save your life, and if you have any thing of worth, commit it to my custodie, who promise faithfully to keep it for you. Whilst he was speaking, the noise of the souldiers was heard without, whereupon Zegedine slipt into his chamber, and taking a bag of mony, gave it to the man out of his window, intreating him to keep it safe.He is taken prisoner. Presently after the Souldiers rushing into his chamber, plundered him of all he had, together with his books, and binding him, carried him away with them to the Captain.Gods mercy. But behold the gracious providence of God. Amongst those bloodie souldiers there was one that favoured him, and conveighed him away, so that swimming over a river, he escaped, & returned home again, when the souldiers were departed out of the country. In his bedstraw hee had left another bagge of money, which some women, searching his chamber after his departure, had found, and now honestly restored to him againe: But that man to whom he had given the bagge out of the window, could never after bee heard of.
Shortly after, his fame spreading abroad, he was called to Tholna to govern the School;He is called to Tholna. wherefore taking onelyonly one servant along with him, hee went thither. Anno Christi 1553, where he spent most of his time in teaching Schoole: But afterwards at the importunity of the Minister, he first began on Holydayes, and after on Sabbath daies to preach to the people. And his former Wife being dead, he married another, one Elizabeth, His second marriage.a woman no less vertuous then beautifull. And not long after he was chosen to Lascovia to be their Pastor; and was Ordained Minister by the Imposition of Hands,He is ordained Anno Christi 1554: And being now about fifty years old, he was made Doctor, and Superintendent of all that Baronrie: But hee had such an earnest desire to breed up youth in Religion and Learning, that notwithstanding his other weighty imployments, he read not only in the Schools, but privately also in his own house to many; many ignorant Priests round about resorting to his Lectures: Neither did he intermit his pains,His industry and zeal. no not in sicknesse, if hee had but strength to speak that his voice might bee heard. And thus he continned four years at Lascovia, where he had three children born, Anne, Sarah, and Isaac; and was often made use of by a noble Lord called Mark Horvat, Governour of a Castle hard by, sometimes to preach, and othersome times to decide the most intricate Controversies.
Anno Christi 1558 he was removed thence by the authority of some Governours of neighbouring Castles to Calmantsem, He goes to Calmantsem.though much against his will: And Anno Christi 1561 the greatest misery and mischief that ever befell Zegedine in his life, by Gods permission now came upon him; the occasion whereof was this. Preaching upon Circumcision day, he spake much of the signification of names,He is taken prisoner. and amongst others of …rsula, that it signified, a young Bear: Whereupon a violent woman of that name, Wife to Albert Turia, made a grievous complaint to her husband, that Zegedine had on purpose mentioned that name to disgrace her before all the congregation, and that it deserved to be taken notice of: In the mean time comes into those parts one Mamhuts Beg, a Turish Captain, that was governour of Quinque ecclesia, whom the Citizens of Calmantsem entertained, and gave presents to: Whereupon he advised them to present his Captaine the Vayvod of Coppeswar with four or five els of cloth of Gold, or Silver, which was imposed upon them as a tribute to be paid to him; but whilst they neglected to doe it, the Vayvod being angry, came upon them as they were at a Sermon, and took many of them prisoners, together with Zegedine, and carried them away to Copesware. He is taken prisoner.The rest that escaped, gathering the Tribute, carried it presently to the Vayvod, entreating his pardon, and the restitution of the prisoners, especially of Zegedine, but hee told them, that hee had now written to the Beg (or Lord) of Quinqueecclesia, that he had taken some prisoners, to whom therefore, if they would have them restored to liberty, they must goe and petition for their release. This they did, and things began to succeed according to their mind, so that the captives were commanded to be restored: But the Citizens of Calmantsem having been many wayes wronged by the Vayvod, Turkish injustice.sought to the Beg to have him removed out of his place; but the crafty Vayvod by greater bribes, perswaded the Beg that all their accusations were false: Whereupon the Beg said to them, I will have some of your grave Citizens, together with your Minister brought unto me, by whom I may be informed of the truth of these things. But when Zegedine came,He is again imprisoned. he picked a quarrell with him, and cast him into prison: Whereupon his people, by rich presents, endeavoured to procure his release; and when they had almost obtained their request, one whispered the Beg in his ear, and told him, that hee might have a thousand Florens for his ransome: Upon this suggestion the covetous Turk still detained him, and told them that he would not release him till they had paid him a thousand Florens: And when the money came in slower then he expected,Barbarous cruelty. the barbarous Tyrant chid Zegedins Keeper for using him too gently, which (as he said) was the cause that his ransom was not yet paid:He is beaten cruelly. Whereupon his Keeper bound and whipt him with th…ngs til he was bloody all over, and almost kill'd him: Afterwards the Beg promised that if they would procure the release of the Daughter of the Major of Tolne, who was prisoner with the Hungarians, and bring her unto him, hee would release Zegedine. Her, therefore, Zegedines people of Calmantsem redeemed for three hundred Florens, and presented her to the Beg, Breach of promise.yet the Infidell falsified his promise, and kept him still prisoner. Then the Prince of Transi…vania sent Ambassadors, and a rich present to the Beg, requesting the release of Zegedine, yet nothing could prevail.
Many passengers that went that way,Charity to him hearing of his miserable captivity, came to visit him, and gave him money, but his cruel Keeper extorted most of it from him,His Keepers cruelty. having a command from the Beg that he should bee kept with short commons: But he found that of Saint Paul performed to him,Gods providence. That all things shall work together for good to them that love God: For being bound with heavy and great chains, the barbarous Turk, at the importunitie of some of the Citizens, was the easier prevailed with, to give him leave to goe to some of their houses, faithfully promising to returne him to prison before night; and so having these opportunities he preached to the Christians, who earnestly flocked to heare him.He is favoured by the Courtiers. And it pleased God at last to encline the hearts of some of the Courtiers to favour Zegedine, who were grieved to see him waste away with the filth and stink of the prison, and thereupon advised the best way they could for his release.
During his imprisonment, the Beg used all means both by threats and promises,He is solicited to turn Renegado. to draw him to abjure the Christian Religion, and to turn Turk; but hee alwaies answered him stoutly, That such arguments might prevail with children, but could not with him.His courage.
Having leave at last, through bribes, to lie amongst the other captives in a more open and cleanly place, he wonderfully refreshed,He encourageth the Christian captives. and comforted them by his godly exhortations, and consolations drawn from the Scriptures, whereby they were much confirmed in the Christian Faith: And whereas before they were almost pined through want of food,Gods mercy. God so stirred up the hearts of some to bring relief to Zegedine, that all the rest of the prisoners were provided for plentifully thereby.
Remaining thus in prison he was not idle,What he wrote in prison. but wrote there his Common-places and some other Works; and his Citizens having tried all means, and used the intercession of all their friends for his release, began now almost to despair of obtaining it. And to adde to his affliction, it pleased God in the time of his imprisonment (which was above a year) three of his children died, which added much to his affliction.Three of his children die. But when all hopes failed, let us see by what means (through Gods mercy) he obtained his liberty.The meanes of his deliverance It pleased God that a noble Baron and his Lady passing by that way, saw this worthy man of God in so miserable a plight that the Lady much pittyed him; and afterwards being in Child-bed, and ready to dye, she requested her Lord (who loved her dearly) for her sake to improve all his interest in the Beg to procure Zegedines liberty; which he with an oath promised to perform, and accordingly engaged himself to the Turk that he should pay 1200 Florens for his ransom;His release. upon which he was released, and went about to divers Cities to gather his ransom, and God so enlarged mens hearts towards him, that in a short time he carried 800 Florens to this Baron, and so returned to his people at Calmantsem.
The year after being 1564,A great danger. as he was going by coach to Buda, when the horses came near the River Danubius, being very hot, and dry, they ran violently into the river: but behold the admirable providence of God: when they had swam some twenty paces in the river, they turned back again of their own accord,Gods providence. and drew the coach and him safely to the shore. The same year by Imposition of hands, he ordained three excellent men Ministers Abo… that time there came a bragging Friar, and challenged him to a disputation; which he willingly accepting of,Foolish pride. the great Church was appointed for the place, and many of both sides resorted thither; and the Friar came with much confidence, hi… servants carrying a great sack of book… …. But in the disputation, Zegedine did so baffle him,The Friar baffled. that … shrunk away with shame, a…d he Frier, with his great … was left all alone, so that himself was faine to take it on his own shoulders, and go his way.
About that time the Vayvod, Gods judgment on a persecutorwho had before betrayed him, coming to the place where Zegedine was, desired to speake with him, and requested him to forgive him, professing that he could rest neither night nor day, he was so haunted with apparitions, and the Furies of his own conscience;His Charity. which Zegedine easily assented unto.
An. Christi 1566, Another danger.Zegedine being very hot, invited a friend to go with him to the River of Danubius to bathe themselves; but as they were swimming, his friend looking about him, saw not Zegedine, and wondering what was become of him so suddenly, at last spied his hoary hairs appearing above water; and swimming swiftly to him,Gods providence. Zegedine was sunk, whereupon he diving to the bottom of the river, caught hold of him, and drew him forth, carrying him to a Mill that was not far off, where he laid him to bed: About midnight Zegedine, coming to himselfe, enquired how he came there, and who drew him out of the River; his friend told him the whole story, and kept him carefully till he recovered.
Anno Christi 1572 he fell into a lingring disease, in which he loathed meat, slept little, was much troubled with rheume, complained of Head-ach, and could find no ease, either sitting, standing, or lying; yet he drank much milk; and thought that if he could procure some sleep, hee might easily recover his former health; whereupon he sent for a Chirurgion, who gave him a bitter potion,His Death. which caused him to fall asleep; but after a little while he quietly breathed forth his last, being 67 years old, Anno Christi 1572.
He was a zealous assertor of the Truth against Arianism, Mahometism, His zeal against Hereticks.and Papism, with all which Heresies Hungary at that time was much infected.
His writings were these. Adsertio de Trinitate contra quorundam deliramenta, His Works.in quibusdam Hungariae partibus exorta. Speculum Romanorum Pontificum. Loci communes Theologicae. Tabulae analyticae de fide Christiana.