The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 23 – Biography 24
The Life and Death of GEORGE PRINCE of A…halt, wh… died Anno Christi 1553.
GEorg Prince of Anhalt was born An. Chr. 1507. his Father was Prince Ernest, who was carefull to bring him up in the fear of God; and for that end he placed him with George Forcheme, who was eminent for training up of youth, under whom he profited exceedingly, both in humane literature, and in princip…ls of Divinity: then he was set to the study of the Law, wherein he profited very much also: having attained to the age of twenty two yeeres, he was chosen by Albert, Elector of Men…z to be one of his Councell, wherein he carried himselfe with high commendations, in managing the greatest State-affairs: But the Controversies about Religions waxing hot at this time, and Luthers books coming abroad, he fell to reading of them, and suspecting his owne injudiciousnesse, he would often pray with tears to God to encline his heart to the Truth, saying, Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and instruct mee in thy righteousnesse. He was frequent in reading the Scriptures, Ecclesiasticall Histories, Augustine, Hierom, and Lombard: he studied also Greek, and Hebrew: and discoursed with learned men about the Controversies: and after all, upon mature deliberation, he embraced the Reformed Riligion, and reformed the Churches with the counsell of his brethren, within his owne jurisdiction. Anno Christi 1545. he was called to the Government of the Churches within the Diocesse of Mersburge, where he was carefull to have the Truth Preached to the people; he lived with much continencie in a single life: he took much pains both in writing, and Preaching: he was very charitable, a great promoter of Peace amongst Princes: very free from ambition, hatred, and revenge: he used often to say, Subdi…us esto Deo, & ora eum, &c. Submit thy selfe to God, and pray unto him; for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart, and will save the humble in spirit. He employed his time so well, that he left none for pleasures; and used to say, That nothing refreshed him more in his sorrowes, then conference with learned and godly men. Falling sick of a most troublesome disease, he was frequent in holy prayer, for himselfe, for all the Princes of that family, for his country, and for Germany; he had some portions of holy Scriptures daily read to him: he made his Will, wherein he set downe the Confession of his Faith, and commended the defense of his Churches to his brother: he added something to the stipends of all the godly Ministers under his charge: He often ruminated upon those texts, God so loved the world, that he gave, &c. No man shall take my sheep out of my hand. Come unto mee all yee that are wearie, &c. and so in holy meditations, and prayer hee resigned up his Spirit unto God Anno Christi 1543. and of his Age 47.
A Prince by birth, and of a Princely minde,
Full frought with vertues, of each severall kinde
Is here presented; ornaments of grace,
Such as doe challenge, not the second place,
But first by merit: here you may behold
One, whose rare vertues no Pen can unfold.
In pious duties he did strive to be
Transcendant; who was by nature frée,
For to the Poore he reliefe did give,
During the time that he on earth did live,
Read but his life, and then at large youle sée,
Monopoliz'd in him most vertues be.
The life and Death of Justus Jonas, who dyed Anno Christi 1555.
IVstus Ionas was born at Northusa Anno Christi 1493. where his Father was a Senator; who falling sick of the Plague, and having applyed an Onion to the Soare, and taking it off, and laid it by him, this little Ionas coming, tooke the Onion and eat it up, yet without any prejudice to himself, God miraculously preserving of him. He was first brought up at Schoole, afterwards he studied Law, and made a good progresse therein: But upon better though…s he studied Divinity, and proceeded Doctor, and embraced the Reformed Religion, and was called Anno Christi 1521. to a Pastorall charge in Wittenberg: he was present at most of the Disputations about Religion, where he defended the truth strenuously, and endevoured to promote peace: he was also made a Professor in that Universitie: He, with Spalatine and Amsdorfius was imployed by the Elector of Saxonie to Reforme the Churches in Misnia and Thuringia: From thence he was called unto Hale in Saxonie, where he Preached and promoted Religion exceedingly: Luther somtimes resorted thither to him, and tooke him along with him in his last journey to Isleben, where he dyed: after whose death he remained a while in the Duke of Saxonies Court, and was a constant companion of Iohn Frederickes sons in all their afflictions: and lastly, he was set over the Church in Eisfield, where he ended his dayes in much peace, and comfort, Anno Christi 1555. and of his Age 63. Being once under temptations, and in great agonie, he shewed much despondencie, but his servant, partly by comforting of him and partly by chiding of him, cheared him up; and at last, through Gods mercy, the Spirit prevailed against the Flesh.
Justius by name, no poyson sure could kill,
God so protected him, from what was ill:
The venome of the Plague did séeme to be
No poyson unto him, for he scap'd frée;
Although the Duyon he by chance did eat,
That poyson'd was, by the Plagues strong heat;
Nor was his body, but his minde as frée
From the contagion of hels leprosie.
For all his study was, how to obtaine
That happy treasure, whereby he might gaine
Heaven a… the last; and sure unto that place
He's long since gone; who was his Conntries grace.