The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 47 – Biography 48
The Life and Death of John Brentius, who dyed Anno Christi 1570.
IOhn Brentius was born at Wile in Sweveland, Anno Christi 1499. his father was Mayor of that City 24. years, who carefully brought up his son in learning: and at eleven years old sent him to Heidleberg to Schoole, and at thirtee… yeers old he was admitted into the University: and at fifteen he commensed Batchelor; there also he studied Greek and Hebrew; and was so studious, that he usually rose …t midnight to his Booke; whereby he contracted such …n h…bit, that he could never after whilst he lived, sleepe longer then till midnight; the rest of the night he spent in holy Medita…ions. And in his old age he had a candle by hi… bedsid…, and deceived the time by writing and meditation. Partly by his diligence, and partly by his acute wit and strong memory, he profited so much both in the Art… and Tongues, that at eighteen years old he was made Master of Arts. About this time Luthers Books coming abroad, Bren…ius, by reading of them, came to the knowledge of the Truth, which he willingly embraced. And being desirous to p…opagate it to others, he began to read upon Matthew, fir…t to some friends of his own Colledge, but his Auditor… encreasing out of other Colledges, he was fain to read in the publick School…; for which the Divines hated him, because he grew so popular, say…ng; That nei…her was the place fit for Divinity Lectures, nor he fit for such a worke, being not yet in Orders. Wherefor… to take away that objection, he entered into Orders, and Preached often for other men, to the great delight of his Hearers. From thence he was called to be at Pastor at Hale in Sweveland, where his gravity, gesture, phrase, voyce and Doctrine did so plea…e the Senate, that though he was but three and twenty years of age, yet they chose him to that place; and he carried himselfe with such gravity, holinesse of life, integrity of manners, and diligence in his Calling, that none could contemn his youth: and the Lord so blessed his labours there, that many were converted to the Truth; yea, amongst the very Popish Priests, som of them were converted, others l…ft their places for shame, and went elsewhere. He used much modesty and wisdome in his Sermons; and when (in the beginning of his Preaching there) the Popish Priests railed exceedingly upon him and his Doctrine, and the People expected that he would answer them accordingly; he, contrariwise, went on in teaching the fundamentall points of Religion, and as he had occasion he confuted their Errors without bitternesse from clea…e Scripture arguments; whereby in time he so wrought upon them, that he brought them to a sight of their Errors, and to a detestation of their Idolatry.
About this time Muncer, and his companions rose up, and stirred almost all the Boor… in Germany to take Armes against the Magistrates and rich men; abusing Scripture to justifie their proceedings; whereupon Brentius was in great danger, for many cried out, that his opposing of Popery and casting out the old Ceremonies, was the Cause of these tumults: and when as the Boors in Hale were risen up, and threatned to besiege the City of Hale, the Magistrates and Citizens were in such fear, that they were ready to slye, or to joyne with the Boors: but Brentius encouraged them, and told them, That if they would take Armes, and defend their City, God would assist them, &c. And so it came to passe, for six hundred Citizens beat away foure thou…and of those Boors. He also published a Booke, in confutation of their wicked opinions; and shewed how dissonant they were to the Word of God.
Presently after rose up that unhappy cont…n…ion between Luther and Zuinglius, about Christ's presence in the Sacrament, which continued divers years, to the great disturbance of the Church, scandall of the reformed Religion, and hinderance of the successe of the Gospell: and when a conference was appointed for the composing of that differance, Luther, Brentius, and some others met with Zuingli… and some of his friends; but after much debate, they p…ted without an agreement.
Anno 1530. was the Diet held at Auspurg, unto which the Protestant Princes brought their Divines with them, and amongst others Brentius; at which time George Marquess… of Brandenburg told the Emperour, That he would rath…r shed his blood, and lose his life, or lay downe hi… necke to the heads-man, then alter his Religion. Here the Divine… drew up that famous Confession of Faith, which, from the place, is …alled the Augustine-Confession. Brentius, at his …eturne home married a Wife, famous for her chastity, modesty and piety, by whom he had six children. Vlric… Prince of Wurtenburg, intending to reform Religion in hi… Dominions, thought it the best way first to reform the Universitie of Tubing, and considering where he might have a fit man for so great and difficult a worke; he at last resolved upon Brentius, whom he sent for; and who, with much diligence, prudence, and fidelity accomplished the same.
In the year 1547. the Emperour with his Army coming to Hale, Brentius hoping to prevail with the Captaine th… no Souldiers should be quartered in his House; but when h… came home, he found the souldiers beating at his door, and ready to break it down; and when they perceived that Brentius was M…ter of that House, one of them set an Halbert to his brest, threatning to kill him, if the doore was not presently opened. Whereupon they were let in, and he caused meat and drinke to be prepared for them, and in the mean time conveyed away all his papers; and when he saw the fury and rage of the souldiers, he conveyed himselfe and family out at a back door. The next day came a Spanish Bishop with his train, and putting forth the souldiers, he quartered in Brentius his house, searched his study, looked over his papers and letters, and finding some letters to his friends, wherein he justified the Protestant Princes in taking Armes against the Emperour, he presently carried them to the Emperour; whereby Brentius was in great danger, and was fain to hide himselfe in a very high Tower, and not being safe there, he changed his apparell, left his wife and children, and with one onelyonly companion passed through the Spaniards safely, and wandred up and down the fields all that night. But when the Emperor was removed with his Army, he returned to Hale again.
In the year 1548. when Caesar had published his Booke, called the Interim, the Protestant Princes and Magistrates required the judgements of their Divines upon it: and the Magistrates of Hale desired Brentius to tell them his judgement; who when he had considered it, told them, That it was a wicked Booke, and altogether contrary to the Scriptures, and that he would lose his life before he would assent to it. This coming to Caesar's eares, he sent a Commissary to Hale, charging him to bring Brentius to him, either alive or dead: when the Commissary came thither, he insinuated himselfe into Brentius his acquaintance, invited him to his Table, perswaded him to walke abroad with …im, having prepared Horses to carry him away, but that succeeding not, he called the Senate together, and having sworn them to keep private what he should tell them, he imparted his Commission, telling them how acceptable it would be to the Emperour, if they would send to him Brentius; but if they refused, the Emperour would destroy their City, &c. It pleased God that whilest he was thus perswading the Magistrates, there came in one later then his fellowes, and the Commissary not minding it, did not tender the Oath to him; so when they were dismissed, this man wrote to Brentius; Fuge, fuge, Brenti, cito, citius, citissime: which note was brought him as he sate at supper: having read it, he told his Family that he must goe forth upon businesse, but would return ere long. As he was going out of the City he met the Commissary, who asked him whither he went? He answered, To a sick friend in the Suburbs who had sent for him: Well (said the Commissary) to morrow you must dine with me. He replyed, God willing, and so they parted. Being thus escaped, he hid himselfe in a thick Wood, and for some weeks together he lay in the Wood all day, and every night came into a Villege to a friends house where he lodged; he wrote also to the Magistrates of Hale that if they could and would protect him, he was ready to come back, and not to forsake his flock, but if they could not, he did not desire that they should indanger themselves for his sake: They answered, that they could not protect him, and therefore left him free to goe whither he pleased. Presently after Vlricus Prince of Wurtenburge invited him to him, and ordered him to be so private that he himselfe might not know where he was, that if he was asked, he might safely deny his knowledge of him: yet upon suspicion, his Castle was searched, but Brentius was in another place, where in his retirement he wrote a Comment upon the ninety third Psalm: afterwards he went to Basil, as to a safer place, where his wife dyed of a Consumption: from thence he removed to the Castle of Horrenburge in the Hyrcinian Wood, where he changed his name, and gave out that he was the Keeper of the Castle: and whilst he was there, he frequented the Sermons in a neighbor towne, where the Minister used to spin out his Sermons to a great length: whereupon Brentius took occasion modestly to tell him of it; to whom the Minister answered, You Castle-keepers think all time too long at Church, but no time too long that you spend in drinking: Brentius smiling at it, said no more. Whilest he was there, he perfected his Comment upon Isaiah, and some other Works: afterwards he had great profers made him by the Citizens of Magdeburge, by Edward the sixth King of England, and by the Duke of Broussia, but he refused them all, and thus continued in banishment for the space of two years. Anno Christi 1550. Vlricus Duke of Wurtenburg dyed, and his son Christopher succeeding, he resolved to restore the Ministers which were driven away by the Interim to their Charges within his Dominions, and to perfect the Worke of Reformation: and for that end, sent for Brentius and kept him in his Castle of Stutgard that he might have his advice and assistance in carrying on of that work: neither was he discouraged by the admonitions of the Princes and Bishops, nor by the threats of the Garrisons that were about him: but caused Brentius to write a Confession of Faith, and of the Doctrine of Christian Religion, and … bout the chiefe points in Controversie, which he intended to send to the Councill of Trent: about that time Brentius married againe, one Catharine Isenmam a choise woman, who was a great comfort to him all the rest of his life, by whom also he had twelve children: the year after the Pastor of Stutgard dying, Brentius was chosen in his room: in which place he continued all his life, and carryed himselfe with much sedulity, piety and prudence in the same. Anno Christi 1557. he was sent by his Prince to the Conference at Worms, which came to nothing, because the Popish party would not suffer that the Scripture should be …he Judge of their Controversies. In his old age he wrot upon the Psalmes: and whereas there were many Monasteries in Wur…enburge, out of wch the Fryars were driven, he perswaded his Prince to turn them to Schools for the training up youth in learning, which was accordingly don, and once in two years Brentius visited those Schools; and tooke notice how the Scholars profited in learning, and encouraged them to make a daily progresse therein: he had almost finished his Comment upon the Psalmes when as his old age, worn out with studyes, and labors, put a period unto the same, and his end was hastned by grief for the immature death of hi… Prince, for whom he professed that he would willingly have sacrificed all his estate, and his owne life also. Falling in…o a Fevor whereby he perceived that his end approached, he made his Will, wherein he set downe a Confession of his Faith: and sending for the Ministers of Stutgard, he caused his Son to read it to them, & requested them to subscribe their hands as witnesses to it: he also received the Sacrament, and exhorted them to unity in Doctrine, and love amongst themselves: he was exceeding patient in all his sicknesse, neither by word, nor gesture shewing the least impatience: alwayes saying, That he longed for a better, even an eternall life: the night before his death he slept sweetly, and when he awaked, the Minister repeated the Apostles Creed, and asked him whether he dyed in that Faith, to whom he answered, Yea: which was his la…t word, and so he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi 1570. and of his Age 71. He was buried with much honor, …nd had this Epitaph:
Voce, stylo, pietate, fide, candore probatus
Johannes, tali Brentius ore fuit.
With voice, style, piety, faith, candor grac'd,
In outward shape, Iohn Brentius was thus fac'd.
Toss'd in the ship of fortune B…entius sail'd
From place, to place, his courage never fail'd;
But with resolved Constancy, he bent
His minde to suffer, free from discontent:
The rage of Papists could not make him yeeld
To their desires; True vertue was his shield;
The strength of his afflictions added strength
Unto his soul, his suffrings had no length
Except of dayes, and them he knew to be
B…t servile Subjects to Mortality:
Thus like a patient sufferer he fled
From earth, to heaven, and there repos'd his head.
The Life and Death of Peter Viretus, who dyed Anno Christi 1571.
PEt…r Viretus was born in the Country of the Bernates, brought up in learning at Paris, where he began to be acquainted with Farellus: from thence he went to Lusanna, where he was chosen Pastor, and spent much of his time in teaching, and writing there: and when Calvin was sent to the Conference at Worms Anno Christi 1541. and from thence to Ratisbone, he obtained of the Senate of Lusanna that Viretus should supply his place at Geneva til his return: and when he came backe he much importuned that Viretus might still continue there, affirming that it would much conduce to the good of the Church at Geneva to enjoy his labours: but he would needs return to Lusanna to his former charge: yet afterwards, at the earnest entreaty of the French Churches, he went to Lions; where, in the middest of the Civill Wars, and the Pestilence which followed, he, with his Collegues, governed the Church with much prudence: till, by the Jesuits means, there was a Proclamation sent abroad that none but such as were Native French should be Preachers in the Protestant Churches: then at the request of the Queen of Navar he went to Bern, where he continued untill his death, which was in the year 1571. and of his Age threescore. He was much bewailed of all good men: wh…est he lived he was of a very weake constitution, & the rather by reason o… poyson which a Priest had given to him at Geneva; as also because of some wounds that he had received from a Priest in another place, where he was left for dead. He was very learned, of a sweet disposition, and so exceeding eloquent, that he drew many to be his Hearers which were no friends to Religion; and they were so chained to his lips, that they never thought the time long wherein he Preached, but alwayes wished his Sermons longer. At Lyons, which was a populous City, he Preached in an open place, a…d turned some thousands to the Truth and Faith in Christ: yea, some that passed by, with no purpose to heare his Sermon, he did so wo…ke upon them, th…t they neglected their other businesse to harken to him.
Reader, observe the Malice of his Foes,
Who having not the wisedome to oppose
Brave Viretus by arguments; thought fit
To labour with a diabolick wit
To work his ruine; first by poyson they
Contriv'd his fall; but poyson scorn'd to bey
Their base desires, which made them rage and swell,
Into a madnesse, till advis'd by Hell
To a more speedy way, which soone took place
Within their hearts; being destitute of grace
They thought it good to imploy a Papist, whose arme
Was ready to performe what might prove harme
To harmelesse Viretus, and with a knife
(As they suppos'd) depriv'd him of his life:
But God (the great abhorror of such crimes)
Preserv'd rare Viretus for better times.