The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 52 – Biography 53
The Life and Death of Peter Ramus, who dyed Anno Christi 1572.
PEter Ramus was born in France Anno Christi 1515. His Grandfather was a Noble-man, who (having his estate plundered by Charles Duke of Burgundie, Generall under the Emperour Charles the fifth) was forced to leave his Country, and to betake himselfe to the poore, and painfull life of an husbandman: and his father being left very poor by him, was fain to live by making of Charcole: Ramu… being from his Childhood of an excellent wit, of an industrious nature, and much addicted to learning, was compelled for his subsistance to live as a servant with one of his Uncles: but finding (that by reason of his many Imployments) he had no time to follow his book there, he thought it better to betake himselfe to the service of some learned man: so going to Paris, and being admitted into the Colledge of Navar, he laboured hard all day for his Masters, and spent a great part of the night in study, so that in a short time he was made Master of Arts, and Laureat-Poet: and the Professors in that Colledge, every one taking much delight in his diligence, each strove to forward him in learning, and lent him such books as he needed: then he betook himselfe to instructing of others, and to exercise himselfe in private Lectures, till thereby he had fitted himselfe for more publick employments: then was he appointed publickly to read Logick, and when he was tw…nty one years old, he published his Logick, with some Animadversions upon Aristotile: this procured him much love, every one admiring such ripe parts, in so young a man: and envy being the usuall concomitant of vertue, he had also many that envied, and aspersed him; especially the Sorbone Doctors, who accused him of Heresie in Phylosopgy, for that he being but a Novice, dust take upon him to correct Aristotle, the Prince of Phylosophers: and by their authority they so far prevailed, that Ramus was forbidden to read, or write any mor… of Phylosophy: This being very gri…vous to him, it pleased God to stir up the heart of the Governour of another Colledge to send for him to assist him in restoring of that Colledge, which was now empty; the students being all fled by reason of the infection of the Plague: a… it came to passe that in a short time (Ramus being so famou… a man) the Colledge was better stored with students then ever it was before: the Sorbonists much raged at this, and laboured to so… division betweene the Governour of the Colledge and him: yet Ramus carried himselfe with so much candor and ingenuity, that they lived together w…th much concord: at last, that Governour dying, Ram…s succ…eded him: and by the Cardinall of Lorrain's meanes (who who was a great favorer of Learning) he was made the Regius Professor of Rhetorick, and Phylosophy, Anno Christ… 1551. and of his Age thirty six. His fame spreading into all the Universities of Christendome, there were many Princes that strove to get him out of France, profering him large stipends if he would come to them: but he being now famous in France, preferred his owne Country before all others; and therefore rejected all their offers. In Pari… he had so great esteem, that (though his enemies strongly opposed it) yet he was made Dean of the whole University: and so having obtained a more quiet kinde of life, he betook himselfe to the study of the Mathematicks, wherein he grew very exquisite. But when the Civill Wars brake forth in France for Religion, and that none could safely enjoy themselves, or any thing that they had, when under pretence of Religion, every one revenged his owne private quarrels upon others; Ramus, to free himselfe from this tempest, left Paris, and went to Fontainblew, where the Kings Library was: yet neither there could he be in safety: so that at last, he was compelled to betake himselfe to the Camp of the Prince of Conde: But when he saw that France was no fit place for him for the present to reside in, he resolved to travell into Germany, till God should restore peace to his Country againe: and accordingly he went to Argentine, Basil, Lusanna, T…g…re, Heidelb…rge… Nore…berg, and Auspurg, and was entertained in all these Universities with great applause, and with much joy by all learned men. And when the Civill War was ended in France, he returned to Pari… againe. Then he remained in his College till th…t horrible Massacre happened on Saint B…rtholomews Eve, wherein so many thousands perished by the cruell hands of bloody Papists: at which time the Colledge gates being fast shut, he locked himselfe up in his owne house till those furious Papist… brake open his door…, and finding him, … him through, and being halfe dead, threw him out of his window; and not …fied therewith, they cut off his head, dragged his body about the streets in the channels, and at last threw it into the river of S…in, Anno Christi 1572. and of his Age seven and fifty. After which also they sel…ed upon his Goods, Library and Writings, whereby many …xcellent Comm…ntaries and other Works (not fully complea…) perished, to the great losse of learned men.
Ind…rious … from his youth inclin'd
Himsel…e … a well composed min…e:
His hear… was serious, and he tooke great paines
To sowe good seeds, and after reape the ga…nes.
He was belov'd of all that lov'd the …ame
Of learning; for he had a winged name.
His care, his love, his industry was such,
That in few yea…s his heart attain'd to much:
But in conclusion, Envi… that still crowds
Into true Fame, involv'd him in the clouds
Of sudden ruine; P…ist… thought it good
To take a furfeit of his guiltlesse blood.
The Life and Death of Matthew Parker, who dyed Anno Christi 1574.
MAtthew Parker was born in the City of Norwich, Ann… Christi 1502. and having some years at Schoole, h… went to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Corpu… Christi [Bennet] Colledg, in which place he profited so much that he was chosen Fellow, and grew so famous th…t Queen Ann Bullen [mother to Queen Elizabeth] made him her Chaplain, whereupon he Commensed Doctor in Divinity: and after her death, King Henry the eighth; and after his death, King Edward the sixth made him their Ch… plaines, and preferred him to be Master of Bennet Colledge; besides other Ecclesiasticall dignities which they advanced him to: but in Queen Maries dayes, he was despoiled of all, and was compelled to live a poor, and private life: but so soon as Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown, she made choyce of this Doctor Parker for his admirable learning, and piety to be the Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1559. which place he supplyed with great commendation for above fifteen years. His works of Charity were very eminent: He gave to the Corporation of Norwich, where he was born, a Bason and Ewr double guilt, weighing 173. ounces: as also fifty shillings a year for ever to be destributed amongst the poor of that City: and six anniversary Sermons in severall places of Norfolk: to Bennet Colledge he gave thirty Scholarships, built them a Library, and bestowed many excellent books, and ancient Manuscripts upon it, besides three hundred ounces of silver, and guilt-plate: and the perpetuall Patronage of Saint Mary Ab-church-London. He carefully collected, and caused to be printed diverse ancient Histories of England, which probably had otherwise been lost. He dyed in peace An. Christi 1574. and of his Age 72.
What Heav'n bestow'd upon him, he was frée
To give to others; for his Charitie
Was known to many, whose impatient griefe
Inforc'd them to implore his sure reliefe,
His worth was such, that t'was disputed, which
Pray'd for him most, either the poore or rich.
The poore, they pray'd (as they were bound to do)
Because he fild their soules and bodies too.
The rich destr'd his life, because his store
Sustain'd their soules, and help'd maintain the poore.
Thus having spent his dayes in love, he went
In peace to Heav'ns high court of Parliament.