The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 74 – Biography 75
WILL: WHITAKER.
The Life and Death of William Whittaker.
UPon the entrance of that gracious Prince of blessed memory King Edward the sixt, at which time began the generall …xilement of Popish superstitions out of this Realm, and the setling of sincere Religion in roome therof; it pleased God withall to bring into the world with us a choice instrument of his, one that should in due time prove an eager and able both opposer of the one, and maintainer of the other. For in the first yeare of that pious Princes reign was William Whittaker borne at the Manner of Holme in the Parish of Burndley in the County of Lancaster.
Under his Parents he was brought up at Grammer Schoole untill being now about ten years of age, about the time of the second restauration of the sincere profession of Religion, shortly after the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth of holy and happy memory, he was by that reverend and religious Divine Alexander Nowel, Deane of Pa…ls, being his Unckle by the Mothers side, sent for up to London from his parents, with whom he had been nursed up in Popish …uperstitions; taken into his family, and trained up in further matter of learning fit for his years, in the publick School founded by Doctor Colet his pious sometime predecessor.
There he so profited in good literature, and gave such presages of what would afterwards ensue, that being now eighteen years old, he was by the foresaid venerable Deane his Unckle sent to the University of Cambridge, and there admitted into Trinity Colledge; where making further progresse answerable to his former beginnings, he was chosen first Scholar, and after Fellow of that House: and having received the degree of Master of Arts, he began now to grow into no small esteeme and fame by reason of disputes and other exercises performed by him, with the good approbation, and to the great admiration even of the best and chiefest.
Among other things that caused the more generall …otice to be t…ken o… him, and gained him m…ch reputation, were the transl…tion of his reverend Unckle Master Nowels Catechisme into pure and elegant Greek, and the dispu…e …f that our right precious Iewell against Harding into the l…ke Latine.
Hence it came to passe, that contention sometime arising between the two Proctors of the same year, whether of them should at the ensuing Commencement be Father of the Philosophy Act; to end the controversie being referred to the Heads of the University, it was by their joynt consent, as deeming none fitter for such a performance, devolved to Master Whittaker, though one then far younger then either of them, and that might for his years have seemed too young for such an office. But they were confident, as appeared upon former proofe, of his sufficiency for the place. Neither did he therein either faile their estimation, or frustrate their expectation of him: For he discharged the office thus imposed upon him… with the generall applause of all, as well strangers as others.
From the study of the Arts and Tongues, wherein he gave sundry pregnant proofs of his proficiency beyond most of his equals, (having thereby laid a sound foundation for a further firmer & fairer future fabrick) he betook himself to the study of Divinity. Unto which now mainely addicting himselfe, he began (as was most need) with the Scriptures, the pure Well-spring of all divine truth: the authority whereof as he alwayes maintained, so he made them ever his Ground-worke for all matters of Faith, and his Touchstone for the triall of all humane either writings or opinions. From thē he proceeded (a good course to be taken by young students in Divinity) to the writings of our modern Divines of the best note: and from these to the Monuments of the auncient Doctors; all the works of whom, whither Greek or Latine Fathers of any note (being one as of a strong and able body, so of pains and industry unweariable; by night watches repairing what at any time by day he lost through emergent occasions) he read over and dispatched within few years.
Herein he both so profited, and made his proficien…y to appeare, that nothing ordinary was now expected from him; and being chosed when he took his first degree in Divinity, to answer the Act at the Commencement in that solemn Assembly, he therein so acquited himselfe, that the place of the chiefe Professor of Divinity becoming shortly after, even the very next year vacant, by the removall of Doctor Chader…on (who then held it) from the Headship of Queens Colledge to the Bishoprick of Chester; notwithstanding his immaturity of years, as might be deemed for such an employment: his maturity of judgement and learning, joyned with singular piety, modesty, gravity and discreete cariage, prevailed so much as to procure him that plac…, though much laboured for by some others far auncienter then himselfe, and of good darts and note other… we see.
Being now brought upon a most eminent Stage, wherein he lay open to all eyes, to envious ones especially (seldome wanting in such cases, and of all other most curious and quick-sighted to pry narrowly into the defects and defaults of those whom they envie;) he therein so worthily demeaned himselfe, beyond all expectation, that he not onelyonly surpassed the expectation of his wel-wishing friends, but surpassed also the emulations of his ill-affected adversaries: not unlike a prevailing pillar of fire, that with i…s cleare and bright flames mounting up on high, dispelleth and consumeth the smoake that would obscure and smother it.
He began with the opening in a dogmaticall way, of sundry Bookes and parcels of Scripture: the three first chapters of S. Lukes Gospell, the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians, his first Epistle to Timothy, and Salomons Song of Songs: all which he went through with, in his publicke Lectures, within the space of six years; being attended continually with a constant concourse of the best, and an auditory at all times well filled.
Neither was his Pen idle the whiles but was withall employed otherwise, as well as his tongue. For during this time, he delt by writing with Campian that florishing Jesuite, and refuted his ten frivolous and reasonlesse Reasons, which he so much vaunted of; he replyed upon Duraeus the Scot, his scurrilous railings, in defence of that his refutation, and stopt his foule mouth. He grapled with sedicious Sanders, evicting his Arguments, wherby he laboured to prove that the Pope is not Antichrist; and with Rainolds his second, who had bin nibling onelyonly at the Preface to his eviction of Sanders his Demonstration, but had no hart to meddle with the Worke it selfe.
After this, considering the state and necessity of the times, in his publicke Lectures he betooke himselfe to Controversies; and singled out Bellarmine, the Popes then greatest Champion and Romes Goliah, to bicker with. The Controversies he handled, were concerning the Scriptures, concerning the Church, concerning Councels, concerning the Bishop of Rome, concerning the Ministers of the Church, concerning the Saints deceased, concerning the Church Triumphant, concerning the Sacraments in generall, the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and of Baptisme in speciall; whereof some small part he published in his life time, some other part hath bin published since his death.
And as his Readings at home, so his Writings both at home and abroad, have for ingenuity, perspicuity, soundnesse, succinctnesse, received high commendations from the most judicious Divines that this age hath afforded; yea, it is credibly reported, that Cardinall Bellarmine himselfe so esteemed of him, that he procured hence his Portraiture, and had it hanging in his Study among the Pictures of other men of prime note; and that being demanded, why he would keepe so near him the effigies of an Hereticke, and one that had written against him, and grace such an one so much; he made answer, that Though he were an Hereticke and an Advarsarie, yet he was a learned Adversary: nor is any testimony deemed more firme and credible, then that that proceedeth from a professed enemy. OnelyOnly, while he lived, Stapleton a peevish peece, …narled at some passages in one of his Controversies; whom he so answered, that the waspish dotard had little lust to reply.
Having some years sat in the Professors chaire, and taken the degree of Doctor; upon removall of Doctor Howland to the Bishopricke of Peterborough, he was called by speciall… Mandate from the Queens Majesty to be Master of S. Iohns Colledg; which Colledge by his accesse to it, he much advanced. For in his government thereof (which with much moderation and singular discretion he carried himselfe in) he had a speciall eye to the advancement, as well of Religion as of Learning, taking notice even of the lowest and the meanest; and giving much encouragement every way to such as he observed to be forward in either. By meanes whereof, that Colledge (during all the time of his continuance there) greatly florished, and was more frequented then any Colledge in the whole Universitie besides.
About his latter times som Controversie arising in the Universitie, concerning certaine points of Doctrine; he was together with some other of chiefe note and place called up to London, for the composing of the same; wherein having travelled and taken much paines to good purpose; in his returne homeward from thence, being well near midwinter and sharpe weather, he tooke (by some cold in likelihood) that sicknesse, of which (turning to a violent Feaver) he not long after deceased.
During the short time of his sicknesse (for he lay not many dayes) he carried himselfe very comfortably and cheerfully, and departed with much peace.
He was a man very personable, of a goodly presence, a body well compact, tall of stature, upright, proportionally limmed, blacke hayred, of a grave aspect, a ruddy complexion, a strong constitution; of a setled carriage, a solid judgement, a liberall minde, an affable disposition; a milde, yet no remisse Governour; a free disposer of Places; a constant frequenter of the publicke service; a generall Schollar; a great Student to the last; a lover of Learning and Learned; a contemner of money; of a moderate dyet; a familiar demeanure; a life generally unblameable; and (that which added a luster to all the rest) amidst all these endowments, and the respects of others, even the greatest, thereby deservedly procured, of a most meek and lowly spirit.
He had two wives successively, women of good birth and note, and eight children by them. He left this world (to his eternall joy and gaine, but to the great losse of Gods Church, and griefe of all sound and godly learned) on the fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1595. and in the forty and seventh of his age: having held the Professours chaire about sixteene years; and the Mastership of Saint Iohns Colledge almost nine. His corps was with very great solmnity, and generall lamentation brought to the ground; and lyeth enterred in the Chappell of the foresaid Colledge; his Epitaph being engraven with letters of gold on a faire stone in the wall near to the place of its enterment. His Workes extant testifying his worth, are these:
1 His Translation of Master Nowels Catechisme into Greeke. 2 Hi… Translation of Bishop Jewels disput… against Harding into La…ne. 3 His Answer to Edmund Campian his ten Reasons. 4 His defence of that his answer against John Durey. 5 His Refutation of Nicolas Sanders his Demonstration, whereby he would prove, that the Pope is not Antichrist. 6 A collection thereto …dded of …n…ie…t Heres…s …a…e… i… … to ma…e up the Popish Apostasie. 7 His Thesis prop…unded and defended at the Commecement 1582. that the Pope is the Antichrist spoken of in Scripture. 8 His answer to Willam Reinolds against the Preface to that against Sanders in English. 9 His Disputation con…erning the Scripture against the Papists of …hese times, Bellarmine and Stapleton especially. 10 His defence of the Authority of the Scriptures, against Thomas Stapleton his defence of the Authority of the Churches. 11 His Lectures on the Controversies concerning the Bishop of Rome, set forth by John Allenson after his decease. 12 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning the Church, set forth by the same Party. 13 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning Councels, set forth by the same. 14 A Treatise of Originall sin, against Stapletons three former bookes of Iustifi…ation, set forth by the same. 15 A Lecture on the first of Timothy 2.4. read on Febrvary 27. 1594. before the Earl of Essex, and some other Honourable Persons. 16 His Lectures concerning the Sacraments in generall; the Eucharist and Baptisme in speciall: taken by John Allenson, and set forth by Dr Samuel Ward.
Let such whose merits, whose indifferent fames
Keepes life and soul together in their Names,
With much a doe, let such require the praise
Of hyred quils to cleare their cloudy dayes
With borrow'd Sunshine; let them strive to vamp
Their wasted Mem'ryes, by another Lampe:
Let those whom ordinary wrrth commends
Receive Almes-praise from charitable friends:
Our learned Whittaker craves no expression,
Noe vote, no Trumpit but his foes confession;
Whose well refuted Arguments proclame
His everlasting honor, and their shame:
He was the shield of Truth, the scourge of error,
This Islands Tryumph, and proud Babils Terror.
The Life and Death of Lambert Danaeus, who dyed Anno Christi 1596.
LAmbert Danaeus was born at Aurelia in France Anno Christi 1530. he was of an acute wit, and wonderfully addicted to learning, so that by his diligence, and extraordinary pains he attained to a great measure of it: in his younger years he studyed the civill Law four years at Aurelia under Anna Burgius: then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity, and (imbracing the reformed Religion) went to Geneva Anno Christi 1560. He had a vast memory, and read over many Authors; he was so versed in the Fathers, and School-Divines that few attained to the like exactnesse therein, whence one saith of him, Mirum est, homuncionis unius ingenium, tot, & tam diversas scientsas haurire, & retinere potuisse: At Geneva he was admitted into the number of Doctors, and Pastors, and by his learned labors was exceeding usefull both to the Church and Unixersity; alwayes imploying himselfe, in writing, ann publishing Commentaries upon the Scriptures, and other learned treatises which were of speciall concernment: From thence he was called to the University of Leiden, where he was received with much joy, and was exceedingly admired for his learning, acutenesse of wit, promptnesse, and strength of memory, in alleaging, and reciting the sentences of the Fathers, Schoolmen, Canonists, and prophane writers; From thence he was called to Gaunt Anno Christi 1582. where he taught a little while, but that City being full of tumults, he foreseeing the storm that was coming upon it, left it, and being sent for went into Navar, where by his teaching, and writing he made the University of Orthesium famous: and at last he there laid downe his earthly tabernacle Anno Christi 1596. and of his age 66.
Danaeus that was acute and wise,
Own'd vertue as his chiefest prize;
He was a jem, that much adorn'd
The Church, he much contemn'd; and scorn'd
The wayes of Popery; his heart
Was fil'd with comfort, joyn'd with art:
He was esteem'd and lov'd of those
That were industrious to oppose
Erronious principels; his minde
Was by heav'ns powerfull hand refin'd:
Who at the last received his spirit
And made him happy to inherit.